Monday, February 28, 2011

Buzz Is Hermain Cain Stands A Real Chance In 2012

"There's nothing behind the voice or the message. The administration is in free fall. The country is in a state of anxiety and the administration doesn't have a handle on it all."

This is a recent quote from Herman Cain, a former chairman and deputy chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve and the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza.

When Herman Cain walks into a tea party event, he is greated with excitement, and you can even hear people say, "It's him, it's him." Cain has a radio show in Atlanta, does quite a bit of public speaking, is the author of "They Think You're Stupid" and is the first of many potential 2012 presidential candidates to form an official exploratory committee.

Cain has started his possible campaign by attending a number of small gatherings around the nation, last year speaking at 40 Tea Party rallies, and recently attended the Tea Party Summit in Phoenix.

Cain is looking to focus on national security, a fair tax, domestic energy, and repealing and replacing what he calls "health care deform".

When asked about being a long-shot candidate for 2012, Cain says, "Bill Clinton, another long-shot candidate. People would be nuts to think that a long-shot candidate didn't have a chance to win. He also points out that our current president was a long-shot candidate as well. "He was able to knock off the Clinton machine, that's what I call it, because people got excited about a fresh face and a fresh voice."

Cain's rise to political fame actually came in 1993, when during the Clinton health care reform push, he confronted the then-president at a town hall meeting in Kansas City. Cain tried to explain to President Clinton that his proposed mandate that all employers be forced to provide health insurance for all workers would actually cost some people their jobs. President Clinton tried to explain to Cain that government subsidies would help small businesses to meet the health care mandate and not have to lay workers off due to health care cost increases. Cain responded by saying, "Quite honestly, your calculation is in accurate. In the competitive marketplace it simply doesn't work that way."

Cain supports replacing our current federal income tax system with a federal sales tax. He also believes replacing federal income tax with federal sales tax will help stimulate the economy.

Cain credits Sarah Palin for the success of the Tea Party movement and its impact on the 2010 midterm elections, and says that he sees the influence of the Tea Party growing as we move into the 2012 elections.

Many sources agree that Herman Cain is a candidate to learn more about today so you will know who people are talking about when it comes time to vote in November 2012.

Friday, February 25, 2011

When Did We Stop Laughing?

We all deal with very serious issues day in and day out. If we can't take a step back and laugh every once in a while, then all we have is that seriousness, day in and day out. When did we reach a point in this country where we have to take everything so literally and stopped letting things be funny every now and then?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Private vs. Public Unions / Private vs. Public Sector Employees

In the wake of what is going on in Wisconsin and starting to spill over into other states, Jefferey H. Anderson makes a truly great point in his article, "Why Public Unions are Fundamentally Different from Private Ones". In his article, Anderson points out that a private employee union bargains with its employer for a share of a profit, while a public employee union bargains against the taxpayer for a potentially boundless sum of money that is not limited by something as trivial and pesky as profit. A private union understands that there may not be profit in an economic downturn, but a public union does not concern itself with such triviality and wants its share regardless of if the government, funded by the taxpayer, is ending up in the black at the end of the fiscal year, or if the government is losing money hand over fist.

State governments are working on behalf of the taxpayers to try to reach some sort of compromise in regards to what the states have promised public union workers and what the states (we the taxpayers) can actually afford. As we have seen a number of times in this economic downturn, governments need to suspend certain programs and ways of doing business in order to deal with budget gaps and to get us through this economic crisis. Whether we like it or not, we are all in this together, and we are all going to have to make some concessions.

Workers in the private sector, for the most part, work longer hours at regular pay, contribute a much higher percentage of their own healthcare and benefit costs, and go without many of the guaranteed perks that unionized public sector workers do, including, most notably, the fact that private sector employees usually earn pay increases and bonuses through performance reviews, while many public sector workers are guaranteed them in their union contracts, regardless of performance and skill level. Teacher tenure and the fact that a really bad teacher can keep their job regardless of performance is a prime example of this.


I disagree with this entirely and think it is time for a change in how governments deal with unions, time for a change in how public unions operate, and time for private sector workers and taxpayers to stop having to bear a bigger economic burden and career challenges than private sector workers whose pay comes from the taxpayer. While I would compromise at the two groups having to bear an equal burden, I would even go as far as to say that the worker whose pay comes from the taxpayer should bear an even bigger burden than the worker whose pay comes from the private sector when it comes to making concessions in an economic downturn, and when it comes to footing the bill for their own sector to operate.

What will eventually bring about the economic downfall of the this country will be the point at which all of the entitlement programs, all of the people who get something from the government, finally overwhelm the system by outweighing all of the people that are not taking anything from the government, the people that are paying into the system. The number of people reliant upon government for their very survival is continuing to grow and our system cannot sustain this pattern indefinitely. Either taxes will need to be increased, or we will continue to borrow until we reach a point at which, as a nation, we can no longer pay our loans. All that the government (and through government, the taxpayer) is asking public union workers to do is to be aware of this fact, be aware of the economic situation, and make some of the very same concessions that private sector employees are having to make. Government is attempting to get us through these tough economic conditions and is looking to public union workers to be realistic and think beyond just themselves and the union, but for the current greater good of the citizenry. That seems like a reasonable request to me.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Taking The Day Off At The Taxpayer's Expense

Just like a Reese's peanut butter cup, Wisconsin has recently seen the coming together of my two favorite things...protestors and teachers...

As Milwaukee Public School teachers left their classrooms to march in Madison Friday, they likely earned more than $3 million to not teach students in Wisconsin’s largest school district.

In Madison, the school district was closed for three days after hundreds of teachers engaged in a mass sick-out so they could attend protest rallies at the State Capitol. That could cost the district $2.7 million.

Late Sunday night Madison Metropolitan School District administration announced their schools would be shut down yet one more day, at a possible cost of more than $900,000.

Many of the absent teachers converged on the Capitol to protest a bill which would alter their compensation packages and make changes in government employee unions’ ability to collectively bargain on issues other than wages.

While some have speculated that the absent teachers will see their pay docked, that may not be the case if they provide a doctor’s note. Due to collective bargaining rules currently in place, the absences could be considered excused and the teachers would be paid for their protesting.

That possibility took on added significance as the MacIver News Service broke the story Saturday that several doctors in lab coats were handing out medical excuse notes to passers by, without examining their so-called patients.

If all the teachers in Milwaukee and Madison are paid for the days missed, the protest related salaries for just the state’s two largest districts would exceed $6.6 million dollars.

Using a figure of $100,005 for average teacher compensation in MPS and an average yearly workload of 195 days, these teachers cost approximately $513 per day in salary and benefits to employ. Spread over 5,960.3 full-time licensed teachers in the district, this adds up to $3,057,634 in daily expenses.

The average teacher’s total compensation in Madison is $74,912, according to the Department of Public Instruction. Each day costs $384.16 per teacher. The district has 2,370 teachers.

These figures don’t include administrators and support staff, many of which got an unexpected paid days off thanks to the week’s protests .

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

As Promised, More On My Correspondence With A Presidential Candidate

As promised, today I would like to share my response to Dee Neveu's email:

Hello, Mrs. Neveu,

I must tell you that I am very impressed that you took the time to write to me personally after you were informed of my blog posting. Your care and attention to detail is most definitely something to be admired. Please be assured that it was not my attempt to make light of your efforts, nor your campaign, but quite to the contrary, I am impressed with the message that you are trying to send to the American people regarding the fact that we should be looking to non-career politicians when it comes time to choose our leaders. I was most definitely not attempting to lump you in with another group of candidates, but was simply providing to my readers some information on the 5 lesser-known candidates that I had read about in recent news articles.

I myself would like to see our next President be, as you say, "an average citizen" and not a career politician that is beholden to special interest donors and political parties. Let me also assure you that while it may be the case that you are viewed by some Americans, as you said, to be "the wrong race group, wrong gender, wrong social class," I most definitely do not see you as being any of those things. I want our next President to be a caring, involved, understanding American who has worked hard and experienced the same things that the rest of us have, regardless of race, gender, or social class. I do truly wish you the very best of luck with your campaign and hope that you are successful in showing America that we need to look for better options when it comes to electing our political leaders.

As for my sarcasm, it is never intended to offend, but as those who know me can attest, is my sometimes failing attempt at humor. I apologize if I have offended you in any way, but please note that it was not my intention. Also, please know, that my sarcasm was not directed at you, but most definitely at our current President.

As for my "high horse", please be assured that I am product of the public school system in California whose first job at 15 was bagging groceries and sweeping floors, and I've worked long, hard hours ever since for what we have. We are a middle class family that has spent the past 100 years doing our best to make the best life possible for ourselves in a place where our grandparents worked in the fields as children, allowing us the opportunities they never had through their own hard work.

Regarding your views on the issues that you provided for me in your correspondence, I think I would most definitely agree with you much more often than we would disagree. I really hope that you have the opportunity to get those common sense views out in front of the American people between now and election day.

With my utmost respect and regard,
William L. Savastano

And also as promised, here is Dee's follow up response to me:

Hello Mr. Savastano,

Thank you very much, you are very kind to have taken the time to read my note, and reply back with such thoughtful words. I certainly appreciate your communication, you are a decent and respectable person.

After reading your note, I'm glad that we both politically agree. No, I'm not offended by what you wrote in your article, in fact I got a good laugh out of the article, and so did my family and friends. Your not alone, ABC News also gave me a similar review without first speaking to me.

I really do believe that media and the public should know about all candidates, of course the popular known "big wigs", but also should those who are unknown, like myself, whether "nutty" or not. I think that it is good to hear what each candidate's intentions (policies) would be. Of course, there are candidates who fit the mould for being absolutely "nuts" in character and beliefs, but hey they should have an opportunity to be heard before being judged. Hey, you never know if a "diamond" can be found in the "rough", something that would be the best thing discovered, although it might be out of the realm a bit. I believe if we don't "venture" out some, we can never "discover" better possibilities.

Keep writing Mr. Savastano, because at least you have been fair in "digging" up the unknowns that need to be heard too, and then judged. Hey, some attention is better than none at all (smile).

As for myself, trust me, I'm well aware how "crazy" this is for me to be trying such a venture. Sometimes, I think to myself..."am I nuts to think that America could be ready for my type of revolution". In any event, I researched for almost a year about the position, and consulted with family and friends, who although supportive, believe that I won't get too far, because truth is I'm "unusual" of a candidate, not the typical character of "royalty/celebrity". However, I went way out to set things up to be a candidate, and I'm one to just put my best foot forward, for whatever it is worth, so long as I know that I really tried to do the best of my ability, and if it doesn't work, well I certainly did try.

For the record, a lot of what I think is really great for America, at least I think so, and so do those that I do manage to talk to in the public in person. I don't mention all of my ideas or thoughts on my Website, just the "unusual" stuff, because current politics do change up a lot. Sometimes, the folks at the top who "rule" over us, don't really understand our needs, and so they don't make us very happy most times. I'm not saying that they are horrible, because I believe that they too are doing their best, even if it isn't what we really want. Problem is that they don't really listen to us "little" citizens, who elect them into office to work for us, once they get the spot, they forget us and their promises. A lot of them too, love the "good" life that they are provided with the public's money. I can't speak for other Candidates (known or unknown), but I was never wrapped up in too much material wealth, sounds "crazy" I'm sure. For instance, I really wouldn't want to live in the White House for many reasons....1. its too big for my small family, and could "perhaps" save money of having small families live there, and instead use it to fundraise for America's needed budget, 2. I enjoy visiting museums, which to me is the White House, but I don't find it a cozy thought to live in a museum, just not my style for comfort, 3. When I read about the history of the White House, there were a lot of deaths in that place, those that aren't really mentioned to the public unless you read it all on your own by digging back (not just some of the Presidents, but also children, women, etc.) thats kind of "creepy" to me, and so no, I don't desire to live in the White House, but I would love to help my Country, which seems to be needing a lot of help these days. As I said to you, if you read the Constitution...the President's job is the best to get, if you can, Congress is different, although they all seem to have time to play "golf" (smile).

Anyway, it is impossible for me to win this venture, I'm sure, but Mr. Savastano I'll do my best and stay for as long as I can, if nothing else, it will be an experience. Thank you so much again for caring to write back to me, it means a lot. Please continue to write your articles, its wonderful to have someone like you out there for the average citizen, and you do have a great sense of humor, I enjoy your articles.

PS: My thought on the situation in Egypt. Although, I understand that the President had a hard time saying anything because of past benefits in foreign policy with Egypt with Mubarak, but reality is I would have told him to "leave Egypt" because it is evident that the citizens don't want him in charge of them anymore. I can't understand why Mubarak wouldn't have left once it got that violent over there for him, and he still hasn't left, but he certainly needs to go...."nuts", maybe he thinks the citizens will change their mind (smile).... if it were me, I would have left already.

My thought on the Patriotic Act (which is due for extending)... I'm in the middle, I understand that citizens feel that their human rights are a bit violated and there is profiling in the current Act, but lets also face it, America will never be the same again after 911 and we need to be safe. I don't care for big Government, but we do need some. The current Patriotic Act has some good stuff, and some stuff that they can perhaps change a bit. Well, lets see what our current politians will do with this Act up for review.

Please put me on your list when you write your articles. I'm new on Facebook too. Good luck to you also in your career.

Have a great day,
Deonia (Dee) Neveu
"A Real Vote For The People"
www.DeoniaNeveu.com


As I stated yesterday, I was really impressed with Dee's attention to detail and personal exchange with me on her candidacy and the issues facing America today. I agree whole-heartedly with Dee that we need some political candidates that are not life-long politicians, but actual hard-working, everyday Americans who have been where the people have been.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Humbly Surprised When One Of The Presidential Candidates Responds To My Article

Much to my surprise, not too long after publishing my article on Thursday, January 26th, "Who's Runnin' in 2012?", I heard from one of the Presidential candidates that was featured. Quite frankly, the most realistic of the five candidates, Deonia (Dee) Neveu took the time to write to me personally, and I just wanted to share our correspondence with you, as it was quite a great experience for me that my humble article actually reached the eyes of someone like Dee, who is taking the time out of her life to try to make a difference in American politics. I must say that I found Dee to be very well-spoken on the issues, and pleasantly in-line with what I think a lot of us are looking for in a Presidential candidate. Here is what Dee wrote to me:

Dear Mr. William L. Savastano,

I personally didn't catch your Article about me, but someone else I know did and sent it to me.

Thanks for the moment of attention you gave me in your article regarding Candidates for 2012. Although you were kind, you were also sarcastic. I see how you lumped me in with "Vampires and Drug Addicts - weirdos for President.

I know its crazy to see me even attempt to be a President for the United States, lets face it, I'm the wrong race group, wrong gender, wrong social class, and to top it all off no political experience, I'm certainly "out of the box" for what we are used to having for a Leader. Although, I'm no where saying I'm as good as Jesus, but folks back then saw him as a poor Jew, who wasn't from the type of what they were accustomed to for a leader, and disqualified him as well. Of course, you can only get my point here if your a Christian, and if not I can give you some non-Christian examples. It's wrong and its ignorant to constantly judge a book by its cover. You should read the book first, and be sure you understand its content first before placing your judgement.

First and foremost, I may not have political experience, but I've had to live as an average citizen and be affected by "experienced" politicians. Most all the "experienced" politicians come up through the "same school of thought and character", and they really are limited on how they see and resolve issues for us, because a lot of them haven't lived as average, and if they ever have, they forgot where they once "came from". The current politicians are really all about themselves and not about everyone, the door is "shut" to outsiders. I want to also tell you that common sense is not something always taught or learned in school, sometimes its innate, and you either have it or you don't. Just because a citizen is unknown or hasn't gone to an "ivy league" school doesn't mean that they don't have better common sense than those put at the top and exposed for their social and educational status.

Until citizens have had enough "fake" speeches and empty promises by the current leaders, and if you want "real change", then you'll have to search for something "outside of the box" to add variety, and have more choices, otherwise we'll always complain and have "politics as usual", which aren't you sick of already?

If nothing more, the Constitution allows me to at least try to apply to be a political leader, and it is my natural born American right, if I choose to exercise it. Whether you agree or not with someones leadership qualifications, everyone who applies is not a "nut". In the Constitution qualifications are minimum for the Presidency - do I need to quote them to you, or have you read the Constitution? In fact, the President doesn't have as much power as those in Congress. Those in Congress can be younger, and don't have to be American born, and they are actually the ones to "declare" war, not the President, he can ask for it, but it has to be approved by Congress. Our Government was set up with "checks and balances", and we fought away from the "crown-elite", and so there is opportunity for Americans, but of course not everyone is interested in being a political leader, so don't knock down those that apply, who qualify in accordance to the Constitution.

Back in 1872 Victoria Woodall, a White woman, was a Candidate to be President, and back then women didn't have voting rights, and to top it off she appointed Frederick Douglas as her Vice President, a Black man. Imagine how "nuts" they thought she was, but I see her as courageous because she was "out of the box" and dared to promote real change. Of course, she didn't win, and we still keep these old standards in place and writeoff unique Candidates and keep "politics as usual", and as you can see it hasn't made much of a better America today.

Anyway, as you mentioned--my website doesn't really talk about too many current issues but instead give some "bizarre" thought or what you would consider "crazy", not creative ideas, for example, I'm not interested in living in the White House, but hey look at the brighter side, someone who doesn't want to live in the White House would cost the public less money, and we can use the House to gain money instead by fundraising for America. Hey, America will soon find itself desperate for unique ideas to gain revenue again. The current Government leaders, not to say that they are horrible, but they always talk about either cutting or raising taxes as a solution to everything and/or for everyone else, but not for themselves personally.

Now, I've spent a tremendous amount of time trying to prove my character to you Mr. Savastano, and I could have spent it on more meaningful topic, like my thought on current issues. I won't sit here and tell you I'm an expert in everything, because I'm not, but I think I have some good thoughts and ideas. For one thing in regards to the Healthcare Bill, I do like parts of it, but not all of it, and therefore I believe that some of it should be Repealed. I read some of the Healthcare Bill, enough to see that it isn't all good for us Americans. Some policies in the Healthcare Bill don't even deal with healthcare, just pure Government regulation on too much stuff. I could be wrong, but personally, I don't think that President Obama really read that entire Bill before signing it. Here is one more point on my view, I don't believe that it makes any sense at all to cut funding for our defense department (military), why, because we are in war situations already, and more to come, and that is an area that needs to be in top shape and well funded. Even though I am somewhat Anti-war, I believe if your going to engage in any fighting, then you better fight hard and do your thing, or don't bother to make the attempt. These are just some of my "nutzy" thoughts for you to consider.

Anyway, if your interested in talking to me any further, you know how to reach me, but that is of course, if you can come off your "high horse" to talk to an unknown Mom like myself, who is a Candidate for 2012. Oh, and by the way, being a Mom is not a loose or bad qualification to possess. You came from a woman, and women are the real backbones of this Country. Have a great day Mr. Savastano.

Peace Be With You,
Deonia (Dee) Neveu
"A Real Vote For The People"
www.DeoniaNeveu.com


I truly hope that you find Dee's response to me as exciting and intriguing as I did. I quite honestly really got a kick out of it. I hope that by sharing my correspondence with Dee, it will help others to see just how important it is to pay attention to the issues and involve themselves in the political process. Tomorrow, I will share with you my response to Dee and her response, in turn, to me.