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.

Ready for some fact vs fiction?

Okay, now it is time for the facts. Many won't like the facts but the truth will set you free and liberate you! Free and liberty is what this country is about and it is time to focus on solutions and stop the crying.

History is Repeating

We are a diversified country of people, from many origins; such as we are we represent many cultural, ethnic and religious beliefs and differ one to another in many ways. Yet we are united in our basic beliefs of freedom and liberty. We all are seemingly oppressed by the unbearable truths of our current circumstances. We have little to no control over the future of our land but rather it is in the hands of those whom govern over us. Taxes and fees for both the individual and businesses from both local powers and the supreme powers will surely continue to increase until it is insufferable for many. Those that have not already been broken by such will bear the weight of those that have fallen to feed the hunger of those that rule, until they too are in ruins. Businesses now struggling will laid to waste leaving their employed without means and those individuals will most likely lose all they have worked to gain. (That was pre-Declaration of Independence) Does that not sound like us today? It parallels our struggles today don’t you think?

History is repeating itself as we should know its progression well and we should know history’s stubbornness to repeat and yet do we not learn? Time has come to take hold of history and learn from it…learn its patterns. After which we should strangle it and cast it to the past wherein it belongs. We must take control of our future or the patterns of history will dictate it.

Our forefathers wrote our constitution in such a way that they thought they had protected us from the same dismal self-destructive paths that other societies before us. Benjamin Franklin when he was leaving the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 was asked what type of government was formed. His response was, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” They our forefathers knew and understood the dangers because they were students of history and warned us of the pitfalls. George Washington expressed in his farewell address his concerns, and encouraged us to stay involved. Yet that ever so important address is not taught nor is the importance of such involvement expressed to us in a manner that gives us no choice. The fact is; we do not have a choice if we are to preserve our country, our freedom and our liberty. Our involvement is a must and our involvement must be more than casual but must be such that it is the predominant power governing over government. Voting is only a very small part of that involvement and we need firmly to understand that our involvement cannot stop there. We must never again become comfortable or secure in thinking that aristocrats will act in our best interest.

In a previous blog I wrote that there were two major problems in our country; one being the politicians and the other being us. I must admit that I as a citizen along with millions of others in the past and present have failed to keep the Republic and therefore failed myself and my countrymen…..but I am not alone in my failings. We are and have been the number one biggest problem…..and do include myself and take huge blame for the state of our Union. Now we must be the resolve and join together as one people united to gain back that which has been lost.  

The Civil War Being Fought In D.C.

For many years there has been a civil war going on right under our noses. There are two sides and they make battle in Washington D.C. and we the citizens are paying the bill for a war we didn’t start and don’t want. There are three ways that a civil ends.

1. The two sides come to an agreement .....which is not likely unless a third party steps in to help resolve the conflict by means of mediation between the two and fresh new creative ideas that work.

2. One side wins which means somebody loses which includes citizens as our destiny will be controlled by one supreme party.

3. An outside force crushes both sides and takes control.

So, with that we have little option but to become the third party....that's right we the citizens. I don’t think anyone would like the idea of #3 let’s say China decides payment is due because we fall behind on payments…. and they see that our leaders are too busy fighting among themselves to notice a stealth attack economic takeover. Okay, what about the second choice? The winning party would take extreme measures to assure that they will always have control………can’t really call that a democracy can you?

Both Republicans and Democrats cringe at the idea of a strong third party. They and their supporters tell you that it would divide the vote and that you would lose in the end. It is time we stopped falling for their lies and persuasions. They are fearful of a third party because it would mean that they would have to stop fighting in this power struggle, start coming to agreement and do their job. But to stop fighting……that would mean that they would not win…….they have to win…………that is their mindset as we have seen in the debates over raising the debt ceiling. Now so as to offend anyone of neither party that may truly have the common good in mind and are prone to agreement……this does not include you. There are I believe good people in both parties, and I hope that those individuals will consider joining our cause. This war has went on for too long …25…30….50 years or longer, party politics has come before the people, and the welfare of our country. It is time we became once again the powerful industrialize nation that the entire world looked up to and was an example of true liberty and freedom. I for one want the success story back……I want the hope back for my children and my children’s children. Currently…. all that I have is fear for their future.

Letters to the People #3

Letters to the People #3

To my fellow Americans,

The win-win theory seems to be a lost idea these days here in the American culture. We the common citizens have followed our leaders down this path of kill or be killed politics. Media seems to be fanning the flames of this political battle in Washington. Yet, over the past few months something has started to change among the citizens. Many of us are tired of being the puppet and moods are starting to change. We are starting to see both sides of the extreme as be a big part of the problem…and the bickering needs to stop and agreements must be made. From the stands at this circus show, the world watches no doubt in stock…as the two powers in Washington fight for control…Like puppets pulling at each other’s strings while trampling the American citizen underfoot. Media isn’t helping, but rather creating more mayhem. Everybody wants to be the puppet master and nobody wants to be the puppet. Being either does not create a sense of accomplishment or gratification unless there are psychological issues. So, do we have a bunch of crazy people leading our country? It almost appears as if some may indeed have some issues or you would think they could see some simple truths. We all seek some sense of fulfillment or accomplishment wherein we feel some purpose to life. When ego gets in the way such as we are seeing in Washington the purpose is self-serving and NOT in the best interest of our country. The fulfillment of winning seems to be more important than saving our country from disaster. There is a third choice outside of the kill or be killed choice. Perhaps, our leaders don’t have a full understand of the word “Interdependency” or they truly do have ego issues. “UNITED” States of America isn’t that who we are?

So, now let us take a look at the players in this game of puppetry and then in future letters we will explore options available to end this silly game. The reason the players are important is because we must identify the sources of our demise. The players are many...there is corporate America, media, special interest groups, politicians, political parties, federal government, foreign interests and the American citizen consumer. Who is the American citizen consumer? Most like you fall into that group. Simply put they are American citizens and consumers of goods and services of corporate America and media. Let us go through the list one at a time starting with corporate America. Corporate America is the employers of America and for the most part we as citizens rely on them for our income. For the purpose here I want to focus mostly on the big boys that employ ten of thousand directly or indirectly. For example automotive manufacturing not only employs directly, but through many subcontractors many others are employed as a direct result of their existence.  If the automotive industry is slow it affects a huge portion of households across our nation. The importance of this industry doing well is such that our federal government will go to their aid in order to save the industry. We have witnessed this recently and it is not the first time it has happened although, it should be the last. So, in the case of big industry like the automotive and banking industry are they the puppet or the puppet master? It would appear that they are the masters because their failure puts the whole of the economy at risk of disaster. They seemed to have the government over a barrel just a few years ago leaving the federal government with no choice but to bail them out. That all sounds like the right thing to do if you think about the disaster of banks failing, people not able to get their money, pay bills, buy food…etc….or if the auto industry went belly-up there would be hundreds of thousands of people unemployed in addition to what we have now. But, was it the right thing to do? The answer is there was no choice…not after the fact…but could it been prevented? Absolutely! Fact being there was a lot of things that has happen to leading up to these most recent events. Much of which was or should have been controlled by our federal government. Corporate greed is a domestic enemy that must be regulated and in the case of the automotive industry the lack of control on lease residuals was a big and avoidable problem. Also the huge hikes in gasoline prices was a big factor as it resulted in a huge drop in the resale value of sports utility vehicles which caused big losses on lease returns of SUVs. A little government protect there would have been nice but the government seems too reactive, instead of proactive or preventive. In the case banks and mortgage companies where was the government when the rules of government insured loans were being broken. Why was there not a regulation against balloon mortgages and interest only for common home buyers? These type loans should only be used for builders, corporate real estate and investment real estate and never should they have been legal for home mortgages. But in the end the government bailed out the banks and mortgage companies being their puppet because the failure of the banking and mortgage industry was not an option….right? This story we have not nearly heard the end of. Both the government and the citizen consumer seem to be the puppets of corporate America in this case. But the American consumer was a willing puppet in that we willing signed these crazy mortgage agreements. Yes, there were problems with proper disclosure….but if it sounds too good to be true we need to do our homework. We must take responsibility for our mistakes citizen consumers. Okay, I got a little in depth on the first only so that you will widen your thoughts as you read the remainder which will be a bit more brief and direct. Now let us move on to the next which is media. Media is the superior puppet master and has been the biggest influence on culture and society above anything known to man. News, movies, television, radio, music, print, internet media even commercials influence us to a degree that transcends all other moral, cultural and social influences even our family unit. Media has more control over public opinion, politics, economy, social issues than any other group on our list. They have an amazing responsibility to our country and the success of the people as a whole. Yet, they are also controlled……by the public, because ratings determine their success. Next we have special interest groups which pull the strings of the public and politicians. Moving on we have politicians which are those seeking an office or reelection to an office.  Politicians are mastered over by many groups on our list to include the American citizen consumer, special interest groups, political parties, corporate America, media, and foreign interest.  Political parties get their strings pulled by all on the list also. Federal government I will expand on just a bit to explain the difference between politicians and federal government. When referring to federal government I am referring to the collective body of government which includes politicians. The major difference is that when a politician takes office with the federal government the draw strings change drastically until such time as they must start campaigning again to secure their position for another term. The federal government has all groups pulling at their string, but to no avail. It seems that only those in campaign mode or the freshman that are trying to make a public showing so as to better secure future terms are the only ones that truly care about public opinion or the American citizen consumer. It seems that they only they take any heed to those outside the operations of government and political parties when it is their furture term on the line. The truth is that those in government seem to be caught up in a war of string pulling among themselves…a partisan puppet competition. Public opinion doesn’t seem to matter much unless it’s an election year. Foreign interests have not yet come to full fruition as I believe it will as our economy lags and as the world’s economy suffers. Foreign interests are multiple and the current economic state of our country puts us…all of us…at risk of falling into the control of foreign nations, investors, and corporations. I fear that the average American citizen consumer is not fully aware of the dangers that are looming ahead of us if our recovery is too slow or the world economy gets worse. Last but not least is the American citizen consumer which is the largest group and should be the most powerful group but yet seems to have very little control.

We the American citizen consumer are puppets…they take our money they, spend how they like, they give themselves pay increases, nice retirements for just a few years of service and the list goes on. The sad thing about that fact is it is only because we allow ourselves to be to be puppets that we are puppets. For some reason we have felt we could only do so much….but the truth is we have done very little to change the path. At this point I would like to make it VERY clear that I include myself in that statement, but I am tired of being the puppet…and I will no longer sit and do nothing. Okay, so how do we take back control and stop being the puppet? We must first change our point of view and see things as they truly are and how they truly should be. Our country was founded and the constitution so written to give the citizens as a collective control over their lives and future. That control is through the power of the vote, self-government and yet that power in current times gives little to no control to the citizens of this great country. The two party system does not work and has never really worked well and if you want true change there must be a strong third party. The party cannot be to the left or to the right nor can it be a moderate party. What? Continue to read my letters and I will explain.

John Commoner

25JUL2011     

          

Who's the puppet?

Monday 25JUL2011 I will be posting letter #3 which may give some shocking enlightenment to some. It will be interesting and I look forward to getting feedback on this. Now the letters are going to start getting really interesting.

Next Letter

My next letter is coming very soon and it is going to be a good one so don't miss it!

No New Taxes?

Okay, but how are we going to pay off this debt? What if there was a plan wherein we could pay off the debt, have more money coming into the Federal Government to do so, while at the same time decrease the amount of Federal income taxes most people pay, eliminate Federal income tax over time, keep social programs, reduce the Federal Government’s spending and increase economic growth all at the same time? In upcoming letters from John Commoner you will learn of a new way to look at the big picture. Be sure to follow along and you will see things that seem to be eluding most.  

Letters to the People #2

Letters to the People #2

To my fellow Americans,

In my first letter to you I wrote, “They have pitted us against each other in a battle….” and that my dear fellow citizens must be seen for what it is---futile. Now that is not to say that our individual ideas, beliefs, or convictions are futile. But rather that we all have right to our own diversities and fighting over them is futile. Unless someone would be insistent to force another to take on their same beliefs, ideas against the others will. Which seems to be the goal of the extremists, and that would be unthinkable in our country and is that of a fascist, dictatorship or communist ideology---that does not fit well even in socialism or democracy. To fight with such disregard of another’s rights and freedom to believe as they select and the freedom to live according to their beliefs is not reasonable nor is it American. The continued efforts of both extremes to force their agendas against the belief systems of others are to support the natural path of democracy leading towards fascism, dictatorship, and communist type governments, foreign takeover or complete destruction of such a union of states. Many of the extremist are such as I WAS and have no clue that their extreme insistence is leading us down such a path. If you think that we are on no such path or that it is a stretch on the extreme, then please, do tell me what has happen to every large union of diverse people under a Republic form of government such as ours. China and the USSR are the only current examples, although throughout history there were other large Republic type unions---hmm, what happened to them? They are no more with the exception of China which is a communist nation. There are smaller Republics which are more easily sustainable the oldest being San Marino, the diversities in such are not as extreme and the people of such respect the differences of others within smaller Republics. The United States was an experiment of sorts when it came to a Republic of such size---it had never before been successful. But after much argument and discussion our forefathers made a very risky but wise decision. They formed a Republic form of government in hopes that they in writing our constitution would write it in such a way as to preserve the Republic. They failed, but not out of a lack of diligent effort. So, why did they decide on a Republic form of government and why is that the best form of government for a diverse country such as ours. The reason is simple and yet eludes many liberals and conservatives seemingly not having an understanding of it. A Republic form is the only form of government that guarantees and protects that all can have it their way. That sounds real crazy but I am going to explain how this was to be and how it can be. Everyone getting their rights protected and nobody stepping on the other person’s rights is how it can and will be if we so choose. From the very liberal to the most conservative the right to act, govern and live out your beliefs. Now to make it perfectly clear that I am not writing in just one arena---far from it, but I am talking about everything from your person life to the operational politics of government, the type of government, type of economic system, taxes and on and on. Yes, we can have both socialism and democracy coexisting in our country---in a Republic form of government.

Before I get too deep into the subject of a Republic form of government and the difference between types of government I am going through a series of steps. First you must understand fully that I WAS an extremist to the far right. I am a Christian who has only after much study and prayer come to see things through the eyes of truth. I WAS wrong for being an extremist and as far from what being a Christian example is as I could be. In a future letter I will address those of faith and explain to them why I was indeed wrong. My past actions and opinions have caused many to the left to be set against me and as a result have been the cause of lost freedoms as a Christian. The steps I will take you through are the same steps in brief that I myself took in thoughtful study that lead me to truth and understanding I now have. How I came to know and understand is important to the point that it serves as a path to others that are like I once was. If you are an extremist or even more prone to one side or the other it is my hope that you will read all that I write without making any assumptions before the last of these letters. It is also my hope that you will do it without bias or without be drawn to make preconceived assumptions. Please, be open in your heart and mind as you continue.

My awakening came one day while listening to Rush on Big Talker out of Philadelphia. I must give some credit to my ex-wife for helping to establish contempt for rudeness and arrogance. Before this day I had cheered Rush’s rudeness to select callers and was a huge fan of conservative radio. I listened daily to Glenn, Sean and Rush. As I listened that day Rush was taking calls from listeners, as one of callers began to speak that day Rush rudely cut him off after just a few words, and started berating him--- the caller very nicely and calmly asked to be heard only to have Rush cut the call. It was like a light switch was flipped in my pea brain---it was then that I realized he and my then wife were the same. As nice as I could be with her I was always meet with rudeness, and when I was persistent to be heard as an equal of that union she asked for divorce. Although, I was extremist in my thinking I was never a rude person and perhaps that was why I never got involved before. Not that I was never rude, but rather not by nature. If I were backed into a corner as with my ex I would come out fight and could be very rude and nasty. Yet it just wasn’t in me by nature to be a nasty person and I thought that I would have to be nasty to be involved. Now let me make one thing clear that even though I am a nice guy that does not mean that I am a coward. On the contrary I can be bold to an extreme but nice about it. I have no doubt that I will face attacks from both extremes and their attacks will only prove to be futile acts of arrogance. It will also prove a lot of what I will say as I continue to write these letters that the extremes are destructive to all rights and freedoms we hold dear. On that day I as I was listening to Rush I made an ethical decision to stop listening to everything and everybody. I stopped read newspapers, stopped listen to news, stopped watch TV and stopped reading news, blogs, e-mails and news letters on the internet. Then I started on a journey that would change my whole thought process and that was shockingly enlightening. I began to read world history, American history, study various forms of government, the history of types of governments, how they came to be, how they failed to succeed, why they failed and most importantly I study our path and pattern in relationship to this knowledge. During this time I also spent a lot of time praying for wisdom and reading the Bible. Two things happened that were shocking, the first frightfully shocking and the second was an awakening to truth. The thing that was frightful was the path that we are on was leading us to an end result that neither left or right seems to be fully aware of--- because if they were aware they surely would without reserve be putting on the brakes. The fact is that it is their extremism on both parts that has set our path. The truth that was so shocking is what I will be sharing throughout this series of letters, but more importantly is I will share the truth of hope that I found. I will reveal the resolves to most of our disagreements and show you enlightening new ways to view our country. Everything has a resolve and I will tell you of ways to minimize taxes, resolve debt issues, moral issues, political differences, the war question, and much, much more.  

Something really amazing happen doing my search for the truth and answers to my unending questions. As I began to read and study I found myself pulling out selected ideas that fit into what I believed. The more I read, searched and studied to find the answers, the more I realized how arrogant and ignorant I truly was and how my beliefs had been skewed by political extremism and media. Then it happened, something wonderfully amazing, an epiphany that completely transcended anything that I have ever experienced. In filling my mind with so much information at first it was overwhelming and the diversity of ideas seemed to be compartmentalizing as oil and water and they just didn’t mix or have a bond between them. Then as if a miracle I saw and realized the catalyst that pulled all these ideas of extreme diversity together as one remarkable fully functional unit. As I became aware of this remarkable bonding of ideas and diversities, and a resolve to our peril began to emerge. All that I had read started to recall in a very strange mix, diversities seemed to overlap each other become one of the same central thought or idea. These were no longer extremes but one of the same line of thought just on extreme ends of the same line. Then as I reentered into reality of the world slowly it became clearer that what I had discovered was indeed true and that reality proved it to be so. On both ends of the extremes of every subject all desired the same basic things. The problems was that most were lead to believe that in order to win somehow the opposite ideas had to be defeated and vanished. Yet the more this hardline of thinking continues the firmer the other extreme stands true to the idea of conquer or be conquered thus both being conquered by their own arrogance. It is a battle wherein freedom loses and the price is paid by us the common citizen.

John Commoner

12JUL2011

An Incomplete Thought Can Never Fully be Understood

I am just a common ordinary citizen just like most of you. My thoughts and ideas come out of a lot of reading, research, listening, and prayer. Yes, I do pray. But my spiritual life is for my personal strength and growth. In making that public I fear one thing. Many may dismiss me simply because I am a Christian and choose to pray. Yet, be it known that I firmly believe in the separation of church and state for many reasons. (To those fellow Christians that just cringed.. please, hear me out throughout the next many months and you will understand why that separation is so important to religious freedom) The major reason is because of the history of non-separation and/or countries that are or have been ruled by the church or some form of religious ruled. In those cases the church became corrupt and those governments failed to protect the freedom of religion itself. I do not want my freedom of religion vanished nor the church corrupted and so I firmly believe in that same wisdom as my founding fathers. In life I have found that it is neither wise nor prudent for me to dismiss a person based on any one thought, idea, or for that matter even for a general dislike for their overall character or person. I have found that it is enlightening to listen and arrogant to judge before doing so. With that I ask that you continue to read all that I write and not to dismiss the whole based on one thought or for my personal beliefs that have nothing to do with the political ideas I share. Feel free to response and share your ideas as I am always open to all ideas and suggestions. I know that there will be those that will discount me or judge me without full understanding…. They will come from the right, the left and some from the middle. (I fear even fellow Christians too) I WAS an arrogant hardline right wing Republican, now I am something so far from left, right, and the middle there is not yet a name for it. I am sure media will take care of that problem.

The arrogant hates any new idea other than their own……even if it is a great idea. That is not to say that all my ideas are great or even good ……..some I may completely trash after I get your feedback. It is not about me…….it is about us and our beloved country. So, share your thoughts please.

To answer the question

To answer a question that has been posed to me several times, “Are you going to run for an office?” The answer is, “Not planning on it and have no real ambitions to do such. Although, it is not beyond the scope of possibilities... if I truly felt lead or called or called upon to serve in that capacity.” I am a very private person and I am not sure that I would enjoy being in such a position wherein there is a public spotlight on me. Not that I have anything to hide, but rather I just can’t imagine being followed and spied on at every turn. I value my private alone time with my thoughts and writing. In such a position I fear that time would be lost. However the security of our freedom as a whole, is of such greater value than selfish purpose. If indeed it called for me to rise to a more active role it would be worth the sacrifice and I would humbly accept the price of my privacy and humbly answer the call.           

Letters to the People #1

Letters to the People #1

To my fellow Americans,

For far too long I have sat lazily by and have not said or done anything as I should and for that I am ashamed and sorry. The lack of my action….although, I find is not unusual among common people and as with most common people I have felt helpless to a point. Still yet this inaction is largely the reason that we have the struggles that we now face in our country. I have voiced my dissatisfaction, ideas and thoughts only to friends, family, coworkers, and in other small social interactions. Although, many times others encouraged me in the past to get involved, I didn’t feel so inclined to do so. I voted, yet in voting felt forced to choose from preselected aristocrats whom I felt truly knew nothing of the common struggles faced by the common citizen. As a common citizen I believed that there was little that I could do; and that I was not adequately qualified to take any action myself. Ben Franklin said, “….if you can keep it.” Keep what? The Republic….Who was he talking about in saying, “…you…”? I believe it was the citizens….us. For years I have prayed, hoped and held out for someone else to do what only someone like me, a commoner could do. So, why someone like me and why a commoner? For throughout history such change as is needed came from a spark in the heart of an unlikely common man or woman. Remember Rosa Parks…….Martin Luther King Jr….even many of our founders were not political leaders prior to the movement towards independence. For many years I sat and did nothing, but then there came a day when something deep inside of me said, “You must!” I have no doubt that our forefathers heard the same voice from deep within themselves and in answering the call founded this great country. The corrupt and hyper-partisan politics has gone on for far too long. We see the corruption that is in our government from the local level all the way to the federal level…..but what about what we don’t see?

The aristocrat fears us and rightfully so because of the power of our numbers.  They have tried to convince us that a third party would defeat our purpose and have been successful. Turning us against each other with hyper-partisan politics causing a division of the one thing that they fear the most….the power of the vote unified in a third party. Now that we are divided so greatly they have little fear of a strong third party. But I for one believe in the people of this great land to answer the call. They the aristocrats are wise, educated and knew this could happen so they have played an illusionist’s game of distraction. They have pitted us against each other in a battle of extremes on issues that have little or nothing to do with the real truth of peril we face, and they don’t care about the cost to us the citizen. Thus they have distracted us from their actions on both sides of the extreme, while changing America into something that was not the hopes, dreams or plans of our forefathers.

To bark loud and yet never bite… makes you just a nuisance not a watch dog. Now is the time, if ever there was to take action as a citizen….each and every one of us. If we don’t take action we will be politically caged.

Today as I write is the fourth of July the day that we celebrate the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Today is a sobering day for me as I think about at the current state of our Union and fight tears of heartbreak over what we have become and the path that we are on. I cry tears of sorrow for those that will follow for the burden they will bear. I also think that surely they will curse us for our lack of action as citizens and be ashamed of us their forefathers for are lack of courage. I am regretful as a citizen that I have by my inaction and mislead beliefs been a part of the peril we and many generations hence will face and endure. I for one will not be known by my children, my grandchildren and great grandchildren as a failure. Sure a failure I will be if I sit idly by spending my time play video game, watching TV or finding some other diversion while my country falls apart.  I humbly ask that each of you that read this and the following letters that I will write to survey your life and heart. Have you like me sat idly by or been persuaded to the left or right and as a result been by simple passiveness or persuasion a part as I have? Have you been an active participant but yet in your participation found contempt of the other side and feel that the more you fight the more the other side hates you? It is time to explore ourselves and unite in our common goals as they the aristocrat make war against each other let us make peace among ourselves and reclaim our country. Our diversities although many, are the very reason we should be united. If you don’t understand how that could be then please, continue to follow what I will write to you. Let us put away our differences, sacrifice some of our TV time, our party time, our game time, to spend time socially through any means to share the news of hope. It is only by the means of be united was our country founded and only by this means can we preserve it.        

Only in keeping with the path of our founders will the security of our freedom remain guaranteed by our constitution. There is only one way to change the course of this country and that is to change the way it is and has been governed. There is only one way to do that and that is with a strong third party, a party of the people, by the people and for the people. Unlike any other party this will be a party that truly does represent the people as a collective. Yes, all of us….liberal, conservative, Christian, atheist, gay, socialist, republican, democrat….all colors, ethnicities, religions, and on and on. How can this be? Follow what I have to say with open minds and hearts and I will explain in a series of letters to you. I call to you today to join me as I will with you form a real people’s party.

John Commoner

04JUL2011