Is $7.4 Trillion really alot of money?

Is it? It is a chunk, but what if Corporate Accounting practices were used on the US Governments Books? How does $59,100,000,000,000 sound. That is over $500,000 for every US household. I don't have that much debt. I have a mortgage but at least that is backed by a house.
So how does that break down:
BALANCE DUE
The cost per U.S. household of unfunded promises made by federal, state and local government:
Medicare $255,280
Social Security $144,251
Federal debt $43,380
Military benefits $25,863
State and local debt $17,537
Federal civil- servant benefits $14,374
State and local retiree benefits $13,114
Other federal obligations $2,548
Total $516,348

We really need to get rid of these fools in Washington. They don't know how to do anything right.

$7,400,000,000,000

That is the total of what has been pledged so far by our generous US Congress. I couldn't be more proud. I remember when they were talking about $700 billion. So $7.4 trillion would make this about $24,000 per person. Great. If I've learned anything in the last few years, it's that when your being buried by debt, go shopping. Bloombergs got an article that is worth reading.

My Favorite line, "The pledges, amounting to half the value of everything produced in the nation last year."

Another great one, "It’s nine times what the U.S. has spent so far on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

And one more, "Federal Reserve lending last week was 1,900 times the weekly average for the three years before the crisis."

And if your still not worried about it, "The worst financial crisis in two generations has erased $23 trillion, or 38 percent, of the value of the world’s companies and brought down three of the biggest Wall Street firms."

NYC Orders Churches to Stop Helping Homeless

So what does Separation of Church and State really mean. According to Prop 8 opponents, Churches shouldn't get involved in political issues. Some say it was to keep us from having a state sponsored church, or maybe it means that the State should stay out of church issues.

The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." So is New York City trampling on the First Amendment when it tells churches they can't help the homeless unless they are open for at least five days a week.

I think so.

Real Change

I got wind of this column today. And she's got it right for the most part. Why do we give these guys such a great salary, benefits, and pension. Oh right, they gave that to them. Quit worrying so much about the president and vote the rest of those rascals out. They are the real problems.

Opps

Come on, who hasn't left something on the car as they drove off.

Economy Tanks, Time to hoard SPAM

I thought this article was interesting. I know my family is partly responsible.

Red Country, City Blues

As a follow up to a previous post, I found this map which shows how the election went County by County. There is a disconnect between Rural and Urban America. This is why state rights are so important. I'm not going to pretend to know what it takes to live in Massachusetts, and I certainly shouldn't have a say (vote) as to their laws. So stay out of mine.

Protests Going Too Far

Temple protests, Sunday Service protests, An old lady get beat up for holding a cross, and a Mormon losses his job. I think these protests have gone abit too far. I can't believe that someone can hold a sign that says "Seperation of Church and State, Let Democracy Work". Democracy did work. It worked very well. People went out and voted and the ammendment won. No freedoms were even banned. People are upset, but don't use fear to promote your agenda. If you do, you are no better than the KKK.

Obama Rules!

"...given the daunting challenges that we face, it's important that president elect Obama is prepared to really take power and begin to rule day one." Valerie Jarrett, co-chair of Barack Obama's Transition Team

Drill

I may not be the biggest Obama fan, but I do respect the election process. I hope he does well. However, I am a proponent of state rights and believe the federal government should keep out. So when I read that Obama will stop drilling planned for Southern Utah, that really upsets me. Doesn't he have enough to do with the economy, the war, the energy crisis, not to to worry about drilling in Utah. Don't get fooled when you read this article, the federal government already owns too much land in Utah, they don't need more, and drilling won't affect the National Parks. Let Utah decide what Utah wants to do with Utah's resources.

$700 Billion becomes $2 Trillion

Why wasn't this in the news. I heard it was happening but can't believe the number. Why was it such a big deal to pass a $700 billion bailout package if the Tresury department had the right to spend 1.3 trillion without congress'e approval. And after all that happens, the big news is Who Did We Loan It To. Shouldn't the story be, "How Does an Unpopular decision to Blow $700 Billion Become $2 trillion" Leave it to the Government to go over budget.

Please take over my Healthcare Uncle Sam. You know how to run things right.

New Excersise Regiment

I'm always looking for something that will make weight loss easier. One women has found away to do just that. Running not enough? Just imagine the added benefit of running with a fox attached to your arm. Just 1 mile a day to reach your fitness goals.

Electoral Map Tells All

If you check out the interactive electoral map on foxnews.com it really shows you one of the problems in this country; the giant riff between urban and rural life. Remember in 2004 when the map was all red in the center and blue on the fringes. This year it was more blue, but zooming into the states you see the same issue. Take Nevada, the entire state is red except for the counties of Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City. Ohio, the same way. Red all over except for the counties surrounding the urban areas. Nebraska's fun, 4 counties are blue out of the 30+. Oregon, East Red, Northwest Blue. Why is it that Rural = Republican while Urban = Democrat.
Maybe it is better stated Rural = Conservative while Urban = Liberal. Maybe this is why it upsets me so much when liberals from the East and West coast come into Utah to promote there agenda. Heck, I moved out of Salt Lake County becuase they where too liberal. (Who votes for 3 tax hikes in one election, oh and 2 more this year.) Urban people don't understand rural life and I don't pretend to understand what it takes to live in the city. I do know the Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantee certain rights and no politician, Democrat or Republican, has the right to takes those away.
But what do I know, all I do is clean my guns and read my Bible.

A Good Way to Vote the Incumbent Out

Some of you would say that 'it is better to vote in the incumbent republican than vote in a democrat' or vice-versa. First, there are other parties than Republican and Democrat. Second, do what they did in Utah's third district. During the republican primary, they ousted long time congressman Chris Cannon and nominated newcomer Chris Chaffetz. He won last night and should make a good representative. Chris, don't think you can make a career out of this, you should be looking for something else to do in a few years.

Pennsylvania: Racist, Redneck and Stupid.

Is it just me or do anybody else take offense to being called a racist. Well, not the good people of Murtha's district in PA. Nor do they mind being called Rednecks. So how about stupid? How dumb do you have to be to believe that someone that is insulting you to your face is going represent you in Washington. How will we ever get change in Washington when we continue to vote in people like Murtha to represent us.

Vote Out the Incumbent

This may be too late to make any difference for tomorrows election, but it is time someone starts talking about what will bring about real change in Washington. It has nothing to do with the catch phrases, political tag lines, and bumper sticker slogans. If you really want "Change and Hope", or "Change that Matters", or if putting "Country First" is what you want, than the best thing anyone can do is vote the incumbent out. You've probably heard the quote, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. ' Why then do we continue to to elect the same politicians that make the same promises year after year and give us the same worthless result. Republican and Democrats alike go to the poles only to vote for straight down the party lines. Can't you just take a few minutes once every two years to at least read about the who you are voting for. They may not really believe what you do.
Some of you will say that voting out a strong incumbent will weaken your states seniority in congress. You might be right. You may not have that chairman spot on the Armed Services committee. Here is the thing about congress though, every vote counts. Even a junior senator gets to vote.
The problem is, that these lifetime senators and congressmen love to make packs with other lifers and the agreements they make are seldom good for the country or even your state. Stop thinking the federal government should pay for all your little projects. It just enslaves your State and forces your "representative" to make bad decisions for the promise of a kick-back. Take the $700 billion bail-out Pork. I love Spam, but stop the Pork.

Now that I've ranted, let me tell you what I think, for what it's worth. I'm a conservative. Fiscal Conservative first, but also social. I'm a registered republican but believe that they are just as wrong as democrats on most issues. I believe in term limits for all elected official and that states should be self-sufficient. Taxes need to be low and spending lower. I believe in the constitution and not in the UN, and if you have read all the way to the bottom of this post, you must somewhat agree with me or absolutely disagree. Either way come back periodically and I will share my opinion about what this country (not the politicians but the people), need to do to get out of the mess we are in.
Government is created by the people to guarantee rights, not grant them.