Monday, July 18, 2011

MY MEDCO WOES TODAY! YOURS TOMORROW?

This is a cautionary tale for those who believe the future of our medical care as a nation lies in single payer or Obama Care or whatever else you wish to call it. To date in this tale no lives have been threatened, but the slippery slope is clearly defined. Someday lives will be lost and it won't matter whether you call it a death panel or a rationing board or bureaucratic lunacy.

It all began a few weeks before I was to run out of a medication I have been taking daily for several years. My first step was to place a call to the doctor and ask they phone in the prescription to MEDCO. MEDCO is a mail service provider of prescriptions contracted from Blue Cross under a so called “Cadillac” plan for federal employees. Not so fast my patient friend; first I had to make an appointment. Fortunately for me this only took a few days so plenty of medicine left.

Someone from the doctor's office called in the prescription that very day. All is well. A few days later a computer generated phone call from MEDCO told me to call them or they would not be able to fill the prescription. I did so. The MEDCO representative advised that I needed an additional authorization from the doctor. This concept of getting two authorizations still baffles me, but in the spirit of having no choice, I called the doctor's office again.

The doctor's office phoned back to say they had complied with the MEDCO request. All is well. A few days later a computer generated phone call from MEDCO told me to call them or they would not be able to fill the prescription. I did so. The MEDCO representative advised that I needed an additional authorization from my doctor. My response was that this had previously been provided.

After half an hour or so on the phone allegedly speaking with a supervisor, I was advised that the medication would be at my home by the following Wednesday. Complete with apologies, all is well.

A few days AFTER the medication had not arrived, I placed a call to MEDCO. They advised that I needed an additional authorization from the doctor and the prescription was under review by a pharmacist. I, by now having totally lost the ability to control my growing anger, demanded to speak to a supervisor.

The supervisor, who identified herself as Dominique, came on the phone some 15 or 20 minutes into the call. At this point I needed Xanax more than the prescribed medication. She advised that the medication would be at my house the following Tuesday. All is well.

On Monday a computer generated phone call from MEDCO advised that if I failed to call them they could not fill the prescription. By now I was in need of counseling as well as drugs not normally obtained legally.

The first person to whom I spoke after going through several minutes of efforts in getting past the computer voice, advised I needed an additional authority from the doctor. I screamed. She immediately transferred me to a supervisor. After the obligatory 15 minutes of listening to their elevator music, the supervisor came on the line.

This supervisor advised me that it was not actually anything additional from the doctor, but that I needed approval for an over the limit medication. He said they did not have one on file, but would search for an answer and call me back. Please note that none of the other MEDCO representatives had told me this. In fact. I had been promised the medication at least twice.

At this point my blood pressure must have been through the roof. In an act of desperation I phoned Blue Cross, hoping that since they contract with MEDCO and my plan is with them help would be forthcoming. Jennifer was polite and wanted to help. She put me in contact with CAREMARK who seems to be in charge of medications. The lady from CAREMARK, after my continued expression of helplessness agreed to contact MEDCO to tell them that I in fact had an approval for over the limit medication.

MEDCO again, and this time Doug assured me that my medication would arrive next Wednesday. At that point it will have been a month since the process began. I don't know what will happen, but so far every call has begun as if there had been no previous contact with MEDCO. I confess to getting upset. I confess to being less than polite at some point in the process. I confess to having seen Ground Hog Day.

I have been out of the medication for over a week now. (Alive but in some discomfort.) I still don't know why my medication requires so much approval, or why MEDCO chooses to delay filling the prescription, but one can imagine it is expensive. These people have jobs in the private sector. Imagine for just a moment that you have to deal with a bureaucrat in a union. If that thought does not horrify you, . . . you have no children, no relatives, no intelligence or no soul.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Should I Buy An English Bulldog?

Buying an English Bulldog is not just buying a puppy. While all puppies require an investment of time and money, the bulldog can require more of both. Many of the traits we love in bulldogs contribute to medical problems. The bulldog's independent and somewhat stubborn nature will likely make training more difficult. If you just want a dog, then an English Bulldog is not for you.

Rescuing a dog from the pound might cost a couple of hundred dollars for spaying or neutering and necessary shots. There is little doubt you will love your puppy regardless of ancestry; which will probably be unknown. In this circumstance you have a dog with only a small investment.

But if your heart is set on an English Bulldog then prepare for a longer and much more expensive process. It is important to research breeders in order to make certain your future bulldog doesn't come from a puppy mill. After locating a reputable breeder, hopefully relatively close to home, it is a good idea to take a trip to their location.

A close inspection of the breeder's facilities and a look at both the female and male bulldogs is essential. It won't hurt to review the medical records of both dogs that either are, or are to be, the parents of your bulldog. You will want to know how often the females are bred; every other year may be best. Of course checking with other customers who have purchased bulldogs from the breeder is also a very good idea.

Instead of a couple of hundred dollars, an English Bulldog will likely cost a couple of thousand dollars. Prices for a purebred English Bulldog can range from a thousand dollars to well over three thousand. Of course the price is merely a down payment. That is true because of veterinary costs you could incur.

Let me provide you with the story of my current English Bulldog. He first had surgery to remove lashes which were growing into his eyes. At the same time he had soft palate surgery to make it easier for him to breath. All English Bulldogs are subject to breathing problems due to their physical structure.

Later he had knee surgery and emergency eye surgery for an ulcer. These medical costs ran into the thousands. We paid one thousand five hundred dollars for the dog and have close to five thousand dollars in his medical expenses.

Bulldogs often require special diets which means you can't buy just any food for them. They also frequently have skin and allergy problems. Even the healthiest bulldog will require more attention than the average dog. For example, their wrinkles have to be cleaned on a regular basis since they are subject to yeast infections.

An English Bulldog is a loyal companion good with both children and adults. They quickly become family members and you will truly love your bulldog. Bulldogs don't generally require a great deal of exercise. Playing with them for a few minutes several times a day is enough. Walks are never too long and definitely not in hot weather. Bulldogs make you, and everyone who sees them, smile.

If you can provide the care and time needed, than an English Bulldog is definitely for you. However, if there are doubts about your ability to properly care for one, please consider another pet.

Check out It's A Kean World for fun: Dog Supplies and Training for great dog articles; RV Fun and Facts for the true cost of RV ownership.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Why Bulldogs Look Like That

Among the many breeds of dogs there is one that stands out as being particularly interesting to look at, whether a pup or fully grown. In the United States we call these dogs English Bulldogs. I say in the United States because in Great Britain, where bulldogs originate, they are just bulldogs plain and simple.

Question: How do you make a bulldog smile? Answer: You don't, he makes you smile. One look at the wrinkles, wide stance, and flat faced appearance of the bulldog and it is hard not to smile. Their looks and disposition contribute to making the bulldog one of the most popular dogs in the United States. They are fiercely loyal dogs who are happy just to spend time being around their owners.

Records fail to make the true origins of the bulldog clear, but some things are for certain. Most everyone agrees their name comes from the cruel sport of bull baiting. Bulldogs were also used to control and corral bulls in England. In the middle of the 19th century bulldogs ceased to be “sporting” dogs when the “sport” of bull baiting was outlawed.

While the popularity of the bulldog waned after bull baiting was banned, in a few years they became a show dog. But none of this explains just why the bulldog looks the way it does; so let's move along.

Dog breeding was not the science hundreds of years ago that it is today. Breeders would mate dogs based upon their appearance. And in doing so they eventually obtained many of the physical traits we see in bulldogs today. The bulldog's nose is high on the head to let the dog breath easily while maintaining a firm grip on a bull.

Some believe the wrinkled skin allowed for give and there was less of a chance that a bull's horns would break the skin. Of course being very low to the ground made them a tougher target for the bulls. It has been thought the wrinkles on a bulldog's face make it easier for tears to drain away from its eyes. The bulldog has a powerful jaw that gives it a vise-like grip.

Combine all of this with strong hind legs and you have a dog that looks tough but is really quite gentle and good with children. Of course the bulldog was at one time aggressive, however for over 150 years they have been bred as companions and family pets. At one time there was a reason for the looks we find so adorable in today's English Bulldog.

For more information about English Bulldogs check out Dog Supplies and Training. Also great articles about caring for any type of dog. Pictures and savings on things like a flushable dog poop bag as well.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Review of Montgomery South Campground

RV parks vary in amenities and price as much as the hotel/motel industry does. In RV parks as in hotels you can go from Motel 6 to New York Rich. But the key to a good RV park is for the owners to know their niche. In other words, be what you can comfortably be and charge accordingly. That pretty well describes the Montgomery South Campground, though one might suggest the price is a little on the high side.

Sometimes you want all the amenities and none of the hassels. Sometimes you just want a nice place to spend the night where you feel secure. Sometimes a place like Montgomery South RV Park is just right. We spent a quiet night there and with most of the amenities one might expect.

There are 30 sites, most of them gravel, all of them large and pull through. Clean restrooms that are particularly nice with chairs, mirrors and showers along with WiFi and full hookups are included. 30 and 50 amp service is available at all sites. There is no cable, but they indicate five channel are available. They also sell propane, which is a nice feature.

Montgomery South RV Park is between 12 and 14 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama, depending on the map you read. It is located at Exit 158 off of I-65. 1/8 mile east and one mile north on Venable Rd and you are there.

The owner was on site to greet us and in general the staff was very helpful and friendly. The office has a large television and an inviting couch or two. I'm looking out the window of my RV and watching traffic whiz by on I-65. However the noise does not seem to be a problem at all.

I paid $26 with a discount. The park is a Good Sam park and is rated in Woodalls. The accept most major credit cards.

The WiFi signal is not as strong as I would like it to be, though generally it is servicable. There are several acres of pastureland for walking your pet. I think you will find this a great place to spend the night.

Montgomery South RV Park is located at 713 Venable Rd. Hope Hull, AL 36043. Their telephone number is 334-284-7006 and their email address is: resv@ montgomerysouthrvpark.com

RV Fun and Facts is a great site for RV owners and prospective owners. Get the truth about RV costs and ownership. Great tips and links as well.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Internet Money Maker Or Scam?

Billions of dollars are being made on the Internet. Wouldn't it be nice if you could grab a few thousand of those billions? How hard could it be? A question asked by many and legitimately answered by very few. Let's examine the basic aspects of making money on the Internet and determine what is factual and what is merely a polished version of a very old scam.

First the basics, which you likely understand. Making money on the Internet, as opposed to making money by facilitating the Internet, is simple to explain and difficult to accomplish. There are normally three steps: create a web site; put your own or someone else's information or products for sale on the site; get visitors (potential customers) to your site.

Creating a web site is remarkably easy this day and age. There are many places that will host your web site for free. Even if you have nothing to sell there are many, many affiliate programs. So having a web site and something to sell is fairly easy. The problem is getting people to visit your web site.

But what about all those people who promise you can make a fortune with just a few clicks of the mouse? Ask yourself this question. If these people are making so much money, why are they willing to sell you the secret? They do videos allegedly from exotic locations with pictures of yachts, mansions and flashy cars. Does it make sense to promote a product that gives away their “secret?”

Maybe it is just a newer version of the old “stuffing envelopes” scheme. You would respond to an ad promising money for stuffing envelopes by sending a few dollars and they would tell you to do what they are doing. So you place ads and people send you money and it goes on and on.

Of course today things are a bit more complex. Some of the promoters offer to build you a website or several cookie cutter web sites. Many provide CDs and instruction booklets. Once you are on one of their e mail lists you will get daily sales pitches for the latest money making scheme. Each scheme better than the last and requiring even less of your time. Of course they all require a payment.

If you pay attention (but not money) to the advertisements for a while you can pick up some useful information. For example; find a niche. Get yourself into a small corner of the very big room that is the Internet. One possibility, instead of dogs, try dog collars. Don't plan on making a lot of money right away and treat your Internet business as a job. If you spend 10 minutes a day on your Internet business you will be rewarded appropriately (not well).

There is a great deal of information on the Internet explaining how to make your web site more visible. Much of the information is free. If an advertisement promises you easy money with little work: do not fall for the scam. There are certainly legitimate companies which provide information for a fee. But prior to paying anyone learn the basics on your own. That way at least you will know what you are buying.

Jack Kean maintains two niche web sites: RV Fun and Facts and Dog Supplies and Training. Both of which he continues to refine. One of these sites has been profitable, the other has not. Feel free to guess which is which.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Paul B. Johnson State Park

A few miles south of Hattiesburg, MS on highway 49 you will find the Paul B. Johnson State Park. It is a jewel in the rough. We pulled in for a single night's rest and were amazed at what we found. After some hesitation at driving over the spillway (no problem) we found a great pull through site. This was important to us because we did not want to unhook the car and tow dolly.

The best things about staying at a kind of out of the way State Park can be scenery and price. The Paul B. Johnson State Park certainly offered both. This is the type of park you could spend a night in, but it would be much more relaxing to spend a week.

The Paul B. Johnson State Park is located at 319 Geiger Lake Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. The telephone number is 601-582-7721.

My newest ebook How To Decide If An RV Is Right For You is available through RV Fun and Facts or at Amazon. More information and pictures at the Paul B. Johnson State Park are also at RV Fun and Facts.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Review of Timberlake Campground at Ross Barnett Reservoir

Timberlake Campground is part of the Mississippi State Parks system. It is located on the southeast corner of Ross Barnett Reservoir. There are 108 sites available for overnight rental and they range from the older shaded section to the newer section which has little shade but great satellite reception. The roads are paved as are all the sites, but of course the newer sites seem larger and are certainly on solid pads.

Timberlake Campground is a great location for those interested in fishing in the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Created by the damming of Jackson' Pearl river, this 50 square mile expanse of water provides sailing, water skiing, bass fishing and a variety of water sports.

TIMBERLAKE CAMPGROUND
143 Timberlake Dr.
Brandon, MS 39047
601-992-9100
877-388-2267

For a more complete review check out RV Fun and Facts. You will find other campground reviews and great articles on RV ownership.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Secret Democratic Plan To Destroy Medicare

Dateline: Classified. Secret Democratic plan to destroy Medicare discovered. After working undercover in an undisclosed location for several months we have learned of a Democratic plan to destroy Medicare. The plan is simplicity itself and consists on only two parts.

Part one of the plan is to demonize all Republican or other suggestions for saving Medicare. Ads showing Paul Ryan pushing an old woman in a wheel chair off a cliff for example. Refuse to come up with a plan yourself; easy since your plan is secretly to destroy it. Use Nancy Reagan's slogan, “Just Say No.”

While part one is simple, the importance of it cannot be overstated. Demonize, demonize, demonize! While attacking any suggestions to save Medicare you ignore the fact that you have failed to put forward a plan of your own. You also want the American people to forget that fact as well. It is essential that you not allow an adult discussion of the issue. It is important that you not ever reach a point of negotiations on a plan to save Medicare.

Part two of the plan is even easier. Do nothing. Do nothing on one hand and demonize on the other. The result of this is that Medicare will run out of money in a very few years. Since it is an undeniable fact that Medicare will run out of money in a few years and therefore cease to exist, doing nothing can have only one result. Yes, the end of Medicare. Stay tuned for Democratic after Medicare plan.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Republicans Search For Old White Man

Yes, it is definitely true. Establishment Republicans are once again in a desperate search for an old white man to run for President. Establishment Republicans are for the most part northeastern liberal Republicans, or as they are more frequently called, moderate Republicans.

These are the people who have given us Bob Dole and John McCain to name a couple of candidates who became a footnote in history. They keep putting up names like Daniels (whose wife told him no) and now Huntsman. People who are, you know, in the mainstream. Yeah, Democrats light, destined to lose and drag the party down with them.

There are solid conservative candidates out there, but the old line Republicans fear them as much as they do Obama. I for one would love to see Bachmann or Cain or Perry or just about anyone who isn't bought and paid for by the Republican elites become the next candidate. Even if they lose, they would stand for something.

Frankly if the American people re-elect Obama there is not much hope for our future. We need a candidate who is not afraid to take on Obama and his failed policies.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Thanks Mr. President

In these times of economic troubles I just don't think we take time out to thank our President for all that he is doing. So I would like to say, “Thank you, Mr. President.” Let me just take a few moments to let you know what you've done for me.

My RV is safely parked and stored for the next couple of months. Yes, these are the times I would normally be driving it and wasting fuel, but thanks to your energy policy I can't afford gas for it. So instead of traveling across the country I'm just parking the RV and staying at home. This year there won't be the northeastern trip to see summer in Maine. There won't be a trip to the Oregon coast or even to the beaches of Florida. No, thanks to your efforts at preventing oil drilling, we will be staying put.

I spent this Sunday afternoon cutting out coupons from the paper in hopes of saving a few dollars on the groceries. My first stop after church was at the dollar store for a dollar paper. They were out. The lady told me that people were actually lined up at the store when it opened at 9 this morning to buy papers for the coupons. I had to buy my paper at Wal-Mart for $2. So thanks to your policy of printing more and more money I am learning new skills and the newspaper business is getting back on track.

I've had to cash in some of our savings this year so once again, thanks to you, I'll be paying less in income tax next year. None of that pesky interest to add into my income. My wife had a hair cut from one of the local beauty colleges. The list of what you are doing for me goes on and on.

Next week I'll be going with a friend to get a free oil change for my car. Thanks to you I really could use a free oil change. This will give me the opportunity to spend quality time with a friend and it is all because of you. We own two cars, one 12 years old and the other 4 years old, but we seldom have gas for both at the same time. We plan our trips to save fuel. I can only imagine the great impact this has on the environment. Of course your flying around on Air Force One probably isn't helping things, but there are lots of us you have forced to live the simple life so it all balances out. At least you are living the high life.

When I first retired our motto was, “Everything we need and much of what we want.” Thanks to you we have a new motto. “Most of what we need and occasionally something we want.” There are millions of people out there supporting you, so I can only assume they enjoy the challenges of living with less. So I'm now requesting free samples on the Internet and trying to sell a few books. Is Wal-Mart still an option? Thanks Mr. President.

RV Fun and Facts will help you decide if an RV is for you.  Dog Supplies and Training  can link you up with great savings on dog supplies, food and medicine as well as great information on the care and training of your dog.  It's A Kean World has some fun articles and a list of available books.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Clean Your RV Awning For $1

Our new RV has an awning and while they are nice, nobody wants to sit under an awning covered with mold and mildew.  Unfortunately my awning was becoming quite the eye sore.  I asked several people what they used to clean their awning and they each had an answer involving purchasing some cleaning product that was relatively expensive. 

Being on a tight budget while saving for a future trip, I ventured into Dollar Tree and purchased a bottle of their regular car washing liquid.  I did note the bottle indicated it was also good for RVs and awnings.  I next took the RV to the front of my house and rolled out the awning.  Using a ladder, a soft bristled brush with a long handle, a high pressure nozzle and the aforementioned dollar store car wash liquid, I cleaned the awning quite well.

First I used the high pressure nozzle to wash off what it could.  Then, after not being able to  find my collapsible can, I made do by pouring the liquid directly onto the brush. With a little elbow grease the awning cleaned up just fine and I used more of the dollar store car wash to wash the entire RV.

In the future I will try and extend the awning as much as possible after rain.  This should help keep it free from mold.  For more RV related information including; How To Decide If An RV Is Right For You  please check out my web site RV Fun and Facts.  In case the link doesn't work it is located at: http://www.rvfunandfacts.yolasite.com/

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Can You Travel Cheaper In An RV?

Can you travel cheaper in an RV? It is a question often asked by those considering the purchase of an RV. It is a question without a simple answer. For most people the answer is likely no. However, depending upon the type of RV you have and the manner in which it is used, the answer for you could be yes.


Are you looking for travel with all the amenities of a luxury hotel? If so, you likely will not save money in an RV. This is so because your unit will cost a lot upfront and you will be staying at more expensive, luxury type, RV parks.

On the other hand, if you make traveling cheaper a prioriity and do some work, you can see the country in an RV better and possibly cheaper than in a car or plane. For example, there are a number of places where you can stay for little or no money. National forests provide many camping opportunities for free and many for very little money. State parks can be an economical way to spend a week or two. Most have discounts for seniors.

You can grab a night's sleep at many Wal-Marts and state welcome centers while you are on the road. There are a variety of clubs you can join for heavily discounted rates. Do an Internet search for free camping and you will find links to sites that list places to camp that are free. With a little work you can also find county parks and parks in smaller towns with extremely reasonable rates.

Remember that you will have the ability to do your own cooking and if that is something you enjoy, then you can save a bundle. Don't forget National Parks and the discounts they offer. Keep your eyes and Internet open and you will find groups that specialize in camping for free, also known as boondocking. There is at least one group on Yahoo.

Most privately owned RV parks now charge $30 and up per night. State parks can run from $15 to $35 per night. However, with planning you can spend a couple of nights at a park and then one or two in free sites. As an example we have spent a couple of nights at the Clinton Library in Little Rock. There was no charge and they were happy to have us tour the library.

One big thing to remember is that traveling in an RV is not like traveling in a car. It is a different way to see the country. If you enjoy RV travel, cost will not be the deciding factor.

For more RV information including Jack's latest book, How To Decide If An RV Is Right For You, check out RV Fun and Facts.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

When Not Using Your RV

Sometimes when thinking about buying an RV people forget that much of the time it will simply be stored somewhere.  You've probably seen those retirement homes with the RV garage built into the house, but I suspect you don't have one of those.  Almost nobody else in the real world does either.

If you live in a rural area or have a large lot it might be possible to keep your RV close to the house.  This is the best situation for a variety of reasons.  It is close so you can take care of routine cleaning and maintenance.  You can also hook up electricity and possibly not have to winterize.
 
However, if you don't fall into one of the above categories spend some time looking around for appropriate RV storage facilities.  You want security of course, but also ease of access. In a perfect world you will find a covered storage facility on concrete with electrical hookup.  Please call me when you find that for under $150 a month.

Storage costs will vary by area, but a minimum of $50 per month up to $150 is not unusual.

For more good RV information and some great travel photographs check out http://www.rvfunandfacts.yolasite.com

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Surprising RV Costs

My letter to JAYCO 

Dear Mr. Bontrager, 

Several months ago we purchased a 2010 JAYCO Greyhawk FS from Burton Campers in Calera, Alabama. 

I am taking this opportunity to write you relative to a practice JAYCO has seemingly employed for several years that does not live up to the standards I believe you set for your company. When purchasing the unit I spent several hours going over every aspect of the motorhome. That is not exactly true as you will see, but I did go over every system that should have been necessary. 

The one item I did not completely check out was the radio. Yes, I turned it on and checked the cameras and navigation system. Since the radio was clearly labeled “Sirius ready” I did not attempt to actually subscribe to Sirius prior to leaving with the unit. Several weeks later as I prepared to call Sirius to subscribe using my “Sirius ready” radio I found out the the “Sirius ready” radio was not “Sirius ready.”

I wrote an e-mail to customer service and was essentially told tough luck. Those were not the words, however that was the message. I was advised that the manufacturer of the radio put that on and JAYCO is not responsible.

It seems to me that JAYCO and its dealers have a duty to notify potential customers that “Sirius ready” does not mean the same thing as the word ready means in the dictionary. Anytime that I am told that something is ready, I make the assumption that it is ready. Would you?
I am requesting that JAYCO make my radio Sirius ready as is clearly marked on the radio.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jack Kean

As information he did not have the courtesy to respond.  He had someone from customer service respond with a tough luck buddy letter.  JAYCO and all the rest of them will lie to you, so protect yourself.  Much more information about RV costs at http://www.rvfunandfacts.yolasite.com

 

Friday, April 29, 2011

Crazy Gas Prices and RVs

Given today's reality we are simply going to have to find new, and more economical, ways to use our RVs since we do have a substantial financial investment in them. If we don't use our RVs then we are incurring substantial expenses for absolutely nothing.

This summer we are making a significant change in plans and maybe something like this will work for you. We plan on taking a trip of approximately 300 miles one way. However, when we arrive at our destination we will be staying for a month.

Our basic travel budget will look something like this: 600 RV miles at 8 miles per gallon equals 75 gallons. Assuming the cost of fuel to be $5 per gallon it will cost $375 for the trip. Our RV Park for the month will cost approximately $400. Add another $50 for electricity and you have a month's vacation for $825.


You might do a search for State Parks within a 100 miles or so and have a great vacation. Instead of going to several places in your RV you could consider finding a central location and doing day trips from there. An RV Park outside of a city such as Atlanta might provide you with a wealth of entertainment possibilities from the Aquarium to Braves Baseball to Six Flags. Similar entertainment is certainly available in most major cities.

So while we may have to make changes in our RV usage, we can certainly enjoy our RVs. They still can provide relatively economical vacations.  For more RV information check out http://www.rvfunandfacts.yolasite.com


Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Forty One Per Cent

In a recent poll 41 % of Americans said they support President Obama.  I have one and only one question about the poll.  Who are these people?  Are they subsisting on some of the myriad of welfare programs created by the federal government?  Are they so rich that the idea of paying a King's ransom to the King is acceptable to them?  I don't know. 

What I do know is that the 41% who are supporting the President cannot be part of the hard working middle class that he claims to be concerned about.  Why not?  There are so many reasons it is difficult to know where to begin so let's just jump in the middle.  His energy policies keep gas prices so painfully high that these middle class people are having their lives negatively impacted by a government that is hell bent on destroying our energy infrastructure in favor of fairy dust.  His refusal to allow oil drilling is keeping thousands from working and helping to end the recession.  His deficit spending is killing the future for our children and grandchildren.  His printing money is devaluing the wealth we have managed to create. 

In a time of recession he continues to grow the federal government to record levels.  His nanny state policies have put the federal government into every aspect of our lives including what we eat.  He wants to raise taxes, and not just on the filthy rich. 

In summary:  he wants more taxes; he costs us more to live; he devalues what we have; he interferes with our lives as never before done; his spending is destroying our future; he is turning American independence into American dependants.  So who are the 41% who support the President?     

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Clueless Harry Makes Nevada Proud

On the floor of the United States Senate stood a diminutive man whose voice is soft and manner mild.  What comes out of his mouth however is anything but soft and mild.  He was saying that Republicans want women not to get cancer screenings.  He said they are willing to shut down the government to keep women from getting cancer screenings.  He did not say that cutting government spending might result in women not getting cancer screenings.  He said Republicans WANT women NOT to get cancer screenings so badly they are willing to shut down the government.

A couple of months ago the President told everyone to talk to others in a healing manner, not in a hurtful manner.  I guess Harry missed that instruction.  Other Democrats said that Republicans wanted old people to starve and women to die etc. etc.  It reminded me of that movie where the leading character kept living the same day over and over and over.  The playbook is so old that surely no one can take it seriously.

Harry is an embarrassment to grown ups everywhere.  He willingly participates in spending so much of your money that you have to borrow about 40% of what he is spending.  He seems oblivious to the fact that this nation is sliding downhill faster than an Olympic skier.  Instead he supports groups such as Planned Parenthood and gives them your money, even though the cancer screenings Harry is worried about are not really available at Planned Parenthood. 

I can't help but wonder if all Republicans want women to die and old people to starve.  Maybe only some of them do, but which ones?  Please, if you know any of the Republicans who want women to die and old people to starve, forward their names to me.  Surely Harry wouldn't lie to us.  I know he must make Nevadans everywhere proud.

Friday, April 1, 2011

My Government My Enemy

Every day a tall man in a white house gets up and makes policy designed to make my life more difficult.  He is joined by a handful of Czars and a plethora of officials who owe their souls, or at least their offices, to a small group of special interest citizens.  They do not attack on a single front, rather, like termites working on my foundation they attack from all directions.  If you, even for a moment, believe this is hyperbole then I must suggest you need to get out of your shell and see what is happening to this country.

A few examples include:  by borrowing money at a rate not sustainable they mortgage the future of younger adults as well as our children and grandchildren; by printing money with seemingly no limit they make our savings worth less; by failing to exploit our own resources they make us pay too much for fuel.  They make deals to fiscally support the drilling of oil by Brazil while refusing new oil leases for companies within our country who could create thousands of new jobs.  By paying people not to work for years they keep people unemployed.  By a welfare system that often includes such necessities as cell phones they discourage potential workers. 

Their attacks are not limited to attacks on our fiscal  well being.  They are in the process of destroying the best healthcare system in the world.  They protect rebels in Libya while refusing to protect our own borders and suing to prevent Arizona from doing the job they refuse to do.  They are busy working on a myriad of ways to control our lives from satellite television to radio to what we eat.  Their pie in the sky green energy programs cost us more for food and everything else we buy. 

Make no mistake:  I have seen the enemy and he is us.  (Stolen from a cartoon character I think.) 

Friday, March 18, 2011

THE SEVEN YEAR LIE

An oft repeated lie told by those who wish to return the United States to the stoneage is that it will take seven years before any additional oil exploration and drilling can have an impact.  As Americans are truly hurting with the current price of gas, our President says don't worry be happy.  And of course he repeats the lie.  Maybe the lie makes him feel better about doing nothing. 

Gee, Mr. President, if we do nothing how long before it will have an impact?  How about today?  Yes, Mr. President, because of your policies and the continued unrest in the Middle East we are being punished every day.  And you say it will take seven years even if we started today, which of course we are not going to do.

That is a lie.  I am not an expert on drilling for oil, but one thing is for certain.  If the United States had actual leaders instead of puppets we would be making an all out push for oil and natural gas.  If the world knew we were serious about using our own resources there would be a downward pressure on the price of oil.  It would take effect almost immediately.  The world would simply have to be convinced that the United States was willing, at least once, to act in its own interest. 

When you fill up your tank don't curse the big oil companies.  Curse those who refuse to allow the big oil companies to explore and drill.  Think of the thousands of good paying jobs.  There is no reason we cannot move forward on solar and wind and fairy dust if that works.  Of course we should do those things, but to cause harm to those on fixed incomes is criminal.  Yes, criminal.

Enjoy your parties and golf and trips Mr. President.  Please consider those you claim to want to help.  Please consider those who are being hurt daily by your policies.  Someday the world will run on something other than fossil fuels and that is good.  It is not today.  Help the American people and get out of the way of American enterprise.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES

Earlier today I purchased a copy of The Birmingham News while waiting for my meal at IHOP. The following “above the fold” headline in the Local section caught my attention. “Wi-Fi program touted as model.” Cutting to the chase, this is a federally funded program to put free Wi-Fi in four Birmingham housing projects. The cost of the program is a mere $500,000.


The worth or worthlessness of the program is not at issue here. Whether the people who live in a housing project deserve free Wi-Fi any more than I do in my modest abode is also not the issue. The one overriding issue of this blog is that we are broke. The federal government does not have any extra, or for that matter sufficient, funds to operate without substantial borrowing.

To put this on a more personal basis; let's assume that last year you spent $100,000 but earned only $60,000. And this year it looks about the same so you are planning to install Wi-Fi in your house. You justify it by saying that it will help you find a better job or learn more about the world and your kids do their homework. But you don't have the money. Is this something you would do?

Recall that this program is a “model” program. That means that the federal government, though borrowing your kids' and grand kids' money from China, is considering putting in free Wi-Fi in many more housing projects.

In the same paper there is a column by E.J. Dionne who says that we are not broke. To bolster his argument he points out that we are able to borrow money at historically low rates. Well, Mr. Dionne if we have to borrow money to operate we are broke. At least in my part of the country when you are borrowing money to live on you are by definition broke. It is foolish people like you who contribute to the overall ignorance of our population about the seriousness of our monetary problems.

But you liberals can be happy that four housing projects will be getting free Wi-Fi. Not free of course, but free to them. How you destroy this nation's future for projects like this and cowboy poets is beyond my ability to comprehend.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Through The Looking Glass Again


We live in a country where vile and obscene signs can be displayed to cause further harm to those who have lost loved ones in a war. It is so because of our love of freedom of speech. We live in a country where the 10 Commandments are pulled from the lockers of high school students. We do this because our desire to keep any form of Christianity from our children is greater than our love for free speech.

We live in a country that sends a large portion of its treasures every month to people who would like to destroy us. We do this in order to prevent any possible contamination of our own soil. We actively prevent our own quite competent companies from drilling. We fail to create the thousands of jobs and keep billions of dollars in our own nation. No other nation on earth is so foolish.

Someone recently told me that they would like for us to keep our oil. For what? We have enough oil and gas to run this country for several hundred years. Two hundred years ago there were no cars or trucks. The idea that we will not have alternative energy in the next several hundred years is plain silly.

The United States is in self destructive mode. We are systematically destroying this nation by policies that seem to have that intent. The value of the dollar will soon be the value of the country formerly known as Rhodesia. Each time the government prints more money, the money you have becomes less valuable. They are stealing your wealth.

We have a Congress that talks about reducing spending. They talk, and talk and talk. We have a political party that seems quite content to spend this nation into oblivion and another one that is impotent. We have a President who refuses to name our enemy while attacking the TEA Party as racist.

Our nation is upside down and inside out. We are driving off a cliff and slowing down is not an option. If we don't stop, we will die as a nation. On the positive side, this should slow down the illegal immigration problem.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

And Behind Door Number Three

Just when you think the federal government cannot dream up another way to waste your money, and that of your children and grandchildren, they do.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is here.  A government without money steps forward to invest in something most people care little about.  Yes, behind door number three is HIGH SPEED RAIL.

The federal government will borrow more money to have high speed rail cars made in . . . wait for it . . . some country OTHER than the United States.  We don't make them here.  Why not?  Well for one thing we don't use them.  Amtrack loses a fortune every year.  Why?  People don't take the train very often.  High speed or not there are few places in this country where rail travel makes much sense. 

For all of you hope and changers out there, let's hope somebody with the intelligence of at least a common laborer will change our federal government.  What is so hard about this concept?  We are broke.  We cannot start new and wasteful programs.  We must cut spending.  Cut spending, not waste money we don't have on a project we don't want.   

Friday, February 11, 2011

Muslim Brotherhood Mostly Secular

Our federal government is at it again.  The same government that wants to run your health care, tell you what to eat and control most every aspect of your life has stepped up to the plate (this would be baseball not supper) once again.  Yes, they have advised that the Muslim Brotherhood is primarily a secular organization.

So I'm on the phone with BJ, owner of Bubba's Bait Boats and Wrecks, and we are discussing the Muslim Brotherhood.  All in all I must say that I agree with BJ.  BJ thinks the federal government could not differentiate between a hole in the ground and a certain portion of their anatomy.  I believe him to be correct.

Calling the Muslim Brotherhood secular is like calling the Southern Baptist Association secular.  The Muslim Brotherhood chose their name back in the 1920s.  They didn't decide to call themselves the Middle Eastern Brotherhood or the We Love Freedom Brotherhood. 

Old Southern boys often can spot bullcrap when we see it.  Something is smelling in Washington right now and its not Michelle's perfume.  So when you hear someone say the Muslim Brotherhood is really just a group of good old boys who just want what is best for the Middle East; hold your nose cause you are being fed a line of crap.  Unfortunately that is mostly what we get from the Federal Government.  It is a shame we have neither the will nor the inclination to change it.  

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

FEDS KILLING THE FUTURE

Once again, in their seemingly unstoppable effort to destroy the United States, your federal government has found another way to spend money they don't have.  This time they are going to be bailing out states.  Yes, states that have not been able to stay within their budget will be bailed out by a debtor federal government that steals your money by printing more of it.  Great system isn't it?

Take a close look at the states most in need of a bail out (or just fiscal sanity) and you might find they are primarily run by liberals who never saw a program they didn't fund.  When times were good they spent and spent and spent.  Now that times are bad they spend and spend and spend.  The result?  They don't have any money.  Yeah, surprised me too.

It is not all the fault of looney politicians.  Much of the problem is caused by an electorate unwilling to demand fiscal sanity from elected officials.  Maybe it is not too late.  Call your Representative and Senators.  Tell them to quit spending money they don't have and for goodness sake don't enable states to continue overspending. 

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Paying More For Gas? Thank Your Federal Government

Dear Congressman and Senators;

Just a note to remind you that the escalating price of oil will negatively impact your constituents greater to a power of ten thanks to the Federal Government. If we were drilling for oil off shore and in Alaska as any sane people would do, the impact would be less.

If the Federal Government actually wanted to make this country energy self-sufficient it could be done. Instead of pie in the sky solar and electric cars we could switch to natural gas. We have it in abundance. It is cleaner than what we are using now. But, that's just people who actually care about our country. Ever heard of T. Boone Pickens?

In the future, as historians study the fall of the United States, one of their questions will have to be what makes a nation so powerful fall so fast that it would not even develop its own resources and instead send money to people who wished to destroy them.

Think unemployment is bad now? Wait until gasoline is $10 a gallon. One final note: we borrowed 4 billion dollars today. What did you do to keep that from happening?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Dear Congressman and Senators

I am writing this with as much civility as possible considering that you are in the group of people who make my life more difficult on a daily basis. This exercise, which is of course just an exercise, since you are fast becoming as obsolete as this retired person has become. As someone says too often, let me be clear, I do not suggest that you individually are making my life more difficult. I do humbly suggest that you are either unable or unwilling to take the steps needed to improve the situation.

I'm from the government and I'm here to help you has morphed into I'm from the government and if I haven't screwed up your life yet, it is not for lack of trying. A few examples: We pay too much for gasoline because our government prevents oil drilling offshore and in Alaska. The lunacy of this position seems so clear that explaining it is merely a waste of our time. While you were not looking the EPA has made it more difficult and expensive to mine for coal, note West Virginia.

In its continuing efforts to control everything the government is taking over the Internet. Oh, I haven't even mentioned health care. Almost everything we were told about the health care bill has proven to be a lie. Costs are going up. Hospitals are going away. Medicare is not fixed. It goes on and on. Repealing the health care bill is not possible the pundits say. The pundits said it was not possible to extract our country from the most powerful nation on earth at the time. They were wrong then. If only I were writing this to people who care more about their country than their elected position.

While you were being lectured on civility, the Homeland Security Administration decided to leave a billion dollars down the sewer and canceled the virtual fence. Old country boys knew this was likely crap in the beginning, and now it has proven to be so. Here's a thought. Build a fence. A real fence. One that is difficult to cross. I know it would be expensive, but protecting our borders is actually a real duty of the federal government, not like most of the things you do.

Maybe you could lay off some of those people who spend their lives writing regulations for ill conceived laws you couldn't stop and no one ever read. If you don't stop this administration and the rest of the power hungry people in DC you will be leaving your children and grandchildren a poor excuse for a country.

The message is simple. If you don't have to do it, don't. The federal government is not our mother. Every time you protect us from something you also take away one of our rights and responsibilities. From the Internet to the food we eat: get out of our lives. Do what is allowed and required. Do nothing else.