Bus Employees' Union Wants to Strike

Well, well, well. Happy Holidays from the operators of the Pensacola area bus workers, and give us a 4.5% raise or we go on strike. Huh? Economy? We don't care about no stinkin' economy! We have a contract that says we'd get 4% pay raise last year and 4.5% this year. Give it up or we're outa here.

Okay, so whomever (on the corporate side) negotiated a guaranteed 8.5% pay raise over two years didn't exactly have their future-predicting-hat on that day. But seriously folks, These people pay bus washers $10+ per hour to start (no experience necessary). We are now supposed to feel sorry for them?

My question is; why wouldn't a negotiator make sure there was a clause in the contract to prevent them from having to pay the raise if the revenue isn't there to support it? I am not a lawyer, nor a state approved arbitrator. Oh, and our county leaders actually wanted us to consider adding a gasoline tax to support the financially ailing Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT).

I'm all for helping people out who have no other means of transportation, but when you pay the lowest position $3.25 above minimum wage you get no sympathy from an employer who has trouble getting people to drag their butts out of bed for $8 per hour.

Let's Give 'em A Fair Trial

So we're gonna bring the GTMO detainees to New York for trial. Another brilliant move by our government. Okay, let's review some details;

1. Khalid Sheik Mohammad confessed to planning the attack on 9/11/01. What's that you say? It was under duress and we "waterboarded" him? Hmm. He hasn't since denied it has he?

2. Let's try to find a jury of his peers. Oh, that'll be fun. Do ya think his peers will convict him?

3. Let's just say for the sake of argument, he is found not guilty. Then what? You say there are other charges? What can be more heinous than masterminding the attack on innocent civilians that causes 3,000 deaths and numerous more injuries?

4. How much of your hard-earned tax dollars are going to be wasted on a prosecution and defense that is unnecessary?

We are under attack from enemies both foreign and domestic. While I know I risk sounding like some lunatic living in seclusion, it is true. Growing up in the sixties and seventies I would have never believed it if someone had told me things happening today would be my future.

Did you grow up believing that people from other countries could come and bomb us and instead of ripping their heads off, we'd give them a trial in the U.S. Court system? Were you taught in Social Studies that foreign combatants had the right to a fair and speedy trial?

Speak out, stand up and be proud! We must take America back!

The Wonder of a Child

The next time you see a child, watch their movements. See how they look at the world. Isn't it amazing the things they see and find interesting? Wouldn't it be nice to keep that same sense of wonder as we grow through the years? Just a thought.

Brilliant Statement

Today I heard the President say that given the current economic climate, employers are "reluctant to hire." This is part of the reason he is having a "jobs summit" in December. The supposed goal is to see what private industry and government can do together to "get people back to work."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!! Employers aren't reluctant to hire, they're unable to hire. The work isn't there because people aren't buying goods and services. There are some basic things that would work immediately; like less taxes on businesses and less government regulation. You could immediately call on congress to pass the Fair Tax (it is an already researched, written and proposed bill). Then get government out of the way and watch the economy grow.

God save us from the morons that are running (and ruining) this country.

Healthcare Questions

Well, the brilliant minds in Washington, DC have passed a healthcare bill to send onto the Senate. So, we're supposed to suddenly realize that the politicians are smarter than so many of us that question the constitutionality of what is being done.

Okay, did you know that the taxes to pay for the new program will start next year, but the benefits won't start until 2013? Makes sense that they'll start collecting the money to pay for the program ahead of time and thus (supposedly) keep the program from being underfunded. Only one question; where will all that money be housed? Think about this folks; the government that supposedly was putting our social security deposits into a "lockbox" or "trust fund" and then raided it and put those funds into the General Fund, is now telling us to trust them. Yeah, right.

Here's another question; if you don't buy health insurance and the government fines you (as they are proposing) is the fine used to provide you with health insurance or will you be required to purchase insurance in addition to paying the fine?

When being questioned on the legitimacy of a fine for not buying health insurance Mr. President keeps saying that it is similar to the requirement for auto insurance. One problem with this philosophy is that we don't buy car insurance for routine maintenance, yet that is exactly why we buy health insurance. If we were to follow Mr. President's auto insurance analogy, we would allow health clinics to compete similar to oil change shops, relatively free from so much government intrusion and legal malpractice lawsuits (God forbid).

Please call your Senator and ask them where the money will be housed? Can they guarantee the "trust fund" won't be raided by congress? Where in the U.S. Constitution does it state that the government shall impose fines and penalties on the people who choose not to carry health insurance?

Don't be surprised at the instant silence.