Vince Johnson

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Taxes - Vince Johnson

It Looks Like Hillary Was Right

September 9, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

There is a good chance Obama won’t get elected after all, but for reasons Hillary may have not have considered. Obama has the grace, the eloquence, the brilliant mind, the charisma, the family, and the demeanor that makes him a powerful vote getter. What Obama lacks is what leaders like Colin Powell have in abundance, and that is the time tested ability to provide strong leadership in responsibilities that included tenures as Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Yes, I specifically used Colin Powell as an example to emphasize that I do not regard race as a negative in Obama’s resume. The reasons I cannot support Obama for President have received little attention thus far in the campaign. The first is that I have come to believe that Obama has very little understanding of America’s grass roots population. I mean the people who grow, process and deliver our food. The people who teach our kids, and build our homes, and run our businesses, and keep America on the move, and care for us when we are ill, and serve our nation in the military, and work on holidays in restaurants and stores, and on and on. In my view Obama connects with the elite, but not with the mainstream where Presidential elections are won and lost.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Europe - Family - History - Immigration/Immigrants - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Do It Now!

August 7, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Don’t tell Nike, but we have changed their slogan from “Just do it” to “Do it now!” We see no point in advising them of this event. They are happy with the way things are. We made this change last month when we signed up for a two week tour of New Zealand and Australia. This trip is one Barbara (my spouse) has wanted to take since her high school days. Whenever discussion about going to Australia came up, as it often did, I’d make all the comments you’d expect from one who knew such a trip would never happen. I don’t like to slosh cold water on people’s dreams. You know how that goes.

Things changed one day in early June when a travel brochure arrived. It was an invitation to tour New Zealand and Australia including a three day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef on the Coral Princess, a 25 stateroom boat. Within an hour we were having a serious discussion about doing it. The rationalizing went very well. We are nearing the time of life where such trips are becoming physically difficult. With a 25 couple limit we knew from experience that it doesn’t take long to book the entire cruise. Within three days we had made the commitment. We had been going along with the “Just do it” routine for years. It was time to “Do it now!” We did and another adventure has germinated!
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00Publius Contributor - History - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Typical Earthling?

August 2, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

According to a CBS news report a retired astronaut named Edgar Mitchell says extra-terrestrials have visited the Earth. Further, he says the government has known about the outer-space visitors for at least the last sixty years. He was the sixth of 12 men who have walked on the moon. I would say there is some slim chance he knows what he’s talking about. Very slim, but who knows?

A year or so ago I pretended that I met an alien from outer space. He was obviously disguised as a human. Neatly dressed, looked to be about 40 and had a friendly demeanor. He told me he was on a mission from his base planet at the other end of the Milky Way. His assignment was to bring back a “Typical Earthling.” He told me not to worry. I was not a typical Earthling because I was white skinned, had blue eyes and way too old. He emphasized his point by saying there are too many humans of different colors, cultures, beliefs and therefore any one individual selected could not possibly be considered a “Typical Earthling.”

He told me that it might take another ten thousand years before a “Typical Earthling” came into existence. According to his definition, a “Typical Earthling” would represent at least 80% of the human population. In other words, a “Typical Earthling” will not exist until most of humanity blends into one race. He said that the process had started on Earth, but it would take another 10,000 years before 80% of our people spoke the same language, had same color skin, had the same values and priorities, held the same beliefs, etc.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - Military - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

An Open Letter to General Wesley Clark (Ret.)

July 8, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Wesley:

Your recent comments on MEET THE PRESS June 29, 2008 are disturbing and entitled to rebuttal:

For example: You said: “He (John McCain) hasn’t held executive responsibility. That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded — that wasn’t a wartime squadron.”

Don’t you realize that the entire United States Senate will be unhappy to learn that you do not believe serving in either House of Congress involves executive responsibility?

Do you really believe it is wise to belittle John McCain’s six years in the House and his twenty years in the Senate when your candidate, Barack Obama is in his first term in the Senate? This also invites your opposition to point out that your candidate has never been qualified to command any “large squadron” at any time in his life.

Your most shocking statement was this: “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.”

As a retired general with your many years of service, you should know there is a huge difference between flying an airplane and riding in one. In your eagerness to belittle John McCain’s background, you have insulted every pilot that ever flew a fighter plane since World War I.
Continue reading “An Open Letter to General Wesley Clark (Ret.)”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - News - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Find out who you really are at Chemeketa Community College

June 26, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

There is a surprising course awaiting your discovery in Chemeketa’s 2008 summer class schedule.

It is about something more important than computers, or history, or math, or nutrition or any of those things. In fact, this course may very well be dealing with the most important subject you can learn about in your entire life. I know this first-hand because I experienced this course last summer.

It is a three-hour course starting Saturday, June 28, and yes, if you haven’t guessed already, I’ve registered to experience it again this summer. Notice that I said “experience” this course rather than “take”. You can’t “take” this kind of course because it is an “experience” and one that will find a permanent home wherever your pleasant memories are kept.

When you “take” a course, as in History or Biology, you learn by using a combination of thought processes requiring logic, memory, reasoning, etc. Emotions have nothing to do with it. When you “experience” a course, you learn by using a combination of energies such as surprise, anger, bewilderment, fear, disgust, pleasure, etc. Emotions have everything to do with it. Yes, you can learn about emotions from courses in Psychology, Human Relations, Nursing, Counseling, etc. But you can learn much more about emotions by experiencing them rather than reading about them.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - News - Religion - Science - Vince Johnson

An Open Letter to Einstein

May 21, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

The media has reported that Einstein wrote a letter containing the following quote:

“The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weakness, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.”
(The word “god” was not capitalized in the article.)

The comment is from a letter he wrote in 1954 to a German philosopher known as Eric Gutkind. Einstein was 75 when he wrote the letter, so it is very likely his conclusion was based upon a lifetime of serious consideration. (Einstein died in 1955.)

I don’t know if this quote is factual, but if Einstein had written that letter to me, here is how I would have responded:
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - Race - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

The Very Predictable and Very Convenient Deadlock

March 30, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Some will say the Clinton/Obama bashing and counter bashing is a clever orchestration arranged by moles working for Al Gore. The more they bash and counter-bash, the bigger the hero he will be when he suddenly arrives just in time to convert his party into an unstoppable effort to put himself in the Oval Office.

Others will say this is simply a case of mismanaged political strategies that are playing into Al Gores hands. This scenario was predictable so why not sit back and wait for the most appropriate moment to make a move? Why should he spend his money or energy running for President until his opponents spend all of theirs convincing America that neither one is fit to be President?

Is the Clinton/Obama deadlock by design or by accident? I say it doesn’t matter. I say it is not only “convenient” to Gore’s ambitions, it was sufficiently predictable to count on as a stepping stone of “heroic” proportions. When two candidates are perceived as equally inexperienced, it is predictable that both candidates will focus on the other’s weaknesses rather than the issues. When two candidates have a young and extremely dedicated following, there will be impulsive trash talk and there will also be emotionally driven remarks that belittle those they were aimed at them as well as those who uttered them. In their efforts to tear each other apart, they will tear themselves apart. And Mr. Gore will arrive as a great and benevolent hero without spending a dime!
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00Publius Contributor - Budget - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Vince Johnson

If You’re a Teenager, Listen up

March 28, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

This picture was taken back in 1950’s when I was in my teens. If you don’t know who I am, your parents or teacher will. They will probably tell you how I blew the whole deal after I got to the top of the world. Well that’s OK, because it’s true. In 1977, I was 42 and worth millions, but I messed up big time. I was addicted to drugs. I overdosed. The end wasn’t pretty and I didn’t make it.

So now let me tell you about another kind of addiction. It is going on in your Congress. The “addiction” I’m talking about has to do with borrowing money. Congress is absolutely hooked on borrowing money. Tons and tons of money. Check this number: $9,000,000,000,000! That’s $9 trillion! That’s how much money Congress has borrowed to cover their hog wild spending. If I made $100 million a year, I would have to work 90 thousand years to pay it off! If your calculator doesn’t have enough zeros, check it out with your math teacher.

Here’s what you ought to keep in mind. They are borrowing most of that money from YOU!
Continue reading “If You’re a Teenager, Listen up”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - News - President - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

6th Open Letter to the Candidate I’d Vote for

January 19, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Candidate for President of the United States: (Either party)

Last week you announced that your next conference would be held near Jamestown, Virginia where you would discuss changes you would advocate in our Foreign Policy. Here’s the speech I’d like to hear:

“Since the end of World War II, America’s foreign policy has been more confusing than it has been successful. Example: America has repeatedly told the world we were concerned about the “domino effect” regarding the spread of communism into North Korea and Vietnam. This totally ignores a reality known as Cuba which succumbed to Communistic rule in 1959. There is no reasonable explanation why Communist nations several thousand miles away were regarded as a greater threat to America than another Communist nation only a few miles from Florida. (Havana is 106 miles from Key West and Hanoi is 7,560 miles from Los Angeles.)

“The total of American lives lost in the Korean and Vietnam wars is 95,083! This is a horrible reality all Americans have to live with. The 2007 CIA World Fact Book classifies North Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba as Communist States. These are the same classifications North Korea and Vietnam had before all those lives were lost several decades ago. America did nothing when Cuba adopted communism in 1959. In 1961, Cuban exiles trained by Americans in Florida were involved in an invasion that failed miserably at the Bay of Pigs. North Korea and Vietnam are still communistic states and Cuba was added to the list after the Korean War and prior to the war in Vietnam! Our record in foreign affairs does not work. It must be changed while there is still time to do it.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - News - President - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Fifth Open Letter to the Candidate I’d Vote For

January 12, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Candidate for President of the United States: (Either party)
Last week you announced that your next conference would be held near Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home at Hyde Park, New York. You also said this location was a clue regarding your plan that would bring Congressional borrowing under control. Without fanfare and hoopla you make another brief speech:

“We are close to Hyde Park to remind everyone that strong leaders of the past have not been afraid to veto bills loaded with wasteful or unnecessary spending. This practice must be re-established by the next president. Franklin D. Roosevelt was famous for frequent use of his power to veto bills passed by Congress. During his twelve years in office he vetoed 635 bills. This averages to 53 per year. In comparison, Bush has vetoed 5 bills during his first 7 years and Clinton vetoed 37 bills in 8 years. This means that, on average, Roosevelt vetoed 53 bills per year, Clinton vetoed 4.6 per year and Bush vetoed less than one a year!

Some may not understand how your veto will bring Congressional borrowing under control. Explain in very specific terms:

“Here’s how a resolute veto strategy can work. Example: The president is receives a bill extending the Medicare Program through the fiscal year. The bill includes an item allowing a grant of no less than $2,290,000 for the International Fertilizer Development Center located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The entire bill would be vetoed immediately.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Fourth Open Letter to the Presidential Candidate I Would Vote For

January 11, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Sir/Ms/Mrs.__________________________________________

I have decided to address these open letters to the candidate I’d vote for rather than everybody’s “favorite” candidate which caused a lot of confusion. Not everyone agrees with me, so henceforth, I’ll confine my advice to the candidate I’d vote for.

For this week, I suggest that you make a high impact speech near the National Office of the PTA in Chicago. It should be brief and to the point: “The most critical issue facing America today is not getting any attention by any candidate. This issue involves grievous ethical questions regarding our Public Debt. At the moment this debt exceeds $9 trillion dollars and the borrowing is increasing at a non-stop rate of $1.5 billion dollars per day.

“The enormity of this debt is only a symptom and not the real problem. The core of the debt problem is with Congress who approves of all the borrowing. The cure for the problem is in the hands of the voters who decide who should go to Congress.”

Lay it out something like this: “There is a new kind of reality in America today. Congress has discovered there is no outrage when they borrow trillions from foreign nations, mutual funds, individuals, banks, retirement plans, etc. Since there is no objection, they borrow more money for projects that will help them get re-elected while important things America really needs are tabled and forgotten.”

Then remind them who will make the payments. “Those who will pay the most for this uncontrolled borrowing consist of 75 million kids under 18 who have never been allowed to vote. This reality is more than criminal. It is immoral, it is unethical, and it is a sickening form of greedy arrogance that is destroying America.”

Don’t stop there: “This conference is being held near the National Headquarters of the PTA to remind America of the first sentence in their mission statement: ‘To be a powerful voice for all children’.”

Keep at it: “And I’m here today to ask the PTA to help me publicize a question that none of the other candidates for President regard as important enough to address. That question is basic and to the point:
Continue reading “Fourth Open Letter to the Presidential Candidate I Would Vote For”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Elections - News - President - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Clarification Letter #1

January 10, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Advice to the candidate for President that I would vote for:

On a regular basis, you should hold a “Clarification Conference” to clear up any confusion regarding your previous statements.

Your sudden departure from the confusion generated by Presidential Debates needs further comment. You openly admit it was a planned strategy designed to focus attention upon where you stand on key issues. Your stand on the debates can be defined in one sentence: The qualifications to be President should not be judged on brief orations controlled by a moderator asking questions approved by staff members for each candidate.
Next you clarify your position on immigration. The Mexican border must be sealed off using wide water along as much of the Rio Grande as feasible and placement of well trained security teams and high tech surveillance methods along the entire border.

You then reveal that your idea about inviting Mexico to become our 51st state has a subtle purpose. At first, nobody will take the idea seriously. But Mexico has oil reserves of considerable value and beautiful coastal properties having great potential for world-class resorts and retirement villas. Their extended growing season and agricultural resources are exceptional. These natural assets afford exceptional growth opportunities that are no longer available in the United States.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Clarification Letter #1

January 9, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Advice to the candidate for President that I would vote for:

On a regular basis, you should hold a “Clarification Conference” to clear up any confusion regarding your previous statements.

Your sudden departure from the confusion generated by Presidential Debates needs further comment. You openly admit it was a planned strategy designed to focus attention upon where you stand on key issues. Your stand on the debates can be defined in one sentence: The qualifications to be President should not be judged on brief orations controlled by a moderator asking questions approved by staff members for each candidate.
Next you clarify your position on immigration. The Mexican border must be sealed off using wide water along as much of the Rio Grande as feasible and placement of well trained security teams and high tech surveillance methods along the entire border.

You then reveal that your idea about inviting Mexico to become our 51st state has a subtle purpose. At first, nobody will take the idea seriously. But Mexico has oil reserves of considerable value and beautiful coastal properties having great potential for world-class resorts and retirement villas. Their extended growing season and agricultural resources are exceptional. These natural assets afford exceptional growth opportunities that are no longer available in the United States.

It is not likely the citizens of Mexico would be allowed to have such a vote, but the extensive media coverage should encourage their government to develop ways to improve their people’s quality of life. This would make it more rewarding to stay at home than to migrate to the U.S. This is not the case at the moment, and one way to bring this attitude into the equation, is to invite Mexico to join the Union.
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00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - GOP - Military - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Vince Johnson

Third Open Letter to the Presidential Candidate I’d Vote For

January 6, 2008 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Sir/Ms/Mrs._____________________________________________
In review: In my first letter I suggested you walk out during a nit picky debate and announce a press conference on the Mexican border near Del Rio, Texas. At Del Rio you explained what you plan to do about immigration and announced your third conference at Santiam High in Mill City, Oregon. At the third conference you make a short speech before an audience of students, and teachers at Santiam High School:

“Last week I discussed my plans about immigration. This week I will state my position on education. Each student in this room is nearing a decision point that will affect their life as long as they live. Those desiring to have a meaningful and successful career have two basic choices. You can serve your country in any of many trades and professions. Or you can serve your country in the armed forces.

“In 2006, $1.4 billion tax dollars were spent on advertising designed to persuade you to enlist in the armed forces. Once you enlist, more billions are spent to feed you, cloth you, fix your teeth, treat you when you are ill, and on and on. Beyond that, more billions will be spent to train you in a wide variety of technologies and essential skills. And beyond that, billions and billions more are spent on military assets that you might operate, navigate, repair, maintain, and so on.

“To repeat: You have two options. You can serve your country in the armed forces, or you can serve your country in any of the thousands of trades and professions. Keep in mind that either choice is honorable and absolutely necessary. If you choose to join the armed forces the government pays you and gives you everything you need If you choose a career in one of the trades or professions, you might qualify for a loan from the government, otherwise you are on your own. This is not a wisecrack. This is fact.
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Second Open Letter to Your Favorite Candidate

December 27, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

Dear Sir/Ms/Mrs.:___________________________ (Fill in your favorite candidate’s name. Either Party. Male or Female)

Your Del Rio press conference should begin without hype and fanfare. You thank them for being there and say “Rather than nit pick the pros and cons about driver’s licenses for illegals I’ve decided to tell you what I plan to do about illegal immigration. First I’ll find out if it is feasible to widen the entire Rio Grande River by adding more dams like the Amistad Dam near Del Rio, Texas. This could be one of a series of dams much like those constructed in the 1930’s by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Those dams not only widened the river, they provided flood control and hydro-electric power which helped energize the local economy. I will appoint a special task force and give them thirty days to come up with sufficient data to determine if the idea is worth forwarding to Congress for appropriate legislation.”

You emphasize that this is the idea of several mayors of cities in Texas. It is your policy to give careful consideration to any recommendation from those most directly involved. You continue: “Security for the border along California, Arizona and New Mexico would utilize high tech devices, motion detectors, infra-red scanners, etc. All four states could have larger security teams with upgraded training and equipment for quick and efficient enforcement.” You make it very clear: “Instead of walls and fences, security will be based on high tech devices, well trained enforcement teams and wide water if feasible.”

You continue “I will have another special task force come up with the most appropriate way to initiate a proposal that would make legal that which has been happening illegally anyway! The assignment will be to determine how to go about asking Mexico to allow their people to vote on a measure asking if the United States of America would annex Mexico as its fifty-first state!”
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00Publius Contributor - Elections - News - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Advice to the Candidates

December 27, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

Advice to the candidate for President that I would vote for:

On a regular basis, you should hold a “Clarification Conference” to clear up any confusion regarding your previous statements.

Your sudden departure from the confusion generated by Presidential Debates needs further comment. You openly admit it was a planned strategy designed to focus attention upon where you stand on key issues. Your stand on the debates can be defined in one sentence: The qualifications to be President should not be judged on brief orations controlled by a moderator asking questions approved by staff members for each candidate.

Next you clarify your position on immigration. The Mexican border must be sealed off using wide water along as much of the Rio Grande as feasible and placement of well trained security teams and high tech surveillance methods along the entire border.

You then reveal that your idea about inviting Mexico to become our 51st state has a subtle purpose. At first, nobody will take the idea seriously. But Mexico has oil reserves of considerable value and beautiful coastal properties having great potential for world-class resorts and retirement villas. Their extended growing season and agricultural resources are exceptional. These natural assets afford exceptional growth opportunities that are no longer available in the United States.
Continue reading “Advice to the Candidates”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Are Global Warming Tax Breaks in the Works?

November 27, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

The IRS currently allows various tax breaks designed to encourage citizens to invest in various products and technologies that will conserve energy derived from natural gas, oil and coal. Some examples of these tax breaks are listed below: (Quoted from the Sierra Club web page)

Hybrid vehicle tax credit: this credit varies by make and model, but can be up to $3,000.
Home energy efficiency tax credit: up to $500 for home improvements designed to make your home more energy efficient, such as new windows or a more efficient heating/cooling system.
Residential solar and fuel cell tax credit: up to $2,000 for installation of a solar electric, solar water heating, or fuel cell system. Any excess credit can be carried forward one additional year.
Energy subsidy exemption: Any rebates or incentives you receive for energy conservation measures, directly or indirectly, from utilities are not counted as taxable income.

There are many more similar tax breaks, but those listed above will be sufficient to illustrate the need for similar tax credits and allowances designed to encourage people to prepare for the oncoming devastation that will be caused by Global Warming. The unquestionable certainty of this oncoming disaster is based upon scientific studies and reports made by the United Nations, hundreds of respected and well educated authorities on climatology and meteorology, front page coverage as approved by the influential editors of the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Denver Post, Atlanta Constitution and the Oregonian.

In light of the overwhelmingly unanimous clamor about Global Warming, it has therefore become appropriate and judicious to suggest that Congress instruct the IRS to make some critically important modifications in the Tax Code as listed below: (And do so before it is too late!)

Allow up to $150 tax credit for FEMA approved books and educational materials advising families how to prepare for the impact of Global Warming. (At present, no such books are available, but it is reasonable to assume many are currently being rushed to the printers with all possible dispatch.)
Continue reading “Are Global Warming Tax Breaks in the Works?”

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

HEY KID!

November 20, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson


If you are under the age of 18, listen up!

Are you aware that Congress has been borrowing vast sums of money from your future since the day you were born? In the Fall of 2007 your share of the federal debt exceeded $29,000 dollars! Your share of this debt is getting bigger every day. In September 2007 the debt ceiling was increased by $850 billion dollars and it is now at $9.8 trillion!

A huge amount of this money is being spent on questionable things like a $981 million “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska and $280 million for an indoor rainforest in Coralville, Iowa. The list of wasteful spending is unbelievably huge and you will be paying for highly questionable things like these as long as you live!

Don’t ever forget that all of this money has been borrowed from your future without your approval or consent. You will be making payments on it as soon as you get a job or have any kind of taxable income. If you do not make these payments (by paying your taxes) congress has enacted laws that allow the courts to levy large fines or have you sent to prison, or both!

Now get this straight. The act of forcing you to make payments on an debt as large as this, and incurred without your approval or consent, could be unconstitutional. It is urgent for you to find out how this matter can be brought before the Supreme Court. Ask your parents. Ask your teachers. Ask your principal. Ask a lawyer. Ask your Senators or Representative in Washington, D.C. There is nothing unreasonable about asking if it is constitutional to be forced to make payments on a horrendously excessive debt incurred without your knowledge, approval or consent.
Continue reading “HEY KID!”

00Publius Contributor - Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Family - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Deficit Gone Wild

November 2, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

YOU OWE ME $29,000.00

BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT

As of October 2007 every American citizen owed me over $29,000! This includes little babies, students, teachers, parents, grandparents and great grandparents. All of you owe me over $29,000 right now and next year it will be even more.

The Public Debt now exceeds $9,000,000,000,000 (trillion) dollars. There are about 302,000,000 (million) American citizens. Divide 9 trillion by 302 million and see what you get.

But don’t worry about it. Congress is very aware that anyone over 18 won’t live long enough to pay it off, so they’ve relied upon actuarial probabilities that will shift the vast bulk of this debt to your kids. This is being done to every American under the age of 18 without their approval and without their consent.

It is simple. You want things you can’t afford, so you borrow trillions from your children and when they grow up, they make the payments! Oh yes! You are making payments now. That’s why your taxes are so high. But these payments aren’t anywhere near enough. In September 2007, Congress lifted the debt ceiling by $850 billion dollars and it is now over $9.8 trillion! Your payments are not reducing the debt a single cent. It is getting BIGGER!

But like I say, “Don’t worry about it.” The kids will handle it when they grow up.

Congress has seen to that. If they don’t make the payments (by paying their taxes) they will receive substantial fines, or go to prison, or both!

Take this to a CPA or a lawyer. Ask them if a single word is misleading or inaccurate. After doing that, ask a politician running for office to take this to a classroom filled with high school students and explain why they will be held liable for a multi-trillion dollar debt their parents could not pay off.

Don’t forget this. America’s children will be making payments on this debt as long as they live. The least you can do is help your kids understand why they will be making payments on money you borrowed from them.
Continue reading “Deficit Gone Wild”

00Publius Contributor - History - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

If it’s Better Than Tiffany, it’s in Your Dreams

September 15, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

To a lot of people, the name “Tiffany” brings to mind images of stained glass art at a price never mentioned aloud in the presence of anyone having significant stature in the Social Register. It is therefore interesting to note that the United States Postal Service has recently honored Louis Comfort Tiffany by putting his name and one of his masterpieces on a First Class postage stamp currently priced at forty-one cents.

There is something about this tribute that deserves some exploratory rambling. How do we explain that a man whose name is synonymous with artwork of such extraordinary artistry should be “honored” by the USPS? George Washington appeared on the 3¢ stamp in 1870. Thomas Jefferson was on the 5¢ stamp issued in 1856. Jefferson’sp stamp was issued without perforations and had to be cut with scissors from a sheet. I’ve heard that lobbyists representing folks who make scissors were against perforating stamps, but this is probably just a rumor. It really doesn’t matter. The manufacturers of perforating machines have a much stronger lobby, and people still need scissors to cut out billions of Cents Off coupons anyway. Speaking of coupons, did you realize over 80% of all coupons redeemed in the United States are sent to Mexico to be re-counted? That’s reality folks!
Continue reading “If it’s Better Than Tiffany, it’s in Your Dreams”

00Publius Contributor - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Draft Beer Wisdom

September 14, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

Many of the smartest thoughts ever spoken originated a great distance from the lecture halls of a university or any other location where huge egos gather to play intellectual games. It should also be noted that some of the most stupid thoughts ever spoken have been orated in vast abundance by politicians awaiting their hallowed paragraph in future history books.

In both cases, neither party will willingly admit that every idea they talk about, was first uttered more eloquently at some ordinary place. Like the local saloon. Some folks call them taverns. City dudes that fly on planes call them lounges. Whatever you call them, the flies on the barroom walls have heard every thought ever uttered a long time before it ever entered the mind of an intellectual or a politician.

What did we have before saloons? Caves of course. If you had been a fly on the wall of a cave long time ago, you would have heard a hairy Cro-Magnon belch and say, “Well, I guess I’ll go out there and invent the wheel.”
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00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - GOP - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

THE AD YOUR KIDS SHOULD TAKE TO SCHOOL

July 26, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

It is a full-page ad designed to appear in such papers as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, or USA Today. The headline is in 72 point type and appears over a photo of 12 Middle School students in a classroom:

WILL YOU SEND US TO PRISON IF WE
REFUSE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON YOUR DEBTS?

We are talking about your federal debt. You keep borrowing money from our future to finance wars, build billion dollar bridges between Alaskan villages, and “little” things like the multi-million dollar Indoor Rainforest Project in Iowa. You blame this continual borrowing on the politicians and do nothing except complain about it whenever you get tired of yakking about the weather.

If you were truly responsible adults, you would tell us the truth. You would tell us that you do not have enough money to pay for all the things you want, so you borrow from us. The amount is now around nine trillion dollars and increasing everyday. That’s Nine Thousand Billion Dollars you have borrowed from us!

How would you like it if we borrowed that kind of money directly from your future? How would you like it if we did it without your permission? How would you like it if we passed laws authorizing the courts to send you to prison if you refused to make payments on money we borrowed from you?

That is exactly what your generation is doing to our generation. If you want to discuss this further, please wait until we graduate from high school. These next four or five years may be the few remaining where we can be kids and never have to worry about our nation going bankrupt or how we can survive with what we have left after paying taxes.

This ad concept designed by Vince Johnson, Reality Consultant

I am a veteran of WW II and the Korean Conflict. I believe it is unconstitutional to force our children to make payments on a debt we created without their knowledge or approval. If you agree, print this article and have your kids use it at school for “Show and Tell.”
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00Publius Contributor - Military - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Advice for the President

July 18, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

If I were on the President’s advisory staff I’d tell him to go to the United Nations and make a short speech as written below:

The United States entered Iraq to rid the world of a dangerous tyrant and help them establish a government of self-determination. After four years in this effort, we have come to realize the following:
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00Publius Contributor - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Personal Comments

July 16, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

As many of you may realize, My Commentary is more than a hobby to me. It is my soapbox. In a way, it is therapeutic. Recent circumstances have made this monthly exercise more therapeutic than ever. It was a minor cardiac event. The fifth one since a quad by-pass in 1990. I had to lie around in bed for nearly two days. No radio. Not in the mood for magazines. Did a crossword and a lot of thinking.

Much of the thinking was devoted to the royal mess this country is coping with. I did a mental exercise to pass the time. I wondered what I would do if the President asked me for some advice. Within a few minutes, I had the entire thought clear in my mind. When I got home, I wrote it down and tweaked it a bit.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Immigration/Immigrants - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Some Realities About immigration

July 12, 2007 by 1 Comment

-By Vince Johnson

Remember Elian Gonzales? The young Cuban boy who came to America illegally? He and his mother were two of fourteen people trying to reach Florida in a small boat with a faulty engine. His mother lost her life on the way. He was one of three survivors. Attorney General Janet Reno determined he was here illegally, and with Bill Clinton’s approval, directed the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to send him back to Cuba. Eight SWAT agents from the INS were ordered to raid the home where Elian was living with relatives. The SWAT team wore bullet resistant vests and they were armed with fully loaded automatic rifles. None of those in the house were armed. Elian was forcibly removed and within days, he was returned to his father in Cuba.

There is a question here, and I’m not sure anybody is prepared to answer it: If it takes a highly trained, heavily armed, eight man SWAT team to forcibly remove an eight year old child from his unarmed relatives, how many will it take to apprehend *eight million illegal immigrants? *Source: US Census Bureau 2000
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Society/Culture - Taxes - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Here’s The Tax You’ve Been Waiting For

July 10, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

I will get right to the point. America needs a special excise tax levied on all Political Ads. This could be a source for millions in expense required to cover the preparing, printing and distribution of voter’s pamphlets and ballots. It could also help offset expenditures involved with manning and operation of voting booths as well as the expense of clearing up and recycling millions and millions of political signs, buttons, banners, and campaign trash scattered all over America.

My rationale for this tax is simple and based upon the fact that ads can be divided into two categories:
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00Publius Contributor - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Valentine Letter From Ebenezer

May 22, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

The letter arrived a month late, and of course, I had to pay thirty-eight cents “Postage Due” in order to get it. Here it is, word for word:

Dear Vince:
My name is Ebenezer Scrooge and most people think I’m a fictional character in a Christmas story dreamed up by Charles Dickens back in 1843. According to the story, I was a miserly, penny pinching grump. That part is true. It is also true that I was mean and stingy with my employee, Bob Cratchit who had a crippled son named Tiny Tim.

For some strange reason, Mr. Dickens decided that I changed from my natural mean spirited ways into a kindly and benevolent soul. This transformation supposedly happened when the ghost of Jacob Marley appeared in one of my dreams. Jacob was my partner who died in 1836. He was just as miserly as me and according to the story he came back to warn me to change my ways or suffer greatly in the afterlife.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m still as stingy as I ever was and I can prove it by telling you the undeniable facts. According to the story, I gave Cratchit a raise in pay along with a Christmas turkey and some toys for Tiny Tim. That part is true, but I did not become a good and kindly person. I only appeared to be good and kindly. I never changed. I’m as mean as ever and that’s that.
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00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

How “Journalism” is Rapidly Destroying the Credibility of Highly Regarded Credentials

May 16, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

What happens when mainstream America notices that many PhD’s, educators, and noted scientists, which according to the media, are in resolute disagreement with each other?

The answers are obvious and frightening:

  • Students, educators, and ordinary citizens do not know what to believe.\
  • Severe damage is foisted upon the credentials of respected and highly regarded individuals.

Proof that this is happening right now can be verified and analyzed by observing how journalists cover the “Global Warming” issue.
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00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Science - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

An Oddity About GW

April 13, 2007 by

Vacationus interruptus…
-By Vince Johnson

It is now fashionable to take sides on the GW (Global Warming) issue. As far as I can tell there are six basic viewpoints regarding GW:

1.Those who are certain GW will destroy life as we know it no matter what we do, nor when we do it.

2.Those who are certain GW is taking place, but not certain it will destroy life as we know it even if we never change our lifestyle.

3.Those who are not certain GW is taking place, but realize other disasters could destroy life as we know it regardless of when we change our lifestyle. (Germ warfare. Pandemics. Giant Meteorites. Atomic bombs. Huge volcanic eruptions. Federal bankruptcy. Etc.)

4.Those who don’t have the slightest idea one way or the other, but have found making radical comments about GW can put them in the media spotlight even if they only pretend to know what they are talking about.
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00Publius Contributor - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - President - Society/Culture - Uncategorized - Vince Johnson

Vacation time for Reality Check

April 7, 2007 by

-By Vince Johnson

Over 240 issues ago REALITY FACTOR came into existence as a commentary letter published about 30 times a year. After more than eight years it seems appropriate to take some time off to see if anyone will notice. For the most part, this endeavor has been a lot of fun. However, there are aspects that were extremely frustrating. Example:

I used this publication to ask three questions in behalf of all Students Attending Public Schools in the USA. These questions were:

1. Please explain the ethics of borrowing trillions of dollars from underage citizens without their knowledge or consent.

2. Is it fair that Congress has passed laws that will require these citizens to make payments on this debt as long as they have taxable income or face years of imprisonment should they fail to do so?

3. Why have over 3,000 young Americans lost their lives protecting the territorial integrity of the Iraq border along Iran and Syria while we are almost totally ignoring the territorial integrity of the border between the USA and Mexico?

In February and March 2007 I sent the above questions directly to President Bush and others as indicated below:
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