Economic Rescue Cost $7.2 TRILLION and Counting

December 30, 2008 by 1 Comment

$7.2 trillion is the current price tag of the economic bailouts so far.  This according to a CNNMoney.com article which can be found, here.  This figure includes $1.6 trillion spent under the Term Auction Facility, started in December 2007.  No that is not a typo.  The year 2007!  Contrary to what the Bush administration has been telling us, this “crisis” did not just manifest itself just prior to the election.  Given that these repeated government interventions have failed to magically make the economy grow, I suggest we try having free markets instead.

The history of government making money for us is not a great one.  Why do we put our faith in political leaders in DC to “secure” our economic future?  Given that we are now spending trillions of dollars, the concept of spending just $1 billion seems quaint.  Still, this video entitled “What’s in a Billion?” is instructive.

Filed under Economy, Federal Reserve Tagged with ,

10 Year Old Arrested For Taking Toy Gun To School

December 28, 2008 by 1 Comment

God Bless America!  Only in America does it take six police officers to subdue a 10 year old Georgia boy at home AFTER  he had been at school with a toy gun, declared contraband by government officials. 

Score one for the good guys, that’s one terrorist threat eliminated!  Yes, that’s right.  I said terrorist threat.  The 10 year old boy was charged with terroristic acts and threats.  Maybe we should launch a pre-emptive attack to kill him before he kills us all.

You can read more about this example of government stupidity here.

Filed under Constitutional Issues Tagged with , ,

My Reading Habit (Actions I’ve Taken To Deal With This Addiction)

December 26, 2008 by 2 Comments

I am a nerd.  I like to read.  In middle school, some of my soccer team-mates poked fun of me, suggesting I would probably take dates to a library; or marry a librarian.  (I came close, I am now married to a teacher.)  In fact, without taking measures to purge books, my house would be overrun with them.  I literally do not have enough shelves to accomodate my books.  Do you have a similar problem in your home?  This post is about some actions I have taken to deal with the situation.  If you are a bibliophile like me, this may be of benefit to you.

Sometimes, my reading habit can be like a wrecking ball, with demolition of the family budget to show for it.  To keep this in check, I try to find bargains.  Yes, the public library is a good resource, and I do check out books from ours from time to time.  However, one drawback: you have due dates to contend with while using this option.  Still, it’s the cheapest way to obtain a book to read.

When I lived in a larger city, I had the good fortune of being able to shop at used book stores.  I could trade old books for different ones, and sometimes even get cash for old books.  This was a good option at times.  The nearest used bookstores to my current residence here in Sunnyside, WA are in Yakima (30 miles from Sunnyside), and Tri-Cities (about 50 miles).  Given the time and distance to each of these towns, I seldom visit used bookstores anymore.  Sometimes a thrift store will have books available, but it is a hit or miss option.  Yard sales and estate sales can sometimes offer up some books for a bargain as well.  In  Sunnyside, one of the “dollar” stores has clearance/overstocked books available.  It is very rare to get a new hardcover for only $1, but they do have some there.

By now you must be wondering what I do with books that I have already read.  As I mentioned, the lack of a used bookstore in town makes me look for other options.  To simply get rid of books, I have donated them at a box outside the Daily News.  Thift stores have gotten some from me, too.

If you truly love books, you may have a hard time giving them to charity like this.  After spending good money on books, it can be hard to part with them, without getting something in return.  One place to swap books with other readers is an Internet site: www.bookins.com.  I have had very good results with this site, using them for over one year.  It is extremely convenient, you only pay $4.49 for books received.  Shipping is done by printing postage on regular paper at home, taping it to the book package, and dropping it in any mailbox.  You receive points for books shipped, that can then be used to obtain other books.  I get the satisfaction of knowing my books are going to a person who will truly appreciate them, and get more books I want for myself at a bargain price.  I can’t say enough good things about this site.  I also don’t have to travel out of town to a used bookstore.

In addition to Bookins, I also have purchased some used books on Amazon.  Not being content to just add to my book problem, I also sell books on Amazon.  If you would like to see the books I have on Amazon, visit my on-line bookstore at Sunnyside Tomes.  While Amazon is a great place to get books, it does cost a little bit more than Bookins.com on average.  Still, I typically have about one book sale a month through Amazon.  The money I make is used to purchase more books of course!  For books, I prefer buying and selling on Amazon, as opposed to EBay.  There are no listing fees for selling on Amazon, and there is no bidding process to make a purchase.  It is more like a regular store, which appeals to me.

Sometimes, I want to buy a book immediately, and don’t want to wait for it to become available on Bookins.com or through an Amazon seller.  Occasionally, I may even be picky about a title, wanting a new book to go in my permanent home library.  Also, if I intend to buy a book for a special gift occasion, it is almost always a new book as well.  For these types of situations, I will usually buy on-line from Amazon.  Occasionally, I find good prices at Target, and COSTCO when I am out shopping for household goods.  It is extremely rare that I will pay the full list price at Borders, or Barnes & Noble.  Paying the full list price on a book cover is to me, about as stupid as paying the “sticker” price on the window at a car dealership.  Why pay more than you have to?

To sum this up, I would say that Bookins.com is currently my favorite method of both obtaining, and swapping books.  Amazon is my second favorite option for both new and used titles.  At retail stores, Target and COSTCO get my business sometimes.  Lastly, Borders and Barnes & Noble have good selection, but generally the highest price.

The public library, thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and “dollar” stores are in a second tier category of book sources for me.  I hope this helps other bibliophiles both to get rid of old titles, and find bargains when shopping for new ones.  If you have other suggestions, please share your comments on this post.  To start cleaning up for the New Year, I am going to go look at my books, and add some more to my on-line listings.

Have a great literary New Year!

Filed under Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , ,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December 25, 2008 by 2 Comments

May God Bless You All.

Filed under Uncategorized

Republican National Committee Fundraising Call

December 23, 2008 by 1 Comment

This morning I received a call from a very polite representative of the Republican National Committee.  She was conducting a fund-raising effort for the Republican Party.  Yes, I have given money to the Party during the past year, so I am on the list for mailings, and calls of this nature.

I am not happy with the current state of affairs with the Party.  The fund-raising pitch was about needing a conservative alternative to the liberal Obama/Democrat agenda.  I agree, but am frustrated that with a Republican President we do not have this alternative.  What we do have is more and more bailouts of bankers and multi-national businesses.  Even McCain is in favor of all this bailout madness.

I am also disappointed that during Chairman Duncan’s leadership we have seen the Republican Party lose control of Congress, and fail to win the White House.  The Republicans are not proposing any conservative alternative that I want to support right now.  The Party needs new leadership.

Surprisingly, Chairman Duncan is running for re-election.  The Party needs to replace him, and send a message that change involves focusing on conservative values.  This means doing more than just giving lip service to “limited government”.

I am still a Republican, but do not take my support for granted.  The so called “center-right” strategy of Duncan means more bailouts and bigger government.  Obama says the economy will tank unless the government intervenes more.  A real conservative will say the economy is tanking because government is involved in things it should leave alone.

I will continue to support the Republican Party, as it is the Party most likely to act on conservative values.  However, I will not promise or pledge support for 2009 until I see some commitment to conservative philosophy by Party leadership, and candidates.  I will be paying attention to CPAC this year, and how the Republican Party treats the speeches made there.  If the Party continues to endorse more moderation (i.e. bigger government), my resources will be devoted elsewhere.  If the Party demonstrates a renewed commitment to be the conservative Party, then I am on board.

Filed under Uncategorized Tagged with , ,

Secret Smoking Rooms Needed To Solve Problems

December 19, 2008 by 1 Comment

Given that historically, big political decisions have taken place in smoke filled rooms, it’s time to bring back the tradition.  In today’s enlightened, post-modern, nanny-state we find this difficult to achieve.  Smoke Nazis have passed laws that make it illegal for grownups to decide if they want to smoke in their own offices, businesses, and private clubs.

This presents a challenge to be sure, but a determined problem solver will find a way to let the air become saturated with smoke.  The preferred method is to use fine, hand-made cigars.  It has long been rumored that Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a secret smoking room outside his California Governor’s Office.  The room is actually a tent, which meets the state requirements of being more than 20 feet from a door or window in the actual building.  The anti-smoking laws say nothing about smoking in an “outdoor” tent.  They also have not regulated whether or not secret smoke rooms in tents can be heated or air conditioned.  So, the result is, Arnold’s secret smoke room.

Dennis Prager recently visited this secret smoke room.  The video is proof that it is not just a mythical place like Atlantis, but a real physical room where smoke is allowed to permeate the air, all while decisions both large and small can be made.

Filed under Freedom Issues Tagged with ,

Gregoire Proposes Budget Without Pay Raises For State Workers

December 18, 2008 by

Governor Gregoire has proposed a new State Budget without pay raises for State Workers, Teachers, and Care Workers.  A 5.6% cut to K-12 education is included.

In hard times, the State is having to cut pay raises.  Perhaps the Governor should fly in the Sunnyside City Council to Olympia to find out how to keep pay raises in the budget!  Or better yet, our City Council should hold back on the raises approved for City employees.  Don’t blame the unions, the State employees are unionized also.

For more information on the proposed State Budget, go here.

Filed under Economy, Uncategorized Tagged with ,

Provisions Of Patriot Act Ruled Unconstitutional

December 18, 2008 by 1 Comment

If the Federal Government requests your Internet records from your service provider, under the Patriot Act, your service provider is prohibited by law from telling you.  Furthermore, they would not be allowed to let anyone know the Federal Government has full access to their records.  A Federal Court of Appeals has ruled that the National Security Letters and accompanying gag orders are a violation of the First Amendment.

Seems like common sense, but we are still fighting this after it was initially passed in a frenzy in October 2001.  One conservative, Bob Barr, was appalled at what was passed in the Patriot Act and has been working for its repeal for some time.  Interestingly, as a Congressman he voted for it.  This is why it is important that Congress read the bills it passes.  Doing things quickly to address a perceived “crisis” is not good practice.  Our rights get trampled on in the process.

One proposed solution is the Read The Bills Act, a campaign of Downsize DC.  If passed, it would require that Congress read the bills before a vote.  This is the standard at our City Council meetings in Sunnyside.   I believe our Congress should do the same thing.  That is why I have joined the RTBA Coalition.  Research it for yourself, and see if you find yourself in agreement.

To learn more about the Read The Bills Act, to make Congress read the bills it passes, visit www.DownsizeDC.org. 

To get details on the court case involving the Patriot Act, see the ACLU site here.

Filed under Constitutional Issues Tagged with , , , , , ,

City Council Holds Line: Approves 21% Increase In Garbage Tax vs. Staff Proposed 25%

December 17, 2008 by 2 Comments

Could City Budget Problems Be Solved By Matching Public Employee Pay To Private Sector?

The National Taxpayer’s Union has a piece on their website:

Study: State Budget Problems Could Be Solved by Matching Public Employee Pay to Private Sector

What effect would matching public employee pay to the private sector have in Sunnyside?  Would Washington State be facing a $5 billion+ budget gap this year?

I listened to the City Council meeting from December 16th on the City’s website.  Council tamped down the proposed 25% increase in the garbage tax to a mere 21%.  To be fair, this increase was coming from the contractor, and Yakima County dumping fees.  Council put the brakes on, passing the more modest increase.  My thanks go out to Council Members Gehlen, Epps, Stone, and Hancock for voting to keep the increase below 25%.  Voting for the full increase were Gant and Garcia.  Restucci was absent.

In this struggling economy, resistance to increases must be stepped up.

The downside to this, is that the reserves in the garbage fund will be low.  Should a price shock in fuel prices come in the next year, Council may have to intervene to raise the tax before the next budget is set.  Watching Bloomberg this morning, an oil analyst was predicting $30-40 a barrel for the foreseeable future.  Hopefully, we will have some stable fuel costs and additional increases won’t be necessary.  In the event reserves are not adequate, adjustments can be made as needed.  Council wisely chose to hold off on additional increases right now.

One topic brought up at the meeting, but did not receive enough attention in my opinion, is that garbage and utility taxes are siphoned off into the general fund.  One Council Member suggested using the total funds from garbage tax collection to pay for garbage.  That way, the garbage tax could fund the garbage reserve fund!  Whoa!  That was mind numbing.  Of course, that would require cuts at City Hall, where pay raises have already been approved, so Council did not revisit the total budget for the year.

We should be happy the full potential of tax increases was not realized.  However, more cuts can be made, and efficiencies gained.  Bringing public sector pay to parity with private sector pay would be one way to do it.

Filed under Uncategorized Tagged with , ,

U.S. Economy: The Philosopher’s Stone

December 16, 2008 by

This powerful video was posted on the Campaign For Liberty website by a member.  It dramatically illustrates how Ron Paul, and economist Peter Schiff have been sounding the alarm for quite some time.  It is about 10 minutes long, and worth every minute of your time.  Check it out.

Filed under Campaign for Liberty, Ron Paul Tagged with , ,

← Older posts

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,687 other followers