The Debt Ceiling: Let's Kill Grandma!!!

It's been a while since I posted anything political. I have made a point to stay away from all that mess, but something was said that I felt compelled to reply.

For the past few weeks it's been sandwiched between the Casey Anthony news that we are about to default on our loans if we don't raise the debt ceiling. Democrats want more spending along with raising taxes and Republicans want to slash spending with no tax increases. Democrats don't like to say raise taxes. They like to say "enhance revenues" or "invest". I just chuckle because I don't think people are as stupid as Dems think they are.

OK. So what got me to speak out? President Obama in an interview said that if we don't raise the debt ceiling he can't guarantee that Social Security checks will go out. This is the most blatant act of fear mongering I have seen in a long time.

If you are against tax increases you want to starve grandma and kill her.

A few weeks earlier Obama said that he can't fathom giving tax breaks to people who own jets when kids in school aren't safe. I was unaware of the epidemic of kids being hurt or killed in school. Yet again another attempt at fear mongering.

If you are against tax increases then you hate children.

Is it possible that any of this is true? Could not raising the debt ceiling or raising taxes really kill grandma or endanger your kid at school?

Let's look at the numbers....

Monthly Federal Budget Costs

The US Government brings in $200 Billion a month.

Social Security costs $49.2 Billion a month.

Medicare, Medicaid costs about $50 Billion a month.

Military entitlements cost $5.8 Billion a month.

Education costs about $10 Billion a month.

From my calculations that leaves $85 Billion for everything else...a month!

Yearly Federal Budget Costs

The Annual Budget FY 2011 - $2.6 Trillion dollars!

Interest on debt - $256 Billion

Medicare, Medicaid, Military entitlements, Social Security, Education - $760 Billion

That leaves $1.6 Trillion for essential spending!

So What's the Big Deal?

We do have two wars and a few skirmishes going on that we could probably cut funds to. There are a few other items that we could argue or discuss cutting also. But from the figures that I just posted, where is the need to increase taxes or the debt ceiling?

I don't see it. Do you?

President Obama is an accomplished man and is known for many things. Unfortunately none of those things is math! Quite frankly, Democrats aren't good at math...period! They haven't passed a budget in two years. I guess when you start working with all those zeros it gets confusing. It get's real confusing when 2 + 2 equals created or saved 6 jobs.

Remember, this is the President we gave $800 BILLION DOLLARS to and we have absolutely NOTHING to show for it!!!!!

I hope you look at these numbers and understand that if the federal government lives within it's means and start pulling out of wars we were promised they would, we wouldn't have a problem.

So call your congressman or senator and tell them you hate your grandmother and you despise children. Don't raise the debt ceiling and cut spending.

7-7-11

Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound...

For the past four months I've been living life like an onion. Like an onion I have been peeling away layers. Some of the peeling away has been mandatory. The rest has been a logical direction that the previous layer provided. In any case it's been both rewarding and painful.

The topic (layer) that I am studying right now is grace. It's a subject that has been on the back of my mind for a few months now. I've put off diving into it fully until I was ready. I'm ready now.

I'm glad I am prepared for it.

I don't want to say too much because I'm in the middle of my study and it's getting pretty intense. I've never been one to believe that one subject, topic or ideal can completely overwhelm or consume someone. But one word has literally taken over my heart and soul like an operating system on a pc.

One word...

Grace.

7-4-11

My Holiday Weekend...

It's been a busy weekend.

Friday I got off work at 11:30 and immediately ran errands. I had to pay rent and a few other things. Then I headed to the gym and the track as usual. Good times. I ended the evening with the movie "Battle for L.A" or something like that. I enjoyed the movie. It wasn't anything spectacular but I dug it.

Saturday was my energy exertion day. Of course I went to the gym and the track. That goes without saying. Problem is that it was 90 degrees out. I brought water to keep hydrated but still, it was probably too hot to be running 400's. But this isn't the end.

My buddy Jake had planned a softball game. I didn't want to attend, but I kept thinking about how hot it was outside. I went to the store and bought some Gatorade and filled up my large cooler. I called Jake and told him I would bring the cooler but I wasn't going to play. Well, I wound up playing.

I hadn't touched a bat or glove in over 10 years. Plus I had two eyes last time I played. Needless to say it made for an interesting day.

Sometimes I think people just blow me off when I say I'm fast and that I go to the track to run. Saturday they got to see that training pay off. A lot of those guys out there couldn't believe I moved that fast. Yeah. 36 year olds shouldn't move that fast. ha ha!

Sunday was awful. I tried getting up for church and I couldn't get out of bed. I can run as fast as an 18 year old but I recuperate like a 36 year old. My quads were screaming. My lower back was on fire. Oh the humanity!

I slept in. When I got up I had to go to a friend's picnic. I was miserable. I didn't want to move. They played volleyball and swam in the pool. I wanted to do both but I was too sore.

I went later that evening with some friends to see Transformers 3 again. I went only because they hadn't seen it. Strangely I enjoyed it the second time around. I saw a lot more stuff that I missed the first time. I think a lot had to do with where we sat. I could just see better.

When I got home I slept like a baby.

Today is Independence Day. I went to the track and did a light jog. My quads still hurt. Then I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up a few books.

It's been a relaxing day. I gave Charley a bath. He's getting a grooming appointment tomorrow. I need him shaved down. It's too hot. I packed some items and cleaned the basement.

I'm still tired. I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow.