On Income Inequity

June 30, 2016

July 1, 2016

 I.  Reviewing the Inequity Problem

 For the past 40 years (WOW!), our family regularly vacations for a week in or around the Easter break at the fabulous Sandcastle Hotel in Sarasota.  During this period, I always make time to visit with my fraternity brother and fellow Cooper Union graduate (chemical engineering) Dick Graven.  Dick had a long and successful career at Mobil, ultimately rising to become Head of all engineering.  Last year, Dick, a prolific writer, penned an article titled “A Cure for Inequity.”

Dick has provided me with permission to use part or all of his article, and after some deliberation, I have decided to provide the readers with an edited 2-part series for the AS I SEE IT Newsletter.   The edited versions are titled “Reviewing the Inequity Problem” and “Providing a Cure for Income Inequity.” This article addresses the first topic.

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The magic formula for a society to escape poverty is when money flowing from a successful business in the form of profits and employee wages finds its way to start or expand other businesses which also become successful.  In other words, businesses that are profitable create capital for investment.  Profit is the engine that energizes the process.  Profit is like a good virus.  It spreads far and wide to industrialize a society so that it generates jobs, salaries and more profits.  That is what happened in the United States since its founding and it is why it is such an industrial powerhouse.

Communism was once the ultimate political system to accomplish wealth transfer.  It proposed to do this through government control of all the means of producing goods.  Private ownership was eliminated.  All land and all businesses would become the property of government.  All of industry and farming would be controlled by a centralized government through collectives and strict conformity.  Wages would be uniform based upon the communist principle of “each according to his ability, each according to his need”.  This meant that there was no reward for merit or hard work.  Dissent was not tolerated and was punished because “the end justifies the means”.  In others words troublemakers would be eliminated by death or internment because the cause of communism was so noble that any means to eliminate dissent was justified.  Profit was eliminated as a criteria for running any enterprise.  Production quotas were the substitute for the concept of profits.

Propaganda and control of information is an essential weapon of communism.  This political system takes every opportunity to demean free enterprise societies and the concept of profits and/or the wise use of capital.  It is particularly adept at infiltrating education systems to corrupt young minds toward radicalism and class warfare.  Lying and twisting the truth is a common weapon, once again, because “the end justifies the means”.  Sadly, once a communistic society is established, it is almost impossible to return to a free society.  Those in control have a secret police, an army, and a sophisticated propaganda system.  Whenever insurrection brews, it is put down forcibly and life returns to a government controlled environment.  Since capital is always in short supply there is little priority for “doing things right” or improving the environment, preserving the planet, or conserving energy.  The shortage of capital is aggravated by the need to inflate the monetary system to pay off debt.  That, of course, hurts anyone who relies on savings.

It took 75 years before the available capital of the Soviet Union was used up.  The country went bankrupt in 1991.  Russia is the biggest remnant of the Soviet Union and it survives as a police state and a capitalist oligarch.  Profit is still an unappreciated term there and worker productivity and product quality is very poor.  There is no significant competition to give the customer a choice and insure the wise use of capital.  Capital growth and domestic product growth are also very poor.  However, the leaders and the elite of a communist state live very well indeed, even when their people are starving.

A word about China.  The first 40 years of this country under strict communism were a disaster for the people of China.  Tens of millions died due to starvation or persecution.  Now China is more enlightened.  It does permit some private ownership and some free enterprise industries.  Also, the Chinese are hardworking and many are very well educated and skilled.  Still, it is a police state controlled by a privileged elite that often spends capital recklessly and unwisely.  They could face very severe economic problems in the future.

Socialism is a less militant form of Communism.  This political system now recognizes that government run businesses are not a solution to create prosperity so instead it relies on massive government and massive control of free market businesses.  Socialist governments are very large and very inefficient.  They consume a great deal of the wealth of a country.  As per Greece, and to lesser extent in the United States, government workers are seldom fired for incompetency and it is difficult to reward merit.  There is little accountability for misspending, projects that go awry, and gross inefficiency.  Pensions and benefits are very generous.  As a result, taxes are very high.  The goal of socialism is to maximize social benefits to its citizens while giving power and benefits to its elite and its bureaucracy.  Helping businesses to be profitable or using capital wisely is not a priority of socialism.  Instead, tax rates on businesses and individuals are often so high as to be confiscatory, and raising taxes further makes the economy falter and does not generate additional government revenue.  The expansion of social benefits can become so great that socialistic societies often must borrow vast sums of money because government revenues from taxation are insufficient.  This created debt eventually leads to bankruptcy, currency devaluation, and poverty for its people.

Communism and socialism fail because they do not appreciate the importance of capital and the essential need to use it wisely.  Most people today are unaware of this fact.  A society that wastes too much of its capital with no way to replenish it will eventually fail.  Borrowing money may keep it going for a while but eventually debt will get so high that the day of reckoning comes and the country goes bankrupt.  Where is there proof of this statement that wasting capital leads to the demise of a society?  The proof is all around us.  It is demonstrated by the failure of societies which have taken available capital and spent it as if it were free money with no consequences as to how it is spent.  Consider the poverty of Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and other heavily socialistic countries.  Capital in these countries is just something to be squandered.  Greece has done the same thing and its people are now facing unpleasant remedies and difficult times.

Communist and excessively socialistic countries demonize free societies that are concerned about sustaining capital and profits.  They do so because societies that do appreciate the importance of capital and profit, such as South Korea and Singapore, make communistic and socialistic societies look very bad by contrast.

In the United States we have been conditioned by the media and leftist propagandists to react to the words capital and profit as something bad.  The media often needs a bad guy in their stories so who can they choose?  It is not politically correct to choose a nationality or a race or a country or a religion or an “ism”.  So why not make business people into the bad guys who want to destroy the world.  How many business people do you know that actually have tried to destroy the world? None that I can think of.  However, I know of many dictators and nations that have tried to conquer others.  I know of many businesses that were destroyed by governments but I know of no governments that were destroyed by businesses.  The idea that all businessmen are just greedy souls trying to make outrageous profits is absolutely wrong.  Any successful business knows that it must act in the interests of its customers first – otherwise, it soon will not have customers.  This not true of government.  Government is a monopoly.  They don’t have to be nice to customers because their customers have nowhere else to go.  It is true that businesses can also misuse and divert capital and profit.  But this abuse can be and should be controlled.  The big problem is that governments are the major misusers of the capital derived from profits.  Meanwhile, the media keeps condemning businesses as the source of the problem.

There are many other things that are needed for success.  Here is one of the most important things that people must realize is that no society can elevate itself from poverty unless capital for investment is treasured, valued and used wisely.  It is only investing capital wisely that a society can create the products and services that are vital for creating a civilized, high standard of living society.  Obviously, just having capital available to start or expand a business is not all that is needed to make a business profitable.  There are so many other things that are needed for success.  Here are some of the most important:

  • There must be adequate numbers of people willing to work and they must have skills and knowledge that are useful and appropriate.
  • There must be law and order, plus honesty and truth.
  • Money must have a stable value.
  • There must be an incentive to work rather than not to work.
  • Innovation, creativity and efficiency must be encouraged.
  • Government must not stifle business through excessive taxation and/or regulations, or siphon off business capital funds by intimidation, bribery or confiscation.
  • Government must provide or allow adequate infrastructure so businesses can function efficiently.

These attributes of a society do not occur by chance.  Society must be made aware that these items are important if inequity is to be addressed.  It is up to parents, schools, government, religions, media and all leaders to teach that these are the attributes that create a successful society.

Visit the author at:

http://www.theodorenewsletter.com or on Facebook at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative):

 

AUGUST 1:                Providing a Cure for Income Inequity II

SEPTEMBER 1:         On the Nesmith Basketball Hall of Fame

OCTOBER 1:             On the OHI Day IV

NOVEMBER 1:         On “THE” Election

DECEMBER 1:          On the 2016-17 Hofstra Basketball Season

JANUARY 1:             One Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXIV

 

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ON HOFSTRA’S 2015-16 MEN’S BASKETBALL: A SUMMARY ANALYSIS

April 1, 2016

April 1, 2016

 

This is the third and last article on Hofstra’s 2015-16 Men’s Basketball team.  Here is a summary report of what took place this season and what to expect for the following year.

 

This was a banner year for the club.  The team basically featured a near dream offense that was unfortunately complemented with a porous defense.  There was the starting five that consisted of Rokas Gustys (C), Denton Koon (PF), Ameen Tanksley (SF), Brian Bernardi (#2), and Juan’ya Green (#1).  Rokas – who I refer to as “The Brute” – came into his own this season and probably should have been behind MVP Green for MVP honors.  Freshman Desure Buie had a decent season.  The club beat Florida State (neutral site), lost to South Carolina at the buzzer (neutral site), and beat St. Bonaventure (at Olean).   The club’s record, prior to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament: 22-8, 14-4.

 

I attended the CAA Tournament in Baltimore in early March where I was treated to 7 thrilling games over a 3-day span.  What a great vacation.  The tournament itself was the culminating event of the Hofstra season.  Without going into details, the team made it to the finals but lost to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) in overtime.  The general consensus of the media following the loss was that Hofstra suffered from “fatigue” and “was running on fumes” while the UNCW defense – particularly against the two Hofstra guards – contributed significantly to the loss.  The season ended with a thrilling but another heartbreaking 2-point loss in the NIT at George Washington; interestingly, GW then went on to decisively win the NIT championship at the Garden.

 

Here is what I had to say earlier in the season:  “This may be Hofstra’s year.  Then again, it may turn out not to be for a host of reasons.  At the top of the list is a porous defense, following by the lack of a backup center, the lack of a shot blocker, and the lack of a great defensive guard.  Furthermore, Coach Mihalich appears constrained by a 5-man rotation due to the loss of Malik Nichols, which could expand to six with the addition of Buie; this might spell disaster in a potential 3-day/3-game tournament in March.  I maintain that 35+ minute players in a high powered offense will unquestionably cheat on defense – and this problem needs to be addressed.”  No one will ever convince me that a 35-40 minute starter will play with the same intensity defensively as a sub who knows his playing time is limited to under 10-12 minutes.

 

Here is a comment from afar from two fans on this season.  Bob Hausner:  “The Pride lived up to expectations.  The CAA proved to be competitive and Hofstra was in the mix.  They came down to the wire and lost heartbreakers in the tournament final game and the NIT first round.  Their starting five was the equal of any other team in the CAA.  Green lived up to all preseason expectations.  Unfortunately, the loss of Nichols, the 6th man, was devastating and hurt the team.  The short bench resulted in their running out of gas in the last game.”  Ed Borenstein:  “As a former alumni and long-time Hofstra basketball fan, I was very excited that Hofstra finally won the CAA conference plus had the CAA player of the year in Jaun’ya Green.  Although it was disappointing that they lost the championship game in the CAA Tournament, they played hard and got into the NIT.  I’m looking forward to next year and have confidence that Joe will build on the progress they made.”

 

Next season?   Assuming Rokas and Buie will not transfer, the club should have a reasonable chance to again be in the hunt for top honors.  With only minimal improvement, I would expect Rokas to contend for MVP honors the next two years.  Three point specialist Bernardi should be set for another good season.  Buie is the wild card.  He could make the Hofstra faithful forget about the great guards of yesteryear – Speedy, Charles Jenkins, Moore, Green, etc.  He too could become part of the MVP picture during the next three years.  He should improve dramatically in the future but what I love most about this skinny impersonator for a basketball player is his great defense.  Remember what I stated in my book Basketball Coaching 101:    “In reality, defense has recently emerged as the name of the game.  The author has repeatedly told basketball aficionados that defense is 50% of the game.  And every individual has responded with something to the effect: “of course, I (or we) know that”.  But really?  Who believes them?  After all, from the first day a player is introduced to basketball, defense has almost always been an afterthought…  It is great guards that get a team to a championship game, but it is great defensive guards that win championships.  It is their ability to create havoc on the opponent’s offense that makes the difference.  Bottom line:  defense doesn’t get the credit it deserves in the role it can play in determining the outcome of a game.”

 

All in all, it should be another very good year, particularly if the team exceeds the minimum requisite defense DNA.

 

Here is a comment from afar from an avid fan on next year’s season (Bob Bernstein):  “This will obviously be a very difficult season with the loss of Green, Tanksley, Koon and Nichols.  But there is some good news: two notable additions are 6’8” Oceanside transfer (from Tufts) Hunter Sabety, and guard Deron Powers from Hampton College.  Notable returns, in addition to Rokas and Bernardi, are 6’10” Andre Walker and small forward Jamail Robinson.  There are a lot of positives.”
Here is some personal information on the three seniors as the spotlight dims and they ride off to a new way of life – perhaps never to be heard from again.

 

  1. Kenton Koon, the graduate transfer from Princeton University. I dubbed Kenton the most underrated player on the team, primarily because of his court savvy.  He was also the only player on the starting five who didn’t look for his shot.  He was my type of contributor – a true team player.

 

  1. We are all hoping that Green will be drafted (by the NBA) sometime in the coming months. He has a legitimate shot because of his great passing, excellent foul shooting, and tremendous court presence.  Shooting, speed, and defense may be questioned by some interested teams.  From a personal perspective, I would draft him because great one (#1) guards have always been close to my heart.  Perhaps Speedy Claxton can help.
  2. Ameen Tanksley probably hopes to make it in Europe and he has a reasonable shot to succeed. He had a great CAA Tournament.  The main problem is that he is a “tweener”, i.e., too small for a small forward (#3) and not possessing the qualities for a #2 guard.  But he is all heart and tough as nails.  His four years with Coach Mihalich is obviously a plus.

 

Baseball has arrived.   As my father often put it:  Let’s go Mets.  But it will be a while before this Hofstra basketball season leaves some of us.  But nonetheless, Coach Mihalich, his assistant coaches, Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway, and all the players need to be congratulated.  Thank you all for an exciting season.  It was also a memorable year in that Tom Yaeger, the CAA Commissioner since its inception 31 years ago, announced that he was retiring.   He and his wife plan to remain at their lake home in Virginia.  Congratulations, good luck and good health to Tom.

 

I close with a poetic executive summary of the 2015-16 season.  My thoughts often turn to the passage of time which, in turn, are reminders of sayings involving the orbiting of the sun that have withstood the test of time.  Here is a sampling.

 

Henry David Thoreau

Walden. I, Economy

To him whose elastic and vigorous thought

keeps pace with the sun

the day is a perpetual morning.

 

Minot Judson Savage

Things Not Done

There comes an hour of sadness

With the setting of the sun,

Not for the sins committed,

But the things I have not done.

 

Edward Young

Night Thoughts

Like our shadows,

Our wishes lengthen as our sun declines.

 

How does the above relate to this narrative?  Darkness is now approaching for the two kids from Philly who provided two years of immense basketball talent as they prepare to ride off into the sunset, awaiting a new beginning.  But then, having stepped out of the darkness and experienced the early morning rays of light upon the darkened sky, Buie now awaits his day in the sun.  Perhaps Scarlett O’Hara (Vivian Leigh) said it best when the curtain descended on Margaret Mitchell’s classic “Gone with the Wind” “After all, tomorrow is another day.” (perhaps drawn from Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixode – tomorrow will be a new day?).

 Visit the author on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:  (tentative):

 

MAY 1:                       On the 2016 East Williston School District Budget Vote

JUNE 1:                      On Barack Hussein Obama V

JULY 1:                      On Financial Inequity

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Once Again, It’s Hofstra Time . . . Unfortunately

December 6, 2012

 

 

December 7, 2012

 

Each of the last eight years, I have had the pleasure and good fortune to attend and write about the men’s basketball team of Hofstra.  I have also claimed that attending these games at Mack Arena is the best sports buy in the metropolitan area.  But this one’s different, and it wasn’t an easy one to write.

 

Two weeks ago, the Hofstra community and part of the basketball world were rocked with the revelation that four Hofstra men’s basketball student-athletes (S-A) were involved (allegedly?) with stealing electronic equipment, including laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc.

 

My take follows.

 

I’m in the process of writing a book on college basketball.  In the last chapter, which is concerned with the future of the game, I predict another major scandal involving shaving points and fixing the outcome of games.  Why?  Because the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has put in place one of the all-time great scams on the public.  The S-As provide the entertainment that generates billions of dollars for the NCAA, and yet, they never see a piece of this monstrous, gigantic financial pie.  T-shirts and sweatshirts are marketed with their names and numbers on them, and yet, the NCAA makes certain they don’t get any royalties.

 

The NCAA has perpetrated this fantasy myth of a S-A that includes the requirement that the S-A live a life of poverty during their scholarship years.  Many of the S-As playing basketball (as well as football) in the major schools are not only poor but also anything but students.  Hell, some of them can’t even spell “student” after graduation.  For example, some time back, one S-A spelled student “stutan”; another worded the answer “yes’ on his application to the question on “sex.”  All of the above is compounded by the fact that they come from low-income families – in effect, they’re broke; which is why 3 of the 4 were not able to post a measly bail.

 

 

So back to the Hofstra players.   We are all a product of our society and environment.   These four certainly didn’t know the difference between right and wrong.  Who’s to blame?  Their parents?  Their church?  Their school?  The NCAA?  No doubt, a combination of all four.  And, no doubt, they will be made an example by District Attorney Rice and some school administrators, with all but the four kids essentially being absolved on any wrongdoings.

 

I am ashamed to admit that a well-to-do close friend of mine occasionally steals money from someone dear to him who is rich beyond words.  When I prod him on what his God would think and/or how he handles confessions, his response is that the person could definitely afford it and would not miss it.  How’s that for logic from a college-educated adult?  Can one draw an analogy between my friend and these four?  And how about the white-collar crimes committed on a daily basis on Wall Street, business,
and government?  And what about those who cheat on their income taxes? I kept this in mind when thinking of these four, realizing that although their crime was more personal in nature, none of the others described above would be punished, or even reprimanded.

 

It is also important to note that these kids did not commit a violent crime.  No rape.  No muggings.  No beatings.  No murder.  Should they be penalized?  Of course, but we should keep in mind that there are rapists and murderers walking around scot-free.  I do hope the four are penalized, but I also hope they will be given a second chance.  That is something we all deserve for our indiscretions, particularly those of a first-time nature.

 

I was asked how do I really feel.  There was essentially no surprise, but there was disappointment and sadness.  Sadness more than disappointment.  Sadness because of the impact the conduct of these four young men will have on not only those who love them, but also their coaches, teammates, friends and classmates, as well as all the legitimate S-As who do the right thing.  I also feel for these four youngsters (three are 18 years old) and hope they realize that their world has not come to an end; they still have a lifetime to live.

 

Here are comments from two colleagues/friends:

Jack Powers,former Executive Director of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), picks it up from there.  “You have to feel sorry for everyone involved.  This was different from some of the recent battery and rape cases involving some basketball programs.  What they did was wrong but no one should jump to conclusions regarding punishment.  I would need to know more about each kid.  Perhaps a year’s suspension would be appropriate.  But they shouldn’t totally shut the door on some of these kids.  We all did crazy things when we were young.  I’m reminded of the saying ‘people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.’”

Dr. John Wilcox, former Director of the Center for Professional Ethics and my ethics book coauthor, continues the outside narrative.  “It’s important to understand that these four are not hardened criminals.  Putting them in jail really won’t serve any useful purpose.  Some form of rehabilitation is in order and one can only hope that they will become a useful and integral part of society.”

 

In the final analysis, it’s safe to say that this is a sad commentary for the four boys, their families, and the NCAA.  One can only hope that this will play out in a fair, just and compassionate manner, and others will learn from what occurred at Hofstra.

 

Visit the author at http://www.theodorenewsletter.com

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ON SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

November 11, 2012

October 31, 2012

The following articles on Barack Hussein Obama (BHO) appeared earlier

(and are located immediately following this commentary):

 June 15:          On Being Dumb

June 30:          On Being a Liar

July 15:           On Being a Racist

July 31:           On Being Nasty and Arrogant

August 15:       On Being a Socialist/Communist

August 31:       On Being an Egomaniac

September 15: On Being a Crook

September 30  On Being Lazy

October 15      On Being Un-American

   (Please excuse the unfortunate late posting of this article, but Sandy and the Northeaster created havoc.  Power and internet/phone service were not restored until November 5 and 11, respectively.  Hope all of you survived it all and are doing well.   LT)

I make it a policy of trying to keep up with the enemy.  Even though I would never subscribe to the New York Times or Newsday, reading their headlines (since my wife subscribes to both papers) has become a matter of policy.  What one regularly gets are statements like “white conservatists” to describe Tea Party supporters (white implying racists and conservatives implying they don’t give a damn) while emphasizing statements like “those individuals concerned about their children’s’ future” or “caring environmentalists” when, in realty, they are “white liberals.”  This sort of reporting on a regular basis, by the admiring lapdog liberal media seems to me to be not only biased but also un-American.

Where are we headed?  Perhaps the answer lies in the scriptures or the oracles at Delphi.  Some of my people will claim that – according to Greek mythology – Hermes, son of Zeus (and Maia) and the King of the gods, guides dearly departed souls down to the edge of the murky River Styx.  From there, the miserly unkempt boatman Charon will ferry them across the river to Hades, King of the underworld and the hidden wealth of the Earth, and into his realm.  It is here that decisions are made; heroes and men with good souls are either led to the Elysian Fields and live a new life happily ever after in a pristine environment with never-ending light or languish in darkness forever more.

In a very real sense, we Americans will experience an analogous either/or decision with the coming Presidential election, i.e., either prosperity via capitalism or entitlements via socialism.  However, this decision will be left to the voters – not to Hades who is a king.

Let us part company with my Greek ancestors and delve into reality.  Here is what a dozen great men have had to say in the past about the political arena.

  1.  What author said, “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul?”
  2. What famous television newscaster said, “We are not educated well enough to perform the … act of intelligently selecting our leaders?”
  3. What famous world leader said, “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”?
  4. What famous philosopher said, “In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party to give it to the other.”?
  5. What famous author said, “No man’s life, liberty or prosperity is safe while the legislature is in session.”?
  6. What famous individual said, “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free!”?
  7. What President of recent times decided to rewrite and reinterpret history?
  8. What famous world leader said, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessing; the inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.”
  9. What famous American said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”?
  10. What President said, “government’s view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: if it moves, tax it; if it keeps moving, regulate it; and, if it stops moving, subsidize it.”?
  11. What famous personality first described Barack and Michelle as “The Entitlement Kid” and “The Last Lady,” respectively?
  12. What famous industry giant said, “It is not about charisma and personality; it’s about results.”?

Answers are posted at the end of the article.

BHO and his crew have successfully committed a significant percentage of those on food stamps to a life of dependency based on entitlements.  And the more the better for them since a decrease of government handouts also corresponds to a decrease in their voter support base.  Their best interests are served by keeping people on entitlements.  Thus, as entitlements and government handouts increase, our country will move to a socialist state due to the voters’ support of the liberal/democrats; BHO and his gang simply cannot survive without a significant number of our citizens on welfare.  Our great nation is doomed if corrective action is not taken in the immediate future…. and that means voting Obama out.  It may already be too late due to BHO’s disastrous economic policy (and an even worse foreign policy).

It is true that a Romney-Ryan will benefit the rich.  But, more importantly, it will benefit the poor more.  The quality life of the rich will not improve if their assets double from $100 million to $200 million.  But when this occurs, the quality of life of the poor will improve when their annual salary is increased from $50,000 to $100,000, and finally, be removed from BHO’s prescription of a life of dependency.  It is a win-win situation.

Remember when, as youngsters, we were told that anybody could become president?  Well?  And, whatever happened to the need for the President to handle a call at 3:00 AM in the morning?  Remember, it took BHO 3 months to decide what to do about troops for Afghanistan and nearly 2 months to clarify what happened in Libya.  Now, that is what I call quick action.  Had he been Commander-in-Chief on December 7, 1941, it probably would have taken him a month to conclude that the Japanese had indeed attacked Pearl Harbor.  One can only wonder how he would act in a real crisis.

The greatest concern is the fundamental changes BHO has brought to our foreign policy.  Voters should not underestimate the impact of BHO’s disastrous pacifist approach that is based on appeasement (appeasement:  the policy of giving in to the demands of hostile or aggressive power in an attempt to keep the peace.).  His inept policy has brought us closer to World War III that is sure to feature nuclear action.  The recent terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda in the Middle East are proof positive of BHO’s failures.  As with the policies of Nevelle Chamberlain, how many millions will either die or suffer if the threats to the world today are not addressed in the immediate future?  Make no mistake.  BHO is definitely the second coming of Nevelle Chamberlain.  Here is what the great Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia had to say about this issue:  “I am against war, and because I am against war, I went to war to fight against another war.   I don’t think we can end war by merely talking against war on the corners of the East Side … None of us wants war, but do you know anyone who can give us any assurances that it will not come again? … No country ever strikes at another until its military leaders believe they can win.  That is why it will be a good thing if we, who do not want war, make ourselves invincible.”

And what about the Presidential debates?  It was a man against a boy in an empty suit.  Governor Mitt Romney (MR) proved his worthiness to serve as our President, despite the attempt of three (3) liberal moderators to sabotage him.  Anyone who has debated or lectured knows that nothing could be more disastrous and embarrassing when your opponent confronts you with the statement, “I have no idea of what you are talking about.”  MR sledge-hammered BHO with this statement TWICE — with BHO choosing not to offer a response.  Since his lapdog media and teleprompters were obviously absent, it forced the egomaniac to parry the questioning of knowledgeable debater.  As for the Vice Presidential debate, it was a brilliant newcomer against a career civil servant inside-the-beltway moron.  Remember the phrase, “one heartbeat away” when comparing these two; it has to be frightening – even for Democrats – to think of Biden as President.  Who in his/her right mind would want Biden as our President?  It brought new meaning and concern to the aforementioned phrase, “one heartbeat away,” as applied to our VP.  As it turns out, both these morons hit a stone wall when their lies, distortions, etc., were challenged.

And what about the Vice Presidential debate?  It was a shocker to both liberals and conservatives.  Any honorable statesman, confident of the facts and the truth, would never carry on as did Biden.  His attempt to degrade, insult and embarrass Ryan was creepy.  Despite BHO’s earlier call for collegiality and civility, he has repeatedly rejected it as applied to both his conduct and his Administration’s conduct.  I almost felt sorry for Biden.  We all know Biden is dumb, but his conduct during the debate could only be explained in the following manner:  Biden is either mentally unstable or was on something, or is just simply nasty and arrogant like BHO, or some combination of these.

And what about the media?  The moderators for the debates were all left-leaning liberals who did their best to waylay MR.  Crowley (second debate) was the worse.  Given BHO’s lying and underhanded tactics, I believe there is a reasonable chance that BHO had worked in concert prior to the debate.  Here is what happened when the terrorist attack in Libya came up:  BHO lied when he claimed he called it a terrorist attack.  The following day, told MR to check the transcript, Crowley conveniently had the transcript and claimed BHO was correct, to which BHO requested Crowley to repeat her claim.  This exchange sequence simply didn’t jive considering that BHO was lying.  Crowley also interrupted MR three times more than BHO and eliminated MR’s closing 2-minute statement.  Ryan’s moderator also repeatedly interrupted him.  It was the representatives of BHO’s lapdog liberal media at work, personified.  I cannot believe the manner in which they have disregarded their responsibilities to the citizens of our great nation.  Whether it is the Black Panther fiasco, Fast-and-Furious, voter registrations, unchallenged lies during the debates, the embarrassment in Lybia, a blanket refusal to provide information on lies academic performance, the inexcusable personal attack on MR, the truth about Obamacare, etc., etc., etc., then have consistently chosen to ignore BHO’s shortcomings.  Even worse, they have repeatedly heralded BHO as the second coming of the Messiah.  And what about the Last Lady?  She has seething contempt for both whites and America because it is white.  She has conveniently forgotten that it was white Americans who gave their lives for her to carry on as a racist and it was white Americans who elected her fellow racist husband into office.  Add to this her extravagant vacations and entitlement lifestyle at the expense of white Americans.

My two major concerns at this time are the economy and terrorism.  Ask yourself these two simple questions relative to BHO and MR:

1.  If you owned a major multi-enterprise business who would you want to run it?  Given their work ethic, vacation history and   business experience?

2.  Who would you want as our Commander-in-Chief if a major military crisis arises?

Here are some reasons why one should not vote for Barack Hussein Obama (BHO):

  1. Check      the cost for a full tank of gasoline.
  2. Check      the cost for home heating oil (mine is in excess of $5,000/yr.).
  3. Who      is attacking his opponent rather than discussing the issues of concern to      the American public?
  4. Who      never worked an honest day in his life, and has no business and foreign      policy experience?
  5. Which      of the two candidates has management skills?
  6. Who      was elected because many Americans wanted a black president, irrespective      of his qualifications?
  7. The      Congressional Budget Office stated in no uncertain terms that Obamacare is      destined to be terribly expensive.
  8. Think      about credibility and leadership with regard to both creating jobs and      keeping our nation safe.
  9. Teleprompters      are required for important speeches and messages.
  10. Consider      whether leveling the playing field will benefit our nation.

It’s decision-time.  Those who choose to vote for BHO will be joining a special group:  nearly all of the Blacks, most of the Hispanics, a handful of academics who are poisoning the minds of the young, a few of the Hollywood elite who have no need to balance their checkbook at the end of each month, nearly all civil servants, many union workers, those who have been successfully brainwashed by the leftist media (CNN, NBC, CNBC, the New York Times, etc.), young single women who have yet to experience life-learning activities and remain influenced by the distorted mentality of the Liberal Arts educators, and the entitlement (food stamp) recipients who no longer need to work.  What a group of quality supporters.  I’m glad I’m not in their ranks.

Lou Theodore

Answers:

1)      George Bernard Shaw

2)      Walter Cronkite

3)      Winston Churchill

4)      Voltaire

5)      Mark Twain

6)      P. J. Rourke

7)      Jimmy Carter

8)      Winston Churchill

9)      Thomas Jefferson

10)  Ronald Reagan

11)  your author, Lou Theodore

12)  Steve Jobs

NEXT POSTING:

“On an Analysis From Afar”      – November 15, 2012

“On a School Board Revisited”  – January 1, 2013

As a senior citizen, I would be remiss not to include a slightly edited recently forwarded email note of interest to seniors (like yours truly) in the reading audience.  I doubt anybody could have done a better job in expressing the frustrations and fears that we seniors are experiencing.

I know some of you are not old and have never done without or worked without a minimum wage.  You spend all your free time playing with a hand held gadget that accomplishes nothing but passing your time so you don’t get bored.  However, its time you started spending time doing something for your country!!

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs who have been retired for some time.  We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were.  We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true.  But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.  We studied English, history, math, and science in school, which enabled us to lead America into the technological age.  Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience.  We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes.  For those of you who don’t know what an icebox is, they are electric today and referred to as refrigerators.  A few even remember when cars were started with a crank.  Yes, many of us lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and outdated by many.  But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off.  We won World War II and fought in Korea and Viet Nam.  We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so.  We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield.  We didn’t fight for the socialist States of America; we fought for the United States of America and for the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”  We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America, and America the Beautiful, by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing.  We have lived what many of you have only read in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are older and slower these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us.  We have loved this country, fought for it and died for it, and now we are going to make every effort to save it.  It is our country and, hopefully, nobody is going to take it away from us.  We took oaths to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep.  There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.  It was mostly the young people of this nation who elected BHO and the Democratic Congress in 2008.  You fell for the “Hope and Change” line which, in reality, was nothing but “Hype and Lies.”  You have tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don’t like it after all.  You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or “Climbing the Social Ladder” to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting.  Many of those who fell for the “Great Lie” in 2008 are now having buyer’s remorse.  With all the education we gave you, you didn’t have sense enough to see through the lies and brainwashing, and instead, drank the ‘Kool-Aid.’ Now you’re paying the price and complaining about it … no jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom.  This is what you voted for and this is what you got.  We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and many of you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don’t worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here.  We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we’re going, and in 2012 we’re going to the polls by the millions.

This land does not belong to the man in the White House today or to the likes of Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.  It belongs to “We the People” and “We the People” plan to reclaim our land and our freedom.  We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren.  So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the old geezers of the “Grey-Haired Brigade.”

Contributed by Gene B.

1 Comment | Barack Obama, East Williston, Economics, Education, Politics, Uncategorized, Views from Others | Permalink
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