US Citizens Losing Democracy-by default

In the 1950's the American Dream thrived-suburbs flourished, men returned from World War II with the GI Bill. The GI Bill opened doors to education previously not available to the working class. Unions ensured the labor force US companies needed were treated fairly and a living wage provided for many families of the working class.

Conceptually individuals with trades, skilled labor and professionals all had a shot at the American dream. Baby boomers, raised by this generation had opportunities not afforded to children of working class families-and took advantage of the opportunities.

It was a time of enlightenment with a Supreme Court, in the 1960's which favored individual citizens and kept a lid on the abuse of overreaching law enforcement, institutions, government agencies, city, state and federal abuses and the development of large corporations which might otherwise profit and the expense of the human labor force.

What a long and painful journey it has been from those freedoms to where we are today.

It is not my agenda to outline the many labyrinths which have led us to our current situation.

My agenda is to mourn the loss of our nation of involved citizens. Citizens who believed our government could and should be transformed to benefit the citizens of this country-and acted upon their beliefs.

I don't know about you but on a personal level the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming .

For example, I received my electric bill in the mail yesterday. By some convoluted formula

the city I live in charged me 145.00 for electricity.

Fair enough.

In addition, I have what is called a "usage fee" for 125.00. I pay this because according to the city I live in I am two blocks from the city limits but not far enough out of the limits to qualify for Florida power.

So I am charged double because I do not fit in anywhere. I have no choice.

My "usage fee" is almost as much as my bill. I have used the air conditioning very little because I am on a budget.

That is one example. Here is another one-

I applied for my new registration is the state of Florida. They requested a copy of the title from the lien holder. The lien holder sent it in the Florida envelope required by the state.

The state claims it did not receive the title.

The lien holder documented when the title was sent.

I did this the first week of may.

It is July and the cost of registration just went up 100.00 for new citizens. I have beendriving on a temporary registration awaiting receipt of the title and notification from Florida DMV.

These may seem small to you but they are examples of the powerlessness one feels today when dealing with credit card companies, banks, school loans, mortgage companies, utility companies, city, state and federal governments-

It is this feeling of helplessness and the sense of overwhelming smallness when dealing with large bureaucratic agencies and corporations that discourages citizens from believing they have the power to take action-to have an impact .

We need to collectively use our ability to make change-as a nation of citizens. Protests do nothing today-but boycotts can.

Boycotting certain companies, agencies, corporations-this will make a difference.

It can make a difference because money is what it is all about.

You and I are not important-unless we speak with our wallets-and we will continue to be unimportant because entities know as long as they can stonewall our government, lobby our elected officials and maintain such laws as the new bankruptcy law, the credit card, the oil industry, the overseas labor force regulations and the tax laws to favor them, we have no chance.

We are still one of the biggest nations in the world.

Sadly, we are one of the biggest, but no longer the greatest because we, as citizens have a government so corrupt it has weakened our ability to uphold, protect and maintain our once democratic ideals.

While those with money yell, "Socialism" and warn of us we will lose our right to choose, they are very aware that at this point in time we have already lost our right to choose, we have lost much and continue to lose more-and nothing, nothing but the goodness of a very few people, corporations and government entities exist to support the democratic ideals we claim we love.

On this 4Th, when we celebrate freedom-perhaps more of us will examine where we are as a country today. Perhaps some will recognize how those who fought to keep the talons of a king and his whims from allowing us to suffer a monarchy- (which saw us as slave labor for a larger, superior country)-are very much parallel to the corporations, the shareholders, the Wall street elite and bankers, the oil companies, and all of our American businesses outsourcing to third world countries.

I do not think this is what our 4Th of July celebration and those who fought and died to uphold the ideals of democracy had in mind-do you?

Missouri Rep Cynthia Davis-hungry kids work harder-no free lunch!

July 2nd, 2009 by onepooldlady

Missouri State Representative Cynthia Davis is one tough cookie. Last week she opposed subsidizing school lunches for low income children during summer months saying, “Hunger can be a positive motivator.” This is excellent news considering 1 in 5 Missouri kids is living in hunger, so that state is due for a productivity boon.

It is 1962 and free school lunch is non existent. A little seven year old girl wakes and prepares for school. Her five sister and brothers and mother continue sleeping. The flu continues its round robin of family members.

She is so tired of sickness and hungry. Rummaging through the kitchen she discovers a piece of hardened cheese, bread , a wrinkled apple. She places it in a bag, unwrapped, searches through the mound of clothing on the floor of the bedroom she shares with her five siblings. Grabbing a pair of pants, a tee shirt and her shoes, she dresses quickly and walks to the bus stop.

She doesn’t notice her clothing is wrinkled and dirty. She isn’t aware of the smirks and stares. Her radar shut out the jeers and mocks in kindergarten. School is the one place she finds safety from the violence, abuse, and unpredictability of her home. Treasures are the discoveries in reading, passion is the expression in writing , adventure is the mysteries of science-all these are gold nuggets -free!

Her stomach growls after an hour of sitting in the classroom. She tries to ignore it. No breakfast but she has SOMETHING to eat for lunch. She drinks water from the fountain on the way to gym class, hoping the shakiness in her legs disappears.

Mrs. Kelly, her second grade teacher stands and talks with the gym teacher. The little girl hovers near the teacher. She leans towards her to stop the shakiness in her legs.

Shadows get in the way of her vision. She begins to see little dark patches between her teacher and the floor. Her hands begin to shake and she reaches out to the teacher.

She folds her arms around Mrs. Kelley’s legs and slides to the floor.

Her last thought?

What a safe place to die.

Nevada attorney takes oath at bar and grill

According to the Las Vegas Sun, July 1, 2009


Speaking of dramatic flourishes, most new judges get sworn in at the courthouse. Las Vegas attorney Joseph Sciscento took his oath Tuesday at a different courthouse — the Courthouse Bar & Grill, that is. Drinks were flowing as his friend, District Judge Doug Smith, administered the oath in front of a small gathering of lawyers and judges at the popular tavern across the street from the Regional Justice Center.

Only in Nevada, folks, do they take the swearing in of a judge so seriously...

Las Vegas Sun readers meltdown for Obama

Is there a full moon tonight? The Las Vegas Sun printed an article today.

This was the header:

Obama tells Sun: Nevada’s housing pain is on my mind

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Wednesday he is acutely aware of Nevada’s foreclosure crisis and is evaluating whether more can be done to help homeowners, including by redirecting unused bank bailout money for homeowner relief.

Obama warned that using a portion of the $70 billion returned from the banks may require help from Congress.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, I am here to tell you the loonies came howling out the door on comment one. Pages of bizarro comments having nothing to do with the article.

The entire conspiracy to forge the above bith certificate came up-yada yada yada

This is what really scares me-

this many crazies-living in one city-

here are the comments-enjoy!

Barry Soetoro is a a liar and thief of Command!

Harry Reid knows it...

Where is the Birth Certificate?

Obama has steadfastly refused to release evidence of that Hawaiian birth -- a valid, long-form birth certificate that would show details of the birth, such as the hospital and the attending physician. Because the short-form "certification of live birth" he released to select news organization was at least sometimes issued for foreign births on the basis of an affidavit by one parent, it proves nothing as far as constitutional eligibility -- and, in fact, raises suspicions about a foreign birth.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.vie...

1. By biodyzl

6/25/09 at 5:08 a.m.

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Obama's plan is to issue O Bonds to help. For details, visit the O Bonds page on TheNothingStore.com

2. By JPM42

6/25/09 at 5:57 a.m.

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Obama tells Sun? How misleading as it suggests the Sun had a one on one interview with Obama...which judging from this vague article/editorial is not the case.

Where does Obama specifically talk about Nevada? What did he say he was going to do specifically?

"president would not commit to any changes."

"but not ready to commit to its solution."

This is leadership? This is no better than the previous 8 years of Bush! Change? Puhleeze

All I see are glittering generalities from Obama and no specifics.. not unlike the rest of his administration to date.

"It could also not say how many foreclosures have been prevented since the Obama housing plan was launched."

Zero.. none.. Period.

3. By JahReb

6/25/09 at 6:01 a.m.

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I see the little children woke up early this morning to comment. How's that birth certificate thingy coming along, anyways? LOL. Love the O Bonds thing, too. By the way, recess was pushed back to after 4th period today.

You neocon clowns absolutely crack me up. Stay classy!

4. By Thumper

6/25/09 at 6:12 a.m.

(Removed by the site staff)

5. By markp

6/25/09 at 6:17 a.m.

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the banks need to release all the housing stock they are holding, let it go at low prices, only then the market will start to recover, the houseprices currently are still far from affordable... and any bank holding stock are making the situation worse empty houses rot slowly and pulldown an area..

6. By gmag39

6/25/09 at 6:30 a.m.

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Jahreb; Yes, a lot of tin-foil going to waste this morning. Man, it must suck to wake up every day and think "The President's an alien! I must act now!"

7. By annienonymouse

6/25/09 at 6:46 a.m.

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Ooooo, look, the non-regular posters are here.

8. By gotjobs

6/25/09 at 7:07 a.m.

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TARP (troubled asset reform program) remember that? The whole thing was about saving forclosures. Thanks to our government we saved banks (crooks) wall street and GM. Now Obama says we might have some change leftover for the small housing problem.

9. By stevem

6/25/09 at 8:08 a.m.

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obama's plan = tax all the evil "rich" people to the point they won't be able to buy homes then take that tax money and give it to the "disadvantaged" so they CAN buy a house.

that will raise home values.

i want to barf every time i see a photo of our precedent obama.

10. By neiman1

6/25/09 at 8:25 a.m.

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The same guy is losing sleep over the budget deficits? Now he found some FREE money in the Treasury Slush Fund. He will spend like no tomorrow to buy votes for himself and his attempt to save democrats like harry Reid. No way to run a business or a government.

11. By Narcissa

6/25/09 at 8:52 a.m.

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Yes, I also see that any question or recitation of the facts regarding the Kenyan's birth certificate are met not with counterrpoints about the issue itself, but subjective comments about the posters.

Way to try and deflect from the issue at hand, but here's a newsflash for you; namecalling isn't going to change the facts and it certainly isn't going to make the question of Hussein's birth certificate go away.

This reminds me of the responses by Edwards and his staff to allegations involving him and the baby mamma; as I recall, they consistently used words such as

"garbage" and other dismissive terms, but such dismissiveness never really addressed the initial

question.

Why HAS the Marxist in Chief spent over one million dollars with three top drawer law firms,

hindering efforts by those who have the temerity to want to see the birth certificate of this man who

is in occupation of the White House?

And, why won't he reveal his health records and academic record from college and law school,

including his applications to these institutions? No other politician seeking such high office has

been so secretive about revealing such basic information and NOR should they be allowed to be.

Why is he so resistamt? What is this man hiding and why is he going to such great lengths to prevent such basic information from being disclosed to the public?

Of course, the lamestream media refuses to address these questions, but people have a right to ask these questions and get an proper answer-not one that dismisses them in a condescending, elitist manner.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for Hussein to show us his birth certificate and until I see it, I have no choice but to believe that he is hiding information, the discovery of which could result in his arrogant behind getting kicked to the proverbial curb.

12. By AngryReader

6/25/09 at 9:14 a.m.

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Birth certificate clowns (ie you 'birthers') need to learn to play. You lost, Obama won, get over it.

Maybe you should concern yourselves with the death spiral the GOP is in and try to encourage some fidelity amongst the GOP leadership. If they can't keep their pants zipped up then they should at least keep their mouths shut about how 'righteous' they are. The voters will forgive infidelity, but nobody likes a hypocrite.

Back to the topic.... If Obama is this clueless about how bad the housing situation is in southern Nevada, we all might as well all throw in the towel.

When your second mortage lender asks for double digit interest to convert to a fixed rate, and your first mortgage holder is so messed up you cannot get the same person on the phone from day to day there is only one way out.

Let them eat dirt!

And talk to a BK attorney, because you are going to want to get that 1099 tax form the lender's will attempt to punish you with legally discharged so you won't get screwed by IRS after the fact.

13. By mred

6/25/09 at 9:24 a.m.

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The birth Certificate has been on the web for about a year now.

If you don't like the Government, don't participate in the mortgage program and stop cashing your social security and unemployment checks. Didn't Irwin Shiff try to claim he was mentally ill to try to beat his tax evasion charges? Please check your self in.

14. By VegasEngineer

6/25/09 at 9:41 a.m.

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Trying to buy Vegas out of this housing situation would cost trillions, not tens of billions. It also wouldn't fix the problem that is prolonging the crisis, which is increasing unemployment.

Imagine if Bush and Obama didn't bail out the banks and credit was still frozen. Unemployment would be much much higher if businesses could not get credit. Housing prices would be significantly lower if mortgages were unavailable and the only people who could buy houses were people who could pay cash.

TARP is a fund to be loaned, not spent. It was established to loan money to banks that couldn't get a loan anywhere else. Banks that survive are required to pay the funds back with interest. It has been a few months since I read the bill, but I think the rate was 6%.

When TARP is dismantled, the money will be used to buy back the treasury bills sold to finance the fund, that way we don't keep those hundreds of billions as national debt.

Using the federal govt's credit to prevent the nation's complete financial collapse was the smart and responsible thing to do. Bush and Obama obviously BOTH thought so.

15. By Narcissa

6/25/09 at 10:11 a.m.

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Thanks for proving my point, Angry Reade. Your lame response of, "we won, you lost" doesn't address Hussein's continued refusal to provide his birth certificate and school applications and records.

16. By ynotjohn

6/25/09 at 10:45 a.m.

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This "plan" will just reward people you used their home as a savings account and how want to be rewarded or will walk away. These people did not do "all of the right things". They re-financed or 2nd mortgaged during the good times or just bought and now are underwater. What happened to all of that money and the cooresponding tax savings if they re-financed or if they just bought the idea to stay in the home for 10 years or more as our current real estate market is just making this paper losses?

Instead, eliminate mortgage deduction and capital gains tax savings when selling home on anyone who forecloses.

We need some "Tough Love" to get homeowners/investors to do the right thing and only buy homes for the long term along with paying a mortgage instead of the "flipper" profit taker mentality.

17. By crackedbeak

6/25/09 at 10:50 a.m.

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Let's face it people, every four years we elect a lying, no good, rotten, not my guy, Human Being to an office that nobody in their right mind would want. We then expect them to solve all the problems left over from the last idiot and all the new ones dumped on them by circumstance. And do it right now, we want it done yesterday, what are you waiting for? After all, we believed in your "elect me" promises. Chill. If any of us had the answers we would have the job. There are no answers, just process. In four years we will elect another lying, no good, rotten, not my guy, Human Being to an office that nobody in their right mind would want. Unless the meteor hits, then the cockroaches will have to.

18. By AngryReader

6/25/09 at 11:12 a.m.

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Before I go on topic, let me just say to the 'birthers', GET OVER IT! You LOST! When Bush and his brother stole Florida to steal the Whitehouse in 2000, we sucked it up and watched Karl rove, Dick Cheney and the rest of that amoral criminal gang systematically destroy our country. And we suffered through it until we could vote all the Republicans out of office. And the way things are going scandal wise for the GOP, by 2010 your choices for a candidate will be the drug addicted fat man, that idiot Gingrich, that vacous airhead from Alaska. Good luck with that.

Ynotjohn,

The flippers and investors only existed because the greedy bankers were enabling them. That flooded the market with cash that did not belong and artificailly drove up prices.

Many innocent bystanders paid far too much for a home that was overpriced due to artifical demand. These same greedy bankers funneled these people into ARM's that paid the mortgage lender triple the profit of a 30 yr fixed with about half the effort.

Then the greedy bankers sold these ARM's to greedy Wall Street weasels to package and resell to the super rich as a hedge against the coming hyper-inflation. (Oh and it's coming... bigger and harder than it did after Nixon took us off the gold standard).

Then all the greedy bankers and wall street weasels ran off with billions while the entire Ponzi scheme collapsed.

They are all unemployed, but have billions stashed away, except for the few that got prosecuted. In the meantime, purchaser's of a single family residence in Clark County from 2004-2006 got shafted and are left holding the bag.

So now you have a choice. You can be a victimized bagholder, or you can tell the greedy scumbags that created this mess to "EAT DIRT".

Let's the ARM backed securities all go into default. Let the rich that wanted to prey on the American middle class to insure they could protect their zillions against inflation "EAT SOME DIRT".

Rental rates in Las Vegas valley for a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home are around $1200 a month. How much is your first and second mortgage running?

Foreclosure timeframes are running around 10 months. That's a lot of time to build up a reserve fund, find a rental, pay off all your other debt.

Then discharge the tax liability in a Chapter 13 plan and start over.

Or be a bagholder, work like a slave until you die, and help those super rich ARM backed security investors pay off their Jaguars and luxury yachts.

19. By DessertSun

6/25/09 at 11:25 a.m.

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I truly believe that the American people have no clue what this president is doing to our Nation. A president that speaks of transparency and yet hides information and rushes bills to votes before they can even be read/vetted is NOT transparent. Obama is extremely deceptive. Every move he has made indicates that he is a Socialist and pushes our nation closer to Socialism. The Democrats and their leaders Pelosi and Reid are the most irresponsible Congress I have seen in my lifetime. Obama is worried about Nevada's housing crisis, OMG the last thing we need is another Obama fix. I think we have learned early in his presidency his idea of aid is another government take over of another industry. Why, because that's he answer for EVERYTHING! This is not leadership, it's Socialism.

20. By ynotjohn

6/25/09 at 11:54 a.m.

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AngryReader:

It is not the ARMs but the "homeowners/investors" that took out 2nd mortgages or refinanced and took money out to pay for a lifestyle they could not afford. The mortgage brokers and banks were the "pushers" of this drug (Debt).

How these users who lived beyound their means wants someone else to pay. Sounds like these homeowners are addicts that will go back to becoming highly leveraged and be back to the same place as before wanting someone to save them again.

21. By ynotjohn

6/25/09 at 12:09 p.m.

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AngryReader:

For the small percentage that are ARMs that are impacted (note that more reports are coming out about Fixed rate mortgages that are going into foreclosure so your greedy bankers/class warefare arguement is not valid where my arguement is valid), eliminate those mortgages and make them renters. They should not get a free ride to make money on selling for a profit that real estate.

For Angry Reader:

What is so bad about being a renter? The US government does not owe everyone the right to own a home. Your class warfare arguement of taxing (STEALING) from one group of taxpayers and give the money to another class of privlaged people is either Racist or Sexist.

I have been a renter all of my life because either financial or employment situation warrented the adult decision to rent instead of the child-like attitude of wanting it now. This has cost me more in taxes for me and my family. Why should I support other individuals unruly lifestyles?

22. By SgtRock

6/25/09 at 12:23 p.m.

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He probably "feels our pain", too.

What a crock of crap!!!!

23. By ynotjohn

6/25/09 at 12:32 p.m.

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Angry Reader:

A short sale property I looked at was selling for $199,000 but was orignally purchased in 2001 for $179,000. Tell me how a property purchased 8 years ago with payments being made by a homeowner is doing the "right" thing? Where did the money go? It was not the banks but the Homeowner who stole the money.

The next wave of foreclosures will be a result of purely greedy Homeowners. This next scam is underwater homeowners buying another home and then walking away from the orginal letting it go to foreclosure. This is the type of individual (my definition is a thief) that Angry Reader wants to help. To stop this bad behavior, the government must eliminate interest deduction and capital gains profit tax savings from anyone who forecloses.

If you bought a home stay and pay the mortgage and you can reap the rewards. If you need to move earlier then you can pay the difference in lost equity (which could be less than renting). Anything else is stealing from society.

24. By shrek

6/25/09 at 12:52 p.m.

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Angry Reader has stated the facts as they are without drama & bull! Amen to 'AngryReader' comments. PS<>

25. By ynotjohn

6/25/09 at 1 p.m.

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SHREK:

I guess you are not reading my facts and instead beleive the distortion of facts that Angry Reader is talking about.

Where is all of the money these underwater Homeowners took out for their refinancing or second mortgages? If you bought in 2004-2006, did you not plan on living in your home for a long time or were you just trying to 'flip' it for a quick profit? If you are staying for awhile then all you have is paper losses. If your took on another mortgage or took additional money out, you were living beyound your means and need to pay the price.

26. By mrxroc8

6/25/09 at 1:11 p.m.

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It takes guts and fortitude to stand up for your beliefs in the face of 'Popular Opinion'. I have taken the time and effort to research this issue thoroughly and penned a published Internet piece with my results.

http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/...

Please let us know about your research and conclusions on this issue before you decide to denounce the facts.

Would you agree... 'An honest man has nothing to hide'?

"An honest man in politics shines more than he would elsewhere." Mark Twain - A Tramp Abroad

"If you Don't care that Your President is not a natural born Citizen and in Violation of the Constitution, then Delete this and go (back) into your cocoon.."

AMERICANS DESERVE ANSWERS by SK

http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/...

I certainly do not wish for my children and family to live in a country that has a 'Get over it!' Legal System!!!

27. By solar

6/25/09 at 1:58 p.m.

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So, leave the country?

28. By ksand99

6/25/09 at 2:30 p.m.

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"I have taken the time and effort to research this issue thoroughly and penned a published Internet piece with my results."

ZOMG! Published on the INTERNET? It must be true!

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/bir...

http://msgboard.snopes.com/politics/grap...

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breakin...

29. By cnev

6/25/09 at 2:46 p.m.

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What is going on?

Half the comments have nothing to do with the article.

This article is about housing!

The comments sound like a bastion of loonies

-is it a full moon?

This is bizarro!

Ensign/Sanford-the twofers

If it ain't the remorse boy duo-

say the words, boys and girls-

"deeply sorry"

Well this week we got a twofer-didn't we?

Between Ensign and Sanford, we just can't keep up with who is doing who..

The cliche's from the good ole boy network are just pourin' out-sweet little boys gone wrong

-they are deeply sorry

-ashamed

-contrite

-regret the pain caused to wife and family

Someone ought to just write a speech-they can all keep it in their pants, - maybe read it before

both legs are out?

Outrage!! Oh, wait! Fox wasn't outraged-they gave Ensign a heads up and then lied about it.

Oh yeah, the Cheatin Man's Prayer Breakfast applauded Engisn's confession, cause the lord forgives-he likes nothing better than a fallen sinner-and Ensign, the Promise Keeper is one sinner the lord is salivatin over...

Sanford can tell some exotic stories-too bad he keeps changing them-looking for a long weekend but forgot to leave a forwarding contact-how stupid is that?

I don't know if he is sorry yet-but look back a few paragraphs. and recite those words.

As a former therapist I can tell you-these guys want to get caught. The Russian Roulette they play has more to do with their own inferior opinion of themselves than it does having the taste to cheat.

The down and dirtier the better. Ensign having sex with a friends wife. I have a feeling the friend knew at some point-more to that sordid tale-but Ensign's behavior was definitely on self destruct. Some people choose that method to activate major life changes. If you burn the bridge, no going back-

Well, the boys can join the legislative cheaters and liar club now. They all forgive each other and ignore the ones who voted them in-because "they just want to get back to work"

Guess what? I don't want them to "get back to work"-look at what they were doing with our time?

I say, "Don't get back to work"-your definition just isn't what we citizens are quite looking for..

Universal Health Care-we should not have to choose

Health care should be a given. It is in all developed countries but the United States. It is offered in many underdeveloped countries as well. Take a look at the United States today:

14.5 US citizens are unemployed as of May 2009.

86 million of our friends and neighbors are without health care coverage.

9 million of our children have no access to medical care coverage.

The health of a nation is measure by the infant mortality rate. The United States, considered one of the most powerful in developed countries has an increasing infant mortality rate.

The U.S. ranks 29th worldwide in infant mortality, tying Slovakia and Poland but lagging behind Cuba, the CDC repo Nearly seven U.S. babies die out of every 1,000 live births. More than 28,000 American babies die before their first birthday.

The U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than rates in most other developed countries," note CDC researchers Marian F. MacDorman, PhD, and T.J. Mathews. "The relative position of the United States in comparison to countries with the lowest infant mortality rates appears to be worsening."

The following nations already provide Universal Health Care to citizens:

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

France

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

United Kingdom

Japan

Finland

Australia

New Zealand

Czech Republic

South Korea

Hungary

Poland

Slovakia

Rationale to continue our system as is ?

Competition provides better care

No long waits or exclusion of services

No bureaucratic, government intrusion into our personal affairs

Cost containment better handled via private health care administration

We are a country of free choices and every citizen should have the choice to choose a health care system

HMO's were developed to do the exact opposite of the above. How many of you believe in our health care system? Many who are employed don't see an issue. When your family and friends are-and maybe you at some point, perhaps the, "well this isn't my problem" mantra will change.

Unemployment rates rose 9% in May 2009.

Guess which industry didn't layoff?

Look at this statistic from the US Census website:

Health care employment increased by 24,000 in May.

The numbers speak for themselves.

This isn't about some lazy family refusing to work.

Your friends and neighbors, parents, elderly grandparents and babies, having had continuous health care coverage, will, probably for the first time have no health care coverage.

Pay attention-while the debate on Capital Hill is between our elected officials and Obama's push to provide what other civilized countries have been giving for years-

it is really between the powerful lobbyists who control our elected officials, big business and oppositional parties.

Sorry-this issue has nothing to do with you-the United States citizen-

-it's all about making a profit.

-

Las Vegans Crack the Hardened Shell

Mr. Ramirez can thank the Las Vegas Sun for the touching story written about him.

The story touched me as well. After strokes and a heart attack, he approached the

Clark County Commission asking if there was a way he could save his home

from foreclosure due to back taxes.

The commission told him not to worry they would not sell the house until next April during auction.

His plea touched an attorney at the hearing who offered to pay his penalties if he could come up with the back taxes.

People responded to the story. Little people. People without much to start with.

I understand this reaction-having been in the situation myself.

Circumstances are not always black and white. But the suffering is a commonality. I think it is the reason "little people" responded with such compassion.

When I say little people I don't mean it as an insult. Little people are those caring humans who hand a dollar to the dirty, disheveled guy dressed in the army fatigue jacket in the middle of the summer, outside Smith's. They don't have much themselves. Usually enough to get by.

"Little people" don't judge. They understand bad times and struggles. It doesn't really matter if the guy buys a bottle. They don't ask and hope he gets a bite to eat.

Las Vegas has some big bucks citizens. I didn't read about any stepping up to pay the $8,000 in back taxes for Mr. Ramirez. Maybe one of them did quietly and generously.

Las Vegas is not known for its generosity-the Las Vegas Sun also had this to say about the way Nevada gives-

"Research studies bear this out: In 2008 Las Vegas ranked in the bottom three among major metropolitan cities in the United States for volunteerism. In 2004, during a period when Vegas was the ultimate boom town and money was being made here hand over fist, the Council on Foundations ranked Nevada 25Th nationally in terms of total giving."

It is said that charity starts at home. With job losses, the closing of businesses and home foreclosures, Las Vegans are hurting something big.

I am hoping Mr. Ramirez' story helps crack the "I don't give a damn" shell Vegans are using to survive these tough times.