A week ago today I expressed my concern that Congress was considering bailing out of the "Big Three" automakers. http://truthbasedopinions.blogspot.com/2008/11/are-we-talking-about-bailing-out.html The Big Three were then invited to Washington D.C. for talks, apparently with no "preconditions".
The Big Three, GM's CEO Richard Wagoner, Chrysler's Robert Nardelli, and Ford's Allan Mullaly flew into Washington D.C., each in their own private corporate jet. The purpose of their visit was to ask Congress for a "loan" of billions of dollars to help bail them out of their present prediciment.
Then, surprise, surprise! Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY) actually started chiding the big three CEO for reckless spending. Ackerman said: “There’s a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands,” Ackerman said. “It’s almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high-hat and tuxedo… I mean, couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?”
Following the talks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced in a news conference that they had given the “Big Three” – GM, Ford, and Chrysler a Dec. 2 deadline to provide Congress with information why they deserve a federal loan of $25 billion.
Once Congress received the proposed new business plan, Congress could vote by Dec. 8 to approve or disapprove the bailout.
We can only pray that Congress will do the right thing and vote to bail out the Big Three ONLY if the Big Three have come up with a new business model that will assure their success.
In my opinion, the Big Three are going to have to make some drastic changes to remain in business over the long term. At a minimum each of them will have to reduce the number of models that they build. They will also have to renegotiate their contracts with the labor unions.
The Big Three can learn much from the business models of the successful automobile makers in America.
Congress is on the right track if they will continue to demand accountability and reasonable assurances that the taxpayer money will be paid back. Congress owes the American people nothing less. And if Congress does vote to bail out the Big Three, Congress must provide the appropriate oversight to assure that the money is being used wisely and according to plan.
According to sources, GM seems to have gotten at least part of the message conveyed by Congress and have returned two of their corporate jets back to the leaser. It is also reported that they now turn off the escalators in the GM Corporate headquarters at 7:00 P.M., and that they have already implemented several other cost cutting measures. Now all they have to do is deal with the really difficult issues.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Bad Decisions Led to Financial Crisis
Are we talking about bailing out the automakers for making poor business decisions? For years the Detroit automakers have been giving in to Union demands and political pressures which has resulted in employees of the automakers industry getting unreasonable compensation packages.
The chickens have come home to roost. This was forseeable and avoidable and now the automakers want us to bail them out. Actually, what we would be doing is enabling more of the same bad business decisions that got them into this mess in the first place. Same thing with the financial institutions, which is another part of the untold rest of the story.. Automakers have become "financial institutions and have been just as guilty as the banks for making loans to subprime borrowers.
Capitalism made America the economic power that it became. Bailouts are anti- capitalism and are taking us closer to gross socialism. Because of the direction that we're headed we could become more socialist than Russia by the end of 2009.
The chickens have come home to roost. This was forseeable and avoidable and now the automakers want us to bail them out. Actually, what we would be doing is enabling more of the same bad business decisions that got them into this mess in the first place. Same thing with the financial institutions, which is another part of the untold rest of the story.. Automakers have become "financial institutions and have been just as guilty as the banks for making loans to subprime borrowers.
Capitalism made America the economic power that it became. Bailouts are anti- capitalism and are taking us closer to gross socialism. Because of the direction that we're headed we could become more socialist than Russia by the end of 2009.
California Fires: Are they avoidable?
Every year in California the headlines read: "Fire forces evacuation of thousands", "Millions of dollars worth of property lost in fire", "Two firemen die fighting fires", Scores injured in path of fire", Tragic loss of life due to fires".
The weight of responsibility for the extent of damage that these fires cause must be laid at the feet of organizations like the Sierra Club and the politicians that listen to them.
California needs a fire break system to avoid the devastation, injuries, loss of lives, and loss of properties. In the long run it would be much cheaper and it will provide revenue in the form of lumber.
Governor Arnold, please bring some sanity to California and get this done.
The weight of responsibility for the extent of damage that these fires cause must be laid at the feet of organizations like the Sierra Club and the politicians that listen to them.
California needs a fire break system to avoid the devastation, injuries, loss of lives, and loss of properties. In the long run it would be much cheaper and it will provide revenue in the form of lumber.
Governor Arnold, please bring some sanity to California and get this done.
Monday, November 10, 2008
AZ, FL, and CA Have Spoken on Same Sex Marriage
Three more states have ammended their constitution to affirm that a "marriage" is between one man and one woman. Now the same sex marriage advocates are in a rage, do they have a right to be?
The "same sex marriage" advocate's argument could be used any number of people. Many a pedophile has said that they are "genetically predisposed" to wanting to have sex with children. Should we legalize pedophilia?
A case could be made that some people are more predisposed to act out violently. Should we legalize violence?
Others have claimed that they have no control over their desire to shoplift. Should we make shoplifting legal?
NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association( has been trying for years to have sexual relations between men and boys legalized. Should we legalize man boy sexual relations?
It is absolutely amazing that it has had to come to the point where it was even necessary to have an ammendment to the California constitution to make same sex marriage illegal. For 150 years everyone in Arizona, California, and Florida already knew that marriage was between one man and one woman.
The GLBT community uses deceitful rhetoric in their desire to force everyone to accept deviant sexual behavior as normal. This is the hidden agenda behind the same sex marriage movement. They compare themselves with the "women's rights movement", or "racial equality movement". This is utter nonsense, and women and racial minorities should be deeply offended by those that are trying to force same sex marriage on society for claiming that they suffer the same plight.
Evidently society has been too tolerant concerning the activities of the GLBT community and now they want to take over the country and force everyone to accept homosexual marriage "whether they like it or not", as the Mayor of San Francisco put it. In my opinion the militant members of the GLBT community should be further ashamed of themselves for the dishonest promotion of their "sexuality".
The "same sex marriage" advocate's argument could be used any number of people. Many a pedophile has said that they are "genetically predisposed" to wanting to have sex with children. Should we legalize pedophilia?
A case could be made that some people are more predisposed to act out violently. Should we legalize violence?
Others have claimed that they have no control over their desire to shoplift. Should we make shoplifting legal?
NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association( has been trying for years to have sexual relations between men and boys legalized. Should we legalize man boy sexual relations?
It is absolutely amazing that it has had to come to the point where it was even necessary to have an ammendment to the California constitution to make same sex marriage illegal. For 150 years everyone in Arizona, California, and Florida already knew that marriage was between one man and one woman.
The GLBT community uses deceitful rhetoric in their desire to force everyone to accept deviant sexual behavior as normal. This is the hidden agenda behind the same sex marriage movement. They compare themselves with the "women's rights movement", or "racial equality movement". This is utter nonsense, and women and racial minorities should be deeply offended by those that are trying to force same sex marriage on society for claiming that they suffer the same plight.
Evidently society has been too tolerant concerning the activities of the GLBT community and now they want to take over the country and force everyone to accept homosexual marriage "whether they like it or not", as the Mayor of San Francisco put it. In my opinion the militant members of the GLBT community should be further ashamed of themselves for the dishonest promotion of their "sexuality".
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Treatment of Bush: A Blight on America
Now that America has a new President Elect, I was wondering when we might start hearing about the disgraceful treatment of Bush. I voted for G.W., twice, even though I didn't agree with him when we went to war with Iraq. I figured that he and Congress must have known something that I didn't and that there was possibly a good reason that I wasn't aware of.
When the war started having its problems and no WMDs were found it didn't take long before the same people that voted for the war started throwing G.W. under the bus. The mainstream news media followed suit and it wasn't long before G.W. had the majority of America "hating" him. This treatment of a President in a time of war would have been considered treason 60 years ago. I find it troubling that some politicians, including Obama, Pelosi, Dodd, and Reid are wearing the badge of treason like it was a badge of honor.
I firmly believe that the Bush hating liberals and media bear a lot of the responsibility for why the Iraqi war has been so difficult to prosecute, and why our enemies have had reason to believe that they might be able to defeat us.
I think that all of this says much more about the corrupt politicians and media than it does G.W. Even John McCain, who I admire immensely, threw G.W. under the proberbial bus thinking that it would mean more votes. Personally, I think that this strategy played out against McCain.
Much to G.W.'s credit he has remained Presidential through it all. A lesser man couldn't have withstood the constant barage of hateful rhetoric against him from the politicians and the media.
As for the current economic crisis, G.W. has once again demonstrated that he believes in "the buck stops here" principle. Even though, our economic problems happened on the watch of a strongly Democratic Congress, which of course the media continues to fail to report this little bit of factual information.
G.W. has not been a perfect President but he does deserve our gratitude for his steadfastness under very trying circumstances and exacerbated by a corrupt press and even more corrupt politicians.
On behalf of many Americans, we thank you Mr. President for your selfless service to your country. God bless you and your family.
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
When the war started having its problems and no WMDs were found it didn't take long before the same people that voted for the war started throwing G.W. under the bus. The mainstream news media followed suit and it wasn't long before G.W. had the majority of America "hating" him. This treatment of a President in a time of war would have been considered treason 60 years ago. I find it troubling that some politicians, including Obama, Pelosi, Dodd, and Reid are wearing the badge of treason like it was a badge of honor.
I firmly believe that the Bush hating liberals and media bear a lot of the responsibility for why the Iraqi war has been so difficult to prosecute, and why our enemies have had reason to believe that they might be able to defeat us.
I think that all of this says much more about the corrupt politicians and media than it does G.W. Even John McCain, who I admire immensely, threw G.W. under the proberbial bus thinking that it would mean more votes. Personally, I think that this strategy played out against McCain.
Much to G.W.'s credit he has remained Presidential through it all. A lesser man couldn't have withstood the constant barage of hateful rhetoric against him from the politicians and the media.
As for the current economic crisis, G.W. has once again demonstrated that he believes in "the buck stops here" principle. Even though, our economic problems happened on the watch of a strongly Democratic Congress, which of course the media continues to fail to report this little bit of factual information.
G.W. has not been a perfect President but he does deserve our gratitude for his steadfastness under very trying circumstances and exacerbated by a corrupt press and even more corrupt politicians.
On behalf of many Americans, we thank you Mr. President for your selfless service to your country. God bless you and your family.
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Problem With Obama
Our Founding Fathers believed strongly in the free exercise of religion (Judeo/Christian) and limited Government. If Obama is elected we will have neither.
The "mainstream" media has been giving Obama a free pass on all of his big government ideas because they sincerely believe that anything is better than what we've had the last 8 years. Unfortunately, the mainstream media has made their decision based on emotions rather than sound reasoning.
Proof of the mainstream media's love affair with Obama is the fact that they are ignoring the character of Obama. They are not only giving Obama a pass on his big government ideas, but they are also giving Obama a pass regarding Obama's poor judgement in his selection of "friends". And they're giving Obama a pass on his relationships and lying about those relationships.
Jeremiah Wright: Obama's spiritual adviser for 20 years. This is not speculation, this is by Obama's own admission.
William Ayers: Obama's confidant, political ally, neighbor, a stauch supporter. Obama has lied repeatedly about his relationship with Ayers and the mainstream media has given him a free pass.
Tony Rizko: Close associate of Obama that worked a deal where Obama could buy property at a huge "discount". Rizko is now a convicted felon. The mainstream media has not held Obama accountable for this relationship either.
ACORN: Obama's campaign has paid ACORN $800,000 to help "get out the vote". Obama was a lawyer for ACORN, Obama also worked as a "trainer" for ACORN workers. Numererous arrests have been made in swing states where ACORN workers have committed thousands of voter registration fraud crimes. Again, the mainstream media has turned a blind eye.
If Obama wins it will be solely because the liberal media is pulling for Obama and because they kept the secret of who Obama really is from the American people.The good news is, if Obama is elected, the next four years will be so bad that in 2012 the Democrats will lose the House, Senate, and the White House and some sanity will return to Washington D.C.
In the meantime get used to eating a lot of beans and rice because if Obama wins the economy is going to shrink to levels not seen in over 50 years. The tax and spend policies of the Democrats are a sure way to kill whatever economy we might have at the end of 2008.
Add to all of this Obama's pro-abortion, pro-infanticide, pro-GLBT positions and you have one ugly candidate. In connection with this... The worst news is, that even though Obama would be out of there in 4 years, and we would have a Republican majority in the Congress... Much irreversible damage will have been done by any U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Judges that Obama appoints. This is my greatest concern of all.
The poor condition of the economy is reversible, poor foreign relations policies are reversible, even damaged national security is reversible, but, Judges are appointed for life and this would have a negative affect on the America that our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-granchildren will live in.
God help America!
Vote McCain/Palin 2008
Vote YES on Prop 8
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
The "mainstream" media has been giving Obama a free pass on all of his big government ideas because they sincerely believe that anything is better than what we've had the last 8 years. Unfortunately, the mainstream media has made their decision based on emotions rather than sound reasoning.
Proof of the mainstream media's love affair with Obama is the fact that they are ignoring the character of Obama. They are not only giving Obama a pass on his big government ideas, but they are also giving Obama a pass regarding Obama's poor judgement in his selection of "friends". And they're giving Obama a pass on his relationships and lying about those relationships.
Jeremiah Wright: Obama's spiritual adviser for 20 years. This is not speculation, this is by Obama's own admission.
William Ayers: Obama's confidant, political ally, neighbor, a stauch supporter. Obama has lied repeatedly about his relationship with Ayers and the mainstream media has given him a free pass.
Tony Rizko: Close associate of Obama that worked a deal where Obama could buy property at a huge "discount". Rizko is now a convicted felon. The mainstream media has not held Obama accountable for this relationship either.
ACORN: Obama's campaign has paid ACORN $800,000 to help "get out the vote". Obama was a lawyer for ACORN, Obama also worked as a "trainer" for ACORN workers. Numererous arrests have been made in swing states where ACORN workers have committed thousands of voter registration fraud crimes. Again, the mainstream media has turned a blind eye.
If Obama wins it will be solely because the liberal media is pulling for Obama and because they kept the secret of who Obama really is from the American people.The good news is, if Obama is elected, the next four years will be so bad that in 2012 the Democrats will lose the House, Senate, and the White House and some sanity will return to Washington D.C.
In the meantime get used to eating a lot of beans and rice because if Obama wins the economy is going to shrink to levels not seen in over 50 years. The tax and spend policies of the Democrats are a sure way to kill whatever economy we might have at the end of 2008.
Add to all of this Obama's pro-abortion, pro-infanticide, pro-GLBT positions and you have one ugly candidate. In connection with this... The worst news is, that even though Obama would be out of there in 4 years, and we would have a Republican majority in the Congress... Much irreversible damage will have been done by any U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Judges that Obama appoints. This is my greatest concern of all.
The poor condition of the economy is reversible, poor foreign relations policies are reversible, even damaged national security is reversible, but, Judges are appointed for life and this would have a negative affect on the America that our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-granchildren will live in.
God help America!
Vote McCain/Palin 2008
Vote YES on Prop 8
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
Friday, October 24, 2008
One more reason to vote YES on Prop. 8
Open letter to Superintendent Dr. Vigil and Board of Directors of Hayward Unified School District in Hayward CA.
Dr. Vigil and HUSD Board of Trustees,
I was appalled when I learned that Hayward's 5 year olds are being indoctrinated into being "allies" of the GLBT lifestyle. And, also, that this was being done without the knowledge or consent of the parents. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=78829
In my opinion this is outrageous behavior on the part of Dr. Vigil, the Board of Trustees, and the teachers involved in this breach of trust. If anything ever described "dereliction of duty", this is it.
When Prop. 8 passes I hope that you all will finally get the message that most Californians don't share your "enthusiasm" for supporting the agenda of GLBT, which is to force acceptance of an unhealthy, anti-family lifestyle, and to denegrate the meaning of marriage.
Thanks for Listening,
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
Dr. Vigil and HUSD Board of Trustees,
I was appalled when I learned that Hayward's 5 year olds are being indoctrinated into being "allies" of the GLBT lifestyle. And, also, that this was being done without the knowledge or consent of the parents. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=78829
In my opinion this is outrageous behavior on the part of Dr. Vigil, the Board of Trustees, and the teachers involved in this breach of trust. If anything ever described "dereliction of duty", this is it.
When Prop. 8 passes I hope that you all will finally get the message that most Californians don't share your "enthusiasm" for supporting the agenda of GLBT, which is to force acceptance of an unhealthy, anti-family lifestyle, and to denegrate the meaning of marriage.
Thanks for Listening,
Preston Osborne
Cherry Valley, CA
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