turncoat...!

So Arlen Specter has decided he's a Democrat. Like, who in the hell didn't know that? If he wants to switch parties, I don't have a problem with that. What I DO have a problem with is that his decision now dramatically changes the dynamic of the US Senate. Sen Specter was elected by the good people of Pennsylvania as a REPUBLICAN. He should do the right thing and resign his seat, allowing the Governor of Pennsylvania to appoint a Republican to serve out the remainder of the term. The people of Pennsylvania elected a Republican to represent them; they deserve to be represented by a Republican. At some later point in time, Sen Specter can determine of the people of Pennsylvania would like have him represent them as a Democrat.

I don't know how many of you listen to "hard" rock, but the band Queensryche released a new CD today entitled American Soldier. It's a concept album based upon conversations of the band's lead singer Geoff Tate with American servicemen and women in airports, at concerts, really just about anywhere. Geoff went back to the band and they put together the thoughts and words from the perspectives of these soldiers, sailors airmen and Marines with music. The result is American Soldier. The band's songs are interspersed with recorded very personal thoughts of these brave men and women, talking about their experiences of watching their friends die, their guilt over things they saw and did. These are raw, in-your-face, true life experiences that have forever shaped, marked and scarred these young people.

As one who has worn the uniform of this great nation, I am grateful for what Geoff Tate and Queensryche are doing. It is with fierce pride in these brave souls that the lump forms in my throat when I listen to If I Were King and the tears form in my eyes when I watch the extremely touching representation of one Marine's feelings in the video. I offer the link here so you may view it. I caution you however, it's a real kick in the gut. I loved it. Thanks Queensryche, you ROCK!

www.americansoldieralbum.com

$165M a year?

WOW! Did you know that the US Government spends nearly $165M a year printing dollar bills?

That's as much as the AIG execs are collecting in bonuses for running the company into the ground!

Helicopter Ben's agenda aside, don't you thin there are better places to spend that kind of money? Do you know how much we'd save by doing away with the dollar bill and using dollar coins instead? Have you SEEN the new dollar coins? They're actually pretty cool! And you can't mistake them for quarters!

A dollar bill's life expectancy is about 18 months; the coins' is about 30 years! I'm not going to try and do the math here, but anyone can see that the paper bill is a waste of money. Sure, your pockets are going to be fuller, and the vending companies are going to raise all sorts of hubbub, but for these kind of savings...WOW!

Added bonus: if you are one of those who dumps you day's change in a jar at the end of the day, can you imagine how much more you can SAVE???

So here's what we do: ask President Obama to sign an executive order stating that in 18 months, the dollar bill will no longer be considered legal tender. That's it. Nothing more...it's so easy! We don't need to have congress study it, we don't need to form focus groups to look at how it will impact daily lives or any of that sort of nonsense.

Just do it. It's not hard. And we save $165M a year.

There are so many things we need to remember...

for those who may have forgotten...

some things I've found...

I regularly receive links from other blogs and Web sites...some are even worth looking at. Here are two...

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/02/robert.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay_Z5adiMG8

enjoy!

Robert

the New American Tea Party

Does anyone find these words vaguely familiar?

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security"

What happens when good, responsible people keep quiet? Nothing.

Washington has forgotten they work for us. We don't work for them. Throwing good money after bad is NOT the answer. I am sick of the midnight, closed door sessions to come up with a plan. I am sick of Congress raking CEO's over the coals while they, themselves, have defaulted on their taxes. I am sick of the bailed out companies having lavish vacations and retreats on my dollar. I am sick of being told it is MY responsibility to rescue people that, knowingly, bought more house than they could afford. I am sick of being made to feel it is my patriotic duty to pay MORE taxes. I, like all of you, am a responsible citizen. I pay my taxes. I live on a budget and I don't ask someone else to carry the burden for poor decisions I may make. I have emailed my congressmen and senators asking them to NOT vote for the stimulus package as it was written without reading it first. No one listened. They voted for it, pork and all.

O.K. folks, here it is. You may think you are just one voice and what you think won't make a difference. Well, yes it will and YES, WE CAN!! If you are disgusted and angry with the way Washington is handling our taxes. If you are fearful of the fallout from the wreckless spending of BILLIONS to bailout and "stimulate" without accountability and responsibility then we need to become ONE, LOUD VOICE THAT CAN BE HEARD FROM EVERY CITY, TOWN, SUBURB AND HOME IN AMERICA.

There is a growing protest to demand that Congress, the President and his cabinet LISTEN to us, the American Citizens. What is being done in Washington is NOT the way to handle the economic free fall; so, here's the plan:

On April 1, 2009, all Ameicans are asked to send a TEABAG to Washington , D.C.

You do not have to enclose a note or any other information unless you so desire. Just a TEABAG. Many cities are organizing protests. If you simply search, "New American Tea Party", several sites will come up. If you aren't the 'protester' type, simply make your one voice heard with a TEABAG. Your one voice will become a roar when joined with millions of others that feel the same way. Yes, something needs to be done but the lack of confidence as shown by the steady decline in the stock market speaks volumes.

This was not my idea. I visited the sites of the 'New American Tea Party' and an online survey showed over 90% of thousands said they would send the teabag on April 1. Why, April 1?? We want them to reach Washington by April 15. Will you do it? I will.

Send it to; 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington , D.C. 20500

Tell everyone you know! Offer to get them the teabag and buy he stamp! Let's get this done! Visit www.newamericanteaparty.com for more information about the 'New American Tea Party'. I would encourage everyone to go ahead and get the envelope ready to mail, then just drop it in the mail April 1. Can't guarantee what the postage will be by then, it is going up as we speak, but have your envelope ready. What will this cost you? A little time and a 40 something cent stamp.

What could you receive in benefits? Maybe, just maybe, our elected officials will start to listen to the people. Take out the Pork. Tell us how the money is being spent. We want TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. Remember, the money will be spent over the next 4-5 years. It is not too late.