My View

Random ruminations from your resident curmudgeon...

Do you know Julia? You should, because you and I as taxpayers are supporting her. If you haven't seen the Democrats latest campaign about the necessity of a big government you can go here to see the story of Julia, a person that could not function in this life if were not for the guidance and support of government programs. Julia is the ideal Democratic voter, relying on the government from the cradle to the grave and unable to function in this life without direction and assistance from the federal government. Sadly, there are many people that are like that, and the Left is diligently trying to cultivate more. They will claim it is under the guise of compassion and fairness. Those on the Right have laughingly criticized this campaign and mindset as being woefully dependent on government to function and cultivating in our society a lack of effort and initiative. The campaign has also drawn criticism from many sectors that the Democrats are promoting families without a father figure, as nowhere in the campaign is Julia depicted with a husband. All of these criticisms are true, but here is what you should keep in mind. The crux of what we are voting for in the November elections, and what Julia so accurately demonstrates, is that the Democrats are the party of free stuff. Government will supply all your needs- with money taxed away from someone else, of course. This latest campaign by the Democrats puts into stark contrast what the real choices are in the upcoming election: government dependency and limitation on freedom; or the freedom to achieve, pursue our dreams, and reap the economic rewards on the other. The battle lines are clear, and this election will determine the direction of our country for many years.

The truth will set you free. Unless you are a murderer.

Today, the April employment numbers were released, and they were brutal. Only 115,000 new jobs were added last month, well below expectations of 175,000. This is a painful reminder that the economy remains very weak and that job creation is anemic. It is estimated that our nation will average for 2012 150,000 new jobs created every month. If that is true, then it will take our country until 2025 to get back to pre-recession unemployment levels. The spin on this from Washington will be that unemployment has fallen to 8.1%, the lowest level in several years. Here is what you should know: the number of people that are working or looking for work has fallen to the lowest level in 30 years. Let that sink in...there are fewer people working or looking for work than in any time in the last 30 years. Congratulations, President Obama. You have a worse economic record that the venal Jimmy Carter, and I thought that was not possible. Real unemployment, those out of work and looking, those who are not looking after being displaced, and those that are dramatically underemployed is estimated to be 16%. This is the canary in the coal mine for our economy, because until conditions improve so that jobs are being consistently added, we will struggle. Wonder what government program Julia will use now?

My wife sure asks me a lot of questions. I think it's because she has an extra why chromosome.

In this era of instant communication, electronic bill paying, and overnight package delivery, I don't think very often about the U.S. Postal Service even though I still use their service. Perhaps I should have. According to the Postmaster General, the USPS has averaged a $5 billion loss for the past five years and 80% of their postal facilities lose money. Due to civil service seniority and Congressional intervention, the necessary changes to get the postal system back to good health have been slow to implement and virtually non-existent. The USPS is proposing to begin closing 3700 money losing postal facilities in mid May (believe, 3700 is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number that are losing money) and lay off 4500 employees. Closing a postal facility in a small town is difficult, because it is almost always unanimously opposed and because it gives a local Congressman a great photo op to say they "rescued" a post office. As such, little positive change is effected, and the postal service continues as a money losing institution that is devouring your tax dollars. Keep that in mind the next time someone from the government says they can efficiently run our health care system.

Home is a place where you can be totally honest and say anything you want because no one listens to you anyway.

And that, my friends, is my view.