Propaganda Check

I get so frustrated with the blatant lies told by candidates and their supporters. I want the unbiased truth before I make a decision.  Otherwise, as a wise woman once told me, it’s propaganda.  I endeavored to find sources which are independent and do not side with one political view over another.

First, the economy and national debt:

Since President Obama has taken office, the national debt has risen $5 trillion.  Of that, $5.1 is due to the policies set into place by President Bush BEFORE President Obama took the oath of office. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/adding-to-the-deficit-bush-vs-obama/2012/01/31/gIQAQ0kFgQ_graphic.html)(based on figures from the center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

Timeline:

<·  Jan 2009 President Obama sworn into office

<·    February 2009 job losses slow dramatically and has risen from a negative 800,000 in January 2009 to a positive 100,000 in April 2012.

<·   February 2009 GDP begins moderate growth after falling during President Bush’s term.

>·  June 2009, the economy begins moderate growth which continues on today. 

Secondly, the budget:

President Obama, not MR. OBAMA as many disrespectful people say (but that is a subject for another day), has submitted a budget proposal which includes the following:

    ·     Restoring the estate tax rule which taxes an estate over $3.5 million, (raising ~$119 billion for the budget.)

<  ·  Corporate Tax Reform, including limiting “pass-through” entities, reducing the breaks for corporate debt financing and overseas investments.

Governor Romney’s proposals, which do not balance the budget requirements, include cuts in

<  ·    Medicare,

<  ·   Medicaid,

<  ·   veterans disability compensation,

<  ·  SSI,

<  ·  SNAP (food stamps),

<  ·  WIC and

    ·  other programs

Why would we cut the funds for those of us in need – our VETERANS, our poor, our children, our sick and our senior citizens?  (http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3658)  Currently, 2/5ths of households which participate in the Food Stamp (SNAP) program are below the poverty line.    Our disabled veterans served with honor and without question and now, we want to cut their benefits?  They served and now no medical care, no education, no assistance at all?  Our senior citizens paid into Social Security and Medicare and now, we are going to say “Sorry”?  We call ourselves a “Christian” country, but we want to starve the poor, ignore the indigent and the sick? 

Contrary to popular belief, 9/10ths of all entitlement benefits go to the elderly, disabled or working households, not to slackers or those who chose not to work.  Assistance with medical care, food, school lunches, low income energy assistance, rental assistance and so many other programs go to this population.  These programs are not turning us into an entitlement society as Governor Romney suggests, but into a society where one gives a hand up. (http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3677)

So, in essence, we want to vote for and place into our highest office a man who will run over the poor, the soldiers, and the elderly while calling himself a godly man whose policies benefit the wealthy?  Is this what we want?  Really?

Not me.

Lastly, spending:

Another fallacy is that President Obama is lying about his great spending record.  The truth is in the facts.  Spending under President Obama has only increased at 1.4 percent annually in his first term (through FY 2013), lower than any president since Dwight Eisenhower.

Annual Spending Growth by Administration
	Total Spending			Primary Spending	Non-Stabilizer Spending
Administration	Nominal Growth	Real Growth	GDP-Adjusted Growth	Real Growth	Real Growth
Kennedy/Johnson	8.2%	5.4%	0.6%	4.4%	5.6%
Nixon/Ford	10.5%	3.8%	0.9%	3.8%	3.4%
Carter	14.1%	2.8%	2.3%	2.7%	-1.1%
Reagan	6.5%	2.6%	-0.8%	0.6%	2.7%
Bush I	5.4%	1.5%	0.3%	-2.3%	1.4%
Clinton	3.5%	0.9%	-2.0%	-0.6%	0.9%
Bush II	7.8%	5.2%	3.7%	4.5%	5.0%
Obama*	2.4%	0.3%	-0.9%	-1.4%	-0.2%

^{Sources: CBO, OMB, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CRFB calculations
*Uses President's budget spending for FY 2012 and 2013}

So there are the facts.  President Obama is not lying about his spending or his record. 

Please, do something for yourself and for all of us:

    ·  Check out your facts before making your decision about for whom to give your vote. 

<  ·  Don’t spread propaganda.

<  ·   Don’t let anyone or any group tell you what to believe. 

<  ·   Check your sources of information.  

And, vote or the person who supports your goals whether they be education, feeding the poor and taking care of our veterans, our ill and our elders.

Don't grow up too fast

I admit it. I do.  I really enjoy a lot of "kids movies".  Despicable Me and Up are two of my favorite movies.  I just can't imagine missing these wonderful gems!  They both have tried and true formulas.  A crusty, lonely person ends up taking care of a child or children unexpectedly and even though they resist, they find their humanity. Everyone is the better for it.

There are movies with extreme violence, hatred, bigotry, infidelity.  Movies with sex, car chase scenes, murder and mayhem.  These movies sell out year in and year out.  Yet, people miss out on such laughter, joy and sheer entertainment simply because the movie may be classified as for children.   Are we that jaded?

I have watched Despicable Me 10 or more times.  My husband and I have watched Up so often that we can quote lines from it. There is something in these movies for everyone, no matter the age.   In a scene in Despicable Me, the main character channels a dancing John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. In a scene in Up, a ferocious, scary Doberman Pinscher tries to deliver his sinister lines while sounds like he has been inhaling helium.  These movies are bright and uplifting.  They help us to remember not to take things for granted, to love, to just be happy.

So, do your heart and your soul a favor.  Watch Up or Despicable Me or Ratatouille or any of the great animated movies.  You will be glad you did.

Why not upset the neighbors?

We have a new neighbor who has a dog that they allow to run unleashed. This
dog is vicious. It runs after children, adults and other animals, growling and snarling
the entire time. Evil was unleashed into our neighborhood in the guise of this dog. The
owners could not care less what effect it has on their neighbors. But, I was told that I
should just let bygones be bygones and not upset them!

Last evening, the dog went after 2 small children and their mother who were
taking an evening stroll. Then, it went after a woman walking her dog. Both times,
my son ran out to help the screaming, frightened people. Then, he called the police to
report the dog. Later that evening, I went out front to put something in my van when
another neighbor came by walking his dogs. I stood there and watched as he passed
the dog’s house. Nothing happened as the dog was not outside. The dog-walker
noticed my relief and commented on the dog. I said that I wish someone would do
something such as call the police and report it. His response: why upset them?
What? I should not upset the vicious dog owners by calling the police or animal
control? Excuse me? What about all of the people they upset, scare, offend and
maybe even bloody by letting this beast run loose?

Where is the logic in this? Do we not imprison murderers, rapists and other
offenders as we don’t want them angry? Do we not correct our children as it might hurt
their feelings? Do we let this vicious dog continue on until someone is hurt, bleeding or
Me, I am offended by this neighbor’s actions. Maybe they better worry about
upsetting me. I just might smile and wave hello or *gasp* bake them a cake!