"Feed the Pig" is something we should be accustomed to seeing, as it has
been going on since our country became a dominate economic power.
The "pig" is a collective, made of government agencies and closely
connected bodies in industry, academia and independent organizations
charged with providing services government does not offer directly.
The flow of 'food' to feed them goes to Washington where bureaucrats
in the Executive branch and Congress decide which "pigs" will be fed.
And when the quantity of 'food' equals $4 trillion annually the pigs grow
larger and hungrier from one year to the next.
Knowing this is occurring would not seem too bad if the generosity of
the American people benefited our country, but in too many instances
this is not the case.
The clique "waste, fraud and abuse" should no longer be a throw away
line to gain laughs. Its serious because when "pigs are fed" deserving
Americans do not get the services they depend on.
We hear of the 'establishment' but may not fully understand what the
the establishment is. It is the tightly connected authority which runs
our country, a coalition of elected officials, appointed agency heads,
hired government bureaucrats and members outside government who
are registered lobbyists and countless organizations, with one common
objective; to get as much as they can of the $4 trillion in taxpayer money
that arrives in Washington each year.
The establishment "runs" Washington, in and outside of government!
It determines which pigs get fed and which go hungry, a decision not
made on need but on how much tribute can be paid!'
For those of us outside this sphere of influence, we have little if any
influence at all. We merely pay into a system designed to benefit
the few at the expense of the majority.
We do receive government services but the price tag for them is much
higher than necessary as "pigs much get fed" above all else.
Keep this in mind as you listen to discussions of serious issues that
with no solutions, only excuses left for others to solve.
I guess $4 trillion doesn't go as far as it used to.
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in comments section below, or email,
ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog
http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Means testing Federal spending...
President Trump kept a campaign promise when he announced cuts in spending
to groups that have been sacrosanct and had been receiving federal spending year
after year. Trump's first budget will zero out nearly one billion dollars.
Trump will eliminate the $445 million budget for the Corporation for Public
broadcasting which is only a small amount of its budget and will have a minimal
impact.
The budget will also eliminate the entire $148 million both the National Endowments
for the Arts and Humanities receive and $230 million for the Institute of Museum and
Library Services, which supports libraries and museums. Additional cuts would affect
two tourist mainstays in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Institution and National
Gallery of Art.
On first glance this may be considered too damaging but upon deeper inspection the
'damage' will be slight.
All the cuts are only a small amount of the funding received And, in the case of the
public broadcasting, it is a media conglomerate with assets in the billions due to
commercial success of its trademark brands such as Sesame Street.
In fact many recipients of federal funding don't need money at all despite claims they
would fall on dire times if cut.
The remedy to all federal funding of the any non-profits should be means testing.
There are many worthy non-profits across the country who do the majority of
important tasks that need the money more than public radio or even Planned
Parenthood. This vital communities groups barely survive from one month to the
next serving meals and beds to the homeless. Compare this to the abortion mill
known as Planned Parenthood!
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to groups that have been sacrosanct and had been receiving federal spending year
after year. Trump's first budget will zero out nearly one billion dollars.
Trump will eliminate the $445 million budget for the Corporation for Public
broadcasting which is only a small amount of its budget and will have a minimal
impact.
The budget will also eliminate the entire $148 million both the National Endowments
for the Arts and Humanities receive and $230 million for the Institute of Museum and
Library Services, which supports libraries and museums. Additional cuts would affect
two tourist mainstays in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Institution and National
Gallery of Art.
On first glance this may be considered too damaging but upon deeper inspection the
'damage' will be slight.
All the cuts are only a small amount of the funding received And, in the case of the
public broadcasting, it is a media conglomerate with assets in the billions due to
commercial success of its trademark brands such as Sesame Street.
In fact many recipients of federal funding don't need money at all despite claims they
would fall on dire times if cut.
The remedy to all federal funding of the any non-profits should be means testing.
There are many worthy non-profits across the country who do the majority of
important tasks that need the money more than public radio or even Planned
Parenthood. This vital communities groups barely survive from one month to the
next serving meals and beds to the homeless. Compare this to the abortion mill
known as Planned Parenthood!
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The Donald Trump Tax Return Caper....
Everyone in the media can stop looking, the search is over!
The search for Donald Trump's tax return, any one of them,
ended as MSNBC host Rachell Maddow 'discovered' one!
Maddow was able to get the elusive tax return, even though
it was from 2005, the same year George W. Bush was in his
second term as president and Barack Obama was organizing
communities in Chicago!
No matter, a discovery is a discovery, and this one is the equivalent
to Columbus claiming he discovered India when he stepped foot on
the shore of the Dominican Republic!
Publicly reporting tax returns has been the self-serving decision
of individuals running for public office, but never a requirement.
Donald Trump was the one person, interestingly NOT a politician,
refusing and had his opponents and media howling.
We can argue why he did not, but it didn't matter, he was elected!
The public needs to understand something more about the 'discovery'
of Trump's tax return, it is only the 'business' of the individual and
the Internal Revenue Service, not the public, whether it is a next
store neighbor, or the media in any form!
Yet, in this "anything goes" world privacy means little, especially
when there is a target, which Trump has been since he announced
his run for the presidency.
The media has no right to see tax returns, nor report the content unless
it has permission of the individual, and Maddox did not.
The IRS rarely reports its findings so why should the media? THIS is
the unasked question which should be answered, And all the cries of
the "public's right to know" means nothing!
Let's hope this 'caper' is over and Maddow finally gets her last fifteen
minutes of disgraceful infamy!
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
The search for Donald Trump's tax return, any one of them,
ended as MSNBC host Rachell Maddow 'discovered' one!
Maddow was able to get the elusive tax return, even though
it was from 2005, the same year George W. Bush was in his
second term as president and Barack Obama was organizing
communities in Chicago!
No matter, a discovery is a discovery, and this one is the equivalent
to Columbus claiming he discovered India when he stepped foot on
the shore of the Dominican Republic!
Publicly reporting tax returns has been the self-serving decision
of individuals running for public office, but never a requirement.
Donald Trump was the one person, interestingly NOT a politician,
refusing and had his opponents and media howling.
We can argue why he did not, but it didn't matter, he was elected!
The public needs to understand something more about the 'discovery'
of Trump's tax return, it is only the 'business' of the individual and
the Internal Revenue Service, not the public, whether it is a next
store neighbor, or the media in any form!
Yet, in this "anything goes" world privacy means little, especially
when there is a target, which Trump has been since he announced
his run for the presidency.
The media has no right to see tax returns, nor report the content unless
it has permission of the individual, and Maddox did not.
The IRS rarely reports its findings so why should the media? THIS is
the unasked question which should be answered, And all the cries of
the "public's right to know" means nothing!
Ask yourself, would you want your tax return in print without your
permission? It should never happen!
Let's hope this 'caper' is over and Maddow finally gets her last fifteen
minutes of disgraceful infamy!
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Defending President Trump "nationalism"
The globalists are fearful after the last election; our country now
has a president who believes each nation should decide what is
best for its people, not allow a collective of many nations to
decide.
President Trump puts the United States on a course that recent
American presidents decided was not appropriate in a world
where "globalism", the belief international bodies knew what
was best for all nations, no matter the diversity and the desires
of their people.
Trump will be called a 'nationalist', a label meant as an insult
not one
rather than to in a world of globalists. those who
will end independence of individuals and sovereignty of nations.
Before we allow the warnings against 'nationalism' to concern us,
lets understand what it represents.
When I hear 'nationalism' I immediately think of Washington's
warning in his farewell address about "foreign entanglements".
Granted, his words were quickly forgotten as the United States
has countless occasions to"entangle" itself in its two hundred
history...some appropriate but too many questionable.
This is not to say our role should change, but it does mean the
US must look at our failures and let wisdom guide us.
First and foremost our country should never go to war without
the declaration by our Congress, for it is the only way the
"people" decide, through their representatives!
Consider, neither Korea and Vietnam would never have been
fought.....these wars were never declared by Congress.
But, 'nationalism' isn't limited to spilling blood or depleting
treasure, it transcends most every domestic exercise citizens
engage in.
Nationalism is the 'antecedent' to 'globalism' which most nation's
believe will "lift all boats", benefiting the world at large. Its
enticing as this sounds, it has yet to be proven.
All "boats" are not the same, not all 'sea worthy', and require
different approaches they can stay afloat.
The varying degree of ability make it impossible for globalism
to not suffer setbacks as some nation falter while others prosper.
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has a president who believes each nation should decide what is
best for its people, not allow a collective of many nations to
decide.
President Trump puts the United States on a course that recent
American presidents decided was not appropriate in a world
where "globalism", the belief international bodies knew what
was best for all nations, no matter the diversity and the desires
of their people.
Trump will be called a 'nationalist', a label meant as an insult
not one
rather than to in a world of globalists. those who
will end independence of individuals and sovereignty of nations.
Before we allow the warnings against 'nationalism' to concern us,
lets understand what it represents.
When I hear 'nationalism' I immediately think of Washington's
warning in his farewell address about "foreign entanglements".
Granted, his words were quickly forgotten as the United States
has countless occasions to"entangle" itself in its two hundred
history...some appropriate but too many questionable.
This is not to say our role should change, but it does mean the
US must look at our failures and let wisdom guide us.
First and foremost our country should never go to war without
the declaration by our Congress, for it is the only way the
"people" decide, through their representatives!
Consider, neither Korea and Vietnam would never have been
fought.....these wars were never declared by Congress.
But, 'nationalism' isn't limited to spilling blood or depleting
treasure, it transcends most every domestic exercise citizens
engage in.
Nationalism is the 'antecedent' to 'globalism' which most nation's
believe will "lift all boats", benefiting the world at large. Its
enticing as this sounds, it has yet to be proven.
All "boats" are not the same, not all 'sea worthy', and require
different approaches they can stay afloat.
The varying degree of ability make it impossible for globalism
to not suffer setbacks as some nation falter while others prosper.
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 10, 2017
Putting Planned Parenthood to the Ultimate test....
I may have listened to more of President Trump's campaign promises
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email, ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
than most and distinctly remember what other politicians would not
even consider uttering.
Earlier this week President Trump brought up a campaign promise,
the subject of supporting Planned Parenthood but qualified his
commitment with the message, "it must stop abortions".
With this message he pleased AND angered both sides.
I am sure the pro-lifers were taken back by Trump's 'support' for Planned
Parenthood, but in their next breath liked hearing him saying 'abortions
must end'. Who would dare say this?
Conversely, Planned Parenthood liked knowing it had President Trump's
support for its many valued services but quickly must of angered when
it saw the $500 million it receives annually is at risk. What politician
would dare cut this funding?
This is where we are. President Trump wants Planned Parenthood to remain
a valued organization, but not retain its most notoriety for being considered
an "abortion mill" by providing more than 30% of the one million abortions
annually.
Note, President Trump is NOT attempting to ban abortions only withhold
federal funding. Women will still be able to have abortions but not by any
provider that receives taxpayer money.
The next step is up to Planned Parenthood and the ultimate test.
I am sure it will first organize protests filled with misinformation. But I suggest it is wiser for Planned Parenthood to reach for its calculator to see what will cost the most, ending the 300,000 abortions each year or losing over $500 million of taxpayer money it receives annually.
Earlier this week President Trump brought up a campaign promise,
the subject of supporting Planned Parenthood but qualified his
commitment with the message, "it must stop abortions".
With this message he pleased AND angered both sides.
I am sure the pro-lifers were taken back by Trump's 'support' for Planned
Parenthood, but in their next breath liked hearing him saying 'abortions
must end'. Who would dare say this?
Conversely, Planned Parenthood liked knowing it had President Trump's
support for its many valued services but quickly must of angered when
it saw the $500 million it receives annually is at risk. What politician
would dare cut this funding?
This is where we are. President Trump wants Planned Parenthood to remain
a valued organization, but not retain its most notoriety for being considered
an "abortion mill" by providing more than 30% of the one million abortions
annually.
Note, President Trump is NOT attempting to ban abortions only withhold
federal funding. Women will still be able to have abortions but not by any
provider that receives taxpayer money.
The next step is up to Planned Parenthood and the ultimate test.
I am sure it will first organize protests filled with misinformation. But I suggest it is wiser for Planned Parenthood to reach for its calculator to see what will cost the most, ending the 300,000 abortions each year or losing over $500 million of taxpayer money it receives annually.
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below, or
email, ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Congress overturns Obama-era education regulations
Some surprisingly good news from the most unlikely of places!
Regulations meant to outline what states must do to meet their
obligations under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the
successor to the failed 2002 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law
have been overturned!
The Republican-led House voted last month to undo them via
the Congressional Review Act, which allows lawmakers to veto
a rule they don’t like.
How often do we see this happen, the federal govt. returning
any authority to states?
Well, it happened this week as Congress overturned regulations
that outline how states must carry out a federal law that holds
public schools accountable for serving all students.
The Republican majority claim the rules, written during the last
month of the Obama administration, represent an executive
overreach while Democrats argue rescinding them will open
loopholes to hide or ignore schools that fail to adequately serve
poor children, minorities, English-language learners and students
with disabilities.
This is not surprising. Republicans believe in both the sovereignty
and independence of each state, while Democrats believe central
control is best, preferring to be a "nanny nation" believing unelected
Washington bureaucrats are wiser than elected state officials.
Federal overreach time and again proves it fails the very states
it claims to help and why many federal programs have to be
altered as the promised benefits rarely materialize.
We can only hope members of Congress remember the states they
come from and people who elected them before imposing federal
mandates that are more burdensome then beneficial.
Feedback appreciated. Feel free to enter in comments section below,
or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Sunday, March 5, 2017
The state of public education
The day after President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress
I watched a program that invited Leo Terrell to discuss the speech.
Terrell, a civil rights attorney who I am familiar with as a fair observer
of issues, surprised me with one of his criticisms, Trump promoting
school choice so parents can take their children from failing schools.
Terrell's objection was that children should not be removed from
traditional school by parents and sent to other schools and citied
Catholic schools, where they could be 'indoctrinated'. I understand
the argument against choice, but was taken back when Terrell added
'indoctrination'.
As smart as Terrell is he must have been asleep the past few decades
as indoctrination has been done in many K-12 public schools and most
universities.
Further, Terrell pointed to his own education in the Los Angeles
public school system as an example of the quality education that
is available.
I can understand Terrell citing his success but in doing so he also
wants us to believe the education he received in the 1960s is no
different than it was after 1979, the year the Dept. of Education
was created and must share some responsibility for any degradation.
Terrell may argue public education today is the equivalent to what
it was when he went to school, but he is wrong. Public education
has been diluted thanks to the shift to less important subjects and
less qualified teachers today than the ones who taught him.
Add to this class sizes are smaller than they were in the 60s and
teachers often have teaching assistants. As commendable as such
changes are, the results are mixed at best.
While Terrell and other supporters of current education may think
otherwise, I contend the teachers who instructed him in public
school were superior to the ones teaching students today.
Many current teachers know less than retired teachers, such as historical
references, multiplication tables or being able to add/subtract numbers
without using a calculator!
How can this be proven?
Bring together one dozen retired teachers who taught in the 1960s-1970s
and test them against one dozen teaching today and compare which group
scores better.
Why would the retired teachers test better? We can go back to the surprising
comment made by Terrell earlier, "indoctrination". This is what is occurring
in education today, students are trained, but without learning critical thinking,
or encouraged to challenge their professors.
The objective is clear, graduate future teachers ready to carry a mantle less
to do with valued than social desires driven by mandates from the Dept.
of Education and politicians.
Public education will always come up short as long as the professional
educator resists ensuring the basics are ingrained and well-rounded
instruction on subjects which have served students and our nations
successfully for more than one hundred years.
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email, ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
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