The Detroit Bankruptcy - No Bailout?

There is no question that The City of Detroit is bankrupt.  Sadly, there may be many more cities making trips to the Federal Courts with the "we are broke" paperwork.  The ink is barely dry on Detroit's paperwork and many in congress are using more ink on a bailout bill.

Let's be clear, I do not favor a bailout program for Detroit.  Even if I did support a bailout, there is no question that members of congress should first determine how much is needed to bailout the city before they rush to pass a bill with a "fill in the blank" amount.  After all, the amount that will be filled in will add to the national debt.  Here we go again, rushing to spend money the country does not have.

That makes about as much sense as someone with a sexting problem entering the race for Mayor in New York City.  Thank God, that would never happen in America.  Silly me for mentioning that, but it is the only thing I could come up with that is as outlandishly crazy.

The federal bankruptcy laws need to apply to Detroit.  It is time for politicians to stop arguing for equality under the law, except when they do not want equality to apply.  Let the bankruptcy move through the court system and work within the law to do what is best for Detroit.  It will move the city further down a road to fiscal responsibility in the future.

Much of Detroit's problems relate to millions in unfunded pensions.  How did the city manage get by with failing to fund pension plans?  There needs to be a law in place that requires all municipalities to fund pension plans before it pays for any other goods and services.  This will force city officials to address problems before they reach the magnitude of the problems now facing Detroit.  It will force city leaders to look at places to cut expenses that will not effect employee pensions.

Will it force them to layoff some employees.  Possibly, but now they have to tell employees the time they spent working for the city leaves them with no retirement benefits for their years of service.  Perhaps it would have been better for some of those employees to have changed jobs years ago.  Would those people be better off now?  I am certain many of those people are now asking themselves that very question.

Remember, we taxpayers bailout the automakers.  Even President Obama claimed that move would bring prosperity to Detroit.  For some reason, it did not.  Now, the city needs another bailout?

Online Majority believes there is no valid reason to bailout Detroit with taxpayer dollars.  This is yet another reason why American voters must fight for the right to have online voting.  We must have a Constitutional Amendment that requires an online vote of the people approving congressional legislation before that legislation is enacted.  A majority of American voters must vote to bailout Detroit before it happens.

This is a concept that should be supported by every member of congress.  After all, they use the internet to campaign, raise money for campaigns and stay in touch with their constituents.  We live in an era that allows us to do most everything online.  Congress is .0000004% of all American voters.  Why not give 100% of American voters the opportunity to cast a vote on laws that affect their lives, before those laws are enacted?  Let the majority decide.

Perhaps a majority of voters would approve a bailout for Detroit, but the polls do not indicate it, and congress is not inclined to listen to a majority of the people who cast votes to re-elect them.  Voters can go to the polls and vote members of congress out of office at election time, but that is too late.  The damage is already done.  We are closing the barn door after the the horses are out.

$700 Million To Promote Obamacare?

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is not yet implemented and we are already planning to give it a bailout.  The bailout is disguised as a promotion program, funded by federal money we do not have.  No problem, we will just charge it to the national debt.  It's only $16 trillion now...what's another $700 million.

This promotional program is not even a national program.  The promotion will focus on states that are key battleground states in the 2014 elections.  The promotion program could actually backfire.  Promoting Obamacare may turn voters away from candidates who support Obamacare.  Many who voted for the bill, were voted out of office in past elections.  Many more who are up for re-election in 2014 are distancing themselves from Obamacare.

The fact that the federal government is spending money to promote Obamacare should infuriate all Americans.  However, celebrities are lining up to participate in the promotional campaign.  I wonder if any of them will be covered by Obamacare.  It is more likely they will keep the healthcare insurance they now have, which will no doubt have better coverage than Obamacare will ever offer.

Polls indicate that 53% of Americans want to see Obamacare repealed.  That 53% have a very loud voice with respect to support for celebrities who join the promotional tour for Obamacare.  We support their standard of living when we spend money to see their movies, buy their CD"s and tune in to watch their television programs.

Speak loudly and boycott these celebrities work.  Boycotting their work is something they will understand.  After all, many of them have called for boycotts in the past.  Most recently, Stevie Wonder called for a boycott of Florida after the Zimmerman verdict did not go his way.  You may agree with him.  I agree with his right to call for the boycott as I agree with everyone's right to call for boycotts.

The politicians who voted for Obamacare told us it would save money.  If it is all it is hyped up to be, there is no reason to add $700 million to the national debt to promote it.  People should clearly see the benefits of Obamacare without spending money to promote it.  Perhaps the benefits are not really there?

Our children's  grandchildren  and generations beyond will inherit the national debt.  We do not need to add more debt for them to pay.  It is likely they will never see any benefit from Obamacare.  It's more likely healthcare in America will take a huge step backward in future generations, under Obamacare.

Let the celebrities and the rest of the 47% who want to keep Obamacare donate their money to promote it.  Better yet, give all American voters the online vote and let a majority decide the fate of Obamacare. Polls indicate 53% of American voters would vote to repeal it.  Now that is an online majority!