2020 Is A Crossroads Choice

THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK TO TURN AMERICA UPSIDE DOWN.

The Framers of our Constitution strove to create a national government that was effective and powerful, but which did not infringe upon the rights of the individual, nor upon the powers of the states.

Through charter and design, our Founder's sought to ensure liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. To achieve these marvelous things the framers promoted self-determination while limiting the role of Government in our private lives.

You might say that the Fathers of our country believed in the smallest government possible.

It seems to me that those who are seeking to tax people and businesses the most they possibly can in order to increase the size of the Federal Government and it's role in our lives are doing precisely the opposite of what the American Revolution was fought for.

To put some perspective on what I am saying, it helps to recall the famous Boston Tea Party which was masterminded by The Sons of Liberty. That key event which lead up to the American Revolution was triggered by a 3% tax on tea.

America feels like it is at a crossroads.  Do we choose the Socialist vision that promises higher taxes, larger Federal government with a greater role in our lives?  Or do we recall the vision that Founders risked it all for? That is fundamentally the choice that will be before us in 2020.

ALL AT ONCE: Stronger Workforce, High Wages and Lower Student Debt

THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW. WON'T NEED STUDENT DEBT to the extent it does today. Here is why.

America is Going to Build a Strong Workforce, Greater Labor Force Participation and Reduce Reliance on Student Debt.

A 4 year college degree, which takes on average nearly 6 years to obtain, is the most expensive way to prepare a high school graduate for a job.

An apprenticeship or internship is the least expensive.  And after college the student needs to still find a job and pay off a massive debt. Whereas the apprentice has a job, a salary and no debt when they finish their training.

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame has been an early beacon on this subject.  Ivanka Trump's workforce initiative is putting America on the right track.

An advanced degree makes sense for some professions and people.  But America has overtly relied on 4 year colleges & universities as a means to a career path.  That is changing under the Trump Administration.

Today the shift towards apprenticeships and internships is changing the way we think about preparing for a career.

Part of the reason for this is that Trump's policies have lead to such a robust economy and low unemployment, that companies are offering more on-the-job training opportunities.

Ivanka Trump rightly points out that with the nation's low unemployment rate, there's a "vocational crisis" in America because small businesses are having difficulty finding workers with skills needed for their job openings.

Together with America's CEO'S, HR experts, Union Leaders, and Governors, Ivanka Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are identifying and developing strategies that will increase apprenticeships and on-the job training to provide workers "with concrete opportunities to sustain jobs and stable careers in a modern economy."  The impact on labor force participation and wages will be tremendous.

There are already more jobs available than there are people in the workforce, companies are more willing to hire chronically unemployed people like felons, those without a high school diploma and the disabled.

Increasing labor force participation will not be enough to meet future labor needs.  This is especially true once America's home builders expand to the levels we need AND the USA starts funding infrastructure!

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE NOT THE RIGHT SOLUTION.  America and it's employers deserve a workforce pool that entered the USA legally with proper vetting and documentation who desire to work and contribute to American society.

It is crucial for our nation to get past our political differences and straighten out our immigration issues and policies in smart ways.  Obstruction over the needs we have for border security and immigration reforms is hindering our country's ability to move forward and to reallocate limited Federal funds and resources to more beneficial uses that will enable us to INCREASE LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

Wages have been painfully stagnant. Now they are rising the fastest they have in a decade. America will have a stronger and larger workforce, higher wages and lower student debt all at once thanks to the Trump Administration's leadership.

TRUMP IS FIXING OBAMA.

UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Does anyone else see the irony?

In order to protect our environment, our nation struggles with switching from fossil fuels to renewable sources such as the most popular wind and solar. In order to transition, vast areas of natural wilderness must be become giant wind and solar operations. One solar farm alone in California incinerates 6000 birds a year, including endangered species.

Human beings have a massive footprint on this planet.  From the energy we consume, to the products and food we consume. To the garbage and other pollution we produce. And destruction we cause in numerous other ways.  Population growth over the centuries greatly exacerbates these problems.  (The word "consumer" has an interesting history. That history speaks volumes about the problems we face today!)

That is why one of the best ways to approach greenhouse gases and many of our environmental issues is conservation -- using less and recycling more.  And the best way for us all to be activists is to practice conservation in our own homes, businesses and lifestyle. Here's a few things we can do:

• Change every light bulb you have to LED.
• Recycle everything thing you can and do what you can to reduce your waste.
• Carpool and ride share as often as you can.
• Install solar if you can.
• Choose wisely when it comes to cleaning products - make your home less toxic.
• Extend the useful life of items - cars, furnishings, clothes, toys, etc. and take items to goodwill, consignment, and other such operations to give items a second life rather than putting them in the waste stream.

In addition to conservation, I believe the other greatest potential for resolving the challenges we face is research and technology.

A LED bulb is a perfect example of conservation. LED's reduce energy demand by a factor of 10x. A 4 watt LED bulb gives off the equivalent of a 40 watt incandescent bulb, and it lasts 10x longer too.  Replace old appliances with newer ones with a higher SEER ratings.

Industry is going it's part with modern factory equipment is far more energy efficient.  Hydrogen fuel cells are a great example of a highly promising energy alternative!  Farms, schools, municipalities and commercial buildings can all do a lot to conserve energy and water too.

Most electric plants in the USA are greatly more environmentally friendly by switching from coal to natural gas.  Gas pipelines are a far more efficient and safe way to transport natural gas.

One big bonus of the USA's expanded production and exploration of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is that other countries can justify converting their coal fired electricity plants to natural gas.

We are doing better even after pulling out of the terribly unfair Paris Accord.  The USA has reduced emissions more than any other country in the Accord.

There are other large pressing environmental problems:

• Our energy grid is highly inefficient.  Modernization is sorely needed. 
• We need to dramatically improve how manage water resources. (Israel is world leader and has much to teach us.)
• The agriculture industry can do more to reduce methane and other impacts. (Again, Israel is a leader in agri-tech.) 
• -Ocean dumping is a giant problem. Not so much by the USA, but terribly so in Asia!)

I am no fan of AOC!  AND, the dialogue has already begun on these subjects long before her fresh face and wise-ass mouth showed up!!  The LAST thing we need is for big egos and big mouths to turn this into a political DEBATE.  Or for Socialist to try to shove the change down our throats by having government force decisions, eliminate choices and free market forces by overly rushing the process and taking central control.

We need bipartisan intelligent and practical discussions. We need private and public entities working together.  We need to fund quality R&D in honest and effective research centers. We need entrepreneurs and capital markets to seek out opportunities to bring good ideas to first stages.

We can't just turn our backs on fossil fuels. And we shouldn't.  If all of us a participate and support efforts through positive consumer behaviors we can have a large and rapid positive impact on our environment.  We need to act less like consumers and more like citizens of of the only planet we have to share.

WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT

Democrats are doing whatever it takes to gain power.  But it all may be shooting themselves in the foot for the 2020 Presidential election.

Democrats have gone from Russian collusion, to a coup attempt, to illegal hush money, to obstruction of justice, to tax evasion -- in order to overthrow the election results.  Remember what Hillary said during the election debates about how important it was to except the results of the election? Obviously, for Democrats, that only applies if Hillary won. 

The Star Witnesses:
- A fake dossier by a discredited foreign spy paid for by Hillary Clinton.
- A group of deep state state partisans who are being outed and removed from the DOJ and the FBI.
- A Porn Star and her creepy lawyer who stole her group funded money.
- A convicted liar and cheat on his way to prison for his own crimes.

Gosh, you'd think Democrats would be too tired by now.  Or that they would realize that this President is going to serve out his term.

Maybe they have realized he is not going to be removed from office prior to the 2020 election.  So now the focus is shifting to preventing Trump's re-election.

But here is the irony of all this.  Most people knew what a creep Trump was when he was elected.  But fewer people ever imagined he would be as successful once he was President.

Plus at this point, the Democrats play book is wide open.  It is plain to see several things about Democratic politics and strategy.  Between the way they weaponized the IRS, DOJ and FBI, the Kavanaugh hearing, the proven Leftist media bias and the obsessed hate by the Hollywood elite, the public has seen the ruthless nature and extent that Democrats will go for power.

Further, the hypocrisy and criminality of the Clinton's is still unsettled. Investigators are gaining and evidence has mounted to the point that it would seem inevitable for there not to be a grand jury indictment. There is a good chance of that being a backdrop to the 2020 election.

Finally, the crazy Socialist policies coming out, coupled with the stunning immortality of end-of-term and even at-birth abortions, blatant anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, has all distanced the Party from many in their party.  Moderate Democrats can hardly recognize their party.  Even lifelong cardholders such as Blacks, Hispanics and gays have started to #WalkAway and #Brexit from the party. Keep in mind that elections swing on small segments. Last but not least, once reliable extremely wealthy donors to the Democratic party have to question their support.

So the irony is that as the Democratic party is doing whatever it takes to get rid of Trump, they may just be giving Trump his best chance for 4 more years.

Ultimately, if this economy continues to strengthen, we get out and stay out of wars, N.Korea doesn't go backwards, the Middle East grows more peaceful, NATO funding is increased and more balanced, the United Kingdom proves that Globalists had a lesson coming, China gives up a better trade deal, manufacturing continues to return, and the USA is more safe and secure, it will not matter what Democrats do.

Trump will get himself elected again because he will have managed to fulfill his Trumped-up campaign promises.  Thanks to all the #winning Trump will have actually achieved his primary promise that is printed on those Red Hats that Democrats call racist.  And the voters are much more apt to believe what Trump chooses to print on his 2020 hats!

TRUMP IS FIXING OBAMA.

FREE ISN'T FREE

FREEDOM OR FREE?  DIALOGUE OR DEBATE?

This is the video shown at a recent Conservative Party Action Committee national event.  Of course it is a political message.  As you can seen it is drawing the topical battle-lines with a heavy emphasis against the Far Left Socialist side of the Democratic party with the radical stances of it's leaders, particularly those rising in popularity.

The fundamental difference boils down to the virtues of freedom and less government control versus the percieved benefits of more government control and the need to forego freedom for them.

The Left conflates "free" with "freedom." Their appeal is free health care, free college education and other ways in which government will provide you FREEdom.  The right recognizes that "free" is an illusion, and "free" removes freedom of choice and typically comes at an overall price to society that is higher than it would have been if market forces such as innovation, competition and entrepreneurship were given the freedom to operate.

... you might say that the consequences of "free" are outweighed by the benefits of "freedom."

Government has a role to play in either the Left's or the Right's model.  The way that role is defined is essentially what the fight between the Left side of the Democratic party and the Right side of the Republican party is all about.

The centrist or moderate perspective is to work together in order to find a workable compromise.  In simplest terms, the difference between the "far sides" and moderate Centrist is played out through  debate rather than a dialogue. The far sides seeks a win-lose outcome.  Moderate Centrist seek a win-win outcome.

In order to have a dialogue and a win-win outcome, both sides have to build trust and respect and let go of resentment and bitterness. The media loves a good fight!  And so they actively stir the pot and inflame feelings. And so do nearly all political ads.

Politics is a war of ideas but it is fought using the weapon of emotion, with fear being one of the most suitable.  Fear triggers and brings out reactions of anger and hostility.  Fear sells newspapers, or these days clicks. The media is as guilty as politicians, if not more so, of exploiting fear.

This is NOT to say that either side doesn't have legitimate fears.  But the paths to resolution could not be more different between an approach of respectful dialogue and debate!

The farther both political Parties move to their respective outer side, the more acrimonious the climate in this country will get.  It is difficult to say where that leads to. But one thing for sure, that is a more stressful and painful path.

THE HYPOCRISY IS GREATER THAN THE TRUTH.

WE ARE BETTER THAN TODAY

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FAIR, SMART AND NOT VINDICTIVE TAXES

The top 1% pay over 40% of taxes.  The top 5% pay ~60% of income taxes. Fair enough?

NOT Fair enough. Add in property, sales, and payroll taxes.

Still not fair enough? Add in PHILANTHROPY!

Still not fair enough? Keep this in mind too.
The wealth of the wealth was ALREADY taxed while it was being accumulated.  In addition, much of the rich's wealth is held in businesses and investments which provide substantial employment and also pay taxes. Plus the wealthy's luxury purchases generate substantial sales taxes that supports local economies and provides a very meaningful section of the economy with jobs that pay good wages.  Someone has to build and maintain their mansions and yachts.

Still not fair enough?  The President's tax and regulatory policies have produced the highest employment in history and the greatest wage growth in over a decade.

WHAT IS THE END GAME?
Punitive taxes and wealth distribution for what?  To spend more??

There are some taxes and spending that do make sense:
- Higher gas taxes to fund transportation improvements.
- A special limited tax on air travel to fund air traffic improvements.
- A tax on oil and natural gas production to fund ports and waterway improvements in a public-private partnership.
- A national sales tax on Internet transactions that is distributed to local governments based on collections geography.
- Closing loopholes on offshore revenues by wealthy who use offshore shelters.
- Tax credits for businesses that employ people with high risks for unemployment, such as ex-cons, training programs for people who did not finish high school.

WE HAVE TO BE SMART, NOT JEALOUS AND VINDICTIVE!
Our National Debt is such that any new tax revenues have to be spent and invested very wisely. Those tax revenues must be targeted in ways that expand the GDP, and increase the productivity of labor, business and government!  We need to start digging ourselves OUT OF DEBT, publicly, privately and even personally.