BE CAREFUL AMERICA
Mood:  irritated

I have not decided who I will vote for in this coming election. We really did not have much of a choice to begin with. Neither McCain or Obama have given me much hope for the future of this country, and I don’t think either of them have a plan to get us out of this energy disaster.

The whole problem with this economy today is traced directly to oil prices. These price increases have affected every part of our daily life, and they will continue to do so until an alternative is found.

I want a candidate that will put forward a plan for this country to be oil independent within ten years. This country has the people, ingenuity, and capability to find and develop that alternative energy source. The main problem is keeping the oil companies hands out of that solution. Their interest is to kill all alternatives, so they can continue to line their pockets with their huge profits.

This country also has to wakeup to the role that nuclear energy plants can play in the future. The benefits of nuclear plants far out ways the dangers they present. I served aboard a nuclear submarine in the Navy, and I know first hand the power that nuclear energy can have on providing the electric power we need. Had we not stopped our nuclear power plant construction some twenty years ago, we would have all the cheap electric power that we need.

Wake up America. If we do not come up with an energy plan, we will continue to have increased bankruptcy, foreclosures, food shortages, increased crime, and even more Americans falling into poverty.

IRAN
Mood:  not sure
Topic: NUCLEAR THREAT

Is the threat real or not?

 

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IDENTITY THEFT
Mood:  irritated
Topic: WRITE CONGRESS

·       Up to 700,000 people in the United States may be victimized by identity bandits each year, according to the Justice Department (during press release- 2002 Federal Trade Commission Study). Recent reports now talk about 10,000,000 victims.   

·       The Secret Service estimates that in 1997 consumers lost more than $745 million due to identity theft. These days it is probably in the billions.

A recent report on identity theft warned that there is likely to be "mass victimization" of consumers within the next two years. The report said consumers should be extra careful to monitor all their financial transactions for unexplained account activity, withdrawals, or fund transfers. 

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The average victim spends 175 hours and $1000.00 repairing the damage.

 The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is its number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all complaints, in 2001.

" Every 79 seconds, a thief steals someone's identity, opens accounts in the victim's name and goes on a buying spree." -CBSnews.com, 1/25/2001

A study by Gartner Group reveals that 1 in 50 consumers have suffered identity theft. The survey also indicates consumers are so concerned about the problem that they are calling for changes in the way electronic transactions are performed. 

According to the FTC's figures, ID theft is the most popular form of consumer fraud, in part because it is the most profitable. ID thieves stole nearly $100 million from financial institutions last year, or an average of $6,767 per victim.  The above facts come from: http://www.myidfix.com/identity-theft-cases-statistics.php

In light of these statistics, it is time for Congress to act.  We need new laws that will make the Banks and Credit givers more responsible for this crime.  These creditors do not do a sufficient job of checking applicants, to insure that they are approving credit for the right person.  If the Credit Companies were held accountable for giving credit to the wrong person, they would be more cautious in approving it.  They are so eager to give out credit to anybody with a SSN and Birth date they don’t complete a proper check.  

The victims in these crimes have to spend their time and money to get their identity cleared up.  The credit companies bare no burden unless the victim can prove it is not his account.  This crime could be almost completely wiped out, if the Credit Companies were held to a higher standard, and held accountable for their mistakes.   

Credit companies have all of our personal information.  They should know when a credit card goes to the wrong address, and they should be required to insure this does not happen. 

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN, AND LET'S GET LAWS PAST TO MAKE CREDIT COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDENTITY THEFT.

BAD TIMING
Mood:  surprised
Topic: GERALD FORD

I think it is unfortunate that Bob Woodward chose to release the interview with the late President Gerald Ford before the man is cold and in the ground.  I would think that waiting until after the funeral would have been soon enough. 

This week is a time for showing respect and admiration for the man and his accomplishments.  It should be a week of dignity and compassion for the family of Gerald Ford. 

Instead Bob Woodward has elected to run is interview as a self serving publicity stunt.  I don't agree with the president on Iraq, but this was not breaking news, and it could have waited a week to be exposed.  After all, the interview was done two years ago. 

Gerald Ford asked that the interview not be made public until after his death.  I think he meant more than 30 minutes after his death.   Woodward, show some class in the future.

BIG OIL
Mood:  hungry
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Get Out of Iraq
Mood:  irritated

It is time for us (U.S.) to get out of Iraq and the Middle East in general.  The people don't want us there, and it is time for us to cut them loose.

Those people have a different culture and a different set of values than we enjoy in the Western World.  They have been fighting and killing each other since the beginning of recorded history.   What makes us think we can change that mind set?

I am old enough to remember the Viet Nam "Conflict", and the writing on the wall says we are headed there again, if we have not already arrived.

Let's bring the troops home and vow to keep our hands off countries that don't want our help.  If we leave them alone, they will be to busy killing each other to worry about attacking us, and if we leave them alone, they will have no reason to attack us. 

We should spend the time and money securing our borders at home, and this way we can stop the terrorists.  If they attack us at home, then let's retaliate on their whole country.  We need to stop pussy footing around searching only for the terrorist.  Remember Hiroshima?  That is the type of action that stops wars. 

If third world countries want peace and democracy, they have to learn to fight for it themselves, or learn to coexist with their neighbors.  If they are not willing to do that, they can never attain true freedom anyway.