My Next few posts

My next few posts will be about some basic American History that few seem to really know about or understand. This is important so that we understand how history relates to us today and how things of past has created some of the troubles we face today.

In Memory

In memory of all those who lost their life 10 years ago today and to their families, my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Kick Start part 1

Let’s talk about what we can do now that will kick start the economy. But first let’s cover some facts that come into play.

1.      Corporation profits are up yet there were no new jobs created and no change in the unemployment.

2.      Government funded jobs are fund by the government therefore increases government spending.

3.      Government is and has for long time been spending far more than they have to spend.

4.      Government’s primary source of income is from taxation of workers and employers.

5.      Tax system is structured so that it is often more cost effective to work short of manpower and pay more per individual by paying overtime or by salary because of wage based.

6.      Also, in addition depending on benefits offered by employers it may also save on benefit cost if a company works light of manpower, but demands more time, production or increase scope of tasks or increase jobs duties or workload.

7.      Payroll tax which is paid by employers has gone up.

8.      People must be buying products or services for businesses to grow.   

9.      In recent years the downsizing that we have seen in corporations has increased job required duties of remaining employees while eliminating positions.

10.   Depending on state unemployment tax regulations a company may be subject to pay more or higher rate if layoff rate is high or reimburse state to keep rate of unemployment tax low.

11.   Corporations just like individuals are facing the uncertainty of the economic recovery and what the government will do.

12.   The effect that this uncertainty causes is extreme caution in both individuals and corporate America.

13.   The fact that corporations are showing a profit helps maintain stock prices.

14.   Higher stock prices increases the positive growth of investments.

15.   Growth in profits encourages investors to invest.

This list will help you understand the following if you think about it with logic and not emotion. Most of the large mistakes that the government makes are a result of playing the emotional game of politics. Politicians use the emotions of people to gain popularity and win the votes of the people. It is time that we stopped allowing our emotions to affect our views and determine our vote. Good decisions are made though fact based, time test logical thinking. We must put away our bias emotions and start thinking logically. It is only when the people start seeing the truth and thinking logically that we can demand our leaders or elect leaders that will make good sound decisions that will save us from the ever looming crisis that we currently face. Only if we as a people stop the fight among ourselves and bind together to save this country from worse things to come…..then and only then will true change…lasting change come. We have been on a roller coaster ride for many years and if we real look back in history we can see that it has been 100 plus years of uncertainty. The flip-flops between parties and policies have gone on for far too long and we need to create absolution of change that will preserve and protect us from these extreme economic uncertainties we have dealt with over the years.

Corporations are facing uncertainty today which cause fear and much caution in making any decision. Their profits are up for many reasons most of which the average person may not think about. So, let’s take a look at some logical reasons why this is and try to understand that this is a normal result of a recession as severe as we currently face. Most of us are a bit cautious in our spending currently because of the uncertainty of the economy and our jobs. Even those that have jobs and feel they are safe are still show caution in their buying habits. Proof is in the consumer spending and what we are spending it on. Although, politicians may say it is up we all know that game and if not let me give an example of the numbers game.

Example of the numbers game: Mary is a real estate broker. Her sells have doubled for the last six months over the previous six months. Wow! Sounds good right? But question is…how many houses did she sell? If she sold only one the previous six months she only sold two the last six months which is not so good. Now does that mean she did better than the last six months? “Yes”…but she cannot pay that rent on her office, they are turning her power off, her phone bill is overdue and she is filing for bankruptcy.

It is often misleading the way that things are presented by both politicians and the news media. We have to always think logically when we hear these reports. In using the example given I could say many things that would sound like Mary is doing great but does that change reality?

Here are some examples of what I could say:

Mary’s sells are up…she sold 200% of the sells in previous six months.

Mary has double her sells over previous six months.

Mary’s business has double in the past six months.

But let’s remember Mary is going bankrupt.

So, we see that profits being up may not always mean that things are good. There are many other reasons why profits will increase during a recession. Corporations are likely to put a freeze on expansion, growth and improvement projects during an uncertain economy. Just like many home owners are putting off that remodeling job, or that addition until they feel a bit more secure about the economy. Companies when the economy is good will spend money on growth which creates jobs in a good economy. We are not currently in a good economy therefore the money that they would normally spend for growth projects is not being spent and therefore appears to be profit. They also must survive and that often means putting some away for the unforeseeable future and the uncertainty of the future. The worse thing that they could do is spend themselves into bankruptcy in hopes that things will turn around quickly. We want them to have profit and have a reserve in order to survive…this is a good thing. If they fail to survive these current times we are all doomed. Corporations have done a lot of things they don’t want to do in order to survive the economic crisis of this recession. Part of which is changes that they have made in the area of their greatest expense which is labor. They do many things here and this is important so put on your logical thinking caps on. This area is important because this is the area wherein the government can help put people back to work. When consumer spending is down production goes down as a result which leads to layoffs most understand that. There is a two edge sword here that many don’t think about. Companies make market predictions to determine how much product to make. If they make too much that is bad because they have to lower prices which causes loss of profits which in the end can create layoffs and drops in stock prices…both are bad. It is best to be short in an uncertain or slow economy then to have an oversupply of goods that are not selling. The service industries can bend here much easier than manufacturing industries. When things start to go bad in an economy a manufacturer of goods will slow production and lay off workers. If the economy continues to lag for a long period of time or if predictions are that recovery will be slow they look at other area to cut labor costs. This goes from just laying off the line workers to the termination of management positions and higher paying jobs often called corporate restructuring or downsizing. Something that they do that I believe a lot of people are not aware of is to purposely short themselves on manpower. This is done in both service industry and manufacturing. Here is how it works and why they do it.

Example:

If a parts manufacturer works two shifts and produces 1,000 parts a day. The economy slows and predictions are that sells will drop 35-40% or they predict they will need to make 625 parts a day. They know that they cannot produce 625 parts in one shift of 8 hours but yet cannot afford to maintain two complete shifts. The cost of operations such as electric for two shifts also a consideration. They decide to work light using one shift and layoff the other. They need 100 man-hours a day to produce 625 parts. They have a total of 160 workers working two shifts and they are only keeping one shift. They will work the 80 workers on ten hour days in order to produce the 625 parts needed. By doing this the company saves money in many ways and most likely will not need to work the full ten hours because of some simple facts. Workers increase productivity when they fear getting laid off and there is no down time between shifts wherein the new shift needs to get in the swing of things for the day. The big savings comes from not having to pay such things as worker’s compensation on 80 employees; other insurance cost such as Health insurance (depending on contact, state laws etc.) liability insurance, unemployment tax, and payroll tax and retirement programs. The savings can far surpass the amount of overtime pay to the 80 workers remaining employed.

If we want companies to start hiring they have to have a reason…..a good reason. What reason do they have? “NONE” Predictions are bad for the economy so why would they hire people to build products that won’t sell? They need to see a plan from government that they feel secure in knowing that it will stimulate grow in the economy. Government has failed to show them a plan that is workable or viable. But there is something that the government can do that would start putting people back to work. Remember I told you to put on your logical thinking caps? Well did you see where the federal and state governments could help? What about those extra man-hours being worked? Yes there is people working overtime and things seem good to them and they won’t like the plan but we need all people working not just a few. What about a plan that would change the tax systems so that company would benefit from bring back some of the workers and cutting back hours to 40 hours rather than working overtime. You would put more people back to work. In the example given you would put 25% of the laid off workers back to work. In order to get corporations to bring back workers or hire there must be a reason. The demand for the product or an incentive to have more workers is the only thing that will do that at this point. A tax system that is rewarding based on the numbers of full-time employees will encourage companies to work fully staffed, rather than short staffed. Here is even a better idea...increase the payroll tax rate (This is tax paid by employer not employee) for overtime.

Keeping in mind the list of facts, let me sum up where we are at so far.

Corporations need to see a workable plan that will make them feel secure about the upcoming months and that the economy will recover. Until they see that type of plan they will be very cautious and keep employee levels slim. In doing this they often will work short staff and work staff overtime as needed. The savings in keeping their staffing short far outweighs the cost of keeping additional employees. Changes to the taxation programs to promote and incentivize taxes based on the number of full time employees would encourage companies to hire or bring back workers to prevent overtime of short staff and put more people back to work. This would cost nothing and would in the end help create more revenue.   

This can be a quick done in a day change that will near instantly put some back to work.

Another area that should be looked at is businesses where employees work longer than 40 hours yet because they are commission based paid or get paid partly in tips. There needs to be federal regulations to protect them from abuse of their employers and require overtime pay higher than minimum wage at time and a half. This would do one of two things: increase their incomes or employers would add to their staff. Thus helping their current employees or creating employment and both creating more revenue.

Too many name callers

There are far too many name callers and finger pointers. It is like a school yard fight and I am talking elementary school too. The left, the right and we are not just talking about the politicians it is the citizens that has entered into this futile childish game of mudslinging. It is only when we stop the foolishness that we will start to solve problems. I am putting together a think tank of true problem solvers to come up with real solutions. I am looking for the bright and the wise….NO name callers, NO finger pointers…..people who deal in truth no matter what the source. I am looking for people who can put aside bias and come up with real solutions for our country. Please, e-mail me if you are interested in being a part of the solution. I am looking for people from all walks of life and I do mean “all” because America is made up of people from all walks of life. Contact me at rsiacebowen@yahoo.com

Where is Flood Victim's Relief?

How quick would states get flood relief funds if the nation was a true Republic as we were intended to be? Well they would not have to wait for the Federal Government or a Federal agency to give them the money, or to approve the funds…because they would have control of such funds without the Federal Government’s involvement. In addition they would have more money available to aid the victims of the flood because there would be fewer payrolls for management of the funds due to fewer people involved.

This is just another case in which the Federal Government gets over on the States and the people in this so called Democracy. It is also another case of mismanagement of your tax dollars and duplication between state agencies and federal agencies. Each state has their own emergency management agency wherein they could better manage the funds and get the badly needed funds to those in need much quicker without having the federal government involved. This would save a huge amount of money used to pay federal government employees to count the money handed up by states and their citizens to the federal government only to be handed back…..as a faction of what it should be or could be if they have any to give after they pay for the management of funds that should have never been given to them to begin with.

So, how does this happen? Why are people that are badly in need of help waiting on help? Why is it that States and the good citizens have to wait for the Federal Government to give them back the money which should be theirs in the first place under a true Republic? Are you confused by my words? Maybe you have it is because for many years you as have I been conditioned to think this is how it is supposed to be. It is not how it should be and if you want to change it you need to get involved in a plan that will change it.

Fact if a financial corporation mismanaged money the way the federal government has for the past 70-80 years most of their employees would be in jail and they would no longer be in business. It is time to put this to rest and really do something as citizens to stop the totally unrelenting mismanagement of our money. They took our money and said we will provide retirement benefits…..they give that money to people who have never paid into the system and bankrupted the fund. Right wings talk entitlement as if we aren’t entitled? I am entitled to every cent I paid in......okay maybe not any more than that be I want my money back! Yes, every cent that I gave on a promise that I would have it later. This is the stuff that makes my blood boil. The federal government is getting away with things that in any other case would be considered fraud.

How did this happen? It happened because they years ago changed the constitution and took the representation of states by Senators away from states. They changed the tax system so that more money went to the federal government rather than the states were it could be better managed and benefit the people. They created duplication of agencies thus spending billions more in the management of funds leaving fewer funds to benefit the people. No candidate is talking about these things as they should because they would have to introduce to the people facts that ager the people beyond belief. Well, I will tell you because I am sick of the lies and the cover-ups. They want to blame the current office holders just so they can get elected. It is time for the truth and I am going to tell it.    

So, where is the flood victim’s relief? It is being spent on management on the federal level when it should be in state funds and already working for the victims. Oh so what about mismanagement by states? That is the only job of the federal government in this case……they are supposed to be making sure funds are being properly handled and protecting the people from such mismanagement as they themselves are guilty of.  

Let me ask you a question: Are you seeing the mismanagement and ready to stand against it? If so then please, contact me via e-mail at rsiacebowen@yahoo.com and let hear your voice.  

Something more to think about is why is it that the Federal Government is the only source for flood insurance?

Letter #4

Letters to the People #4

To my fellow Americans,

In this letter I would like to address some facts and truths as opposed to the fictional lies. There seems to be many that are unclear about many things and yet these misgivings are simply just a lack of knowing the truth in most cases. Politicians, special interest groups and the media has seems to be the primary sources of our information and yet not the best form of knowledge as I have discovered. I have spent countless hours in search of answers to my admitted confusion over what is truly right. In writing you today I will touch on many things that later will require more explanation in depth. I would hope that for your own sake you will seek for yourselves… as I have… the truth so that you too will see more clearly the facts over the never ending lies spoken daily by so many.

Lie: There is very little difference between a democracy and a republic form of government.

Fact: We were founded a Republic and there is a huge very important difference.

Truth: There is a huge difference and that difference is that a Republic form of government better protects individual freedoms including: freedom of religion, freedom of choice, freedom to be self-governed, to live as one so selects, freedom to moral beliefs, and that list goes on and on. As Thomas Jefferson said, “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” If you fall into the forty-nine percent how free are you? NOTE: TO THOSE WHOM MAY NOT LIKE JEFFERSON PLEASE DON’T RULE OUT THIS FACT JUST BECAUSE OF THE MAN…….I DON’T AGREE WITH ALL HIS THOUGHTS, BUT CONSIDER ALL THINGS FROM ALL SOURCES AS YOU TOO SHOULD. ONLY A FOOLISH ARROGANT PERSON THINKS THEMSELVES TO BE RIGHT ALL THE TIME WITHOUT REGARD TO OTHER POINTS OF VIEW. 

Lie: Republican form of government is a right-wing Christian idea.

Fact: Republic form of government protects all individual freedoms.

Truth: A true Republic form of government has nothing to do with the Republican Party or Christian ideals and is neither right nor left. A Republic form of government protects individual freedoms far better than any other form of government. These freedoms include the rights of both Christian and non-Christian, straight and gay, Jew and Muslim. In a true republic the federal government’s job is not to make laws to rule over such, but rather to protect the individual against any state or local governments that would restrict individual freedoms. It protects diversity against any laws against and/or prohibiting the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness of an individual to practice or act on their beliefs as long as in doing so it does not prohibit another’s same rights or cause harm or crime against another.                       

Lie: We were founded as a Christian nation by Christian men.

Fact: We were not founded a Christian nation and they weren’t all Christians.

Truth: Many of our founding fathers believed in God but some didn’t including Thomas Jefferson to which there is more proof that he was agnostic more than anything. He did however understand that most believed in God and understood the importance of protecting religious freedom.

Lie: Our biggest problem is that there are no jobs.

Fact: The past governmental changes to our constitution and to our economic system are the biggest problem we face and the reason for most of our struggles today.

Truth: Our constitution has been changed in such a way that the sovereignty of states has been severely limited, giving more control to the federal government than what should have ever been. These changes empowered the federal government with more than ever they should have had. These changes also took money from states and gave Federal governement power over state financially thus control not only states but the lowest forms of government and the people themselves. This was done by the 16^th and 17^th amendments to our constitution which changed us from a republic into something much less and put us on a path that leads to the same end as other large republics that fell. The problem is…how do we turn around and get back to being a Republic which would resolve and prevent the same struggles?

Lie: We have a Capitalistic economic system

Fact: We have a mixed economic system

Truth: We have a mixed economic system of Capitalism (market economics), Socialistic (planned economics) and Communistic (command economics) systems. Currently more planned (Socialistic) and command (Communistic) than market (Capitalistic) considering the control of Federal, State and Local governments over business and economic growth.

Lie: Our national debt is a result of presidential and congressional action in recent years.  

Fact: The reason for our national debt (as well as state debt) is primarily a result of the fact that we have been changed to a Socialistic (Planned) and Communistic (Command) economic system without the supportive tax increases.

Truth: The Federal Government, along with state governments has created a huge number of socialistic programs with no possible way to support them. The Federal, State and Local governments combined has regulated, taxed, charged fees, and controlled businesses nearly equal to that of a communistic (command) system. Duplication of many programs within federal government and between state and federal governments also add to the overwhelming expense of such programs.

Lie: Socialism may be the best way out of our situation

Fact: Socialism takes away individual freedom, raises taxes (most socialist countries individuals pay nearly 50%) slows economic growth, limits industrial creativity and historically leads large republics down a path to communism.

I am only getting started but will expand on these things more in my next letter.

John Commoner

25AUG11

Next Letter coming

My next letter is coming Thursday and will expose some truths that some people seemingly don't know or understand.