The Way I See ItBy cj pollickKing Of Pop Dies - Michael Jackson died last week of an alleged cardiac arrest (likely due to some form of prescriptions he had been taking.) Even though this great entertainer was idolized by fans across the world, he had personal issues that greatly diminished his musical talents. For example, the problems he had with young boys, the problems he had with his personal looks, the problems he had with his shy and reclusive mannerisms all cast a large cloud over his tremendous musical gifts. He likely will be remembered the same as Elvis Presley -- a great musical talent who died too young. Much like Elvis, Michael Jackson's biggest fight was with inner, self-inflicted issues. When all of the drama concludes, his young children will be left to be raised by Michael's mother and father. Isn't that going to be interesting! Comedian Al Franken Is Sworn In - Democrat Al Franken was sworn in as a US Senator from Minnesota. It seems as though Franken's lawyers prevailed in the manner in which some votes were counted and other votes were not counted. Franken won by about 300 votes even though thousands of other votes were not counted. This New Yorker via Minnesota and Harvard College was once a Hollywood writer, actor and radio commentator who disliked conservatives and Republicans. Now Al Franken is a US Senator. Imagine. On the other hand, not much surprises the public when it comes from Minnesota (the land of former governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura.) Big issues for Franken? Terminate the war. Increase taxes. Pass universal healthcare. Lower college loan costs. Support Democrats in the Senate and President Barack Obama. How will Franken's nemesis Russ Limbaugh handle Franken's appointment? Rush will have much to say about this new senator. In fact, it makes you wonder if Rush might one day run for a US senate seat in Florida. Can you imagine such a campaign and editorials from the New York Times and other liberal newspapers? Wow. Who Can Afford To Give Pay Raises? - If you talk to local business owners about giving pay raises during this economic recession, you might hear something like, "Are you kidding, we're fighting to keep the employees we have … in fact, we have laid some people off." Pay raises during a recession? Who can afford such a luxury? Government. Local governments give pay raises during a recession (or they try to give raises.) Cap And Trade? - When Speaker Nancy Pelosi added 255 pages the day the House was to vote on an important tax bill referred to as the "Cap-And-Trade Bill," many representatives stated they had no time to read the total bill presented for passage. Thus, not many elected officials read the bill they were voting upon. What is cap-and-trade? It is not about the environment, as some elected officials have proclaimed. It is all about increasing taxes and restraints on American businesses. Minority Leader John Boehner stated the bill would cost every American household $3,100 a year. Even President Obama stated the bill's passage would result in electric rates increasing (rocketing upwards.) Boehner said the price of gasoline would increase and the price of electricity would increase as a result of the cap-and-spend bill. Lastly, SAIC said in its study that at least 1.2 million jobs would be lost and 1.8 million job losses by 2020 due to the cap-and-spend bill. Where would the jobs be re-located? China and India, stated the SAIC study. This proposed bill is being debated in the US Senate. Perhaps it wise to call your senator and ask for them to not vote for any new tax increase. Is this the change America voted for in 2008? Many voters consider the economy the top issue in America. Unemployment is over 10% (probably higher) and small business is hurting all across America. The housing market needs to stabilize and help drive a national financial recovery. But instead of addressing those issues, Obama is traveling the world apologizing for we Americans and promising more money to help poor nations. The Obama administration also plans to spend more tax dollars for another national fiscal giveaway (stimulus) and by year-end pass universal healthcare that would cost trillions of more tax dollars. Change? Honduras Coup, Not A Coup - When Honduras President Manuel Zelaya was ousted by Honduran military troops last week, most countries referred to the military ouster as a "coup." Honduras is known as a poor nation with plenty of economic problems, nevertheless, and since 2001 most "free" nations have agreed that any nation with free elections that is overcome by a military coup would not be recognized and ongoing trade could be affected with the new regime. If such an event occurs in Honduras, the results could be devastating. Was there a coup? Yes. However, Obama and Hillary Clinton have refused to refer to the "coup" as a coup. Why? US law imposes sanctions on any country whose duly elected leader was ousted by a coup. Thus, any US trade with Honduras could be stopped (by law.) US and other world leaders have asked military leaders in Honduras to return President Zelaya to his duly elected position. Military leaders currently in charge have not responded to such a request by the US. Was there a military coup in Honduras? Yes. Have Obama and Hillary Clinton played with words to avoid stopping trade with Honduras? Yes, they refuse to refer to the "coup" as a coup. If Honduran military leaders refuse to cooperate with world leaders and not return the ousted president to his office, US trading with Honduras chould cease. The results of such an event would cause much harm to innocent Honduran people and Honduran businesses. Leadership - And when we think we lead, we are most led. - Lord Byron |