Hello fellow commonsencenomics warriors and Merry Christmas. In this busy season, it is easy to be caught up in all the things we need to do. There are gifts to buy, trees and houses to decorate, and let us not forget the family coming to visit and all that delicious food. However, it seems the liberal statists are not going to rest. This should not surprise us since most of them do not believe in God so why would they let up to honor the birth of God’s Son. This is why we must remain diligent and keep the pressure on.
The health care legislation is on the verge of passage in the Senate and it appears they may work through the usual Christmas recess and pass the legislation. As I have written earlier, this legislation would be an economic disaster. Deficits will explode, taxes will sharply increase, and additional jobs will be lost as health care is rationed in the interest of reducing costs. Moreover, did I mention that some unknown government bureaucrat would be making our health care decisions and not our doctor and us?
In addition, we get to pay for it for the next four years without enjoying the supposed benefits. We would not purchase anything else and pay for it for four years without getting to enjoy it so why do they think we would do this with our health care. The prospect of the whole thing is an abomination, or should I say an Obamanation to me.
Then there is the prospect of cap and trade legislation. With this legislation we will empower the government to further regulate what we drive, how much electricity we use, and most importantly determine how much we pay for energy. Sometimes I think it would be a good idea if we could have a one-year vacation from any additional government intervention in our lives.
This does not mean we cannot enjoy the holidays just that we need to remain diligent and keep an eye on what the statists are doing. Remember, we the people have the power of our vote and we need to remind these bozos that they face removal from office unless they change course. Do not let them wear us down but instead let us wear them down.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Everybody Does Not Mean Everyone:
Breaking news, the recession is over. At least that is what a prominent economic adviser to the President stated this weekend. In the interview this advisor was quoted as saying, “everybody agrees that the recession is over”. This statement can only lead us to one conclusion they are smoking dope or everybody does not mean everyone.
For example, those that are still out of work due to the recession cannot be included in everybody. Those who face foreclosure on their home are also not included in everybody and what about those who have jobs but have had their pay cut or did not receive a Christmas bonus this year. Everybody does not include small businesses that are struggling to survive. Therefore, I challenge you to ask yourself the question. Does everybody include me?
If you consider yourself a part of the everybody group than have a happy recession, or whatever you want to call it. However, you must consider that the experts could be wrong and that you could find yourself unemployed, facing foreclosure or worse. Where will you turn to for help? Will it be the government? Did you know they are broke, working on borrowed money, and finding it difficult to borrow more money? Will you rob your children’s piggy bank but wait we are already doing that with all the debt we are piling up? Of course, we all know that all this is Bush’s fault so why not just go to him and demand a bailout.
It is time to face the truth, we are in serious trouble and the policies of this administration will only make matters worse. That is why we need to continue speaking out and educating our friends and relatives. The education system is not doing it and has failed us for many years.
We are the economy. It is time for us to speak out against this tyranny. One way of doing this is to email this or any other postings to your friends and relatives. You can do this by clicking on the envelope icon at the end of this posting. We have the right to speak out so join me in using that right.
For example, those that are still out of work due to the recession cannot be included in everybody. Those who face foreclosure on their home are also not included in everybody and what about those who have jobs but have had their pay cut or did not receive a Christmas bonus this year. Everybody does not include small businesses that are struggling to survive. Therefore, I challenge you to ask yourself the question. Does everybody include me?
If you consider yourself a part of the everybody group than have a happy recession, or whatever you want to call it. However, you must consider that the experts could be wrong and that you could find yourself unemployed, facing foreclosure or worse. Where will you turn to for help? Will it be the government? Did you know they are broke, working on borrowed money, and finding it difficult to borrow more money? Will you rob your children’s piggy bank but wait we are already doing that with all the debt we are piling up? Of course, we all know that all this is Bush’s fault so why not just go to him and demand a bailout.
It is time to face the truth, we are in serious trouble and the policies of this administration will only make matters worse. That is why we need to continue speaking out and educating our friends and relatives. The education system is not doing it and has failed us for many years.
We are the economy. It is time for us to speak out against this tyranny. One way of doing this is to email this or any other postings to your friends and relatives. You can do this by clicking on the envelope icon at the end of this posting. We have the right to speak out so join me in using that right.
Take a Pause:
In this busy and turbulent season, it is easy to stress out. That is why I wanted to take a moment and share the story of the first Christmas.
Luke 2:1-20
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God:
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
NLT
Take a moment during this busy season and do as the shepherds did. Remember that baby in the manger. I hope you do for it is that little baby that would grow up, minister to the lost and hurting in society, and die for their sins. The truth is that God gave the greatest Christmas gift ever given on that first Christmas. The question is, will we leave the gift under the tree, or unwrap it.
Luke 2:1-20
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God:
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.
NLT
Take a moment during this busy season and do as the shepherds did. Remember that baby in the manger. I hope you do for it is that little baby that would grow up, minister to the lost and hurting in society, and die for their sins. The truth is that God gave the greatest Christmas gift ever given on that first Christmas. The question is, will we leave the gift under the tree, or unwrap it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Another Politically Correct War:
In last Tuesday’s speech at West Point, Barak Obama outlined his plan to send an additional 30 thousand troops into Afghanistan. With the situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, the additional troops are much needed. However, the generals on the ground asked for an additional 40 thousand so we all hope the 30 thousand will be able to do the job.
The most troubling part of the President’s plan was his statement about pulling out the troops in 18 months. It appears me the President is trying to appease both the left and the right on this important issue. He expects the right to be happy that he is sending in additional troops, albeit less than the generals are asking for. He expects the left to be happy that he has a timeline to withdraw from the war. The truth of the matter is that it is the enemy that determines when hostilities end by surrendering.
We tried to fight a politically correct war in Vietnam. I remember the pictures of the North Vietnamese invading Saigon as our troops were pulling out. The North Vietnamese knew all they had to do was wait until the troops left and the country would be totally theirs.
Similarly the Taliban knows that all they have to do is wait the 18 months and then go in and retake the country. Have we forgotten that the last time the Taliban had control of Afghanistan they used it as a base from which to launch the 9/11 attacks that killed 3000 of our innocent citizens? Mr. President, I for one have not forgotten.
Our brave young men and women deserve better from their leaders. They do not have to join the Military but volunteer out of love for their country and what it stands for. They are fully aware of the risks but have decided that the protection of their country is worth the risks.
As their Commander and Chief, do our troops a favor and give then the troops, weapons, and supplies they need to win this war. Also, let them stay until the job is done so they can return as victors rather than in shame as our troops returning from Vietnam did. These young men and women are our nation’s heroes and it is time we began treating them as such.
The most troubling part of the President’s plan was his statement about pulling out the troops in 18 months. It appears me the President is trying to appease both the left and the right on this important issue. He expects the right to be happy that he is sending in additional troops, albeit less than the generals are asking for. He expects the left to be happy that he has a timeline to withdraw from the war. The truth of the matter is that it is the enemy that determines when hostilities end by surrendering.
We tried to fight a politically correct war in Vietnam. I remember the pictures of the North Vietnamese invading Saigon as our troops were pulling out. The North Vietnamese knew all they had to do was wait until the troops left and the country would be totally theirs.
Similarly the Taliban knows that all they have to do is wait the 18 months and then go in and retake the country. Have we forgotten that the last time the Taliban had control of Afghanistan they used it as a base from which to launch the 9/11 attacks that killed 3000 of our innocent citizens? Mr. President, I for one have not forgotten.
Our brave young men and women deserve better from their leaders. They do not have to join the Military but volunteer out of love for their country and what it stands for. They are fully aware of the risks but have decided that the protection of their country is worth the risks.
As their Commander and Chief, do our troops a favor and give then the troops, weapons, and supplies they need to win this war. Also, let them stay until the job is done so they can return as victors rather than in shame as our troops returning from Vietnam did. These young men and women are our nation’s heroes and it is time we began treating them as such.
The Meaning of Temporary:
The new unemployment numbers are out and the good news is that unemployment has dropped from 10.2 percent to 10 percent. First reaction to these numbers is positive but in light of the fraudulent job creation numbers, it would be prudent and wise to investigate these numbers further.
Statistical data like unemployment numbers is only valuable when compared with another set of comparable numbers. That is why when these numbers are reported they are always compared with the previous month. However, for the numbers to truly be comparable, the method of collecting the data needs to be consistent. Temporary events that cause a momentary increase or decrease in the data call for adjustment of the data in order to make the numbers comparable.
The greatest period of economic activity each year occurs during the Christmas Holiday. With this increased economic activity, companies hire temporary help to handle the extra workload. If the Government fails to adjust unemployment numbers to account for these temporary events, the numbers for November and December each year would always be better than those of the rest of the year.
The administration attributed the unemployment decrease to the addition of temporary jobs. Unless these jobs are going to become permanent, they represent a temporary event and the figures should be adjusted. It will be interesting to see what happens in January but wait; we will be adding 10,000 temporary census jobs then. However, these census jobs are also only temporary and will end in six months. So, Mr. President, what are you planning to do after these temporary jobs end?
Statistical data like unemployment numbers is only valuable when compared with another set of comparable numbers. That is why when these numbers are reported they are always compared with the previous month. However, for the numbers to truly be comparable, the method of collecting the data needs to be consistent. Temporary events that cause a momentary increase or decrease in the data call for adjustment of the data in order to make the numbers comparable.
The greatest period of economic activity each year occurs during the Christmas Holiday. With this increased economic activity, companies hire temporary help to handle the extra workload. If the Government fails to adjust unemployment numbers to account for these temporary events, the numbers for November and December each year would always be better than those of the rest of the year.
The administration attributed the unemployment decrease to the addition of temporary jobs. Unless these jobs are going to become permanent, they represent a temporary event and the figures should be adjusted. It will be interesting to see what happens in January but wait; we will be adding 10,000 temporary census jobs then. However, these census jobs are also only temporary and will end in six months. So, Mr. President, what are you planning to do after these temporary jobs end?
Knowledge we have, Wisdom we need:
In the Bible we are told that God’s people parish for the lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The acquisition of knowledge is a key component to success in every area of our lives. However, knowledge by its self is not enough to insure our success. To insure our success we need to seek wisdom on how to apply the knowledge we have obtained.
Solomon inherited the kingdom of Israel upon the death of his father David. While living with his father, Solomon must have acquired a great deal of knowledge. In fact, like many of us who have acquired much knowledge, he may have felt a bit overwhelmed. This might explain why he felt it important to ask God for the wisdom to apply the knowledge he had gained (1 Kings 3:3-9).
The book of Proverbs in the Bible is a collection of the wisdom Solomon gained from God. Unfortunately, in Solomon’s later years he strayed from the wisdom God had given him and suffered greatly. In the book of Ecclesiastes we are given a glimpse of his thinking after straying from Gods wisdom.
We too have access to a great deal of knowledge today. In fact, we sometimes feel overwhelmed with the great amount of knowledge we must process on a daily basis. My advice is to follow Solomon’s example and ask God for wisdom on what to do with the knowledge he has given us. I also recommend following through on the wisdom God gives so you will succeed and not perish as we are warned on Hosea 4:6.
Solomon inherited the kingdom of Israel upon the death of his father David. While living with his father, Solomon must have acquired a great deal of knowledge. In fact, like many of us who have acquired much knowledge, he may have felt a bit overwhelmed. This might explain why he felt it important to ask God for the wisdom to apply the knowledge he had gained (1 Kings 3:3-9).
The book of Proverbs in the Bible is a collection of the wisdom Solomon gained from God. Unfortunately, in Solomon’s later years he strayed from the wisdom God had given him and suffered greatly. In the book of Ecclesiastes we are given a glimpse of his thinking after straying from Gods wisdom.
We too have access to a great deal of knowledge today. In fact, we sometimes feel overwhelmed with the great amount of knowledge we must process on a daily basis. My advice is to follow Solomon’s example and ask God for wisdom on what to do with the knowledge he has given us. I also recommend following through on the wisdom God gives so you will succeed and not perish as we are warned on Hosea 4:6.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Do not be distracted:
The buzz in the news this week was Tiger Wood’s car crash and the party crashers at the White House State Dinner. Stories such as these definitely peak our curiosity but we must be careful not to let these stories distract us from important issues that will directly affect our families and us.
The Senate began debate this week on the massive health care reform bill that will affect everyone’s health care. The bill also has tax increases that will actually take affect immediately while the supposed benefits will not take affect until 2013. In other words, we will be stuck paying for something for the next three years without receiving any benefits from it. Imagine making payments on a new car and not being able to drive it for three years.
We also cannot estimate the total cost of the program since when people perceive something as free, its demand increases exponentially. Once again, imagine buying your new car but not knowing what it is going to cost. Common sense tells us not to make such a deal.
To make matters worse, the Congress will begin debate on the cap and trade legislation the first of next year. This legislation will place massive regulations and taxes on energy production and usage in our nation. This will lead to higher energy prices and higher prices for everything else as manufacturers pass on their additional costs to the consumer.
In addition, India and China have decided not to abide by international environmental regulations since they view these as dangerous to their emerging technologies. If these regulations are dangerous to the economies of India and China, are they not also dangerous to our economy. In addition, since China and India will not have regulations on companies doing business in their countries, what is to stop U.S. companies from relocating their manufacturing operations and jobs to these nations thus creating additional unemployment?
Cap and trade is a bad idea economically and as we have begun to see recently is based on fraudulent data that fails to follow the scientific method. It is a bad idea to propose legislation that increases taxes, regulation, and unemployment in a recession. It is a tragedy to propose it based on fraudulent data.
Contact your senator and urge them to vote against health care reform. Contact your representative and senator and urge them not to even propose cap and trade and keep your focus on what has a direct affect on your family and you.
The Senate began debate this week on the massive health care reform bill that will affect everyone’s health care. The bill also has tax increases that will actually take affect immediately while the supposed benefits will not take affect until 2013. In other words, we will be stuck paying for something for the next three years without receiving any benefits from it. Imagine making payments on a new car and not being able to drive it for three years.
We also cannot estimate the total cost of the program since when people perceive something as free, its demand increases exponentially. Once again, imagine buying your new car but not knowing what it is going to cost. Common sense tells us not to make such a deal.
To make matters worse, the Congress will begin debate on the cap and trade legislation the first of next year. This legislation will place massive regulations and taxes on energy production and usage in our nation. This will lead to higher energy prices and higher prices for everything else as manufacturers pass on their additional costs to the consumer.
In addition, India and China have decided not to abide by international environmental regulations since they view these as dangerous to their emerging technologies. If these regulations are dangerous to the economies of India and China, are they not also dangerous to our economy. In addition, since China and India will not have regulations on companies doing business in their countries, what is to stop U.S. companies from relocating their manufacturing operations and jobs to these nations thus creating additional unemployment?
Cap and trade is a bad idea economically and as we have begun to see recently is based on fraudulent data that fails to follow the scientific method. It is a bad idea to propose legislation that increases taxes, regulation, and unemployment in a recession. It is a tragedy to propose it based on fraudulent data.
Contact your senator and urge them to vote against health care reform. Contact your representative and senator and urge them not to even propose cap and trade and keep your focus on what has a direct affect on your family and you.
Chicken Little is Wrong:
For many years now, environmentalists have been telling us that the planet is doomed. The ice caps are melting, we will all be under water, and the planet will become so hot we will all die. It reminds me of the story of Chicken Little.
The steps in the scientific method are:
• Ask a Question
• Do Background Research
• Construct a Hypothesis
• Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
• Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion
• Communicate Your Results
(http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_scientific_method.shtml)
The recently leaked emails tell us that climate change scientists are not following this method. These emails tell us that they are cherry picking the data and throwing out any data that disproves their hypothesis, which is that man is the cause of climate change.
In addition, the testing of the hypothesis involves attempting to disprove the hypothesis and not proving it true, which is the scientist’s assumption when beginning their research. If they find data that disproves their hypothesis, they are to draw the conclusion that their hypothesis was wrong. If, however, no disproving data is discovered they will form a theory based upon their hypothesis, however, good scientists will never conclude that their hypothesis is absolute fact leaving the matter open for someone else to conduct additional research.
Climate change scientists are skewing the results of their testing by throwing out any data that contradicts their hypothesis. Of course when they do this, the only conclusion they can draw is that their hypothesis is true. To make matters worse, they have concluded that their theory is not a theory at all but fact. So why are they doing this?
One possible reason is that research scientists depend on grant money to conduct their research. They must compete with other scientists for this grant money so they are under pressure to sensationalize their research. It is also difficult to raise money for a theory so they must conclude that their hypothesis is fact.
As the Congress considers cap and trade legislation, let us not make the same mistake as the climate change scientists and skip the step of insuring the research follows the scientific method. Otherwise, we will handcuff our economy with unnecessary regulations and taxes that will further contract our economy without producing any tangible results.
Contact your senator and representative and urge them to only consider climate change research based upon the scientific method as they consider this legislation.
The steps in the scientific method are:
• Ask a Question
• Do Background Research
• Construct a Hypothesis
• Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
• Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion
• Communicate Your Results
(http://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/project_scientific_method.shtml)
The recently leaked emails tell us that climate change scientists are not following this method. These emails tell us that they are cherry picking the data and throwing out any data that disproves their hypothesis, which is that man is the cause of climate change.
In addition, the testing of the hypothesis involves attempting to disprove the hypothesis and not proving it true, which is the scientist’s assumption when beginning their research. If they find data that disproves their hypothesis, they are to draw the conclusion that their hypothesis was wrong. If, however, no disproving data is discovered they will form a theory based upon their hypothesis, however, good scientists will never conclude that their hypothesis is absolute fact leaving the matter open for someone else to conduct additional research.
Climate change scientists are skewing the results of their testing by throwing out any data that contradicts their hypothesis. Of course when they do this, the only conclusion they can draw is that their hypothesis is true. To make matters worse, they have concluded that their theory is not a theory at all but fact. So why are they doing this?
One possible reason is that research scientists depend on grant money to conduct their research. They must compete with other scientists for this grant money so they are under pressure to sensationalize their research. It is also difficult to raise money for a theory so they must conclude that their hypothesis is fact.
As the Congress considers cap and trade legislation, let us not make the same mistake as the climate change scientists and skip the step of insuring the research follows the scientific method. Otherwise, we will handcuff our economy with unnecessary regulations and taxes that will further contract our economy without producing any tangible results.
Contact your senator and representative and urge them to only consider climate change research based upon the scientific method as they consider this legislation.
Put God First and the Rest Will Fall in Place:
Matthew 6:33 tells us “and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (NLT). This conditional promise in God’s Word is especially important when we encounter tough economic times.
In these tough times, it is easy to become distracted and caught up in the issues and challenges of the times. This passage reminds us to make living for God our primary concern. When we do, everything else will begin to fall into place. This does not guarantee no hard times, just that God will provide a solution or way out of them (1 Corinthians 10:13). Finally, we know that God will provide for all our needs from his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Therefore, stay focused on the Lord and commit your life to him today.
In these tough times, it is easy to become distracted and caught up in the issues and challenges of the times. This passage reminds us to make living for God our primary concern. When we do, everything else will begin to fall into place. This does not guarantee no hard times, just that God will provide a solution or way out of them (1 Corinthians 10:13). Finally, we know that God will provide for all our needs from his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Therefore, stay focused on the Lord and commit your life to him today.
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