Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Everyone. This is my favorite Christmas song of all time performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra...I have always wanted to see them live. I wont be near a computer until Monday....So I hope you have a great Holiday with your Families & Loved Ones....
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Health Care Bill Raises Constitutional Questions
The Free Enterprise Nation launches new voter outreach campaign
TAMPA, FL (Dec. 18, 2009) — PRESS RELEASE--The Free Enterprise Nation (FEN) launched a campaign today to oppose the current health care reform legislation being debated in the Senate, claiming that it is an attempt by Congress to abridge basic constitutional rights.
“We do not believe Congress has the constitutional authority to make any American buy insurance or anything else,” said James MacDougald, chairman of The Free Enterprise Nation. “What is worse is President Barack Obama promised transparency, and the process being undertaken here is anything but transparent.”
FEN is a research, education and advocacy organization based in Tampa, Fla. The group is encouraging millions of voters to contact their congressional representatives, asking them to stop the current health care bill. The campaign is expected to reach 6 million Americans before year-end.
According to MacDougald, Congress and the American people have more pressing problems than creating a massive, new spending program. “Social Security is broke. Medicare is broke. The Postal Service is broke. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are broke. We have nearly 15 million unemployed,” said MacDougald. “Congress is fiddling while Rome burns, and finding ways to incur even more unsustainable debt."
FEN is also taking issue with recent White House comments about health care legislation opponents. In a fundraising email message from Organizing for America, an affiliate of the Democratic National Committee, President Obama said “big insurance company lobbyists and their partisan allies hope that their relentless attacks and millions of dollars can intimidate us into accepting the status quo.”
“We do not believe that it is appropriate for the President to label opponents as big insurance lobbyists and their partisan allies,” said MacDougald. “Virtually every poll shows that the majority of Americans are against the current legislation. The Senate needs to go home, have a nice holiday with their families, listen to voters, and then go back to Washington and tackle the massive debt problem.”
Visitors to the organization’s Web site, TheFreeEnterpriseNation.org, are able to identify their representatives in Congress and send them messages directly about the proposed legislation. “We, the private sector, the backbone of our economy, have had enough,” MacDougald said. “Government must be restored to its proper constitutional role and allow free enterprise to flourish so that all may achieve the American dream.”
About The Free Enterprise Nation
The Free Enterprise Nation is a non-partisan, membership-based organization representing American employees and businesses in the private sector. It raises awareness on the disparities in pay, benefits and pensions between the public and private sectors, while addressing the unprecedented burden on both businesses and taxpayers to support local, state and federal government spending. Visit us online at TheFreeEnterpriseNation.org for more information.
TAMPA, FL (Dec. 18, 2009) — PRESS RELEASE--The Free Enterprise Nation (FEN) launched a campaign today to oppose the current health care reform legislation being debated in the Senate, claiming that it is an attempt by Congress to abridge basic constitutional rights.
“We do not believe Congress has the constitutional authority to make any American buy insurance or anything else,” said James MacDougald, chairman of The Free Enterprise Nation. “What is worse is President Barack Obama promised transparency, and the process being undertaken here is anything but transparent.”
FEN is a research, education and advocacy organization based in Tampa, Fla. The group is encouraging millions of voters to contact their congressional representatives, asking them to stop the current health care bill. The campaign is expected to reach 6 million Americans before year-end.
According to MacDougald, Congress and the American people have more pressing problems than creating a massive, new spending program. “Social Security is broke. Medicare is broke. The Postal Service is broke. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are broke. We have nearly 15 million unemployed,” said MacDougald. “Congress is fiddling while Rome burns, and finding ways to incur even more unsustainable debt."
FEN is also taking issue with recent White House comments about health care legislation opponents. In a fundraising email message from Organizing for America, an affiliate of the Democratic National Committee, President Obama said “big insurance company lobbyists and their partisan allies hope that their relentless attacks and millions of dollars can intimidate us into accepting the status quo.”
“We do not believe that it is appropriate for the President to label opponents as big insurance lobbyists and their partisan allies,” said MacDougald. “Virtually every poll shows that the majority of Americans are against the current legislation. The Senate needs to go home, have a nice holiday with their families, listen to voters, and then go back to Washington and tackle the massive debt problem.”
Visitors to the organization’s Web site, TheFreeEnterpriseNation.org, are able to identify their representatives in Congress and send them messages directly about the proposed legislation. “We, the private sector, the backbone of our economy, have had enough,” MacDougald said. “Government must be restored to its proper constitutional role and allow free enterprise to flourish so that all may achieve the American dream.”
About The Free Enterprise Nation
The Free Enterprise Nation is a non-partisan, membership-based organization representing American employees and businesses in the private sector. It raises awareness on the disparities in pay, benefits and pensions between the public and private sectors, while addressing the unprecedented burden on both businesses and taxpayers to support local, state and federal government spending. Visit us online at TheFreeEnterpriseNation.org for more information.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
National Bill of Rights Day
Bill of Rights Day
Since today is Bill of Rights Day, it seems like an appropriate time to pause and consider the condition of the safeguards set forth in our fundamental legal charter. Let’s consider each amendment in turn.
The First Amendment says that Congress “shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” Government officials, however, insist that they can make it a crime to mention the name of a political candidate in an ad in the weeks preceding an election. They also insist upon gag orders in thousands of federal investigations.
The Second Amendment says the people have the right “to keep and bear arms.” Government officials, however, insist that they can make it a crime to keep and bear arms.
The Third Amendment says soldiers may not be quartered in our homes without the consent of the owners. This safeguard is doing so well that we can pause here for a laugh.
The Fourth Amendment says the people have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. Government officials, however, insist that they can storm into homes in the middle of the night after giving residents a few seconds to answer their “knock” on the door.
The Fifth Amendment says that private property shall not be taken “for a public use without just compensation.” Government officials, however, insist that they can take away our property and give it to others who covet it.
The Sixth Amendment says that in criminal prosecutions, the person accused shall enjoy a speedy trial, a public trial, and an impartial jury trial. Government officials, however, insist that they can punish people who want to have a trial. That is why 95% of the criminal cases never go to trial. The handful of cases that do go to trial are the ones you see on television — the late Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson, etc.
The Seventh Amendment says that jury trials are guaranteed even in petty civil cases where the controversy exceeds “twenty dollars.” Government officials, however, insist that they can impose draconian fines against people without jury trials. (See “Seventh Amendment Right to Jury Trial in Nonarticle III Proceedings: A Study in Dysfunctional Constitutional Theory,” 4 William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal 407 (1995)).
The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Government officials, however, insist that jailing people who try in ingest a life-saving drug is not cruel.
The Ninth Amendment says that the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights should not be construed to deny or disparage others “retained by the people.” Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what rights, if any, will be retained by the people.
The Tenth Amendment says that the powers not delegated to the federal government are to be reserved to the states, or to the people. Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what powers are reserved to the states, or to the people.
It’s a depressing snapshot, to be sure, but I submit that the Framers of the Constitution would not have been surprised by the relentless attempts by government to expand its sphere of control. The Framers themselves would often refer to written constitutions as mere “parchment barriers” or what we would describe as “paper tigers.” They nevertheless concluded that putting safeguards down on paper was better than having nothing at all. And lest we forget, that’s what millions of people around the world have — nothing at all.
Another important point to remember is that while we ought to be alarmed by the various ways in which the government is attempting to go under, over, and around our Bill of Rights, the battle will never be “won.” The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. To remind our fellow citizens of their responsibility in that regard, the Cato Institute has distributed more than three million copies of our “Pocket Constitution.” At this time of year, it’ll make a good stocking stuffer. Each year we send a bunch of complimentary copies to the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court so you won’t have to.
Finally, to keep perspective, we should also take note of the many positive developments we’ve experienced in America over the years. And for some positive overall trends, go here.
Tim Lynch • December 15, 2009 @ 9:54 am Filed under: Law and Civil Liberties; Political Philosophy Tags: bill of rights
Since today is Bill of Rights Day, it seems like an appropriate time to pause and consider the condition of the safeguards set forth in our fundamental legal charter. Let’s consider each amendment in turn.
The First Amendment says that Congress “shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” Government officials, however, insist that they can make it a crime to mention the name of a political candidate in an ad in the weeks preceding an election. They also insist upon gag orders in thousands of federal investigations.
The Second Amendment says the people have the right “to keep and bear arms.” Government officials, however, insist that they can make it a crime to keep and bear arms.
The Third Amendment says soldiers may not be quartered in our homes without the consent of the owners. This safeguard is doing so well that we can pause here for a laugh.
The Fourth Amendment says the people have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. Government officials, however, insist that they can storm into homes in the middle of the night after giving residents a few seconds to answer their “knock” on the door.
The Fifth Amendment says that private property shall not be taken “for a public use without just compensation.” Government officials, however, insist that they can take away our property and give it to others who covet it.
The Sixth Amendment says that in criminal prosecutions, the person accused shall enjoy a speedy trial, a public trial, and an impartial jury trial. Government officials, however, insist that they can punish people who want to have a trial. That is why 95% of the criminal cases never go to trial. The handful of cases that do go to trial are the ones you see on television — the late Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson, etc.
The Seventh Amendment says that jury trials are guaranteed even in petty civil cases where the controversy exceeds “twenty dollars.” Government officials, however, insist that they can impose draconian fines against people without jury trials. (See “Seventh Amendment Right to Jury Trial in Nonarticle III Proceedings: A Study in Dysfunctional Constitutional Theory,” 4 William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal 407 (1995)).
The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Government officials, however, insist that jailing people who try in ingest a life-saving drug is not cruel.
The Ninth Amendment says that the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights should not be construed to deny or disparage others “retained by the people.” Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what rights, if any, will be retained by the people.
The Tenth Amendment says that the powers not delegated to the federal government are to be reserved to the states, or to the people. Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what powers are reserved to the states, or to the people.
It’s a depressing snapshot, to be sure, but I submit that the Framers of the Constitution would not have been surprised by the relentless attempts by government to expand its sphere of control. The Framers themselves would often refer to written constitutions as mere “parchment barriers” or what we would describe as “paper tigers.” They nevertheless concluded that putting safeguards down on paper was better than having nothing at all. And lest we forget, that’s what millions of people around the world have — nothing at all.
Another important point to remember is that while we ought to be alarmed by the various ways in which the government is attempting to go under, over, and around our Bill of Rights, the battle will never be “won.” The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. To remind our fellow citizens of their responsibility in that regard, the Cato Institute has distributed more than three million copies of our “Pocket Constitution.” At this time of year, it’ll make a good stocking stuffer. Each year we send a bunch of complimentary copies to the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court so you won’t have to.
Finally, to keep perspective, we should also take note of the many positive developments we’ve experienced in America over the years. And for some positive overall trends, go here.
Tim Lynch • December 15, 2009 @ 9:54 am Filed under: Law and Civil Liberties; Political Philosophy Tags: bill of rights
Friday, December 11, 2009
For feds, more get 6-figure salaries
Average pay $30,000 over private sector
The number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has exploded during the recession, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal salary data.
Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months — and that's before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.
Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time — in pay and hiring — during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector.
The highest-paid federal employees are doing best of all on salary increases. Defense Department civilian employees earning $150,000 or more increased from 1,868 in December 2007 to 10,100 in June 2009, the most recent figure available.
When the recession started, the Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more. Eighteen months later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000.
The trend to six-figure salaries is occurring throughout the federal government, in agencies big and small, high-tech and low-tech. The primary cause: substantial pay raises and new salary rules.
"There's no way to justify this to the American people. It's ridiculous," says Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, a first-term lawmaker who is on the House's federal workforce subcommittee.
Jessica Klement, government affairs director for the Federal Managers Association, says the federal workforce is highly paid because the government employs skilled people such as scientists, physicians and lawyers. She says federal employees make 26% less than private workers for comparable jobs.
USA TODAY analyzed the Office of Personnel Management's database that tracks salaries of more than 2 million federal workers. Excluded from OPM's data: the White House, Congress, the Postal Service, intelligence agencies and uniformed military personnel.
The growth in six-figure salaries has pushed the average federal worker's pay to $71,206, compared with $40,331 in the private sector.
Key reasons for the boom in six-figure salaries:
•Pay hikes. Then-president Bush recommended — and Congress approved — across-the-board raises of 3% in January 2008 and 3.9% in January 2009. President Obama has recommended 2% pay raises in January 2010, the smallest since 1975. Most federal workers also get longevity pay hikes — called steps — that average 1.5% per year.
•New pay system. Congress created a new National Security Personnel System for the Defense Department to reward merit, in addition to the across-the-board increases. The merit raises, which started in January 2008, were larger than expected and rewarded high-ranking employees. In October, Congress voted to end the new pay scale by 2012.
•Pay caps eased. Many top civil servants are prohibited from making more than an agency's leader. But if Congress lifts the boss' salary, others get raises, too. When the Federal Aviation Administration chief's salary rose, nearly 1,700 employees' had their salaries lifted above $170,000, too.
By Dennis Cauchon
USA TODAY
The number of federal workers earning six-figure salaries has exploded during the recession, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal salary data.
Federal employees making salaries of $100,000 or more jumped from 14% to 19% of civil servants during the recession's first 18 months — and that's before overtime pay and bonuses are counted.
Federal workers are enjoying an extraordinary boom time — in pay and hiring — during a recession that has cost 7.3 million jobs in the private sector.
The highest-paid federal employees are doing best of all on salary increases. Defense Department civilian employees earning $150,000 or more increased from 1,868 in December 2007 to 10,100 in June 2009, the most recent figure available.
When the recession started, the Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more. Eighteen months later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000.
The trend to six-figure salaries is occurring throughout the federal government, in agencies big and small, high-tech and low-tech. The primary cause: substantial pay raises and new salary rules.
"There's no way to justify this to the American people. It's ridiculous," says Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, a first-term lawmaker who is on the House's federal workforce subcommittee.
Jessica Klement, government affairs director for the Federal Managers Association, says the federal workforce is highly paid because the government employs skilled people such as scientists, physicians and lawyers. She says federal employees make 26% less than private workers for comparable jobs.
USA TODAY analyzed the Office of Personnel Management's database that tracks salaries of more than 2 million federal workers. Excluded from OPM's data: the White House, Congress, the Postal Service, intelligence agencies and uniformed military personnel.
The growth in six-figure salaries has pushed the average federal worker's pay to $71,206, compared with $40,331 in the private sector.
Key reasons for the boom in six-figure salaries:
•Pay hikes. Then-president Bush recommended — and Congress approved — across-the-board raises of 3% in January 2008 and 3.9% in January 2009. President Obama has recommended 2% pay raises in January 2010, the smallest since 1975. Most federal workers also get longevity pay hikes — called steps — that average 1.5% per year.
•New pay system. Congress created a new National Security Personnel System for the Defense Department to reward merit, in addition to the across-the-board increases. The merit raises, which started in January 2008, were larger than expected and rewarded high-ranking employees. In October, Congress voted to end the new pay scale by 2012.
•Pay caps eased. Many top civil servants are prohibited from making more than an agency's leader. But if Congress lifts the boss' salary, others get raises, too. When the Federal Aviation Administration chief's salary rose, nearly 1,700 employees' had their salaries lifted above $170,000, too.
By Dennis Cauchon
USA TODAY
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
A Little Monday Inspiration...
"A nation of well informed men (and women) who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved" - Benjamin Franklin
~Jordanna D
~Jordanna D
OUR DREAM~ The Free Enterprise Nation
"There are many buildings in and around our nation’s capitol: government buildings, union buildings, corporate buildings.
They all shout out what they represent: the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the AFL-CIO, the SEIU, the National Education Association, AARP, the NRA and hundreds more. Most commercial buildings are filled with people representing tens of thousands of additional “special interests” — organizations and trade groups. They swarm over Capitol Hill representing their own limited concerns. They get laws created and passed.
Yet there is no building filled with those who represent the five million employers and 115 million workers who make up the private sector. There is no massive “People’s Lobby” representing the majority of Americans who live and work in free enterprise. There has been no national membership organization representing free enterprise itself. There has been no voice making itself heard — until now.
Our dream is that, very soon, The Free Enterprise Nation will become a major presence on Capitol Hill and in state capitols throughout the nation. No law could be passed, no tax could be levied nor increased, and no regulation could be imposed unless The Free Enterprise Nation supports it.
Public policy would conform to the ideal that the American Dream must be achievable for every American. We do not believe that our own government has the right to abridge or destroy our personal, financial and economic freedom by imposing deficits, debt, taxes or regulatory requirements that are impossible for us to bear. The Free Enterprise Nation hopes to change America for the better by becoming a permanent and massive force that will have a voice so loud that every elected official will be forced to listen. "
This organization is daring to do what no one has ever done before. Something America NEEDS. This is far more than just a Dream, reality is that if it doesn't happen, America will not survive what government officials are doing to destroy what our ancestors have worked so hard to build. You can support The Free Enterprise Nation by going here http://www.thefreeenterprisenation.org/ and becoming a member. Its the first step to unifying our voices together and demanding the changes we so desperately need. Instead of wondering how you can affect change or where to begin, start to by joining. I did.
They all shout out what they represent: the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the AFL-CIO, the SEIU, the National Education Association, AARP, the NRA and hundreds more. Most commercial buildings are filled with people representing tens of thousands of additional “special interests” — organizations and trade groups. They swarm over Capitol Hill representing their own limited concerns. They get laws created and passed.
Yet there is no building filled with those who represent the five million employers and 115 million workers who make up the private sector. There is no massive “People’s Lobby” representing the majority of Americans who live and work in free enterprise. There has been no national membership organization representing free enterprise itself. There has been no voice making itself heard — until now.
Our dream is that, very soon, The Free Enterprise Nation will become a major presence on Capitol Hill and in state capitols throughout the nation. No law could be passed, no tax could be levied nor increased, and no regulation could be imposed unless The Free Enterprise Nation supports it.
Public policy would conform to the ideal that the American Dream must be achievable for every American. We do not believe that our own government has the right to abridge or destroy our personal, financial and economic freedom by imposing deficits, debt, taxes or regulatory requirements that are impossible for us to bear. The Free Enterprise Nation hopes to change America for the better by becoming a permanent and massive force that will have a voice so loud that every elected official will be forced to listen. "
This organization is daring to do what no one has ever done before. Something America NEEDS. This is far more than just a Dream, reality is that if it doesn't happen, America will not survive what government officials are doing to destroy what our ancestors have worked so hard to build. You can support The Free Enterprise Nation by going here http://www.thefreeenterprisenation.org/ and becoming a member. Its the first step to unifying our voices together and demanding the changes we so desperately need. Instead of wondering how you can affect change or where to begin, start to by joining. I did.
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