Internal Preferences, not Schools

Those should be the initials of IPS. My wife is an IPS teacher who found out her school is closing at the end of the academic year. Her school was one of the ones improving, actually on a path to make National Blue Ribbon status. Her school is on the list for Phase III. My friend Ed Angleton knows what that means...Bonding.

Her school was part of the referendum for $273 million in capital improvements. Unfortunately, it's too late to pare back the bond amount. Now that the school closings have been leaked/announced, Superintendent Dr. Eugene White says that the board won't use all of the monies allocated. Right, and I'm the Pope. I'd be very interested if the school board discovers other "improvements" in other current schools to be made by the end of the year.

White believes that the money is more important than the students. I thought teachers and administrators were in the business of educating the youth of today to prepare them for tomorrow. While I understand that declining enrollment means fewer schools open, why close one of the schools that's actually exceeding expectations, building a reputation, and turning out good kids??

Bad Cop, Worse Cop

Now most of us know the time honored situation of good cop, bad cop. One is friendly, one is not. The campaign is turning not into good cop, bad cop, but rather bad cop, worse cop.

McCain would only vote for the bailout if it had no pork (Bad Cop). He voted for it after $140 billion was added to motivate certain holdouts (Worse Cop).

Obama seems only to talk in rallies, or carefully crafted interviews, making him inaccessible to the masses (Bad Cop). He never holds press conferences, preferring to buy time on TV and move the World Series in accordance with his wishes (Worse Cop.)

I can go on and on, but the only GOOD COP in this scenario is Bob Barr, Libertarian candidate for president.

Buyer Beware

It seems a lot of people I know are going to pull the Obama lever. First of all, it's heartbreaking. Second, of all, buyer beware!!

In the ebb and flow of the American political scene, it's been center-right or center-left, not moving to far to one end of the pendulum or the other. As far as I can remember, there hasn't been an extreme shift one way or the other. Voting Obama would be an outright vote to the far left, making voters feel good now, but they will be paying (literally) for it in 2009 and beyond. Obama has the MOST liberal voting record in the Senate since he took office, and his running mate, Joe Biden is #3.

Now, I believe in equality at all levels as far as individual rights are concerned, but not in the pocketbook. Voting for Obama is nothing more than romanticizing a modern day Robin Hood, except you're the evil doers that he's taking from to give to the "poor."

What I mean is that for every hard-working, ball-busting individual out there, there is someone that has been a product of the system waiting for the next handout. I'm sick of the people that will have the government take care of them. I'm sick of my taxes going up to pay for their lazy butts. Now I understand that some people have certain situations, and I get that they need assistance. What I don't understand is that I'm supposed to subsidize someone's poor decisions in life.

I work hard, pay my taxes, am happily married, and have no children, but have to pay for someone that couldn't keep her legs closed, someone who has no desire to work, or someone who just wants to stick it to the man. Well, I'm a man, and I'm tired of it! If you want a true change in Washington, vote Bob Barr. He'll stick it to those that have stuck us taxpayers for way too long!

Random Musings

-So the stock market gained 11% on Monday, putting it at 9300 and change...bailout trickle down, or has everyone returned from their Chicken Little paranoia??

-GM and Chrysler have talked about a merger or swapping of assets, should it be looked at as a preclude to the American automotive manufacturing collapse, or as two failing companies joining forces to return to glory??

-Bart Peterson endorsed centralizing the assessor's office and eliminating the township positions...Is Satan serving iced tea??

-When will the Blackhawks lift Lord Stanley's Cup??

-When will the Cubs win the World Series??

Any other musings, muse away my friends.

Vote Early, Vote Often, Vote Johns Jimmy!!

It appears that 105% of the voting population is registered in Marion County. Beth White has some more explaining than just vote early and get preferential seating for an Obama campaign stop. She needs to nip this in the bud immediately and rationally. She's on the hot seat for 2010, and can't afford many more Keystone Cop routines in the Clerk's office.

Hat tip to Advance Indiana and Ogden on Politics

Mark Your Calendar

"SPLIT THE TICKET"...What do I mean...I mean Libertarian, Republican, and Democrat candidates are invited to Monument Circle on October 17th at 5:10PM for a press conference. Eliminating township government and repealing property taxes are among the issues to be discussed.

More details as they become available....

The Obamanomics of It All

First came socialism, now comes Marxism...Senator Obama is in town today, and talks proposing cutting insurance premiums and giving the uninsured Congressional insurance...how does he plan on paying for this? We went away from the gold standard because of the Great Society, what would this plan be, the Next Society...Lenin is smiling somewhere.

With the economic crisis continuing, and the Dow down 160 points, is more regulation the answer? How much more can Congress turn this country into Venezuela, and how much longer will the American people take it? The stock market is like a marriage, it has ups and it has downs, but it works out if both parties want it too...the market and the investors are married with money, it just seems that the government is the homewrecker on the side, offering something one can't offer the other. Is divorce really worth it?

Debate Review

Are Senators McBama the Pied Pipers or what...don't worry about the economy, the government will take care of you. That is the gist of what they're saying in regards to the bailout (don't call it a rescue plan). McCain offered a plan that would authorize the Treasury Department to spend $300 billion to buy bad mortgages. Republicans advocating socialism...Reagan's spinning in his grave. Obama talks of how 101 million people would not get a tax break, there is still 200 million people in this country. More socialism. I'm waiting for one to say, "To each according to their abilities."

That day is coming sooner than later, no matter which candidate you choose. Unless you choose Bob Barr, then you choose your wallet and your life.

Lawrence Losers

The losers are all of us taxpayers in the City of Lawrence. On Monday, five Republicans approved a salary increase of $11,000 to Mayor Paul Ricketts. Unfortunately, the Mayor went back on a pledge of cutting the budget five percent in non-public safety in order to fatten his wallet at taxpayers' expense.

This obvious abuse of power is just another reason why Deb's Democrats and Ricketts' Republicans should be run out of town on a rail. There is no good option in Lawrence, and when the voice of reason appears, it's dismissed as radical. Sometimes radical is reality, and the reality is is that there is no difference if an R or a D runs the city.

Will Time Tell?

I was reading Charles Krauthammer's column online via the Detroit News, and he brought up an interesting, albeit slanted, thought. Is George W. Bush the next Harry S. Truman? I say perhaps in time, but only if he's eventually vindicated on Iraq. If not, he could be the GOP's two-term Jimmy Carter.

What do you think??

Sunday Shenanigans

I'm sitting here watching the Chicago/Tampa Bay game with my wife, checking my fantasy football scores, and if I wasn't working tonight, I'd probably enjoy a couple of cold ones over the course of the day. I don't want to go to a restaurant or tavern to do it, I want to just kick back at home and have a frosty beverage. It's unfortunate that I would have had to gone out last night to get my supplies for today.

The liquor laws in this state are a bit asinine to say the least. On Sunday, if you want a cocktail and have none at home, you have to go out and have it, then drive home, risking your safety and the safety of others. I don't understand what the problem is if you want to get a six-pack and go about your day around the house.

Has Enough Been Enough?

Yesterday in Coral Gables, FL at a rally, Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was chanted against by protesters holding signs that read "Blacks Against Obama" or "Obama for Abortions." Another sign mentioned his candidacy was supported by the Ku Klux Klan.

My thing is that the Democratic party uses minorities the same way they used the immigrants a century ago. They would have you think they have your best interests at heart because your one group or another. All they have done is conspire at all levels of government to erode your freedoms. Sometimes of their own volition, sometimes in concert with Republicans.

These freedoms are many, from property rights to economic liberty to name only a couple. Democrats aren't the only party doing this though. Republicans have made it a point over time to grow government their way into more of a Norsefire than compassionate conservatism. The Patriot Act and nationalizing AIG are two of the glaring examples of this activity.

If you're tired of feeling like you're being taken for your finances or your freedom, vote Libertarian. They represent every minority, the individual.

Are You a Socialist or a Socialist?

In the wake of an unprecedented bailout by the Fed, I am now convinced that there is NO difference between Republicans and Democrats on the fiscal level. Socially, there is a dichotomy, but when it comes to matters of economics, there truly isn't a dime's difference anymore, and that's a shame. I thought deep-down that the GOP would return to its small-government roots not be a player in the private sector. I can wish in one hand and crap in another and I'll tell you which one fills up first.

Today is a dark day for America. The American dream is quickly becoming a nightmare, and few seem to notice.

BOHICA 2008

I know a lot of people love the new Lucas Oil Stadium. It's state of the art, has a retractable roof, it got Indianapolis a Super Bowl...so on and so forth. The Kenny Chesney concert over the weekend was atrocious from people I've personally talked to, poor acoustics, no leg room, and lack of toiletries were the primary complaints from the concert-goers.

Now Brendan O'Shaughnessy from the Star wrote the annual deficit may be TWICE as bad. Now it's $20 million to maintain the facility that the city doesn't have. The staaste is starting to assist, and the Colts, with all the revenue they generate rent-free are playing the "a contract is a contract" card.

I call bullshit, Irsay was quoted saying it's the people's stadium, well if it is the people's stadium, why are there no tickets directly available, why only to season ticket holders? If it's the people's stadium, why do you Mr. Irsay get all revenues from Colts games, and up to half of non-Colts events at the stadium? If it's the people's stadium, why lie about the cost of the monstrosity, and then have no way to fund its maintenance? Why would you, Jim Irsay, give a flying flip? You got your millions of dollars in naming rights from Forrest Lucas, your new home free, paid for by the taxpayers, and the sweetest deal this side of the Sudetenland.

Mr. Irsay, I hope for your sake the Colts win five more Super Bowls, or the court of public opinion may find you guilty of gross misconduct.

Broken Promises

Last year, I was the Libertarian nominee for Mayor of Lawrence. The winner, Republican Paul Ricketts ran on a platform of reform and responsibility. I ran on fiscal discipline and transparency. At the candidates' forum, I spoke of a cut of five to ten percent on all non-public safety departments. A week later, a mailer went out by Ricketts saying he was for a flat five percent cut. Ricketts won the election.

Fast forward to February 08, he was to receive a $15,000 raise from the Water Department. However, a state law disallows any pay raise in a current budget. This week, the Lawrence Common Council looked into a raise in the next budget for the Mayor, again from the Water Department.

I went on record as saying I would cut my own salary in order to help public safety. Granted it would've been only $3,250-$6,500, but if you vote for the lesser of two evils, instead of someone who brings a real , you reap what you sow.

My friend Mike Kole said it best, "I'm sick of Republicans who campaign like Libertarians and govern like Democrats."

A Failing Grade

On Saturday, the two major party presumptive nominees got together and talked. Both spoke their pieces, and made their points, for the most part. When it came to the issue of abortion (no fence sitting here), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) went over like a lead balloon. Claiming to not know the "specificities" of when life begins, he said that went beyond his pay grade.

Nationalizing health care, it's in his pay grade. Defending our borders, in his pay grade. Robbing from evil oil companies and their 10% profit margin (compared to the government's 30-40%), in his pay grade. Standing up for those that truly have no voice?? Not his problem.

I thought the modern Democratic party stood for those that had no voice in anything, and rallying behind them. Even Obama supporters had to groan a little bit. My thing is very simple, state your position, and stand behind it, good, bad, or indifferent. I can respect your honesty and your stance without supporting it. Obama stands for nothing, and this simple statement is an absolute endorsement of it.

Energy Independence??

Sounds like people are starting to come to their senses...in 1999, I could remember seventy cents a gallon gas...now it's hovering around four dollars...an almost sixfold increase in a decade. President Bush signed an order ending to the ban on offshore drilling...I'm only hoping that Congress will follow suit and allow for drilling for the relief in our pockets and the small businessmen that run the gas stations.

Public Safety??

I know, I know, people are grumbling of a corrupt police force and pointing fingers at Mayor Ballard. Now, Mayor Ballard took office in January, and took control of the police force shortly thereafter. When it comes to the recent rash of police improprieties and homicides, I'm of the turn the other cheek mode. Mayor Ballard is a decent man trying to pick up the pieces left by the Peterson administration, and every naysayer is looking for an excuse to give him heartburn.

Personally, I think Mayor Ballard has done a good job given the circumstances, and look forward to the first budget HE submits before I go Chicken Little on him. No blaming Peterson or Sheriff Anderson, that's just unfair and out of line. However...if he starts cutting public safety in the name of a pet project, then the gloves are off.

I Deserve It…

I heard of some of the rumblings of those hit hardest by the flooding in southwest-central Indiana. They got "only" $1,000 or $2,000 from a charitable trust run by their employer. The thought they "deserved" more was appalling to me. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't be saying give me money because I "deserve" it. I'd be saying, "OK, I'm up a creek (no pun intended), now what can I do to get out of the situation?"

What needs to come into focus is the mentality of some that look to Big Brother for everything, financial support, housing, medical assistance, etc. Now as a Libertarian, I despise most of those concepts. However, as a human being, I get that sometimes government should help those that can't help themselves for a short term. Nothing more than a year, or else the helpless individual starts to become addicted to the taxpayers' dime.

The moral of the story here is when people get used to the morphine of government money, the withdrawals can be painful.

Careful What You Wish for…

The Star is reporting that several drug cases are going out the window because of the arrests of two Narcotics officers gone bad. Proof that throwing more money at the problem only grows the problem, it doesn't solve it…now if we can only get on that whole property tax and health care situation…