A Solution to Social Security

I frequently read the blog of SA Andrews who has a link to The Brussels Journal on his site. The Brussels Journal is a European conservative website. I like to know what our fellow conservatives on the other side of the pond are thinking so I clicked over to check it out.

I came across A Working Model About Social Security.

Thirty years ago, a young Jose Pinera, who had earned a Ph.D. at Harvard, was Chile's labor minister. He saw the coming disaster in the government old-age pension system.

Inspired by an idea from the late Nobel Prize winning economist, Milton Friedman, he developed a solution that empowers workers and gives them real financial security. Pinera-type social security systems have now been adopted by more than 30 countries and cover several hundred million people — for a very simple reason — it works.

The system sounds a lot like what President Bush proposed and the Democrats in Congress killed. Later those same Democrats stood up and shamelessly cheered when he accused them of doing nothing to save Social Security.

Conservatism is making a comeback in Europe - for another very simple reason - it works. It's too bad the political leaders here at home have forgotten that.

Dan Maffei - Big Thinker?

Washington Insider Dan Maffei moved home from DC to run for Congress. He lost, but that didn't stop him so he's trying again. The DNC has given him lots of money and lots of talking points. In fact, I wonder if any of his "thoughts" are his at all.

His op-ed piece in today's opinion section of the Syracuse Post Standard is titled "Part of 'thinking big' is working for US energy independence". Something tells me he didn't put a whole lot of thought into this.

Maffei opines "If we need any further reminder of how far American power and prestige have fallen over the last eight years, we got it when the Saudis told President Bush they weren't going to lift a finger to help us." Why should they "help us"? Are we helpless? We have our own oil, we just need to get it out of the ground and refine it.

He tells us he is "running for Congress because we need change." Where have we heard that before? Hmmm....change....who said that?

His plan will take "the power away from Big Oil by taxing their huge windfall profits ". Maffei concedes that "not everything we try will work". Really? Like using the taxpayer's money to subsidize biofuels and driving up food prices?

If I were Mr. Maffei I would be very angry with the Democratic party and all of their candidates (and some Republicans, too) for stealing his ideas.

Finally, he promises that if he is "elected to Congress, (he) will never support measures that do not benefit hard-working men and women." If that's the case, he will need to completely abandon his party's platform and his environmental agenda.

Miracles Do Happen!

I nearly fell out of my chair a moment ago when I came across this article on my local newspaper's website.

It looks like Rep. Jim Walsh, R-NY, has changed his mind about drilling in ANWR! Wonders never cease. I have been increasing displeased with my congressman, who has announced his retirement. I forgave his goofy vote last year against the Iraq war because I understood that it was a symbolic vote and meaningless. But his position on drilling for domestic oil, to me was unforgiveable.

Since he's retiring he no longer needs to pander for votes and can do the right thing. It's too bad he didn't have a change of heart when his vote may have made a difference, but hey, maybe the Republican leadership is finally taking the blinders off.

Get Ready for the Gas Lines

Yesterday the gang of buffoons we know as Congress passed a bill to sue OPEC over oil prices. These people have no grasp of basic economics. According to the sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Wisconsin, Americans are "at the mercy" of OPEC. Well, of course we are, you moron! When you won't allow companies to drill for oil here in the US we have to look to other countries to supply our oil. Duh!

According to the White House this sort of action "would likely spur retaliatory action against American interests in those countries and lead to a reduction in oil available to U.S. refiners." That's code for "expect gas lines soon".

Today, to show how much they feel your pain, Congress summoned oil company executives to testify yet again. They put on their little dog and pony show, and again the oil execs tried to explain basic economic principles to these imbeciles. If I weren't so mad I would have laughed it was so ridiculous. If you can stomach it click here for more on this story.

If Congress really cared about gas prices, they would lift the moratorium on drilling for oil here in the US. According to reports, the Bakken Formation could have 3 to 4.3 billion barrels of "undiscovered, technically recoverable oil". Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear them talking about how the oil companies can use their profits to drill for oil and build refineries right here at home? Don't hold your breath.

31,000 Scientists Reject Global Warming

I'll be surprised to hear about the 31000 scientists that have rejected global warming from the Main Stream Media. It doesn't fit their agenda or conform to the new religion called Global Climate Change. Will AlGore and Co. call these 31,000 scientists, almost one third of whom have a PhD, a "few skeptics"?

Gee, Who Knew Cutting Taxes Helps the Economy?

The show Ugly Betty is moving production to New York City, taking advantage of new tax incentives from both the state and city. Governor David Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the news on Monday.

I must give credit where credit is due, and in this instance the Governor and Mayor deserve credit. When taxes are cut you attract businesses, which create jobs and increase revenue. I only hope Governor Paterson pushes for tax (and spending) cuts state-wide.

I keep waiting for Senators Clinton and Schumer to stand up and de-cry these tax cuts for wealthy production companies. Aren't they taking food off my middle class table? Why do they only criticise tax cutting Republicans? Hmmm....could they know deep down in their hearts that tax cuts are good for the economy? I know, keep dreaming.

Strangers

Does anyone out there think about politics when grocery shopping? I know I don't, at least I never did until tonight.

I was in the checkout line, thinking about check out line kind of stuff. A young man came over to bag the groceries, which really makes me happy. So I was in a pretty good grocery shopping mood. The friendly clerk was scanning my groceries when she started talking about Iraq. She said she started to cry when she heard that a 21 year old soldier died. I said "Oh, that's sad". Then she snapped at me that she didn't want to talk about it or she would start to cry again. So I said "Sorry" because I certainly don't want to make the check out lady cry. Then she started rambling a bit and I decided it was best that I not speak anymore. I've never had a check out person get mad at me and I didn't want to start tonight.

Another time, I was at the hair dresser and it was only the first or second time she had done my hair. She started telling me all about the great movie she saw that weekend. It was "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. She went on and on and I have to say it was sort of annoying. She's a nice girl and all, but come on. I'm not about to disagree with someone holding scissors that close to my throat. So I just kept my mouth shut. The funny thing that day was that it was about 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside. I think people should only talk about global warming when the temperature is above, say, 90 degrees.

The moral of the story is this: when you talk to strangers you should ramble about political things so they have a story to tell people later on.

The Social Life of a Conservative

You must have a sense of humor to be conservative in a blue state. Trust me, I know. Most of us are normal people who don't choose our friends based on political affiliation. I know I don't, but when I find out one of my friends or colleagues is conservative it's such a hoot! You usually find this out after they've paid a large tax bill or they say something like "Spitzer's an idiot." If something like that happens feel free to talk politics all you want with your new-found conservative ally.

But normally, we avoid talking politics in social situations, that is, when sober. I just want to stress to please, take my advice here. If you are at a party and you start hearing things like "Halliburton" and "War for oil" DO NOT TRY TO DEBATE! I repeat DO NOT DEBATE! I know, it will be very hard, but you're lonely, right? Do you want to be lonelier? If these are people that you like then just walk away. Sure, you can throw in an innocent question if you like, but that could lead to debate. Nobody that's been drinking and repeats slogans wants to hear your reasoned analysis of the issues, no matter how loud or slurred they may be. The thing to do in this situation is to go home, turn on your computer and go to http://www.thelonelyconservative.blogspot.com/ and tell us all about what happened.