Stop Fiddling

If ever a situation pointed to the need for tax reform, the current budget bill debate is it.  While the two may seem unrelated, they are not.  The existing process promotes shifting the focus from spending cuts to revenue.  The real issue is not revenue stream, the issue is that politicians spend more than the system provides by continuing their “pork barrel” politics to win re-election. 

Nothing has changed in nearly a century; the Republicans want less taxation on the wealthy and use the economy to scare voters, while Democrats promote more taxation on the wealthy by scaring the poor and middle classes.  Therefore, is it surprising that the so-called “fiscal cliff,” which was enacted during a previous budget battle and likely designed to provide political cover for future battles, is now the “enemy” of everyone? 

Once again, the media tell us “Rome is burning.”  Meanwhile, the people we elected to lead this nation “fiddle.”  It is time to abandon the budget bill posturing, hand wringing and predictions of fiscal doom to enact a tax code that is fair, exempts no one, and does not require yearly change.  Perhaps, then, the people that put us in this mess can focus solely on curbing their uncontrolled appetites for spending other peoples’ money.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

WHAT IS A PASTOR

WHAT IS A PASTOR

A pastor is expected to be

The leader of the flock for you and me.

Someone to teach, someone to preach;

Someone with an “open arm” reach.

He always has to be involved,

Around him, all the church revolves.

Planning and organizing in all things,

Answering the phone when it rings.

Each activity that comes along

He best be there, or he’s in the wrong.

Someone needs counseling; he’s always there.

To miss a meeting, he doesn’t dare.

Visit the sick and help the poor,

Greet each guest at the door.

Entertain every visiting speaker,

Be a “strength” to all those weaker.

But, have you ever looked beyond

All those things he does to bond?

To see the real person there,

He has his own cross to bear.

He too, should be a friend,

Not just always “The Reverend.”

Invite him over once in a while.

Visit with him as pal to pal.

Let down the guard and be yourself.

Don’t put your friendship on the shelf.

Get to know him as a person,

As good a friend as you’ve ever chosen.

© 1980 Annie McColloch

Let's Trade Places or Politicians

According to the Senate Budget Committee’s ranking member, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, in 2011, the yearly welfare expenditure for recipients in the U.S., was an average of  $59,523 per household.  After more than fifty years in the workforce, and paying into Social Security, my household retirement benefit is less than half that amount.  Expressed another way, for every welfare household that receives the same amount mine receives in Social Security benefits, there is a household that receives around $100,000 per year in welfare payments. 

Interestingly, we are being told that the system funded by hard-working Americans is destined to collapse unless we cut benefits, while welfare expenditures continue to rise.  To balance the scale, perhaps, we should put welfare recipients on Social Security, and Social Security recipients on welfare.  Or better yet, we should replace the politicians that are doing nothing to stop the rising need for welfare and the collapse of the retirement program that generations of Americans funded with their own money.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

The Real Debate Loser

            If you are a Democrat, your man won the second presidential candidate’s debate.  If you are a Republican, your candidate won.  However, to those outside the constraints of partisan politics, there were no winners in this debacle showing two angry men so intent on discrediting the opposition that neither could speak without attacking the other. 

Americans deserved substantive answers to the questions that were asked, not accusations and arguing.  Surely, men that aspire to be the leader of the Free World should realize that integrity is not determined by the methods they used in their attempts to discredit each other.

For the President of the United States and the man who would be president, to act as if they were guests of Jerry Springer is beneath the dignity of the office that was the real loser in this so-called debate.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

"Affordable Healthcare" Tax

            For those who may have missed this provision of the Affordable Healthcare Act, beginning January 1, 2013, the federal government will levy a 3.8% home sales tax.  For those with short memories, this tax comes on the heels of the greatest housing price meltdown in U.S. history.  Trillions of dollars have been lost on millions of homes and our government has the hubris to begin taxing those who manage to sell their homes, albeit at discount prices.  Is this adding insult to injury, or what? 

            This Administration, with the help of Congress, financially rescued the bankers that engineered the housing collapse, while artificially low interest rates penalize those who save and further enrich banks.  Insurance rates are rising obscenely with “affordable health care” and the politician’s solution is a sales tax on homes.

            Even in good economic times, taxing home sales to finance an “affordable healthcare act” seems disconnected.  But, in the current economy, it demonstrates insensitivity to the plight of those that work, save, and sacrifice, for the American dream of homeownership.

Jim McColloch

www.jim-mac.com

Run, Hide, Fight?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0&feature=player_embedded

How can it be that citizens in the "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave" are now taught to "run, hide" and then "fight" with any available furnishings?  Perhaps, Madison, Jefferson, and their contemporaries would have pulled their muskets and blown the culprit to hell when he first started shooting.  But then, they realized that both freedom and oppression are instituted and maintained with superior force.  A well-armed militia does not need to run and hide.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

I Must Be Missing Something

The USA attacked Iraq though they said they did not have weapons of mass destruction, and in fact, they did not.  Iran has openly said it is pursuing nuclear capability, which causes mass destruction as a weapon or in nuclear accidents, but we do not stop them.  Meanwhile, we are fighting a war in Afghanistan against people whose primary means of transportation is the camel, that have no long-range missiles, no warships, no nukes and no means of attacking the USA if we simply secure our own borders.  It truly is a mad, mad, mad, world and Washington DC has to be the epicenter.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

The Obvious Healthcare Solution

            Someone has said the “obvious is not always so obvious” and it seems the solution to providing healthcare in the U. S. is not so obvious, though it should be to a nation that has a long history of providing healthcare to certain groups.  Among these groups are American Indians and Military Veterans.  My personal experience as a member of both groups is this:  I may use these healthcare services, or I am free to purchase insurance and use the private healthcare system.  Many veterans and Indians choose to use the private healthcare system because they do not like the “no frills” care offered in clinics, but for those that cannot afford private healthcare, these facilities provide the safety net they need.

            Why not expand these government-operated systems to include all citizens?  All people will then have access to affordable healthcare based on income, and people that do not like the clinic atmosphere will be free to purchase private healthcare.  The inherent checks and balances of competition, supply, and demand are obvious:  When insurance rates or medical costs are too high, people will opt for the Public Health Service clinics.  When private costs fall, people will use private healthcare. 

            Drug companies, insurance companies, medical equipment companies, and medical care providers will be forced to earn your business, rather, than milking the “cash cow” that has existed in the industry for far too long.

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/

Stop Exporting Our Energy

Recently, a group of Democrats in Congress called on the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to limit excessive speculation in oil markets, even as a position limits rule is being challenged in court by the financial industry.  Meanwhile, the President maintains that his energy policies are not the problem and there is nothing he can do about rising gasoline prices.  Wall Street says the problem is foreign demand for gasoline in Asian markets where people are willing to pay more.  The bottom line for American motorists is that gasoline prices are rapidly increasing despite large supplies and low demand.  While politicians waffle, and contrary to the laws of supply and demand, energy suppliers and oil speculators make record profits.

Profit is not a dirty word.  Profits drive our economy by providing incentive for innovation, industry and investment.  In a healthy environment, costs and profits are kept in check by the laws of supply and demand—supply increases, price decreases; supply decreases, price increases.  However, the laws of supply and demand do not work to control costs and profits, when either supply or demand are manipulated by forces outside the economy in which goods or services are sold.  Despite large supplies and low demand for gasoline in the U.S., prices continue to increase because excess gasoline is shipped to foreign countries.  Clearly, we have enough gasoline to meet our needs since the excess is being exported.  Even so, the price will not come down as long as excess supplies are shipped to other countries. 

Our government has a long history of banning the export of products and information that are vital to our national interests.  Energy is vital to our national interests and it is time to stop exporting our energy.  Forget the political posturing.  An Executive Order to ban the export of domestic energy will stop the imbalance, and give the laws of supply and demand the opportunity to work for Americans.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

Against Foreign Entanglements

Founding Father and First President, George Washington, warned against foreign entanglements in his Farewell Address.  The following excerpt demonstrates that his wisdom is as important to our nation today, as when first written.

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government, but that jealousy, to be useful, must be impartial, else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.”

The “insidious wiles of foreign influence” are destroying our economy with one-sided trade agreements; diluting our military power and resources with protracted engagements in foreign lands; rewriting our Constitution with United Nations resolutions and treaties; draining our coffers with “foreign aid;” and permeating our society with the worship of foreign gods.

Additionally, the “insidious wiles of foreign influence” are tied to our quest for world peace and security, but we forget the words of Benjamin Franklin, who wrote, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

It is past time to quit trying to re-invent human nature and realize the God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness can be enjoyed by individuals, only when these same rights apply to nations wherein they reside.  The more we are entangled with foreign powers, the more our God-given rights are restricted.

Methinks the old dudes in tight britches, high-heeled shoes, lace shirts, and white wigs, were not as foolish as they look to some folks, today.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

The Right To Bear Arms

“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”—U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/21/new-hampshire-man-faces-felony-charge-after-firing-gun-into-ground-near-burglar/?intcmp=obnetwork

Years ago, something similar happened to one of my neighbors.  Four men in a pickup were dumping a load of trash on his driveway when he apprehended them while carrying his 22 cal. rifle.  No shots were fired, but the deputies arrested him and let the men he was holding go.

History demonstrates that citizens in civilized societies do not want the daily responsibility of law enforcement.  Neither, do reasonable people want criminal activity to go unchecked.  Therefore, the governments established by law-abiding people, employ police officers to apprehend criminals, with a judicial system to determine guilt or innocence, and mete justice to fit the crime. 

However, the institution of professional law enforcement does not rightly, negate the individual responsibility to interrupt criminal activity in the process.  Neither does having insurance to cover the losses.  Too often, law-abiding citizens turn away when they see crime in progress.  Perhaps, they think it is not their business.  Perhaps, they fear for their own safety, or perhaps, they realize they might be arrested for their efforts. 

Criminal investigations, tracking suspects or fugitives, after the fact, and administering justice should be left to the professionals, but when law-abiding citizens fear arrest, for intervening to stop criminal activity in the making, the right to keep and bear arms is effectively thwarted, and just as when guns are outlawed, the criminals win.

With rare exception, our law enforcement officers do all they can to stop crime and apprehend criminals, but they cannot be everywhere at once, and they must enforce the laws equally when they do arrive.  To force them to arrest citizens that try to stop crime gives the criminals great advantage.  No reasonable person advocates “open season” on criminals or anyone else, but when a firearm is used to apprehend a criminal in the act, and no one is injured, the law should recognize the individual responsibility to resist crime.

It seems our lawmakers are more interested in stopping the use of firearms than they are in stopping crime.  If they can't take our guns, they will take away the right to use them. 

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/

Top Ten Reforms For The United States Congress

1. U. S. Senators will be elected and limited to one (1) six (6) year term in office, with one-third (1/3) of the terms expiring every two (2) years.
2. U. S. Representatives will be elected and limited to one four (4) year term in office, with one-half (1/2) of the terms expiring every two (2) years.
3. No person elected to any public office will be eligible for election or appointment, to the U. S. Congress, prior to the expiration of two calendar years, and no person will be elected to the U. S. Congress, without one (1) year of employment in the private sector, immediately prior to election.
4. Total compensation for service in the U. S. Congress, including wages and benefits, will be the lower of that determined by the respective states, or the compensation received during employment in the private sector, immediately prior to election.
5. No person, organization, or group, will be allowed to campaign, or contribute, in any fashion, to the election of any person to the U. S. Congress, unless said person, organization, or group, is permanently domiciled in the State where the election is being held.
6. Persons elected to the U. S. Congress and their staff members will have public office space only in the State Capitol Building of their respective states, and Congress will meet in Washington D.C. for a maximum of seven (7) consecutive calendar days, per calendar quarter, per calendar year, for the sole purpose of voting on final forms of legislation, provided that no legislation will be brought to a vote without first being made public, no less that seven (7) days prior to vote.
7. All business of the House and Senate, other than in-person votes during each calendar quarter, will be conducted via secure communication links to each respective state office, and all lobbyists will be heard in scheduled public meetings, within the respective State Capitol Buildings only.
8. No person elected to the U. S. Congress, including staff members, or family, will receive anything of monetary value from any person, organization, or group, other than their respective salary and benefits, as a result of, or favor of, their term in office, at any time prior to, during, or following the term of office.
9. Congress will pass no legislation, or enact any law, or regulation, that does not apply equally to every United States citizen, and all existing legislation, laws, or regulations, not meeting this provision, will be null and void.
10. Congress will pass no legislation, or enact any law, or regulation, that requires expenditures of money, resources or manpower, by any state or local government, or agency thereof, or any private person, business, or corporation, to enact or enforce, said legislation, law, or regulation, and all existing legislation, laws, or regulations, not meeting this provision, will be null and void. 

         Jim

         http://www.jim-mac.com/

Real Insanity

            Gallup Poll numbers released today reveal that Congress has a 10% approval rating:  The lowest in recorded history.  Strangely, the approval rating in December of 2010 was 13%.  This followed an election and was prior to seating of the newly elected Congress, meaning that voters re-elected a majority of incumbents with an approval rating of 13%.  With a track record like this, it is no wonder that politicians feel they have no accountability to voters.

            Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  However, when politicians do the same things over and over again and are re-elected, they are not insane, the voters are.

Jim

www.jim-mac.com

Dump Congress

            For decades, voters have been deceived into thinking that professional politicians are preferable to citizen legislators, in defiance of the system instituted by our forefathers, designed to limit the absolute power that corrupts absolutely.

An NBC/ Wall Street Journal poll released today shows that 56% of registered voters think the entire Congress should be replaced.  Perhaps, Americans are beginning to realize the best solution to such things as influence peddling, lobbying, PAC’s, 24/7 campaigning, and ignoring the public, has been available all along. 

An obvious reason for elections is to remove people that fall short in performance and integrity, otherwise, politicians would be elected once and hold an office for life.  Lifetime officeholders are not what The Framers intended and recent history demonstrates their wisdom in realizing this.  ZERO INCUMBENTS!

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/

The End of Global Warming

Those who reject the Creator, or doubt His ability to sustain His creation, have within their grasp, a solution to one of their concerns for planet Earth.  Fears of global climate change, formerly known as global warming, caused by greenhouse gases can now be laid to rest.

According to data released by the EPA, 72 percent of the offending gases are released by power plants.  Clearly, converting these plants to nuclear power will reduce the bulk of greenhouse gases, thereby saving the planet, and allowing government agents to release their chokehold on the oil, gas, and transportation industries. 

I’m guessing this won’t happen.  When the greenhouse gas scare is over, the regulations and expenditures will continue, and government officials will invent a new disaster to expand control over our lives and fortunes.  Remember the ozone hole that was supposedly caused by auto exhaust emissions and leaking Freon?  The hole was determined to be a naturally occurring event, but Americans are still burdened with regulations that require spending billions of dollars for vehicle emission systems, inspections, inefficient gasoline, and replacement of air conditioning equipment.

It is strange that humans will reject the Creator who gives them the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, to depend on the gods of government that seek to strip their subjects of these same endowments, with far-reaching regulations and restrictions under the guise of saving the planet. 

It is past time for our government officials to quit assuming the prerogatives of God and devote their efforts to peace and tranquility.

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/

He Had A Gun

            Perhaps, it was suicide by cop.  Maybe, it was just a foolish juvenile act.  Unlikely, it was an attempt to murder, since the weapon was a pellet pistol.  Whatever the case, when noticed, the presence of the “gun” brought a wave of hysteria to the Brownsville, Texas middle school and police officers arrived twenty minutes later, to end the threat with bullets.  Within moments of their arrival, a fifteen-year-old boy lay dead with gunshot wounds to his chest and back of head.

            On the day before this event, a seventeen-year-old boy walked into a Bartlesville, Oklahoma tech school with a loaded 9mm pistol in his belt.  When noticed, an instructor and a security guard confronted the teen and took the gun.  After his arrest, the boy told police he brought the gun to sell it.

            Two youthful acts of foolishness with two different results.  Perhaps, demonstrating that when there is a “take no prisoners” attitude, people “shoot first and ask questions later,” but where cooler heads prevail, the body count is lower. 

Jim

http://www.jim-mac.com/