Economically Speaking

Times are hard for people, business and government.  I have been jobless for a year and a half and even though I search the ads and posting every other day, I don't see much hope for the future and I know I am not alone.  There are many families suffering through much worse as they have children they are trying to feed, clothe, and house.  Families are breaking  up under the stress.  How long will it be before our little community has the need for homeless shelters and food kitchens?  We already have homeless in our community, but they can always find an empty building or a covered front porch to get a bit of sleep, but remember, winter is coming and where will they go?

Business' have closed their doors as they can no longer afford the high taxes that are already here, much less those that are scheduled to go into effect the first part of the year.  The EPD restrictions, OSHA restrictions, the WC insurance, the unemployment taxes, the licenses, the permits are all contributing factors to the closings.  The small businesses do not stand a chance and the large businesses are moving their operations overseas to escape the never ending taxes and insurance, no to mention the lower production cost. 

We have thrown common sense out the window and now the government is protecting us from ourselves.  I am not in favor of sweat shops any more than the rest of the people of this country, but regulations have closed more industry than lack of sales ever thought about doing. 

The bank sales in our area seem to have abated somewhat, but that doesn't mean that construction has rebounded.  Subdivision development has ceased and there are many lots sitting vacant as well as new homes that just don't sell.  Contractors are looking elsewhere for employment as skilled laborers and most are having to go out of town to find work.  It has happened before.  People have followed work all over this United States in an effort to survive.  Georgia is no longer a manufacturing hub and people are leaving. 

New businesses have moved into downtown Atlanta and some of the satellite cities surrounding the big city and bless their hearts, Lagrange landed a gold mine in the Kia plant.  Oh for a Kia plant for our little central Georgia town. 

I really feel for the upcoming generation.  Given everything they ask for, how will they survive.  It is time to teach our children and grandchildren that life can exist without cell phone, ipods, DVDs, even television.  Can you remember the time before television, when a good book or a deck of cards were the entertainment of the weekend? 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle

Repost from The Patriot Post

"[A] wise and frugal government ... shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government." --Thomas Jefferson


 
Makes good sense to me - isn't that what we all want?

Eggs

No doubt some foods make people sick.  We have pasteurized, homogenized, purified, sterilized until there is no bacteria - good or bad.  Our bodies immune system sits still for so long without having to fight even the smallest bacteria and when we get just a little bacteria in our system it doesn't know how to handle it. 

Raw milk, fresh eggs, and fresh meat straight from the farm without all the sterilization and preservation can't be beat, but our bodies can no longer handle the wholesomeness of fresh anything much less any bacteria it may bring with it. 

We have become wimps as a result of our nice nasty attitudes. 

Basic Coffee Makers

With many visitors this weekend I was approached by one gentleman that had heard of my "demon possessed" coffee maker.  He related that he had not heard about my coffee maker from just one person but three different people were rejoicing that the "demon possessed" coffee maker was no more.  I had to chuckle.  I have used an upgraded model of a Mr. Coffee for the past 6 years.  Hubby and I had no trouble with the machine, however if anyone else tried to make coffee, it was a disaster.  When I say a disaster I am dead serious.  My daughter was a victim many times when the receptacle for the coffee would over flow pouring water profusely over the counter and onto the floor.  Many others have tried to be helpful and make the coffee only to have water everywhere coming either from the coffee receptacle or from the bottom of the pot.  Well, finally, the "demon possessed" coffee maker died.

Prior to the "demon possessed" Mr. Coffee, hubby and I tried a Black and Decker coffee pot and returned it only two days after purchase.  The carafes do not fit the base on the Black and Decker pots.  We have looked at several models of the Black and Decker and all have the same problem.  With the automatic buttons on the machines, the carafe must fit properly for the coffee to flow into the carafe.  If not, the coffee will overflow the coffee receptacle and flow onto the counter.  Either the carafe is too large for the base or the base is not designed to properly hold the carafe. 

While shopping for a replacement, we looked at the Mr. Coffee machines.  They were a little overpriced compared to the other brands and with the difficulties others had with our machine, we decided to try the GE brand.  The GE carafe fits well and we sure don't have time to stand by to make sure the coffee is flowing into the carafe.  The design was pleasing to the eye and functional.  Programmable, it is easy to operate and you can set the start time and go about your business.  Though not a daily choice, gourmet coffee can also be brewed in the machine.  After a week of use, we are pleased with the new machine as are our guests. 

Mr. Coffee's basic coffee maker is still a good buy, but add a few bells and whistles and they have priced themselves out of the competition.  I know there are several brands that I have not covered as they are more complex and provide functions that we do not use.  For basic coffee making, I am very pleased with this GE brand.

Happy reading!
Belle

Some of Arizona's Immigration Law Blocked

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_arizona_immigration

Part of Arizona's Immigration Law has been blocked by a federal judge per article above. 


Received this link by email this morning - the illegal immigrants are winning

http://www.prisonplanet.com/mexicans-take-over-parts-of-arizona.html

They have run their own country into the ground and are now set on destoying the good ole USA.