2.   PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STIMULUS PACKAGE

PRIORITY NUMBER TWO

 

      SOON AFTER HIS INAUGURAL INTO OFFICE OBAMA HAS ANNOUNCED A PLANNED STIMULUS PACKAGE TO HELP STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND GET SOME UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IN JOBS THAT ARE NEW AND PERMANENT.

      I PRESUME PART OF THE PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE A BRIDGE AND ROAD PACKAGE AIMED AT RENEWING OUR DETERIORATING BRIDGES AND ROADS, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.     I MUST CAUTION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ABOUT THE POLITICS INVOLVED IN PAYING FOR SUCH WORK WHEN GOVERNORS OF EACH STATE AWARD THE DESIGNS AND BUILDING PLANS. TO ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO MAY BE LESS THAN QUALIFIED FOR THE TASK AND ARE GIVEN THE CONTRACTS ON A NO BID BASIS AND USUALLY TO POLITICAL FRIENDS OR CONTRIBUTORS.     THE RECENT BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN MINNEAPOLIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION MUST GUARD AGAINST.     AS AND OLD BRIDGE BUILDER, I AM ACUTELY AWARE THAT MOST PROPOSED BRIDGES ARE LOCATED OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS CONTROLLED BY THE U.S.ENGINEERS AND BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROAD DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, IN MY DAYS.   THESE GOVERNMENT APPROVALS CONTAINED AN EXPLICIT AGREEMENT THAT THE STATE INVOLVED HAD THE DUTY TO MAINTAIN AND REPAIR THESE BRIDGES AND ROADS.  

       BACK IN THE 40’S AND 50’S THESE PROJECTS WERE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S 90% CONTRIBUTION WHILE THE STATE PAID ONLY 10% OF THE COST.     SOON MOST STATES DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS CHEAPER TO AVOID THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS SINCE THAT BILL OVER THE YEARS WOULD EXCEED THE 10% COST TO BUILD NEW ROADS AND BRIDGES.    THIS IS THE PRINCIPLE CAUSE OF SAID BRIDGES FALLING INTO DISREPAIR WHILE OTHERS SOON COLLAPSED CAUSING THE TRAGIC DEATH AND INJURIES TO MANY WE HAVE WITNESS OVER THE YEARS.       WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CHANGED THE RULES TO A 50-50 COST SPLIT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES, MATTERS EVEN TOOK A TURN TO THE WORSE, AND MORE BRIDGES IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT WERE NEGLECTED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST TO MOST STATES.     THE OBAMA PLAN MUST BE SET UP TO AVOID THESE PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY IN THIS SAGGING ECONOMY IN WHICMOST STATES FIND THEMSELVES IN A REAL FINANCIAL BIND.   

      IT IS RESPECTFULLY SUGGESTED THAT EACH NEW BRIDGE OR REPAIR COST BE BORNE ENTIRELY BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, BUT THE PROVISIONS FOR INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND FUTURE REPAIR BE TIGHTENED AND OVERSEEN PERIODICALLY, TO AVOID ANY REPEAT OF FUTURE BRIDGE COLLAPSE PROBLEMS.  IT IS NO SMALL WONDER THAT

THE MAGNIFICENT BRIDGES SUCH AS THE BROOKLYN AND GOLDEN GATE BRIDGES HAVE SURVIVED MANY, MANY YEARS OF SERVICE BECAUSE THESE BRIDGES AND A FEW OTHERS WERE TREATED WITH THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THEM FOR MANY MORE YEARS IN THE FUTURE SO THAT, OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AND USE THEM, WITHOUT DANGER.

     THE SAME PRINCIPLE MUST BE APPLIED TO OUR NEW ROADS, ALSO. HOWEVER, THE ROAD PROBLEM IS UNIQUE BECAUSE EACH STATE IS AWARE THAT THEIR ROADS MUST BE KEPT IN GOOD REPAIR EVERY DAY OR THE PUBLIC WILL MAKE THEIR FEELING HEARD IF THE ROAD IS NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED.  

     WE ALSO PRESUME THAT PART OF OBAMA’S STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, TO ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME RID US OF OUR DEPENDENCY ON FOREIGN OIL.    THIS IS A LONG OVERDUE PROGRAM THAT MUST BE VIGOROUSLY APPROACHED AND CARRIED OUT, HOPEFULLY WITHIN A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, SINCE IT IS THAT URGENT.   

     CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PLAN THIS PROGRAM WITH THE WHOLE ENERGY PICTURE IN MIND.    TEMPORARY STOPGAP PLANS TO ALLOW OFFSHORE DRILLING, FOR EXAMPLE WILL NOT DO.   THE PLAN MUST BE ALL INCLUSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE AND THE OIL COMPANIES, WHO HAVE A SELFISH AND PECUNIARY INTEREST, MUST BE EXCLUDED FROM THIS PROGRAM.     THE PUBLIC WILL NEVER FORGET THE RIP-OFF HIGH PRICES OF GASOLINE AND FUEL OIL THIS LAST YEAR CAUSED BY THE GREEDY LOCAL OIL COMPANIES, AS WELL AS FOREIGN PRODUCERS.    IF NEED BE, PRICE CONTROLS SHOULD BE PLACED ON OUR LOCAL OIL COMPANIES IN ORDER TO STABILIZE THE COST OF THESE FUELS UNTIL ALTERNATIVE FUELS ARE BROUGHT TO THE MARKET IN SUFFICIENT AMOUNT S TO COMPETE WITH THE COST OF OIL.    ALSO, THE FUTURE MARKET FOR OIL MUST BE CONTROLLED TO BAN PRIVATE, GREEDY   INVESTORS, BENT ON PROFITING FROM OIL AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER.

     THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROGRAM SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT A FEW MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IN PERMANENT JOBS THAT CANNOT BE SHIPPED OVERSEAS TO CHEAPER MARKET.

      THIS STIMULUS PACKAGE IS NOT THE ANSWER TO OUR UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM, BUT SHOULD BE THE ANSWER TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.    IT IS TIME TO START AND POLITICS SHOULD BE MADE TO STAND CLEAR OF THIS TASK SO WE MAY START TO CURE THESE URGENT PROBLEMS.

1.    THE FIRST STEP IN HELPING STABILIZE THE ECONOMY       THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE U.S. ECONOMY TODAY, IS THE FALLING VALUES OF HOME AND OTHER REAL ESTATE VALUES.    THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR BETTER THAN TWO YEARS AND VALUES CONTINUE TO FALL DUE TO THE FLOOD OF FORECLOSURES DUE TO THE LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT AND VALUES OF REAL ESTATE DROPPING BELOW THE MORTGAGE BALANCES.     PEOPLE ARE EITHER ABANDONING THEIR HOMES IN SUCH A SITUATION OR ARE BEING FORECLOSED UPON BY LENDING INSTITUTIONS IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS WHEN PAYMENTS ARE IN DEFAULT.        THIS HAS CAUSED A FLOOD OF AVAILABLE REAL ESTATE PROPERTY FOR SALE ON THE MARKET, WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE VAST INVENTORY OF OVERBUILT NEW PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET.     SOME LENDING INSTITUTIONS FAIL TO PROTECT THESE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES, WHILE SOME OWNERS IN FORECLOSURE RIP OUT AND ABSCOND WITH STOVES, REFRIGERATORS, SINK AND BATHTUBS, ELECTRICAL FIXTURES AND ANYTHING OF VALUE.    ONCE ABANDONED MANY HOMES ARE STRIPPED OF SALVAGEABLE MATERIAL SUCH AS COPPER PIPES OR ANYTHING OF SCRAP VALUE.    THIS HAS CAUSED BLIGHT IN MOST NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES, ADDING TO THE DROP IN VALUE AND THE ASSESSMENT VALUE OF PROPERTIES FOR REAL ESTATE TAX PURPOSES.     NOW, THE PROBLEM HAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED CITIES AND TOWNS AND THEIR TAX BASE, WHICH IN TURN HAS AFFECTED THEIR ABILITY TO DELIVER SERVICES TO THE REMAINING RESIDENTS.    LOWER VALUES OFTEN LEAD TO HIGHER TAXES FOR THE REMAINING RESIDENTS.   ALSO, WHEN SERVICES CANNOT OR ARE NOT LOWERED TO MEET THE SITUATION.        THIS YEAR 2008 HAS SEEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT ROLLS   INCREASED BY NEARLY TWO MILLION PERSONS, WHICH HAS STARTED A NEW ROUND OF DEFAULTS AND FORECLOSURES BY THE CONTINUING FALL IN REAL ESTATE VALUES AND THE LACK OF FUNDS TO PAY EXISTING MORTGAGES, LEAVING MORE HOMES WITH MORTGAGES THAT EXCEED THE HOME’S VALUE.         THE RECENT BAILOUT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WAS TOUTED AS A MEANS OF HELPING THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CRISIS BUT IN THEIR HASTE CONGRESS FAILED TO SET CONDITIONS TO CONTROL JUST WHERE AND HOW THESE FUNDS WERE TO BE USED.    AS A RESULT WITH 350 BILLION DOLLARS ALREADY DOLED OUT, THESE SAME FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CONSISTENTLY REFUSE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF THESE FUNDS.     IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO RECORDED EVIDENCE THAT THESE FUNDS ARE BEING USED TO GRANT LOANS OR MORTGAGES OR TO REWRITE MORTGAGES TO PREVENT FURTHER FORECLOSURES.     IT IS OBVIOUS THAT CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE SOLD A BILL OF GOODS TO HELP FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS RECOUP SOME OF THEIR LOSSES IN THE FINANCIAL MARKET, WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE OUTRAGEOUS BONUSES AND PAY RAISES TO THEIR C.E.O.’S AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AND LAVISH PARTIES AT EXPENSIVE PLACES MOST AMERICANS COULD NOT AFFORD TO VISIT.      IN THIS SITUATION, WE ARE ABOUT TO INAUGURATE A NEW PRESIDENT, A DEMOCRAT WITH A PLURALITY OF DEMOCRATS IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.     THE NEW PRESIDENT HAS NO EXCUSE IN HIS EFFORT TO MAKE REQUESTS OF CONGRESS TO HELP THIS CRISIS IN THE ECONOMY AND AT LEAST START TO PUT THE COUNTRY ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO RECOVERY.   OF COURSE HE MAY EXPECT SOME TRADITIONAL OPPOSITION FROM THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AN OPPOSITION PARTY AND PRONE TO OBJECT TO ANYTHING THE OTHER PARTY PROPOSES OR DESIRES IN THE WAY OF LEGISLATION.     THIS IS APTLY KNOWN AS AN OBSTRUCTIONIST’S ATTITUDE, WHICH, IN THESE ECONOMIC CRISES HAS NO PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.    IT IS TIME FOR ALL AMERICANS TO JOIN TOGETHER AS ONE PEOPLE, NOT AS ONE OR THE OTHER PARTY TO BICKER AND CRITICIZE THE OTHER.     THAT LUXURY MAY HAVE BEEN TOLERATED IN GOOD TIMES BUT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY FROWNED ON IN THESE DAYS OF TURMOIL, WHICH IS HURTING EVERY AMERICAN AND THE GOVERNMENT.    THE PEOPLE OF THE U.S.A. NEED AND DESIRE THE UNIFIED ACTION OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO SOLVE ALL OUR PRESSING PROBLEMS.     POLITICS MUST BE LEFT OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF CONGRESS SINCE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AT THE RECENT ELECTION AND NOW DEMAND THE ACTION NEEDED WITHOUT DELAY.     A UNITED CONGRESS DEDICATED TO WORK TOWARD SOLUTIONS IN A BI-PARTISAN MANNER AND SOLELY IN THE INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND OUR GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE, IS WHAT THE PEOPLE DESERVE.   WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR PRESIDENT–ELECT OBAMA OR NOT, HE WILL BE OUR 44^TH PRESIDENT AND WE NEED TO GIVE HIM OUR UNDIVIDED SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.      THE VERY FIRST STEP AFTER TAKING OFFICE, I SUGGEST THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS DECLARE A MORATORIUM ON MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES, ON DEFAULTED MORTGAGES FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO 120 DAYS.     IN THE INTERIM THE MORTGAGE HOLDER AND THE BORROWER MUST AGREE TO SHARE THE COST TO HIRE A EXPERT APPRAISER AT A SET FEE OF NOT MORE THAN $1000, FOR A FAIR MARKET VALUE APPRAISAL OF THE PROPERTY, AT WHICH TIME THE BORROWER MUST ACCEPT A NEW MORTGAGE AT CURRENT FIXED RATES PROVIDED BY THE LENDER FOR A PERIOD OF 30 TO 40 YEARS AMORTIZATION.     IF NOT, THE BORROWER AGREES TO VACATE THE PROPERTY WITHIN 30 DAYS AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY DURING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD.       THIS ACTION IS BOUND TO STOP THE TIDE OF FORECLOSURES AND AS A CONSEQUENCE PRICES OF HOMES AND REAL ESTATE WILL STABILIZE AND THE DOWNWARD TREND STOPPED.     THIS ALSO WILL HELP THE CITIES AND TOWNS TO RETURN THE PROPERTY TO TAX PAYING STATUS AND RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE MUNICIPALITY AND THE OTHER LOCAL REAL ESTATE TAXPAYERS.     OF COURSE, THE EXPERT APPRAISER’S MARKET VALUE APPRAISAL SHOULD SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY’S NEW ASSESSMENT ALSO, IN FAIRNESS TO THE PARTIES.         OF COURSE, IN SOME CASES THESE MORTGAGES MAY BE GUARANTEED IN PART BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, BUT NOT IN AN AMOUNT EXCEEDING 50% SO THE LENDER, THE BORROWER AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT JOINTLY SHARE ANY LOSS.     ALL FANNY MAE AND FREDDIE MACK LOANS SHOULD BE WRITTEN ON THE SAME BASIS OF A 50% GUARANTEE BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, SO THAT THE PARTIES SHARE THE BURDEN EQUALLY INVOLVED.            BANKRUPTCY OF THE BORROWER OR LENDER SHOULD NOT EXTINGUISH THE OBLIGATION TO REPAY THAT PART OF THE LOAN PAID BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDER SAID GUARANTEE.     AS I SAID BEFORE, THIS SHOULD BE THE VERY FIRST STEP TAKEN BY THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS ON JANUARY 21, 2009.     OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VOLUNTARY ACTION AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES DURING THE MORATORIUM PERIOD, WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S PROMISE TO GUARANTEE 50% OF THE NEW MORTGAGE AS AN INDUCEMENT TO THE PARTIES TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT TO REFINANCE SAID MORTGAGE.THE DAYS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GUARANTEEING 100% OF THE LOANS SHOULD END AS UNWISE IN THE FACE OF THE LOSS THE GOVERNMENT IS FORCED TO TAKE IN ALL V.A. AND FANNIE MAE LOANS.    LENDING INSTITUTIONS WILL THEN HAVE SOME OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR LENDING PRACTICES.    

CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN

      DEAR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE:

           ISN’T IT FUN TO BE CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON?  YOU GET TIME OFF FROM THE DISCIPLINE OF SCHOOL EVERY DAY.    YOU CAN GO TO THE MALL AND STORES TO SEE THE VAST COLLECTION OF TOYS, GADGETS AND OTHER THINGS YOU WISH FOR AND DESIRE.     YOU GET TO SEE SANTA CLAUS WITH HIS RED COAT, LONG WHITE BEARD AND JOLLY FACE OR ONE OF HIS LOOK-A LIKES AND TELL HIM WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE SANTA TO BRING TO YOU ON CHRISTMAS DAY.    YOU GET TO HELP DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE WITH LIGHTS AND OTHER ORNAMENTS.    THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR ATTENTION, BECAUSE, EVERY YEAR, SANTA CLAUS AND OTHERS MANAGE TO SURROUND THE TREE WITH BRIGHTLY COLORED BOXES OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND FOR VISITING GUESTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, WHO MAY HAVE TRAVELED MANY MILES TO COME TO YOUR HOME FOR THIS FESTIVE HOLIDAY.    EVERYONE HAS TWO SETS OF GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE USUALLY PRESENT, IF POSSIBLE, TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE DAY AND WHO UNDERSTAND AND SPOIL YOU MORE THAN YOUR PARENTS WOULD NORMALLY ALLOW.

    NONE OF YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS MORNING, TO GATHER UNDER THAT TREE TO HELP DISTRIBUTE AND OPEN YOUR GIFTS.    YOU GO TO BED EARLY, AS YOU ARE TOLD BY YOUR PARENTS AND TO BE GOOD OR SANTA MAY NOT COME.    YOU CANNOT WAIT AND USUALLY LAY IN THAT BED IN WILD ANTICIPATION UNTIL YOU DOZE OFF TO DREAMLAND FROM SHEER EXHAUSTION.    WHEN YOU AWAKE IN THE MORNING, YOU AWAKEN YOUR SIBLINGS AND YOU ALL RUSH TO THE TREE TO SEE THE GIFTS THAT LAY BENEATH THAT FRUITFUL TREE.    AFTER THE USUAL “OOHS” AND “AHHS” YOU SET ABOUT THE TASK OF HANDING OUT THE GIFTS, BASED ON THE NAMES WRITTEN ON THE GIFTS, LIKE, “TO SETH FROM SANTA, OR “FROM SANTA TO PAIGE.    IN A FEW MINUTES EVERYONE IS BUSY TEARING APART THE BEAUTIFUL WRAPPINGS AND FANCY RIBBONS, TO DISCOVER, INSIDE, THAT SPECIAL GIFT THEY WANTED ALL YEAR BUT THEIR PARENTS INSISTED THEY COULD NOT AFFORD. TO BUY.   YOU WERE SO HAPPY, YOU CRIED WITH JOY AND IMMEDIATELY SET DOWN TO EXAMINE AND PLAY WITH THIS CHERISHED GIFT.

     AFTER A WHILE YOU HEAR A VOICE ANNOUNCE, “DINNER IS READY!” AND YOU SCRAMBLE TO THE TABLE AND TAKE YOUR PLACE.   ALL THE BEST CHINA, CRYSTAL, GLASSES AND STERLING SILVERWARE ARE SET AROUND THE TABLE AT EACH PLACE SETTING, ALONG WITH THE LINEN TABLECLOTH AND MATCHING NAPKINS THAT YOUR FAMILY ONLY USES ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND, THIS IS SUCH AN OCCASION, BECAUSE IT IS CHRISTMAS.    THERE IS THE PAIR OF SILVER CANDLESTICKS WITH BURNING WHITE CANDLES SET ON EACH END OF A BLOOMING BOUQUET OF AROMATIC FLOWERS AS A CENTERPIECE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE. 

      MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, ROSE, HAVE COOKED A SPECIAL MEAL OF TURKEY WITH GRAVY, HAM AND ALL THE FIXINGS LIKE STUFFING, POTATOES, PEAS, A LETTUCE SALAD, HOT ROLLS AND PLENTY OF BUTTER.    NEXT COME THE SPECIAL DESSERTS MOSTLY HOMEMADE PIES OF APPLE, BLUEBERRY, PECAN AND LEMON MERINGUE.    AUNT CHRISTINE ARRIVED WITH A LARGE ROUND MARBLE CAKE COVERED WITH MELTED HERSHEY CHOCOLATE FROSTING, WHICH WAS SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF VANILLA OR CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.   IT WAS AN INSTANT HIT SO MOST OF THE PIES WERE HANDED OUT AS SNACKS TO TAKE HOME TO EVERYONE.   

     CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME TO EXCHANGE CHRISTMAS CARDS AND NEW YEARS GREETINGS.    MANY ARE OF THE HALLMARK COMPANY WITH THE PREPRINTED WORDS THAT REQUIRE ONLY THE SENDER’S SIGNATURE WHILE THOSE OF AUNT JANET QUILTY, ARE HAND MADE WORKS OF ART SUITABLE FOR FRAMING AND CHERISHED FOREVER AS MASTERPIECES.     GRANDPA JOE, SENDS OUT THE CARDS TO HIS FAMILY WHICH ARE FILLED WITH HANDWRITTEN NOTES ON THE FRONT AND BACK, AS HIS SAYS, BECAUSE HE WANTS TO GET HIS MONEY’S WORTH AND SEND A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO EACH RECIPIENT.

     CHRISTMAS IS A SPECIAL, HAPPY TIME, TO VISIT FRIEND AND RELATIVES TO SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS TO REMIND US THAT JESUS WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN A MANGER OR STABLE IN THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM TO THE VIRGIN MARY AND JOSEPH, THE CARPENTER.    AT THE TIME A BRIGHT STAR APPEARED IN THE EAST ATTRACTING THE THREE WISE MEN WHO TRAVELED FROM AFAR TO BRING GIFTS TO THIS CHRIST CHILD, AS HE WAS CALLED.     THIS WAS THE START OF THE GIFT GIVING TRADITION AT CHRISTMAS WHERE EVERY CHILD IS LOOKED UPON AS POSSIBLE SAVIORS OF OUR RELIGION AND FAITH IN OUR ONE GOD.    EACH PARENT CHERISHES THEIR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO DEATH WITH THE LOVE AND SACRIFICE ONLY A PARENT CAN GIVE IN THE HOPE THEIR CHILDREN WILL HAVE A BETTER AND FULLER LIFE THAN THEIR PARENTS HAVE ENJOYED.    

      CHRISTMAS, THEN, IS ABOUT OUR RELIGION, AS TAUGHT TO CHILDREN BY THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR CHURCH.    IT IS ABOUT JESUS AND HIS LIFE AND HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES WHO HELPED START THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.     IT IS ABOUT CARING FOR PEOPLE, HEALING THE SICK AND FEEDING THE POOR AND THOSE LESS FORTUNATE.    IT IS ABOUT HELPING THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES, BY SHARING AND CARING FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN WHEN THE NEED ARISES.    MAYBE WE CANNOT PERFORM MIRACLES LIKE JESUS DID, WHEN HE MADE THE BLIND SEE OR MADE THE CRIPPLED WALK AGAIN, BUT WE CAN DO WELL BY HELPING OTHERS WHENEVER WE CAN.   

     THIS IS OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE, TO LIVE OUR LIVES LIKE EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS. TO LOVE AND BE LOVED, TO BE GENEROUS WHEN WE CAN GIVE AND TO GRATEFULLY ACCEPT HELP WHEN WE ARE IN NEED.   TO DEDICATE OUR LIVES TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.     TO HAVE PROGENY TO TAKE OVER OUR TASK WHEN WE BECOME OLD AND TOO HANDICAPPED TO HELP ANY LONGER.   THAT IS OUR FULFILLMENT IN OUR LIVES, NOT MONEY, NOT POWER, BUT LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR OUR FELLOW MAN.    

     FINALLY, WE KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS IS FOR CHILDREN, TO INSTILL IN THEM THE KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE NECESSARY TO RESPECT AND HELP THEIR FELLOW MAN.      TO ACCEPT GIFTS AT FIRST AS A DESERVING CHILD SO THAT THEY WILL ULTIMATELY LEARN TO BEAR AND GIVE GIFTS TO OTHERS, IN RECIPROCATION AND TO FEEL MORE SATISFIED IN GIVING, RATHER, THAN IN RECEIVING, AS, WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.

The following letter is being mailed seperately to:
President-Elect Barack Obama
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Congressman Harry Reid
and the Attorney General of the U.S.
I await a response anxiously.

The Legal Problem with all These Bailouts

      In the last three months, President Bush and congress have authorized a trillion dollars or more of expenditures by the treasury for bailouts of private banks, insurance and financial companies without any reference to the legality of such transactions.   Now congress is blatantly considering a 30 to 75 billion-dollar bailout of the American auto industries, also without any consideration as to their legality.

     Maybe I am missing something, but any expenditure by congress must be authorized under the powers given to them under the constitution of the United States as amended.

      Under article I, the legislative branch of government, section 8, entitled “powers of congress,” there are listed 18 expressed powers granted by the constitution to congress the only law making power of the government.    None of these 18 expressed powers, even remotely pertain to any congressional power to lend or grant money to any private person or company.

     Some people might argue that article I, section 1 mentions, “for purposes of national defense and general welfare of the United States,” which is the expressed authority, for congress to vote money to these private companies, but that is not true.  Since the power given under this section is for congress is to lay and collect taxes, not to lend or grant money from the treasury to anyone.

     In addition, under section 9 of said article I, under “powers” denied congress it is expressly stated “no money can be drawn from the U.S. treasury, without an act of congress stating how it is to be used.” 

     This means the President and congress had no right to have the Federal Reserve System dole out 700 billion dollars, since it was not specified how this money was to be used.   In the President’s case where he unilaterally gave billions of treasury dollars to A.I.G. and other private companies without a vote of congress and also as to how it was to be used, this action by the President was illegal and void.

      It is abundantly clear that congress has no legal right to loan grant or appropriate any treasury funds to the auto companies since they are private companies and do not qualify under the U.S. Constitution, as amended for such aid.

If anyone thinks I am wrong in this assumption, I would be pleased to be corrected, unless I am corrected, then I must assume I am correct.  Someone please reply!     

THE PRICE OF DIESEL, HEATING FUELS AND GASOLINE,

IN THE U.S.

      ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, THE PRICE OF DIESEL AND HEATING FUELS WAS ABOUT HALF OF THE PRICE OF GASOLINE, SIMPLY BECAUSE THESE FUELS DID NOT NEED THE REFINING PROCESS NEEDED TO BRING THEM UP TO THE OCTANE OF GASOLINE FOR USE IN GAS ENGINES.      THE PRICE OF HEATING OIL OF ALL KINDS WAS AT THE SAME LEVEL AS DIESEL, FOR THE SAME REASONS.     WHY THEN, IS THE PRICE HEATING OILS ON THE SAME PAR AS GASOLINE, AND DIESEL FUEL EVEN HIGHER, BY A DOLLAR A GALLON ONE MAY LOGICALLY ASK?     PLEASE BE AWARE THAT FUEL OIL PRICES HAS BEEN PRICED AT ONE DOLLAR LESS THAN DIESEL, EVEN THOUGH THEIR MAKEUP IS ABOUT THE SAME.     THE ANSWER IS THAT FUEL OIL USERS VOTE, WHILE DIESEL TRUCK USERS CANNOT VOTE AND THE OIL COMPANIES CANNOT AFFORD TO EXCITE THE VOTERS.  

       THE PERPLEXING QUESTION IS NOT THAT DIESEL AND FUEL OIL ARE IN GREATER DEMAND AND THUSLY, IN SHORT SUPPLY, OR THAT THEY COST MORE TO PRODUCE, BECAUSE THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.    THE AMERICAN OIL COMPANIES HAVE DECIDED THAT OUR NATION’S TRUCKERS WHOM ENGINES ARE DIESEL CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT DIESEL FUEL.    SO THE OIL COMPANIES HAVE A CAPTIVE DIESEL USER, WHO CAN PASS THE COST OVER TO THE CONSUMER BY WAY OF HIGHER TRUCKING COSTS, IN THIS WAY, THE TRUCKER IS NOT REALLY HURT, ONLY THE CONSUMER WHO MUST PAY FOR THIS ADDED COST IN THE PRICE OF THE FOOD OR MATERIALS SHIPPED TO THEIR RETAIL OUTLETS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.    IT IS MUCH LIKE THE COST OF UNION INCREASES IN WAGES; THE EMPLOYER TRADITIONALLY PASSES THE COST ALONG TO THE CONSUMER, WHOEVER BUYS THE PRODUCT PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY.    HAVE YOU NOTICED THE ESCALATING AND HIGH PRICE OF FOOD ITEMS THIS LAST YEAR AT THE SUPERMARKET?  I HAVE.   AIRLINES AND CRUISE SHIP OWNERS HAVE PASSED ALONG THE ADDED COST OF FUEL WITH FUEL SURCHARGES ALONG WITH UTILITY COMPANIES WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGING CONSUMERS AN ADDED COST EACH MONTH FOR “FUEL CHARGES” ULTIMATELY THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO BEAR THE ADDED COST, WHILE SOME TRUCKING COMPANIES MAY BE STUCK WITH THE LONG TERM CONTRACTS AND MUST BEAR THE ADDED COST THEMSELVES.     PRIVATELY OWNED AND PERSONAL DIESEL TRUCK OWNERS, ESPECIALLY PICKUP TRUCKS ARE STUCK IN THE SQUEEZE.    ALL THIS HAS CAUSED A REAL PROBLEM WITH THEM, THE ECONOMY AND SOME CONTRACT TRUCKERS, WHICH ARE STRAINING FROM THESE HIGH FUEL COSTS TO THE POINT IT IS CRIPPLING MOST EVERYONE ESPECIALLY THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS.     THE HIGH PRICE OF GASOLINE THESE PAST TWO YEARS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF HOW GAS PRICES CAN AFFECT AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY, THE AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CAUGHT FLAT FOOTED WITH VEHICLES WITH LOW MILEAGE THEY CANNOT SELL AND AS A RESULT ARE CRIPPLED AND CRYING FOR HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT.    THE TRUCKING COMPANIES JUST KEEP PASSING THE ADDED COST ALONG TO THE CONSUMER BUT WITH UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE, MOST PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THESE HIGHER PRICES AND ARE CUTTING BACK ON TRAVEL, VACATIONS AND EATING OUT, FOR EXAMPLE.   THOSE ELDERLY PERSONS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME ARE MAKING HARD CHOICES BETWEEN EATING AND DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES, OR SEEKING MEDICAL HELP BECAUSE OF THE CO-PAY CHARGES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES.

     IT IS OBVIOUS THAT OIL MAN PRESIDENT BUSH AND CHENEY WILL DO NOTHING BUT REAP THE PROFITS FROM THE HIGH PRICES OF OIL, ESPECIALLY IN OIL RICH STATE LIKE TEXAS, WHILE THE REST OF US SUFFER.    CONGRESS HAS AND WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE OIL LOBBYISTS BUY THEM OFF.    THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO CONTROL, REDUCE OR STABILIZE THESE HIGH FUEL PRICES IS THE INCOMING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.    OF COURSE, HE HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO FINALLY START AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PLAN, FOR TWO REASONS, TO STOP OUR DEPENDENCY ON FOREIGN OIL AND TO PUT THE MILLIONS OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN NEW AND PERMANENT JOBS.     THIS PROCESS, BY HIS OWN WORDS, IS A TEN YEAR PLAN, BUT THE AMERICAN CONSUMER CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT WAIT THAT LONG FOR REAL RELIEF FROM THESE ARTIFICIAL OR RIGGED PRICES, WE EXPECT PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DO SOMETHING WITHIN THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF COMING INTO OFFICE, TO CORRECT THIS NEEDLESS AND PRESSING PROBLEM.     WE SUGGEST HE PUT THE ALTUMATIVE TO THE LOCAL OIL COMPANIES TO REDUCE THE PRICE OF DIESEL, GAS AND FUELS TO THE RIGHT LEVEL OF ABOUT $1.50 PER GALLON OR RISK A TAKEOVER BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER ITS WAR POWERS SINCE THESE ARE STRATEGIC FUELS IN WARTIME.    OF COURSE IT IS TIME FOR CONGRESS TO PLACE PRICE CONTROLS ON DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF OIL AND ALSO TO PREVENT DOMESTIC OIL FROM BEING SHIPPED ANYWHERE BUT TO REMAIN IN THE U.S.A.

    ALSO, IT MAY BE TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP INVESTORS IN BIOFUEL PRODUCTION TO COMPETE WITH THESE BRAZEN, DOMESTIC OIL COMPANIES BENT ON EXORBITANT AND SHAMEFUL PROFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE POOR CONSUMER IN THE U.S.

    UNLESS SOMETHING DRASTIC IS DONE, YOU CAN KISS THE AMERICAN AUTO COMPANIES’ GOODBYE WHILE THE ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO ERODE UNDER THESE HIGH AND UNCONTROLLED PRICES.          

THE WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

 

      EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE POLICY DIRECTIVES TO PEOPLE AND MATTERS DIRECTLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.     THEY GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND DO NOT NEED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OR CONFIRMATION.     

       PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE INTENDS TO USE THIS METHOD OF ISSUING EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO IMMEDIATELY PUT IN EFFECT THOSE MATTERS HE FEELS HIS ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CHANGE.     THESE INCLUDE STEM CELL RESEARCH OF THE ALZHEIMER’S AND PARKINSON DISEASES, WHICH ARE AFFECTING SO MANY AMERICANS THAT A RUSH PROGRAM MUST BE EMPLOYED TO HELP THESE SUFFERING PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.   

     I, FOR ONE, APPLAUD OBAMA’S DECISION TO DO THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP THOSE SUFFERING PEOPLE, ON THE DAY HE TAKES OFFICE WITHOUT ANY OTHER NECESSARY ACTION BUT TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.     I ALSO HEARD HE INTENDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT DRILLING OIL IN UTAH.     I PRESUME, HE PLANS TO HOLD OFF ANY ACTION TO DRILL THERE OR OFFSHORE, UNTIL HE PERFECTS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH WILL INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, WHICH I APPLAUD, ALSO.     IT JUST MAKES SENSE NOT TO HAVE PIECEMEAL PLANS ON ENERGY INDEPENDENCE WHEN AN OVERALL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS WHAT IS NEEDED WITH PROPER CONTROLS TO INSURE RESULTS MOST BENEFICIAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND NOT THE BIG OIL COMPANIES WHO ARE FAMOUS FOR RIPPING US OFF WITH HIGH PRICES.     IT IS THE OIL COMPANIES THAT PLACED THE LAST NAILS IN OUR ECONOMIC COFFIN AND CAUSED THESE ENERGY CRISES TO WORSEN AND AFFECT THE WHOLE ECONOMY IN AN ADVERSE WAY.    I BELIEVE SOMETHING MUST BE DONE IMMEDIATELY TO INSURE THAT OIL AND FUEL PRICES REMAIN LOW TO HELP THE ECONOMY RECOVER.     THE AUTO INDUSTRY CANNOT SURVIVE OR RECOVER UNLESS GASOLINE STAYS BELOW $2.00 A GALLON FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.

      THIS SENDS THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND ME, THE MESSAGE THAT OBAMA IS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO WANT TO DO SOMETHING THE MOMENT HE STEPS INTO THAT OVAL OFFICE AND THE PRESIDENCY.   MUCH MORE IS EXPECTED OF OBAMA BECAUSE OF THESE CRISES IN OUR COUNTRY.    WE REALIZE THE BURDEN IS HEAVY BUT HE ASKED FOR IT AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE COUNTING ON OBAMA TO HELP US OUT AT THIS TIME OF NEED.   

     LASTLY I RECOMMEND A COMPREHENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM TO REPAIR OUR BRIDGES, ROADS AND SCHOOLS BE PASSED BY CONGRESS AS A FIRST PRIORITY TO HELP RETURN THE UNEMPLOYED BACK TO WORK.     THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ALSO WANT THE WORK VISA PROGRAM STOPPED UNTIL WE HAVE FULL EMPLOYMENT.    YOU KNOW THE PLAN ATTRACTS FOREIGNERS WHO WILL WORK FOR LESS THAN THEY PAID TO AMERICANS.     THAT WAS NEVER THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; IT WAS TO GIVE WORK TO FOREIGNERS WHEN WE COULD NOT FIND AMERICANS TO FILL THE JOBS.   IT IS TIME TO TRAIN AMERICANS TO DO THESE JOBS IF NEED BE.   

     TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE NAFTA AND CAFTA AND OTHER FREE TRADE POLICIES AND YOU WILL FIND THAT TOO MANY OF OUR FACTORY AND MANUFACTURING PLANTS AND JOBS HAVE GONE OVERSEAS FOR THEIR CHEAPER LABOR.     THE ORIGINAL IDEA SOUNDED OKAY BUT THE RESULTS HAVE RUINED OUR ECONOMY AND JOB MARKET AND HAS REALLY GOT OUT OF CONTROL.    THIS MUST BE REVERSED WITH A TYPE OF BARTER OR EXCHANGE SYSTEM, WITH DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR VALUE.    

     LASTLY, SINCE YOU, PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA, ACCEPTED THE HOSPITALITY OF PRESIDENT BUSH AT THE WHITE HOUSE RECENTLY, YOU REALLY OWE HIM AN APOLOGY FOR ALL THOSE BAD THINGS YOU SAID ABOUT HIM IN YOUR CAMPAIGN.    IT IS A WONDER HE EVEN SPEAKS TO YOU.    I KNOW POLITICS, BUT THEY WERE CHEAP SHOTS LIKE THE ONES YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT FROM YOUR OPPONENTS.