What kind of a world?

What kind of a world do we live in?

Two stories that occurred recently bring this ti the front:

A franking commission spokesman told the Washington Examiner that members of Congress indeed cannot wish constituents "Merry Christmas" in any official mailing.
"Currently, incidental use of the phrase Happy Holidays is permissible, but Merry Christmas is not," said Salley Wood.
The paper notes that senators can say things congressmen cannot because they are governed by different regulations.
According to Senate franking regulations, "Senators may not use the frank to mail holiday cards. However, senators may use officially related funds to mail holiday cards to constituents. Holiday cards to friends should be sent with personal funds, not using Senate facilities."  Fox News

WASHINGTON, Dec 23(Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday barred Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio from detaining people simply for being in the country illegally, in a ruling that faulted the local lawman for enforcing federal immigration law.
The sheriff already has faced rebukes from federal agencies over his controversial efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.  Chicago Tribune


Rulings that Happy Holidays is sanctioned but not Merry Christmas!  The "holidays" are theoretically here because of CHRISTMAS, the birth of a Savior.

A sheriff being reprimanded for carrying out a law.

Separate subject: Franking.
I believe that Congressmen (or Congresspeople for you overly politically correct out there) should be able to Frank any letters that they actually sign! No fake signature stamps, no aides signing, etc.
That way we would get info we absolutely need not hearing how our representatives are spending ojur money!

Franking

The House wants to increase Members’ office budgets next fiscal year by almost 15 percent, partly because 2010 is an election year and lawmakers anticipate a surge in franked mail.

In a recently released budget request, the House Chief Administrative Officer asked appropriators to raise the Members’ Representational Allowances — which fund everything needed to run offices, including salaries, travel and supplies — by $90 million, citing increases “due to the election year cycle.”

“In an election year the expenditures increase and then decrease in a non-election year,” the request reads.

In my opinion, I believe that congressmen should be able to frank the postage.  However, I think they should have to actually sign the letter not a stamp via an employee.

It is another way that Congress does not share in the pain but keeps increasing their benefits while they spend my grandkids grandkids' money!

frank (v)  stamp an official mark on (a letter or parcel), esp. to indicate that postage has been paid or does not need to be paid. • historical sign (a letter or parcel) to ensure delivery free of charge. • archaic facilitate or pay the passage of (someone)
(n) an official mark or signature on a letter or parcel, esp. to indicate that postage has been paid or does not need to be paid. [ORIGIN: formerly as a superscribed signature of an eminent person entitled to send letters free of charge.]
ORIGIN early 18th cent.: from frank 1 , an early sense being [free of obligation.]

Bonuses

I think it is ridiculous that Congress (House)  is passing a law to tax the bonuses of the AIG crooks.  It is my understanding that it is illegal to do so; to target individuals retroactively for their (Congress's) mistakes.

Congress knew it was happening before it occurred & changed the language in the Porkulus bill to allow it.  Only Congress would do something this stupid!  I am outraged that we are paying the bonuses but who would not accept them (bonuses) if offered.  One extremely corrupt politician (MA congressman) wants to publish the bonus-ees addresses; even though he kept Fanny Mae & Freddie Mac going & forced (passed legislation) banks to loan to uncredit-worthy people.

It amazes me that people keep electing these fools (you can't blame me everyone that I voted for did not get elected)!

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. ~Alexis de Tocqueville

We'd all like to vote for the best man, but he's never a candidate. ~Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where they is no river. ~Nikita Khrushchev

bonus (n) a payment or gift added to what is usual or expected, in particular  • an amount of money added to wages on a seasonal basis, esp. as a reward for good performance • something welcome and often unexpected that accompanies and enhances something that is itself good : good weather is an added bonus but the real appeal is the landscape.
ORIGIN late 18th cent. (probably originally London stock-exchange slang): from Latin bonus (masculine) ‘good,’ used in place of bonum (neuter) ‘good, good thing.’ Compare with boon

AIG Bonuses

AIG Bonuses, the president & congress are complaining bitterly about the bonuses ($168,000,000) handed out by AIG, which has accepted over $150,000,000,000 in bailout money with no end in sight.  I agree that it seems ridiculous to give out bonuses for driving a company into the ground.

But there is another group which has cost this country many trillions in debt who are getting bonuses for their "great" work.  Congress has an automatic pay increase to their salaries every year.  It doesn't matter that they don't deserve it (many people believe one of the major causes for the housing collapse is legislation requiring banks to loan to high credit risk people) or that most businesses are not giving raises to their employees or that country needs the money for other purposes; congress is getting a raise! A GOP senator (Sen. Vitter) introduced an amendment to the $410,000,000,000 pork bill that would have stopped it, but congress did not pass the amendment  (the vote was 52-45 & would have stopped a $4700 pay raise.)  Of course. Nancy P. in the house did not even allow it to come up.

John Adams sings:

I do believe you've laid a curse on North America
A curse that we now here rehearse in Philadelphia
A second flood, a simple famine
Plagues of locusts everywhere
Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
But, no, you sent us Congress.
Good God, sir, was that fair?

Musical: 1776 Song: Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve/Till Then