Leaky Government

Those that leak US classified information are not whistle blowers, nor patriots.  Whether they leak info for or against themselves, they are spineless.  Unwilling to speak openly, engage in civil disobedience and/or use the "system" to deal with alleged improprieties. Those that leak information because they disagree with policy, where no improprieties exist, is even more abhorrent.

Some in the Media enables the leaks in their lust for ratings and a chance to be part of taking a shot at those in power. Publishing the information given the media is not a crime. However, withholding information about the sources of information released illegally should not be automatically shielded.

If the courts, review the circumstances and deem the release of certain information illegal they should reveal the sources or be held in contempt of the court.

More open, civil disobedience, less sneaky, spineless leaking.

Middle East Struggles

Hassan Nasrallah refuses to abandon it armed militia and withdraws from the recognized government of Lebanon.

Muqtada al-Sadr refuses to abandon its armed militia and withdraws from the recognized government of Iraq.

Hamas and al Fatah refuse to abandon their armed militias and refuse to form a coalition government to help the Palestinian people.

There is a struggle going on in the Middle East not between Islam and the West, but between those who are struggling for the people and those who struggle for power over the people.

Merry Christmas

If I meet you on the street and wish you a Merry Christmas, I'm wishing you the joy that I feel from my celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Please don't think that I am evangelizing Christianity or diminishing the celebration of other religions or festivities. Especially don't think that I'm slighting or slandering your faith or beliefs.

And feel free to wish me the glad tidings of your holiday spirit, in your way and/or say "Thank you".

Measure Congressional Performance

Everyone wants our US Congress to perform. Perhaps what is required are some simple, non-partisan performance measures. To get things started, the following is my list of things I would like to see documented by our elected Representatives:

• days in session per month
• days in session per year
• bills passed per bills introduce
• bills passed by more than the majority party's advantage
• bills passed by more than 10% of the majority party's advantage
• bills passed by more than 20% of the majority party's advantage

The bills passed should also be categorized. A bill passed to honor National Dairy Week or to name a Post Office after someone is not the same as an Immigration Bill.

After we have a couple of data points then some analysis can be done on the trends. Doesn't this sound like how one would run a business. Wouldn't it be nice if the US Congress, rather than giving us the business was actually doing business for us?

Who won the 2006 Elections?

Senator Lieberman and those seeking independent thought and action from our legislators won the 2006 election.  Its only a foothold, but lets hope that it gathers momentum.

Discounted by his own party on a single issue and embraced by the GOP on a single issue, the Senator was "forced" to go independent.  He now finds himself broken free from both major political parties.

Let's hope that others will also see the wisdom and merit of being an "independent" legislator.  Encourage your legislator to suspend their belief that political power is vested in political parties.  Get your legislator to realize that their political power comes from your vote.  Turn away from political party hacks and apologists who focus on political party power.  Reward "independents" who deliver political action on behalf of their constituents.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Yesterday we all gave thanks, but today its time for leftovers. Earmarks is one of those issues leftover from a discussion at our dinner table.

Here's an interesting proposal for Earmark Reform:

Congressional districts are sized to be equal units of representation. So.....each House Representative gets an equal amount to appropriate as they wish, just like their franking privilege. Senators get an amount based upon the number of Congressional Districts in the State they represent. This would be one of the first bills voted upon by the House when it comes into session.

I suspect Congressional representatives would be against this, because they don't want monies to be equally divided and they like the amounts and recipients to be secretive. Go figure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope the everyone has a great holiday.  Special greetings and many thanks to those serving in our Armed Forces.

Contrast with America

We need a US Congress to develop a contract, rather than a contrast with America.  Middle America is not concerned about who has political power.  Middle America wants Congress to solve problems.  Extreme left/right thought is not where the majority is, nor where the most of the problems are.

The problems on the fringes are not trivial.  However, let us be practical.  If Congress would take care of the major issues confronting those in the middle, they would find that Middle America would be more amenable to Congress' political power plays for those in the fringes.

Compulsory Government Service?

A Draft? - No!  Compulsory Government Service (CGS) by our Youth? - Maybe.

Trying to implement a CGS in a country as large as the US would be onerous.  I'm a bit dubious, but its worth a discussion.

Here's my framework and offering for discussion.

• must be comprised of only specific services
• it should not be a jobs program - its a service experience, a contribution to our country - minimum wage only.
• avoid a  huge bureaucracy, please!

one would be excused from CGS if they join and serve in any of the following for a given period of time: Armed Forces, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, National Guard.  (Keep service in these orgs as completely voluntary.)

I'd rather be a Pragmatist

Pessimists and optimists always seem to be able to convince themselves that they are correct no matter the outcome of any position they may take

To the contrary, pragmatist are more reflective and honest about the results of their prognostications.  This points out the differences between focusing on the positive and the negative or the practical.

That is why, I'd rather be a pragmatist.  I am hoping that members of Congress will take a more pragmatic approach to their responsibilities as legislators.

No More O.J.

I believe and respect that a jury of his peers found O.J. Simpson not guilty of murdering his wife, Nicole and Ron Goldman. I believe he did murder his wife. It is unbelievable that a TV program is being aired to promote his latest book.

I don't blame the book publisher of his latest book. I don't blame the Fox network for airing the program. I don't even blame O.J. for writing the book.

I'm just going to ignore them all and hope that most people do likewise.

Unhype Minimum Wage, Please!

There is entirely too much political posturing and emotion around this topic.  I would like some facts regarding upping the minimum wage.  I would prefer to hear a discussion about the current problems and possible solutions.  I would rather not listen to those who only seem to want to critique the intentions of those who take a contrary position to their own.

Here's some questions I would like to see addressed:

• Who is currently required to pay a minimum wage?
• How many workers are currently paid less than proposed minimum wage and current minimum wage
• Who would be required to pay a new minimum wage?
• What are the major costs and benefits of an increased minimum wage?

We are going to have a new Congress starting in January 2007. Hopefully, it will be an improved Congress, that frames issues, debates issues and solves problems.

"Earmarks" have got to GO!

Earmarks at the very least should be posted with a summary for one whole week on the Internet before they are voted upon, so citizens can see what taxpayers are paying for.

Pork barrel spending has got to be gotten under control before any discussion on raising taxes and/or letting tax reductions from sunseting.

The secrecy and deceit of earmarks is unacceptable.  Rep. Flake (R-AZ), in the last session, "leaked" some of the details of earmarks on the House floor as a primer for his legislation and suggested rule changes to change the way money is appropriated in the House. 

STOP this feather bedding of incumbent re-election campaign coffers and be honest and frugal with ordinary citizen's tax dollars.

Presidential Independence

Why does the President have to be the "head of the Party"? It's certainly not a Constitutional requirement. Once elected, our Presidents should act independently of any political party and act on behalf of the US citizens and their own principles, that hopefully they clearly defined before their election to office.

President Bush would catch holy hell, if he took this position for the remainder of his 2nd term, in light of the 2006 midterms. However, the 2008 Presidential candidates of all parties should change the paradigm and turn down their party's leadership role. It would free them to make better decisions and be less political in their role as President of the United States of America.

2006 Midterm Election Mini-Analysis

109th Congress does next to nothing. GOP played campaign defense. Dems played campaign offense. No one played constituency offense/or defense.

Those representatives who perform legislatively for constituents (not their party) should be the only ones returned to Washington for the 111th.

Strike a blow for Independence and Constituency Performance - keep careful score and monitor performance during the 110th.

More Independence would be Nice

In the first series of Sunday programs after the 2006 midterm elections, newly elected Sen. Liebermann self-designated himself as an "Independent Democrat". Wouldn't it be nice if each Congressional representative became an Independent "Insert Party Name" once they were elected? What a concept - A legislature that independently works for the interest of their constituents and country rather than their political party.