2014 MSP Polar Bear Plunge (8am Super Plunge

The Maryland State Polices' 2014 Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park was cancelled for the pubic plunges.  The Super Plungers still were able to take their plunges.  Super Plungers take the plunge every hour on the hour for 24 hours straight.  These are brave men and women who are able to accomplish an amazing task. 

This event raises money for the Special Olympics.  The money goes to purchase equipment and support the amazing athletes who overcome many challenges everyday to train for their respected sports. 

The weather did not cooperate this year.  Below freezing temperatures accompanied by high winds and snow storms is what this years' event faced.  For the safety of the 7,000 plungers who were scheduled to take the plunge at 1pm and 3pm, they decided to cancel their plunges. 

This short video shows a few of the super plungers braving the icy waters.  As I filmed this, my hand was unbelievably cold.  I couldn't even feel my hand for 5 minutes after going back into the heated tent.  I could only imagine how the Super Plungers felt. 

Good job Super Plungers! 

Target Cuts Health Care Benefits to its Employees

Today, Target has joined a long list of companies that decided to cut health care benefits to its employees.  Target says that part time employees can find health care benefits on the government exchanges and will no longer pay for their benefits as of April 1, 2014.  They will give them a one-time payment of $500 to supplement their costs. 

The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is forcing companies to make the easy choice of simply dropping employees from company sponsored plans and forcing individuals to fend for themselves on government exchanges. 

I believe more companies will drop benefits to employees as they learn that the fines for not covering employees are smaller than the cost of covering employees. 

This is an alarming trend that I hope stops.  What are your thoughts?

 

 

Trans Fat...Illegal?

Today the US Government announced that is wants to make Trans fats illegal.  I find it ironic that a government that has been pushing to make things like marijuana legal is now trying to make a food additive illegal. 

I guess the government doesn’t care if we fry our brains from drug use as long as we don’t get fat.  Our government really needs to check its priorities. 

Personally, I believe the government has gone way too far with dictating what we eat or drink.  Many local governments have imposed sugar taxes, bottle taxes and limits on the size of certain beverages.  The government claims these measures are aimed at discouraging destructive behaviors.  But is that the real reason or is it something else?

Money or tax revenue is the true reason for all these new restrictions or taxes.  The government knows that people aren’t going to give up sugar, cigarettes or alcohol so they know that the government will be able to recognize a steady stream of income from these taxes. 

But let’s assume the government actually cares about our well being.  If they do, then when the Affordable Care Act goes into effect we will have a whole host of new taxes on products that the government thinks are destructive to our health.  The reason…because if the government is supplying health care by way of supplementing low wage earners, they will have to find new raise revenues to support this. 

So what do you think about the government making Trans fat illegal?

The hypocrisy of a Government Shutdown! (How to fix it)

The hypocrisy of a Government Shutdown!

The United States Government Shutdown its non-essential operations on October 1, 2013.  Some 800,000 Federal employees are left hanging in limbo while the 535 members of Congress and the President, who are considered essential, fight like children on a playground. 

The irony of this situation is that Congress and the President will receive their paychecks regardless of the outcome.  In the past when the Government shuts down, Federal employees have gotten back pay for these shutdown days.  Ultimately, who looses are those who are not Federal employees.  Those who own and work in these communities with a large number of Federal building, tourism business, and consumer base businesses. 

I, myself have suffered as a non Federal employee.  I work for a company that makes deliveries throughout the Washington DC area.  I was told to stay at home today.  This is a day off without pay for me and regardless of the outcome of the government shutdown; I will not receive back pay for this day like those Federal worker will receive.

Now I am not one who identifies problems without offering solutions.  Here is my solution to this problem and all problems in this country;

• First, Congress and the President should have to run for election and re-election as a non-party affiliate the way politicians in Ocean City, MD do.  This will require citizens to look at each individual politician’s views and record instead of their party lines as qualification.  
• All bills and laws passed by Congress will automatically apply to members and their families.
• All bills and laws must be less than 50 pages long! (original bill for the ACA was 2,500 pages now its 20,000 pages of legislation) So that politicians can read the bill before voting on it.
• All members of Congress must vote Ya or Na on each bill.  The American people did not put you in office to sit on the sidelines or take a neutral position to advance your political career. 
• Any member that does not vote on a bill will be banned from voting on the next bill as punishment unless there was a medical reason for not voting.  If that same member misses any further votes s/he will be removed from Congress immediately. 
• Congress would not be allowed to approve spending beyond revenue.  The only exception to this would be in cases of emergencies like an outbreak of war or some drastic economic situation. 

If these requirements were in place before October 1, 2013 I believe that the government would not be shutdown.  Americans would be proud of their leaders instead of ashamed of them.  And businesses would be running smoothly. 

 

What do you Think? 

 

 

"Green Eggs and Ham" On the Senate Floor!

Senator Ted Cruz has stood on the Senate floor for more than 19 hours to delay a vote on health care reform.  His actions are seen by many as an attempt to only delay the inevitable.  The vote will most likely take place later this afternoon as Senator Cruz's filibuster is not a full-proof strategy. 

Senator Cruz at one point last night read a bed time story to his daughter's from the Senate floor.  He choose the classic Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham".  It is no surprise that this was the talking point on every major news organization in the nation.  You can't turn on a single news program today without at least a mention of "Green Eggs and Ham". 

Regardless of the outcome of this vote, Senator Cruz has certainly made a name for himself.  He has raised concerns over the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).  These concerns are shared by many Americans across the country who are nervous about what the plan will mean for healthcare costs and jobs. 
 
Follow me on twitter @koolguyj for updates on this issue and others. 

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN!!! De Ja Vu All Over Again!

With the threat of a government shutdown just a little more than a week away, both parties in Congress don’t seem to be making any progress.  Each side blaming the other and stuck in the middle are the American people.  This is not a new story by any means.  In fact, this same story seems to play out every few months like a stuck record. 

The contention this time, just like the last time, is the debt ceiling.  Democrats want Republicans to approve an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling.  Republicans are using the opportunity to try to de-fund the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and are threatening not to approve the debt ceiling hike without cutting Obama Care. 

Some argue that the debt ceiling is simply approving the government to pay bills already racked up by Congress; others argue that government spending is out of control and if Congress approves the debt ceiling hike it will only encourage more senseless spending. 

So why are we having this debate again and again?  The reason is because Congress can’t work together to cut a long-term deal on this issue.  Each side is too interested in playing politics.  So they scare the public with “The Sky is falling” speeches and gain attention on every 5 o’clock news organization.  These politicians will soak up attention every chance they get.  They will take this situation to the deadline again before passing another continuing resolution (CR).  This CR will give each side another platform in a few more months for another showdown and another chance to take the big stage to pump up their bases.   

Regardless of what happens a little more than a week from now, the country will not fail due to this debate.  Both sides will give a little and we will get to see this play out again in a few more months. 

What do you think will happen with this current debt ceiling debate?  What will be the solution?  Who will win?

Putin Calls Obama's Bluff

President Obama was outplayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  President Obama has made many missteps in his presidency.  Mostly it has been Obama’s words that have caused the biggest headaches for his administration. 

Putin, a former KGB agent, is a master at highlighting and taking advantage of his adversaries’ weaknesses.  There is no doubt that Putin was licking his lips when Obama made the famous “Red Line” comment about Syria on August 20, 2012. 

Putin knew that Obama would not act on his treats of military action because it would be political suicide in a nation that is skeptical of war.  Obama was relying on the threat of military action to deter Syria, but it failed last month when Syria finally used chemical weapons against its own people.   Obama never had a plan of military action and Putin knew this.  Putin’s has made Obama seem like a bully who only wants to fight and ignore peaceful options.  Obama needs to learn not to give ultimatums if he is not ready and willing to act on them.  But this is not the first time Obama’s words have come back to bite him.

On July 22, 2009 shortly after taking office, Obama criticized a Cambridge police officer (James Crowley) for arresting his friend (Professor Henry Louis Gates).  Obama should have learned that as the President of the United State his words are powerful and influential.  His words and speeches need to be crafted in a way that considers possible outcomes and consequences.  Being the leader of the free world is not easy.  Being a good leader of the free world is even harder. 

Putin has used Obama’s missteps as an opportunity to propel his image and Russia’s image as a better alternative to the US strategy on international politics.  This is a win for Putin and Russia. 

Putin and Russia managed to come out of this situation smelling like a rose while Obama came out smelling like something entirely different!  Obama may be in his second term as President of the United States but he still has a lot to learn about politics!

What do you think?  Did Obama make a big mistake?