It's not Roe, privacy is lost.

I care about life before birth, beginning with the moment of conception. I find abortion a reprehensible practice. All life is sacred. But that's my faith, my beliefs, my hope! We don't live in a theocracy where we should impose an article of faith that we subscribe to on those that don't, or at least I didn't think we did. 

Best way to stop abortions is to provide programs, policies, and practices that will make them safe, legal, and rare. From there, that decision is between the patient, their Dr. and their God. It's none of anyone else's business (including 'the state' or a court). THAT'S #ProLife #ProBirth, not #ProChoice

#RightToPrivacy has been overturned, not just Roe. This was never about life, it's about control. Read Thomas' concurrence, he's listed what's next.

Constitutional Conundrum

Our President has been totally busted using Presidential pressure to influence a foreign nation for personal and, especially, political gain. There is no grey area here, unless you're wearing ideological blinders. Now we find out who the true American Patriots are within the Republican party, and how much Constitutional disrespect they are willing to tolerate when the President doesn't share their party. There are a few bright spots out there, but I am mostly disappointed in my Right Wing Constitutionalist who have clearly sold their soul. #Sad

I was surprised to see it had been 3 years since I've posted, and I have no idea if this is another one off. But 'The Book' isn't really conducive to dump my thoughts on, so back to my playground.

Folks ask me why I stopped blogging, considering all the success I had during my tenure. My answer was simple, as a Right Leaning moderate I was attacked by both sides for not being pure enough, and it just wasn't fun anymore. Maybe this time entertainment isn't the motivation, but making sure the truth gets out.

Lets see what happens.

Flash

Sliver

As the votes continue to be counted, many on the Right are talking of the Popular vote loss and that it is just a sliver of the electorate. They talk of an Electoral College mandate, and the significant vote count victory that holds.

While true, lets make sure we understand the reality of this 'mandate'

Of the more than 120 million votes cast in the 2016 election, 107,000 votes in three states effectively decided the election.

The current Popular vote spread is about 600,000, roughly the population of Wyoming. That spread is sure to grow, and is already larger then Gore's spread over Bush.

Of course it doesn't matter, other than to stifle talk of any type of mandate. Trump is our President Elect, and barring some kind of Electoral College arm twisting by the Right to seat a hand chosen candidate, we will have a President Trump on January 20th

The entire article is worth a gander. It lays out what happened and where.

Flash

Acceptance

My Message to my good friend, The Doctor*:
--

I’m better now. This was a lot to process. I assume your friend Nick had called the Silent Trump voter, the uneducated Whites in the typically Blue rust belt, including Northern MN, that were hearing the things they wanted to hear to become emboldened for that ‘drain the swamp’ outsider infusion. Of course, what we are finding out is President Elect Trump has surrounded himself with establishment types that may not give those voters the large swath of change they were voting for.

President Elect Trump has already moved to the Left on ACA, now pledging to retain key parts of the legislation, specifically coverage for pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to remain on their parents policies. But there are also concerns that he will follow through on his Wall through Executive Order, bypassing congress, while projected SoS Newt Gingrich is talking about returning to Macarthyism with the reconstitution of the Committee on UnAmerican Activities. That should be a concern for all.

And of course there is the Supreme Court. A seat Constitutionally stolen by the Right. This precedent is alarming as the very Party that claims to unconditionally support our founding document completely ignored their obligation for political reasons. That’s rough stuff.

But the other revelation I have made over the last few days is our difference in perspectives. I have no problem empathizing with your work, your socioeconomic environment and your upper middle class concerns. But I believe that you may be less able to empathize with what I see, witness and experience in my everyday life. Living in the inner city and working at a public school. I saw first hand the fear and concern from kids, kids who should always feel safe, now wondering if they are going to be shipped back to where they came from or if investments into their future will be dried up. Tears, literal tears from these children and some adults at the unknown facing them in this new normal. A new normal that includes a hate filled bigoted swath of Americana. This swath of citizens has remained silent, and was the group not seen in the polls, not acknowledged by the Clinton Camp, and ignored by the media. But through Mr. Trump's rhetoric they have become emboldened to come out of their shells. Scary stuff that the President Elect must smother immediately if there is going to be any hope for unity

I hope you realize that I obviously do NOT include you in this group. I see you as a member of the typical GOP base, with basic expectations of hands off government, social liberty, and low taxes. Three aspects of the rational GOP that I also subscribe to.

On the grief track I have made it to acceptance. I accept our process for choosing a leader; I accept the outcome of the election; I acknowledge Donald Trump as the next President of the United States; and on January 20, 2017, I will proudly honor my tradition of replacing the photo in my Presidential frame, with the newly inaugurated office holder

Here’s to healing, to our future, and to a hope that North Korea doesn’t do anything stupid.

Love you brother!
--
*To be clear, The Doctor, a good moderate Conservative, neither supported nor voted for either major party Nominee

Flash

Is there an Election today?

Hmmmm, Election Day today. Sure, I voted. Only #139 in my precinct at 3:00pm. Something tells me that a year from now that number will be bigger. Stay tuned. Flash

March 18, 2015

Wow, it's been over two years since I posted last. I'm just waking up blogger, not sure why. Probably to stave off the hackers due to dormancy. Flash

Terrible Taxes

I came across this interesting list of oldie but not so goodie taxes. My favorite LOL:

Pee Tax

In ancient Rome (c. 69-79), urine was a necessity in both tanneries (where they made leather) and in laundries (yes, where they cleaned your clothes with it). Before you imagine legions of Roman citizens hopping up and down on one leg, we should point out that the government only taxed those who bought the urine, not those that *ahem* produced it.

TMI?

Five Ways Forward

Although I have found it more difficult to write, over the last few years, I still read, read, read. No, not a big book reader (although I did receive a preview copy of Street Smarts, which looks like one of the few I WILL read), but the heady policy stuff from the partisan Think Tanks. A local one, MN2020 published Five Ways Forward, and I think it is worth a look:

 - Reduce Medical Errors through More Transparent Reporting
 - Expand Opportunities for Solar Investors
 - Repurpose Unoccupied Storefronts on Main Streets and Urban Neighborhoods
 - Broaden Statewide Transit
 - Find Fairness in Evaluating Teachers

Complete report here (PDF)

I've only skimmed it, but plan on giving it some time later today. No comments, just a public service to my readers to open their minds to how other may view the next step towards the future.

Flash

To the Next Four . . .

I wish this county a propserous next four year as we witness the peacefulness of our Consitutional government. Frustrating to still see the attacks and hatred spewed by the Right. When I see that, it just shows me how ignorant they are about how our Constitution works.

As long as they continue to attack and demean our leaders, and the electorate, they will lose elections. This is unfortunate, because they have many good ideas that need to be implemented, but they will continue to be drowned out by their juvenile theatrics. They could learn much be embracing Colin Powell and his warnings.

(Photo Credit)

The 73% Solution?

While we consider reeling in the debt, and specifically entitlement reform, let's be sure we take a look at the facts, and acknowledge who would be most at risk to serious cuts in this area:

More than 90% of the benefits go toward working families, the disabled and the elderly. And more than half of all entitlement spending helps middle class Americans

In 2010, those age 65 and older collected 53% of the dollars, while the non-elderly disabled received 20%, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

That's 53% + 20%, for 73%. So when considering entitlement reform, almost 3/4 of those receiving the benefits are those too old to work or those who simply can't help themselves through no fault of their own. And most all of them are only receing benefits in return for the doposits THEY made through their wokring career. Yes, I struggle with the term 'entitlements' on many of these individuals.

However, one area that we can look at is Social Security Disabalility fraud, which I do think has an awful lot of people gaming the system. The challenge is, how do you eliminate them from the doles, without capturing the innocents in the net.

It amazes me, sometimes, how many within those groups above are actually demanding the very reforms that could cut off their primary source if income, income they have earned through a life of labor.

Flash

Debt Distraction

The horrific attack at Newtown, and the other public shootings both before an after, have certainly raised awareness in the community regarding weapons and their place in our society. I am pleased with the instant reaction by this Administration in creating a task force and opening a dialogue to discuss what could have been done to prevent these tragedies, if anything. But is this type of 'reactive' governance healthy. You bet, but maybe not if it is distracting from other important matters of the day.

We saw with the 'Fiscal Cliff' fight that the former Congress chose to drag their feet in a stalemate, only to cobble together a half fix to appease the electorate, without making the tough decisions. Now, with most looking at Washington's fight on citizen weaponry, the Debt ceiling talks and much need spending reform has taken a back seat.

I do not deny the need to have serious and intense dialogue on the proliferation of high capacity magazines, more serious enforcement of background checks (especially those that choose to deceive during that process), and a broadening of those laws to capture the Gun show sieve. But what is being accomplished right now is two fold; A) the conversation in Washington has moved away from serious fiscal matters that threaten to shut down government, and create economic tumult throughout the country during the stabilization of a very vulnerable economy, and more importantly; B) an emboldening of the Conservative right as it protects their perceived protection of 2nd Amendment Rights, while being allowed to not debate the tough decisions relating to fiscal management, or mismanagement for that matter.

The Vice President's commission will come out with recommendations this week. It will be important for the Administration to take these under advisement, but then redirect the debate back to money talks. The 2nd Amendment battle will always be there, and the debate will drag out for sometime. But the need for fiscal prudence, debt relief, and serous spending controls is on a game clock right now. We can't afford another band-aid to stop the hemorrhaging of the trust in this Country's monetary management.

Here's hoping.

Flash

Business Boom

When the Democratic party recaptured the Legislature, and grabbed the Governor's office for the first time in a generation, the Right lamented that business would be bailing in drove to avoid the hostile business climate. Guess not:

Minnesotans started more new businesses in 2012 than all but one year in the state's history. Filings in 2012 of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, limited liability partnerships and nonprofit corporations were up 18 percent on the year, the secretary of state's office reported Tuesday.

 Now, to be fair, these are 2012 numbers and it could be as simply as the unemployed centuring out on their own. 2009, in the deepest of the Great recession, was another major uptick. But the point is still valid, if folks thought the business climate was going to be as hostile as some would like you to believe, we wouldn't be seeing these numbers.

The new Lege has their hands full, and a rebounding economy will give them a surge in revenues without modifying the tax code. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about what lies ahead.

Flash

Yes we do . . . . have a spending problem!

The federal Government spends more than it takes in. This has been the case since Pres Clinton left office, the last time we had a budget Surplus. We can argue all day long about who spends the most, and borrows the most, but no one can argue we don;thave a spending problem whn the receipts aren;t there to pay the bills.

In my policy focused rebirth, we'll try to identify specific spending frustrations. But until both sides focus on what's best for this country's financial stability, rather than dolling out promises to financial backers and lobbyists, the debt will continue to pile up. Let's take the details out of the discussion and just have a 15% across the board slice and dice, and let the Department Secretaries make the decision on how to get there.

Back in 2005, the Right Wing think tank Heritage foundation listed the 'Top 10 Examples of Government Waste'. I'm not saying this partisan extremists site is the say all on these issues, but we would be slacking if we didn't at least acknowledge that the items they list could be easily removed from the budget lines. I mean, 100 Miliion in refundable unused airline tickets (PDF) Come on, folks, this is fish in a barrel stuff!

Much much more to com over the next several weeks.

Flash

Jib, Jab, Jobs

One thing most of us can agree on is the sputtering Jobs market. This President has done the best he can with a Congress that is not willing to work as part of a team to assist in long sustained Job growth. Although we have seen consistent growth over the last year and a half or so, we haven't seen the numbers yet that can account for new workers entering the work force, and getting those unemployed and under employed in meaningful living wage jobs.

The ADP Jobs report (PDF) is an indicator of what to expect later this morning. The document shows 215,000 private sector jobs added and a 30,000 revision of November's numbers to 148,000. Last month's DoJ report, had 146,000 jobs added, which is pretty darn close to the 148 ADP revision. The expected number for today is around 150,000, but I'm thinking closer to 200,000.

I'll be back later this AM with the DoJ figures. If the over/Under is 175,000 I'll tkae the over.

Flash

UPDATE: It's the under:

The economy added 155,000 jobs in December, bringing the total number of jobs added in 2012 to 1.84 million, the Labor Department said Friday. 

Better than the alternative, but simply not good enough!