A new suggestion to save some money

At all levels of government, belt-tightening is taking place. Here in Indiana, property taxes will soon be frozen as a percentage based on property values. Because of that, local government will be facing lower revenues to provide current services. Sales, business, and income tax revenues are also much lower for the current fiscal year.

So to avoid the pain, some local governments are considering new forms of local income taxes to offset revenue deficits. Other localities are severely reducing services, such as fire protection or trash pickup.

I would like to suggest a third alternative that could relieve some pressure to local governments and possibly help private businesses reduce expenses and possibly redirect those expenses to hiring new employees. My suggestion would be that all levels of government look to reduce regulatory burdens.

Even though I do not identify any specific regulations to eliminate, I do believe – if asked – businesses could easily identify which are most burdensome or costly. There are many federal and state regulations that are imposed on local governments without sufficient revenues to fulfill those policies. Some could be reduced or removed to provide relief.

This is the time and place for somebody out there to start talking. What regulations cause you the most problems that could save everybody some money??

That was then, this is now

Twenty-eight years minus one day, another President gave his first State of the Union speech. Similarly, the United States was in an economic recession. At that time, unemployment was over 10%, inflation and consumer interest rates were above 15% each. In his speech, President Reagan outlined his plan to bring the country out of that recession.

The cumulative national debt had just exceeded one trillion dollars. More than 200 years were needed to accumulate that level. (We have now crossed $12 trillion and see no end in sight for its continued growth.)

Reagan listed 3 keys to reducing budget deficits. First, encourage economic growth. Second, Lower interest rates and third, control federal spending. He was very adamant about NOT raising taxes as an attempt to lower the deficit. He felt that would encourage federal spending (and the Democrats in charge of Congress did not lower spending) and would discourage private investment.

He also referred to recent meetings with foreign leaders. He said how they were surprised that he (Reagan) did NOT apologize for American wealth and its strength of the free marketplace.

These policies DID turn around the national economy then.

Now, 28 years later, another President stood before Congress with a similar economic situation. Fortunately, we do not experience the devastating interest rates we did then. Unfortunately, he is taking just the opposite approach. Considering that Reagan's plan worked - and it did - Obama's plan will probably will not succeed. Our international standing will fall, as it already has started.

I believe Obama may very well be a one term president.

I am going to be a granfather!!

I am going to be a grandfather for the first time this coming summer. I know, it's no big deal. Many people have been, currently are, and will be in the future.

What has been different now - compared to when I first became a parent - is the associated technology. My daughter-in-law had an ultrasound performed on the baby at about 12 weeks gestation. Then she had the video put on Facebook. I watched that and it was so amazing. The detail of the baby was amazing. The doctor was able to measure the fetus at this point. Less than 2 inches long.

Less than 2 inches - and the formed details of the child were amazing! Although I know that the internal organs haven't fully developed yet, it was still inspiring to see the definition.

All of this brings me to two points. The first is that seeing that ultrasound affirms that all of creation is controlled by a creator. HE knows what HE is doing. This life has a name, character, and eternal soul already. The Creator does this kind of work every day and HE is really good at it. Watching the ultrasound has already developed a unique relationship between child, mother, father, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

The second point is that watching the fetus in this ultrasound reminds me that "it" can generate an income for one of two opposite workers. An obstetrician can work to help the mother through the pregnancy to birth. The alternative, ugly side is that the fetus can be destroyed. How can anybody - ANYBODY -really watch the ultrasound and say it is just a mass of tissue ( I saw the baby dance!) and be willing to destroy it???

Well, anyway, this is one exciting time in the Gordon family.

The Awful Dilemma

I am amazed that the tree-hugging, environmentalist liberals are so determined to link human existence to global warming. Now the US EPA is going to regulate carbon dioxide as a deadly gas.

Last time I checked, every time I breathe, I exhale that deadly gas. Last time I checked, nature needs carbon dioxide to survive. I guess we kind of need each other to survive.

Well, many of these environmental do-gooders really want to limit global population to regulate global carbon dioxide. Yet, I find so much irony in the behavior of these do-gooders in failing to limit their "carbon footprint."

I think the real proof in their dedication to preserving the natural state of the global environment would be in the ultimate self-sacrifice. Reduce global population to preserve the environment starting with themselves.

But, if they are gone, who would be our social conscience???? The awful dilemma.

Carbon controls in the US

Now the EPA is going to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide.

Yet, the US is the world leader in fossil fuel reserves. We are going to restrict our energy production so that China and India will surpass in production output.

My state of Indiana will be severely affected by these controls. Jobs will be lost under this plan.

Where will the federal governemnt get the money to replaced lost revenues from these plans?

Thank goodness 2010 is coming, unfortunately maybe not fast enough.

The perfect Christmas experience

This so takes me back to my childhood.

My grandparents used to have one of these in the front window of their small home in the early '60's. Add to the tree and the "awesome" color wheel Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" makes for a perfect Christmas experience.

Presidential reading material

As reported today (11/25/2009) on Drudge Report, this picture shows the President leaving the White House carrying a copy of GQ magazine - with a picture of himself on the cover!! Maybe he just uses it as a cover for very important top secret files. HA!

This man really has no clue of his position in the world.

forgiveness

This past weekend I had to admit that I was wrong. That was the easy part.

I sat face to face with a man from my church that I felt had wronged me. My response over the past 5 years was wrong. Machismo had taken over. My general "John Wayne" attitude had taken over then and I felt I could recover just fine on my own. Nope. No man is an island to himself. I was on a deserted island. Now, he came to apologize to me. And he did so sincerely.

Suddenly, I was faced with the responsibility to forgive. The sudden sense that I had power over another person was very nearly overwhelming. More importantly, it was a sensation that I wanted to have no part of. While my forgiveness may seemed insincere, it was more the sudden emotion of power that I did not want.

I can seem to be intimidating. And it can be fun to exert that power (to a future son-in-law). Yet in this situation I did not like that power and wanted to have no part of it.

I think it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to give it.

The wonders of the universe

After sunset last night, I started a fire in the firepit and watched the sun set and the stars come out on a clear night like little lights turning on in the sky. The temperature was low enough to see my breath. I enjoy watching the flashing lights from planes flying around the sky, wondering what city they came from, where they are headed, and who the passengers are on them. I just don't stare at the sky enough for myself and I know that few people take the time to appreciate the wonders of the universe. It was a beautiful night to remember what a little person I am in the grand scheme of God's plan.

Congress has to spend money to make money

In a brilliant move by Congress, billions of tax dollars were spent on the "Cash for Clunkers" program. It has now been calculated that it comes out to approximately $24,000 per car purchased!!! What a deal! We spend $24,000 to reimburse car dealers $4,000 for a new car and trash many very usable used cars.

And with this kind of math, the current government wants to take over our health care now. I can't wait to see how much they want to save us here. (Well, actually, I can wait - in fact, I don't even want it to happen!)