America: Home of the Not So Free

A few posts back I mentioned a Michigan woman who was facing possible jail time for a vegetable garden in her front yard.  Today’s post is just as ridiculous.

Three children in Georgia had a run in with local law enforcement when they were demanded to end the sales of lemonade from a front yard concession stand they built.

The girls were attempting to raise enough money to spend a day at a local water park.

So what’s the problem?

Police say the three young entrepreneurs did not possess the correct permits to run the stand.

I was quite pleased to learn that when the owner of the water park became aware of the girls intentions he invited the three to spend a day at the park, free of charge, and will even host a lemonade stand for the girls to peddle lemonade.  The owner will also be allowing the girls to keep the earned proceeds.

Unfortunately, this is not yet a happy ending.  A criminal investigation is ongoing in regards to the lemonade stand and the girls now harbor a healthy fear of law enforcement.

As American’s, I feel we are failing ourselves.  We’ve become complacent with our own governments and have allowed them to gobble up too much power.  Decent American’s are being harassed around the nation for measly offenses which do no harm; in fact, many would argue it’s actually a positive activity.

This is an argument of freedoms vs. liberties.  We are no longer free to wave an American flag in some communities, we can’t run neighborhood lemonade stands, don’t even think about planting a veggie garden in your front yard, and if you are a Christian with a cross in your front yard, you’d better be ready to move it.

I can’t help but wonder if our neighborhoods would be a better place had we allowed these activities to continue and spent those officers’ times towards drugs and violent offenses. 

Check out the original story here at foxnews.com.

I Won’t Get a Tablet from Apple Because Sony’s going to “Make It Sexy.”

In a tablet world full of rectangles and squares, Sony introduces a tablet competitor that is turning heads before its launch date.

Featuring a 9.4-inch display and a contoured design, Sony’s S1 is designed to feel much like a magazine in your arm while you’re toting it on the go.  When the tablet is placed on a flat surface, its ergonomic design creates a comfortable angle for table-top typing.

But that’s not all.  Sony is also releasing a miniature tablet, the S2, which unfolds to reveal two 5.5-inch touch displays to display your EBooks as though they’re really an open book!

Both models feature Android Honeycomb technology, promising the power to out navigate and out-app the markets competitors.  These handhelds will have access to Sony’s Playstation gaming and each will have built-in infrared and DLNA technology which will allow the S1 and S2 to function as a universal remote with Sony’s Bravia television sets.  Even more exciting, these tablets allow users to stream media such as music, videos and pictures from their gizmos onto the big screen.

If you’re worried about purchasing a first generation tablet from Sony, fear not.  Sony has one of the most rigorous quality assurance programs for their electronics and most products have much higher “out of the box” success rates than the competitors.

Check out videos of the S1 and S2 in action here: Sony.com S1 and S2 Tablets

Alan Greenspan’s Recent Remarks Show Lack of Accountability for America's Youth

In a report first published on FoxBusiness.com, former federal chairmen Alan Greenspan has expressed his belief that it is the Gen-Xer’s fault they are out of work.

Yes and no.

There are many low paying jobs, such as McDonald’s, available for Gen-Xer’s.  The problem is these jobs provide little security, little pay and do not allow this generation the ability to make enough money to support themselves through higher education while working.  We realize taking loan after loan to get a degree which may not pay out is not in the best interest of ourselves or the country.

The truth of the matter is, Gen-Xer’s have a better idea of how to save the country then the Baby-Boomers.

We realize our nation’s love affair with consumerism has stripped most of the real productive jobs from the U.S, replacing full time manufacturing positions with part time fast food employment.  Take our lack of employment as a stance against our elders.  Bring back jobs that promote production in the U.S.

Gen-Xers do not believe in taking from the Federal Government.  In fact, for the most part, we believe in a weaker Federal Government with more focused purposes.  We see that many of the services the Federal Government wishes to provide can be done so more efficiently at a local level.  It’s clear to the youth of this country that if you give government money, they must hire people to handle the currency and provide the service you want.  I must also add they are extremely wasteful in the process and prone to corruption. 

There is little incentive for Gen-Xer’s to work.  Most young Americans look at the taxes being removed from their paychecks in repulsion.  We ask ourselves, why are we paying into social security when it is widely rumored to be near its end?  We see the boomers as doing anything in their power to insure their own retirement on the backs of the youth.  There are no clear plans for a replacement to social security.  We literally feel as though we are being asked to throw our hard earned money into a furnace.

It is disgusting to see the Gen-Xer’s take the brunt of the blame for our fledgling economy.  After all, who bestowed the beliefs of entitlement?  Who told us to take out loans to pay for services and products we cannot afford?  Who manipulated the way we approach public education?  Who are the people in government that continually make decisions out of the interests of political parties rather than the people they were elected to serve?

I believe it is the Baby-Boomers.

Instead of placing the blame on an entire generation, Boomers should be uttering the words, “We’re sorry we have failed you.”

Follow the original story here at FoxBusiness.com: Alan Greenspan: It's the Gen-Xer's Fault.

Until The Economy Sweetens, May I Suggest Some Creative Cuts?

My proposal: A pay cut for both federal and state politicians.

Citizens are facing tax hikes despite the fact the unemployment rate is 9.2%.  To worsen matters, many of the jobless who were already collecting unemployment have run out of benefits, leading them from the unemployment line to the welfare line.

This is to be a time of sacrifice and I fully believe our government should share the burden of the American people.

Let’s cut benefits for state and federal politicians.  The American people can barely provide their own insurance.  It seems highly inappropriate for citizens to continue to pay towards the benefits of others.  Many politicians receive pensions and job perks unheard of in the private sector for part time employees. And their wages are more than most middle income families. Car and phone allowances should be completely out of the question.

One thing we should not cut is Planned Parenthood.  Regardless of how you feel on the issue, from a purely business standpoint, this service keeps our population of unplanned pregnancies down and ultimately eases the burden on our welfare system.

The prestige of being one of our nation’s leaders should make up for the discrepancies in pay.

Michigan Woman Faces 93 Days in Jail for Unlawful Veggie Garden

MyFoxDetroit.com reports an Oak Park, Michigan woman is facing 93 days in jail for planting a vegetable garden in her front yard.

Julie Bass, the owner of the property, has been warned, ticketed and now faces misdemeanor charges for what the city deems is a violation of local city code.

Local government claims a city code which requires front yards to consist of suitable, live plant material was violated. They believe since it is uncommon to see a vegetable garden in a front yard it is violating the code.

The garden is well manicured, with several flower beds neatly surrounded by fine mulch. Pictures can be seen with the original posting here at MyFoxDetroit.com.

Is this an example of government overreaching their authority, or does this garden need to go?

Make Your Next Auto Purchase an Electric

Entering the July second weekend, travelers saw a 30 cent hike in gas prices.

There is a wealth of reasons why oil prices soar.  Oil companies conduct yearly maintenance through the spring to early summer when many people have plans which are not elastic; the most appropriate example being holiday travelers.

But another factor is the rapid growth in large-scale speculative trading around oil prices through the oil commodities futures market.

Knowing how volatile oil prices can be, it makes more sense than ever to take the plunge into driving an electric vehicle.  Sure, it does not wholly eliminate the need for gas, (Most electric vehicles also use gas generator) but it will greatly reduce my personal dependence on oil. 

Recently a friend purchased a Chevy Volt and noticed immediate savings.  His monthly gas costs were as high as $150 a month.  Since purchasing an electric car, he now spends $30 a month for gas.  Many assume the cost of charging an electric car would drive the electricity bill through the roof; however, his electricity bill only increased $30 a month.  Total savings: $90 a month.

Personally, I have very similar car costs and would greatly appreciate the extra room in my wallet.  I also am pleased with the latest designs for electric vehicles.  Chevy’s Volt is sleek and quite tempting to be my next auto purchase.

Unless it’s in a backyard, Slice’s comeback as a pro boxer is a guaranteed dud.

 “Backyard Brawler” Kimbo Slice is scheduled to make his debut in pro boxing August 13^that the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla., as the main event.

Reported by ESPN.com, Slice has been in the Los Angeles area training for almost three months in anticipation for the premiere.

His training regime sounds committed, however, there’s a mountain of doubt looming over his boxing career.

Slice rose to fame when a series of street fights he partook in became viral, and in 2007 he was signed with Elite XC promotion with virtually no professional experience.  Elite XC disbanded shortly later and the fighter became a free agent.  Afterwards he had a short stay with the UFC, accumulating a 4-2 record before being dropped by the league.

Reality is not in the fighter’s favor.  Slice turned 37 in April.  He has minimal professional experience and he lacks any real fighting discipline.  It’s becoming apparent Slice is more of a circus act then a fighting champ.