Whoa it's been a while

Look how time flies! It's been two years since my last post. Look at what has happened in those two years:

National Debt has increased by $4 trillion. Unemployment is above 9%. Unrest in the Middle East. Oil is skyrocketing. The health care and student loan industries are slowly being taken over by the ever-expanding 'helping' hand of government. Conservatives took over the U.S. House of Representatives in the sweeping election of November 2010, much thanks to the enthusiastic Tea Party.

What will happen in the next two years? Your comments are appreciated!

Minnesota Budget Cuts

Tim Pawlenty is planning on cutting $5.2 billion from the Minnesota budget. With the addition of the 'stimulus' bill, Minnesota is expected to receive anywhere from $1-3 billion, depending on whom you listen to. Pawlenty, a Republican, wants to cut the remaining $3 billion without raising taxes. Why not? Our government has grown dramatically over the years. There is so much government waste; as a former state employee, I know this for fact. Why does our government need to continually ask for more and more money as a proportion of our income? Why can't they become more efficient, like the private sector, and need less money as a proportion of our income?

Pawlenty is adamantly against cutting K-12 Education, which I agree with. He actually proposes a small increase in funding (less than inflation, I think). I think his plan of cutting government back a bit will get us back to an era of more fiscal responsibility. What do you think?

County Jail Postponed

The Stevens County Commissioners voted 5-0 to postpone the selling of the jail bonds for 3 months. This is a dramatic shift at the consistent 3- 2 votes in favor of building the $15 million jail in rural Minnesota. I guess that's what happens when you get an angry mob of 750 people pissed off about raising their taxes 15-20%.... Needless to say, the commissioners did the right thing for now. Let's just hope that in 3 months they decide not to build the project altogether!

Term Limits Should Exist

I never would have thought that I would say this, but I think term limits are for the best. I feel that people get corrupted by the power and lose the will of the people. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." This quote says it all. When I look at people like Ted Kennedy, Charles Rangel, Ted Stevens, etc I just see corruption written all over. They get too cozy with lobbyists and people with the big bucks and forget who they are there to serve- the people. I think the following term limits should exist:

US Senate- 3 terms (18 years)
US House- 9 terms (18 years)
MN Senate- 8 terms (24 years)
MN House- 16 terms (24 years)

I understand that some long-serving politicians have the best intentions, but its sometimes good to get fresh ideas. What do you think?

Today's the Day

So, both houses of Congress are expected to vote on the 'stimulus' bill today. Some (maybe all) have yet to see a printed version of the bill. What do you think the vote tally for the house (435 members) and the vote tally for the Senate (99 voting members currently) will be?

My prediction:

House 246-186 Pass
Senate 59-40 Not Pass

I am basing my prediction on the fact that Senator Ted (I killed a woman) Kennedy will not be present for the vote and none of the 3 Republicans want to be the 60th vote to pass it. Let me know what you think the vote total will be for each house!

New County Jail a Waste of Money

Stevens County is planning on building a 40 bed, $15 million jail. Well, you say, they might need it. Wrong. Stevens County has less than 10,000 people. It is rumored the current jail facilities include a chair and a metal latch in the wall to chain prisoners to. Is that sufficient- no, well maybe... Stevens County currents spends about $200,000 a year to ship its relatively few inmates to Willmar, about an hour drive. So, of course it makes sense to build a FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLAR jail that can hold 40 people. In this economic downturn, $15 million is too much for the taxpayers of Stevens County to handle. Postpone the project until savings are built up and the taxpayers are in a better situation. Why spend millions to build (the $15 million doesn't include operating costs) when it only costs $200,000 a year to ship them to Willmar... Fiscal irresponsibility.

Where is the Bill?

The Senate and House have reconciled their stimulus bills. They are set to vote on it tomorrow. But none of the senators or representatives have seen the actual printed bill. The Democrats campaigned on the promises of transparency and high ethical standards. Well, tax cheat after tax cheat has been appointed to high-profile positions... Lobbyists too, especially since Obama said he wouldn't appoint lobbyists.... Oops! Where is the transparency in the $790 BILLION 'stimulus' bill? No where to be seen... Change has not come to Washington, unfortunately.