ORF letter to the community from Bruce.
Posts and Comments from Readers
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
RESPONDING TO GLORIOUS LEADER
Monday, September 28, 2009
Baucus Health Care Flow Chart
This replaces the House Health Care Reform H.R. 3200 flow chart. Suggest you keep a copy of this in case this disaster passes. Title click to access flow chart.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Heritage Areas Sprouting Like Weeds Now In Our Backyard
We have posted numerous times about U.N. World Heritage Sites, see labels for archived material. National Heritage Areas are a variation on the same theme - GRAB THE LAND AND TIE IT UP POWER GRAB. This takes private property off the tax rolls not to mention the full frontal attack on private property rights.
Bingaman and Udall just introduced a bill to jeopardize the health and diversity of a bunch of land near Las Cruces. We all want the vistas of the Organ Mts. preserved, that is not what this is about: http://thewesterner.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-border-degraded-environmental.html
Furthermore, like the Arizona Heritage Area, New Mexico's proposed Heritage Area in smack-dab in the middle of a high intensity drug trafficking area.
Read National Drug Intelligence Center's Strategic Drug Threat Developments http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs32/32779/strateg.htm#Figure2
You can get involved by voicing your opposition to this poppycock to you representative and senators and you can join others such as PEOPLE FOR PRESERVING OUR WESTERN HERITAGE - PRESERVE THE LAND FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT FROM THE PEOPLE
www.PeopleForWesternHeritage.com
And now, a little love note I sent to Harry:
Congressman Teague,
Yes, you voted to allow Border Patrol to continue its operations in the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area of Southern Arizona, but why did you vote to create the tax payer funded, land grab by the government, in these times of extreme economic uncertainty and gigantic deficit spending? (H.R. 324, Santa Cruz Valley Nation Heritage Area Act.)
This is eerily reminescent of your vote on H.R. 2474, Cap and Trade, where you were so proud of your amendment to protect some of your constituents when you should not vote for anything that requires protections. This is an admission that the legislation is wrong, flawed, period.
In the best of times, when we once had a balanced budget, designation of wilderness areas, National Heritage Areas and U.N. World Heritage Sites were controversial especially to those fiscal conservatives who know that bigger government costs the tax payers dearly. Just since the "Stimulus" that you also voted for was passed, the federal government has created 25,000 new jobs.
Through the results of your votes, the federal deficit continues to grow and so does the number of federal employees. This is not growth, this is economic suicide. I would even argue that this type of "protective" measure, H.R. 324, is eventually detrimental to the health of the land. Just look at how the Forest Service has failed to manage our forests in a healthy condition. Look how the Department of Energy as failed to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. The Department of Education has been a dismal failure. Products of some public schools are functionally illiterate and cannot even make change at the drive-through window.
We are getting wise to you so please don't come "back home" to New Mexico and blow your horn about protecting the border with Mexico by voting for the amendment to allow the Border Patrol to do their job in a area that you ultimately voted to turn over to the federal government.
Sincerely,
Janet White
H.R. 324 (the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area Act)
http://www.govit.com/vote/congress-votes.aspx?bill=2009-hr-324
We Have Had Enough Of This Duplicity
How long have we been debating H.R. 3200, health care reform? Now as we get down to the finish line, we will not be able to see the senate version three days before the crooks take their vote. How outrageous is this? A letter from an ORF reader to one of our senators:
September 21, 2009
Dear Senator Udall
I am really upset that the Senate Finance Committee voted to defeat an amendment that would post the Senate Health Care Bill online for 3 days prior to a vote. There is only one reason the Democrats would do this-to keep the American People from seeing it. Instead, they will post their "summary" of the bill. This is wrong.
I demand that you and Senator Bingaman post the bill on your own websites so that New Mexicans can read what it in the bill. This is a Representative Republic, that is the form of government we have. You have a duty of 100% transparency to those whom you represent. You cannot let the Democrats stop criticism of your bill.
I know you and Senator Bingaman will vote for the bill. You are a far-left liberal and so is Senator Bingaman, although you will both deny it, nonetheless, you are a liberal. You are supposed to have values of open, honest and transparent government. You should use your influence to get the Senate Bill posted on the internet so we can see what you are doing to us BEFORE you do it.
An Honest politician would be transparent. Crooked politicians hide behind selected "summaries".
The American people are smarter than you think.
XXXXX
Alamogordo, NM
Home Sweet Home? You're Stuck With It Forevah.
Thinking about selling your house, ever? - A look at H.R. 2454 (Cap and trade bill)
All that remains to become law is to get it thru the Senate and the President's signature, as of this writing! Thanks, Harry.
Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Act, you won't be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act.
H.R. 2454, the "Cap & Trade" bill passed by the House of Representatives, if also passed by the Senate, will be the LARGEST INDIVIDUAL TAX INCREASE any of us has ever experienced.
The Congressional Budget Office (supposedly non-partisan) estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four will be $6,800 per year. No one is excluded. However, once the Lower Paid classes feel the pinch in their wallets, you can be sure these voters get a tax refund (even if they pay no taxes at all) to offset this new cost.
But wait. This awful bill ( that NO ONE IN CONGRESS has actually read ) has many more surprises in it.
Probably the worst one is this: A year from now you won't be able to sell your house.
Yes, you read that right. The caveat is (there always is a caveat) that if you have enough money to make required major upgrades to your home, then you can sell it. But, if not, then forget it. Even pre-fabricated homes ("mobile homes") are included.
In effect, this bill prevents you from selling your home without the permission of the EPA ( ENVIRONMENTAL ) administrator.
To get this permission, you will have to have the energy efficiency of your home measured. Then the government will tell you what your new energy efficiency requirement is and you will be forced to make modifications to your home under the retrofit provisions of this Act to comply with the new energy and water efficiency requirements. Then you will have to get your home measured again and get a license (called a "label" in the Act) that must be posted on your property to show what your efficiency rating is; sort of like the Energy Star efficiency rating label on your refrigerator or air conditioner. If you don't get a high enough rating, you can't sell. And the EPA administrator is authorized to raise the standards every year, even above the automatic energy efficiency increases built into the Act.
The EPA administrator, appointed by the President, will run the Cap & Trade program (AKA the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009") and is authorized to make any future changes to the regulations and standards he alone determines to be in the government's best interest. Requirements are set low initiall y so the bill will pass Congress; then the Administrator can set much tougher new standards every year. The Act itself contains annual required increases in energy efficiency for private and commercial residences and buildings. However, the EPA administrator can set higher standards at any time.
Sect. 202 Building Retrofit Program mandates a national retrofit program to increase the energy efficiency of all existing homes across America . Beginning 1 year after enactment of the Act, you won't be able to sell your home unless you retrofit it to comply with the energy and water efficiency standards of this Act.
You had better sell soon, because the standards will be raised each year and will be really hard (i.e., exppensive) to meet in a few years. Oh, goody! The Act allows the government to give you a grant of several thousand dollars to comply with the retrofit program requirements if you meet certain energy efficiency levels. But, wait, the State can set additional requirements on who qualifies to receive the grants. You should expect requirements such as "can't have an income of more than $50K per year", "home selling price can't be more than $125K", or anything else to target the upper middle class (and that's YOU) and prevent them from qualifying for the grants. Most of us won't get a dime and will have to pay the entire cost of the retrofit out of our own pockets. More transfer of wealth, more "change you can believe in."
Sect. 204 Building Energy Performance Labeling Program establishes a labeling program that for each individual residence will identify the achieved energy efficiency performance for "at least 90 percent of the residential market within 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act." This means that within 5 years 90% of all residential homes in the U.S. must be measured and labeled.
Sect. 304 Greater Energy Efficiency in Building Codes establishes new energy efficiency guidelines for the National Building Code and mandates at 304(d) that 1 year after enactment of this Act, all state and local jurisdictions must adopt the National Building Code energy efficiency provisions or must obtain a certification from the federal government that their state and/or local codes have been brought into full compliance with the National Building Code energy efficiency standards.
If this doesn't get you motivated to call or write Bingaman or Udall, nothing will. The toll free number is 800-828-0498. Thanks to Marcia for sending this our way.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
FEMA/Hazard Mitigation Plan/Otero County
(Email I sent out today, 9/16/09)
Hello,
(1) Paul Quairoli – Discuss and hear public comments and consideration for adoption of the Otero County Hazard Mitigation Plan as per FEMA requirements and approve Resolution 09-17-09/98-12 adopting said plan for Otero County.
The resolution adopting this plan says in part (paraphrased):
1. Otero County took grant funds from FEMA to prepare this plan.
2. Local governments must have these plans as a condition of receiving Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds.
3. Post-disaster mitigation funds are only available to those with approved plans.
This is item 1 on Otero County Regular Meeting tomorrow, Thursday Sept. 17, at 6 pm. It is a public hearing and a vote will be taken. If you want to give your input and wish to see what the plan entails, I have a hard copy available. Call me at 921-1760 to make arrangements to get it.
Ecology and Evironment, Inc. were the recipients of the grant money to prepare this plan. http://www.ene.com/
Please go to their website to educate yourself on this global corporation because they are now in receipt of information on basically all of Otero County's resources, natural and man-made including proprietory property/inventory values not available to the public. http://www.ene.com/service/default.aspx
This is one of those topics that distinguish true Constitutionalists from others. Where do you stand?
Janet
What I did not mention in the email is that Ecology and Environment is now aware of all water sources, quality, location in Otero County.
This plan will be updated every five years. Who will do it? And, who will pay for it? (Bet you a steak that E & E already has this on their long range calendar.)
Members of the planning committee included two county, three state and two Ecology and Environment. NO members of the public were included.
Monday, September 14, 2009
SEIU - Service Employees International Union
Obama SEIU's Agenda is My Agenda - You Tube, 5 minutes, 22 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ1NJaCtIkM
SEIU Homepage
http://www.seiu.org/our-union/index.php
SEIU Pushing Back on Right-Wing Lies on Reform
http://www.seiu.org/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=1&tag=linda%20douglass&limit=20
Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN homepage
Shariah Finance Compliance
Next time you have dealings with your banking institutions, ask them if they are Shariah compliant. Chances are they are. To get started on this subject click the links below. We've got to get educated folks. It is right under our noses.
Catastrophe - How Shariah Law Has Taken Over The West (3 l/2 minute video by Dick Morris)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA9LWfOjjEA&feature=PlayList&p=5107340E23D9E07E&index=12
U.S. Finance involvement with Shariah Compliance opens dangerous doors says Gaffney from Center for Security Policy
http://www.shariahfinancewatch.org/blog/category/center-for-security-policy/page/2/
Shariah Compliant Banks
http://www.shariahfinancewatch.org/blog/shariah-compliant-banks/
http://www.shariahfinancewatch.org/blog/category/us-policymakers/
http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/index.xml
Shariah Finance Compliance Laws coming to America - WTF!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Patience and Preserverance, That is all it takes.
America is waking up from a long, fat nap. Now that we have seen the writing on the wall, we must continue to educate ourselves and others, and keep doing that. That is the way this country's brilliant constitututional Republic was set up - for change to come slowly and deliberately and openly. Hence, the three branches of government and the Constitution.
If our forefather's thought radical and/or quick change was wise, we would only have one powerful branch with authority over the sovereign states and citizens. And, we wouldn't have that pesky Constitution that is very hard to legitimately change.
In support of these basic principles, I offer several current commentaries and would welcome feedback:
Coruscating on Thin Ice
The Obama administration is young and out of touch.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204731804574391153099885242.html
Ducking the Deficit Issue
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/30/AR2009083002255.html
Major school systems won't be open when Obama speaks to kids
Tea Party Express Success Expressed
When I attended (about 2000 people) the Tea Party Express in Las Cruces last week 9/1/09), I met a man who was part of the entourage. I liked his sign and commented on it. He gave me his card. He's encouraging everyone to join the National 912 Project to be included in what is going on nationally so we're all in the loop of information. This idea is from Glenn Beck, an American hero.
I joined a few minutes ago.
Here is the link: http://www.thenational912project.org/
Please join with me in the fight to save our beloved country. If you already have signed up--super!
Marcia