Dog Bones and Fleas of the Week

I know everyone thinks I just pick on Republicans. Well, O.k., I do. However, Red Dog believes in passing out bones when deserved. I give a bone to Rep. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House this week for reversing the House rules on ethics investigations so that we can get on with the Tom DeLay matter. Can't Democrats get caught up in this too? Of course, and they should if they are guilty. Lobbyist are a part of the Washington scene, but they need to be regulated and elected representatives should play by the rules. Of course, this is just a small bone, because the ridiculous thing was they changed the rule to begin with just to protect Tom DeLay.

Fleas of The Week
1. Washington Press Corps "Journalists" - What a wimpy bunch of questions they had for the President, Thursday Night. The guy has only had four press conferences before now, surely they could have had questions with some meat in them. "How do you feel the War on Terror is going, Mr. President?" Give me a break.
2. Haley Barbour - Vetoes the bill for the Attorney General to protect Vulnerable Adults, saying the DHS already has an education program to address elderly abuse. Uh, Hello! DHS doesn't prosecute people for abusing the elderly. Anyhow, the bill would have increased fees on speeding tickets, DUI's and littering by $.50 to fund the program. I guess the Guv is truly for no taxes or fees increases. Taxing violators to pay for prosecuting violators seems fair to me. Red Dog says, Never elect a lobbyist as governor.
3. Sen. Bill Frist - Another loser for even giving a hint of support for religious fanatics who want to destroy the Judicial System. Even President Bush distanced himself from these "Pretend Again Christian" groups. I hope none of these groups caught the President and the Crown Prince holding hands in Crawford!
4. Republican controlled Congress 2006 Budget - $106 Billion tax cuts for the wealthy, $10 Billion benefit cuts for Medicaid. The spin goes "The tax cuts are good for the economy and the benefit cuts are actually good for those on Medicaid."

"Been down so long, it looks like up to me."

KEEP SCRATCHING!!!!!!!

Weaving and Spinning on Prime Time

This will not be the last thing I have to say about the President's News Conference.

There was very little news, but there was a big faux pas. Just when the President's crusade to kill Social Security had hit new lows, he dug the hole a little deeper tonight. Now, he has introduced a "means-test" to insure that low income workers get or exceed what they do now. In order to pay for this means that middle income and higher income workers have to take a larger cut in benefits, on the order of 40%. In addition, the adjustments to future payouts would be calculated on a price index rather than the current wage index. So, in effect, what the President has done is make the social security program the newest welfare program. I can't wait to see the Republican Congressreaction to this one.

Once again the President lies to the public. He still maintains that social security will be bankrupt by 2042. That's simply not the facts. Social Security will only be able to pay out about 70% of the promised benefit, but hardly bankrupt and just by tweaking the amount that social security taxes are paid on or moving the retirement age, this can be postponed.

The sixty cities in sixty days has brought the President's approval rating on Social Security down to 34%. I hope he keeps the campaign going. The spin doctors will have to figure out a way to overcome tonight's news conference.

The rest of the conference was usual babble. He has no immediate energy policy. There must not be a crisis in his mind. If there were a true national crisis, certainly he would have asked us to conserve gasoline. As long as his buddies at Exxon and BP/Amoco are making huge profits and ripping us off, he won't ask for that.

It doesn't look as if he and "Vladimir" have the understanding that the President thinks he does.

The War on Terror is going great! Terrorists attacks were up over 6 times they were last year. Iraq war is going great, terrorist attacks are up there, too. We can pull our troops out when the Iraqis learn how to fight. But we are winning.

Probably most people wanted to see "Survivor" anyhow. If things don't start turning around for Republicans, we may have the makings of a new reality show.

I Just Don't Have The Energy

President Bush today offered his Energy Plan. Question. Does he talk like that because he is stupid or does he think we are that stupid? "You see we demand more than we produce and that means demand is greater than supply and that means we depend on the rest of the world for our oil. Because, you see, that means we have to buy fuel at the market prices. If supply were to increase then prices would go down, you see." Just because he was a Texas "Oil Man", because his daddy couldn't figure out what to do with him and he bankrupted all the companies he ever ran, doesn't qualify him as an energy expert. Of course, he did sleep at an Enron.

To his plan:
ANWR (Alaska National Wildlife Refuge) - looks like he will get that thanks to Republican legislative maneuvers. At best estimates 1 million barrels a day and about 10 years before the first drop ever reaches "the lower 48". Currently we use 25 million barrels a day, of which 58% is from export. You do the math, hardly does anything to reduce dependence on foreign oil, does it?
Use abandoned military bases for oil refineries - Hey, let's put a refinery at the old Greenville Air Force Base! First of all, no one wants refineries putting MBTE in their water supply and secondly, if it were a profitable proposition oil companies would already be building them. Totally unrealistic and only a dress for this pig.
Build LNG terminals - LNG means we are importing natural gas from other countries. I thought the objective was to not be dependent on foreign sources.
Build Nuclear Power Plants - Ok. Maybe an alternative, but he wants to give something called "federal risk insurance" to the first four builders of new nuclear (he has learned how to say "new-klee-er") plants. I'm not sure what that is or how much that will cost the taxpayers. Nuclear plants are cleaner than fossil, but there is just one small problem. What do you do with the waste? At least 10 years to build a nuclear plant and no one really wants them in their neighborhood.
Promote "clean energy technology" to industrialized nations in Britain in July - Right, he's pissed off everyone by taking the U.S. out of the Kyoto Treaty

What his plan didn't do:
Reduce Gasoline prices now. In his words: "I can't lower gas prices. If I could, I would". Well maybe if he release some reserves and stopped purchasing reserves when gasoline is going up, he could free up some supplies for the American consumer. Saudi Arabia is dragging its feet on increasing their production due to the U.S. meddling in their "kingdom" by promoting democratic elections.

In short, George's Energy policy lacks energy

Small Bones

Red Dog was totally surprised yesterday when he opened the Clarion Ledger to find that they actually took one of my suggestions! For months I have been after the paper to print the congressional voting record of our senators and representatives and, finally, there it was Section 4B "Congressional Roll Call", I hope it is not a one time print, because I believe that we need to know how we are being represented. In additon, I am putting the links to the appropriate sites on the right side of this page so you can go see for yourself.

In case you missed it, here are the highlights:
Cochran and Lott vote NO to add $390 million for 650 new border patrol agents. Come on, what's the deal? From the Senators that voted against "paygo", what's another $390 million for border security? In this session of Congress, our senators have voted YES to big business (tort reform, bankruptcy bills) and NO to balancing the budget and NO to homeland security. I'm sorry, I don't see that as voting for Mississippians. We can ill afford the social costs of millions of illegal immigrants flooding our medical facilities, school systems, and putting a strain on law enforcement.

Rep. Bennie Thompson voted NO on the Energy Bill. Way to go Bennie! BP/Amoco just reported $30 billion profits in the last quarter, I don't think they need the welfare the Republicans voted them in their House passed Energy Bill. Bennie , also, voted NO for requiring automakers to increase fuel efficiency from 25 mpg to 33 mpg over the next decade. What's up with that Bennie? We need to be less dependent on foreign oil.

Anyhow, with the link to the right of the page you can go to their web sites and tell them what you think.

Happy Earth Day !!!

I know, you forgot, but Red Dog watered his favorite tree today just for you.

I think it is ironic that President Bush's speech on Earth Day got rained out. Just goes to show you that, "You can't fool Mother Nature." Which is sort of a lead in to Red Dogs's Fleas of the Week.

RED DOG'S FLEAS OF THE WEEK

1. U.S. House of Representatives Energy Bill - Did you want cheaper gas prices, a safe and clean environment, alternative energy sources, or did you want to give an additional $12 Billion to oil and energy companies? This is nothing but welfare for the energy companies and gives a "bye" to the refineries that polluted drinking water with MBTE. Nothing but fleas here and another link to Tom DeLay.
2. John Bolton - Normally, Red Dog says the President can appoint who he wants as Cabinet Secretaries and Ambassadors, but the more we hear about this guy, the more he looks like a "loose cannon" and not very Ambassador-like. He may not be a biting flea yet, but if it looks like a flea, walks like a flea.....
3. Delta Regional Medical Center - Did I read that right? If 80% of those seeking medical care go outside the area for that care, then there has to be a flea infestation inside the medical community!
4. Mississippi secret meetings at the Capitol - What do you suppose they are talking about?

O. K. that's the fleas of the week and as always keep scratching!

Happy

Trent Goes Nuclear

What a Jerk! Trent continues to suck up to the party that castrated him over the Strom Thurmond comments. If he has any testosterone left he should thumb his nose at Frist and Dubyah and become his own man. If he's carrying a grudge over the Charles Pickering nomination, he needs to get over it. Would Pickering have made a fine Federal Judge? Probably, but he even took his name out of the running, knowing that the battle over his nomination was not for the overall good of the country.

The abuse of power by this Republican Party is sickening. Federal Judges and particularly Supreme Court Judges deserve the greatest scrutiny, not all of them should be confirmed. The question is whether they should have an up or down vote with a majority or super-majority required. The Republicans had no trouble denying Clinton nominees the chance for an up or down vote by refusing to report them out of committee because they held the majority. The filibuster is the only tool that a minority has to exert influence it should not be denied.

In spite of what Trent and Frist would have you believe, changing the rules for "just judges" is not the end of it. These Republicans have shown that they will bend the rules to suit them whenever it is convenient. As the old saying goes "what goes around comes around", the Republicans will not always have the majority, changing the rule now may not play well in the future.

Trent needs to worry less about his political legacy and do the right thing!

Thanks, Delta Scoop

Thanks for the kind words about this blog and the link on your site to Red Dog. Thanks, also, for keeping up with the "Moment of Truth " meeting and your commentary. From the newspaper accounts and comments from you and your readers, I don't think I missed much. That's not to say it wasn't a worthwhile effort and I agree with you that the people who have the most at stake, the taxpayers, were not able to attend because of the timing. Hopefully another round table discussion can take place that accomodates these citizens.

To my readers: For the best commentary on local Greenville news and politics, click the Mississippi Delta Scoop link on the right side of this blog.

From Malibu to Merigold

Red Dog's back after a long day of travel. Waking up predawn in Southern California to see the sunrise on an L. A. Freeway and see the sunset in the Mississippi Delta while driving the "Blues Highway" from Memphis is something Red Dog is getting too old to do on a regular basis.

Talk about a contrast in two worlds! First of all, there is no such thing as a Los Angeles "Rush Hour" it's traffic 24/7. The locals fondly refer to the highways as "The" as in "The 5" (for Interstate 5) or "The 101" for Highway 101. It's the equivalent of telling someone how to get from Greenville to Cleveland by "Go to The 82 and turn East until you come to The 61 and go North." Don't ask for directions in L.A. unless you speak at least three languages and English doesn't count. Secondly, the scenery is changing in Southern California, the winter rains greened up the mountains which are now turning yellow, just before brown and wildfire material. It won't rain there again until January (Enero). The earth moves there. They keep building stuff, but it's all restricted by codes and covenants. A Blue Box Wal-Mart is a big no-no. Thirdly, no one can afford to live there. Gasoline from $2.57 to $2.68 by Red Dog's research. A pack of Marlboro in Malibu $4.95. (And we gripe about a $.50 cigarette tax.) Real Estate is not Real. $400,000 gets you a box rated just above a dump located outside the Barrio. So, we here in Greenville can be thankful for some things.

What's good about California? It's really all about the weather. Lows 50's, highs 70's, humidity 0%, sunshine all day. Sure there are drawbacks everywhere, but where else can you get a Starbucks Caffe Mocha at 5:30 in the morning? Last evening I ate at Duke's in Malibu, overlooking the Pacific Ocean watching the waves crash in on the rocks and the sun set behind pelicans diving into the water for their dinner. Simply breathtaking. Not quite the same as eating at Fergie's. There's more of everything there and, of course, more people. My son will soon be moving from California, company transfer, and I am sure going to miss going out there. But during those hot and humid summer days, I can at least do some California Dreamin'.

I just wanted to get something together while it was fresh in my tired little mind. I will catch up on what's been going on tomorrow and give a Red Dog view of it later. It's good to be home and my bed is calling my name.

Red Dog's Fleas of the Week

I'm a day early this week because I am leaving for a brief trip to California tomorrow. Probably won't post anything until I get back, but in case I find time and a computer and some news I will leave that option open.

There were a lot of fleas this week, but one major flea for all of us.

1. The IRS - Yes, it has Red Dog scratching the fur off. Does anyone understand the tax code? Way too complicated for the average taxpayer. Filing electronically is nice, but you are never sure if what you are filing is right. That's not the biggest flea though. It's the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax). The Stealth tax, the one the Republicans want you to forget about as you receive your tax cuts. It used to be called the "millionaire's tax", but you don't have to make a lot of money to owe it, just have a lot of deductions. It's part of the middle class squeeze this administration is pushing on the American public. "One for you, nineteen for me....TAXMAAAAANNNNN"
2. Tom Delay - a repeat, but won't go away. Becoming an infestation. Could become the mange. Republicans would do themselves well by getting rid of this flea.
3. The TSA - Ok, I'm still pissed that I can't fly with my BIC.
4. The DDT Editorial Page - What, can't anyone there write an editorial? If it weren't for the McComb Enterprise/Journal and an overblown cartoon there wouldn't be an editorial page. Whatever happened to the good 'ol days when Hodding would really piss the establishment off? I guess no one cares any more. Even the letters are lame.

There were other fleas but many were just circling and not biting yet. If anyone reads this before the Moment of Truth or To Tell the Truth meeting at GHEC, please attend and find out what is going on in Greenville and what these people think can be done. Don't let them give you the everything is looking up and is rosy routine, you know it's not. Hold their feet to the fire.

Red Dog says, "If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes!"

KEEP SCRATCHING

Well, Flick my BIC!

I couldn't believe it but today I got another reason to feel secure. The TSA, in its vigilance to protect me, banned all cigarette lighters on flights. This is especially important to Red Dog since I am flying to California this weekend. I'll have to leave my $1.09 BIC at home lest it become confiscated contraband of the US Government. That's right, all cigarette lighters are officially considered "hazardous material." Now that the TSA has mastered the anti-terror tactis of frisking granny in a wheelchair, they are now after those known sinister terrorist, smokers.

Senators Dorgan and Wyden sponsored the legislation as part of the anti-terror bill passed in 2004. The rationale was that the "shoe bomber" may have succeeded if he had had a BIC. Well, what's the purpose of everyone taking off their smelly shoes and putting them in the plastic tub to be screened? Are they looking for shoe bombs or odor eaters?

Personally, I have never been on a plane that blew up because a butane lighter exploded in someone's jeans. But let's just say that it could happen. Feeling safe now? It gets better. What I can do, in lieu of taking my BIC on board, is bring four (4) books of matches onto the airplane. Which are not classified as "hazardous materials" as long as they aren't the "strike anywhere" type (which never works). Really, I feel less safe with four (4) books of matches crammed in my blue jeans than I do one BIC. The reason that you need to put four books of matches in your pocket is that only two matches per book are "strikers", but all of them are "burners."

It took the book match makers a long time to get back at BIC, but with the help of the Federal Government, they finally did it. Just have fun and remember, "Close Cover Before Striking."

P.S.
Red Dog will publish the "Fleas of the Week" later tonight. So, many candidates this week!

Saddam's in Jail, but I sure don't feel safer!!!

Maybe I'm neurotic, maybe I'm too much of a conspiracy theorist, but maybe I'm right.

Somehow I felt less threatened by Saddam Hussein than I do my own government. The probability of me being killed by a terrorist attack in Greenville is miniscule to, perhaps, being shot in a robbery, or mauled in the mall.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) released the Asian Flu virus around the world. They started shipping in September '04 and found out about it in March '05. An accidental act of terrorism? Could have been. Those born after 1968 would have no immunity from a flu pandemic that killed about 4 million people in the 1950's. Ok, so it got out by mistake as part of a lab certification test and they are sorry. I'm supposed to feel good that it took 4000 labs 6 months to find it? These are the people protecting us from biological warfare, finding a cure for the Avian flu, didn't have enough vaccination for this year's flu epidemic?

It took the FBI, 5 years to capture Eric Rudolph. A right wing terrorist, who apparently didn't like anyone and took it upon himself to blow up abortion clinics and the olympics. Ironic that a miserable waste of protoplasm that killed people in the name of "pro-life" should get a life sentence.

Lexis/Nexis and Choicepoint and who know who else has more information on me than my Mama has and has been giving it out to anyone who asks. Social Security numbers, financial data, medical records, kindergarten grades. The government does not even bother to regulate these bozos. Wonder Why?

But we captured Cat Stevens and turned back a Dutch airline going to Mexico with two arabs on the "Do Not Fly" list aboard. We can't stop 3 million illegal immigrants crossing our borders, not all of them are Mexicans coming in to pick grapes. Not even are they all Mexican.

I'm sure glad that this administration is making me feel safer. I hate to think how neurotic I would be if the other guy won.

A Matter of 'Rithmetic

The Mississippi Legislature has had trouble funding education in Mississippi and Red Dog offers some advice. Mississippi has some 152 +/- school districts for 82 counties. Do we really need that many school districts? In Washington County we are blessed with four (4) school districts with the annual costs of $377,673 just for four superintendents. This covers just one aspect of administrative costs for just 11,457 students, which seems a bit pricey to me. School district consolidation was briefly discussed at the past legislative session and tabled for discussion later. Meaning it was too hot of political potato to discuss. The following is the data for Washington County.

Hollandale School District
Students - 927
2004 Superintendent salary $88,710 or $95.70 per student
Greenville School District -
Students - 7277
2004 Superintendent salary $107,625 or $14.79 per student
Western Line District
Students - 2069
2004 Superintendent salary $106,338 or $51.40 per student
Leland School District
Students - 1184
2004 Superintendent salary $75,000 or $63.34 per student
Total Washington County
Students - 11457
2004 Superintendent Salaries $377,673 or $32.96 per student

It seems to me that Hollandale and Western Line could be consolidated and Greenville and Leland could be consolidated without much difficulty. Except for the political fallout. I’m not a parent, but if I was, I think I would be asking questions of my state representative and senator. Local taxes are receiving additional pressures from the state legislature’s inability to raise revenue or find additional cuts. This looks like a good starting place to me. Maybe some schools could buy a few more rolls of toilet paper.

I Love the Sidestep ...Pivot and Change, Cha, Cha, Cha

In a New York Times piece today regarding the Democrats dilemma on being the minority party and the tactics they may use to block Bush Judicial nominees, Senator Lott was quoted. The excerpt follows:

Senator Trent Lott, the conservative former Republican leader from Mississippi, said that Democrats would face their own backlash if they followed through on their threat to shut down much of the Senate if Republicans changed the rules on filibusters. "When they are blocking bills, it is going to be hard to say we are abusing power," Mr. Lott said.
Still, he added, "I think it is pretty smart for them to say, 'Well, look, we can do to them what Newt Gingrich did to Jim Wright and the House Democrats. And we can do to them on Social Security what they did to us on the health care issue.' " But he indicated that his side had also studied the lessons of 1994, when Mr. Clinton's health care legislation died a very public death in the run-up to the midterm elections and was a major factor in the Democrats' losses.
On Social Security, Mr. Lott said, "At some point, if it is not going to be doable, we are going to pivot and change the subject."
NY Times …04/11/2005

Pivot and change the subject? That speaks volumes for the Senator’s commitment to overhaul Social Security doesn’t it? Well, it seems that the Senator is using the Social Security issue as nothing more than a political issue to gain re-election. I certainly oppose the stand taken by Senator Lott in his two articles supporting the President’s plan for privatizing Social Security through private accounts, but now I’m not sure that he even has a stance. Just because it may not be doable makes it seem like a "flip-flop" issue to me and that his position may not be as strong as he would have us believe. Now, I’m not so naïve to believe that politicians aren’t opportunistic, but Senator, if you don’t believe in the rhetoric you are giving us through your articles, save us from having to guess. At what point do you believe that it is not going to be "doable?" It appears that the Social Security "crisis" is not really a crisis in the Senator’s mind, after all. At least we see a Republican exit strategy on something.

You Blinked!!

The last thing we need is politicians playing "chicken" when the nation's and state's business are at stake. In Mississippi we have no budget because of political gamesmanship and in the Congress we are facing serious consequences over the approval of judges by Republicans using something known as the "nuclear option." Who suffers? We do.

It may seem logical that a simple majority should decide who is approved as judges, but where does that leave the minority rights? Just because one party is in the majority today doesn't mean they are in power after the next election. Or the next. Besides healthy debate and negotiation are good for our republic. According to the Clarion Ledger, our Senators may be divided on support of the "nuclear option." Senator Lott is apparently against invoking the rules changes to allow for a 51 vote for approval. Senator Cochran is leaving his options open. Red Dog applauds Senator Lott if that is his vote and encourages Senator Cochran to vote against the rule change, as well. Only 10 out of 200 Bush appointees have been held up by Democrats. Over 100 Clinton appointees never got brought to a vote because the Republican controlled Judiciary Committe would not bring them up for consideration. It appears to me that there should be room for compromise. Besides, judges appointed for life need to scrutinized very carefully, by both parties.

In the Mississippi government fiasco. The Lieutenant Governor, who changed parties, and the Speaker of the House are deadlocked over fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and consequently approving a state budget. The House wants to increase cigarette taxes by $.50 and some fees and the Lietenant Governor (Barbour mini-me wannabe) will not let the Senate consider any budget that involves tax increases. Meanwhile, Medicare "clawback" provisions on Medicaid will hit the state in 2006 and the minimum payments on the state's $4 Billion debt will make the state's financial picture worse next year.

The U. S. Congress approval rating from the public is around 37%, I suspect the Mississippi Legislature's approval rating is worse than that. They just aren't taking care of business, our business. As much as Conservatives hate "activist" judges, the Mississippi Legislature and the Governor are abdicating the responsibility of funding education to the courts. They are "Inactivist" Executive and Legislative Branches.

Meanwhile the Guv, is soliciting his secret, big business, campaign contributions for the next election, fiddling while Mississipi's Burning.

Somebody, please, Blink!!!!!

Red Dog Salute to....Deltascoop

Go to the deltascoop blog to get a well thought out and written account of the economic woes of Greenville. Seems like when the City wants to help an investor out there are those that cry foul on any moves toward progress. I think this Council and Mayor made a wise decision to spend $40,000 on a turn lane and I salute Deltascoop for coming to their defense.

Red Dog's Fleas of the Week

The following are Red Dog's "Fleas Bites" Awards

1. Mississippi State Government - the whole thing, Governor, Lt. Governor, Senate, House of Representatives for adjourning without approving a budget. High on the list of accomplishments for this session is the "Alligator". Could not come to grips with lack of money to adequately fund state needs. Haley and Tuck refuse to consider taxes or fee increases, House wants $.50 tax increase on cigarettes. "Borrowed" money from the Tobacco Trust Fund to pay Medicaid, no plans for future funding. Renegging on promise to raise teacher's pay. Petty politicking at its worst. We need to cut the fat and raise revenue. No leadership. Red Dog says scratch 'em all off.
2. Terri Schiavo "Talking Points" memo - Republican staffer for Sen. Martinez (R-FL) fesses up, gets fired. Memo politicizes Terri Schiavo as a hot topic for Republicans to exploit. Frist, DeLay, and Bush all look silly when public tells the government to stay out of our personal lives and tragedies.
3. Tom DeLay (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) attack judicial system - DeLay threatens judges with "they will pay, but not today." Cornyn relates violence against judges in Chicago and Atlanta to "judges politicizing". So many fleas here dipping won't help.
4. ACLU disses Minuteman for harassing illegal immigrant along Arizona border - See I told you they are all fair game. Video tape shows Minuteman giving alien water calling the Border Patrol and giving the illegal $20, just for waving a t-shirt. What's Spanish for "flea?"
5. 3rd yet to be built casino announces plans for Greenville - Yippee! A total of five (5) count 'em five (5). Didn't know there was so much discretionary income in Greenville/Washington County. That should be worth at least 15 more payday loan companies. Filling up those vacant buildings fast Greenville.

Red Dog says Keep Scratching!!!!!!!!!!

Back in Control

After wandering all week in the "blogosphere" Red Dog has finally (I think) regained control of his blog. I haven't been able to access my own blog, however, I did manage to post a draft that had the wrong date on it. Could be old technology (Windows 98, dial-up, etc.) or it could be Red Dog's tenacious hard-headed refusal to admit that he needed help! At any rate perseverance seems to have paid off.

On the previous post: I'm leaving it as it is, no need to redo it now. The Senate agreed yesterday to take up the matter before July, so there is time to let Mr. Cochran and Mr. Lott know how you feel about the free trade negative impact on Mississippi jobs and economy. Particulary in dealing with China.

Who do they represent?

Congress is back in session after their Easter break and I had hoped that the Mississippi Delegation (esp. Senators Lott and Cochran) had some time to listen to the folks back home. I guess not. I am truly amazed at how these two continue to justify their senate votes to the people of Mississippi. Let's review the current session. Both voted against you being able to sue large corporations for negligence, a vote for big business. Both voted against you being able to declare bankruptcy in case you are faced with the misfortune of huge medical bills, loss of a job, or divorce. So, if your SUV explodes due to a faulty gas tank and you are severely injured and have medical bills that wipe out all your finances, you get the double whammy. Can't sue, can't file bankruptcy. This was a great vote for the Chamber of Commerce Lobby and the banking industries.

That's not enough. After the Easter recess, our Senators had the opportunity yesterday to vote to require the President to impose a tariff of 27.5% on Chinese imports if China did not take immediate steps to revalue their currency, which is currently pegged against the dollar. This gives the Chinese unfair advantage in trading with the U. S. You guessed right they both voted against the measure, however, the measure did survive with 67 Senators voting on the measure. My question to our Senators is "Why?"

The U. S. Trade Deficit in 2004 was $666.2 billion, of that amount the deficit with China was $161.9 billion, a 30.6% increase over 2003. Much of this deficit is due to the Chinese refusal to properly value the yuan which economists place at somewhere between 15% and 40% less than the dollar. In addition to our deficit with China, the Chinese government owns a good portion of the U.S. debt. This windfall allows the Chinese government the capital to build up their military to the point where they will eventually rival the U.S. and become the main military power in Asia.

I think it is time for the voters in Mississippi to begin questioning the motives behind our Senators' votes. Write them and tell them you want them to represent you first. The debate over the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will be coming up in a few weeks. You can bet our Senators will be there to vote for outsourcing more of our Mississippi jobs.

Former Greenvillians Speak

These are some of the comments reflected on this blog and e-mails Red Dog has received so far:

There seems to be a basic problem with money flow in Greenville. Those that's got it don't want to give it to City Hall or anyone else for that matter. Understandable given the political climate at present. The issue of re-vitalizing downtown Greenville has been a topic for discussion lately. Now I'm not too familiar with the situation there since I moved away some years ago, but I return every now and then hoping to see progress, but not finding any. This is perplexing to say the least. It is inconceivable to me that they (politicos) want to re-vitalize downtown when they can't keep the streets repaired properly. Another mystery is what happens to the taxes generated by the casino on Lake Ferguson. Surely some of this money could be put to better use unless it is disappearing "under the table". As most of us know by now, downtown revitalization takes a very real commitment of time, creativity, and resources. Perseverance comes to mind also. It ani't gonna happen without real leadership by a "mover and shaker" that is trusted by ALL of the citizens. folks, we're talking years, not weeks or days. even worse there are no guarantees of success. A lot of the business people have to take risks that they probably will be uncomfortable with given the present circumstances. On the other hand they can roll up the streets and turn out the lights and let a city that was once the "queen city of the Delta" pass into oblivion. I hope not!!
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Not wanting to put myself in the way of abuse (we Southerners have a way - sometimes unkindly - of letting others know what we think),I will go by Dee. Having grown up in Greenville, the overwhelming negative that I get whenever we come back to Greenville for a visit or drive through is the deteriorated look in every direction, either on Highway 82 or on Highway 1. It is as though the merchants don't care - nobody cares. there are weeds growing everywhere, very rarely are there any trees, schrubs, flowers, but there is always plenty of litter. Buildings seems to be needing paint and repair..... I hate that feeling, but I don't believe I could bear living there again. And, I have always felt that I could make myself home anywhere. What you see as you enter town is the lasting impression you have as you leave. What I DO like is what they have done with the Welcome center and that area around with its flowers and landscaping, etc. There are likely other lovely areas too, but I rarely stay long enough to look further that what I see as I come in and out.
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I suggest finding SIGNFICANT financing to create a mall on the river and its bank.Of course this idea may be all wet.
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A major new mall south of town near Warfield Landing might have promise. Access to Arkansas, etc. Combine lure of the river with commercial enterprise!!!!!!!
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It was with great sadness that we left Greenville after 40-something years. However, we have dear friends and family still there. We have business interests and come back often. However, with the outrageous rise is taxes, the business are in the process of being sold.Instead of looking forward to our trips to Greenville, I have started to dread seeing the demise of a lovely city.The loss of Kings Daughters Hospital is one more blow to the city. Quality seems to decline if there is no competition. It is of great concern that DRMC (which has been involved in deceptive practices in the past i.e. Burn Center) has promised no job cuts, or salary reduction and then immediately did both. This combined with the tax loss will prove to be a significant change for the worse.I pray for some uplifting news soon so that my family might feel more secure and the community can once again prosper.
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Red Dog says: You really can't go home again. It's the same house I grew up in, the street hasn't changed much but this is not my "home." I look at my friends here who have never moved and I wonder "Is is worse to have lived here all your life, and not know of anything better, or to have experienced better and move back?" I'm leaning to the latter.

What I read above is that money could fix a lot of things, just showing small successes in the infrastructure would be a big step forward, the overall appearance is a detractor, and a lack of confidence in leadership and suspicion of others' motives continue to plague Greenville.

I think we can be hopeful but not overly optimistic. Let me continue to hear from you.

"Lott - O" Security

Senator Trent Lott is back again with his weekly column plugging the President's Social Security Plan. Do you notice how Conservatives (his label) talk down to us common folks? Since we apparently missed the point of his first article in February, he tries a new approach. He compares Social Security to an old tractor using a lot of oil. I can picture 'Ol Trent in his coveralls and straw hat standing by a tractor with a can of oil (imported oil of course, which is now about $3 a quart) in his hand wondering which end of the tractor the oil goes. In his other hand is perhaps a cell phone where he is talking to President George to get instructions on how to put the oil in the tractor. President George is no help because he asks 'Ol Trent, "What oil?"

Of course, Mr. Lott knows this tractor has been running along fine for years and feels its time for an overhaul. His idea of overhaul is to rip out some parts and add some more parts, hopefully parts that don't require oil. By doing so, he can cut back on the acreage the tractor can cover and use less oil. Since he has already spent last year's crop allotment, he discovers that he can charge the repairs on a credit card. An " Overhaul now Pay later" scheme. He can even pass the tractor, and the credit card debt along to his heirs. The kids are elated that they got the tractor, it's just the $13 Trillion credit card debt that's got them confused.

Senator Lott still offers no explanation of how the private accounts work or how he proposes to pay for them. He wants us to believe that we would have the same benefits that Senators and government workers have in their retirement plan. We should all be so lucky as to have the Senate retirement plan, and the ThriftPlan is the same as a 401 (k). He leaves out the part that in addition to those government plans, yep, you guessed it they also get a social security check. You know, if he really cared about us and the 45 million Americans without health insurance, he would give us the same health plan the Senators get.

The Senator from Lockheed-Martin is not concerned about your or my social security. He feels that with an election coming up he can campaign on "no new taxes", but the debt he and his congressional buddies continue to pile up are future taxes for our children and grandchildren. With his plan we would be better off taking the money and buying lottery tickets in Tennessee or Louisiana. If you get lucky and win the Powerball, you won't need Social Security.

Drop 'Ol Trent a line and tell him how you feel, agree or not. Good luck on getting a reply from "our Senator." Of course, it probably helps if you send in a donation.