- Posted by Piperyell on December 29, 2008
This is just a few things that we should think about. I will
try to stay brief, but thorough. The bottom line here is question everything,
and remain skeptical.
Global Warming.
Amid the newest reports of
shrinking polar Ice caps are is news footage of the coldest winter in 100
years. For as many news stories about global warming, there are just as many
about a new Ice Age. These are getting less coverage than the Global warming
stories, or Vice Presidential documentaries, but there are plenty of scientists
on both sides of the argument.
So, if world renowned scientists
can’t agree, then why do so many of us think that we have it figured out? We all want cleaner air and water, and our
cars are running clean as a whistle now because of that. And, no matter how clean we are, it won’t
matter if China continues to pollute. So let’s not push agendas and policy for
something that the people who should know haven’t figured out yet. Just have
clean cars, and renewable energy anyway. We need it. Who wants foreign oil
anyway.
Stimulus Packages
How is it that we all accept the
fact that when the Government gives us a $600 additional tax refund that it
will stimulate the economy, yet we can’t seem to agree that not taking it in
the first place does the same? Letting us keep more of the money we earn helps
us all to live easier. No matter how much money you earn.
Sin Tax
If we
don’t like something, tobacco for instance, we will add a sin tax as a
punishment, yet we don’t see income tax as punishment? We will tax the hell out
of a pack of Cigarettes as a way to deter the purchase, or punish those that
choose to buy it anyway, but an inheritance tax is not a punishment for having
a relative die with some kind of savings or assets? What about Capital gains? How dare you be smart in the stock market! We
must punish you!
Morality Laws
How is
it that we all quickly spout off the words “Liberty” or “Freedom” yet quietly
sit idle when a large group of Americans cannot choose who they marry? Who
cares if you think it’s wrong. How can we tell other citizens what they can do
in their bedrooms? How does this hurt you? Who cares what someone wants to
smoke, or snort in their home. It’s not your home. We already punish theft
whether you steal for an alcohol and drug habit or for financial gain. Addicts
are people that need help, not criminals until they commit a crime that does
not involve their own body.
And, if
you do believe that Marriage is a civil right belonging to all citizens, How do
you support one of the two main parties that oppose Gay marriage? The Democratic
Party does not support Gay Marriage rights. Civil unions are supported though.
Doesn’t that sound like separate but equal?
The Democrats or Republicans have our best interests at
heart.
Do you
really believe that the Democrats or Republicans have our best interest at
heart? How much of your vote was really in favor of your candidate, and how
much was just so the other guy wouldn’t win? If you believe in civil rights and
personal freedoms (gay marriage, drug legalization, freedom of speech and
privacy) then why are you a Democrat? They haven’t supported those things for
quite some time. If you believe in Fiscal responsibility, smaller government,
free trade, then why are you a Republican? There are other parties out there
that may more closely fit your beliefs. The Demopublicans, and Republicrats are
equally responsible for a War that is bleeding our Country dry. Not to mention
the financial mess we are in right now. Does
your Party spend it’s time trying to make things better? Or, do they spend their
time trying to stick it to the other side?
The bottom line is, stay Skeptical, and question everything.
Who is benefitting from this recent bailout? Are you? Did we see the market
recover as a result of this? The Banks won’t even tell us what they did with
the money. Why didn’t Congress ask before they dropped their proverbial
trousers? That was the Democrats, the Republicans, the old President, and the
new one. They were all on board, and if nothing else makes you suspicious, that
should.
Yell
- Posted by Piperyell on October 1, 2008
$700 billion bailout fails.
As of October 1st, the 700 billion
bailout plan has not passed. This is after President Bush declared infinite
doom if the bailout did not pass, Sen. John McCain suspended his campaign and
threatened to cancel the first debate, and Sen. Barack Obama promised to get it
done. Congress has been flooded with calls and letters with overwhelming
opposition to the bailout. I have read that it is as much as 100 to 1. This
should cause some concern for Obama and McCain supporters.
Is
this the first failure of our next President?
Absolutely it is. Whether you are a
Democrat or Republican, this is a bad mark. Let me explain... Both candidates
are running with the message that they will get things done. Both candidates,
along with President Bush supported and voted for the bailout plan. Both
candidates failed to rally their party members in the House to pass the bill.
Both candidates failed to explain the importance of this well enough to
convince the public to back such a plan.
So, you want us to have faith that you will be a good President, yet you cannot
convince either your fellow party members, or the American public that this
needs to happen. 33% of Democrats in the House voted "No, and 66% of
House Republicans voted "No".
Confidence
in Government is at an all time low.
And why shouldn't it be. If you are
a Democrat, you have to be disappointed in the utter failure of your majority
Congress to do anything about the War, the environment, or now the Economy.
Isn't that why you elected them 2 years ago? Bush has vetoed only a handful of
bills in his entire Presidency. If you truly are the party for
"Change" then where has it been? Most people look to the Democrats to
protect our civil rights, yet few fought against the FISA. In fact, Sen. Obama supported the law. I have a post about the FISA law if you want to learn more
about it.
If you are a Republican, you have to
be sickened by the way Bush has been spending like a madman. The Federal Government
is the largest in history. The party has neither been for smaller Government,
nor has it been for fiscal responsibility.
A
third party choice is clear.
It is difficult to understand how anyone
could really be in favor of one of the two major party candidates. In fact, I
venture to guess that most are really against the opposition. The idea the
other party is so bad, I'll vote for this guy because the possibility that
opposition might be elected is horrifying. It's clear that neither candidate is
much good, and the fact that the first Presidential debate had 10 Million
less viewers than the first Debate in 2004.
I believe it is time to stop voting
for the lesser of two evils, and start voting for someone that stands for what
you believe in. Please visit the Libertarian
party website to learn more.
As always, thanks for reading, and please post comments.
Yell
- Posted by Piperyell on September 22, 2008
This post is a little different than others, I felt like sharing an actual
experience that I had while working at a Cafe in Encino Ca. in the mid 90's.
This was a nice cafe that sat bout 150. The food was mostly wood fire pizzas,
fresh salads and pasta. An average entree was about $8 with lunch and Happy
hour specials. I was one of the bartenders. I mixed drinks for the whole cafe
and gave full service to the bar guests.
For most food service employees, you work for minimum wage + tips (wait
staff, and bussers). Dishwashers usually start at minimum, and get a raise in a
few months. CA. has a law that says you must provide benefits for full time
employees, so the schedules usually consisted of 30 - 35 hours. In 1996 there
was a minimum wage increase of $.50 in CA. The owner of the Cafe laid off
one of our dishwashers, and now 2 had to do the work of 3. I found that curios.
The very guy that this was designed to help, lost his job. Here's why: Let's
say that there were 20 minimum wage employees. their pay was increased by $10
for every hour of labor. 6 hours of labor a day x 30 days = an increase of
$1800 a month. Not everyone worked every day, so we can say $1,500 is a
closer number.
So this cafe owner, had his payroll increased by over a thousand dollars a
month. Not because he was getting better work from his employees, not because
his sales were up because of the hard work everyone put in, but because
California said so. And to make up for that increase, he laid off an employee.
Don't you think that guy would have proffered to have his job at the minimum
wage, knowing that he would get a raise if he did well? Or that he could have
worked his way up to prep cook, or something else?
The argument is always "you can't make a living on a minimum wage
job." I agree, But you can't make a living with no job. This wasn't a
corporate fat cat that will walk away with several million dollars even if the
business fails, this was a guy who owned a restaurant. Are we willing to hurt one
employee to help two? I'm not going to say raising the minimum wage raises
unemployment, but it did for this dishwasher.
In New Mexico during the mid 1950's my Grandfather stopped farming and took
his family to town and got a simple job at a general store. He was able to buy
a house (with indoor plumbing), eventually buy a T.V., a washing machine, and
live the American dream. He started at minimum wage. Why was it easier
then?
Why could a man support his family easier 50 years ago than it is now? What
has changed? Could it be the increased tax burden on us all? I'm not talking
about just income tax, but SS tax, gas tax, utilities tax. Many of these are
not charged to the lower class because of exemption programs. But middle class
small entrepreneurs are the ones employing these workers, not corporations. It
has become increasingly harder for them.
I would love to receive comments about this. I saw it happen, and it was
because of the minimum wage increase. This was one of the first real life
situations that convinced me that we are all connected in this economy. We
cannot shift the burden around without affecting us all. The only real answer
as I see it is to shrink the overwhelming need for the massive tax revenue,
thus allowing us all some breathing room.
Thanks for reading,
Yell
- Posted by Piperyell on September 18, 2008
Hello, My name is Yell McGuyer.
I thought it only fair to tell you about any affiliations I have, and what
my core beliefs are.
I am a registered Republican with strong Libertarian views. I say that I am
99% libertarian. I struggle to find much to disagree with within the
Libertarian platform. I voted for Ron Paul in the California Republican
primaries, and I plan on voting for Bob Barr in the upcoming Presidential
election.
What does that mean?
That means that any criticism I have for a candidate is sincere. I am not
demonizing McCain because I don't want a Republican in the White house, nor
will I simply tear down Obama because I don’t want a Democrat in the White
house. I consider both candidates, and parties, to be part of the problem. Neither
represents me or my ideas of a solution. I do not believe in voting for a
candidate simply as a vote against the other candidate.
If you would like to know more about the Libertarian party, please visit http://www.lp.org/
- Posted by Piperyell on September 17, 2008
Overview
I think that we can all agree that there are no simple issues in the news today. Many times we read truncated and simplified stories written to give us the quick story. This is often not enough to make informed decisions. We often find ourselves surrounded by likeminded individuals, and have trouble understanding what the opposition could be thinking. This is my attempt to bring some people together that might not otherwise discuss politics.
Moderation
I will be moderating this blog. Any posts that are of an obscene nature will be removed. I will also respond to blogs as much as I can. There is no reason for rudeness, so let's keep it intellectual.