http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/11/24/martin.michelle.obama.palin/index.html?hpt=T2
What's offensive about encouraging people to eat more healthily? Didn't Swartzeneger promote the same as Bush's Health Czar?
I'll admit I eat too much fast food as a matter of convenience and it's an aim of mine to curb that. It's gonna be tougher for some people of lower ecomomic means, but at the same time, plenty of well to do's eat fast food all the time.
It's b/c it's there on every corner. And we can't legislate against a McD's at every highway exit any more than we can against a liquor/convenience store on every urban corner.
But we can encourage nutritional responsibilty and there's an open opportunity for healthy "fast food" companies to fill the void that's missing.
In the end, it's up to us what we put in our bodies - and to an extent what parents put in their childrens' bodies - and we are living in an age of convenience that wasn't around 30 plus years ago, and overall, that was probably a healthier time.
No government can legislate a healthy lifestyle, but it's kind of like the seatbelt law. You don't want your insurance to go up but when people get in accidents and are severly injured or killed b/c they weren't wearing a seat belt or didn't have an airbag in their vehicle, it costs the insurance companies more and the buck is passed down to us.
It's the same when it comes to having a healthier society. Guidelines for a healthy lifestyle should never be admonished since they benefit the individual, the family, our communities and our nation.
Our government has its hands in more issues now than in 1783 bc times have changed and while our quality of life is much better than it was 227 years ago in terms of comfort and convenience, many of those sources of comfort and convenience have created new risks that were neither present nor foreseeable to our Founding Fathers.
Open your eyes people. The times, they are a changin', they've been a changin' forever and they will continue to change. And we have to be both proactive and reactive in all areas of life.
We only get one chance here on earth, but the way live, the decisions we make and the standards we set impact the lives of generations to come. And if we care about ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation...well, we should do something about it to affect positive change.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The DIP Party
I'm creating a new political party. The Domestic Infrastructure Party, aka, the DIP.
We focus on intelligent spending, making things at home and improving our lot at home. Transportation and Safety - building and fixing new and existing roads, bridges, rails and buildings -, Education - committing to the best public schools in the world and sustainably subsidizing private school tuition in challenged areas - Economic Development (and anti-monopolistic/polypolistic regulation on big business) and Healthcare.
We are committed to technology and making things at home, bringing jobs back to America, exporting more than importing and ensuring all citizens have affordable health care that doesn't drive up insurance premiums for the general public yet ensures healthcare for all and protects those w/pre-existing conditions and debilitating illness and injury.
We aim to increase GDP and decrease national debt before we become victims to China and other nations that hold much of our debt. We are cautiously proactive rather than reactive and we seek to lead w/positivity and confidence in light of and despite current economic and political circumstances.
We are pro-America, on the cutting edge of international business, socially progressive, and increaslingly isolationist, though looking abroad and studying/implementing international programs and policies that will benefit our lot and invest in a golden future at home.
We are not the Tea Party, nor do we wish to increase taxes for the general public, rather lower them where and when possible and redirect current spending away from international policing and other wasteful spending.
We support a progressive tax system that drastically reduces federal income tax for the majority of workers, allowing nearly all Americans to retain up to 90% of their earnings, though requiring a higher percentage from those earning more than half a million per year, even more from those earning over 5 million per year, and slightly more from those earning more than 25 million annually, capped at 30% taxation, though giving a 5% tax break for all those earning over 500K who donate at least 3% of their income to a legitimate non-profit organization of their choosing.
Finally, we'd rather not incarcerate 5 times more people per capita than competing nations and we'd rather not spend more on miltary/defense than the next highest 26 countries combined, 25 of which are our allies.
We want to spend smartly, we want to re-emerge as a global leader in the 21st century and we want to have a good time. We want to be skinny, and we want to DIP.
Please repost if you support the above stated DIP values and goals.
We focus on intelligent spending, making things at home and improving our lot at home. Transportation and Safety - building and fixing new and existing roads, bridges, rails and buildings -, Education - committing to the best public schools in the world and sustainably subsidizing private school tuition in challenged areas - Economic Development (and anti-monopolistic/polypolistic regulation on big business) and Healthcare.
We are committed to technology and making things at home, bringing jobs back to America, exporting more than importing and ensuring all citizens have affordable health care that doesn't drive up insurance premiums for the general public yet ensures healthcare for all and protects those w/pre-existing conditions and debilitating illness and injury.
We aim to increase GDP and decrease national debt before we become victims to China and other nations that hold much of our debt. We are cautiously proactive rather than reactive and we seek to lead w/positivity and confidence in light of and despite current economic and political circumstances.
We are pro-America, on the cutting edge of international business, socially progressive, and increaslingly isolationist, though looking abroad and studying/implementing international programs and policies that will benefit our lot and invest in a golden future at home.
We are not the Tea Party, nor do we wish to increase taxes for the general public, rather lower them where and when possible and redirect current spending away from international policing and other wasteful spending.
We support a progressive tax system that drastically reduces federal income tax for the majority of workers, allowing nearly all Americans to retain up to 90% of their earnings, though requiring a higher percentage from those earning more than half a million per year, even more from those earning over 5 million per year, and slightly more from those earning more than 25 million annually, capped at 30% taxation, though giving a 5% tax break for all those earning over 500K who donate at least 3% of their income to a legitimate non-profit organization of their choosing.
Finally, we'd rather not incarcerate 5 times more people per capita than competing nations and we'd rather not spend more on miltary/defense than the next highest 26 countries combined, 25 of which are our allies.
We want to spend smartly, we want to re-emerge as a global leader in the 21st century and we want to have a good time. We want to be skinny, and we want to DIP.
Please repost if you support the above stated DIP values and goals.
High speed rail continued
High speed trains def mean 200+ mph. That it takes 7 hrs to travel b/t charlotte to richmond on rail is a joke. I understand there's not the density of travel is the SE as the more densely populated NE, but folks in urban areas in the southeast are no less sophisticated than our neighbors to the north. Atlanta has a highly sophisticated metro rail system, but we are discussing intercity ridership here. The NE certainly has more everyday biz riders than the SE due to population density and the proximity of major cities. However, as one or 2 anons said, we are looking to move fwd, not backward, and investing in our transportation system and catching up w/our international rivals is a huge investment in our future with tremendous future ROI.
Someone mentioned Obamacare is 20% of our annual spending, but that person is badly misinformed. Just like folks who say the bailout was wasteful spending by our government even though it's slated to turn a profit for the govt and reduce our national debt. That same person mentioned wasteful spending on unneccessary wars - a point w/which I wholly agree - and looking to our future I believe we are in for a long long bumpy ride if we don't begin to invest again at home.
Infrastructure, education, corporate regulation to protect citizens, and ensurance of healthcare rights for all are our most important priorities at home.
I would like to either see the GOP move back twd the center right and away from the ultra conservative, or we should just move to a multiparty system w/representation from everyone from the TP/Libertarian to the Green Party, to extreme lefists, as well. Americans comprise one of the largest citizen populations in the world, and there are certainly more than 2 political views. There's no longer any such thing as black and white, though many are disillusioned enough to believe there is.
Someone mentioned Obamacare is 20% of our annual spending, but that person is badly misinformed. Just like folks who say the bailout was wasteful spending by our government even though it's slated to turn a profit for the govt and reduce our national debt. That same person mentioned wasteful spending on unneccessary wars - a point w/which I wholly agree - and looking to our future I believe we are in for a long long bumpy ride if we don't begin to invest again at home.
Infrastructure, education, corporate regulation to protect citizens, and ensurance of healthcare rights for all are our most important priorities at home.
I would like to either see the GOP move back twd the center right and away from the ultra conservative, or we should just move to a multiparty system w/representation from everyone from the TP/Libertarian to the Green Party, to extreme lefists, as well. Americans comprise one of the largest citizen populations in the world, and there are certainly more than 2 political views. There's no longer any such thing as black and white, though many are disillusioned enough to believe there is.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Rail Transit
Contractors subsidize large projects by taking out loans and betting on their profitability, then bidding out work to subcontractors. When it comes to billion dollar and multimillion dollar govt projects, states can't always build the required revenue at home, so, as the top subcontractor, they rely on the big contractor (the feds) to help subsidize state run projects, i.e., infrastructure and transportation. Our rail system as it stands pales in comparison to the Euro rail network, which actually requires international cooperation - though geographically Western Euro govts placed on a North American map would be divided into several regions, some state and some regionally sized. Yet, they have a more developed and effiencient rail system than the US. If done properly, our rail system could rival the Euro system, but it would take a great investment into our national infrastructure.
I'm going home to VA for a wedding next week and debating an 8hr amtrack ride from CLT to Richmond vs a 4.5 hr drive. With a high speed, Euro style train system, I could be home in 2-3 hrs, including stops, likely for a few more dollars than the current Amtrak rate, though much less than airfare, which I'm not even considering since it costs 5-6 times more to fly home vs train or roads.
I much enjoy the train and I'd like rail travel to become a more efficient means for Americans to travel between cities, as well as within urban areas.
Improving our transportation networks - rail, air and highway - is an investment in our future, not stealing from the future.
The same can be said for investing in public school education and offering benefits to companies who actually manufacture products within our borders.
We live in a world nearly devoid of economic borders, and while we must continue to assert ourselves as an international leader in commerce, we cannot look to the outside world while turning our back on our domestic responsibilities.
In order to contine to be a great nation, we must have the foresight, the gall and the will to take care of home, first and foremost.
If we want to continue as a, nee, the premier nation in which to live in the world, we must take care of our own and grown and build our own resources.
I'm going home to VA for a wedding next week and debating an 8hr amtrack ride from CLT to Richmond vs a 4.5 hr drive. With a high speed, Euro style train system, I could be home in 2-3 hrs, including stops, likely for a few more dollars than the current Amtrak rate, though much less than airfare, which I'm not even considering since it costs 5-6 times more to fly home vs train or roads.
I much enjoy the train and I'd like rail travel to become a more efficient means for Americans to travel between cities, as well as within urban areas.
Improving our transportation networks - rail, air and highway - is an investment in our future, not stealing from the future.
The same can be said for investing in public school education and offering benefits to companies who actually manufacture products within our borders.
We live in a world nearly devoid of economic borders, and while we must continue to assert ourselves as an international leader in commerce, we cannot look to the outside world while turning our back on our domestic responsibilities.
In order to contine to be a great nation, we must have the foresight, the gall and the will to take care of home, first and foremost.
If we want to continue as a, nee, the premier nation in which to live in the world, we must take care of our own and grown and build our own resources.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
On Hard Hits in Football...Don't Turn the NFL into the NHL (No Hitting League)
Football is no more violent this year than it was a year ago or 2 or 5 or 10 years ago. Granted, players are bigger, faster and stronger than they were 30 or even 20 years ago (William "Refrigerator" Perry was among the first 300 lb players in his 1985 rookie year), but not so much more physically enabled than they were, say 10-15 years ago. In fact, if anything, players have become quicker and more nimble now as a necessary response to today's prevalent offensive style of play predicated on spreading the field and isloating mismatches, much like in today's NBA.
However, tackle football at every level, from peewee ball to high school, from college and to the pros, is a violent sport. To maintain the integrity of the sport, this can not be allowed to change.
Now, I understand and appreciate protecting players, especially those who are in defenseless positions - and the NFL and lower levels of football have correctly and admirably outlawed dangerous "horsecollar" tackles, chop blocking, etc. - but the NFL should not legislate against hard hits.
As an 8 year old association player and throughout my high school career, I was taught to move at full speed and to tackle with my head up, more for my safety than my opponent's. High speed hat-to-hat collisions were, and should be, discouraged, but "knocking your opponent's block off" and "puttin his you know what in the dirt" were encouraged and praised, as they should be.
Maybe helmets need to improve - perhaps everyone in a Steve Tasker helmet - and whatever happened to wearing neck braces to prevent whiplash?
I am all for enforcing punishment on dirty play, and the Merriweather (Patriots) helmet hit on Todd Heap was dirty and suspending him for a game would be justified, but fining and suspending professional football players for hitting too hard is antithethical to the spirit of the game.
Ronnie Lott's finger would roll in its jar...or wherever it ended up.
However, tackle football at every level, from peewee ball to high school, from college and to the pros, is a violent sport. To maintain the integrity of the sport, this can not be allowed to change.
Now, I understand and appreciate protecting players, especially those who are in defenseless positions - and the NFL and lower levels of football have correctly and admirably outlawed dangerous "horsecollar" tackles, chop blocking, etc. - but the NFL should not legislate against hard hits.
As an 8 year old association player and throughout my high school career, I was taught to move at full speed and to tackle with my head up, more for my safety than my opponent's. High speed hat-to-hat collisions were, and should be, discouraged, but "knocking your opponent's block off" and "puttin his you know what in the dirt" were encouraged and praised, as they should be.
Maybe helmets need to improve - perhaps everyone in a Steve Tasker helmet - and whatever happened to wearing neck braces to prevent whiplash?
I am all for enforcing punishment on dirty play, and the Merriweather (Patriots) helmet hit on Todd Heap was dirty and suspending him for a game would be justified, but fining and suspending professional football players for hitting too hard is antithethical to the spirit of the game.
Ronnie Lott's finger would roll in its jar...or wherever it ended up.
My thoughts on Broncos after Week 6 loss to the Jets
I thought Denver played well vs the Jets and would've won if not for the questionable PI call on Cox (Holmes put his hands on Cox first to get position which could have cancelled out the facemask) and even still had a chance till the bad shotgun snap to Orton by a rookie center. Still, I would’ve loved to win that game.
I’m cautiously optimistic about the 2010 Broncos, though, and think that in this year’s AFC West, with the Chargers playing poorly, the team has a chance eclipse 8-8 for the first time in 4 or 5 seasons.
At the start of the season, I said I’d be happy w/9-7 or 10-6 but could not reasonably expect any better. I mainly wanted to see improvement, and I have…especially w/the run game stepping up last week.
2011 is the bellweather year for Coach McD, and though I was critical of the young coach and the wholesale moves made by the team early on – I was admittedly angry at Bowlen for canning Shanny when we had the #2 offense in the league and really just needed a defenisve overhaul – I am now in his corner and buying into his system.
I think Josh McDaniels will be an outstanding coach and have a great career and hope he has the success in Denver to make it a long run and restore my Donkeys to the caliber of our glory days teams of the 80s and 90s.
I don’t expect to ever have another Elway come along, and we’d be lucky to get a second coming of TD in the next 10-20 years, but I feel good about the team and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and coming down to the wire with at least a chance to play a 17th game. That’s all I’m asking for…just a chance!
Go Broncos!
I’m cautiously optimistic about the 2010 Broncos, though, and think that in this year’s AFC West, with the Chargers playing poorly, the team has a chance eclipse 8-8 for the first time in 4 or 5 seasons.
At the start of the season, I said I’d be happy w/9-7 or 10-6 but could not reasonably expect any better. I mainly wanted to see improvement, and I have…especially w/the run game stepping up last week.
2011 is the bellweather year for Coach McD, and though I was critical of the young coach and the wholesale moves made by the team early on – I was admittedly angry at Bowlen for canning Shanny when we had the #2 offense in the league and really just needed a defenisve overhaul – I am now in his corner and buying into his system.
I think Josh McDaniels will be an outstanding coach and have a great career and hope he has the success in Denver to make it a long run and restore my Donkeys to the caliber of our glory days teams of the 80s and 90s.
I don’t expect to ever have another Elway come along, and we’d be lucky to get a second coming of TD in the next 10-20 years, but I feel good about the team and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and coming down to the wire with at least a chance to play a 17th game. That’s all I’m asking for…just a chance!
Go Broncos!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Get off your soapboxes, Boise Haters! aka, Hokies...
What is with all this vitriol I've seen spewed at the Boise State football team after beating Va Tech on Monday? It was a great game, Boise took advantage of early Tech mistakes (a fumbled qb exchange under heavy pressure from the Boise D-line), a block on a punt deep in their own territory (Beamer Ball?) and fell behind by 17 before managing to come back and take the lead. Boise St, though, came through down the stretch and won the game. It's called football. As for the Broncos' ranking...it's deserved based on what they've done in previous seasons and esp last season w/20 starters returning after an undefeated season and BCS bowl victory.
I still say, let's have a playoff of some sort, but don't hate on Boise State. Va Tech, you could've at least won what was essentially a home game in your own backyard.
I still say, let's have a playoff of some sort, but don't hate on Boise State. Va Tech, you could've at least won what was essentially a home game in your own backyard.
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