Who Is Happeir?

Three different independent studies indicate conservatives tend to be happier than liberals.

Judging by how conservatives and liberals respond to things - even each other - it would appear that conservatives are, indeed, happier than liberals. It even appears to extend to the millions who watch them on Fox or listen to them on the radio: A recent study says that conservatives are happier than liberals -- and have more friends.

According to a recent article, "the study, published in the journal Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, is the work of Jacob Vigil, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of New Mexico. He gathered over 700 undergrads at a university in Florida in the months before the 2008 election and had them fill out a survey. The survey touched on, among other things, the students' pasts, their political affiliations, the number of friends they have, and how much they trusted them and, by extension, the rest of society.

"Vigil then had the participants look at photos of strangers' faces, whose expressions ranged from joy to sadness, fear to surprise, disgust to anger. Vigil asked the participants to interpret, among other things, how threatened they felt by the faces. He then took that data, and that which came from the completed surveys, and reached his conclusions about who's happy and why." Conservatives, the study says, feel more threatened by the people they don't know. But -- conservatives end up having a larger circle of friends than liberals.

Vigil found that conservatives have a looser definition of friendship, one that doesn't rely as much on the sort of intimacy that liberals favor. Conservatives tend to find friends who will help them -- socially, and especially professionally -- so conservatives end up searching out more people. Their suspicions of who is threatening them may not be completely accurate, but it does serve a purpose: It thins the ranks of potential friends and leaves the conservatives happier with whom they decide upon, because these friends can help them.

Liberals, meanwhile, are more miserly -- a trait backed up by other studies on charitable giving in which conservatives tend to give two times more to charity that liberals. Liberals have fewer friends, the study finds, after computing the data from the surveys, because many of them are victims -- victims, often, of childhood trauma, or the perceived victims of a cruel adult world. They sympathize with people more than conservatives, the surveys found, but liberals don't befriend as many people, because they are wary of trusting them. In societal terms, this often means liberals, while they feel for others, are less apt to get personally involved to do anything to help. This also explains why liberals are more into victimhood, while conservatives tend to be more optimistic and self-reliant.

Vigil says that whether one is a liberal or conservative, "it's all about our capacity for trustworthiness." If conservatives aren't threatened by you, they tend to like you, whereas liberals don't seek out new people, even though they have greater compassion for them. Though they have greater compassion, Liberals are more likely to want others to take action rather than get personally involved -- which also indicates why they give less to charity. They feel more for victims, but prefer to have others do something -- often, that is the government.

Another recent study shows that conservatives have been happier than liberals at least these past 30 years. A third study finds that regardless of who holds political power, people who have more money, and worship a god regularly, "tend to be happier," write Paul Taylor, Cary Funk and Peyton Craghill of the Pew Research Center. To be happy, it would seem -- and many a liberal will be dismayed to know that George Will may have understood this first -- it is not enough to simply commiserate with society, as liberals do. You need to try and be more a part of it.

In reading about these studies, it is easier to understand why liberals want and need bigger government and higher taxes. They want to end victimhood, but they do not want to get personally involved, instead prefering government to take care of it.

I have also concluded from all this that the world would be far better off if liberals would get past the victimhood mentality and get more personally involved in life. Then they, too, could be happier -- and have a larger circle of friends.

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Self-Employment Oppo #5

Self-Employment Idea #5

Invisible Secretary

How many times have you forgotten an appointment, a birthday or anniversary Or you remembered too late to get flowers or a gift?

There is a real need for someone who will keep track of all those dates, times and places, and get a call to remind them. You can do that - all it takes is a daily planner and a telephone. You can even send an email follow-up.

I know one enterprising person who took it a step further. You can pay him to send loved ones (or even enemies) letters, Christmas or birthday cards etc. - AFTER YOU HAVE PASSED ON! In this case, the client brings you the cards or letters, already signed by the client. He arranges in his will to have the executor notify you when he passes. You then send his cards and letters according to instructions he gave when he signed them.

On the envelope he has a rubber stamp that simply says, "A note from Heaven".

As an invisible secretary, you can also offer other services, such as typing transcripts.

Put on your thinking cap - no matter your circumstances, you CAN be self sufficient.

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Fixing The Problems

Our nation faces some serious problems. But all are easily fixed if our Congress would only be willing to do the right thing.

JOBS: Make businesses want to stay in America. Make those who left want to return. Create a friendly, profitable place. Reduce corporate taxes, currently 35%, to a set 15%. Reduce the power of unions. Let the free market do what it does best - create an environment for growth.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Require all employers to use e-verify. Any employer caught with illegal workers who do not pass e-verify would be fined $100,000 per illegal employee. Schools should also require e-verify before accepting any student. If they cannot work or educate their children they will self-deport. We will not have to find them or deport.

ANCHOR BABIES: If under age 5, they go back with their parents. If they choose to return after they turn 18, without their parents, they are free to do so, as they are American. Their parents are not. Over age 5 and the parents can petition to stay and get a green card only after paying a stiff fine for having broken our laws.

DRUG CARTELS IMPORTING TO AMERICA: Execute them on the spot if caught, or at least treat them as terrorists, tried by a military tribunal as enemy combatants. They are guilty of either invasion or otherwise trying to overthrow our government, as they are already doing in Mexico.

DEFICIT & DEBT: Levy a 25% import tax on all goods from China. Use the money to pay down our debt to them. They cannot refuse - they need American consumers. Yes, it will result in higher prices at WalMart, but it will bring back financial health to America which will benefit us more in the long run. It will also encourage "buying American", making it more profitable for American businesses, and giving them reason to stay here in the U.S. Let China pay off our debt to them.

HEALTH CARE: Strip anything in the law that does not pertain to health care. Set aside anything that comes at substantial cost. Then add tort reform and the ability to shop in other states for insurance. This will bring costs down. Then take up those items that were set aside, and ask the people which of those items they are willing to pay the price for. Like ordering options when buying a new car.

SOCIAL SECURITY: First, all incoming funds are not to be used for anything else. The huge amount collected annually is in the billions. The SS Administration could make those funds available to growth businesses on a BIDDING basis - corporations can bid on any portion of those funds. In this way, 1) businesses can grow quickly, creating jobs; 2) the SS fund will get an immediate influx of cash from successful bidders; and 3) the funds, invested in the business, will receive a guaranteed dividend, regardless of economic conditions. Any business that cannot pay the dividend would be required to sell off whatever they must to reimburse the SS Administration for the funds invested. EXAMPLE: a business wants $2 billion dollars to expand. They bid $200,000 for the right to receive $2 billion. That $2 billion would be invested as a preferred stock with a guaranteed minimum dividend. If another business offers more, or a higher guaranteed m,inimum dividend, then it wins and gets the $2 billion.

HIGH COST OF PUBLIC WORKS: Offer corporations - or even wealthy individuals - the right to "adopt" a public works project, in whole or in part. In return they would have the right to advertise accordingly. For example, a lodge in Yellowstone requires refurbishing. If Geico wants to pay the cost of refurbishing, they can name it GEICO LODGE, and advertise within. This could save taxpayers billions a year in taxes. Local governments could do the same for local projects. Not unlike the rich person who donates a wing on the hospital just to have his name on a plaque.

These are just a few examples. NONE would cost us any money to speak of, but will produce results.

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The Truth About Islamic Intent

This post may offend the sensibilities of many liberals who refuse to see or acknowledge what is happening around the world in regard to Islam, because after reading this the reader will suddenly find themselves with a clearer picture and greater understanding.

Islam is not a religion nor is it a cult. It is a complete system of rulership. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic and military components. The religious component is the "glue" for all the other components. Islamization occurs when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their so-called "religious rights." When politically correct and culturally diverse societies agree to "the reasonable" Muslim demands for their "religious rights," they also get the other components under the table.

Here are troubling statistics for those who care (and you should) about the process muslims use to infiltrate every nation for the purpose of ruling the world under Sharia Law. If you doubt this, check out what is currently the status quo in all of these nations - you will find this quite accurate.

As long as the Muslim population remains around 1% of any given country they will be regarded as a peace-loving minority and not as a threat to anyone. They will act as peace-loving moderates so as not be seen as a threat, and left alone to grow. In fact, they may be featured in articles and films, stereotyped for their colorful uniqueness:

United States -- Muslim 1.0%
Australia -- Muslim 1.5%
Canada -- Muslim 1.9%
China -- Muslim 1%-2%
Italy -- Muslim 1.5%
Norway -- Muslim 1.8%

At 2% and 3% they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs (already begun in America):

Denmark -- Muslim 2%
Germany -- Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom -- Muslim 2.7%
Spain -- Muslim 4%
Thailand -- Muslim 4.6%

From 5% on they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population because they are very vocal and "pushy" (see C.A.I.R.). They will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature it on their shelves -- along with threats for failure to comply. (United States).

France -- Muslim 8%
Philippines -- Muslim 5%
Sweden -- Muslim 5%
Switzerland -- Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands -- Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago -- Muslim 5.8%

At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islam is not to convert the world but to establish Sharia law over the entire world.

When Muslims reach 10% of the population, they will increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions (Paris -- car-burnings). Any non-Muslim action that offends Islam will result in uprisings and threats (Amsterdam -- Mohammed cartoons):

Guyana -- Muslim 10%
India -- Muslim 13.4%
Israel -- Muslim 16%
Kenya -- Muslim 10%
Russia -- Muslim 10-15%

After reaching 20% expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings and church and synagogue burning:

Ethiopia -- Muslim 32.8%

At 40% you will find widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks and ongoing militia warfare:

Bosnia -- Muslim 40%
Chad -- Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon -- Muslim 59.7%

From 60% you may expect unfettered persecution of non-believers and other religions, sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels:

Albania -- Muslim 70%
Malaysia -- Muslim 60.4%
Qatar -- Muslim 77.5%
Sudan -- Muslim 70%
Bangladesh -- Muslim 83%
Egypt -- Muslim 90%
Gaza -- Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia -- Muslim 86.1%
Iran -- Muslim 98%
Iraq -- Muslim 97%
Jordan -- Muslim 92%
Morocco -- Muslim 98.7%
Pakistan -- Muslim 97%
Palestine -- Muslim 99%
Syria -- Muslim 90%
Tajikistan -- Muslim 90%
Turkey -- Muslim 99.8%
United Arab Emirates -- Muslim 96%

100% will usher in the peace of "Dar-es-Salaam" -- the Islamic House of Peace -- there is supposed to be peace because everybody is a Muslim:

Afghanistan -- Muslim 100%
Saudi Arabia -- Muslim 100%
Somalia -- Muslim 100%
Yemen -- Muslim 99.9%

Currently, one country does not permit the immigration of muslims - Australia.

The eminent orientalist Sir William Muir (1819-1905) said, "The sword of Muhammad and the Quran are the most fatal enemies of civilization, liberty, and truth which the world has yet known".

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Employment Opp Pt IV

Self-Employment Idea #4

Are you disabled, or is there is reason you cannot get out and around much? Then this idea might well be what you are looking for. But it is not limited to just those folks who are not very mobile - anyone can do this. It is an idea I had once used back in the '80's to get an old friend off welfare with great success.

Your community likely includes both of the following:

1) a bunch of teens, college kids, seniors and/or otherwise underemployed people. People who do not need full-time work, but need extra money

2) People who need part-time or one-time assistance for odd jobs

Your job would be to connect the two. Advertise that you can provide people with odd jobs to earn extra money, and build up a dBase of their names, contact info and, of course, the type(s) of work they can do, such as painting, gardening, handyman stuff, dog walking etc.

Then advertise throughout the area that you can provide folks with the help they need to do those troublesome tasks. Need help getting those storm windows up? Consider it done. Lawn mowed? Done. You name it.

Your job is to advertise for workers, then advertise for those who need workers, and match them up. You get a percentage of the take.

Let's say you get 10% of the pay of 30 people - you are essentially getting 300%. The more people you match up, the bigger your cut.

Be aware - you need to use contracts on both ends - a contract with your workers that prevents them from accepting work on their own, cutting you out, and contracts with the "employer" to insure you get paid - they pay you, not the worker. You pay the worker.

And, yes, you may have other paperwork, like withholding (unless your workers are subcontractors - you can include that in your contract). And yes, you may need liability insurance, or get bonded to cover yu in case one of your workers breaks something, or gets hurt.

It's an idea to think about, though.

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I Pray I Am Wrong

Today, several cargo planes were held around the world for "suspicious packages." One found in the UK looked like a mock-up of a bomb. Others were found in several cities around America, from San Francisco to Portland Maine.

Even more unsettling is that these packages, which originated from Yemen, were apparently addressed to various religious institutions, primarily synogogues and churches.

Now this is why I pray I am wrong...

Anwar al-Awlaki, an American Al Queda in Yemen, and responsibile for the "Christmas Day Bomber" last year is the person likely behind this "dry run". And here is where it gets bad.

Already known for wanting to cause terror on Christmas, the second most sacred day in America (Easter being the first), al-Awlaki will likely want to do so again, only on a larger scale.

Imagine if this was a dry run to take advantage of the huge amount of packages being shipped at the holiday season. It is entirely possible that al-Awlaki's aim is to use the rush of the holiday season to deliver bombs or chemical weapons all over the U.S. - and to religious institutions in particular.

Imagine the devastation to every part of American life if hundreds of bombs all over America were to go off simultaneously at religious institutions on or about Christmas Day.

Again, I pray I am wrong. But al-Awlaki is an American citizen. He understands us. He knows the importance of Christmas (remember the Christmas Day Bomber). And he knows the lax security for cargo planes - currently almost all security focuses on commercial airlines.

It might be wise if you use greater than normal caution and care when receiving packages this holiday season, and to make sure the clergy in your church or synogogue do the same.

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Employment Opp Pt III

Self-Employment Idea #3

Are you a neat freak? The local Felix Unger? Then this one is for you.

MAID IN (insert name of your community)

Take your neat habits on the road and do cleaning and maid service for select clientele. Build a list of regular customers. All you need are cleaning supplies, reliable transportation and a schedule book. You can include laundry, which would be getting done while you clean.

This is so profitable that some maid services have gone the franchise route (like Merry Maids). But there may not be any in your area. Or if there is, they may be too busy to handle all the available business.

So, break out the 409 and Lemon Pledge and clean up.

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Employment Opp Pt II

Self-Employment Idea #2

Speaking of busy people, many are much to busy to treat their families to fresh, homemade bakery items. Cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, muffins, cupcakes - even fresh bread, since breadmakers make it easy.

You would advertise that your baked goods use only the best, natural ingredients - no preservatives or chemicals like that crap at the stores.

Finding customers would not be a problem, and most will be regulars, if your baking is any good.

As you grow, buy a food dehydrator for $50 and add jerky (beef and turkey) and other natural, dried foods like banana chips or apple slices. You can even make fruit roll-ups. I use mine to make jerky dog treats for my schnauzers. Though I had no intention of starting yet another business, friends with dogs soon began begging me to make theirs. If I'm not careful, it could get out of hand.

If you don't mind staying home and puttering in the kitchen, this might be just the ticket.

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Are You Unemployed?

Are you unemployed? If your answer is "yes", then I must ask - WHY?

Yes, I know the economy is trashed. And I know high taxes and unions have driven jobs out of America. But I also know something else - there is no excuse for not earning your own way unless you are physically or mentally incapable.

Before I proceed, and offer life-saving suggestions on how you can overcome unemployment, I would like to relate a true story.

While waiting for my flight at Logan Airport in Boston several years ago, i encountered a 10 year old boy in a wheelchair. He was quadraplegic - the only thing he could move was his head. And the only way he could communicate was with a stick in his mouth, typing on a computer keyboard attached to his chair.

If anyone on planet Earth had an excuse to live off entitlements, this was that person. But he did not see it that way. In my discourse with the boy, I discovered something amazing - him! Although he was only 10, and quadraplegic, that did not stop him. He used that stick and keyboard to write a very upbeat, inspiring book on overcoming life's "little obstacles". The books he wrote were earning him a very good living.

That said, I will now ask you again - why are YOU unemployed?

Short of being on your death bed, there is something you can do to earn your way. Trust me - I will show you. Over the next few days I will post articles with suggestions on things you can do, now, to earn a living without having to stoop to dependency on others. Your pride will stay intact, and you will feel much, much more satisfied with life.

So, here is a good place to start. First, decide to be self-sufficient and self-supporting. Get off the couch, stand, look in a mirror and say, "I am a capable person. I am neither stupid nor lazy. I can do this. I can make my life better. I do not need any government or corporation to validate me. I can provide my own self-worth."

And then decide how. The next few posts will hopefully fuel your imagination. Perhaps none of these suggestions will be right for you, but they should certainly plant good seed in your imagination, and get you thinking as to what you CAN do. And when you come up with something that works for you, be sure to let me know.

So here is the first idea...

Errands 'n More

There are many busy people in every community. Too busy to want to waste precious time and energy on mundane errands and tasks. Make up some fliers and business cards telling folks that you will take care of those pesky errands for them. Everything from pet-sitting and dog walking, to shopping, picking up dry cleaning, or hanging the storm windows. There really is no end to the tasks you can do for people.

You will need:

1) fliers and possibly business cards
2) a schedule book / dayplanner
3) a phone, preferably cell so you don't miss any calls
4) reliable transportation
5) any necessary tools if you include tasks that require tools, like a snow shovel

That's about it. You can start this business for as little as $25.00

You would soon discover that many of your clients will schedule you for regular tasks, daily, weekly or monthly. In no time you will be busier than a three-legged mouse in a barn full of cats.

As a possible offshoot, particularly this time of year, you could include Christmas shopping among your errands.

Think about that. But more important, accept the fact that you can earn your own way. There are as many methods and ideas as there are people. And when you succeed, you will feel secure in the knowledge that you are not likely to fire you, or lay you off.

Tomorrow I will offer up Idea #2.

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Why Governor's Race Is Important This Year

A lot of states are electing governors this year, and this is a particularly important year for such races.

Every ten years, states are allowed to "redistrict" the state, which helps determine which party will have the most power in Congress for the next decade.

Redistricting means that the state is divided into districts for representation in the House of Representatives in Congress. How the districts are drawn will determine who gains the most power at the polls.

To illustrate, look at the gerrymandered districts that exist today. You will see they were drawn specifically to include voters of primarily one party, and excluding voters of the opposing party. Here are the Top 9 Gerrymandered Districts (8 of which are Democrat)...

This is actually crooked, though perfectly legal. And since Democrats have typically held power in Congress for 44 of the last 60 years, you can see why drawing districts is critical. Currently, the districts with the craziest, crookedest gerymandering are held by long-term Democrats like Barney Frank and Luis Gutierrez.

And that is why it is so important to vote this year, particularly for your Governor position. Because it is the Governor who will authorize changes in districting. And electing your party into your atate legislature will help your Governor redistrict in ways that benefit your party.

So, if it really is a change you want, this is where it begins - redistricting. And that will only happen if you get out and vote.

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The Answer, My Friend...

Before reading the rest of this post, it is important for you to look closely at, and try to find what is wrong with this picture...

Do you see it?

There is nothing wrong with it. It is a picture of a number of people, all with different thoughts, different opinions, different problems all coming together to work for a common goal, and solve the problem at hand. The PEOPLE are doing it, not the government.

And this is exactly what built this great nation into the most prosperous and powerful nation the Earth has every seen.

This sense of community, once the norm in America, is all but gone now. How many barn raisings have you been involved in recently? Or ever?

America has been history's greatest success story only because we knew the value of all pulling together in spite of all our differences, and because we had the personal freedom to do so. We knew we did not have to agree with our neighbor - only that he was our neighbor and an important part of the wholeness of the community.

Today, America is more divided than it was in 1859 with the buildup to the Civil War. The sense of community has been replaced by a growing desire to fill our own personal goals at any cost - even at the expense of others. We have shed our responsibility towards ourselves and one another in favor of letting the government handle that for us. We have become lax and lazy.

Whenever we give up any power or authority to a government, we give up some of our own freedom. And as our freedoms wane, so does the need for that sense of community. Let the government take care of the poor and needy. Let the government take care of education. Let the government take care of the elders.

We can clearly see that is not the solution. In fact, it is the problem. There was a time when we had the right solutions. We had barn raisings. Each family, community and church took care of their own, directly. Each township had a Community Chest. We all worked together to overcome trials and tribulations, and it worked.

Please take another look at that picture, and burn it into your consciousness. Remember it. And then go out and do some little thing every day that will bring you - us - closer to that sense of community.

Let's stop giving our power, our stength and our freedom to a government. No government has ever used that power well or wisely. A government is like any other entity - it wants to grow and gain power. To do that, it must consume. And what it consumes is the freedom of its people.

The Founding Fathers knew the importance of having a central government, but they also understood that we, the people, needed to keep it small and within OUR power. In essence, they wanted the strength of a tree, but decided it would be best to cultivate it as a Bonzai variety - trimmed, pruned and trained to remain small, and not overly consuming.

We can bring back that crucial, warm sense of community. But to do so, we must have the need to do so. And that means taking back our power and freedom from a government that has gone rogue, and replacing that government with one that serves its people without consuming their freedoms with overbearing regulation and burdened with excessive taxes.

Vote on November 2nd.

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Is It Immigration - Or Infiltration?

In Germany, Chancellor Merkel said their multicultural immigration policy is not working. It appears that Muslims are "immigrating" into Germany - and almost all countries - in large numbers. They do not assimmilate - they simply set up Islamic mini-countries within the host country.

The same thing is happening throughout Europe, and even in North America. In the United States, the Islamic community is not the only one that does not assimilate - the Mexican community is doing the same thing. They come, refuse to assimilate, set up their own communities and pretty much ignore American culture and even its laws. In fact, they insist on incorporating THEIR laws and culture, trying to impose Sharia law in America, for example, and flying flags of their homeland, and not flying the American flag.

Some people still refer to this as immigration. It is not. It is infiltration. These cultures are infiltrating the host nations who permit multiculturalism (non-assimilation) and from there they have every intention of spreading, like a cancer.

France is already in trouble with its huge muslim population, as is the Netherlands, and now Germany. England is also on the verge of losing its control over the muslim population in that once great nation.

In America it is not yet too late - but soon will be if we don't wake up and give the heave-ho to multiculturalism and liberal ideas on open borders. Multiculturalism, coupled with liberal Political Correctness will be America's suicide pact if we do not stop it.

I am not saying we should keep other cultures from coming to America. What I am saying is if someone comes here, they should be required to assimilate, or go home. This is not Mexico, and it is not Yemen. This is America. Come here if you wish, but you had better understand you need to assimilate, and become American. You fly the AMERICAN flag. You learn ENGLISH. And you abide by OUR laws. If you do not want to be American, then don't come here. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Otherwise, you are not welcome to stay.

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Reactionaries Do Not Solve Problems

Todays headline reads:

Obama Wants to End Tax Breaks for Companies that Move Jobs Overseas

People like Obama just don't get it. And they don't get it because they are reactionaries. Instead of finding the cause of a problem and fixing it, they react to the result of the problem and try to fight only the symptoms using punishment, not positive incentives. If a person chooses to get to the core of a situation, they will find the solution is usually simple and effective.

The problem APPEARS to be that businesses are moving jobs overseas. This is what liberals believe. It is what a community organizer would see. It is what someone would see if they did not bother to think it out. But businesses moving jobs overseas is not the problem - it is only a sympton of the problem. Consider...

A business has one function - to make as much profit as possible. If they move jobs overseas it is only because they can make more profit by doing so. Therefore, the solution lies in finding out WHY it is more profitable overseas, and what can we do to offset that and give businesses a profit motive for staying in America.

If you have followed me this far, you are now beginning to see the problem, and not just the symptom. The four highest cost factors (COB - Cost of Business) are wages, inventory, taxes and union benefits and costs. To make America more competitive so businesses will stay here, those costs must be reduced - preferably to a level below the costs of doing business overseas, to entice them to return to America.

Because of our chosen lifestyles of excess, we cannot compete with China when it comes to wages. And inventory is pretty much a wash - nearly the same, regardless. That leaves two areas where America can make changes.

In this regard, we can make two major changes. High corporate taxes (federal and state) can add 48% to the COB, and union benefits and costs can add from 20%-30%. Together, they add at least 68% to the cost of doing business in America. That is more than two-thirds the COB. Therefore, if we reduce taxes (instead of increasing them further as proposed by Democrats) and if we reduce the impact of unions (instead of increasing it as proposed by Democrats), we could easily reduce the COB by as much as 48% or more. How would that translate in terms of competitiveness?

In most American industries, wages account for roughly 18% of costs; inventory 10%; taxes 48% and unions 20%. The remaing 4% is profit.

In China, wages (which, by the way are rising rapidly) account for 8%; inventory 15%; taxes between 15% and 25%; unions 0%. Profit is 52%.

See the problem? If Congress were to reduce federal corporate taxes to 10% and reduced the union stranglehold by half, that would add 48% to the profit margin of businesses, giving a total profit of 52% - the same as China - while still retaining our high wages structure and the most necessary union benefits. There would be no incentive to move to China. And if states could be convinved to reduce corporate taxes to 5% (from the average of 10% currently), that would give businesses already in China an incentive to move back to the states - particularly since China's wages are quickly rising. And America would have plentiful jobs - even enough for all the illegal aliens.

I know many of you, particularly liberals, will scream that we are just making the rich richer. But think about that a moment - do poor people hire employees? Do poor people spend billions on R&D to create the products you want? Making the rich wealthier is the only way of creating more jobs. The rich make our lives better - they are the ones, like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs - that make our lives richer. Yes, they get a bigger share of the pie, but they are also making more pies, so we all benefit.

In short, the rich will be rich, either here or in China. So the choice is clear - in which country do you want them to live, and produce jobs and products?

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Opaque

Remember the promise of TRANSPARENCY?

Obama's hidden records: Why are these off limits?

1. Certified copy of original birth certificate. (I am not a "birther", but this is still an unanswered question - no original copy has been produced to date, so this question remains pertinent here concerning transparency)

2. Columbia University transcripts sealed.

3. Columbia thesis paper sealed.

4. Campaign donor analysis requested by 7 major watchdog groups. (millions were donated via untraceable pre-paid cards which could have come from anywhere - even Iran or China)

5. Harvard University transcripts sealed.

6. Illinois State Senate records limited access.

7. Illinois State Senate schedule limited access.

8. Law practice client list and billing records/summary

9. Locations and names of all half-siblings and step-mother

10. Medical records (only the one page summary released so far)

11. Occidental College Transcripts hidden.

12. Parent’s marriage Certificate not available.

13. Record of baptism.

14. Did Obama Actually Ever Register for Selective Service?

15. Schedules for trips outside of the United States before 2007

16. Passport records for all passports.

17. Scholarly articles not available.

18. SAT and LSAT test scores not available.

19. Access to his grandmother in Kenya.

20. List of all campaign workers that are lobbyists.

21. Punahou grade school records.

22. Noelani Kindergarten records are oddly missing from the the State of Hawaii Department of Education.

23. Obama 1964 Divorce Papers - 13 Pages - Missing Pg 11.

24. Why isn’t Barack Obama still a member of the Illinois bar and where are all of the relevant documents?

25. Why isn’t Michelle Obama still a member of the Illinois bar, after only about four years of practice, and where are all of the relevant documents?

Anyone who cares about their country would be very concerned that a POTUS had hidden every scrap of information of his life that he possibly could. These are pretty easy things to produce. Why are they all missing or sealed? For what purpose?

Just wondering...as we all should be.

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An Oxford Casino

Question #1 on this years ballot is whether or not we should permit casino gambling in Oxford (next time it will be Calais). Frankly, I do not intend to vote either way, as it does not directly impact me and there are pros and cons. But...

Those who promote the idea are being dishonest with you. They claim it will bring huge amounts of money from out-of-state. But if you think about that for a moment, and know anything about geography, you will know that claim is absurd.

The only "out-of-state" money will come from northern New Hampshire, with a sparse population, and not all of them gamblers. Much of southern New Hampshire is closer to the well-established Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. And most of Massachusetts is also closer to Connecticut. And Canada - they already have casinos. So I fail to see how a casino in Oxford will bring in huge amounts of revenue not already here.

But what it will bring in is a certain level of crime, as evidenced everywhere there is a casino, and a greater likelihood of family dissolutions caused by addictive gambling made easy. But what might be even more onerous is the shift in political power that always accompanies a casino. Casinos make money. LOTS of money. And with that kind of money comes power. And power corrupts. If you think we have problems in Maine politics now, just wait until we have casinos. The people - the average Joe on the streets - will lose power.

But there is an upside to a casino. Currently, Mainers who want to enjoy a weekend at a posh gambling resort would have to travel to Connecticut, ot Atlantic City. Not only is that expensive and time consuming, it also removes money from Maine.

Therefore, proponents would be better served, and would be more honest if they were to plug the casino on the basis on millions of dollars staying in Maine, rather than trying to sell us on millions coming in.

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Could Not Believe My Ears

I could not believe what she said, or that she could be either that stupid, or that dishonest. Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, said food stamps and unemployment give the biggest bang for the buck; that every dollar we give out in that way will come back as $1.79.

I have a degree in economics. I have run the numbers every way possible, and Pelosi's statement doesn't even begin to hold water - or make any sense at all. She claims that money goes to companies who then have to hire people to meet the increased demand.

First, there is no indication food stamps or unemployment increases demand enough to force any company to hire more employees. But even assuming it does, here is the great flaw in her "thinking" (I use the term "thinking" in a very loose sense when referring to Pelosi).

The average business has a profit margin of 4-20%. Most run at the low end. Assuming a profit margin of even 10% on average, it would require $300,000 in subsidies like food stamps to provide a company with just $30,000 profit - enough to pay for an employee. But it gets worse. A company cannot use all its profits for hiring because, in order to increase production they must aslso increase costs, like the cost of inventory on goods needed to produce their product. So, in order to pay a new employee $30,000, the company would have to collect closer to $1.2 million dollars worth of subsidies like food stamps.

$1.2 million spent to create one $30,000 job. And since most Americans earning $30,000 pay ZERO taxes, none of that money makes it back to the Treasury.

Again, I have tried running the numbers in every possible light and could find no way to make a spent dollar come out to $1.79. Except one...

When money is given, free, to lower income people, it earns their support. By Democrats increasing the amount of food stamps and unemployment, they increase the number of people who are indebted to them, and will vote for them to insure the money keeps coming. This is the ONLY scenario in which a spent dollar earns a profit in votes and power for Democrats.

That said, on the other hand a dollar invested rather than spent can, indeed, result in $1.79 return. Investing money is the ONLY way to make it grow. Hence, if those dollars were given to small businesses (which employ 97% of all employees), the money could be used directly for growth, which means hiring. After all, the only reason for selling shares of a business to investors is to provide growth capital.

The figures do not lie. I wish I could say the same for people like Speaker Pelosi.

Ms Pelosi, if there is a way to turn $1.00 of taxpayer money into $1.79, perhaps you should pass a law that forces the U.S. Treasury to use the method. We could then pay off our debt and deficits in no time at all.

Now, I'm sure there will be those who will claim I am advocating putting an end to entitlements, but there is nothing in this post that says I am against food stamps or unemployment. I am not. But I am against giving so much, for so long to people who COULD be caring for themselves but just do not want to. Fully 70% of all government entitlements are wasted; given not to the needy, but to the clueless and useless. The government needs to put "welfare" back into local hands, and the federal governments only role should be to make sure all localities are doing the job. Local communities know who is needy and who is just lazy.

By cutting even 50% of the waste, we can do much more to help those who really need it while saving taxpayer money. Instead of giving $100 to needy Joe and $100 to lazy Mike, we could give $150 to needy Joe and put $50 back into the Treasury. Lazy Mike can fend for himself.

Frankly, I am tired of giving my hard-earned money to drug-dealers, drunks and child molesters simply because they "qualify" using "income guidelines". Instead of using income guidelines, we need to start using more sensible methods of determining need, such as physical ability, mental ability and/or unforeseen personal crisis (short term only). Everyone else can and should fend for themselves.

Except for the severely impaired mentioned above, everyone can earn a living. Nothing stops a poor person from getting a job of some sort, or if that is not possible, to give themselves a job by hiring out. Be the local handyman. Do baking or housekeeping for busy people. Do shopping for busy people. Mow lawns. Everyone can do something.

When the steelworker's union killed the company I was working for in '72 I could have collected unemployment and food stamps. Instead, I grabbed my wife's ballpoint paints and painted T-shirts. It paid the bills, along with some metal detecting on the side. And again in '76 when I got laid off at my newest job, I supported my family by starting a small business that connected local college students with residents who needed work done - I would send Don over to put up Mrs. Murray's storm windows, and Margie would go over to babysit for the Davisons. My "Work For Education" company provided a lot of cash in commissions, without me having to work very hard at all. After all, instead of earning 100% of one income I was earning 10% of 50 incomes.

The point is this - if someone is incapable of supporting themselves due to causes not within their control, help them. Everyone else needs to help themselves or pay the consequences - if they get desperate enough, they will work. Even homeless drunks go "canning", picking up aluminum cans and cashing them in so they could buy their next bottle of MD 20/20.

The short take - Pelosi and other liberals care nothing about helping the poor. All they want to do is stay in power, and are using the disadvantaged for that purpose. They are simply buying gratitude - and votes. It's time to take the politics out of charity and to do more to help those who truly are needy.

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Obama Indicates He Is Not President Of The U.S.

Let's get something straight right at the start - anyone elected to be the POTUS is supposed to be the President of ALL people in the U.S. But Mr. Obama does not believe that, nor does he act accordingly. Rather, he has set himself up, publicly, as the President of the Democrats and Liberals of the United States.

I have gone over several hundred tapes, and in every case where Obama got in front of the camera he made it a point to be partisan - to slam Republicans at every opportunity. Sometimes for no other reason than they are Republican. Never once did we see President Bush do that.

Mr. Obama, if you cannot act like EVERYONE'S president, without bias, then you should step down and let a real leader step up to the plate. Someone who wants to represent ALL Americans, and not just those who agree with your personal ideology.

You are a disgrace, Mr. President. And I am beginning to suspect that when you got up to the podium the other day, proclaiming to be President, that it was an Act of God that the Presidential Seal fell off the podium. At the very least, it would appear to be an omen.

Mr. Obama, you were elected to be the President of ALL Americans. Start acting like you know what that means. It means setting your partisan ideology aside, leaving that to Congress, as THEY were elected to represent their party. You were not! Stop acting like a cheap community organizer and start acting like a President or get out of the way for someone who will. Even Biden would be more qualified - at least he understands what integrity is.

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