Banks prank

The previous piece highlights Cleveland City Council's financial instability but the sales tax increase is not their only clamor for solvency. Councilman Richard Banks  wants some of the federal bank bailout money. Not to pay off creditors, or to ward of unemployment of city workers, but to allow him to continue spending at his present rate. Most of us in our personal lives would understand that you are not going to receive help with your finances while you are spending like there is no tomorrow. Most of us realize that you have to be needy to receive charitable help and not just because you want more money to spend. The concept of a bailout seems to elude Banks. He seems to see it as free money, much the same as he views a tax increase. Someone needs to explain to him that every penny he spends as a city councilman comes from the pockets of the tax payer and unless he resides in cuckoo land, every penny borrowed on their behalf has to be paid back with interest and sweat.

It is worrying that we have people with such limited common sense ability running government.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Robbing the poor

The Associated Press did a report on where the federal bank bailout money was being spent. They contacted a number of financial institutions that had received funds but failed to discover clues on the money trail. Almost every institution contacted refused to divulge or made excuses why disclosure was limited. Some even said that they did not know, it was just gone.

It may be overdue to reign in allocation of bailout money until every penny is accounted for.  The US government has handed a blank check to the same people that caused the meltdown in the first place, so is it any wonder that the bailout money will disappear in like manner. We are talking mucho dinero, 700 billion dollars if it disappears, will make some crooks very wealthy people. If 10,000 bankers run with an equal share, they would each get $70 million. The chances that the American taxpayer will be protected from all out fraud is almost nil, and President Elect Obama is already suggesting a further 850 billion dollars be given away. This is your money.... and your children's and grandchildren's money. The US government has lost it's senses. The American economy could be ruined or permanently damaged by the bailout because if it is stolen, commerce will have the extra burden of making good the loans through higher taxes.

Local, state and federal representatives of the US citizen need to make their voices heard at the capitol so that the future of America can be preserved.

This is serious stuff.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Cheap pill vs. costly snip

There has been an impassioned debate raging locally regarding the sad plight of unwanted animals left at the Cleveland Animal Shelter. There is no doubt that an unacceptable condition exists nationally that tugs at the heart of caring folk, but what to do about it has stumped communities for decades. Ideally there would only be sufficient animals born for the caring homes available to them, but unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world. The spay / neuter option is regarded by many animal lovers as the obvious answer. Again, the obvious doesn't always pan out in reality. Spay / neuter is not a viable option for many because of the cost. There are some who want it mandatory, punishable by law to have pets sterilized. The problem with enacting social laws like the one proposed is it makes criminals out of caring and responsible pet owners simply because of their ability to pay. The law would also deter otherwise good pet owners from fostering an animal, which defeats the object. Sterilizing animals seems a sensible answer to the problem but in my opinion enacting a law simply adds to the plight of less fortunate animal lovers and assumes it is those that are causing the problem, when that assumption may be false.

Unwanted pets are a national problem that needs a national solution. Animal groups could band together to petition government, not for a new law, but for research into a low cost prescription sterilization pill for animals. It is possible that one could already exist or a medication with suitable sterilizing side effects could be used. It would be much more positive than punishing caring people and their animals. I urge those seeking a solution to an emotional problem to consider carefully the ramifications of a new law.

That's what I think. What do you think?

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