Dialectic Dissemination

Credit cards: Use them or lose them

2009-04-08T14:30:00.002-07:00

If you don't charge anything (or don't charge enough), some card issuers will cut you off, often with no warning, and your credit scores could take a hit as a result. Full Story

A suggestion for using your credit card when you don't want to:

1. Find out when your cycle end date is. This is the date interest is charged and your statement is printed.

2. Let's say you have $200 budgeted for something for the next couple of weeks (food or gas or whatever). Just spend as you normally would, putting your purchases on the credit card.

3. Before your next month's close date*, pay off the balance so no interest accrues. You have used your card and lost nothing.

*Confirm the next month's close date because they will vary from time to time depending on the month, weekends, etc.

April Fool's Virus Alert: no reason to panic

2009-03-31T07:24:00.001-07:00

April Fool's Conficker Threat is Likely Hype

The Cupcake Indicator

2009-03-31T07:10:00.000-07:00

5 signs of the recession's end.

It took the government a year to tell us the economy was in a recession; here's how to tell when we're out of it... Full Article

10 things credit card issuers don't say‏

2009-03-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

Some of the card companies' little-known rules are costing you money -- and putting your credit, your identity and your family at risk... Full Article

13 Comfortable Homes Built from Recycled Shipping Containers

2009-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have your prayers done for you!

2009-03-24T07:35:00.001-07:00

Information Age Prayer is a subscription service utilizing a computer with text-to-speech capability to incant your prayers each day. It gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your prayers will always be said even if you wake up late, or forget.

Information Age Prayer

President's News Conference tonight - Watch here!!

2009-03-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

Obama on Leno

2009-03-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

Yay... McCain goes after Ann Coulter!

2009-03-12T13:09:00.003-07:00

His daughter Meghan, I mean.

Nice! She says it so well. I have recently been expressing my feelings about Ann to some of you, and Meghan's comments reflect what I have been saying, the're just appropriate for TV.

I also love Meghan's ARTICLE in the Beast.

Here's a good one...

"Maybe [Coulter's] popularity stems from the fact that watching her is sometimes like watching a train wreck."

Is your bank healthy? How to tell

2009-03-12T13:04:00.001-07:00

A quartet of key data points will help you understand whether your savings account is at risk. Plus: How 4 big names stack up... Full Article

Volunteer Vacations on a Budget

2009-03-12T13:03:00.001-07:00

You could pay a lot of money for the privilege of donating your labor to a worthy cause somewhere around the world on a volunteer vacation. Or you could just throw your sleeping bag in the car, drive to a nearby park, and for as little as $150, spend a week in the wilderness rebuilding trails with other nature-lovers... Full Article

All alone? Get a group discount

2009-03-12T13:02:00.001-07:00

There are good deals in numbers, but being solo doesn't mean you have to miss out. Online opportunities expand the advantages of co-ops for buying cars, food, gas and more... Full Article

repoWEr America

2009-03-12T12:52:00.002-07:00

100% Clean Electricity in 10 years

The state of California is ready to take action to reduce global warming pollution from cars, and 13 other states are ready too.

The opposition has their sights set on slowing this progress -- arguing that statewide actions won't work and claiming that automakers don't need any encouragement to make cleaner cars.

We can't let the special interests block this much-needed action.

Your voice will make a difference. There's not much time left in the public comment period -- send your comment to the EPA right now:http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/epawaiver

This is what I wrote in the "(Optional) Add a personal note." Feel free to use mine or embelish on your own:

The fact that we are the most powerful and advanced country in the world and we are still driving gas guzzling polluting vehicles is absolutely pathetic. We have had the technology and ability to advance the auto industry to having highly efficient and clean vehicles for a while.
The auto industry would not be in the trouble they are right now if they had just made the advancements available to them. How disgusting is it that our species is being held back by greedy people who lack the vision of a more advanced future.
You are the Environmental Protection Agency... so protect our environment! Show the "fat cats" with no vision or desire to improve themselves or the world that their stagnant ideals of keeping the status quo are out dated, stale, and, frankly, un-American!

Iraqi Reporter To Spend 3-Years In Jail For Throwing Shoe At Bush

2009-03-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Dow Predicts The President's Performance

2009-03-06T13:28:00.002-07:00

CNBC is a great financial advisor!

The Dow tells you how well the president is doing!

Why Rick Santelli is always right!

And other things that just AREN'T TRUE!!!

A MUST SEE!!!

Sex and The Obamas

2009-03-02T09:08:00.004-07:00

Sex in America: Can We Change The Conversation?

"... Who knows what really happens in the privacy of the Obamas' bedroom, but there is an unmistakable erotic tension that emanates from Michelle and Barack Obama..."

Tell Congress: No more secret scores

2009-02-26T13:23:00.003-07:00

Credit bureau Experian's recent move means lenders can see FICO scores that you can't. That's just wrong, and the law needs to catch up with today's credit scoring practices... Full Article

Again, she gives resources to contact your congresspeople. I am keeping to my talk and have e-mailed and written Obama.

My next task will to write my representatives.

And Rediculous...

2009-02-26T08:29:00.001-07:00

Injured good Samaritan ticketed for jaywalking
Man helped push 3 people out of path of pickup truck before being struck...

An Honest and Generous Banker!!!

2009-02-26T08:21:00.001-07:00

Miami banker lavishes $60M on his employees

At a time when bankers are being pilloried on Capitol Hill as heartless and greedy, Leonard Abess Jr. stands apart...

Piyush "Bobby" Jindal

2009-02-25T09:05:00.002-07:00

Piyush "Bobby" Jindal's response to Obama's Tuesday's speech. He is the current Governor of the state of Louisiana.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The quote Jindal refers to, "we may not be able to reverse" from Obama's article in the Washington Post, is taken out of context. I thought it was a good speech until then. The context is as follows:

"Because each day we wait to begin the work of turning our economy around, more people lose their jobs, their savings and their homes. And if nothing is done, this recession might linger for years. Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs. Unemployment will approach double digits. Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse."

This is disappointing. Jindal is "considered a rising star in Republican ranks and a likely 2012 presidential candidate." Why, then, is he using the old tactics that McCain and Palin used of using things Obama said out of context to make it seem that he said something completely different. At first, I was wondering why the Associated Press reported that "Insane. Childish. Disaster." were some of the "kinder" words used as critiques, but the speech has "drawn flak from Republicans and Democrats alike."

It would also be nice for our elected officials to know the history of the US a bit better. I suppose that Jundal would also criticise the formation of the FDIC, SEC, Social Security, FHA and programs formed around the time of Roosevelt's creation of the New Deal in the midst and aftermath of the Great Depression. Many of the New Deal programs of the New Deal were eventually killed by conservatives, but they were OK with Social Security and the other aforementioned ones. It is obvious to most that the government must intervine because of the very fact that inaction will lead to a situation "we may not be able to reverse."

Obama Speech, Tuesday, Feb 24th

2009-02-24T21:00:00.005-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29289533/vp/29378488#29354483

A Fiscal Summit? How responsible!

2009-02-24T09:45:00.005-07:00

Obama talks to congresepeople about their group discussions! The 1997 Balanced Budget Negotiations talks were the last time something like this was done. No wonder the US's budget is screwed up. Everyone gets together to really discuss it once a decade!

Sure is nice to see the president intelligently discussing issues with everyone. The first person he called upon to talk about their discussion was John McCain!

Eric Holder calls America "a nation of cowards" - incites ...

2009-02-23T12:56:00.003-07:00

Michael Eric Dyson says Eric Holder's remarks on race and black history were courageous.

In remarks delivered Wednesday to the Justice Department to commemorate Black History Month, Attorney General Eric Holder offered one of the most courageous and honest speeches on American race by a political figure in quite some time... Full Article

Oscars 2009: Wolverine shows his softer side

2009-02-23T09:33:00.001-07:00

Do Something About It

2009-02-18T11:46:00.008-07:00

On the heels of Experian's move that now makes it impossible to know all three of your credit scores, here is a great article that addresses what we can do about it. The laws, regulations, and lack of protection in this country continue to errode the responsible consumer's ability to be treated fairly.

My apologies for this ultimatum-type statement, but if the way consumers are being treated pisses you off, do something about it! By making this statement to you, I now have a responsibility to walk the walk and take action myself. It's great that I let you know how screwed up the system is from time to time, it would be nice to do something about it. This article has fantastic real world solutions.

Whether you take action or not, this is one of the best articles I have seen because it gives a great explanation of where consumerism has brought us and and our only real recourse.

How Consumerism Hurts Consumers

"As businesses cheat us with hidden fees and crazy contract terms, our focus on beating 'the system' diverts attention from fixing it. But you can help change that." Full Article

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2009-02-13T06:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day from Experian!

2009-02-12T17:20:00.005-07:00

Yes, Experian, the credit reporting agency, has a Valentine's Day gift for you.

On February 14th, you will

NO LONGER BE ABLE TO PURCHASE YOUR EXPERIAN FICO SCORE.

There are other agancies that give out credit scores, but only FICO scores are the ones that matter when it comes to getting a credit like a mortgage, car, or a credit card. For example, mortgage lenders go by your middle score. How do you know what your middle score is? You can't. Oh, wait, you can, but only by having a lender pull your credit, thereby putting a "ding" on your credit, which can lower your credit score.

In these hard economic times, it's great to know that we can be screwed over just once more by the credit industry.

Timothy Geithner lays out plan (3:20)

2009-02-10T11:37:00.001-07:00

Obama's first prime-time address (59:07)

2009-02-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Why the CEO salary cap is a joke

2009-02-10T10:37:00.002-07:00

The sighs of relief -- and celebrations -- on Wall Street should tell you that the limits on executive pay at bailed-out financial institutions are all but meaningless. Full Article...

No Telemarketers On Your Cell Phone

2009-02-09T12:42:00.005-07:00

Cell phone numbers went public last week for telemarketers.

Call this number to register your number, it takes about 30 seconds!

888-382-1222

You must be calling from the number you want on the "Do Not Call" list.

After 31 days, if you receive telemarketing calls, you can file a complaint:

To file a complaint, your phone number must have been on the registry for 31 days, you will need the date you got the call, and either the name or telephone number of the company that called you.

http://www.donotcall.gov/

Stewart Renames Cheney

2009-02-09T11:05:00.001-07:00

Best article about Phelps and, umm, other stuff

2009-02-05T15:07:00.002-07:00

Quit crying double-standard over Phelps

There is no bigger fan of racial double-standards than yours truly. But those of you looking for one inside Michael Phelps' bong are misguided, stuck in the 1960s and worship at the Church of Al Sharp-tongue... Full article

Why I'm saving up $15,000 this year

2009-01-28T09:09:00.004-07:00

No, this MSN Money writer is not crazy. Her family's expenses are $5,000 per month and this is about having 3 months savings. Three months is kind of the industry standard for emergency savings. Whether it is loosing/quitting a job, getting injured, family emergency, etc, most of these things can be resolved in a couple months. The second step and a more advanced savings will be for 6 months, but 3 is a good start. read article...

Imagine if there was a lifestyle of saving in the US.

Imagine if people were more concerned with the amount of savings they had stashed away, instead of being obsessed with all the stuff there is to be had.

Imagine if the news was talking about how long people were able to live off their savings instead of how long people are waiting in line to get government assistance.

Imagine if people were more concerned with the amount of savings they had stashed away, instead of being obsessed with all the stuff there is to be had.

Imagine if, when people knew they wanted to buy something, they saved up for it instead of using credit and using all of their monthly income.

Us Americans are experts at using whatever money we have. If we get more, there is always something to buy and we'll find a way to use it. Our grand parents always told us to save money. They saw what happened on October 29, 1929. Why is it that the saying, “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it” seems to be continually forgotten.

A modern take on posessions from Tyler Durden... (2:08)

5 steps to slash your property tax

2009-01-28T08:35:00.002-07:00

Was your home's value assessed during the peak of the housing bubble? It may pay to see if you can have the value adjusted...

click image

Obama takes steps on car efficiency

2009-01-26T08:59:00.002-07:00

Obama moves to let states cap car emissions
EPA is told to review Bush policy; Clinton also to name climate envoy

WASHINGTON - Plunging into energy and climate change policies, President Barack Obama on Monday moved to give states a freer hand in curbing greenhouse gas emissions from cars, and to get his government moving on fuel-efficiency standards that could remake the auto industry.

Obama stressed that his goal was not... Full Article

I Pledge

2009-01-23T08:25:00.001-07:00

Obama to America: 'Grow up' (1:24)

2009-01-22T13:34:00.003-07:00

Fareed Zakaria says it right again!

Interesting Articles of the week

2009-01-22T13:16:00.004-07:00

Obama signs executive order to close Guantanamo Bay

Democrats not in lockstep with Obama

Jobs with under 40-hour work weeks

House Dems push tax breaks through committee

Kennedy's withdrawal creates a political mystery

Watch the Inauguration and Speech

2009-01-20T08:59:00.003-07:00

The President of the United States

2009-01-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Obama day!

2009-01-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today is that day. The one we've been waiting for. This is the day WE begin our work. As usual, I will keep you informed and will share what you share with. After the innoguration, I will put it up here for easy viewing. Before we get into that, I highly reccomend having some fun with Obama's help. Here, you can help him say the thing you have alwasy wanted to hear him say. Have fun...

Obama Sound Off

Throw a Shoe

2009-01-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry about this, but it's really fun. If you wanted to throw a shoe at our outgoing president but feel you never really had the chance, here it is. Great graphics and fast paced action...

Ego Shoe-ter

-Thanks Jennifer!

How Obama may affect your finances

2009-01-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the economy, Barack Obama has been managing expectations the way Joe Torre managed the 1990s Yankees: with grim-faced seriousness and an aversion to rah-rah cheerleading.... full article

Countdown to Obama!!

2009-01-02T13:27:00.002-07:00

Obama Countdown

Obama on 60 minutes - plans for the future (18:25)

2008-11-18T08:45:00.003-07:00

The Obama's personal transition (14:58)

Obama, Hitler, and why America is Great Again

2008-11-17T10:09:00.001-07:00

Ah, Bill Maher....

Republican congressman from Georgia, Rep. Paul Broun's view.

John Stewart and BILL O'RILEY!?!?!!

2008-11-14T12:49:00.003-07:00

Great episode in light of the fears of Omaba

Ignorant Kids = STDs (5:30)

2008-11-14T08:58:00.003-07:00

Unfortunately, this is nothing new. I have mentioned this to many a person who has responded with disbelief that kids kids don't use condoms. With parents afraid to talk to their kids and religion forbidding the use as well, it's no wonder our kids are part of an epidemic. It's pathetic.

PLEASE let every parent, every kid, just everyone know about this.

It is happening everywhere!!

Obama's first press conference as President Elect (19:00)

2008-11-10T12:30:00.001-07:00

Internal battles divided McCain, Palin camps

2008-11-06T08:40:00.003-07:00

Election results

2008-11-06T08:37:00.002-07:00

Looking at how the individual counties voted in the election brings me to the following conclusion due to the fact that the majority of counties with major cities in "red" states are actually "blue." If you click on the individual states, you can see how the counties voted. The majority of people in major cities voted for Obama. This may be a stretch, but because they have more access to information, more diversity of people and live in more modern surroundings, they are more open minded, more knowledgable about the world, and better informed about current events. Therefore, being more intelligent and open minded, they voted for Obama. That's my take.

Official Election day Wassup!

2008-11-04T09:36:00.004-07:00

For those that need a reminder, the original Budweiser Wassup commercial...

And now, the official wassup for Election Day, November 2nd, 2008

Obama's Infomercial (27:00)

2008-10-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

VOTE!!!

2008-10-29T13:08:00.001-07:00

IF ANYONE WHO IS REGISTERED TO VOTE IS TOLD THEY CANNOT, CALL

1-866-OUR-VOTE
(1-866-687-6863)

http://www.866ourvote.org/
NON-PARTISAN COMPLETE VOTER INFO!!!
LET EVERYONE KNOW!!!!
IF YOU ARE REGISTERED, YOU CAN VOTE!!!

So you're tellin' me there's a chance!!!

2008-10-29T12:53:00.007-07:00

The best indicator of presidential winners for the last 20 years is Nickelodeon's "Kids Pick The President"!!!! (0:18)

(0:33)

Hate In America

2008-10-29T12:28:00.002-07:00

Ohio Palin Rally from Al Jazeera (This one is heart breaking)

What do the voters really think... Skip to 5 min 15 sec (if you want to)

Palin on Feminism... kind of (0:57)

2008-10-29T12:16:00.002-07:00

Um... Not cool Todd!! (0:18)

2008-10-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Todd Palin Sneaking Peak at Biden's Daughter

Baghdad's New Ferris Wheel

2008-10-29T12:05:00.003-07:00

Good thing we keep sending money over there. That way they can use their own 80 billion for civic improvements

Palin's religous beliefs

2008-10-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

Jesus and Witches

Sarah Palin on SNL

2008-10-21T08:34:00.002-07:00

Next Season on Dancing with the Stars

2008-10-21T08:17:00.002-07:00

click

enlarge

Why Obama Will Win

2008-10-15T17:00:00.002-07:00

(originally written Sept 24th, 2008)

This is my prediction. The time we are in now reminds me of the time just before Clinton was elected. It was after 8 years of Reagan and 4 years of Bush Sr. The economy had slumped into a recession, the national debt was out of control, and people were angry at the state of the union.

Back then...

"In 1990, the American economy plunged into a recession. Factors contributing to the slump included rising oil prices following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, a sharp increase in interest rates, and declining availability of credit." (Nation Encyclopedia). Sound familiar? War, oil and credit.

As the next president serving from 1993-2001, "Clinton presided over the longest period of peace-time economic expansion in American history, which included a balanced budget and a reported federal surplus.[6][7] Based on Congressional accounting rules, at the end of his presidency Clinton reported a surplus of $559 billion." (Wikipedia)

The national debt was 400 Billion when Clinton started.

"After peaking at 7.5%, unemployment declined steadily throughout the early and mid-1990s, falling to 5.6% in 1995, 5.3% at the end of 1996, and in 1998, remaining below 5%. After 1993/94, inflation mostly remained under 3%. One exception to the generally moderate character of the economy was the stock market, which rose 60% between 1995 and 1997, buoyed by the combination of low unemployment and low inflation, as well as strong corporate earnings." (Wikipedia)

So now...

The Outstanding Public Debt as of 15 Oct 2008 at 10:47:11 PM GMT is:

$10,297,883,720,499.55

or

10.2 TRILLION

(U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK)

"Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $847 billion in 2007. Together, these problems caused a marked reduction in the value and status of the dollar worldwide in 2007." (CIA Factbook)

"The unemployment rate rose from 5.7 to 6.1 percent in August[, 2008]."
(Sept. 05, 2008 US Dept of Labor)

"From January 2005 through December 2007, 3.6 million workers were dis-placed from jobs they had held for at least 3 years, the Bureau of LaborStatistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The number of displaced workers was about the same as the level (3.8 million) recorded in the previous survey that covered the period from January 2003 to December2005." (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Gotta love consistency!

"Though U.S. unemployment is at its highest level since July 1994, it's still a lot lower than its peaks after recessions in the early 1980s [Reagan] and 1990s [Bush Sr.]." (CNNMoney.com)

So...

Democratic President = surplus + low unemployment + economic strength + peace

Republican President = deficit + high unemployment + recession + war

It's too bad we, as a nation, continually forget our past. Especially the parts we were even around for.

Um... tell me I'm wrong.

Interesting Factiod:

Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. (CIA Factbook)

I feel sorry for republicans right now

2008-10-15T16:50:00.003-07:00

Yes, I said it. I have gone that far.

Palin is the reason. An here are my reasons.

John McCain is presidential. If elected, he can run the country. I have no doubts about that, I just don't agree with the way he would run it. The point is that he is presidential material.

Barak Obama, if elected president, can do the job. Obviously there are those who don't like the way he would carry out the presidency, but he can do it.

If tragedy occurs and Joe Biden is called on to replace Obama as President, as he has said, he will continue Obama's policies. He can do the job too. There is no doubt of this, just that there are those that disagree with how he would do it.

Clinton, the Bushes, Kerry, Gore, Cheney, etc. Whether we agree with their politics or not, we all knew that they COULD run the country when they started running.

If Sarah Palin were to have to replace McCain as the President...

Yeah, just think about it.

She is ignorant of so many aspects of our country's issues and the rest of the world's issues. She does not belong there.

IF I WERE A REPUBLICAN, I would find offensive that my party was forcing this person down my throat and touting her to be this amazing pick. I would be mad and wonder how others in my party could actually be pleased and not disgusted. I would, of course vote for the McCain-Palin ticket, and just hope to God that John survives at least the next four years.

IF I WERE A REPUBLICAN WOMAN, I would also find it offensive that, of all the women to potentially be the first female vice president in history, a republican one at that and next in line for the presidency, my party picked one of the LEAST presidential women in politics today.

OK, I'm me again, not a republican or a woman anymore...

I listen to her talk and it infuriates me. I feel like she never actually answers a question with any modicum of intelligence and just spits out rhetoric. The people I really feel sorry for are those, republican or independent who actually just take her at her word and don't question her qualifications or knowledge. The sheep of society. The ones that automatically believe any ad they see on TV and allow the TV to vote for them.

I would say that I feel sorry for them if McCain and Palin win and after another 4 years they are even worse off. But I would not. It happens every time republicans get into office. They crap on the little people, like those making less than $250,000, 90% of the US population. They run up the national debt, don't give a damn about job losses, go to war, and give the rest of the world the idea that all "Americans" are just like them.

I would like to travel the world and be proud to say I am from the United States, but instead I feel the need to say "I'm from the US, but like the majority of our population, I don't like our president and did not vote for him" as a disclaimer or an apology for my country's failed leader. That is how I feel now and that is how I would feel if McCain and Palin win.

I feel like nobody in the international community likes us. We throw our military might around with no regard to international organizations and are at the forefront of screwing up the global economy. Republicans screw up the economy and Democrats balance the budget. It's like any republican president doesn't care because they are not the ones who are going to have to clean up the mess. If a Democrat comes in after, they'll spend most of their time fixing all the things the republicans messed up. Can we say "Clinton."

Refer to the blog entry Why Obama Will Win for more specifics.

How I am voting in Colorado

2008-10-15T16:45:00.006-07:00

Click on the link for each and then click the "General Election Ballot Question" link to read the Amendment's Language. This goes to the Secretaty of State's Elections Page. Ballotpedia is a great site that gives an explanation and gives info about supporters and those in opposition.

These Amandments are scary because the language is, of course, law talk. Just reading the Amendment proposal its self once, without dissecting every word and phrase, can leave people with the wrong idea or just plain confused.

If you disagree with any of my choices, please let me know.

No Longer on the ballot but will appear

on it because they were already printed

Amendment 53

Amendment 55

Amendment 56

Amendment 57

Amendment 46 - Prohibition on Discrimination and Preferential Treatment by Colorado Governments
I am voting NO because it "would end all affirmative action programs, including equal opportunity measures in higher education and public employment." (electionunspun.org)

"The measure is pushed by Ward Connerly, a black Republican who has been vilified by civil rights groups for supporting anti-affirmative action policies." (Rocky Mountain News)

Amendment 47 - Prohibition on Certain Conditions of Employment
I am voting NO because it takes away union rights

Amendment 48 - Definition of Person
I am voting NO because abortion must remain legal. McCain and Palin believe government should be smaller, support our freedoms, and give us choices in our lives. I believe, as the founding fathers did, that government is supposed to expand our rights, not take them away. Whatever your belief is, that is fine. Just don't take away others' rights.

"America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours." (The American President)

Amendment 49 - Limitation on Public Payroll Deductions
I am voting NO. "Public employee unions see this as the Independence Institutes's latest effort to undermine public-employee unions."(ballotpedia.org)

***Changed my mind***

Amendment 50 - Limited Gaming
I am voting NO. On a second look, there two things. First, "If a tribe was to establish a new casino in the state it would not have to pay the taxes to support the community colleges, thereby sapping business away from the mountain towns and decreasing revenue for the community colleges.[4]"

Second, "A state gaming regulator... Meyer Saltzman, ... stated concerns about a provision in the amendment that would take authority away from regulators to raise taxes on the industry.

(ballopedia.org)

Also see the comment below from Scott Yates from keepvegasout.com

Amendment 51 - State Sales Tax for Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
I am voting YES. 2/10 of a percent added to sales tax over the next two fiscal years. When I see someone with a developmental disability, think about how lucky and easy my life is. My mom works with that population. Check out the supporters. There is no organized opposition, only the premise that tax increases disproportionately affect poor people, but it's pretty small. (Extra $0.02 for every $10. Extra $.20 for every $100. Extra $2 for every $1000.) (ballotpedia)

Amendment 52 - Severance Tax - Transportation
I am voting NO. This would "...result in cuts in the programs that are funded by severance tax revenue now, including grants for water projects, clean energy projects, species conservation, mineral extraction administration, and low-income energy assistance.[1]" (Ballotpedia)

It would be "used only to fund the construction, maintenance, and supervision of public highways in the state, giving first priority to reducing congestion on the Interstate 70 corridor. (Ballotpedia)

The I-70 corridor sucks but I say find a way other that taking money away from clean energy projects and low-income energy assistance.

Amendment 54 - Restrictions on Campaign Contributions from Government Sole-Source Contractors

I am voting NO. It could "take away the rights of people, like substitute teachers, firefighters and nurses, to participate in the political process."

Amendment 58 - Severance Tax

I am voting YES. It lessens the tax breaks for oil companies and gives the money to scholarships. The Colorado production of oil is such a small part of the country's oils needs that it should not affect prices.

Amendment 59 - Education Funding

I am voting YES. Colorado doesn't do a good job of funding education. This guarantees funding for education more than the present system.

Referendum L - Age Qualification for Serving in General Assembly

I am voting YES. "Would lower the age of a candidate for the Colorado House and Senate from 25 to 21." (Ballotpedia) Most other states have done this. A candidate will still have to "convince a majority, first of their party that they deserve the nomination, and then of the general electorate that they are the best candidate. It might inspire young people to pay more attention to politics." (Ken Gordon)
Referendum M - Elimination of Obsolete Constitutional Provisions Regarding Land Value Increase

I am voting YES. The original provision prevented taking into account plantings like trees and hedges when assessing property value. (CO State Legislation) It is obsolete.

Referendum N - Elimination of Obsolete Constitutional Provisions Regarding Intoxicating Liquors

I am voting YES. This is funny. This resolution article seems to say that importing alcohol is illegal in the state of Colorado. (CO State Legislation) Definitely obsolete and not even followed anyway.

Referendum O - Initiative Petition Requirements

I am voting YES. "Would make it harder for citizens to place constitutional amendments on the ballot for voter approval but easier to call a vote on state statutes." (Ballotpedia) This way, crap like Amendment 48 - Definition of Person would need more signatures, as would a lot of these Amendments. More signatures means more people actually wanting it.

Democrats for all Representatives, etc

Um, I picket all Democrats for the senate, etc.

Keep all judges

Boulder County Issues

2A and B YES

2D YES

2E NO - no need to change

The October 7th Presidential Debate (1:33:37)

2008-10-08T10:29:00.002-07:00

Liquid Assets: The best performing investment plan yet!

2008-10-07T09:35:00.006-07:00

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one
year ago, you will have $49.00 today.

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago,
you will have $33.00 today.

If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers
one year ago, you will have $0.00 today.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year
ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans
for recycling refund, you will have received a $214.00 return.

Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to
drink heavily & recycle.

It is called the 401-Keg.

A recent study found that the average American walks about
1000 miles per year. Another study found that Americans drink,
on average, 30 gallons of alcohol a year(=6 beers per week). That means that,
on average, Americans get about 30 miles to the gallon!

Makes you proud to be an American!!!!

(30 gal=3840 oz/12oz=3200z/52=6beers/week)

It's done. What does it mean?

2008-10-03T14:58:00.007-07:00

How the massive rescue package will affect you

The bailout: An owner's manual

The Rediculous Add-Ons

Obvious the architects of these have a complete disconnect to what really matters. I do like Rum, though!

Review how we got to this point

Highlights from the Palin/Biden debate (SNL)

2008-10-03T08:00:00.002-07:00

Biden, Palin face off

2008-10-03T07:41:00.006-07:00

Full coverage from CNN. Watch the whole thing or in sections with the transcript here.

Take a look at discrepancies from BOTH...

Facts go adrift on taxes, energy in VP debate

The Whole thing here from CSPAN

See the true Maverick here... (0:31)

Zakaria slams Sarah Palin - CNN (3:15)

2008-10-02T18:00:00.004-07:00

VP Debate tonight!

2008-10-02T08:17:00.005-07:00

What are their strategies?

"Following the initial enthusiasm after they were picked a month back, Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin have seemed to compete for who can commit the worst mistakes - Palin for her poor oratory or Biden for his excessive oratory." (Earth Times)

"Joe should not go after her at all, but only after McCain... She should be very aggressive, but primarily toward Obama." (Newsweek)

Everyone's saying they both should concentrate on NOT making news. Hopefully, it won't be too subdued.

Here's a preview of what's to come...

Couric on Palin and Biden: CBS 10/01/08 (5:46)

The Moderator

The moderator is Gwen Ifill who "moderated the vice-presidential debate between Republican candidate Dick Cheney and Democratic candidate Senator John Edwards.

Ifill is also writing a book called, "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama."

Um, oops... So she did the last VP debates. Although she is a great journalist, it is pretty obvious where her loyalties lie. She is also financially vested in Obama winning because her book will sell more copies if he wins on Nov. 4th, the release date for her book.

The problem is that this debate is going to be just as much about her as it is the candidates. If she shows an ounce of favoritism towards Biden, Republicans will call foul and it will be called an unfair biased attack. Also potentially bad for Biden is that she may feel compelled to NOT show any bias toward him and may even be harder that expected on him.

Palin definitely has the advantage going into this because anything that makes her look bad can be easily blamed on either Ifill's love of Obama or Biden's condescending nature. And is't not that hard for Palin to do just that all by herself.

Ifill's potential Impact??? (4:02)

Sub-Prime Market Explained...

2008-10-02T08:00:00.003-07:00

What better way to explain complex economic issues than stick figures and Pink Floyd!

(This is actually the best explanation I've seen. REALLY!!!)

Click here for a larger browsable slideshow

Palin should stop giving interviews

2008-10-01T08:00:00.002-07:00

"Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be vice president." Read the full article Palin Is Ready? Please.

Then watch these to back it up...

Sarah Palin Interview with CBS News' Katie Couric- Day 1 (5:35)

Sarah Palin Interview with CBS News' Katie Couric- Day 2 (7:22)

This week is Factcheck.org week - I'm going after both

2008-09-29T08:00:00.005-07:00

Yes, there is actually a source of information that is not partisan, not even in the background.

IT"S

FACTCHECK.ORG!!!!!

A McCain-Palin ad claims Obama has been "mum" on the economic crisis.

"That's false." [refering to the ad in general]

"95.5 percent of households with children would get a tax cut under Obama’s plan. And overall, 81.3 percent of all households would see a tax cut." Look at this previous post.

Here's the full analysis: Keeping Quiet?

Obama ad twists McCain's words on health care "deregulation."

"the full context reveals that McCain was referring narrowly to his proposal to allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines."

Here's the full analysis: Out of Context on Health Care

Obama's Stem Cell Spinning
September 30, 2008
His radio ad is wrong: McCain still supports federal funding for stem cell research.

Not Coming Clean on Coal
September 30, 2008
A McCain-Palin ad claims the Obama-Biden ticket opposes clean coal. Not true.

Yay, debate! Bipartisan, my ass!

2008-09-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

There was no point for either Obama or McCain to be there. McCain may have started it, but Obama followed. They were not involved in the first place. Being presidential hopefuls, they couldn't just sit and be supporting and have the other guy be more involved and helpful. They should not have been let in because, although they both want to help, they both have something to prove. From msnbc...

"Sen. McCain has no need to be fearful about a debate," Obama told reporters. "He's a person of strong opinions and he's been expressing them on the campaign trail."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a McCain supporter, said the Republican made a "huge mistake" by even discussing canceling the debate.

"You can't just say, 'World, stop for a moment. I'm going to cancel everything,'" Huckabee told reporters Thursday night in Alabama before attending a benefit for the University of Mobile. He said it's more important for voters to hear from the presidential candidates than for them to huddle with fellow senators in Washington.

Trip to D.C.Both McCain and Obama had returned to Washington on Thursday at the urging of President Bush, who invited them to a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House. But a session aimed at showing unity in resolving the financial crisis broke up with conflicts in plain view.

McCain's campaign said the meeting "devolved into a contentious shouting match" and implied that Obama was at fault — on a day when McCain said he was putting politics aside to focus on the nation's financial problems.

Democrats differed, saying the refusal of McCain and other Republicans to support the plan worked out by congressional negotiators was creating a road block.

"The insertion of presidential politics has not been helpful," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Friday.

(Article: McCain will attend debate, campaign says msnbc)

Wanda Sykes on Jay Leno: Bailout & Palin (5:37)

2008-09-26T08:35:00.001-07:00

Alternate bailout basic math SCREW UP!

2008-09-26T06:00:00.003-07:00

"According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the resident population of the United States, projected to 09/26/08 at 19:51 GMT (EST+5) is
305,263,736"
(Population Clock)

Children (people under age 18) made up one-fourth of the US population (24.6%) in 2006 (Wikipedia) Looks like that is still about the same.

So the over 18 population would be approx. 228,947,802.

85 Billion divided by 228,947,802 is $371... YES $371.00

Now, take the total 700 Billion and it would be $3057.

THE GOVT. ALREADY DID AN ECONOMIC STIMULOUS PACKAGE!!!

Candidates have negotiators wary (msnbc)

2008-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

See the whole article here..

Some fear that politicking would interrupt progress on bailout effort

Just a couple of quotes from the article

"Given that it is only a few months before a new president takes the oath of office, it is vital that the next president play an active role in crafting this critical plan," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio).

"I really don't think we can give him a seat at the table unless Barack Obama is willing to join him," House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) said before Obama's announcement

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) described it as a "gimmick." "I think McCain -- he's sort of floundering. He's been all over the place," he said. "I think his campaign doesn't know quite what to do. And because John McCain has never really paid attention to economic issues, it's lost on him. This is an example of how he would lead. He doesn't have a center."

Matt Damon on Palin (1:40)

2008-09-25T06:00:00.003-07:00

Dinosaur thing is not true. That and some other fake quotes are from a satirical opinion article in which Palin and Hillary trade put downs.

She never tried to ban books. Go to the 5:10 minute mark in this video...

See the full series of these interviews and comments in my previous post, I'm Done! (Palin)

5 Former Secretaries of State, advice to next president

2008-09-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

Non-political (although Albright stepped out of line once, funny). They weigh in on what the issues the next president will have to deal with and how to go about it. You want a good summary of what are the most important issues for our country today? This is pretty good.

(Colin Powell, Madeline Albright, Warren Christopher, Henry Kissenger, and James Baker)

Part 1

Part 2

McCain/Obama's Tax plan

2008-09-24T06:00:00.004-07:00

The McCain campaign keeps saying Obama will "raise your taxes." It is an outright lie. They say it is because of his voting history, but that is just taking his voting out of context like most political ads do without giving specifics. Like when Obama voted for raised taxes on oil companies by $300 million over 11 years while providing $5.8 billion in subsidies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. (Factcheck)

I, for one, would like to pay $892 less in taxes as opposed to the $113 I would get under McCain. The funny thing is that people who make over $200,000 per year are usually involved in business and investments and, through tax write offs, don't actually pay much in taxes.

PBS Vote: is Palin Qualified?

2008-09-23T18:00:00.002-07:00

PBS is taking a poll which asks if Palin is qualified to be VP. Let your voice be heard! (really quick, just vote)

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

Gas and Elections

2008-09-23T15:26:00.005-07:00

Ever notice how gas prices always drop before a presidential election? I've noticed the last three times. They are kept so high for so long that any reduction gives people a false feeling of relief, even though I remember being pissed 3 years ago when prices went above $3.20.

Inflation is "a decline in the real value of money.[2] When the general level of prices rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services... Inflation also shifts income from those on fixed incomes to those with variable incomes." (Wikipedia)

The value of your assets can be eroded by inflation. Inflation has also been described as a hidden TAX. The fancy word for this is fiscal drag, "the process where tax thresholds are either not adjusted for inflation, or fail to keep pace with earnings growth, causing in either case an automatic rise in tax revenues."

"When the expenses of the U.S. Government exceed the revenue collected, it issues new debt to cover the deficit. This debt typically takes the form of new issues of government bonds which are sold on the open market. However, the debt can also be monetized by which the Federal Reserve creates an entry on its books to credit the US Government for an amount equal to the dollar amount of the bonds the Federal Reserve is acquiring. The money created in this process not only includes the new dollars that came into existence just to purchase the bonds, but much more because this new money is now sitting in the form of checkbook money at the Federal Reserve. Under the scheme of Fractional Reserve Banking this new checkbook money is treated as an asset to lend against. Economists estimate the expansion of the money supply as being many times the amount of the initial money created with the exact amount being a function of what percentage of deposits banks must set aside as "reserves".[15][16]

"The ultimate consequence of monetizing U.S. debt is that it expands the money supply which will tend to dilute the value of dollars already in circulation. Thus, expanding the pool of money puts downward pressure on the dollar, downward pressure on short-term interest rates (the banks have more to lend) and upward pressure on inflation. Typically this causes an inflationary boom that ends in a deflationary bust to complete the business cycle." (Wikipedia: United States public debt, The mechanics of U.S. Government debt

Did you get that? The government makes a "checkbook entry." They create money. They do this when thay need/want to. Introducing more dollars, or currency, into an economy causes inflation. Wh pay more for the same products and services.

But that's what happens when inflation skyrockets under republican presidents who spend out of control...

Click image to enlarge

I'm Done! (Palin)

2008-09-22T18:00:00.003-07:00

***Disclaimer: Highly politically charged material***

I'm done. I can't do it anymore. I have heard enough. Palin might be a nice person, a great mom and wife, but there is no way in hell she belongs in the White House as the Vice President and potentially the President of the US. I have an open mind to all the information available, and that information has lead me to my conclusion.

She has no concept of what is happening in this country. Economy, Foreign affairs, the state of the union... she has no clue! That is barely even acceptable for a Governor of one of our states. Before you tell me, "calm down" or "chill out, dude," please watch the first real comprehensive interview with Palin and abc's Charles Gibson on youtube. Here's Part one:

Part 1

My thoughts on Part 1

Question: What are her National security credentials? McCain says "commanding" the national guard and Alaska's proximity to Russia. She answers with explaining how she did energy reform, NOT her national security credentials.
________
She says past VPs might not have met any foreign nationals. Here's the last 6:

Dick Cheney had "international experience from his service as President Bush's defense secretary during the gulf war and President Ford's chief of staff." (Florida Times)

"Al Gore's experience with world affairs is one of his main selling points as a presidential hopeful" (CNN)

Dan Quayle was pretty much worthless and may not have met a foreign national.

George Herbert Walker Bush, before serving under Reagan... no question there "Mondale’s national and international experience provides him with unique insights to share..." (U of MN Conference)

Nelson Rockefeller, before serving under Ford, "fulfilled the functions of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs (CIAA, 1940-44), Chairman of the Inter-American Development Commission and Corporation (1940-47) and Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs (1944-45" (Wikipedia)

If you feel like researching more past VPs, feel free, but I think you get the idea.
__________
Russia's invasion was unprovoked? Here is an article from the Guardian about the Georgia-Russia incident. Georgia attacked first! It would be kind of like Danny DeVito going up to a sleeping Arnold Schwartzneger and punching him in the balls. Georgia "awakened the sleeping giant." When you invade place where most of the citizens carry russian passports, Russia is going to kick your ass. Russia is very proud of the power they hold on this planet and, as we have seen throughout history, will readily use their military, especially on their OWN borders. Yes, they overreacted, but everyone knew they would. Georgia's move was outright stupid, but because they are a democratic ally, the majority of our media says it was Russia's fault. AND PALIN IS OK WITH GOING TO WAR WITH THEM! Aaaah!
_________
I think if you are going to be dealing with nations on nuclear power/weapons issues, you should not pronounce nuclear as "nucular." I don't expect everyone to know the difference because it is a common error in the english language. But if you are potentially going to be the VP of the largest nuclear power in the world and are going to attempt to prevent others from having nuclear technology and producing WMDs, you should know how to pronounce it and probably even spell it.
__________
If Israel wants to go to was with Iran, that's cool.
__________

Part 2

OK, she just said our leaders are sending our military over to Iraq "on a task that is FROM GOD. Can anyone say, "Crusades." (Crusades (cru·sade) n. 1. often Crusade, Any of the military expeditions undertaken by European Christians in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. -Dictionary.com).

She said she would "never presume to speak Gods words." She said the task is one from God. That is speaking God's words!! Damn she is good at turning things around and not answering questions, I'll give her that!

Part 3

She talks about "the cyclical nature of our planet" and that she does see climate change in Alaska with the "ice packs melting." This is basic science. The warming and cooling of the earth. The earth has gone through large swings in temperature and climate change in the past. That past going back millions of years, and yet she does NOT believe in evolution. ???

Part 4

He asks for SPECIFICS about her and McCain's economic plans and all she does is generalize and deflect like she is so good at

Part 5

Wait, so is she for earmarks or against them? I can't tell. Can you?

Part 6

She's for adult stem cell research. Um, research. Um, science. Um, same as that evolution stuff? Maybe it's just me.

OK, she's not going to judge whether people think homosexuality is a choice or genetic. So she doesn't understand it at all but at least she's gotten this far. IF it's genetic, I wonder how that trait could have evolved?

"You start banning guns, and you start taking away guns from people who will use them responsibly." I actually agree with her stance on guns. I say let Americans have their choice to own guns, and let them also have their choice to have an abortion.

The book banning thing is basically false.

The trooper that almost got fired was an ass hole and should have been fired although he wasn't.

In summary, she is a very crafty speaker but she has no idea what she has gotten into. She ain't the devil, but the last place she belongs is anywhere in the White House.

I'm trying...really (McCain Military Record)

2008-08-29T18:00:00.001-07:00

I have voted in every presidential election since I had the right to vote. Yes, I have been raised as a democrat, but also to question the status quo and be open minded. I have tried to be open minded when it comes to republican candidates and there have been some I actually would have been OK with, which is probably why they didn't get elected. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt but I also do my due diligence as far as finding out who they really are, just as I do with democrats.

I am trying not to be this way, but when you hear things, look them up and everything you see is supportive of what has been said, it begs the question... How can I not share? I was really inspired by Obama and Gore's speeches last night. For some reason, McCain has still got a "pass" in regards to his military service. The media, the politicians, everyone seems to be content to commend him on his service. It's one of the major points in McCain's bid for president but...

McCain was a crappy officer and pilot. (Remind you of anyone?) The following links are the results of a Google search for McCain's military record. At first, I thought, "so he got shot down and was a POW and broke under the pressure." It cannot have been an easy ride and he's not Rambo. I have never believed that made him fit to be president, but shit happens in war and he made it through. There is something to be said for that. I really, truly did this search to get an idea of his service, thinking that it would be a somewhat normal service record of a Navy pilot. Plus he flew a bad ass plane (see pic below). Nothing in the media had dwelled on it so I figured it would be relatively boring, showing he was an average pilot who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Unfortunately it is quite the opposite. All these links basically say the same thing from different sources. Just read one and you'll get the idea. When I read the first article, I thought "grain of salt," it's the internet after all. Everything I found, though, says the same thing and I have found nothing to the contrary despite an ardent search. (Google Search: mccain military record)

Fact Sheet: Military Record of John Sidney McCain III

McCain's Military Record Shows He Is Unfit To Be President

He also doesn't want any POW information to ever get out...

http://www.vvof.org/mccain_hides.htm

Again, find me something about Obama like this and I'll put it out there. I am trying to be as unbiased as possible but it is hard. Here's one though: read the link about POWs and you'll see why Kerry is on my shit list now. pass it on...

mmm... McCain

2008-08-15T18:00:00.001-07:00

Pardon my politics, but...

John McCain - Lost in Space ***MUST SEE***

oh, and

McCain: Worse than you think

and... um...

Make McCain Disavow His Dishonest Obama Ad

What can you do about this? Let everyone you know, especially those who don't know the candidates. Again, I hate to spit my political views out to you, but remaining silent about this is just not in my nature. There were even a couple of republican candidates who showed merit in my eyes, but this guy is a straight out liar, plain and simple. VOTE! Get OTHERS to VOTE! For the determined...

John McBush

Panda Bears are cute though...

*** If the content of this message was offensive in any way, please let me know and I will not send you any more messages of this sort.

*** I am trying to be balanced and have been looking for things like this on Obama. Not having any luck. If you find anything, please let me know.