tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52915189474951299982024-02-06T23:40:45.257-05:00Keepin' the FaithKeepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-91743304961447013972009-03-05T09:34:00.004-05:002009-03-05T09:41:32.949-05:00A Picture is Truly Worth a Thousand Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYEjnTuSpfW2ZEmKDtLclSFJwBSRNqBHVQctse82cwKlX9K8p9ccz4HNTuiegxJKIt74mc-1NQ9IlXUvQlRoiQjxGKSRjC1RgqXR-H_QCVoOh-VMgpWZ73PZucjC8QKFSuJuYsHoqHwY/s1600-h/Dow+Jones+pic.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309713107116212818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 460px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 271px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYEjnTuSpfW2ZEmKDtLclSFJwBSRNqBHVQctse82cwKlX9K8p9ccz4HNTuiegxJKIt74mc-1NQ9IlXUvQlRoiQjxGKSRjC1RgqXR-H_QCVoOh-VMgpWZ73PZucjC8QKFSuJuYsHoqHwY/s200/Dow+Jones+pic.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Here's the picture (read more <a href="http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=1033">here</a>)</div><div></div><div>Thank you to Bobby Eberle at GOPUSA!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-62245683040624165832009-03-04T16:52:00.002-05:002009-03-04T16:54:35.198-05:00Defining ConservatismWhat is a "Conservative"? I've asked a few people in the past few days and gotten quite a few answers, so I'm putting the question out here:<br /><br />What is a conservative? Just add a comment and let me know. I'll post the answers within a week or so. I promise.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-86543808322747878082009-03-03T15:40:00.003-05:002009-03-03T15:48:03.701-05:00Investing 101: As taught by Professor ObamaOn Tuesday our Professor-in-Chief declared that now is a good time for investors to buy stocks.<br /><br />Really? Last time I looked, the Dow is still dropping like a rock.<br /><br />But his next words are meant to comfort (or should I say placate) us: "What you are now seeing is a profit and earnings ratios get to the point that buying stocks is a good thing if you have a long-term perspective on it." I guess by "long-term perspective" he really means "until the Republicans get back in control".<br /><br />For further reassurance he's also told us "The stock market is sort of like a tracking poll in politics. It bobs up and down day-to-day and if you spend all your time worrying about that, they you're probably going to get the long-term strategy wrong." I'm sorry Mr. President, but the stock market has been plummeting since the day it became clear that you would be the Democratic nominee and it's decline only hastened when it was evident you would win the election.<br /><br />This poor guy is living in fairy-tale land. Only it's the Brothers Grimm version.<br /><br />Someone please take away his rose-colored glasses before he completely destroys our economy.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-40613268748929532312009-03-03T13:55:00.001-05:002009-03-03T13:57:35.838-05:00More WisdomDemocratic state Rep. Martin Walsh of Massachusetts told the New York Times: “Every state in the nation, including Massachusetts, needs to figure out a way of raising revenues. So we need to be creative.”<br /><br />No. Wrong. A lie. You need to cut back. Quit spending. Budgeting is more than raising taxes. In fact, cut taxes because taxpayers could use a break.<br /><br />Thanks to Don Surber for the above.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-88229123884412065572009-03-03T10:06:00.001-05:002009-03-03T10:06:57.908-05:00WisdomDiplomacy is the art of saying, “Nice doggie,” until you can find a rock.<br /><br />-Will Rogers<br /><br />Has anyone told Obama this yet?Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-39748090855533983462009-03-02T14:03:00.002-05:002009-03-02T14:05:18.061-05:00Here's Something for a Laugh & Some Perspective!OK - This is a comedian - and comedians are often a bit irreverent. But the guy makes a good point <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus">here</a>!Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-14081904537697106782009-03-02T10:37:00.002-05:002009-03-02T10:39:38.935-05:00Take Everything They Earn - It Still Won't Be EnoughPresident Obama has laid out the most ambitious and expensive domestic agenda since LBJ, and now all he has to do is figure out how to pay for it. On Tuesday, he left the impression that we need merely end "tax breaks for the wealthiest 2% of Americans," and he promised that households earning less than $250,000 won't see their taxes increased by "one single dime."<br /><br />This is going to be some trick. Even the most basic inspection of the IRS income tax statistics shows that raising taxes on the salaries, dividends and capital gains of those making more than $250,000 can't possibly raise enough revenue to fund Mr. Obama's new spending ambitions.<br /><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123561551065378405.html?mod=djemEditorialPage">More here. . . . .</a>Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-23463921631608590232009-03-02T08:22:00.002-05:002009-03-02T09:08:44.034-05:00Driving Me Crazy!Big Brother that is - at least if some members of Congress and Obama's advisors get their way.<br /><br />It's bad enough President Obama is spending our money that we don't have on programs that we don't need. . . . or want for that matter. And it doesn't stop there - under President Obama we will have government interference in far too many areas of our lives.<br /><br />So, what's got me so upset? Despite trillions of dollars being spent we still don't have enough money for roads. The solution? Tax drivers by the mile driven through the use of mandatory tracking devices in our vehicles.<br /><br />Now you may ask - doesn't the per-gallon-gas-tax accomplish the very same thing? Well, it does - sort of. The per gallon gas tax does vary by being dependent on your vehicle's gas mileage.<br /><br />Here's what a special commission created by Congress has said in justifying more intrusion into our lives: "We will suffer grim consequences in the future: unimaginable levels of congestion, reduced safety, costlier goods and services, an eroded quality of life, and diminished economic competitiveness as a nation."<br /><br />Is this what our great nation is coming to? The government's ability to monitor our travels? <br /><br />What's next? The ability to monitor our grocery purchases to ensure we only purchase healthy food? Or maybe the ability to monitor all our purchases? Combine this ability with the health database that is already being set up and our citizens will have lost any semblance of privacy. <br /><br />And yet Democrats are the ones who decried the government's ability to monitor communications with terrorists.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-45788447206386536432009-02-25T12:52:00.009-05:002009-02-25T13:49:01.641-05:00My Mind Is Now Completely Boggled!I found <a href="http://documents.scribd.com/docs/cn9rfd2lm8gf6aawqo4.pdf">this spreadsheet</a> on the internet yesterday - a list of the stimulus proposals submitted by various agencies and governments in Michigan. Keep in mind these are just proposals. But it still boggles the mind!<br /><br />Just one example: $18,000,000.00 to refurbish the Holland Civic Center. After years of studying, talking, voting, etc. there was a concensus that we, the taxpayers, were not willing to pony up money for this project. Meanwihle, Hope College took the initiative to build their own arena that is available for rent.<br /><br />If we weren't willing to pay for this a few years ago, why on earth are we now being asked to pay for it without even the opportunity to vote on it?<br /><br />And this is just one small example. These are projects that rightfully should be funded on a local level.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-71764366343685230112009-02-24T13:34:00.000-05:002009-02-24T13:35:40.395-05:00Enough Said. . . . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBb2qvjoIQZFWx8NrMsL_aFs5e8jsOpnRHLceeSVKIyi_fSfgdKSbdHiU_tLdzZKT6pdyeBgbNLQB2tA5dpAZkCtpyoWAFcXSeNGOLapnbKSuW4mX6FM4ww0h8FVeBxZLzclm-OwFFgY/s1600-h/Hope+to+Change+Cartoon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306434281136190690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBb2qvjoIQZFWx8NrMsL_aFs5e8jsOpnRHLceeSVKIyi_fSfgdKSbdHiU_tLdzZKT6pdyeBgbNLQB2tA5dpAZkCtpyoWAFcXSeNGOLapnbKSuW4mX6FM4ww0h8FVeBxZLzclm-OwFFgY/s400/Hope+to+Change+Cartoon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to Chris Wicker!<br /><div></div>Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-9737274487712634192009-02-23T12:00:00.002-05:002009-02-23T12:06:06.494-05:00Ergonomics?From the Michigan Retailers monthly newsletter (article is titled "Top 10 Legislative Issues to Watch in 2009:<br /><br />"This is a regulatory issue rather than a legislative one and in Michigan that further complicates efforts to kill it. MIOSHA has put together guidelines for a state-specific ergonomics rule, but has yet to put in a request for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rule making</span> authority. The business community has opposed such a request, as it would put a process into motion that would be almost impossible to stop and would result in increased costs to business."<br /><br />I've written about this before because it makes Michigan employers even less <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">competitive</span> - not exactly what we need given Michigan's dismal economy. Please contact your state legislators if you agree. And it wouldn't hurt to contact the Governor and MIOSHA too.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-91656429818952387332009-02-23T09:51:00.002-05:002009-02-23T14:30:01.150-05:00The Wisdom of Cicero"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." ~ Cicero , 55 BC<br /><br />Can't improve on the wisdom of the ages.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-17666273927441988222009-02-19T16:30:00.002-05:002009-02-19T16:33:38.116-05:00We Live In An Upside-Down CountryOK - So let me get this straight. It's OK to abort a baby. Got it. Don't agree with it, but I got it. But if you carry a sign that says "Abort Obama" it's considered a terroristic threat. Don't get it. <br /><br />Unbelievable isn't it? Read what happens when you have a sign that says exactly that: "Abort Obama" in your car <a href="http://www.newsok.com/okc-officer-pulls-man-over-for-anti-obama-sign-on-vehicle/article/3347038?custom_click=headlines_widget">here</a>.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-39452581846874679162009-02-19T09:51:00.002-05:002009-02-19T15:08:50.257-05:00With All Due Respect Mr. President. . . . . .Interesting full-page ad in the <a href="http://www.cato.org/special/stimulus09/cato_stimulus.pdf">New York Post</a>. No additional comment needed!Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-50216820958017992062009-02-16T14:22:00.003-05:002009-02-16T14:28:56.470-05:00The Audacity of Hope - Oops! I Mean Obama.Obama (during his prime time press conference):<br /><br />"It (the stimulus bill) also contains an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">unprecedented</span> level of transparency and accountability so that every American will be able to go online and see where and how we're spending every dime. What it does not contain, however, is a single pet project, not a single earmark, and it has been stripped of the projects members of both parties found most objectionable."<br /><br />Oh really? Obama spoke about audacity a lot during his campaign. And now we know why. He's just brimming with it.<br /><br />Go <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.stimuluswatch.org">here </a>so see just how much "non-pork" there really is.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-85459014588887417702009-02-12T14:48:00.003-05:002009-02-12T14:56:28.282-05:00This Is Job Creation?There's money for global warming. There's money for sex education. There's money for ACORN. There's money for golf course renovations. There's money for Amtrak. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">There's</span> even money for unions (no big surprise here).<br /><br />Sounds more like a Make-A-Wish Foundation for liberals than a job-creating stimulus package.<br /><br />But there is a dangerous provision that is much much worse. It's called "Comparative Effectiveness Research." Sounds pretty innocent doesn't it?<br /><br />But read this from the House Appropriations Committee's report: "Those items, procedures and interventions that are found to be less effective and in some cases more expensive will no longer be prescribed."<br /><br />Sounds more like a prescription for rationing to me.<br /><br />Freedom can be lost in small increments. So small that too many of us don't notice until it's too late. For generations that follow us, we need to stand firm and vigilant to ensure they do not lose their freedom while we were standing watch.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-54769372367645982692009-02-11T14:41:00.002-05:002009-02-11T14:47:56.875-05:00Democrat Style StimulusThree contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House. One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Minnesota.<br /><br />All three go with a White House official to examine the fence. The Minnesota contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."<br /><br />The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for m3."<br /><br />The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers "$2,700."<br /><br />The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How can you come up with such a high figure?"<br /><br />The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."<br /><br />"Done!" replies the government official.<br /><br />And that is how the new stimulus plan will work.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I'm afraid the joke is closer to the truth than we think.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-12954817922549160272009-02-05T16:29:00.003-05:002009-02-05T16:38:05.214-05:00"The Worst Bill in Galactic History"That's right - according to Charles Krauthammer. The more you learn about the economic stimulus package the less you like it.<br /><br />Democrats have merely taken their pie-in-the-sky wish list and added dollar amounts.<br /><br />Even if you believe in Keynesian policy, this bill is not what's needed.<br /><br />Here's what needs to be done: Rebuild our defenses. Cut the payroll tax. Help the unemployed breadwinner. Lay some pavement. Rebuild falling bridges. Remain steadfast.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-38049904269582789752009-02-05T15:34:00.002-05:002009-02-05T15:44:02.826-05:00Can There Be Cuts In Line? Please!?!Nancy Pelosi - Speaker of the House and third in the Presidential succession line. And she doesn't know basic math.<br /><br />Speaking yesterday, Pelosi warned that if the economic stimulus package didn't pass immediately "500 million more American jobs would be lost."<br /><br />Scare tactics for sure. But it's more scary to contemplate someone who doesn't know what she's talking about being in line for the Presidency.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-8757273865267563472009-02-04T12:17:00.004-05:002009-02-05T16:06:58.618-05:00Can You Stomach This?If you want more information about the insanity <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">masquerading</span> as stimulus check out <a href="http://http//www.stimuluswatch.org/">this website</a>!Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-64290513332893142562009-02-04T11:49:00.002-05:002009-02-04T12:16:08.916-05:00Sound the Alarm. . . Oops I Mean Doorbells!The city of Laurel, Mississippi has requested their fair share of the federal stimulus package. They've included lots of "shovel ready" projects (I hope they ban the words "shovel ready" - I'm sick of hearing it already). Laurel has a population of roughly 48,000 people and they've proposed $61,443,369 in stimulus spending.<br /><br />Most of the money is for infrastructure, updating schools, security officers at each school, sewer, heating (they didn't specify exactly what they want to heat, but how cold does it get in Mississippi?) and a mass transit system. Wow, that's a lot of projects and a lot of money.<br /><br />Laurel has also requested $99,600 for doorbells. What? Doorbells? Can't people just knock? Or holler "Hey y'all. Are you home?"<br /><br />Their justification? It will provide two jobs - temporary of course. <br /><br />I hear bells ringing too. Only they're in my head while I contemplate the silliness that our government has sunk too.<br /><br />I guess the patients are truly in charge of the asylum.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-15795980404561639012009-02-03T12:25:00.002-05:002009-02-03T13:41:05.307-05:00Really Green? We Report. You Decide.You've seen the new energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs. The ones that will be required in the near future (incandescent ones are going to be out-lawed). Just how good (i.e., green) are they?<br /><br />Well, for one they certainly will cost you some green. They are far more expensive. Nice for the light bulb manufacturer's, but not so nice for your wallet.<br /><br />And yes, they do use far less energy. That's good. Right? Well, just don't drop one of them. Here are the recommendations for proper handling of a dropped fluorescent household bulb (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency no less):<br /><br />1. Open a window and leave the room for at least fifteen minutes. Place fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room. <br /><br />2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.<br /><br />3. Wear disposable rubber gloves and carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard (must be something disposable).<br /><br />4. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.<br /><br />5. Use duct tape to pick-up any remaining residue.<br /><br />6. Place all clean-up materials in a plastic bag, seal it, and then place the bag in a second sealed bag.<br /><br />7. Bring to a hazardous waste recycling center (if available).<br /><br />8. Wash your hands thoroughly after disposing of the bags.<br /><br />9. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag when finished and put the bag as well as any cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags. Store outdoors - not indoors - until disposed of.<br /><br />Wow. Sounds really green to me!Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-65982816134121157982009-01-24T06:50:00.001-05:002009-01-24T06:51:27.420-05:00Take the Obama Test!I scored 14. <a href="http://obamatest.com/">Take the test here </a>and let us know how you scored.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-22614821279089584142009-01-24T06:03:00.002-05:002009-01-24T06:13:05.901-05:00Desperate Times Part VIIOther state and municipal reforms and privatizations:<br /><br />63. Repeal the tax-exempt status of Blue Cross Blue Shield and the associated limitations on its ability to sell non-health insurance products.<br /><br />64. Sell Cobo Hall.<br /><br />65. Get government out of the golf business.<br /><br />66. Privatize underused state parts.<br /><br />67. Privatize state fairs and the associated lands.<br /><br />68. Reform, restructure and sell portions of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.<br /><br />69. Privatize a variety of state human resources operations.<br /><br />70. Sell the Department of Natural Resources' Mac Mullen Conference Center.<br /><br />71. Privatize municipal parking garages.<br /><br />72. Privatize state highway rest areas.<br /><br />73. Privatize management of the Mackinac State Historic Parks.<br /><br />74. Eliminate Department of Agriculture "market development" programs.<br /><br />75. If gambling is expanded through "racinos" or other formats, auction the licenses.<br /><br />76. Repeal protectionist auto dealership laws that prohibit car buyers from negotiating directly with manufacturers or auto brokers.<br /><br />77. Level the state's regulatory playing field between banks and credit unions.<br /><br />78. Don't allow municipal governments to increase public, education and government channel fees (PEG fees) on cable television companies.<br /><br />79. End the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps.<br /><br />80. Strengthen the law providing an emergency financial manager for insolvent municipalities and school districts by expanding the manager's powers and legal protections.<br /><br />81. End state revenue-sharing to local governments wherever the money is not constitutionally mandated.<br /><br />82. Let Detroit save itself by fundamentally reforming the city's government and business climate rather than pursuing further rounds of flashy government-subsidized projects.<br /><br />83. Let Detroit save itself and better serve its residents through a comprehensive program of privatizing city services.<br /><br />84. Let Detroit save itself by repealing the city's income tax, downsizing the city's bureaucracy and rolling back the regulatory burden on city businesses to a level similar to cities of comparable size.<br /><br />85. Amend the state constitution as needed to privatize the University of Michigan.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5291518947495129998.post-18134976692236197552009-01-24T05:51:00.002-05:002009-01-24T05:53:52.182-05:00Someone Else's ThoughtsWhen someone else says it better than you can, sometimes it's best to just let them say it. I stumbled across <a href="http://www.criesoftheheart.com/">this website</a> early this morning. <br /><br />Please read his "Inaugural Thoughts". I couldn't have said it better myself.Keepin' the Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15003951783946150802noreply@blogger.com0