Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Can the USA Run Like a Business?

When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers must find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well.

Wall street, and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus. Our government should not be immune from similar risks.

These ideas might help the USA reach financial stability:

Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members.

Reduce Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State). Then, reduce their staff by 25%.

Accomplish this over the next 8 years(two steps/two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.

Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:

$44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay/member/ yr.)

$97,175,000 for elimination of their staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)

$240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion/yr.

The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country!

We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.

Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)

A Note:
Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we had 3 senators that were not doing their jobs for the 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have accepted full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.

Summary of opportunity:

$44,108,400 reduction of congress members.

$282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.

$150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.

$59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members.

$37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.

$7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.

$8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that's $8 BILLION just to start!)

Big business does these types of cuts all the time.

If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits, tax payers could save a bundle. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term..

IF you are happy with how Congress spends our taxes, ignore this message. Otherwise, I assume you know what to do.

REVISED ARTICLES TO THE CONSTITUTION

A NEW PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION 

Times are changing, and this news writer thinks that it's time to make some revisions to the preamble and to a few articles of the United States Constitution.

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetter's. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth.. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended.. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair..

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (Lastly....)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will?

Update to the Kansas Chiefs September 1, 2009

Well, it has certainly been an interesting coupe of days for

the Kansas City Chiefs. There have been a number of what I would consider fairly significant moves over the past 48 hours. They are as follows:

-Head Coach, Todd Haley, demoted Chan Gailey and took over the Offensive Coordinator duties. Now, in addition to assuming the duties of Head Coach, he will also take over the play calling. Haley was the Offensive Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals last year before coming to Kansas City.

-The Chiefs began the day by releasing veteran Defensive Lineman, Alfonso Boone. Boone, a 2-year visitor in Kansas City, was one of the more surprising moves of the day. That being said, rookie Defensive Lineman Tyson Jackson must be getting the job done along with his college team mate Glenn Dorsey and Ron Edwards.

-With rumors speculating that QB Matt Cassel will be out for 2-4 weeks with undisclosed injuries, Coach Haley announced that Brodie Croyle will start at Quarterback on Thursday night for the Chiefs fourth and final pre-season game against the St. Louis Rams. This should make this year's Governor's Cup quite interesting.

-Today was the cut off date for all NFL team's to cut their rosters to 75 players. The Chiefs showed another sign of their ability to manipulate the system under the new regime. The Chiefs cut WR Amani Toomer and afore mentioned DL Alfonso Boone. They placed T Cameron Goldberg on waivers. RB Kolby Smith was placed on the Reserve/PUP list (physically unable to perform). Lastly, the Chiefs placed WR Devard Darling on IR (injured reserve). Unfortunate, because it was widely speculated that Darling would be the other starting wide receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe.


For those getting excited about the 2009 season, I would suggest making sure you have a great tailgate because it's going to be ugly. While the attitude around the team seems to have improved, the talent and execution haven't. The offensive line (and I use that term loosely) won't be able to stop anyone. They have been the reason for injury to every QB since Trent Green. Then again, we really don't have a QB worth protecting anyways. Bowe is the only semi-legit Wide Receiver we have and it only will last as long as his work ethic will. The defense still looks like Swiss cheese. Once again, the kickers will be the Chiefs MVPs and may be able to run for president.

DISCLAIMER

This is a legally confirmed "open forum" website that is not responsible for any content posted within. The opinions, articles and comments on this site do not reflect the opinions of the owner of this site, or it's subsidiaries.