Walk softly but carry big Chop Sticks

The last thing we need is a show down over trade with China. But it's going to happen. China is feeling flush with power, and the fact they own trillions of dollars over our debt.

Some outside analysis here.

With some early mid-term elections and vulnerable Democrats, plus the fact you have a nation beginning to seriously scratch its collective head about the economy, let's hope the President keeps his cool and doesn't try and play "tough guy" with people tougher than he is.

As usual, the solution is simple. Cut taxes, spend less and pay down the debt. We can go without high speed light rail from Jackass Flats, NV to Fond du Lac, WI.

Oh yeah, give us the stimulus money. It was ours in the first place. We spend, we decide.

Tea anyone?

Politics vs Personalities

There appear to be a lot of generalities made in the mainstream media about Tea Party members. If you were to believe a majority of reports we both:

Dislike Obama
Love Sarah Palin

As the venerable Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend."

I watched President Obama in a feature segment during the NCAA semi-finals over the weekend and it confirmed what I've mostly felt about him. He's a nice guy. Bet he'd be fun to hang with and it's obvious he's a loving husband and father.

Where we part company is policy. His vision for America, "Government Knows Best" is oppposed to that of "We Know Best." But it doesn't mean we have to dislike each other.

As for Sarah Palin, she remains an interesting political phenom, seemingly in search of her political self. She's on FOX and she's on the Stump for some strange bedfellows including Senator John McCain. Was all that bad blood filtered somehow?

Ultimately what bothers me about Governor Palin is that she is no longer a governor. She quit before her term is up to make the big bucks in the Lower 48. She ran for a full term, swore to do that when inaugurated then took a powder.

Either you are or you aren't. I don't dislike her. Just disagree with what she did.

So, for this one Tea Party Guy, perception most assuredly is not reality. My guess is that applies to others of us as well.

Tea Anyone?

Economic Storm Warnings

Bad things happen when you spend more money than you take in, when you don't save for a "rainy day."

Sadly, government doesn't realize this. Government thinks we're a bottomless supply of money to tax, tax and tax.

Enough from me, here's an educated opinion. We're heading to the abyss, but it's still not too late to turn back.

I blog, you decide.

Tea anyone?

Obama Off-Shore Oil Policy a Quart Low

President Obama this week announced a "Major Expansion" of off-short oil and gas development. The plan was carefully written so not to make his liberal eco-base angry, and at the same time appease those of us who prefer using our own energy sources instead of buying oil from Hugo Chavez.

He achieved neither.

First of all the plan is not about drilling. Just exploration and only along the East Coast. As Senator Mark Begich (D) Alaska said, “It’s not a perfect deal, but it’s better than nothing,” adding that there is no provision for the states to share in the revenues from lease sales and royalties. “It helps move us down the path.” More like a long and winding road.

Meanwhile we have approximately One Gazillion Barrels (Gazillion is the new Trillion) of proven and recoverable oil resources up in Alaska's Arctic National Refuge. (ANWR) No need to explore. Just drill baby.

To his credit the President is going to spend money on Nuclear Power but still hasn't addressed coal, another hugely abundant source of energy.

So, it's pretty much news conferences but little in the way of action.

So the next time you fill up, or turn up the thermostat, remember that while we have the energy resources here at home, we're instead paying cold hard cash for it to the very same people who want to destroy us.

Texas Tea Anyone? Sure beats smoke and mirrors.

Meet Mr. And Mrs Tea Party

As the Tea Party Express makes its way to Washington DC in time for Tax Day, maybe it's time you meet Mr. and Mrs. Tea Party.

Doonesbury and liberal pundits aside, we're not a bunch of clown-like, foul-mouthed members of the "fringe" of society. We're the fabric of society.

We're executives, professionals, blue collar workers, college students, those unemployed or furloughed, you know, your next door neighbors.

We wear regular clothes, pay our taxes, our kids go to the same schools your kids go to. We obey the rules and try to make it through life under a growing crush of government rules and regulations.

We're not anti-government because we are the government. We just want those we thought we sent to Washington to represent our interests would actually do so.

We've been accused of racial slurs yet no actual tape or documentation exists of anyone saying that, although we do have tape of the Vice-President dropping the F-Bomb.

We don't promise what we can't deliver, unlike President Obama's promise to show all the Health Care Reform hearings, meetings and the like live on C-Span.

We don't conduct the people's business behind closed and locked doors. We go outside, yell and carry signs and simply ask that we want our government back.

What both the Democrats AND Republicans are about to find out this fall is that we represent Main Street USA.

They should come visit us sometime. We'll even serve tea!

Thanks Doonesbury!

There's an old saying that there's no such thing as bad PR as long as they spell your name right and the comic strip "Doonesbury" might be providing a real boost to the Tea Party Movement.

First of all, I love Doonesbury. It's brilliant satire and creator Gary Trudeau is what free expression is all about.

Right now the theme of his strips center on the Tea Party. Generally Trudeau is making members look a tad "loony." Wearing weird costumes and the like. Check out the strip either in the Newspaper (if your town still has one) or online so you can see for yourself.

I don't think there is any doubt as to the left-wing leanings of both Trudeau and his gang of characters in Doonesbury. But he's never mean-spirited.

So don't get mad, be glad. He's satirizing the movement because it is a MOVEMENT and one to be reckoned with!

Thanks Gary!!

Come over for tea anytime!!

Give me Liberty AND the Fine Print

America seems to be moving on nicely after the passing of the Health Care Bill. A very few people said some very stupid things, and of course, our government acted just plain stupid. But life goes on.

But there are some troubling bits of "Fine Print" in the bill that trouble me, and should trouble you. It's all coming out in little dribs and drabs.

Like the hiring of 17-thousand new IRS Investigators. Who/what will they be investigating? Wouldn't it make more sense to hire caregivers instead?

What the heck was the College Loan Program doing in the bill? Out go private lenders and in comes just one lender. The government. From thousands of choices to just one. The reason it was included in the bill is to help pay for the health care bill.

The folks over at AT&T likely will take a $1 Billion non-cash charge for Q1, 2010. The company has a lot of retirees and when President Obama signed the bill, out went the tax deductions for many of the benefits the company paid to retirees. As many are Union Agreements, they can't take away the benefits so AT&T will have to make up the difference another way.

Keep an eye on your bill next time.

The newest bit of "Fine Print" is guaranteed care for children with previous conditions. But the language is fuzzy enough that may not be quite what was promised. Enough fuzziness to bring out the lawyers. Which costs money which ends up costing you and me.

And we've only just begun. Sure wish the people who voted for the bill, and the guy who signed it had actually read the darn thing first.

Tea anyone?