4dollars15cents's Blog

"If you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig" - Barack Obama, democratic presidential candidate '08

Are either of these candidates really ready for change?

Now, Obama's off color comment may be a bit distant and vain, yet I would expect more appreciation if neither candidates solve their problems with personal attacks.

This country is facing one of the most devastating economical times, since the great depression. The last thing that we need, in the office of president, is a pig, a pit bull, a maverick or any other notable characters in charge of our problems. This election shouldn't be about who said what. It should completely be about the issues. Talk about the issues. Push the issues of eduction and healthcare. Not lipstick gossip. Because if that's the only thing that either of the candidates has to offer, then neither of them are truly ready for change.

Sarah Palin, since she's the "hot" ticket running mate of the republican party, she needs to face the media, as well as her supporters and those who are not familiar with her. And I don't care about anyone's opinions about how her personal life isn't up for discussion. Yes it is. Why? Because the office of president of the United States, as well as the vice president, is personal to every american. If you can not run your own house, how can you run my government? If your house is not in order, then you have no business telling me how my life should go. Sarah Palin, you need to come forward and face the people of the United States. Not just your political supporters and campaign managers, but all those who still have questions about your character and political stance. Step foward and answer for yourself.

As for democrats and republcans, conservatives and liberals, take your name tags off. Remove the mask from your faces. Don't get comfortable with failed politics and broken promises. This election is the most important election of our time.

We are still at war. This war is still costing us greatly. We are at odds with our political views and the future of our country and existence. We don't have time to study who takes jabs and digs at each other. Because with every word stated, someone is still getting killed in Iraq and in Afghanistan, Darfur and in the country of Georgia, as well as other parts of the world.

The hardships of our economical times is not one to take for granted. We would be completely stupid to continue to support a conservative view on failed policies. And it would be even more asinine to support a change that has no real foundation, but is laced with political bigotry, bias and ethical mischief.

Does anyone realize how serious and loudly our vote will speak to the promises of tomorrow? We don't need anymore conservative politics or power. It's all out dated and meaningless. At the same time, we don't need a whole lot of liberality and conjectures of past political achievements.

How can we move forward, going backwards? How can we reach our highest height, by looking down on others? In other to change, we must first repent. For repentance brings about change. And change will always start a new beginning.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, columnist Jon Ralston asked McCain why he didn't choose Gov. Jim Gibbons (in the middle of a messy divorce) to chair his Nevada campaign:

Q: Why snub the governor?

McCain: I didn't mean to snub him. I've known the lieutenant governor for 15 years and we've been good friends....I didn't intend to snub him. There are other states where the governor is not the chairman.

Q: Maybe it's the governor's approval rating and you are running from him like you are from the president?

McCain: (Chuckling) And I stopped beating my wife just a couple of weeks ago . . .

As yet another preacher has come on the scene of the presidential campaign, I'm wondering what ever happened to the supposed seperation of church and state? 

Do you think that preachers should use the pulpit to voice their concerns about candidates?  I don't. 

I think that if we enter into what many consider "the house of the Lord's" or God's house, then we should respect the fact that God has no place or person(s) in politics.  It is a spiritual house and not our secular home.

When preachers use their voice to campaign for or even against any political candidate, they are not worthy of praticing what they preach. 

Now, many of you might disagree with me.  But I ask you to first read what is written in the book of  James, chapter one, verse 25 through 27 and then tell me if some of these so-called ministers should repent.

Secondly, I would also ask that you read what is written in the book of Matthew, chapter six, verses one through eight and come to terms with what Jesus was trying to teach us about how we should worship God. 

Churches should not be used for electing city officials or any other kind of political gathering.  It is sacred and a place of worship for those who do worship God in spirit and in truth.  (John 4:24)

Question:  How likely would you vote or not vote for a candidate, if they were one of the following...

(a)   An Atheists
(b)  A Muslim
(c)  A Jew
(d)  A Christian

How do you really feel about the comment that Senator Clinton made about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy? 

(a)  Taken Out of Context
(b)  Desperate
(c)  Politically motivated
(d)  Don't know, don't care

How do you think the media treated the comments made by Senator Clinton?

(a)  Fair
(b)  Unfair
(c)  Media frenzy
(d)  Don't know, don't care

How do you think Senator Obama handled the comments made by Senator Clinton?

(a)  Intelligently
(b)  Politically motivatied
(c)  Taken Out of Context
(d)  Don't know, don't care

The comments made by senator Clinton was very unfortunate, at best.  However, this contest has proven that she's not really to take on a general election. 

I was once pulling for senator Clinton because I felt that she was smart and able to handle the business of the federal government.  But now, I'm thinking that she's showing her true spirit.  Or at least, she's becoming so desperate, that she does not know how to handle defeat. 

With that kind of mind, how is senator Clinton going to handle the major issues of a general election?  I think that she should do the right thing and concede.  It's probably the best way to unite the democratic party.  Because of now, she really don't have a chance at the number two spot. 

But hey, it was definitely one of the most exciting competition I've seen.  This should go down as the most unforgettable moments in history. 

Now, I'm not going to lie.  Suchita is fine.  Hands down.  And after watching Good Day Atlanta, this week, I learned that she is also single. 

Now, come on fellas.  Sometimes, what we are looking for is right in front of our face.  We can't continue to allow good women to pass us by.  So, that just poses a few questions in my mind.

Why does successful women find it hard to date?  Or is it hard for a successful woman to date?

Suchita Vadlamani is single, fellas.  Let the emails being to pour in. 

Disclaimer:  No stalkers, liars, such and such, criminally insane, broken hearted or deranged suitors need to waste the time.

Dang! That just about narrows it down, doesn't it?  Just kidding. 

Ask yourself a question.  How far do you have to drive to get to work and other places? 

As gas prices continue to soar, the excuse has always been because of the demand for oil.  But who are we kidding here?  Is there really such a high demand? 

So again, ask yourself a serious question.  Has any of your habits of burning fuel changed, in over the last eight years? 

If you're like most U.S. citizens, then you pretty much have done the same thing, the same exact way, for the longest period of time.  The same miles that it took you to drive to work today are the same miles that you took eight years ago and even when you first started your job. 

And the same can be said of a lot of your driving habits, cooking habits and for the amount of gas you use to heat your homes.  So, where is this so-called "high" demand that is driving up the cost of gas? 

There isn't any.  Because you're not doing more today then you did yesterday.  Therefore, the demand of gas even isn't recognized. 

But not so fast.  Wait a minute.  There is still a war going on.  And the U.S. is spending billions of dollars, each week, to continue a situation that appears not to be productive. 

So, why should it cost you more to do the same exact things that you've always done, when the real cost of gas is due to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? 

It is costing you more money to buy orange juice, just because of the effects of gas prices.  Prices that are a direct result of a political fumble.  So, what are we to do?

The only way to really ease the pain at the pump and to get the U.S. economy back on track, is to challenge the White House to fest up and use the oil that we already have in reserve. 

Whether people may know it or not, the U.S. will not run out of fuel for a long time.  We have enough oil to last us at least another decade, even if not another barrel of oil is imported to America.  But since the american people are so use to believing in the fear of its elected officials, we don't dare question what is right in front our face. 

Some of you might disagree. But I ask you one last time.  Consider the question of whether you're doing more to drive up the cost of gas or not.  And then ask yourself where's the demand is actually coming from. 

Let's do the math.  Shall we?

Due the debacle of the Clayton County Board of Education and the risk of the school system losing its accreditation, should taxpayers file a class action law suit against the Clayton County school board and the Clayton County Commissioners Office, to have the property taxes, which was itemized into the school system, fully refunded back to the taxpayers of Clayton County?

Should the taxpayers of Clayton County, who have children in school,  use that money to offset expenses of tranferring their children to other qualified school districts? 

Should the Clayton County Commissioners Office take into consideration the debacle of the Clayton County School Board, by eliminating or even offseting the property taxes owed, inregards to the school tax, during the next tax season of fall 2008?

All of these should be poll questions.  But I'm just wondering if the taxpayers of Clayton County have a valid lawsuit and claim to the monies paid to the Commissioners Office, for school tax.  But now, have to deal with the school system losing it accreditation because of the members of the school board. 

If you ask me, that's money wasted.  And a refund is entitled, until this matter is cleared up and resolved.  

Are there any law professors, students and even attorneys, who would like to weigh in on these questions? 

The growing number of foreclosures in Georgia is really beginning to show how much education homeowners need to have before purchasing a home. 

And I'm not saying this is be facetious.  But a lot of times, people will buy more property than they can afford.  And in other times, a lot of homeowners do not really do their "home"work, when it comes to understanding the difference between an ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) and a Fixed Mortgage. 

I'm willing to bet that a lot of those foreclosures have an ARM attached to them.  And it's that ARM that is pulling those homeowner's finances down the drain.  So, what's the different between an Adjustable Rate Mortgage and a Fixed Mortgage?

Well, without getting into all of the specifics, let's define those mortgages by the needs and wants of the consumer. 

If you plan on getting a home, whether new or old, but you don't plan on staying at that residence for a long period of time, then it's perfectly understandable to get a mortgage loan with an Adjustable Rate Mortgage.   The only catch is, your payments may or may not, work in your favor, depending on other factors that will make the rate go up or down.  But what do you care? You're about to sell the home and get a little something out of it. 

However, if you set all of your money aside and saved up to buy the "perfect" house, this is your dream home, you love the neighborhood and you are completely content  and you don't plan on moving any time soon;  well then, getting an Adjustable Rate Mortgage would be the biggest mistake that you could ever dream possible.  But why it that?

Well, only Fixed Rate Mortgages are designed for "fixed" homeowners.  That's why it's called  a fixed rate.  The only way to change that rate is to refinance.  However, having a fixed rate doesn't always keep your mortgage the same.  But at least, you can still plan your finances around it.  

The one thing that homeowners have to always keep an eye one, whether they have an ARM or a Fixed Rate Mortgage, is their property taxes.  This unexpecting devil will always rear its ugly head and cause homeowners to pay out more than they had planned.  But there again, homeowners need to be more educated about their property taxes.  And to do that, always get an Escrow Account with your mortgage and keep an eye on it.  

Escrow Accounts are designed to help pay for the taxes and insurance on your home.  But did you know that you can add money to your Escrow Account?  A lot of times, taxes will go up and really catch homeowners off guard.  So, it's always a good idea to talk with your mortgage lender about putting some extra funds into Escrow to cover the "oops" and "ah, man!"  of higher property taxes.   By federal law, once your taxes are paid, any monies left over is a refund.  It's coming back to you. 

And speaking of refunds, that's probably the money that you would want to use to put a little something into Escrow.  But what ever you do, become knowledgable and remain knowledgable about being a homeowner.  It's a wonderful feeling, but if you're not up on all of the odds and ends of the deal, then you've already cracked your foundation, financially.

First off, what is "the Black vote"? 

The problem with the United States is that we have seperated between ethnic groups. 

The is a complete juxtapostion of how a democracy works. 

Clinton and Obama shouldn't be fighting over "Black" votes.  They should be embracing the policies that they are campiagning about. 

Black people and White people are no different than each other.  So, why would anyone feel that these ethnic group have totally different issues?

Any comments?

I'll tell you who's getting played.  The tax payers. 

You would think that the justice system is the one that's being tried and gotten the death penalty. 

What is it going to take for Brian Nichols to finally face up to his crimes?

Should he be given the death penalty or no?

O.K.  I tell a tale.  But I did make you look.  *wink*

But hey, think about it.  Seriously!

What do the Atlanta Falcons need more than anything, besides another chance in the Superbowl Championship? 

Answer:  PRIMETIME EXPOSURE. 

This team has been getting beat up, both on and off the field.  And so, who can turn this team around and really give them the zip that they need? 

Answer:  Deion "Primetime" Sanders

But why Deion? 

Well, he use to be an Atlanta Falcon.  He has played in the Superbowl.  And Deion always brings a winning attitude.  But can he coach? 

Well, that would depend on the opportunity that might be presented to him.  I guess no one has never asked the man. 

Does anyone know Arthur Blank's personal number? 

Is Micheal Vick Getting A Raw Deal?

Considering the facts, if Michael Vick didn't have the celebritihood of being a professional football player, would he be getting the same kind of treatment that he's getting for dog fighting? 

I think that Vick is getting a raw deal.  And most of the so-called justice really stems from people's emotions.  I mean, let's be very realistic and completely clear.  The justice system is out to ruin Michael Vick.  Not only his name sake, but also his character.  But at the end of the day, you've got to ask yourself this one question.  "Does the punishment fit the crime?"

O.K. Fighting dogs is a terrible gambling circuit.  And anyone who participates in it, should be treated as a criminal.  However, dogs are not people.  They are great companions and bring a lot of stability to people's lives.  But dogs are not human.  And no matter how mad society wants to be with and at Michael Vick, he is human, regardless of the decisions he has made.

Did he know better?  Well, that's a matter of opinion.  But Michael Vick is still a young man.  And to treat him with such hostility doesn't really fit the crimes that he committed.  I mean, let's not be hypocrites and point fingers, without taking a closer look at our own lives.  

How many of you have ever ran over an animal, be it a dog or a cat, a squirrel or even a rabbit?  Did you stop to see what you ran over, or did you continue on your journey?  But I guess that's not the same as dog fighting.  However, it's still cruelty to animals.  

And speaking of cruelty to animals, how many of you have ever allowed for your dogs to run loose, in the community, knowing full well that they are not on a lease?  And then have the nerve and audacity to say, "Don't worry!  My dog doesn't bite!"  Come on, now.  Let's be realistic.  

Michael Vick is losing his entire fortune and he didn't even shoot anyone.  One of the reasons why he probably turned himself in and start serving his sentence is because he has no place else to go.  And with all of the fines and legal fees, mounted up against him, there's no way he's going to be able to pay all of his debts, unless he plays football again.  And there's no real indication if that will ever happen.  

So, that just leaves the man ruined.  But for what?  Dog fighting?  Is it really that serious?  Has anyone else ever had to face that kind of justice?  Or is it just because this is "Michael Vick?"  Sounds like a raw deal to me.       

Lake Lanier is at an all time record low.  But what do we do about it?  Well, we sit back and watch it fades.

Now, correct me if  I'm wrong.  But it's going to take a stable and long standing rain showers, in order for Lake Lanier and Georgia, for that matter, to come out of this extreme drought.  And that's not going to happen anytime soon.  Sorry to sound so negative.  But let's be realistic. 

When was the last time Georgia received a whole month of rain?  A little over ten year ago, right?  Well, when will Georgia get another chance at receiving another weather system like that?  Who knows?  

Well, instead of playing around with numbers and hoping that rain will fall, why not do the most obvious remedy and go to the ocean and get the necessary water needed to stablized the state's water supply?  

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?  Too much like right.  But I can't understand is why can't someone answer the question of why we're not thinking of going to the ocean, since Georgia is right on the east coast, to get the necessary water?  

I mean, if the island of Hawaii was to go through an extreme drought, where do you think they would get the water from?  Rain?  

Well, Georgia isn't getting enough rain.  And no time soon is Georgia is going to get enough rain.  We can pray all we want, but God's grace is sufficient.  

You have an ocean of miles and miles of water.  Why do we think we can "ONLY" get water from the sky?  

Can someone please answer that for me? 

Should those who are illegally in the U.S. have the privilege to obtain American driver's licenses? 

I say yes!  In fact, absolutely!  But why is that? 

Well, let's first consider the problem of not having a driver's license, as well as being in the U.S. illegally.

Without a driver's license, a person's identity can not be truly revealed.  And this poses a problem for everyone, especially when there's a traffic accident.  If you're not the one at fault and they don't have a "valid" driver's license, you don't know who to bring charges against.  

And no offense to the spanish citizens, but how many "José Juan's" are there, who have a valid driver's license and are in the U.S. legally?  Again, this is a real problem.  

But remember, especially for those of you who may disagree with illegal aliens having American driver's licenses; driving is a privilege and not a right.  So, giving someone the privilege to drive is not the same as giving them a right. 

However, I do understand the concern that many people have with this issue.  And that's why I feel that illegal aliens, who obtain the privilege to drive, should also be given a different class number, other than the regular class number. 

For example, if someone were to get a class "C" driver's license and they are also an illegal alien, then that driver's license would be a class C - A - what ever nationality they are.  And the word "Alien" would be either underneath their name or across their photo.    But what purpose would any of this serve?

Well, for one, those who are given driver's licenses can also now get insurance.  And that's a big plus for everyone.  Secondly, illegal aliens can now be properly idenitified and even tracked through APB warrant checks.  And third, since they are now more easily identifiable, those illegal aliens who have committed crimes can be easily deported and kept record on.  So, this can be a win/win for the U.S.

I mean, do you really know the people in your neighborhood?  Why not?  You drive by them everyday.  Wouldn't you like to know if they even have a privilege to drive also?  Why not make them official by giving the same privilege as you have.  It's not a right.  And the rights, which you do have, are not being infringed upon.  It's just safe to know that people who practice driving on our streets are, in fact, licensed drivers, regardless if they are here illegally or not.  

What'cha think?       

This nut of a president is asking for more money to fund an unjust war, that is obviously and completely out of control.  Yet, at the same time, he vetoed a bill that would help children who can not afford healthcare.

Does anybody, anyone see a problem with this?

I mean, what does he need 46 more billions of dollars for?  Can we itemized the needs of those funds? 

This just goes to show how gullible the president think we are.  Ask and ye shall receive.  And who is going to fund this 46 billion dollars? I mean, where is it coming from? I ain't got it. 

That's right, "ain't". 

About four years ago, when Bush won the last presidential election, a whole lot of people were going around, hollering, "FOUR MORE YEARS". 

Question!  Are you really satisfied and truly believe in what you were screaming?  Because I seriously doubt if you voted for this crap, we call American politics. 

Since the drought has taken a huge toll on Georgia's water supply, maybe it's time to do come creative thinking and maybe even some alternative drinking. 

Now, this might sound a bit crazy.  But desperate times calls for desperate measures.  And since Georgia's lakes and rivers are soon to dry up, I'm thinking that maybe some water, much needed water, could be siphon from the Atlantic ocean to our reservoir and then filtered through the water plants, that would then make it way to residents and businesses.  

Sounds like a plan, right?  The only question or problem is, who's going to pay for the water to be siphon from the ocean?  I think that Georiga needs to be declared in a state of emergency.  We don't need to wait until the rivers are completely dried up.  By that time, who knows how drastic the economy will be or how much of an impact this drought would leave Georgia in.  Something needs to be done now.  And since Georgia is closer to the ocean than other states, it only seem right to dip into that water to calm some of our woes.  

What'cha think?