The Way I See ItBy cj pollickGone Are The Glory Days - The Best Western Sea Wake Resort on Clearwater Beach has had better days. Owner Uday Lele filed for a Chapter 11 Reorganization Petition after Bank of America brought a foreclosure lawsuit on the property in July of this year. Causeway Parking Lot Closed - The temporary (5-year) parking lot on the west end of the Memorial Causeway is permanently closed. This closure will make homeowners happy but will result in the elimination of some "free" parking space on Clearwater Beach. As Predicted, Retired Folks Take A Hit In The Pocket - On several occasions views regarding the current administration's handling of Social Security had been presented in this column. Readers had been notified in this column that neither AARP nor current leaders in government seem to care about retired people and benefits provided under Social Security. Fact: it is now clear that the government will not give a cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients next year. It will be the first time since 1975 that such a thing has occurred. Thus, inflation will predictably eat into the budget for retired people who rely on Social Security benefits. Ironically, the American government has bailed-out large firms like AIG and has allowed huge bonuses to be paid to AIG employees who were part of enormous losses (to the taxpayers.) Bailouts have been given to the auto industry, banking industry, etc., but no help for ordinary people under Social Security. Is this the change retired voters expected in the last election? In fact, with all of the talk about a national healthcare program costing billions of more taxpayer dollars, why would our elected officials in Washington not help Social Security recipients by continuing to give cost-of-living increases? A small sum, considering all of the waste in Washington. When you vote in the next election, perhaps it would be wise to remember this issue if you are retired or plan to retire soon. How has the government helped large banking firms? Let's see, JP Morgan and Goldman have reported soaring profits of over 73%, yet consumers are finding it difficult to obtain loans. Foreclosures are up 5% from summer to fall reflecting how banks are dealing with bad/non-performing loans. Counting on the government (or firms like AARP) to fight for Social Security benefits? Maybe it is best to count on your vote. Oath Keepers - In March a group called Oath Keepers was formed by former military and police members. Founding members were people such as Stewart Rhodes, an ex-Army paratrooper and Yale educated lawyer. The purpose of Oath Keepers? To defend the US Constitution. (Which, they believe is under attack by modern-day politicians.) One of the major issues to be defended by Oath Keepers (defend the Constitution of the United States of America) is Second Amendment rights. Oath Keepers believe in the right to bear arms if our government should try to pass laws trying to disarm Americans. "They sense they are losing their country," stated Pat Buchanan when discussing why groups such as Oath Keepers and Tea Parties are spreading across America. Democrats Losing Ground, Republicans Too - If you are a Democrat, you were pleased with the last election and how the Democrat-led Congress is passing legislation over Republican dead bodies. Partisan politics in Washington, nothing new. If you are a Republican, you know that President Bush had a chance to pass meaningful tax, illegal immigration and other laws, but he didn't. Weak leadership by Republicans in Washington. Bottom line with all of the leadership in Washington is that most Americans do not trust either Democrat leaders or Republican leaders. Perhaps that is why so many Americans are joining groups that support older, time-honored American values. Most people are simply fed-up with Washington politicians, regardless of their political affiliation. There are many politicans that have made a lifelong career of their elected position--over 75 and not willing to give-up the title of "honorable." They just refuse to retire. Imagine if Senators could only serve two terms in office! Sarah Palin - When Sen. John McCain selected Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate, many people did not know much about this charismatic Alaskan. However, and after a thorough bashing by liberal political hacks during her quick run as a VP choice, Palin resigned her post as governor and focused on her personal life. Nevertheless, Palin remains as charasmatic as ever, and has attracted much attention outside of Alaska. Palin looms large in GOP politics and many pundits consider her a potential presidential candidate in 2012. Palin has not quit speaking-out about important political issues as she is asked to speak to various special interest groups across America. Palin is well paid for her speaking engagements and will soon release her much anticipated book. In fact, Palin is scheduled to be on the Oprah Winfrey show just before her book is released to the public. Talk about good timing! Is Sarah Palin still a major "name" for the GOP in the next presidential election? Probably not, but she does have an important voice in the GOP. Unfortunately for the GOP, they do not have one major voice that could be considered a frontrunner in the next election. Newt Gingrinch? No, too much baggage. Sarah Palin? No, too much baggage. Mitt Romney? Possibly, but perhaps he has had enough campaigning. Charlie Crist? Maybe, but let's see if he can first win the US Senate seat. Yes, the list of possible GOP leaders is not very long, and that is the problem with the Grand Old Party, new blood is needed. (Much like when a rather young, smooth-talking Barack Obama entered the scene for the Democrats and beat the Clinton political machine.) Sen. Arlen Specter Is Worried - When moderate Republican Sen. Arlen Specter switched political parties to become a Democrat it was because he felt he could not win a Republican primary. Specter, while contemplating a switch in political parties, talked with President Barack Obama about his full support when campaigning for re-election as a Democrat and... he got it. Of course, Specter had to become a full vote for President Obama's liberal political agenda. A deal was cut and Specter became an alleged loyal Democrat. Now comes the time that Arlen Specter had anticipated, another strong Democrat is challenging Specter in the Democrat primary. Specter is counting on promises made by Obama and others in the Democrat Party to beat the challenger. The good news for Specter? He might win the Democrat primary in a close race. The bad news for Pennsylvania Democrats? Specter might lose the general election to a Republican. Thus, the continuing saga of Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania might come down to whether Obama's supporting Specter in the Democrat primary is worth the potential loss in the general election. If Specter wins in Pennsylvania at age 79, he would have pulled-off a masterful political ploy. California To Ban Big-Screen TVs - California is about to become the first state to ban big-screen TVs because of their heavy power demands. Obamacare To Expand Medicaid - According to data from the Congressional Budget Office and Kaiser Family Foundation, Obamacare would expand Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program to the point that nearly one in five Americans would be on government programs that provide health care to the poor. This would be the largest single expansion since Medicaid was created in 1965. Bucs To Play In London - The timing of our Tampa Bay Bucs to showcase their football prowess in London, England, against the New England Patriots could not be worse. New England is coming off a huge win where Tom Brady threw for six touchdowns and the New England Patriot defense played like the old Super Bowl days. The Bucs? Winless and hopeless. Of course, many of us will watch the televised game hoping that our Bucs would beat The Patriots. What is perhaps most interesting is the fact that the London stadium will be full with screaming football fans (something the Bucs can't do at home. Go Bucs. Influence - Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another. - George Elliot |