The Way I See ItBy cj pollickHoliday Inn Express - City of Clearwater Council Members will decide at tonight's meeting whether to grant density pool units to the proposed 10-story 108-room building to be built on the corner of Coronado Avenue and Devon Drive on Clearwater Beach. Spending Too Much - According to President Obama our current Healthcare system needs reforming because the costs are too high! Guess what, this country spends more on education, welfare, unemployment, food stamps, Medicaid (Just to name a few) than an other country. Guess they all need massive overhauls also. How Bad Can It Get For Banks? - Ever wonder about the financial stability of your bank? If not, maybe you should review "your bank's" financial stability. One reader sent an article written by John Lounsburg about projected bank failures for 2009 and 1010. Lounsburg stated that he expects about 125 bank failures in 2009 and 230 in 2010. There have been 77 bank failures in 2009 (first half of the year.) With six larger banks in financial trouble and many regional banks trying to rid themselves of bad loans, it appears that Lounsburg might be correct. Why will more banks fail than once expected? According to Lounsburg and his sources, FDIC is also in financial trouble. Mounting debts of distressed banks may need more funds from the FDIC than is currently available. Bank defaults are expected to continue for a few more years and bank commercial credit is reaching record lows as banks are trying to restore their capital base. Of course, that means lower bank profits. Our hope? A strong economic recovery the last quarter of 2009 and all of 2010. The bad news? Inflation may begin to erode economic recovery in 2010. Why Is AARP Avoiding The Social Security Mess? - There are major issues to be confronted by organizations (such as AARP) that allege to support elderly citizens. For example, and as most people know, there is no money in the US Social Security fund that helps many millions of people in retirement. In fact, it was Al Gore who once stated, due to our waste of Social Security funds, that our nation's Social Security fund should be put in a lockbox and made safe (from government spending.) Well, Gore was right and our government has continued to send IOU's to the Social Security fund as our government spends tax revenues on other government entitlements. Hence, the Social Security fund may run out of money next year instead of in several years (according to MSN Money.) Our nation's number one social program is Social Security, about $680 billion worth. Yet Social Security is not a topic that Washington politicians desire to address at this time. Washington politicans believe revamping healthcare is more important than funding Social Security for the elderly. Bottom line? If our government has trouble funding its number one social program (Social Security), then how can it be trusted with another much larger social program? Speaker Nancy Pelosi Avoids A simple Answer - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi usually has an ever-ready smile for television cameras and ambiguous answers to questions about the healthcare bill she supports in Congress. For example, when asked on CNN if Obama's healthcare bill would cover illegal immigrants, Pelosi, with her radiant smile, stated it would not cover illegals. However, that was not the whole truth. With over $11 billion of taxpayer funds spent each year to provide illegal immigrants with healthcare, the issue has caused more than a little concern among American taxpayers who either have no insurance or high deductible health plans. Of course, and what Pelosi did not say was that illegals are covered by simply walking into an emergency room of a public hospital. In fact, it is widely reported that illegal immigrant babies born in America cost Medicaid about about $10,000 each. Further, the annual cost of $7 billion a year of adult illegal medical care in emergency rooms is covered by each state. States often refer to this as unfunded mandates. Illegal immigrants in the US understand "free" medical care opportunities and they know how to use the American medical system for their benefit. Thus, Speaker Pelosi avoided answering the question to CNN about illegal healthcare by saying all people can walk-in off the street and be treated. She also adds that illegals will not be covered under the healthcare bill - is this called doublespeak? It Happened This Week - This week in 1896 gold was discovered at Bonanza Creek in the Klondike, Yukon Territory, Canada. The gold rush began with thousands of prospectors seeking fortunes in gold. The Klondike gold rush quickly spread along the Yukon River to its northern neighbor Alaska and, people like Jack London tried their luck at panning for gold. Imagine our loss if Jack London had not spent one season panning for gold in the Klondike during the gold rush? No Call Of The Wild, no White Fang or other London classics due, in great part, to his brief visit to the Klondike. Governor Charlie Crist - Gov. Crist is confronted with appointing a "fill-in" Senator due to current US Senator Mel Martinez's sudden retirement (leaving over a year remaining on his senate seat.) Of course, Charlie can't appoint himself, even though he is running for the senate seat, he must appoint a temporary "fill-in." Leading "fill-in" choice? Jim Smith of Tallahassee and Colorado and former State Attorney General. Smith, once a Democrat who turned Republican, has interestingly been out of the state political scene for several years. Better choice? How about former Florida Governor Bob Martinez of Tampa, Florida? Bret Favre Is Back - An announcement was made Tuesday morning about Bret Favre joining the Minnesota Viking football team. Soon thereafter, just about every sports commentator had negative things to say about Bret Favre playing again in the NFL. And, of course, who could question comments made about the 39-year old retired quarterback with several Hall of Fame credentials already in his pocket. Why would Favre subject his already beaten-up body for another NFL season? Surely it is not money, Bret Favre has money. Surely it is not the weather in Minnesota. Perhaps Favre believes the Vikings (and not the Jets) have the talent to make it to the playoffs and ... maybe the Super Bowl. One more chance for the coveted NFL ring. Whatever his reasons, many football fans love to watch Bret Favre play football. Maybe it is his gunslinger mentality, like Ken "the snake" Stabler, that many football fans enjoy watching. Regardless of one's reasons for supporting Favre, he is back and ready to play (so he says.) Go Bret, you are one of the best ever to play quarterback. College Football 2009 Rankings - According to College Football News, the 2009 football rankings may not surprise anyone. For example, here are some the rankings:
1. Florida (any questions?) The good news? FSU will play USF in an important game at Tallahassee. This will be the first time these two in-state ranked teams will play. FSU needs this win; however, USF is projected to have the talent to play with the Seminoles. A big game for both teams. Gators should go undefeated and perhaps go down in history as one of the most dominant college football teams in history. Tebow wins another Heisman and proves he can play in the NFL. Game of the year? Possible playoff game between Florida and Oklahoma (or Texas). "One trouble with trouble is that it usually starts out a fun." |