February 23, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

With almost every state in the union seeing red one must ask themselves who is responsible for the states shortfall. Now Governor Walker and other republican governors are blaming the pay of Public Workers, yet can offer no proof that even one Public Worker approved a single budget for the state. No, instead of finding a way to honor the state obligations it seems that Walker and others want to downgrade the states worth since no longer can a person put confidence in future deals. Nevertheless, who is responsible for so many states having budget problems?

For though I’m not sure who is in charge of the State of Wisconsin investments; however, it does seem like a reasonable place to start. Yet, Walker and other Governors have not even been willing to hold hearings on how the state could be so far in debt. And considering the last job held by Walker, it isn’t that he does not know who is responsible, but seems to be protecting his fellow Elected and Public Workers by not naming names. Why? When the burden of the debt extends directly from those Elected and Public Workers whose job it is to manage and protect the investments of the state.

So why it seems the parents want to blame the children for them wanting to much, I do believe the protesters should ask the Media id they know who is responsible for the state losing billions over the last few years. For why we can rule out the Public Worker and Taxpayer simply due to the fact they did not have the means, but considering Wisconsin did not have an unmanageable budget problem until Walker took office. Well, it sounds like a good place to begin. For certainly these money just didn’t disappear overnight. And we can rule out a falling market so who is responsible for losing over $3 billion dollars?

However, what amazes the most is how the Governors seem ignorant to the fact they can ask their Citizens to invest in the future of the state and take advantage of its prosperity in the coming years. Is this not still taught in Institutions of Higher Learning? Do they not know this from their Civil Classes in High School? Yes, Wall Street might not like the idea of ordinary people holding more state bonds; however, given the opportunity to invest in a brighter future or pay more in taxes. Is there even a question?

So Governor Walker who is responsible for your state losing over $3 billion dollars since you took office? For if the money wasn’t there before you took office than isn’t fair to say that you are making matters worse by giving tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy? Isn’t it fair to say that you were elected to fix the budget, but not start a national wide upraising between Labor and Management? Isn’t if fair to ask if you Governor Walker are not one of the people responsible for the budget shortfalls in Wisconsin?

Posted in 2011 Rants, 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Opinion, 2011 An Independent View | 1 Comment »

February 22, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

Given the growing number of Americans thinking Americas’ Democratic and Republican Civil, Political, and Religious Leaders are wrong one is forced to ask if Americans still believe Labor and Management can fairly represent their point of view in this Service Based Economy. For why we can all agree that something must be done to stop the Shopaholics of the 20^th Century, can Labor and Management do it given they are not in control of the Corporation. Thus one is forced to ask “Do Americans still hold a Labor/Management Political Point of View?”

Personally, I would say with the decline in membership of the two political parties and more and more Americans no longer engaged in the Union and Corporate debate of Big Business the Youth of America can make the case that their parents political ideology no longer represents the Real World. In fact, the problem in Wisconsin could be easily solved simply by asking Governor Walker if he is for reducing the number of economically viable customers available to Wisconsin Business. For in reality, by reducing the Spendable Cash Public Workers through increase health care premiums payments Governor Walker is telling Wisconsin Business that they are going to have to live with less people purchasing their products.

And why it becomes a National Issue is the fact that Governor Walker and others are also telling Big Business that they will have less customers in order to meet their bottom line. In fact the only winner in the idea of having Public Workers pay more for their healthcare insurance will be the insurance companies. So why is the Media supporting the idea? In fact their Advertisers will have less money to pay the Radio and TV Stations which in turn will result in the Media Leadership having to cut the pay of Commentators and Pundits once again.

So why we all recognize the fact states must work to balance their budget, as Entrepreneurs and Consumers I do believe Americans can see that Governor Walker and others are making a mistake by demanding Public Workers make less income especially in a time when the cost of living is going up. For after seeing the events break out in the Middle East over the same issue and knowing the last thing the American Economy needs is a nationwide strike like we seen at the turn of the last century. One is forced to ask if Governor Walker and others are acting out of Ignorance or a political agenda which gives aid to Americas’ Enemy.

Yes, times are changing and why Americans do have to work to solve the Issues of the 20^th Century. We must have the political courage to ask if Labor and Management, Unions and Big Business, and the Democrats and Republicans are going to still represent Americans’ Point of View in a Service based Society or during this time of General Change that new Political Leadership finds a voice to maintain Domestic Tranquility and provide a Common Defense from the enemy within and outside our borders.

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February 21, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

Listening to the Media one is lead to believe Congress has only two ways to deal with the debt. Cut spending or increase taxes, yet take both those options off the table and most over the age of 30 wouldn’t be able to tell you the first thing to do to solve the problem. So if there is more than two ways to skin a cat in life than doesn’t it make Common Sense that there are more than two ways to solve Americas’ Budget and Debt problems?

For why cutting and taxing means taking away from people, the words investing and saving demonstrates the willingness to grow. And grow we must so why won’t our media ask our elected officials how they plan to invest and save America to a balanced budget and a positive cash flow? Is it because with all their education they do not know themselves what investments and savings would work. Could it be that they are so busy trying to live paycheck to paycheck that they can’t think of such things. Even worse one can believe the media advertisers are so concerned about maintaining power that they only want to see Americas’ Democratic and Republican Civil, Political, and Religious Leaders to discuss cutting spending for the American Worker while increasing the taxes on the Want-to-Be Rich.

Yes, even as state governors are telling the public workforce they have to take pay cuts and spend more on healthcare insurance they demonstrate a lack of vision which has lead to Americas’ Greatness. For already paying for Community Health Centers, I wonder how much money the state could save by allowing state employees access those services instead of paying the high premiums associated with Doctor Visits and regular checkups. How much better service could public workers provide if they were crossed trained to do more than just one job?

However, where is the talk about investing in a Smarter Government by the Governors and Media? Could it be your parents have been promoting ignorance for so long that they forgot how to use Common Sense and American Know How to solve problems or does the problem extend even further? For could it be some people believe they can retain power simply by plotting to set one side against the other so nothing gets done. Whatever the reason, the solution for States and the Federal Government is simple how do “We the People” get a Smarter Government in order to help build a Smarter Society.

Thus, why investing and saving might be a foreign subject to the Youth of the 60’s and Silver Spoons of the 70’s and we know Intelligence is not their strongest suite. The Media reflecting the political ideas of Americans are going to have to face the facts.  For looking forward does Americans want a Smarter Government and Society or will they vote to cut education and funding in order to keep promoting ignorance in 2012.

Posted in 2011 Rants, 2011 Health Care, 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Opinion, 2011 An Independent View | No Comments »

February 17, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

Since many Republican Governors want to reduce the benefits and pay of Public Workers maybe the Citizens of those states should look at reducing the benefits and pay of their Elected Officials. For if it is good for the gander than surely the governors and other elected officials wouldn’t mind if their healthcare benefits were not eliminated, their office budget was reduced, and their salary was slashed in order for the state to save money. In fact, the citizens should demand IMHO all benefits and salaries of Elected Officials be suspended immediately since it was the fault of the Governor and State Officials to insure the State Treasury.

Yes, a harsh manner to get their attention that collective bargaining and retirement agreements of Public Workers is a right Americans take seriously; however, it would be a quick test of Public Loyalty to see how many Elected Officials are willing to serve the Citizens of the State and not the interest of a few. Because why I do not blame Public Workers for protesting what is becoming a national movement to make Government Labor and Management cheaper, knowing that it goes much deeper than a pay check, I wish them luck in getting their elected officials to listen to Common Sense.

Besides, being Anti-Authoritarian I wonder if the Republicans Governors would stay or would they pull a Sarah Palin and resign when they realize they could no longer make millions by serving the nest interests of the Citizens in their State. Since just the money they make from political fund raising could easily (and in my opinion) make up for the states being in the financial problems.

Posted in 2011 Rants, 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Issues, 2011 Opinion, 2011 An Independent View | No Comments »

January 26, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

With the Speaker of the House calling for $2 trillion to be cut out of the federal budget over the next ten years why does the Tea Party try to one up the man by claiming they want to cut $2.5 trillion over the same time frame? Do they really think the difference is going to matter especially considering they will not have the final word on the subject? No, having already started this conversation with a friend over at Watchblog.com I realize that why America does need to get its financial house in order cutting the budget for the sake of cutting the budget is not the answer. For blinded by the Ignorance that not only will they have to get the Senate to agree, but persuade President Obama and the American Public, but whatever they decide to cut will stick through the next 4 new Congress and two Presidents. I’m still waiting to hear where they are going to find the first dollar to cut from this years’ budget.

For why I hear from the Media every day how entitlement programs will have to be cut; however, I haven’t heard one elected officials who is willing to state for the record which entitlement program will be the first to see the chopping block. Instead, I hear how if we only get te spending level back to the 2008 levels that everything will be ok. Yet, knowing that will do very little if anything to offset the nearly $14.3 trillion Americas’ Government is looking at this year let alone the expected growth over the next two years I doubt if even the $2.5 trillion in ten years is enough to silence the critics of our government.

However, knowing something has to be done by the Republican lead House of Representatives to deal with the problem caused earlier the century I do hope they are willing to look at increasing the taxes on at least the super wealthy in America. For remembering the day when the first President Bush said “Read My Lips, no new taxes” only to have to relent right before the elections I do believe it would be a shame for the Speaker of the House and the Tea Party to fix our government financial problem due to the fact they could not agree to raise the taxes of even a single American.

Because why Speaker Boehner and the Tea Party is going to have to show me that they can do more than wish they can solve the budget by cutting a few trillion dollars, I do believe they will find that while talk is cheap. They will have to give up their trash talking just as the Republicans learned in the 1990’s if they aspect to get the Democrats in the House and Senate to agree with which ever cuts to the budge will be necessary in order to return America back to a balance budget in the next ten years. For simply put, anything short of that goal is just Congress trying to get over on a generation that knows better.

Posted in 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Issues, 2011 General, 2011 An Independent View | No Comments »

January 8, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

With the Media currently focused on seeing if the Democrats and Republicans can bring down the Government Debt, I wonder if they can challenge Wall Street to pay down the Private Debt at the same time. For even if we can get Congress to agree on a balanced budget by 2016, what good is it if the Private Sector only goes deeper into debt. Because why Wall Street has already proven they would rather give themselves billions in bonuses than service their obligations to Americas’ Banks, Taxpayers, and even their own Stockholders. Weighing the difference between $14 trillion and over $60 trillion it does not take a rocket scientist to see which one is more dangerous if it defaults. So where is the cry to pay down the Private Debt in America?

For while growing the economy is important for jobs and income in the form of taxes to the government. The mere fact the Banks cannot afford to lend money even though they are getting it at 0% interest should tell Americans that they need to pay off their person debt as their interest rates go into double digits. Yet, I hear no one encouraging the American Public to use the Bush Tax Cuts to pay off their credit cards and loans. Instead, you hear the Media Pundits scream the American Consumers need to spend more money or invest again in an unstable market.

So why it is important for Americas’ Democratic and Republican Civil, political, and Religious Leaders to get a handle on the National Debt I believe it is even more important the Private Sector stop spending on credit and begin to pay down their credit cards and loans. For just as double digit interest rates in the 70’s slowed Americas’ ability to engage in building a Better World. So will the double digit interest rates today slow down the American Consumer and Small Business Owner from building a profitable secured Green Sustainable Government and Society?

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January 6, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

With the 112^th Congress first day behind them I hope they realize that Americans are not going to stand for any more promises. No, the days of bait and switch or smoking mirrors are gone forever. And why the pundits in the Media may find their job harder to do, having felt the sting of the American Public outrage I do the reporters today are learning the same lessons as their peers in the 1970’s. So to use a terminology made popular by the Conservatives in the 2010 Elections “Man Up!”

For even on day one we already hear some Members of Congress back peddling on what they said during their campaigns. And if that is not bad enough the Media Pundits are trying to defend their positions by once again making excuses, those who are trying to keep our Elected Officials accountable in my humble opinion are allowing the Media Pundits to slide. So why should Americans believe Wall Street and Washington are going to change over the next two years?

Sure it would be nice to believe the Adults of Society are in charge especially after the last 20 years of the Blame Game; however, with both parties not offering any politically viable solutions to the problems facing Americans one has to wonder if the Youth of the 60’s and Silver Spoons of the 70’s will ever grow up. For while we all know they are not the smartest generation of Americans, able to use the innovations and technology of today to build a profitable secured green sustainable government and society going forward. Doesn’t one have to wonder if it is out of political ignorance or an unwillingness to learn the Parties’ Leadership wants to spend the next two years chasing their tails?

Thus, finding $100 billion to cut in the present federal budget might be rough and repealing health care reform without debate a futile expense of political cash; nevertheless, failure is not an option. For I hope Americans will hold their Senators and Representatives accountable for keeping their word and stop giving lip service. Because though over the last 40 years Wall Street and Washington was told to maintain the Status Quo, as America moves forward in solving the Issues of the 20^th Century and preparing for the Human Events of the 21^st Century all of Americas’ Democratic and Republican Civil, Political, and Religious Leaders must come to terms with the Status Quo that will be.

Therefore, with a fellow Ohioan Speaker of the House Boehner taking charge of the Peoples’ House I say with all due respect “Man Up.” For why I have listened to speak for the last two years on how bad it was for President Obama and your counterpart Representative Pelosi to keep America from falling into a Depression, Reinvest in Americas’ Infrastructure, and securing health care insurance for 30 million Americans to include those with preexisting conditions and high medical bills. If day one of your leadership is any indication than God help My Brothers and Sisters of the 70’s and their Children.

Posted in 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Issues, 2011 An Independent View | No Comments »

January 5, 2011 by ItheConsumer.

Since he Republicans want to repeal health care reform and reduce the budget than why don’t they start by cutting the amount paid by taxpayers for the health care of Congress and their Staff. For though symbolic in nature I do believe it would send a strong message to how far the Republicans are willing to go in order to straighten out their mess. Because why they can complain of all the money President Obama has spent over the last two years to keep America out of a depression, one only has to look at the spending approved by the 107^th and 108^th Congress to know why America has a budget and debt problem. So what can be done to balance the budget within the next few years?

First and foremost I would limit the amount of money Congress can be reimbursed for travel. For another symbolic gesture, it does show the American Public our Elected Officials realize the days of reckless spending is about to come to an end. And though certain trips are necessary, the idea a single Congressperson or Senator can be reimbursed thousands of dollars to fly to and from a political fund raiser provided they spend only a few minutes doing the business of the people is ludicrous. Thus, while saving only a few million dollars a year it is a step Congress can take which will show the American Public our Elected Officials are willing to carry some of the burden to ensure a balanced budget.

Next, I would tell all federal agencies and departments to include the military to reduce their energy consumption by 5-10%. Since this can be done by changing light bulbs, turning off computers and lights in the room, as well as changing our government fleet to electric vehicles. I do believe why it would have little effect on an office building. Combined on the federal buildings throughout the country should save millions while not costing jobs or services. For another symbolic gesture, but one which will have great impact as Americans can walk in and see our government is serious about reducing the debt and balancing the budget.

Thus, the Republicans can elect to cut entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and other federal programs designed by our grandparents after the Great Depression and during the Civil Rights Movement; however, even if they cut every federal program today by 50% what is preventing the Charlatans and Vagabonds of Wall Street and Washington from increasing the cost of doing the Business of “We the People” by 75%? And while again symbolic in nature, Congress and Americans need to ask themselves is it cheaper to cut entitlements or reduce the fundamentals which causes our government and society to spend money in the first place. Since the choice will have a strong affect on how America will move forward in building a secured Green Sustainable World for the 21^st Century.

Posted in 2011 Budget & Debt, 2011 Issues, 2011 General, 2011 An Independent View | No Comments »