The Highway Bill or How Your State Earned Its Allowance

From CHUCK MUTH'S NEWS & VIEWS
July 30, 2005

So exactly what's in that bloated Transportation bill? Here's a sampling of the "high priority" highway projects the REPUBLICAN-controlled House of Representatives passed this week:

* $220,000 for one line-item for trolley buses in Puerto Rico

* $366,000 for one line-item for intermodal transportation at the Bronx Zoo

* $835,000 for a second line-item for intermodal transportation at the Bronx Zoo

* $4.2 million for intermodal transportation at the Philadelphia Zoo

* $146,000 for a second line-item for trolley buses in Puerto Rico

* $1.3 million for sidewalk lighting and landscaping around Cedar's-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles

* $1.3 million for a daycare center and park-and-ride facility in Champaign, IL

* $1.7 million for an intermodal park and ride facility at the Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA

* $2 million for a third line-item for intermodal transportation at the Bronx Zoo

* $440,000 for a bike path in Powers, OR

* $480,000 for pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks, lighting, and handicapped ramps in Miramar, FL

* $200,000 for trails and bike paths on Bird Mountain, TN

* $960,000 for a bike path in Riverhead, NY

* $2.3 million for landscaping enhancements "for aesthetic purposes" along the Ronald Reagan Freeway, CA

* $240,000 for boardwalks at Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, CA

* $1.6 million to enhance the Battery Park bikeway perimeter, New York City

* $200,000 for a historical trolley project in Issaquah, WA

* $200,000 for trails, bike paths, and recreational facilities on Black Mountain, TN
* $144,000 for paths and trails at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, OH

* $160,000 for a bike path, Petal, MS

* $200,000 for a bike path "network", Evanston, IL

* $2.9 million for a bike path, Delta Ponds, OR

* $240,000 for bike and pedestrian improvements, Windermere, FL

* $2.4 million for bike trail, Smyrna, TN

* $1.2 million for a bike trail, LaVergne, TN

* $800,000 for regional bike routes on existing highways, Austin, TX

* $480,000 to rehabilitate a historic warehouse, Lyons, NY

* $320,000 for a bike path from San Luis Obispo to Avila Beach, CA

* $280,000 for a bike path, Fairview Park, OH

* $600,000 for horse-riding trails, Jefferson National Forest, VA

* $2 million for a bike trail, Cookeville, TN

* $2 million for an intermodal bikeway, Independence, OH

* $640,000 for bike, pedestrian and other improvements at Georgia Veterans Memorial Park

* $1.2 million for pedestrian bicycle access project, Newark NJ

* $1.2 million for a bike path, East Long-meadow Redstone, MA

* $8 million for the Harlem Hospital parking facility

* $1.8 million for a bike path, Portage, WI

* $2.6 million for pedestrian walkway and bikeway improvements along the NYC Greenway System in Coney Island, NY

* $400,000 for a bike path in Dunkirk, NY

* $532,000 for a bike and pedestrian trail, Gallatin, TN

Tell me again why it's so important to elect Republicans to Congress.

Me again: Bike and pedestrian trails, parking facilities, boardwalks, landscaping. Yep, sounds "high priority" to me.

What do any of these have to do with "highways"? And why are any of them on a highway bill? Well, they will create (maybe) jobs for the cities and towns that receive this money. And silly me! I forgot the most important jobs! Keeping the congresscritter in office! By bringing money home, the voters will forget the disasterous things the congresscritter already did! Republicans and Democrats alike are guilty of backing stupid legislation.

Taxpayer money gives congresscritters (and voters) amnesia. The voter's memory is only as long as the last thing the congressional rep did.

What taxpayers forget is that money "brought home" by their congresscritter is their money to start with. It should have stayed home in the first place and shouldn't have gone to Washington to be "given back". Why should Florida money (or Texas or Maine, or Iowa or Oregon or whatever state's) go to Washington so that the Feds can "give it back" in the form of "highway bills"?

Sort of makes me think of a kid giving money to Mom and Dad so that Mom and Dad will give it back as "allowance."

America's Missing Persons

I've posted the disappearances of two young women in recent posts. I intend to continue to do so. I realize I can't possibly post about every single person missing in the US. But I can and will do what I can when I can.

Natalee Holloway is the one most in the media's eye right now. Her situation is such that her family has the savvy (and possibly the money) to be able to make noise about her disappearance and keep her in the public eye. Latoyia Figeroa's family and friends don't have that ability. Unless they get out there (as they are doing) and make sure that the local media covers their efforts.

Perhaps one of the networks should start a program similar to Fox's America's Most Wanted for the missing. AMW has found thousands of criminals over the years. Could not a program dedicated to missing persons be as successful?

I would suggest that it be on a MSM network as opposed to cable because most people get the MSM stations and would so get the most exposure. I think Fox would be the logical network to run with this program since they already have success with AMW.

What do you, my faithful readers think? Is it time for such a program? Would it succeed?

Another Missing Woman

Latoyia Figueroa has been missing from Philadelphia since July 18. She's 24 years old, a mother, and pregnant. She needs to be found.

If you have information contact the Philadelphia police at 215-686-3183.

Update: Latoyia is getting national coverage. I just heard Tony Snow on Fox mention that Latoyia has been missing for twelve days. More to follow.

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Today is my nephew Jeff's 33rd birthday. I remember well the day he was born. And now he's a dad himself.

Jeff, you've been a wonderful nephew and I love you very much.

Have a wonderful day!

Summer Fun - Week 5

1. In the 1940s & 50's, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located?

a. On the floor shift knob

b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch

c. Next to the horn

2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it. For what was it used?

a. Capture lightning bugs

b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing

c. Large salt shaker

3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters?

a. Cows got cold and wouldn't produce milk

b. Ice on highways forced delivery by dog sled

c. Milkmen left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze, expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top

4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance?

a. Blackjack

b. Gin

c. Craps!

5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings when none were available due to rationing during W.W.II?

a. Suntan

b. Leg painting

c. Wearing slacks

6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you couldn't tell whether it was coming or going?

a. Studebaker

b. Nash Metro

c. Tucker

7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid?

a. Strips of dried peanut butter

b. Chocolate licorice bars

c. Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside

8. How was Butch wax used?

a. To stiffen a flat-top haircut so it stood up

b. To make floors shiny and prevent scuffing

c. On the wheels of roller skates to prevent rust

9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached to your shoes?

a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key

b. Woven straps that crossed the foot

c. Long pieces of twine

10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision?
a. Consider all the facts
b. Ask Mom
c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo

Answers to Week 4

1. A silver bullet
2. Ed Sullivan Show.
3. On Route 66.
4. To protect the innocent.
5. The Lion sleeps tonight.
6. The limbo.
7. Chocolate.
8. Louis Armstrong.
9. Timex
10. Freddy the freeloader and may God bless.
11 Draft cards.
12. Beetle and Bug
13. Buddy Holly.
14. Sputnik.
15. Hula Hoop.

Are the 16th and 17th Amendments Fraudulent?

Below is a World Net Daily article written by Devvy Kidd. I haven't researched this, so I will not say it's true or not, but it gave me thoughts to ponder until I can investigate on my own.

Former Fed chairman: Taxes for revenue are obsolete
Posted: July 29, 20051:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

"Give me control over a nation's currency and I care not who makes its laws." – Baron M.A. Rothschild

"Whoever controls the volume of money in any country is master of all its legislation and commerce." – President James Garfield

Through my various columns I have been attempting to bring the people's attention to the greatest swindle ever perpetrated upon the American people: the central bank dubbed "The Fed." If you don't understand the unconstitutional "Federal Reserve," please obtain a free copy of my booklet, "Why A Bankrupt America," because, starting in 1913, the banking cartel took over this country with the worst yet to come.

Since 1913, the American people and this republic have been under assault by the international banking cartel and all their tentacles – it was one of the most destructive years in the history of this republic as far as Congress is concerned. They passed the unconstitutional Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Secretary of State, Philander Chase Knox, declared the non-ratified 16th Amendment ratified to make the American people believe there would now be a personal income tax. He committed fraud.

And, the same year, the final blow came with the announcement that the 17th Amendment was ratified when it clearly was not. It is absolutely imperative that Americans understand this rather dry subject because the privately owned central bank has been bankrupting this republic (we are not a democracy) since 1913 – and it will continue until you don't have a dime left in your pocket. Always follow the money trail. Once you understand this money trail and the central bank, then you will know that all these dangerous alternative taxing schemes will only continue to feed the cancer instead of cure it.

In January 1946, American Affairs reprinted a paper delivered to the American Bar Association by Beardsley Ruml, chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The title of his paper was "Taxes for Revenue are Obsolete." Ruml was, of course, right on point. The only reason the shadow government made sure the 16th Amendment was fraudulently ratified was to ensure the international banking cartel would have a mechanism to syphon off the wealth of the American people. The states did not want a direct income tax. Phil Hart is an Idaho state legislator who has written the most amazing book, "Constitutional Income: Do you have any?" based on his collection of hundreds of historical documents which prove this position of the states back in 1913.

Without the central bank, there would be no need for a direct tax, sales tax, flat tax or any other tax. The real problem is that Congress continues to spend beyond those areas so clearly defined in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution and the people have allowed this plunder of the public treasury to go unchallenged for four reasons: (1) blind loyalty to their political party, (2) their Congress-critter brings home unconstitutional "bacon" to their district, (3) lack of knowledge about the hijacking of our monetary system and its relation to an income tax, (4) apathy.

Here's a little apathy to digest: In 1900, there was no central bank in these United States of America. There was no direct income tax against we the people – our nation was flourishing and prosperous. As specified in the U.S. Constitution, only gold and silver was the lawful coin of the land. As clearly defined by those who birthed this republic, government services were paid for by excise taxes. In 1913, that fateful year, the national debt was $2.9 billion, the income tax was imposed via the fraudulent ratification of the 16th Amendment. Only a half-million Americans were required to pay the 2.7 percent tax (the income tax does not apply to domestic Americans).

In 1933, banking cartel lackey, Franklin Delano Roosevelt unlawfully confiscated gold belonging solely to Americans and devalued the dollar. The national debt began to mush room under FDR's Nazi style "New Deal." Then, 1965 saw the debt level skyrocket to $320.9 billion. By 1968, "Federal" Reserve Notes (remember the definition of a note) were no longer redeemable for "lawful money," so we must assume we're all using "unlawful money," which we are!

By the year 2000, the Democrats and Republicans in Congress had spent you into $1.67 trillion dollars worth of debt. As of July 25, 2005, the ocean of unpayable debt was $7,842,069,490,770 – almost $8 trillion dollars. You can watch the debt clock, just don't do it before you eat lunch.

As a direct result of the unconstitutional "Fed" supported by the best public servants money can buy in Congress since 1913, the debt has increased 232,605 percent. The cost of living has increased by roughly 1,951 percent since 1913. The day of reckoning is rapidly approaching and the train wreck the American people are going to experience will make 1929 look like a mere blip on the economic radar screen.

The only solution is to clean out Congress and get constitutionalists elected who, unlike the cowards in Congress today, are not afraid of the international banking cartel and will abolish the central bank and return to constitutional revenues. The clock is ticking.

This article can be found on World Net Daily here.

To learn more about Devvy Kidd, visit her website here.

Me again: As I stated at the beginning of this post, I haven't researched any of this. I wasn't there in 1913 so I have no knowledge whether fraud was constituted or not. I will do some research and let you know (sometime in the future) what my opinion is. Until then, it's food for thought and for you to look into on your own if you so choose.

Missing

Another beautiful young woman is missing. Cheryl Ann Magner is missing from Marin County, California. She's been missing since the beginning of June.

Cheryl is 17, 5'8, 140 pounds. Not to downplay the situation with Natalee Holloway, but Natalee is not the only young woman who is missing. Cheryl needs people to be looking for her, too. If you have information call the Marin County Sheriff's Office at 415-499-7365.

via Christmas Ghost

Fair Tax Book Signings

In the event you are interested in the Fair Tax book, co-author of the book Neal Boortz will be appearing on the following shows to talk about the Fair Tax:

August 2: Guest on Sean Hannity's radio show, approx. 5pm
August 2: Guest on Hannity & Colmes, 9pm, Fox News Channel
August 3: Guest on CNN/ American Morning
August 3: Guest on Your World with Neil Cavuto, approx. 4pm, Fox News Channel

If you ordered a book, you can get it signed when Neal appears at the following locations:

August 4: Barnes & Noble, Atlanta, GA 7:30pm
August 5: The Fairtax Rally, Marietta, GA 1:00pm
August 6: Chapter 11 Books, Lawrenceville, GA 2:00pm
August 8: Barnes & Noble, Tampa, FL 7:30pm
August 9: Barnes & Noble, Orlando, FL 7:30pm
August 10: Borders, Gainesville, FL 7:00pm
August 11: Omni Hotel, Jacksonville, FL 7:00pm
August 12: Page & Palette, Mobile, AL 6:00pm
August 13: Barnes & Noble, Fayetteville, NC 4:00pm
August 13: Ft. Bragg, NC
August 14: Barnes & Noble, Greensboro, NC 3:00pm
August 15: Barnes & Noble, Charleston, SC 7:30pm
August 16: Books & Co., Birmingham, AL 7:00pm
August 22: Books & Co., Dayton, OH 6:00pm
August 23: Barnes & Noble, Knoxville, TN 7:00pm
August 24: Book People, Austin, TX 7:00pm
August 25: Borders, Houston, TX 7:30pm
August 26: Borders, Metarie/New Orleans, LA 7:00pm

You can, of course, purchase the book the same day, if you haven't already ordered it.

I mentioned to my husband that Neal will be in Tampa on the 8th. He asked if I would like to go. See Neal in person? Get my book signed? Maybe get a picture with him? You bet! So that's where we plan to be that evening.

God willing and the creek don't rise.

It Won't Be a Political Show

Geena Davis' new show, Commander in Chief, won't be political. Since both Ms. Davis and the creator of the show, Rod Lurie are both Democrats and have pledged that the show won't deal exclusively on political intrigue, but instead will focus on the residential East Wing.

Anyone wanna bet?

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2005072803230002906191&dt=20050728032300&w=RTR&coview=

A Slight Overreaction Maybe?

Helen Thomas says she'll kill herself if VP Dick Cheney announces a bid for the Oval Office.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm

I won't comment on whether she should carry through or not, there will be enough people who will be shouting "JUMP!" as it is, but in my humble opinion anyone who takes politics this seriously needs help.

Maybe she needs a hobby.

ICE It

I just read through Sunnyeside, that there is a campaign underway to have people put an entry into their cell phones for an emergency contact.

The idea is that emergency personnel, such as paramedics, could look through your cell phone to find your emergency contact. The contact could tell paramedics information they may not have. Information such as allergies to pennicillen or other medications or rare blood types is necessary for medical personnel to know. It can lead to identification of a person who is in shock or unconscious.

So many people carry cell phones now, it seems like a very good idea. You could put more than one contact in, such as ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, up to the number of people you want notified in the event of an emergency.

I seems like an excellent idea. I'll put my husband, brother, and work numbers in. My husband could list me and his father.