WALL STREET – ANOTHER OBAMA SLIGHT OF HAND!!

Today, Thursday, April 22, 2010, President Obama is spending another million dollars of taxpayer money to fly to New York City aboard Air Force One, limo rides, the employment of secret service and other law enforcement simply to tell the “fat cats” on Wall Street, he is going to clamp down on their wasteful, what appears to be unregulated spending, investing and shady practices.  This trip is laughable at best and pathetic in general.  Here is why.

Before I get into the nuts and bolts lets first realize this is just another one of his shell game scams that he is trying to impose on our Congress making them believe they are doing something worthy for our country while at the same time stripping their constitutional powers from them and moving it to the White House.  Once this bill passes, it will give the President full authority to regulate, impose sanctions, and redefine Wall Street, the banking industry and other financial industries without the consent of Congress.  In short, it is another major takeover of our government.  On a more specific note this speech is the President blaming Wall Street for the economic crises and the so called near depression we barely escaped thanks to his personal swift action.  When does Congress and the American people wake up and proclaim “you can fool us once but you cannot fool us twice?”

Let’s be clear.  Wall Street did not cause the financial meltdown of this country.  Let’s also be clear, there never was a financial meltdown of this country.  Like all other things with the President, it is all smoke and mirrors to arrive at a desired outcome.  Here is the proof.

In 2007, President George H. Bush along with several members of Congress which included Senator McCain, Congressman Pence, Bachman, and others went to both houses of Congress and told them we had to real in Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac because they were buying up bad mortgage paper and being stuck with it and would take serious if not devastating losses.  These mortgages were remarketed, sold off in large packages bundled to major Wall Street companies who repackaged and sold to many international investors.  

Congress Frank (D), Dodd (D), Speaker Pelosi (D), Senator Reid (D) and other major democrats who controlled both houses of Congress stated emphatically that both organizations were financially sound.  You may also recall that back the Carter (D) administration and then during the Clinton (D) administration legislation was passed that forced banks and mortgage companies to lend to people who had no responsible way of paying for their loans. These were mortgage notes.  We even had ACORN going into lending institutions and strong arming management with threats and intimidation if they did not make these loans. 

Looking at the 2008 presidential race, at the end of August the American people went along with the concept that our economy was stable since we believed Congress.  There was, however, a rumble in the Spring that we were facing a downturn in our market growth resulting in the Bush stimulus package, putting several hundred dollars immediately into our pocket. Most of this stimulus was spent on paying off bills rather than purchasing goods and services to stimulate the economy. 

In September 08, just a couple of weeks after the Republican Convention and the successful climb of the McCain/Palin ticket to a double digit poll lead, both Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac announces they are on the verge of collapse.  Right away the Democrats began to blame the Bush administration for their lack of keeping an “eye on the ball” (remember who stated they were both sound).  This occurred just after the 9/11 memorial service and a private meeting with Obama and former President Clinton.  President Clinton emerges from the meeting stating the Obama would win by double digits and his failing campaign was alive and well. 

Just days after both of the government’s own organizations failed several major banks and the world’s largest insurance company said they were failing.  This resulted in the immediate need for Congress to pass the mind blowing TARP bill.  If you recall, several minor events took place during that process.  First, McCain suspended his campaign to return to Washington to address the crisis.  Obama refused to return and remained in the field campaigning.  He refused to reschedule a debate.  He was incensed by the request from President Bush to come to the White House and have a bi-partisan meeting to find the best course of action.  After returning, he was given a chance to lead and once again became upset by being “put out” that his input and supposed leadership was needed.  All this well played theater was designed for one specific purpose…that was to reverse the poll numbers back to his favor and thus set the final stage for the election just days away.  The other part of this scenario is that we never needed a TARP bailout? 

One of the actions that Republicans were begging the Democrats to pass was a suspension of the accounting rules.  For decades businesses have been under an accounting principle called “mark to market accounting.”  This principle requires institutions to include any gains and losses in their investment portfolio even if they have not sold any investments.  This would be like each of us having to declare a capital gain or loss on our stock shares even though we still own them when filing our taxes.  For the average citizen, it would be devastating if our share values were soaring and we had to claim their current market value as of December 31^st.  It would put most of us in serious tax liability.  This is what happens to businesses at the end of each month, quarter and year end.  However, in their case it was the reverse.  They had to (on paper) cover the losses of the rapidly decelerating stock markets as a result of the failings of the two government mortgage financial backers.  

Under normal standards you would simply hold on to your investments and ride out the storm until their value returned.  These too large to fail institutions were never bankrupt.  In fact, they all had billions of dollars sitting in their bank accounts.  They were just unable to access the money to back the share losses in their investment portfolio.  In some cases, they did not have enough and therefore it created a large deficit or loss that they (on paper) could not recover.  Thus, the TARP bill is created and the credibility of the Republican White House is targeted negatively (even though we had a Democratic controlled Congress).  Hence, it brings down the entire campaign of the Republican nominee Senator John McCain.  This action, orchestrated by the Obama campaign, ensures the victory and total control of both houses and the White House to the far left Democrats.  The TARP bill in 08 and then the subsequent near trillion dollar stimulus bill were the beginning seeds that the far left and the Obama White House put in place to begin the systematic takeover to “Transform America” trampling on our Constitution and Capitalistic free market society.  What would have happened if Congress would have suspended mark to market accounting?

The answer is really quite simple.  Ninety per cent of the failed institutions would not have failed (on paper) and we would not have needed any of the bailout or stimulus bills passed?  We have been totally duped in this orchestrated take-over by Obama and company.

All the events that led up to the perceived financial crisis would have never happened.  It is most probable that McCain and Palin would have been our elected President and Vice President.  The 10.8 percent unemployment would never have occurred and we would be back at around 5 per cent.  Our economy as well as the world economy would be growing.  There is a reason we have 9.7 per cent unemployment while at the same time having the DOW over 11,000.  In a true recession unemployment would be high – much higher and the stock markets would be very low.  The markets have regained over 60 per cent of their loss while unemployment has suffered greatly.  Ask yourself this question. Why is Obama going after Wall Street with stricter regulations while at the same time leaving out the two culprits, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from the same requirements?  Answer:  He already controls both of them and is aiming to control our economy in totality, on his way to a socialist coup d'état of America.

SAVING AMERICA

 March 30, 2010

Sunday evening I had the opportunity to view the premiere of “Saving Grace.”  It was a very inspiring story based on an actual event that even to the most hardened viewer would have welted tears to their eyes.  It was a story of passion, brotherly love, acceptance of life’s misfortunes, compassion, forgiveness and most importantly the power of God’s grace.

If you recall back in October 2006 we turned on our televisions to a breaking story of a local citizen who turned his weapons on an Amish School killing 5 female students and injuring several others.  Without going deep into detail to preserve the dignity of those left in his wake the events that unfolded following the incident are works of divine faith.  Watching the elders of the Amish community visit the shooter’s wife and father, as he was also a casualty, and their offer of forgiveness, and hand of friendship and help in the wake of dealing with the death of five daughters simply because it was the right and Godly thing to do.  It is amazing to see such strong faith when for most it is a time we often cast faith aside as a convenience for our anger and hate.  It was a story of two comparisons of blind faith versus self-indulgence and pity.   

The elders of the Amish community reminds me of another time in our history, 237 years or so ago when another group of individuals shared the same solid unwavering faith as those of the Amish community, our founding fathers.  They left the control of a repressive King, traveled at the peril of the mighty ocean simply to have a life free of repression, government control and to worship freely their provider, our God.  It was that faith that has carried this nation to today.

A mighty faith displayed by a man called upon to lead a nation out of tyranny and his soldiers, feet barren of shoes, bloodied and wrapped in leather.  Without wavering, their faith and their perseverance on the prize that they so wanted to prevail.  Each evening, nursing those bloody feet, spending hours in prayer and meditation thanking their Maker for the miles they traveled that day.  It was that special covenant with God that he saw the faithfulness of his children, the obedience of their reserve and through them he proclaimed our land a special place for mankind.

Two and almost a half century later our nation stands as the power of this global world.  Armies fear us; citizens endear us simply because of the bounty of God’s gifts he has bestowed on us.  All of what we have, what we can become, and what we can share with others is simply because our founding fathers placed him at the masthead of our constitution and government.  I have been blessed.

HEALTH CARE – WHAT IS NEXT?

March 22, 2010

Last night, like many of you, my emotions ran like someone who lost their very best friend or family member.  First the anger, then the resentment and then the disappointment and concern about not only the future of our health care system but the future of this great country we call the USA.  I went to bed with those emotions.

Tossing and turning all night, and keeping my significant other awake in the process, I awoke this morning to a new dawning of America.  In the midst of last night’s turmoil I decided why I was most angered.  It was not so much the vote count that predictably was going to be the outcome with an overwhelming one sided House of Representatives.  It was not the manner in which the Democrats used every dirty trick in the book to pass this bad piece of legislation.  It was not even the promise of an executive order that swayed the Stupak Nine to change votes that carried the bill over the finish line.  It was Congressman Bart Stupak that angered me the most.  Now one can rightfully argue that one person does not a victory make?  However, in this case, it is not about the switch but that he and his group was playing on our emotions like a violinist and we were the violin.

If you understand the purpose of the Presidential Executive Order you first realize that there are no provisions in the Constitution that permits the order.  Secondly, the order was established by a congress about 40 years ago.  It has two primary purposes.  One it is similar to a lawful order given by a commander to his troops.  In other words, it is an administrative tool to carry out the provisions of the law enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President.  Its other use is in times of national emergency which gives the President power to bypass Congress and make temporary laws to defend our Constitution against its enemies or national disasters.  It has no authority to circumvent a federal law or change a bill previously passed by both Houses of Congress and sent to the President’s desk for signature.  It is certainly not a document used to make deals.  Then there are two other facts to consider.

First, there is already federal law that prohibits the use of the federal treasury to fund abortion.  Second, by a letter signed by 51 members of the Senate there was already an agreement that there would not be any changes other than those agreed to that produced the letter.  All this information leads to one simple conclusion.  Bart Stupak and his merry band already had all the assurance they needed to meet the objective that they claim the executive order now produced.  In short, it was a carefully crafted drama played out at our emotional expense to get us to believe we had a fighting chance to defeat this legislation.  Remember we had the NO votes to defeat this bill right up to the point of the debate period – or did we?  Now we must put aside our anger, our being suckered into some false hope and begin our fight for another day.  At the outset our mission is specifically defined.

The first step is to file law suits by both the state and private individuals to the district courts and the Supreme Courts to try and overturn the bill. While this has merit it also offers a minimal at best chance of success.  The next step is once these suits are filed, depending on the time span to be addressed by the courts is for every American to write the courts with their anger as to the process of this legislative nightmare.  At some point the courts will simply ignore the letters.  However, they cannot ignore the number of letters received.   We must keep our chin up and look to November 2010 election.

You should know that the Obama administration is already way out in front of us in securing enough votes for the Democrats he threw under the bus to get them re-elected.   That is his next piece of railroad legislation that will legalize every illegal immigrant and virtually insure they vote Democrat in the election.  Time is on their side as well.  Once again stalling, what may also become the inevitable may be our only weapon.  What is important is that we get outside our front door and down the street and start talking to every single neighbor, relative, friend or stranger.  We have to overwhelm the ballot stations with voters.  Obama won the last election because he went out in the parks, the river’s edge and the woods and found the votes.  ACORN, SEIU, MOVE ON.ORG are already assembling teams to do likewise again.  We have to be smarter and work quicker than our opponent.   The sooner we retake both houses the faster we can overturn this legislation.  Our economy and our way of life depend on it.  We must vote out incumbents regardless of party.  Politics in Washington will not change.  It will only hiccup and business as usual unless we do a near clean sweep.  Yes, there are a few good politicians in Washington.  Can you decide which ones they are?  We have to take the time to look at their voting record.  Be not fooled that simply because they voted NO on health care they will also vote NO on Cap and Trade, citizenship for illegals, 2^nd Amendments issues as well.  They have to pass the acid test.  Finally, do not trust the courts to do your work for you.

There have been more than a dozen law suits that have been filed against our sitting President.  All have to date been dismissed for various reasons.  Not a single case has gone to full trial on its merits.  All were based on constitutional issues.  We are a resilient nation.  We have the will power and the reserve to succeed. We only need to exercise our options. 

Steven Neuenschwander

TWO PRONG SIXTEEN STEP PROCESS TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY

The greatest crisis facing this generation is the continual mounting of our national debt.  Regan had trickledown economics and Obama is pushing our debt up at a rate that will bankrupt this country for centuries if we cannot stop him.  Once the Republicans can get control of the White House and gain substantial numbers in both houses of Congress we can start the slow process of recovery.  Like a cancer it will require more than a few infusions of treatment.  Rather a slow graduated step by step approach that will require major sacrifices from everyone.  My proposal is a two prong approach that requires several steps.  The first prong deals directly with spending within government agencies.  The second prong is recapturing the vigor of our private sector. 

Prong 1:  Spending Freezes and Reduction in Force: 

Step 1:  One of my first executive orders will be to put a one year spending freeze on all government agencies.  The current budget in progress will be the living budget and as required by law must be zero deficits at close of fiscal year.   The freeze may be extended if deemed necessary.

Step 2:  There will also be a one year hiring freeze placed on all government agencies.  This is going to have critical impact on some depending upon the vacancies at the time of the freeze.  There were be exceptions permitted on a case by case basis but most be clearly documented, justified, and approved by the appropriate secretary.   The freeze may be extended if deemed necessary.

Step 3:  All special appointments (Czars) will be eliminated.  Each department has its own secretary.  They are the experts and the mangers of their respected department.

Step 4:  A 10 per cent decrease in the number of employees in each department.  The reduction for the most part should be through retirement and natural attrition.   Should the need arise, then each secretary will develop and implement a plan to furlough employees.  In the case of the Department of Defense, this step applies solely to civilian employees.  Each military department will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  Appropriate reductions will occur based on national security interests.

Step 5:  The White House Staff will also be subject to the same provisions as any other department within the federal government.

Step 6:  Official business travel aboard Marine One and Air Force One will be curtailed to only sorties that are appropriate with our national security interest.  There will also be a curtailment of White House gatherings, such as special parties, state dinners, etc.

Step 7:  I am going to ask Congress to pass legislation to permanently illuminate pork barrel spending projects.  In the interim I will veto any bill that contains pork barrel funding as part of the legislation.  States have their own sovereignty by law and it is their responsibility to provide their own means of funding.

Step 8:  I am going to ask Congress to pass legislation to ban lobbyist from the federal government legislative process.  Lobbyists have done little to promote sound fiscal spending and have only their own personal agenda in mind rather than the best interest of this country.  They serve as a clear distraction from Congress doing their business for the people.

Prong 2:  Revitalization of our Private Sector:

Step 1:  I am going to ask Congress to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.  These cuts have proven fundamental to the sustained economic stability of our private sector.

Step 2:  Small businesses will receive a $250 per employee tax credit on federal taxes.  This credit will be in effect for one year with an option to extend the credit on a year by year basis for five years.

Step3:  Private sector employees will see a 50 per cent reduction in tax liability for one year.  This reduction will be immediate and reflected in the percentage of paycheck tax liability on leave and earning statements.  The IRS will be instructed to draft regulatory guidelines to reflect same for the yearly federal tax return forms.

Step 4:  All government contracts will be by open bid with the contract award going to the best bid.   Such requests will be advertised in local media outlets and local private contractors encouraged to bid.  Local bidders will receive a 5 point credit over bidders out of the immediate contracting area.

Step 5:  Taxpayers with children still in school or living at home to the age of 25 will receive a $1500 tax credit.

Step 6:  Senior taxpayers with be tax exempt for a period of two years.  An extension of the exemption can be continued on a year by year basis if needed.

Step 7:  Businesses that hire students or handicap employees will receive a $1000 tax liability credit.

Step 8:  Homeowners and businesses that install green technology will benefit by a $1000 tax liability credit for the year of the implementation of the technology.

The process of digging ourselves out of the financial hole is going to be long and tenuous.  I will also be asking the Federal Reserve to monitor our lending practices closely to keep interest rates at the bare minimum possible to stimulate borrowing in both private and commercial enterprises.  Together, as a nation, we work hand in hand, be thrift, be diligent and again become prosperous.

SIX STEPS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

For the vast majority of Americans, our lives are so busy we have little time to take a short breath; certainly not hours researching how the health care system works or how to outwit our insurance providers.  The President and the Democrats want to tax us to the hilt in order to pay for a government run system.  The Republicans offer a slightly different version with minimum federal dollars and without tax increases.  The Democrat proposal will significantly raise premiums, reduce services, reduce the number of providers and put the decision making process in the hands of non-medical administrative personnel whose sole interest is to control government costs.  The Republican proposal has been rather silent as they have been denied access to the bargaining table.   The real problem and solution lies with our concept of what health care and insurance coverage is suppose to look like.  While I leave the door open to other suggestions below is a six step proposal to affordable health care for all Americans.

Step 1.  Taylor coverage to groups of people with similar medical issues:  Under our present system we treat it as the all in one package that fits all ends all to everyone’s health care problems.  The truth, that is further from the truth.  Do young single males need the same coverage as young single females?  Do young married couples need the same coverage as couples in their 50s?  Do couples in their 50s need the same type of coverage as couples in their senior years?  Do senior males need the same coverage as senior females?  The answer to all those questions is a resounding NO!  We all recognize that males and females regardless of age have different medical issue and health concerns.  Likewise, young couples have different health concerns than older couples.  Young couples are in their child baring years while older couple are more interested in companionship and no longer have the ability or need to rear children.  Single males have issues that are directly attributable to their anatomy as females have issues that are specifically attributable to their anatomy.  One then has to ask the question why all these distinctly different groups are paying for the same coverage even though they do not need or will ever need the coverage.  The answer is simple. 

We need to develop a health care coverage system, through private providers that allows them to tailor coverage and premiums based on individual need rather than a blanket policy that one policy fits all.  We need to get government out of mandating to providers that they must offer certain types of coverage.  This method allows each patient to select the coverage that is tailored to their specific needs at specific time in their lives.  A single male has coverage that is tailored to a single male.  A single female has coverage tailored to a single female.  Once they marry then the coverage would change to provide both joint coverage as well as specific coverage that are unique to child bearing couples.  As they grow older they would be able to adjust (add coverage and subtract coverage) based on their specific grouping, age and gender.  You have a choice.  More importantly you control the cost of your coverage based on your specific needs at specific benchmarks in your life.  The second part of the equation is life style.

Step 2.  Reduce premium costs for good health style choices:  The vast majority of health care cost is directly attributed to life styles.  People who smoke are more likely to incur respiratory issues, cancer and heart disease than someone who does not use tobacco.  Likewise for those that use alcohol excessively will incur health issues at a larger rate than those who do not drink or only drink occasionally.  The same can be said for people who are obese.  Those types of patients would incur coverage at an increased cost as they are the ones who have created the need for higher medical treatment that also comes with increased costs.  In retrospect, those that are in these categories can also see a reduction in insurance costs.  Once they have established proven track records of reversing their negative lifestyles or in some cases (like weight gain if it is a condition they have no control), have taken steps to improve their health, they can see reductions in costs.  Government must decide to play a silent partner role in this process. 

A silent partner role is not what the President has in mind.  A silent partner in this case is that they provide our insurance providers the latitude to create specific premium packages tailored to lifestyle needs.  Allow the insurance carrier and medical providers to work hand in hand to both encourage and reward those who have made and live healthy lifestyles and do likewise to those who have made significant changes to improve lifestyle choices.  The third part of the equation is medical malpractice insurance.

Step 3.  Judges and juries must adhere to regional recommendations for injury/death evaluation rewards:  The Democrats refuse to even have a discussion on tort reform and medical malpractice insurance.  Most Republicans want to mandate ceilings.  Unfortunately, neither is a solid solution.  Tort Reform and medical malpractice insurance premiums are two problems that are intertwined.  Tort reform managed correctly will bring down the cost of medical malpractice insurance.  Injury/death awards have already been capped.  The problem is that judges and juries are not following the guidelines.  Each region of our county has suggested awards based on the type of injury and also death.  It is geared to the economic costs of the area.    The Jury Injury Evaluation Handbook is a valuable reference source for lawyers, judges and juries to arrive at reasonable awards.  For it to be affective it must be adhered.  I propose that we mandate adherence to the suggested rewards but also allowing nor more than a maximum increase of 10 per cent for extraordinary circumstances.  That gives both judges and jury latitude to arrive at a fair and equitable reward.  This approach will drastically reduce the cost to insurance providers.  Likewise the medical profession will benefit with a reduction in premiums.  The second part of this equation is the medical profession stepping up and becoming more actively involved to ensure doctors and other medical professionals are adequately trained and adhering to standard practice procedures.   The American Medical Association must be an active participant in this process as they need to create a system to monitor/manage and use punitive recourse to bring malpractice under control.    The combined benefit of these principles will create an environment for success.  The fourth part of my plan is more accessible health care insurance providers.

Step 4.  Allow patients to purchase insurance across state lines:  It is imperative that we give everyone an opportunity to research and find the right type of coverage that benefits their personal or family member needs at the least amount of out-of-pocket expense as possible.  That can only be accomplished by opening up the state and regional markets to a single national market.  I do not believe that neither the federal or state governments need a hand in controlling insurance coverage.  The government sole responsibility is to ensure insurance companies are treating each insurer or potential insurer equally and equitably.  States can monitor and use punitive measures for violations of these mandates when they happen to a resident of their particular state.  Simply put, the fact that an insurance company has their home office in one state does not remove them from liability in other states.  Additionally, we also need to provide for those who simply cannot afford insurance.

Step 5.  Give a health care credit to low income families and those who cannot afford insurance:   We are a country that prides ourselves on ensuring everyone gets medical treatment regardless of their station in life.  As a country we need to continue to step up to that commitment.  What we can do, however is reduce the need to provide the coverage.    We also have to do a better job of keeping our populous employed.  An employed person is an insured person.  We need to ensure that the unemployed are aggressively seeking employment or using the time to get training to be reemployed.  There must be consequences for lack of effort or no effort.  We are each responsible for our own life.  We are obligated to no one except those they we are personally responsible to ensure they get health benefits.    What that means is we provide only the minimum care necessary to facilitate comfort.  In other words, if you are not going to take steps to improve your status and wellbeing, then society are not going to facilitate a heart transplant or major surgery at the expense of the taxpayer simply so you can go about your life in a continual state of debilitation.  I propose a health care credit card issued by community services for those that demonstrate a willingness to actively seek employment.  That would be accompanied by continual follow up to ensure compliance.  Those that do not comply would have the privilege revoked and responsible for their own health care costs payable in advance of treatment.  The only exception would be sufficient care to prevent death.   Undocumented persons continue to put a large burden on our health care insurance premiums. 

Step 6.  Provide minimum health care to undocumented people.  The federal government must step up and solve our undocumented citizen issue.  Until that is done, no health care program is ever going to be enough to dramatically reduce insurance cost.  Like the low income citizens we have a moral obligation to provide health care to anyone residing inside our borders.  It is the responsibility of the federal government to keep these type of patients to a minimum.  We can do that by finishing closing our southern border.  While it will never completely eliminate the problem it will significantly reduce the problem.  In addition, we must limit health care treatment to that standard of care that is typically found in ERs across the nation for immediate relief of minor ailments.  Undocumented citizens will have to depart to their own country for more advanced treatment. 

It is time that congress step to the plate and put forth a health care program that really works instead of the lip service and threat of higher tax cost knowing full well that it is all a smoke screen for a political whim.

EDUCATION IS A VITAL PART OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

Currently before the Senate is a bill introduced by Senator Harry Reid that puts the federal government in complete control of your children’s education process from pre-school to college graduation.  The problem with this bill, although drafted with the perception of care for our children is that it completely removes the responsibility of a parent and the association the parent has with their school system and the local and state governments.  It places mandatory  requirements on parents, institutions and state governments that are both costly and in the pass proven ineffective.  At the same time it grows the federal government which in turn will require higher taxes on everyone.  Below is a summary of the bill as it is now before the floor of the Senate for consideration.

111th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                  S. 7

  To expand educational opportunities for all Americans by increasing

   access to high-quality early childhood education and after school

   programs, advancing reform in elementary and secondary education,

 strengthening mathematics and science instruction, and ensuring that

      higher education is more affordable, and for other purposes.

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 6, 2009

Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr.

   Begich, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Menendez, Mr.

Bingaman, Mr. Casey, Mr. Lautenberg, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. McCaskill, Ms.

Klobuchar, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr.

  Brown) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time

                            January 7, 2009

            Read the second time and placed on the calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL 

  To expand educational opportunities for all Americans by increasing

   access to high-quality early childhood education and after school

   programs, advancing reform in elementary and secondary education,

 strengthening mathematics and science instruction, and ensuring that

      higher education is more affordable, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Education Opportunity Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Senate and the House of

Representatives should pass, and the President should sign into law,

legislation to expand educational opportunities for all Americans by--

            (1) increasing access to high-quality early childhood

        education and expanding child care, after school, and extended

        learning opportunities;

            (2) improving accountability and assessment measures for

        elementary and secondary school students, increasing secondary

        school graduation rates, and supporting elementary and

        secondary school improvement efforts;

            (3) strengthening teacher preparation, induction, and

        support in order to recruit and retain qualified and effective

        teachers in high-need schools;

            (4) enhancing the rigor and relevance of State academic

        standards and encouraging innovative reform at the middle and

        high school levels;

            (5) strengthening mathematics and science curricula and

        instruction; and

            (6) increasing Federal grant aid for students and the

        families of students, improving the rate of postsecondary

        degree completion, and providing tax incentives to make higher

        education more affordable.

                                                         Calendar No. 7

111th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                  S. 7

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To expand educational opportunities for all Americans by increasing

   access to high-quality early childhood education and after school

   programs, advancing reform in elementary and secondary education,

 strengthening mathematics and science instruction, and ensuring that

      higher education is more affordable, and for other purposes.

A good sound education system is vital to the security of our nation.  While I do not propose a federal intervention of every level and every aspect of our education system as the Senator Reid bill above, I do propose a set of national guidelines to assist states and local governments in providing quality education and education initiatives to every child in America.  I also purpose a system that allows anyone desiring a higher education the tools to find the finances to achieve their goal.  I am proposing the Pride in American Education Act.  This act will set forth certain specific goals for grade/middle/high school administrators, teachers and students to reach together.  It will encourage parents to seek an active role in the process of working closely with their local school system to meet the objectives.  This is not a graded objective but simply a working path to get students to stay in school, do the work and walk out the door with a high school diploma in hand.  It will also provide access to both loans and grants as in the past to assist in the cost of higher education as well as a $50 per credit hour student voucher to family with children in universities, colleges and trade schools. The credit will be applied at the time of enrollment for each semester or quarter by the institution. The institution would seek reimbursement through the Department of Education. The bill will also mandate a complete review of curriculum.  

It is unfortunate that we have let a few with alternative and destructive motives have a hand in the education of our children.  Much of the text books today are teaching misconceptions and in some cases downright lies about America’s role in domestic and foreign policy as well as similar distortions and lies about our history.  The bill will mandate that all education processes be reexamined for truth and validity.  Those that do not meet the qualifications will be replaced.  The purpose of the bill is to create a spirit of learning by institutions, administrators, teachers and parents. It will also create a spirit of wanting to learn and achieving goals by students.  Together we can build a solid foundation and future for those we leave behind.

STOP THE FAR LEFT FROM TAKING AWAY YOUR 2^ND AMENDMENT RIGHT!!

There is a HR-45 bill that was introduced to the 111^th Congress by Illinois Representative Bobby Rush by the title of "The Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009."  

The purpose of the bill, according its description in the Thomas legislative information directory of the Library of Congress, is "To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes."   

Currently, the bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.   Click here for the description and status of HR-45

The bill calls for universal background checks of gun owners, the keeping of records of maintenance and permits, the prevention of child access to firearms, the notification that the gun owner had changed addresses within 60 days and mandatory reporting to the Attorney General of loss or theft of firearms within 72 hours. 

If passed, the bill would require gun owners to fill out an application for a firearm license and provide name, address, birthday, place of birth, any known aliases, a passport sized photograph and a thumb print.  The applicant will also have to sign a statement declaring that they are not prohibited by the state or federal government from possessing a firearm.  Part of the process included is the signing of a certification that the firearm will be safely stored and out of the reach of minors.   The bill also says that the fee for the license is not to exceed $25US.

The bill also requires a written firearm safety examination be passed testing the gun owner's knowledge in storage, handling, use, state, local and federal legal responsibilities and "any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate."

The bill does not call for physical or mental evaluations but require "authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant."

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is keeping a watchful eye on the progress of this bill, calling it a "licensing and registration scheme" and noting that it will "further require the attorney general to establish a database of every handgun sale, transfer, and owner's address in America."

There is presently before the Senate a bill that would allow passengers to carry weapons on the train as long as they are unloaded and in checked baggage.  The left wing opponents wish to defeat this bill simply because they claim it would be too expense for Amtrak to provide the protection necessary to prevent theft of the weapons or control security on the train.  Ironically, this was a right passengers had prior to 9/11.  The right was suspended due to the Madrid train bombing.  The far left has already won one battle this summer.  They were able to defeat a bill by only two votes in the Senate that would have required states to reciprocate with other states who have issued concealed weapons permits.  While the current status quo is that it is up to each state to decide if it will reciprocate with another state, it makes it difficult for gun owners who travel to stay in compliance with each individual state as they travel.  One state allows their permit; another state allows the weapon in the vehicle; yet another state requires the weapon to be dismantled or at minimum the ammunition removed from the weapon.  Then there are a few who do not allow any form of self protection on the person or in the vehicle.  These attacks need to stop.

If I am elected President I will work with both Congress and the Senate to enact legislation that will once and for all secure the rights of the 2^nd Amendment to every law abiding citizen regardless of which state they reside.  These measures will ensure the freedom to travel from one state to another with a concealed carry permit, Keep registration requirements to a minimum and consistent nationwide.  Today we are coming in contact with more and more liberal judges who believe either the 2^nd Amendment does not apply to individual or it is up to each state to decide whether they will uphold the 2^nd Amendments.  Our founders worked on a national level.  It is clear by both language and intent the 2^nd Amendment is a right granted to all citizenry of our country as long as they are law abiding citizen.  In no reference does it either state or imply that our Bill of Rights will be determined on a state by state decision.

Like many of the initiatives being pushed by the progressive left, it sounds good on its surface but the reality is that the requirements become so burdensome that it will force gun shops to close their doors and owners to give up purchasing firearms simply because it is too difficult and too expensive to either buy or sell firearms.

 I will need your support by contacting your state representatives to ensure these rights remain sacred and protected.

IT’S TIME TO PUT GOD BACK INTO AMERICA

I awakened one morning last spring and was hit smack dab in the face with an ugly reality.  I turned on Fox News as usual and was listening un-intently when they showed a clipping of Reverend Jeremiah Wright in his rant on America.  As I listened to his “G__ D___ America” and the “chickens are coming home to roost” diatribe I had to ask myself what church was Wright from?  I, like many of you, learned he was the preacher at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.  At that moment my heart dropped to my feet.  I, too, am a member of a church that is affiliated with the United Church of Christ denomination.  I could not believe my ears.  His delusional sermon was about 180 degrees from the ultra conservative sermons that were preached on a Sunday morning at my church.  There is a little over 100 miles distance between his church and the one I attended as a youth.  How could so much diversity happen in such a short distance?  That night was probably the first time in my life I actually got on my knees at the side of my bed and prayed.  I have been praying like that ever since.  You see, like many of you I woke up. 

I realized at that precise moment we may be in for something we had not bargained for and the road to disaster was not going to be paved in gold – fool’s gold maybe?  I began listening to Barack Obama in November of 2007.  While I am not a Democrat and never desired to be, I decided, to my chagrin, I had better at least see who and what the Democrats were putting out there for my Republican party to stumble and fall over?  I dismissed Obama at the time as he seemed a non-player in the debates.  The other candidates had given him a courtesy call to attend the debates and took every chance they had to put down his radical views.  At the time it seemed pretty obvious that Hillary was going to win the Democratic nomination if one of the other dark horses coming from behind spoiled her perceived destiny.  Little did I realize that it would be Obama, and thus, the forced diatribe of Reverend Wright on national television?  These revelations were the beginning of my earnest meditation. 

As I meditated the one common question keep popping in my brain, why are we the most prosperous, best equipped and most powerful nation on the planet?  Through prayer the answer became crystal clear.  It was ordained by God and that he God blessed America. Look around you…we have the best standard of living, housing, equipped military and the rest of the world fears us or looks ed at us in with jealousy.  It is not by chance this may be the case?  It began with the premise of our Constitution and over two hundred years of being a God fearing nation – putting God at the forefront.  However, over the past 30 or so years, God is systematically been taken out of our understanding of who we are and why our country has survived with the same Constitution based on our God given unalienable rights. Today we are on the preface of a complete meltdown in our society, our government and our way of life due to denial God from many in our daily lives.  Like you, it is painful for me to watch as our country seems to be on a path of destruction denying those God given rights that have enabled us to become the greatest country on earth.

Barack Obama is in office and well on his way to destroying everything we believe in simply because we have been asleep for several decades and have gradually let his belief system take over every fiber of our government.  All countries depend on their government to survive.  The major advantage in America was is that WE THE PEOPLE controlled the government.  In Obama’s America, it is the government that decides our quality of life for us?  

It is time to wake up America.  We are sitting at home and watching our national treasures disappear before our eyes on national television.  We are seeing the takeover of our democratic process, the repressing of free speech and the soon to be end of free choice.  It is time to shake the cobwebs from your eyes and take a deep look at what you had and what you are becoming.  The success of our returning back the clock to our God given Constitution, is in proportion to our willingness to get off our couches and restore the plight of our Founding Fathers to preserve our freedom and rights by embracing that which has sustained past generations of Americans – it is time to rise up and put God back into America! Unless we do that we have little hope of sustaining the free society we have had with a fruitful living environment to pass onto for our children or grandchildren.  Future generations of Americans are depending on all of us to PUT GOD BACK INTO AMERICA by TAKING BACK OUR GOVERNMENT!

GETTING OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WITH HONOR!!

It has been said that no one wins a war.  I believe that to be a true statement.  It is true simply because of the death and carnage that wars leave in their paths.  Lives lost, the agony of lost loved ones and the lack of true accomplishment of the intent of the war in the first place leaves war a no winner.  The Iraq and Afghan wars are no different.  Unfortunately we are there.  We have committed 10s of thousands of personnel and billions of equipment and resources to bring about a change in government.  Freedom is not free; but, what happens when those you are freeing have never known or tasted true freedom.  Iraq is an example of why regime change is wrong.  We are marching down the same path in Afghanistan as well.

We were losing the war in Iraq simply because we were unable to commit the resources needed to accomplish the mission.  We are now paying that same price in Afghanistan.   Hopefully the loss of military and civilian lives will be kept to a minimum.  There is a way forward and a path to victory.  The answer is simple.  We must commit the resources, both personnel and equipment, needed to finish the job.  The surge in Iraq proved to be the blessing in disguise.  We have been able to draw down troop numbers and remove ourselves out of the fray.  Fortunately, we were able to train sufficient local forces to handle most of the dangerous work still left undone.  There is still one hugh problem in Iraq.  We should not delude ourselves into believing that we can exit and the status quo will remain the same.  The Iraq military and police force are still too imbedded with the old mindset and there is still and will always be animosity between the Sunni, Shiite and Kurds to every truly have a great democracy.  It will be only a matter of time after our departure that someone will try to gain a power grab and all accomplished will have been lost.

Our future presence in Iraq has already been cut in stone.  We simply mark time and draw down our troops at the appropriate earmarks.  Initially we can brag we came, we fought and we won; a victory with honor; but, with what cost.  Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a different story.

As President I believe we can bring victory within nine months.  In order to do that, we must commit sufficient troops and resources to finish the job.  That, in my mind, means more air power.  If you study recent history, you soon grasp that our quick and decisive victories have come with the onslaught of air power.  In 2001 we had total victory at hand in Afghanistan, but in typical US fashion, we drew down.  Today we are further from victory and closer to defeat than the first wave of shock and awe in 2001.  A massive frontal air assault on targeted Taliban and Al Qaeda strongholds will quickly demoralize them.  Ground troops will still be necessary, but to capture the surrendered and assist in humanitarian aid to the local nationals.  This time we must finish the job.  The leadership of both Afghanistan and Pakistan stand in the way of bringing stability to that region as well as providing an astounding blow to terrorism.  I believe that in principle, President George W. Bush was correct.  We must take the fight to the enemy before they take it to us.  That being said, it will be the State Departments job to instill upon both governments that we are not going to back off.  With or without their support; with or without their permission, we are going after Bin Laden and his gang.  The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan can stand with us or stand aside.  The future of further economic and other assistance will be determined by their decision.