Many argue that having the lives of thousands of young adults destroyed — or lost — is the price of preserving our freedom. And during World War II, when America was a very different nation, most people had no trouble buying into that proposition. But in today’s corrupt, semi-socialist America, the biggest threat to our freedom comes not from abroad, but from the criminal class in Washington — and, unfortunately, no one is talking about invading the nation’s capital.
My Opinion Is Important
NEVER FORGET !
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
America?
It's believed the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Again?
The postal department has once again added insult to it's customers. Not only are they down sizing by cutting jobs and closing certain offices, now they are doing this. Starting Sunday, the price of first-class postage increases from 44 cents to 45 cents. The cost of mailing a postcard is also going up to 32 cents, a three cent increase. Meanwhile, the cost of mailing a letter to other countries will increase 7 cents, to $1.05.
The government is hoping the price hike will help with billions in projected losses this year. It's my opinion, they need to do something. It goes with the territory as with our esteemed government, this branch must upgrade as well.
The government is hoping the price hike will help with billions in projected losses this year. It's my opinion, they need to do something. It goes with the territory as with our esteemed government, this branch must upgrade as well.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Law and Order: SVU Marathons
Guest post written by my buddy Keith Kramer
I am firmly convinced that there is nothing greater in this world than an all-day marathon of any show revolving around a crime. Law and Order: SVU? Criminal Minds? NCIS? It doesn’t matter. Any of them will do. While not a lazy person by nature, an all-day crime show marathon renders me completely incapable of moving from my couch except to grab a snack. Now, if one of these marathons is running on a Saturday, I force myself off the couch to get out of the house to complete whatever errands need running. On a Sunday though? All bets are off. Sunday is the day of rest, yes? I prefer my “rest” in the form of complete immobility for nine to ten hours on the couch, thanks. I am well aware that watching this many straight episodes of a television show revolving around someone’s mental illness, or the axe murderer running around Manhattan is probably not healthy, but it is a compulsion. Turning on my Direct tv guide and seeing one of these marathons? Awesome.
I am firmly convinced that there is nothing greater in this world than an all-day marathon of any show revolving around a crime. Law and Order: SVU? Criminal Minds? NCIS? It doesn’t matter. Any of them will do. While not a lazy person by nature, an all-day crime show marathon renders me completely incapable of moving from my couch except to grab a snack. Now, if one of these marathons is running on a Saturday, I force myself off the couch to get out of the house to complete whatever errands need running. On a Sunday though? All bets are off. Sunday is the day of rest, yes? I prefer my “rest” in the form of complete immobility for nine to ten hours on the couch, thanks. I am well aware that watching this many straight episodes of a television show revolving around someone’s mental illness, or the axe murderer running around Manhattan is probably not healthy, but it is a compulsion. Turning on my Direct tv guide and seeing one of these marathons? Awesome.
Military Pay?
CINDY WILLIAMS was appointed by Obama as an Assistant Director for NATIONAL SECURITY in the
Congressional Budget Office. Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the
pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more
than they deserve.
A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
Ms Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm
wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month
between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest
earnings statement I see that I make $1,117..80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20.
When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and
$10,49040 after.
I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host
computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. Area reveals a position in my
career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per anum...I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in
her armed forces.
Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get
the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice
you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your
family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."
As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye
to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends
meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the
government has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually
over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't
enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage
to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what
you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your oped piece.
But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.
You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish.
On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people
cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of
civilian companies.
And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? What do you think someone should
be paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
Congressional Budget Office. Ms. Cindy William wrote a piece for the Washington Times denouncing the
pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated a 13% wage increase was more
than they deserve.
A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.
Ms Williams:
I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GI's earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm
wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month
between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest
earnings statement I see that I make $1,117..80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20.
When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and
$10,49040 after.
I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host
computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment.
A quick check under jobs for "Network Technicians" in the Washington , D.C. Area reveals a position in my
career field, requiring three yearsˆ™ experience in my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year.
No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per anum...I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.
Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in
her armed forces.
Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get
the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of
deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice
you make though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your
family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."
As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye
to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends
meet while the primary breadwinner is gone. Obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the
government has been giving them.
Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually
over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night, and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't
enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat) you manage
to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.
Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't be nearly long enough or often enough, but take what
you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you
present in your oped piece.
But, tomorrow from KABUL, I will defend to the death your right to say it.
You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment right and every other right you cherish.
On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your
collective noses at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people
cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of
civilian companies.
And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? What do you think someone should
be paid to defend your life, and the life of your family?
A1C Michael Bragg, Hill AFB AFNCC
Friday, January 13, 2012
Walgreens Prescriptions
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Negotiations by Walgreens and Express Script have fallen through and they will no long work together. Walgreens is no longer part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network as of Jan. 1, 2012. Express Scripts acts as a middleman between pharmacies. Most payers don’t see the rates Express Scripts pays to Walgreens. They only know what they pay Express Scripts. When they do see what Walgreens is paid, many health plans and employers are making decisions to continue to ensure access to Walgreens because they find the prices to be competitive and believe that they can lower overall health care costs.
An individual can join the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
during a special January promotion for only $5, or $10 for a family membership, and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. Walgreens did this in an effort to prevent our country’s military personnel from being caught in the middle.
Walgreens also offered to contract separately with Express Scripts for Tricare from other Express Scripts commercial business, but these offers were rejected. This company wants you to use their own mail order pharmacy business instead of your community pharmacy. Community pharmacies are a valuable presence in your neighborhood. You can give support to Walgreens on Facebook as well as Walgreens on Twitter because of the magnitude confusion this situation has caused. What better was to stay updated than to check this out on these two networks.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Deficit?
Why not just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more
than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible
for re-election?
This is one idea that really should be passed
around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.
Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible
for re-election?
This is one idea that really should be passed
around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2012
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.
2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.
Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.
Monday, January 2, 2012
America Think!
Remember, not only did you and I contribute to Social Security but your employer did too. It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% interest (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.
If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever DID.
Entitlement my ass, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!
Remember Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% interest (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.
If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit! If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever DID.
Entitlement my ass, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!
Remember Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days.
Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?
We're "broke" and we can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, or Homeless
Yet in the last few months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!
Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed SS income' receive no additional federal aid nor do they get any financial breaks, while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? It was supposed to be in a lock box, not part of the general fund. Sad isn't it?
We're "broke" and we can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, or Homeless
Yet in the last few months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!
Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed SS income' receive no additional federal aid nor do they get any financial breaks, while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money. Why did the government borrow from it in the first place? It was supposed to be in a lock box, not part of the general fund. Sad isn't it?
Let's clean house in November 2012 and get folks elected that respect Seniors rights.
Think About It..........
THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THEY FORGOT TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!!
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO??????
It does touch a nerve in me, how about you? This is another example of what Rick Perry called "TREASON in high places" !!!
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