The Electorate is finally over their ennui regarding this Congress and President and is now back to a regular writing schedule. We'll be starting off with NASA Chief Charles Bolden's statements of Obama's instructions for NASA.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Charles Bolden, the NASA administrator, stated that President Obama charged NASA with three tasks. The most important of these tasks was “to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world”.
This is insanity!! Are the inmates in charge of the asylum?
NASA’s mission is the exploration of space – for this country. NASA is not a political organization. Why is this administration perverting it? Why is Congress allowing this to happen?
Last spring the President, single-handedly, ended the United States manned space program. He gave up our leadership in space. Now he is using this once proud program to investigate global warming and singing “kumbaya” with friends and foes alike.
Bolden also stated that the United States is not going to travel beyond low-Earth orbit on its own. This statement is incorrect. Our government is not allowing NASA to go beyond low-Earth orbit. We have the ability to explore beyond this point. We need to unleash NASA and let it do what it wants to do – what has done in the past and can do again.
Allow NASA to explore the final frontier. The future awaits us.
Signed,
The Electorate
Snark from the Daughter of the Electorate: I guess we were stupid to believe the goal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was space flight.
Showing posts with label president. Show all posts
Showing posts with label president. Show all posts
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Take the Right Stand for Constellation
In the wake of the new budget's announcement, Central Florida and the nation have taken a strong step backwards. With the President's refusal to fund future manned space flight for NASA and the cancellation of the Constellation Project, the nation is going to take a hit. 5 years and billions of dollars are going to be tossed by the wayside so we can depend on Russia to allow us use of the ISS.
The government funded manned space program has been a major part of the American character over the past 60 years. It has inspired the nation and proven that with hard work and dedication dreams can come true. With every launch, people flock to the space coast to stand in the hot sun or in the cool of night and watch in awe with their heads tipped back and eyes to the sky as that shuttle lifts off. A launch of our astronauts into space creates a moment in time where we stand as a nation in hope, and joy of what we can accomplish. NASA has not only created heroes in astronauts but in the engineers, designers, and workers who created the technology. It has caused children to dream of careers in math, science and engineering. NASA has proved that anything is possible if you can dare to imagine it. In essence, NASA's manned space flight is the American dream.
The loss of government funded manned space flight will be a blow not just with the technology that could have been created but to the strength of the American character and the loss of a driving force for children to follow their dreams into space.
Now is the time for Congress to stand united. Now is the time to support the hopes and dreams for NASA's future in space. Now is the time to push for continued funding for the Constellation Project regardless of how hard the President fights it.
Stand up for your constituents. Stand up for your history. Stand up for the dream.
Signed,
The Daughter of the Electorate
The government funded manned space program has been a major part of the American character over the past 60 years. It has inspired the nation and proven that with hard work and dedication dreams can come true. With every launch, people flock to the space coast to stand in the hot sun or in the cool of night and watch in awe with their heads tipped back and eyes to the sky as that shuttle lifts off. A launch of our astronauts into space creates a moment in time where we stand as a nation in hope, and joy of what we can accomplish. NASA has not only created heroes in astronauts but in the engineers, designers, and workers who created the technology. It has caused children to dream of careers in math, science and engineering. NASA has proved that anything is possible if you can dare to imagine it. In essence, NASA's manned space flight is the American dream.
The loss of government funded manned space flight will be a blow not just with the technology that could have been created but to the strength of the American character and the loss of a driving force for children to follow their dreams into space.
Now is the time for Congress to stand united. Now is the time to support the hopes and dreams for NASA's future in space. Now is the time to push for continued funding for the Constellation Project regardless of how hard the President fights it.
Stand up for your constituents. Stand up for your history. Stand up for the dream.
Signed,
The Daughter of the Electorate
Sunday, January 31, 2010
American Space Program
The President is seeking to single-handedly end the American Space Program. He wants NASA to research and monitor climate change. That is a job for NOAA. We could save tax dollars and use simple observation – better known as the WKRP method. The climate is cooling. It has been for the last ten years. Some are just unwilling to accept this fact.
NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The President is trying to take the Space out of NASA. It would be short-sighted in the extreme to end the Space Program. We are the leader in space exploration and development. Why do we seek to throw this away? Does Washington just feel the need to denigrate American exceptionalism? Should we just throw away what we have already invested in our Space Program – all the money and lives?
We can not depend on Russia for access to the Space Station. Russia is not our friend. Once Russia controls sole access to the Space Station, Russia owns the Space Station. It can do whatever it wants with it. It could even militarize it. We could not prevent it. We would be a third world country of space. Commercial flights to the Space Station would not be available for many years. If nothing else, we need to maintain a limited shuttle program until the gap is filled. Two shuttles could be kept flight ready. The other shuttle could be used for parts. Even if we only flew two missions a year, we would still be in the game.
Should one man be allowed to destroy the entire United States Space Program? NASA is a mere drop in the federal budget. The government wastes money on turtle tunnels and swine manure research, but our Space Program is expendable? Where are Washington’s priorities? It is now up to Congress.
Will Congress allow the Dream to live on or will it throw away all that we have accomplished?
NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The President is trying to take the Space out of NASA. It would be short-sighted in the extreme to end the Space Program. We are the leader in space exploration and development. Why do we seek to throw this away? Does Washington just feel the need to denigrate American exceptionalism? Should we just throw away what we have already invested in our Space Program – all the money and lives?
We can not depend on Russia for access to the Space Station. Russia is not our friend. Once Russia controls sole access to the Space Station, Russia owns the Space Station. It can do whatever it wants with it. It could even militarize it. We could not prevent it. We would be a third world country of space. Commercial flights to the Space Station would not be available for many years. If nothing else, we need to maintain a limited shuttle program until the gap is filled. Two shuttles could be kept flight ready. The other shuttle could be used for parts. Even if we only flew two missions a year, we would still be in the game.
Should one man be allowed to destroy the entire United States Space Program? NASA is a mere drop in the federal budget. The government wastes money on turtle tunnels and swine manure research, but our Space Program is expendable? Where are Washington’s priorities? It is now up to Congress.
Will Congress allow the Dream to live on or will it throw away all that we have accomplished?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The State of the Union Address
Did Groundhog Day come early this year? The State of the Union address was eerily reminiscent of last year’s speech. The agenda being pushed remained the same – a jobs bill (can’t use that nasty word stimulus this year), the Cap + Trade energy bill, the health care bill (even though the public has made it clear it does not want it), more big spending, and little emphasis on national security. Has the President been living in a bubble or is he just unwilling to hear the American people? All he did was recycle last year’s speech.
Some of his remarks were jaw-dropping. He wants Congress to “continue down the path of earmark reform.” Is this the same President that happily signed bills with 9,000 earmarks and 5,000 earmarks? There has been no earmark reform. He’s “trimmed spending?" What he has done is quadruple the debt with wild, out of control spending. He states “the worst of the storm has passed.” I don’t think so and most of America agrees with me. He still states government will be “transparent.” What I have seen is backroom deals made behind closed doors. He continues making the same old promises. Promises he won’t deliver on. There is a big disconnect between what he says and what he does.
The President said that he should have explained the health care bill better. He explained it over and over and over again. He thought that, of course, people would agree with him if only they were smart enough to understand. How arrogant! People just did not accept the bill. They do not want the federal government to control their health care or their health care decisions.
There were some good proposals in the speech. The tax burden on small businesses was to be lessened. Targeted individual tax cuts were proposed, but we need broad-based individual tax cuts. Washington needs to stop picking winners and losers in the tax game and treat the people equally. The President said he would consider building more nuclear energy facilities; a greater use of clean coal; and off-shore drilling. Of course he said this when he was campaigning. I’ll believe this when the oil starts flowing.
Apparently the President is tone-deaf to the voice of the American people. When he says he will continue to fight for his agenda, does he realize what he is fighting is the will of the American people? Does Congress realize this? We elected our Congressmen and women to represent us. Will they truly represent us? This remains to be seen.
Signed,
The Electorate
Some of his remarks were jaw-dropping. He wants Congress to “continue down the path of earmark reform.” Is this the same President that happily signed bills with 9,000 earmarks and 5,000 earmarks? There has been no earmark reform. He’s “trimmed spending?" What he has done is quadruple the debt with wild, out of control spending. He states “the worst of the storm has passed.” I don’t think so and most of America agrees with me. He still states government will be “transparent.” What I have seen is backroom deals made behind closed doors. He continues making the same old promises. Promises he won’t deliver on. There is a big disconnect between what he says and what he does.
The President said that he should have explained the health care bill better. He explained it over and over and over again. He thought that, of course, people would agree with him if only they were smart enough to understand. How arrogant! People just did not accept the bill. They do not want the federal government to control their health care or their health care decisions.
There were some good proposals in the speech. The tax burden on small businesses was to be lessened. Targeted individual tax cuts were proposed, but we need broad-based individual tax cuts. Washington needs to stop picking winners and losers in the tax game and treat the people equally. The President said he would consider building more nuclear energy facilities; a greater use of clean coal; and off-shore drilling. Of course he said this when he was campaigning. I’ll believe this when the oil starts flowing.
Apparently the President is tone-deaf to the voice of the American people. When he says he will continue to fight for his agenda, does he realize what he is fighting is the will of the American people? Does Congress realize this? We elected our Congressmen and women to represent us. Will they truly represent us? This remains to be seen.
Signed,
The Electorate
Friday, September 25, 2009
Article II: The Constitution and the President
Article. II.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Missile Defense
When President Obama looked Putin in the eyes, we now know who blinked. It was announced today that we are shelving the missile defense systems that were to be built in Poland and the Czech Republic. Appeasement does not work. It has never worked. Poland and the Czech Republic took a huge political risk when they agreed to missile defense bases in their countries. They were subjected to the threats and ire of Russia. We have hung them out to dry. Can not the United States be depended on to honor its commitments to its allies? We have just given Russia permission to again invade Georgia and to invade the Ukraine.
The Administration states that currently Europe is only at risk for short and medium range missiles and that mobile missile systems will be sufficient. Isn’t this short term thinking? The Administration says that it may reconsider land bases in 2015. It will take time to build these bases and reconsidering them in six years may be too little, too late. Could we not have mobile defense systems and build land bases at the same time? Delaying the establishment of land bases will not improve relations with Russia for they will view it as weakness – weakness they will seek to exploit.
Last spring Congress made major cuts to our own missile defense system. Considering the current world situation this seems extremely foolish. Are we really taking defense seriously? Can not Congress at least do something to reinstate funds for our missile defense system?
Can they not also do something to restore our credibility to the defense of our allies?
The Administration states that currently Europe is only at risk for short and medium range missiles and that mobile missile systems will be sufficient. Isn’t this short term thinking? The Administration says that it may reconsider land bases in 2015. It will take time to build these bases and reconsidering them in six years may be too little, too late. Could we not have mobile defense systems and build land bases at the same time? Delaying the establishment of land bases will not improve relations with Russia for they will view it as weakness – weakness they will seek to exploit.
Last spring Congress made major cuts to our own missile defense system. Considering the current world situation this seems extremely foolish. Are we really taking defense seriously? Can not Congress at least do something to reinstate funds for our missile defense system?
Can they not also do something to restore our credibility to the defense of our allies?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Broken Promises
The President is now suggesting that another election promise be broken. The principal pledge was that "95% of Americans would not see their taxes go up even a dime". Now he and members of Congress are considering raising middle class taxes to pay for health care and to reduce the deficit. Mathematical reality has reared its ugly head. Politicians knowingly promised the impossible. This country does not need more TAXES. It needs less SPENDING.
During the last six months Congress has perpetuated a marathon of outrageous spending. You have spent money we don't have on things we don't need or even want. We have had a stimulus bill that doesn't stimulate and a spending bill that was full of pork. You have bailed out and are controlling financial institutions and auto corporations. Now you want to take over our health care and need more money. Stop trying to replace a mostly good health care system with a government run system.
Why do politicians, who ran as moderates vote as liberals? This is fundamentally dishonest. Listen to the people and truly represent them. There is life outside the beltway and it is surprising intelligent.
Signed,
The Electorate
During the last six months Congress has perpetuated a marathon of outrageous spending. You have spent money we don't have on things we don't need or even want. We have had a stimulus bill that doesn't stimulate and a spending bill that was full of pork. You have bailed out and are controlling financial institutions and auto corporations. Now you want to take over our health care and need more money. Stop trying to replace a mostly good health care system with a government run system.
Why do politicians, who ran as moderates vote as liberals? This is fundamentally dishonest. Listen to the people and truly represent them. There is life outside the beltway and it is surprising intelligent.
Signed,
The Electorate
Friday, July 3, 2009
Health Care: Preserving the Good
Wednesday, the President stated that we can't cling to a broken (health care) system that does not work. That is not accurate. It is not broken and it does work for the 84% of us who are insured. While it could be improved by curtailing costs, it is still the best health care system in the world. This is why people from around the world come here for treatment. They flock here, even from Canada and the United Kingdom, because their systems are flawed and rationed and inferior to ours. These are the systems Congress seek to emulate.
Congress should seek to preserve all that is good in our system - not throw it away. Tort reform needs to be considered. This would reduce unnecessary CYA tests and lower malpractice insurance. This would then, in turn, lower medical costs. Fraud needs to be addressed. We need to offer coverage to the uninsured.
Do not bleed our health care with the rationing that must occur in a government run plan. We DO NOT want a government plan run with all the efficiencies of the DMV. A government run tax subsidized plan will eventually eliminate the private sector, because it can not compete with a subsidized plan.
Do not replace a good health care system with an inferior government run plan.
Signed,
The Electorate
Congress should seek to preserve all that is good in our system - not throw it away. Tort reform needs to be considered. This would reduce unnecessary CYA tests and lower malpractice insurance. This would then, in turn, lower medical costs. Fraud needs to be addressed. We need to offer coverage to the uninsured.
Do not bleed our health care with the rationing that must occur in a government run plan. We DO NOT want a government plan run with all the efficiencies of the DMV. A government run tax subsidized plan will eventually eliminate the private sector, because it can not compete with a subsidized plan.
Do not replace a good health care system with an inferior government run plan.
Signed,
The Electorate
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Retaining Our Health Care
To Congress,
We are told that if we are happy with our current health care plan, we can keep it. The government will do nothing to prevent this. This is not correct. Private insurance plans can not compete with a government run, tax subsidized health care plan. Using Medicare as an example, the government only pays 71% of normal hospital fees and 81% of normal doctor fees. The remaining cost is transferred to other payers. This forces the cost of insurance up for other payers.
May I repeat?
Private health care insurance companies can not compete. Private companies will be force out of business.They are not publicly subsidized. Their price has to be more than any subsidized plan. Most workers pay for part of their work health care plan. Even if the government does not tax our health care benefits, which they would like to do, eventually we will not be able to afford the work plan. We will be forced into the government plan. Businesses will find it equally hard to continue to offer health care. Government costs and regulations will make it fiscally infeasible for businesses to offer health care at work.
The government will tax behavior it does not want and reward behavior it does want. It's the old carrot stick theory - used against us. Eventually everyone one will be forced into the government run plan. That is the end game - the one insurer plan.
Signed,
The Electorate
We are told that if we are happy with our current health care plan, we can keep it. The government will do nothing to prevent this. This is not correct. Private insurance plans can not compete with a government run, tax subsidized health care plan. Using Medicare as an example, the government only pays 71% of normal hospital fees and 81% of normal doctor fees. The remaining cost is transferred to other payers. This forces the cost of insurance up for other payers.
May I repeat?
Private health care insurance companies can not compete. Private companies will be force out of business.They are not publicly subsidized. Their price has to be more than any subsidized plan. Most workers pay for part of their work health care plan. Even if the government does not tax our health care benefits, which they would like to do, eventually we will not be able to afford the work plan. We will be forced into the government plan. Businesses will find it equally hard to continue to offer health care. Government costs and regulations will make it fiscally infeasible for businesses to offer health care at work.
The government will tax behavior it does not want and reward behavior it does want. It's the old carrot stick theory - used against us. Eventually everyone one will be forced into the government run plan. That is the end game - the one insurer plan.
Signed,
The Electorate
Monday, June 15, 2009
Taxing Workplace Benefits
From a letter sent on May 21, 2009.
Congress is considering paying for their health care proposal by taxing the health care benefits that we receive at our workplace as income. This is nothing but another tax hike on the middle class. What happened to 95% of people will have their taxes lowered? You aren't raising our tax rate, but raising the amount of income that is being taxed. We aren't suppose to realize this is a tax increase!!
When John McCain suggested taxing health care benefits and giving each family a $5000. tax credit, Democrats crucified him. Now Congress thinks this is a really good idea - without the tax credit. What hypocrisy! Middle class taxes are already too high. We are struggling here in the real world. Now Congress wants to raise middle class taxes to finance a program we do not want. A program that will bankrupt this country - like it did European countries - and deliver inferior health care. It is my belief that the federal government doesn't just want to provide health care for the approximately 16% of people who do not have it. I believe it wants to force the 84% out of their better private plans by making those plans unaffordable.
Last week the President stated that with the new health care plan businesses could use the money that they saved by not providing health care in a better manner. That is the ultimate plan. Socialized health care for all - with health care rationing and the government determining what treatment is "cost effective" (read stimulus bill) and therefore allowable. Why does Congress seek to throw away the best health care system in the world for an inferior plan?
Congress is considering paying for their health care proposal by taxing the health care benefits that we receive at our workplace as income. This is nothing but another tax hike on the middle class. What happened to 95% of people will have their taxes lowered? You aren't raising our tax rate, but raising the amount of income that is being taxed. We aren't suppose to realize this is a tax increase!!
When John McCain suggested taxing health care benefits and giving each family a $5000. tax credit, Democrats crucified him. Now Congress thinks this is a really good idea - without the tax credit. What hypocrisy! Middle class taxes are already too high. We are struggling here in the real world. Now Congress wants to raise middle class taxes to finance a program we do not want. A program that will bankrupt this country - like it did European countries - and deliver inferior health care. It is my belief that the federal government doesn't just want to provide health care for the approximately 16% of people who do not have it. I believe it wants to force the 84% out of their better private plans by making those plans unaffordable.
Last week the President stated that with the new health care plan businesses could use the money that they saved by not providing health care in a better manner. That is the ultimate plan. Socialized health care for all - with health care rationing and the government determining what treatment is "cost effective" (read stimulus bill) and therefore allowable. Why does Congress seek to throw away the best health care system in the world for an inferior plan?
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