Notice to this distinguished list of people who support tax increases. Did you know that you can actually put your money where you mouth is? You don't actually have to rely on trying to convince the rest of us working shlubs that government needs more money!
How to make an unconditional donation to the Oregon General Fund
The Oregon General Fund is a pool of resources used to support a wide range of state services. These include K through 12 schools, higher education, state police, state prisons, food stamps and medical services for the needy. These resources are allocated by the Governor and the Oregon Legislature.
Now I know what you all are thinking, since this is a state full of good libs who really really want to "support our kids" and "help the needy" this donation proccess must be used all the time.
I mean, I'm sure that when tax-raising Measure 30 went down to defeat the 40% of people who voted to take more money out of yours and my paycheck immediately made donations equivalent to what the increased tax burnden on themselves would have been. (hint: it may have been zero for some of those "yes" votes)
So, how many tax lovers put their money where their vote is? (email response to my public records request)
Our records indicate there were 23 donations for a total of $3,109.73 received by the Department of Administrative Services for the general fund from January 2003 to date.
I hope this information meets your approval.
23? That's it? In 14 years? Come on folks, it's "for the kids."
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tell them the grass is greener over there
Hundreds apply for New Haven ID cards
The Elm City residency card is the hottest item around. Many in line at city hall this morning admit they are illegal immigrants, anxious to obtain an American I.D. They also admit they are afraid of immigration agents finding them but are willing to take the chance.
Possible line in another story: many meth cooks are afraid of narcotics agents finding them but are willing to take the chance. (tear drops from the corner of my eye at the risk these folks are taking to "improve their financial situation."
Instead of calling it New Haven they should be calling it the "New Oregon." After all, they are only doing what our DMV has been openly doing for years. (thanks Lorna Youngs)
So it's going to be a tough sell to convince the criminals that New Haven will treat them better but ALIPAC has a new flier that suggests we send all our illegals to that new sanctuary city.
In Spanish and English, it comes with maps! Help an illegal go where he is wanted today!
The Elm City residency card is the hottest item around. Many in line at city hall this morning admit they are illegal immigrants, anxious to obtain an American I.D. They also admit they are afraid of immigration agents finding them but are willing to take the chance.
Possible line in another story: many meth cooks are afraid of narcotics agents finding them but are willing to take the chance. (tear drops from the corner of my eye at the risk these folks are taking to "improve their financial situation."
Instead of calling it New Haven they should be calling it the "New Oregon." After all, they are only doing what our DMV has been openly doing for years. (thanks Lorna Youngs)
So it's going to be a tough sell to convince the criminals that New Haven will treat them better but ALIPAC has a new flier that suggests we send all our illegals to that new sanctuary city.
In Spanish and English, it comes with maps! Help an illegal go where he is wanted today!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
There is no gorilla in the room
Progress is sporadic in stopping meth
Due to a combination of the prohibition on the sale of cold medicine that contains ephedrine, which can be used to make meth, the number of “mom-and-pop” meth operations has drastically declined. Of course, a lot of meth has instead been coming into the area from Mexico, but by making it harder for local meth “cooks” to produce the stuff, it means children aren’t as often exposed to the toxic, caustic fumes involved.
More good news — maybe: Oregon will receive $375,000 from the feds to finance “Target Meth Oregon,” to involve “citizen leaders, parents, business and faith groups” in the fight against meth. Oregon’s congressional delegation joined a bipartisan, nationwide push to get money to states to combat meth.
The article goes on to explain how the money will be used for a "hotline" and a "film production program." It then laments the lack of money for "a better general understanding of why people become addicted."
Sooo... step one is identify the problem. (hint: it's in bold in paragraph one)
Step two: talk about anything but the problem, distract folks with "film production programs."
Step three: cover eyes.
How about making it more difficult to transport drugs across the border? How about not giving the drug smugglers the crowd cover of millions of other illegal aliens? Can we talk about that? Should I call the hotline to suggest this?
As for the "better understanding" part. Let me explain it really quick: people get addicted to meth because they are stupid. Very very stupid. Instead of a hotline how about funding jail beds that will keep society safer and make life less pleasant for meth users.
Due to a combination of the prohibition on the sale of cold medicine that contains ephedrine, which can be used to make meth, the number of “mom-and-pop” meth operations has drastically declined. Of course, a lot of meth has instead been coming into the area from Mexico, but by making it harder for local meth “cooks” to produce the stuff, it means children aren’t as often exposed to the toxic, caustic fumes involved.
More good news — maybe: Oregon will receive $375,000 from the feds to finance “Target Meth Oregon,” to involve “citizen leaders, parents, business and faith groups” in the fight against meth. Oregon’s congressional delegation joined a bipartisan, nationwide push to get money to states to combat meth.
The article goes on to explain how the money will be used for a "hotline" and a "film production program." It then laments the lack of money for "a better general understanding of why people become addicted."
Sooo... step one is identify the problem. (hint: it's in bold in paragraph one)
Step two: talk about anything but the problem, distract folks with "film production programs."
Step three: cover eyes.
How about making it more difficult to transport drugs across the border? How about not giving the drug smugglers the crowd cover of millions of other illegal aliens? Can we talk about that? Should I call the hotline to suggest this?
As for the "better understanding" part. Let me explain it really quick: people get addicted to meth because they are stupid. Very very stupid. Instead of a hotline how about funding jail beds that will keep society safer and make life less pleasant for meth users.
Back... with a vengence
After a brief hiatus I am back in blogging action. And no, I wasn't gone because of food poisoning. When the illegal alien mother had one of her children approach me in the Wal-Mart parking lot to ask me if I wanted to buy tamales I said "no thanks."
I'm glad to see that Smith has introduced S.1849, the "Lawful Worker Tax Deduction Act." You and I can't claim tax deductions for non-qualifying dependents on our personal return, why should employers be able to take a deduction for non-qualifying workers?
In other news, and by "news" I mean anonymous comments posted in reply to my use of a Simpsons quote, it appears that Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Halliburton, et al have broken many laws. No one has been charged with a crime as of yet but that doesn't matter. If it's good enough for Anthony Romero to say on the Colbert Report then it's good enough to repeat here.
By the way, all liberals are child molestors... proof to follow soon.
I'm glad to see that Smith has introduced S.1849, the "Lawful Worker Tax Deduction Act." You and I can't claim tax deductions for non-qualifying dependents on our personal return, why should employers be able to take a deduction for non-qualifying workers?
In other news, and by "news" I mean anonymous comments posted in reply to my use of a Simpsons quote, it appears that Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Halliburton, et al have broken many laws. No one has been charged with a crime as of yet but that doesn't matter. If it's good enough for Anthony Romero to say on the Colbert Report then it's good enough to repeat here.
By the way, all liberals are child molestors... proof to follow soon.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's funny but it's not
A conversation between a Customer and Bank of America
Bank: This is the Bank of America, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I want to cancel my account. I don't want to do business with you any longer.
Bank: Why?
Customer: You're giving credit to illegal immigrants and I don't think it's right. I'm taking my business elsewhere.
Bank: Well, Mr. Customer, we don't want to see you do that, but we can't stop you. I'll help you close the account. What is your account number?
Customer: (gives account number)
Bank: For security purposes and for your protection,can you please give me the last four digits of your social security number?
Customer: No.
Bank: Mr. Customer, I need to verify your information, but in order to help you, I'll need verification of who you are.
Customer: Why should I give you my social security number? The reason I'm closing my account is that your bank is issuing credit cards to illegal immigrants who don't have social security numbers. You are targeting that audience and want their business. Let's say I'm an illegal immigrant and you've given me a credit card. I have a question about it and call for assistance. You wouldn't be asking me for a Social Security number, would you?
Bank: No sir, I wouldn't.
Customer: Why not?
Bank: Because you would have pressed '2' to speak in Spanish. We don't ask for that information when calling in on the Spanish line.
Bank: This is the Bank of America, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, I want to cancel my account. I don't want to do business with you any longer.
Bank: Why?
Customer: You're giving credit to illegal immigrants and I don't think it's right. I'm taking my business elsewhere.
Bank: Well, Mr. Customer, we don't want to see you do that, but we can't stop you. I'll help you close the account. What is your account number?
Customer: (gives account number)
Bank: For security purposes and for your protection,can you please give me the last four digits of your social security number?
Customer: No.
Bank: Mr. Customer, I need to verify your information, but in order to help you, I'll need verification of who you are.
Customer: Why should I give you my social security number? The reason I'm closing my account is that your bank is issuing credit cards to illegal immigrants who don't have social security numbers. You are targeting that audience and want their business. Let's say I'm an illegal immigrant and you've given me a credit card. I have a question about it and call for assistance. You wouldn't be asking me for a Social Security number, would you?
Bank: No sir, I wouldn't.
Customer: Why not?
Bank: Because you would have pressed '2' to speak in Spanish. We don't ask for that information when calling in on the Spanish line.
Why do people keep calling it "medical"?
Oregon Medical Marijuana Users Arrested for Lack of Compliance
The Salem Police Street Crimes Unit arrested three people Monday for possessing and delivering large amounts of marijuana. They also took three minor children into protective custody after the search of two different residences related to the case.
Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says that around 6:30 PM Monday, detectives from his agency and Polk County arrested Sharon Marie Biggar and Michelle Lynn Marchand who had delivered one pound of marijuana with an estimated street valued of $4200.
At Biggar and Marchand's residence, Anglemier says they found another two pounds of marijuana, valued at $8400, 23 grams of Hashish and three firearms.
Michell Marchand is a medical marijuana provider who police say was out of compliance.
How about instead of calling him a "medical provider" who is "out of compliance" we call him a drug dealer who scammed himself a medical marijuana license. How this story can be written from the perspective of something other than the medical marijuana system being abused is beyond me.
Someone with a concealed handgun licenses who, in violation of the law, shot someone, would not be described as a "CHL holder who was out of compliance" but instead the focus would be how Oregon issuing CHL's in the first place caused the crime.
The Salem Police Street Crimes Unit arrested three people Monday for possessing and delivering large amounts of marijuana. They also took three minor children into protective custody after the search of two different residences related to the case.
Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says that around 6:30 PM Monday, detectives from his agency and Polk County arrested Sharon Marie Biggar and Michelle Lynn Marchand who had delivered one pound of marijuana with an estimated street valued of $4200.
At Biggar and Marchand's residence, Anglemier says they found another two pounds of marijuana, valued at $8400, 23 grams of Hashish and three firearms.
Michell Marchand is a medical marijuana provider who police say was out of compliance.
How about instead of calling him a "medical provider" who is "out of compliance" we call him a drug dealer who scammed himself a medical marijuana license. How this story can be written from the perspective of something other than the medical marijuana system being abused is beyond me.
Someone with a concealed handgun licenses who, in violation of the law, shot someone, would not be described as a "CHL holder who was out of compliance" but instead the focus would be how Oregon issuing CHL's in the first place caused the crime.
These people were not arrested for "lack of compliance" any more than illegal aliens are arrested for "trying to feed their families." (in both cases there is no such law) They were arrested for distributing a controlled substance and happened to have a state-issued card in an attempt to cover their illegal actions.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Oregon: the lack of documentation state
Latino PLWH: Service Needs and Barriers to Care
Several respondents shared that they had heard good things about Portland’s HIV services before moving here, especially about few barriers related to a lack of documentation. The core services used by many of the respondents were the Latino case manager with Partnership Project (OHSU’s HIV case management program), Cascade AIDS Project’s Apoyo Latino Program, and Multnomah County Health Department’s HIV Health Services Center.
Service providers and prevention workers shared their experiences of working with Latinos. When asked what was unique about working with this population the following themes came to the forefront:
Documentation - eligibility for services and fear of deportation
Whether it's giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens who will hit a jogger and leaver her by the side of the road to die or passing out taxpayer funded services one thing is clear: Oregon is the official "lack of documentation" captital of the United States.
Illegal aliens "fear of deportation" is clearly unwarranted in this state.
Several respondents shared that they had heard good things about Portland’s HIV services before moving here, especially about few barriers related to a lack of documentation. The core services used by many of the respondents were the Latino case manager with Partnership Project (OHSU’s HIV case management program), Cascade AIDS Project’s Apoyo Latino Program, and Multnomah County Health Department’s HIV Health Services Center.
Service providers and prevention workers shared their experiences of working with Latinos. When asked what was unique about working with this population the following themes came to the forefront:
Documentation - eligibility for services and fear of deportation
Whether it's giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens who will hit a jogger and leaver her by the side of the road to die or passing out taxpayer funded services one thing is clear: Oregon is the official "lack of documentation" captital of the United States.
Illegal aliens "fear of deportation" is clearly unwarranted in this state.
Monday, July 16, 2007
No more buggy whips for sale?
Picker puts steel in immigration debate
Then the immigration debate came to him last fall, after he sold a quarter-million-dollar machine that harvests wine grapes -- the first in the Willamette Valley.
The New Holland Braud grape harvester can do the work of 40 handpickers in a fraction of the time.
Suddenly, vineyard owners were calling Capps to schedule demonstrations, saying they couldn't cope with worsening worker shortages -- or immigration raids. Their concerns were heightened after a U.S. Senate immigration bill that would have offered legal status for up to 900,000 undocumented agricultural workers failed, and immigration officers detained nearly 200 workers at a Portland produce processing plant.
Oregonians for Immigration Reform, a restrictionist group, touted the European machine as a beacon of a future without illegal labor.
This is much like the FBI is a "restrictionist group" when it comes to kidnapping.
Then the immigration debate came to him last fall, after he sold a quarter-million-dollar machine that harvests wine grapes -- the first in the Willamette Valley.
The New Holland Braud grape harvester can do the work of 40 handpickers in a fraction of the time.
Suddenly, vineyard owners were calling Capps to schedule demonstrations, saying they couldn't cope with worsening worker shortages -- or immigration raids. Their concerns were heightened after a U.S. Senate immigration bill that would have offered legal status for up to 900,000 undocumented agricultural workers failed, and immigration officers detained nearly 200 workers at a Portland produce processing plant.
Oregonians for Immigration Reform, a restrictionist group, touted the European machine as a beacon of a future without illegal labor.
This is much like the FBI is a "restrictionist group" when it comes to kidnapping.
"As soon as word about this got out, the immigration issue was the first thing that came up," Capps said. "The bloggers are all over it. They're saying, 'Finally, see? We told you that you could get by without all this immigration.' "
Anyone who is so inclined can do a search of my blog for "mechanization" and see that I was convinced long long ago that this would be the direction that we are heading in. Amazing how capitalism works. Imagine the good paying jobs that went into designing/engineering, building and maintaning these machines.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Another bang up job by government
Suspect Named In Girl's Slaying Investigated In Other Crimes
Police on Friday named the suspect in the abduction and slaying of a 12-year-old Tacoma girl and said the 42-year-old man is being investigated in connection with other crimes -- locally and in other parts of the country.
Ramsdell said Adhahn is being charged with failing to register as a sex offender and that he would be charged in Zina's abduction and death.
Adhahn, a Thai immigrant [illegal alien] who was convicted of incest in 1990, is being held at a federal detention center in connection with alleged immigration violations.
Adhahn was later transferred to federal immigration detention in Tacoma because he could face deportation for his 1990 incest conviction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said earlier this week.
Oh good, glad that they are getting around to that deportation... 17 years later. Really, I am giving up my guns because clearly government can protect us.
Let's do a quick tally of the government failures here:
Adhahn is an illegal alien. Government doesn't notice.
Adhahn failed to register as a sex offender. Government doesn't notice.
Adhahn is registered to vote illegaly. Government doesn't notice.
Government's number on job is public safety. They can't protect us from illegal aliens coming here. They can't seem to track/control/watch convicted sex offenders. They can't seem to control the election process.
I can't wait for a combination of amnesty and HillaryCare.
Police on Friday named the suspect in the abduction and slaying of a 12-year-old Tacoma girl and said the 42-year-old man is being investigated in connection with other crimes -- locally and in other parts of the country.
Ramsdell said Adhahn is being charged with failing to register as a sex offender and that he would be charged in Zina's abduction and death.
Adhahn, a Thai immigrant [illegal alien] who was convicted of incest in 1990, is being held at a federal detention center in connection with alleged immigration violations.
Adhahn was later transferred to federal immigration detention in Tacoma because he could face deportation for his 1990 incest conviction, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said earlier this week.
Oh good, glad that they are getting around to that deportation... 17 years later. Really, I am giving up my guns because clearly government can protect us.
Let's do a quick tally of the government failures here:
Adhahn is an illegal alien. Government doesn't notice.
Adhahn failed to register as a sex offender. Government doesn't notice.
Adhahn is registered to vote illegaly. Government doesn't notice.
Government's number on job is public safety. They can't protect us from illegal aliens coming here. They can't seem to track/control/watch convicted sex offenders. They can't seem to control the election process.
I can't wait for a combination of amnesty and HillaryCare.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Liberals eating their own
It's actually kind of funny and apparently Blumenauer's office is upset about the whole thing.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
If you wanted to rob a place and be guranteed no resistance...
Tonight- 7 p.m. Conscientious Objector Just Released from Prison to Speak at PSU
Join us at 7pm tonight, Wednesday, July 11th, for an extended forum with Agustín Aguayo and other Iraq Veterans Against the War at the Multicultural Center (Room 228) located in the Smith Memorial Student Center on the Portland State University campus.
(Multicultural used to mean "multiple cultures" but now just means "off the chart liberal")
Bio: Agustin Aguayo went AWOL (absent without leave) last summer after being ordered to return to Iraq for a second deployment. He had previously spent a year there, where he refused to load his gun no matter how dangerous the situation.
Not included in this bio was the fact that he spent his childhood playing with barbies, hanging out with his mom, watching other kids climb trees and play with sticks (it was too dangerous for him to participate) and having his lunch money taken.
I also love the list of sponsors for this non event. Folks like CAUSA and VOZ. (illegal alien groups) Now what were you saying about "future republican voters" Tony Snow?
Join us at 7pm tonight, Wednesday, July 11th, for an extended forum with Agustín Aguayo and other Iraq Veterans Against the War at the Multicultural Center (Room 228) located in the Smith Memorial Student Center on the Portland State University campus.
(Multicultural used to mean "multiple cultures" but now just means "off the chart liberal")
Bio: Agustin Aguayo went AWOL (absent without leave) last summer after being ordered to return to Iraq for a second deployment. He had previously spent a year there, where he refused to load his gun no matter how dangerous the situation.
Not included in this bio was the fact that he spent his childhood playing with barbies, hanging out with his mom, watching other kids climb trees and play with sticks (it was too dangerous for him to participate) and having his lunch money taken.
I also love the list of sponsors for this non event. Folks like CAUSA and VOZ. (illegal alien groups) Now what were you saying about "future republican voters" Tony Snow?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Vote English Immersion
Migrant Education ¿Qué Onda?
Dramatic increases in the Hispanic student population present local school districts with the challenge of educating large numbers of native Spanish speakers.
In the interest of academic success for all our students, SOESD's Migrant Education/ELL (English Language Learner) Department, commonly known as Migrant Ed., offers a unique variety of trainings to school personnel serving Hispanic ELL students. Migrant Ed. also provides direct services to migrant students and their families.
Direct services are for the "chosen" class only in case you were wondering. Citizens don't get to drink at this fountain.
What do us taxpayers provide:
One recruiter and one home-school consultant work continuously to identify and track migrant families, and to help them access community services as needed.
SOU Tutors
After school programs
After school programs
Family Nights
Family Nights support schools in reaching out to their Latino communities.
College readiness
Preschool
White City migrant preschool students who are not enrolled in Head Start attend Primeros Pasos (First Steps)
English is relegated to being put in brackets in Oregon. (no bueno)
Summer Programs
Last summer, Migrant Education supported five summer school enrichment programs: Academia Latina, a 1-week residency academy for Latino middle-school students; the Oregon Hispanic Migrant Student Leadership Institute (OHMSLI) at Willamette University...
By "Migrant Education supported" they mean "taxpayers supported." (also no bueno)
If you build it, they will come. Stop offering the incentive to illegal aliens to come here and they will leave. The relentless effort of our schools and education districts to throw money at people who have no right to be in our country only encourages more illegal behavior.
Dramatic increases in the Hispanic student population present local school districts with the challenge of educating large numbers of native Spanish speakers.
In the interest of academic success for all our students, SOESD's Migrant Education/ELL (English Language Learner) Department, commonly known as Migrant Ed., offers a unique variety of trainings to school personnel serving Hispanic ELL students. Migrant Ed. also provides direct services to migrant students and their families.
Direct services are for the "chosen" class only in case you were wondering. Citizens don't get to drink at this fountain.
What do us taxpayers provide:
One recruiter and one home-school consultant work continuously to identify and track migrant families, and to help them access community services as needed.
SOU Tutors
After school programs
After school programs
Family Nights
Family Nights support schools in reaching out to their Latino communities.
College readiness
Preschool
White City migrant preschool students who are not enrolled in Head Start attend Primeros Pasos (First Steps)
English is relegated to being put in brackets in Oregon. (no bueno)
Summer Programs
Last summer, Migrant Education supported five summer school enrichment programs: Academia Latina, a 1-week residency academy for Latino middle-school students; the Oregon Hispanic Migrant Student Leadership Institute (OHMSLI) at Willamette University...
By "Migrant Education supported" they mean "taxpayers supported." (also no bueno)
If you build it, they will come. Stop offering the incentive to illegal aliens to come here and they will leave. The relentless effort of our schools and education districts to throw money at people who have no right to be in our country only encourages more illegal behavior.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Once again, liberals prove price controls work
Payday lenders lose interest in Oregon
Scores of Oregon payday and car title lenders have closed their doors as a 36 percent interest rate cap and other new regulations took effect last week.
At least 60 payday loan stores have closed or surrendered their licenses since June 1, says Charles Donald, supervising examiner at the state Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Thank you Oregon legislature. I know that you all "feel good" about "helping the poor, the disadvantaged" with the interest rate on their loans... oh wait, now they simply can't get loans!!
Well, now the Oregon legislature has once again proved that government knows better than the market, I think I will go report on Hardy Myers "price gouging" site to see if we can get some price controls on our fuel.
Scores of Oregon payday and car title lenders have closed their doors as a 36 percent interest rate cap and other new regulations took effect last week.
At least 60 payday loan stores have closed or surrendered their licenses since June 1, says Charles Donald, supervising examiner at the state Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Thank you Oregon legislature. I know that you all "feel good" about "helping the poor, the disadvantaged" with the interest rate on their loans... oh wait, now they simply can't get loans!!
Well, now the Oregon legislature has once again proved that government knows better than the market, I think I will go report on Hardy Myers "price gouging" site to see if we can get some price controls on our fuel.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Is it time for comprehensive firework reform in Oregon?
How come this is a question I don't hear asked? And don't get me wrong, my argument is not the one that the illegal alien apologists make: that this law is routinely ignored so we should just do away with it. (NOTE: Despite the fact that our president, many in congress, our governor, Portland's mayor and the state police seem to think it's ok to pick and choose what laws we follow I do obey all Oregon firework laws and do not purchase or use illegal fireworks.)
But when I heard that the Portland police were going to spend their fourth of July doing "Operation lower the boom" I did see some irony here. (New Portland police motto: We may have disbanded the Auto Theft Task Force but don't worry, we'll get those fireworks)
It's a given that anyone who violates the law should be punished. But can we please re-visit the issue of what fireworks should be allowed in Oregon? Why is Washington able to light off all kinds of goodies that in Oregon are a big no-no?
Is the general population of Oregon really opposed to having fireworks that explode in the air or is this another example of "government knows best" simply telling us what to do? (Note: I'm not positive but I think that when I drive to work today I'm going to need to be in an adult sized car-seat, thanks Kulongoski.)
But when I heard that the Portland police were going to spend their fourth of July doing "Operation lower the boom" I did see some irony here. (New Portland police motto: We may have disbanded the Auto Theft Task Force but don't worry, we'll get those fireworks)
It's a given that anyone who violates the law should be punished. But can we please re-visit the issue of what fireworks should be allowed in Oregon? Why is Washington able to light off all kinds of goodies that in Oregon are a big no-no?
Is the general population of Oregon really opposed to having fireworks that explode in the air or is this another example of "government knows best" simply telling us what to do? (Note: I'm not positive but I think that when I drive to work today I'm going to need to be in an adult sized car-seat, thanks Kulongoski.)
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
The new declaration of dependence
Original or "flawed" text
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Text as written by today's government elites
When in the course of one of Congresses 200 vacation days, it becomes neccessary to dissolve the bands that hold the lower classes (the folks) and our money (that they "earned" only because of our regulations, laws and never ending genius) and for us to assume absoulute power to bulldoze their houses to make room for developement that Senator So-and-so's cousin wants a contract for.
There is no absolute truth. The government must work to create equality, bring some people up while tearing others down. The lower classes (the folks whose first class plane fair does not entitle them to a private jet) have rights that only we give them. And what we give we can take away. Governments are instituted to grow... and grow.... and grow. Government is the foundation of all things.
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Text as written by today's government elites
When in the course of one of Congresses 200 vacation days, it becomes neccessary to dissolve the bands that hold the lower classes (the folks) and our money (that they "earned" only because of our regulations, laws and never ending genius) and for us to assume absoulute power to bulldoze their houses to make room for developement that Senator So-and-so's cousin wants a contract for.
There is no absolute truth. The government must work to create equality, bring some people up while tearing others down. The lower classes (the folks whose first class plane fair does not entitle them to a private jet) have rights that only we give them. And what we give we can take away. Governments are instituted to grow... and grow.... and grow. Government is the foundation of all things.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Spending someone else's money
2007 Legislature proves itself to be a friend of the arts
Whatever you want to say about the 2007 Legislature, it is a good friend of Oregon arts and culture, and it did the right thing.
Although it seemed like a squeaker -- some funding turned up in odd places and at odd times -- what came out was close to the $10.6 million Gov. Ted Kulongoski recommended for several programs advocates tied together as the CHAMP -- which stands for culture, heritage, arts, movies, preservation -- Reinvestment Package.
I don't know how much of a "friend" you are when all that was going on was the legislature giving away our money. How we have half a million dollars to "train artists" while we have a backlog at the state police crime lab is beyond me.
Maybe we could say that the legislature proved to be a "friend" of criminals whose DNA will not be proccessed.
Whatever you want to say about the 2007 Legislature, it is a good friend of Oregon arts and culture, and it did the right thing.
Although it seemed like a squeaker -- some funding turned up in odd places and at odd times -- what came out was close to the $10.6 million Gov. Ted Kulongoski recommended for several programs advocates tied together as the CHAMP -- which stands for culture, heritage, arts, movies, preservation -- Reinvestment Package.
I don't know how much of a "friend" you are when all that was going on was the legislature giving away our money. How we have half a million dollars to "train artists" while we have a backlog at the state police crime lab is beyond me.
Maybe we could say that the legislature proved to be a "friend" of criminals whose DNA will not be proccessed.
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