Time for a rant (it's been a little too long anyway)...
I saw a news article today from NBC News asking us to consider that since Sandy Hook (emotional trigger) an American child has been killed (emotional trigger) by a gun (HOT topic) every other day. 555 kids in three years is 185 per year.
I am not minimizing the loss of life. Life is precious. Nor am I entering a the gun debate. Your mind is probably already firmly made up on this issue anyway!
I am taking up some other numbers backed life saving causes and need your help...
Lets begin with drowning (4500 lives lost per year in the US). I think its time we had legislation to fill in these killer pools with dirt. Plus the water savings is good for the environment too. This will save 24 TIMES the number of lives in the NBC "cause" and I like winning!
Next on my attack list is natural gas and propane. Accidental inhalation in the home claims 700 lives (small numbers but still 3.8 times NBC) each year. It is time to return to heating and cooking with wood as our forefathers did. And while we are returning to the past, electrocution claims 400 lives each year. Electricity has got to go. Machinery kills another 350 per year (including 13 each year by vending machines). Clearly these "advancements" are dangerous. Don't even get me started on motor vehicles with their whopping 43,000 accidental deaths per year. Horses are clearly better.
Now with some momentum on our side, it is time to tackle the big issues. Pillows. That's right. I said it. Pillows are the leaders in accidental suffocation which claim 3300 lives per year (17.8 times NBC and most of these are children). Pillows are seductive, comfortable, and LETHAL. We have got to do something about this!
And now time for a controversial one.
Clumsiness. Specifically falling which claims 15,000 lives per year. We need to legislate walking and improve the safety of stairs immediately! Perhaps that is too big for us to tackle or just too personal as so many of us are afflicted with bouts of clumsiness. So lets just focus on falling out of bed which kills 450 per year. Much like pillows, beds are killers. Time to sleep on the ground again. It's probably better for your back anyway.
Now let's get weird for a moment. Autoerotic asphyxiation kills 1000 per year in the US. (If you don't know, Google it.) Weird, yes. But it is still over 5 times the number that NBC cares about. Or do some lives count more than others?
While you are pondering the use of numbers to jerk your emotions around, consider that there are 319 million people in the US and 2.6 million die each year. Focusing on 185 deaths as a major cause for action is silly, especially when there are still pillows in every home (perhaps a march on Washington?). Regardless of the issue, we need to keep numbers in perspective or arguments get preposterous.
One more thing. Remember to keep an eye on the family pet. Dogs kill 34 every year. If they ever got organized...
Showing posts with label stupidity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stupidity. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Lets Play Hangman . . . Oops, I'm Handcuffed
Common sense and unicorns. Both of these seem to be works of fiction, especially among our nations educators.
A 13 year old student was doodling the game "Hangman" and the school (being calm and rational stewards of children) suspended him and turned him over to the police. Apparently, playing a game constitutes a "threat of harm". Read about it here.
Are you freaking kidding me? Can as student be arrested for buttering bread because he is wielding a weapon? Or can children no longer play "cops and robbers" at recess (unless the cops illegally strip search the robbers because that would make it ok)?
Let's just consider that a threat must be directed somewhere. If I draw a hanged person and write someone's name underneath then I have made a threat. The only threat in the game is that the puzzle might not be solved. Or perhaps the greater threat is that the schools vision of a politically correct world has been challenged by a simple pencil drawing! We can all agree that protecting our children is important. But the national push toward forcible conformity to a single ideal threatens the freedom that this country was built upon. Schools are supposed to educate, not act as self deputized thought police.
Here is a question for those administrators. At what point did handcuffing a child for playing a game become a good idea? That is the point where the fiction of protecting our children was exposed. That is the point where your politically correct agenda was revealed as the true threat of harm to our children. That is the point where your utopian ideal went up in flames and common sense died. Now, go and figure out how to educate. Or better yet, go play with your unicorns and leave the children alone.
A 13 year old student was doodling the game "Hangman" and the school (being calm and rational stewards of children) suspended him and turned him over to the police. Apparently, playing a game constitutes a "threat of harm". Read about it here.
Are you freaking kidding me? Can as student be arrested for buttering bread because he is wielding a weapon? Or can children no longer play "cops and robbers" at recess (unless the cops illegally strip search the robbers because that would make it ok)?
Let's just consider that a threat must be directed somewhere. If I draw a hanged person and write someone's name underneath then I have made a threat. The only threat in the game is that the puzzle might not be solved. Or perhaps the greater threat is that the schools vision of a politically correct world has been challenged by a simple pencil drawing! We can all agree that protecting our children is important. But the national push toward forcible conformity to a single ideal threatens the freedom that this country was built upon. Schools are supposed to educate, not act as self deputized thought police.
Here is a question for those administrators. At what point did handcuffing a child for playing a game become a good idea? That is the point where the fiction of protecting our children was exposed. That is the point where your politically correct agenda was revealed as the true threat of harm to our children. That is the point where your utopian ideal went up in flames and common sense died. Now, go and figure out how to educate. Or better yet, go play with your unicorns and leave the children alone.
Monday, May 12, 2014
If Your Sick Child Misses School You Should Be In Jail
Picture for a moment a terminally ill mom with cancer and other health issues. Now add a disabled child with some debilitating health issues of his own that has kept him out of school. Finally, picture them having very little money. This is a tough situation folks. Right?
So what does the school district do? They fine mom for his absences. (See, they lose budget money for him if he is gone a lot.) And the fines total several thousand dollars AND she could go to jail if she doesn't pay! You can read the story here. So, mom could go to jail for having a very sick child because the school does not want to be deprived of its funds.
Let me start with this . . .
Where in the hell does the government have any right to FINE a person for not exercising their personal rights? Yes, I know that school is a legal obligation. But school absences due to illness are NOT a failure to comply with the law. What authority does the district have to deprive others of property or even to make such policies in the first place? School officials are not elected law makers!
So now we have a situation where non-representatives can enact their own laws depriving citizens of property for actions that are perfectly within their RIGHTS and if they are poor enough that they cannot pay they can be thrown jail.
Have a sick child and go to jail.
Something is wrong with this picture...
What do you think?
So what does the school district do? They fine mom for his absences. (See, they lose budget money for him if he is gone a lot.) And the fines total several thousand dollars AND she could go to jail if she doesn't pay! You can read the story here. So, mom could go to jail for having a very sick child because the school does not want to be deprived of its funds.
Let me start with this . . .
Where in the hell does the government have any right to FINE a person for not exercising their personal rights? Yes, I know that school is a legal obligation. But school absences due to illness are NOT a failure to comply with the law. What authority does the district have to deprive others of property or even to make such policies in the first place? School officials are not elected law makers!
So now we have a situation where non-representatives can enact their own laws depriving citizens of property for actions that are perfectly within their RIGHTS and if they are poor enough that they cannot pay they can be thrown jail.
Have a sick child and go to jail.
Something is wrong with this picture...
What do you think?
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Government Takes Down 11 Year Old Cupcake Entrepreneur
Chloe sells cupcakes to save money to start her own bakery. This 11 year old also donates hundreds of cupcakes to cancer fundraisers. She gets a wonderful story in the local paper about her beautifully decorated creations.
Naturally, this out of control menace to society had to be stopped!
And so comes Illinois' Madison County Health Department to rescue the public by shutting her down. Read the story here. By law(?), she can't use the family kitchen. That's the crime. Baking cupcakes in the family kitchen. That's right up there with the lemonade bust of a 10 year old I wrote about in a previous post.
Apparently our local governments think that the number one problem we face is the epidemic of cupcake and lemonade slinging children. Now, let's arrest all those girl scouts peddling cookies and our streets will once again be safe.
What do you think?
Naturally, this out of control menace to society had to be stopped!
And so comes Illinois' Madison County Health Department to rescue the public by shutting her down. Read the story here. By law(?), she can't use the family kitchen. That's the crime. Baking cupcakes in the family kitchen. That's right up there with the lemonade bust of a 10 year old I wrote about in a previous post.
Apparently our local governments think that the number one problem we face is the epidemic of cupcake and lemonade slinging children. Now, let's arrest all those girl scouts peddling cookies and our streets will once again be safe.
What do you think?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Arrested For Playing Chess?
The NYPD arrested a group of men for playing chess in a park with stone chess and backgammon tables. This was next to a children's play area and signs posted made the area off limits to anyone unaccompanied by children. The NYPD defended the actions of the officers. Read the story here.
First in all fairness, the officers were trying to clean up an area that has a drug trafficking problem. This occurs next to a children's playground. Okay. Fair enough. I think we can all get behind that.
However, this was a PUBLIC park and set up specifically for that purpose. The chess area is separated from the playground by a fence. Little children are not known for playing chess and backgammon. Adults are. Adults with small children do not have time to play chess while their little one's play in the park. They have to watch the kiddies.
These men are not bothering the kids. Based on the reports, they are not dealing drugs. They were simply playing chess in a public area. Why would anyone want to harass folks doing that?
Shame on the NYPD. Do you agree?
First in all fairness, the officers were trying to clean up an area that has a drug trafficking problem. This occurs next to a children's playground. Okay. Fair enough. I think we can all get behind that.
However, this was a PUBLIC park and set up specifically for that purpose. The chess area is separated from the playground by a fence. Little children are not known for playing chess and backgammon. Adults are. Adults with small children do not have time to play chess while their little one's play in the park. They have to watch the kiddies.
These men are not bothering the kids. Based on the reports, they are not dealing drugs. They were simply playing chess in a public area. Why would anyone want to harass folks doing that?
Shame on the NYPD. Do you agree?
Monday, September 27, 2010
How To Communicate With An Idiot
I've been out of action for a while, but I thought I'd provide a little humor courtesy of Dilbert.
Monday, June 28, 2010
How To Buy Congressmen
This is a cool discussion of how the political system is manipulated by special interests and how the people pay the price. It doesn't matter what your political position may be, this is worth watching. Check it out now.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Speak The Language Or Your Fired And Breastfeeding Sucks
I apologize in advance for the (mini)rant that's about to occur.
Freedom of speech. We talk a lot about it in this country, but do we really believe in it? Think about it for a minute. Our democracy was founded on the principle of accepting all sorts of different people and insuring that those differences could not be trampled by the majority. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right NOT to be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, etc.
Our laws intentionally place very few restrictions on speech. We have the right to express our opinion even if we are a minority of one. We also have the right to tune out the opinions of others if we don't want to listen. But freedom of speech has subtle enemies everywhere. For example, the political correctness movement has at its heart the notion that their is a "correct" way of saying things. Others are viewed with disdain for failure to conform to the politically correct standard. This is just a simple example of the broader "that's not the way WE do it" mentality that creates an us vs. them dynamic.
Don't misunderstand me. I respect your right to your own opinion. I respect your right to choose to be around those with similar beliefs to your own. Even if we disagree, I will defend your right to say what you wish to say. Censorship, in any form, is evil and a threat to the very fabric used to create this country.
That is why the two stories I read today pissed me off!
The first story was about 4 hospital nurses from the Philippines who were fired for speaking in their native language while on their break. Read the story here. This followed a 2005 case where a hospital fired 5 hispanic housekeepers who said "hasta la vista" (see you tomorrow) as they left work for the day. In both cases, the hospitals had a policy that only English was to be spoken.
The second story involved the deputy editor to a parenting magazine who offered a dissenting article with an explanation why she did not want to breastfeed and her strong personal feelings against the practice (including calling it creepy). Read the story here. This one really stirred the pot within the breastfeeding community.
Who cares what language is used to shoot the breeze on a work break? Who cares about a dissenting opinion on a topic of interest to parents? Have we really gotten so weak that we cannot stand any ideas/actions/people different than our own?
Seeking to fire the nurses or the editor simply because they are different is just wrong.
Freedom of speech. We talk a lot about it in this country, but do we really believe in it? Think about it for a minute. Our democracy was founded on the principle of accepting all sorts of different people and insuring that those differences could not be trampled by the majority. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right NOT to be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, etc.
Our laws intentionally place very few restrictions on speech. We have the right to express our opinion even if we are a minority of one. We also have the right to tune out the opinions of others if we don't want to listen. But freedom of speech has subtle enemies everywhere. For example, the political correctness movement has at its heart the notion that their is a "correct" way of saying things. Others are viewed with disdain for failure to conform to the politically correct standard. This is just a simple example of the broader "that's not the way WE do it" mentality that creates an us vs. them dynamic.
Don't misunderstand me. I respect your right to your own opinion. I respect your right to choose to be around those with similar beliefs to your own. Even if we disagree, I will defend your right to say what you wish to say. Censorship, in any form, is evil and a threat to the very fabric used to create this country.
That is why the two stories I read today pissed me off!
The first story was about 4 hospital nurses from the Philippines who were fired for speaking in their native language while on their break. Read the story here. This followed a 2005 case where a hospital fired 5 hispanic housekeepers who said "hasta la vista" (see you tomorrow) as they left work for the day. In both cases, the hospitals had a policy that only English was to be spoken.
The second story involved the deputy editor to a parenting magazine who offered a dissenting article with an explanation why she did not want to breastfeed and her strong personal feelings against the practice (including calling it creepy). Read the story here. This one really stirred the pot within the breastfeeding community.
Who cares what language is used to shoot the breeze on a work break? Who cares about a dissenting opinion on a topic of interest to parents? Have we really gotten so weak that we cannot stand any ideas/actions/people different than our own?
Seeking to fire the nurses or the editor simply because they are different is just wrong.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Naked Woman Escapes From Psych Eval
I am just going to post two quotes from the story. You can read the full details here (and its worth it).
"A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked."
So, I'm thinking that the evaluation results are pretty clear.
But the police weren't so sure. "It appears there may be mental issues involved."
"A woman was undergoing a mental evaluation Tuesday after police say she stole two vehicles, including a police cruiser, and led officers on a chase through two Salt Lake City suburbs — all while naked."
So, I'm thinking that the evaluation results are pretty clear.
But the police weren't so sure. "It appears there may be mental issues involved."
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Punish Bad Kids And Dept Of Education Will Investigate
This just in from the WTF zone . . . Some students who defaced school property were forced to clean toilets as a punishment. Some parents are in an uproar and the department of education is now investigating. Read the story here.
One parent stated "They're here to get an education, not to learn how to do janitorial work."
Point taken.
However, if little Mr. Troublemaker is not made to face some consequences for his serious transgressions, he will likely end up behind bars. Schools are required by law to admit children and children are required to attend. There must be some consequences for bad behavior or anarchy rules and education diminishes. My guess is that the parents who oppose the punishment handed down by the Dean of the school have no control over their little princes and princesses. Then their undisciplined kids become a problem for everyone at school.
And as a side note, when did it become a crime to do a little hard or dirty work? The kids who are following the rules do not have to do these tasks.
What do you think?
One parent stated "They're here to get an education, not to learn how to do janitorial work."
Point taken.
However, if little Mr. Troublemaker is not made to face some consequences for his serious transgressions, he will likely end up behind bars. Schools are required by law to admit children and children are required to attend. There must be some consequences for bad behavior or anarchy rules and education diminishes. My guess is that the parents who oppose the punishment handed down by the Dean of the school have no control over their little princes and princesses. Then their undisciplined kids become a problem for everyone at school.
And as a side note, when did it become a crime to do a little hard or dirty work? The kids who are following the rules do not have to do these tasks.
What do you think?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Female Priest Refused Church Burial
A female Catholic priest who was ordained last year died of cancer. The Archdiocese is refusing to let her be buried in the church in which she served. Read the story here.
Now I know I am risking going straight to hell for this, but . . .
The policy of the Catholic church is to EXCOMMUNICATE (?!?) women who seek ordination. Let me say that it is just stupid to take people who aspire to serve at the highest levels of an organization and THROW THEM OUT. However, I understand and respect the right of any organization to make its own governing rules.
In fairness, this female priest was "ordained" by a group over the church's objection and strict ban. Since she showed no signs of repentance before death, the church in which she served has denied her the dignity of a funeral at the parish where she served.
If what she did was soooooooo bad, why didn't the church toss her out on her butt when she was ordained? Why wait until her death to turn their back on someone that supported them wholly and holy? Where was the damn compassion in that act? It is this type of arbitrary BS that has folks leaving the church rather than supporting it.
What do you think?
Now I know I am risking going straight to hell for this, but . . .
The policy of the Catholic church is to EXCOMMUNICATE (?!?) women who seek ordination. Let me say that it is just stupid to take people who aspire to serve at the highest levels of an organization and THROW THEM OUT. However, I understand and respect the right of any organization to make its own governing rules.
In fairness, this female priest was "ordained" by a group over the church's objection and strict ban. Since she showed no signs of repentance before death, the church in which she served has denied her the dignity of a funeral at the parish where she served.
If what she did was soooooooo bad, why didn't the church toss her out on her butt when she was ordained? Why wait until her death to turn their back on someone that supported them wholly and holy? Where was the damn compassion in that act? It is this type of arbitrary BS that has folks leaving the church rather than supporting it.
What do you think?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Wear The Flag, Get Kicked Out Of School
Some high school students were kicked off campus for wearing American flag t-shirts, bandanas, etc. while at school. They did not violate school policy, dress code, or the law in doing so. In fact, any other day the school would not have noticed them. But they wore these things on Cinco de Mayo, and some folks took offense to their apparel.
School officials asked them to remove the offensive garments. The kids refused. They were sent to the principal, yet still refused to take it off. They were then told that they were being defiant and suspended. Fortunately, the school board did not agree with the suspension nor the handling of the incident. Read the story here.
Three thoughts . . .
1) WTF were these officials thinking?
2) Then there is the pesky free speech argument. The courts have already ruled that students are not required to check their free speech at the door. Many people find some of the apparel that students wear offensive, but that does not give us a right to ban them.
3) Finally we are forced to remind folks that this is America. Patriotism is not a crime. Free speech and expression are not a crime. And Cinco de Mayo is NOT a U.S. holiday!
I am reminded of a quote from the movie Stripes . . . "Lighten up Francis!"
What do you think?
School officials asked them to remove the offensive garments. The kids refused. They were sent to the principal, yet still refused to take it off. They were then told that they were being defiant and suspended. Fortunately, the school board did not agree with the suspension nor the handling of the incident. Read the story here.
Three thoughts . . .
1) WTF were these officials thinking?
2) Then there is the pesky free speech argument. The courts have already ruled that students are not required to check their free speech at the door. Many people find some of the apparel that students wear offensive, but that does not give us a right to ban them.
3) Finally we are forced to remind folks that this is America. Patriotism is not a crime. Free speech and expression are not a crime. And Cinco de Mayo is NOT a U.S. holiday!
I am reminded of a quote from the movie Stripes . . . "Lighten up Francis!"
What do you think?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Zoo Visitor Ignores Warnings And Loses Fingers Feeding A Bear
The predictable happens. A Wisconsin woman ignored zoo signs and attempted to feed the bears. She lost two fingers and had two others partially severed. Read the story here.
A statement released said that alcohol was a factor. Really?!?
How many people do you know that think "let's get drunk and go to the zoo"? Oh well. Live and learn.
A statement released said that alcohol was a factor. Really?!?
How many people do you know that think "let's get drunk and go to the zoo"? Oh well. Live and learn.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Man Beaten With His Own Bat During Parking Dispute
This headline says it all. Read the story here.
Okay . . . who throws a bat during a fight?!? This person may just as well have handed the bat to his opponent and said "Please use this to kick my . . ."
What do you think?
Okay . . . who throws a bat during a fight?!? This person may just as well have handed the bat to his opponent and said "Please use this to kick my . . ."
What do you think?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Homeowner Takes Unique Revenge Against Developer
Sometimes we get so fed up with stupidity that we decide we are not going to take it any more. That is exactly what happened when a Seattle area homeowner decided to fight back against a developers repeated broken promises.
His innovative solution? Graffiti his own home!
You should really see the pictures by clicking here. Now, nobody wants to be his neighbor. I don't know if his solution will ultimately work, but you've got to admire his creative attempt.
What do you think?
His innovative solution? Graffiti his own home!
You should really see the pictures by clicking here. Now, nobody wants to be his neighbor. I don't know if his solution will ultimately work, but you've got to admire his creative attempt.
What do you think?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Missouri Cracks Down On Milk Hustling Sisters
The Bechard family owns and operates a farm in Missouri. They sell raw milk (it hasn't been homogenized and pasteurized) to their customer base. You can pick some up at the Bechard farm or they will fulfill your order in the parking lot of a local grocery store in Springfield. Their truck has the milk that has been pre-ordered by customers who would pick up their order on the appointed day.
In April, two health inspectors approached the Bechard sisters who were fulfilling customer orders. The inspectors asked if there was any extra milk for sale. It was the end of the day and a couple of customers had failed to show up for their milk, so the sisters sold the milk to the undercover inspectors. Now the Attorney General for Missouri has filed a lawsuit against the Bechard family to prevent them from distributing milk. (WTF?!?)
Missouri law makes it OK for dairy farmers to sell milk on their farm, deliver milk to customers, and set up a distribution point for pre-paid orders. They are NOT allowed to sell raw milk off of their farm (as the sisters had done). Now we've seen some stupid sting operations (a la the Lemonade Stand), but this one is taking some heat from locals who are wondering if this is really the priority for the Attorney General.
What are they going to claim - this is a starter crime?
First, they get you hooked on raw milk. Then, fresh fruit. Finally it's broccoli and then you are healthy for life . . .
What do you think?
In April, two health inspectors approached the Bechard sisters who were fulfilling customer orders. The inspectors asked if there was any extra milk for sale. It was the end of the day and a couple of customers had failed to show up for their milk, so the sisters sold the milk to the undercover inspectors. Now the Attorney General for Missouri has filed a lawsuit against the Bechard family to prevent them from distributing milk. (WTF?!?)
Missouri law makes it OK for dairy farmers to sell milk on their farm, deliver milk to customers, and set up a distribution point for pre-paid orders. They are NOT allowed to sell raw milk off of their farm (as the sisters had done). Now we've seen some stupid sting operations (a la the Lemonade Stand), but this one is taking some heat from locals who are wondering if this is really the priority for the Attorney General.
What are they going to claim - this is a starter crime?
First, they get you hooked on raw milk. Then, fresh fruit. Finally it's broccoli and then you are healthy for life . . .
What do you think?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Learning From The Mistakes Of Stupid Criminals
I do not condone drug use. However, I am a big advocate of learning from mistakes - especially the mistakes of others. It saves us from painful experiences.
Today we have the opportunity to learn from another stupid criminal (is that an oxymoron?). A motorist was stopped by police for speeding. The officer noticed the strong smell of weed coming from the vehicle. The idiot had not yet finished the joint, so he ate the rest of it to get rid of the evidence. Read the story here. The officer was able to obtain some of the weed from the suspect's mouth before he was arrested.
Maximum conviction for weed in the car: 180 days in jail and a $2000 fine.
Maximum conviction for destroying evidence: 2 to 20 years in jail and a $10000 fine.
Sometimes people take a bad situation and make it a whole lot worse . . .
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Dumping Debt On Our Children
Something really pissed me off today. I'm going to talk a little politics, but I think you will agree with me regardless of your political affiliation.
Take a look at this chart and you'll immediately understand what I mean. It's time to take a hard look at our political system in this country.
1) In the past 37 years, every administration regardless of political party has increased the level of government spending. Clearly both parties are horrible at managing taxpayer money.
2) Politicians cannot be re-elected by voting for budget cuts. Every cut take money away from *someone* who will be pissed at election time. Politicians who advocate budget cuts are charged with not caring about the poor or the elderly or children or national defense, etc. So the budget must continue to rise as new programs are added while nothing is deleted.
3) The government is an expense that produces nothing. While there is a need for some national programs, the government simply takes taxpayer dollars and redistributes those funds. Government produces nothing. Government is inefficient. Our tax burden, both as a percentage of income and percentage of economic output continues to rise over time. This is an unsustainable trend.
The chart shows future national debt levels based on projections by the Congressional Budget Office AND the White House. The numbers are a nightmare and likely understated! Government projections have a long history of being too optimistic.
As citizens, we need to make it clear to our leaders that enough is enough. We cannot continue to fund everything for everyone. Our tax burden is among the highest among industrial nations and growing every year. This is not only going to affect our children, but likely will put *us* into an economic depression if we allow it to happen. Perhaps a Balanced Budget Amendment is necessary. Perhaps a tax revolt a la the Boston Tea Party. I don't know the answer, but I know that our leaders are rapidly driving us toward a cliff and it's pissing me off!
What do you think?
Take a look at this chart and you'll immediately understand what I mean. It's time to take a hard look at our political system in this country.
1) In the past 37 years, every administration regardless of political party has increased the level of government spending. Clearly both parties are horrible at managing taxpayer money.
2) Politicians cannot be re-elected by voting for budget cuts. Every cut take money away from *someone* who will be pissed at election time. Politicians who advocate budget cuts are charged with not caring about the poor or the elderly or children or national defense, etc. So the budget must continue to rise as new programs are added while nothing is deleted.
3) The government is an expense that produces nothing. While there is a need for some national programs, the government simply takes taxpayer dollars and redistributes those funds. Government produces nothing. Government is inefficient. Our tax burden, both as a percentage of income and percentage of economic output continues to rise over time. This is an unsustainable trend.
The chart shows future national debt levels based on projections by the Congressional Budget Office AND the White House. The numbers are a nightmare and likely understated! Government projections have a long history of being too optimistic.
As citizens, we need to make it clear to our leaders that enough is enough. We cannot continue to fund everything for everyone. Our tax burden is among the highest among industrial nations and growing every year. This is not only going to affect our children, but likely will put *us* into an economic depression if we allow it to happen. Perhaps a Balanced Budget Amendment is necessary. Perhaps a tax revolt a la the Boston Tea Party. I don't know the answer, but I know that our leaders are rapidly driving us toward a cliff and it's pissing me off!
What do you think?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Don't Forget To Roll Down Your Window And Take Your Homework!
Today I came across not one, but TWO stupid criminal stories.
First, a man was caught for attempting a drive by shooting because he forgot to roll down his window before firing his gun. Click here for the story.
Second, here is another set of geniuses. Two kids cut out of school to break into a nearby home. The homework for one of the kids dropped out of his backpack as they were leaving the scene of the crime. Click here for the story.
Is it just me, or are criminals getting easier to catch as our educational system declines?
First, a man was caught for attempting a drive by shooting because he forgot to roll down his window before firing his gun. Click here for the story.
Second, here is another set of geniuses. Two kids cut out of school to break into a nearby home. The homework for one of the kids dropped out of his backpack as they were leaving the scene of the crime. Click here for the story.
Is it just me, or are criminals getting easier to catch as our educational system declines?
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