How is it possible that the man who is responsible for ensuring I do my job and do it right, makes less money than I do? As an employee for the state of Illinois D.O.T. I make a very good salary but my boss/field technician makes half the money I do. How is that possible?
I'll tell you, for better or worse I am a member of the Teamster's Union and gain their protection and bartering skills when it comes to negotiating new contracts and grievances. My Boss is not a union member, and because he is in a management position, cannot attain union membership. He does not have the same powerful lobbying force and lawyer team standing behind him.
This past year when the governor decided to give his staff a raise, he had to cut expenses in other places. So my boss who has no real power/pull on these decisions takes it in the can. As a reward for his hard work and diligence and doing more with less my boss was given a pay cut of at least one months wages so he could help pay the raises given to the governor's staff. And he's not the only one all of the non-union managers that I know got the same deal. They have all been required to take 24 days off without pay, effectively one month with no pay.
Isn't it great how we all feel the pain when hard times hit? It's just great that as a team we all do our part to help the state balance its budget and get back on the right track.
So much for the fair deal! Fair treatment!
Yes, I know that my boss should be grateful to still have a job and a semi stable source of income, but who knows when they may decide that they need more fat at the top and his services are no-longer necessary.
Only a few years ago I heard about how the governor's mansion needed to be redecorated and updated because the styles were outdated. That was back in the day's of good old Rod G. I think that took about 2 million dollars. Then there was the road side wild flowers another couple of hundred thousand dollars. I am totally amazed at how our swanky politicians waste our tax dollars on frivolous crap and then decide the only way to solve a budget crunch is by screwing the people with no power and raising taxes.
I used to think politicians were the leaders of our government but great leaders, lead by example. I haven't seen a real leader in Illinois politics for over 10 years. The last possible leader Illinois had was Jim Edgar but I really can't vouch for him, because I didn't follow the news closely back then.
How long will our ship sail without a LEADER, before it runs aground or breaks up on the reef?
Only time will tell.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Trying a Simple Approach to Weight Loss
I have always had trouble with controlling my weight. Right now I am slightly over weight. So instead of trying to count calories and avoid carbs and watch everything I eat I am going to try to simplify my approach.
I was raised by a loving family who never wanted me to go hungry. While growing up there was always plenty of food available but there was always a catch. Whatever you put on your plate had to be eaten. The old "CLEAN YOUR PLATE" philosophy. So after years of cleaning my plate I now continue to eat everything regardless of if I am hungry or not.
Here's my new simplified strategy:
1. Don't eat everything on my plate at any meal. Save some for the dogs, the compost pile or the garbage can.
2. Don't ad any additional, SALT, SUGAR or FAT/BUTTER.
3. Limit the portions to the single serving size for most meals.
After being trained as a child to clean my plate to get that "good boy" reward I also learned that I could stuff myself. if I smothered everything in either SALT, BUTTER, or SUGAR I could eat it even if I wasn't hungry.
So I think if I quit doctoring my foods my appetite or at least my ability to continue to eat excessively will be reduced. It is almost like taking the oil from the machine to make it seize up.
So here goes, I'll post the date, my weight and waist size every Sunday morning and see what happens.
DATE WEIGHT WAIST
18 July10 197.3 37"
25 July 10 196.6 36.5"
01 Aug 10 195.0 36.5" (did liver cleanse,
for shoulder pain)
08 Aug 10 198.6 36"
I was raised by a loving family who never wanted me to go hungry. While growing up there was always plenty of food available but there was always a catch. Whatever you put on your plate had to be eaten. The old "CLEAN YOUR PLATE" philosophy. So after years of cleaning my plate I now continue to eat everything regardless of if I am hungry or not.
Here's my new simplified strategy:
1. Don't eat everything on my plate at any meal. Save some for the dogs, the compost pile or the garbage can.
2. Don't ad any additional, SALT, SUGAR or FAT/BUTTER.
3. Limit the portions to the single serving size for most meals.
After being trained as a child to clean my plate to get that "good boy" reward I also learned that I could stuff myself. if I smothered everything in either SALT, BUTTER, or SUGAR I could eat it even if I wasn't hungry.
So I think if I quit doctoring my foods my appetite or at least my ability to continue to eat excessively will be reduced. It is almost like taking the oil from the machine to make it seize up.
So here goes, I'll post the date, my weight and waist size every Sunday morning and see what happens.
DATE WEIGHT WAIST
18 July10 197.3 37"
25 July 10 196.6 36.5"
01 Aug 10 195.0 36.5" (did liver cleanse,
for shoulder pain)
08 Aug 10 198.6 36"
Friday, July 9, 2010
Flash to the Future, The Possibilities of a New World
America is no longer the super power of the world. Actually America is just another member of the United Federation of Earth and nobody really cares. Peace continues as people work and play together just like they would any other day.
Some day in the future it appears to be inevitable that the world as we know it on Earth will determine that just as the States of the USA determined; together we are more. We will be more efficient, more creative, more caring for each other........ when we all determine that we have an equal stake in the world we live in.
Perhaps leaders around the world will change their minds or perhaps they already have decided that as great as booming economies are; working with other human beings around the world to make a better future and life for each other and our children is more valuable then making more papers with pictures of dead presidents.
Is it possible that Earth is really on the verge of uniting its countries around the world into a community that will actually look out for each other and work together to advance the general welfare of the world. Not a control freak government full of power tripping/hungry/greedy rulers but a real world government filled with men and women of honor.
When that day finally comes will I be able to put my trust in those who say they will guard the safety of our world? Will they really be able to lead an entire world and find a way for all of us to work together, happily?
Is it possible we have been wrong in thinking that the only future is one that excludes other countries from our world. Maybe, separation and isolation along with "one nation is better than the rest" mentality is not the only way to view the world. Could I live in that kind of a brave new world? Only time will tell, I'll have to sleep on it for a couple of nights before I could say.
Naive? Maybe? Are the gears already in motion? You tell me.
Some day in the future it appears to be inevitable that the world as we know it on Earth will determine that just as the States of the USA determined; together we are more. We will be more efficient, more creative, more caring for each other........ when we all determine that we have an equal stake in the world we live in.
Perhaps leaders around the world will change their minds or perhaps they already have decided that as great as booming economies are; working with other human beings around the world to make a better future and life for each other and our children is more valuable then making more papers with pictures of dead presidents.
Is it possible that Earth is really on the verge of uniting its countries around the world into a community that will actually look out for each other and work together to advance the general welfare of the world. Not a control freak government full of power tripping/hungry/greedy rulers but a real world government filled with men and women of honor.
When that day finally comes will I be able to put my trust in those who say they will guard the safety of our world? Will they really be able to lead an entire world and find a way for all of us to work together, happily?
Is it possible we have been wrong in thinking that the only future is one that excludes other countries from our world. Maybe, separation and isolation along with "one nation is better than the rest" mentality is not the only way to view the world. Could I live in that kind of a brave new world? Only time will tell, I'll have to sleep on it for a couple of nights before I could say.
Naive? Maybe? Are the gears already in motion? You tell me.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Should I pay someone because of their race or where there ancestors came from?
Should I feel bad enough to pay someone based only on their skin color? Heeecccckkkk Noooooo!
What have I done to cause anybody born and raised in America any harm?
Did I go to Africa or China 200 years ago?
Did I pay a tribal chief in Africa for his captives from neighboring tribes so he wouldn't have to kill them?
Did I transport anyone to America?
Do I hold anyone in this country against their will?
Do I give a flying crabbp what color your skin is?
Do I care if you work hard and make an honest living or if you play the victim of society game?
Do I make you stupid and give you a bad attitude when people try to help you.
Do I make you smart and give you a good attitude when things work.
The answer to all of these questions is NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quit trying to manipulate me with your pity parties. If you want to accomplish something good in life you have to put effort into it. No it's not easy for people who appear to have everything. Most people who have a lot of stuff and a good life work hard for what they have and educate themselves so they can make smart decisions.
I am from a large family and rose up from below the poverty level because, I worked at it and didn't quit because it was hard. We all have our trials and tribulations but some of us don't quit because it's hard or because we failed the first 10 times.
There is an old saying that quitters never win and winners never quit and I don't care if your black, white, blue or green, boy, girl, man or women or some version there of it still applies to all of us.
And no I am not racist or a bigot. I have worked with, for and hired people of all races and creeds. If you put in a full days work with me you deserve my respect and you will get it.
God helps the good people of world who work at it
What have I done to cause anybody born and raised in America any harm?
Did I go to Africa or China 200 years ago?
Did I pay a tribal chief in Africa for his captives from neighboring tribes so he wouldn't have to kill them?
Did I transport anyone to America?
Do I hold anyone in this country against their will?
Do I give a flying crabbp what color your skin is?
Do I care if you work hard and make an honest living or if you play the victim of society game?
Do I make you stupid and give you a bad attitude when people try to help you.
Do I make you smart and give you a good attitude when things work.
The answer to all of these questions is NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quit trying to manipulate me with your pity parties. If you want to accomplish something good in life you have to put effort into it. No it's not easy for people who appear to have everything. Most people who have a lot of stuff and a good life work hard for what they have and educate themselves so they can make smart decisions.
I am from a large family and rose up from below the poverty level because, I worked at it and didn't quit because it was hard. We all have our trials and tribulations but some of us don't quit because it's hard or because we failed the first 10 times.
There is an old saying that quitters never win and winners never quit and I don't care if your black, white, blue or green, boy, girl, man or women or some version there of it still applies to all of us.
And no I am not racist or a bigot. I have worked with, for and hired people of all races and creeds. If you put in a full days work with me you deserve my respect and you will get it.
God helps the good people of world who work at it
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Is another Age of Conquer beginning?
The creation of this country was based on force. The Europeans came here and conquered the Indian natives, there by taking possession of the lands and resources. The Settlers then conquered the Europeans who were trying to reap the benefits of the labors of those who conquered and developed the lands. In the early 1900s the banksters conquered the young government of America and started to rape the citizens of America just like the King of England did before the War of Independence.
Today's conquerors are the large corporations who have tentacles stretched through out every aspect of our lives. They have merged the Law Makers and Enforcers of the Government with the Banks and the Super Corporations. The creation of this beast has many eerie similarities to the description of the beast in the bible. I believe it is only a matter of time till people see this beast for what it is and begin the war to throw off its parasitic hold on the world; breaking the bonds of the controlling tentacles and freeing the world from its tyranny.
I am not talking about overthrowing our government. I am talking about achieving the separation of private businesses, banking, government powers and reducing the authority of all of them. I am talking about reducing governments size and budgets so they do not have ultimate power over every aspect of my life, directly and indirectly. I am talking about holding people responsible for their actions and allowing them to suffer the consequences of poor judgment. I am talking about transparency, making every dime of tax payers money accountable and openly visible to the taxpayers.
Why is transparency so hard to attain? Because with transparency it is really difficult to make payoffs and back room deals, it is hard to conceal the true intent of those in power. It is therefore harder to control everything including the seat of power.
The only way we tax payers will ever become free again, will be by attaining the ever elusive goal of transparency in our government. Until we see where every dime is going and why every decision is made we will be slaves to our government and the people who control it, so long as we allow it. I pray that we citizens will ban together and see the value of transparency before the tyranny gets out of control and the old ways of conquer through force become the only way to freedom.
Today's conquerors are the large corporations who have tentacles stretched through out every aspect of our lives. They have merged the Law Makers and Enforcers of the Government with the Banks and the Super Corporations. The creation of this beast has many eerie similarities to the description of the beast in the bible. I believe it is only a matter of time till people see this beast for what it is and begin the war to throw off its parasitic hold on the world; breaking the bonds of the controlling tentacles and freeing the world from its tyranny.
I am not talking about overthrowing our government. I am talking about achieving the separation of private businesses, banking, government powers and reducing the authority of all of them. I am talking about reducing governments size and budgets so they do not have ultimate power over every aspect of my life, directly and indirectly. I am talking about holding people responsible for their actions and allowing them to suffer the consequences of poor judgment. I am talking about transparency, making every dime of tax payers money accountable and openly visible to the taxpayers.
Why is transparency so hard to attain? Because with transparency it is really difficult to make payoffs and back room deals, it is hard to conceal the true intent of those in power. It is therefore harder to control everything including the seat of power.
The only way we tax payers will ever become free again, will be by attaining the ever elusive goal of transparency in our government. Until we see where every dime is going and why every decision is made we will be slaves to our government and the people who control it, so long as we allow it. I pray that we citizens will ban together and see the value of transparency before the tyranny gets out of control and the old ways of conquer through force become the only way to freedom.
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