Thomas Jefferson
President 1801 -1809
Those who hammer their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not Thomas Jefferson
Those who trade liberty for Security have neither
John Adams
John Adams
President 1797 - 1801
An armed man is a citizen.
An unarmed man is a subject
Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
Free men do not ask permission to bear arm
You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
Know guns, Know Peace, Know Safety.
No Guns, No Peace, No Safety.
Guns have only two enemies;
Rust and Politicians
You don’t shoot to kill, you shoot to stay alive
Assault is a behavior, not a device.
64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday
When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control
American Revolution Era Flags
Only a government that is afraid of its citizens
tries to control them.
The United States Constitution
The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you NOT understand?
The Founding Fathers on the Second Amendment
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people.
To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Co-author of the Second Amendment
during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution, 1788
“ Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the
American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from
the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
George Washington - First President of the United States
"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the
people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially
when young, how to use them."
Richard Henry Lee -American Statesman, 1788
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A Reminder about the History of Social Security
With the elections just a little over 4 months away you'll soon be hearing some Democrats running for political office, warning how the Republicans want to take away the old people's Social Security.
Here are some facts you can pass along to all friends in your book. Education is a good thing and these facts can be easily proven, look them up for yourself!
Subject: History Lesson on Your Social Security Card
Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.
Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed. [9]
image001.jpg
An old Social Security card with the "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION" message.
Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be
Completely voluntary,
No longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual
Incomes into the Program,
Now 7.65%
on the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,
No longer tax deductible
4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the
general operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other
Government program, and,
Under Johnson the money was moved to
The General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Under Clinton & Gore
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are
now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put
away' -- you may be interested in the following:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Q: Which Political Party decided to start
giving annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY FAVORITE:
A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!
------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- ---------
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA),
the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe changes will
evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully
sure of what isn't so.
Here are some facts you can pass along to all friends in your book. Education is a good thing and these facts can be easily proven, look them up for yourself!
Subject: History Lesson on Your Social Security Card
Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.
Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed. [9]
image001.jpg
An old Social Security card with the "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION" message.
Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be
Completely voluntary,
No longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual
Incomes into the Program,
Now 7.65%
on the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,
No longer tax deductible
4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the
general operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other
Government program, and,
Under Johnson the money was moved to
The General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.
Under Clinton & Gore
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are
now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put
away' -- you may be interested in the following:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Q: Which Political Party decided to start
giving annuity payments to immigrants?
AND MY FAVORITE:
A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!
------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- ---------
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA),
the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of
awareness will be planted and maybe changes will
evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully
sure of what isn't so.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Wayne Allyn Root calls Obama a Job Killer
The motivation from this blog comes from an article in the Las Vegas Review Journal by Wayne Allyn Root. He's dead on.
I think I've mentioned in a few places and to several people how government is a wealth consumer, not a wealth producer. I have also mentioned how the taxation is going to drive people out of business. I've been watching all this trend since 2006.
The housing bubble created a lot of vaporwealth. (For those of you who (don't) remember the tech explosion of the 80's/90's, check out vaporware ) That wealth was used as the basis for raising taxes to fund a lot of government programs and capitol improvements. Now that wealth is gone, but the programs are still there requiring funding. During the housing boom, we were all pretty flush, and anyone complaining about soaring government costs was shushed and told that all this wealth should be used to help the government and we should all pay our "fair share". Will the government be giving us back our fair share, now that we can't afford its out-of-proportion spending?
No, wealth producers are going to get milked even more. There will be a lot of rhetoric about paying your fair share. Already, there are the health-care taxes, the cigarette tax, and any of the other taxes that Obama is "agnostic" about. I've already said that I think he's a polytheist on taxes.
One thing I keep sharing with my friends, is that, in addition to the taxes, are the costs of compliance. You have to take time to calculate these taxes, and pay someone to interpret any new laws, or take the time to read them yourself. All of this takes away time from actually running a business. And that destroys even more wealth (or at least the chance to generate wealth) or perhaps more correctly(and importantly), it destroys freedom--any time you spend on compliance, is time that can't be spent on your business, leisure, education, or whatever YOU want to do.
This is a great disincentive to having employees. We're going to be seeing a lot of small businesses decide they don't need employees. In fact, I keep seeing more positions being advertised as independent contractor positions. One of the pitches of multi-level-marketing (MLM) is that you don't have to have any employees. We'll probably be seeing an increase in MLM businesses, and I won't knock them.
The government has been in size and scope for nearly 100 years now. There have been some slow downs in the acceleration of the expansion, but no reversals. No departments shed/pruned/lopped off/disbanded. The various administrations send money to their well connected (and generously donating) friends.
I guess the real question, is, " What are we to do?" At this point, I think it's wise to look into look for jobs with large companies that are in favor with the current administration (and hopefully the next), create your own job/business, get involved in an MLM (either energy or basic commodity--I wouldn't get into luxury fruit juices, or something that wasn't a necessity), get a government job, and hope that our "leaders" will get out of the way and allow the American people to recover, and the American economy to recover with them.
Other things to consider:
Why is the administration doing what it's doing?
Who does it benefit?
Where is this wealth going?
What is the purpose of any piece of legislation? (Not what they tell you on the news, but the real purpose--I'm skeptical about anything the government tells me--if we expect the campaing promises to be lies, why should we believe what they tell us about any piece of legislation?)
It's time for all of us to think like detectives or investigative jounalists.
I really hope you had a happy 4th of July.
I think I've mentioned in a few places and to several people how government is a wealth consumer, not a wealth producer. I have also mentioned how the taxation is going to drive people out of business. I've been watching all this trend since 2006.
The housing bubble created a lot of vaporwealth. (For those of you who (don't) remember the tech explosion of the 80's/90's, check out vaporware ) That wealth was used as the basis for raising taxes to fund a lot of government programs and capitol improvements. Now that wealth is gone, but the programs are still there requiring funding. During the housing boom, we were all pretty flush, and anyone complaining about soaring government costs was shushed and told that all this wealth should be used to help the government and we should all pay our "fair share". Will the government be giving us back our fair share, now that we can't afford its out-of-proportion spending?
No, wealth producers are going to get milked even more. There will be a lot of rhetoric about paying your fair share. Already, there are the health-care taxes, the cigarette tax, and any of the other taxes that Obama is "agnostic" about. I've already said that I think he's a polytheist on taxes.
One thing I keep sharing with my friends, is that, in addition to the taxes, are the costs of compliance. You have to take time to calculate these taxes, and pay someone to interpret any new laws, or take the time to read them yourself. All of this takes away time from actually running a business. And that destroys even more wealth (or at least the chance to generate wealth) or perhaps more correctly(and importantly), it destroys freedom--any time you spend on compliance, is time that can't be spent on your business, leisure, education, or whatever YOU want to do.
This is a great disincentive to having employees. We're going to be seeing a lot of small businesses decide they don't need employees. In fact, I keep seeing more positions being advertised as independent contractor positions. One of the pitches of multi-level-marketing (MLM) is that you don't have to have any employees. We'll probably be seeing an increase in MLM businesses, and I won't knock them.
The government has been in size and scope for nearly 100 years now. There have been some slow downs in the acceleration of the expansion, but no reversals. No departments shed/pruned/lopped off/disbanded. The various administrations send money to their well connected (and generously donating) friends.
I guess the real question, is, " What are we to do?" At this point, I think it's wise to look into look for jobs with large companies that are in favor with the current administration (and hopefully the next), create your own job/business, get involved in an MLM (either energy or basic commodity--I wouldn't get into luxury fruit juices, or something that wasn't a necessity), get a government job, and hope that our "leaders" will get out of the way and allow the American people to recover, and the American economy to recover with them.
Other things to consider:
Why is the administration doing what it's doing?
Who does it benefit?
Where is this wealth going?
What is the purpose of any piece of legislation? (Not what they tell you on the news, but the real purpose--I'm skeptical about anything the government tells me--if we expect the campaing promises to be lies, why should we believe what they tell us about any piece of legislation?)
It's time for all of us to think like detectives or investigative jounalists.
I really hope you had a happy 4th of July.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
State and Municipal Meltdown?
One of the things I remember hearing over the last couple of years (I think it was on KFI's John and Ken show) was that during the real estate boom, California's spending went up 90% over ten years.
Now that our property tax revenues are going to decrease to mid-90's levels again, do you think that the state will be wiping out some of that spending? Or do you think California and the other states will start looking for more revenue in the form of higher taxes or a federal bailout (which will result in higher taxes for everyone)? Or will they just default. And, btw, where is the Federal government getting their money?
I have personally seen rising rates in municipal water and sewer charges due to overspending. Connection charges some of my rentals went from $78 to $215 per unit, which only further decreases the value of the rental. This has happened because jurisdictions flush with increased property tax money went on spending sprees.
States and municipalities cannot print their own money. I wouldn't be investing in any state or municipal bonds. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to get out of them, or find out who insures them and short their stock (much like it would have been wise to short AIG at the appropriate time). Find out the fiscal year and plan accordingly.
There are still nearly a million homes that are in default that haven't made it back onto the market, yet. Deutschebank estimates that houses that are worth less than the mortgage on them will increase from 25% to 50% in the US.
I think we're in for a world of hurt by the end of the year, as states and cities scramble for money.
This just came in on Drudge:
(10:52 AM PST)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/business/economy/03illinois.html?_r=2&partner=MYWAY&ei=5065
Friday, July 2, 2010
Heads on a Stick
This was taken last year at the "Heads on a Stick" rally hosted by John and Ken of KFI AM 640. It was at Maxwell's in Apple Valley. I like the place, but evidently the reviewer on Google Maps couldn't read the prices on the menu. It's not the cheapest place in town, but has one of the best pastrami sandwiches around.
The Collapsing Economy
It seems that every where we look today, the economy is stagnant or declining. Companies are worried about what new laws are going to be passed that must be complied with. Look at the new requirements in the Gulf Coast--due to new regulations, no shallow water drilling permits have been issued, putting thousands out of work, and perhaps bankrupting some of the smaller businesses.
Obamacare is over 2000 pages long. If you're a small business, you're not even going to be able to interpret it without a lawyer. You'll probably either carry on as usual, and then get hit with fines, or start shedding employees until you have none. Go here for an article on the 20 or so new or increased taxes brought on by Obamacare. And, no surprise, just like in the UK, high risk patients will probably not be worth the government funds it would take to cover them.
Many businesses are either keeping positions unfilled or eliminating them. The city of Maywood in California is going to contract out its services.
There is growth in the government. But we know that government is a consumer of wealth, not a producer, so there must be growth in the private sector to support it, but there isn't any to speak of. Can we say Cloward-Piven strategy?
So we are well down the road to oligarchy in the US, with banks and the favored politicians benefitting from the work of entrepreneurs and their employees. If you want to read a more detailed analysis, you should read this article by Zubi Diamond, and his book, Wizards of Wall Street & Washinton Lapdogs. His article talks about the Dow going to 2000. I had recently talked to a friend about the Dow going to 1900, and then there is this article from the UK.
Obamacare is over 2000 pages long. If you're a small business, you're not even going to be able to interpret it without a lawyer. You'll probably either carry on as usual, and then get hit with fines, or start shedding employees until you have none. Go here for an article on the 20 or so new or increased taxes brought on by Obamacare. And, no surprise, just like in the UK, high risk patients will probably not be worth the government funds it would take to cover them.
Many businesses are either keeping positions unfilled or eliminating them. The city of Maywood in California is going to contract out its services.
There is growth in the government. But we know that government is a consumer of wealth, not a producer, so there must be growth in the private sector to support it, but there isn't any to speak of. Can we say Cloward-Piven strategy?
So we are well down the road to oligarchy in the US, with banks and the favored politicians benefitting from the work of entrepreneurs and their employees. If you want to read a more detailed analysis, you should read this article by Zubi Diamond, and his book, Wizards of Wall Street & Washinton Lapdogs. His article talks about the Dow going to 2000. I had recently talked to a friend about the Dow going to 1900, and then there is this article from the UK.
Remembering the First Patriots, Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. ... See More
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants,
nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
men of means, well educated,
but they signed the Declaration of Independence
knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! God Bless!
who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. ... See More
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants,
nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
men of means, well educated,
but they signed the Declaration of Independence
knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! God Bless!
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