aznorthstar's Blog

PATHETIC!

This past week I traveled to Superstition Springs Mall with two of my wife's cousins and my family in tow.  As we walked the mall, we entered the Thomas Kinkade Gallery.  What a talent this man has!  And what a price his paintings demand!

As we took our time looking at the beautiful paintings, the two sales associates started in with their tag team sales pitch.  Honestly, we were looking to purchase a particular painting my wife had seen.  Also, we didn't think that the Kinkade paintings required a sales pitch.  Not the over zealous pitches we received!

"I have a couple coming in tomorrow morning to look at that same painting"

"I can't believe we even have that painting in our gallery, it is hard to find"

"That is a limited numbered painting and will be hard to find once it is sold out"

I could go on with the pitches.  Instead of walking down the path to a sale, both associates created a comical experience as we left without any painting.

As I finished walking through the mall, I was approached by another sales woman.  If you have been to the mall, you must have been approached by one of these sales ladies.  They sell either the seacret product, or the product you heat in the microwave and place on your shoulders or back.  Both products we have purchased and recommend!  Their sales ability is incredible!  A few weeks ago I sat on the second floor and watched as they interacted with the public.  All the girls are from Israel, and they will work in the valley for about two months and then return until next year.

I then started to think about the sales pitch we the American public receive from our government.  We are in unchartered territory with the financial crisis.  There is not one politician that has steered our nation through a time like this.  And as they make decisions, those decisions need to be explained to you and  me.

When the choices made are legitimate, the sales pitch is straightforward.  But when you are having to sale an idea that is full of deceit and lies, your sales pitch has to be more complex.  Like the Gallery example.

As I see it, those in government have dumbed us down to the point they don't understand that we are not as ignorant as they believe we are.  When they come out and give us a gallery sales pitch on why they had to bail out their buddies in the financial market, we shake our heads in disbelief, but do not have the opportunity to speak our frustrations, at least until the next election.  We need our own sales pitch.

What would be your thoughts on creating a website solely for the purpose of uniting our voices, outside of election time?  It would be available to reach out and touch our representatives by email or letter.  We could use pre printed letters or emails or write your own.

This could be a start to reclaiming our government.  Abraham Lincoln said it the best in the Gettysburg Address.  Our current leaders need to be reminded of his famous words!

Check back as I try to make this happen.  The biggest thing against me is time.  And I am always open to your thoughts and suggestions!

How does a company have hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars in risky assets, and think for one second they can make it in the long term????

Oh wait.  I forgot.  We will rescue (BAIL) them out.

 

Please forgive me as I say it again.  I AM NOT FOR ANY RESCUE PLANS, ANY BAILOUTS, ANY ATTEMPT TO SAVE COMPANIES WHO HAVE NOT SHOWN THEY ARE WILLING TO REDO THEIR BUDGET, AND LIVE LIFE A LOT DIFFERENTLY!

I own two businesses.  One is suffering, and will probably go under.  I do not have the government offering to bail me out!  Nor should I expect them to bail me out!  My other business is doing great, so financially, I believe we will make it.  But my one business, once I shut the doors, take the website down and call it done, it will affect the community.  Lives will be effected.  Vendors will loose a customer.

But the name of my company is not Citigroup or AIG.  I am not one of the "good ole' boys" who can get my back scratched!

I am not complaining, as I said, I'm doing good.  I am tired of the "system" that has been in place where the government feels it can do anything it desires, "for the good of the country".

How about this...if they are so concerned about the good of the country, why doesn't every career politician step down!

Here it comes!  Obama's team is being put in place one person at a time.  All for a purpose, several purposes!

Eric Holder is another Clinton cronie.  Mr. Holder played a key role in the investigation of New Jersey's police department late in the 90's.  His claim, too many black people were being pulled over for minor traffic stops, as the police were focusing on illegal drugs.

Does this sound familiar?

How about this.  Instead of New Jersey, it is Maricopa County.  And instead of drugs, it is illegal aliens!  Coupled with a Homeland Security leader who has been extremely lax on the illegal immigration issue, I see Arpaio getting some heat from the feds!

In politics, politicians look to see what we can do for them.  And what can the illegals do for politicians?  How about vote, whether legally or otherwise, giving that politician another term in office!

I think this next administration is going to take the government farther away of by the people, for the people!  I know this, my concerns are not Obama's concerns, and they are not the Republicans concerns.  It is hard for my concerns to be recognized when DC has the focus solely on themselves!

In the Arizona Republic today (Sunday, November 23rd), there was a front page article about DPS and the license plate readers some officers have on their cars.  One officer said he can read 8,000 license plates a day!  When a license plate comes back as stolen or from a stolen car, he then can chase the vehicle and recover the plate or the car.

It is incredible technology.  The technology even coincides with GPS, so the police know where you were and at what time.  The question is this.  What is done with this information?  Who keeps it and for how long?

I felt comfortable with the technology until I read this quote from Officer David Callister.  "This database is just a big pile of plates and GPS locations," he said, adding THAT THE POTENTIAL TO SOLVE CRIMES OUTWEIGHS PRIVACY CONCERNS".

What?  Has this officer lost his marbles?  What other piles of information will the DPS get their hands on in the future, and think that the public privacy concerns are without merit?

Frankly, we have our pictures taken more then we know it right now!  I realize I have nothing to worry about if I am obeying the law.  But this officer needs to understand that the public does have a voice, and our concerns are his concerns!  Without the help of the public, crimes are not solved, no matter how much technology he has in his car!

As each day passes, our rights as Americans are slowly being stripped away.  And if they are not stripped away, officers like David Callister has a skewed view of the rights we have left!

Just a quick note about a comment Andrea made on the show this morning.  (Friday 11/21/08)

She was comparing herself to the other members of AZAM, and how others are more recognized (famous) then herself.

I know it isn't about how recognized or famous you are, and that isn't the issue.  I can't speak for others who watch your show, but you bring an element to the show that past traffic reporters did not.

I have watched the show for a long time.  I have seen the people come and go as the powers that be tried to mix and match for a successful show.  They have the mix right!

Stick to your guns, and one day you'll be a Rick or Ron with many years under your belt.  But don't for a second think you are not a vital part to the success of the show.

It also helps that your easy on the eyes...but that can only take you so far.  Being good is much better!

 

First, I would not want the responsibility.  But if I did win an election, here are a few things I would and would not do.

I would have gained office using the same key issue Obama did.  Change!  The difference however is I would usher in change, instead of bringing in the former Clinton administration.  I would not have to create unique ways to disclose financial statements for people I nominate for my Secretary of State position.  If you cannot come up with a financial disclosure without needing a magician, you do not belong on my administration!

Secondly, I would focus on ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  While I support the wars, and understand the need for them, I also understand my homeland is in trouble.  And I must have a commitment to my homeland before my commitment to the world.  And if, in the middle of my commitment to the world my homeland is in need, that trumps my commitment to the world!  At some point the world needs to take responsibility for their own problems.  The U.S., while powerful, is not the police.  We are a country with a heart, and we wear that heart on our sleeve!

I would focus on protecting our borders.  Instead of playing patty cake with politicians, on both sides of our borders, I would deploy our military to protect our homeland from anyone from crossing without documentation.  How many troops will it take?  I would make sure a show of force is seen, and this way the mexican military will not make the mistake again of crossing our border.

Our farmers would once again need to produce!  Instead of shipping food across the ocean, we have families who are in hunger right here.  There has got to be a demand for food in the United States.  Instead of relying on China to ship us their tainted products, I would look for the American spirit to once again kick in.  Our kids want toys, let's produce them!  Americans want cars that are good on gas, let's produce them!  Adults in America want tech gadgets, let's produce them!

Let's take the same American spirit that created Ford and put Americans back to work!

Healthcare.  The companies that run healthcare need to be investigated.  If a patient needs an MRI, they should have access to an MRI!  Instead of having companies dictate to the doctors what a patient gets, a doctor should be in control of healthcare for a patient!  Why can Walmart sell drugs now for $4.00?  I want to find out why, and apply that info to other areas of healthcare!

Veterans.  It is not right that our veterans have fought wars, experienced situations that no human being should ever have to experience, and then get dropped on the side of the road and forgotten by their country!  I would like to see other benefits given to veterans of wars.  How about a one point lower interest rate on a house, car or other purchase?  Just throwing out and idea.

Education.  It rips me apart to see a school have to do a crazy amount of fundraisers to send a sixth grade class to science camp!  We have CEO's making millions, and our children are being neglected!  All day kindergarten would be made available.  Teacher's would be responsible for the success of their class.  College would be more affordable.  How do we tell a student who wants to better themselves they cannot attend college because they can't afford it?

And how would I pay for these CHANGES?

We won't have to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We would also stop all the money being shipped across the world, because we are "nice".  All that money, BILLIONS, would be spent right here at home, helping those who donated that money through their taxes!

And once our new budget, a budget that focuses on Americans is hammered out, and our country is once again back to the roots of Americanism, then we can once again look across the world, and help those that rely on our help!

What is the deal with Pirates in Africa?  How does a ship get overtaken by a little boat? 

CRAZY!

But here is what is even crazier...

The Saudi's have a navy of about 20,000 sailors.  Up until this point, the Saudi's have failed to use their Navy, to protect THEIR oil!

Instead, once again the world has looked to the United States!

On one hand, the world complains that we "act" as the police of the world, and on the other hand the world relies on us to be the police, because of their INACTION!

And once again, I suggest we let the world go to hell in a hand basket and focus our attention on the problems back at home!

Economy

Foreclosures

Elderly

Education

Veterans

and the many other issues that are out of control!

 

ISOLATIONISM...until we get a handle on our own problems.  Then we can get back to chasing Jack Sparrow and the other idiots in the world!

When gas hit over $4.00 a gallon, many people in the country were driving less.  Many people traded in their gas guzzling trucks and switched to economy cars.  No matter what we did, we had to do something.  Simply put, we were in a budget crunch, and could not afford the extra money to fill our tanks.

Today, the big three automakers spoke to the government.  They said the same things we were saying when gas was unaffordable.  I can't afford it.  We are going bankrupt, etc.

The difference is this.  And the difference is HUGE!

We were forced to make changes.  While the big three CEO's gave their sob stories, they flew to D.C. in the company private jet, which cost 20 thousand dollars to make the flight, per automaker!

Why did they need to fly in the private jet?  A commercial flight would have cost anywhere from 200 to $800. 

The bailouts do not need to happen because those who make decisions are not making good decisions!  They are not making the decisions necessary to avoid needing the bailouts!

I say NO to the bailouts.  These executives need to learn how to budget, how to make something out of nothing, and then they can have a whack at our money!

The power of the media is this.  They have the opportunity to highlight stories that sway public opinion. 

Not too long ago, the City of Phoenix laid a young police officer to rest who was hit by a drunk driver, who was also illegal.  Now another story has made the news about a young woman being killed by a drunk driver, who also happens to be illegal.

Is this media hype, meaning another story about a drunk illegal killing someone?  How many other people have been killed in auto accidents in the last two weeks who didn' t make the news because the other driver was not an illegal?

Do you see my point? 

I am 100% for legal immigration, and firmly believe any illegal should be allowed to march right back across the border.

But in my desire for legal immigration and other civil issues I'm concerned about, I do not want my opinion to be swayed one way or the other by the media!  There job is to bring me the news, ALL THE NEWS, unbiased.

Problem is this.  It doesn't happen that way!  It doesn't matter which news channel you watch, the only difference is the name of the newscaster bringing you the news.

This is how you get the same stories on every channel.  So farmer fred grows a million pound pumpkin...how can each individual channel think that should be aired?

Makes one wonder.  The power of the media...don't get sucked in!

 

Now as I add this in the "news" category.  Ironic!  lol

I've gotten spoiled with D'Antoni as the head coach for the last few years.  Watching the Suns run and gun, hit numerous 3's and race back down the court made for a lot of excitement!

I am not convinced that Porter is the right man to lead.  I understand the Sun's need a defensive element to their game, but they have been lost on the basketball court!

The fight the other night against the Rockets was not like them.  They haven't had to handle frustration, they caused it!  But this year, they are experiencing what they have dished out!

We have Shaq and the same guys as last year.  But we won't get anywhere close to a championship this year.  And I'd be ok if I was proven wrong!

I am cautious not to create an environment of fear, for fear does not solve anything.  And I am careful not to be taken as a scare tactic, for again, fear will not move us forward.

I question how our country united and organized for the Boston Tea Party.  How has our country, in our history, united to stand up against what our government did that we disagreed with.

Some people, in fact, many people advise we speak with our vote.  While this is very true, how do we unite and tell our government we are not pleased with issues that do not require our vote?

Many Americans are not happy with the recent bailouts, and the lack of accountability with companies such as AIG.  And instead of listening to the people, our government is looking to bail out another industry, the automakers.

I wrote on my blog about Socialism and how we are now classified as a socialist society, based on the definition of the word.  It sickens me to see few people have responded.  Not because I need an ego trip, but because it is a very serious issue!

I read the recent blog by "gayisgood" and how she has her hopes in Obama being the "savior" for the liberals.  It is people like her (I'm assuming it is a woman) that makes the slope slippery towards socialism.  Little did she understand that our government is ran on checks and balances, and Obama does not have a blank check to do as he pleases!  However true, we are amongst many people (enough to vote him in the White House) who have this sickened view.  They believe the way to "hurt" the Christian right wing Republicans is to try and sway as far left as possible.

So, how do we, those Americans who are not left or right, but simply AMERICANS, unite to protect our country from the socialism that is coming our way?

 

Not to be funny, or to bash Obama, but to use two definitions found at Dictionary.com and Wikipedia and to apply them to the current "solutions" to our economic problems.

After 9/11, our airlines were in turmoil.  They turned to the government for help, and our government reached deep into our pockets and pulled out massive amounts of cash.

Recently with our financial industries in turmoil, they also looked to the government for help.  Again, our pockets were used to help companies avoid closing.

Now, the automakers are looking for help.  With the precedent set by the airlines and now the financial industries, our government will probably reach into our pockets again and pass out huge sums of cash.

The problem is this.  We are a capitalistic society.  One part of our society is to reap when we prosper, but another part is when times are not good.  These times weed out those companies who cannot make it.  While the effects are not wealth, it strengthens our economy.  It is like pruning the rose bushes.  For a time, the bushes are not as full as they once were, but due to our pruning, in the day of bloom, we once again experience beautiful roses.  Instead of allowing the natural process of pruning, we are trying to fight it off, which will not lead to a larger rose bush, but will lead to further problems!  COMPANIES NEED TO FAIL!

I looked up the definition of socialism on wikipedia.com and dictionary.com.  What a shock I received!  Both definitions clearly describe the phase we are in right now!

But one definition needs more attention. 

the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.


In my opinion, the bailouts are not what a capitalistic society would do.  If Company A cannot make it, it is a shame, but it is needed.  And where does it end?  As a whole, the United States cannot help every industry.  And as it goes, every industry feels the effects.  The construction industry has been struggling for some time now.  Should we dump billions into construction?  Those workers are losing jobs, losing houses and companies are going under.  How do you explain to a tax payer that because he isn't a worker on a tarmac, his company isn't being helped?

I say stop the bailouts and allow our capitalistic society to do what it needs to do.  Prune out the weak.  Yes times will get tougher, but the bailout is not a solution.  IT IS A BANDAID!

Welcome to socialism my comrades.  I'm going to drink some Vodka and celebrate!

Recently it seems I have seen more doctors than in times past.  Adding to this is a three day stay in a local hospital, healthcare has been a topic in our household.

I need an MRI on my back.  It seems the doctor, who is the professional requests approval from Cigna.  The doctor wouldn't request something unless it was needed I imagine.

Cigna says, "No", not medically necessary.

A second request by a second doctor and a second no.

A third request by a third doctor and we get a yes!  Now all of a sudden, Cigna believes it is necessary!  Why the change?

I am sure you have your own nightmares about healthcare.  Here is my question.

Let's imagine that you were just elected President of the United States.  Healthcare is a hot topic in the country and you now have some control over the changes that could be made.

What changes would you make to healthcare?  I'm interested in your ideas.  One change I would make is in prescriptions.  I want to know how all of a sudden Walmart can drop the prices of prescriptions to $4.00.  How many seniors are on a fixed income, and having to pay out extreme prices to stay alive?

What would you do to fix healthcare in the United States?

This afternoon my family spent a great day in Florence.  (No we were not visiting a family member in prison! lol)  We visited Sun City Anthem.  Very nice time, they served food, had a great band playing and several hot air balloons taking off from the golf course.

As we enjoyed the day, I began speaking with an older man and his wife.  In our conversation, I asked him how they like living in the new Anthem.  His response caught me off guard.

On one side of the new Anthem you have Sun City.  Same Sun City as out west, older people who do not want the young people living amongst them.  On the other side of Anthem you have young people, who out of resentment, don't want the older people on their side.  Yet, they live in the same community, shop in the same shops and eat in the same places!

What kind of "communities" are we developing?  What kind of people are we becoming?  I have never been a fan of the Sun City out west.  I've never understood how we have laws forbidding not renting based on race or religious preference, but Sun City can get away with setting an age limit to live in their town.  Is the Sun City such a great example of community by limiting younger families and people from living amongst them?  So they take this "great" example and bring it to the south east valley?

So now the young people are upset.  So now they want to limit the old people from using their areas.

I'm glad I live in an area where anyone can live!  My neighbor next to me is young, but his neighbor is older.  WE are all neighbors, looking after everyone.  It is called community and it is what makes a neighborhood.  But for Anthem at Merrill Ranch, it segregates young from the old.

We looked at houses in the area.  The prices are incredible, but I'd rather not be segregated into a "young" area and have the "older" people kept in death valley.