Government Motors

During the Cash for Clunkers program, Ford Motor Co. was faced with a shortage of the popular Ford Focus models. Ford decided to fire up the assembly line and produce more cars to meet the demand.

GM (Government Motors) consulted with committees, subcommittees, and advisers to decide not to increase output but to use money received from the government to finance short term loans to GM dealers until the dealers received the much delayed reimbursement checks from the government during the Cash for Clunkers program.

A CBS Radio News commentator, recently broadcasted, that according to government records the most stolen cars are currently the Ford Explorer and the Ford Taurus. His solution for new car buyers was to examine the government published lists of most stolen cars and not to buy those car models.

We have an example of a private U.S. automobile maker meeting the demand of the public with cars that they want to purchase. Then we have the example of a Government owned automobile company using tax dollars to assist in another ill managed government program. With the national press telling the public not to buy the cars that are most popular. Does the White House want to inform the citizens when they should buy cars and what cars will be assigned to them? That was tried before by the Soviet Union and that just produced substandard cars that the citizens unwillingly were forced to purchase.

" A Government big enough to give you everything

you want , is also big enough to take away everything

you have." Thomas Jefferson

Do As I Say, Not As I Do..At Least According to Congress

Have the members of the U.S. Congress lost all touch with reality?

After criticizing and taxing bonuses paid out by AIG, the banking industry, the auto industry, (not to mention the attempt at hijacking the healthcare industry), and many other industries, Congress has seen in their infinite wisdom to spend taxpayer money on giving MASSIVE bonuses to staffers in the U.S. Congress.

In addition to these bonuses, they are arranging financial aid packages (for education) for people that work in Congress that don't NEED financial aid. Are you kidding me?

Businesses may be handing out obscene bonuses to employees, but given their contracts, the companies are publicly held companies under the SEC's oversight (and now Congress's), the companies should be answerable to their shareholders. They are in business to MAKE MONEY. Money and profits are what EMPLOY people.

Perhaps the companies that have taken government bailout money should be held to more stringent standards until their debt to the taxpayer is repaid, but the bottom line is that the U.S. Congress has been SCREAMING about the bonuses and the auto executives taking private airplanes on their money, in this economy.

I have news for the Congress. Your money is OUR money. Why is OK that the Congress hands out big bonuses to their staffers, votes to give themselves raises, wants NEW private planes that are not requested through the budget and appropriation process, when the rest of America, under the Democrats and President Obama, can't do anything that resembles making a profit?

Has Congress lost touch with ALL reality?

I say to Congress, do as I wish and butt out. Hold yourselves accountable to the standards you set for everybody else. You do not get to play by your own rules, let alone play by your own rules and think no one would be outraged by the clear "in your face" message you are sending to everyday Americans?

HealthCare Reform

The passing of Senator Ted Kennedy is sad. Even if you don't agree with his perspective and political opinions, you have to respect the fact that he never waivered from them.

Having said that, the fact that the Democrats in the House of Representatives and the Senate are taking Ted Kennedy's career-long goal of universal healthcare and politicizing it leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. They are ready to plaster the conference bill with his name, supposedly to honor him. Do the people "serving" us in Congress really think we are that stupid and won't see through what it is they are trying to do? No wonder Congress's approval ratings are so low.

The truth of the matter is that the so-called healthcare reform bills that are out there, both in the House and the Senate, are EXACTLY the SAME as they were before Ted Kennedy's passing. The bills haven't changed, and the lack of support for the bills haven't changed. Putting Kennedy's name on it is not going to do anything to change those facts.

In order to garner support for healthcare reform, change ONLY what needs changing, don't overhaul the whole system. Figure out a way to spend within means. Get rid of the fraud within Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Stop spending so much money, money we DON'T HAVE!

Be honest that there is nothing government does well EXCEPT spend money. Government does not generate revenue, they appropriate and spend money. They are not in "business", they are in comfort. The appropriators (House members) seem to forget that it is NOT their money to begin with.

After the bailouts, the so-called Stimulus bill that has only been 10% spent and isn't doing anything, the so-called Cap and Trade Bill, the redefined budget deficit and debt projections are unsustainable. So why add TRILLIONS of dollars of debt ON TOP OF IT in order to overhaul an entire system that is not entirely broken?

I think we can all agree that there is definite room for improvement and reform, but the suggested bills out there are insulting, demeaning, belittling, and demoralizing. Work within budget contraints, be open to ALL suggestions, not just Democrats', and realize the people of the United States DO NOT WANT an overhaul of the healthcare system. They want the best care possible with the least government involvement and the least impact on their wallets.

Fix the problems only, don't create more problems and MORE, unsustainable debt by expecting a healthcare reform package with Ted Kennedy's name to fool anyone.

Trillion Dollar Congress

These programs would be on top of a current $1.5 TRILLION budget shortfall that Obama and Congress has given us. What we the taxpayers are left with is a bill that our grandchildren will have to pay for.

Lake County good Government

Behm Homestead Park is now OPEN for all in Fremont Township to use – This park is located on Peterson Road ½ mile east of Route 60. Amenities include: baseball, softball, football, and lacrosse fields. Walking trail with fitness stations and a playground.

This was all done without raising homeowner property taxes or raising the salaries of anyone with the Township Government. Maybe Cook County should copy how government in Lake County works instead of trying to take over Lake County and make it a twin of Cook County.

2010 interesting year

Rumor has it that State Sen. Terry Link is considering a run for Lieutenant Governor. That sounds like, more of the same from the Dems.

Pat Brady has been elected Illinois GOP Chairman. Pat Brady a former Federal Prosecutor is a good choice to help show the difference between the Cook County controlled ILL. Democratic Party and the ILL. Republican Party. As we said before, 2010 should be an interesting year.

Committeewoman Bean

Rep Melissa Bean sits on several committees and subcommittees in the House of Representatives. These committees and subcommittees are of vital importance in the current financial environment as well as in the current discussion on so-called healthcare "reform".

Rep Bean sits on the Financial Services Committtee, including the Subcommittee on Capital Markets; the Insurance & Government Sponsored Enterprises; the Subcommittee on Financial Insitutions & Consumer Credit; the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance & Tax; the House Committee on Small Business; and the Subcommittee on Regulations & Healthcare.

Does anyone else want to know why Rep Melissa Bean is hiding from her constituents? Why will she only appear at a townhall that you have to pay $25 to see her at?

Melissa Bean is OUR elected representative. She should be "representing" us by talking with us about the current financial issues and healthcare issues, and how she, as a member of all of the vitally important committees and subcommittees mentioned above, plans to vote and the impact those votes will have on the 8th district.

In such a trying time for everyone, where is Melissa Bean? If she is confident in her positions, she should not be scared to share her thoughts with us in an open and free forum. She should be open to feedback from her real bosses, her constituents, in the 8th district.