Opinions, Opinions, and more Opinions!

      People I am sorry for not blogging much lately, but been busy reading and hearing every one giving their Opinion on everything!
      One wonders who one should listen to? In the USA it is one opinion after another and conservative vs liberal, media gone wild, attacks on Politicians etc. I have not wanted to give my opinion for fear someone would get shot and I would be to blame as out of the park that that sounds, but has been used in the press! If you know me I am conservative. Now be careful as that Word means one thing in Britain and another in USA! Being branded a conservative lately gets you boxed into a hole that I feel is not big enough for my Opinions! I would surprise people if I told you yes I am a Republican, but I vote for the PERSON not the party and was glad when Ct. got rid of the party lever! I only wish that we could vote for a representative that does just that "represents the people" of  whom elected them. That is not the case is it? You would think that our representatives would be bound by the very Constitution that created their body of government, but that is a question as well! I for one think the Constitution is a document that speaks! It limits and opens the most important opinions in this democracy. It so defines  the very nature of our social contract. In the last few days Obama made this clear that we should act in the expectation of government that was in the heart of a 9 year old girl killed in Ar. shooting ! Do we really act in the very nature of our founding fathers? Constitutionalism is a cry for a political philosophy that reforms! It is self regulating and calls (unlike the Dem. view of government) for a minimization of government !  A conservative view, if you like, of government.
      I have given my opinion of late on Face Book! That can spark a flood of either more opinions or a insult of  hate! I have been well noted in my opinion of Obama! I feel that his actions have gone out of center when it comes to the Constitution! If anything some of his actions have bridged on  what representation means! He bowed to the Emperor of Japan! Some people say that that was respect, but NO president has ever bowed to a foreign leader! The President represents us! Therefore he bowed us to this Emperor! This was an insult to this nation! It was also an insult to the many men and women that fought in the Pacific during WWII. But sometimes public opinion has changed him as well! He was asked why he did not wear a flag on his lapel   ...his reply was that for him it represented a "substitute for true patriotism." This retreated as he returned to wearing it and still does! As our representative he excepted the Nobel Peace Prize for What? That even amazed his own staff and at this years Peace Prize was the wonderment of BBC commentators as well!!! Well I will note that this conservative was pleased with the words of Obama at Ar. in the wake of the shooting there. He refrained from making it political, but placed it back on the people both sacrificed or wounded or even on us who are their brothers and sisters! It made me think of another good auditor from Ill.  that came to Gettysburg saying "it is for us the living" that should be "dedicated."....we should live in the expectation of government that was in the heart of  a nine year old. Jesus too reflected this in saying that children have words of wisdom. Adults need to these days be humbled not reflecting the spirit of hate in their opinions. Again I have heard this in both the American and British Press. I gave my opinions this week saying that the shooting in Ar. was not political and I have often given my opinion on other things and for it I had one individual from North Wales now living in the USA insult me by saying that I am not a Christian, ashamed that I am or pretending to be Welsh, a name dropper (mind you if I drop a name I know that person) So opinion gets you hate rather than the calm reaction of dialogue.
     Interesting enough it is my opinion that that British ( even Welsh included here)   can not get enough of Obama and Democratic so called reform. Must be nice to comment on that which you do not have to live under! I too have opinions of their bowing to Socialism, but I do understand it in their history. I just wish they would not stoop to bowing to the Leaders of Venezuela and Cuba and not see the other hand that advocate dictatorship and terror. I wonder at people even in Wales that do this when they are oppressed by a government in England. They should talk to my Cuban friends that risked leaving Cuba by boat in the light of political troubles. I sometimes wonder at a British Press that is critical of our political fighting when I look at the coverage of MP's in Parliament that act like school boys on the playground. I wonder at Welsh Politics  and voting that Welsh People can't stop fighting among themselves and have to campaign for a YES vote when it is so obvious to me that it is good for Wales and good for independence. I wonder at Welsh people that are critical of me thinking Plaid has the hopes of Wales in it's heart, and critical because I feel Socialism is a "FAILED" political means for a government in a modern world. Please note people that jump to conclusions in Wales! I do believe in Health reform in this country, but not in the Health reform of late voted in by Democratic government. First of all again it does not represent the opinion or the people or respect of the Constitution. It gives money to big heath care companies, advocates Dr's in life ending statements and abortion, it does nothing for the older generation in need of reform in the area of affording medications etc. It seems like people in my country and in Britain have latched on to the good parts of present health care reform for Children etc. but have they read it all or seen the needs that are not addressed....have people in the USA? I had to wait two months for the government to approve my medications! Good thing they were not life threatening! Just my opinion!
       Opinions Opinions! I will not here advocate the Presidential hope of Sara Palin if it comes about or not. I feel that both in the USA and British Political arena (funny as that is what as it has become a spectators sport) and media she has been crucified and buried without any expectation of being able to rise from this at all. (Please excuse me from religious images here, but I think in those terms not putting any god like image on Sara!) She has attempted to say she was sorry if people got the wrong ideas, but I am proud of her not bowing down to pressure. Come on people every Political figure "targets," their opponent in some way and that goes for both British and American Politics! British and Welsh should pull the log out of their own eyes in light of their fighting and not acting as one nation or two as I would like to see it! I would be critical of you as well allowing Hitler like groups to form in your country. But that might.... might verge on the very problem. The avocation of our Amendment that calls for the "freedom of Speech," In both our countries this freedom has both good and bad aspects. It fosters opinion for debate but it also allows at the other end Hate! In the last few days Sara Palin (who seems like she can not catch a break!) is having a new wave of opinion that feels she can never rise to the presidency because of opinions of her words! In all the confusion words of opinion do mean different things! She used "blood Libel," which has raised it's anti Jewish connotations rather than modern English usage of  meaning "someone being falsely accused."  Words of Opinion have different meaning and freedom of speech often hurts and gets people hot under the collar, but I still believe in people that the shooting in Ar.. was not Political, but the confused mind of a mentally deranged person (not that of a right wing or leftist person.) Oddly enough words do mean or are mean! We should all take a look at our words before we speak and see what they could mean! I wish that both the American and British press would themselves take on the word Welsh! It is used to refer to going back on a deal  (as was used by Obama during the rise to be President) or "Welshing" on that deal. This word has been widely used,  people refer to it all the time in Hollywood,  TV and in Political arena, but you rarely hear the very silent Welsh say anything about it. If it was "jewing" or "niggering." on a deal it would be widely taken down.. I wonder how many people know that Welsh is an English word meaning Foreign? That is odd as we as Celts were in that country long before the English! Wow words do have different meanings!
      So I have talked about opinions here. I wish that the British and American press, political officers and general people would remember to live up to the expectations and hopes we were filled with as children before we entered the abusive and often confusing world reality of adulthood. Please be calm and discuss rather than point fingers at people and that is it. Respect opinions even if you think them wrong.( I am guilty of this as well!!!)  Please let us remember an Indian saying in this country "you can not hit the target with an arrow if you do not aim at that target!" O my am I advocating aiming an arrow at someone? No I am saying that we should have a vision of what our words and opinions are for, what they can do and how they can harm the very peace that I hope is inside all of us or is that a child like dream?!

PS.

Republicans Say Nature of Debate Will Remain the Same but Tone May Be Tempered

abcnews.go.com

The House of Representatives will begin debate today on the contentious two-page health care repeal bill spearheaded by the Republican leadership, after a week-long hiatus following the shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

It might be noted in an article by George Will of the Washington Post: "Two years into Barack Obama's presidency, we now know what he meant about 'hope' and 'change'-he and other progressives hope to change our national character. Three weeks into his presidency, Newsweek, unhinged by adoration of him and allowing it's wishes to father its thoughts, announced that 'we are all socialists now' and that America 'is moving toward a modern European state.'
     The electorate emphatically disagreed and created the 112th Congress, with its exceptionally important agenda." i.e putting back the Constitutional structure of the government given by our founding fathers!"

Happy St. Andrews Day!

Europe makes deal to bail the Irish out!

     As Eamon Ryan communications minister announces today that deal to bail out fellow Celts in Ireland one wonders who will be next. It seems it was yesterday that the news was full of the booming economy for Ireland with computer age, but like the USA that did not have a lasting effect on the Economy. The  deal for the Irish will give them $115 Billion and interest rate of about 5.2%.
     This deal has taken some days and the concerns seemed to be caution as the figures had to be ones that Ireland could pay back and  added comment by a minister Dempsey "It's more important to get it right than to get it quick" As an American I wish the Obama government would think this way rather than hurt future generations with debt! Also "Obama care" was more a decision to give Obama a win quick rather than get it right. He needed to hear what the people wanted rather than a broken program to get a victory! My wonder is that in the Irish deal before European Ministers in Brussels involves Britain who has given out austerity plans recently to it's own people. It might though present a good feeling between Ireland and Britain.

See related stories:

Earl T. Williams Jr

Irish 85bn euro bail-out agreed

www.bbc.co.uk

European ministers reach an agreement over a bail-out for the Irish Republic worth about 85bn euros

Oil approaches two-week high on Ireland rescue

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6A...

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil rose past $84 on Monday after the European Union approved a rescue for Ireland and outlined a permanent system to resolve the euro zone's debt crisis, providing some confidence

Weddiing ...and this is news for Cymru/Wales how?

People this blog will not have news of a certain wedding because it is not Welsh News! Period!

My take on the changes in British Aide or Benefits System

This article for my blog is based on a BBC Internet story "Benefits system overhaul 'to make work pay"

Please note that quotes here are from that article.

      As I begin my article here I have a wonder if this may also happen in the United States, but then again maybe not!

     The British Work Secretary Iain Duncan Smith says the plan is to to bring in a single Universal Credit to replace work-related benefits. He goes on to state that "The changes will bring welfare (dole) 'into the twenty first century" It is being reported that this is " The biggest welfare shake-up since the 1940s' and "will make going out to work pay and see benefit cuts for those who refuse to take jobs" Work Secretary Iain Smith plans to bring in a single Universal Credit to replace work-related benefits. Claimants moving into work will keep more of their income than now, but face losing benefits if they refuse a job.

       My mind wanders again when thinking about the USA! Such an action here might prompt words like this: You are being racist as you are making a certain race that is in the majority of those on Welfare work and take jobs.  Or the mother of four but out of wedlock feels that this is not fair to have to work when she has to take care of her children! In all they will find it unfair!

          Britain's Labour Party said it backed  this move to make work pay but warned about the possible lack of available jobs. Something that might be the out cry here in the USA or is it that jobs are felt to be beneath them or why should I work when the government pays me not to work. Mr Smith countered saying "We are not in the business of punishing people who can't take work." In the case of not enough jobs he stated hitting back at claims there were not enough jobs in the current economic climate for the plan to work, "there were 450,000 vacancies "even as the country is coming out of recession" He felt that creating jobs was "vital" but tackling the culture of worthlessness was more important, as the country could not afford for it to continue." Can the USA? Like Britain one wonders if we can sustain it much longer?  "In prosperous times this dependency culture would be unsustainable but today it's a national crisis," said Mr Duncan Smith.
Mr Smith added "70% of the four million new jobs created during one of the longest economic booms in history had gone to foreign workers, while 4.5 million British people continued a life on benefits."
"Businesses had to bring people in from overseas because our welfare system did not encourage or even assist people to take those jobs," This new action Smith felt "would reduce the number of work less households by 300,000 and make work pay for 700,000 low earning employees." The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, (the Lib Dem Leader,) backs the reforms, calling them "the most radical overhaul of our welfare system since its inception".

      The new system  like that of online bank account will mostly be administered through the Internet, with people expected to make claims online and check their payments. The records show though that an "estimated 1.5 million unemployed people do not currently have Internet access, according to government figures." This might be the out cry if such a system were taken on in the USA, but the fact is that most Libraries in the USA now have Internet available and people to help you become "Internet friendly." But then again like the British DWP a "minority" of cases could  be dealt with face-to-face. Mr Smith added that the
"current system was hugely complex and costly to administer, vulnerable to fraud, and deterred people from finding a job or extending their hours." I say much like the USA! Or in many cases the attitude that the Government "Owes them benefits." Just as in the USA Mr Smith said "millions of people had become "trapped" on benefits and long-term unemployment had become entrenched in communities where generations of families had not worked for years." How true this is here in the USA and the sad part is that many do not care! The following taken from the BBC article outlines the key points of the British reform:

                                                                                                                              Low paid workers to keep more of what they earn.

Replaces working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseekers' allowance and income related allowances. Benefits cut for three months if job offers refused - and for up to three years in the most 'extreme' cases. People can move in and out of work without losing benefits. Starts for new claimants in 2013. Will take up to 10 years to come fully into effect. £2.1bn start up costs, but Meant to save money in the long run through reducing fraud and error

     Mr Smiths plan would consolidate "the existing 30 or more work-related benefits - including job seeker's allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit, income support and employment support allowance - into a single universal payment." One of the key points here is that "There will be tougher penalties for people fit to work but unwilling to do so." A suggestion that the USA might take to heart and consider. This work on " A sliding scale of sanctions will see those refusing work on three occasions having their benefits taken away for three months. Those repeatedly convicted of benefit fraud could have their benefits stopped for three years." The reality for what Mr. Smith "insists" is "no one will experience a reduction in the benefit money they receive as a result of the introduction of the Universal Credit.

Universal Credit claimants will receive a basic personal amount with additional sums for disability, caring costs, housing costs and children, with single people and couples getting different rates and, as now, the under 25s receiving less. Unlike now, people will not have to claim separately for different benefits. That would make it easier in the USA as Social Security benefits actually reduce the benefits paid on disability! Mr Smith added something else that sounds good "The amount claimants receive will also be calculated closer to "real time", with adjustments potentially made monthly rather than annually." It might be noted that here in the USA benefits have not been pro-rated for the last two years under the Obama administration!  Mr Smith told MPs he was determined to "ensure people will consistently and transparently be better off for each hour they work and for every pound they earn". That is noted that it does feel good people to earn your keep I know! In Britain "Officials believe that up to two million people will be better off as a result of the changes, which will cost an estimated £2bn to implement over the next four years. Both David Cameron and Nick Clegg believe "that in too many households families have not worked for generations, and have thereby doomed their children to a life of poverty and blighted prospects." How true this is in the USA!  They believe, the solution "is through encouraging and - if necessary - forcing these people back into work." It is noted in the article that this might make or break the present administration.

Disability charity Scope has expressed fears "that changes requiring more disabled people to undertake some work, if they are able, could drive more disabled people into poverty." I feel that we will have to wait to see on that aspect. 

       It might be noted that "The United trade union" in Britain, "warned the coalition's reforms would create "a US-style 'soup kitchen' culture". As a note here is it not the Salvation army responsible for some of the first "Soup Kitchens." here in the USA?  Funny how this establishment was started in 1865 in you guessed it LONDON ENGLAND.

        In all I am not giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down to the British reform, but I will say this that it would take two or three time the time it took to pass the Obama Care "that was not wanted by the people." here in the USA. I will be keeping an eye on this an as a Welsh background person I might add I wonder if there is room for discrimination in such a plan. The outcomes are for another day to consider and I am sure that I will be writing on this again. I wonder if this British Reform will sail across "the Pond." or  sink on arrival. We will wait and see, but the feeling is that something must be done!

Today we proudly honor our veterans past and present for those that served and for those that gave their all! Today is a day for thanking them for serving and honoring us with defending our freedoms. Join me in remembering those that have gone before us!

"Decision Points"-NBC Interview with former President George W. Bush

     I watched with interest the NBC interview on TV this evening with former President George W. Bush about his new book "Decision Points." Starting a blog this week with two major people in the world the queen ( Mrs. Windsor) and now Bush might be a little bit dangerous and a magnet for comments the world over, but like Bush this evening it is words that I feel need to be commented on.
      Well I must say the interview this evening asked the major questions and openly. I was taken again I must say by Bush's face that not always I felt showed the emotion that went along with his answers. In other words a smile when talking about a serious topic or a wondering look when not needed. I must say that this is a man that has seen it all. A man that when workers could not hear him at "Ground Zero" New York right after 9/11 said "but I hear you." He heard a nation that came together behind the man that heard the pain and gave him a 90% approval rating. He also heard the people give him a 30% rating at the end of his presidency and heard them when he made mistakes and blunders. It was clear that he loves the country he served and expressed very clearly that he had to do things that did not make him very popular because of that love of country. As a person that trained for the ministry I can feel for him on a smaller basis with the people wanting him to be a so called "jack of all trades." and some times people not seeing that sometimes that position is not popular. That is especially true when he talked on the topics of Water boarding, prison abuse etc, but those decisions both embarrassed him and saved lives in the long run. Sometimes you just can not win as a minister or a President. He was very clear that Katrina provided a problem that we fail to understand and that is that it takes the State and local governments to ask for Federal help and he was blamed for being slow to react. Then even this evening an expression of hurt when he said that being called a "racist" was one of his worst days and the commentator come back...worst when you faced 9/11? You just can't always win as a minister or a president.
   People do not see I do not think that each President inherits the problems of the previous. but still gets blamed for them anyway. People do not see that it takes a man of integrity and strength to place people in a state of War...and War is hell. It was apparent this evening that decisions were made for the good of the country which maybe not popular were made by a man that loves the USA. He tried to express gratitude and even that caused pain when he expressed a job well done in Iraq, but the war was not over! He admitted without shame that we entered into war without a plan for building afterwards which I feel is a clear indication of a man of strength. You know what in all that he was I feel that he was a man with respect that never may come but a man that knew he had to act and sometimes act quickly. I admire him now for his respect of the Presidency unlike his vice president he feels that it is not right to speak out against a Seated President by a former president. I hope that Former President Clinton hears that! One has to though look at all that Bush faced and how many of us could have done a better job and have the strength when he was not popular in his decisions or actions (that often times were made to look bad by media takes on the Presidency) in all I think this was one of the most open interviews I have seen of a Former President and "Decision Points." should be a good read!