Blinded by the Wool

WOW  Last year at this time we were still in Japan.  One year later and we still can't absorb all that we saw and did.
The elections are over and still no one won. Once again the American people had the wool pulled over their eyes. The media made alot of money by trying to tell everyone how close a presidental race there would be.  I kept trying to figure out how they were coming up with this? After the elections, the winner and still president by a large amount, President Obama. The media made a ton of money by falsly telling everyone that this was a close race. It's not wrong, it's called "Freedom of the press.". Both political parties were telling us how it was suppose to be close and they get away with the lie by saying "Freedom of Speach." Both sides lie about each other and it is protected by "Freedom of Opinions". I am reminded by the story of a Boy who cried wolf. How can we believe anybody when there is no honor in politics? That is simple, you don't have a say. Your vote is just a jesture.  Capitalism, not your vote is running our government. Keep that wool pulled over your eyes, it's cold out there.

You don't count.

One vote does not count. 
How many time have you heard the phrase, "your one vote counts". This is the biggest bunch of BS ever uttered, drunk or sober.  Your one vote hasn't mattered in years, and won't for years to come.  Could you imagine, "The next president elected by one vote?' How about "Social Security saved by one vote." It won't happen, it can't happen, and it will never happen.  Your one vote has already been bought by the party of choice. See, they don't just buy one vote, they buy a bunch of votes  Yes, they being the political parties, gather in as many votes as possible.  Now it is theirs to do with whatever way they want.  No, you don't have a say, you gave your vote to that party. By voting party line, you have, "sold your soul to the company store". If you didn't vote either party, you just threw away your vote. The last thing that either party wants is for you to not vote party line.  They want to make it nice a neat for you, just pull that one party switch, and they will do all the rest. As far as changing things the way you want them, your vote means nothing.  There use to be two ways a vote can go, Republican or Democrat.  Now that we have become a capitalistic society, the outcome is paid for by your party selling your vote to big business. 

Changing the Diapers

I'm sorry that I havn't written in a while.  Many things have been happening this summer and my writing had to be sacrificed.  Now that it is just my wife and I in the house, I have got my office back.  Well, partially back as I share it when the grandkids are over, then half of it is a play room. Right now my grandson Deacon is suppose to be napping in his playpin, but he is awake and talking up a storm...........he is only 5 month old. While watching him it made me think of how simple life can be, and how we as adults are the ones that make it confusing.  When  Deacon is hungry, he cries.  When Deacon needs to be changed, he cries.  When Deacon is unhappy, he cries.  When Deacon is happy, he laughs.  We as adult just need to fill in the blanks.  What does Deacon want? Most of the time it is simple, one end or the other, but there are times when it is something else.  American politic are alot like a baby.  It cries when it needs more, and cries after it has given you it's shit.  A soon as the political party cries, we look for an answer and 90% of the time we find #2. It is that simple, they want attention and once they get it, they give you #2.  Right Deacon is babbling away and is happy that I am listening.  I can't understand what he is saying, but I am still listening. Deacon also reminds me that what ever he is saying could be a lie, or could be the truth.  Political parties are the same as they themselves can't tell the difference between the truth and a lie.  They, like Deacon, just want, and will say anything to get what they want. If you are wondering if I believe the mental state of the political parties is the same as the age of my grandson, you are half right.  The other half is the voting public.  Most will follow the #2 that their partty has expelled. 
People, it is very simple, don't swollow the #2 even when you are told how good it is. 

Do you realize that if no one had their rights infringed upon, and that we all had the freedom to do what we wanted, if every religious practice was allowed, if there were no moral standards to live by, or there were no laws to live by and it was survival of the fittest, that because of this there would be no differences between the wild animals and the human race? We could mate with anyone or thing, kill anyone we didn't like, and there would be no difference between us and the animals. There would be no hate crimes, and no homophobes. Freedom come with a responsibility to act in the best interest of the people. We vote to get the opinion of all the people and the laws are suppose to reflect all of us. The President, a man elected by the people now wants to throw out every states law that prohibit same sex marriage. I believe that 40 of the 50 state already prohibit same sex marriage as voted on by those people. Let's just throw out the constitution and live like the animals. Stop government control and throw out minimum age for anything. Let's legalize all drugs because we can't have the government interfering. I think the people have spoke loud enough. Now for those who want to call me "homphobic", I have not even stated my feelings on t he subject, so back off. Those who completly agree with what I have said, get a new life and stay out of consenting adults bedrooms. This country is suppose to be , "of the people, and by the people", and on this case the people have spoken. Liberals and conservatives need to shut their mouths and work on more important things, like we the people who are without privilege, we the people who are without money, and we the people who are under educated. Freedom for every person is not possible, but you have the right to disagree. Now, move on. Mr. President, you are in the minority so please move on or you will be without a job come election time. On a more personal note, Please Mr. President, move on, we can't afford 4 years of Mitt Romney.

Sunday Morning comin down.  That is a song from Johnny Cash that I love.  It is Sunday morning and my wife and I were awaken by our 2 year old grandson very early.  He is so excited to be up in the morning as a stark contrast to everyone else.  The other stark contrast is that the sun is shinning brightly and it is freezing outside.  It reminds me that life is full of stark contrasts.  Changes have occurred due to health and family situations that God has placed in front of us. My gas tank is on empty until payday, my bank account is empty, and our SSI disability check that is coming is already allocated with nothing to spare. Our meager income supports us, my grandson and my daughter, one dog and one cat. Ten years ago before my first heart attack, our business was growing and the kids were still home and I was looking towards retirement at 65 along with a good pension.  Ten years later, that is gone for medical bills and SSI is all we have.  It can happen that fast, even faster. The government can screw around with me financially but they can't take away my smile.  My love for my children and grandchildren is something no one can touch. My wife and I have been married 30 years and money or lack of, has done nothing to dim our romance. God has blessed us in so many other ways and I pray that he will continue to bless us.  The next time I hear some right wing idiot spouting off about people living off the hard work of millionaires, I will smile and tell them "Thank you".  Thank you that I get enough money to live from day to day and to help support those I love.  Thank you that I have the time to spend with family and friends, thank you that I do not let those out dated cans of food go to waste.  Thank you for the ability to share my love when sharing my money is difficult.  Thank you for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine. What a beautiful Sunday Morning.

I haven't posted in a while, kinda busy. My daughter and grandson have moved in and watching him is like being a parent all over again.  There is a good reason that we have children when we are young.
I have enjoyed reading all the articles about the condition of our economy, SSI, health coverage, and the swinging pendulum of public opinion.  Most of the opinions are either far right or far left with no middle ground.
Let me just say this very plainly and I promise not to studder.
It sucks.  No ifs, ands or butts, it sucks.  In my lifetime we have come from a generation of handshake agreements to 2,000 page contracts that can still be broken.  We have come from a doctor making house calls to being lucky if you see the doctor.  Health care has gone from caring for the sick and dying to getting rich on the sick and dying. SSI has gone from an insurance to being called a handout. The right wing wants a game without referees and the left wing want a game where there is no winners or losers.  People use to make money with hard work and sweat, and now it is a key stroke or a foreclosure.  We make money on other peoples pain and suffering. We are introducing a new healthcare system they require everyone to pay in or be imprisoned or fined.  This include the people who are out of jobs and can't afford to pay.  This is because there are no jobs out there.  Business, who we entrusted to create jobs, are slimming their work forces to make a profit. We have shipped out lower paying jobs and now bitch because we don't have those jobs.....that's right, the ones that we turned down because they were beneath us.  We elect the richest politicians, give grants and money to the wealthiest companies and complain about the crumbs of a trickle down economy. We have an education that ranks last in  education and ranks number one in wasteful spending. Our education system has gone from the 3 R's to who has the best sports team or the best dressed students, and when a school system fails, we blame it on the underpaid teachers who now do everything but teach.  They have to be police, guidance, coaches, sex ed teachers, babysitters and more.  We give the school system the money that is left over and then wonder why it's not working. More to come later.

Today a cloud fell on my head.  That is the way is described "fog" to my grandson. I found that this was the easiest way to explain it.  Sometime we adults try to make thing too difficult.  Our political system can be manipulated by our fancy language.  Most people agree when they should disagree because they don't understand. People can get very confusing when they try to interpret the Bible.  Many seem to think that there is a secret language in the Bible that needs to be interpreted. It is no wonder that many people turn away from the Bible because it seem to contradict itself. Some feel that the Bible needs to be update for today's world.  What was a sin back then, is not a sin today. Any of the don'ts can be made into "can do".  I have read the Bible from beginning to end many time and the real verse that stands out to me the most are The Two Greatest Commandments, Love God, and your neighbor as yourself.  That second one is impossible.  Just think about it. Once you get a handle on these two, everything else fits right in.

People in the United States amaze me.  If they are a Republican, they don't want government to control things.  If you are a Democrat, you don't want business to run everything.  It says somewhere the phrase "We, the people." It doesn't say we the party, or we the business, or we the rich, or we the poor.  FREEDOM.    This is freedom to do business, freedom to get dumped on, freedom to blame someone else.  Freedom to elect a person and not a party. Freedom to tell a "white Lie" about a political foe and not be held up to it. Freedom to starve the people who need help, freedom to step on someone else to get to the top. Freedom to take away other peoples freedom. Freedom to go to war for profit.  Freedom to turn your back on other people suffering. Freedom to do nothing and have other people pay for it. Freedom to vote stupid or smart.  It's about freedom.  Why then does both Parties want to take away your freedom.  Why does these parties tell "little white lies" to steal your vote? Why do both parties take large amounts of money from businesses to steal your vote?  Your political system is run by big money if you vote Democrat or Republican, facts are facts.  Money talks and bullshit walks, but we continue to be lead like sheep to the slaughter. Why? FREEDOM. Prices will continue to rise. Why? FREEDOM. The poor and sick will continue to be ignored for the profit of big business. Why? FREEDOM.  Our children will continue to dies in foreign countries for profit. Why?FREEDOM . God will play less and less a part in our country. Why? Freedom.  Yes, both parties want your freedom.  To them it is all or nothing, evil or good, sour or sweet etc...... Rush Limbaugh said it best, "There is no place for fence sitters."
I look at our government and our political system and what do I see.  I see a large wall, representing our government, covered with sticky notes, which are changes to that system.  The sticky notes are attached to the wall, attached to other sticky note, and some have even fallen to the ground.  The wall is being held up by the sticky notes.  Standing in front of that wall is a democrat and a republican, attaching more notes.  That wall could also be our school system, our health care system, or anything else that we  the people should have a right to change, but don't.  We continue to have our elected party leaders attach more sticky notes.  That is all they can do, that is what you elected them to do.  This is all that they are qualified to do.  Their qualification were their party association, their looks, and how well they come across. Congratulations people, you have elected exactly what the party gave you. A well spoken sticky note writer, but he is the best that money can buy.

I loved my Hyundai 2001 xg300 until the front end collapsed just before going on the highway. My wife and my daughter who is 9 months pregnant were in the car.  If this had happened on the highway the results would have been a lot worse.  The front end collapsed, broke the the axle and a whole bunch of other stuff in the front end.  The right front wheel was pushed into the wheel well and bent up the front quarter panel so that the passenger side door is hard to open. The transmission is also having problems.  Betten Hyundai in Muskegon Michigan says that the front axle is most likely broken as well as other damage.My wife and I are on a fixed income, we are both on disability(SSI) and do not have extra money.  We also watch a grandson six days of the week and need transportation as this is our only car. The car is part of a recall and I have already talked to Gary at Ext 54348. Without even looking at it, Betten has said that we will most likely have to pay for the extra damage.  I don't even know for sure how much damage was done to the frame as well as the sub frame and even if this can be repaired. Right now I have a million worries and questions and few answers

This is the email I sent to Hyundai and I will continue to correspond until the problem is taken care of properly.

Yesterday as my car came to a stop,(2001 Hyundai cx300) the right front collapsed.  I had it towed into a local (Muskegon Michigan), Hyundai service center and found out it was because of a recall

NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 09V124000

Component: SUSPENSION

Details: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THEVEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.

Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Action: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT             1-800-633-5151      .

Units Potentially Affected: 188282

Recall Initiated By: ODI

Today I talked with these people

Talked with Hyundai Customer Service and they informed me that everything would be covered. There supposedly a class action suit and all damages will be covered. I then took all the information (Hyundai were very helpful) and gave that information to Betten Hyundai along with the case number, class action number, and the representative that I talked to along with his Id number. Betten was trying to tell me that they would only cover the repair of the defective part, but not the damage it caused. They were going to try to charge me for the front axle ball joints and the damage to the front quarter panel. I will be updating my story everyday to tell how well this is covered. It will either be great press or a story that appears on the news. My wife and my pregnant daughter were in the car when this happened and we were just planning on going on the highway. At 70 MPH you might have been just reading the obituaries and how I lost control of the car. I hope I won't need a write in campaign, but if I do , I am counting on all of you.

Mama's, don't let your children grow up to be President.

Lets see, we have the Miss America, Mrs America, Miss universe and thousands of other competitions. They even have contest for babies, children, singers, animals, entertainers and the all in one competition called the run for President of the United States. What  all these have in common is that anyone can win.  There is no test......wait......the beauty contest are restricted to Women, and humans can't compete in animal contests but I'm not sure about animals running for President.  Three men running for President are named Newt, Mitt, and Barrack. It sounds like Doris Day calling her dogs.

There are people out there that want welfare recipients to take a urine test, but no one wants an intelligence test for those running for the highest office in the land.  The Republican don't want their money going to the poor, just to those running for public office. The Democrats don't want big money to influence government unless it is supporting their election process. 

How can a person running for president , be opposed to hate crime, and run the hate ads like those in the Florida primary. I guess white lies are ok if you are running for president..

Let's talk about teachers.  My son is a teacher.  He now teaches in a private school in Japan.  The jobs were not available here in the states.  People and politicians are asking teachers to take a cut in pay and benefits to keep the school going.  In neighboring Muskegon Heights, they are looking at being taken over by the state because they are millions on dollars in the red. They have privatized many parts, and asked the teachers for a twenty percent price cut, plus more. This has made it a political hot button that both side cannot win.  Until priorities are put in place like properly funding schools up front, this will continue to be a problem. Until we consolidate the school systems to get the most for the money, it will continue to be a problem. Until we pay teachers according to their abilities and not their location, this will continue to be a problem.  When our schools once again become safe, we will continue to have problems. When politicians act on the problem and stop making this a soapbox, we will continue with the problems. 

Thinning down the junk

It is amazing how quickly the junk can accumulate. This April, we will have been in this house 5 years. We have had as much as 6 people living here, and at times, just down to the two of us. I finally have myself an office, my daughter and her son live in one bedroom, the den and the living room need updating. The house just got new siding and new windows. This takes time because we got no money. All of our furniture is used, but comfortable. We, my wife and I, are both on disability and fight hard to make ends meet. Our unexpected health problems drained our retirement and we were "legally" conned out of our last house which was almost paid for. The reason I bring this up is that I tend to hang on to things longer then usually in hopes that I can re use it. This is nothing like the TV show "hoarders", but we do have a lot of stuff. Our children have not fully moved out. My son and his wife are in Japan, so we are storing their stuff, my one daughter and her husband are living in an apartment so they are space deprived, and my youngest daughter and her son live 80% of the time with us. You might think that I am complaining, but I am not. Our kids payed for our trip to Japan,and because my grandson lives with us, we had our house de leaded and new windows put in. A very good friend gave us a used baby grand piano, and SSI has kept us from being in the gutter. We get to watch our grandson grow up, and look forward to the birth of our 3rd grandchild. I just get frustrated at times that I can't get things done right away. Through it all, God has been great to us, bit I digress from the point. What junk do I keep and what do I need to throw out, how do I save up for newer furniture for the living room, how to re do the kitchen and the two baths, plus do the need repairs on the car, and need a new roof. I guess I can reuse the junk.

This winter season has been really strange. In October and November, Liz and I were in Japan where the weather was beautiful for most part. Since we have returned in December, we have only had a few snow storms and the temp has been around freezing, mostly above freezing. We are way below our average for snow fall and well above normal for temperature.
Yesterday, Tom Izzo (basketball coach @ Michigan State University) recorded his 400th victory. This is one of the class acts of all sports. I would love to sit and talk basketball with this guy more then anyone else. The minute I think that I have figured him out, something new comes to light. He is refreshing everytime to see him.
Joe Paterno will be laid to rest today. I met Joe and talked with him about 20 years ago. The company I was working with had invited the coach to give a motivational speach. So many good things he did for college football to have it all end with one glaring mistake of ommission. I wish to remember him in the 15 min. or so that him and I talked alone.
My Detroit Tigers have beefed up their lineup for a run at the world series. I have enjoyed watching them play. The Detroit Piston, I have not watched at all this year. My reasons, other then that they are really bad, is that Pro Basketball went on strike against its fans, and now I am returning the favor. The Detroit Lions had a great year and are building for the future and are fun to watch. The Detroit Redwings (hockey) are also doing good, but I'm not a hockey fan. With all this said, college sports have been more entertaining this year.

Why do we as Americans want to make things so complicated. The computer age was suppose to make things so easier for us, but instead it has made it more complicated and a lot more expensive.
1- Our elections would truely mean something if the elections were held on a weekend.
2- Each person running for an office must post their corporate sponsors.
3- The President be given a line item veto power.
4- You must be a citizen of this country if you want a say so over here.
5- Fines for deceptive advertising.
6- No small print, or disclaimers.

How is that for Simple?

My first posting from Tokyo Japan. Liz and I arrived last week Tuesday after about 14 hours of flight time. Don and Akiko met us at the airport in Norita. I was about to find out what jet lag is all about. During this week we have toured Tokyo, met Akiko's father for lunch, ate sushi at an automated sushi bar, and walked far more then I have walked in years. Tokyo is so busy, so beautiful, and so confusing for this humble peasant from Muskegon Michigan. These people drive on the opposite side of the road, and their steering wheels are where the passenger should be. Everything is orderly chaos. The men all dress the same, as well as do the women. Individuality is definitely something only found in the states. With all this order, crime seems very low. They leave stuff right out in the open with no fear of theft. Their dogs are well trained pure breds, and their cat are ferrel. Their stores are always packed and there is more then enough sales people. Their police and ambulances stop at the red lights while on a call.
Japan state run health care seems to be a well oiled machine that work much better then our Republicans would tell us. In other words, the republicans are lying . These observations are only from one week here, and I plan on learning a whole bunch more. As Akiko delivers her baby I will write more about their health care system that requires the mom to stay 6 days in the hospital before going home.

Dr. Seuss 2011: I do not like this Uncle Sam, I do not like his health care scam. I do not like these dirty crooks, or how they lie and cook the books. I do not like when Congress steals, I do not like their secret deals. I do not like ex-speaker Nan, I do not like this 'YES WE CAN'..I do not like this spending spree, I'm smart, I know that nothing's free. I do not like their smug replies, when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope. I do not like it. Nope, nope, nope!

Save us from ourselves

I have enjoyed the last month or so just listening to the parties and their effort to raise the debt ceiling. They look like a bunch of blind monkeys looking to follow someone. Any positive move for economy would lose political power. The rich pay too much or too little, the poor are feeding of the hardworking Americans, the retired people are supporting the whole system with their retirement money, Social security is in trouble, and for some reason we are spending more then we take in, and it's all someone Else's fault. Well......I believe its the system that is at fault, not everyone else.
The fix is very simple.......stop spending more then we make. Our representatives, the people we elect into office need to use their brain. Instead they keep signing billions of dollars of pork while yelling ,"Save us from ourselves". Here is a good start, put down the pen. If any bills have pork, don't sign.
Social security is fine. It needs some fixes, but it is the strongest unit we have in the USA. Money has be used from this fund to help everyone else and was never meant to be drawn on for any other debt. It is an insurance fund that we pay into it for retirement and disability. That is what insurance does. We pay into it to be able to receive if needed.
Many people believe that eliminating unemployment,food stamps, and other forms of help will balance the budget. They want to kick these people into the streets with no new jobs in the market. This would be disastrous. Why not use these people who are collecting money and are able to work, give them local jobs. This has worked before.

I am confussed. The republicans want to cut our social security, tax our retierment, take away our voice via the unions, cut social programs like medicaid and food assistance. Let's see, those who are disabled and too old to work will have to find work in a market where there are no jobs. After big business was given bail outs and tax breaks, they turn around and ship jobs abroad, and raise prices on good and service and make huge profits. By raising prices, less people can afford their products, so they lay off more people...... Middle class and lower. You have to be more educated to get better jobs, but the cost of college education continues to rise out of reach. Grade school and high school education is being cut and no corrections being made.........wait....they are using China's business model. China is in the proccess of weeding out their poor people and infirmed people. China has sponsored the building of cities where the poor use to live, employing them to build it, and then pricing it too high for them to buy it.

When August 3 come around and there is no SSI checks, you will know that they have once again raided your Social Security again. Home forclosure will be on the rise again but that won't hurt the rich. Food lines will reach around the country, but the rich will eat just fine. They earned it.

.

Happy fathers day to my dad. He has been gone for a while now, but he still lives on in my heart. Happy fathers day to my son Don. His first child is not due for a few months, but I believe that he is a father. Happy fathers day to my son in law Chris. He is a great fathers to Vinny. Happy fathers day to Sean (tieson). Tieson is my "grand dog".
I have had the pleasure of being a father to many, my own kids, and those that I have adopted or friened.
Most of all is my Happy Fathers Day to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God, every ones father, he who is both loved and hated, and still give his unconditional love to all. To all the fathers out there, happy fathers day. May you continue to love your children unconditionally.