Representative Mushinsky = No Change As Usual

Representative Mushinsky of Wallingford represents no change as usual in her recent political appointment as Chairperson of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. I find her appointment ironic as she represents 28 years of her failed liberal agenda in the state legislature. Her most important vote being for the state income tax. Now she wants to look at tax credits for many industries. However, hasn't she been in office for 28 years and been part of many of these tax credits? She also wishes to look at many programs and view results based accounting for state programs. When has anyone in state government including herself been worried about results based anything? Her mantra has been tax and spend, tax and spend to the point that Connecticut is the second highest taxed state in the country and we are in one of the poorest preforming economies in the country with massive population drains. Yes all these problems are indirectly the result of her failed 28 year liberal agenda along with the failed agenda of Connecticut's Democratic party which has now pushed our state to the edge of no return. I still find it amazing that Wallingford voters were blind in seeing this and brought her back for yet another two years of failure.

The 100 Most Special Individuals In America Today-The United States Senate

There are 100 individuals in the United States today who are more elite, more important and more special than anyone else in our country. They are not individuals from the Armed Forces, nor from our Police or Fire Departments, nor from our Hospitals, nor from any Charitable organizations. They are the United States Senate. A group of 100 special, important, elitist, above any law people who help make laws in our country. These 100 people are in theory elected by voters. But more importantly they are appointed by Governors who have the ability to broker to the highest bidder their seats when a Senator goes on to an even more important office and must resign their position. And you may ask what is wrong with a lowly Governor appointing (through the appropriate lobbying, cash payouts and the like)their successor? I guess there is nothing wrong with the current situations taking place in both New York and Illinois. Of course the Obama camp had no knowledge of what was going in Illinois at all. And in New York the legacy of the Royal Family of America to be appointed to a vacant Senate seat is a right granted by the United States Constitution and should be adhered to.
What a mockery of our political process. What a debasing of the rules and laws that govern our country. What a disgrace. All this as we wait for Senator Chris Dodd, a major factor in the current economic credit crisis that he helped to create, for 196 days to tell us taxpayers about his sweetheart mortgage deal. The United States Senate needs reform if we as a nation are going to survive.

Connecticut's Fiscal Mess

Connecticut is in a fiscal mess. In a state that spends over $18 billion dollars a year we are in a fiscal mess. Actually it is not we but the Governor and elected officials who have increased spending by billions of dollars are in a fiscal mess. My family and many others are not in a fiscal mess because we have chosen to live within our means. We have decided not to take out jumbo mortgages which we can not afford (although we have not been given a sweetheart mortgage like Chris Dodd). We have chosen not to spend more than we earn and run up excessive credit card debt like others. We have decided to be thrifty and frugal in many areas of our personal lives. Connecticut's government and legislature decided to spend wildly above their means using the state income tax as their greatest source of ever increasing revenue and new and higher taxes on just about everything to get us in this fiscal mess. This has all happened since Connecticut's dark ages of the Weicker administration, where tax and spend were the mantra of political life.
Thus we as a state are in a fiscal mess. A fiscal mess which was produced by our elected officials. Not by taxpayers. Maybe governmental officials could do the right thing now and give up their taxpayer financed salaries and taxpayer funded campaigns for reelection to save money. Maybe just maybe they should pay for their continuing fiscal irresponsibility - hit them in their pocketbooks like we taxpayers of Connecticut have been hit. Our well is now dry - taxpayers have no more to give to this fiscal mess in Connecticut which was not our making.

Let's Sell All Congressional Seats!

Let's sell all Congressional seats. Better yet why don't we charge money to our current Senators and Representatives for keeping their seats. States could generate a great deal of revenue from this. For example here in Connecticut it would be a great way to help pay off the massive overspending by the Democratic state legislature over the years. Isn't it true that most of Congress are multi millionaires anyways? They can afford to pay the states they represent (or have moved to in order to obtain the seat)millions of dollars to retain their seat. What is the use of elections anyways? Incumbents can control their district or state for years with no amount of wrong doing ever forcing them from office. Look at Chris Dodd, he has helped to create the financial crisis our economy is experiencing and got a sweetheart mortgage deal on top of that. And why should he or any other member of Congress worry about any sense of ethics and or worry about any type of law that runs our nation. All 535 members should be and are above all that nonsense that we taxpayers must follow. Congress has become the ruling elite following no law, needing no ethics nor have any concerns other than their own self gain and financial reward. Maybe in 2009 taxpayers should break away from this tyranny like we did in 1776. Enough is enough.

Businesses Welcome To Illinois

Businesses welcome to Illinois. Now here is a state that you want to do business in. A warm, friendly economic environment greets you. Little governmental intervention unless you are the Governor or a Reverend. I am astounded at the Republic Windows and Door debacle that is currently taking place in Chicago. I am also astounded at the Governor's incredible economic plan to stop doing business with Bank of America as punishment (punishment for what?).
Thus as an economist, I must understand Economics 101 in a now liberal, nationalized economy.
Here is what used to occur. A company is doing poorly for a variety of reasons, possibly lower sales, increased competition, excessive federal, state and local governmental taxes and regulations, excessively high wages and benefits, higher inputs costs, etc. The bank that they are doing business with decides by analysis of their financials that they are a high credit risk, have no other assets/future sales to borrow against and pull their line of credit. No more money is available to this company to continue their operations. The company then must close its operations because it no longer has any money to pay its bills or its employees. All of its employees are laid off, the company then decides on bankruptcy and the private business cycle falls into place with firms leaving an industry due to a lack of profit.
In New World Liberal Economics, a company should have been making a profit so that local, state and federal governments could have taxed the profit at a 100% level to continue to finance their deficit spending and redistribution of wealth. The bank they are doing business with does not have to analyze any financials or sales, they just will continue to lend them money to infinity. The company even though it may be losing money and sales will continue to give massive pay and benefit increases to its employees. And finally bankruptcy is outlawed in our economy. We now have an Utopian economy where the business cycle no longer exists. I guess I need to reeducate myself on everything that I have learned about economics over 35 years. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.
And I guess I will never open a business in Illinois and I guess many others will not either.

Congress and It's Lack of Knowledge About Our Economy

Congress really does not understand economics in any way shape or form. The Congressional hearings about the auto bailout truly astound me. Many of these same politicians who are belittling the auto industry executives had no problem supporting the fall 2007 strike by UAW against General Motors (Does Mr. Obama remember this by any chance?), they had no problem adding greater standards and regulations since the late 1990's, they had no problem driving vehicles which were not made by the Big 3. Nope none of this means anything to Congress. But to listen to Mr. Franks rant about their industry makes no sense to me whatsoever, his clueless remarks shows me and millions of other taxpayers how far removed he is and the rest of his Democratic party when it comes to the harm that Congress has burdened our economy with.
Congress has little if any real working knowledge about how our economy works and as such they continue to do more harm than good for our economy. The mortgage crisis, the credit crisis and the now the auto industry crisis can be traced to the United States Congress, an omnipotent, illogical charade that taxpayers must support.

Why The Economy Can Correct Itself - Without Government

Our economy can correct itself without chronic government bailouts. It can be done through a variety of means. I would like to look at two areas in particular. Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac need to be sold off by the government and allow to operated by a private entity. This would take the harsh political nature of this company out of play and allow for the free markets to work in the mortgage market. What would happen is that if you can't afford a mortgage you would not get one. You would need 10% to 20% as a down payment and have actual verifiable income levels to support your mortgage. This would self correct the run up in housing prices and allow for housing to be affordable for those who work for a living and chose to live below their means. Second, the auto industry does not warrant a bailout. Because of its' poor management over the years, excessive salary and benefit structure, poor product, the non consumer friendly dealership buying environment, it deserves its fate. That would be a merger and or bankruptcy. It would not be the end of our economy if economies of scale and efficiency would be reintroduced to our domestic auto industry. Why do other auto manufacturers produce at a much lower hourly rate than the big three? Why do they produce more economically?
Our government frenzy of throwing $6.3 trillion dollars in bailout money at our economy will have long reaching effects on our national debt and our ability to borrow money. It is political, short sighted, and inefficient. And ultimately taxpayers will be paying for the political gains of our economically illiterate Congress.

Dodd Is Anxious, So Am I

Chris Dodd is anxious and so am I. Does this mean he is going to release all of his information about his sweetheart mortgage deals? No not at all. He is anxious to continue to deflect all knowledge of his mortgage deals and his defense of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. No he is anxious to confirm all of Mr. Obama's appointments to help stem the financial crisis he has helped to create. It is amazing given that Mr. Dodd usually never gave the time of day to any of President Bush's appointments. Today to help cover himself, Dodd will actually speed up the process. As a taxpayer I am still waiting to find out about his mortgage deal and I am not overly enthusiastic to several appointments being mentioned. In particular Larry Summers who I was unimpressed with during the Clinton term.
We as an economy must realize that we can not continue to allow for constant government stimulus packages in order for our economy to work. Government at all levels needs to cut spending and taxes in order for our economy to once again become stimulated and grow. Socialism will not work. Economic growth must come from the private sector not from government. But again Chris Dodd is anxious and I am anxious for him to leave office once and for all. He is a disgrace to the taxpayers of Connecticut.

Here It Comes... More Taxes For 2.5 Million Jobs

Here it comes...more taxes for 2.5 million jobs. I just love it when politicians who have no clue as to how the economy works blurt out figures, dollar amounts and presto they become economists. I am hesitant to see what an Obama 2.5 million public service job creation program will cost and look like over the next four years. As I can see by his cabinet forming, I am underwhelmed by the recycling of Clinton appointments and see that it looks like it will be business as usual for the next four years. What change? Where? Did I miss something? I guess I will lower my already low expectations with Obama as I see the even more perfect economic storm forming in the next four years. A lack of investor confidence, a lack of consumer confidence, a lack of business confidence and higher taxes. Does it get better than this or is this now back to 1977-1980?

No Bailout

No bailout, not now, not never. But I guess it is the time of the year for economic giveaways of taxpayers monies. This time the big, bad auto industry is calling it quits without $75, no make it $50, no-how about a mere $25 billion to help support its poor production and management decisions. Did the Big Three ever hear about cutting costs and making its plants more efficient? Did they realize that they should not pay employees who do not work and or give them a lifetime pension equal to their regular salary? Did they realize that they need to actually improve their product so that auto consumers would actually buy the car or truck? In my economic opinion they should go bankrupt and allow for a major market correction to take place as it should have in the finance industry. It is obvious that what they did 50years ago is not working today and that consumer demand is much different than it was back then. I personally feel that automobile consumers are sick of the lies that they were fed by the Big Three, the hassle to buy a vehicle, the hassle of it breaking down, the high cost of repairs, etc.
Taxpayers should be strongly against this new form of corporate welfarism which will ultimately lead to higher taxes and more poor economic decisions.

Where Is The Economic Turnaround?

Where is the economic turnaround? I really thought it would happen with election day. I really thought it would happen here in Connecticut when voters decided to return in mass the same stale tax and spend politicians back to Hartford so obviously they can continue to tax and spend us some more for two years. I really thought with the Obama crowning that the stock market would recover its 5000 point loss in the week and that his new tax and spend policies would be embraced by anyone who either works for a living and or invests in our economy. I really thought with the talk of socialization of our 401K plans that the market would embrace all of that money flowing out of the economy and into government's hand. I really thought that the 2012 Presidential election would start in earnest on November 6th and even more new and greater economic socialization plans would be discussed and enacted upon immediately. I really thought our economy would turn around (and our biased media would disappear). I guess you get what you vote for.

Happy Veterans Day To All Veterans

America today celebrates Veterans Day. My family and I wish each and every Veteran of our country our thanks for your service and dedication to our country. We appreciate your sacrifice. As a child growing up I was always fascinated by the stories told by my Father who served in Europe during World War II and by my Uncle who served in the Pacific. It was a verbal, living history of the war and gave me the incentive to study our military history over the years. I know I treasure our freedom in our country and our freedom to choose. It is with the sacrifices of all the enlisted men and women since our Revolutionary War that has made our country the greatest nation in the world. America forever in its leadership and strength to guide the world. And again thank you to all the Veterans of our country and for all those who have died for our freedom. It will never be forgotten.

It Is Time To Get To Work

It is time to get to work. It is time for the conservative movement to reassert itself for the coming elections. It will not be able to do it with the current leadership of the Republican party whether at the national or state level.
On a national level the Republicans showed that Governor Sarah Palin is a candidate of the future and Senator McCain's moderate liberalism is hopefully gone forever. Governor Palin by far was the best of the four candidates running for high office.
The state elections showed the rational ignorance of Connecticut voters by eliminating our ability to have a say in our government by voting down the constitutional convention (in which many voters did not understand what they were voting for) and giving the liberal Democrats one party rule in Hartford so they can continue to tax and spend. Voters will get what they deserve over the coming years.
There needs to be a conservative philosophy which the Republican party needs to embrace and enact upon. We need to rid ourselves of the Stevens, the Rowlands, and all of the other self serving politicians who have spread like a cancer in our party. We need to embrace ethics, smaller government, lower spending, lower taxes and to allow for the free market system to run without governmental intervention. We can and we shall take back our party. If we are not successful then now is the time to form a true Conservative party as an alternative to the two stale and inept political parties who once again have shown their disregard for the voters and taxpayers this past week.

How High Taxes Have Crippled Connecticut

High taxes have crippled Connecticut. We pay an excessive amount of taxes here in Connecticut which has resulted in little if any job creation, a mass movement of businesses out of the state, excessively high transportation costs, and a mass exodus of our young people moving out of the state. If you work for a living here in Connecticut or own a business I am not telling you anything new.
Thus what is the answer? In a few hours the Democrats here in Connecticut will be rejoicing in their continual one party rule in Hartford for another two years. We as taxpayers are confident that the amendment for the Constitutional Convention will pass and as such tax reform will be enacted upon along with term limits. Tax reform is essential if Connecticut is going to survive in the future. Disgusted taxpayers need to bombard their elected officials beginning tomorrow that the excessive tax burden of Connecticut needs to stop in the next legislative session. The state needs to cut spending and cut taxes and live within its means. The entitlement mentality of the Connecticut State Legislature has bankrupted our state. Lower taxes. Now.

Will The Media Ever Be Balanced Again?

Will the media ever be balanced again? I do not know if that will occur in my lifetime. I was taught many years ago in my journalism classes that when you cover a story you need to present both sides so that readers can be informed and understand what you are writing about. Obviously that does not occur in journalism classes which are taught today. I truly do not know what is actually being taught today but in my opinion it is not unbiased reporting.
I no longer watch TV nor have have cable TV. I have $65 more a month to spend or invest each month due to my decision. If someone came up to me from the street and told me that they were a reporter from a TV station, I would not know them nor could I care about who they were, they do not impress me with their lack of productivity in our economy. I believe strongly that the way the media can become balanced is through an economic boycott of cable TV and its advertising sponsors. By a lack of economic support they would be forced to rethink their horrific coverage of this year's election and their demeaning and degrading of Sarah Palin. It was truly disgusting to read what has happened to this entire process. I can see why it is difficult to attract good honest people to run for elected office, since the media has crowned themselves as the new nobility in our society and only they are right and 300 million Americans are wrong. But for one last time it is just another reason why I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin tommorrow. And I urge you do also.

Ethics and Leadership

What is ethics? What is morally right? Many years ago in non revisionist history, America fought a long war in Vietnam. This war was on the news every night (when you only had three stations with news not 500), in the daily paper and in the weekly news magazines. Liberals at that time thought it was cool to demean and deface our soldiers fighting there. They asked for them to surrender, join the enemy and other assorted misguided views. The war was mismanaged by a Democratic President who had great concerns about his legacy, he also had poor military advisers which helped lose the war for America.
In this time many United States soldiers died and many became POWs. One of the most noted POWs is very close to becoming our next President. He sacrificed six+ years of his life being tortured and gaining permanent physical disabilities from his capture. He endured six+ years that many of us would not have the ability to deal with. During this time he proved his mental toughness and proved his love for our country beyond a doubt.
Thus in a few days we will vote for a new President. Do we want a President who has an ethical and moral character, a man who stood by his fellow soldiers, a man who placed his country above his own well being physically? Or do we want a liberal Senator who has basically never worked a day in his life who is worried about his ego and self glorification? I know I don't and I know John McCain and Sarah Palin are what are country needs in leadership today. I know my vote goes to McCain - Palin.

Why America Can't Afford Another New Deal

America can't afford another New Deal. I can't see how the first one worked since it was blurred by World War II. I can't see how another Great Society will work as the first one from the 1960's still has done little if anything for our economy.
I would like to see a new freedom deal for our society and our economy especially for those who work. This could be done by making the Bush tax cuts permanent. It would not penalize those who work hard, choose to take risks and create jobs and wealth for our economy. It would allow for the free market movement to continue to exist in our economy and allow for economic growth to continue to take place. A redistribution of wealth already occurs in our economy (although Congress by exempting itself from most laws, social security and the like allows its wealth to grow)through the current income tax system. A large proportion of citizens pay no taxes at all and are supported by those like us who work for a living. Thus if we work in our economy we are penalized by the same federal government trying to continue to change our wealth status and give it to those who supposedly need it. Rather than empowering those who need more skills and education it is much easier for government to create the mindless bureaucracy of entrapping these same people in a welfare mentality and welfare cycle. Government owes them. The New Deal and the Great Society were utopian measures which failed our economy and created the great dependency that is visible especially in the Democratic party, a party void of ideas and ethics. But in my economic opinion it was a failure, is a failure and will continue to be a failure for the future. We as a voters need to understand that we can ill afford more of this endless quest for mediocrity that the Democrats embrace at all levels of government. Real change in November comes only with a vote and a victory for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Why Pickens Plan Is Blowing In The Wind and Will Not Work

It is blowing in the wind and money from your wallet will follow. And if you are T. Boone Pickens your profit is blowing in the wind. And you as energy consumers will help make Pickens wealth grow even more if his misguided plan works. Do not get me wrong I am all in favor of creating wealth and I have been consistently in favor of alternative energy sources. However I am not in favor of this plan which can only rely upon eminent domain to take over properties starting in Texas and position incredibly expensive electrical lines along state lines to transport this electricity throughout America. And at a time when the price of a barrel of oil has gone down $70+ a barrel. I have a strong feeling that taxpayers like you and I will help support Pickens in his semi-retirement through this master liberal plan of nothingness for energy.
We do have problems with energy independence which can be traced to the 1970's and a Democratic Congress who has basically done nothing for 35+ years with regards to this. Obviously since Congress is removed from the everyday economy nor does it have to worry about anything financially, it could care less if gas went to $6 a gallon and heating oil to $7. It solution is simplistic, tax these supposed "excessive profits" that we always hear about. Are the profits there today at $2.50 a gallon?
Thus the real nature of eminent domain is at stake here. Solar installations on buildings do not require eminent domain, nor do windmills privately owned on private property. New building construction with geothermal energy does not require eminent domain nor does nuclear power. In my economic opinion I do not feel taxpayers need to support nor endorse this poor Pickens plan. And by the way I favor the energy proposals of McCain/Palin, let us control our own oil supply in our country. They have my vote.

Why Is Wealth Bad In Our Economy?

Why is wealth bad in our economy? Why is it fine to have millionaire liberal Democrats in Congress dictating to those individuals in our economy who are productive what they can and can not have? I have studied formally Economics and Business since high school, 37+ years now. Over all the classes I have taken, the degrees that I have, all the classes I have taught, all of the thousands of articles I have read, all of the magazines and books that I have read, I still wish to know why is it bad to work hard and gain wealth and why is it government's inherent right to take as much as it can away from those same people.
That is what this Presidential election had developed into. Government has once again proven by interfering with the housing market it has help to create a great housing and credit mess along with hiding the problems of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. And then it blames capitalism for it. It needs to blame itself. What Congress could have done was to help create energy independence-it only has had 35+ years to do that and to stimulate the economy by the elimination of taxes on inheritances, and lower and eliminate all taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains. Let capitalism run itself and downsize government at all levels. Just another reason why I am voting for McCain/Palin this election.

Vote Mike Vitali State Representative 85th District

Wallingford residents finally have a chance to unseat one of the most liberal tax and spend Democrats of all time, Mary Mushinsky. Our current representative and her cureent massive tax and spending increases have help stripped our state of its economic vibrancy and growth. Her liberal arguments continue to be feeble to anyone who must work for a living. It is time once and for all for her to be voted out of office. Mike Vitali represents a breath of fresh air for Wallingford. He is young, innovative and actually willing to work to help lower spending and taxes for our community and state. Mike Vitali is a product of schools and our town, we could not ask for a better candidate to represent us. For those voters in the 85th District, I urge you to vote for Mike Vitali as your State Representative and also I know I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket for a positive future for our country.