ED and Brett Discussion Blog

[Gene Clem]

Many people are not aware that we have another of our members running for congress in the 6th congressional district.  He is Mel Valkner.

Mel needs help with his campaign.  His web site is www.thecommanman.org  You can go there to send a donation or sign up to help with campaign activities.

Mel is one of the original Kalamazoo Tea Party folks and was, in fact, the first Treasurer.  He decided early on that he would sacrifice his time and treasure to help right the ship of state.  He is a worthy candidate and can really use your help in his campaign, so please contribute and/or volunteer at his web page.

[albaby]

I disagree, Diane. Penalizing those companies may just give them the incentive to move their entire operation overseas. They are not just looking at labor costs but other things they would not have to deal with by moving their total operation. The regulatory environment, civil rights, EPA, OSHA, Unions, lawsuits from employees and consumers looking to make a fast buck and goverment agencies are just a few. The uncertain environmental laws and tax environments are two more. I think these companies would prefer to position themselves to take advantage of emerging markets such as Asia, India, South America than invest in a mature and declining market such as ours.

The BS about tariffs would be just about as effective as those boycotts against Citgo, BP and other companies. They just sold their products to other distributors and the boycotters gladly bought from them because they thought by doing so they had "hurt" the boycotted companies.
Diane Konneck said:

Look up the word 'embargo' I recall the Arab oil embargo back in the 70s which had a horrendous impact on our economy, one could not buy a job in this area, about as bad as this most recent recession is. Now multiply that about 10,000 times over, when we have ticked off everyone with putting high tariffs on their goods. We would even lose all the retail jobs because there is nothing to sell! We have to get manufacturing of real durable goods back here before we institute penalties on foreign made stuff. Do we make appliances here? Do we make shoes here? We have no textile mills in this country anymore, heck the last light bulb company just closed it's doors! The role of government is to create an atmosphere in which we can prosper. The best way I see to do that is with the existing tax system modified to penalize internally the companies that choose to have things made out of country and reward those that build factories here and hire American workers. The "carrot and stick " approach. You cannot do that if you just simply do away with income taxes, for you have no incentive to use..br/>

albaby said:

You want to impose tariffs on foreign made products and eliminate federal income tax. Isn't imposing tariffs asking for bigger government? What if other countries reciprocate and increase tariffs on American made products? You say the combination will mean more money for Americans to spend on American made products. What will the government use when the tariff money decreases as a result? You say the Constitution says the federal government may impose taxes on states based on the census. Just who does the census count and who will be paying those taxes?. Your quoting proverbs reminds me of the Kansas Preacher. He also can find passages in the bible to support his viewpoint. Last, (for now), the religious exemption thing. I feel religious organizations should be taxed like anything else. Too many political organizations are hiding under the umbrella of religion. Paying their share would hurt them no more than it does any other organization. If you would say that you would tax property that is held by religious organizations for profit and not the free exercise of religion, I would be more inclined to lean your direction. How much in local and state revenue is lost to so-called religious exemptions? I don't beleive your isolationist proposals would be in our best interests. These are my humble opinions and the ones I will be carrying to the polls with me Nov.2.

[Ed R]

Competition! Competition! Competition! If someone can make it better and that costs less, then that is the one I buy. What's wrong with that?

[Ed R]

Hey Mel,

Your data was so far from close to being correct that maybe you should not rely on it for anything ever again. The bottom line when it was all said and done the Independants voted their pocket books and that is why there was a 60 seat gain. The Tea Party had an influence on local issues in the end and a small influence on the national election. I have been saying and will continue to say that all politics is local and the ideology needs to start at the bottom and work its way to the top. Don't give up there is still a lot of work to do and we as Americans must stay vigilant.

[Diane Konneck]

Ed I think the Tea Party had a HUGE influence by educating a lot of folks about the foolishness of borrowing endlessly, spending like drunken sailors,( pardon me all you Naval people), and ignoring the will of the people. We had a total clean sweep in this state! Historic! It is not mere coincidence that this happened at this point in time, it is thanks to all the hard work of ordinary citizens who said they had enough! Our local county GOP has been strengthened so much by the Tea Party people who got involved, it is immeasureable! But there is the crux of the argument... our folks worked WITHIN the existing GOP!

Ed R said:

Hey Mel,

Your data was so far from close to being correct that maybe you should not rely on it for anything ever again. The bottom line when it was all said and done the Independants voted their pocket books and that is why there was a 60 seat gain. The Tea Party had an influence on local issues in the end and a small influence on the national election. I have been saying and will continue to say that all politics is local and the ideology needs to start at the bottom and work its way to the top. Don't give up there is still a lot of work to do and we as Americans must stay vigilant.

[Ed R]

Hi Diane,

Although it is true that the Tea Party's influence got national coverage and awakened the electorate it is the independants (as far as numbers go) that made the biggest difference in voting. I agree that education is the key and must not stop, thereby continuing the momentum. The more independants that get proper education the more they will understand how to vote on a regular basis. Changing the mind of a borderline personality disorder individual, which most far left Liberals are, is impossible.

[albaby]

The comparison to drunken sailors is a poor one. The Sailors are spending their own money and don't leave the tab for someone else to pay.

Diane Konneck said:

Ed I think the Tea Party had a HUGE influence by educating a lot of folks about the foolishness of borrowing endlessly, spending like drunken sailors,( pardon me all you Naval people), and ignoring the will of the people. We had a total clean sweep in this state! Historic! It is not mere coincidence that this happened at this point in time, it is thanks to all the hard work of ordinary citizens who said they had enough! Our local county GOP has been strengthened so much by the Tea Party people who got involved, it is immeasureable! But there is the crux of the argument... our folks worked WITHIN the existing GOP!

Ed R said:

Hey Mel,

Your data was so far from close to being correct that maybe you should not rely on it for anything ever again. The bottom line when it was all said and done the Independants voted their pocket books and that is why there was a 60 seat gain. The Tea Party had an influence on local issues in the end and a small influence on the national election. I have been saying and will continue to say that all politics is local and the ideology needs to start at the bottom and work its way to the top. Don't give up there is still a lot of work to do and we as Americans must stay vigilant.

[Ed R]

The work begins and continues from here. We need to work with and within the GOP. We have a message and an obligation to educate as many as possible prior to the 2012 elections; this is not over; it will never be over. Let's get another 60 seats in the House in 2012 and pick up all 21 Dem seats in 2012; this will give us veto proof legislation. The current crop of legislators now working for us have their job and we have ours.

[Melvin Valkner]

Ed,

We'll see where we are at in two years. I've done the math and it appears the National Debt will be at $16 trillion with an annual deficit still around the $1 trillion mark - and that if 40% of all discretionary spending is cut.

obs are forecast to be stagnant for at least the next decade. That's because they will still be leaving for China which will continue to be our creditor.

Add 20% inflation over the next few years as the Fed injects another $1 trillion of funny money into the economy.

Sorry, I just don't see anything to gloat about.

Mel

[Ed R]

Mot gloating. Working on positive strategy.

[Ed R]

Nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Each action leads to experience. These experiences lead to knowledge that when compiled can lead to a well thought out strategy. We all have a goal and our combined knowledge will lead to God's plan. Let's all take our experiences and make things happen.