Friday Quote

Here is F.D.R.'s most famous with an addition I don't think he would have approved of.....

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself...and oh yes an out of control federal government!"

As I was following my own advice yesterday and keeping an eye on the president's health care dog and pony show an idea for a constitutional amendment I think I could support came to mind.

What if congress could not pass laws but only resolutions. What if they could only pass if they had a two thirds majority of all parties represented in congress. What if these resolutions could only stay in effect until the next general election and then must be placed on the ballot and would become law when approved by the majority of the voters.

I think this would stop the bi-partisan bickering, greatly inhibit special interests and do what the founding fathers intended by limiting the federal government. Just my opinion.

Thursday Words

Might I suggest that we all spend as much time as we can in our busy schedules listening to the presidents bi-partisan meeting on health care reform. There is nothing more important to our grand children than what happens here.

Wednesday Words

What we need out of Washington is not more spending and taxes but honesty and integrity. If someone would say what they mean and mean what they say it would go along way to solving our current problem of spending the future of our children and grand children.

Tuesday Words

I have been wondering about the recent flack about Toyota. Is it really a failure by Toyota or a ploy to increase Government Motor Company? I have thought back over the last 50 years of my auto experience.

I started out a devoted Chevrolet fan, my first car was a classic 57'. It used about a quart of oil per tank of gas. In the sixty's we had an Impala that at about 12K miles or so lost its rear end. The warranty repairs were made and a miss matched rear end was installed resulting in a drop from 22 to 10 miles per gallon of gas. We were unable to get G.M. to do anything about it.

We owned two Dodges, a Charger that my wife thinks was the best car we ever owned and a Ram truck. We had warranty repairs with the truck and Dodge handled them well.

We have owned many Fords and Mercury's with great satisfaction leading me to believe the Mercury Grand Marques is the best dollar for dollar buy among domestics.

When the government and unions forced most companies to move their manufacturing to Mexico and Canada we decided to look for a dependable company that did most of their work in the USA. That led me to Toyota, I believe to be the most American car on the road as very few models are imported.

We have owned only Toyota's for the past twenty years and have owned Camry's, Corollas and now a Sienna Van. The only trouble we experienced other than service was with our first Camry, after about 2K miles it ate the timing belt leaving my wife stranded on the highway on her way to work. The dealer got to her quickly with a loaner, towed and repaired the car and we have never had another problem with a Toyota in over twenty years. They get the mileage they advertise, they are comfortable and dependable.

I think this is a good example of what happens when government gets involved in industry, I will continue to be a loyal Toyota consumer whatever congress decides. I wonder how many of them drive Toyota's? If not maybe they should, just my opinion.

Monday Words

My wife has warned me about being political on this blog as she thinks "big brother" is watching and I could have results unintended. I still hold free speech is one of the freedoms we still have left in the good old U.S.A.

So Mr. President your new health care proposal is out today. I don't think I have anything to worry about on "big brother" listening. If you put your Wheaties in a Cheerios box they are still Wheaties. The American people have rejected the big spending agenda of your government. Stated again and again we want a government set forth by the Constitution not a bigger more intrusive federal failure as we have had for the past fifty years.

If you must do something to hang your hat on make it something the people want, there are things that can be done that will improve health care that will not require government involvement and more taxes. Reduce the deficit and lower taxes and America will sing your praises as we begin a real recovery. Keep on as you are going and after a four year presidency America will be saying what an opportunity lost, where do we look now for the leadership we want and deserve. Just my opinion.

Friday Quote

I pledge allegiance to the flag

Of the United States of America

And to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation, under God,

With liberty and Justice for all.

Thursday Words

Wow! Now we need a group to study how to cut our nations budget deficit. Mr. President here are two ideas I found to work when I was in management. Cut the payroll by removing "dead weight" and don't spend what you don't have. Do you think that might work?

Wednesday Words

Before I retired I worked for a family owned company that had a "code of conduct". Upon going to work for the company you had to read and sign the "code of conduct". Any violation of the code was cause for dismissal. On several occasions I had to exercise the trust put in me by the company and enforce the "code of conduct". At one time forced to terminate a man I considered to be a friend who was my trusted assistant. It was hard to do but a "code" is a "code" and once agreed to means nothing if not held in the highest regard.
Our president, vice-president and congressmen and women have taken an "oath" to uphold the Constitution and serve the people. The people whom they are supposed to work for are responsible for enforcing that "solemn oath". They need to give thanks I do not have the management position I held before retirement over them. I would have held them to that "oath" a long time ago. Unfortunately I must wait for an election as there is no accountability in Washington, if there were we would see a lot of impeachments till those who seemingly have their fingers crossed behind their back as the swear the "oath of office". Thats just my opinion.

Monday Words

This picture was taken at a church on the south side overlooking the city of Acapulco. I have to say this was the most depressing time and my least favorite city on our cruise. We took a tour with a local tour guide not recommended by the cruise ship. We saw the Barrio area and the poverty that most of the populace of this beautiful city live in. The extreme contrast to the area where this Church was located where the least expensive house sold for several million U.S. dollars and were lived in by outsiders, local political elite and drug lords was very depressing. I could not help but feel it was a peek into the future of our beloved U.S.A. if we do not return to our work ethic, constitution and Christian ethics.

Friday Words

But if you do not obey the voice of Yahweh, if you rebel against His order, His hand will be against you and against your king.

I Samuel 12:15

Thursday Words

Sunrise on the fourth day of our cruise as we approached our second stop at Puerto Vallarta . We took an excursion to John Houston's Island. The boat ride over and back was nice but the island was small and cramped and left a lot to be desired. The open bar was accessible by waiter service only, which was very slow to non-existent and the 5 star food rates a 2 on my scale. Dena and I would have had a better time on our own I'm sure.

Wendsday Words

The third day of our cruise we arrived at Mazatlan. We took a tour of the estuaries (in Arkansas we call them swamps). We encountered over 50 different types of birds and many different trees and flowers. Pictured is our guide who had saved and trained the pelican on his right to eat from his hand and sit on his shoulder. On the way back to the port he would stand on the bow of the ship, place a fish on his head and the frigate birds would swoop down at take the fish from his head.

An enjoyable and informative day that included a good local meal on the beach and some shopping among the local artisans.

Tuesday Words

Sunset as we sailed from San Diego on the Dam ship Oosterdam .

The next two days were sea days (my favorite part of going on a cruise). Sitting on the balcony watching the day pass, hoping to spot a whale, eating, checking out the shops on the ship, eating,

checking out the coffee shop on the ship, eating, checking out the bars on the ship, eating, checking out the casino on the ship, eating, making new friends and oh yes did I mention eating.

Monday Words

From our window on the eleventh floor of the Hilton in San Diego, to bad the Padres weren't playing. I was reminded of something on our cruise by one of our table mates, Chuck from Idaho, after the Cowboys lost to the Vikings. He reminded me of something that broke my heart many, many years ago and put it in a new light. The Cowboys are no longer "America's team" they are "Jerry's team". Reminded of how Mr. Jones treated Coach Landry after purchasing the Cowboys I had to agree with Chuck and wonder if I should remain loyal to a team I have supported since their conception. My conclusion, when Jerry says I'm sorry and gives the team back to its foundations I will become an avid Cowboy fan,.........till then "Go Houston Texans".