By Tim Philbin
Remember the last election?
Like who could forget! It went on for about 200 years.
Remember the slogan of the now president elect? Every time he spoke he said it. It was the basis for his "throw the bums out" populist appeal to voters. He even blamed his opponent for being one of "them" - whatever them was.
People fawned all over the guy because he represented "change". Yes, he was the "change" candidate. He was going to "change" the culture of Washington. He promised "change" for the little guy, the forgotten, the hard working tax payer by making the rich fat cats pay more.
Maybe those who voted for him should have read the sign more carefully. That was CHANGE with a small "c".
Well guess what happened to the change guy? He changed!
President elect Obama has been surrounding himself with Washington insiders, Wall Street advisers and big money men (some who were behind the financial meltdown we are now facing) and has already started speaking about scaling back some of the changes he touted so loudly during the campaign.
I hate to say I told you so but... the more hings change the more they remain the same.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Man With A Plan
By Tim Philbin
So where's the plan??
During his campaign for re-election Gov. Jim Douglas said he was the "only" candidate with a plan to revitalize Vermont's economy.
Really!? So where is it?
I don't know what the Governor is waiting for. In case he has not heard another local business has just announced they will be laying off almost one hundred of its current work force. That's half the folks that work there.
Not good news , especially with the holidays a couple of weeks away.
With revenue to the state down, young people moving out, jobs disappearing, costs to live here going up and taxes on the rise people are wondering where and when will this plan kick in.
There is a need for leadership to to change the perception that this state is not "open for business".
So where's the plan??
During his campaign for re-election Gov. Jim Douglas said he was the "only" candidate with a plan to revitalize Vermont's economy.
Really!? So where is it?
I don't know what the Governor is waiting for. In case he has not heard another local business has just announced they will be laying off almost one hundred of its current work force. That's half the folks that work there.
Not good news , especially with the holidays a couple of weeks away.
With revenue to the state down, young people moving out, jobs disappearing, costs to live here going up and taxes on the rise people are wondering where and when will this plan kick in.
There is a need for leadership to to change the perception that this state is not "open for business".
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Doing The Wright Thing
By Tim Philbin
Burlington City Council president Kurt Wright is insisting that a private company come before city leaders and explain their latest marketing scheme.
At issue are pictures on Burton snow boards of Playboy centerfolds (never mind that you can't see much). The council, under Wright's direction voted 12 - 1 in favor of a resolution calling upon the local company to come before the group with an explanation and get an earful from various community organizations that don't like the pictures.
According to Mr. Wright the city council has a "responsibility" to put pressure on businesses to do the right thing.
Oh really?
And what is or better yet who will decide what is the "right" thing for each business to do?
Maybe in a socialist state governmental agencies can appoint themselves the ultimate power to oversee the private sector. In our society the market will decide.
If potential buyers find the pictures so offensive they won't buy the product and thereby forcing the company to change their marketing and design programs.
Until then the Burton snow board company should use the age old argument that as been the cry by many on the left that they are merely expressing "artistic free speech".
That may not work because it's not the "Wright"thing to do.
Burlington City Council president Kurt Wright is insisting that a private company come before city leaders and explain their latest marketing scheme.
At issue are pictures on Burton snow boards of Playboy centerfolds (never mind that you can't see much). The council, under Wright's direction voted 12 - 1 in favor of a resolution calling upon the local company to come before the group with an explanation and get an earful from various community organizations that don't like the pictures.
According to Mr. Wright the city council has a "responsibility" to put pressure on businesses to do the right thing.
Oh really?
And what is or better yet who will decide what is the "right" thing for each business to do?
Maybe in a socialist state governmental agencies can appoint themselves the ultimate power to oversee the private sector. In our society the market will decide.
If potential buyers find the pictures so offensive they won't buy the product and thereby forcing the company to change their marketing and design programs.
Until then the Burton snow board company should use the age old argument that as been the cry by many on the left that they are merely expressing "artistic free speech".
That may not work because it's not the "Wright"thing to do.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Great Way To Say ThankYou
By Tim Philbin
I came across this Associated Press news story and think it well worth repeating on this forum.
Would you like to send a holiday greeting to a GI, but aren't sure how to do it?
The American Red Cross can help. The Red Cross is launching its Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign today, allowing people to send their cards with a message of thanks and cheer.
The cards will be screened for hazardous materials, sort and packaged then delivered to military bases and hospitals, veteran's hospitals, and other locations during the holidays.
They must be received by December 10th to insure delivery by Christmas.
Send you mail to:
I came across this Associated Press news story and think it well worth repeating on this forum.
Would you like to send a holiday greeting to a GI, but aren't sure how to do it?
The American Red Cross can help. The Red Cross is launching its Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign today, allowing people to send their cards with a message of thanks and cheer.
The cards will be screened for hazardous materials, sort and packaged then delivered to military bases and hospitals, veteran's hospitals, and other locations during the holidays.
They must be received by December 10th to insure delivery by Christmas.
Send you mail to:
Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
A great way for us to thank those who guarantee our safety and security.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Who's To Blame?
By Tim Philbin
It's been twenty four hours since a new President has been chosen and already the planning for the next election has begun.
I know what you're probably thinking, this was the longest campaign in U.S. history. That may be true, but just like the World Series the big game may be over yet the preparation for the next one is underway.
As part of that process both the democrats and republicans will try to figure out the successes and failures of their respective campaign strategies. At GOP headquarters resignations are the order of the day. On the Dem's side it's who will get a piece of the brass ring.
Maybe I can offer some help.
Obama won and McCain lost over the "vision thing". Obama had one. McCain either didn't, couldn't articulate it or changed it during the coarse of his ill fated try for the White House.
For their part the Dems found the Reagan play book read it, understood it, made it their own and now control the executive, legislative and soon the judicial branches. You may not like the vision but they executed their strategic plan brilliantly.
So you GOPers must understand that your future is not in looking like the other guy but articulating a vision that is distinct, based in principles and easily identified by the American people. In short, stop trying to be "democrat light" and revive the Reagan Revolution.
It's been twenty four hours since a new President has been chosen and already the planning for the next election has begun.
I know what you're probably thinking, this was the longest campaign in U.S. history. That may be true, but just like the World Series the big game may be over yet the preparation for the next one is underway.
As part of that process both the democrats and republicans will try to figure out the successes and failures of their respective campaign strategies. At GOP headquarters resignations are the order of the day. On the Dem's side it's who will get a piece of the brass ring.
Maybe I can offer some help.
Obama won and McCain lost over the "vision thing". Obama had one. McCain either didn't, couldn't articulate it or changed it during the coarse of his ill fated try for the White House.
For their part the Dems found the Reagan play book read it, understood it, made it their own and now control the executive, legislative and soon the judicial branches. You may not like the vision but they executed their strategic plan brilliantly.
So you GOPers must understand that your future is not in looking like the other guy but articulating a vision that is distinct, based in principles and easily identified by the American people. In short, stop trying to be "democrat light" and revive the Reagan Revolution.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I Want It Now
By Tim Philbin
Have you been listening to the morning after election spin doctors about the Obama promises?
Now we are being told that all the goodies that were promised may "take time" to deliver. After all we have an economy in shambles, a terrible deficit, and are fighting a war on two fronts .
Excuse me?!
Less then twenty four hours after wining a landslide victory over the "failed policies of George Bush" by promising "change" from the old to the new, a vision of "hope" that will fix Washington so all people will benefit not just some, we are now being told - not so fast.
Sorry it doesn't work that way.
According to some of his own promises President elect Obama has said that 95 % of all Americans are going to get a tax cut (not to mention another stimulus check from the government). People who are in foreclosure will get a house, no more oil from the Middle East, there is going to be help paying for the gas in your car, free or discounted cars and since health care is right - free health care, oh yes and free college too. And there's lots more.
Since we are also promised a break from the failed policies of the past, no more promising and not delivering.
I WANT IT NOW! All of it. And please have it delivered in the next four years.
How is the new President going to deliver on this "change" ? Well, according to the most recent census the majority of rich people live in democratic districts (and paying more taxes is a patriotic thing to do) rich democrats should start paying up.
The reality is the more things change chances are that the more they will remain the same.
Have you been listening to the morning after election spin doctors about the Obama promises?
Now we are being told that all the goodies that were promised may "take time" to deliver. After all we have an economy in shambles, a terrible deficit, and are fighting a war on two fronts .
Excuse me?!
Less then twenty four hours after wining a landslide victory over the "failed policies of George Bush" by promising "change" from the old to the new, a vision of "hope" that will fix Washington so all people will benefit not just some, we are now being told - not so fast.
Sorry it doesn't work that way.
According to some of his own promises President elect Obama has said that 95 % of all Americans are going to get a tax cut (not to mention another stimulus check from the government). People who are in foreclosure will get a house, no more oil from the Middle East, there is going to be help paying for the gas in your car, free or discounted cars and since health care is right - free health care, oh yes and free college too. And there's lots more.
Since we are also promised a break from the failed policies of the past, no more promising and not delivering.
I WANT IT NOW! All of it. And please have it delivered in the next four years.
How is the new President going to deliver on this "change" ? Well, according to the most recent census the majority of rich people live in democratic districts (and paying more taxes is a patriotic thing to do) rich democrats should start paying up.
The reality is the more things change chances are that the more they will remain the same.
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