Getting It Right- “I Don’t Care If The School Is Burning…It Is Time For Recess And I’m Going To Go Play!!”

8/8/08

Congress has closed for a five week paid vacation while decisions that may save our struggling economy remain un-debated, un-voted, and un-enacted. Personally, I think most of them should be "un-elected" at first opportunity.
Tens of thousands of families can no longer afford to take vacations because of the mushrooming effects of soaring energy costs, while those entrusted with the responsibility of managing our nation decide they should take a vacation at taxpayer’s expense. Our present condition is the result of some thirty years of combined mismanagement of our nation, and now all they seem capable of accomplishing is passing the political football of blame back and forth as they point accusing fingers at each other. I could simultaneously point a finger at them but, it would be a different digit than they are using.
For decades they have responded to every radical social, economic, and environmental cause that they thought might gain them a few votes. In the process they have legislated our nation into a corner of despair and hopelessness. Massive overspending, flowing entitlements, uncontrolled immigration, free global trade, restrictive and often foolish environmental legislation, years of inaction on a national energy plan, and a constantly ballooning wasteful bureaucracy have finally caused our wonderful, massive economy to falter and stumble. I pray it does not fall.
In the face of this national dilemma….they have decided to take a vacation!
As I have stated in previous columns, our energy crisis must be addressed on all fronts. The overall plan to achieve energy independence from the thieves and hate mongers that roam and rule the oil rich deserts of the Mid East, must involve a short range strategy, a mid range strategy, and a long range strategy. All should be created and initiated now….at this moment.
The short range strategies should focus on conservation, use of reserves, tax incentives for energy saving investments in industries, homes and autos, and assistance to the auto industries for retooling into a new generation of high mileage vehicles.
The mid-range strategies should focus on relaxing restrictions on drilling off shore, in Alaska, use of Rocky Mountain oil shale, increasing refinery capacities, increased use of solar and wind for power generation, and allowing nuclear energy plants to be built.
The long-range strategies should involve investments in research by our best resources in universities and private industry to get our most brilliant minds working on hydrogen cells, battery technology, solar applications, bio fuels, and all other emerging technologies that hold promise of easing our need for petroleum.
Our leaders must put aside petty and foolish political opinions and vendettas for the national good. It is time for them all to become Americans and demonstrate some leadership abilities. At present I consider most of them to be pompous hypocrites working as leaches for personal and special interests.
Some wise person once noted, "When you discover you’re in a deep hole, it is time to quit digging!"
Rudiments- Odds and Ends Worth Mentioning:
- A few weeks ago I commended the Marianna Commissioners and Staff for being prepared to turn back the approximate $1,000,000 in unused grant funding they received for the construction of the new $30,000,000 waste water treatment plant located in a remote area some 20 miles south of Marianna. Well, now they have remembered the old bureaucratic law of funding which states "Thou shalt never, never return any grant monies to anyone. Instead, thou shalt always find a reason for spending those funds." At Tuesdays meeting they approved the contractors suggestion for enhancing the plant and spending another $663,000 on the project.
- In order to promote the upcoming political forums the sponsors arranged to have banners made to help inform the public of the events. When we asked the DOT for permission to string the banner over the roadway for three to four days before the event, they informed us we would need to obtain a permit from them, and before a permit could be granted an engineering study would be required in order to determine the load the banner would create on the poles involved. Isn’t bureaucracy wonderful?
- By the way, the DOT is proceeding full steam ahead with their plans to chop down the canopy of trees over highway #73 north, on the way to Dothan from Marianna. It will take direct intervention from Tallahassee legislators to stop them.
- The Wal-Mart building is still empty.
- Please come to some of the forums before you vote. Take part in the election processes this year and you will be "Getting It Right".