No lobbyists in Washington? They're giving Obama advice. No earmarks or wasteful spending? Obama now says it's OK to keep them in legislation. Stimulus package? More like a SPENDING package to create the biggest growth of government ever seen. The greatest administrative team ever created? Sure, if tax cheats and critical job vacancies are your thing. Tax cuts for 95% of working Americans? I was hoping for more than $13/week as new legislation piles on thousands of new tax monies.
For the past few months, Megan and I, along with some good friends of ours, have been playing in a recreational, co-ed volleyball league. Although we haven't always been the best team on the court, playing volleyball with our friends has been something to look forward to each Sunday.
However, all things must come to an end.
For Megan, that will be a week earlier than the rest of us.
As is evident from the picture above, Megan broke her ankle this past Sunday. Along with the break, she also tore some ligaments around the ankle bone area. OUCH! The ankle was pretty swollen (it was the size of a tennis ball when it first happened) and it is gradually healing. Meg will be in the cast for at least two weeks followed by some physical therapy. I took off Monday and Wednesday this week to help her with Kayley and with things around the house. Luckily, the doctor said she can walk on it if need be...and with a 15 month old running around...need be is a lot of the time! Kayley was unsure of the crutches at first as Megan clunked around the house for a few days.
I want Barack Obama to succeed as President of the United States.
However, with that said, it is extremely difficult to support our 44th president's early actions, political aspirations and ideology, and downright political stupidity.
As a people, we are transitioning to a political myth known as "hope and change" while the new American motto morphs into something along the lines of "America: the Land where hard-working, responsible citizens financially support those who single handily destruct the foundation of Democracy." Has a nice ring to it, eh?
Since taking office on January 20, Barack Obama's presidential approval rating has dropped (according to most polls) an estimated nine percentage points (68% to 59%) within the first six weeks. The Dow Jones, which opened at 8281.22 on the morning of Obama's inauguration, has plunged 1686.78 points. "That's a vote of practically no confidence in Obama's strategy for reviving the economy. The numbers were worse on the biggest days of the Obama presidency. The Dow fell 332.13 points on inauguration day, 381.99 points on the day Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced step two in the bank bailout, a 200+ point drop after his health care pitch, and 297.91 points when the president signed the stimulus bill (Barnes)." Basically, the business world has a grim outlook when it comes to President Obama's destruction of free-market capitalism (In 2010 Obama, and congressional Democrats, plan to increase capital gain taxes on businesses to an astonishing 46%. China, with its statism government is at 25%. US Companies Pay Highest Taxes in the World ).
Ever heard the proverb 'You judge a man by the company he keeps'? Apparently, the Obama administration hasn't. Bill Richardson (political donation scandal), Tim Geithner (tax cheat), Tom Daschle (tax cheat), Nancy Killefer (tax cheat), Ron Kirk (tax cheat), and Judd Gregg (saw the writing on the wall). No wonder Dems want to raise taxes, they don't pay them! Not to mention some questionable ethics by nominations that did make it through the Democratic majority approval hearings.
Then, there is the ever popular (sarcasm) stimulus bill. You know, the one that Obama praised as a bipartisan effort (3 Republicans voted in favor of the bill) and a bill that was completely diluted of pork and earmarks (which Congress,without Obama knowing?, just voted to keep over 9,000 earmarks and pet projects in the bill). The bill opens the door for socialized health care (knocking over 10 million Americans who currently have health insurance onto the government's books), does very little to create sustained job growth, gives the average American an immediate $13/week tax credit while we split the cost of the stimulus bill in increased taxes over the long haul, keeps more of the same when it comes to the failed education program in this country, nationalizes banks, and pays off the greedy CEOs and politicians who got us in this mess beginning in the 1970's.
And finally, if we can say that after 45 days on the job, Obama's reckless decision to close Gitmo without a clear plan to provide justified judicial reform to Illegal Combatants (which, under the Geneva Conventions, we have every right to detain), Obama's "be nice to abortionist" memorandum (financial support to fund abortions abroad), the 17,000 troops issued to Afghanistan without any reasonable objective, his fear-mongering when it comes to economic "catastrophe" (as he wined and dined in Chicago for 4 days) and the money-draining myth known as climate change, ridiculous attempts to appease terrorists and their organizations (and state-funded), and the continued rhetoric to blame everything on the past eight years.
Even (the smarter) Democrats are beginning to distance themselves from the Obama Administration and their ghastly tactics. For politicians are a lot like meteorologists; they forecast, easily, what is to come. And for these Democrats, visions of political careers crashing and burning is enough cause to look the other way.
Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 to December 19, 1968) was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.
The Socialist Party candidate for President of the U.S., Norman Thomas, said this in a 1944 speech:
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism," they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened! "
He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform."
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher~
One word to describe this book? Eye-opening. Mark Steyn's America Alone is a book that every Western civilization should be required to read. Although the book is based on speculation, Steyn does a riveting job by providing many useful statistics and examples to support his research and writing.
We don't make a distinction between civilians and non-civilians, innocents and non-innocents. Only between believers and unbelievers. And the life of an unbeliever has no value.
~ Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed
Nature has made up her mind that what cannot defend itself shall not be defended
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Steyn discusses world issues, in regards to Islam and the Western World, like the declining fertility rate that could potentially cripple developed nation's economies, liberal government policies that are leading us toward a social democracy which values second-tier priorities, the crumbling of Europe (where Islam has silently penetrated religion, politics, and law) and Russia (where abortions now outnumber birthrate), and the many issues that deal with the problems of a 7th century religion in a 21st century world.
Steyn is getting out the message, but will anyone listen and take action? Read...this...book.
In the end it will be America vs. the Rest of the World. Whose side will you be on?
Sorry for the lack of posting. Work, grad classes, and family have kept me/us pretty busy.
As of this morning, I am signed up for the final two classes of my Master's Degree. I will officially be done in July and graduate in August with a Master's Degree in Education Administration emphasizing the Principalship. However, in order to become a licensed principal, I will need to complete a 12 credit-hour licensure program that includes a two-semester internship (as well as passing the Praxis principal examination). After graduating high school in 2001, I never would have imagined that I would have gotten to this point in my life so quickly. I'll just be glad when it is over :)
Educational Administration: The Principalship Master's Program (Standard Program)
Required Coursework
The Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership offers a 30-hour Master’s Degree Program in the Principalship. With the help of an advisor and approval of the Graduate School, courses may be substituted and/or waived to create specialized options. Requirements of the Principalship Master’s Degree Program in Educational Administration are listed below.
Master’s Courses - 30 credits 5100:600 (3) Philosophies of Education (completed) 5100:624 (3) Educational Psychology (completed) 5100:604 (3) Topical Seminar: Cultural Foundations of Education (completed) 5100:640 (3) Techniques of Research (completed) 5170:601 (3) Organizational Leadership (completed) 5170:604 (3) School/Community Relations (Summer 2009) 5170:607 (3) School Law (Summer 2009) 5170:610 (3) Supervision of Instruction (completed) 5170:620 (3) School Culture and Governance (completed) 5170:615 (3) Disability Law (completed)
Total Principalship Master’s Program: 30
The candidate will be required to pass a portfolio assessment by a three-member full-time faculty panel in order to qualify for graduation.
The Principalship Licensure Program is an option in educational administration designed to prepare a candidate for an Ohio license to practice as a school principal and is built on two components: the Principalship master's degree and those post-master's courses listed below.
Post-Master’s Licensure Courses - 12 credits 5170:602 (3) Management of Physical Resources 5170:603 (3) Management of Human Resources 5170:695/696 (3+3) Principal Internship
Total Principalship Licensure Program: 12
To obtain a license to practice the work of a school principal through the College of Education, the candidate will have a total of 42 post-baccalaureate hours, a master’s degree, completion of a supervised two semester internship in the area in which the candidate seeks the license, successful passage of the state licensing examination, and completion of a statement of good moral character.
Over the next 40 years, the world (with the U.S. moronically leading the charge) will spend an estimated 45 TRILLION dollars in an attempt to "combat" global warming or "climate change." Most notably in the form of curbing Co2 emissions.
No wonder infomercials do so well.
People will buy into anything anyone tries to sell them. Except this time, our collective financial monies will support something that has never existed, does not exist today, and has given no evidence to suggest a future occurrence.
It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming; It is a SCAM. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long term scientific data to create an allusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental whacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the “research” to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus. Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild “scientific” scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda. Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmentally conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15 minute documentary segment. I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party. However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you “believe in.” It is science; the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won’t believe a me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it. I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril. I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming. In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As the temperature rises, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern all fail to occur as predicted everyone will come to realize we have been duped. The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway. I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend.
If so, it usually leaves you with an uneasy, guilty feeling doesn't it?
If you haven't, after President Obama signs the economic stimulus package tomorrow, we/you/I will have bought $787 billion dollars of government debt.
Makes that credit card debt look pretty good now doesn't it?
As the stimulus package looks to socialize healthcare, nationalize banks, create pork-pet projects for Democratic Senators (Harry Reid's railroad and Nancy Pelosi's San Fransico wetlands), and do "more of the same" in education; we/you/I will financially pay for the government to fix what they have helped to destroy for the past 40 years (only now, with the reckless mentality of the Obama Administration).
Numbers to Live By:
Through a recent conversation via e-mail with John Lott, here are some surprising figures for you, me, and the Senate (who haven't even read the 1,000+ page stimulus bill)...
Economic Stimulus Package: $787 billion (which will increase the national debt by 2 trillion dollars) Current Interest on Current Defecit: $500 billion
Stimulus Interest: 4.5% @ 30 years (estimate) Projected Stimulus Interest: $716 billion Total Economic Stimulus Cost w/ Interest: $1.5 trillion
How Will You Pay?:
The average working American will get a $13 tax "credit" for the remainder of the year per work week. That averages out to $676 per year (well, less than that since it is February). However, that number goes to $8 for 2010; therefore, we will receive $416 throughout the year.
However, this tax "credit" does not play into the fact that we will be splitting the bill for the massive stimulus package. The tax brackets and how much we will pay is listed below:
Current Deficit + Bank Bailout: 3.7 trillion dollars Cost per household: $27,000 Cost per household with stimulus expense: $40,000
So, sure, Obama gave 95% of Americans a $676 tax cut for 2009 and a $416 tax cut for 2010 (along with the usual child credit and $500 single tax payer credit), but we are going to be paying off this stimulus debt for decades to come. Also, keep in mind that most of this stimulus spending will take place after almost 18 months.
Instead of looking like a mythical Greek god, Obama has looked more like a Greek tragedy during his first month of office. Hope is not a policy.
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Megan and I are celebrating by going out to dinner at Bravo while Kayley stays with Meg's parents for a few hours. Kayley had fun opening and playing with a few of the Valentine's Day gifts Meg and I got for her. She got two books (Leap Frog alphabet book and a Strawberry Shortcake book), a little lady bug, and a rubber ducky that glows for the bathtub. Here are some pics:
As an unbeliever I passionately disagree with Dinesh D'Souza on some of his positions. But he is a first-rate scholar whom I feel absolutely compelled to read. His thorough research and elegant prose have elevated him into the top ranks of those who champion liberty and individual responsibility. Now he adds Christianity to his formula for the good society, and although non-Christians and non-theists may disagree with some of his arguments, we ignore him at our peril. D'Souza's book takes the debate to a new level. Read it.
Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine
The great merit of this book is that it concedes nothing. Rather than engaging in the usual defensive ploys, D'Souza meets every anti-God argument head on and defeats it on its own terms. He subjects atheism and scientific materialism to sustained rigorous interrogation and shows that their claims are empty and incoherent. Infinitely more sophisticated than the rants produced by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, What's So Great About Christianity leaves those atheist books in the dust.
-Stanley Fish, author of How Milton Works
Rarely do I read a book that drastically enhances my intellect on a particular subject; however, What's So Great About Christianity?, by Dinesh D'Souza, has done just that. This book is a MUST READ for believers and non-believers alike. Unlike the increasingly popular yet cynical and intellectually degrading books by popular atheist authors, D'Souza delivers a book that answers every issue and question posed by those who seek to call Christianity fraudulent, destructive, and a rational handicap.
D'Souza, in this 308 page book, rightfully defends Christianity and openly discusses the role atheism plays in our past, present, and future world. He genuinely opens the readers eyes to see how Christianity has influenced the world, especially the West in areas of government, science, the argument for design, philosophy, the cause of suffering, morality, and why Christianity works and why it will continue to influence our world for the good of society.
This wasn't a book that gives the believer reasons to say "I told you so." Rather, it gives the believer, and non-believer, a reason to say, "Wow, I never thought of it that way" or "This is something I need to further pursue." Although, the book strongly supports Christianity, it doesn't degrade atheist thinking as unintelligent, it's well-researched information and evidence actually leaves room for a conversation (unlike Sam Harris, Carl Sagan, Christopher Hitchens, and Richard Dawkins who unequivocally treat Christianity as if it were a circus act for the mentally inept).
Not only do I feel stronger in my faith for reading this book, but I feel enlightened in areas that I could not previously defend my faith in. D'Souza has given believers a voice in an era in which atheism has looked to silence it. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a mediator between the Christianity v.s atheism debate. Until you have read this book, both the believer and non-believer are intellectually unprepared. This book will prepare you to enter the conversation rather than standing back and watching it unfold.
Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C.
On the back, write the following message.
"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception."
Put it in the mail, and send it. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.
President Obama has only been "president" for 19 days, but I didn't think I would have to say "I told you so" so quickly. In 19 days, the Obama Administration has looked more like a bad episode of The West Wing, except we, the American people, cannot turn off the TV and delete the episode from our DVR memory bank. From nominated cabinet and advisory members who can't pay his or her taxes (now I understand why Democrats want to raise taxes...they don't pay them) to prematurely signing an executive order to close Gitmo without any clear plan or understanding of a judiciary process that involves Illegal Combatants as expressed in the Geneva Convention. Then, by reinstating an executive order that helps to fund abortions around the globe and the debacle that has become known as the "European Socialism Act" (a.k.a economic "stimulus" package). Obama's inexperience and lack of political common sense has created a presidential administration that appears to be "trigger happy" with no regard for future consequences.
Government: the act or process of governing ; specifically : authoritative direction or control.
Does this define our government? Do they REALLY govern, or is this just a big partisan chess game that rewards those who get to play? Our leaders couldn't be more oblivious to reality and common sense. With Obama not far behind, let's send everyone who has had any input on this economic "stimulus" package to Gitmo where they can govern people who have the same rational thinking as them...the destruction of America.
A report from the Congressional Budget Office by Stephen Dinan:
President Obama's economic recovery package will actually hurt the economy more in the long run than if he were to do nothing, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday.
CBO, the official scorekeepers for legislation, said the House and Senate bills will help in the short term but result in so much government debt that within a few years they would crowd out private investment, actually leading to a lower Gross Domestic Product over the next 10 years than if the government had done nothing.
CBO estimates that by 2019 the Senate legislation would reduce GDP by 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent on net. [The House bill] would have similar long-run effects, CBO said in a letter to Sen. Judd Gregg, New Hampshire Republican, who was tapped by Mr. Obama on Tuesday to be Commerce Secretary.
The House last week passed a bill totaling about $820 billion while the Senate is working on a proposal reaching about $900 billion in spending increases and tax cuts.
But Republicans and some moderate Democrats have balked at the size of the bill and at some of the spending items included in it, arguing they won't produce immediate jobs, which is the stated goal of the bill.
The budget office had previously estimated service the debt due to the new spending could add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost of the bill -- forcing the crowd-out.
CBOs basic assumption is that, in the long run, each dollar of additional debt crowds out about a third of a dollars worth of private domestic capital, CBO said in its letter.
CBO said there is no crowding out in the short term, so the plan would succeed in boosting growth in 2009 and 2010.
The agency projected the Senate bill would produce between 1.4 percent and 4.1 percent higher growth in 2009 than if there was no action. For 2010, the plan would boost growth by 1.2 percent to 3.6 percent.
CBO did project the bill would create jobs, though by 2011 the effects would be minuscule.
BAILOUT! Here's a breakdown of the economic stimulus package submitted by President Obama and his Democratic leadership. Moderate Democrats and Republicans are currently trying to "cut the fat" out of the current package (an estimated 90 billion). Already, the top 8 banking institutions have been given 165 billion to help "mend" the problem. They have failed miserably and are now close to becoming nationalized by the U.S. government. I would LOVE to see a further breakdown in regards to some of the intended spending. Pork and political kickbacks probably never looked so good.
Energy $32 billion: Funding for "smart electricity grid" to reduce waste $16 billion: Renewable energy tax cuts and a tax credit for research and development on energy-related work, and a multiyear extension of renewable energy production tax credit $6 billion: Funding to weatherize modest-income homes
Science and Technology $10 billion: Science facilities $6 billion: High-speed Internet access for rural and underserved areas
Infrastructure $30 billion: Transportation projects $31 billion: Construction and repair of federal buildings and other public infrastructure $19 billion: Water projects $10 billion: Rail and mass transit projects
Education $41 billion: Grants to local school districts $79 billion: State fiscal relief to prevent cuts in state aid $21 billion: School modernization ($15.6 billion to increase the Pell grant by $500; $6 billion for higher education modernization)
Health Care $39 billion: Subsidies to health insurance for unemployed; providing coverage through Medicaid $87 billion: Help to states with Medicaid $20 billion: Modernization of health-information technology systems $4.1 billion: Preventative care
Jobless Benefits $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits and job training. $39 billion to support those who lose their jobs by helping them to pay the cost of keeping their employer provided healthcare under COBRA and providing short-term options to be covered by Medicaid. $20 billion to increase the food stamp benefit by over 13% in order to help defray rising food costs.
Taxes
Individuals:
*$500 per worker, $1,000 per couple tax cut for two years, costing about $140 billion. *Greater access to the $1,000-per-child tax credit for the working poor. *Expansion of the earned-income tax credit to include families with three children *A $2,500 college tuition tax credit. *Repeal of a requirement that a $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit be paid back over time.
Businesses:
*An infusion of cash into money-losing companies by allowing them to claim tax credits on past profits dating back five years instead of two. *Bonus depreciation for businesses investing in new plants and equipment *Doubling of the amount small businesses can write off for capital investments and new equipment purchases. *Allowing businesses to claim a tax credit for hiring disconnected youth and veterans
[Sources: Associated Press: Highlights of Senate economic stimulus plan; January 23, 2009; WSJ: Stimulus Package Unveiled; January 16, 2009; Committee on Appropriations: January 15, 2009]
Obviously, for many, the economy has affected our lives to some degree. Even as a teacher in the education field, my job is never secure. However, there is a way to help. Education is the foundation of our free society. It always has been and it needs to always be. However, underfunding and cuts in the budget threaten to place education in the backseat of the political vehicle. Please join me in supporting education in the state of Ohio. Let Governor Strickland know how much our educational values mean and how important it is to uphold. Less than 5 minutes of your time could keep education as an important priority in Ohio. If you go to the link below, you can copy, paste, and fill in YOUR information (or write your own) in order to express your concern(s) as an Ohio educator or citizen. Someone on Mr. Strickland's staff will read this; and from my working knowledge of government, compiles a list of those in FAVOR, those OPPOSED to any such legislation/policy; so at least you will be “heard” in this way. Thanks for taking the time to make our voices heard.
Also, in the spirit of big financial bailouts, let President Obama know how much you value education. Instead of saving the greedy, let's pump money into our public schools system. You can contact the White House below:
My name is ____________ and I am from __________, Ohio. Due to the current economic status, Ohio has some challenging times ahead of it. However, I am asking you, as the Governor, to spare the drastic cuts in education. Our education system cannot afford a reduction in funding or highly-qualified teachers. Now, with the intended cuts, so many families could possibly face a dramatic change in their standard of living.
You have outlined three distinct scenarios for your two year budget. A 95%, 90% and 75% budget change in regards to education. Please spare education when you make these final decisions as Ohio's governor. Education is the one service, the one tool, and the one resource that can better our communities and our society. I would hate for thousands of hard working teachers to lose his or her job because of a few percentage points decided by a state entity. I understand that the budget has to be balanced, but please do not hurt the future of Ohio's children and the hard working professionals who guide them in the classrooms on a daily basis.
