I sometimes head into areas where I may not be knowledgeable. Shucks. Some people would say that's most of the time with, perhaps, some exceptions to my personal stuff. So, with that disclaimer, I'm venturing into areas where all I have is unsubstantiated opinion.
First, the Ameircan Jobs Act. President Obama is touring the country trying to gain support for his huge tax and spend plan to create jobs. I say "huge," but it's really not as big as his previous efforts. His very expensive proposal calls for the creation of many temporary jobs in the public sector, similar to his proposals in the past.
He wants to put Americans working, among other things, building infrastructure. We need new roads, bridges, rails, etc., but once they're constructed or repaired, the jobs disappear. And we, the taxpayers, are left with another monster addition to the debt which we already cannot pay.
Previously we "fixed" the housing market, saved teachers', policemen's, firefighters' jobs, bankers, and more. As a result of the trillions of dollars we're now in debt, how many jobs have been created? I saw a report on the TV news the other day that the answer is simple: zero.
The stimuli given to communities to hire teachers, police officers, and firefighters, among others, was all temporary. When those funds expired, the communities were faced with crippling additional cuts or debt to continue those positions. As an example of that failure, there was a report on TV last night about teachers, who are now losing their jobs in record numbers and heading overseas to find employment.
Another question: with all the money poured into infrastructure over the last couple of years, are our roads, bridges, transportation facilities really any better? The answer is so easy it's scary. Just take a drive around our state and see for yourself.
Why on Earth do people think that continuing the same failed plans will result in anything any different than more failure? And so much more debt that it is putting the future of our country into serious jeopardy?
The jobs must be created in the private sector where investment can be made into growth and more money can be put into our pockets. The most effective way to put Americans back to work is much less government spending, lower taxes on businesses, and a down-sizing in governments.
For those who ask, "What about all the great programs we have to 'help' Americans?" I ask, "What incentive do we give those needy Americans when we provide them with everything for not working?" Only about half of us now provide for all of us and I, for one, am running out of money. When our money is gone, what then will happen to those programs?
Second, an election in New York. For the first time since the early 1920s, voters in New York's 9th District have sent a Republican to Congress. A sex scandal caused the imcumbant Democrat to resign earlier this year, and his seat unexpectedly went to a Republican. Some pundits are claiming it was a total rebuke of President Obama's policies, both in America and towards Israel. They are claiming it portends serious trouble for the Dems in the 2012 elections.
I'm not so sure about that. The GOP isn't exactly make super friends with its lack of any substantive improvements, either. Republicans got all excited when Scott Brown was elected in Massachusetts in the last election cycle. He proves everytime an important vote comes up that having an "R" after one's name doesn't necessarily mean "Republican." He might be in trouble in Massachusetts.
I should include that a Republican was elected in Nevada Tuesday, too, but that was in a district that has never elected a Democrat.
If the Republicans really want to succeed in 2012, they must get busy on those tasks I mentioned above.
Third, an incident in Portland. In the first week of school two children were involved in incidents where bus drivers left the youngsters off where no adult supervision was present. The errors have something to do with who should have been left at the East End Elementary School for after school activities. One such error is one too many. Two is unforgivable. Both the school's principal and the city's school superintendent have said measures have been taken to prevent the situation from happening again.
Yup. Like many of you, I've made mistakes and generally have paid for them. I have not read of any consequences for these two major errors. There can be no excuses. If a third should happen, and God forbid it does, then the consequences should be swift and dramatic.
Gator
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