1 Huge Block Still Remains Between My Vote & Obama

The sad thing is, it is a huge thing in my mind. In fact, every time I see him, hear him or hear of him, my mind immediately goes to the one topic that makes me despise the man. I find myself in constant turmoil over it. For the item to me is so large and our economy issues are so large that there are huge inner issues running through me.

I realize to most people, my issue is probably not worthy of thought or worry. Maybe it is because I am a woman. Or maybe it is because I am a mom. Or maybe because I am a christian and I believe every life is a blessing and a miracle. Most likely, it is a combination of all rolled into one (me).

In Illinois, I have no idea if in other places, there is a thing called Live Birth Abortions. For those of you who do not understand the term, Live Birth Abortions, simply stated it means that the pregnancy is beyond the point of a normal abortion and the child must be delivered the old fashioned way.

Yes, I said child, not embryo, or cells - child.

In fact, these children are actually left to die after the birth. Thus, the abortion part.

I may not agree with Abortion, myself. For me it is something I could never do. I've always been able to overlook it - shame on my christian side, during elections. This time, I can not.

Why?

Well, Obama was called to vote on this topic in Illinois. He could have voted to out law this murderous act. He didn't.

Some have related to me, that he has explained this as being an "oversight". I understand how this makes them feel better. I just want to know, is it an oversight, if you have a bill to outlaw Live Birth Abortions coming in front of you not once, not twice, but three times, and you still neglect to protect the weak.

What about helping this children? What about.....adoption? If the child is too large and old to terminate the pregnancy, shouldn't that tell us something?

Who is protecting those babies?

Doubling FDIC - Remind me, who exactly does that help?

It wasn't that long ago, that the web was showing how 50% of Americans earn $32k or less. Now, I know I am not a mathematician, but do we honestly believe those folks have that much in the bank to protect? We make a heck of a lot more income then that and we don't have anywhere near the old maximum.

So, tell me, why? Why do our public servants believe this is such a red letter item? Are the majority of the folks in their voting areas going to be protected by this change? Or should I rephrase that - Do they honestly think the majority of American people needed this added fluff?

Yippee - they are working for and protecting only the upper crust. The 8% of people (number taken from the percent of folks believed to see a tax increase on Obama's plan) in our population thank you.

Oh, and possibly a couple more fiscally sound folks.

Sometimes our government drives me crazy. I don't want another rebate check, I want new work for the people. How about hiring to rebuild our infrastructure? Try driving our bad roads in Illinois and you will know what I am saying.

Let's do something that really helps - put your band-aids away.

Plus, from what I understand on December 15th the Paulson, I believe that is the shmuck, report is being released and it is supposed to come clean and tell us the $750 Billion we just voted to bail out the banks, isn't enough. Evidently, we need $250 Trillion.

Getting the car home

Well no one in the state of Illinois is helpful with getting a vehicle home. Sound a little rash? It is exactly my perception.

Could be Illinois has enough tax revenue and doesn't wish to add another registered and licensed vehicle. Or possibly that all insurance companies in Illinois are making enough money, rendering my additional vehicle payment an extra cash flow they don't want.

After numerous calls to the DMV with no help, what so ever, I did what I should have done in the beginning. I made a call to the current car owner and had them overnight me the title. Which, thanks to UPS., the best delivery service in the world, I had the title in my hand yesterday afternoon. Go UPS!

I took the title in and hand my temporary plate and insurance card in less then 20 minutes. Including driving time!!!

Some times any direction out side of the bureaucracy of our government is a better choice. Makes you wonder, do they really work for us?

Thanks for the info to all that emailed me and left a comment. Sadly, I don't know if our state could do any of your suggestions. Even worse, their employees don't know either. :-(

How do I get a job, where I can no nothing, and make a solid check with benefits?

9-11 Remembrance

DD3 sang for this gathering yesterday. It was a sad reminder of all the folks we lost on that day.

The best reminder of how we all gave up or differences and self-imposed segregation's to be one that day.

We weren't:

• Republicans and Democrats
• Black or White
• Christians or Atheist
• South Siders or North Siders
• Or any other thing we stupidly separate ourselves with.

WE WERE AMERICANS!!!

Brother with Brother, Sister with Sister, we all bonded as one. We planted our flags in the front yards of our homes, swearing they would forever remain. We cried for those we did not know and lost. We rejoiced as one, when a lost was found.

I never loved my country more. Nor did I ever love its people more. Cause folks, you and I are America. All of our beautiful colors and differences collecting like a beautiful collage to represent the world. That is America!

We have an important election ahead of us, as all elections are. And I believe Barack said it best when he said "We all love our country."

I just hope we all vote, with that right we have. That we all do it without prejudice or hate, for either side or opponent. That we propel our country as we did on 9-11. Together, Forward and Strong!

Gas Tax Holiday?

I'm so disappointed in Hillary and McCain. How in the world can they think that what America needs is a Gas Tax Holiday?

That 18¢ a gallon savings is not going to do anything, except keep consumers consuming. Plus, even me, the big time mile girl, would only save $2.52 a tank of gas. If I bought only 1 tank a week x 12 weeks of summer = I would only save $30.24. Those pennies wont mean anything in the long run.

And what about our infrastructure? Are these people even driving? Have they not felt the potholes that are EVERYWHERE from the long winter?

If the politicians really wanted to help our country and our economy, they would do it through the infrastructure. They would push to have our roads and bridges brought up to par. They would do this by a wide hiring spree.

Putting Americans back to work.

Those workers, that are probably sitting at home since their GM or Ford or other big company layoff, would then return to the workforce. They would be bringing home a paycheck. They would be shopping and spending again.

Thus creating movement in the economy.

This is how we help the people - PUT THEM TO WORK. A free ride helps no one. It creates a society of lazy, potential criminals. Desperate people do desperate things. A job can change your outlook on life.

Positive will only send out more positive.

The Drama is Ending

When I terminated the dishonest employee, it wasn't an easy decision, but a necessary one.

When that same employee filed for unemployment, again I had no choice but to file a Claim Protest. In my eyes, these dollars are important and should go to the people who rightfully deserve them. Not for those who wish to manipulate the system to their way. I did what I believed to be right. Placing the decision into the hands of the state, with the full truth.

It was a bitter sweet day, when the mail arrived with the news that the decision had been made and the employee was ineligible for benefits. Not that I would like to create a financial burden on another, but again I was happy that the truth was seen. Honesty is so important.

Then, and I didn't post about this - just another stress I hold on myself, I received a letter informing me that there would be a hearing. The same employee was appealing the decision. Which is completely in her rights. This is how our system runs, to make sure that things run appropriately. I wasn't worried, just aggravated by the intrusion of my time - again.

This hearing was to be a Telephone Hearing - Thank God!!! There is no way, I could have squeezed in a off-site hearing. Okay, maybe I could of, but dang...glad I didn't have to.

I called and gave them my phone number for the date of the hearing. Receiving a confirmation number. Nothing to do for weeks after that.

Today, at 11:30 the call was to come in. I was ready. Had my notes. Did a drop-off while waiting for the ring. Which didn't come until about 11:45.

The Judge called and began going over the case number and details. Then, he shocked me.

The employee did not call in, for this 3-way hearing. When he tried her numbers, she was not reachable.

I didn't even need to say anything - except verification of whom I am. The case was discharged and the employee lost by default, for neglecting to call.

Why would you file an appeal, unless you were going to follow through?

Probably just to try and bug me??? Of course, didn't work. There wasn't anything for me to worry about. As I see it, she had everything to gain or lose. I'm good.

Consumer Confidence Hits 9 Month Low

Headlines like these drive me crazy. After all what do "they" expect? Television, Newspapers, and even the word on the street is full of doom and gloom. Even if it isn't "true", it sells and it scares.

Our country is falling to hell in a hand basket and the powers that be, don't give a flying leap. Friggin' idiots, if the people on the lower portion of this people pyramid can't sustain - eventually the top will fall.

You want to boost my confidence.

1. Fix the illegal immigrant situation. Help these folks become legit. Let them start paying into our system, instead of just draining it.
2. Big bomb, good-bye terrorist - not nice, I know....but this is ridiculous. Show us the light at the end of the tunnel. Each morning I watch the news and see another one of my brothers or sisters in Illinois has been severely injured or killed. I see no hope for this situation. Scary.
3. Need I say FORECLOSURE - Stop building all these over the budget mansions and get back to the necessities. Affordable, energy efficient and safe housing. Don't even suggest a bail out, unless you intend to fork over dollars to each and every American. Why should I be punished for having a brain, knowing not to purchase outside of my ability, knowing how to make my payments on time. This is like thanking a disobedient child for throwing a tantrum at the store by buying them a toy to shut them up. It is a temporary fix, not a lasting one.
4. Do not forgive any loans to other country's - these are my tax dollars, bring them home. I need some financial relief.
5. National Health care - Talk to Hillary, stop looking at the parties and lets take care of our people. All of them, republicans, democrats, black, white, Asian, everyone!
6. Create greater incentives to bring back manufacturing to our people. We have hardworking people in our country that need jobs. Bring them home!
7. Stop increasing the national debt. It is time to run this country like a well oiled machine. Lets get financially sound, payoff some debts with a goal to be no more than 35% in debt from here on out. America needs to remain the power horse. Let her be free from debt.
8. NO One in this country should be exempt from paying social security, if they can work. This means every working American, including our elected officials should pay into our system. This will help to correct much of the shortfall. Plus, it should boost the feelings of Americans, when they know WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Think ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

I could probably complain some more, but will anyone listen? I don't know anyone in a position to help. All I can do is work on my end to help secure myself, by paying off my debts, not incurring any more, cut out spending as much as humanly possible and build my own cash reserves. Cause folks, America is hurting and it doesn't look good.

Why are they surprised that confidence is low? We are so low, that the top is just some abstract idea.

Illinois Don't Worry Blagojevich is going to help us all get healthcare.

Letters are arriving in the mail to all local businesses, directly from Illinois' Governor. He is trying to reassure the small business man that he is going after "big" business to fund our health care coverages. Why do I not feel reassured?

If I am understanding this move here, he is going after about 25% of businesses in Illinois. By his own account 75% of all businesses in Illinois would not be affected. His plan is to close loop holes and have the large companies, over $1 million in sales, pay more taxes.

Okay, I'm glad he isn't coming directly at us and on the surface it looks good, but I think it may not be as good as some may think.

My belief is big business, those over $1 million in sales, will just relocate, if hit to hard. I should say those outside of a direct retail situation, which will just carry the cost through to the consumer.

The companies that pack up and move to Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin, won't they also take jobs? Won't this hurt our economy? Don't these big businesses also provide benefits? Won't their people then be losing out and landing on the system?

Let me admit, I am no genius in these areas, as you can tell and know by reading my blog. So, am I wrong, am I missing something. We need health care, but we need NATIONWIDE HEALTH CARE, like Hilliary Clinton was working on bringing to Americans.

In my uneducated mind, I think the answer is in sales tax. Pay by your usage. If you are consuming you are paying, if you are not you are not.

Thieves in Office

The Chicago Sun Times has an article out today that just ticks me off. One more example of our government officials protecting their own and neglecting the people. In this article Senator Durbin(IL) is looking to help our poor and debt ridden public servants of the states attorneys office.

This article whines of the terrible burden of debt on our lawyers that are employed by the state. Durbin believes that swamped with a burden on average private law school graduate carrying $97,763 in debt, and public school graduates owing $66,810 that there should be debt forgiveness set up for these poor struggling attorneys.

Then they share more details of a young 28 year old attorney making $49k a year with $674 a month needed to be paid on college loans. Oh, my bleeding heart is crying for you. First of all you have a "government" position with benefits that few of America's working class could ever dream of. I'm talking special retirement funds, health insurance and all the perks that used to be associated with a good quality, high paying job. And now can only be found in the government.

Let's compare this to the article written by Boston Gal where she is reporting on the CNN Young & Broke Series. This particular young lady is :

1. 29 years old - I hope you agree close enough in age.
2. She has $165k in student loans to become a chiropractor payments to be $680 per month - balance significantly higher than Durbins #'s for his poor attorneys.
3. She is earning, with 2 jobs, $44k a year - what? $5k less, dang.
4. She has no medical coverage - did you read that NONE!

What Durbin is suggesting is ridiculous. Millions of us are graduating under unbearable levels of debt. Helping our government officials is wrong without helping each and every American. Which we are not equipped to do. His officials are already in a better more secure position than the rest of America.

Durbin is out of his mind if he thinks I want to help these cushioned employees with more perks. Wake up Durbin, look at the world around you. Those people have it good, compared to the rest. Stop wasting our tax dollars.