No Respect from Romney

I find it particularly obnoxious that Romney would pick a time like this to criticize Obama. That, to me, crosses a line that should not be crossed. Would he, or did he, do the same on 9/11/2001 when GWB was in the White House. Gingrich was on CNN this morning and was every bit as obnoxious as Romney in somehow blaming Obama and stating that he, Obama, has been sensitive to the demonstrators in Benghazi. More BS. Isn't it easy to be so critical when you are NOT the POTUS. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romney-says-us-sent-mixed-signals-in-response-to-embassy-attacks-in-egypt/2012/09/12/f247216a-fce6-11e1-98c6-ec0a0a93f8eb_story.html

Romney Vs. Labor Unions

James Hoffa, Teamsters President, Says Romney 'Wants To Annihilate Organized Labor'

Posted: 09/08/2012 9:27 am Updated: 09/08/2012 11:22 am

"The way Teamsters President James P. Hoffa sees it, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney would be happy if an already weakened American labor movement ceased to exist altogether.

"He wants to annihilate organized labor as we know it," Hoffa told HuffPost outside the Democratic National Convention this week. "It's on his website. I'm not making this up. He's for a national right-to-work law. The Republican Party has veered dangerously to the right. It's rather incredible, in 2012, if you think about it."

Indeed, Romney's official stance on labor isn't kind to unions. His campaign website suggests that unions have outlasted their significance, "driv[ing] up costs and introduc[ing] rigidities that harm competitiveness and frustrate innovation." He supports states pursuing right-to-work laws, which weaken the clout of unions, and his party last week approved a platform pushing for national right-to-work legislation. He'd also like to prohibit automatic union dues-deduction from employee paychecks."

This really isn't surprising at all.  This guy is bought and paid for by Big Business and he is so enamored of the possibility of being POTUS that he is willing to sell out everything he may once have stood for.  Labor has a right to Unions and organization in order to collectively fight against poor working conditions, low wages, etc.  Do we go back to sweat shops and no minimum wage?  Workers at KFC in China make less per hour hour than the cost of a hamburger.  Is this where we are headed so that the likes of WalMart can squeeze the last cent of profit out of their workers?  Have you seen who works at WalMart?  Seniors who can't pay their bills if they depend on Social Security.  In the meantime Mrs. Ann Romney cooks pancakes dressed in designer dresses and pearls!!  Good luck with that!

Not so long ago I was a union representative for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.  I witnessed many incidents where union members got away with what I would call lack of professionalism.  They were protected by the PFT.  But, the PFT brought so many positive changes to the school system that these few cases are not the ones to judge the union.  Those changes were not only in favor of the workers but also greatly benefited the students making sure that class size was adhered to,  clean and neat classrooms were the standard, restrooms were clean both for students and staff, and so on.  I went through the Philadelphia schools as both a student and employee and was encouraged by the positive changes.

I must admit that unions can go overboard with wage demands, working conditions, and protection of employees.  On the other hand, were the workers left to the kindness of their employers...well you can just imagine how the individuals would be taken advantage of and abused by greed for profits.

My father, rest his soul, called me a socialist-commie-hippie (in jest of course).  Not so.  I am for common decency toward our fellow human beings.  Do unto others, karma, and all of that.

Imagine...

It is very obvious in today's world that neither the Repubs or the Democrats are in control.  Corporations control all politicians, voters, prices, supply lines, and on and on.  No one is free from the reduction of the masses into an extension of their credit cards.  The battle of words over Medicare, Obamacare, Romneycare, and so on, is proof positive that it's just words and the real problem of health care means little except votes.

Paul Ryan - Do what I say not what I do

So the 2012 Olympics are done and there is little to divert our attention from what is bound to be a very dirty political season.  If only we could stay as civilized as those many Olympic athletes who held their heads high and were proud to represent their countries.  Not so in American politics.

Mr. Romney has now chosen his running mate.  Conservatives (exactly what are they trying to conserve?) are in ecstasy.  Mr. Ryan was a bold choice, or so they say.

Here is why Ryan has garnered favor among the right.  He is tough, he knows economics.  He will repair the economy.  He will walk on water.

But, here are a few things you might like to know about the Mr. Budget Guru, beside the fear mongering that the Democrats will attack you with:

1. Ryan voted for the Bush Tax cuts
2. He voted for the Bush military campaigns with no future funding plan
3. He voted for unfunded security initiatives
4. He voted for the Medicare prescription benefits
5. He voted for the bank bailouts
6. He voted for the auto industry bailouts
7. He supports oil industry subsidies (his wife's father owns land leased to Exxon)

I could go on, but I'm sure the point is well taken.  Words rather than actions.  Twelve years in Congress and little to nothing to show for it.

I'm sure Ryan is a smart guy.  And a very ambitious guy.  If they lose in 2012 he'll surely be back in '16.

Politics 2012 - What is the meaning of "Conserve?"

One of Romney's ads contains the line, "I know what it's like to try to make ends meet."  Wow, it must be tough when you have hundreds of millions of $ in investment income.  Plus the hundreds of millions you inherited.  Plus all those Cayman Island accounts.  Plus Bain.  Poor guy.

Alexander Hamilton favored a lifetime executive, believing 1) he would not be swayed by corruption having to do with re-election 2) he would not be swayed in to unnecessary wars.  Rather like a monarch.

Does anyone today believe that Washington has Mr. & Mrs. Average American in their hearts and minds?

Solution: 1) Six year executive branch with recall.  2) Senators limited to two six year terms.  3) Representatives limited to four year terms.

Limit the Supreme Court to it's duties, i.e. judging laws not making laws.

Limit the use of Executive Orders so popularized by Theodore Roosevelt and our of fashion until Bush II.

Protect the Constitution.

Conservatives.  Can you explain exactly what it is you are trying to "conserve?"

Tea Party?  Explain your plan for America?

Say "Thanks" to a WWII vet

I was shopping at Sam's today and was walking next to an older (than me) gentleman.  I noticed his cap identified him as a WWII vet.  I asked where he was during the war and he explained that he spent time near Siberia...in a submarine!  For two years.  Wow, two years on a submarine.  We owe a lot to the now dwindling vets from WWII.  I was thinking how most of those men signed up, volunteered.  As they diminish in number we all need to say thanks when we have the opportunity.

Olympics 2012 and the Big Question

So, almost five hours of...WHAT???  Most of it, maybe fifty percent, left us thinking, "What's going on and what in the world does GOSH and NHS have to do with the Olympics?  And texting?  You've lost me.  Voldemort, Captain Hook, what a mess.  Great spectacle, but perhaps too British for the rest of the world.  I love when the teams march in.  That's the real show.  204 countries, with North and South Korea, Iran and Iraq, Israel and Palestine.  All standing together on the 5 Olympic rings.  But the biggest mystery to me, the head scratching moment, more baffling than the Queen jumping out of a helicopter, was...

WHERE'S RINGO???