We are a nation of Skimmers

Have you received the phone call, "Could I please speak with whoever is in charge of the gas bill?" If you don't live in Ohio, or one of the 13 other deregulated states, you may have no idea what I'm talking about. But for the past few years, I get several phone calls and letters from a variety of companies claiming to "want" to save me money. What? When pressed, the person calling really can't explain how they are going to save me money on my gas bill, or why they would even do such a thing, why I need to sign up with them to "receive" my gas for 12 months when the price will still be variable. It's called "choice," but so far, the only choice I can find is to pay more.

After speaking with the training manager on duty, looking up this and several other companies on the internet and speaking to my father (who knows all), we figured out that there is no savings. Every company that is offering this program is starting you higher than what the open rate is right now. If you don't ever look at your bill, you don't know that. Obviously, if the gas company is giving you a locked rate, it would make sense for it to be higher because they don't know what the future is going to bring. It's a gamble for both customer and supplier because no one knows what will happen. But these folks who want to continually sell you gas .5ccf's higher than current market price and then tell you it's a savings, that's just some folks exploiting a piece of legislation. These companies are not moving gas into the pipeline, they did not purchase gas and are holding it for me (though they will tell you that). They are trading commodities or futures at a specific price and then skimming what they can off the top.

It's genious really. They are employing people to make this happen. They are paying people to make phone calls to customers to convince them to switch. Many of these companies are sending people out to talk to businesses, they send letters through the mail and waste millions of tons of paper and diesel doing so. I'm in awe at the vast resources we are wasting to make money out of nothing. But that's capitalism. I'm not complaining about the system--this is just not the type of business we need to be engaging in. These folks are genious. But why can't they create a real product to sell? Something that enriches peoples lives?

If we really want a strong country, we must begin creating things and producing them again. We cannot continue down the path of unsustainable skimming. And we can only handle so many service jobs as well. We need to make tangible products that people here and around the world find useful.

2010 Prius Review

I've been driving the new 2010 Prius for a couple of days now. Generally, I really like it. It's definately different and takes a few days to get used to it. It has different modes for different amounts of, I guess horsepower and acceleration--the tricky part is being in the right mode at the right time. I'm currently getting 49.2 mpg average and I've driven it on and off the highway, which is easily double what I get in my minivan.

Interior: Not crazy about the new interior layout. I loved the 2009 interior with the screen and that has all been changed unless you are getting the GPS package. Since I already have GPS on my phone, I didn't see the point in upgrading to that package, but it does look cooler and comes with the backup camera, which could be helpful at times. Love, love, love the hands-free blue-tooth and keyless entry and start. I don't have to search for my keys or my phone anymore! It's very freeing. I understand not having lots of electronic gadgets that drain the battery, but I would've liked more control over the seats. Still not sure I've gotten it adjusted the way I'd like--but the lumbar control does help.

Exterior: Sleek and aerodynamic. Sensors in the doors allow you to lock and unlock without the key. Sometimes I wonder if it's smarter than I am. Would look really sharp with some cooler rims, but overall, it's nice.

Overall: I really like it. It's great for tooling around town--and you really see the difference in mpg's when you are running errands--no gas is used when you're waiting in line or at the atm as long as the battery is charged up. It's a solid vehicle and I always find myself going faster than I expect. Push the pedal and it goes...

Ben Stein's "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" Review

If you have ever questioned how life began, watch this film. If you have ever wondered if what you were taught in school was being regulated by the government, watch this film. Hey, you know, just watch it. It allows us to hit "reset" on the topic of how life began...and science and technology cannot progress without asking questions...

Why is the President asking people for money?

Someone sent me this letter several days ago and I am just really confused. What are they raising money for? Where does this money go and what does it do? Does this make anyone else feel "uncomfortable?" Let me know what you think:


Friend--

On Wednesday night President Obama delivered a passionate address on health reform to Congress and all Americans, then immediately wrote to you to ask for your help in making reform a reality.Your response was astounding: In less than 48 hours, more than 450,000 of you signed messages urging Congress to pass the President's plan -- and even chipped in more than $1 million to power our campaign for change.Now, President Obama has recorded a message just for OFA supporters about what comes next.

Please watch the video, and, if you haven't already, add your name in support of the President's plan.
http://my.barackobama.com/ReformVideo

Thanks,
Mitch

P.S. In case you missed it, here's the President's email to OFA supporters from the night of the big speech: ---

Original Message--- From: President Barack ObamaSubject: Not the first, but the last
Friend --
I just finished laying out my plan for health reform at a joint session of Congress. Now, I'm writing directly to you because what happens next is critical -- and I need your help.Change this big will not happen because I ask for it. It can only come when the nation demands it. Congress knows where I stand. Now they need to hear from you.Add your voice: Ask your representatives to support my plan for real health reform in 2009.The heart of my plan is simple: bring stability and security to Americans who already have health insurance, guarantee affordable coverage for those who don't, and rein in the cost of health care.Tonight, I offered a specific plan for how to make it happen. I incorporated the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to create a plan that's bold, practical, and represents the broad consensus of the American people.We've come closer to real health reform in the last few months than we have in the last 60 years. But those who profit from the status quo -- and those who put partisan advantage above all else -- will fight us every inch of the way.We do not seek that fight, but we will not shrink from it. The stakes are too high to let scare tactics cloud the debate, or to allow partisan bickering to block the path. Your voice, right now, is essential.See my full plan and call on your representatives to support it:http://my.barackobama.com/ReformVideo
Ours is not the first generation to understand the dire need for health reform. And I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.Thank you,President Barack Obama


Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

politics really is the new religion for about 18,000

I finally understand how Glenn Beck gets so choked up on his shows. I was sitting today with 18k other concerned Americans at Voice of America Park in West Chester, OH. It was billed The Voice of America Freedom Rally and hosted by the Cincinnati Tea Party.

I don't know if it was the Bible quotes, the old lady in her red T-shirt singing "God Bless America", or the overwhelming group of people cheering in agreement--it was beautiful--but i was nearly in tears on several occassions. It was the most moving experience I've witnessed in a while and felt much like church. I did learn a few things that I will share with you:

1)I spent all day checking out the signs people made and realized on the way out, that if these folks put as much energy into finding solutions to the problems of our nation, the free market would be working well enough that this Obamacare issue wouldn't even be on the table.

2)Do not upset this group! At least 80% of them reacted favorably to gun ownership rights. I must admit it freaked me out a little bit. I didn't see any guns of course, but it was still a little unnerving.

3)Folks are very irate about the Czar thing. My husband thinks it's just me who watches Glenn Beck online because we don't want to spend money on cable. But apparently, other people are paying attention. I believe it was John Boehner who said he will be asking, on Tuesday, for Czar funding to end. He feels that all these people working in the White House should be voted on by Congress. Hey, Van Jones, hope you are enjoying your long weekend, because I think next week might be a little, uh, not so fun for you...

At any rate, I do think that being an American is a pretty cool thing. No, I don't own Flag t-shirts, or wear red ever, but I feel soooo fortunate to be able to speak or assemble for any reason under the sun. And I was thrilled to see that so many came out to be involved and let their Congress men and women know that they weren't very pleased about a number of issues. But also that they did appreciate them standing up and voting NO on Cap and Trade, stimulus packages and ridiculuous budgets. I really believe strongly that the Obama Administration has awakened a sleeping giant. It did begin with Bush, but now people are up--eyes open wide, engaged and ready to fight. Can't wait to see what happens when Congress gets back to work next week. Let the fun begin!

If only I could reach through my radio...

and smack Sean Hannity in the face. Ann Coulter sent out an email the other day saying the it was the Democrats fault that we were failing in the Iraq war. Similarly, President Ford's hands were tied when South Vietnam asked for our help. Even though we had given them our word, the Dem's wouldn't allow the US to help. We didn't keep our promise and the rest of the world knew it. That does indeed suck, and was it the Dem's fault? Yes, and everyone else who was tired of seeing their sons and neighbors killed in a senseless war.

Last week, I heard Neal Bortz say that the reason we were losing Iraq was because our country was divided over the issue. When a caller brought to his attention the fact that we all agreed to find Osama Bin Laden and try to destroy Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, but we still haven't "won" there either. But Boortz was ticked that the caller had claimed to disagree with him about Iraq and then brought up Afghanistan. Personally, I think the caller made his point. I don't know how these folks sleep at night.

So, back to smacking Sean Hannity. His claim was the same as Ann Coulter's--it's the Democrats who want the US to fail in Iraq. They like to fail on purpose is the claim. So, Sean, what exactly would failure look like? What would success look like? Well, you probably can't answer either of those questions because no one has actually planned for either. So, in essence, I would say that "we" have planned to fail, because we failed to plan--period. It does sound stupid, but we all know that it's true so quit blaming the Democrats. In an interview with one Iraqi, it was said that the insurgency will continue to grow if the US doesn't leave. That doesn't sound as if it's a war on terror, it sounds like there are a bunch of folks in Iraq who are tired of the fighting and don't want us there anymore. Can anyone prove me wrong? (9/11 is not an acceptable answer.)

Then, I'm not understanding how folks can claim that "we were lied to and went into war under false pretenses". Hello, did you not watch Colin Powell on the tv when he was claiming that they believed there were WMD in Iraq? Did you seriously believe him? And did you miss the part where no one, NO ONE in the U.N. would form a coalition with us except for Britain? Granted, Britain is not like Luxembourg, but that was it. Don't act as though you didn't know that you were being lied to. It was blatently obvious why we were getting into this war from Day 1. I didn't agree with it, but didn't bash anyone once we were there. I was always taught to respect the commander-in-cheif even if I didn't agree with their policies. Okay, but here we are years later and no end is in site. They said there would be an end, but that was the day after the election. Then they postponed the State of the Union to tell us that they wouldn't be pulling out troops and then there was a bomb that went off at our Embassy in Greece. Oh, how convenient was that? The boogey man is out there. We've been telling you he's out there and see what he did? He bombed something else--that could have been in your town. Let's send more troops and spend more money to fight the invisible target.

If I sound crass, it's because I feel like I've taken crazy pills or something. Am I seriously the only person in the world who sees this? I know there's that crazy guy from "In Plane Site" who thinks that the sunspot on the side of plane as it's going into one of the twin towers is some piece of military equipment. But seriously, I don't see it. I don't see the thing that guy is talking about and I don't see a target either. What are we aiming for? Do we just think we are that much better than everyone else that we must force our ways on every other country in the universe?

I was downtown yesterday and I saw a lady looking out the bus window at me. She had that same look as the civilians in Iraq, or Sierra Leon, or anywhere else where there is fighting and hopelessness. Where they feel that they have no control over what will go on in their day. That's really the only difference between them and the rest of us. It's not really about money, it's about the inability to change the situation. I believe that is why the Iraqi's are fighting. They are fighting because they are angry about what their world is today, what it has become. It may have been bad with Saddam, but at least they knew what to expect (to a point). Now, it is mayhem, every hour of every day, of every week. Here, we take a gun and shoot our old co-workers or classmates, or commit suicide when life is overwhelming. Please tell me, what is worse?

GM's play for fuel-efficiency

If you haven't heard about the Volt, the new plug-in hybrid from GM, here's a good article to teach you more:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16580894/from/ET/