Conventions Dust Settles---Real Work Begins

Both the Republican and Democrat National Conventions are over. Now the real work begins. One party or the other will energize its voters to victory. We can put aside the heroic spins given and get to the down-to-earth work of political parties--grassroots grunt work--getting the vote out.

One party is trying to energize its voter base by spinning the old tired tales of failed policy, and the other is trying to tread softly to avoid the label of racism so easily applied in our "politically correct" society.

What we really need is an electorate who cares about America. We need to get out of the PC rut and call the incumbent into question about his failed policies. Answer the questions, "Do you believe in the America so many have died to defend?" " Do you care that you are putting generations of Americans at debt's risk?" "Do you care for the poor, the helpless?" "How has the implementation of your policies made a better society for all Americans?"

We need to question the opponent. "How will your policies make America better for all citizens?" "Why should we trust your administration to do better than the current one?"

For November 6, honestly answer the questions:

• Is America a better place now than it was four years ago?
• Is the family unit stronger?
• Do you have a job, or do you expect to have one next year?
• Who is going to offer you a job?
• Did you make as much money in 2011 as you did in 2008?
• Are you paying a greater percentage of your family income on gasoline? on food? on housing costs? on medical care than you did in 2010?
• Are you generally better off in 2011 than you were in 2008?
• On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the very best, rate the performance of the incumbent President's job in office.

As you look back answering the questions and others you have determined yourself, do you think we need a change in the White House? That's a question only you as a voter can answer. Your answer is incredibly important as is your vote on November 6, 2012.

Medicare

If you are confused by all the talk of Medicare cuts being thrown about during this year's presidential debates, you should know that the incumbent President has already cut $700 million out of medicare. Those are real cuts not the possible cuts discussed by the Republican side.

What would Ronnie say, "Mr. President tear down that wall of lies."

What would Ronald Regan say?

Mr. Obama--tear down that wall of secrecy around your college records.

Not political/funny--just plain scary

This should scare the bejesus out of everyone. Click on this link up and imagine where we are going as a nation if we don't rein in deficit spending. Look out for that cliff!.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EW5IdwltaAc?rel=0

PEAK at University Parkway

Walton Georgia, LLC has requested annexation/rezoning of about 157 acres near the eastern intersection of Winder Highway and GA 316. The Dacula City Council accepted the application on July 5, 2012.

On July 17, 2012, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners objected to the annexation based on several service issues. Georgia law allows a county to object to an annexation based on land-use issues.

I believe this is a win-win for both the City of Dacula and Gwinnett County for the following reasons, especially during this down economy and tax-digest retrenchment.

•           A well thought out and master planned community will strengthen and broaden the tax digest for both the City of Dacula and Gwinnett County.
•          Additional value as the property is developed reduces the need for additional property taxes from current city and county property owners.
•         The development will require little or no additional infrastructure expenditures from either city or county tax payers as the owner/developers will bear the major expenditures of mitigating needed additions to infrastructure.
•         Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett Board of Education will receive approximately 86% of property tax revenue (Dacula’s share about 14%) from the site. Gwinnett County will receive approximately 80% of any SPLOST sales taxes( all Gwinnett County cities receive about 20%, Dacula’s share .002%), and the BOE will receive 100% of ESPLOST sales taxes generated as a result of economic activity of the property. These governing authorities will incur none of the administrative and governing expenses which the City of Dacula will bear.
•          The proposed PEAK project is similar in nature, scope, density,  and height requirements to several developments in other parts of unincorporated Gwinnett County and to one in the City of Buford (an annexation/rezoning by the City of Buford) to which Gwinnett County did not object.
•          Mixed use projects are encouraged in both Gwinnett County’s and the City of Dacula’s Comprehensive Plans, especially along the GA 316 corridor.

Why object? It's a big win for the County and BOE cause they only have a little skin in the game.

Obama's Trillions

I guess this cartoon says it all:

Choosing representatives for federal positions

It's been an exciting few days in the national spotlight if you are (1) a democratic strategist who says that women who are stay-at-home moms can't possibly understand the trials of working women, (2) you are a community organizer who has never held a private job, or (3) work for the Secret Service. There are other examples that come to mind. Would you want to be part of GSA or the Department of Energy? Scandal runs rampant in Washington DC. We, the American taxpayer and voter, need a new perspective on filling those positions needed to run our nation in a fiscally conservative way.

Have we lost all perspective?

People who go to Washington are public servants. We expect them to act like it.

Constitutional changes needed.

So how best to change the Constitution to send people to Washington in the three branches of government. Perhaps they should be chosen from the voter list by lottery, doing away with election for the Executive, Legislative, and and appointments to the Judicial  Branches at the Federal level. For example, every four years the voter lists would be randomly used to select a President. It might be Ms. Sally Jones. Could Ms. Jones do a worse job than our community organizer? Probably not. Let's replace our Vice President by lottery each four years. Get rid of the professional politician. For members of Congress, select by lottery from the voter list of the state so represented for a four-year term. For senators, select from state voter list for six years. For judges of the Supreme Court, Appeals Courts, and other federal courts of record from the voter list for the District for a four year term.

Term limits.

Term limits should be imposed. Once you have served a single term, selected by lottery from the appropriate lists, the incumbents would be forever barred from serving again.

Compensation package, benefits, and living arrangements.

Payments should be at the rate of $40,000 per year of term for each incumbent in whatever branch they serve. No retirement and other benefits would be provided by the public. Congress would be in session only 40 calendar days per year unless called into special session by the President for matters of national emergency. Living arrangements would be made in a dormitory setting with cafeteria meals.

Staffing.

Staff would be limited to 1 person for each member of Congress or Senate. The presidential cabinet would serve as staff for the President. Judges in any federal court would provide their own law clerks at no expense to the public.

Radical you say. Maybe so, but we need to overcome the idea that you can live at the public trough forever and spend our money anyway you like in Washington DC.

Do you have a better idea?