I don't know about you, but in the past I have given a cursory glance at pending issues in the materials sent about a bank and just signed. Now that we have learned, through TARP and other 'bailouts' exactly how much of bank profits have gone to the CEOs and other officers, I need to look carefully at what I sign. It's pretty obvious why the banks paid off their 'bailouts' so soon. Now, the money is theirs again to do with what they will. [salaries, bonuses].
If possible, I would like to attend the yearly shareholder meetings. Why? Because I would like more of the share of the profits, proportionate to the salaries and bonuses going to the bank officers. That argument that if I don't pay these officers enough they will work elsewhere would be mute if all bank shareholders decided these amounts for their bank and held the line. Don't the shareholders own these banks?
And do we really want the guys who got us into trouble still working for us?
Our lack of judicious rules for this industry, not to mention business in general, has put our country in economic jeopardy too often. The solution is to have the shareholders take control of their money and demand proper operations and rules. That old expression "speak up" still works.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Constituants---What are they?
Today, Sen. Hatch walked out of a bi-partisan meeting because he was disatisfied with it. Did he stay to make sure his constituants were represented in any other issues that might arise? NO.
Recently, a Republican stated on national TV that he was upset about bi-partisanship because he was not included in any health care photo ops. What on earth did that have to do with making sure his constituants were represented and progress was made in providing health care for them.
Such pettiness is not only disrespectful, it's a waste of my taxpayer money.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Attitudes toward health care reform
On June 18, 2009, George Will, discussing health care issues on c-spanwj, actually said that he "doesn't hear" 20% of people "clamoring" for health care change. Based on US Census Bureau [7/08] figures there were 304,059,724 in US population. So, approximately 60,000,000 have no health care insurance. The total cost of ER care for uninsured patients per year, which would no longer exist under health care for all, would yield a very substantial saving toward any health care plan.
What troubles me: How many 'pundits' and , unfortunately, members of Congress have any feeling at all for people who can barely pay for food and shelter, let alone health care? How many "pundits' or members of Congress, have had to go to an ER in desperation for needed care because they couldn't afford to pay for a doctor's visit?
These uninsured people are not 'clamoring' because they have no voice. They have no well-paid lobbyists pushing for their interests. Some would not probably know how to 'clamor'.
Leslie Graham now says the cost of a government option is prohibitive. Some people strongly support the inclusion of such an option. It would have to be efficiently and intelligently managed.This would allow more choice, an important component of any fair health care system. Again, let's remember the substantial saving when ERs are not used by uninsured people.
Our country's people deserve decent, available, affordable health care. Yes, this means we'll have a whole new system. This means change and change is hard to face. It involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown. Our country has always had the courage to do this when needed. And health care change is needed now.
The minds of everyone involved in this discussion must be open and understanding.
What troubles me: How many 'pundits' and , unfortunately, members of Congress have any feeling at all for people who can barely pay for food and shelter, let alone health care? How many "pundits' or members of Congress, have had to go to an ER in desperation for needed care because they couldn't afford to pay for a doctor's visit?
These uninsured people are not 'clamoring' because they have no voice. They have no well-paid lobbyists pushing for their interests. Some would not probably know how to 'clamor'.
Leslie Graham now says the cost of a government option is prohibitive. Some people strongly support the inclusion of such an option. It would have to be efficiently and intelligently managed.This would allow more choice, an important component of any fair health care system. Again, let's remember the substantial saving when ERs are not used by uninsured people.
Our country's people deserve decent, available, affordable health care. Yes, this means we'll have a whole new system. This means change and change is hard to face. It involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown. Our country has always had the courage to do this when needed. And health care change is needed now.
The minds of everyone involved in this discussion must be open and understanding.
Monday, March 2, 2009
SEND PSYCHOLOGISTS TO WALL STREET
We need all of the worlds best psychologists to get to Wall Street before those leaders of the GREED group completely lose it. One sneeze from the wrong person at the wrong time sends them into a total frenzy, destroying any confidence any normal person would have. They have driven our economic outlook for far too long. There are much better ways to gauge situations than these people who look only at money and nothing else.
Those of us who let them lead us need our heads examined too.
Those of us who let them lead us need our heads examined too.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
JOY OVERCOMES FEAR
The man stood quietly as tears gently moved down his face. His home had just been saved from foreclosure by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. And I was moved as he was..enabled by a positive and understanding media looking on for me. It is so wonderful when the power of communication can enable me to be there with that man and share his happiness.
It's also wonderful that a TV station chose to be positive in it's coverage. This is what we need...an understanding of one another and the willingness to strive together to work our way out of our perilous economic situation.
It's also wonderful that a TV station chose to be positive in it's coverage. This is what we need...an understanding of one another and the willingness to strive together to work our way out of our perilous economic situation.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
MEDIA LABELS
The media has already started labeling and categorizing everyone and everything. DON'T LET THEM.
The voting public didn't vote for labels......they voted for ideas, ideals and hope !
Don't destroy an idea because of a label !
The voting public didn't vote for labels......they voted for ideas, ideals and hope !
Don't destroy an idea because of a label !
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Stimulus Bill Sabotage Attempts
2/14/09
Regarding the 'Stimulus Bill'. It is sad that 5 powerful Congressmen were able today to dictate the inclusion or exclusion of some items before they would vote for the Bill. Further delaying progress.
Others claimed that they had no time to study the Bill. So how did they know what to include or exclude? Because their staffs were working feverishly to study the Bill and inform them of its contents, while they made decisions. Republicans wasted valuable time by all voting NO at first in order to' make a statement'. The only statement they made was to their constituents, telling them there was no urgency to help them. These tactics constitute a contemptible blow to all who carry such hope for our President and his attempts to help our country and its people as quickly as possible in this perilous time.
I wonder how long it will take some Congressional members, regardless of party affiliation, to realize that the American people voted overwhelmingly with hope and with determination to approach problems in a different way. Hopeful that some of the people they they pay to represent them, the voters, will begin to do just that and not continue, because of their GREED, to represent special interests. Each Congressional member took his or her recent pay raise, many without a qualm. And honest men and women wait in lines at food kitchens to survive.
Regarding the 'Stimulus Bill'. It is sad that 5 powerful Congressmen were able today to dictate the inclusion or exclusion of some items before they would vote for the Bill. Further delaying progress.
Others claimed that they had no time to study the Bill. So how did they know what to include or exclude? Because their staffs were working feverishly to study the Bill and inform them of its contents, while they made decisions. Republicans wasted valuable time by all voting NO at first in order to' make a statement'. The only statement they made was to their constituents, telling them there was no urgency to help them. These tactics constitute a contemptible blow to all who carry such hope for our President and his attempts to help our country and its people as quickly as possible in this perilous time.
I wonder how long it will take some Congressional members, regardless of party affiliation, to realize that the American people voted overwhelmingly with hope and with determination to approach problems in a different way. Hopeful that some of the people they they pay to represent them, the voters, will begin to do just that and not continue, because of their GREED, to represent special interests. Each Congressional member took his or her recent pay raise, many without a qualm. And honest men and women wait in lines at food kitchens to survive.