Over Stimulated Yet?

‘Stimulus Helping,’ Lincoln says”
There it was staring back from the front page of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette yesterday morning. It read in part:

“Lincoln…touted the stimulus in Little Rock at the Arkansas School for the Deaf, which received $42,000 for new cafeteria serving-line equipment, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, which received $10.5 million toward a cancer research center.”

Oh really? My question is, of the above millions given from our taxes (and debt), how many jobs were created? And how much revenue was generated from it? In short, what has been stimulated other than the gratitude of several folks at these institutions? Seems to me the answer is NOTHING!
No one with a heart beat is against the Deaf School getting a new milk machine or the UAMS finding a cure for cancer. Most of us like milk and hate cancer. Yet neither of those has ANYTHING to do with stimulating our economy, creating jobs or producing income.

Sen. Lincoln was quoted in the story this way: “That’s what we want to see. We want to see [the stimulus] go to good use.” Poppycock! We want to see it do some honest STIMULATING in the private sector. Actually the majority of Arkansans don’t want the burden of this incredible debt at all, but if it is forced on us we would at least like to have it be productive. We are now an additional $787 BILLION dollars in debt over so many things like milk machines rather than helping foster new employers. Think I’m joshing with ya? Just Google the list of waste in this stimulus bill. See for yourself. And shake your head.

This is the point where some folks likely will say “Oh my goodness, this woman hates deaf people and wants others to die from cancer.” To that I respond is that the best, most intelligent and reasoned response you’ve got? This stimulus hasn’t worked as billed – period.

Equal Opportunity Addiction

To quote from a recent Facebook posting by Mark Martin, candidate for Secretary of State in Arkansas, “The conservative population in Arkansas is just as addicted to big government handouts, special regulatory protections, & other favors as the liberals. The only difference is conservatives say, "Slaughter somebody else's sacred cow, but don't touch mine." And liberals say, "If you will give me more grain for my sacred cow, then I will help you get more grain for your sacred cow.”
Sad to say this has become the truth and we can see where it’s left our nation and states that are facing bankruptcy today. People are running around screaming “the sky is falling and we have got to do something.” Asked what should we cut or eliminate?” They reply: “Everything, well except funding for “that which affects me and my family.” Let’s ask this- “What are you doing to stop it?”

To implement meaningful, positive “change” and impart real fiscal conservatism in a free enterprise system responsible people have to control the money. It is our economy and our futures at stake here as well as our children’s freedoms and liberties. Do you sincerely believe that? Maybe that is the really challenge. Maybe we should take a few steps back and ask: Do you honestly believe there is a problem, or are you just hopping on the bandwagon because it seems entertaining and exciting? Lots of folks do you know

Here’s where we can start. First ask yourself, “Do I truly believe we are at a crossroads in America?” Then YOU have to find out what YOU genuinely believe in and why you believe it? Next, find a group or coalition of people with similar views. There are TEA Party groups, 9/12 groups, church groups, civic groups. The list is lengthy. Heck, form your own group. Finally, commit to spending 30 minutes to an hour each day educating yourself, researching, and networking with your organization members. Make a list of the public meetings in your community. Find others willing to attend with you and then implement a plan to get and stay informed and aware.
Get Informed and Engaged!

Due Diligence Becomes Critical

Perhaps the members of the 111th Congress have started to read some of their own legislation that has been proposed, passed and thrust upon the American people. There have been more politicians retire in the last few month than the golf courses they frequent.

News came just yesterday of Arkansas Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder deciding to “retire” after 7 terms. He joins a handful of other prominent Democrats to announce similar plans.

There are those that see this as a wonderful windfall for the Republicans, of which I would say, my heart wouldn’t be broken if the majority of them choose to retire. The challenge comes for us conservatives. If incumbents choose not to run my fear is that the people will let their guard down. They will go back to “siding” with their perspective party and not “vetting” the candidate properly.

This would be a catastrophe! Take for instance Vic Snyder’s seat, if the democrats find a purple dog (my new term for blue dogs because they try and look so red)to run then that person does not particularly “own” the mess we are in. Now voters are, in my opinion, susceptible to false rhetoric once again. "You know… I am for change…blah… I am conservative…blah… I am for the people of Arkansas, blah blah blah." When what they really mean is- "I want this seat so badly I will say whatever I have to, to get elected and hopefully no one will challenge me on it."

One long time Arkansas Commentator says he would not be surprises if this entourage of “retirees” is soon the resting place of Sen. Blanche Lincoln. And why not, she has a retirement, health care benefits and I am sure a wonderful job waiting in the wings, perhaps even in the West Wing.

My hope and prayer is that the people of Arkansas will NOT let their guard down for even a second! I encourage us all to continue to ask questions, write letters, send faxes and truly scrutinize the next group of legislators we choose to serve, "serve" being the key word. If we once again ignore our due diligence then one would have to wonder just how much of “enough” we truly have had.

Stuffing Stockings and Reindeer Games~ Throw a Wrench at Construction Industry

The monstrosity of a largely -unread Health Care Bill is going before the Conference Committee probably as I write this, the Senate voted for cloture and sent this devastating 2000-plus pile of paper on it’s way to become the new law of the land.

Not only does the bill include fines and prison time for American Citizens who refuse to comply with it’s egregious and unconstitutional provisions, but just today we learned that only 3 minutes prior to the cloture vote, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) added an amendment that specifically excludes the construction industry (and ONLY that industry) from the small business exemption of mandated health care insurance for 50 employees or less. In other word’s this amendment requires construction businesses with 5 employees or more to insure its employees while other small businesses with fewer than do not.

For instance, suppose a small businessman has a four year-old company that employs himself, his two sons, one son-in-law, and two others. This person, who business has dropped 60 percent in a year, is struggling to stay afloat with the current construction downturn.Now, under this Senate Bill, he somehow must find money for health care insurance for his business to meet the new government mandates. He is faced with closing his business, firing some of his employees, or paying hefty fines and even possible jail time. This mandate will likely seal the fate of this small entrepreneur, who otherwise, might be able to weather the economic storm.

And the new tax credits for small businesses, which our senators both have boasted about, are so narrowly defined that few will qualify. And if they do, the credits only last for two years, making them little more than a slow bloodletting.

Many good people will be affected. There are over 4000 licensed construction businesses in Arkansas, alone, plus who knows how many other construction subcontractors, easily representing tens of thousands of our citizens whose livelihoods hang in the balance.

This is a crippling blow to an already devastated industry with a 20 percent unemployment rate in Arkansas. As one of my Democrat friends put it: “This is a slap in the face for the Democrats. It’s [the Merkley Amendment] a back door for the Unions.”

Instead of being able to focus on our families during this sacred holiday season, we Arkansans find ourselves, along with people across this nation, having to constantly chaperone and press our senators and congressmen as they prance around Washington playing reindeer games, holding secret meetings and stuffing their own stockings.

Senators Lincoln and Pryor each have broken their promise that we would have 72 hours to read the bill and amendments.

In a conversation with Senator Pryor’s office this afternoon I was told Senator Pryor was definitely concerned with this development (the Merkley Amendment) but that enough of his criteria had been met he would be voting for the bill. When told that if this amendment should pass the state’s construction industry is likely to implode a Pryor spokesperson replied: “that’s one way to look at it”.

Meanwhile, over at Blanche Lincoln’s office, she’s reported to also have had “enough of her goals met” and that she, too, would be voting to move the bill forward. Although her spokesperson did add the senator would have some reservations if the Bill came out of committee with this amendment still attached.

Shame on them for shady, back room politics and last-minute amendments that they had not read and don’t understand. But, shame on us if we have not faxed, emailed and called constantly to stop this travesty. Remember the admonishment from Edmond Burke: “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to stand idly by and do nothing.”