Online "HEADLIE"/story: "This top economist has a radical plan to change the way Americans vote * Only 50% of the US voting age population turns out on election day. To help save US democracy Dambisa Moyo, a top economist and author of "Edge of Chaos", says that voters who are more engaged should have a larger vote. * The fact that the OECD report claims that this generation of Americans for the first time in the history of the United States will be less educated than the preceding generation means that we do need to do something quite aggressive I believe in order to get more voters to the ballot polls. * Discussing what sorts of factors would help us understand who should be voting and how voters should be voting, I believe that having a civics program where people really understand how the government functions and who they're voting for and what those people stand for. At the very bare minimum, a civics test"

 

--Good grief..the way people have voted .. and will vote, is "with their wallets.. obviously this economist should not be described as a "top economist" for not knowing this.. but she has "hit the nail on the head" .. she stated.. "this generation of Americans for the first time in the history of the United States will be less educated than the preceding generation means that we do need to do something quite aggressive". She even recommends some sort of "civics test".. WAIT A DANG MINUTE! She just brought up the FACT that this generation is less educated than their parents which explains a lot about the liberal-based education system, but she feels a "civics test" will help...NOT! Think about this.. Any "civics test" would be given by a government worker .. probably an educator, one who failed to get them as educated as well as the previous generation., and the "test" would probably be tainted with a liberal slant..if there needs to be a test given, it should be one based on:

 

A "yes" answer to any of these questions:

1 - Are you a citizen of the US?
2 - Are you working and paying taxes?
3 - Have you ever served in a US Military Branch?

 

And a "no" answer to all these questions:

 

1 - Have you ever been convicted of a violent crime and not pardoned?
2 - Have you ever committed fraud against our government?
3 - Have you ever accepted compensation for voting for a certain party or candidate?

 

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We all pray for the employees and families of those shot/killed at the newspaper in Maryland, and that the shooter be quickly given due process and executed upon conviction, but mainscream media reports were anguished that the shooter used a shotgun rather than a "semi-automatic assault rifle". Mainscream media just doesn't understand that both only shoot when a person pulls the trigger for each shot.

 

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Watching Rod Rosenstein answer questions in front of the House investigatory committee did not allay any feelings of mistrust that's been growing since Mueller started his investigation. His manner was not one that calmed concerns I feel as bout the leadership of what we must feel...we must know...is the connector of all Americans...conservatives and liberals alike....that justice will prevail in spite of who is in the White House. I'm sorry..all I could see was an incarnate figure of a weasel character that I remember from animated cartoons growing up.

 

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From the "mean while, on the other side of the House" department - Online headline/story: "Trump blasts Strzok for ducking questions, Mueller over 'conflicts' * The president’s tweet comes after Strzok’s hours-long closed-door testimony before the House Judiciary Committee " -- You know.. as an employee of the government, he should answer every question to the best of his ability...failure to do so without claiming 5th Amendment protection, should result in his immediate dismissal from his job, and the investigation should be turned into a criminal investigation.

 

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Today is Friday.. this past Monday, the MCSB OK'ed the MCSD'd $295 Million dollar budget.. and not one peep has appeared in the M/C L-E paper. That's $295 Million to handle the needs of less than 40,000 people (about 33,000 students and 6,000 employees) for 10 months.. versus the City budget of some $271 Million to care for the needs of some 200,000 people for 12 months. Don't tell me forensic audits won't help or are not justified.

 

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Online story: "Democratic lawmakers and candidates are increasingly seeking the elimination of Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of their suite of demands in D.C.'s heated border battle. " -- There are laws.. concerning treason... for people sworn to protect and honor our Constitution and borders.. they should be applied immediately to politicians not doing so.

 

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In May, I announced my boycott of Nestle products because Nestle was entering a deal to distribute Starbuck's coffee, and Starbucks has already told me it doesn't want to do business with us Trump supporters. I took one for the ream by ending my lifelong relationship with "Butterfingers", and that I would stop buying Nestle's Purina cat food/products in the future.. After running out of my previous stored Purina ONE cat food, I bought a serious grain free, high protein brand for him (Sox).. He did not immediately "take to it" so I watched him Monday. Tuesday, and Wednesday, and knowing he had to really be hungry , my nearly 17 year old cat still had not embraced this offering.. Yesterday, I went and bought a sack of his favorite Purina ONE.. he sensed it as I walked in the kitchen, opened it, and poured a bowl full.. He dove into it like a at that hadn't eaten well in days.. Sox is nearly 17.. he won't be with us too much longer so I decided that he deserves to eat what he wants.. even if it's from Nestle.

 

On he other hand, I was at Sam's Club picking up coffee supplies and noticed that Coffeemate was a Nestle product.. I put it back and bought the Sam's house brand instead.. My wife enjoyed it, so Nestle really loses big time in he future. No more Butterfingers, Ralston cereals, or Coffeemate in our home.

 

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Online headline/story: "Suwanee approves $13.4M budget, looks to hold millage rate steady * Suwanee City Council has given its approval to the 2019 fiscal year budget, totaling $13.4 million, with city leaders looking to hold the millage rate steady at 4.93 mills, the same as it's been since 2013.

 

Current (Fiscal 018) budget/revenues/expenditures:

 

Revenues:
Account Classification Budgeted
PROPERTY TAXES                          $4,090,560   28.51%
BUSINESS TAXES                           $2,241,000   15.62%
FRANCHISE TAXES                         $1,851,610   12.90%
OTHER FINANCING SOURCES         $1,427,500
FINES & FORFEITURES                   $1,385,010     9.65%
LICENSES AND PERMITS                 $890,770       6.21%
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES   $865,000       6.03%
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TAXES         $841,700       5.87%
OTHER TAXES                                $331,420       2.31%
HOTEL/MOTEL TAXES                     $173,500       1.21%
CHARGES FOR SERVICES                $146,520       1.02%
INVESTMENT INCOME                    $41,000         0.29%
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUES           $40,000         0.28%
CONTRIBUTIONS & DONATIONS     $23,500         0.16%
RENTAL INCOME                           $0                  0%

 

Expenditures:
POLICE                                           $5,243,390       6.54%
PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS               $2,620,920    18.27%
NON-DEPARTMENTAL                       $2,138,850     14.91%
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                $984,720         6.86%
PLANNING                                       $924,750          6.44%
BUSINESS SERVICES                        $877,750           6.12%
COUNCIL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE      $611,650          4.26%
FINANCIAL SERVICES                      $572,250           3.99%
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES             $374,810          2.61%

 

Suwannee, GA has a population of about 19,000... that's a shade over $7-00.00 per person.

Columbus, GA on the other hand has a population of about 200,000, and a 2019 Fiscal Budget of 271,000,000. That's about $1355.00 per person.. Do the math.. Forensic Audit.. anyone!

 

http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/6/686105/suwanee-approves-134m-budget-looks-to-hold-millage-rate-steady

 

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Looking at our runoff elections scheduled for July 24th, I'm continually looking at the two local races I can vote in.. Council Post 10 at large, and MCSB Post 2.. since I voted for none of the 4 people in the General Election, I've had to refocus on the people running.. In Council Post 10, I will vote for John House ( I would not have been disappointed had he won against the great man I supported) and Mike Edmondson in MCSB 2. Both are distanced from any conflict of interests from the City or School System, while both their opponents are puppets of their current business connections with these to taxing entities.

 

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Online story: "Two justices on the Georgia Supreme Court are among 25 names on President Donald Trump’s list of possible replacements for Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court. * They have strong conservative credentials and are relatively young, meaning they could serve on the nation’s highest court for decades to come. * “If the question is whether they are exceedingly bright, exceedingly ethical, very hard-working and driven to do the best they can each and every day, that fits both of them,” said Sam Olens, the former state attorney general. “They also leave out their personal opinions when deciding cases and follow the law.”" -- "They also leave out their personal opinions when deciding cases and follow the law."? Well, technically, they should "follow the Constitution", but what we need is for Sam Olens to take this message and conduct a seminar for SC Justices, Breyer, Ginsburg, Kagan, and Sotomayor.

 

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Got another e-mail from the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce this AM.. One of the items was this:

 

"What is Leadership Columbus?

Leadership Columbus is an official program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. This is a collaborative effort between the Chamber and Leadership Columbus Alumni. Leadership Columbus has been building leaders in this community for over 30 years. Participants will be given the chance to develop an understanding of the challenges that face the Columbus region.

 

The program is designed to expose highly talented and motivated leaders to issues which will determine the future direction of the area. This will encourage initiative to address and solve these issues. Leadership Columbus will not attempt to create a consensus of opinions or promote any specific concern.

Class members will benefit from a wide variety of experiences along with the network of relationships between the classes.

 

The applicant must show a sincere commitment, be motivated and interested in the community and have the desire to increase his/her service in key leadership positions. The person must exhibit the ability and willingness to be involved in the learning process and must make a firm commitment to attend each session of Leadership Columbus program, as well as two years volunteer service with the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on Leadership Columbus or to apply please visit our website or contact Amy Bryan at 706-327-1566"

 

--Excuse me, but this just exemplifies why Amy Bryan should not be allowed to run for a Council seat while still employed at the Chamber, which receives a Million Dollars in local tax revenues.. she using her job and the Chamber to promote herself.

 

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An arrest was reported this week of a young man who killed a 74 year old man just sitting in his garage.. The young KILLER stated he was just randomly shooting his gun to get a feel for it.. to "test" it.. You know, I'd feel better about the future of a young man who killed a person with intent because he was "wronged" than ever letting this young man, who obviously has no concepts of doing what's right, to ever see the light of day again.

 

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L-E headline/story: "Harris County board considering only 1 superintendent candidate * The Harris County Board of Education is considering only one candidate to be its next superintendent." -- Hmmmm... interim Superintendent Roger Couch... This is what.. and how... it should be.. a system promoting from within is lot healthier than one that continually goes "outside" to find one.. I remember the first thing I use to tell newly promoted managers within my family's business.. You're getting the job.. the chance.. because you've earned it.. No, your primary job outside of running your department is to train someone to replace you.. That makes you a better candidate to get another promotion for more responsibility.

 

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Why is it that the charges against people who shoot people are all to often allowed to plead out to lesser crimes than illegal use.possession of a gun used in committing another crime? It's the use of an illegally possessed gun used in a crime that puts TEETH into the sentencing.

 

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Well... today is the last day we shall see Dimon- Kendrick-Holmes' name listed as the Executive Editor of the Columbus L-E. of the L-E.. It's his last day.

 

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"Uncle Drew" is out.. I've been waiting for it... I've never seen a movie starring Shaq O'Neal that hasn't been fun...