Gay Marriage...Constitutional or Unconstitutional

In Melissa Rangel's post  Is Gay Marriage Constitutional? Or not?, she talks about the controversy of gay marriages in the US. I have to agree with Melissa. I to find that it should not matter who someone marries. If they are in love and this is who they want to spend the rest of their lives, then who are we to say they are not entitled to be married. "We" as a country have become to involved with others are doing not involved in what we need to be doing. "We" are trying to hard to dictate how this country should be lived and ran and not on what "the people" are wanting.

I have had a lot of in depth discussions regarding gay marriage, whether I believe it is right, and if I feel they should adopt. I for one, believe whole heartily, that love does not come in color, race, gender or age. Love comes when you feel that bond with someone. So, to say that one man cannot marry another, or one woman cannot marry another is WRONG! Or to say that two men or two women cannot raise a child is WRONG!

What makes two individuals of the same sex any different of loving one another, and to raise a child? NOTHING, if you ask me. LOVE is still the main factor and that is all that should matter. For those who said that it not right per the Bible. My response to that is, who is to say. Oh, because it is written? There is a lot of things that should not be done that is said to be written in the Bible, but we still do them.

Not allowing those to marry who they want is unconstitutional and discrimination.

THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Failure to pay taxes is bad news for the average American, but not for the IRS employees who owe back taxes. In an article that was posted in Forbes, titled "The IRS And The Tax System: Integrity And Fairness For Whom?", it reports that between October 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, 1000+ IRS employees who received $1million in cash rewards, over 10,000 hours of time paid-off and 69 quality step increases, were all in some sort of tax compliance problem. Not to mention, over 2,800 employees who were with conduct issues, which required disciplinary actions also received $2.8 million in monetary awards, 27,000 time off rewards and 175 step quality increases, but somehow Congress does not find this as to be a conflict of interest, and could care less. If that doesn't add salt to the wound.

Now, I'm not sure what Government we are talking about, but I could of swore we were speaking of the US Government, "our" government? The government who we are suppose to uphold to the utmost high in making sure that all that we are doing and is being done for us is done by the laws and regulations (Bill of Rights and Constitution) of this nation; however, if we have government employees who are not withholding and practicing the same standards that "We the People" are suppose to be withholding and practicing, how can our government expect us to do the same?

So, if the salt didn't sting, or this whole ordeal didn't leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, maybe the IRS mission statement will...

Provide America’s taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.

 "INTEGRITY and FAIRNESS to ALL"  How is integrity and fairness to all  being shown? I will tell you, it's not! But, I guess integrity and fairness to all ONLY applies the those of the government?!

In my opinion, I would like to see these same employees, who owe back taxes and have been awarded monetary compensation receive the same treatment that "we" receive when taxes are owed. Liens, harassing phone calls, abundant of letters and tax refunds taken to cover the amount of taxes owed. I also feel that Congress needs to address this issue and not sweep it under the rug in hopes this will blow over. But of course, all this is wishful thinking.

From the Outside Looking In

In Sheila's "The reality of living paycheck to paycheck", she talks about the reality of what single mother's go through to provide for their families. I have to commend her in saying, "We as a nation must do more to support those who are honestly striving to get out of poverty." It's not everyday that you hear someone say or even think this way. We often hear a lot of negativity from those who are on the "outside looking in" who believe everyone who is on/or has been "public assistance" is "lazy" or looking for a handout, when in actuality, they are really there in need.

I'm pleased to know that as a "single parent" myself, this documentary was able to enlighten Sheila in what it is like to be single raising children in today's society, and that "Our nation " does need to step up to the plate and support single mother's who are trying to better themselves, not there to look for a hand out.

Thank you, Sheila! :o)

THE LIFE OF LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

HBO and The Shriver Report documentary Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life of Katrina Gilbert , Maria Shriver has teamed up with HBO to provide us a look at one of the "many" women who are struggling to make ends meat to support her and her children.

Ms. Gilbert, is one of many women today who are faced with struggling to make it in order to provide for herself and her children on the salary that she brings home.Although I wasn't fortunate to watch this documentary, I can relate to the struggles that Ms. Gilbert is going through. Being a single mother myself, I can tell you that it isn't easy having to raise a child(ren) by yourself on a salary that can barely pay the bills in today's society.

Yes, one may say, "Why doesn't she go out to get a better job to support her and her kids?" "Why doesn't she reach out for support, there is government assistance out there?" However, as a single mother, you are faced with having to either cut back on the hours of a full-time job to go on job searches and/or job interviews, and if you are not skilled enough to be able to apply for a better job, you have to go back to school to get a trade and that too cuts back on the money that is coming in. For a lot of people who do not know, it is not easy trying to get government assistance. You run into things, like...the kind of car is too much of an asset, your bills do not add to be more than income, or "you make too much money."

Now, how is that possible? You make too much money to receive assistance, but not enough money to pay your bills!

I myself would love to see the government provide more for those like Ms. Gilbert and the other single mother's who are trying to get out of poverty, and make a better life for themselves and their families. The way the system is set up now, it is hindering the able, and making the unable "lazy". I believe if the system was set up in a way that it would aid those who are desperately trying to get out of poverty and make a better life for their families, rather than to aid those who look at it as a free way of collecting a check, it would make a lot more people become responsible adults.

This documentary of Ms. Gilbert, only depicts half of what single mother's are going thru, but it has given you an idea on what it is like, what "we" go thru, and how hard it is.

Rick Perry's Wow

On March 7, 2014 Time posted an article titled Rick Perry Wows Conservatives with a call for 'A Little Rebellion.' In this article Gov. Rick Perry suggest that we need to get back to a few things the constitution establishes as the federal government's role; which is defend our country, provide a cogent foreign policy, and to deliver the mail on time, preferably on Saturday's. He said, " we need to get out of the health care and education businesses and stop hammering industries." So, what does Mr. Perry want us to go back to, the times when only white land only educated white men made all the decisions? To me it seems as though he cares nothing about the American people, but for fattening his pockets. To take away health care that is prolonging the lives of our elderly is totally insane. No, they may not be able to do much to provide to the economy, but they are still our mother's, father's, grandfather's and grandmother's. And as far as education, if we do not have education, how are we to run this country? Does he not believe that the youth of today could some day be in the position that he is now, and without the proper education, how are they to make or suggest that right decisions. O, I see, they are not to be concerned with that as long as the military is there to protect us, we are kool with other countries and of course, we have our mailed delivered on time on Saturday's. Gov. Perry's speech was far fetched on how this country needs to be run. But of course, this coming from a man who couldn't even name 3 agencies of government that he would do away with. Oops.  Not only do we need to focus on the people in America and how to take care of them, but in educating them to be able to possible great leaders of this country. Focusing on just those main areas will not get us anywhere. We as a country have come a lot further from where we were in the 1700's, so to say we need to get back the few things the constitution establishes as a federal government is insane. If we get back that way of thinking, we will get no where. And for those who are agree in this way of thinking, need to step outside of the bubble they placed themselves in and realize the time of day we are in.

Obamacare: Economic Boon?

On February 13, 2014, an article posted in Time titled Obamacare Economic Boon? Duncan Black makes an argument that Liberals haven't emphasized enough about the Affordable Care Act: that it could be a shot in the arm for the economy. Black's argument is, though we have a long road ahead of us in getting the Affordable Care Act to where it needs to be, there is no reason not to give it a try. Based on the report given by the CBO that 2 million jobs will be lost under the Obamacare; however, Black believes that 2 million people would leave their jobs. All in all as of today there is good news for the Obamacare, more than 1.1 million new enrollments were completed in February, within those new enrollments, included healthy young adults. He brings up a good point. If other countries have managed to provide national health insurance without too much of a fuss, why are we making a BIG deal out of wanting to provide health care to not only those with pre-existing conditions, but those who have families to care for. He also mentions, "this law is far from perfect, and has imperfections as should be expected, but it can be modified."

I myself am all for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Though we have a long road ahead of us  in getting it where it needs to be, but I believe this could be good for the US. Wish I knew how this would be a benefit for the US, but I have a good feeling that this will make for possibly a better government. (fingers crossed)

Are we in trouble?

On February 7, 2014, Time posted a article titled House Republicans Get Debt Ceiling Giggles. The topic of how to raise the debt ceiling is still a real problem for Republicans. With the Treasury Department warning the debt ceiling must be raised by February 27. This has now left the party stumped about what it wants to do. Talk of floating attached debt-ceiling to approve the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline and repeal of an obscured provision in the health care reform law, but both ideas have gone nowhere in the conference, according to leadership aides. These ideas are not going over to well with Democrats, and it has been advised President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who are both firm that the House pass a "clean" debt-limit increase, with no strings attached. Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said, " We shouldn't be negotiating over the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Based on article published today February 7, 2014 in the Time. If there is not a resolution Treasury will be left with cash on hand if it exhausts its borrowing capacity. Which could possibly lead to another financial showdown in a midterm election year.


These articles are worth the time to read. We all need to be well informed on what is going on with the debt and what does Congress plan to do about it. In a whole this could greatly effect us all and o possibly result into another government shutdown, if this is not resolved.