California’s Drought

The Los Angeles Times reports that the California drought may be over. No one knows if it is really over or is the filling of our reservoirs a temporary situation. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t lifting his drought declaration. Los Angeles isn’t ending its watering restrictions and Southern California’s major water wholesaler isn’t reversing delivery cuts.

There is more than one reason. The first is that that this rainy season was caused by an El Nino effect. That is a warming of Pacific Ocean waters which results in more rain on the California coast. This occurrence has been proven from prior El Nino years.

The second is the continuing construction industry search for new business. The state will include a proposal on November’s ballot for $11 Billion in water conservation bonds. As I pointed out this past November 5, 2009, building more reservoirs and channels will not increase the water supply. It will, however, put money in the pockets of contractors. As I pointed out then, we have already spent over $13 Billion on water projects since the year 2000. The great water projects were built at an earlier date and continue to provide adequate distribution of water throughout the state.

Canada’s Economy is the Envy of the World

A Summary of an Associated Press article.

It should be noted that the total population of Canada is less than the population of California.

TORONTO (AP) — Canada thinks it can teach the world a thing or two about dodging financial meltdowns.

While others have floundered, Canada’s economy grew at a 6.1 percent annual rate in the first three months of this year. President Barack Obama says the U.S. should take note of Canada’s banking system, and Britain’s Treasury chief is looking to emulate the Ottawa way on cutting deficits.

“We should be proud of the performance of our financial system during the crisis,” said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in an interview with The Associated Press.

The banks are stable because, in part, they’re more regulated. As the U.S. and Europe loosened regulations on their financial industries over the last 15 years, Canada refused to do so. The banks also aren’t as leveraged as their U.S. or European peers.

In Canada’s concentrated banking system, five major banks dominate the market and regulators know each of the top bank executives personally. [editor’s note: There are eight major banks in the United States]

Although Canada did experience the recession of 2008-2010 it is recovering from the recession faster than others, and although its deficit is currently at a record high, the International Monetary Fund expects Canada to be the only one of the seven major industrialized democracies to return to surplus by 2015. The proof? This month Canada became the first among them to raise interest rates since the global financial crisis began.

George Osborne, Britain’s Treasury chief, has vowed to follow Canada’s example on deficit reduction. “They brought together the best brains both inside and outside government to carry out a fundamental reassessment of the role of the state,” Osborne said in a speech.

“The rest of the world certainly thinks we’re the model to follow,” said Martin, who was prime minister from 2003 to 2006. “I’ve been asked by a lot of countries as to how to go about it.”

Don Drummond, Martin’s budget chief at the time, “There’s a lot to learn from Canada but their starting conditions are worse,” he said. “Even though we were on the precipice of a crisis we weren’t in as bad a shape as many of them are.”

Creating Private Sector Jobs

Nevada has a distinction it probably doesn’t want: the nation’s highest unemployment rate — 14%. That’s up from 13.7% in April and 11.5% in May 2009 and an all-time low of 3.8% in April 2000. California’s unemployment rate decreased to 12.4 percent in May. April’s unemployment rate was 12.5%. The number of people unemployed in California, for May, was 2,277,000 – down by 21,000 over the month, but up by 212,000 compared with May of last year.

The Associated Press reported that President Barack Obama dashed into Ohio for the groundbreaking of a road project, hoping to remind Americans that the massive, costly stimulus act is still churning out jobs for a nation plagued by high unemployment.

In all of this political grandstanding there is one simple fact. The government has failed to take any consequential action that will increase the number of private sector jobs. The dismal reality is that no politicians have offered any new ideas to induce new job growth. That includes those who want to replace incumbents.

A good example is Carly Fiorina, Republican candidate for Senator in California. She is focusing on job creation in her campaign. The problem is that she sent 40,000 jobs overseas as CEO of Hewlett-Packard Company. Read her web site and you quickly learn she does not have one new or different idea.

The president is no better than Ms. Fiorina. His ideas are all about government jobs. When the money runs out what will happen to those government employees?

My idea (actually my wife’s idea) is the two tier business tax. Every dollar earned as the result of American made products will be taxed at a lower rate than those dollars earned from foreign products. That means Walmart, Toyota car dealers (some Toyotas are partially made in America), and other who rely on imports will pay a higher income tax rate on at least part of their earnings. That just might help bring some jobs back to America.

The Muslim Invasion

ABC World News provided this same information on today’s newscast. http://barenakedislam.wordpress.com provides the same information. This is copy pasted from that site. I have added nothing to this. The Red color is not mine. Add this plan for a 52,000 square foot mosque to the plans for a mosque two blocks from the World Trade Center and you get the picture.

Freedom of religion does not mean the right to dominate. I fear that the Muslim intention is to gain control of the the entire world.

—

TENNESSEE town fighting construction of new mega-mosque

For the second time in two months, in Murfreesboro, a mosque is facing opposition from local residents who don’t want the monster-sized mosque constructed in their small, farming community.

With a growing Muslim community in Rutherford County, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro wants to build on Veals Road. The project done in phases could take years to finish: a 52,000-square-foot mosque, with a community center and athletic fields.

Terrorist Front Group CAIR says this “NOT WELCOME” vandalism is a hate crime

“I believe this has been approved and run through without public notice,” resident Kevin Fisher said. ”Why have a mosque nine times the size of Nashville’s in the middle of a farming, residential community?”

Last month, plans for a separate mosque in Brentwood were soundly defeated when residents who were against rezoning the land mounted a campaign that raised suspicions about the mosque and its leaders. Opponents encouraged residents to write letters to the city commission, and stirred more controversy by questioning links to terrorist groups.

The Muslim community is confused over the opposition. They have been good neighbors and residents in Rutherford County, they said. ”No one really comes out to speak against people, using traffic, which is malleable, to manipulate to the detriment of those applying for the property,” he said.

Delbert Ketner, a retired resident who opposes the mosque, questions the goals of those who practice Islam.
“If their goal is to advance Islam, advance their culture, then there is no real affection for our Constitution and the precepts we were founded on,” Ketner said.

Local Muslims have no idea why people don’t want a giant mosque in their town.

Imam Ossama Bahloul wants to dispel any worries, and said any disagreements should be worked out. He had to answer tough questions from his own as well. A child asked, “Why do they hate us?” (Oh, please, don’t get me started)

When they announced their plans to build their dream facility, they also invited residents. They didn’t expect a backlash. Now they are answering to rumors of polygamy, Islamic doctrine and whether they will adhere to the U.S. Constitution, said Essam Fathy, a physical therapist who has lived in Murfreesboro since the 1980s.

“We have nothing to hide,” Fathy said. “We do not have a hidden agenda. We’re not affiliated with anyone. Where is the tolerance?” (TOLERANCE? When you let us build churches or synagogues in your Muslim countries, we’ll consider your request)

Muslims need room (Saudi Arabia has lots of room) Fathy said the Muslim community, with 250 families, has outgrown its digs at 862 Middle Tennessee Blvd. (Who cares?) TENNESSEAN.

Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers Win Second Straight NBA Championship!!

Yippee!!

Creating More Jobs is Job 1!

The Obama administration has failed to focus on the one most important issue in the United States right now. That is the lack of jobs. The Gulf oil spill only makes things worse.

Phony meetings of leading corporate executives conferring with the president do not create jobs. There have been no publicly spoken thoughts that indicate any thinking “outside the box.” I believe that is the case, because President Obama’s advisors are just the same old people that are part of the Democratic Party machinery. The Republican Party is no better.

An idea that is unique is the report by Michael Porter in the May 31-June 6, 2010 Businessweek. Michael Porter is a Harvard Business School Professor. The essence of the article is as follows.

A small struggling printer-toner distributor, in a poor neighborhood of Boston, made a connection with the CEO of Staples, the giant office supply company. The result is that the company is now a manufacturer and now successfully employs 65 people. Three things result from this relationship. 1) More people are employed. 2) Staples has an improved image in the community. 3) Staples has a reliable supplier in this nation.

The administration needs to look for more of these examples and find ways to encourage more of the same. Tax incentives would be a good place to start. Or perhaps tax penalties for those companies that do not participate.

Bush Woman runs afoul of GOP Orthodoxy

Barbara Bush, the 28-year-old daughter of former President George W. Bush is not following the party line. She seems to be a thinking like an independent. View this Fox News clip found on Yahoo.

Afghanistan as Wealthy Nation

As I have written before, the unknown events of the future will write the fate of President Barack Obama, the United States, and the world. Good luck and good fortune play a big part in the future.

In an article in today’s New York Times about the findings of Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan could be the game changer that will enable that nation to stand on its own two feet and bring America’s troops home even faster than anyone could imagine.

Briefly, there is believed to be $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan. “The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe.”

If all this plays out as reported perhaps the fight will be over land and resource ownership.

The Day Miranda Rights Were Established

On this day in 1966, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the principle that all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before interrogation. It was a case in which the defendant, who was subsequently charged and convicted of kidnapping and rape, claimed his confession was false and coerced. The appeal was taken up by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Miranda established that the accused must be informed that he or she has the right to remain silent and that if the suspect chooses not to remain silent that anything said can be used against the suspect in court. Before being interrogated the suspect must also be informed of the right to consult with an attorney, and to have legal counsel present during interrogation.

Additionally, the Miranda rule also requires that if the suspect is indigent that he or she be informed that the court will provide counsel. If the suspect decides to remain silent, then the interrogation must end. Any statements obtained in violation of the suspects’ Miranda rights are inadmissible as evidence in court. If the suspect decides to speak without consulting with an attorney then the prosecutor must prove that the suspect willingly waived Miranda rights.

Can We Just Say No!

We are facing an unpleasant reality. The Federal government is currently spending money at a rate 1½ times the rate of incoming money from taxes. That is fact, not internet chatter. Even worse is that the total national debt equals one year of GDP. Imagine if your personal debt excluding your house mortgage (a planned long term commitment) equaled your total annual income. The banks would increase the interest you would be required to pay on that debt because they would fear the possibility of default. Unlike everyone else in America, the Federal government can print the money it needs.

The Congress and most people realize the situation is desperate. The difficulty is saying “no” to the pressure for continuing the spending. There are those in Congress who want to extend existing programs and add more for one simple reason. It is an election year.

Some examples of programs wanting more money:

There has been a subsidy to recently unemployed people that provides for 65% of the cost of COBRA for a total of 15 months. That program expired May 31.

Unemployment benefits have been extended to 99 weeks. The House voted to extend the benefits and now the program awaits Senate approval.

Medicare doctors are looking increased payments.

States want more aid due to their unbalanced budgets.

The SEC, FDA, Interior Department (think mineral management) and other Federal agencies want additional funds to do a better job.

The State of California wants money to do a demonstration of high speed rail.

Los Angeles wants the Federal government to provide aid for speeding up subway and light rail construction.

President wants $50 billion in state and local aid to avoid “massive layoffs of teachers, police and firefighters” and to support the still-fragile economic recovery.

Everyone wants the projects but there just is not enough money. Can we just say No?