The latest news from this 4th of July week is that the Obama administration is delaying the mandatory employer reporting requirements under Obamacare for one year. Along with this was also the announcement of a delay in the requirement to verify eligibility in the state exchanges. So employers don't have to report what insurance they offer, and exchanges don't have to verify that an applicant meets eligibility requirements (as in that their employer offers affordable insurance). What does this mean in the end?
Now I'm no Obamacare fan at all, and don't want to see this implemented at all, but everyone on the 'right' is looking at this all wrong. Most are crowing about with 'I told you so's'. "See? It's so screwed up they can't implement it! Hah! It's broken before it starts! We win!" No, I don't think so. Here's how I see it.
Folks realize they can get subsidized health insurance through the exchanges and don't have to worry about eligibility (because of the lack of employer reporting and the lack of enforcement of said eligibility because of the lack of said reporting). So they get insurance from the exchanges for less out of pocket. The exchanges grow and the Obama administration starts hawking how successful these are, how many 'more' people have insurance now (ignoring the fact that a lot of these folks had insurance before and are simply seeking the subsidy). Congress gets squirmy (or more accurately, the Republicans in Congress get squirmy) and see no other route except to increase funding for the exchanges/subsidy because all these people 'need' this insurance. Then in a year or two, the bill is getting HUGE, and some folks start talking about trimming the subsidy, or trying to reduce the number using it. What happens then? Well, of course, now anyone trying to control that subsidy is 'trying to take health insurance away from people'! Never mind where all this started, with no eligibility verification, so no idea how many people are 'actually' supposed to be eligible for the exchanges. Evil Republicans are trying to take healthcare away from the poor! So of course that will never happen. Now, between Medicare/Medicaid and the Exchanges, the government is providing or subsidizing an even larger percentage of the population (over half?). Tipping Point! No way folks support congressmen that want to rein this in. No one will vote to cut their own subsidy. More money required, less and less provided by the private sector (employer provided insurance: why would an employer provide this and have a cost share when they can push everyone to the exchanges?) Insurance companies are squeezed as they can't operate on the low rates (see Medicare) and start closing up or getting out of the healthcare business. What then? Nothing else but for Uncle Sam to step in and take over the whole shebang.
We're doomed if something doesn't change soon.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Monday, July 2, 2012
SCOTUS ObamaCare Decision
Yikes. Chief Justice Roberts sides with the Liberals on the court, and proceeds to effectively re-write the language of the bill so that he can then agree with them and rule the indivdual mandate constituional, because he can now call it a tax. Very little comfort can be taken in the limits placed on the Commerce Clause, because now the government can compel any action they want by taxing you if you DON'T DO IT.
If the government wants you to spend money on X, they are going to make you do that, or at least give them money to not do it. Other than SS/Medicare taxes, which I don't think you can opt out of at all (which is a whole 'nother debate to have), you can avoid any other tax by not doing X activity. Whether it be income taxes or sales taxes, I can choose to keep my money by not making it at such a level (or make it another way, such as capital gains) or not purchasing something. But now, the Federal Government will not allow me to not purchase health insurance: either I spend my money on the insurance or I must just give it to the government. Roberts has created an even bigger problem than the growing Commerce Clause.
I'm sure Greens want me to have a low flow toilet, energy efficient windows, a new energy efficient air conditioner, to recycle all my cans and paper, etc etc. Well, now they can force me to spend my money and do those things, or give my money to the government to not do them. I would no longer have any liberty, in the case of my money. Either I'm spending it on the things the government tells me to spend it on, or I am just giving it to the government. That is not America.
I'm sure nah-sayers on the Left will claim no one in the government is going to do that. Really? They already figured out a way to mandate the low flow toilet and flourescent bulbs. Why would they not use this new tool?
Some things Roberts said in his decision that really have me concerned:
I have to stop. I'm getting agitated again, and more than enough has been written about this by others. I don't think there is a silver lining. I am enormously disappointed that Roberts caved to liberal pressure. Our country, our freedom, and our Liberty are much reduced by this decision.
If the government wants you to spend money on X, they are going to make you do that, or at least give them money to not do it. Other than SS/Medicare taxes, which I don't think you can opt out of at all (which is a whole 'nother debate to have), you can avoid any other tax by not doing X activity. Whether it be income taxes or sales taxes, I can choose to keep my money by not making it at such a level (or make it another way, such as capital gains) or not purchasing something. But now, the Federal Government will not allow me to not purchase health insurance: either I spend my money on the insurance or I must just give it to the government. Roberts has created an even bigger problem than the growing Commerce Clause.
I'm sure Greens want me to have a low flow toilet, energy efficient windows, a new energy efficient air conditioner, to recycle all my cans and paper, etc etc. Well, now they can force me to spend my money and do those things, or give my money to the government to not do them. I would no longer have any liberty, in the case of my money. Either I'm spending it on the things the government tells me to spend it on, or I am just giving it to the government. That is not America.
I'm sure nah-sayers on the Left will claim no one in the government is going to do that. Really? They already figured out a way to mandate the low flow toilet and flourescent bulbs. Why would they not use this new tool?
Some things Roberts said in his decision that really have me concerned:
The path of our Commerce Clause decisions has not always run smooth, see United States v. Lopez, 514 U. S. 549, 552–559 (1995), but it is now well established that Congress has broad authority under the Clause.Thanks for reaffirming the crappy precendent that meant the Commerce Clause could mean almost anything. No comfort that you say the mandate is unconsitutional if trying to use the Commerce Clasue as justification.
Congress already enjoys vast power to regulate much of what we do.Uh, don't you see the probelm with that? The Constitution supposedly limited the Government power to a few, enumerated powers. Reading the Constitution, they don't seem 'vast' to me. They only became 'vast' when people decided the General Welfare 'clause' meant Congress could don about anything they please, and now as long as you call it a take, Congress can coherce you to do anything it wants as well.
That, according to the Government, means the mandate can be regarded as (emphasis added) establishing a condition—not owning health insurance—that triggers a tax—the required payment to the IRS. Under that theory, the mandate is not a legal command to buy insurance. Rather, it makes going without insurance just another thing the Government taxes, like buying gasoline or earning income.The difference being, by taxing the lack of action (not buying insurance) the only way to avoid the tax is to conduct the action (buying the insurance)
But taxes that seek to influence conduct are nothing new. Some of our earliest federal taxes sought to deter the purchase of imported manufactured goods in order to foster the growth of domestic industry.But again, I could choose to not engage in the activity and thus not pay the tax (or pay of the activity).
Even if only a tax, the payment under §5000A(b) remains a burden that the Federal Government imposes for an omission, not an act. If it is troubling to interpret the Commerce Clause as authorizing Congress to regulate those who abstain from commerce, perhaps it should be similarly troubling to permit Congress to impose a tax for not doing something.Yes! I thought he was going to save it here, but I guess not. HE (Roberts) has decided the 'penalty' is small enough not to be cohercive, so it's a tax (or it's tax that's small enough not to be cohercive, so it's not a penalty?) I thought this was a nation of laws, not men? Not anymore.
I have to stop. I'm getting agitated again, and more than enough has been written about this by others. I don't think there is a silver lining. I am enormously disappointed that Roberts caved to liberal pressure. Our country, our freedom, and our Liberty are much reduced by this decision.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Back in the Saddle Again
This blog strayed, and withered, and strayed again. I'm going to bring it back to life and keep it focused. This is the Political Blog, so I will keep it here instead of in Facebook comment wars as we roll into the elections.
I was on a roll after King Obama was crowned, but petered out as I resolved myself to praying We the People could stop his efforts to 'Fundamentally change America' into something we didn't recognize. By hook and by crook, literally, he started well down that path. From ignoring the laws of bankruptcy to favor the unions and bail out GM, to passing Obamacare, to the Stimulus, it was a pretty crappy couple of years. Thank God for the mid term elections of 2010, where Americans raised their voices and said 'Wait just a darn minute here!' While nothing could be accomplished by only controlling one third of the government, at least no further harm was done. Well, I thought that was the case until King Barack decided he could just do what he wanted by dictat (see the contraceptive non-accomodation that tramples religous freedom, or the recent jobs program for 800k illegals [defacto amnesty]). What is really scary is postings of liberals calling for him to not be reelected. Of course, this is because he didn't go FAR ENOUGH, so I don;t count them as allies in the fight to make him a one term president.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming that Romney is the greatest conservative since George Bush...no, wait, that's not right either. No, Romney is not a stalwart conservative, but at least he's not a completely narcisitic, small minded, far left socialist (actually facist: read some Jonah Goldberg). I think Romney, with a strongly conservative house and possibly control of the Senate, will do the right thing.
What we really need to do is re-baseline the budget to 2008 pre stimulus, at least. That would go a long way toward reducing the deficit. And then let's all be adults, and seriously tackle reforming Medicare and Social Security, because those are what are going to completely bankrupt us, a-la Greece. Yes, I believe in market forces, that they can provide better services for lower cost, particularly when the consumer is in charge of the dollars. I think one critical Social Security reform that needs to be made is making it individual accounts, that you actually control, and most importantly that you can pass on. It's your money going in there, so why not? why do other people have any claim on it? I think that would go a long way towards building wealth in this country.
While I believe in a strong military, I also agree the budgets are out of whack and the procurment process is completely broken. The F-35 is a failure: we should be buying F-18E/F/Gs for the Navy and Marine Corps, and upgraded/remade (or open the line back up?) F-15s for the Air Force. The F-22s are going to be either grounded or end up int he desert without firing a shot, so were they really worth it? For ships we need the new carrier, and lots of Arleigh Burkes. Can the LCS. Make a new version of the OHP FFG for coastal work, counter drug, anti piracy, everything task that doesn't need anything bigger than a 5 inch or 20mm gun.
And the Fair Tax. Get rid of the IRS. The Government should not care how much you make. It's Progressive (rebate the tax on income up to the poverty level) so everyone should like it. Everyone that believes the government should collect taxes to pay for its legitimate expenditures, that is. If you believe that taxes are there to redistribute wealth, to take from the rich and give to the poor, then you are living in the wrong country. Stop hating the rich, and try to be one of them!
I was on a roll after King Obama was crowned, but petered out as I resolved myself to praying We the People could stop his efforts to 'Fundamentally change America' into something we didn't recognize. By hook and by crook, literally, he started well down that path. From ignoring the laws of bankruptcy to favor the unions and bail out GM, to passing Obamacare, to the Stimulus, it was a pretty crappy couple of years. Thank God for the mid term elections of 2010, where Americans raised their voices and said 'Wait just a darn minute here!' While nothing could be accomplished by only controlling one third of the government, at least no further harm was done. Well, I thought that was the case until King Barack decided he could just do what he wanted by dictat (see the contraceptive non-accomodation that tramples religous freedom, or the recent jobs program for 800k illegals [defacto amnesty]). What is really scary is postings of liberals calling for him to not be reelected. Of course, this is because he didn't go FAR ENOUGH, so I don;t count them as allies in the fight to make him a one term president.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming that Romney is the greatest conservative since George Bush...no, wait, that's not right either. No, Romney is not a stalwart conservative, but at least he's not a completely narcisitic, small minded, far left socialist (actually facist: read some Jonah Goldberg). I think Romney, with a strongly conservative house and possibly control of the Senate, will do the right thing.
What we really need to do is re-baseline the budget to 2008 pre stimulus, at least. That would go a long way toward reducing the deficit. And then let's all be adults, and seriously tackle reforming Medicare and Social Security, because those are what are going to completely bankrupt us, a-la Greece. Yes, I believe in market forces, that they can provide better services for lower cost, particularly when the consumer is in charge of the dollars. I think one critical Social Security reform that needs to be made is making it individual accounts, that you actually control, and most importantly that you can pass on. It's your money going in there, so why not? why do other people have any claim on it? I think that would go a long way towards building wealth in this country.
While I believe in a strong military, I also agree the budgets are out of whack and the procurment process is completely broken. The F-35 is a failure: we should be buying F-18E/F/Gs for the Navy and Marine Corps, and upgraded/remade (or open the line back up?) F-15s for the Air Force. The F-22s are going to be either grounded or end up int he desert without firing a shot, so were they really worth it? For ships we need the new carrier, and lots of Arleigh Burkes. Can the LCS. Make a new version of the OHP FFG for coastal work, counter drug, anti piracy, everything task that doesn't need anything bigger than a 5 inch or 20mm gun.
And the Fair Tax. Get rid of the IRS. The Government should not care how much you make. It's Progressive (rebate the tax on income up to the poverty level) so everyone should like it. Everyone that believes the government should collect taxes to pay for its legitimate expenditures, that is. If you believe that taxes are there to redistribute wealth, to take from the rich and give to the poor, then you are living in the wrong country. Stop hating the rich, and try to be one of them!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
June 2011?!
Wow, read my last post and then checked the date. 18 Dec 2010! We were all just remarking how half of 2011 is already gone. Who turned up the time accelerator!?
Updating from my last post:
Prepping and saving. They haven't gone hand in hand. We bought a pop-up camper: a huge one with high walls. Almost too big to pull with the Pathfinder. Put a big down payment on it that used up the tax refund and alot of the car fund/unallocated savings. So I still have a big tent, but an airconditioned pop-up too.
I did use the peanut butter 'jar' to make a first aid kit. I love it, and it has room for more stuff. Glad I put tweezers in it because those came in handy on a campout. I keep the FAK in my day pack, which is my basis for camping. Need to get another pack for a BOB.
Dave Ramsey would call me an idiot for buying the pop-up. Oh well. We still have a good savings, adding to it, and just got Quicken going and building a budget again. We're still eating out too much, but at least not spending as much when we do go. Splitting alot of plates because one person can't eat all they give you these days. It's a good way to get great food that we both want (like Carrabba's Filet Marsala) without spending a ton of money. So with the budget, and a renewed focus on getting the retirement funds started up again (with more going into my 401k), the finances will keep getting better. We are focusing on funding Rachel's Music Master's degree over the next 3 summers. Will probably be a loan, but we need to have everything budgeted and under control to be able to take on that loan. Can't do the Ramsey thing here, because we can't wait until we saved the cash: Rachel needs to do it sooner rather than later.
House. Haven't done much. A little on the garage but not enough. Still need to finish the siding and do the soffits as the number 1 and 2 projects there. For the rest of the house, we need some tree removal, then the sprinkler system, then resod and landscape. Where's that money coming from? Didn't do the insulation this spring, but am planning on that this fall before it gets cold.
New Year's resolution? Yeah right. But Saturday morning is still the only time I really have for house projects.
Enough of the boring updates.
Been checking out a neat EDC (Every Day Carry) website, mainly because the pictures are almost art unto themselves. I like the basic idea of EDC and having basic tools onboard. I added a pocket knife today ( Gerber® Paraframe Mini ). I've got a tiny pinch LED light on my key chain, and added a cheap LED flashlight that I had laying around that will fit in my pocket. Would really like to add Fenix PD20 penlight, but that is a little pricey right now. Cool, but pricey.
So here's my EDC:
Samsung Captivate Android phone with Body Glove case (I love the grip with the Body Glove case: the basic phone is so slippery I always felt like it was going to slip out of my hand). Love it. Covers so many items in one piece of kit: phone, camera, gps, netbook, calendar, notepad.
Ray Ban sunglasses (don't remember the style, but they are at least 5 years old. I've got a hard case from the Sunglass Hut in the car where they religiously stay if not on my head, which has kept them relatively scratch free)
Minimal, basic key ring (my car key and fob, house keys, church key (actual church key, although a bottle opener would be good!), led pinch light). Hate carrying the wife's set when we take the truck. Actually today, since I have that, I put the car key and fob and house key on a separate ring so I can detach those necessities. When I give them back to her I will connect that ring to her ring that has the other car key and fob, and numerous other keys that she probably doesn't even know what they are for.
Small AAA LED flashlight.
Gerber Paraframe Mini pocket knife with belt clip.
Front carry money clip wallet (minimal cards/IDs. Had to go with the front carry because of back problems that sitting on a wallet aggravated.)
Seiko Blue Face SND255 Tachymeter watch. Love this watch (a gift from my wonderful wife). The blue is a wonderful deep blue. I've actually gotten complements on it, which is a first for me.
Blistex.
When I get my keys back I'll try and take a pic worthy of the EDC site above.
Updating from my last post:
Prepping and saving. They haven't gone hand in hand. We bought a pop-up camper: a huge one with high walls. Almost too big to pull with the Pathfinder. Put a big down payment on it that used up the tax refund and alot of the car fund/unallocated savings. So I still have a big tent, but an airconditioned pop-up too.
I did use the peanut butter 'jar' to make a first aid kit. I love it, and it has room for more stuff. Glad I put tweezers in it because those came in handy on a campout. I keep the FAK in my day pack, which is my basis for camping. Need to get another pack for a BOB.
Dave Ramsey would call me an idiot for buying the pop-up. Oh well. We still have a good savings, adding to it, and just got Quicken going and building a budget again. We're still eating out too much, but at least not spending as much when we do go. Splitting alot of plates because one person can't eat all they give you these days. It's a good way to get great food that we both want (like Carrabba's Filet Marsala) without spending a ton of money. So with the budget, and a renewed focus on getting the retirement funds started up again (with more going into my 401k), the finances will keep getting better. We are focusing on funding Rachel's Music Master's degree over the next 3 summers. Will probably be a loan, but we need to have everything budgeted and under control to be able to take on that loan. Can't do the Ramsey thing here, because we can't wait until we saved the cash: Rachel needs to do it sooner rather than later.
House. Haven't done much. A little on the garage but not enough. Still need to finish the siding and do the soffits as the number 1 and 2 projects there. For the rest of the house, we need some tree removal, then the sprinkler system, then resod and landscape. Where's that money coming from? Didn't do the insulation this spring, but am planning on that this fall before it gets cold.
New Year's resolution? Yeah right. But Saturday morning is still the only time I really have for house projects.
Enough of the boring updates.
Been checking out a neat EDC (Every Day Carry) website, mainly because the pictures are almost art unto themselves. I like the basic idea of EDC and having basic tools onboard. I added a pocket knife today ( Gerber® Paraframe Mini ). I've got a tiny pinch LED light on my key chain, and added a cheap LED flashlight that I had laying around that will fit in my pocket. Would really like to add Fenix PD20 penlight, but that is a little pricey right now. Cool, but pricey.
So here's my EDC:
Samsung Captivate Android phone with Body Glove case (I love the grip with the Body Glove case: the basic phone is so slippery I always felt like it was going to slip out of my hand). Love it. Covers so many items in one piece of kit: phone, camera, gps, netbook, calendar, notepad.
Ray Ban sunglasses (don't remember the style, but they are at least 5 years old. I've got a hard case from the Sunglass Hut in the car where they religiously stay if not on my head, which has kept them relatively scratch free)
Minimal, basic key ring (my car key and fob, house keys, church key (actual church key, although a bottle opener would be good!), led pinch light). Hate carrying the wife's set when we take the truck. Actually today, since I have that, I put the car key and fob and house key on a separate ring so I can detach those necessities. When I give them back to her I will connect that ring to her ring that has the other car key and fob, and numerous other keys that she probably doesn't even know what they are for.
Small AAA LED flashlight.
Gerber Paraframe Mini pocket knife with belt clip.
Front carry money clip wallet (minimal cards/IDs. Had to go with the front carry because of back problems that sitting on a wallet aggravated.)
Seiko Blue Face SND255 Tachymeter watch. Love this watch (a gift from my wonderful wife). The blue is a wonderful deep blue. I've actually gotten complements on it, which is a first for me.
Blistex.
When I get my keys back I'll try and take a pic worthy of the EDC site above.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Updates
Prepping: Bought some stuff for our church campout which adds well to the supplies. Got a huge tent on sale, so that's a major area covered (pun!). The two propane lanterns have been wicked and run. The propane stove too (all Christmas gifts from last year that hadn't been unboxed yet). In addition to the tent we have a 10 x 10 canopy with optional sides, which is practically another tent. It's only car mobile (it has the all in one easy set up frame), but is definitely useful in all kinds of situations (particularly non-disaster party situations!). Picked up a magnesium firestarter rod, but haven't given it a go yet. I do have an empty peanut butter jar (plastic) that I want to make into a first aid kit. I really think that is a great container (lid, plastic, waterproof - what more do you need?)
So I haven't moved real far down the preparedness trail, but am getting started. The first aid kit is next, and probably water containers/purification. I'm not setting a date this time tho...
Dave Ramsey Debt Plan: Well, we did a budget for one month and then let that slide. That's the hazard of paying all that stuff off, now there is money to spare so the pressure is off! We've both vowed to get back on it, and start a savings account for a new truck (at the end of '11) and investing. I will get a 3.5% raise 1 Jan so I'm going to put most of that into the 401k. The best thing we've done in this area is refinance the house. Wells Fargo and Obama made it easy. We got a flyer for a no-closing cost refi, where all we had to do was sign the papers and send them in. A slightly lower rate (about a point and a half), but we're also doing a 15 yr (we're only 5 years in to our 30 yr right now). We'll be paying what we are right now because we were already paying a little more to principle anyway. And adding some more on top. So we should be free and clear on the the house in 12-13 yrs! Awesome! Then I'll just need to convince the wife to keep working a few more years so we can bank it all. Jan will be the skipped month for payments, so that money will start the car fund.
House: Just got the sewing room threshold put in. Not to shabby if I do say so myself. Scared myself when cutting the carpet. Didn't want to cut it too short, but making a second cut when you only have about 1/4 inch to hang onto is tough. Looks go though, and is better than a big hunk of carpet flopping in the door.
Looking forward to spring and putting insulation under the house. The freezing spell we had reminded me how cold the house could get, and next month's electric bill will remind what it really means when the heater is running all the time. I'm looking at DIY 2 part spray foam. $6-700 should cover about 600 sq ft, which is about half the house, which is about what is left to do (I put rigid foam board and some fiberglass in the rest). I'm thinking the spray will be MUCH easier to put in (at least until I get to the kitchen, where there is practically NO crawlspace), and the R value is 3 times the foam board (6 vs 2). I really want to feel comfortable next winter.
Also on the 2011 to-do list is finishing off the garage. Only have half the back siding to finish, plus one more board all around, then I'll do the soffits. Caulk and paint, weatherstrip the garage door, and do a ramp and it will be done. Well, will still need to get electricity to it, but that isn't a visual problem. Plus that has zero effect on the bug problem, which soffits definitely will fix.
Other house plans include a sprinkler system so we can actually grow some grass (possibly a well to ease the water bill), and reflooring the front room.
My New Year's resolution is to dedicate 4 hours every Saturday morning to projects, and just keep whittling away at them til they are done. I tend to not even start a project because I look at the great big picture, rather than breaking it down to more manageable pieces.
Politics: I'm still frustrated, until the GOP proves they can lead us to fiscal sanity with balanced budgets, fixed social security/medicare, and a revised (Fair Tax!) tax system. So I'm not changing the blog title just because everyone hated the Dems more than the GOP this election.
So I haven't moved real far down the preparedness trail, but am getting started. The first aid kit is next, and probably water containers/purification. I'm not setting a date this time tho...
Dave Ramsey Debt Plan: Well, we did a budget for one month and then let that slide. That's the hazard of paying all that stuff off, now there is money to spare so the pressure is off! We've both vowed to get back on it, and start a savings account for a new truck (at the end of '11) and investing. I will get a 3.5% raise 1 Jan so I'm going to put most of that into the 401k. The best thing we've done in this area is refinance the house. Wells Fargo and Obama made it easy. We got a flyer for a no-closing cost refi, where all we had to do was sign the papers and send them in. A slightly lower rate (about a point and a half), but we're also doing a 15 yr (we're only 5 years in to our 30 yr right now). We'll be paying what we are right now because we were already paying a little more to principle anyway. And adding some more on top. So we should be free and clear on the the house in 12-13 yrs! Awesome! Then I'll just need to convince the wife to keep working a few more years so we can bank it all. Jan will be the skipped month for payments, so that money will start the car fund.
House: Just got the sewing room threshold put in. Not to shabby if I do say so myself. Scared myself when cutting the carpet. Didn't want to cut it too short, but making a second cut when you only have about 1/4 inch to hang onto is tough. Looks go though, and is better than a big hunk of carpet flopping in the door.
Looking forward to spring and putting insulation under the house. The freezing spell we had reminded me how cold the house could get, and next month's electric bill will remind what it really means when the heater is running all the time. I'm looking at DIY 2 part spray foam. $6-700 should cover about 600 sq ft, which is about half the house, which is about what is left to do (I put rigid foam board and some fiberglass in the rest). I'm thinking the spray will be MUCH easier to put in (at least until I get to the kitchen, where there is practically NO crawlspace), and the R value is 3 times the foam board (6 vs 2). I really want to feel comfortable next winter.
Also on the 2011 to-do list is finishing off the garage. Only have half the back siding to finish, plus one more board all around, then I'll do the soffits. Caulk and paint, weatherstrip the garage door, and do a ramp and it will be done. Well, will still need to get electricity to it, but that isn't a visual problem. Plus that has zero effect on the bug problem, which soffits definitely will fix.
Other house plans include a sprinkler system so we can actually grow some grass (possibly a well to ease the water bill), and reflooring the front room.
My New Year's resolution is to dedicate 4 hours every Saturday morning to projects, and just keep whittling away at them til they are done. I tend to not even start a project because I look at the great big picture, rather than breaking it down to more manageable pieces.
Politics: I'm still frustrated, until the GOP proves they can lead us to fiscal sanity with balanced budgets, fixed social security/medicare, and a revised (Fair Tax!) tax system. So I'm not changing the blog title just because everyone hated the Dems more than the GOP this election.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Colony - Season 2
I didn't really think much of season 1 of The Colony. The group was too skilled (not 'average'), their surroundings were too stocked, and their efforts were too focused on rebuilding modern civilization (electricity: lights, power tools, etc). I would think in the immediate aftermath of The End, basic survival would take up most of your time.
Season 2 is set in an abandoned town outside New Orleans, so the setting is about as real as it gets. The set up is there has been an outbreak of a deadly avian flu, and these 7 unaffected people have been relocated by the government to this location to await further relocation. They were dropped there with minimal supplies (about a week of food, cots and blankets, some basic medical supplies) and no further directions. So a pretty good start: BAM! THSHTF!
Basic survival needs were addressed right from the start. A water source (canal) is nearby, and they rather quickly had a fire going to boil water, plus had built a sand and charcoal filter as a first stage to their water purification efforts. All well and good.
Security was ignored, and the show quickly exploited that omission. First it was 3 roamers asking for food. The Colonists wanted to play nice guy and easily offered up water and some milk. I heard nothing about trading, which would be my tactic. I'm not just going to hand over the goods, you gotta give me something in return, even if it was just info.
The wanderers tried to explore the Colonists 'house' and things escalated rather quickly. So what did the Colonists do after they had finally driven off the wanderers (who kept their water and milk, BTW)? Nothing. back to normal ops.
So sure as anything, the next day the wanderers returned with about 20 of their friends to take the Colonist's med supplies. Being armed with pepper spray and superior numbers, the bandits got what they wanted. Seems like the Colonist's could have used a military/security type.
Here's some things they could have done to better prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Bandits.
So more food. More and better weapons/stockpiling of 'ammo' to throw. Better shelter: get a dry area to live in, and water buckets out and ready to catch the next rain.
Once they get food and water stabilized, dry shelter set up and fortified, then they can start exploring more thoroughly, and ranging farther from their base.
But I suspect electrification efforts are going to take priority again soon, just like season 1, and they will be scratching their heads again when they run out of a critical supply like food or water, and the bandits strike again and they are not prepared.
Bottom line though: I'll be watching again. If nothing else because this abandoned town is right out of Fallout III!
Season 2 is set in an abandoned town outside New Orleans, so the setting is about as real as it gets. The set up is there has been an outbreak of a deadly avian flu, and these 7 unaffected people have been relocated by the government to this location to await further relocation. They were dropped there with minimal supplies (about a week of food, cots and blankets, some basic medical supplies) and no further directions. So a pretty good start: BAM! THSHTF!
Basic survival needs were addressed right from the start. A water source (canal) is nearby, and they rather quickly had a fire going to boil water, plus had built a sand and charcoal filter as a first stage to their water purification efforts. All well and good.
Security was ignored, and the show quickly exploited that omission. First it was 3 roamers asking for food. The Colonists wanted to play nice guy and easily offered up water and some milk. I heard nothing about trading, which would be my tactic. I'm not just going to hand over the goods, you gotta give me something in return, even if it was just info.
The wanderers tried to explore the Colonists 'house' and things escalated rather quickly. So what did the Colonists do after they had finally driven off the wanderers (who kept their water and milk, BTW)? Nothing. back to normal ops.
So sure as anything, the next day the wanderers returned with about 20 of their friends to take the Colonist's med supplies. Being armed with pepper spray and superior numbers, the bandits got what they wanted. Seems like the Colonist's could have used a military/security type.
Here's some things they could have done to better prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the Bandits.
- I would have dispersed and hidden all my supplies. Then if the worst happens and you are forced to lead the bandits to the goods, it's just one small part.
- I also would have fortified the 'house' by boarding up the windows to at least make entry slow and difficult (so you could stand inside and beat on the intruders as they tried to squeeze through), and had a barricaded single entrance. It's a two story house, so hopefully you could barricade the door and rain debris down on the intruders from the safety of the second floor. There is plenty of ammo around the site: bricks, wood, metal debris, etc. I would also have barricades and defenses/ammo at the top of the stairs as a fall back position.
- Most importantly, I would have a security plan. A warning word that is not obvious (like 'Hey Martha!' when no one is named Martha) to alert the group to danger. Upon hearing an alert everyone would execute the defense plan: rally at the house and take up defensive positions, if possible.
- Folks that were too far away to rally at the house would rally at a secondary defensive site, that only had a few supplies for the defenders. This could also serve as a diversion from the main house.
- Part of the security plan would be that everyone was armed (clubs a this point), and everyone had the same response: we have no supplies to give; what do you have to trade?; you have entered our house (the compound area), so do what we say or we will treat you as threats.
So more food. More and better weapons/stockpiling of 'ammo' to throw. Better shelter: get a dry area to live in, and water buckets out and ready to catch the next rain.
Once they get food and water stabilized, dry shelter set up and fortified, then they can start exploring more thoroughly, and ranging farther from their base.
But I suspect electrification efforts are going to take priority again soon, just like season 1, and they will be scratching their heads again when they run out of a critical supply like food or water, and the bandits strike again and they are not prepared.
Bottom line though: I'll be watching again. If nothing else because this abandoned town is right out of Fallout III!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Survivalist? Prepper? Or just 'Being Prepared"?
I don't know how I went down this path, but it was most likely the result of just random Internet surfing. Somewhere I heard about a 'Bug Out Bag' (BoB, Go bag, Get of of Dodge [GOOD] bag). The idea is to have a bag (pack) packed with 72 hours of supplies and survival gear. If something happens you can grab that bag and you got everything for basic survival (food, water, shelter, clothes, first aid, tools). I was intrigued, probably mostly by all the 'gear' and 'kit' and 'stuff'. I like stuff :)
So I surfed and surfed and found out there are quite a few websites orientated towards 'preparing for [insert your disaster here]'. There is a blog called TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know it). Some people are preparing for TEOTWAWKI, or for when the SHTF (the Sh*t hits the fan), or 'the zombies come'. I kid you not (OK, for those folks the 'zombies' are the lawless hoardes that will loot and pillage when society collapses from the rule of Obama and the Democrats).
People have bug out bags, bug out vehicles, and bug out sites to bug out to. They have a years supply of food and water stored up, they are raising chickens and gardening to be self sufficient. There are many parallels between preppers and folks trying to live 'off the grid'. They are the ones buying lots of gold, organic seeds, wheat mills, composting toilets, and all kinds of stuff you wouldn't even think about. Oh, and guns. Lots of guns, and lots of discussions about guns. Not that they are crazies with guns that you need to be afraid of. When the SHTF they expect to be the ones that will survive and rebuild America/society. They won't 'shoot first and ask questions later', but they will most definitely be ready to defend themselves if threatened.
I'm not preparing for TEOTWAWKI.
I'm preparing for the next hurricane, or at worst a major economic depression that might lead to (especially in this city) greatly increased crime and looting. Plus it's a great excuse to buy gear, that I can claim I'm buying for camping. Except for the guns, which I'm just going to end up getting for general home defense anyway. Makes sense to me since the neighbor across the street has had his truck broken into and someone recently tried to break into his house. There are some issues with the anti-gun wife to work on the gun front, so that one will be delayed a bit (plus financial limitations).
I also don't think something will happen where you only have literally a second to grab something (your Bug Out Bag!) and hop in the truck and go. After some deliberate analysis and planning (most dangerous and most likely course of action analysis, in military terms) I've concluded that the hurricane is the mostly likely threat to me and my family. And with a hurricane we will have advance notice. The most dangerous (or more accurately the most likely most dangerous) event would be the aforementioned depression/riots/looters. Again I think there will be some heads up time for that.
So for me, this is about hurricane preparedness, with some home defense and worst case scenario thrown in for good measure. I like the idea of a Bug Out bag for all around preparedness. One bag I can grab and know I'm self sufficient, where ever I end up. I can also take it camping (for testing, and cycling of perishables) again knowing the basics are in there. My next level, if you will, will be getting the camping stuff organized and boxed/bagged for easier 'grab and go'. In the hurricane case, it will be less stressful knowing 'if I load bags/boxes A-D, I have camping gear including tent, bedrolls, cooking supplies and food for the family for X days.' And finally this is all a good excuse to buy cool stuff!
One other important aspect of my preparedness, is getting my financial house in order. We are following the Dave Ramsey plan, and getting out of debt. I had a sizable investment that wasn't doing much, which we liquidated to pay off student loans, the HELOC, the credit card, and all the other miscellaneous consumer debt we had accumulated. Plus it will fund the emergency fund almost to 100%. So within a month of starting his plan, we will only have our 30 yr fixed mortgage as debt, a 3 month emergency fund built up, and saving and investing for the future/retirement. To me this is all a key part of 'prepardness', because now we don't have to worry about the house and bills if one of us loses our job.
So here's my plan:
How about you? Does the state of the nation/world have you a little worried?
Prepare for the worst, pray for the best.
So I surfed and surfed and found out there are quite a few websites orientated towards 'preparing for [insert your disaster here]'. There is a blog called TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know it). Some people are preparing for TEOTWAWKI, or for when the SHTF (the Sh*t hits the fan), or 'the zombies come'. I kid you not (OK, for those folks the 'zombies' are the lawless hoardes that will loot and pillage when society collapses from the rule of Obama and the Democrats).
People have bug out bags, bug out vehicles, and bug out sites to bug out to. They have a years supply of food and water stored up, they are raising chickens and gardening to be self sufficient. There are many parallels between preppers and folks trying to live 'off the grid'. They are the ones buying lots of gold, organic seeds, wheat mills, composting toilets, and all kinds of stuff you wouldn't even think about. Oh, and guns. Lots of guns, and lots of discussions about guns. Not that they are crazies with guns that you need to be afraid of. When the SHTF they expect to be the ones that will survive and rebuild America/society. They won't 'shoot first and ask questions later', but they will most definitely be ready to defend themselves if threatened.
I'm not preparing for TEOTWAWKI.
I'm preparing for the next hurricane, or at worst a major economic depression that might lead to (especially in this city) greatly increased crime and looting. Plus it's a great excuse to buy gear, that I can claim I'm buying for camping. Except for the guns, which I'm just going to end up getting for general home defense anyway. Makes sense to me since the neighbor across the street has had his truck broken into and someone recently tried to break into his house. There are some issues with the anti-gun wife to work on the gun front, so that one will be delayed a bit (plus financial limitations).
I also don't think something will happen where you only have literally a second to grab something (your Bug Out Bag!) and hop in the truck and go. After some deliberate analysis and planning (most dangerous and most likely course of action analysis, in military terms) I've concluded that the hurricane is the mostly likely threat to me and my family. And with a hurricane we will have advance notice. The most dangerous (or more accurately the most likely most dangerous) event would be the aforementioned depression/riots/looters. Again I think there will be some heads up time for that.
So for me, this is about hurricane preparedness, with some home defense and worst case scenario thrown in for good measure. I like the idea of a Bug Out bag for all around preparedness. One bag I can grab and know I'm self sufficient, where ever I end up. I can also take it camping (for testing, and cycling of perishables) again knowing the basics are in there. My next level, if you will, will be getting the camping stuff organized and boxed/bagged for easier 'grab and go'. In the hurricane case, it will be less stressful knowing 'if I load bags/boxes A-D, I have camping gear including tent, bedrolls, cooking supplies and food for the family for X days.' And finally this is all a good excuse to buy cool stuff!
One other important aspect of my preparedness, is getting my financial house in order. We are following the Dave Ramsey plan, and getting out of debt. I had a sizable investment that wasn't doing much, which we liquidated to pay off student loans, the HELOC, the credit card, and all the other miscellaneous consumer debt we had accumulated. Plus it will fund the emergency fund almost to 100%. So within a month of starting his plan, we will only have our 30 yr fixed mortgage as debt, a 3 month emergency fund built up, and saving and investing for the future/retirement. To me this is all a key part of 'prepardness', because now we don't have to worry about the house and bills if one of us loses our job.
So here's my plan:
- Build my Bug Out Bag using on-hand stuff. I've got most of it for camping already, just need a few first aid supplies, some fire starting kit (love that Brit term!), food/water, water purification, and emergency comms.
- Build basic Bug Out Bags for the wife and son.
- Organize the camping gear into inventoried boxed/bagged groups.
- Increase my home safety (fire extinguishers mainly) and car preparedness supplies.
- Store 3 months food and water.
- Buy the following guns for home defense and general shooting fun (with a decent stock of ammo):
- LWRC M6A2 piston-operated 5.56mm AR
- 9mm pistol (Glock? Sig?)
- Ruger 10/22
How about you? Does the state of the nation/world have you a little worried?
Prepare for the worst, pray for the best.
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