Happy New Year!!

To all my friends, I wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
I hope 2012 is a great year for you.

I was talking with my grandpa last night and found out there won’t be any money for my generation unless the government stops spending like there’s no tomorrow. What’s the deal? He tells me their plan to cut the deficit is to spend our way out of the problem!

Huh, my college economics is a little fuzzy (at least it will be if I can afford college), but I don’t believe that works. I’m not asking for a hand out, I just don’t want to spend my entire life working to pay off your debt. You just need to expect less from the government. The government needs to spend in relationship to the tax revenue collected. It might mean tough decisions; but all you’re doing is leaving me holding the bag because you won’t make those tough calls.

Why don't you do something while you have the chance? Do they think that money grows on trees? Grandma; grandpa; SEND HELP!!

In the meantime, I’ll just have another drink. Pour me a milk and make it a double!



Please see excerpts from:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293804349&sr=1-1

A Politically Correct Wish For All My Friends!

To All My Left of Center Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an
environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive,
gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within
the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or
secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular
persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice
religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally
successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of
the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due
respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to
society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is
necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the
Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race,
creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of
the wishee.

To All My Right of Center and Independent Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Posperous New Year!


Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293290599&sr=1-1

Grandpa, before I go out to play, I have a question.

Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The Grandfather replied, 'Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:

' television penicillin

' polio shots frozen foods

' Xerox contact lenses

' Frisbees the pill

There were no:

' credit cards laser beams ball-point pens

Man had not invented:

' panty hose air conditioners

' dishwashers clothes dryers

and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and

man hadn't yet walked on the moon

Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . . and then lived together.

Every family had a father and a mother.

Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, 'Sir'.

And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, 'Sir.'

We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, day-care centers, and group therapy.

Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense..

We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.

We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.

Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.

Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started.

Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny , and the President's speeches on our radios.

And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey .

If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk

The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald 's, and instant coffee were unheard of.

We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.

You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . but who could afford one?
Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day:

' 'grass' was mowed coke was a cold drink,

' 'pot' was something your mother cooked in and rock music' was your grandmother's lullaby.

' 'Aids' were helpers in the Principal's office, chip' meant a piece of wood,

' 'hardware' was found in a hardware store software' wasn't even a word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby . No wonder people call us 'old and confused' and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am?

I bet you have this old man in mind... you are in for a shock!
Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Are you ready ?????


This man would be only 59 years old.

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293121356&sr=1-1#_

That’s Profiling !

The IRS increased the number of returns it audited by nearly 11 percent this year. Wealthy taxpayers and big businesses were most likely to be targeted.

The agents use their training, experience, education, previous data and intuition to narrow the field as to who is most likely to file a return that may be flawed. In doing do, their success ratio is improved and tax filers who are not likely to have erred are spared the aggravation of an audit. Not everyone the IRS audits are guilty of filing an improper return. The IRS just feels the filers they choose are more likely to have made a mistake; either accidently or by design.
THAT IS PROFILING. And, that makes sense.

What doesn’t seem to make sense is not allowing other law enforcement officers the same opportunity. The law enforcement community is also well trained, experienced, educated, has years of data to draw from and uses their instincts daily. Why don’t we allow them to use those traits to keep our airports safe, reduce the number of illegal aliens, apprehend drug dealers, detain weapons offenders and question other potential lawbreakers?

Wouldn’t the same use of “profiling”, that IRS agents use, by all law enforcement agents keep us safer, be cost effective and reduce the inconvenience of those who are detained just to show profiling is not used?
It’s time to rethink Political Correctness.

To read more on Profiling and other timely subjects, please see:
"Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=andy+strum&x=7&y=13

$8 BILLION IN EARMARKS !!!!!

Yeah, we heard them right. They're adding $8 Billion in Earmarks and holding the the government's ability to function hostage. Democrats, Republicans, it doesn't matter. Do any of them have grandchildren? Do they know that the camel's back can only hold so much debt until it breaks? Did they see the results of the November election?

They sure talk a good game, but they don't seem to care. Some think we don't tax enough as though that would solve the problem. IT'S A SPENDING PROBLEM!!!

I can't wait until I learn how to talk. I'm ready to give them a piece of my mind. By the way how much DID you say I'll have to shell out to pay off the debt that grandma and grandpa left me with? Why didn't they do something when they had the chance? Did they think that money grew on trees?

My pop-pop writes all about this in his book, "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American". It's something you should take a look at. It's on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292428367&sr=1-1

I'm 6 Months Old and Thanks to Congress I'm in Debt up to my You Know What

I'm not sure why I'm smiling.
My friends and I are still far away from our first birthdays and we're already Trillions of Dollars in debt! With about 4,000,000 of us born; each of us owes $250,000 for every Trillion Dollars of Debt. You do the math!!!!!
I needed a stiff drink. Poured myself a double shot of milk. I might have another.

I’m trying to figure out how much I’ll have to shell out to pay off the debt that grandma and grandpa are leaving me with. The government is telling me everything will be okay. We’re going to cut the revenue to the treasury and “spend” our way out of our debt problem. Huh! How does that work? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I can’t wait until I can vote.

I was also thinking of starting a business, hoping to make a few hundred thousand a year. You know take a personal financial risk, work 16 hours a day, give up everything else, etc… Now I find out that if I’m successful, I’ll be on the President’s, you know what list. He doesn’t seem to like people with those objectives. I also understand that in a couple of years, I’ll be working for the government half the time. You know, paying about 50% of my income, in taxes, to some body of government. This just doesn’t make sense to me. It’s seems to be a government spending problem, not a tax revenue problem.

Why don't they do something while they have the chance? Do they think that money grows on trees? Grandma, grandpa; SEND HELP!!

I think I will have another milk!

See my grandfather’s book.
It'll make your blood boil!!
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
You can read excerpts on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291996730&sr=1-1

Please click on the link below and put in code 836CNC2L for your 50% discount.
http://www.createspace.com/3462397

Me and the Congressman Discussing the Debt Problem

I’m sitting here with my friend. He’s a Congressman. I’m trying to figure out how much I’ll have to shell out to pay off the debt that grandma and grandpa are leaving me with. He’s telling me everything will be okay. We’re going to “spend” our way out of our debt problem. Huh! How does that work? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I can’t wait until I can vote.
Why don't they do something while they have the chance? Do they think that money grows on trees? Grandma, grandpa; SEND HELP!!

A great stocking stuffer. Available on Amazon:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291833548&sr=1-1

Dot-Com Bubble; Housing Bubble; How about a Deficit Bubble? They all seem to burst sometime.

Our parents and grandparents were appalled when the Government’s spending and debts were put in numbers as Billions and Tens of Billions. Now our government expects us to accept Trillions as the norm. Make that Tens of Trillions!!!!

For every Billion Dollars our government spends 100,000 families must pay $10,000 in taxes.

There is a straw out there and the camel's back is sagging!!!

Remember watching a child pushing a pin into a balloon. One second the balloon is filled with air and then, in an instant, it has burst. The child cries and apologizes. He can’t understand what happened. He didn’t mean to break the balloon. Everything was going his way. Only after the balloon burst did he realize he went too far. While he was fooling with the pin, he felt in complete control. He had heard that bad things could happen, but he reasoned, bad things would not happen while he controlled the pin.

Our economy is the balloon and the administration is the child. No one knows when or if our national debt will bankrupt us. There are concerns; and intelligent people have warned of the consequences. Like the balloon we will only know after it happens. Of course, by then it is too late.

The balloon did not have to break. The child could have eased off with the pin. Our economy does not have to break, or be on the brink of financial disaster. The administration and Congress could ease off its spending rampage. This is not something that is comfortable for politicians, but it is a good idea. It needs to be done today.

The link, below, takes you to a chart that shows how Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue, it goes back to 1965. It is worth a look.

http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/growth-federal-spending-revenue

Read excerpts from:

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
 http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291302983&sr=1-1

Attorney General, Mr. Holder, Day Late and Dollar Short

The decision to look into prosecuting WikiLeaks for their posting of information is very welcomed. It does seem like the horse did leave the barn long ago and looking to close the door now might be viewed as trying to save face.

Wikileaks has been posting damaging information for a while now. They let the world know they were going to do it. They also let the world know they would be releasing more information. They kept their word. Each time, the government publically stated that the information would be damaging and could endanger individuals. Each time, after the release of the information, the government practiced damage control. Why would it take so long to attempt to prosecute WikiLeaks? Even if prosecution is not successful, it shows our citizens and people around the world that we are pro-active. There seemed to more outrage, by the administration, when a college professor was taken into custody and the police department was vilified for acting stupidly.

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
George Washington
Taken from “Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American”

George Washington’s comments could be interpreted to mean that we should be prepared to meet the enemy in the same manner they are bringing the war to us. If they have information that was stolen and was received illegally; let us use our resources to steal it back, or bribe someone with enough money that we could reacquire the documentation. If the information is being distributed through the internet; let’s use our technological abilities to shut down their site. If any government is harboring their offices; let’s use our power and allies to have them shut down. If lives are at stake, peace treaties are in jeopardy, or the potential of staving off a future war is achievable, then playing by the rules should not apply.

It’s past time the United States shows the world our strength, fortitude and resolve.
Shut WikiLeaks down any way we can. And do it quickly!

Similar writings can be found in “Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American”  Excerpts are available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291131455&sr=1-1

How Safe Can We make Flying?

It would be hard to imagine that anyone, except for a terrorist, doesn’t want to be as safe as possible when flying. If someone was trying to bring and explosive devise or a weapon, on a plane, the efforts at the check-in lines would stop the offender. These things seem to be in agreement. It also appears that most travelers do not mind being inconvenienced if there is a need for the process and the process is extremely successful. Therein lays the rub. Is the process effective to stop a terrorist?

The comments and questions that have recently been raised are valid.
1. The fear of hijacking and using a plane as a missile has been greatly reduced since the restriction of access to the cockpit and the allowance of pilots to carry firearms.
2. Prior bombing attempts were thwarted on the ground by intelligence and not at airport security.
3. Baggage is not as thoroughly searched as passengers. This might allow for an explosive device in luggage.
4. Not all airports, around the world, have the same level of security. A terrorist might chose a foreign airport (that has more lax security) and travel into the United States with a bomb.
5. Terrorists appear to be one step ahead of the security. (The recent printer cartridge bomb is an example)
6. The concern that a plane would be hijacked and used as a missile has been greatly reduced. (as stated in 1). The fear seems to be a plane being blown up. The loss of life would be horrible and the fear factor terrible. While the fear factor of a plane exploding is horrific, the potential for terrorist taking lives is everywhere. A train, a bus, a cruise ship, a van in a tunnel, a van on a bridge, an office building, etc…. The potential for causing devastation and loss of life is everywhere.
7. It seems that if someone truly wants to cause damage, it is almost impossible to stop them. By far, the most effective way to stop terrorist activity is before it happens. Governments and agencies sharing information about a planned activity and stopping it before it’s started.

There have been more debates on the effectiveness of onsite passenger and airport security. Unfortunately, there are many more questions than answers. The answer “It is in the passenger’s best interest to be scanned or patted down” just doesn’t seem to make it. One area of agreement is that shared intelligence among agencies and countries is extremely effective. One can only hope that we will find an acceptable balance and answer to “how safe” vs. “how inconvenient and how much the cost”!!

If we’re brainstorming, here’s an idea we’ll never use!
Maybe we need a booth that you step into, not to x-ray you, but that will detonate any explosive device you may have hidden on or in your body. The explosion will be contained within the sealed booth. Who’s next?

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291047983&sr=1-1

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with Family!

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290697624&sr=1-1

Terrorism and Profiling

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
George Washington

During the Revolutionary War, prisoners and spies were accommodated as best as possible but not always treated in the most humane fashion. No one lost sleep worrying how the enemy would complain about the mistreatment of prisoners. Every battle did not have a press core reporting the activities. The Americans fought the war in a way that gave them the best advantage. They wanted to protect themselves, their families and their country. They wanted to win the war. These were men and women who were farmers, shop owners, and businessmen whose only goal was to defeat the British any way they could.

Now terrorists are engaging us in a war using tactics which they believe gives them the best chance to succeed. Although unconventional by our standards, they have managed to gain ground with fewer men, military resources and money than we have. The “War against Terrorism” needs to be fought in the same manner which we used in 1776. We need to fight to protect ourselves, our families and our country. We need to attack and operate in any way we can to achieve our mission. The terrorists are not fighting a “fair” war: Suicide missions, attacks on civilians, and using poisons are unfair. We are vulnerable, unless we are willing use tactics which we may not want reported in the press. We should not stoop to a terrorist’s level or mirror their tactics; however, we do not need to fight as if we’re in a gentleman’s duel. America has the military, technological and economic capabilities to combat the terrorists. We need to use all of them.

We are at a time in history when terrorism is a worldwide concern. It is a major problem, not a minor dilemma. Many terrorists do fit a profile. People are being murdered and attempts are made to overthrow governments. The risks are all too high to agonize that some may be bothered. Weighing the inconvenience of being profiled and questioned against the possibility of someone creating a disaster comes down on the side of being inconvenienced. Officials have a good idea of the age, habit, nationality and mannerisms of a likely terrorist. These would be likely people to question. That is profiling. Questioning others only for the sake of leveling out the number of people inconvenienced is a waste of time, money and an insult to our intelligence. In our current times, profiling, although distasteful, is a necessary evil. We all long for the time when it won’t be necessary.

Profiling is not improper; improper use of profiling is.

Taken from: “Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American”
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290615656&sr=1-1

Time to stop collecting allowance and go to work !!!!!

Hey Dad, I think it’s time we stopped my allowance. I’m ready to start a business and earn my own money. I just want to make sure I’m making the right decision. I figure I can work out of the house, cook food (I have the hat) and the sell it with drinks from a booth. What do you think?

Well son, I think it’s a great idea. Let’s go over the mechanics of how this will work and how much money you’ll be able to put in your pocket.

Okay dad, fire away, I’m ready.

Son, you’ll have to use all your current savings and borrow some money to purchase some equipment and supplies. You’ll also need money to advertise and hold you over until your business takes off. You’ll be giving up all your free time, no more extracurricular activity, since you still need to study for school. You’ll be spending all your free time preparing what you’ll be selling, spreading the word and manning you sales booth. You should be prepared to pay for a business license and all your taxes.

Dad, that all sounds good so far, although I’m worried about spending all my saved money and taking out a loan. Can you tell me how much money you think I’ll make?

Yes son. Let’s review the numbers. First, you will be using up all your savings. You will need the loan, so you’ll owe money and you’ll start paying that back on a monthly basis. You’ll owe the money no matter how much you make and even if your business fails, you’ll still have to pay back the loan. You’ll have to get a business license and meet all the state and local requirements for running a business and pay all the ongoing fees. Now let’s talk about the taxes you’ll have to pay on your income. Let’s assume you’re fairly successful.

Okay dad, fire away

Well, let’s see. First there’s federal income tax; maybe 15%, or 25% if you do well. Then there’s FICA and Medicare taxes. Since you’re self-employed, it will be about 15%. Then the state wants about 3% for state income tax and the local government wants 1% of your income. That’s about it.

About it!!!! WOW. Dad, let me get this straight. I’ll give up all my savings, go into debt (whether I succeed or fail, I have to pay back the debt), have to buy supplies and equipment, advertise, give up all my activities, and spend all my free time working. Then with the money I make I have to pay taxes. The taxes add up to somewhere between 35% and 45%. So for every dollar I make I keep about 55 to 65 cents? Is that the deal?

Son, sounds like you’ve got it down perfect. Are you’re ready to go?

Dad, I may not be the brightest kid on the block, but I need to weigh all that against collecting my allowance, keeping my savings, not owing anybody, having fun at my extracurricular activities and having free time.

Dad, let’s pretend we never had this conversation. Can I have my allowance now?

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290438649&sr=1-1

50% Discount on "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"

As a new author, it is hard to get exposure for my writings.
To that end I would like to offer you a 50% discount, for a limited time.
My hope is that you will enjoy the book "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" and tell your friends.

The book explains, in plain English, where we are today; how we got here; and what changes need to be made for a better future.
I thank you for your interest.
Please click on the link below and put in code 836CNC2L for your 50% discount.
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Here are the contents:
Dedication
Introduction
Baby Boomers Change America
What does a Congressman do for a Living?
Earmarks, Entitlements and Pork (Bribery????)
Intrusion
Sin Taxes
The Letter of the Law versus The Spirit of the Law
A Miranda Warning - ????
We’re Just Too Nice!!!
Fighting by the Rules
It’s not My FaultHe Ain’t Heavy, He’s an American
Just a Lawsuit Away From a Great Retirement!
A Prescription for the War on Drugs
Education
Teenagers
Affirmative Action
Minimum Wage
Do Only the Strong Survive?
Essay Glossary (Must Read)

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum http://www.createspace.com/3462397

What DO You Think? Do Politicians Have Grandchildren????

How much did you say we'll have to shell out to pay off the debt that grandma and grandpa left us with???? Why didn't they do something when they had the chance? Did they think that money grew on trees? Abraham Lincoln said, "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today". If only Congress knew.

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289937311&sr=1-1

What!!! Another Earmark?????

Earmarks pose more than one problem. We focus on the cost problem, described below. That certainly is a major trouble. But there is also a credibility in our government problem (They talk about fiscal responsibility and a desire to enact meaningful legislation.) and a concern as to the validity of legislation that is passed. (Would it be passed without an attached earmark?)

In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. This means in 2008, 1 ½ million families could have saved over $10,000 each in taxes. This would be meaningful tax relief for the middle class. A Billion here and a Billion there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. Remember for every Billion Dollars the government spends, 100,000 families must sacrifice $10,000 of their hard earned money. Don’t let them fool you by saying “It’s a small amount compared to the total budget”. If it’s a small amount, DON’T SPEND IT!!!! Small amounts add up to big problems. (Just take a look at your next credit card bill. Look at each small charge, then look at the large amount owed, at the bottom of the bill.)

Without discussing the merits of the recently passed Healthcare Legislation, it serves as an example of the problems with earmarks. Would it have been passed without a couple of Senators getting preferential treatment for their states? If not, it should not have been passed. What is the true financial cost of these earmarks? In some cases we don’t know. In order not to single out one state with preferential Medicare cost reimbursement, all states will now receive the benefit. What is the cost? We don’t know. A southern state received approx. $300,000,000 to get a favourable vote. 100,000 families will have to pay $3,000 each to fund that one. Show me the 100,000 families that would have willingly paid $3,000 to pass the bill. The list is longer, but these show the problem.

How are we supposed to believe in the credibility of our legislators when they need to give or to receive special favours in order to vote on a proposed bill? How can we feel good about legislation that might not be passed without a special financial arrangements attached?

Earmarks are a “Poster Child” for what is wrong with Washington. Eliminate Earmarks. If the “Earmark Item” has validity, vote on it separately.

Read Excerpts on Amazon:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289922247&sr=1-1

I Hope the President Dislikes my Children

The President doesn’t seem to care for our hard working citizens that have incomes above $200,000 and since I would like my children to be financially successful, I hope the President doesn’t care for them.

The President also likes to lump those making a few hundred thousand dollars a year with those making multi-millions of dollars a year. Hardly seems to make sense. It seems to just make for a good sound bite. It appears he would like them to fund his spending habits. At the sign of resistance, he berates them for not paying their fair share.
Successful individuals:
1.Start businesses that employ people in their neighborhoods.
2.Pay their wages, social security taxes, provide health insurance and other benefits.
3.Pay a multitude of business related taxes and personal taxes on all levels. (Federal, State and Local)
4.Pay real estate taxes on homes and business properties that support the local school systems. At the same time, in many cases, send their children to private schools, lessening the burden on public schools.
5. Donate their time, money and energy to local organizations and causes.
6.Spend their money which supports other services and businesses.
7.In most cases they raise a respectful family which carries on their ideals.

The list continues, but needless to say they contribute in a large way to society. And, yes, they are the beneficiary of many things our great country has to offer. They have taken those benefits and used them to their own and many other peoples’ advantage.
Look around and you’ll see hospital wings, college buildings, ball fields, parks, museum wings, theatres and more with people’s names on them. In most cases, those people donated the money to fund those items. Houses of worship often rely on these people for personal donations and help with expansion projects and fundraisers.

Well-to-do people, like others, may not be perfect, but they shouldn’t be vilified by the President just because they won’t fund his programs. Maybe the President would be better off asking for their input and advice. Make them part of the decision making process instead of the ones required to fund the outcome.

Our country has an employment problem. Businesses of America do the employing. It’s time to ask them what the government can do to make them comfortable enough to start hiring again. Let’s stop asking them to fund unemployment.

Back to my kids
It would be a pleasure to have them included in “Successful Individuals”
Let them make a good income, hire others, pay taxes, raise a good family, donate their time money and energy to worthy causes and be disliked by the President.

Please see exceprts from my book:
"Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289578712&sr=1-1

Earmarks, Entitlements, and Pork (Bribery????)

We have the best government that money can buy. - Mark Twain

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy..." - Alexander Fraser Tytler, Scottish lawyer and writer, 1770

Approximately 9,000 earmarks costing about $8 Billion were included in the 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill. If the $8 Billion was excluded, the tax bill for 800,000 families would be reduced by $10,000 each, a real tax relief to America’s Middle Class. And that example was just for the Omnibus Spending Bill in 2009. In fiscal year’s 2008 Total Federal Budget, there were approximately 11,500 earmarks totaling about $16.5 Billion for the year. This means in 2008, 1 ½ million families could have saved over $10,000 each in taxes. Again, this would be meaningful tax relief for the middle class. A Billion here and a Billion there and pretty soon you’re talking serious money; if Congress only knew. Although the party in power gets the majority of earmarks included in a bill, earmarks do not belong to any one party alone. Each political party is guilty; a factual wakeup call for all the American public. The public hears of transparency, earmarks are an area where transparency would be appreciated. The larger the total budget, the less any one earmark becomes ‘meaningful.’ Therefore, Congress may have a selfish motive to continually spend and increase the budget. In 2008, the total Federal Budget was a little less than $3 Trillion. With earmarks at $16.5 Billion, they represented “only” 0.55% of the total, a little more than ½%. Now that doesn’t sound so bad. The larger the total budget, the less ominous each earmark. Congress has a way of using percentages instead of real dollar figures to fool the public. Of course they’ve had years and years of practice.




Earmarks should not be included in proposed bills. Each earmark should be reported to the public (transparency) and should include: The sponsor, the amount, the purpose and the local or national benefit to the public. Earmarks should be voted on separately, based on merits only. A bill coming before Congress should have a theme, an easily distinguishable commonality. Any proposals, additions, or amendments must match the theme of the proposed bill. If not, a separate vote is essential. Congressmen should not force millions of taxpayers to fund their pet projects by burying them in otherwise worthwhile legislation. It’s our money they’re spending, not theirs.

In the political system there is also a practice of adding special provisions to a bill to get one or more congressman’s support. These provisions are different than the earmarks discussed above and may actually benefit the Congressman’s state or district residents; however, the provisions are only being added to secure a vote and not to enhance the proposed bill. They do not add value to the entire country. In 2009, we saw this happen with the Health Reform Bill. Hundreds of millions of dollars were added so that a few areas of the country would benefit at the expense of the rest of the country. This was only done to get enough votes to pass the bill. Without these provisions being added, it is doubtful that the bill would be passed. In other words, on the merits of the bill alone, there would not have been passage.

Adding entitlements and earmarks to an existing bill needs to be stopped and should only be part of a bill if they speak to the main message of the legislation. These special interest amendments should be voted on separately instead of holding the main bill hostage. Unless these practices are eliminated, the American public will continue to suffer financially. Enough cannot be said for the amount of unnecessary tax money that is paid by working families to support these actions. More spending does not solve problems; efficient spending does. And, extraneous spending is shameful.
This YouTube is a must see to Find Out how Harry And Nancy spend your tax dollars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVnbFE-7dFE

This is an excerpt from the book "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum

Available on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289489134&sr=1-1

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s An American

Use now and then a little Exercise a quarter of an Hour before Meals, as to swing a Weight, or swing your Arms about with a small Weight in each Hand; to leap, or the like, for that stirs the Muscles of the Breast. - Benjamin Franklin


Americans are considered to be overweight and unhealthy. Billions of dollars are spent annually on fitness equipment, diet plans, supplements, smoking cessation programs and medical care. However, spending practices do not match desired results. Americans are drawn to the easy fix. They want the “only ten minutes a week” and you can lose ten pounds, or “these pills will help you lose weight without changing your diet.” Wear a patch, chew this gum or get hypnotized and you can stop smoking. Instead of taking the tough road to self improvement, we look for the easy way out. Not only do American’s desire painless solutions to being fit they also don’t want to accept the blame for their dilemmas. Let’s shift the blame to corporate America. After all, we are told they sell us the wrong food, fill menus with fatty foods, entice us to smoke; then the insurance companies don’t pay us to be cured. This type of attitude will not solve our problems. Until we are willing to face up to our failings and take the responsibility for both what we put in our bodies and our level of physical activity, we are destined to poor health. Companies do produce the products that can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. However, they also produce the products that can make us the healthiest country on Earth. No one forces us to choose the former.

In 1994, a law was passed requiring nutritional labeling on packaged foods. More than 15 years later, the United States still has a problem with overweight individuals. The problem is not with the lack of information about the product; the problem is that Americans continue to eat what and how much they want.

Our Government, not intentionally, rewards those who lead a less than healthy lifestyle by providing them with the same health care benefits as those who work hard to stay healthy. This doesn’t make sense. If you lead a self-indulgent lifestyle, you should not receive the same benefits as others. Healthy behavior should be rewarded. The recent Health Care Legislation does not require anyone to lead a healthy lifestyle to receive the benefits. Someone can eat poorly, smoke, drink, and lead a generally unhealthy lifestyle and still receive health care benefits. They won’t need to worry about pre-existing conditions and they might have other taxpayers fund their medical care. How can this lead to a healthier America?

This is an excerpt from "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"
Available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289314461&sr=1-1

The Election is Over – Will Tough Fiscal Decisions be Made?

Okay, the election is over and Congress has a more conservative slant. That sounds good, but they still need to step up to the plate and make some tough financial decisions. If you click on the link below; it will take you to a chart that indicates we have a spending problem, not a tax revenue problem. What might we do?

Our economic woes have been in the making for years. Like the straw that broke the camel’s back, the housing crisis, not our only problem, seemed to be that straw. We now need to chip away, wherever possible, to correct the problem. Chipping away means making tough decisions and not allowing any savings to seem too small. (A Billion Dollars seems small to a politician dealing with a Trillion Dollar budget, but it is still a large amount. After all, 100,000 families need to pay $10,000 each, in taxes, to fund a Billion Dollars.)

Let’s start with freezing the budget. Not adding one dime to any program, earmark, entitlement, or project. Along with the budget freeze, initiate a directive that EVERY government agency will have their budget cut by 5%, each year, for the next 5 years. Let productivity, innovation, smarter decision making, and the elimination of, “nice” but not absolutely needed programs take the lead. Let’s try this until we find that government cannot operate. Once that happens, we can add resources to those programs that are failing. (Actually failing, not just complaining.

Earmarks should not be included in proposed bills. Each earmark should be reported to the public (transparency) and should include: The sponsor, the amount, the purpose and the local or national benefit to the public. Earmarks should be voted on separately, based on merits only. A bill coming before Congress should have a theme, an easily distinguishable commonality. Any proposals, additions, or amendments must match the theme of the proposed bill. If not, a separate vote is essential.

Debt Ceiling - The amount of debt the Government may have at any time. It’s hard to consider the debt ceiling a real number. It is constantly raised by the sitting Congress. It is often used for political purposes. Since it is the tax payer’s money; the taxpayers should vote on whether to allow the debt ceiling to be raised. There should be a box on every year’s the tax return; YES or NO.

I will have more comments on upcoming posts. Remember to click on the link illustrating spending vs. tax revenue.
http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/growth-federal-spending-revenue

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
See previews on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288795915&sr=1-1

Harry Reid's Comments this past week

Some of the comments (below) by Harry Reid are extremely interesting.

when Wall Street collapsed, we fell further than anyone else. - At that time, didn't the President vilify companies and CEOs for holding conventions in Las Vegas. I'm sure those, small businesses, waiters, casino workers, hotel workers, etc that were effected by the decline in conventions were not happy with the President's comments. Couldn't Mr. Reid have asked him to tone down the rhetoric?

"I've done the best I can, doing everything I can to help the state of Nevada, - When someone says they've "done" the best that they can; then what's left? If, with a  all the power he should have, a very accommodating Congress and a friend in the White House, he could not do better for Nevada, why would the future be brighter?

Whether or not Sharon Angle would be better than Harry Reid is not the point. Mr. Reid should be able to run on what HE has done for Nevada and not why he thinks Sharon Angle is not qualified. The voters will make that decision.



Reid Defends Record
Such resentment, says University of Nevada political scientist David Damore, is precisely why Reid, for all his power in Washington, could well be toppled by his fellow Nevadans.
"What we've seen in Nevada, I think, is [what] you've seen in a lot of other states ... just this sort of anger, this inchoate anger lashing out at the establishment; that if you're establishment, you are part of the problem," Damore said.
At a recent get-out-the-vote rally in Henderson, Nev., Reid seemed to feel he had to defend his record even to supporters.
"We've been going through a lot in Nevada," he said. "For 20 years, we were at the top of the economic food chain, and when Wall Street collapsed, we fell further than anyone else.
"But I want everyone to know here it isn't a secret, I didn't cause the financial collapse."

The one determining factor for who's going to win is going to be about who has effectively made the election about the other person.
- University of Nevada political communications expert Joseph Valenzano
Later, Reid explained why many voters believed he hadn't done enough for Nevada.
"I've done the best I can, doing everything I can to help the state of Nevada, but whoever is concerned about my not doing enough should understand that Sharron Angle has committed to doing nothing," Reid said. "She wants to throw sand in the gears, she wants to slow things down, she wants to get rid of Social Security, Medicare."

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Sample chapters on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288365393&sr=1-1

The Rising Cost of College, Who's Fueling the Increase?

Below is a link to an article in the October 28, 2010 Wall Street Journal
"Tuition, Pell Grants Rise in Tandem"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303443904575578651983962836.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Tuition at public colleges up about 8%

Here's my take on the rising cost of college, who pays and why?

College education in our country is an objective by many. College, unlike kindergarten through 12th grades, is not a right but a privilege. (The Government seems to be leaning towards a college education becoming a right and not a privilege.) College has become a financial burden to the American family. College costs have gone up approximately 5% per year over the past ten years; higher than the inflation rate over the same time period. The Government doesn’t criticize the increase in cost. The Government’s answer to solving the increasing cost is to throw more money at the problem. Not more competition, not accountability by the schools, students or parents; but spending more with little or no accountability. The Government feels they must find a way to help students afford this increase. The Government often chastises other industries when their prices exceed inflation. They put pressure on those industries to reduce prices. Colleges seem to be immune from this rhetoric. Economics, taught at these same colleges, teaches that if more money is available to purchase a good or service the price of that good or service will increase. By making more money available to students to pay for a college education, the Government is fueling the fire, not creating a solution. By all economic teachings, more available money drives cost up.


The money used for these programs is tax payer money. Many of these taxpayers do not intend for their children to go to college. Their children are interested in other venues. They plan to go into a trade (carpentry, plumbing, construction, etc.) or into the military or some other vocation. They question why their money is funding another child’s potential livelihood and not their child’s.

Those who do attend college are finding themselves with more debt than they imagined. Parents also can be saddled with debt. Although college education has become the standard in education, just as a high school education was a couple of generations ago, the value of the education compared to the cost is being questioned. Although many companies require a college education, is the cost of a college education worth the potential job? Colleges need to find ways to make their tuition and fees more affordable to students. The schools need to enhance their efficiency, cut their costs, facilities and services to meet the students’ ability to pay without subsidies from the government. Education is the product they offer. Fancy dormitories, health club facilities and other non-educational amenities should be examined to see if they are worth the cost. Professors getting published, staffs employed to get grants, high salaried athletic coaches and other non-school related items, should not be at the cost of student’s tuition. It is argued that these facilities and positions bring money and prestige to the institution. If they are bringing in money, why does the tuition continue to rise? What is being done with the money?

If colleges want to pursue activities that do not directly benefit the student body, it should be financed by some other means than tuition.

The Government admonishes many industries, health care for example, when their rates increase higher than inflation; why do they give a free ride to colleges?

Endowments at some colleges are in the Billions. At $100,000 for a 4 year college education, $5 Billion would allow 50,000 students to go for free. Is tuition being used by the schools so they can keep a substantial war chest? Why does a college need $5 Billion in an endowment fund? If a college feels the need to keep such a large amount on hand, maybe they would be willing to part with the annual investment return on their endowment fund. Average annual returns of 8% on $5 Billion would yield $400 Million per year. This would be enough to fund the annual tuition for 16,000 students at $25,000 per year. Wouldn’t that be a great return on investment by giving an education to 16,000 students while maintaining a $5 Billion fund? It’s time colleges are held accountable. It’s time the Government stops answering the education problem by throwing more tax payer money at it. That cure (Government lending programs) continues to be worse than the disease.


See more information like this in my book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Read sample chapters on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288285582&sr=1-1

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Read sample chapters on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288274630&sr=1-1

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Read Sample Chapters on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288274630&sr=1-1

What about those exported jobs?

What about those exported jobs? Doesn't the US Government have a stake in GM?

We can force them to close dealerships owned and manned by Americans but we can't stop them from manufacturing overseas? Sounds easy to complain but hard to stop.
The government required the some car manufacturers to close their dealerships. That would mean a loss of jobs for many. It might also send revenue out of a local economy.
It certainly lessened competition. What does Economics 101 teach? The more competition the lower the price, the greater the selection, more inovation and the natural process of the strong surviving. Maybe the Economic's books need rewriting. OR, maybe they just need to be reread by those in power.

Anyway, take a look at the link. How is this being explained?Buick Lacrosse May Be Produced in Ukraine, now produced in China


Also see previews of my book: (inside the book) "Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288204357&sr=1-1

Subject: "I'm 63 and Tired", By Robert A. Hall. Worth Reading

> I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a
> six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've
> worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in
> 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a
> good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get
> where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm
> tired. Very tired.
> I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who
> don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take
> the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to
 earn it.
> I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in
> their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to
> help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our
> paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing
> Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community
> Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.
> I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like
> Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury
> because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get
> their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom
> of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for
> Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.
> I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day
> I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and
> daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight
> offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't
> "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning
> teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the
> genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and
> Shari'a law tells them to.
> I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world
> of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower
 college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the
> most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of
> violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and
> in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.
> I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must
> let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic
> schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to
> fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love
> and tolerance.
> I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global
> warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a
> two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also
> own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live.
Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore,
> you're green enough.
> I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help
> support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ
> rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses
> while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay,
> but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of
> harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I
> never tried marijuana.
> I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially
> the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's
> next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not
> against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred
> years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to
 fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English,
> doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on
> welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those
> are the citizens we need.
> I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both
> parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful
> mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught.
> I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
> Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes,
> color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have
> that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to
> keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.
> I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and
> actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination
> or big-whatever for their problems.
> Yes, I'm d--- tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not
> going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for
> my granddaughter..
> Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the> Massachusetts State Senate.

This hit home for me since I share many of these viewpoints in my book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle ClassAmerican"
Excerpts on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288013011&sr=1-1

SOME IMAGE SAMPLES - SEE NEXT POST

EXPRESS YOUR VIEWPOINT WITH SHIRTS AND MORE

Are you looking for shirts and gifts that express your Patriotism and Ideals?

Then go to my on line store at Zazzle. The link is below.

It’s fun and there are over 200 selections. You’ll smile at the images and quotes.

There you can pick and customize the image and slogan you’re looking for.

Click on the Zazzle link below, then:

Click on “View all Products”

Double Click on the Item you’re interested in. (From the all products “pull down” you can quickly narrow your search)

Select “Customize It” – You can then edit the size and location of the image

Select the quantity and size (if you want a shirt)

Choose the Style and Color and add to cart. You’re Done!
My Zazzle Store Link:
http://www.zazzle.com/areufedup

Term Limits - Jefferson had the Right Idea

During the forming of our government, a committee was appointed to study proposals for the new union. Thomas Jefferson wanted a term limitation, saying it was “to prevent every danger which might arise to American Freedom by continuing too long in office the members of the Continental Congress.” (HE WANTED TERM LIMITATION, SINGULAR, NOT TERM LIMITATIONS, PLURAL)


The Articles of Confederation omitted mandatory term limits. Soon after the Revolutionary War and victory over the British, there was a continuous turnover in Congress and a strong tendency to mistrust anyone seeking too much power. King’s were on the throne for life; Americans did not want any one person to be in power for very long. Politicians also felt the same and did not continually seek re-election. The Constitution was ratified without term limits. Many statesmen thought it was a dangerous omission. President George Washington set a standard by having to be persuaded to run for his second term and refusing to run for a third. This two term practice was followed by every President, except Franklin Delano Roosevelt who served four terms. The twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1951, limited the term of office for the President.

During the Civil War, The Confederate States Constitution limited the President to one single, six year term. They knew something we still haven’t learned, being an elected politician is not a career, it is short term service to your country. In the early 1990s, almost half the States put a Congressional Term Limit Referendum on their ballots. The referendums passed. However, in the mid 1990s, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that States cannot impose term limits on Congressmen. If re-elected, Congressmen can stay in Congress for their lifetime. The longer someone stays in office, the more relationships they build, the more favors they owe and the larger their war chest becomes. Many end up staying in office until they wish to retire or family matters take precedent.

In 2008, an estimated $5 Billion was spent by various politicians seeking election including $2 Billion spent solely on Presidential campaigns. That’s a lot of money to find employment. Along with this money come obligations for the victors. These obligations might not be in the best interest of the entire country. Favors are granted, earmarks and entitlements are entered into legislation and special interest groups are rewarded. Unless our system is changed, we run the risk of future politicians being partners to their supporters, not impartial legislatures.

Although it sounds like an impossible task, our country needs to limit the term in office, for all elected officials, to ONE six year term.

Please see the rest of my writings in my new book:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Excerpts available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287673134&sr=1-1

Donkey - Elephant; It's Your Tax Dollars They're Spending

You must see where your tax dollars are being deposited!!!!.

Harry and Nancy Riding on a Donkey!!!

You Gotta' See This!

Click this YouTube video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVnbFE-7dFE

After you've enjoyed the YouTube Video; please click on the link below to read excerpts frommy book:

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum

http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287585796&sr=1-1

Do you Wonder What Happened to the Good Old Days?

Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility. -Albert Schweitzer

No matter what our kids and the new generation think about us, WE ARE AWESOME!!!! OUR LIFE IS LIVING PROOF!!!! To Those of Us Born 1930 – 1979. TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!! First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints...We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes. Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight…WHY? Because we were always outside playing...that's why! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on…No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were OKAY. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill; only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. We had friends and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping pong paddles, or just a bare hand and no one would call child services to report abuse. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them. Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever. The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?

If you feel things have changed and wonder why; see excerpts from my book on Amazon:
Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287584372&sr=1-1

You must see where your tax dollars are being deposited!!!!.

Harry and Nancy Riding on a Donkey!!!
You Gotta' See This!
Click this YouTube video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVnbFE-7dFE


Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
See excerpts on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287504136&sr=1-1

HANG ON, WE'RE WORKING ON IT !!!!!!

Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum
Preview my book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287418645&sr=1-1

Was that explosion a balloon bursting or our economy?????

Our parents and grandparents were appalled when the Government’s spending and debts were put in numbers as Billions and Tens of Billions. Now our government expects us to accept Trillions as the norm. Make that Tens of Trillions!!!!
For every Billion Dollars our government spends 100,000 families must pay $10,000 in taxes.

There is a straw out there and the camel's back is sagging!!!

Remember watching a child pushing a pin into a balloon. One second the balloon is filled with air and then, in an instant, it has burst. The child cries and apologizes. He can’t understand what happened. He didn’t mean to break the balloon. Everything was going his way. Only after the balloon burst did he realize he went too far. While he was fooling with the pin, he felt in complete control. He had heard that bad things could happen, but he reasoned, bad things would not happen while he controlled the pin.
Our economy is the balloon and the administration is the child. No one knows when or if our national debt will bankrupt us. There are concerns; and intelligent people have warned of the consequences. Like the balloon we will only know after it happens. Of course, by then it is too late.

The balloon did not have to break. The child could have eased off with the pin. Our economy does not have to break, or be on the brink of financial disaster. The administration and Congress could ease off its spending rampage. This is not something that is comfortable for politicians, but it is a good idea. It needs to be done today.

The link, below, takes you to a chart that shows how Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue, it goes back to 1965. It is worth a look.

http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/growth-federal-spending-revenue

Please visit Amazon Books to see excerpts from my new book:
"Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"
Amazon Link to Andy's Book






Essays From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American" By: Andy Strum https://www.createspace.com/3462397

A NEW SHOPPING MECCA FROM A FED-UP AMERICAN

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Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue

Federal Spending Is Growing Faster Than Federal Revenue


Since 1965, taxes and spending have been rising. Federal revenues have dropped recently due to the economic recession while spending has reached a record high.

We keep hearing taxes need to be raised to decrease the defecit. Until the spending side of the equation is addressed, the tax (revenue) side won't matter. Congress enjoys spending more than the tax revenue can support.

PLEASE SEE THE LINK FOR AN INTERESTING GRAPH.
http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/growth-federal-spending-revenue

The Perpetual Ten Year Promise

Have you ever noticed that much of the legislation requires a ten year time frame to be fully enacted? Not that there is anything wrong with a long term plan. We often hear how too many think short term and not long term; and that is not good planning. Certainly, some legislation requires enough time for the public sector and corporate world to make changes. These changes can take time, they cannot be implemented overnight.

It does appear, however, that this long term horizon is motivated by politics not practicality.

Ten Years Allows:

1. The potential benefit being enacted immediately while the funding is back ended.

2. Can give special interest groups a longer time to comply than the general public.

3. The opportunity to make adjustments prior to elections. “The primary requisite for any new tax law is for it to exempt enough voters to win the next election”

4. Ten years is a “lifetime” in the political process. Multiple Presidential Elections, numerous Senate and House Elections and several budgets to be enacted. All of which can threaten the current law’s intent.

5. All of these, and more, give politicians the confidence to pass “long term” legislation.

6. Although, not researched, it is highly unlikely that any legislation passed with a ten year time frame; stayed within its budget, accomplished its goal or wasn’t changed due to political pressure.

We deserve better. We deserve legislation that has a real opportunity to come to fruition on budget. We have a right to know why any organization will play by different rules under the legislation. We have a right to know the factual positives and negatives; not spun by a politician; but in plain English. Elizabeth Warren of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants documents to written in “plain English”, so the public can understand them. Shouldn’t we expect the same kind of reverence from Congress?

It’s no wonder the public has lost some respect for politicians. They don’t seem to treat us as intelligent adults. They tend to treat us as subjects lucky to have them making all the decisions.

To read more of my thoughts, read my new book: "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"
You can preview my book on Amazon at:
Essay From a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class Ameican Preview

A Major Disconnect on How to Help the Economy

There seems to be a major disconnect between the business community and the administration on how to help our stagnant economy. The administration seems to believe we will only progress if they spend our tax dollars funding expanded unemployment compensation, keeping government and government related workers employed (and in some cases allowing them raises), and regulating the private sector. To add insult to injury, the administration would like to dramatically increase the taxes on many in the business community.

Many in the business community want to know their future liabilities when it come to corporate and personal taxes, benefit costs for employees, and government regulations. It is felt that they cannot make decisions until these are known. The private sector is, currently, not excited about investing in plant and equipment, hiring employees, spending their cash reserves and expanding.

When the business community have these questions answered and are convinced the proposed policies would be something they could work with, our economy will expand. People will be hired - Less need for unemployment compensation; more local, state, federal and FICA taxes paid; more money in the consumer's hands, and a more confident public.

When the business community feels they are appreciated instead of vilified a better working relationship between the administration and business community will be realized. This will be a plus for everyone.
It is time to stop putting a band aid on the problem and cure the patient; Private Industry in America.

To read more of my thoughts, read my new book: "Essays from a Fed-Up Middle Aged, Middle Class American"
You can preview my book on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Essays-Fed-Up-Middle-Class-American/dp/1453640460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286806457&sr=1-1