SOAPBOX

This entry was posted on 4/16/2006 6:37 PM and is filed under 106_MRMTV_Soapbox.

Trackbacks

• Trackbacks are closed for this entry.

Comments

• 4/18/2006 6:56 PM Dixie wrote:
  Taxes, taxes and more taxes! A recent article I read gave a listing of the taxes we pay in this country. At the end it stated that 100 years ago, we were more prosperous, had the largest middle class of any nation, and were not in debt.
  
  We need to take a serious look at Jude Wanniski's book, "How the World Works", and change our economic policy. Former President Reagan got on board with Jude's assessment and our economy straightened out during his last term in office.
  
  And while we're at, ditch the Federal Reserve, and retain our right to print our own money. The "Fed" is a private corporation of international bankers... why are they running the money train? Why did they begin shipping our gold reserves out of this country in the 1930's? And why did Congress give up that job to the "Fed"? It wasn't their place to change the Constitution of the United States!
  Reply to this
• 4/18/2006 10:43 PM roxie steven wrote:
  Hey stuff I didn't know. We are putting too much trust in the Government to take care of us. They are doing that alright. Taking care of how to tax us to death. I will have to get the book you mentioned so I can really get on my soap about this. I think we need to all just stop paying taxes.
  
  If we ALL quit paying, they would have to pay attention finally, after all they would really have to think about something other than how to come up with new and creative ways of how to come up with the money for all the give aways they love to do for other countries.
  Reply to this
• 4/20/2006 4:59 AM Dixie wrote:
  I like Roxie's thinking: stop paying tax. Reminds me of former first lady Nancy Reagan's "just say no" to drugs. The problem is that we come up short trying to find a TV media that will give voice to the public's view of government failure. That's why it is so important that we also follow up with calls and letters concerning the COPE 2006 proposed bill. (Ben has this info on another blog section.)
  
  We the people need a voice to tell the government to get back on track with taxation, money issuance, and the return to the gold standard.
  
  I find it interesting that The Federal Reserve has it's founding with the royals of England. Sir Alan Greenspan carried the banner for 18 years, and upon his retirement, the Queen of England issued him an "service award". Funny, I thought he worked for us, not her?
  
  Sorry TMRM... so little time, so many soapbox issues!
  
  As I watched the largely Hispanic crowd of protestors gather in one voice, I realized how "busy" most citizens have been, and are encouraged to stay busy.
  Reply to this
• 4/20/2006 3:19 PM Lisa wrote:
  I want to know how the city of Charlotte can go 36 months without reading my water meter and then one day.. I get this huge bill? $720 bucks worth.
  
  You know what the water dept. rep said to me, "Oh, this happens all of the time."
  
  The dept claims that I've only been paying for sewage...at $36 a month, while everyone else around me is paying less than $10 a month?
  
  I'm wondering... how they can run a line, install a meter, and then not charge someone for the water usage for three years. And is that monthly price I've been paying for sewage only,normal for anyone else in this city, besides maybe the dollar store?
  
  A friend of mine is helping find the appropriate contacts to get answers to my situation. She's given me permission to use her name and e-mail for return response from TMRM. Thank you.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/21/2006 4:07 PM TMRM wrote:
     OK, so once again it is established gov'ts are generally inefficient, ineffective, and inept. So, what are you doing about it? Do you votes? Do you write your politicians? Not paying taxes will land you in jail; is that the best use of your resources?
     
     Question for discussion: "Should the citizens be able to review all gov't employee performance appraisals?"
     How would you like it if your employment review as made public record?
     Reply to this
     1. 4/23/2006 3:30 PM bug wrote:
        Vote, yes; write politicians, no... although there are times when I add my name to a petition "for or against" something.
        
        I did recently write about the public access bill COPE 2006.
        
        I haven't been pro-active. Maybe I've believed it futile to bother. It's worth another look.
        
        View gov't employee peformance appraisals? Sure, just forward them to me, I'm not that busy.
        
        Make mine public? Funny, I thought they already were by some of the interviews I've sat in!
        Reply to this
• 4/24/2006 1:29 PM ms washington wrote:
  There are many "watch dog" groups in the country. Organizations that we can support in the hope of their effecting change within the various gov't agencies and departments. I propose this solution when we, as individuals, are disinclined to contact officials on our own, as our fears may stop us from openly opposing a subject we fear.
  
  TMRM is correct about taxes and the result of not paying them. Unfortunately non-payment does not appropriately lodge a complaint by a citizen, but launches an investigation by the IRS. We essentially have 364 days to lodge complaints and protests. That's one letter a day written to individual officials and/or media resources. We have to stop believing that we have no voice, when we do. History of this country has proven that a single voice does not have to include more than one person to be effectively heard.
  
  About TMRM's questions.. View performance appraisals of all gov't employees? Allow public to view mine? In the big scheme of things I think that appraisals simply exist to keep honest employees honest. The ones that have hidden agendas will simply find a way to keep their dirt under the rug, so to speak.
  
  I rely heavily on public information to help me see who's doing what. It's not always easy trying to keep us with city, state, and federal reports. I would not be opposed to a public viewing, and if there is already a place where this infornmation is available, would like to know where? Should you want to view my performance appraisals, they're available. Thank you for the open forum on this.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/24/2006 7:34 PM TMRM wrote:
     

     I would use caution relying on public information.

     -TMRM

     
     Reply to this
• 4/25/2006 6:05 PM Dixie wrote:
  "THE SOURCE OF METHANE: Methane gas (C-H-4) makes the second biggest contribution to global warming (carbon dioxide is number 1). The digestive processes of cattle, particularly cows and sheep, is the major source of methane emissions."
  Quoted from Robert Cohen at http://www.notmilk.com/
  (Not sure..did he mean carbon monoxide?)
  
  Anyway here's a new proposed tax for New Zealand. They are going to be taxed for cattle, sheep, and pig flatulence. No joke, read the story at the web site. I couldn't believe it. (26 cents per animal! Imagine that tax added to our 91.5 million cows. I may have to rethink eating meat if the tax is implemented here.
  
  TMRM, this might be better suited for a joking segment and not the soapbox...but it could end up happening here.
  Reply to this
  1. 4/25/2006 8:53 PM TMRM wrote:
     

     Well, I'd pay $.26 a gallon for cow, sheep, or pig power - it beats $3 a gallon for horse power !!
     So, you get a truck, put a couple cows in the back, "plug" 'em in, and there you are; helping the
     environment, helping Ford & Chevy with the over stock of gas-guzzling trucks, and make all the
     vegetarians happy to boot. Hey, if you use sheep, you can also produce your own wool.
     
     Write your Congressman (woman) and say you want "natural" gas vehicles by 2010!

     
     Reply to this
• 4/26/2006 1:13 AM bug wrote:
  TMRM Man, that's funny, I don't care who you are!
  
  Okay, you're the guy with the inventive mind. We need a machine that will swoop across cow fields collecting the rising gas. We'll call it a "gas guzzler." You could probably find some investors to help proceed. Before long you'd be the Donald Dump, er, Trump, of mechanizing methane! Yessir, the only business where, "when the chips are down," you're still in business.
  Reply to this
• 4/26/2006 1:19 PM Charles Sadler wrote:
  Ben,
  
  A co-worker turned me on to this website. I've actually never seen your show. If it's anything like what I see here, I'll catch the next one though.
  
  My coworker, (K) has never seen your show either, but she knows somebody that sent her this website. We cracked over the airplane.. and now this with the cows. Neither of us have home computers, but who cares, lunch time is our time. We're hoping our company doesn't go the way of legislating work computer usage. So maybe that's my soapbox issue?
  
  That's interesting about the methane and taxing farm animals. I wonder if all of that exposure to the gas effects the animals? I'm not happy about the reports of hormones and antibiotics that are given them.
  
  I think sometimes we think we're bigger than the planet. The scientists and politicians disagree on global warming, unless there's money to be passed around, then everyone is onboard.
  
  Thanks for letting me "air" my views and soapbox subject.
  Sincerely,
  
  Charles
  Reply to this

Leave a comment