Lack of Common Sense at its Best

Hi Everyone,

So another November elections has come and gone. Hopefully all registered voters voted. Every vote does indeed count. Sometimes even the underdog wins. Such was the case here the town in which we live.

In one corner was the 3 term incumbent GOP Supervisor with a sizable war chest. In the other corner was the political newbie and Democratic candidate with no chest what so ever. Because of the current Town Supervisor's ill conceived and illegal location of a proposed cell tower, I got politically involved to oust her. I got involved from the get go with getting signatures for the newbie's petitions, fundraising, putting up signs and then making phone calls. It is amazing what a truly grass roots campaign can accomplish. She and her campaign committee were able to get her message out in a big way. Our newbie won by a landslide, 69% to 31%.

Now that you know the back story, the following is the update. So our sour grapes current Supervisor is so upset that she lost and lost by such a huge margin that she is being a true cry baby. How? Well, first of all, at least three town employees that I know of, one is an elected position, took the day after the elections off so they would not have to listen to her rant and rave about the election results, which she definitely thought she would win. The Supervisor elect has called and left two messages for the current Supervisor. The messages were about having a meeting so that there would be a smooth transition come 1/1/14. Well, well, well, the current Supervisor has totally ignored the messages and never called her back. I can understand an incumbent being upset over losing an election. But to not have a sit down with her successor just shows immaturity, a lack of concern for residents and of course a total lack of any common sense. Her actions prove my politician's creed of not having any common sense. I wouldn't put it past the current Supervisor to hide important info, dates etc., etc., to make the Supervisor elect job's more difficult..

It is truly shameful when politicians act in such a manner. All the current Supervisor is concerned about is herself and nobody else. You can't get anymore selfish than that. It is also too bad that she can't act in an adult or professional manner. In personally witnessing her pompous and callous attitude in dealing with residents during public hearings, her ignoring the Supervisor elect really doesn't surprise me or lots of other residents. It is just shows her true disdain for those who disagreed or opposed her.

Come 1/1/14, we won't have to deal with the wicked witch of the east any longer. YEA!

Til next week.

Peter

Now They Have Gone Too Far!

Hi Everyone,

For the past few years and then some, it seems that more and more people, companies, politicians and schools don't want to offend anyone. So the term, politically correct, originated. Being politically correct may be a good thing in some instances, but certainly it is not a good thing in all circumstances. But I was quite surprised to learn how far a school is willing to go to be politically correct. A friend of ours from Long Island, New York, told us about this true story that occurred to his daughter in her elementary school. The daughter told her father that the chorus teacher told them that they were only going to sing holiday songs and Hanukkah songs. Then the daughter told her father that they were going to sing, We Wish You a Swinging Holiday, which is actually, We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The children were not allowed to sing Merry Christmas and were yelled at if they did!

Is this what it is coming to? I certainly hope not. I am a firm believer in a live and let live philosophy. That would include people being able to celebrate their religious holidays including singing songs etc. Where does this school come off changing the words to a beloved and I think almost 140 year old song? In this instance, it appears that the school, in an effort to be somehow neutral by omitting those two words, have instead created a fire storm from her father. He is rightfully furious with the school. The school's position, in my opinion, is far more hurtful than the kids singing the correct words. What actual good can come from this? What does this teach the children? How do you explain to the kids that they can sing the songs correctly anywhere but at school?

Not being allowed to sing songs as they were originally written and intended is tantamount to censorship in the first degree. What state and country do we live in? How is this even allowed? Hopefully the school and the school board will revisit their decision. But maybe the second time around they will use some common sense. Maybe, like I have said about politicians, school professionals, including school board members should be taught lessons in common sense.

Til next week.

Peter

Better Food

Hi Everyone,

This week's Time magazine had an interesting article about trimming the fat. Back in the day, prior to the 1950's, food was made with real unadulterated natural ingredients. Real milk, butter, eggs, salt and sugar etc., etc. were the ingredients that were the basis for our food products. But, something happened in the 1950's that changed what we have eaten ever since.

The 1950's saw the introduction of trans fats into the production of everything from crackers to donuts to microwave popcorn to fast food burger and other fast food joints. Artificial trans fats is partially hydrogenated oils. According to the article, trans fats smooth texture, stabilize flavor and improve shelf life. It has been proven that trans fats are linked with heart disease, (clogged arteries). The center for disease control, CDC, states that 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 heart disease related deaths occur each year due to trans fats. And those numbers are sure to increase.

I am keenly aware that there are people in this country who believe that we should have less government interference in our lives. Maybe in some respects they are right. But when it comes to our food safety, I am a strong proponent of the government trying to protect our food. You can't count on big food conglomerates to put our safety ahead of their profits. So on 11/7/13, the FDA announced that it is starting the process of eliminating trans fats from the U.S. food supply. FYI, in 2006, NYC banned trans fats from restaurants. California followed in 2008 by doing the same thing.

The absence of trans fats from our foods will not happen overnight. Most likely, it will take years since food manufacturers who use it must reformulate their products. Maybe, just maybe, they will again use natural ingredients instead of finding a trans fats substitute. Time will tell.

I do believe that eventually eliminating trans fats from our food supply is a good thing and common sense over ruled big food businesses efforts to thwart it. Food is suppose to nourish our bodies and not hurt them.

Til next week.

Peter

Here We Go Again?!

Hi Everyone,

I blogged about this a while ago, but here we go again. My previous blog on this topic will seem like a repeat today, but how low can they really go? What am I talking about? The downsizing of food items.

Last week I read my circular for our local grocery store, which happens to be a Shop Rite. I noticed that a can of spaghetti sauce was on sale for $.99 and was only 24 ounces. Before the downsizing began, some years ago, a jar or can of spaghetti sauce was 28 ounces then 26 ounces and now it is 24 ounces. Coffee was gone through the same downsizing as well as almost everything else except for maybe milk and butter. I fully understand what these companies are up to; instead of rising their prices, they downsize the quantity, while charging the same price as the previous larger size. A price increase without actually raising prices. Crazy like a fox!!! If they continue to par down the volume, they will eventually sell all food in individual sizes. That way we can all pay the most for their product. Just check out the 7 to 9 ounce frozen vegetables packages sold by Green Giant and Bird's Eye. Used to be that the 16 ounce package would be enough for 4 people. Now one package is enough for 2 people, so you have to buy 2 packages for 4 people. So my question of the day is, how low can they go in their downsizing?

I am not sure what can and will stop these companies, other than injecting some much needed  common sense into their forward thinking. What they should be thinking about is how to sell more of their products. Again, Economics 101 dealing with supply and demand seems to be a thing of the past. If they sold more of their products, they would increase their production lines and maybe then they could hire more employees. Wishful thinking? I really hope not.

Til next week.

Peter

Do You Believe In.....

Hi Everyone,

I would safely say that the majority of Americans get their local and national news from their TVs. Everyone has their favorite TV news channel. Since I have previously commented on this one particular news channel, I can't believe what Fox News did again. Will they ever learn?

 A few weeks ago, during the government shutdown, Fox News host, Anna Koaiman reported on a story, that she reported as factual. She said that, "President Obama was using his own money to keep a museum for Muslim Culture open and operating". For those of you in the know, there is a parody news site on the web called the National Report. They are like SNL, (Saturday Night Live) where they do parody skits and report on bogus news stories. Well, well, well!! That is actually where Koaiman got her President Obama's news story facts from. No seriously, that is her source for the story! Additionally, the higher ups in Fox News, knew that the story was bogus, but they still decided to air the story anyway. Why? Ratings and misinformation are the only answers I can think of. Why else? Fox News wanted to get higher ratings and spread more misinformation regarding the President.

Fox News is not a real news organization, it is hyper-partisan TV entertainment. What made matters worse for the newly renamed Faux News is what they did afterwards. I have seen other news programs give on air apologies for their mistakes. But not Faux News. They had Koaiman retract her story via a tweet and not on air. So her apology was seen only by her twitter followers and not the general public. Shouldn't that give their viewers a moment to pause and think about their reliability? If not, it should!

I feel sorry for every single person who believes everything that they hear from Faux News. Obviously there are other TV stations that are partisan on the other end of the spectrum, but they do not air obvious lies and report them as facts. But Faux News deems the false and misleading stories fit to air. That is so they can continue their mission of spreading any and all misinformation as they deem fit. Such a sorry state of affairs! My advice; be careful of what and whom you believe. Since this is not the first, nor the second, or even their third time Faux News has done this kind of false reporting. So how can their viewers trust what they report on? Or are their viewers just Lemmings, following and believing everything that will eventually lead to their big time disappointments.

If Faux News had just one ounce of common sense, they would stop reporting lies, in this case, a bogus story that was never meant to be taken seriously, to improve their reputation. But since Faux News has done this repeatedly, isn't it painfully obvious that they care more about ratings and spreading false stories, than their reputation. If they continue down this path, in my opinion, they should be at least fined from the FCC. Hopefully Faux News will never start using SNL as their news source for factual news!

Just say no to Faux News.

Til next week.

Peter

CSA #7

Hi Everyone,

It has been just over a year since I awarded my last Common Sense Award. A few years ago, a short 3 lane bridge, (just like an overpass), was replaced nearby. It took almost 2 years for the replacement and the traffic jams were unending. It was amazing to all the drivers how long it took to complete the job. So I was more than hesitant when I heard that two, 2 lane overpasses, (east and westbound) were going to be replaced on Route 84, in New York state, close to the Connecticut border. I thought to my self that this project would take years and years to complete. I watched as they prepared the site. I have to admit though that I was a bit perplexed when I saw how the site was being prepared. First I saw a huge new bridge being built in the median at a higher elevation then the original. Then I saw, what looked like a helicopter pad being built on the shoulder of the west bound side. I thought to myself that replacing these two overpasses would take longer then two years. Route 84 is a highly used highway and all I could imagine was the huge traffic nightmare that would continue until the overpasses were replaced.

Then we received a card in the mail, at about the same time that an article in the newspaper appeared regarding the replacement of the two overpasses, with dates of closing the lanes. What totally shocked and surprised me was that for the first time in New York state history, the replacements were going to be done in a new and very unique way. What I saw on the median and the shoulder were actually the new overpass replacements being built. After they were completed, they were going to first shut down the eastbound side to demolish the overpass and then "SLIDE" the new overpass into place. But, the real shocker was that they were going to demolish the overpass and install the new overpass in just 18 hours. 18 hours? How was that possible?

The day of the first closure came and unbelievably, 18 hours later the first overpass was replaced and was being used. A few weeks later the second overpass was replaced. It took a total of 36 hours to demolish and then replace the two, 2 lane overpasses. What a feat that was. Instead of taking years and years to accomplish with massive traffic jams; in almost a blink of an eye, they were totally replaced. Again, this was the very first time, this method of replacement, was used in New York state and it went flawlessly. Who knew that it was possible to slide in  new overpasses into place?

So today, I award the seventh CSA to New York State for their excellent job in using great common sense to replace these 2 overpasses in record time and with minimal traffic disruption. Bravo for a job well done.

Til next week.

Peter

What's Good for the Goose............

Hi Everyone,

By now, you all know that when I write about the utter lack of common sense which most politicians seem to be missing these days; I am an equal opportunity abuser, be it a Republican or a Democrat. I call them out like I see it, using my common sense in combination with facts not spin.

 As we all are so painfully aware, Washington D.C.'s dsyfunction has now fully boiled over into a government shut down. People have been arguing about whose fault it is all week. Whatever side of the fence you may be on, check these out.

Some interesting facts:

1)- There are currently 433 members of the US House of Representatives; 233 Republicans, 200 Democrats and 2 vacanies.

2)- There are approximately 38 +/- Tea Party members in the House, which only represents 16% of the total GOP membership in the House.

3)- A 9/26/13 poll showed that 22% of adults support the Tea Party. Which means 78% do not support the Tea Party!

4)- A few days ago, 100 GOP House members, (which is 42% of the GOP House total) stood on the steps of the US Capital and said that they would reopen the government by voting yes on the budget that President Obama submitted.

5)- The GOP talking points say that the majority of Americans don't want the ACA. Maybe that is true in only some of the states they represent but:

6)- In a recent poll, 57% (which is a majority) of Americans do want the Affordable Care Act.

7)- Mitt Romney, while Governor of Massachusetts, supported and implemented an "ACA" for his state; which became the template for the US version.

So where is the disconnect?

Here are even more interesting facts:

8)- The Affordable Care Act has been law for about 3 1/2 years.

9)- A minority of GOP members, specifically the 38 +/- Tea Party members have been vehemently opposed to the ACA and have tried to kill the ACA over and over again.

10)- The House has now voted over 40 times, (see my 7/21/13 blog), to abolish the ACA. All to absolutely no avail, but has so far cost a whole lot of money, while also wasting a whole lot of time.

11)- The GOP even tried to abolish the ACA through the US Supreme Court and lost. Even Chief Justice Roberts voted against them, go figure?! 

12)- Mitt Romney's biggest platform agenda was to abolish the ACA, even though he supported and implemented such a program in his home state. Well that didn't work out to well for him in 2012 did it? Remember that he got trounced in the Electoral College vote in that presidential election.

13)- The GOP controlled House would not vote on a budget unless the ACA was defunded. Which was just another attempt to abolish the ACA.

14)- Then Ted Cruz held a filibuster for some 21 hours. What did he accomplish? The only thing that he accomplished, that most everyone agrees on, is that he got his name out in the national media; probably so he can be a presendential candidate in 2016.

15)- Now they want to delay the effective date of the ACA by one year.

They just don't give up and it will hurt them in upcoming elections for years to come. This very small minority of House members, 38, is holding the entire American people hostage as well as holding their own entire House of Representatives hostage, (please refer to the above number 4 again). The result of their absurd actions has now concluded in the shutting down of the US government. There are now hundreds of thousands of American government employees out of work and not being paid.

But wait, isn't today's blog titled, "What's good for the Goose....."? Why yes it is. Since I was taken back a bit, but not really surprised, to learn that while the government is shut down, these protected politicians still receive their full paychecks. What the hell?! If that isn't absurb, I don't know what is! So, I am now suggesting that a new common sense law be passed, asap. The law is very simple and direct. Any time the US government is shut down, for any reason, all members of Congress will not be paid, (no salary, no reimbursements of expense accounts including: meals, airfare, car rentals, hotels, personal car mileage, etc., etc. Then let's see how long a government shut down lasts, or if there is even another one. When politicians wallets/pocketbooks get hurt, they will quickly sit up straight and think long and hard, before they vote that would stop them from being paid. Of course and as usual, don't hold your breath.

And yes, I firmly believe that the budget could and should be cut some, but not at the expense of the ACA. A small minority of people should NEVER, EVER be allowed to hold everyone else hostage. Enough is enough! Note to GOP: you lost, get over it and do the job you were elected to do. PASS A BUDGET!

Please, please always remember, people are entitled to their own opinions, but to their own facts!

Til next week.

Peter