The Way I See ItBy cj pollickParking Garage a Reality? - An agreement was reached last week between the City of Clearwater and L.O.M., owner of South Beach property that will be the site of the proposed parking garage. The proposed garage will maintain 300 public parking places and be open for business by the end of September 2012 if all goes as planned. Patel Property for Sale - The 2.9 acre prime property spot at the corner of Gulfview and Coronado that was home to the Day's Inn and Spyglass Hotel is on the market. Asking price? $30 million. Unfortunately for the current owner, he bought the property in a booming economy for $40 million. Rubio-Crist Debate - Governor Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio have agreed to their first debate to be held on Fox News Sunday, March 28th. Should be interesting to observe two great politicians debating important issues. Cash For Caulkers - According to the Los Angeles Times, Obama's $862 billion stimulus funded "Cash for Caulkers" program has only "weatherized" about 9,000 homes at a cost of $57,362 each. Another government failure. Televised Debate - House Republicans are taking a page from the president's playbook by challenging Democrats to a televised debate about job creation. Will there be a debate? Tax Council - In a smacking blow to Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA.), President Obama created his own committee to recommend financial and tax considerations. Of course, the "Committee" is tilted with the majority of members from the President's political party. Thus, final "Committee" recommendations are likely to represent ideas favored by the President. What should be expected in the final "Committee" release? Higher taxes (which might include all US taxpayers and not just those who are considered "high earners", cuts in social security benefits or longer waiting periods for retirement eligibility (already past age 66), higher employment taxes (someone has to pay for the federal deficit!), cuts in Medicare benefits (to help support a national health plan that is still a Washington favorite topic.) There will be more federal spending on "stimulus" packages and government-sponsored "work" projects. Bottom line? A waste of time and energy. Republicans Beware - Even though Democrats in Washington have become their own worst enemy, Republicans should also beware of voter backlash in 2010. All incumbent "career-type" politicians are in trouble for re-election. Voters are fed-up with the manner in which our country has been led. That means independent voters have grown tired of the Bushs', the Clinton's, and even President Obama. And, it is the independent American voter that will control who wins important elections in 2010 (and 2012.) It is clear that most independent voters have had enough of both major political parties. National prosperity created under President Ronald Reagan, which continued to flow in the first term of President Clinton, is long gone. Who could have imagined that America would be led from prosperity to enormous federal debts? The Tea Party? If only it was a real political party of the people--The People's Party. New Obamacare Not New - President Obama does not wish to listen to the will of the people while continuing to push his health plan proposal through Congress. Obama calls it a new health plan; however, news sources such as the NY Times refers to the "new" health plan proposal of the President as nothing but more of the old health plan that was rejected by American citizens. Obama believes he and fellow democrats must push the proposed national health plan through Congress before the 2010 elections (when voters might replace incumbent officials in moderate voting districts.) Time is short, say top Washington democrats-- there is no time to waste debating the merits of the proposed health bill in Congress. How will the proposed health bill be financed to insure over 31 million additional people? 2011 May Bring Teacher Layoffs - US Director of Education warned that there could be more teacher layoffs in 2011 due to lack of education funding. Billions of dollars of federal stimulus funds that were given to state governments in 2010 are gone. The lack of additional federal funds plus declining state revenues means greater educational budget cuts for most state governments. What Is A Dollar Worth? - Most people understand that the US dollar is not backed by gold or some other precious metal. However, there are companies that value worldwide currencies to the US dollar (as the standard?) Let's see, in Japan it would take over 91 yen to equal one US dollar in value. Visiting Mexico? Well, in Mexico it would take about 13 pesos to equal one US dollar. Russia? Hmm, about 30 rubles to a US dollar. Argentina? A little under 4 pesos to the US dollar. China? About 7 yuan to a dollar. Kenya? 77 shilling. Egypt? About 5 1/2 pounds. Brazil? A little under 2 real to a dollar. Of course, there are nations where you would need a wheel barrel to cart their dollars for just one US dollar. The point? Even though the US dollar has declined in value over the past years, the decline of currency values in other nations has been equally as bad or worse. USA Beats Canada In Ice Hockey - In shocking news from the Vancouver Olympics, USA ice hockey team beat Team Canada 5-3 last Sunday evening. The huge upset came only a day before the historic Team USA victory over the Soviets 30 years ago. This amazing hockey win put the US team in the quarterfinals, against the Swiss, and means the Canadians must win the next four games, including a tough match against the Soviets to win the Gold. Goalkeeper Ryan Miller had over 40 saves in helping to hold the Canadian offense to just three goals (while the US offense scored five goals.) |