Quotes 

My Principles 

You are not a conservative

Introductory Commentary:

It's really difficult to define and communicate what is happening to politics in the United States.  It seems like left wing and right wing America  are becoming increasingly forthright and unyielding in their political positions.  Unfortunately, it's  the American public that is going to suffer. 

This blog focuses on "performance" rather than ideology.  The Republicans were defeated in the 2008 elections for 2 simple reasons. 

 -  First, the Democrats fronted a well spoken  and intelligent presidential candidate, even if you don't like his views. (Elections are between the individual candidates, not parties.) 

 -  Second, and ultimately more important in my opinion, the Republican administration simply didn't perform between 2000 and 2008. 

While the extremes of both parties have strong, unyielding principles, the average American is more interested in how their government performs including measurable improvements in their own standard of living. This just didn't happen.

The balance of this blog is a simple compilation of thoughts and ideas trying to make sense of the current political and  economic situation in the United States.  The US has has experienced almost identical problems throughout its history so this is nothing new.   The only difference is I don't see how we're going to resolve any of today's problems given the current political climate.

Listed are several rants (including disorganized and incomplete thoughts) that are too lengthy to place on this page:

 

-  Credibility  03/17/10    -  GOP Purity  11/25/09    -  Campaign Finance Reform   11/25/09    -  Death of Manufacturing in US   07/17/10

- Time Line  12/01/10  - United States Federal Budget  03/20/11  - People that do and people that don't  03/17/11

Fact:  The Congressional Research Service presented a paper in September 2010 stating that the annual cost of offshore tax avoidance is about $100 billion. 

OPINION:

This paper is over a year old and I don't know the exact definition of tax abuse but due to the high estimate, I would think someone experienced in these issues would put together a fair and accurate presentation of what is going on.  Mitt Romney may potentially lose the Republican Party Nomination due to his inability to define and present, in understandable terms, his offshore holdings.  

(fact source: Congressional Research Service,  September 3, 2010)

Fact:  It appears that all of the Republican Presidential candidates are in favor of partial or complete privatization of Social Security. 

OPINION:

Think about this for more than a second.  If you get rid of Social Security right now, instead of 55 million Americans on Social Security that paid into the system their entire working life, you would have approximately 50 million Americans collecting welfare checks and unemployment checks because they didn't save enough for retirement.  GREAT!  Wait till you see the budget deficit after this happens.  

(fact source: General Media,  January 15, 2012)

Fact:  Effective Thursday, December 15, US participation in the war in Iraq officially ends.

OPINION:

Or did it?  The US Embassy in Iraq started at $750 million and is now estimated ultimately to cost $7 billion and employ as many as 17,000 contractors.  Contractors are a lot more expensive than troops.

(fact source: General Media,  December 15, 2011)

Fact:  Chris Wallace announces that Congress is about to raise taxes, e.g. the Payroll Tax.

OPINION:

Unbelievable!  Congress is about to let the temporary cut in collections for the Federal INSURANCE Contributions Act (FICA) expire and the Republicans claim this is a tax increase.  I get it.  By not collecting the insurance premiums for Social Security, they can help insure its financial collapse.  The fact that Democrats also want to undermine the collection of premiums for Social Security is mind boggling.

(fact source: Fox News Sunday and other general media,  December 10, 2011)

Fact:  The UN Weather Agency announced that CO2 concentrations in the upper atmosphere are 389 PPM, up 39% from 280 PPM 25 years ago. The latest tests show an increase of 2.3 PPM per year, up from 1.5 PPM a decade ago.

OPINION:

I don't know if the measurements are accurate and if they are consistent.  However, it does appear that the weather conditions in SoCal are warmer today than they were 50 years ago.  I doubt that this warming is caused by man but I am sure that crippling economies is not the solution. 

(fact source: General media,  November 22, 2011)

Fact:  According to Ron Paul, the US maintains 900 military bases in 130 countries. 

OPINION:

It's difficult to substantiate these numbers because the military uses different definitions for military bases.  However, Politifact believes Ron Paul's numbers are mostly true.  Hey, we just added Australia to the list, another base, another country.  No wonder we have a budget deficit.  Last week, the US successfully tested a flying bomb that can hit any point in the world in less than 1 hour.  Let's build a lot of these flying bombs and scratch half the military bases. Think of how much money we could save.

(fact source: General media,  November, 2011)

Fact: 

"Amid hard times, Wall Streeters expect higher bonuses"  

OPINION:

Now are you beginning to understand why thousands of people are occupying Wall Street!  (They don't know why, they just know something is wrong although they can't articulate their position.) Let me recap.  After a major bailout, most financial institutions profits have vanished, their stock prices have collapsed, millions of Americans are out of work due to the financial collapse, and most worker's 401Ks sustained 50% hits.  Realistically, according to other sources, bonuses will probably be down about 10%. 

(fact source: New York Business.com,  October 12, 2011)

Fact: 

After 3 hours of programming on a progressive, nationally syndicated talk show on AM radio, not one single "call-in" had anything nice to say about Columbus.    

OPINION:

OK, I can understand why some people might quibble with Columbus "discovering" America since it was already occupied and we've recently learned that other civilizations had previously explored potions of America, but Columbus was the first explorer to document his exploration which eventually benefited all of mankind.  I look at the bigger picture and come to the conclusion that Columbus represents mankind's interest in exploring the unknown.  Of course, those who minimize Columbus's discovery of America are also probably against our manned space exploration program which is now about to expire.  Go progressives!

(fact source: Thom Hogan Radio Show-  October 12, 2011)

Fact: 

One of the main talking points of President Obama is a $1,500 tax break for the middle class is the form of a reduction in the "payroll tax". 

OPINION:

Really! Let's just go ahead and undermine the Social Security program further.  Last time I checked, FICA stood for Federal Insurance Contributions Act.  Basically, it's a hugely successful insurance program (needs some tweaking).  Not collecting money to support the program is no different than not paying the premiums on your insurance.  Sooner or later, it gets cancelled.

(fact source: General Media-  September 2011)

Fact: 

Warren Buffet keeps saying this his secretary pays a higher tax rate than he does. 

OPINION:

First, she must be making way over $50,000 per year because 47% of Americans don't pay income taxes.  But let's give this a little more thought.  Buffet receives only dividends from his company which are taxed at 15%.  Since he doesn't take a salary, the total employee cost for his company are equally lower, which results in his company paying a higher income tax at an initial rate of 35%.  Buffet then gets his dividend after his company pays its taxes, and then he pays another 15%.  The net benefit to the federal government is a total 50%although Buffet only personally pays 15% of the total. Oops, I forgot, Buffet's companies are now being sued by the IRS for $billions of unpaid taxes.  Go figure.

(fact source: General Media-  September 2011)

Fact: 

In the 2011 pre-Iowa straw poll debate, all 8 Republican candidates said they would refuse to accept a budget deal with a 10-to-1 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases.

OPINION:

No wonder the equities markets are down.  With this kind of no-compromise position, President Obama is sure to be reelected. (Why doesn't anyone differentiate between raising tax rates and closing loopholes.  You can raise the tax rates all you want and it won't make any difference if you don't close the loopholes.) 

(fact source: General Media-  Aug 11, 2011)

Fact: 

On December 19, 2007, President George Bush signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act which will improve the gas mileage of passenger vehicles to 35 MPG by 2020.

OPINION:

I don't understand,  Why weren't the CAFE standards increased when Al Gore was VP?  Wasn't George Bush supposed to be the bane of environmentalists?  To democrats, it seems like what you say is more important than what you do.

(fact source: Wikipedia -  July 30, 2011)

Fact: 

Beginning in 2013, couples earning wages of over $250,000 per year will pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax for a total 2.35%.   Investment income (capital gains, dividends, interest, annuities, royalties and rent)  will be taxed at 3.8%. 

OPINION:

Just thought I would remind the readers. 3.8% is a significant tax on the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy that have saved for retirement. 

(fact source: General News -  July 28, 2011)

Fact: 

Times Raised   Approx Trillion   Reagan  1980 - 1988   17   $ 1   Bush 1989 - 1992  8   $ 2   Clinton 1993 - 2000 4   $ 1.5   GW Bush 2001 - 2009  7   $ 4   Obama 2009 -             3     $ 4+

OPINION:

Nothing like a few facts.

(fact source: Orange County Register -  July 19, 2011)

Fact: 

60% of the current US budget deficit is a direct result of the Bush Tax Cuts, Medicare Part D, and the 2 wars in the Middle East. 

OPINION:

The percent sounds reasonable although it may be off by a few percent. While the US economy is rapidly becoming Obama's economy, as repeatedly pointed out by many Republicans,  It would be difficult for any President to mitigate these massive increases in expenditures.  We're talking trillions of dollars.

(fact source: general new articles -  July 17, 2011)

Fact: 

The US military budget is over $650 billion per year.  China has the second highest in the world at $95 billion.

OPINION:

I guess if you want to be the world's policeman and nation builder, having a military budget 6 times larger than the next highest is reasonable.  My only issue is that those people that support the budget don't want to pay for it.  Go figure.

(fact source: general new articles )

Fact: 

It's nearing election season and Republicans (I'm a conservative) are gearing up to go after Social Security again.   Yes, Social Security will run a relatively small deficit this year, especially because of weak revenue from a weak economy and the payroll tax holiday.

OPINION:

However, there are a number of mechanisms built into Social Security that are correcting its path:

     1) The age to collect full Social Security benefits is increasing every year.  This needs to continue.

     2) Up to 85% of SS is taxed.  Wealthier individuals already pay more tax and receive less benefit. 

     3) Medicare is deducted from SS and these premiums will increase.

     4) The payroll tax is based on a higher a amount of taxable wages every year and should continue.

It's important to remember that most retirees that receive SS, earned it.  This appears to be a program that is working.  It is not an entitlement for most since they paid for it their entire working life!

(fact source: general new articles -  June 06, 2011)

Fact: 

With unemployment rising in May, housing prices falling, and industrial production registering small declines,  the economy is looking a little bleak. 

OPINION:

While I agree that Washington is not taking the actions I would have taken to bolster the economy  (like reviewing trade policy with individual violator countries, and adding a VAT tax while reducing US corporate and individual income taxes), based on actual stock market indications, there has been some progress:

The math is pretty basic.  I know my retirement savings are a lot better off today than a few years ago.  Just the facts!

(fact source: general new articles -  June 03, 2011)

Fact: 

When a trader speculates in the stock market, they are typically required to deposit 50% of the full value of the security with their broker. However, when that same trader speculates in oil futures the margin requirement is only around 6% of the value of the contract.

OPINION:

Many misinformed Americans still blame the oil companies for high oil prices.  The fact is that Wall Street speculators are responsible for a very large portion of the price increase.  Oil companies must buy crude and sell products based on the fluctuations of the petroleum exchanges. 

(fact source: general new articles -  April 13, 2011)

Fact: 

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) claims on the Senate floor that 90% of what Planned Parenthood does is abortion. The facts are that it's closer to 3%, When CNN contacted Kyl's office, the response was: “His remark was not intended to be a factual statement, but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, an organization that receives millions of taxpayer dollars, does subsidize abortions.”

OPINION:

When someone quotes a fact, I generally take them at their word.  My opinions are based on fact so it is very important that the facts be true.  When someone purposefully states a fact that they know not to be true in order to support a closely held principle, it tells me 2 things.  First, I can no longer trust what they say and second, their principles are not supported by facts.  In short, you're wasting your time listening or talking to that person.  If that person happens to be a Senator, and it was, the US is in big trouble.

(fact source: general new articles -  April 13, 2011)

Fact: 

A lot of attention has been paid lately to Corporations not paying their fair amount of taxes, especially since the US is running some very significant budget deficits. 

OPINION:

The best solution to this problem is the simplest.  Just add a Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) to all corporations with operations and business in the US.  You'll never change the existing tax code.  Just lay the CAMT on top of the existing tax code.  If the AMT is good enough for  workers in the US, the CAMT should be good enough for corporations.  By the way, make it 15% so that the US is not uncompetitive with other countries. 

(fact source: general new articles -  April 9, 2011)

Fact: 

Republicans and Democrats cannot agree on 2010 budget cuts so the federal government will be shut down.  The Republicans want to cut a few extra billion dollars from the 2010 budget, completely defunding Planned Parenthood but won't admit this to the general public. 

OPINION:

While the abortion issue is a complicated issue and much more should be done to encourage adoption, there is no excuse for Republicans constantly lying about their true intentions.  In short, they're holding the Democrats hostage over funding Planned Parenthood.  Those Republicans will find out in the next election (to their detriment) that 53% of Americans believe in Women's Rights.

(fact source: Rep. Peter Roskam (R0Il) on O'Reilly factor -  April 8, 2011)

Fact: 

Why do Republicans keep going after Social Security in order to solve the budget deficit!  Social Security has literally financed the government since President began raiding it in the early 80s.  Besides, insurance is a very conservative idea.

OPINION:

Social Security will represent 4.7% of the budget deficit in 2010  Medicare will represent 14.4% and defense over 80% of the deficit.  See link.  Let's go after the 80%. 

(fact source: General Observation -  March 21, 2011)

Fact: 

Current funding sources for Medicare:

     -  Payroll taxes:                             37%

     -  Premiums:                                 13%

     -  General Fund                            43%

     -  Misc.                                           7%

                                                        100%

OPINION:

Medicare really is an entitlement (unlike Social Security) in the sense that the recipients really haven't paid for their benefits.

(fact source: Yahoo Finance Jan 21, 2011)

Fact: 

Congress has a banquet of options in front of it to raise revenue by reducing deductions:

     -  Employer paid health insurance premiums:     131   ($ billion)

     -  401K tax deductions:                                       118

     -  Mortgage Interest deduction:                             88

     -  State & Local tax deductions.                            78

     -  Charitable tax deductions:                                 47

     -  Lower tax rates on investment income:              24

                                                                                486

OPINION:

Uh Oh. In case you hadn't noticed, your tax rate has not been increased in years but many of the tax deductions for the middle class have secretly disappeared.

(fact source: Business Week  - Reform is in the Eye of the Beholder)

Fact: 

A same average-wage earner couple will receive $555,000 in Social Security benefits after paying $614,000 into the system during their working years.   That’s about 90% of their total contribution not including interest.  (Note: the differential for Medicare is 211%)

OPINION:

Looks like Social Security is a successful financial program for the Federal Government.  I often wander why some republicans want to destroy the program and I'm a conservative.  (However, Medicare is a disaster.)

(fact source: Steuerle and Rennane)

Fact: 

While watching the Rose Parade on TV (from my home in Orange which is just southeast of Pasadena) the float from Sierra Madre won the Governors Award for the "best depiction of life in California".  Of course is was broken down and being towed for the balance of the parade.  

OPINION:

How ironic! Happy New Year.

(fact source: Rose Parade)

Fact: 

Tea Party Caucus members have already requested over $1 billion in earmarks.

OPINION:

This is too easy.  After Republicans voted down eliminating earmarks last week, did you really think they were interested in deficit reduction.  Earmarks are the currency for extracting votes for troubled legislation by the leaders of Congress.  At the end of the day, the 2010 mid term elections will amount to nothing more than hot air.  (As an aside, for those who dislike Fox News, they were the ones that broke the story!)

(fact source: Fox News)

Fact: 

US companies have paid out over  $1 trillion in executive bonus compensation in the last decade.

OPINION:

I had recently heard that just about all increase if value of the S&P 500 over the last decade had been handed out as executive bonus compensation.  If this is the true, no wander there was zero increase in stock value of the S&P 500 in the last decade. 

(fact source: Nassim Taleb  - CNBC)

Fact: 

In the recent document release, no names of American citizens in sensitive positions were revealed.  (I just found out that not a single leaked document was classified as "top secret".

OPINION:

I didn't know that.  I actually thought that many US operatives might be in jeopardy.  The only real confidential information revealed was that our State Department is run by "amateurs" but I should have already known that.

(fact source: John Stossel - O'Reilly Factor)

Fact: 

The US Federal Government classified over one billion documents as secret.

OPINION:

One of the foundations of of a true democracy is transparency.  It's stunning how much information the Government feels it has to hide from the American people.  It's equally amazing how many Americans believe this secrecy is OK.

(fact source: John Stossel - O'Reilly Factor)

Fact: 

You'll hear a lot from Republicans about saving American jobs.

OPINION:

I find it ironic that one of the main reasons for the current unemployment rate is FREE TRADE.  I see a lot of manufactured, high tech products including automobile, arriving on American shores but not much leaving.  Last week, the president of South Korea refused to sign a free trade agreement with President Obama because he couldn't understand why South Koreans would buy American cars although American imports of Korean cars is sky rocketing. It's not only economic, it's cultural.  I have never understood how our political leaders don't understand that foreign countries operate in their own best interests.

(fact source: General Media Quote)

Fact: 

The Department of Homeland Security has seized at least 12 domains in a major crackdown on websites enabling copyright infringement and selling counterfeits of trademarked goods.  

OPINION:

Copyright infringement and counterfeit goods are a serious problem but I generally think of Homeland Security as protecting American citizens from terrorists attacks.  What ever happened to the FCC and FTC?  What other agencies does Homeland Security have enforcement jurisdiction over?

(fact source: General News)

Fact: 

New reports indicate that Wikileaks will produce an information dump of highly secret US government material.

OPINION:

This is dangerous and could lead to the deaths of some Americans.  This is horrible.  However, There is a silver lining!  Is our federal government upset about the leak or that the American public is going to find out just how much secret information is being leaked to foreign governments on a regular basis.  I often wondered how China could so quickly develop a missile that could shoot down satellites in outer space.

(fact source: General Media Quote)

Quote: 

"It is no a good policy to have these massive subsidies for first generation ethanol."  said Al Gore

OPINION:

As the US petroleum industry has been significantly negatively affected by mandated ethanol blending, this is a horrific admission. It has always been my opinion that corn based ethanol is extremely inefficient and that the agricultural acreage used for fuel production will significantly replace acreage for food production, resulting in the starvation of 10s of millions of humans around the world.  Furthermore, once advanced biofuels are developed, the future of the rain forests, especially Brazil, are highly imperiled as their acreage  will be converted to sugarcane production.  As a tree person, I consider this a disaster.

(Please note that I manage a petroleum products marketing and distribution facility in California and am responsible for blending biofuels.)  I've been told I'm an idiot on many occasions. 

(fact source: General Media Quote)

Fact / Opinion: 

The draft recommendation of the President's commission of deficit reduction state that its recommendations would drive tax collections up to 21% of GDP from the historical norm of 18.5%.

(fact source: Yahoo Finance Article)

Fact / Opinion: 

-  In 2010, CA received $.50 of every venture capital dollar invested in US, up from $.42 in the 90s.

-  Did Apple Inc, Google, Twitter,  Facebook move out of state?

-  State & local taxes about 9.7% of the annual state economy - rest of the country averaged 10.5%.

-  In 2005, Californians bailed out rest of America to the tune of about $50 billion & continue to do so.

-  State debt costs are $6 billion a year — total budget $90 billion.

-  The non-partisan Legislative Analysts' Office in Sacramento estimates there's a $136 billion gap in the state pension and benefits system. Size of the state economy? Oh, $2 trillion a year. That's 14 times the size of this gigantic pension-fund gap.

OPINION:

You don't hear about this kind of stuff from people that don't live in California. 

(fact source: Yahoo Finance Article)

Fact / Opinion: 

"Fewer than 1 percent of the 14.5 million cargo boxes reaching the U.S. by water are scanned abroad for terrorist threats."

OPINION:

Also this week, TSA revealed new techniques for personnel on how to slide their hands around passenger's bodies in order to detect potential explosives. 

(fact source: Business Week Nov 8 issue)

Fact / Opinion: 

"Because there is already much more capital available in the world than hard commodities, speculators can increase the price of consumable commodities, like foodstuffs or energy, much higher than traditional consumers and producers can react. "

OPINION:

I think we saw this with the oil markets a few years ago.  Plan on a lot more of this action in future years, especially with corn, sugar cane, and other biofuel crops.  Is this insane or what?

(fact source: Hedge Fund manager Mike Masters)

Fact: 

Since the beginning of 2010, the Department of Homeland Security has deported over 400,000 criminal illegal aliens, half of which had created crimes in the U.S.

OPINION:

This is way more deportation that what occurred during the Bush administration.  Until Congress passes some sort of immigration reform, focusing on deporting undocumented workers that have committed crimes in the U.S. or other countries seems like the logical and humanitarian thing to do. 

(fact source: O'Reilly Factor with Janet Napolitano)

Fact: 

I'm hearing a lot of talk about a "payroll tax holiday" coming from a broad range of politicians in Washington.

OPINION:  

Isn't a "payroll tax holiday" just another way to undermine Social Security.  Democrats want the voters to believe they are doing something about the recession and Republicans believe this to be an opportunity to place a final blow on this program.  We already know that the net flows into Social Security this year will be slightly negative due to the recession and now politicians are trying to reduce the program's solvency even further.

Politicians forget that Social Security was originally intended as an insurance program to insure a minimum level of living standard during retirement, not a true tax.  The more you put in, the more you get out.  Many Republicans seem "hell bent" on taking the "security" out of Social Security.  That's really not very conservative.

(fact source: Fox News Sunday Morning)

Fact: 

I'm hearing a lot of talk about a "payroll tax holiday" coming from a broad range of politicians in Washington.

OPINION:  

Isn't a "payroll tax holiday" just another way to undermine Social Security.  Democrats want the voters to believe they are doing something about the recession and Republicans believe this to be an opportunity to place a final blow on this program.  We already know that the net flows into Social Security this year will be slightly negative due to the recession and now politicians are trying to reduce the program's solvency even further.

Politicians forget that Social Security was originally intended as an insurance program to insure a minimum level of living standard during retirement, not a true tax.  The more you put in, the more you get out.  Many Republicans seem "hell bent" on taking the "security" out of Social Security.  That's really not very conservative.

(fact source: Fox News Sunday Morning)

Fact: 

77% of the American general public does not favor the construction of a Islamic Mosque 3 blocks away from Ground Zero.  (Even though they have that right under the US Constitution.)

OPINION:  

History and the current situation in the Middles East cast doubt about the real intentions of the Imam proposing to construct the Mosque. Many Middle East countries:

  1) Do not believe in the separation of church and state.

  2) Are not tolerant of other religions.

  3) Do not believe in equal rights for women.

  4) Are increasingly bound with Sharia law. 

Of course I could be wrong with the above but I'm hard pressed to find contradictory examples. I have to empathize with the 77% of Americans that simply don't believe in the values outlined above.  There is no doubt that they are contrary to the core beliefs of most Americans and the foundation on which this country was established. At the extreme, construction of the Mosque could be interpreted by jihadists as a symbol of victory over America.

In fact, the Mosque may actually be used to shelter members of the Islamic religion from assimilation in American society and ultimately becoming productive members of American society. This is getting too frustrating.  (There are already over 100 mosques in NY City.)

(fact source: Rasmussen Poll)

Fact: 

Compensation Increase from 2000-2009	Percent:
Military Personnel:	+  84%
Federal Civilian personnel:	+  37%
Private Sector worker:	+   9%

OPINION:  

Joining the military is becoming a viable real career option for young men and women, especially as the US the position of the world's policeman. Working for the federal government is also desirable.  Forget the private sector; the best jobs have already been exported.  Congratulations to the federal government for sticking up for the American worker through open trade agreements.  Not!

(fact source: USA Today

Fact: 

During the Reagan administration, there were approximately 400 lobbyists operating in Washington DC.  Today, there are over 30,000.

OPINION:  

I don't know of any lobbyist organization that represents the "American people".  They all represent special interest groups that often times are at odds with what's best for the American people.  And you wonder why the Congress has a 13% approval rating!

(fact source: Thom Hartman - AM 1150

Fact: 

There has been a 53% increase since 2000 in the number of babies born in the US to non citizens.

OPINION:  

If I were from an impoverished country, I would also want to come to the US.  One of the best ways of staying in the US is to have an "anchor" baby as your new family will be potentially entitled to housing (thru HUD), food stamps, grade school and high school education, and health care at little or no cost.  Sign me up!

(fact source: Face the Nation)

Fact: 

Since 2006, 24,000 Mexicans have been killed in the war against drugs in Mexico.

OPINION:  

Wow.  I have a friend in Arizona that used to live south of Phoenix.  I recently leaned that he had to sell his property due to nearby Mexican drug and smuggling violence.  It seems like the federal government has no clue what is going on along the border.  I'm also beginning to think that the war along the border places America at a lot more risk than the war in Afghanistan. 

(fact source: General News)

Fact: 

President Obama, as in previous speeches praised the "American worker" and how important he is in creating new jobs.  .

OPINION:  

The American worker who is educated, skilled, and competent is critical to a successful American economy.  However, the source of new jobs is not the American worker but entrepreneurs and individuals with ideas and the dream of providing a product or service.

(fact source: General News)

Fact: 

Watched a speech by Senator Al Franken regarding the need to reduce Corporate control over the American Public.

OPINION:  

He is absolutely correct that Corporations have gained additional control, especially since the Supreme Court ruled that Corporations have an equal voice with citizens.  This is a serious problem.  However, the government has also increased its control over the American public with unnecessary and freedom reducing regulations.  The poor American public is getting whacked from both directions except we don't have anyone representing the public's interests.  The only people losing this battle is the American Public.

(fact source: Fox News)

Fact: 

General McChrystal retires after "bad mouthing" US civilian leadership.

OPINION:  

The fact that US civilian leadership has absolute control over its military forces is one of the things that makes America great.  Many countries such as Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and Cuba are controlled by their military which ultimately leads to the loss of human rights and freedom. 

(fact source: General news)

Fact: 

What will taxes be like based on current legislation for a family making $200,000 / year. 

(Does not include 401K tax credit.)

OPINION:  

Federal Tax	39.6%	After Bush tax cuts expire.
CA State Tax	9.8%
OC County Tax	na
FICA	6.2%	The employer pays another 6.2%!
Medicare	3.8%	After new healthcare tax kicks in.
CA Sales Tax	8.75%
Property Tax	3.0%	Assume $600,000 @ 1% residence = $6,000
Total Tax:	71.15%	Most deductions are going away at this income level.

(fact source: General news)

Fact: 

The United States welcomes over 1 million immigrants per year  with citizenship.

OPINION:  

I don't believe there is any other county in the world that welcomes as many new citizens.  Perhaps we should require countries like Mexico to allow equal citizenship for Americans.  Then Americans could own property in Mexico.  I suspect the economic landscape (and politics)  in Mexico would change significantly and rapidly.

(fact source: Google Search)

Fact: 

Republican pundits and media are going nuts over president Obama agreeing with Russia to further reduce each nation's nuclear weapons.

OPINION:  

Consider the following:

      1987 - President Reagan and Gorbachev agree to Strategic Arms reduction Talks (START 1)

      1993 - president Bush and Yeltsin signed START 2

      1997 - Clinton agrees to further reductions in nuclear arsenal.

      2001 - President George Bush and Putin agree to reduce warheads to 2/3 of START 2 level.

      2010 - President Obama agrees to further reductions in nuclear  weapons.

Another case of don't let the facts get in the way of your opinion!

(fact source: General Media)

Fact: 

Jerry Brown is running for Governor of California.  The good news is that we know how he would act as Governor as he already has had 8 years experience in this position

OPINION:  

Consider the following:

      -  Brown actively campaigned against Prop 13 (limited property taxes to 1.06% of a houses value).

      -  Brown allowed public sector unionization.

      -  Brown cancelled many freeway infrastructure projects. 

      -  Brown cancelled many water supply infrastructure projects. 

      -  Brown cancelled may power infrastructure projects. 

(fact source: General Knowledge)

Fact: 

Spending by lobbyists on Capital Hill increased 5% in 2009 to $3.47 billion dollars.

OPINION:  

Add this spending to the recent Supreme Court ruling that Corporations, Unions, and other organizations have the same right as individual citizens and it's easy to see why the US is not only in "economic" trouble but potentially in "social" trouble.  Of course, no one is talking about this last potential problem.

(fact source: Center for Responsive Politics)

Fact: 

The Supreme Court ruled that the government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections.

OPINION:  

I give up!  No, wait a minute, this may become a great opportunity for the citizens of the US to rise up and ban all contributions to political campaigns except by the "people" of the United States.  Let's wait and see if our elected officials have the canjones to enact legislations.  Unfortunately, I'm betting against them.

(fact source: Center for Responsive Politics)

Fact: 

Northrop Grumman Corp. announces it is moving it's corporate headquarters from Los Angeles to Washington DC to better service its major customer, the US government.

OPINION:  

Obviously, the real priority is the money in Washington DC.  Northrop no longer prioritizes building the most innovative products.  Why should they?  The US aerospace industry is an oligopoly.

(fact source: general industry news)

Fact: 

Do an internet search on "A decade of Self Delusion" by Pat Buchanan

OPINION:  

This is a great read and many of the facts and claims are "spot on" See below for a few quotes:

1. According to the International Monetary Fund, the United States began the century producing 32 percent of the world's gross domestic product. We ended the decade producing 24 percent.

2. The United States began the century with a budget surplus. We ended with a deficit of 10 percent of gross domestic product...

3. Where the economy was at full employment in 2000, 10 percent of the labor force is out of work today and another 7 percent is underemployed or has given up looking for a job.

4.  Between one-fourth and one-third of all U.S. manufacturing jobs have disappeared in 10 years...

5.  While the median income of American families was stagnant, the national debt doubled.

6.  The George W. Bush Republicans ran up the deficit with tax cuts, two wars and a splurge in social spending to rival the guns-and-butter of the Great Society.

7.  We have a government that cannot balance its books, defend its borders or win its wars.

(fact source: Human Events.com)

Fact: 

In 2008, lobbyists and their represented organizations donated $2.55 billion to elected representatives in Washington DC.  (Keep in mind that 2008 was an election year.)

OPINION:  

Can it get any worse than this!  The US Congress will have great difficulty passing legislation that purely benefits the American people with this amount of money influencing legislation. 

Perhaps Congress should pass lobbyist reform before trying to pass highly flawed Health Care and Carbon Reduction legislation.

(fact source: Quick Google search)

Fact: 

The Federal Government passed new credit card regulations to protect consumers and require CC companies to give their customers 45 notice when the interest rate will be increased. 

OPINION:  

On the surface, a great idea, but hidden in the law is an exemption for variable rate credit cards.  Guess what?  I just got my notices from American Express that my fixed rate credit card (13.9%) was becoming a variable rate credit card and the new effective interest rate will be prime plus 14% or 15.9%.  THANK YOU CONGRESS. 

This is a perfect example of how well intentioned, but "well paid off" legislatures can do great harm to the American people.  Is no wonder that so many Americans do not trust any new health reform.

(fact source: American Express Credit Card Statement - September 2009)

Fact: 

42% of conservatives do believe Barrack Obama was born in the US.

OPINION:  

I doubt this stated fact is accurate but my experience tells me that there are still a lot of Americans that believe Barrack is not an American citizen.  A quick Google search unearthed a copy of Barrack's birth certificate although some believe it is fake.  I found an personal in a Honolulu newspaper announcing Barrack's birth at the appropriate time and date of his birth.  Finally, I found an article  advising that if Barrack's birth had occurred in a foreign country, wouldn't his mothers passport contain a Visa for a visit to that country.  The State Department states that such a Visa doesn't exist.  I'm sorry, this is adequate information for me to believe that Barrack is an American born citizen.

The fact that some individuals  still believe that Barrack was not born in the US, casts serious doubt about those person's ability to use common sense.  With such a large portion of the population not able to reason, the US may be in serious trouble.

(fact source: Bill Maher  09/31/09

Fact: 

Health insurance companies pay out less than 80% of their revenue for reimbursement of health services performed (medical loss ratio).  Under the Clinton administration the ratio was about 95%.  The lower the ratio the more profitable the health insurance company.

OPINION:  

Congratulations to the health insurance industry for literally hijacking Congress on health care issues.  This is systemic political corruption at its finest. Lets stop complaining about political corruption in other countries and start focusing on political corruption in our own county.

(fact source: Bill Moyer episode on health care)

Fact: 

Congratulations to a Siemens/Nokia joint venture to supply Iran's government with telecommunications equipment to filter and block internet access in Iran thus influencing the outcome of the recent political elections.

OPINION:  

I don't hear any Washington outcry.  Am I the only one that thinks this is a criminal act on the part of these European companies.

(fact source: Wall Street Journal)

Fact: 

Since the beginning of the Iraq war, 3,500 American soldiers have died in combat, 4,300 if you also count non combat deaths, approximately 15,000 American soldiers are missing limbs (not verified), 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed, and 2.2 million Iraqis have fled the country.

OPINION:  

Just a little perspective.  I have noticed that the most ardent supporters of the war, (in general) do not have military experience.  I love Irony.

(fact source: Wikipedia)

Fact: 

In the last 10 years, "Financial Interests" have spent over $5 billion gaining political influence in Washington.  

OPINION:  

I don't know how true the above statement is but if it's only partially true, it explains the reversal of all of the regulations implemented resulting from the Great Depression. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue but a result of the need for all elected officials to generate large sums of money for their election and re-election campaigns.  It's bad but explainable.

(fact source: Senator Bernie Sanders)

Fact: 

The last time the top 1% in the US accounted for 22% of income was in 1929.

OPINION:  

It's amazing how many Republicans believe that taxes should be reduced further for the top 1%.  I do not believe that government should just take money away from the wealthy but this fact illustrates a symptom of a more serious problem, the destruction of the middle class.  In the long term, we will all lose.  

(fact source: CBS Morning News - NBC news)

Fact: 

4.5 million Americans have recently become unemployed or 8.5%.  Add to that another 9 million Americans that have also become unemployed but are taking part time jobs to make ends meet, and the total adjusted sort-of unemployed stands at 15%.

OPINION:  

Another fine quality job of your elected government officials misinterpretation of economic data.     

(fact source: Meet the Press - NBC news)

Poll: 

Regarding the Theory of Evolution - Darwin

     Believe:             39%

     Do not believe:  25%

     No opinion:        36%.

OPINION:  

With 61% of the American public not really scientifically oriented, is it no wonder that the American standard of living is being eroded.   

(fact source: Gallup Pole, Sunday Morning CBS)

Heard: 

Only one in five Americans believe their children will live better than them (parents)..

OPINION:  

Isn't this the opposite of the "American Dream". 

(fact source: Chris Mathews Show)

Fact: 

The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 provided that financial products offered by banking institutions not be regulated as futures contracts and is often referred to as the "Enron loophole," The "loophole" was drafted by lobbyists for Enron working with senator Phil Gramm seeking a deregulated atmosphere.

OPINION:  

This bill is now partially credited for the financial melt down of 2008 as $50 trillion of credit default swaps have caused a world wide credit squeeze and the collapse of stock markets and personal retirement accounts.  Congratulation to President Clinton, Phil Gramm, and Alan Greenspan are in order!

(fact source: General business news)

Fact: 

Several failed financial firms have agreed to cut their bonuses in half.

OPINION:  

If my company failed and had to be bailed out by the federal government, I would be fired on the spot.  The frustration is that the executives of failed financial companies believe they are entitled to a bonus.  Unbelievable, and the American public (and Congress) allow this to continue..

(fact source: general new media)

Fact: 

The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the United States and included banking reforms, some of which were designed to control speculation. Provisions that prohibit a bank holding company from owning other financial companies were repealed on November 12, 1999, by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act,

OPINION:  

Sometimes our elected representative really do good work and then sometimes they undo that good work.

(fact source: WIKIPEDIA)

Something to File Away: 

The World Bank considers a ratio of "home price to household income" of 5:1 to be healthy.

A Little Research:  

In 2000, the average house in the US sold for $200,300, the average income was $55,714 (3.6:1).   In 2006, the average house in the US sold for $301,800, the average income was $49,580 (6.1:1).  

(fact source: Business Week (World Bank) 10/13/08 issue)

Fact: 

No fact , just a reminder, that when viewing the debates and listening to campaign speeches, try to separate the style from the substance.

OPINION:  

Unfortunately, it's really not that simple. A leader with great substance may not be effective without some style.  A leader with style, though, could do a lot of damage to the country without some sort of substance. 

(fact source: General Info 10/05/08)

Fact: 

The first house vote on the $700 billion bailout bill failed as 2/3rds (133-65) of republican house members voted against it.  McCain suspended his campaign and rushed to Washington to help round up the republicans.  After adding $140 billon of "crap" to the bill and passage in the Senate, the bill was passed in the House with help from the republicans.

OPINION:  

If you don't think our political system in Washington is seriously in trouble, I have a bridge to sell you. 

(fact source: General Info 10/03/08)

Fact: 

Beginning October 2008, the Army plans to station the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team inside the United States (first time in history) to serve as on-call federal response for civil unrest and crowd control.

OPINION:  

America, any time a central government can use its military against its citizenry, you are bound to lose your liberty. 

(fact source: Democracy Now / Army Times  09/23/08)

Fact: 

The events of the past year are the results of a SEC decision in 2004 to allow Goldman, Merrill, Lehman, Bear Stearns, and Morgan Stanley to legally violate existing net capital rules from 12:1 to 40:1.

OPINION:  

Excess leverage has resulted in the vast majority of recessions in the US ion the last 140 years.  Way to go SEC. 

(fact source: The Big Picture 09/18/08)

QUOTE:

"When people are insecure, they'd rather have somebody who is strong and wrong than someone who's weak and right,"

OPINION:  

Apparently, things don't change.

(fact source: Real Clear Politics 01/15/07)

Fact: 

Health care cost in the US averages 16% of GDP and are forecast to reach 20% of GDP by 2015.

OPINION:  

Almost 50 million Americans are not insured, a hundred million more are under insured and the US health care cost as a percent of GDP is twice as much as any other country in the developed world.  Congratulations elected officials on a job well done. I don't hear either presidential candidate talking about this issue.

(fact source: Business Week 09/19/08 pg. 72)

QUOTE: 

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.."

OPINION:  

This is a very strong statement and should be one the cornerstone principles of real conservatives.  And it came from a Democrat?  Now I'm really confused. Are any Republicans paying attention!

(fact source: Democratic National Convention)

FACT: 

The Social Security contribution limit increases each year indexed to the national average wage index. For earnings in 2008, this base is $102,000.

OPINION:  

Most elected representatives fail to disclose that the base increases every year.  Social Security automatically indexes itself to inflation thus greatly reducing the need to "fix" it.

(fact source: Google Search)

OBSERVATION: 

The Gross Domestic Product of the United States has been growing at between 1% and 4% during the past several years.  But, how much has it been growing per person?

OPINION:  

I suspect the GDP per person is a lot less especially if you deduct the 1% to 2% population growth, deduct an inflation rate of 2% to 3.5%, deduct optimistic government statistical adjustment factors, and deduct an uneven trend towards improved income for the top 10%.  Regardless which percentage rates you use to calculate the GDP per person, it's looking particularly negative for the bottom 90% of wage earners.

(fact source: N/A)

FACT: 

The energy stalemate between Democrats and Republicans continues on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrats failed today to advance a measure to rein in oil market speculators, and rejected Republican calls to expand offshore oil production.

OPINION:  

Oil companies no longer purchase crude and petroleum products on a fixed bases but on a discount/premium to the price the equivalent commodity on an exchange such as the NYMEX.   Anyone can purchase or sell these products in the form of a paper contract.  Thus, the recent run-up in prices of petroleum commodities is more the result of a shortage of contracts (representing real product) encouraged by huge long positions by financial institutions and hedge funds than an actual shortage of product.  (Of course, speculation isn't the only factor causing the run-up in prices.)

PRINCIPLE:  The fact that Republicans blocked a vote to limit some forms of speculation and potentially reduce the price of petroleum commodities is very discouraging and indicative of their lack of interest in representing the American people.  As a conservative, I find this very disappointing and am finding it more difficult to vote for Republican candidates.

(fact source: General News- 07/25/08)

QUOTE: 

"Government exists to protect us from each other, not to protect us from ourselves " - President Reagan

OPINION:  

What a great statement.  It sums up the "conservative" ideology in one short sentence.  I interpret this statement to also include protecting our government officials from lobbyists whose interests do not not reside with the interests of the American people (protecting us from each other).  This is where the so-called Republicans have gone wrong in the last 7 years.  The growing strength of lobbyists in Washington should more accurately classified as legalized corruption

(fact source: Bill Moyer's Journal - 07/11/08)

FACT: 

Barack Obama has announced that he will not accept public funds in the upcoming US presidential election even though he recently advised that he would.

OPINION:  

No one disputes the facts but the Republicans are crying "flip flop".  Good for Obama!  Millions of Americans have donated small amounts to his campaign so why shouldn't he change his mind.

PRINCIPLE:  The term "flip flop" is now being used by both parties to denounce the other. I would much rather vote for a candidate that is capable of changing their view when the facts change.  This is possibly President Bush's greatest failure.  Based on my own principles, I am not a proponent of receiving government funds.  McCain may believe accepting government funds a Republican principle but it is definitely bot a "conservative" principle.

(fact source: general new- 06/23/08)

FACT: 

Reduction of 1 MPG in the US fleet would result in reduced US crude demand of 350,000 BPD.

OPINION:  

This is a cool fact if it is true.  Imagine, a 10 MPG increase would represent a reduction of 3.5 million bbls per day.  The US currently consumes 20 million barrels per day.

APPLICABILITY:  This number is actually achievable in the relative short term.  This would also be the least disruptive action to reducing the cost of transportation in the US.

(fact source: CNN - Out of Gas- 06/14/08)

FACT: 

The fate of American troops in Iraq and their scope of power hang in the balance of a security deal between U.S. and Iraq, which according to remarks made by Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has reached a "dead end." The U.S. is demanding to remain in full control of security and Iraq is firmly resisting.

OPINION:  

I'm totally confused.  65% of Americans want to withdraw and now Iraq doesn't want any permanent American bases in their country.

APPLICABILITY:  Historians will point to the US leaving Europe too quickly after WW1 but I think this is a totally different situation. 

(fact source: Wall Street Journal - 06/13/08)

FACT: 

From 1985 to 2007, there has been no increase in the U.S. mileage standard.

OPINION:  

Great short term thinking on the part of our elected representatives.

APPLICABILITY:  In the 60's and 70's, a shortage of gasoline resulted in a doubling of the mileage standard and the collapse of crude prices. 

(fact source: KLCS - New Ideas and Technologies for Transportation )

QUOTE: 

"When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?" - John Maynard Keynes

OPINION:  

This quote stands on its own.  I wish some of our elected officials would also abide by this advice.

FACT: 

Carlyle had $600 million in capital and borrowed $22 billion.

OPINION:  

Why can't I borrow 36 times the equity in my house? 

APPLICABILITY:  Why do financial institutions and hedge funds have special privileges afforded them by the federal government.  If I run into financial trouble, I get to file bankruptcy.  If a financial institution experiences financial problems, they get bailed out by the Federal Reserve Board and the management gets bonuses. 

(fact source: Meet the Press - Marie Bartiromo )

FACT: 

Bear Stearns was leveraged 240 times its capital value.

OPINION:  

Wow, you and I can get a loan for 80% of the value of our home.  If you have an investment account you can borrow 40% on margin. 

APPLICABILITY:  Your elected representative have allowed investment houses and hedge funds to borrow 240 times their value.  If they go bankrupt, the federal government rescues them with your tax dollars.  If you go bankrupt, too bad.  Oh, don't forget you still have to pay off your credit card debt.  Regulations after the Great Depression resolved this issue but financial institutions seem to have found a way around these regulations in the last several years.

(fact source: CNBC )

FACT: 

Bear Stearns gets emergency loan from Federal Reserve due to heavy exposure to sub prime securities.

OPINION:  

For the last several years, Bear Stearns profited greatly from trading in these knowingly worthless securities.

APPLICABILITY:  Why aren't the Bear Stearns executives in jail.  This situation is not a lot different than  Enron and now all of the rest of us who are legitimate and honest have to suffer under the Sarbanes Oxley burden.  This is a perfect example how increased regulations only disadvantage honest companies while the dishonest still get away with fleecing the American taxpayer.

(general news )

FACT: 

Americans percentage of equity in their homes fell to less than 50% for the first time since 1945 when records were first kept.

OPINION:  

Homeowners borrowing from the equity in their home to finance day-to-day living is going to make the sub-prime problem look like a minor economic hiccup.

APPLICABILITY:  Financial institutions have had free reign in the last decade disassembling margin regulations, loan regulations, and credit card regulations to the disadvantage of the average American.  The previously successful financial regulations were developed from decades of experience and economic mistakes.  The irony is that the financial institutions responsible for destruction of these regulations are now requesting that the government save them from their disassembly.

(fact source: AP )

FACT: 

The President of the United States is "Commander and Chief".

OPINION:  

The President is not only Commander and Chief but also "Educator".

APPLICABILITY:  The great Presidents of the US have all been effective communicators and educators. Being a great educator requires that the person doing the educating have extensive knowledge of the facts and an understanding of the subject matter, something that is currently woefully lacking from many politicians in Washington DC.

(fact source: General News)

FACT: 

Prescription drugs in the US are manufactures from active components of which 80% are imported. 

OPINION:  

The price of the statin drug that I take has tripled in the last several years and is significantly higher than in any other country in the world.

APPLICABILITY:  The current administration has done a great job of protecting the drug manufacturers, even though most of their products aren't even made in the US.  Good lobbyists have been very successful in the US in the last 5 or 6 years.

(fact source: Channel 7 Evening News)

FACT: 

The US Government is planning on distributing $150 billion, the majority to individual American citizens, in the form of checks amounting to between $300 and $600 in order to stimulate the American economy.

OPINION:  

The sub-prime mortgage crises, financial companies arbitrarily raising interest rate on credit cards, unregulated hedge funds, an erroneous fed fund policy, and unfair lobbyist influence from corporations, unions, and little known international entities, are the reasons for the latest economic problems.

APPLICABILITY:  This is why we need a new President (and Congress) that can identify the real problem and solve the real problem.  So why is the President giving temporary handout!  Why don't your elected officials address the real problems, not just pander to the public for votes. 

(fact source: General news)

FACT: 

President Bush announced that the 2008 federal budget would exceed $3.1 trillion. It does not include $195 billion for the war in Iraq.

OPINION:  

Can it get any worse. 

APPLICABILITY:  This budget is going to make it very difficult for the next president of the United States.  It will also have a negative effect on the American economy and the viability of the US as a "super power" in the long run.

(fact source: General news)

FACT: 

In every Republican debate, Reagan's name gets mentioned.  I love the phrase "What would Reagan do?"

OPINION:  

So I did a quick search of Reagan's legacy to find out what he actually did:

 - Reagan's stance toward the Savings and Loan industry lead to the "Savings and Loan Crisis".

 - Reagan's economic policies  influenced the "Stock Market Crash of 1987".

 - Reagan's "trickle-down economics" spurred tax policies that benefited the wealthy but not the poor.

 - The US budget deficit rose from $700 billion to $3 trillion during the Reagan administration.

APPLICABILITY:  Are you sure we really want another Reagan-like president?

(fact source: WIKIPEDIA)

FACT: 

Since 1960, America's divorce rate has doubled, the teenage suicide rate tripled, the violent crime rate doubled, and the prison population quintupled.

OPINION:   I think the US as a country needs to begin focusing on domestic issues once again and stop trying to change the rest of the world.

APPLICABILITY:  The war in Iraq has been a tremendous diversion from confronting our own domestic problems, especially in Washington.   Whether you believe in the war or not, our elected representative have really ignored some incredibly important domestic issues such as financial industry lending practices, the sub prime melt won, and economic health the of the middle class.

(fact source: The Economist)

FACT: 

The yuan is set to end 2007 up nearly 7% against the dollar -- twice the amount it appreciated against the U.S. currency in 2006. 

OPINION:   Almost every consumer item I buy is "made in China".  Now it too will be going up in price.

APPLICABILITY:  Unfortunately, manufacturing of consumer items is not going to come back to the US; it will just move to the next cheapest labor country.  Our elected officials have been putting political pressure on China to increase the exchange rate of the yuan which will only cause greater inflation in the US among items we purchase every day.  Thanks again to the federal government for looking after American consumers.

(fact source: Wall Street Journal)

FACT: 

The US operates 700 military bases in 130 foreign countries around the world.

OPINION:   Wow, do we really need that many foreign bases? Is this true?

APPLICABILITY:  It is common knowledge that the US operates bases in countries where we really don't need bases anymore.  I remember President Clinton shuttling down both foreign and domestic  bases in order to balance the federal budget.  Isn't this what the Republicans are suppose to be doing.

(fact source: Ron Paul - Meet the Press)

FACT: 

US sub-prime loans amount to $800 billion with undocumented loans representing another $800 billion.  To date, financial institutions have only written off $200 billion. 

OPINION:   How did our elected representatives let this one get by.

APPLICABILITY:  Deregulation or over regulation are equally dangerous.  In recent years, the balance has swung towards deregulation of the financial institutions and the sub prime issue is the result.  Didn't our politicians learn anything after the Savings and Loan crises last decade?.

(fact source: Alan Greenspan ABC News)

FACT: 

France's Areva sold two nuclear reactors to China for US$11.9 billion.

OPINION:   I thought the US was the world's technological leader.  Our politicians think so.

APPLICABILITY:  Lack of political foresight, lack of technological focus by our politicians, and misdirection of national resources has led to the US becoming an also ran in confronting the future.

(fact source: RTTNews)

FACT: 

France's Areva sold two nuclear reactors to China for US$11.9 billion.

OPINION:   I thought the US was the world's technological leader.  Our politicians think so.

APPLICABILITY:  Lack of political foresight, lack of technological focus by our politicians, and misdirection of national resources has led to the US becoming an also ran in confronting the future.

(fact source: RTTNews)

FACT: 

Israel's top-secret air raid on Syria in September destroyed a bomb factory assembling warheads fuelled by North Korean plutonium.

OPINION:   I don't remember hearing about this from any American politicians.

APPLICABILITY:  While the US is verbally attacking other countries, the Israelis are taking care of real threats.

(fact source: NY Times

FACT:  All republican candidates claim that the Democrats will raise taxes and increase spending but the spending by the President and Congress in the last 6 years has been a disaster.

OPINION:   President Bush and the Republican Congress from 2000 to 2004 promised to reduce spending yet spending skyrocketed.

APPLICABILITY:  Just as in the prior two elections, the best defense is an offense. The Republicans are very good at spinning their own performance failures as attributes to attack their opponents.

(fact source: Republican Debate of Fox news channel.)

FACT:  Foreclosures are soaring while bankruptcies are running at half the rate in 2003.

OPINION:   In 2005, your elected representative in Congress voted a new bankruptcy law which makes it nearly impossible to get out of credit card debt for any reason if you file bankruptcy.  It's a lot easier to hand your house back to your lender.

APPLICABILITY:  My 20 something child earns minimum wage and receives no less than 3 credit card applications per week.  The credit card companies know that once they can get him to sign up, they can over charge him on interest, late payments, and excess limits.  Perhaps Congress should pass a law making credit card companies partially responsible for issuing credit cards to consumers they know will have difficulty making their payments.

(fact source: Business Week 10/29/07 - Bankruptcy Reform Bites Back)

FACT:  Major changes to the American medical system have occurred in the last 4 years:

 -  It is now illegal to purchase your prescription drugs from Canada or Mexico,

 -  If you place your medical bills on your credit card and you eventually file for bankruptcy, you're  stuck paying those bills forever (and you're probably unemployed). 

 -  If your health insurance provider decides to underpay a medical bill, you as the individual are responsible for the balance with little recourse since you already signed your legal rights away.

OPINION:   The facts are what they are.

APPLICABILITY:  Thank you current administration including Congress.

(fact source: general news)

FACT:  Americans pay $2 trillian per year in health care costs.

OPINION:   There is momentum building to make sure all Americans have health care insurance. The insurance industry must be getting ready to party as federal and state governments will end up paying the cost to insure an additional 47million Americans.  No wonder the stocks of health insurance providers is skyrocketing. Unfortunately, a lot of politicians don't understand the connection.

APPLICABILITY:  Finding elected representatives that understand the health care situation is rare.  A medical procedure for an uninsured person with money that costs $10,000, costs an insurance company $6,000, and Medicare $3,000.  This is only an estimate of relative payments but it becomes quite obvious that Medicare is being subsidized off the back of uninsured Americans that are able to pay, even at great difficulty.  The federal government has absolutely no incentive to change the system as they are getting the best deal. It's a cost problem, not an insurance problem, although insurance administration costs are a rapidly growing part of the equation.

(secondary fact source: On The Money)

FACT:  68% of Republicans do not believe in evolution.

OPINION:   I have a hard time believing that this is an accurate statistic.  But even if is half true, the future of the US will be limited. I grew up with a strong science background including biology and geology.  The issue of the validity of creationism is probably the only issue that I would not debate with a believer in creationism.

APPLICABILITY:  It is already evident that politicians cater to the believers of creationism.  That's why the rights of women are being questioned and the government financing of stem cell research is stalled.  Even NASA funding is under attack.  Unfortunately, (or fortunately), government intervention in minimizing the sciences will some day provide other countries the opportunity to pick up the slack and lead mankind into the future.

(fact source: Gallup Survey)

FACT:  There are now 25 lobbyists for every member of Congress,  which haws doubled since 2004.

OPINION:   Did you really think your vote actually counted!

APPLICABILITY:  It's really unbelievable that the pharmaceutical lobby wrote the recent drug program but it now appears that lobbyists have become a permanent and structural part of the Washington scene.  Who do think you elected representative will listen to?

(fact source: Bill Moyer)

FACT:  Ryan Crocker was confirmed as Ambassador to Iraq on March 7, 2007. (Not an elected official but appointed by an elected official.)

OPINION:   Heard this Ambassador give an update on the conditions in Iraq on Meet the Press.  The first question you have to ask yourself is what are his qualifications.  I did a quick internet search and it turns out he has a very impressive resume concerning the Middle East.  However, I'm not sure he speaks a word of Farsi and it is no secret that the Middle East has suffered more than its fair share of issues for more than  decade.

APPLICABILITY:  It seems like our elected officials keep appointing, well credentialed, but less than successful individuals to really important positions. No wonder there never appears to be any success, and I'm saying this nicely.

(fact source: Meet the press)

FACT:  Congress and the president just passed a $100 billion bill to support the troops when, in fact, only $22.6 billion will be going to the troops.

OPINION:   Why doesn't that surprise me!  Granted a considerable amount will go to private security firms that are now replacing the tradition security function but $18 billion has nothing to do with the war in Iraq.

APPLICABILITY:  The democrats really missed this opportunity to politically attack Bush but they were too busy dipping into the $18, billion along with the Republicans.

(fact source: Tom Hartman)

FACT:  The national average price of gasoline is $3.18 per gallon.

OPINION:   Demand for gasoline continues to rise.  There are basically 2 ways to reduce consumption, increasing CAFE standards or drastically increasing prices.

APPLICABILITY:  GM and Ford have long fought increasing CAFE standards and your elected representatives in Congress have been successfully lobbied to cooperate. The irony is that the Detroit auto makers would be in much better shape, carbon emissions greatly reduced, and gasoline prices much lower had CAFE standards been gradually and orderly increased in the 80s and 90s.

(fact source: general news)

FACT:  Prior to boarding a flight to Denver from Burbank with my 92 year old dad and 2 other 90+ year old men were being padded down by TSA security personnel.

OPINION:   I wish I was brave enough to take a picture.  It would have been a classic. My day had no clue what was going on, he is simply too old to understand.

APPLICABILITY:  It's getting more difficult to believe that our federal government can implement any type of legislated program. 

(fact source: personal experience)

FACT:  President Bush insinuated that the US would withdraw from Iraq if the government of Iraq asked us to. (The government of Iraq currently had planned on a 3 month vacation, but that's a different and troubling issue.)

OPINION:   The bipartisan battles in Washington are distracting from the development of a long term plan to consolidate our troops in strategic locations in order to stabilize the Middle East. That's what Congress should be debating, not just when to withdraw. 

APPLICABILITY:  Each party has fronted numerous candidates for the presidential primaries next year and it remains to be seen if any of these candidates has enough understanding of the situation in Iraq to propose a successful and strategic plan to contain the chaos in Iraq and stabilize the  Middle East.

(fact source: general news)

FACT:  Word circulated in the press than Sallie Mae might go private.

OPINION:   My first thought is who will be the lucky, well connected insiders, that will get this money making franchise on the cheap. 

APPLICABILITY:  Sallie Mae was suppose to be a quasi government agency to supply government guaranteed, below market loans to students.  Instead, during the last 6 years, it has become a predatory loan program with not so low interest rates supported with financial kick backs from the schools that promote its loans.  And now our current administration will allow it to go private!  Where is the press in all this unethical mess.

(fact source: general news)

FACT:  Middle class Americans looking for a quick loan till payday pay up to 390% interest if the loan is continuously rolled for an entire year.

OPINION:   I can imagine all of the reasons that your elected officials did away with the usury laws once legislated by our forefathers. 

APPLICABILITY:  This is another case where previous legislation on usury laws was totally over turned instead of being modified and updated to more accurately reflect new financial realities. 

(fact source: Jim Cramer 03/08/07)

FACT:  President Regan worked well with democrats, raised taxes while in office, and signed a liberal abortion law.

OPINION:   Modern day republicans ardently support President Reagan while vehemently rejecting those principals for which President Reagan stood. I'm seriously confused.

APPLICABILITY:  Governor Schwarzenegger of California has fallen out of favor with the Republican Party even though he may have a lot in common with President Reagan. 

(fact source: Economist Magazine 02/24/07)

FACT:  3.8 million Iraqis have fled Iraq to neighboring countries in the Middle East.

OPINION:   I've read where it is really only 700,000 but this situation really illustrates the severity of the problem in Iraq.  

APPLICABILITY:  Get ready for a massive migration of Iraqis into the United States.  This happened at the end of the Korean War and the Viet Nam War and I see no reason why it wouldn't happen after this war.  This will make the fight against terrorism almost impossible.  Remember how Rome was destroyed ... from within!

(fact source: Ed Shultz Show- 02/14/07)

FACT:  (Part 2) President Bush is planning to increase the U.S. military presence in Iraq by over 20,000 troops in early to mid 2007. Current military staffing is approximately 134,000.

OPINION:   I believe I've heard several military generals advise that a troop surge is the wrong strategy, I've heard the leader of Iraq advise that he is against the troop surge but needs more equipment and supplies.  The troop surge during the summer of 2006 was not successful.  

APPLICABILITY:  It would be nice if the American people could elect representative that carefully reviewed the facts first, without manipulation and cherry picking, and then let the qualified persons in government set the strategy.  This would b a refreshing change.

(fact source: Various - Meet the Press - 02/11/07)

FACT:  Mr. Milkshake shuts down Boston.

OPINION:   I'm sorry, you've got to see the humor in this. The Cartoon Network placed neon signs in 13 different cities across the U.S. and Boston responded as if it were an act of terrorism.   No other cities responded in this manner.

APPLICABILITY:  I remember back in the 50's when Americans believed that there was a Communist behind every bush.  This is for real.  It's amazing at how things remain the same.

(fact source: Various news media - 02/07/07)

FACT:  The U.S. economy excels when the average tax rate for all Americans is 18% or less.

OPINION:   Interesting number.  I don't know what the current average tax rate is but I'll keep this number in mind as the average personal tax rate is adjusted by Congress in the next few years.

APPLICABILITY:  It may be that exceeding this rate in the next few years could do major damage to the U.S. economy.

(fact source: Mitt Romney on O'Reilly Factor - 02/07/07)

FACT:  (Part 1) President Bush is planning to increase the U.S. military presence in Iraq by over 20,000 troops in early to mid 2007. Current military staffing is approximately 134,000.

OPINION:   During the spring of 2006, the U.S. troop count was 150,000 and during the beginning of 2006 it was 160,000.  Someone explain to me that adding 20,000 troops to a reduced current count of 134,000 is considered a military surge.  Don't forget about the additional 25,000 private security personnel performing functions previously performed by by U.S. troops in other wars.

APPLICABILITY:  Again, American citizens are not being told the real facts of the war.

(fact source: General Media - 01/28/07)

FACT:  The U.S. spends 16% of its GDP on health care.

OPINION:   This is twice as much as other advanced industrialized countries. The 47 million uninsured Americans let the rest of us without employer based insurance pay their medical costs.  The US health care system is a prime example of  "cost shifting" and the federal government promoting an unbalanced and uncompetitive health care industry.

APPLICABILITY:  The U.S. needs to overhaul its current health care system where everyone pays their own fair share, health care providers are subjected to cost transparency, litigation is capped, and some economic consideration is used in determining the extent of medical treatment.

(fact source: Economist - 01/13/07)

FACT:  Chuck Hagel, and most other politicians, are calling the war in Iraq a "secular" civil war.

OPINION:   This is not a "secular civil war" in the political sense; it is a "religious civil war".  You have 2 different groups of the same religion duking it out with each for the past several hundred years. Under this scenario, there isn't much chance that any outside force can influence a favorable outcome.

APPLICABILITY:  The White House and its supporters have continually mischaracterized the war since its beginning and continue to implement the wrong strategies and tactics as a result of the mischaracterization.

(fact source: Face the Nation - 01/21/07)

FACT:  Iraqi President Maliki criticized the White House for not supplying sufficient equipment to supply Iraqi forces.

OPINION:   We still haven't completely met the needs and requirements of our own military in Iraq.

APPLICABILITY:  There is a total breakdown in communication and implementation between the White House, the US military, and supply operations. If a corporation acted in this manner, it would no longer be in business.

(fact source: Lou Dobbs 01/21/07)

FACT:  China shot down one of its own satellites with its own missile.

OPINION:   Why?.

APPLICABILITY:  US intelligence didn't know anything about this.  In fact they were involved in an intelligence meeting in Washington at the same time and didn't even mention it.

(fact source: Lou Dobbs 01/21/07)

FACT:  2005 was the hottest year in recorded history.

OPINION:   Wasn't Al Gore Vice President of the United States for 8 years?  (facetious comment).

APPLICABILITY:  VP Gore and President Clinton were in a position for 8 years to take action on global warming.  Why do they wait till they are out of office before they do something about it!

(source: Al Gore - An Inconvenient Truth)

FACT:  The U.S. Federal government will pay out over $1 billion dollars per day in 2006 to cover interest costs.

OPINION:   Wow, only 6 years ago the budget was surplus and interest costs were decreasing.

APPLICABILITY:  Congratulations are in order to the republican dominated Congress for a fine job of squandering America's resources.

(source: Heritage Foundation)

FACT:  Of the 158,000 American troops in Iraq, 4,000 are being used for training Iraqi military and police.

OPINION:   After 3.5 years of military operations in Iraqi whose primary goal is to help the Iraqis learn how to govern and protect themselves, 4,000 trainers just doesn't seem like very much.

APPLICABILITY:  With so little focus on training, how will the US ever be able to withdraw without leaving the country in chaos.

(source: Public Radio)

FACT:  The number of federal earmarks has increased from 4,000 to 30,000 per year in the last 12 years.

OPINION:   I thought republican domination of the executive office and congress would have reduced frivolous and wasteful earmarks.

APPLICABILITY:  So many republicans who call  them conservatives, do not act in a conservative manner at all.  Many republicans repeatedly blame not republicans for their liberal spending attitude.

(source: 60 Minutes- Nov. 05, 2006)

FACT:  The current Republican administration has borrowed $925 billion from the Social Security Trust Fund in the past 6 years.

OPINION:   The Trust Fund was originally set up as the primary source of funding for retired persons.

APPLICABILITY:  The current Republican administration would like to change the Social Security because it cannot financially support the retirement of the baby boomer generation.

(source: Meet the Press - Oct. 15, 2006)

FACT:  The Department of Homeland Security announced in May that it would cut security grants to New York and Washington by 40 percent.  However, the department’s database of vulnerable critical infrastructure included the Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo near Huntsville, Alabama.

OPINION:   This is why real conservatives believe that a smaller federal government is better than a large one

APPLICABILITY:  Unfortunately, in the last few years, the U.S. federal government, especially the Department of Homeland Security, has grown much faster than the GDP.

(source: MSNBC News - July 12, 2006)

FACT:  The U.S consumes 25% of the world's oil production although it contains only 5% of the world's population.

OPINION:   Economic supply siders believe that future shortages and resultant higher prices will reduce the demand for oil.  While from a macro view this is absolutely correct, on a micro level, it will cause great personal economic difficulty and potential political turmoil.

APPLICABILITY:  Our elected representatives have consistently failed to enact legislation that would reduce demand and increase energy production which would have minimal negative economic affect. As a bonus, pollution from burning hydrocarbons and carbon emissions would also be reduced.

(source: Multiple sources including (What if: the Oil Runs Out - documentary)

FACT:  The top 5th of American households claimed 50.4% of all income in the US in 2005, the largest gap since the Census Bureau began tracking data in 1967.

OPINION:   A strong middle class has been the traditional backbone of the United States.  However, this number is most likely skewed by increasing immigration in the last few years.

APPLICABILITY:  There is a continuous stream of proposed legislation, especially in Congress, which would allow the gap to become even wider.

(source: Census Bureau as reported in Wall Street Journal)

FACT:  Boeing announced that it would discontinue C17 production in Long Beach, CA by mid 2009.

OPINION:   Military spending on major military equipment always seems to be boom or  bust.  In the process, manufacturing plants are ramped up and closed down, employees are hired and laid off, and communities are built and destroyed. 

APPLICABILITY:  Why can't the budget committees in Washington that make the decisions on weapons programs figure out a way to maintain these programs on a limited, rational, long term basis.

(source: Boeing press release)

FACT:  Goldman Sachs announced that after the October roll on gasoline futures, it would no longer hold a position in RFG futures.  Gasoline fell $.1833 per gallon.

OPINION:   Didn't someone just announce that index funds and hedge funds really don't affect the market? 

APPLICABILITY:  Really doesn't seem like your elected official has the little guy's best interests in mind.

(source: as reported in Opisalerts 08/11/06 - Tom Kloza)

FACT:  Of the 45,000 items in an American grocery store, over 1/4 of them contain corn.  Few other plants can produce as much organic matter with the same quantity of sunlight as corn. However, the large quantity of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that is required to grow corn is running off into rivers and affecting the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern seaboard.

OPINION:   I always thought some kind of pest could jeopardize the corm monoculture. 

APPLICABILITY:  The US legislature has passed legislation mandating the use of ethanol which is primarily produced form corn in the United States.  How about higher CAFE standards instead?

(source: Smithsonian. - Michael Pollan, What's Eating America July 2006)

FACT:  Between 1995 and 2005, the 20 largest oil producers in North America earned $366 billion dollars.  During that same period, they invested $550 billion in oil & gas development and distribution.

OPINION:   This fact certainly contradicts with what we hear from the news media and some government representatives.

APPLICABILITY:  Many bills to further tax oil production have been introduced in the past few months.  Will a tax on crude provide a solution? How about higher CAFE standards instead?

(source: Kudlow & Co. - Charles Swanson, Ernst & Young study)

FACT:  BP announced that it will shut down its 400,000 barrel per day Prudhoe Bay pipeline due to a 5 barrel leak and discovered corrosion.

OPINION:   Instead of a shutdown of the pipeline, BP could make temporary repairs, reduce operating pressure, and build a parallel pipeline for tie-in upon completion of construction.  The resultant increase in crude prices should place pressure on Congress for additional drilling in Alaska.

APPLICABILITY:  Every time there is a pipeline leak, congressional representatives call for criminal penalties against oil companies and pipeline operators.  A pipeline operator has no choice but to shut down a pipeline regardless of the supply implications to the public. 

When was the last time your elected officious voted for legislation that actually increased supply while reducing demand for energy?

(source: multiple BP Press releases)

FACT:  There are 63 lobbyists in Washington DC for every member of the U.S. Congress.

OPINION:   So much for the democratic idea of one person, one vote.

APPLICABILITY:  Every time Congress enacts new election reforms, more abuses occur.  Did your representative vote for the last bill on election reform?

(source: Jim Dean  (chair - Democarcy for America) - Meet the Press)

FACT:  Much of the US nuclear stockpile has a life expectancy of 20 years and efforts are being taken to extend the life another 30 years.

OPINION:   At what point do 3rd world nuclear weapons become ineffective?

APPLICABILITY: The US has made some very serious decisions in recent years based on enemy's of the US gaining access to nuclear weapons.  There has been at least one major intelligence mistake.

(source: US General Accounting Office)

FACT:  75% of all households in the City of Los Angeles live in either a rich neighborhood or poor neighborhood.

OPINION:   This leaves only 25% of households living in middle class neighborhoods.  Driving through LA will lead you to believe that this is not an unrealistic statistic.

APPLICABILITY: The LA Board of Supervisors has consistently made decisions and increased taxes which has led to the flight of most of the middle class to adjacent counties.

(source: heard on local LA radio)

FACT:  US Federal funding for 2nd and 3rd generation missile defense systems has been reduced for during the current fiscal year.

OPINION:   With Iran and North Korea endeavoring to potentially launch nuclear weapons at the United States, I would think that missile defense would become the defense priority.

APPLICABILITY: Congress has no problem increasing military expenditures for military equipment that will do little to protect the U.S. from an errant nuclear missile attack.

(source: heard on Kudlow & Company Show)

FACT:  10% of the American Intelligence community covering North Korea actually speaks Korean.

OPINION:   This may actually be a high percentage compared to American intelligence in other parts of the world.

(source: Newt Gingrich - Meet the Press)

FACT:   The House of Representatives voted to ban internet gambling in the United States.

FACT:  Under this bill, established casino operations and Indian Reservations in the US may offer internet gambling services.

OPINION:   Lobbying in Washington is very effective.

(source: heard On The Money Show)

FACT:   President Bush announces that the US budget deficit for 2006 will be less than $300 billion.

OPINION:   The President forgot to mention another $200 billion that will be borrowed from Social Security for a total of $500 billion.

 (source: heard on Kudlow & Company Show)

FACT:   The personal saving rate of individuals in the US is one of the lowest in the industrialized world.

OPINION:   Savings in 401K, IRA, Keogh's, and Roth's are not included in the savings number.  Doesn't this make Americans some of the smartest savers in the world?

 (source: heard on Kudlow & Company Show)

FACT:   Social Security is an entitlement.

OPINION:   Between an employee and his employer, almost 15% of the employees pay is deposited into Social Security.  This is no different than a forced savings account with deposits made from an employees earnings.   An entitlement is not earned.

 (source: your paycheck)