Validating My Crazy Thoughts...

The country is in financial quagmire... Secretary Paulson may or may not know what he is doing... President-elect Obama is suggesting qualified culprits (from the thieves den of Wall Street) for key positions in his cabinet... the lame-duck Congress were hosting hearings with the "Big Three" automakers so they could scold them for flying on corporate jets to attend the hearings (the pot calling the kettle black?)... President Bush has been busy proposing loosening destructive regulations regarding our federally-protected lands and mining/drilling concerns... I believe "we the people" continue to be scammed, lied to and treated inconsequentially with regards to the rule of Constitutional law!

Just when I thought I was becoming a "conspiracy" junkie, irrationally assuming there is a devious angle to all that is part of Washington D.C., I stumble upon sites titled What Really Happened, TruthOut, The Daily Scare. These are just a few of the sites but they all link to other relevant and important sites! There is a movement growing here in the USA that scrutinizes the modus operandi of the folks behind the financial debacle we are mired in and the suspects involved in the lame attempt to dig us out! We, as the funding agents for these wildly speculative attempts, must hold our representative government strictly accountable for their actions! 

Our apathy and, according to former Senator Gramm's comment regarding fellow Americans, "whining" must be replaced with sincere and pointed criticism of our elected officials. More importantly, we must clearly display our frustrations in the form of locally organizing to present united fronts and to search for a method to get the message to the masses! We all know mainstream media is of no help due to their corporate owners have massive vested interests in corporate-dominated Congress!

It's time to meet your neighbors, subscribe to the web sites you feel passionate about and forward your message!

Start locally, in your town halls, city councils and state legislators! I believe the continued "trickle-down" approach to recovery is a lesson that will continuously be tried to certain failure! Think about it: trickle down means the so-called recovery will never impact the average American due to those holding the purse strings. The financial barons accumulate wealth expertly... why do they want to part with it?

It is a great time to initiate some free market capitalism and urge our Congress and President to "coin" a new, precious metal-backed currency to compete with that debt interest federal Reserve Note! Our Constitution dictates only Congress can coin a National currency, backed by gold or silver, which will only be minted with appropriate reserves. Why should we pay an illegal Federal Income Tax just to pay the interest on the currency borrowed from the FED?

Come on, America! We voted for "change we can believe in", yet we are seeing the other side of the same coin! Now we must initiate that change ourselves- demand our Congress abide by the Constitution, effect real reform in Washington, enact enforceable regulation on Wall Street, outlaw financial products like Hedge Funds and Derivatives, eliminate the I.R.S. and institute a national  consummables flat tax in leiu of the illegal Federal Income Tax Code.

Above all, we have to start living within our means and living locally! Support local farmers and non-chain retailers, start cooperative banking in your neighborhoods (similar to Credit Unions), and elect politicians because of the issues pertaining to your neighborhoods- disregard the corporate media machine and find the truth yourself!

Fear And Loathing In Washington- Monumental Change

Not to intentionally exploit a highly respected pantheon to American literature when I titled this post, I rue the day when this feel-good, hope-inspired election aftermath rudely awakens to the reality hangover our country inevitably will experience!
President-Elect Obama, I believe, realizes the enormous task at hand and the "ginormous" responsibility he is entrusted with- CHANGING HISTORY!
Now I realize we Citizens must shoulder much of this burden of changing history. Not only must we participate in our troubled economy, we must look at our neighbors differently and discover that by lending a helping hand, we are helping ourselves and our families! And "neighbors" may include all we come in contact with on a daily basis!
In the service industry, I learned how to manage employees by understanding and teaching"WIIFM" - What's- In- It- For- Me?.
It's all well and good to encourage higher sales and better performance by identifying core motivations of a staff and exploiting them. Show your staff how they could prosper will lead to the business prospering. (Hence, increasing management bonus potential ...) One might call this approach "trickle-up" success, But with the necessity of monumental change, I'll call this selfish and egocentric. That's if the only motivation is profit! (nothing wrong with success... what you do with this is the difference.)
Well, the way I am seeing it now, our economic troubles are comprehensive in the segments of the population being affected. The top 1% will always be secure from economic turmoil, at least devastating turmoil. The remaining 99%(you & me) need to take more control of our financial security. We do have a responsibility to participate in our national economy. But we don't "owe " it to support the financial status quo - just about any of the "players" on Wall Street!
How about your town's credit union or independent bank/mortgage office? When seeking to open new accounts, ask where do they invest in.
Many local municipalities have frequent elections at different times of the year. Go to your City Hall and ask for a list of future elections and referendums. Do a bit of homework and discover your voice can be heard with regards to the needs of your communities. Remember, community activism is not necessarily "left" or "right".
Demand your local grocery stores carry local or regional foods- foods grown or manufactured in your communities or areas. Purchasing these products keeps people in your areas working and participating in our economic re-birth!
Talk to friends, business associates and that elderly couple at the diner! Pose questions about your communities, the environment and your local economies. You just might discover similar passions and possible solutions to common issues! I guess what I'm really saying is: start talking!
How many times, as your driving along, you look with disgust at a trash bag spewed all over the side of the road and think "how could anyone do this and sleep at night?"
Now, how many times have you pulled over and got out of your car and proceeded to pick this up? Or, how many times have you stopped to help someone else pick up that trash? See where I'm going with this?
I believe I'm rational and in touch with reality...I'm not suggesting you stop every time you see trash on the road. I'm trying to convince you to be accountable to your passions/feelings! There is also something to be said about "leading by example"...
And finally, after you start" living local" in your lives, you may begin to see the "big picture". Holding ourselves personally accountable for our actions, opening our lives to others in a sense of camaraderie and mutually respected views, we can realistically assess our representatives in Government. Part of this "monumental change" I refer to is hold to standards and laws the very people who hold us to the laws and standards we live by!
If the Congress we elect is only looking out for themselves or their friends, then they do not represent us any longer. They do not deserve the privilege to work for us - VOTE THEM OUT!
So we have a new President-Elect. One that campaigned for change. Along with holding him accountable to his promise of change, we must effect change on our level!
No more "red state" or "blue state", "left or right", just "We The People..."

Change Is Almost Here!

Yet is this real change with the Obama Presidency coming? 

I realize that during an election campaign, one must appeal to a broad spectrum of potential voters. The Jewish vote and those that fear for our national security probably applaud the following statement:

"Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel and threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat -from Gaza to Tehran... Across the political spectrum, Israelis understand that real security can only come through lasting peace. And that is why we -as friends of Israel -must resolve to do all we can to help Israel and its neighbors to achieve it." (Obama speech at 2008 AIPAC Policy Conference, 6/4/08)

"Business as usual" in Washington consists of too many things being done wrong and the Bush Presidency exploitation of these Washington policies. America is more than ready for change and the leading candidate for President offers nothing new in the Arab/Israeli conflict and the ramifications for our own security!

Imagine this: Witholding economic and military aid to Israel until they agree to removing the illegal settlements, remove the trade restrictions to Gaza, stop construction of "the wall", reversing their discrimination policies regarding the Palestinians in the occupied territories and with their own Palestinian citizens and abiding by THEIR commitments in the agreements they have signed!

We here in the USA really don't know what is happening in Palestine. Our bought-and-paid-for media glaringly promotes Israeli interests and neglects the daily Israeli abuses of power over the Palestinian people! Click on the site: IfAmericansReallyKnew.org

Read about the checkpoints, the IDF shootings of young Palestinians, the shameful policy of strip searching men and women who want to go shopping or to school!

I am not, by no means, anti-Israel or pro-Palestine! But when are we, as a participating member of the world community, going to "practice what we preach"? We must work towards helping peoples realize their inherit right to choosing their governing body/political system, without any pressure from outside of their boundaries. And we must hold our friends to the higher standard that we once believed in and intend to return to!

If we use this "radical" approach to peace in the Middle East, we just may improve our own security by dramatically reducing the number of enemies we have and creating strong, mutually respected bonds within the Arab world!

This kind of "Change We Can Believe In" could help us Americans to force our elected Representatives to repudiate and remove the Constitutionally-challenged Patriot Act!

Whew! or Whoah! It's a Toss-Up!

Where do we go from here?

 Many are saying "WHEW!" for the passage of the $700 billion Wall Street bail-out. And that is exactly what it is- a BAILOUT! Restoring confidence to the financial institutions so we Americans can hope to not lose our jobs, lose our credit-worthiness and lose our homes. 

Well, friends, the only "sure-thing" out of this speculative bail-out bill is the executives from Goldman Sachs, Chase, AIG and other financial houses will keep their jobs, keep their homes and keep their influence in Washington intact!

So we are supposed to put our trust, faith and dollars into a system that functions like a well-oiled criminal enterprise and only have "review" status on the oligarchical King Paulson's "recommendations"?

 "WHOAH!" Washington! 

This deal is not only a "band-aid" for our ailing economy, it is rewarding the culprits who put us in this mess!

Once Senator Obama takes office on January 20,2009, his first 100 Days needs to consist of righting the wrongs of deregulation, creating a true and strong oversight of our financial dealings when they are directly tied into the functions of federal programs, immediate removal of the Bush corporate tax breaks (we know "trickle-down" doesn't do that...), end our adventurist/corporate-inspired "War On Terror" and put those funds into alternative energy development and credit to the entrepreneurs who will lead us in this direction! 

Help fund the development of Alternative Energy through low-cost loans. Rebuild the electrical grid, enabling private business to tap into a functioning, reliable industry made possible by responsible Government spending! Offer up tax breaks to Alt Energy companies that increase there employment numbers due to growth and expansion of these resources, thus further reducing reliance on Foreign energy sources! 

Keep those jobs here by exporting new and innovative technologies manufactured here by these companies. Offer valuable incentives to American-owned industry to produce here! Federal participation of Company health benefits and maybe even Capital Gains Tax relief to those who continue to truly invest in American workers and infrastructures. (See? Something for everybody in the political spectrum!)

Let's demand President Obama to roll back the relaxing of the Constitutional rules insisting on a separation of corporate ownership of the "Free Press"! General Electric - get back to making electricity and keep your manipulation and influence OUT of the media!

I could go on and on but this would be so simple to just abide by the U.S. Constitution again!

I have faith in the American spirit... now only if I could find the faith in our Government again...

May God bless America and all Americans!

What A Chaotic 2 Weeks!!

Let me get this straight: in two weeks, a hurricane devastates the Texas coast, knocking out power for a week(at least!) to the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., the Fed bails out AIG, a gargantuan financial entity holding billion$ in bad mortgages, and now Congress is preparing to mortgage our future and possibly deliver a blank power check to the Treasury Secretary, who works for the Bush White House...hmmm...
Well, fellow Citizens, even the disparate parties in Congress are coming together to pull the reigns of a stampeding Administration that is trying to "fix" our financial debacle!
Congress has been known to "cow tow" to this Constitutionally-challenged White House. And, thankfully, this Administration will be finished in a few months!
All the while this is going on, thousands of Citizens in Texas are just trying to pick up the pieces from a natural disaster... let's hope Congress can pick up the pieces of an unregulated Fed and nearly criminal Wall Street!
We must hold our representation in Washington accountable! We Americans must make our voices heard this November 4th!
Let's hold our Constitution high off the ground to prevent any more trampling from future Administrations!!
Let us all keep a CLOSE eye on the election polling places! No more "stealing" elections!!
Whew! This feels good to unload a bit...

Enough Posturing Already!

After researching the Electoral College and how it works, I was reminded my Presidential vote is only moderately important- less than half of the state's Electoral College Votes are required to vote according to the popular preferences. Where "Joe & Jan" voter really counts is at the Congressional level! Our votes directly put Representatives and Senators in office! So, America, let's go find those candidates who are willing to try to reduce or eliminate our dependence on foreign oil! Please check out the "Pickens Plan", invest extra funds in CNG technologies and business, rally your neighbors and local politicians for sponsoring wind and solar farms (turning vacant land into collection points!), take advantage of tax breaks on installation of private solar energy systems for your homes! We could realistically reduce our national security threat from the "War On Terror", repeal the unconstitutional Patriot Act, rebuild the powerful manufacturing base that has been outsourced the previous eight years and take back control of our proud independent history of ingenuity and self-reliance!!
Of course, a Presidential Election allows Americans the leverage of political promises being honored (so long as we hold our elected officials accountable!) by NOT relying on the corporate sponsored media! Use the net and all of the tools it offers to communicate with our friends and neighbors and, most importantly, our Representatives! Let's just put "party politics" on the back burner, disregard the likes of Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and criminals like Karl Rove and take back our country!
WE must move forward with our U.S.Constitution as our torch, lighting the way to the proud, independent and free country our Forefathers dreamed of and planned for!
I know...I get a bit fired up on some issues! But then, I refuse to be a "dumbed down'
placated citizen of the "North American Union", a member of the "sheeple" masses who blindly swallows the Washington D.C. message of signing statements, wiretapping, unfounded terror threats, manipulation by fear and lies, deliberate misleading and corporate/political complicity of the national "news" media, among other issues!
Let's rebuild our relationships abroad, with enemies and friends alike! If we exemplify our inner compassion, make the effort to learn about other peoples and societies, and just find common ground, we WILL reduce the inspiration of those who may wish us harm! Take away the "fuel" of occupation and strong-arm tactics and only then can you win the hearts and souls of the people!
O.k., enough of my relevant grandstanding!
Let's rebuild our industrial base, but this time based on National Security and reverence for the environment and future generations! Hey! We can even find a bit of prosperity along the way!!

Let's Not Wait...

The candidates from 2 of the major parties are wound-up and ready to unleash their character assassinations of each other, incorporating innuendo and suggestion as their weapons of choice instead of fact and evidence...will Americans be drawn into this veritable cat fight, or will we make the changes that need to happen? Drive, spirit and ingenuity are hallmarks of our great history. Our industrial era was spearheaded by maverick thinking and disaffection with the status quo! Oil refining and coal usage drove our industrial growth, fueling those entrepreneurs, providing countless jobs and sustaining growth through the 20th century!
Unfortunately, the ramifications of our industrial might have been blatantly revealed- carbon emission pollution, dependency on foreign oil from hostile suppliers, desecration of our beautiful land from irresponsible coal mining, and a "sheeple" mentality that pervades American society! This mentality is borne of incessant reliance on the "propaganda machine"- our sensationalist news media and "Enquirer-inspired" print media!
Let's use this campaign season for productive purposes! Find those Legislators who want to keep their jobs or elect the ones who see today's America at a key turning point! All polls be damned! Talk to your friends, family and neighbors! Join local action groups- the power of like-minded individuals coming together for change is energizing! Read T. Boone Picken's Plan and see it all displayed and explained! We can reduce and eliminate our foreign oil dependence! Hey, we have reduced our usage significantly since the speculator assault this spring!
Let Obama and McCain do their thing! Let's start the change we can believe in on a local and state level! look for candidates who are truly in touch with reality!!

A Green Life Can Start Anywhere!

"Green living"...where do we start?
Searching for "green" on any search engines results in many eco-friendly sites! Narrowing your searches to "green cleaning" or "green energy" will still display numerous results! We must not use the excuse "I don't know where to begin" anymore!
All the while we are exploring our options to adjust our lives to save and replenish, we utilize tools that are not necessarily "green-friendly"...our computers!
These devices, these portals to the rest of our world, do leave a serious carbon footprint!
We can reduce this footprint with a few behavior adjustments to our "green" searches.
For a start, turn your computer off or unplug it from the wall when not using! Don't leave the plug in the outlet, either! This will halt "phantom" power consumption. Even leaving your cell phone plugged in after the recharging cycle still consumes power...I find my laptop seems to function more efficiently after I shut it down when not using!
Have your power saving/management options enabled and properly configured for periods when your computer is temporarily not in use.
During usage, only have your screen as bright as you need it - unnecessarily bright screens really chew the juice.
If you're going to use a screen saver, use a blank (black) screen - animated screen savers just consume electricity unnecessarily.(I know this is not pretty...)
For your next computer, consider a notebook instead of desktop - these use under 50% the electricity of a desktop machine. (I believe many consumers are moving in this direction already!)
If you can afford it, buy extended warranty with your new system so there's less likelihood of you needing to junk the computer within the first few years if an expensive repair is needed. Go ahead, make the salesperson happy! They get credit for the upsell and realistically, you may end up saving money in the long run!
Before purchasing a new computer, consider upgrading the hardware in your current machine. Some extra RAM (memory) or a new hard drive may be all you need to restore life to your current system. According to this site, the energy needed to churn out a new computer is enough to power a system for a decade!
When you do replace your current computer system, donate it rather than bin it if possible. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, e-waste is now the fastest growing aspect of the municipal waste stream. You can find places to donate your computer to on Earth911.org
These are just a few helpful tips and this is where I continue to increase my functional knowledge so I can reduce my carbon footprint!
Check out GreenLivingTips.com for more info!
Reducing our footprints can also result in lower costs in our lives! The same thought process can be used for health insurance and home refinancing! Always remember, you are the consumer and the suppliers need you to exist!

It's Business!

You may notice many "web submission" links to the right of this blog...hey, I am a businessperson after all!!
Check out all of my links- You may find one that tweaks your curiosity!!

My Practical Health...

Most people want health, wealth and success in love! Many people look for "the magic pill" answer in their searches. The "weight loss plan to lose 30 lbs. in 30 days", "make $200 a day the passive way","find your love match in 30 days"...I believe most of these advertisers have just one goal-separate you from your money! Are we a lazy people? Do we think we have to find a short-cut to achieve our lofty aspirations? Do we even want those aspirations bad enough?
When it comes to health, I am learning there are great products available to improve your health- I incorporate a mangosteen product in my regimen! Yet, nothing truly replaces discipline, desire and common sense to achieve a healthy functioning lifestyle. I have researched the multitude of options for my body and healthful functioning and I realize that the Mangosteen product I use "supplements" what my body needs! It won't help me shed my few pounds and body fat unless I follow a responsible diet of natural food ingredients, a scheduled daily meal plan, a daily hydration regimen that consists of 80% water with the balance of fruit/vegetable juices and electrolytic beverages and then and ,most importantly, exercise!
I choose a walking regimen that traverses 2 moderate inclines and the use of a pedometer!The pedometer keeps my routine interesting and encourages me to exceed the previous day's accomplishments! So far, I have reached 3.3 miles in about 40 minutes!
My meals include a whole wheat or oat bran cereal with fresh berries for breakfast, then 2 small meals of fruit or vegetables for the mid day hours. I drink a natural energy drink prior to walking and then enjoy a salad for EVERY dinner! Of course my housemates usually prepare a meal of meat and vegetables, so I enjoy a moderately proportioned balanced meal! Snacking used to be one of my favorite activities, so I just can't give it up completely! I now portion my cashews or pretzels or popcorn to minimize my evening caloric intake! And I still feel satisfied!
Throughout the day, I find it monotonous to drink plain water exclusively, so I now enjoy the sugar-free,nutrient enhanced drink pouches available! Adding a bit of flavor can help defer negative eating habits, too!
Always remember, it is always best to supplement your health with NATURAL nutrients, those found in unprocessed foods! Our bodies are built to absorb in this manner much more efficiently than a "magic pill"!
More on wealth and love later...

Relevance...

What could be more relevant than the housing crisis, predatory lending, financial institution failure, election year posturing and vote pandering? The mortgage debacle has turned this industry on it's ears and has investors scrambling to cut their losses! What does this mean for American consumers? Well, unfortunately, many home owners discovered the ramifications of Adjustable Rate Mortgages in a slumping economy and have lost their homes! The U.S. Government is applying "band-aids" to help the thousands of victims who are about to lose their homes to the predatory lending practices of the last 5 years!
In this tumultuous and historic election year, many folks are "sitting tight", awaiting the economic turnaround to happen...well folks, waiting for this monumental swing in national fortunes is more than a few days away!
In our economic structure, the best way to help a business turn around is to give it more business! The lending institutions have learned a painful lesson- not everyone qualifies for a mortgage! As these financial firms review their guidelines and practices, they still need business! Capital is still the motivator we all embrace!
Well, the property market is flush with great deals all over America now and the lenders need your business- on your terms!
Check out my site RatesWithJeff ! Just fill out one application and I will send it to over 100 lenders waiting to do business! And you decide which terms fit you the best!
Maybe President Bush thought we could turn this listing ship around by spending those stimulus checks...I hope most Americans paid down debt instead!
Invest in our core industries and build a secure future for you and your loved ones, inspite of what happens this November 4!