November 7th, 2007
I’ve been thinking this for a long time and now I’m blogging about it.
The fact is there’s no reason the current political party system cannot be uprooted and replaced by grassroots organizations.
Now before you accuse me of “going liberal” - I’ll remind you I’m so conservative I make
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October 27th, 2008
This is interesting reading…….
BAR STOOL ECONOMICS
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: Read the rest of this entry »
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October 23rd, 2008
Just got an email about a write-in campaign for Kent County School Board. I know very litttle about her but I’m extending an offer to her and anyone else who wants space to tell their story.
If you’re going to write someone in, please copy or print his or her name and take it to the polls with you. Thank you.
If you want to be considered as a write-in for any elected office, please let me know, I’ll add you here and give you space to state your case.
Current Write-in Hopefuls:
US Congress Maryland Discrict 1 Andrew Havens
Kent County School Bloard MADHU SIDHU
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October 3rd, 2008
Section 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as ____________________.
Sec. 2. Purchases of Mortgage-Related Assets.
(a) Authority to Purchase.–The Secretary is authorized to purchase, and to make and fund commitments to purchase, on such terms and conditions as determined by the Secretary, mortgage-related assets from any financial institution having its headquarters in the United States.
(b) Necessary Actions.–The Secretary is authorized to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the authorities in this Act, including, without limitation:
(1) appointing such employees as may be required to carry out the authorities in this Act and defining their duties;
(2) entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts;
(3) designating financial institutions as financial agents of the Government, and they shall perform all such reasonable duties related to this Act as financial agents of the Government as may be required of them;
(4) establishing vehicles that are authorized, subject to supervision by the Secretary, to purchase mortgage-related assets and issue obligations; and
(5) issuing such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to define terms or carry out the authorities of this Act.
Sec. 3. Considerations.
In exercising the authorities granted in this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration means for–
(1) providing stability or preventing disruption to the financial markets or banking system; and
(2) protecting the taxpayer.
Sec. 4. Reports to Congress.
Within three months of the first exercise of the authority granted in section 2(a), and semiannually thereafter, the Secretary shall report to the Committees on the Budget, Financial Services, and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committees on the Budget, Finance, and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate with respect to the authorities exercised under this Act and the considerations required by section 3.
Sec. 5. Rights; Management; Sale of Mortgage-Related Assets.
(a) Exercise of Rights.–The Secretary may, at any time, exercise any rights received in connection with mortgage-related assets purchased under this Act.
(b) Management of Mortgage-Related Assets.–The Secretary shall have authority to manage mortgage-related assets purchased under this Act, including revenues and portfolio risks therefrom.
(c) Sale of Mortgage-Related Assets.–The Secretary may, at any time, upon terms and conditions and at prices determined by the Secretary, sell, or enter into securities loans, repurchase transactions or other financial transactions in regard to, any mortgage-related asset purchased under this Act.
(d) Application of Sunset to Mortgage-Related Assets.–The authority of the Secretary to hold any mortgage-related asset purchased under this Act before the termination date in section 9, or to purchase or fund the purchase of a mortgage-related asset under a commitment entered into before the termination date in section 9, is not subject to the provisions of section 9.
Sec. 6. Maximum Amount of Authorized Purchases.
The Secretary’s authority to purchase mortgage-related assets under this Act shall be limited to $700,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time
Sec. 7. Funding.
For the purpose of the authorities granted in this Act, and for the costs of administering those authorities, the Secretary may use the proceeds of the sale of any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, and the purposes for which securities may be issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, are extended to include actions authorized by this Act, including the payment of administrative expenses. Any funds expended for actions authorized by this Act, including the payment of administrative expenses, shall be deemed appropriated at the time of such expenditure.
Sec. 8. Review.
Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.
Sec. 9. Termination of Authority.
The authorities under this Act, with the exception of authorities granted in sections 2(b)(5), 5 and 7, shall terminate two years from the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 10. Increase in Statutory Limit on the Public Debt.
Subsection (b) of section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof $11,315,000,000,000.
Sec. 11. Credit Reform.
The costs of purchases of mortgage-related assets made under section 2(a) of this Act shall be determined as provided under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, as applicable.
Sec. 12. Definitions.
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Mortgage-Related Assets.–The term “mortgage-related assets” means residential or commercial mortgages and any securities, obligations, or other instruments that are based on or related to such mortgages, that in each case was originated or issued on or before September 17, 2008.
(2) Secretary.–The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(3) United States.–The term “United States” means the States, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia.
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September 25th, 2008
I’m a bit put off by comments suggesting, no outright saying, Sarah Palin is just a bubbleheaded hockey mom who found herself sitting in Alaska’s Governor’s seat by some magic or miracle.
Sorry. Wrong. She seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders as witnessed by these early videos…
This one was published June 28th 2008
And this one she publicly answers questions about an alleged wrongful dismissal of a political appointee. Don’t they ususally server “at the pleasure” of da boss?
She says “Bring it on!”
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July 23rd, 2008
Okay the first time this came up I ignored it. I mean it’s nice to see folks throwing their hats into the politcial ring but this is a bit silly.
First up is Dustin Matthews. Who is he? I don’t know. He does offer some videos on business credit I find a bit brass and somewhat malinformed. I don’t much like this guy which is one reason I ignored him even though he’s running with the same idea.
Here’s the story: http://www.dustinmathews.com/2008/07/10/they-found-me-out/
Now another “candidate” has come up and I can no longer close my eyes…
http://www.ebooktimes.com/presidential_campaign
What’s going on here?
Yep, it’s a practical joke. A pretty good one at that. The sad part is this joke takes away from the real issue if true grassroots Inernet campaigning.
I’m serious, this is our last chance to wrest our nation from the political idioy running rampant in our state and nation’s capitols. If we refuse to take more than an amused look at this opportunity, we might as well call ourselves the former United States of America, becuase even if we still exist in name, we will only be a shell of our former existance.
God bless,
Andy
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February 5th, 2008
Been thinking about this for a while… don’t know about you but I’m tired as all get out about the way things are being run these days. Local, state, federal government - they are all the same. I think I have an idea of how someone like you and I could have a real impact on things using the “write-in” vote.
First VOTE EVERY CHANCE YOU GET. Yes that means primaries too. The politicians are used to doing anything they want because they’ve pretty much had a free hand. Voters? They think they can herd voters like sheep and you know what? They do. However we have a powerful weapon to take back our country by force…
The write-in vote. Why? Because the party bosses can’t control what goes on in the voting booth! Now here’s the crux of my idea:
Go to the polls and write in your choice for every office. But, you say, big deal - it’s not like anyone I write in will get elected. You are probably right.BUT - if enough people write in votes - ANY votes - someone will notice. And the next time around this idea will take momentum. Eventually someone will win via write in. Then another and another. And once that happens in a major election the idea will spread like wildfire.
Now for your vote to count you should cast it for someone who is eligible for the office in question. Nuisance votes for “Mickey Mouse” and such are dumped in the trash without a thought. Cast your vote for your spouse or yourself or some other real person.
One note: If you’re stuck for a write-in for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District - you can vote for me Andrew Havens. Put bluntly: I don’t expect to win. If somehow I ended up representing my district, I doubt if I could make any major changes. But I would make a lot of noise 
While I don’t relish the thought I think it would be worth it to watch Congress squirm.
God bless,
Andy
P.S. If YOU want to “toss your hat” into some political contest go for it! Let me know and I’ll post your name here. The more the merrier - and that goes for the office I’m running for!
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January 14th, 2008
I’m making it official here and now. If you are a registered voter in Maryland’s 1st District (currently held by “Republican” Wayne Gilcrest) I’m asking you to write in your vote for me in November.
There is a Republican primary in February. I am a registered Republican so your vote there wouldn’t be wasted either. As a matter of fact, I don’t think there is any law against voting for me in ANY primary.
First and foremost I don’t expect to win. I know, I know - positive attitude an all that rot. But let’s be realisitic…
Nobody knows me. Unless YOU want to pass my blog on to others and suggest they consider voting for me and you are represented by Gilcrest, than my chances are even slimmer.
Second, I’m not sure I really WANT to win. Frankly I’m a country boy. I detest the city and D.C. is ALL city. Yuck. I hate politics. I’m not about to go there and “play nice”. I’d tell it like I see it. I don’t care if you agree with me - or anyone else for that matter.
And that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t listen to what you have to say either. I find most people who offer a dissenting opinion have at least one valid point. And all valid points should be considered and weighed. But I will not compromise my principles And that may get me in trouble - or killed.
Yes I AM afraid someone might see my big mouth as dangerous enough to “take me out”. Just by publishing my “radical” ideas, that danger exists. I think this danger is small right now because few people are viewing this blog.
If these ideas should spread (and I DO want them to do so) then the danger increases. Should I actually be elected - neither of the major political parties are safe. The representatives of minor ones aren’t either.
Not only that but I would take to congress some ideas both sides are not likely to be willing to consider.
In no particular order of importance…
Dump the minimum wage.
Establish English as our national language and ban most multilingual efforts.
Create massive government unemployment by cutting out worthless departments.
Ban lawyers from making and adjucating law due to allowing lawyers to make laws, act as judges and represent us in court is a natural “conflict of interest”. That’s right. Get the lawyers out of congress. Get them off the benches too.
Many will say “Hey! how can a non-lawyer understand the intricate complexities of the law?”
That’s my point. There is no justice in this country anymore - just “successful legal arguements”. Let me ask you - do you want the letter of the law of enforced or the spirit?
We’ve got lawyers making laws and lawyers saying how those laws should be interpreted and somehow us folks who are subject to the law are left out of the picture. It’s a stacked deck and we all know who’s dealing from the bottom of the deck.
Let’s consider another possible scenario. Good people with good intentions write laws intended to make our lives more just. They word those laws in plain English. Sure they consult lawyers for an opinion but they refuse to pass laws full of jargon no one understands.
The lawyers argue in court but instead of lofty “legalese” they are forced to speak English - our “new” national language. In other words they will be required to make sense instead of doing their best to muddy up the waters.
Repeal Daylight Savings Time! One of my personal pet peeves. If you want to enjoy an extra hour of sunlight - set your alarm for an hour earlier in the morning. Don’t force ME to change my clocks twice a year! I’m not alone. Daylight Savings Time screws up all sorts of people because our internal clocks don’t adjust that easily. I already get up at 5AM every day. In the spring that changes to 4AM courtesy of DST. I can’ imagine how that affects cows who are used to being miked at a certain time. I know enough about dairy cows to know it is painful for them to need milking and have to wait. Enough is enough. Stop micro managing my life. (Your’s too)
P.S. I’m surprised congress hasn’t “exempted” themselves from DST like they do every other law they pass “for them, not for us”. I’d put a stop to that too - okay I’d PROPOSE to put a stop to that. You don’t think it would realy happen do you?
Flat tax. If we, as a nation can’t live without taxing income, then let’s at least make it simpler. Flat tax is the answer. Let the accountants focus on other ways to improve the bottom line. As a bonus we can make tax lawyers find “honest” work.
Now are you getting the idea about why I decided to run. I’m not throwing my hat in with a bunch of dreamy ideas of how I’m going to “change the world”. I would love to think my efforts lead to changes in some small way but it’s not likely to happen even if I did get elected by some quirk. One a level closer to planet Earth, I am sowing a seed of an idea that may someday germinate into real change…
…grassroots write in campaigns using the Internet as a base of operations.
I don’t care if I don’t get many votes. Someone else may decide to run with my idea. And then someone else, and so on until some day - someone actually get’s elected to office this way. And then another.
And then this could snowball until the idea is a true force in our political system. Of course this is the very thing some folks may find dangerous. After all I’m talking about removing political power from the “party bosses” and placing it once again firmly into the hands of us citizens.
So if YOU don’t reside in Maryland’s 1st district, then please, consider running for congress or mayor or dog catcher. It doesn’t matter what office, just run. As a matter of fact if you DO live in the same district I do, run - even for congress. That’s the point. You don’t have to agree with me. You don’t have to join “MY” party to join “THE party”.
God bless,
Andy
P.S. If you don’t have web space or a blog of your own, contact me, I’ll give you space here. If enough people show an interest, I’ll even pop of a domain. Hmmm…. wonder if that’s tax deductable?
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December 21st, 2007
It’ s the only vote we should consider submitting. Why?
Look at our current political climate: Mony talks. After just reading a bio on Teddy Roosevelt - I realized money talked 100 years ago. We will not rid ourselves of parasitical politicians until we refuse to “pull the lever” and write in our choice.
Oh - yeah - run for something too.
God bless,
Andy
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November 10th, 2007
This is an email from Mike Collins. He doesn’t say but I think he’s from State Senator Pipkins office. He say’s your calls and letters are making a difference. I’m not so sure.
From the way I’m reading things - it’s business as usual: no regard for the constituents - back room deals - secret sessions to map out YOUR future.
Read it for yourself and make your own call.
I put up a page with a link so you can find your own reperesentative and contact him/her.
This link is repeated HERE. The link will open in a new window
PLEASE contact your representative. The ONLY thing these folks fear is losing the next election! (IMHO)
From: SPRWC AT aol.com Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 03:25:05 -0500
Subject: Let your voice be heard. We are making a difference!
We are making a difference! O’Malley’s bad tax package is under pressure because of you. Please write and call your representatives in Annapolis. As important, write letters to the papers:
capletts@capitalgazette.com
letters@baltsun.com
letters@washpost.com
Some points on the special session you might address include:
* Over the last several days decisions have been made that make a bad tax package even worse.
* Decisions are being made in the dark of night with no public hearings and no communication with the people that will be most affected.
* These decisions are not made in a vacuum. They affect real people in the real world.
* Special interests are cutting deals in back rooms with virtually no transparency.
* The Senate pulled a bait and switch and extended the sales tax to services including landscaping and computer services without public input.
* House Committee discussions have included expanding sales tax to services including vehicle maintenance and repair and increasing the sales tax to 7%.
* The Special Session is progressing at a break-neck speed with an apparent goal to pass something regardless of the consequences.
Call and write today. Let your voice be heard.
Mike Collins
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