A new Wall Street Journal / NBC poll shows President Obama disapproval rating topped fifty percent for the first time in his presidency. To red-blooded football fanatics this is certainly not a surprise.
Last week when the President realized his aides scheduled his big economic jobs speech against an already scheduled GOP debate on Wednesday night, the aides and the President huddled up and threw another incomplete pass. They moved forward and set the speech for Thursday night against the NFL kickoff premiere game showcasing the two top preseason Super Bowl contenders: Packers vs. Saints.
The President and his aides are living in a bowl and don’t get today’s political environment. While the speech is important, the President looks out of touch. People are fed up with the economy, with the in-fighting, with the lack of vision from either party.
What many people want Thursday night is a few hours of not worrying about their jobs or tomorrow’s bills. Just a few hours of sitting back and watching our gladiators of today air it out on a beautiful football field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on a perfect Fall night.
But the President opted to move forward with his speech. From one of the people who have lost the faith, he does more harm to his image and ability to touch people by not understanding the climate of the nation today. People don’t want a political speech before the NFL begins a new season.
They don’t want a lot of hot air that means nothing. Let us have a night that brings in a new season of hope after a six month strike that already left us breathless.
It’s not that we don’t think a jobs speech is important; we are just tired of speeches.
Show us some jobs growth and get our economy moving. Just do it during the day when the action should be on the floor of the House and Senate. Leave the night time action to our fantasies of the NFL and where we can dream of days of past economic glory returning some day to our own cities and states.
Jeff
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 7/29 - The Idiot Tax
Call it what you want, but we consumers have already been indirectly taxed by the inability of Congress to come to a consensus on the debt ceiling. Forget the bond ratings that one day will be lowered anyway because we spend 40 to 50 cents of every dollar on servicing the debt.
The stock market has already lost over five percent value this week so all our 401K’s and other investments have been impacted negatively.
In dialogue, it’s not a tax, but to my pocketbook it is. We all have lost value in our investments because these knuckleheads in Washington can’t get their heads out of the sand to come to a consensus on a deal. So it’s an “Idiot Tax” because we are the idiots who have voted in all the idiots in Washington who can’t get anything done.
For all the Michelle Bachmann and Tea Party ideologists who continue to insist we should let the debt ceiling expire, take a look now at your 401k’s. Get ready to go even deeper on the down side.
She was quoted as saying, “It is a flawed assumption to believe that the debt limit must be raised for America to thrive.” What planet is she living on!
Nothing is free and we do have to get our arms around entitlement spending to get this debt crisis fixed. Cuts need to be made. But there needs to be compromise before we blow the thing out.
Let’s get to the elections in 2012, and then you all vote for the direction you want the country to go in. I believe the lines in the sand will be very clear. Then hopefully one side or the other gets a majority and the proper cuts can be made because the votes will be there to get it done. And you will have had your say in voting in who you believe is the right choice to make this debt debate go away.
I’d like someone to focus on some job creation. GDP growth numbers came out today and they are miserable again. Instead of spending months and months on getting consensus on the debt ceiling, does anyone in Washington read local papers anymore to see that the country and the economy is sapped right now.
And we are the idiots for voting in these knuckleheads who can’t get anything done.
We get the “Idiot Tax” we deserve. Can’t wait for November 2012.
Jeff
The stock market has already lost over five percent value this week so all our 401K’s and other investments have been impacted negatively.
In dialogue, it’s not a tax, but to my pocketbook it is. We all have lost value in our investments because these knuckleheads in Washington can’t get their heads out of the sand to come to a consensus on a deal. So it’s an “Idiot Tax” because we are the idiots who have voted in all the idiots in Washington who can’t get anything done.
For all the Michelle Bachmann and Tea Party ideologists who continue to insist we should let the debt ceiling expire, take a look now at your 401k’s. Get ready to go even deeper on the down side.
She was quoted as saying, “It is a flawed assumption to believe that the debt limit must be raised for America to thrive.” What planet is she living on!
Nothing is free and we do have to get our arms around entitlement spending to get this debt crisis fixed. Cuts need to be made. But there needs to be compromise before we blow the thing out.
Let’s get to the elections in 2012, and then you all vote for the direction you want the country to go in. I believe the lines in the sand will be very clear. Then hopefully one side or the other gets a majority and the proper cuts can be made because the votes will be there to get it done. And you will have had your say in voting in who you believe is the right choice to make this debt debate go away.
I’d like someone to focus on some job creation. GDP growth numbers came out today and they are miserable again. Instead of spending months and months on getting consensus on the debt ceiling, does anyone in Washington read local papers anymore to see that the country and the economy is sapped right now.
And we are the idiots for voting in these knuckleheads who can’t get anything done.
We get the “Idiot Tax” we deserve. Can’t wait for November 2012.
Jeff
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 5/5 - Sean's Story of 9/11
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result only to have the same outcome each time.
The Obama Administration was in such a great position with the death of Osama bin Laden on Sunday. Almost everybody in the U.S. was ecstatic.
All they had to do was come out and state, “We got the sucker.” No more was needed. But they fabricated what really happened. “Big firefight. Osama used his wife as a shield. Osama was going for a weapon.”
That’s not what happened. The Seals went in and shot the men and left most the woman and children alone. They plugged Osama. He was killed hiding in a third floor bedroom. He was unarmed.
I for one, am good with that if it went down that way. Osama was a mass killer and has been hunted for over 10 years. Taking him alive would only keep the mission of our enemies focused on his living legacy in Gitmo. This ended the story for the world’s most hunted man.
We haven’t learned from the Pat Tillman episode. This time instead of the military making it up, it was the administration. Insanity again. I think of the liar in the old Saturday Night Live Skits. I picture Obama and his advisors around the conference table Sunday. And I see them all agreeing to how to frame the killing. And I just think of the skit with the Liar...“yeah..yeah..that’s the ticket...that’s how it happened...that’s the story.” Only it didn’t happen that way. Why the lies? Why the story?
It takes away from the valiant effort of the Seals that simply went in and did their job. Against great danger, they succeeded with their mission. And the information they were able to secure may stop future attacks from happening and help get many more of these killers before they attack again.
I listened to a woman on NPR this morning talking about her 50 year old husband Sean. Sean was on the 104th Floor of the Trade Center on 9/11. There was too much smoke in the stairwell to get down. Sean called his wife who had been with him since they were 16. He told her how much he loved her, that he was going to die and for her to be strong and to live life each and every day forward. Not to be afraid. They talked on Sean’s cell phone until the building collapsed and the quiet took over. Sean never knew who or why he was dying over. But the rest of us do. We’ve lived it for 10 years.
I had to take a moment as I parked my car listening to his wife tell the story. A tear went down my cheek. And I thought of Sunday night.
For all the Sean’s and families of those that died on 9/11, we did what we said we would do back in 2001. We hunted down the person responsible for that day and we “made it right.”
We shouldn’t have to make up a story about how we did it. We went in, and “got the sucker.” That should have been enough. For Sean and his wife, that’s all they wanted.
Jeff
The Obama Administration was in such a great position with the death of Osama bin Laden on Sunday. Almost everybody in the U.S. was ecstatic.
All they had to do was come out and state, “We got the sucker.” No more was needed. But they fabricated what really happened. “Big firefight. Osama used his wife as a shield. Osama was going for a weapon.”
That’s not what happened. The Seals went in and shot the men and left most the woman and children alone. They plugged Osama. He was killed hiding in a third floor bedroom. He was unarmed.
I for one, am good with that if it went down that way. Osama was a mass killer and has been hunted for over 10 years. Taking him alive would only keep the mission of our enemies focused on his living legacy in Gitmo. This ended the story for the world’s most hunted man.
We haven’t learned from the Pat Tillman episode. This time instead of the military making it up, it was the administration. Insanity again. I think of the liar in the old Saturday Night Live Skits. I picture Obama and his advisors around the conference table Sunday. And I see them all agreeing to how to frame the killing. And I just think of the skit with the Liar...“yeah..yeah..that’s the ticket...that’s how it happened...that’s the story.” Only it didn’t happen that way. Why the lies? Why the story?
It takes away from the valiant effort of the Seals that simply went in and did their job. Against great danger, they succeeded with their mission. And the information they were able to secure may stop future attacks from happening and help get many more of these killers before they attack again.
I listened to a woman on NPR this morning talking about her 50 year old husband Sean. Sean was on the 104th Floor of the Trade Center on 9/11. There was too much smoke in the stairwell to get down. Sean called his wife who had been with him since they were 16. He told her how much he loved her, that he was going to die and for her to be strong and to live life each and every day forward. Not to be afraid. They talked on Sean’s cell phone until the building collapsed and the quiet took over. Sean never knew who or why he was dying over. But the rest of us do. We’ve lived it for 10 years.
I had to take a moment as I parked my car listening to his wife tell the story. A tear went down my cheek. And I thought of Sunday night.
For all the Sean’s and families of those that died on 9/11, we did what we said we would do back in 2001. We hunted down the person responsible for that day and we “made it right.”
We shouldn’t have to make up a story about how we did it. We went in, and “got the sucker.” That should have been enough. For Sean and his wife, that’s all they wanted.
Jeff
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 4/28 - Birther Blues
From the state of Hawaii comes word that President Obama is indeed a U.S. citizen. Wow. For most of us that is simply not a story. I am so tired of these "birthers" who have kept on this story for months and months. Finally, the question is put to rest and we can get on to the real problems in our society. Education, debt, war, social issues and our economy.
But nooooooo. The Donald now comes out challenging President Obama’s grades in school. Does it never end? I heard a commentator call Trump the new 2000 version of Joseph McCarthy. "Tail gunner Trump." I have to agree.
There was never any solid information to ever doubt President Obama’s birth. But politicians and conspiracy theorists saying it made it so.
I also blame the media for tagging along the storyline instead of putting these people out to pasture. We give people like Trump tremendous media value when he deserves none.
Let’s talk about his multiple bankruptcies and marriage infidelities. This is the guy that wants to lead us now!
I could care less if Obama had F's in high school. I know many many professionals that had less than stellar high school and college grade averages, but they have made tremendous leaders and have great financial success. Let’s see. Bill Gates never even graduated. Horrible.
What "The Donald" is doing is somewhat what Communist countries used to do. “Show me your papers.” “Show me your records.” I thought we were living in America?
We have to get beyond these wild accusations if we are ever going to solve America’s issues. People like Karl Rove and Joe Scarborough have come out and stated that this kind of discourse really hurts the Republican chances to take over the White House in 2012. They are right. Americans get tired of the nonsense. Just as when the Dems were booted out in 2010, if the GOP doesn’t get its act together and start focusing on real issues facing us, they will all get booted out in 2012.
And this will continue to happen until a group of politicians can get in and work together to solve real problems and not birther reports and report cards from 30 years ago.
Jeff
But nooooooo. The Donald now comes out challenging President Obama’s grades in school. Does it never end? I heard a commentator call Trump the new 2000 version of Joseph McCarthy. "Tail gunner Trump." I have to agree.
There was never any solid information to ever doubt President Obama’s birth. But politicians and conspiracy theorists saying it made it so.
I also blame the media for tagging along the storyline instead of putting these people out to pasture. We give people like Trump tremendous media value when he deserves none.
Let’s talk about his multiple bankruptcies and marriage infidelities. This is the guy that wants to lead us now!
I could care less if Obama had F's in high school. I know many many professionals that had less than stellar high school and college grade averages, but they have made tremendous leaders and have great financial success. Let’s see. Bill Gates never even graduated. Horrible.
What "The Donald" is doing is somewhat what Communist countries used to do. “Show me your papers.” “Show me your records.” I thought we were living in America?
We have to get beyond these wild accusations if we are ever going to solve America’s issues. People like Karl Rove and Joe Scarborough have come out and stated that this kind of discourse really hurts the Republican chances to take over the White House in 2012. They are right. Americans get tired of the nonsense. Just as when the Dems were booted out in 2010, if the GOP doesn’t get its act together and start focusing on real issues facing us, they will all get booted out in 2012.
And this will continue to happen until a group of politicians can get in and work together to solve real problems and not birther reports and report cards from 30 years ago.
Jeff
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 4/20 - No Right Turn on Red
I must be getting old. I dream back of days when you actually had to stop completely at an intersection before making a right turn on a red light.
Recently I’ve noticed more and more that drivers young and old seem to think that turning right at an red light intersection means never having to stop. I’ve had countless people lately pull out in front of me from a red light when I’ve had the right of way and they simply turn as if it’s their right to do so. So cars barreling 45-50 mph don’t seem to phase these red light runners. Red now means go I guess.
It is a sign of the times. People just do what they want when they want in many real life conditions.
Hiking in the Arizona foothills used to mean peace and serenity and enjoying the beauty of Arizona. Now you can’t hike up any hill without some iPod blasting hip-hop music into the brain of some idiot along the trail. The person jacks the music so high that we are all hearing it. Red means go.
Cutting in line. How many times have we all been in a line whether at a restaurant or event only to have some person walk up to someone they know ahead of us, say hi and then stay there in front of us in that line? Red means go.
Merging in traffic. This always gets me when there is a merge due to road work and while most motorists get in line and move over well in advance of the blocked lane, there is always one or two folks who think merge does not apply to them as the cut to the front and bully their car over at the last second. Their time and importance are obviously much more valuable than those of us waiting patiently as was intended. Red means go.
Grocery shopping. I constantly see people in the lines meant for 10 items or less pull up with a load of a groceries just to get to the front counter quicker. Yes those 12-packs, donuts, and twenty Slim Jim canisters means the long lines pal. Red means go.
Disneyland. Now if you have more money than the guy next to you, you can pay a bit more to not have to wait in lines and proceed to the front on the rides. Red means go.
Southwest boarding areas at the airport. While they have done a great job in boarding planes by when you get your pass at Southwest, you still have the person jump in the A line when they should be in the B line because they are in a hurry to board. Maybe they don’t know what the letters in the alphabet mean. Red means go.
So I guess we all have to sit back and take it. Or maybe Russell Pearce had a good idea allowing everyone on the planet to have guns. Red means go.
I must be getting old.
Jeff
Recently I’ve noticed more and more that drivers young and old seem to think that turning right at an red light intersection means never having to stop. I’ve had countless people lately pull out in front of me from a red light when I’ve had the right of way and they simply turn as if it’s their right to do so. So cars barreling 45-50 mph don’t seem to phase these red light runners. Red now means go I guess.
It is a sign of the times. People just do what they want when they want in many real life conditions.
Hiking in the Arizona foothills used to mean peace and serenity and enjoying the beauty of Arizona. Now you can’t hike up any hill without some iPod blasting hip-hop music into the brain of some idiot along the trail. The person jacks the music so high that we are all hearing it. Red means go.
Cutting in line. How many times have we all been in a line whether at a restaurant or event only to have some person walk up to someone they know ahead of us, say hi and then stay there in front of us in that line? Red means go.
Merging in traffic. This always gets me when there is a merge due to road work and while most motorists get in line and move over well in advance of the blocked lane, there is always one or two folks who think merge does not apply to them as the cut to the front and bully their car over at the last second. Their time and importance are obviously much more valuable than those of us waiting patiently as was intended. Red means go.
Grocery shopping. I constantly see people in the lines meant for 10 items or less pull up with a load of a groceries just to get to the front counter quicker. Yes those 12-packs, donuts, and twenty Slim Jim canisters means the long lines pal. Red means go.
Disneyland. Now if you have more money than the guy next to you, you can pay a bit more to not have to wait in lines and proceed to the front on the rides. Red means go.
Southwest boarding areas at the airport. While they have done a great job in boarding planes by when you get your pass at Southwest, you still have the person jump in the A line when they should be in the B line because they are in a hurry to board. Maybe they don’t know what the letters in the alphabet mean. Red means go.
So I guess we all have to sit back and take it. Or maybe Russell Pearce had a good idea allowing everyone on the planet to have guns. Red means go.
I must be getting old.
Jeff
Monday, March 28, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 3/28 - Emma Gration
Russell Pearce is refusing to apologize for making Republican Senator Lori Klein read an unvetted letter from substitute teacher Tony Hill who accused Hispanic students of refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance and that the students declared that “American’s stole our land.”
Well, I received a letter from Emma Gration who is also very concerned over immigration issues and wants her statement read in the Senate Chamber as well. Can you help?
Her letter is as follows:
Dear Senate President Pearce:
We have a huge problem at the border. Spiders. Giant Mexican spiders are crossing over the border at all hours of the day and night. They are coming over without visas or papers and are Mexican spiders that are going to destroy our way of life. They are claiming that Americans stole their land and they are simply overrunning us with speed and dexterity only a spider colony could amass.
I saw one spider weave a web over a border patrol guard and then proceed to make him pledge allegiance to the Mexican spider way of life. I saw another spider take his arm and rip off a Three Musketeers bar from a local Circle K with the swiftness not seen since an Ali fight.
And the gangs. These spiders have formed a cartel that would make the Mexican cartels envious. They are dealing drugs from the vast corners of the desert. Kids are at risk as the spiders pretend to be working on your yard work and as roofing contractors.
They take jobs from Americans because with their multiple arms, they can get more work done and make our productivity look weak. And they take jobs like janitors and hotel workers that eliminate the jobs former Maricopa County Attorney Generals might take.
I know getting your immigration bill passed is paramount to saving Arizona, but now armed with the new knowledge that these Mexican spiders are coming soon to a web near you, we should sign your bill with great speed. No need to check on the facts of this letter because what I say is true. My parents named me Emma Gration because they knew I would fight the facts of truth on all immigration issues. And now that Mexican spiders have crossed over, we must react and sign your bills before we are destroyed.
Regards,
Emma Gration
So Senator Pearce, how do we get this read in session? I’m sure it will make a difference.
Jeff
Well, I received a letter from Emma Gration who is also very concerned over immigration issues and wants her statement read in the Senate Chamber as well. Can you help?
Her letter is as follows:
Dear Senate President Pearce:
We have a huge problem at the border. Spiders. Giant Mexican spiders are crossing over the border at all hours of the day and night. They are coming over without visas or papers and are Mexican spiders that are going to destroy our way of life. They are claiming that Americans stole their land and they are simply overrunning us with speed and dexterity only a spider colony could amass.
I saw one spider weave a web over a border patrol guard and then proceed to make him pledge allegiance to the Mexican spider way of life. I saw another spider take his arm and rip off a Three Musketeers bar from a local Circle K with the swiftness not seen since an Ali fight.
And the gangs. These spiders have formed a cartel that would make the Mexican cartels envious. They are dealing drugs from the vast corners of the desert. Kids are at risk as the spiders pretend to be working on your yard work and as roofing contractors.
They take jobs from Americans because with their multiple arms, they can get more work done and make our productivity look weak. And they take jobs like janitors and hotel workers that eliminate the jobs former Maricopa County Attorney Generals might take.
I know getting your immigration bill passed is paramount to saving Arizona, but now armed with the new knowledge that these Mexican spiders are coming soon to a web near you, we should sign your bill with great speed. No need to check on the facts of this letter because what I say is true. My parents named me Emma Gration because they knew I would fight the facts of truth on all immigration issues. And now that Mexican spiders have crossed over, we must react and sign your bills before we are destroyed.
Regards,
Emma Gration
So Senator Pearce, how do we get this read in session? I’m sure it will make a difference.
Jeff
Monday, March 14, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 3/14 - Punt, Pass, & Kick
One of the Fall rites of passage for most kids is the NFL’s sponsorship of a competition called “Punt, Pass, and Kick”. It measures your skill set in achieving all three categories in distance.
On Friday last week the owners and players in the NFL decided that couldn’t play nice in the sandbox we consumers had built so they decided to take their balls and go home.
So I’ve done some analysis of the NFL and set up new rules of a Punt, Pass, and Kick contest in Arizona since the NFL is on strike.
The State of Arizona continues to “Punt” on all matters related to education. More cuts are coming and the promise by the Governor to not have any more changes to K-12 with the passage of the tax last year will not stand. So a successful punt by our legislative body is coming to a school near you.
Pass. We all are guilty one way or another in passing the blame of our current economic mess. And now let’s pass the buck to the guy behind us, the guy in front of us and guy standing in the doorway. Let’s face it. Until we tackle Medicare, Medicaid. and other entitlements; nothing changes.
And finally kicking. We seem to want to kick anyone in our way to the curb. If it’s figuring out a way to save the lives of a few sick people that need transplants to hunting down cleaning crews and landscaping employees that don’t have their immigration papers. And while we are at it, let’s kick the kids of those folks as well for good measure. And let’s also kick the responsibility of deciding who stays and goes to those same school administrators, teachers and doctors.
So in the new world order in Arizona, Punt, Pass and Kick is effectively used by our leaders to enact change we can all believe in. Believe for sure it will hurt our economy for years to come.
To put salt in the wound, the NFL Players Association and owners couldn’t figure out a way to share 9.6 billion dollars in profits last week and the NFL is in a lockout. As if Glendale needs to lose two professional sports teams in one year...
I think I’m going to take my ball and go home.
Jeff
On Friday last week the owners and players in the NFL decided that couldn’t play nice in the sandbox we consumers had built so they decided to take their balls and go home.
So I’ve done some analysis of the NFL and set up new rules of a Punt, Pass, and Kick contest in Arizona since the NFL is on strike.
The State of Arizona continues to “Punt” on all matters related to education. More cuts are coming and the promise by the Governor to not have any more changes to K-12 with the passage of the tax last year will not stand. So a successful punt by our legislative body is coming to a school near you.
Pass. We all are guilty one way or another in passing the blame of our current economic mess. And now let’s pass the buck to the guy behind us, the guy in front of us and guy standing in the doorway. Let’s face it. Until we tackle Medicare, Medicaid. and other entitlements; nothing changes.
And finally kicking. We seem to want to kick anyone in our way to the curb. If it’s figuring out a way to save the lives of a few sick people that need transplants to hunting down cleaning crews and landscaping employees that don’t have their immigration papers. And while we are at it, let’s kick the kids of those folks as well for good measure. And let’s also kick the responsibility of deciding who stays and goes to those same school administrators, teachers and doctors.
So in the new world order in Arizona, Punt, Pass and Kick is effectively used by our leaders to enact change we can all believe in. Believe for sure it will hurt our economy for years to come.
To put salt in the wound, the NFL Players Association and owners couldn’t figure out a way to share 9.6 billion dollars in profits last week and the NFL is in a lockout. As if Glendale needs to lose two professional sports teams in one year...
I think I’m going to take my ball and go home.
Jeff
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 3/2 - Charlie's Angels
Charlie Sheen is a train wreck waiting to happen. Or did the train already crash? His constant ranting and delusions of self glory have been all over the media this past week. Appearances on TMZ, The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20 and multiple internet sources have dominated the news. He started a Twitter page on Tuesday and already has 600,000+ followers...yes 600,000 people signed up to receive his updated rants. I blame much of the craziness on the media, feeding off this goof.
I don’t get it I guess. Wisconsin is Egypt West where union workers fight to keep the ability to negotiate through a reduced collective bargaining agreement. The Middle East is such a mess that if protests move to Saudi Arabia there is talk of $8.00 a gallon gas and of course that little skirmish we continue to have in Afghanistan. A couple billion here, a couple of billion there; but none being used at home where it is truly needed in our infrastructure and education. And what is all the water cooler talk about? Charlie Sheen.
I hope those same 600,000 people who signed up to receive Charlie’s latest sexual and drug conquests are as passionate about keeping up with all the real world events that impact them daily; but somehow I doubt it. My guess is that there is probably a poor voting record from that same bunch as well.
We are simply losing our senses as to what is important. In Arizona, our political leaders continue to do everything possible to keep us in the news as well. Instead of focusing on jobs, we are spending time in court talking about doctors and teachers asking for ID cards. Really. I saw a lot of World War II movies where everyone had to have “Papers” at all times as to not be arrested by the NAZI goons. Are we headed to the same craziness here? I think we are if the Russell Pearce's have their way. Attracting tourists and business to our state needs to be forefront on our agenda, not policing the public.
And based on the priority of people to be engaged in Charlie Sheen’s antics on his Twitter page and not the real things that matter in their own backyards, we all have much more to worry about witnessing our own train wreck. It’s coming to a city near you sooner than you think.
Jeff
I don’t get it I guess. Wisconsin is Egypt West where union workers fight to keep the ability to negotiate through a reduced collective bargaining agreement. The Middle East is such a mess that if protests move to Saudi Arabia there is talk of $8.00 a gallon gas and of course that little skirmish we continue to have in Afghanistan. A couple billion here, a couple of billion there; but none being used at home where it is truly needed in our infrastructure and education. And what is all the water cooler talk about? Charlie Sheen.
I hope those same 600,000 people who signed up to receive Charlie’s latest sexual and drug conquests are as passionate about keeping up with all the real world events that impact them daily; but somehow I doubt it. My guess is that there is probably a poor voting record from that same bunch as well.
We are simply losing our senses as to what is important. In Arizona, our political leaders continue to do everything possible to keep us in the news as well. Instead of focusing on jobs, we are spending time in court talking about doctors and teachers asking for ID cards. Really. I saw a lot of World War II movies where everyone had to have “Papers” at all times as to not be arrested by the NAZI goons. Are we headed to the same craziness here? I think we are if the Russell Pearce's have their way. Attracting tourists and business to our state needs to be forefront on our agenda, not policing the public.
And based on the priority of people to be engaged in Charlie Sheen’s antics on his Twitter page and not the real things that matter in their own backyards, we all have much more to worry about witnessing our own train wreck. It’s coming to a city near you sooner than you think.
Jeff
Monday, January 31, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 1/31 - Class War
There is a class war going on in Egypt. The youth and poor have risen up to topple the regime that has been in place well over 30 years. Chaos, confusion, extremists and looting have taken to the streets. There are lessons to be learned in America as we watch this unfold as well.
While there is flurry of activity to cut social and human services across the U.S., be very careful to where this will lead. What has always made our country great is that we look out for the less fortunate, the poor, and the people in need. Education is a key component to that success as well. When class structure gets so two sided with no middle left, people will one day demand change.
I’m not saying that we are close to the chaos that Egypt faces today. But the more and more I see and hear people talk about how angry and upset they are over how America is changing, how Arizona is a mess.
We need to rein in spending but not at the entire expense of the poor and our children. We have to figure out ways to take care of people so “death panels” do not become a reality. We need to insure that our public school system stays viable for those that cannot afford private alternatives. We need to have a government that continues to offer the best ways and means to grow business in our local communities.
I saw that on Friday, Arizona legislators yet again put out bills that question President Obama’s citizenship. Can’t we get beyond this? Arizona again is in headlines regarding challenging immigration status of children born in the U.S. of parents that are not citizens. Several states have backed off joining this bandwagon. Why? The cost? The constitution?
Time Magazine this past week wrote an interesting article on the state of Arizona. They titled it “Arizona’s Great Divide. Big rifts, bigger challenges. Can the state heal in time?” It should be a must read for all of us that want Arizona to succeed. It talks about Arizona being in a constant culture clash, a land of political opposites. We have to recognize that to grow and succeed we need to figure out a way to work together and come up with new and innovative ideas that we all can live with.
If not, just look at what is happening in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East and Europe. The disenfranchised eventually will take action. It’s happened here in the 60s with the civil rights movement and anti-war sentiment. Let’s figure it out before that boiling point heats up where that kind of action and reaction comes back to American cities.
Jeff
While there is flurry of activity to cut social and human services across the U.S., be very careful to where this will lead. What has always made our country great is that we look out for the less fortunate, the poor, and the people in need. Education is a key component to that success as well. When class structure gets so two sided with no middle left, people will one day demand change.
I’m not saying that we are close to the chaos that Egypt faces today. But the more and more I see and hear people talk about how angry and upset they are over how America is changing, how Arizona is a mess.
We need to rein in spending but not at the entire expense of the poor and our children. We have to figure out ways to take care of people so “death panels” do not become a reality. We need to insure that our public school system stays viable for those that cannot afford private alternatives. We need to have a government that continues to offer the best ways and means to grow business in our local communities.
I saw that on Friday, Arizona legislators yet again put out bills that question President Obama’s citizenship. Can’t we get beyond this? Arizona again is in headlines regarding challenging immigration status of children born in the U.S. of parents that are not citizens. Several states have backed off joining this bandwagon. Why? The cost? The constitution?
Time Magazine this past week wrote an interesting article on the state of Arizona. They titled it “Arizona’s Great Divide. Big rifts, bigger challenges. Can the state heal in time?” It should be a must read for all of us that want Arizona to succeed. It talks about Arizona being in a constant culture clash, a land of political opposites. We have to recognize that to grow and succeed we need to figure out a way to work together and come up with new and innovative ideas that we all can live with.
If not, just look at what is happening in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East and Europe. The disenfranchised eventually will take action. It’s happened here in the 60s with the civil rights movement and anti-war sentiment. Let’s figure it out before that boiling point heats up where that kind of action and reaction comes back to American cities.
Jeff
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Jeff's Commentary - 1/11 - The Empty Chairs
I was angry on Monday as the Tucson gunman, Jared Loughner smirked as he was being booked in a Phoenix courthouse. So devoid of any human feelings, this individual does not deserve the 15 minutes of fame he has framed. An animal. I do believe there is a place in hell for this young man.
The shooting in Tucson which included Gabrielle Giffords impacted so many families. As a father of five children, there was nothing more heartbreaking than to read about the death of the innocent girl over the weekend. Christina Taylor-Green was nine years old. A third grader at Mesa Verde Elementary School whose desk and chair will now be empty for an eternity. How sad. How tragic.
I think of future Christmas' little Christina will not have. The birthday parties with family that will now be empty dates. The graduations that will never happen. The family she will never have. Why?
I teared up as I read that her mind was already focused on her career, where she aspired to be involved in helping those less fortunate than herself.
Dorothy Morris (76) and Phyllis Schneck (79) were mothers, wives and people who brought great happiness to their families. They are now gone. Their chairs will be hard to fill.
Dorwin Stoddard (76) was still the protector. When the shooting started, he covered his wife who was also hit and took the impact of more bullets which killed him. What valor.
And Gabe Zimmerman, who at 30 had so many chairs to fill in his life. He was a Director of Community Outreach for Congresswoman Giffords and now lives in a community he will no longer touch.
So we have to come together and learn from all the empty chairs. How do we treat people? How do we stop the violence? How do we temper the tone in America?
How to treat one another with respect among disagreement?
I believe in the hereafter. My opinion. My beliefs. I believe that little Christina is beginning her new career now to help others less fortunate than herself. She’s doing it in a different dimension. That new chair is now hers and is no longer empty.
Jeff
The shooting in Tucson which included Gabrielle Giffords impacted so many families. As a father of five children, there was nothing more heartbreaking than to read about the death of the innocent girl over the weekend. Christina Taylor-Green was nine years old. A third grader at Mesa Verde Elementary School whose desk and chair will now be empty for an eternity. How sad. How tragic.
I think of future Christmas' little Christina will not have. The birthday parties with family that will now be empty dates. The graduations that will never happen. The family she will never have. Why?
I teared up as I read that her mind was already focused on her career, where she aspired to be involved in helping those less fortunate than herself.
Dorothy Morris (76) and Phyllis Schneck (79) were mothers, wives and people who brought great happiness to their families. They are now gone. Their chairs will be hard to fill.
Dorwin Stoddard (76) was still the protector. When the shooting started, he covered his wife who was also hit and took the impact of more bullets which killed him. What valor.
And Gabe Zimmerman, who at 30 had so many chairs to fill in his life. He was a Director of Community Outreach for Congresswoman Giffords and now lives in a community he will no longer touch.
So we have to come together and learn from all the empty chairs. How do we treat people? How do we stop the violence? How do we temper the tone in America?
How to treat one another with respect among disagreement?
I believe in the hereafter. My opinion. My beliefs. I believe that little Christina is beginning her new career now to help others less fortunate than herself. She’s doing it in a different dimension. That new chair is now hers and is no longer empty.
Jeff
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