President Barack Obama is one of the worst presidents ever in terms of respecting constitutional limitations on government, and the states suing the federal government over healthcare reform "have a pretty strong case" and are likely to prevail, according to author and judicial analyst Andrew P. Napolitano.
In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV's Ashley Martella, Napolitano says the president's healthcare reforms amount to "commandeering" the state legislatures for federal purposes, which the Supreme Court has forbidden as unconstitutional.
"The Constitution does not authorize the Congress to regulate the state governments," Napolitano says. "Nevertheless, in this piece of legislation, the Congress has told the state governments that they must modify their regulation of certain areas of healthcare, they must surrender their regulation of other areas of healthcare, and they must spend state taxpayer-generated dollars in a way that the Congress wants it done.
"That's called commandeering the legislature," he says. "That's the Congress taking away the discretion of the legislature with respect to regulation, and spending taxpayer dollars. That's prohibited in a couple of Supreme Court cases. So on that argument, the attorneys general have a pretty strong case and I think they will prevail.”
Read more
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Troopers Probe Shooting In Seaford
Location: Orange Blossom Lane, off of Concord Pond Road, east of the Seaford Town Limits, Sussex County
Date of Occurrence: Saturday, March 27, 2010, at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Suspect(s): Unknown male suspect
Resume: State Police detectives are investigating a double shooting which occurred outside the city limits of Seaford.
The shooting occurred on Orange Blossom Lane. Details surrounding this incident are sketchy; however, the following it what known…
At about 3:00 p.m., two male victims drove their vehicle down Orange Blossom lane where they visited with an acquaintance. They left and were driving back up the roadway when they came to a stop for an unknown reason. A male suspect stopped his vehicle adjacent to the victims’. The suspect approached the victims and fired a handgun multiple times striking both of them. It is unknown if the victims were still in their car or outside at the time of the shooting. The victims fled the scene and responded to a nearby friend’s home where they sought help.
One victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The other victim was flown to Christiana Hospital. Both victims were last listed in stable condition; however, their injuries are considered life threatening.
The aforementioned report is all that is known by the PIO office at this time. When details become available, and are confirmed, they will be disseminated in a news release.
This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call Troop 4 at 302-834-5850 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Date of Occurrence: Saturday, March 27, 2010, at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Suspect(s): Unknown male suspect
Resume: State Police detectives are investigating a double shooting which occurred outside the city limits of Seaford.
The shooting occurred on Orange Blossom Lane. Details surrounding this incident are sketchy; however, the following it what known…
At about 3:00 p.m., two male victims drove their vehicle down Orange Blossom lane where they visited with an acquaintance. They left and were driving back up the roadway when they came to a stop for an unknown reason. A male suspect stopped his vehicle adjacent to the victims’. The suspect approached the victims and fired a handgun multiple times striking both of them. It is unknown if the victims were still in their car or outside at the time of the shooting. The victims fled the scene and responded to a nearby friend’s home where they sought help.
One victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The other victim was flown to Christiana Hospital. Both victims were last listed in stable condition; however, their injuries are considered life threatening.
The aforementioned report is all that is known by the PIO office at this time. When details become available, and are confirmed, they will be disseminated in a news release.
This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call Troop 4 at 302-834-5850 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Open Union Negotiations at the WCBOE
The Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) doesn’t have a great record of inspiring taxpayer confidence when it comes to spending. Between doing out benefits like it’s somebody else’s money (because it IS somebody else’s, IT’S OURS) to junkets and expense account lunches, Wicomico taxpayers just aren’t sold that “the children” really come first. There is one step the WCBOE could take that might help – open union negotiations to the public.
WAIT! That’s confidential. Isn’t it?
Evidently not. The Calvert County BOE has opened up their negotiations to the public this year. Evidently the board and the unions have to agree and waive confidentiality. If the WCBOE and their four “bargaining units” (educrat for “unions”) don’t have anything to hide, why can’t we sit in on the meetings?
What about it? A little fresh air might inspire a little confidence.
from Delmarva Dealings
Troopers Investigate Car vs. Mattress Crash… Mattress Wins
Location: I-95 southbound, south of the Churchmans Road overpass, Newark, Delaware
Date of Occurrence: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 3:11 p.m.
Vehicles:
1999 Chevrolet Blazer, operated by Latoya Rivera, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware
Vehicle also occupied by Rivera’s two daughters, 2 and 5 years-old
1997 Dodge Ram, operated by David R. Robinson, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Resume: Earlier this afternoon, Troopers responded to the area of I-95 southbound, south of the Churchmans Road overpass, for a vehicle crash.
This investigation revealed the 1997 Dodge was hauling a mattress southbound on I-95. The mattress came lose and flew off of the truck and into the roadway. The Chevy came along and ran over the mattress. The mattress lodged underneath the Blazer causing it to overturn multiple times.
All three occupants in the Blazer were transported from the scene to Christiana Hospital where they were treated with non-life threatening injuries.
The operator of the Dodge, Mr. Robinson, remained at the scene after the crash. He was cited with operating a vehicle with an unsecured load.
Traffic was impacted for about one hour.
Date of Occurrence: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 3:11 p.m.
Vehicles:
1999 Chevrolet Blazer, operated by Latoya Rivera, 27, of Wilmington, Delaware
Vehicle also occupied by Rivera’s two daughters, 2 and 5 years-old
1997 Dodge Ram, operated by David R. Robinson, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Resume: Earlier this afternoon, Troopers responded to the area of I-95 southbound, south of the Churchmans Road overpass, for a vehicle crash.
This investigation revealed the 1997 Dodge was hauling a mattress southbound on I-95. The mattress came lose and flew off of the truck and into the roadway. The Chevy came along and ran over the mattress. The mattress lodged underneath the Blazer causing it to overturn multiple times.
All three occupants in the Blazer were transported from the scene to Christiana Hospital where they were treated with non-life threatening injuries.
The operator of the Dodge, Mr. Robinson, remained at the scene after the crash. He was cited with operating a vehicle with an unsecured load.
Traffic was impacted for about one hour.
Daily Times Scam?
"Hi Joe,
I was wondering if any of your readers have had a young kid coming to their door selling the Daily Times? there was a young girl, really thin with long blonde hair. She was riding in a large white SUV and said the college kids get some sort of incentive for selling trials of the Daily Times. Do you know anything about this? I can't help but be leery since those "college kids" a while back were scamming everyone trying to sell magazines to help out their cause. Thanks for any info you can give.
Sincerely,
Christy"
I was wondering if any of your readers have had a young kid coming to their door selling the Daily Times? there was a young girl, really thin with long blonde hair. She was riding in a large white SUV and said the college kids get some sort of incentive for selling trials of the Daily Times. Do you know anything about this? I can't help but be leery since those "college kids" a while back were scamming everyone trying to sell magazines to help out their cause. Thanks for any info you can give.
Sincerely,
Christy"
Art Rears Its Better Side?
UPDATE: Salisbury News has been in contact with the Restaurant and we have been able to obtain the exact image hanging in the restaurant. This may help others to understand that this is art? GO HERE to view the image.
I'd like to add, to the individual who called the restaurant claiming to be me, they do have caller ID and we will follow up on that individual who impersonated me. Mr. McGuire better get a good lawyer because he also impersonated Sean Johnson of Delmar recently when he called O.C. Taxi. Lawyer up McGuire because we've got enough on you to have you criminally charged now. O.C. Taxi does not allow restricted calls and McGuire made the mistake of calling on his personal phone. Mr. Johnson is considering pressing charges as well.
I'd like to add, to the individual who called the restaurant claiming to be me, they do have caller ID and we will follow up on that individual who impersonated me. Mr. McGuire better get a good lawyer because he also impersonated Sean Johnson of Delmar recently when he called O.C. Taxi. Lawyer up McGuire because we've got enough on you to have you criminally charged now. O.C. Taxi does not allow restricted calls and McGuire made the mistake of calling on his personal phone. Mr. Johnson is considering pressing charges as well.
Joe,
Last weekend my family (my husband, myself and my 10 yr old son) went on a trip to Outer Banks, NC with another couple and their 1 yr old. We had a great time but there is one experience I would like to share as I am curious as to how others would've reacted in this situation.
Saturday night we all went out to dinner at a place called the Black Pelican. This was a very nice restaurant and the food was delicious. At the end of our meal my son had to use the restroom and my husband went with him. As they returned, my son had a peculiar look on his face as he began telling me what he had just seen in the bathroom. My husband pulls out his cell phone and shows me the picture he took of what was hanging on the wall above the urinals. To my surprise it was of a naked woman laying on her stomach with her backside available for all to see. Keep in mind my 10 yr old was the first to see this! Well I was beside myself. I couldn't believe someone would put a picture like that on the wall where males of all ages can view it.
I said something to our waiter about the picture and he was very apologetic and explained that he had nothing to do with it being there and he was sorry my son had to see it. It just so happened that the manager of the store stopped by our table and asked how everything was going. Of course I had to talk to him about it. His initial reaction to me was, "The owner put it in there and that's where he wants it." He said that a few times and not once did he apologize or say he was sorry that it was offensive to me. The other mom we were vacationing with totally agreed with me saying kids do not need to be subjected to that.
My main concerns are: (1)it is a family restaurant and there were lots of other kids in the restaurant, (2) kids see that in there and think it is ok to look at stuff like that, (3) I think the manager could've handled it much more professionally than that. He was very rude and frankly didn't seem like he even cared that the picture offended me.
I am very curious as to what others think and how they would've reacted. I have heard 2 sides: some think it is very inappropriate and others simply say, "It's art!".
Thanks,
A concerned mother
Last weekend my family (my husband, myself and my 10 yr old son) went on a trip to Outer Banks, NC with another couple and their 1 yr old. We had a great time but there is one experience I would like to share as I am curious as to how others would've reacted in this situation.
Saturday night we all went out to dinner at a place called the Black Pelican. This was a very nice restaurant and the food was delicious. At the end of our meal my son had to use the restroom and my husband went with him. As they returned, my son had a peculiar look on his face as he began telling me what he had just seen in the bathroom. My husband pulls out his cell phone and shows me the picture he took of what was hanging on the wall above the urinals. To my surprise it was of a naked woman laying on her stomach with her backside available for all to see. Keep in mind my 10 yr old was the first to see this! Well I was beside myself. I couldn't believe someone would put a picture like that on the wall where males of all ages can view it.
I said something to our waiter about the picture and he was very apologetic and explained that he had nothing to do with it being there and he was sorry my son had to see it. It just so happened that the manager of the store stopped by our table and asked how everything was going. Of course I had to talk to him about it. His initial reaction to me was, "The owner put it in there and that's where he wants it." He said that a few times and not once did he apologize or say he was sorry that it was offensive to me. The other mom we were vacationing with totally agreed with me saying kids do not need to be subjected to that.
My main concerns are: (1)it is a family restaurant and there were lots of other kids in the restaurant, (2) kids see that in there and think it is ok to look at stuff like that, (3) I think the manager could've handled it much more professionally than that. He was very rude and frankly didn't seem like he even cared that the picture offended me.
I am very curious as to what others think and how they would've reacted. I have heard 2 sides: some think it is very inappropriate and others simply say, "It's art!".
Thanks,
A concerned mother
MDE CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION OF HUDSON FARM; ISSUESADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION OF HUDSON FARM; ISSUES ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY FOR IMPROPER SLUDGE STORAGE
MDE's Administrative Action Seeks $4,000 Penalty, Notes Corrective Actions Already Taken
BALTIMORE, MD (March 26, 2010) - Following an investigation that included four inspections and surface water and groundwater sampling, MDE today issued an Administrative Complaint and Penalty against Hudson Farm in Berlin, Maryland. In addition to corrective actions already taken, the Administrative Complaint seeks a $4,000 penalty for a violation of State water pollution control laws for placing sludge deliveries in a pile near a drainage ditch on the farm.
Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari T. Wilson said, "MDE's first job was to immediately ensure the potential source of pollution was controlled. That was done. Today's Administrative Complaint serves as a reminder that placement of material in a position likely to pollute waters of the State is a violation of Maryland law and threatens the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries."
Ms. Wilson continued, "To maintain an effective enforcement program, and to focus our resources on the greatest threats to public health and the environment, MDE prioritizes enforcement actions. While this case has received extensive media attention, MDE pursues enforcement actions in federal or state court only when circumstances merit that level of action. In this case, MDE did not have strong evidence conclusively linking bacterial pollution to Hudson Farm and is not pursuing enforcement on that issue."
MDE was first alerted to potential pollution at Hudson Farm through a Notice of Intent to Sue by the Waterkeeper Alliance and Assateague Coastkeeper on December 17, 2009, for alleged Clean Water Act violations from a poultry litter pile. Following an initial MDE inspection on December 18, 2009, on December 21, 2009, an MDE inspector identified a pile of Class A sewage sludge, not poultry litter, stored adjacent to a drainage ditch. The inspector required the owners to move and cover the pile of Class A sludge and to stabilize and seed the original site of the storage pile in order to reduce pollution. A follow-up MDE inspection on January 7, 2010, confirmed the sludge had been moved approximately 155 feet from the ditch and was covered with plastic.
While MDE's sampling results showed elevated bacteria levels at Hudson Farm, levels in the area immediately adjacent and downstream of the sludge were not as high as levels further downstream. The source of the bacteria was not conclusively identified. Due to the naturally high variability of bacterial concentrations it is very difficult to identify specific causal factors. Possible sources could include wildlife, such as geese or other fowl, raccoons, deer, and/or farm operations. Bacterial source tracking analysis conducted by MDE in developing the total maximum daily load documentation for Dividing Creek, also located in the Pocomoke watershed near Hudson Farm, showed that over 70 percent of the bacteria originated from wildlife sources. MDE is currently working with Salisbury University to develop more robust analytical methods to better identify bacterial sources.
Class A sewage sludge, or biosolids, is an earthy, nutrient-rich material remaining after wastewater treatment that is further treated to destroy potentially infectious pathogens. With pathogens removed, the material can safely be used as a natural fertilizer. When Class A sewage sludge is stockpiled by a drainage ditch, nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen that are intended for uptake for crop production may be lost to the environment and have a detrimental impact on waters of the State.
While State and federal regulations require a permit for wastewater treatment plant operators that produce and/or process Class A sewage sludge, individual users do not need a separate permit. However, individuals who use Class A material remain responsible for its proper storage and application -- the same as any fertilizer -- to prevent runoff and over-application of nutrients, as required under MDE and Maryland Department of Agriculture laws and regulations.
MDE's Administrative Action Seeks $4,000 Penalty, Notes Corrective Actions Already Taken
BALTIMORE, MD (March 26, 2010) - Following an investigation that included four inspections and surface water and groundwater sampling, MDE today issued an Administrative Complaint and Penalty against Hudson Farm in Berlin, Maryland. In addition to corrective actions already taken, the Administrative Complaint seeks a $4,000 penalty for a violation of State water pollution control laws for placing sludge deliveries in a pile near a drainage ditch on the farm.
Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari T. Wilson said, "MDE's first job was to immediately ensure the potential source of pollution was controlled. That was done. Today's Administrative Complaint serves as a reminder that placement of material in a position likely to pollute waters of the State is a violation of Maryland law and threatens the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries."
Ms. Wilson continued, "To maintain an effective enforcement program, and to focus our resources on the greatest threats to public health and the environment, MDE prioritizes enforcement actions. While this case has received extensive media attention, MDE pursues enforcement actions in federal or state court only when circumstances merit that level of action. In this case, MDE did not have strong evidence conclusively linking bacterial pollution to Hudson Farm and is not pursuing enforcement on that issue."
MDE was first alerted to potential pollution at Hudson Farm through a Notice of Intent to Sue by the Waterkeeper Alliance and Assateague Coastkeeper on December 17, 2009, for alleged Clean Water Act violations from a poultry litter pile. Following an initial MDE inspection on December 18, 2009, on December 21, 2009, an MDE inspector identified a pile of Class A sewage sludge, not poultry litter, stored adjacent to a drainage ditch. The inspector required the owners to move and cover the pile of Class A sludge and to stabilize and seed the original site of the storage pile in order to reduce pollution. A follow-up MDE inspection on January 7, 2010, confirmed the sludge had been moved approximately 155 feet from the ditch and was covered with plastic.
While MDE's sampling results showed elevated bacteria levels at Hudson Farm, levels in the area immediately adjacent and downstream of the sludge were not as high as levels further downstream. The source of the bacteria was not conclusively identified. Due to the naturally high variability of bacterial concentrations it is very difficult to identify specific causal factors. Possible sources could include wildlife, such as geese or other fowl, raccoons, deer, and/or farm operations. Bacterial source tracking analysis conducted by MDE in developing the total maximum daily load documentation for Dividing Creek, also located in the Pocomoke watershed near Hudson Farm, showed that over 70 percent of the bacteria originated from wildlife sources. MDE is currently working with Salisbury University to develop more robust analytical methods to better identify bacterial sources.
Class A sewage sludge, or biosolids, is an earthy, nutrient-rich material remaining after wastewater treatment that is further treated to destroy potentially infectious pathogens. With pathogens removed, the material can safely be used as a natural fertilizer. When Class A sewage sludge is stockpiled by a drainage ditch, nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen that are intended for uptake for crop production may be lost to the environment and have a detrimental impact on waters of the State.
While State and federal regulations require a permit for wastewater treatment plant operators that produce and/or process Class A sewage sludge, individual users do not need a separate permit. However, individuals who use Class A material remain responsible for its proper storage and application -- the same as any fertilizer -- to prevent runoff and over-application of nutrients, as required under MDE and Maryland Department of Agriculture laws and regulations.
The Power Of Prayer Works
Mr. A., I wanted to e-mail this last night but Verizon was down till this morning.
I have to share this with you and your readers. After 3 days of Mom not waking up , we were to met with Hospice at noon yesterday.We got there and went into Moms room to find her wih her eyes open and she knew all of us. We can understand about 90% of what she is trying to say. Thank you all for your prayers. What a wonderful day.
Also a very special thank you to Dr. Gittelman and all the great nurses. THANK YOU.
Millie and family
I have to share this with you and your readers. After 3 days of Mom not waking up , we were to met with Hospice at noon yesterday.We got there and went into Moms room to find her wih her eyes open and she knew all of us. We can understand about 90% of what she is trying to say. Thank you all for your prayers. What a wonderful day.
Also a very special thank you to Dr. Gittelman and all the great nurses. THANK YOU.
Millie and family
HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER
“The Grocery Store”How many of us remember the corner grocery store? It seems like there was one on every corner when I was growing up. In 1899 there were 28 grocery stores listed in the Salisbury City Directory. This figure grew to the following numbers: by 1907 – 35, by 1920 – 37, by 1940 – 62 and finally in 1961 their numbers had grown to 92. There were many things about the corner grocery store that you cannot find today. Every local grocer knew his clientele and would often let them “slide” until they could pay. I guess this was the forerunner of the modern credit card, even though much less formalized. It’s true that the world has grown bigger and everything in it has grown proportionately larger as a result.
When a local businessman would open a grocery store at the turn of the 20th century, he depended on the attractiveness of his products to sell themselves. The old lithograph labels that went on cans of fruits and vegetables were works of art in themselves, although a lot of artistic license was taken as to the origin of the product. I have seen a label from Willing’s canned tomatoes in Nanticoke with a nature scene on it with mountains in the background. Some were embossed, and many had pictures that were suitable for framing. Collecting these labels has become a hobby in itself.
I remember Mom giving me two quarters to go across Church and Truitt Streets and get her a loaf of bread and a quart of milk from Mr. Ford’s store. In those days, Church Street was Rt. 50 and the main road to Ocean City. He had two gas pumps out front at one time but took them out for fear that one of the many accidents on that corner would lead to disastrous results one day. I used to like to go because of the penny candy, which every store had. I’m sure everyone remembers their favorite selection. And remembers when soft drink bottles were able to be redeemed for two cents. The drink itself was only a nickel so three bottles would get you a drink and a piece of penny candy.
When I was going to St. Francis, I remember Rayne’s on Smith St. I used to buy baseball cards there. I would wait until I saw a card I didn’t have and knew that Mrs. Rayne had received a new order. I would then go over there and buy a box from the new order, knowing that a new series was out. In a box I would usually get about 117 cards out of 125 in the series and enough “doubles” to trade for the ones I didn’t get. While some kids were spending a fortune, I would only have to spend $1.20 to get the whole series. Looking back, that was a great plan. I kept those cards until they went so high in the late 1980’s, the money looked better than the cards.
I had two great aunts that had a store known to many a Salisbury youth way back when. It was called Dae & Dodie’s and was on Walnut Street. Dae was Daisy McConnell and Dodie was Dora Disharoon. They were my grandfather’s sisters, but they were born after he ran away from home so he never was raised with them. The building is gone now and only memories exist. My grandparents lived around the corner on Gay St., but since they moved when I was five, I didn’t frequent Dae & Dodie’s. I remember going in there once and it was magical. Naturally, they wanted to give their nephew whatever he wanted and the place was full of candy. I think it also had wooden floors and they creaked with certain sounds that seem to make the place come alive. They had a certain warmth and nostalgia that you will never find in the antiseptic floors in the modern supermarket.
Bubba Becomes A Catholic
Each Friday night after work, Bubba would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a venison steak.
But, all of Bubba's neighbors were Catholic..And since it was Lent,they were forbidden from eating meat on Friday.
The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest. The Priest came to visit Bubba, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass...and as the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, 'You were born a Baptist, and raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic.
Bubba's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood.
The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors, and, as he rushed into Bubba's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.
There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted:
You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you is a catfish.
But, all of Bubba's neighbors were Catholic..And since it was Lent,they were forbidden from eating meat on Friday.
The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest. The Priest came to visit Bubba, and suggested that he become a Catholic. After several classes and much study, Bubba attended Mass...and as the priest sprinkled holy water over him, he said, 'You were born a Baptist, and raised a Baptist, but now you are a Catholic.
Bubba's neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood.
The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors, and, as he rushed into Bubba's yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold him, he stopped and watched in amazement.
There stood Bubba, clutching a small bottle of holy water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat and chanted:
You wuz born a deer, you wuz raised a deer, but now you is a catfish.
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The Bigger The Government, The Less You Are Needed
Jewish World Review
By Dennis Prager
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com
Among the things left and right, religious and secular, agree on is that one of the few real needs human beings have is to be needed.
When we are not needed, life feels pointless.
The need to be needed is universal. Men need it; women need it. The sexes may feel needed in different ways, but the depth of the need is the same. Many women feel particularly alive when needed by their young children; many men feel worthy when needed by their family and/or their work. That is why most women navigate difficult emotional straits when their adult children leave home and assume independent lives, and why most men find it so crushing to lose their job — not necessarily because of loss of income, but because of the loss of meaning that comes from no longer being needed.
Only when we are needed do we believe we have significance. Give a boy a special task — just about any task — and he blossoms. Give a girl a person — in fact, almost any living being — who depends on her, and she blossoms.
Of course, there are also myriad unhealthy ways of feeling needed. If an unwed teenage girl has a baby in order to feel needed, it is usually a bad thing for her, for the child and for society. If a boy joins a gang to feel needed/significant, it is bad for him and society.
Though not consciously intending to, over time, the left destroys people's ability to be needed and, therefore, to be or feel significant.
As I regularly note, the bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. One can add: The bigger the government, the less significant the citizen — especially men.
This is easy to explain because it is definitional. The more the state does, the less its citizens are needed to do. One well-known example is the way welfare robbed so many men of significance when women and their children came to depend financially on the state.
And it goes further than that. In order to feel significant, men not only need to have others depend on them, they also need to depend on themselves, on their own work and initiative. But that, too, is destroyed as the state gets bigger. Fewer and fewer people work for themselves (which leads to, among other things, the disappearance of that quintessentially American ideal of the risk-taking entrepreneur).
It gets worse. As being needed and significant shifts from the individual to the state, the state increasingly determines who is needed and who has significance.
That means, first of all, politicians. Obviously, whoever controls the ever-expanding government has the most significance in a society.
Another significant group in the leftist state are media people. They are significant in a non-leftist state such as America, as well. But there is a huge difference. Since American media are largely independent of government, there are a far greater number of significant media people in America than in the much smaller world of consolidated state media in Europe or Latin America. There is nothing like the BBC or French Radio and Television in the United States. Therefore, no one in American media is nearly as powerful as are the heads of the BBC or RTF. So the American state cannot anoint who is significant in media.
Another significant group in the leftist state is intellectuals. They, too, are largely determined by the state, which funds nearly all education and intellectual life. One reason intellectuals in America and Europe are so often estranged from American culture is that intellectuals have rarely had the fame or significance here that they have had in Europe. There are no American intellectuals who have had the celebrity or influence that Jean-Paul Sartre did in France, for example.
So, too, artists take on greater prominence as the leftwing state grows. And they, too, are funded and celebrated by the state.
In the ever-expanding state that the left creates, the vast majority of individuals lose significance in that they are simply less needed as the state takes over many of their roles. Fifty years ago, the men of the local Rotary Club had prestige and societal significance. So did fathers. So did clergy. With the ascendance of the left and the expansion of their state, much of their power and societal significance has eroded.
Now, as the state expands further into health care, the same will happen to doctors as power and prestige are transferred from them to the heads of dozens of new government health regulatory agencies. Over time, neither you nor your doctor will fully decide your treatment.
Indeed, over time, if the left has its way and the state keeps expanding, you will also not decide what temperature to keep your house or how to get to work. Nor will you be needed to educate your children (that is already the job of the state, and much of Europe now bans home schooling), or to raise and discipline your children (the state will ensure you are doing it correctly, and spanking is now illegal in 25 countries). Fathers will be needed primarily (and after divorce, only) as providers of child and spousal support.
In short, you will be needed essentially for one thing: to finance the one thing that is truly needed — the state.
By Dennis Prager
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com
Among the things left and right, religious and secular, agree on is that one of the few real needs human beings have is to be needed.
When we are not needed, life feels pointless.
The need to be needed is universal. Men need it; women need it. The sexes may feel needed in different ways, but the depth of the need is the same. Many women feel particularly alive when needed by their young children; many men feel worthy when needed by their family and/or their work. That is why most women navigate difficult emotional straits when their adult children leave home and assume independent lives, and why most men find it so crushing to lose their job — not necessarily because of loss of income, but because of the loss of meaning that comes from no longer being needed.
Only when we are needed do we believe we have significance. Give a boy a special task — just about any task — and he blossoms. Give a girl a person — in fact, almost any living being — who depends on her, and she blossoms.
Of course, there are also myriad unhealthy ways of feeling needed. If an unwed teenage girl has a baby in order to feel needed, it is usually a bad thing for her, for the child and for society. If a boy joins a gang to feel needed/significant, it is bad for him and society.
Though not consciously intending to, over time, the left destroys people's ability to be needed and, therefore, to be or feel significant.
As I regularly note, the bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. One can add: The bigger the government, the less significant the citizen — especially men.
This is easy to explain because it is definitional. The more the state does, the less its citizens are needed to do. One well-known example is the way welfare robbed so many men of significance when women and their children came to depend financially on the state.
And it goes further than that. In order to feel significant, men not only need to have others depend on them, they also need to depend on themselves, on their own work and initiative. But that, too, is destroyed as the state gets bigger. Fewer and fewer people work for themselves (which leads to, among other things, the disappearance of that quintessentially American ideal of the risk-taking entrepreneur).
It gets worse. As being needed and significant shifts from the individual to the state, the state increasingly determines who is needed and who has significance.
That means, first of all, politicians. Obviously, whoever controls the ever-expanding government has the most significance in a society.
Another significant group in the leftist state are media people. They are significant in a non-leftist state such as America, as well. But there is a huge difference. Since American media are largely independent of government, there are a far greater number of significant media people in America than in the much smaller world of consolidated state media in Europe or Latin America. There is nothing like the BBC or French Radio and Television in the United States. Therefore, no one in American media is nearly as powerful as are the heads of the BBC or RTF. So the American state cannot anoint who is significant in media.
Another significant group in the leftist state is intellectuals. They, too, are largely determined by the state, which funds nearly all education and intellectual life. One reason intellectuals in America and Europe are so often estranged from American culture is that intellectuals have rarely had the fame or significance here that they have had in Europe. There are no American intellectuals who have had the celebrity or influence that Jean-Paul Sartre did in France, for example.
So, too, artists take on greater prominence as the leftwing state grows. And they, too, are funded and celebrated by the state.
In the ever-expanding state that the left creates, the vast majority of individuals lose significance in that they are simply less needed as the state takes over many of their roles. Fifty years ago, the men of the local Rotary Club had prestige and societal significance. So did fathers. So did clergy. With the ascendance of the left and the expansion of their state, much of their power and societal significance has eroded.
Now, as the state expands further into health care, the same will happen to doctors as power and prestige are transferred from them to the heads of dozens of new government health regulatory agencies. Over time, neither you nor your doctor will fully decide your treatment.
Indeed, over time, if the left has its way and the state keeps expanding, you will also not decide what temperature to keep your house or how to get to work. Nor will you be needed to educate your children (that is already the job of the state, and much of Europe now bans home schooling), or to raise and discipline your children (the state will ensure you are doing it correctly, and spanking is now illegal in 25 countries). Fathers will be needed primarily (and after divorce, only) as providers of child and spousal support.
In short, you will be needed essentially for one thing: to finance the one thing that is truly needed — the state.
More Maryland Taxes
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0466.htm
This bill will force you to title your ATV, dirt Bike and snowmobiles. It will also enact excise taxes just like on cars for any out of state purchased units. Farm vehicles are exempt leaving the brunt of the taxes on recreational users primarily sportsmen. The sate expects to raise 755k this year by enacting this under emergency rules and expects to garner up to 1.6M by 2016. This legislation was heavily pushed by the dealers associations. Apparently they can't compete with out of state pricing so they are trying to get the consumer penalized.
This will even apply to ORV's that are used on private property.
This bill will force you to title your ATV, dirt Bike and snowmobiles. It will also enact excise taxes just like on cars for any out of state purchased units. Farm vehicles are exempt leaving the brunt of the taxes on recreational users primarily sportsmen. The sate expects to raise 755k this year by enacting this under emergency rules and expects to garner up to 1.6M by 2016. This legislation was heavily pushed by the dealers associations. Apparently they can't compete with out of state pricing so they are trying to get the consumer penalized.
This will even apply to ORV's that are used on private property.