Selflessness, That’s all that is required

Last night Governor Chris Christie was at the Reagan Library speaking about leadership and American Exceptionalism.  He spoke to the Republican audience for three quarters of an hour expressing his vision for America with insight on how a democracy works.  Governor Christie pulls no punches as he outlined the need to return to the days of Ronald Reagan when dealing with the issues and believing in the country.

Governor Christie spoke about how the former President “Said what he meant and meant what he said” as he quoted the Air Traffic Controller strike in August of 1981 during his rein in office. Reagan told the striking controllers they needed to return to work or they would be fired “In the end thousands refused and thousands were fired”  Chris goes on explaining the “Whole world was watching” the leadership of this country and the decisions made affects how they see us.  

Christie received some laughs as he continued the speech with “What happens here doesn’t stay here, this is not Vegas” America’s roll is defined by what we say and do at home. “Who we are at home, what we do with each other” is what sets the examples for all the world to understand this great nation.  We get results when we take action regardless of the political ramifications.  “Leadership and compromise” is the only way to reform, cap highest interest rates, and change public sector union contracts so the members pay for the health insurance and retirement funds so they will be there when needed.

The citizens need to hear the truth about where we are and what we need to do to achieve the goals that are good for the nation and the citizens. Congress no longer can effectively govern themselves as our President fails to act on the issues that American’s understand.  “When there is a problem you fix it” Christie emphasized with conviction as he spoke about how Reagan fixed it many times with great leadership. 

As leaders we need to show by example to the world we have our house in order. We need to control our markets, our housing, our jobs and concern ourselves with how other nations view our national affairs.  We should care what others think because we believe democracy and open markets work better than any other system.  If we convince exports and imports create freedom of choice others accepts the notion when they see our system works as intended.

Finally, Governor Christie took questions from the audience showing a side of him that the crowd loved and applauded with emotion unseen since the campaign of 2008 as the President so eloquently stated his “Hope and change” strategy.  He told those listeners in California and on the C-Span network “Real leaders don’t read polls, they change polls” when asked how he would wean individuals off entitlements and the employment picture. He stated he took bold actions when dealing with these problems in New Jersey so they could control the debt in his state. Along with that statement he also stated he was no genius but the solutions are filled with common sense approaches.

Another questioner implored with such emotion and passion that the Governor reconsider his position as she stated with all kidding aside “You are a very powerful and eloquent speaker,…. and I say this from the bottom of my heart…  we can’t wait another 4 years… please sir reconsider, …. please do it for my daughter, do it for our granddaughter, do it for our sons, we need you, your country needs you to run for President.”  This is a man who understands America with the answer to this lady, “I’m just a kid from Jersey who feels like I’m the luckiest guy in the world” being the Governor of his state.

Now we are at a point in time where the citizens of America are imploring a man, a Governor to fight for a country we love and sacrifice his own feelings of self worth to save this country from self destruction.  Remember when campaigns were ran by friends or businessmen who felt strongly about an individual who could do great things for this nation.  The candidate never travel across the country touting just how great they would be.  The people picked the candidate and went out to get the votes.  George Washington when asked to  serve as President responded with a statement of despair asking “Have I not yet done enough for my country“! History proves he had not as he was elected with 100% of the electoral votes which no other candidate has ever done to date.

Governor Christie many citizens of this great nation need you to be our next President, not 6 years from now.  We need someone who does not want the job as Jerry Doyle stated today on his radio program.  As the lady in the audience imploded you so to does many other Americans. We need leadership in the White House, we need a Patriot in the White House, many Americans say “We need you Governor Christie.” Make the decision to fight for a country you love just as the George Washington was requested to do by accepting the challenge of being the next leader of the Greatest Nation in the World.  Selflessness will bring this country back to prosperity, Governor Christie for President, Senator Marco Rubio for V.P. a win win situation because as Jerry stated your not ready for the highest office in the land because you don’t feel it in your heart, but America does.

Compromise stimulus II

The President revealed his “American Jobs Act” to Congress and the American citizens explaining “We need to pass this now” in order to create jobs to put Teachers, and Bridge builders back to work.  This is just another compromise he chooses to put out there hoping his minions will climb aboard and lead him to a victory next election.  Stimulus II is not good for America, it increases debt and may create jobs but only until the jobs are completed.

Here is an article written on 12/09/09 with basically the same issues President Obama seems to insist are great policies for America.

Here we go again, those folks in DC. are at it again.  President Obama extends tax cuts for 2 years because Republicans were holding the American people hostage.   His words not mine, hostage.  I applaud the fact he extended the infamous olive branch to work on a deal that will keep the government functioning through the lame duck session.

However, it appears as if the ultra liberals are furious with his decision. All day on the news they bashed him  as too weak,  no backbone, caving in to the rich, and not the President we elected that was going to raise taxes on the rich.  He has divided his base once again and why?  He made concessions to try to do the right thing.

As we have stated numerously on the Patriot Express Radio show “we don’t need more taxes, we need less spending.” ” We need a government that will work to cut the fraud and waste in every entity of our bureaucracies across the nation.”  Stop the waste and we reign in the uncontrolled deficit spending.

I was talking to a retired military pilot today who said he once believed in the balanced budget amendment but now he is against it. He wants to have the military a separate budget so they get the funding they need without cuts that will weaken our defense.  I asked him how long he served for a barometer of the depth of knowledge he had on military spending.

He was a fighter pilot for 23 years. I asked if he saw any fraud or waste in his 23 years there?  He stated he saw the 500 dollar hammers and the waste. As a matter of fact he stated “I was told to take my jet out for a four-hour flight anywhere with a tanker following me on several occasion. ”

I stated I have friends that were in Viet Nam where every month new supplies would be flown in only to be placed in the middle of a field to be blown away by a few explosives from the tanks on base. This happened and is still happening today so the military doesn’t loss their budget.

The conversation went on and I explained on paper that approach looked good but the problem is the military has to spend the funds appropriated each budget or they lose it the next time around. We need to make sure the budget is never cut even when a surplus exists at the end of the fiscal year.  The military protects our borders and we need the strongest and the best with no compromising on their needs.

The issue isn’t increasing our taxes to pay for things our Representatives want, the issue is to cut the fraud and waste so we spend our tax dollars wisely as a CEO of any business would or should be doing to spend what they need and ultimately make a profit.  Our Congress spends the money then taxes the individuals and Corporations without having strict guidelines or rules on how to spend the money more efficiently.

We can balance the budget without raising taxes if the American Citizens would go to the polls and vote for individuals that will represent their wishes and not those of special interest. Remember your vote counts each election.  By not voting you’re allowing those in power to remain in power. We can do better.

American Jobs Act

Today the President sent his jobs bill to Congress.  This is a 447 billion dollar package that according to Jack Lew his Budget Director is completely paid for.  It appears all Democrats are on board and agree this bill must be passed so we can get the job market going once again.

How they will pay for this jobs bill is simple if put in layman terms, raising your taxes.  If you are single earning 200 thousand or married earning 250 thousand each year you will feel the American Jobs Act with provisions to reduce your itemized deductions currently allowed.  By raising the target of the Joint Committee the President feels the american public will agree with the spending.

What is of concern is the first 897 billion dollar spending bill created 100 thousand jobs in the federal government but nothing in the private sector.  We have 14 million Americans looking for work and if this jobs bill addressed our deficit spending problems and actually was paid for with funding that doesn’t come from increases in taxes possibly there could be bipartisan support.

However we have been down this road before as Jack Lew stated  when discussing the provisions of this bill, ““Will be familiar to most of you because they are ideas we have talked about for the most part for some time.  That is the red flag that makes us leery as the administration has been down this path with a Democratic majority and could not get support.  Why do they think the support is there now?

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and more Jobs.

In just a few minutes the President of the United States will speak to the Joint Session of Congress to introduce his new jobs creation bill.

In it we will likely hear more of the same content as we have heard over the past 4 years as he traveled across the country during his campaign for the highest office of the land.  The first issue as stated in the title  and the most important issue he will be discussing is jobs,  jobs, jobs and more jobs.

We will hear how the problems this country has concerning the loss of millions of jobs were inherited from the bad policy years of George Bush.  We will hear about how his administration has done wonders saving or creating millions of jobs through his 800 billion plus stimulus package.

He will go on to discuss how the Republicans in office are partisan and will not allow his administration to move forward with his ideas on how to get the country back on track to prosperity.  Our President will not accept the problems we face as polls out this past few days show a majority of Americans believe the economy is still owned by the Republicans for the past 10 years of policies that were detrimental to our nation.

Finally we will hear the President state we are all in this together and need to work together to reduce the unemployment levels. He will go on and say if only the Republicans would do what I ask of them we wouldn’t have these problems we face today.  One of his offerings will be increasing revenues to the federal government so we can once again start down the road to prosperity creating  jobs all across America with billions going to infrastructure projects for local communities.

Here we go as Congress settles in to listen to the leader of the Greatest Nation on Earth. Stay tuned for the next writing to see if in fact we were wrong with our assessment of the speech.

The Challenge Ahead!

We start another week with Washington at a stand still concerning the debt limit negotiations between the two parties.  Interestingly on Sundays talk shows both sides talked about what they want to do. Speaker Boehner still wants a plan that holds the lines of the “Cap, Cut and Balance Act” that wasn’t ever put on the floor of the Senate for a vote.  Treasury Secretary Geithner  believes we are on the right path creating jobs, building the economy and spending dollars needed to keep the country prosperous.

The challenge ahead is not which side gets what they want in these discussions, the challenge ahead is which side gets a sound fiscal policy that will rebuild our nation by cutting the out of control spending and reining in the fraud and waste that created this monstrosity of a debt which is bankrupting our nation and eroding the quality of life for every citizen in the nation.

With a 14.5 trillion  dollar national debt hanging over each taxpaying citizen along with 115 trillion dollars in unfunded mandates, which by the way our Congress have no plans in place to pay any of the debt down. Their plans each year are to spend more so they can give those special interest groups what they want just so they can get re-elected.

Mind you not all individuals in Washington or across the nation are all about their re-elections or personal agendas, some actually want to do what is right for America.  Recently several members have shown were they stand as they attempt to work for the people who elected them and do what is right for the nation and not just their political careers.

Our time-table is a short one if we are to remain the greatest nation in the World. What our elected officials need to be working on is simple, the message is clear,  “Stop spending what you don’t have!”  Release a budget that is balanced with no new debt attached to it.

Our Congress, those the American People elected to work for them are in Congress now  for over 815 days without passing a budget. Do you know of any business that can operate without having a budget in place as they strive to maintain a viable business?  Not one comes to mind as business CEO’s realize in order to make money there has to be more revenue than expenses, as a matter of fact a 14-year-old can grasp that concept.

So, Congress roll up your sleeves and continue to work together to finally do what is right for the country you took an oath to abide by the Constitution to protect and serve. The American People expect no less.

80% of Americans Believe Congress Has A Spending Problem

Finally, Americans are speaking out and letting Congressional members know they have a spending problem.  The latest poll out suggests 80% of Americans Believe Congress has a spending problem and want them to rein in the spending and finally do what is right for America and not their re-election campaigns.

This poll was done in the confines of a local restaurant here in Las Vegas.  As we were eating and enjoying pleasant conversation the subject came up “Does Congress Spend More Than They Should?’ Out of the 5 people at the table 4 exclaimed yes to the question. The only one who thought Congress didn’t have the spending problem was a union member for the local school district.  With that said imagine what the real statistics would be if I were to poll say 500 or 1000 individuals all across the Nation?

I would venture to say the results would be close if not exactly the same as my small sample poll.  14.5 trillion dollars in debt with 110 trillion in unfunded mandates due with Congress having no idea how to pay them at this point in time. Yes I would agree with those 80%, Congress has a spending problem that needs to be addressed immediately if not sooner.

How Long Will This Nation Last?

Where are the jobs?  According to President Obama when he pushed for the 878 billion dollar stimulus package after the election he stated we needed the funding so unemployment wouldn’t go over 8%, so he got it. Now with the new numbers out from the Labor Department the outlook is still bleak. Unemployment is at 9.2% nationally with 29 straight months over that magic number of 8%.

In Nevada the Majority Leader Harry Reid (D)  pushed the bill so we could get millions of dollars for those “shovel ready” jobs that was to stimulate the economy.  The roads across the state were torn up and expanded on with Federal Funds from that stimulus package.  Stimulus funds went to Northern Nevada to help fund a solar energy company which stated they will create 269 new jobs using green energy.  Money was spent all across the country to stimulate the economy. But we have to ask once again, Where are the jobs?

Both the House and Senate were to forego the 4th of July holiday to address the spending problems Congress has with the Americans tax dollars.  They talked all week to news reported detailing what their parties were going to do to reduce the deficit and create jobs. Our National debt will be 14.5 trillion dollars by the time this article is written and rising approximately 14 thousand dollars a second.

The Republicans will not raise taxes according to Eric Cantor (R) Virginia.  During a news conference held earlier today he stated ” Democrats insist on tax increases, there is no way!”  Those Republicans talking to reporters all agreed the stimulus didn’t work and we can not continue traveling down this path which is killing our economy.

Representative McCarthy (R) California suggested last week the President get off the golf course and into the debate to show some leadership. Today he stated “Not a time to talk about raising taxes, it is a time to talk about reforming taxes.  All the Republicans gathered on stage vocalized the same message.  Everyone believes our government needs to stop spending what isn’t there just as the citizens of this country do.

Representative Nancy Pelosi (D) California also held a news conference to discuss the talks concerning where we are as a nation.  She wanted to make the question and answer session short because she “Wanted to make every second count” as she deals with the debt crisis.

Representative Becerra (D) California stated Medicare and Social Security shouldn’t be reduced as they do not add one cent to the National Debt.  He hoped the other side will work through the weekend and realize we can find ways to work through the debt problem in other areas.

Representative Larsen (D) Connecticut went on a rampage insisting “You can’t cut your way to prosperity.” Then went on to say “They (Republicans) can’t see the time of day in a watch factory” referring to their stance on tax cuts and economic growth philosophies.

President Obama went on the news to say they are making progress and would work through the weekend to find a resolution and meet back with him on Sunday.  He stated again there were tough choices to make and both sides must be flexible for talks to achieve the outcome desired.  Stay tuned as we learn more in the next few weeks.

Predatory lending at for profit schools

Today on the floor in the Senate Tom Harkin (D) Ia. discussed the predatory lending habits of for profit schools as it related to Military benefits.  The Senator commissioned a study on drop out rates at the for profit schools of those receiving benefits for their education. The report is appalling showing the drop out rate is higher than in the public schools and they usually ended up with personal loans which they will have to pay back. These for profit schools tell students their benefits from the military did not cover all expenses so they need to apply for additional sources of funding.

These schools as with any other business operating for profit must be held accountable for their actions.  If they are ripping off the tax payers with bogus degrees, or receiving federal funds from individuals who have the capability of receiving funds but not the capacity to graduate because of damages received on the battle field.  If your for profit organization defraud the government as the report states than those involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I am sickened by the fact so many individuals use predatory lending practices to line their pockets at the expense of our military.  The only way to combat these individuals is to offer strict prison sentences when you knowingly deceive the public of their hard-earned funds.  Pass laws against these types of practices so those institutions that actually do what is right have the opportunity to educate individuals wanting a good education and not a worthless piece of paper from a fly by night operation after all is said and done.

Anyone Is Better Than What We Have Now!

Yes folks, “Anyone is better than what we have now”  is the response I am receiving from individuals all across this great land we call America. With the 2012 election cycle moving into gear many individuals are dissatisfied with the President and his policies.

Since Obama has been elected our country has spiraled out of control with expansive increases in government spending, the apology tour and the continuation of wars in the Middle East of which he campaign to stop the wars over there not extenuate them with complacency.

Remember he received a Noble Peace Prize for his prolific thoughts on a war free world or just the fact that those on the panel that hands out these prizes hated Bush so much they just wanted to show him a thing or two about just how powerful they were. Thus a million dollar bounty just for thinking about peace.

Now two years later we have amassed 5 trillion more dollars in debt with a 4 trillion-dollar budget being proposed by the White House.  I don’t want to beat this thing to death but I have to say we borrow 43 cents out of every dollar we spend so the individuals across the country want someone new that will reduce the spending and size of the bureaucracy.

We Will Cut The Budget!

 

Late Friday night both sides of the political spectrum agreed to a resolution that would keep our government operating without fear of a shut down.  Both sides emphasized “We will cut the budget.” to gain support from their base.

The problem is the cuts do not go deep enough to reduce the massive debt our nation carries currently.  These cuts are a mere 36 billion dollars. Not much of a cut with the national debt looming at 14.3 trillion dollars. With these cuts Congress actually just stopped borrowing money for 9 days, that’s all.

Our nation currently borrows 4 billion dollars a day to keep this country afloat. China, Japan, and a host of other investors buy up our treasury notes put on the market daily for our government to continue to spend money on projects that we don’t have.

How can a nation sustain sovereignty if it continually spends more than it takes in? The bottom line is it can’t. How can a nation tell its citizens spending 5 trillion dollars a year is good for the economy and the nation with a straight face? Economics 101 tells us you can not borrow money to spend your way out of debt, it is impossible.

In order to return our country to fiscal sanity we must as a nation pay down our debt. Our elected officials must start working on solutions to the spending habits in the Halls of Congress instead of continuing to spend what they do not have. We need leadership in Washington, those who will make the tough choices regardless of how it will affect their re-election campaigns.