Once again, the county is faced with a “crisis” in land use planning. This time it’s “too much work and not enough people.” Based on the frequent use of consultants in the past by Department of Community Development, I do not see any basis for the declared concern. Perhaps the real crisis is we don’t have the funds to wast e by hiring a consulting firm to complete what should be routine work.
There have been a couple of recent economic “indicators” that have resulted in some “Obamanomics” experts to declare an end to the worst recession since the Great Depression.
There have been a couple of recent economic “indicators” that have resulted in some “Obamanomics” experts to declare an end to the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Imagine my surprise when I received an official Kitsap County Voter’s Pamphlet in my mailbox. What was once declared a thing of the past because of cost, to be replaced by a more modern “electronic” pamphlet, has found its way from the budget waste bin to our homes. Might I add the Voter’s Pamphlet came just in time.
The economy and social welfare of the United States, and each resident thereof, is deeply reliant on the availability of low-cost, reliable energy. The major consumer of energy is industry, which relates to individual employment and the goods and services that support our standard of living. The second-largest consumer of energy is transportation, which relates to the ability to move workers to and from employment and the ability to move goods and services throughout the country. Energy is at the heart of food production, home construction, health services, education and every other vital aspect of our life. As much as oxygen is essential to the sustainability of our individual life, energy is essential to our national and social survival. Thus it is absolutely critical each and every one of us understand the potential impacts of “energy policies” created by elected officials and supported by small groups of single interest activists.
The economy and social welfare of the United States, and each resident thereof, is deeply reliant on the availability of low-cost, reliable energy. The major consumer of energy is industry, which relates to individual employment and the goods and services that support our standard of living. The second-largest consumer of energy is transportation, which relates to the ability to move workers to and from employment and the ability to move goods and services throughout the country. Energy is at the heart of food production, home construction, health services, education and every other vital aspect of our life. As much as oxygen is essential to the sustainability of our individual life, energy is essential to our national and social survival. Thus it is absolutely critical each and every one of us understand the potential impacts of “energy policies” created by elected officials and supported by small groups of single interest activists.
I just returned from a 14-day, 3,300-mile road trip visiting points in western Canada, Montana and Wyoming. The real purpose of the trip was to play with model trains in Edmonton, Alberta. My wife expanded the itinerary to include visits to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. It was really hard to take. Oh, sure! Getting to play with trains for four days would have been enough. Getting up close and personal with a large variety of the Northwest’s finest wildlife was the icing on the cake. But it was not all fun. No matter where I go, I somehow seem to observe things that are a bit unusual.
Political decisions are based on individual core principles that should be inviolate and not subject to compromise. Our reaction to issues, things politicians like to have us concentrate on, should be directly tied to our core values, the issue decisions we make and the people we elect should be a positive reflection of our principles. It’s time to stop accepting candidates that require us to “hold our nose” and “vote for the lesser of evils.” If a candidate does not reflect your principles, how could they ever possibly represent you?
Political decisions are based on individual core principles that should be inviolate and not subject to compromise. Our reaction to issues, things politicians like to have us concentrate on, should be directly tied to our core values, the issue decisions we make and the people we elect should be a positive reflection of our principles. It’s time to stop accepting candidates that require us to “hold our nose” and “vote for the lesser of evils.” If a candidate does not reflect your principles, how could they ever possibly represent you?
Our president addressed Congress and the nation last week to explain his proposal to rescue health care. I listened closely. I came away even more puzzled by what he did not say than by what he did say. The president told us his proposal would do several things and would not do some others. I want to check his facts.
Our president addressed Congress and the nation last week to explain his proposal to rescue health care. I listened closely. I came away even more puzzled by what he did not say than by what he did say. The president told us his proposal would do several things and would not do some others. I want to check his facts.
I am sure the majority of us are growing just a bit weary of the continued bashing and minimizing of those who oppose the government takeover of health care. The arguments against the opponents accuse them of being rowdy and saying critical things to our representatives. Not much substance is offered on why we should go forward with the proposed changes. The declining numbers of those favoring absolute destruction of the best health care system in the world in order to “save it” seem to argue that “we have to do it.” Sorry, but that doesn’t cut the mustard in honest debate. As a participant in the best-run government health care system in the world, I have yet to be convinced we should expand that system and force it on all.
I am sure the majority of us are growing just a bit weary of the continued bashing and minimizing of those who oppose the government takeover of health care. The arguments against the opponents accuse them of being rowdy and saying critical things to our representatives. Not much substance is offered on why we should go forward with the proposed changes. The declining numbers of those favoring absolute destruction of the best health care system in the world in order to “save it” seem to argue that “we have to do it.” Sorry, but that doesn’t cut the mustard in honest debate. As a participant in the best-run government health care system in the world, I have yet to be convinced we should expand that system and force it on all.
Here we are once again at the end of a full season of celebration, proud of who we are and why we are residents of the finest county in the state. What began in April comes to a joyful conclusion this weekend. The children are back in school, vacation memories are being packed away and we begin to ready ourselves for the days to grow shorter, the nights to grow longer and the pellet stove output to replace window fan cooling. But the experiences we leave behind are fond memories and ones worth taking another look at.
Here we are once again at the end of a full season of celebration, proud of who we are and why we are residents of the finest county in the state. What began in April comes to a joyful conclusion this weekend. The children are back in school, vacation memories are being packed away and we begin to ready ourselves for the days to grow shorter, the nights to grow longer and the pellet stove output to replace window fan cooling. But the experiences we leave behind are fond memories and ones worth taking another look at.
There is so much of great import going on in the nation and the world today that most of us…
There is so much of great importance going on in the nation and the world today that most of us have little time to consider what may be more important close to home. Lest we forget in the major political embroilment about what “health care reform” might look like or if it should even be considered, there are related issues here at home that need our attention.
There is so much of great importance going on in the nation and the world today that most of us have little time to consider what may be more important close to home. Lest we forget in the major political embroilment about what “health care reform” might look like or if it should even be considered, there are related issues here at home that need our attention.
Just Jack for Aug. 21, 2009.
Over the past 12 months or so, there has been a lot of activity by our (yes, it really is ours) federal government to prevent the financial systems of the world from collapsing, shore up the American (and global) economy and “save or create” (pick a number) of jobs. Now might be a good time to take a hard look at results achieved and who is going to be handed the bills. One thing to question as we go through some of the actions and unintended consequences (at least for average Americans) is how government was empowered to do some of the things they have done.
