Sunday Reflections – The Day Of
Today as I reflect on the things I’ve done the last couple of years and the mish mash of eclectic things I have tried to accomplish; one thing kept coming to mind.
Nothing I did made headlines and while I admit that headlines would have made me feel good; it would have been in the end counterproductive.
What I realized was that big events or stories that erupt into banner headlines are made up of all sorts of smaller events of every type. I realized also that these small efforts can build upon each other and create the ground swell for the type of events that garner headlines. Knowing that I was a part of the smaller events brought me comfort this day - this Sunday.
This reverie brought to my mind the whole idea of blogging, and some of my old internet haunts. One of which was Libertas which had closed down last summer.
-----link-----
http://www.libertasfilmmagazine.com/
--------------
I had followed and blogged about this site a couple of years ago as being part of the effort to take the conservative message and introduce it back into the main stream "pop" culture. In this case the movie industry. Libertas tried to provide a platform for conservative actors producers and directors to give vent to being black balled from the news outlets and the movie industry itself. Libertas would highlight those efforts and try to help sell them once produced. I, in my little local way highlighted them at the time and their movie selections.
Libertas struggled, shut down for awhile. They, as I did must have felt they had little effect. I see now they have reemerged in a sharper, brighter, and glossier format. The link above tells of the new movie Salt staring Angela Jolie. Below that is an article about the movie being made based on the classic Ayn Rand book “Atlas Shrugged”.
Also different actors have come out of the closet and proclaimed their “Conservativeness”. What was responsible for this? Not one thing, but as a friend always reminds me about the book Glenn Reynolds wrote called an Army of Davids, a lot of people and ideas and events are making it possible.
The point I’m trying to get to here is that small steps matter. The plethora of small ideas and efforts put forth by an "Army of Davids" against the Goliath that is Government has had huge effect. Through the Alternative Media of the internet these small steps by different people are exposed to the “Free Market Place of Ideas” and through the free choice of the public the best ideas survive and have a chance to flourish.
Conservative always seem to win the argument on paper. We have enough reams of paper devoted to the conservative message to repopulate six Brazilian rain forests. The problem is, nobody reads that anymore.
Andrew Breitbart was the first person I heard actually talk of taking the conservative message and putting it into the Pop Culture. Andrew took the old saying “a picture’s worth a thousand words mixed it with the internet and video and started making headway in the pop culture of the news media. People had for years written lengthy exposes about the corruption in non profits and nobody listened. When Breitbart built his platform “Big Government” for people to tell the same story with video; everyone took notice.
James O’Keefe and Hanna Giles took advantage of that platform and were able to take down ACORN with some video on YouTube.
-----link-----
http://biggovernment.com/tag/acorn-prostitution/
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So as I relax finally and get a chance to blog this Sunday morning, I’ll give thanks that I am able to do those small things which added to everyone else’s may do some good in the world. Although I wonder how buying the remaining 400 prizes for a flag giveaway or transplanting a tomato plant will change the world – I will continue to believe it will therefore I’ll do it.
Besides, some things are just worth doing. And as John Wayne might say about reflections and that already it's almost noon -- "We’re burning daylight."
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
David and Goliath (local American style)
David and Goliath (American Political Style)
There is a primary race in my neck of the woods that is shaping up to be a classic David and Goliath story out of the Bible. That race is for the 91st district State House seat.
If you remember from the Bible, Goliath was a giant standing over 9 feet tall and clad in name brand armor. He represented the Philistine army as they faced off against King Saul and the army of Israel. Due to the immense size and strength of the mightily armored Goliath, King Saul’s army was intimidated and frightened into not attacking.
That came to an end when David, a teenager who had been sent by his father to get news of the battle heard the taunts and insults of Goliath. With only the simple faith of his beliefs he stepped onto the field and won a victory over the Philistines.
We all know the story, though everything was against David, the simple faith in his beliefs led him unswervingly to attack and defeat the mighty Goliath. Ever since; that story has come to symbolize the triumph of the underdog over seemingly insurmountable odds.
In this current reenactment the role of David is being played by Ken Punter and Goliath by Holly Hughes. The seeming strength of Holly Hughes lies in the size of her bank account and her armor is made up of all the National Republican contacts and offices she holds. She knows all the right people personally from John McCain to Michael Steel. On down the food chain to Ron Weiser the Republican State Chair.
On top of this she is the National Republican Committee Woman; a highly influential position in National Party Politics. She was instrumental in electing Michael Steel to the National Republican Chair.
On the National Republican Party stage she is a key player.
Combined with the armor of her name dropping and the towering height of her financial stature she is indeed daunting to lesser mortals. Now to the specifics.
Both of the Republican Candidates have submitted their pre-election financial reports for the primary. A recap of the information which is available on the Secretary of State website is as follows:
Holly Hughes: Contributions - $25,896.41; Expenditures - $119,780.23; Cash Loans from Candidate (this election cycle) - $80,000.00; Account Balance - $7,340.39
Punter: Contributions - $10,960.33; Expenditures - $14,475.57; Cash Loans from Candidate (this election cycle) - $5,000.00; Account Balance - $1,373.43
Goliath is out spending David by 8/1 !!!!!Most people would gasp and say Ken Punter is outmatched and sure to lose.
I simply wonder why Holly Hughes thought she needed to spend so much against a rival spending so little in the primary.
I also start to wonder if Ms. Hughes spends her own money so freely how will she spend the taxpayer’s money.
Ken Punter is not easily intimidated; I guess that is what comes from retiring from the Marines as a Lieutenant.Colonel. In the same vein he knows how to stay focused and follow through what he starts. His 15 years on the school board attests to that.
He brings to the field in his sling a simple but deadly weapon --
People Over Politics
As with the stone in the Bible; Ken Punter’s simple faith in that slogan may indeed bring down a modern day Goliath.
If that happens; as with the Army of Israel the Republican base will then have time to think and realize it was really inevitable.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
There is a primary race in my neck of the woods that is shaping up to be a classic David and Goliath story out of the Bible. That race is for the 91st district State House seat.
If you remember from the Bible, Goliath was a giant standing over 9 feet tall and clad in name brand armor. He represented the Philistine army as they faced off against King Saul and the army of Israel. Due to the immense size and strength of the mightily armored Goliath, King Saul’s army was intimidated and frightened into not attacking.
That came to an end when David, a teenager who had been sent by his father to get news of the battle heard the taunts and insults of Goliath. With only the simple faith of his beliefs he stepped onto the field and won a victory over the Philistines.
We all know the story, though everything was against David, the simple faith in his beliefs led him unswervingly to attack and defeat the mighty Goliath. Ever since; that story has come to symbolize the triumph of the underdog over seemingly insurmountable odds.
In this current reenactment the role of David is being played by Ken Punter and Goliath by Holly Hughes. The seeming strength of Holly Hughes lies in the size of her bank account and her armor is made up of all the National Republican contacts and offices she holds. She knows all the right people personally from John McCain to Michael Steel. On down the food chain to Ron Weiser the Republican State Chair.
On top of this she is the National Republican Committee Woman; a highly influential position in National Party Politics. She was instrumental in electing Michael Steel to the National Republican Chair.
On the National Republican Party stage she is a key player.
Combined with the armor of her name dropping and the towering height of her financial stature she is indeed daunting to lesser mortals. Now to the specifics.
Both of the Republican Candidates have submitted their pre-election financial reports for the primary. A recap of the information which is available on the Secretary of State website is as follows:
Holly Hughes: Contributions - $25,896.41; Expenditures - $119,780.23; Cash Loans from Candidate (this election cycle) - $80,000.00; Account Balance - $7,340.39
Punter: Contributions - $10,960.33; Expenditures - $14,475.57; Cash Loans from Candidate (this election cycle) - $5,000.00; Account Balance - $1,373.43
Goliath is out spending David by 8/1 !!!!!Most people would gasp and say Ken Punter is outmatched and sure to lose.
I simply wonder why Holly Hughes thought she needed to spend so much against a rival spending so little in the primary.
I also start to wonder if Ms. Hughes spends her own money so freely how will she spend the taxpayer’s money.
Ken Punter is not easily intimidated; I guess that is what comes from retiring from the Marines as a Lieutenant.Colonel. In the same vein he knows how to stay focused and follow through what he starts. His 15 years on the school board attests to that.
He brings to the field in his sling a simple but deadly weapon --
People Over Politics
As with the stone in the Bible; Ken Punter’s simple faith in that slogan may indeed bring down a modern day Goliath.
If that happens; as with the Army of Israel the Republican base will then have time to think and realize it was really inevitable.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Chetly Zarko is Dead, but not forgotten
Chetly Zarko has passed away at the age of 39.
Our condolences go out to Eric Rothoff the Co Chair of the Muskegon Tea Party who was a friend and fellow co worker of Mr. Zarko.
The Muskegon Tea Party had its Executive Board meeting 8am Tues. Eric with the rest of our board was there talking the business of our Tea Party group. We were discussing putting out a press release regarding the fake Tea Party which just announced it had filed the necessary petition signatures to put their name on the ballot.
Because Eric was intimately involved with Chetly Zarko and his efforts since last May to expose the “Tea Party Party” as a fake; our co chair was able to give us some needed insight into who was probably behind the effort to deflect the popularity of the Tea Party Movement and its influence on the elections.
Here is a link to a radio station site which gives Wendy Days opinion.
-----link-----
http://www.whmi.com/news/article/10540
--------------
Here is a link to the Mackinaw Center’s RIP article. It has some good links about Chetly Zarko.
-----link-----
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/13212
--------------
I only met him a few times and then only in passing, usually at Conservative meetings or conventions in and around Lansing where he was based. One example was a Center Right Meeting in Lansing hosted by Jack Hoogendyk.
I can only empathize with Eric on his loss, and tell him to keep involved in all the work he and Zarko have been doing to keep the fight for freedom alive. Keep immersed in the effort to allay your sorrow and know that by doing so your boss would be proud.
Again our condolences go out to his family friends and co workers of which Eric our co chair is included.
>>>>>Breaking<<<<<<<
Just talked with Eric and he told me he was he the one who found Chet at around 11 Tues. He also said Chet was in his chair and Fox was on. Eric believed that he was the last one to talk with Chet on the phone and it was (if I remember the conversation correctly) Sat. Eric found Chet Tues. Chet's parents had called Eric to check on Chetly. An autopsy will be performed today; which will determe cause and time of death.
One side effect of this is that Eric was going to be the MC at the Young Republican sponsered 2nd Congressional Debate at MCC, now he will not be able to do it. A suitable replacement will be found he assured me.
We will all miss Chetly's due dilligence in bringing to light that which has been in the dark too long. The burden upon us to try to make up the difference in this fight for transparancy and freedom has indeed increased with his passing.
Bill Cooper Sues Jay Riemersma.
Here is the link to an MLive article. The news came out last night.
As if there wasn't enough sizzle in the frying pan which is the Republican Primary race for the 2nd Congressional Seat. Now we learn that Bill Cooper is filing a lawsuit against Jay Riemersma.
-----link-----
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/07/jay_riemersma_sued_by_fellow_r.html
--------------
The debate in Muskegon should be interesting. Think the media will perk up their ears at this. Get there early.
In a phone conversation today with Meghan Cooper I learned some things she ok'd for publication.
1. This lawsuit was filed three weeks ago. (Like I said this news just came out)
2. Meghan claims the Cooper camp did not make the news public.
3. When I asked the motivation for the lawsuit as it would not be settled before the August primary, she told me the Bill Cooper did it to stand up for himself and to do what was right.
4. Bill Coioper will attend the MCC debate mentioned above Thurs as scheduled.
I asked for some specifics as to what was alleged and what they had proof of.
She told me they were accusing the Riemersma camp when going door to door of stating falsehoods about Bill Cooper. She listed a few.
1. That Bill Cooper wasn't a Christian.
2. That Bill Cooper moved from Arizona to Michigan just to run for office
3. That a business of Bill Coopers was foreclosed on for failure to pay taxes.
Meghan then explained the truth to these accusations.
Bill Cooper belongs to a Church in Fruitport for 25 years, his children attend a Christian School.
Bill Cooper never had residence in Arizona.
While he paid the taxes late he did pay them and it wasn't done to avoid paying but rather a not uncommon business tactic.
I also talked with Lia who was covering for Jane Jelgerhuis Jay's campaign manager. I was sorry to here that Jane was in the Hospital for some serious surgery. The prognosis was positive but she was in no position to comment at this time. Lia said she would contact me Monday.
Lia did confirm however that Jay Riemersma will attend the debate Thurs at MCC.
That's is except for some hard real stuff from my precinct. (Precinct 6, Ward 2 city of Muskegon)
Wow what a bash at Love Community Garden. The Picnic was put on by the Garden under the direction of Morning Bear and The Love Fellowship Baptist Church and Pastor Phillips. BBQ@ chicken, Pulled pork and Hotdogs and Hamburgers. The rides for the kids were fantastic, we had face painting and even a petting zoo. The ladies of the Church made some great dishes to go along with the meat. Big fun and plenty of kids having a ball and well behaved.
This is a perfect example how people can get together and learn again how to be self sufficient and create the neighborhood feeling of old. In My Opinion this is a perfect example of Church injecting moral values back into the community.
Also the Republicans had a road clean up with Stu as always setting it up. Along with Stu Peterson in the pic is Jim Riley in the middle and on the Right Ken Punter candidate for the 91st State house seat.
Also not in the pic was Jon Koens and State Rep. Goeff Hansen candidate for the 34th state Senate seat.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Our condolences go out to Eric Rothoff the Co Chair of the Muskegon Tea Party who was a friend and fellow co worker of Mr. Zarko.
The Muskegon Tea Party had its Executive Board meeting 8am Tues. Eric with the rest of our board was there talking the business of our Tea Party group. We were discussing putting out a press release regarding the fake Tea Party which just announced it had filed the necessary petition signatures to put their name on the ballot.
Because Eric was intimately involved with Chetly Zarko and his efforts since last May to expose the “Tea Party Party” as a fake; our co chair was able to give us some needed insight into who was probably behind the effort to deflect the popularity of the Tea Party Movement and its influence on the elections.
Here is a link to a radio station site which gives Wendy Days opinion.
-----link-----
http://www.whmi.com/news/article/10540
--------------
Here is a link to the Mackinaw Center’s RIP article. It has some good links about Chetly Zarko.
-----link-----
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/13212
--------------
I only met him a few times and then only in passing, usually at Conservative meetings or conventions in and around Lansing where he was based. One example was a Center Right Meeting in Lansing hosted by Jack Hoogendyk.
I can only empathize with Eric on his loss, and tell him to keep involved in all the work he and Zarko have been doing to keep the fight for freedom alive. Keep immersed in the effort to allay your sorrow and know that by doing so your boss would be proud.
Again our condolences go out to his family friends and co workers of which Eric our co chair is included.
>>>>>Breaking<<<<<<<
Just talked with Eric and he told me he was he the one who found Chet at around 11 Tues. He also said Chet was in his chair and Fox was on. Eric believed that he was the last one to talk with Chet on the phone and it was (if I remember the conversation correctly) Sat. Eric found Chet Tues. Chet's parents had called Eric to check on Chetly. An autopsy will be performed today; which will determe cause and time of death.
One side effect of this is that Eric was going to be the MC at the Young Republican sponsered 2nd Congressional Debate at MCC, now he will not be able to do it. A suitable replacement will be found he assured me.
We will all miss Chetly's due dilligence in bringing to light that which has been in the dark too long. The burden upon us to try to make up the difference in this fight for transparancy and freedom has indeed increased with his passing.
Bill Cooper Sues Jay Riemersma.
Here is the link to an MLive article. The news came out last night.
As if there wasn't enough sizzle in the frying pan which is the Republican Primary race for the 2nd Congressional Seat. Now we learn that Bill Cooper is filing a lawsuit against Jay Riemersma.
-----link-----
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/07/jay_riemersma_sued_by_fellow_r.html
--------------
The debate in Muskegon should be interesting. Think the media will perk up their ears at this. Get there early.
In a phone conversation today with Meghan Cooper I learned some things she ok'd for publication.
1. This lawsuit was filed three weeks ago. (Like I said this news just came out)
2. Meghan claims the Cooper camp did not make the news public.
3. When I asked the motivation for the lawsuit as it would not be settled before the August primary, she told me the Bill Cooper did it to stand up for himself and to do what was right.
4. Bill Coioper will attend the MCC debate mentioned above Thurs as scheduled.
I asked for some specifics as to what was alleged and what they had proof of.
She told me they were accusing the Riemersma camp when going door to door of stating falsehoods about Bill Cooper. She listed a few.
1. That Bill Cooper wasn't a Christian.
2. That Bill Cooper moved from Arizona to Michigan just to run for office
3. That a business of Bill Coopers was foreclosed on for failure to pay taxes.
Meghan then explained the truth to these accusations.
Bill Cooper belongs to a Church in Fruitport for 25 years, his children attend a Christian School.
Bill Cooper never had residence in Arizona.
While he paid the taxes late he did pay them and it wasn't done to avoid paying but rather a not uncommon business tactic.
I also talked with Lia who was covering for Jane Jelgerhuis Jay's campaign manager. I was sorry to here that Jane was in the Hospital for some serious surgery. The prognosis was positive but she was in no position to comment at this time. Lia said she would contact me Monday.
Lia did confirm however that Jay Riemersma will attend the debate Thurs at MCC.
That's is except for some hard real stuff from my precinct. (Precinct 6, Ward 2 city of Muskegon)
Wow what a bash at Love Community Garden. The Picnic was put on by the Garden under the direction of Morning Bear and The Love Fellowship Baptist Church and Pastor Phillips. BBQ@ chicken, Pulled pork and Hotdogs and Hamburgers. The rides for the kids were fantastic, we had face painting and even a petting zoo. The ladies of the Church made some great dishes to go along with the meat. Big fun and plenty of kids having a ball and well behaved.
This is a perfect example how people can get together and learn again how to be self sufficient and create the neighborhood feeling of old. In My Opinion this is a perfect example of Church injecting moral values back into the community.
Also the Republicans had a road clean up with Stu as always setting it up. Along with Stu Peterson in the pic is Jim Riley in the middle and on the Right Ken Punter candidate for the 91st State house seat.
Also not in the pic was Jon Koens and State Rep. Goeff Hansen candidate for the 34th state Senate seat.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
In the Conservative Trenches We Look to Leaders
What can I say.
When change is needed we need leaders
Chris Christie governor of New Jersey has through his leadership and vision prodded the State Legislature into passing a balanced budget.
Chris Christie has proven himself to be a leader.
What makes this so striking is that out of a 21 billion dollar budget they were short 11 billion. That they made up a 33% budget short fall is improbable enough. To do that by not raising taxes and mainly from cutting spending is a feat not seen in recent memory.
The video below makes clear that they were able to do that only with some bi-partisan support. The unions in the state were running nonstop terror ads about people and children who would be dying if this were to happen.
Guess what, the citizens of the state told their Legislators that they didn't believe the politicians any more and they wouldn't accept more taxes. As Chris Christie in the video said "the system is flawed", and everyone knew it.
The majority of the politicians had for decades bowed to those special interests that benefited when taxes were raised, to cover the short falls in budgets. Mainly unions, mainly public sector unions. The citizens said enough is enough.
In the videeo it was a shock to the commentators to hear the Governor explain how hard it was to get the unions to pay 1 1/2% for their health care when the rest of the workers were paying up to 20%.
The really shocking part to me wsas that I and the citizens in NJ knew that the public union workers were making a good deal more than private sector workers doing the same thing, and yet they whined about 1 1/2 %.
The first 1 1/2 minute is Clinton babbling like he so cutely does then the rest is Christie.
If we want this to happen in Michigan, we have to get off our butts and help elect Conservative candidates in the primary and then see it through the general election. Then on top of that keep the pressure on them to do what they say. Heck you might want to join a Tea Party or something. (LOL)
We need as conservatives to see to it that Republicans gain in the Senate and win the House back. The near dictatorial powers of the Speaker (Mr. Dillon) needs to be changed. Then of course we need a new Governor.
I've posted before asking if we have any gubenatorial candidate with the chuptza to pull this off. I'm putting my money on Hoekstra - does he have the guts of a Christie?
?????? """????? One thing I'll tell you is that if a new crop of conservatives are elected to the state house to watch his back, Pete may be more inclined to take the really big chances necessary to really change things.
In the 91st (Muskegon) state house we need to electKen Punter in the primary.
If you feel like you’re at war with Lansing (thanks jDawg) the primary is the chance you have to elect someone who knows how to fight back – a Marine --- vote in the primary for Ken Punter.
Think about it.
If you want a change -- the Primary is all important.
Think about it.
Tired of the same old wishy washy candidates?
Tired of them giving in to special interests, just to get elected?
How about 22 years a Marine, 15 years on the school board ???
You can say Ken Punter knows how to say no to attacks on our Freedoms
Both Foreign and Domestic.
Ken Punter is beholding to no special interests or political lobby, he would not be waiting on the sidelines while a "Chris Christie" type Michigan Governor battled. Punter would be there digging in with the Governor.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
When change is needed we need leaders
Chris Christie governor of New Jersey has through his leadership and vision prodded the State Legislature into passing a balanced budget.
Chris Christie has proven himself to be a leader.
What makes this so striking is that out of a 21 billion dollar budget they were short 11 billion. That they made up a 33% budget short fall is improbable enough. To do that by not raising taxes and mainly from cutting spending is a feat not seen in recent memory.
The video below makes clear that they were able to do that only with some bi-partisan support. The unions in the state were running nonstop terror ads about people and children who would be dying if this were to happen.
Guess what, the citizens of the state told their Legislators that they didn't believe the politicians any more and they wouldn't accept more taxes. As Chris Christie in the video said "the system is flawed", and everyone knew it.
The majority of the politicians had for decades bowed to those special interests that benefited when taxes were raised, to cover the short falls in budgets. Mainly unions, mainly public sector unions. The citizens said enough is enough.
In the videeo it was a shock to the commentators to hear the Governor explain how hard it was to get the unions to pay 1 1/2% for their health care when the rest of the workers were paying up to 20%.
The really shocking part to me wsas that I and the citizens in NJ knew that the public union workers were making a good deal more than private sector workers doing the same thing, and yet they whined about 1 1/2 %.
The first 1 1/2 minute is Clinton babbling like he so cutely does then the rest is Christie.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
If we want this to happen in Michigan, we have to get off our butts and help elect Conservative candidates in the primary and then see it through the general election. Then on top of that keep the pressure on them to do what they say. Heck you might want to join a Tea Party or something. (LOL)
We need as conservatives to see to it that Republicans gain in the Senate and win the House back. The near dictatorial powers of the Speaker (Mr. Dillon) needs to be changed. Then of course we need a new Governor.
I've posted before asking if we have any gubenatorial candidate with the chuptza to pull this off. I'm putting my money on Hoekstra - does he have the guts of a Christie?
?????? """????? One thing I'll tell you is that if a new crop of conservatives are elected to the state house to watch his back, Pete may be more inclined to take the really big chances necessary to really change things.
In the 91st (Muskegon) state house we need to electKen Punter in the primary.
If you feel like you’re at war with Lansing (thanks jDawg) the primary is the chance you have to elect someone who knows how to fight back – a Marine --- vote in the primary for Ken Punter.
Think about it.
If you want a change -- the Primary is all important.
Think about it.
Tired of the same old wishy washy candidates?
Tired of them giving in to special interests, just to get elected?
How about 22 years a Marine, 15 years on the school board ???
You can say Ken Punter knows how to say no to attacks on our Freedoms
Both Foreign and Domestic.
Ken Punter is beholding to no special interests or political lobby, he would not be waiting on the sidelines while a "Chris Christie" type Michigan Governor battled. Punter would be there digging in with the Governor.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Who Needs This Kind of Help ???
The poor governor of Arizona went to Washington to get help from the President about strengthing the border to stop illegal aliens from overwhelming her state. The President said he would help.
Wow Some help. LOL or should I say
As time went by and nothing was being done to fullfill that promise. Something was done and seemingly the Arizona Governor rues the day she asked for help from this Predident.
I mean it's like going to the police after someone broke into your house, had a drug orgy and you asked them to help. Wow how would you feel if all they did was put up signs all around your neighbor hood advising people not to go to your house as it is unsafe.
Big Help that is. Really Takes the load off, or should I say What a Load.
Weeeeell
The Governor seemingly thought the same thing.
Sleep tight tonight America as we know how the One is protecting us.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Wow Some help. LOL or should I say
As time went by and nothing was being done to fullfill that promise. Something was done and seemingly the Arizona Governor rues the day she asked for help from this Predident.
I mean it's like going to the police after someone broke into your house, had a drug orgy and you asked them to help. Wow how would you feel if all they did was put up signs all around your neighbor hood advising people not to go to your house as it is unsafe.
Big Help that is. Really Takes the load off, or should I say What a Load.
Weeeeell
The Governor seemingly thought the same thing.
Sleep tight tonight America as we know how the One is protecting us.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Incentivize Spending Cuts ???
We need a mechanism to incentivize spending less.
I see it all the time. Money allocated to a program takes some creative action some times to be completely spent. When asked why not just give it back or not spend it, I’m told a couple of things.
1. If we do the money will just be spent on something else and at least this way we’ll know how it’s spent.
2. If we show a surplus then we will be docked that amount next time they give us money and we can’t have that.
Has anyone ever seriously tried to come up with a way to promote departments saving money? Incentivize the process? I’ve blogged before about the need for such a plan but couldn’t come up with one.
I just got an email about a Mackinac Center blog on state employee pay growing 25% over inflation. The interesting thing that brought this idea of mine up was that while the government was paying out 25% more to the employees overall, the state employee work force had shrunk.
-----link-----
http://www.mackinac.org/12568
--------------
To me that meant that employees were getting cut while budgets were getting bigger. That told me that cutting services does not cut spending by the government. It told me that no matter what, the job of the bureaucracy was to get more money regardless of need. See # 2 above.
The sub headline of the Mac Center article read; Total Payroll Up $1.5 Billion Despite Fewer Workers.
That sub headline told me also that if the government unions were worried about hiring more people they would of found a way of doing so with that extra five Billion instead of whatever they did with it. I’m sure some of that was due to hopefully efficiencies of processes making some jobs obsolete but it makes me wonder.
I called up Ted O’Neil at the Mac Center to see if they had done any thinking along those lines. They hadn’t, however Ted brought up the idea that when government makes the rules for giving out money to private industry, he offered roads as an example; they put in rewards for being ahead of schedule and penalties for coming in behind schedule. I also assume that employees that helped made that happen stood a chance in sharing in that reward. He did think that it was odd that government didn’t do the same for itself.
I was thinking maybe he was catching my point. He did say that he would bring it up when they did their brainstorming thing. (“thing” being my word as it is much too trite for a think tank LOL)
Privatizing government functions is not a panacea only a useful tool.
Let me flush out what I’m thinking of doing. It has to do with embarrassment. Hopefully not mine – but you can be the judge.
It seems to me that any plan in order to work will have to come from the Bottom Up. What if I was to set up a bank account strictly for the national debt? Then each week I would put in a dollar. In one year I would have collected $52. Ok, pretty stupid huh?
What about if this idea went viral? What if others started putting in $1 cash a week then gathered at a local spot to collect the cash and have a big shot count and put it in another bank account? So far not much traction except some people might start to feel like they have some skin in the game. (The Big Shot would or at least he would tell everyone he or she did – and that’s fine in fact that’s the idea).
That “skin” is the key. If I commit to $50 a year to pay down the debt especially with cash that people can touch see and feel combined with a public display; well some politicians might get on board. With enough public pressure perhaps the bureaucracies could be embarrassed enough to donate some.
I know -- I’m the one feeling embarrassed. Oh well what’s new? I want people to get involved in government and get some skin in the game. However that can happen I’m for. If the citizenry is willing to bite the bullet to get spending under control, they will probably find it rewarding to vote out people who think otherwise or try to tell them they’re “skin” is stupid.
Here is another idea. What about using the same citizen savings idea and get the politicians to pass a law that the government will match dollar for dollar the private contributions. By the way I would make this collection a private thing and hopefully talk the banks into setting it up pro bono. God knows they could use the good pr.
Get some really big names at whatever level to oversee the process again on a pro bono, good publicity or public image basis. The trick would be to have this law somehow make sure the matching government money would have to come from reductions in funding or spending. Taxes could not be raised to offset the cost. I would envision an across the board type of cut to minimize the threat of service suspensions to thwart the plan.
This even if and when it started would not amount to a lot when compared to the national debt. The biggest benefit would be to give the people putting in their “skin” a perfect object lesson in how large a million or a billion or a trillion really is and how massive the problem really is so they might get mobilized to put into office people more willing to cut government.
Kinda of a back door grassroots driven spending cut.
The real key is that something like this can show in black and white how basically simple the solution to this complex problem could be.
I know this is embryonic in nature. Or you might think, not well thought out. I agree, but that is the point. I’m not in a think tank. What say you Mac Center? Let me know how crazy I really am. Work with me on this.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
I see it all the time. Money allocated to a program takes some creative action some times to be completely spent. When asked why not just give it back or not spend it, I’m told a couple of things.
1. If we do the money will just be spent on something else and at least this way we’ll know how it’s spent.
2. If we show a surplus then we will be docked that amount next time they give us money and we can’t have that.
Has anyone ever seriously tried to come up with a way to promote departments saving money? Incentivize the process? I’ve blogged before about the need for such a plan but couldn’t come up with one.
I just got an email about a Mackinac Center blog on state employee pay growing 25% over inflation. The interesting thing that brought this idea of mine up was that while the government was paying out 25% more to the employees overall, the state employee work force had shrunk.
-----link-----
http://www.mackinac.org/12568
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To me that meant that employees were getting cut while budgets were getting bigger. That told me that cutting services does not cut spending by the government. It told me that no matter what, the job of the bureaucracy was to get more money regardless of need. See # 2 above.
The sub headline of the Mac Center article read; Total Payroll Up $1.5 Billion Despite Fewer Workers.
That sub headline told me also that if the government unions were worried about hiring more people they would of found a way of doing so with that extra five Billion instead of whatever they did with it. I’m sure some of that was due to hopefully efficiencies of processes making some jobs obsolete but it makes me wonder.
I called up Ted O’Neil at the Mac Center to see if they had done any thinking along those lines. They hadn’t, however Ted brought up the idea that when government makes the rules for giving out money to private industry, he offered roads as an example; they put in rewards for being ahead of schedule and penalties for coming in behind schedule. I also assume that employees that helped made that happen stood a chance in sharing in that reward. He did think that it was odd that government didn’t do the same for itself.
I was thinking maybe he was catching my point. He did say that he would bring it up when they did their brainstorming thing. (“thing” being my word as it is much too trite for a think tank LOL)
Privatizing government functions is not a panacea only a useful tool.
Let me flush out what I’m thinking of doing. It has to do with embarrassment. Hopefully not mine – but you can be the judge.
It seems to me that any plan in order to work will have to come from the Bottom Up. What if I was to set up a bank account strictly for the national debt? Then each week I would put in a dollar. In one year I would have collected $52. Ok, pretty stupid huh?
What about if this idea went viral? What if others started putting in $1 cash a week then gathered at a local spot to collect the cash and have a big shot count and put it in another bank account? So far not much traction except some people might start to feel like they have some skin in the game. (The Big Shot would or at least he would tell everyone he or she did – and that’s fine in fact that’s the idea).
That “skin” is the key. If I commit to $50 a year to pay down the debt especially with cash that people can touch see and feel combined with a public display; well some politicians might get on board. With enough public pressure perhaps the bureaucracies could be embarrassed enough to donate some.
I know -- I’m the one feeling embarrassed. Oh well what’s new? I want people to get involved in government and get some skin in the game. However that can happen I’m for. If the citizenry is willing to bite the bullet to get spending under control, they will probably find it rewarding to vote out people who think otherwise or try to tell them they’re “skin” is stupid.
Here is another idea. What about using the same citizen savings idea and get the politicians to pass a law that the government will match dollar for dollar the private contributions. By the way I would make this collection a private thing and hopefully talk the banks into setting it up pro bono. God knows they could use the good pr.
Get some really big names at whatever level to oversee the process again on a pro bono, good publicity or public image basis. The trick would be to have this law somehow make sure the matching government money would have to come from reductions in funding or spending. Taxes could not be raised to offset the cost. I would envision an across the board type of cut to minimize the threat of service suspensions to thwart the plan.
This even if and when it started would not amount to a lot when compared to the national debt. The biggest benefit would be to give the people putting in their “skin” a perfect object lesson in how large a million or a billion or a trillion really is and how massive the problem really is so they might get mobilized to put into office people more willing to cut government.
Kinda of a back door grassroots driven spending cut.
The real key is that something like this can show in black and white how basically simple the solution to this complex problem could be.
I know this is embryonic in nature. Or you might think, not well thought out. I agree, but that is the point. I’m not in a think tank. What say you Mac Center? Let me know how crazy I really am. Work with me on this.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
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