tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79391589882838986502024-03-19T05:36:29.584-07:00The Crux BlogPolitical and religious views you won't find anywhere else with a keen eye on exposing hypocrisy.Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-46377019757444650332017-01-25T10:05:00.000-07:002018-01-16T20:27:53.927-07:00How to File Your Federal AND Arizona Taxes for FREE<br />
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Come tax time we are inundated with claims from tax filing providers that you can file your taxes for free.<br />
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However, most find that it's only the <b><i>federal</i></b> form that is free. To file your Arizona state income tax, charges can range from $15-$40 or more.<br />
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Additionally, if one does not qualify for free filing, choosing the least expensive vendor could save you $100 or more!<br />
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In fact, most Arizonans DO qualify to file their state taxes free as well as their federal, if they only knew an under-publicized, <u>necessary</u> first step.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>If one goes <i>directly</i> to one of the tax-filing websites, he WILL be charged to file the state form. In order to get your state taxes filed free as well, one must access the tax filing vendor from the Arizona Department of Revenue website.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.azdor.gov/EServices/Individuals.aspx" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for the AZDOR webpage that you must start from in order to get your state taxes filed free.</a></span><br />
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For 2017 (2016 filing year) there are five companies to choose from.<br />
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<u><b>INTUIT TURBOTAX:</b></u> One can qualify for free state and federal filing from this vendor in three possible ways: 1) One's adjusted gross income is $33,000 or less; 2) If in the active military, a family can earn up to $64,000 or less; 3) If one qualifies for the earned income tax credit. Otherwise, the deluxe version is $54.99 with each state costing $39.99.<br />
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<b><u>H&R BLOCK:</u></b> Offers free state and federal taxes for those making $66,000 or less AND you meet one of the following additional criteria: 1) Must be aged 17-50; 2) In the active military; 3) Qualify for the earned income tax credit. Otherwise, they charge $29.99 for the federal form and $36.99 for each state form.<br />
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<b><u>OLT Online Taxes:</u></b> They offer free filing if you make between $14,000-$66,000 regardless of age. Active military also qualify if they make any amount less than $64,000. Even if you do not qualify, there is no charge for the federal form and $9.95 for each state form--the least expensive of the 5.<br />
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<b><u>TAX ACT:</u></b> Even outside the free links on ADOT, one qualifies for free federal and state filing if they use the 1040A or the 1040EZ. It is also free (only through the state site) if your AGI is $56,000 or less AND are 56 years old or younger. Those eligible for the EITC also qualify as well as active military with an AGI of $66,000 or less. Otherwise, federal returns cost $27-$51 and state forms are $37.<br />
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<b><u>FREE TAX USA:</u></b> Offers free filing for those aged 17-61 if the adjusted gross income is less than $51,000; OR if one is in active military duty. Otherwise the charge to file the federal form is $9.99--the cost of filing the state return is $12.95.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-immigration-solution-market-based.html" target="_blank">ALSO ENJOY: The Immigration SOLUTION: a Market Based Approach</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The US needs a MARKET-BASED solution to immigration that provides a pathway to EARN citizenship. This can be accomplished VERY simply.</i></span></div>
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The State of Arizona also offers alternatives to e-filing that are free. <a href="https://www.azdor.gov/EServices/Individuals.aspx" target="_blank">From the same webpage:</a><br />
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<span class="TitleHead" id="dnn_ctr449_dnnTITLE_titleLabel">Alternatives to E-File - Arizona Individual Income Tax Forms Packages</span></h1>
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The Arizona Department of Revenue offers six updated fillable forms packages.<br />
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* These packages are designed so that you fill in the data, it does the math!<br />
* Each package contains a individual income tax form as well as commonly<br />
used credit forms and allowable schedule(s) that go with the form.<br />
* This process is interactive and enables you to complete your return on your computer.<br />
* With these fillable forms, you will experience some of the same benefits as e-file,<br />
such as faster refunds and a safe filing process, all without needing Internet access.<br />
* The information you enter on the forms can only be accessed by you. </div>
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This tax season, be a savvy consumer and save yourself some money!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALSO BY Drew Desmond:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/p/gurley-st.html" target="_blank">Prescott AZ History</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Entertaining and often little-known stories surrounding the history of Prescott and Yavapai County.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4WO6UTAC7KYu-QTiA24DR96Ak3sfzwSh-Ttg7sPjxBa_WHWcy1QIWrMrq2VDotQPef6rrgH31k1MPBs38Di13o-VB4YNbF_9dr4MQhKuqxmtvYa8yH3u3rp3x-z6Ia88xaF7kawzRlyZ/s1600/Atom-Bomb-Explosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4WO6UTAC7KYu-QTiA24DR96Ak3sfzwSh-Ttg7sPjxBa_WHWcy1QIWrMrq2VDotQPef6rrgH31k1MPBs38Di13o-VB4YNbF_9dr4MQhKuqxmtvYa8yH3u3rp3x-z6Ia88xaF7kawzRlyZ/s400/Atom-Bomb-Explosion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A number of campaign mailers received this season indicate support for a Constitutional amendment for a federal balanced budget. One can understand the frustration when the federal government seems unable to accomplish this.<br />
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A balanced budget is an excellent goal and many point out that several states have balanced budget amendments and they have operated under them just fine.<br />
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However, if we pass a balanced budget amendment for the federal government, we might as well surrender to the Chinese immediately!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>There is one big, important difference between state budgets and the federal budget: state governments do not have to wage wars.<br />
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In order to defeat the Nazis and imperialistic Japan, the United States went into greater debt than any other time in history (based on the percentage of Gross Domestic Product.) In 1945, the federal deficit had risen to a whopping 112% of the country's GDP! *<br />
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However, THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! If we had a balanced budget amendment prior to World War 2, we would not have been able to help rescue Great Britain through Lend/Lease. We would not have been able to create the atomic bomb! In short, we would have lost the war!<br />
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We mustn't bind our hands when it comes to national security just to have a balanced budget amendment! What happens if the military needs more tanks and planes, and the Treasury is out of money?<br />
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WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LEGALLY MANUFACTURE THOSE TANKS AND PLANES!! To allow this unintended consequence to occur is unthinkable!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-real-job-creators-are-not-wealthy.html" target="_blank">ALSO ENJOY: The REAL "Job Creators" Are Not the Wealthy--They're YOU!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">See why it's CONSUMERS who are the one and only TRUE "job creators."</span></div>
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Some might argue that the solution would be a provision in the amendment for war time. However, this would not work either. The all important Lend/Lease program that saved Britain and allowed us a springboard to free the rest of Western Europe occurred PRIOR to Pearl Harbor and a war declaration by Congress. Had we had a balanced budget amendment, Lend/Lease would not have been possible.<br />
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Since World War 2, US troops have been put in harm's way on several occasions: Korea, Vietnam, and several skirmishes in the Middle East, to name a few. In fact, Congress hasn't officially declared war since World War 2. We would have not been able to fully arm our military for ANY of these post WW2 military actions.<br />
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As of 2011, the US debt was about two-thirds of the GDP. * Obviously, this percentage is too high and has to be addressed, but we certainly have faced worse in the past.<br />
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In fact, the only decade the US had consistent balanced budgets was the 1830's. We've had deficit spending in every other decade in our history. *<br />
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Let us not allow our apprehension over the current deficit affect our ability to defend ourselves in the future.<br />
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SOURCE:<br />
* <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/the-long-story-of-us-debt-from-1790-to-2011-in-1-little-chart/265185/" target="_blank">The Long Story of U.S. Debt, From 1790 to 2011, in 1 Little Chart (from The Atlantic)</a><br />
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-7038257943371426062016-05-12T12:48:00.001-07:002018-01-24T08:47:28.158-07:00Are Marijuana Opponents Smarter Than Mother Nature or Smarter Than God?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The government has absolutely no moral, ethical, or philosophical right to outlaw a species of life. With all the debate about marijuana usage, one basic fact is being ignored: marijuana is not a chemical produced in a pharmacy. It is a species of life. The overwhelming majority of people would either credit its existence to Mother Nature or God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since no environmental impact study has ever been done, we can only guess at what its place is in nature, but one would think it must be there for some positive role. And yet, we are spending billions to try to actively remove this species from its natural ecosystem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just because one might not understand why God or Mother Nature put pot on this planet does not make that person smarter than its author; nor is it reason to destroy a species of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many who believe that God created marijuana are often heard to say: "The problem isn't that God created it. The problem is how man is using it..." Considering God's omniscience, He certainly foresaw that man was going to smoke marijuana before He ever created it. Yet, in His manifest wisdom, He decided to create it anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When opponents to marijuana stand before God and ask Him, "What were you thinking?" I am not sure what His reply will be, but I'm sure it will be a reply that will absolutely shut their mouths. Could God have created a fibrous plant that did NOT contain THC? Because He created every other plant without THC! He MUST have a good reason that Congress and other opponents are simply ignorant of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/repealing-death-tax-will-create-koch.html" target="_blank">ALSO OF INTEREST: Repealing the Death Tax Will Create a Koch Monarchy Forever</a></span></div>
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<i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's not just about leaving their fortunes to their children, it's about keeping political power in the family.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Philosophically, opponents of marijuana are behaving as if they believe they are smarter than its author! Whether one believes that Mother Nature or God is responsible for the existence of marijuana, the US government is, in no way, wiser.</span></div>
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4186355 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-72816071231788815712016-04-15T10:11:00.000-07:002016-04-15T10:11:04.071-07:00Center for Arizona Policy Isn't Quite Pro-Life Enough!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Center for Arizona Policy, (CAP,) the state's foremost lobbyist for conservative christians, seems so focused on trying to outlaw abortions that they have lost sight of what it truly means to be "pro-life."<br />
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Currently, Arizona is the only state in the union that refuses to participate in a federal children's healthcare program. As a result, 30,000-50,000 Arizona kids will be without health insurance.<br />
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Yet CAP stands mute.<br />
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I thought that they considered themselves "pro-life from conception to grave."<br />
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Should we outlaw abortions just to deny those children healthcare later? As far as CAP is concerned, heaven and earth should be moved to try to save one single fetus and yet, they won't fight for the healthcare of <i>breathing</i> children?<br />
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The shocking thing is, this problem could be solved by one, single letter from the lobby's president, Cathi Herrod...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><u>Andy Biggs</u><br />Appropriate that he has the eyes of a mortician.</b></i></td></tr>
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This lack of healthcare for Arizona's poor children is largely due to one man, Andy Biggs, President of the Arizona Senate. Mr. Biggs refuses for the bill to be heard in his legislative body even though the AZ House passed it with wide bi-partisan support (HB2309).<br />
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The program would cost the state nothing; the Feds paying 100% for the next two years, at least. The bill passed by the House includes provisions for the healthcare program to stop if the Feds stop paying anything less than the full amount. Regardless, Mr. Biggs, insists that the Feds WILL stop paying 100% and the political pressure would be too great for state legislators to use fiscal control to freeze the program again (although they already proved that they could.)<br />
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Make no mistake about it, Mr. Biggs is against the very concept of socialized medicine and has said so often. Perhaps if he wins his upcoming election for US Congress, he will take the opportunity to decimate other socialized healthcare programs like medicare and medicaid. If he cannot be trusted to keep our children healthy, how can he be trusted to keep the disabled and senior citizen's healthy?<br />
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Of course, not covering our children with this federal program does not reduce Arizona citizen's federal tax-burden. Instead, because of Mr. Biggs, Arizona is helping to pay for the other 49 state's healthcare programs while Arizona gets nothing.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-immigration-solution-market-based.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>ALSO OF INTEREST:</i> The Immigration SOLUTION: A Market Based Approach</span></a><br />
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What makes Mr. Biggs fiscal arguments even more ridiculous is a recent study showing that Arizona will actually get a $75 million influx of money if it participated in the program. *<br />
<br />
Which brings us to Cathi Herrod and the Center for Arizona Policy. How can one argue the preciousness of the life of a fetus, while at the same time watching in silence as living, breathing children are denied healthcare? Is it pro-life to make tax cuts for corporations Arizona's first priority while children are denied seeing a doctor?<br />
<br />
Is that what Jesus would do?<br />
<br />
Most GOP politicians claim that they are pro-life "from conception to the grave." It's up to Cathi Herrod and the Center for Arizona Policy to <i>HOLD THEM TO IT</i>!<br />
<br />
One simple letter could be all it takes:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear Arizona Legislature:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Being "pro-life from conception to grave" means including the covered healthcare needs of our most vulnerable children.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you stand against HB2309, you will be graded as "poor" by Center for Arizona Policy. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sincerely,<br />
Cathi Herrod</blockquote>
<br />
The problem could be solved just as simply as that.<br />
<br />
Will Ms. Herrod stand up to the forces of ALEC? Or will she sit in her cozy seat of power and hope there will be a crown in Heaven for lazily turning her back on poor children who are denied healthcare?<br />
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If she chooses the latter, her pronouncements of how sacred a fetus is will fall completely flat for the foreseeable future.<br />
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CAP often proudly states that their 20-plus years of efforts will be worth it if they save just one child.<br />
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Shouldn't they take a half-hour to try to save even more?<br />
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NOTE:<br />
* <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2016/04/13/new-study-expanding-kidscare-would-give-arizona-75-million-jolt/83003576/" target="_blank">New study: Expanding KidsCare would give Arizona $75 million jolt (azcentral.com)</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/p/gurley-st.html" target="_blank">ALSO BY Drew Desmond:</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/p/gurley-st.html" target="_blank">Prescott, AZ History (& Tourist Tips)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-whacky-1910-prescott-to-phoenix.html" target="_blank"><i>EXAMPLE</i>: <b>The Whacky 1910 Prescott to Phoenix Automobile Race</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Spoiler: David beats Goliath)</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7939158988283898650%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4tqJvxmDyHo%2FVxBcC3b-IUI%2FAAAAAAAACCA%2F6vwdRtcOCC4XTa89yoZ7cqJosCkjNEO0wCLcB%2Fs200%2FPoorChild.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=P6d8qnz0Hz5m&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 253px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1729px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7939158988283898650%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-4tqJvxmDyHo%2FVxBcC3b-IUI%2FAAAAAAAACCA%2F6vwdRtcOCC4XTa89yoZ7cqJosCkjNEO0wCLcB%2Fs200%2FPoorChild.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=P6d8qnz0Hz5m&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 253px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1729px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-32931880961359276072016-02-02T21:16:00.001-07:002016-02-05T16:03:16.583-07:00Marijuana Haters Say the Darnedest Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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E.J. Montana, opinion columnist for the <i>Arizona Republic,</i> noted:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Opponents (of Marijuana legalization in Arizona) already have demonstrated a strategy of scare tactics based on questionable information, something they should know better than to do, since several of the bigwigs in the campaign are prosecuting attorneys.<br />
"That will be the irony of this campaign.<br />
"While the people promoting legalization deal with facts, opponents will try to alter voters’ sense of reality." (*1)</blockquote>
Indeed, with many of their anti-marijuana quotes, one doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.<br />
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Some of their taradiddles are farcical on their surface; others require a rhetorical question to clear the haze.<br />
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Following the twitter account of "Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy" (@az4rdp), the political action committee founded by Shelia Polk, and chaired by radio pundit Seth Leibsohn, requires an emoji with rolling eyes.<br />
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First, there's this tweet from 11/30/15:<br />
<b>"Why legalize a substance that would wipe out all the progress we've made to improve education?"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Undoubtedly, the greatest improvement to education in the history of mankind is the internet. The internet is the library of the world! Many classes are now held online; teachers can use programs to test for plagiarism.<br />
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Would the internet turn to dust and blow away if marijuana were legalized?<br />
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On 6/24/15 they tweeted (or <i>bleated</i>): <b>"...lack of standardized educational material in high schools covering the risks of marijuana use cause misperception."</b><br />
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My God, man! Have you never heard of DARE? Do you know how many tax-dollars have been poured into it? Is it DARE that lacks "standardized educational material" to cover "the risks of marijuana use...in high schools?" ...or is it MATTForce??<br />
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Speaking of DARE, another argument this PAC has used is that teen use of marijuana is up in Colorado. This is good to know and should be addressed, but how?<br />
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DARE was founded to try to reduce the demand for illegal drugs. It was meant to get kids to "Just Say No," even if a joint were under their nose. If DARE is only successful in places where the drug is <i><u>unavailable</u></i>, then it truly is a colossal waste of tax-payer dollars!<br />
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Another dubious prophecy by @az4rdp was tweeted 7/2/15: <b>"To legalize marijuana would be the end of decades of work in healthcare system to prevent substance abuse."</b><br />
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Is our healthcare system's prevention of substance abuse entirely dependent on the prohibition of marijuana? Was it ever dependent on the prohibition of alcohol? Will opioid abuse prevention come to a complete halt if marijuana is legalized?<br />
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In fact, some have testified that medical marijuana helped them beat an addiction to opioids:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Former Super Bowl champion and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon says an unfairly demonized drug helped him recover from the pain of his football career: medical marijuana.<br />
"McMahon got his medical marijuana card in Arizona, where he lives... Before that, he said, he'd been taking 100 Percocet pills a month for pain in his shoulders, neck and arms.<br />
"They were doing more harm than good," he said. "This medical marijuana has been a godsend. It relieves me of the pain — or thinking about it, anyway." (*2)</blockquote>
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In an October 28th, 2015 podcast, Seth Leibsohn interviewed Shelia Polk. Seth made the point that <b>"For the last 30 years, basically, where many on our (anti-marijuana) side haven't been talking about it until recently, many on their side have. (Laughs)"</b> (*3)<br />
<br />
Yep, that's a joke, alright.<br />
<br />
"Obviously, the first big spender of anti-drug campaigns is the government. To give you an idea of the scale of spending, $1.4 <i>billion</i> was spent between 1998 and 2005 on a <i>single</i> coordinated anti-marijuana campaign. A $43 million study, again paid for by the federal government, stated that the campaign had been a failure." (*4) (Italics mine.)<br />
<br />
"Nonprofits are the next group of agencies that promote the anti-drug message, but the huge number of nonprofits devoted to anti-drug messages means it's difficult to estimate how much money is spent on them. In addition, quite a large number are financed by the government, so it's hard to keep track of it all. A reasonable estimate might be around $200 million per year, much sourced from donations and government funds." (*4)<br />
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So, obviously, there has been no anti-marijuana message out there for the past 30 years.<br />
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Another example of the "marijuana apocalypse" was tweeted on April 25th of last year by Kevin Sabet (@kevinsabet) and retweeted by Shelia Polk (@yavapaicntyatty): <b>"Just the beginning: Colorado company says pot pushed them out of state."</b><br />
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It links to a news story about a Denver business called "Little Spider Creations (which) builds custom props and sets for haunted houses, museums and amusement parks." (*5)<br />
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The owner said he was moving to Myrtle Beach, SC because "too many employees were coming in high after the drug was legalized for recreational use." (*5)<br />
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Really? When it came to ballot in 2012, 1.064 million Coloradans (45.1%) voted AGAINST legalization. (*6) Are the vast majority of them now stoners?<br />
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If marijuana were legalized in Arizona, would Seth Leibsohn become a stoner? How about Shelia Polk? Why do they assume everyone else will?<br />
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Perhaps you, the reader, are against legalization: if it turned out you were in the minority, would YOU become a stoner? If the answer to these questions is NO, then this attack is pure demagoguery.<br />
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Although this tweet billed this occurrence as "just the beginning," we're pushing toward a year later and there have been no further tweets nor news about businesses leaving Colorado over pot.<br />
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In fact, Colorado set records for tourism in both 2014 (*7) and 2015, with tax-revenues from tourism crossing over the $1 billion mark for the first time in the state's history. (*8)<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/john-mccains-campaign-isnt-feeling.html" target="_blank"><i>You'll Love:</i> John McCain's Campaign Isn't "Feeling Groovy"</a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Featured in The Humor Daily</u></b></span></i><br />
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When facts are weak, people turn to straw-men, monster-creation, and demagoguery. Perhaps Seth and Shelia would do well to readjust their undies into a more comfortable position.<br />
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I'm sure it would make them safer drivers.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><u><b>Do you know a ridiculous quote by a marijuana hater?</b></u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><u><b>Post it in the comments below!</b></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also by Drew Desmond:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for Prescott AZ History (Includes Tourist Tips!)</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2016/01/back-when-prescott-was-opium-central.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>SAMPLE</i>: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back When Prescott Was "Opium Central"</span></a></div>
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SOURCES:<br />
(*1) <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2016/02/01/montini-marijuana-legalization-waste-management-phoenix-open/79644618/" target="_blank">Montini: Blowing marijuana smoke into opponents' faces</a><br />
(*2) <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-bears-jim-mcmahon-medical-marijuana-met-20160128-story.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune 2/5/2016: "Ex-Bear Jim McMahon: Medical marijuana got me off narcotic pain pills"</a><br />
(*3) <a href="https://soundcloud.com/thesethleibsohnshow/october-28-2015-sheila-polk" target="_blank">Seth Leibsohnc's Podcast Interview With Shelia Polk, 10/28/2015 @3:26</a><br />
(*4) <a href="http://www.projectknow.com/how-much-money-is-spent-on-anti-drug-campaigns-in-america/" target="_blank">How Much Money is Spent on Anti-Drug Campaigns In America</a><br />
(*5) <a href="http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2015/04/23/little-spider-creations-marijuana-employees/26241529/" target="_blank">"Colo. company says pot pushed them out of state"</a><br />
(*6) <a href="http://data.denverpost.com/election/results/amendment/2012/64-legalize-marijuana/" target="_blank">Election Results via DenverPost.com</a><br />
(*7) <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_28368011/2014-record-colorado-tourism" target="_blank">Colorado Tourism Sets Records for 2014</a><br />
(*8) <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/24/colorado-tourism-numbers-sets-record-in-2015/" target="_blank">Colorado Tourism Numbers Sets Record for 2015</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/drewdesmondthec/marijuana-legalization/" target="_blank">To see all of The Crux Blog's articles on Marijuana, CLICK HERE</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7939158988283898650%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3293188096135927607%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-F4hJzbVRfAA%2FVrTXF66z1jI%2FAAAAAAAAByQ%2FZ8gsZbVDmTE%2Fs200%2FMJDarkies.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=P6d8qnz0Hz5m&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 479px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2341px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7939158988283898650%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3293188096135927607%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-F4hJzbVRfAA%2FVrTXF66z1jI%2FAAAAAAAAByQ%2FZ8gsZbVDmTE%2Fs200%2FMJDarkies.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=P6d8qnz0Hz5m&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 479px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2341px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com1Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-53903282730974089142015-12-17T18:49:00.000-07:002016-07-25T13:12:41.463-07:00The REAL "Job Creators" Are Not the Wealthy--They're YOU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't be deceived by the verbal gymnastics that refer to the rich as "Job Creators." The fact is, there is only one true creator of jobs and that is: CONSUMER DEMAND!<br />
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One writer defined "Job Creators" this way:<br />
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"In Republican/Tea Party political theory, 'Job Creators' are wealthy because they are industrious, virtuous, hard working people and can use their vast wealth to create jobs by hiring people to work for them. The idea that this euphemism is trying to convey is that taxing these people would hurt the economy because then their money would be going to the government...which will only waste tax money on things like social services." (*1)</blockquote>
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Of course, only the rich have the money to build factories, but the only time they ever would build one is when they anticipate <b>consumer demand</b> for the product!<br />
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What makes this tax-cutting worship of the rich as "job creators" even more irksome is WHERE they've been building their factories the last several decades. Have they been building factories in the USA providing good middle-class jobs for americans, or have they been building their factories anywhere but America? Are they headquartering their businesses in the US so they can pay their fair share to fund the military that protects their wealth, or are they high-tailing them out overseas?<br />
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Those who SPEND money are the ones that are creating a healthy, job-creating economy. Those who HOARD money do not.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/repealing-death-tax-will-create-koch.html" target="_blank">RELATED: Repealing the Death Tax Will Create a Koch Monarchy Forever</a><br />
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"The term “job creation” really should be reserved for activities that increase the number of jobs the economy can support when it is achieving its full potential. Shifting jobs from one state to another by offering corporate tax breaks or passing a right-to-work law does not qualify." (*2) (Although many Republican governors would like to say it does.)<br />
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"Studies have shown that for every $1,000,000 that 'job creators' receive in tax breaks, approximately 75¢ is re-invested into the American economy." (*1)<br />
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By contrast, "for every dollar spent (on unemployment,) the economy would see a return of $1.64. For every dollar spent on (food stamps,) $1.73 is generated throughout the economy." (*3) <i><b>Both of these social programs produce more than twice the economic activity as corporate tax cuts do.</b></i><br />
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Only when consumers buy things are jobs created. "Which is why," Robert Reich wrote, "raising the minimum wage, extending overtime protection, enlarging the Earned Income Tax Credit, and reducing middle-class taxes are all necessary." (*4) Cutting the wealthy's taxes even more will just mean more money hoarded away; not buying the products that create employment. </div>
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"If someone who is literally living paycheck to paycheck gets an extra dollar, it's very likely that they will spend that dollar immediately on whatever they need," thus stimulating the economy. (*3)<br />
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Time and again, "Trickle-Down" economic policies have proven to be ineffective in growing a healthy economy. When will we learn that it's <u>not</u> the "one-percenters" that make America's economy great, it's <b><i><u>we the people!</u></i></b><br />
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When we treat our poor with caring and charity, <i><u>that's</u></i> when our nation will be blessed!<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/p/a-progressives-primer.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">CLICK HERE to find The Crux Blog's "Progressive Primer"</span></a></div>
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SOURCES:<br />
(*1) <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Job%20Creator&defid=5964128" target="_blank">http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Job%20Creator&defid=5964128</a><br />
(*2) <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2013/06/17/who-are-the-real-job-creators/" target="_blank">http://www.forbes.com/sites/investor/2013/06/17/who-are-the-real-job-creators/</a><br />
(*3) <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/29/news/economy/stimulus_analysis/" target="_blank">http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/29/news/economy/stimulus_analysis/</a><br />
(*4) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/the-3-biggest-myths-blinding-us-to-the-economic-truth_b_6842982.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/the-3-biggest-myths-blinding-us-to-the-economic-truth_b_6842982.html</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALSO BY Drew Desmond:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/p/gurley-st.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for Prescott AZ History (Includes Tourist Tips!)</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/07/buried-treasures-near-prescott-that.html" target="_blank"><b><i>SAMPLE</i>: 20 Buried Treasures Near Prescott That Have Yet to be Found</b></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008067438999" target="_blank">Friend Drew Desmond on Facebook for Blog Postings</a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4186355 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-9119499213234068312015-11-29T17:07:00.000-07:002016-05-07T17:16:32.462-07:00Repealing the Death Tax Will Create a Koch Monarchy Forever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's a great deal of fear-mongering going on when it comes to the estate tax. ALEC-led Republicans claim that the children of farmers and small businesses are losing their farms and businesses because of the estate tax. Therefore, they argue, it should be abolished completely.<br />
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In fact, "just 0.19 percent of all deaths in 2013 resulted in (the payment of estate) tax. When 99.81 percent of all deaths don't create a taxable event, calling it a death tax is mathematically nonsensical." (*1)<br />
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The real reason for abolishing the estate tax is for the very rich to not only pass on their fortunes to their children, but to pass on their political power as well. They want to create an America, led by a oligarchy, that's been crowned by the almighty dollar.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>If the true concern is to protect small businesses and farmers, why not just increase the amount that's exempt? Currently, "if your estate is worth less than $5.43 million dollars in 2015 (or $10.86 million dollars for a couple), you are exempt from the federal estate tax" anyway. (*1) If the amount exempted were increased to the first $30 million, for example, farms and small businesses would be able to continue running without their heirs having to pay an estate tax. If one's small business is worth over $30 million dollars, it's no longer a small business.<br />
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Repealing the estate tax would mean that the only thing the Koch's (and the few other super-rich) would have to do to keep their families in power is to bear children. Then they can pass the entirety of their fortunes to them as well as the political power that goes with it. <br />
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It would be the draconian Koch / ALEC political philosophy that Americans would have to live under forever. It would be an America where the rich did nothing except get richer and where the poor will always have to fend for themselves with no government assistance. If the "little people" want social security, or a strong military, or disaster relief, let THEM be the only ones who pay for it! <br />
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If the super-rich believe that they are somehow genetically superior at making money, then shouldn't their children be able to make the money paid in estate taxes back easily?<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/alec-fact-check-can-churches-take.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ALSO CONSIDER: ALEC FACT CHECK: Can Churches Take the Government's Place in Supporting the Poor?</span></a></div>
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There are many countries in this world that would not even allow the super-rich to make that kind of money! This one one-thousandth of the population should give back to the country that allowed them to live their fortunate lives.<br />
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The most recent bill passed by the GOP-led House to repeal the tax is even more tyrannical than previous attempts. "If it became law, families would be able to pass assets across generations and avoid capital gains taxes on both real gains and so-called phantom income attributed to inflation." (*2)<br />
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This would eventually bring the economy to a near halt. "Ed McCaffery, a law professor at the University of Southern California who <i>favors</i> repealing the estate tax, (stated:) 'That is telling old people (to) clutch onto things until they die (to avoid paying all taxes). That’s not how the American economy works.'” (*2)<br />
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Since World War II, Japan has had an oligarchic power base that's been passed on to younger family members and the result has been a middle-class economy that has sputtered, nearly frozen, for decades now. Do we want the same thing for America?<br />
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If farmers and small businesses are being sold to strangers because of the estate tax, then the REAL solution is to increase the amount exempted--not repeal the entire tax.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALSO BY Drew Desmond:</span></div>
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SOURCES:<br />
(*1) <a href="http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-28/death-tax-deception-and-other-cognitive-errors" target="_blank">http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-28/death-tax-deception-and-other-cognitive-errors</a><br />
(*2) <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-04-13/why-republicans-want-a-bigger-u-s-estate-tax-repeal-than-ever" target="_blank">http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-04-13/why-republicans-want-a-bigger-u-s-estate-tax-repeal-than-ever</a><br />
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4186355 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-788774443031858862015-10-12T19:35:00.000-07:002015-11-29T10:58:03.927-07:00My Body, My Choice: One Man's Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>A civil right cannot be guaranteed to <u>ANY</u> citizen, until that civil right is guaranteed to <u>EVERY</u> citizen.</i></b></span></div>
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Many who are pro-choice are worried about women losing their reproductive rights. Perhaps they should be. After all, if the right "to do what one wants with their own body" is so basic and important, why should it be confined to the uterus only?</div>
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Perhaps if it were women who had abortions that were being piled into for-profit prisons instead of marijuana smokers, one might quickly understand this thesis.</div>
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Although we have yet to reach the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in this country, no one is worried about women losing their right to vote. The League of Women Voters has been busy registering voters of all eligibilities (not just women) for decades. This is because they have matured into the realization that as long as <i><b>every</b></i> American has the right to vote, women will always be guaranteed the same automatically.</div>
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If only the National Organization for Women (NOW) would also mature and work toward guaranteeing this right for every citizen! If they did, then reproductive rights would become just as sure and solid as a woman's right to vote!</div>
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It inspires the following open letter:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear NOW (and your supporters), </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I understand and espouse your right to do what you want to with your own body. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I write asking for your support of that <u>same</u> civil right for millions of other Americans. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In case you haven't noticed, marijuana smokers are currently living YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE--being threatened with jail for doing what they want to with their own bodies! Yet, you seem to stand by mute. Why shouldn't they be afforded the same civil right that you demand for yourselves?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Personally, I believe that the only thing more tragic and worse than an abortion is a back-alley abortion.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If you would like people to be tolerant of <i>YOUR</i> application of this basic civil right, perhaps you could be broad-shouldered and tolerant enough to accept <i>ANOTHER</i> person's application of that same civil right! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Additionally, the boundary should not stop at marijuana. California recently became the fifth state to allow someone racked with a mortal disease the right to die. Shouldn't such people have the right to do what <i>they</i> want to with <i>their</i> own bodies as well? </blockquote>
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Indeed, a civil right cannot be guaranteed to any citizen, until that civil right is guaranteed to <u>every</u> citizen. </blockquote>
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Thank you for your time. I long for your future support. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sincerely,<br />
Drew Desmond....</blockquote>
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"My body, my choice" must mean much more than just abortion rights. The only way to fully protect a woman's reproductive rights is to secure the basic liberty of "my body, my choice" for ALL Americans.<br />
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.418582499999992 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-81934937094101730782015-09-14T14:37:00.000-07:002015-11-29T16:13:38.467-07:00Arizona Refuses Federal Money for the Disabled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What if there was a program that equipped disabled individuals to leave the welfare rolls and enter into gainful, tax-paying employment?<br />
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In fact, there is one and it's very popular. Many disabled people come to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) wanting to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, get off the welfare rolls and become tax-paying citizens instead.<br />
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So successful is the program that the federal government offers to pay three-quarters of the cost. Yet die-hard tea-partiers in the Arizona Legislature have refused this "dirty Obama money" for several years. As a result, people who are genuinely motivated to get off of welfare have been sitting on waiting lists, still collecting government checks, for years.<br />
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"The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides a variety of services to persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain employment. The VR program is a public program funded through a Federal/State partnership and administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), which is part of the Arizona Department of Economic Security." (*1)<br />
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Clearly, getting these people off of welfare (a net loss of government funds) and turning them into tax-payers (a net gain of government funds,) is an investment that will easily pay for itself.<br />
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But "due to limited state funding, individuals determined eligible for the vocational rehabilitation program (have been) placed on a waitlist for services." (*2)<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/gov-ducey-uses-healthcare-for-social.html" target="_blank">RELATED: Gov. Ducey Uses Healthcare for Social Engineering</a><br />
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There are two ways the government can increase tax revenues: the much despised increasing of tax rates; or <i>INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TAX-PAYERS!</i> Voc Rehab creates new tax-payers out of people once on welfare and unemployment. <br />
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It should be noted that before these federal matching funds were "dirty Obama money," it was <i><b>OUR</b></i> money! We should begin to bring it back to Arizona for this important program!<br />
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The GOP led Arizona Legislature has gone WAY beyond cutting government waste and is now cutting into government services that make sense for both individual citizens and society in general.<br />
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Republicans speak a great deal about putting those on welfare back into the workforce, but if these fine people are not given the training necessary to <u>obtain</u> a living-wage job, they will <u style="font-style: italic;"><b>never</b></u> get a living-wage job! Without this very necessary and practical program, their musings are all just talk, talk, talk.<br />
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There's an old cliche about "cutting off one's nose..." Let's not allow this to continue in Arizona.<br />
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<a href="http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember.asp" target="_blank">USE THIS LINK</a> to find and contact your state representative about restoring Voc Rehab funds.<br />
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SOURCES:<br />
(*1) https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=32&id=1394#What_is_the_Vocational_Rehabilitation_(VR)_program?<br />
(*2) https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=32&id=1394#Why_is_there_a_waitlist_for_services?<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/alec-fact-check-can-churches-take.html" target="_blank">Also Consider: ALEC FACT CHECK: Can Churches Take the Government's Place in Supporting the Poor?</a><br />
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/08/potus-visits-prescott-statehood-at-stake.html" target="_blank">Sample: POTUS Visits Prescott, Statehood at Stake</a><br />
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-16527505811432541512015-08-30T09:31:00.000-07:002015-11-29T11:00:15.859-07:00Scarce AZ Education Funding Spent on Anti-Abortion Message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Educational funding is currently scarce in Arizona and even as the state ranks near the bottom in both spending and performance, money is being spent to place anti-abortion stickers on the back covers of biology textbooks.<br />
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To stress the point, the students were instructed to place these stickers on the textbooks themselves.<br />
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It all started when Arizona passed a law that states: "In view of the state's strong interest in promoting childbirth and adoption over elective abortion, no school district or charter school in this state may allow any presentation during instructional time or furnish any materials to pupils as part of any instruction that does not give preference, encouragement and support to childbirth and adoption as preferred options to elective abortion."<br />
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<i>(Notice that there is no mention of PREVENTING pregnancies in this law; just "childbirth and adoption.")</i><br />
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It was the passage of this law that lead to the stickers.<br />
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Superintendent Dr. Christina M. Kishimoto was quoted in Cosmopolitan as saying: "the stickers on the back cover are the best course of action. We are pleased with the collaboration and completion of this matter."<br />
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Here's a pic of the controversial sticker:<br />
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/anti-abortion-sticker-arizona-biology-textbook_55d734b9e4b0a40aa3aa8eee?utm_hp_ref=arizona" target="_blank">A Huffington Post article by Cavan Sieczkowski</a> reported on some of the shock expressed by parents:<br />
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"I don't care what your religion is or if you think abstinence education works, that sticker crosses the line for public school," Suzanne Young tweeted.<br />
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Your tax dollars at work.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Also of Importance:</u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/gov-ducey-uses-healthcare-for-social.html" target="_blank">Gov. Ducey Uses Healthcare for Social Engineering (& How It Will Backfire!)</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/drewdesmondthec/" target="_blank">Follow Drew's Writings on Pinterest!</a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-64763406094182166522015-08-17T15:03:00.000-07:002016-05-12T18:02:07.023-07:00The Immigration Solution: A Market Based Approach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the main problems with America's immigration policy is that it tries to set numbers regardless of the country's current economic condition. There are times when our economy is soaring and we need immigrant workers. There are also times when our economy slows down and we don't need as much immigrant help.<br />
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If the US could devise a <i><b>market-based</b></i> policy for immigration that would naturally ride with these ebbs and flows, it would be fair, adaptable, and could last for generations. <br />
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Following is one such plan:<br />
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A market-based immigration policy could be largely achieved with the implementation of an "Infrastructure Surcharge Tax" that would be shared by both the employer and the employee.<br />
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The "Infrastructure Surcharge Tax" (or IST,) would be an <u>additional</u> payroll tax that should go to the state in which the immigrant is employed. That individual state would know best its own needs from the impact of these new residents and would be in the best position to put the money to good use; whether it be schools, roads, or police.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/immigration-issues-laissez-faire-on.html" target="_blank">VERY MUCH RELATED: Immigration Issues: The Penalty For Not Learning English</a><br />
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A key aspect to this plan is to have the <u><b><i>EMPLOYER</i></b></u> pay part of the IST. Why? Because it would then be cheaper to hire an American. During times of economic slow down when companies are looking to reduce payroll, keeping american workers would be cheaper than keeping immigrant workers, saving Americans their jobs. If a particular immigrant is important enough to the company that they are willing to pay the IST and keep him or her, then that is fine too; it's a free market and a free country. <br />
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With this market-based plan, we could easily and <i><u>seemlessly</u></i> keep some of the brighter people who are studying for college degrees in our country from abroad.<br />
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<i>(The author is not an economist, so the following numbers are merely to illustrate the concept--Congress can figure out what numbers would be best...)</i> <br />
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Let's say for example, that the IST is an additional 5% of payroll. The worker might pay 3% and the employer the other 2%. It should be noted that this tax would hardly be frivolous. It would have a real purpose helping to defray the costs of providing the additional infrastructure necessary for the new residents.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Plan to <i>EARN</i> One's Way to US Citizenship:</span></b><br />
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If, after 15 years (again an example,) the immigrant has invested his or her life toward helping build our country AND they've paid income tax, social security tax, medicare tax, sales tax and the additional Infrastructure Surcharge Tax; (<b><i>AND they haven't committed any felonies;</i></b>) then they SHOULD get a vote to help determine how that money is spent! Welcome to the USA!<br />
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This way, citizenship is EARNED. It's a fair and level playing field for all concerned.<br />
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Of course, there are other issues that Congress would need to address like unemployment. Perhaps a sliding scale could be devised to determine when is one eligible and for how long; but the Congress and the states' legislatures can work out these particulars justly.<br />
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This market-based plan would get illegal workers out of the shadows. It would be an easy way for businesses to comply to immigration laws the moment they have need for extra workers. <br />
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Best of all, this plan would allow for the natural up and down fluxes of the economy and could last, with some tweaks, for the foreseeable future.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>ALSO BY Drew Desmond:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/we-need-21st-century-currency.html" target="_blank">We Need a 21st Century Currency</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Manufacturing pennies and nickels costs tax-payers TWICE their face value! Talk about wasteful spending!</span></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">AND:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Prescott, AZ History (&Tourist Tips) CLICK HERE</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2016/01/back-when-prescott-was-opium-central.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SAMPLE: Back When Prescott Was "Opium Central"</span></a></div>
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.418582499999992 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-76822137131502388542015-07-23T09:47:00.001-07:002015-11-29T11:02:24.830-07:00ALEC FACT CHECK: Can Churches Take the Government's Place in Supporting the Poor?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Proponents of <a href="http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed" target="_blank">ALEC</a> (American Legislative Exchange Council) are trying to convince the Christian Right that it should be the church and not the federal government that should provide for the needy and the disabled, but consider this fact check:<br />
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According to statistics, there are 53 million people on Medicaid at a cost for the federal government of $206 billion. There are 320,000 Christian churches in the U.S.<br />
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This means that each church would need to take on 166 people each at an annual cost of $3,886.79 per person per year. In other words, each and every church would have to come up with an additional $53,767 per MONTH just to cover the FED'S (not the state's) share of Medicaid.<br />
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Of course, this does not even address the cost of food and shelter--that would cost much more.<br />
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Can <i>YOUR</i> church afford that kind of money?<br />
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Talk is cheap. It's a nice idea to think that churches could put the government out of business when it comes to helping the poor, however, when one considers the cost, it's simply not possible.<br />
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The Christian Right would do well to realize that ALEC is all about corporate profits and is not the least bit interested in the Bible or what it really stands for. <br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/drewdesmondthec/" target="_blank">Follow Drew's Writings on Pinterest!</a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-41.116323 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-71401659411813502942015-07-13T10:35:00.000-07:002015-11-29T11:03:09.168-07:00Medical Marijuana Demagoguery Proving to be Very Wrong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When Prop 203, the initiative to legalize medical marijuana, was being considered in Arizona in 2010, opponents (particularly Shelia Polk and her comrades,) feared the worst:<br />
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They predicted "trashed neighborhoods, drug cartels disguised as medical marijuana dispensaries, increased armed robberies, burglaries, murder and organized crime." (*1)<br />
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They feared then (and still do now) that medical marijuana cards are "way too easy" to obtain and that marijuana would flood the state since unused meds would be sold on the street to children.<br />
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They called medical marijuana a "smokescreen" to full legalization and that we should expect "97-98 percent of medical marijuana cardholders (to be) aged 17 to 35 and suffer(ing) from "chronic pain". (*1)<br />
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However, the most recent (2014) Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) End of Year Report, produced by the Arizona Department of Health Services (who issues the MMJ cards,) not only shows the opposite to have come true, but in the end, medical marijuana in Arizona is turning out to be small potatoes.<br />
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When Prop 203 passed, I wondered what percentage of the state's population (6,482,505) would sign up to get cards. Before its passage, some "Chicken Littles" did all but suggest that nearly everyone who smoked pot would sign up since it would be so easy to obtain a card. This would push the percentage to near 10%. <br />
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I thought it might be between 2-5%.<br />
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Turns out everybody got it wrong. According to the report, the number of MMJ card holding patients in 2014 was 61,272--that is <b><i>less</i></b> than 1%!<br />
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What's more, the still prevalent idea that 97-98% of card holders are "pain suffering" males aged 17-35 is completely untrue. In Arizona, there are just 11,181 males aged 18-30 on MMJ (one tenth of one percent of AZ's population) and 15,098 are males aged 51 and up (two tenths of one percent of AZ's pop.) <br />
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So in fact, there are 35% more male MMJ users aged 51 and over than there are male "twenty-something" users.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/should-marijuana-money-go-to-tax.html" target="_blank"><i>ALSO CONSIDER:</i> Should Marijuana Money Go To Tax Revenues or Drug Cartels?</a></span></h3>
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Still, the biggest take-away number from the report is the fact that less than 1% of Arizonans even have MMJ cards. So when our state solons get their digestive tracts in a knot over how easy it is to get a medical marijuana card, they should stop and realize just how few people we're talking about in the first place.<br />
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Maybe, just maybe, the people with MMJ cards actually do need them! <br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/republicans-smoke-pot-too.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">NOW READ: Republicans Smoke Pot Too</span></a><br />
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Sources:<br />
(*1) <a href="http://dcourier.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=85836&SectionID=36&SubSectionID=1120&S=1" target="_blank">Medical Marijuana Just a Smokescreen, by Sheila Polk</a><br />
(*2) <a href="http://azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/medical-marijuana/reports/2014/arizona-medical-marijuana-end-of-year-report-2014.pdf" target="_blank">2014 AMMA Year End Report (PDF Document)</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/07/buried-treasures-near-prescott-that.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for "20 Buried Treasures Waiting to be Found Near Prescott"</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/drewdesmondthec/" target="_blank">Follow Drew's Writingsl on Pinterest!</a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-87716580725144488222015-06-29T12:17:00.000-07:002016-05-12T17:54:11.698-07:00Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Either way, He'd probably have to stand in-line somewhere to get a government photo ID in order to vote!<br />
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It is often asked: Is Jesus a republican or a democrat? This question always boils down to a matter of prideful self-identification--even in its premiss.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Jesus was a jew from Bethlehem; not a jew from Brooklyn. Under current law, Jesus wouldn't even be allowed to VOTE in the United States!<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/immigration-issues-laissez-faire-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO CONSIDER: Immigration Issues: The Penalty For Not Learning English</span></a><br />
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More to the point, the bible does describe the perfect government in the book of Revelation (Chapter 20). It is called the "Millennial Kingdom" for its reign shall last 1000 years. In it, it is God Himself who is ruling over the earth. Not republicans ruling the earth; not democrats; not even a set of doctrines. Instead, it is God Himself, in all His glory, ruling over the earth.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/alec-fact-check-can-churches-take.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALEC FACT CHECK: Can Churches Take the Government's Place in Supporting the Poor?</span></a><br />
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No need for a legislative branch; no need for a judicial branch; there wouldn't even be a need for any checks and balances. THAT is the perfect form of government according to the bible; an all-knowing and truly all-loving, DICTATOR!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA6d6IfXR5wFyqnORMK5dVKMjlN4TYmhQCFw1KXPCWlfYEvoDugx-JkKUjH-V7wgWjTyTUEgyXtjEwE03Zmn0UYzHjan4bLYtKsAM58v1sbxjsGEahghX6LggweoKJdncVYnG-KEPUVpt/s1600/20150615_155149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA6d6IfXR5wFyqnORMK5dVKMjlN4TYmhQCFw1KXPCWlfYEvoDugx-JkKUjH-V7wgWjTyTUEgyXtjEwE03Zmn0UYzHjan4bLYtKsAM58v1sbxjsGEahghX6LggweoKJdncVYnG-KEPUVpt/s400/20150615_155149.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dad in later years</b></td></tr>
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When summertime came and I was out of school, Dad would take me with him on one of his sales trips to get me out of Mom's hair. It was always a fun time of practical jokes, eating on the road and general bonding.<br />
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Once Dad and I took an extended trip which inevitably required doing a load of laundry. Fortunately, the motel we were in had a coin-operated washer and dryer.<br />
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Unfortunately, it was Dad's first experience at starting potentially dangerous fires.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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Dad was a traveling salesman who sold advertising space in trade magazines. No...Wait. Actually, he worked for US Naval Intelligence collecting intel on the Soviets from people who monitored their radio transmissions. But that's another story.<br />
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One morning as I was getting ready, Dad entered our motel room trying desperately to keep from laughing.<br />
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"What is it?" I asked.<br />
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"Some chowderhead left their clothes in the dryer overnight, so I stuck them on its top where there was about two inches of dust and lint," he smirked.<br />
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About ten minutes later, we first heard the sirens. Being the middle of the city, we didn't think much of it and waited for Doppler's lowering tone as the vehicles passed by.<br />
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We waited. The sirens only got louder. Dad finally opened up the curtains to reveal two firetrucks pulling into the motel parking lot. He suddenly looked panicked and raced out the door towards the laundry room.<br />
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Standing in front was the motel manager. "What's going on?" Dad asked.<br />
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"Some bastard stuck some clothes on the top of the dryer and they caught fire," the manager complained, "but I'm going to wait here and when they come back, I'm calling the police!"<br />
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"If I were you, I wouldn't move an inch," Dad exclaimed, "...Well, gotta go!!!"<br />
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Dad burst into our room as I was running the "razor slalom"--over the peach-fuzz and around the pimples.<br />
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"Pack your stuff NOW, son, we gotta go!"<br />
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"What is it?"<br />
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"I'll explain in the car," he said.<br />
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"Where are we going?"<br />
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"To the state's biggest K-Mart to buy some underwear!" Dad cried.<br />
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As sheer dumb-luck would have it, the moment we walked through the doors and gazed upon the acreage of the box-store, we heard it announced: "Attention K-Mart shoppers! There's just one minute left on our blue-light special: 50% off men's underwear!"<br />
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Our mission was on! Our eyes quickly scanned the horizon...<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>There it stood a blinking<br />Clear across the store<br />Like a tiny, little lighthouse<br />On a far and distant shore</b></i></blockquote>
<br />
Feel free to hit play on the "Chariots of Fire" theme, because when Dad ran, it was always slow motion.<br />
<br />
"Blue-light special; Blue-light special;" Dad sang as if it were a veritable license to the right of way.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotXA6oRBm9ZqIjpC-CEg_zxrPs0xMgtgCFoTdPrx4cshYvCxJNLTTmJuhzjU2spIYqCoXIXNO35-jLTokb5_w455jWCpzGjxnOT-tAUj1xrhyphenhyphenRqD9N-wiRRLcQMHOQpmqdGQeSJufRgxa/s1600/OldLadyShocked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotXA6oRBm9ZqIjpC-CEg_zxrPs0xMgtgCFoTdPrx4cshYvCxJNLTTmJuhzjU2spIYqCoXIXNO35-jLTokb5_w455jWCpzGjxnOT-tAUj1xrhyphenhyphenRqD9N-wiRRLcQMHOQpmqdGQeSJufRgxa/s320/OldLadyShocked.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I just might have enjoyed that!"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Carts were shoved. Babies were crying. Old women squealed as if their hindquarters just felt the crop. Perhaps it was father researching a lead role in "50 Shades of the Old Gray Mare." But that's another story.<br />
<br />
We ran the obstacle course of people, pushcarts and end-cap displays and finally navigated our way to the underwear. Dad found his size, but had trouble pulling the package out of the spring-loaded rack. <br />
<br />
Just then, the timer ran out and the flashing blue-light quit. The sale was officially over.<br />
<br />
<br />
Horrified, and breaching all concept of common civil protocol, Dad reached over and turned the blue-light <b><i><u>BACK ON</u></i></b>!<br />
<br />
"Blue-light special! Blue-light special!" he was now heard to roar.<br />
<br />
To emphasize his point:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>He waved his product proudly<br />High above his head<br />And all that I could wish for<br />Was to be in the car instead!</b></i></blockquote>
<br />
Thankfully, he did get his boxers at half price and needless to say, we left for the next town with hurried expedience. <br />
<br />
I like to remember it as <i>"The Great Boxer Fire Escapade."</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Then there was that time when Dad purchased some property for us to camp on. He once let a campfire get away from him and burned the place up. As we drove home nearly gagging on the smell of soot, Dad tried to convince us that somehow he MEANT to do that!<br />
<br />
I suppose that in the end, Dad wasn't so much an arsonist in the criminal sense as he was an arsonist in the cuddly sense; sort of like Smokey the Bear's black-sheep brother.<br />
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<br />
<br />
But as the years melt into decades and the trees grow noticeably thicker on Walton's Mountain, I often sit and ponder which is the lessor of two evils: burning up your campsite by accident or burning up your campsite on purpose???<br />
<br />
But that's another story. Goodnight, John-Boy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-death-of-mangas-colorado-greatest.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><i>ALSO BY Drew:</i> The Death of Mangas Colorado: "The Greatest Wrong Ever Done to the Indians"</a><br />
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<br />
#Dad #Father #FathersDay #Humor<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Prescott AZ History (Includes Tourist Tips!)</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/horses-autos-primitive-traffic-laws.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO ENJOY: Horses, Autos & Primitive Traffic Laws</span></a></div>
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States38.548165423046584 -101.601562513.026130923046583 -142.9101565 64.070199923046587 -60.2929685tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-87602462370346071432015-06-12T20:08:00.000-07:002015-11-29T11:05:12.039-07:00Test Cops for Steroids! /UPDATED w Petition Information <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyscZCvJdcAMt0bWbsYx8jSxAD0FctVdd5Xus0wUJC0TwbLyrqEDdqCNLaW0jPnZZkU7_Cu-hs4XyXTtUSEIsfLMT4riQeWQgQg_W9HuNguDzgAIsjlrakTE_MaPr39AGZrjtiI3nLnug/s1600/PoliceBuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyscZCvJdcAMt0bWbsYx8jSxAD0FctVdd5Xus0wUJC0TwbLyrqEDdqCNLaW0jPnZZkU7_Cu-hs4XyXTtUSEIsfLMT4riQeWQgQg_W9HuNguDzgAIsjlrakTE_MaPr39AGZrjtiI3nLnug/s400/PoliceBuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Officer Casebolt's excuse for his horrible behavior at the pool party incident in McKinney, Tx was that he had faced a great deal of stress on two previous calls regarding suicides.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/mckinney-police-officer-apologies--blames-aggression-at-pool-party-on-emotional-stress-190534788.html" target="_blank">(Click Here to Read the News Story)</a><br />
<br />
Although such a situation would be stressful, that story doesn't make much sense.<br />
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<br />
Exactly what is it about trying to convince someone that life is worth living that would cause someone to soon pull a gun on unarmed teenagers?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM6oqy8h4kPGa1x57VCQeVOej0EhSBho97xJFe6Lzha0H385h4cOGlSEMwI9mAZje-Q_DWNGcAb_C5ahId3PEgI0S6fpCdw3nJNclQ6KmP3dUgmMBqHjMwgM4DPctrrs_SVNUeuM19GkA/s1600/ZmckinneyCasebolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM6oqy8h4kPGa1x57VCQeVOej0EhSBho97xJFe6Lzha0H385h4cOGlSEMwI9mAZje-Q_DWNGcAb_C5ahId3PEgI0S6fpCdw3nJNclQ6KmP3dUgmMBqHjMwgM4DPctrrs_SVNUeuM19GkA/s1600/ZmckinneyCasebolt.jpg" /></a></div>
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As he was putting his knee on the back of a teenage girl's head, did he think to himself, "I just had a very stressful time trying to convince someone that life is precious, so I'm going to grind your face into the dirt?"<br />
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Who does that?<br />
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Do people who answer suicide prevention lines relieve <i><b>their</b></i> stress in such a manner?...Ever??<br />
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The stress involved in trying to prevent a suicide would be that of anxiety, not aggression! Suicide prevention would include trying to create a calm situation; not one of anger and aggression. <br />
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So what is it that might have caused such a seemingly unnatural aggressive reaction?<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Such behavior could be symptomatic of steroid abuse. Although many would like to dismiss out of hand the possibility of police abusing any drug, the problem is wide spread enough that the DEA created a pamphlet entitled: <a href="http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015085435074;view=1up;seq=7" target="_blank">"Steroid Abuse by Law Enforcement"</a><br />
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It describes the "possible psychological disturbances" that the taking of steroids produces (pg. 5):<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Impaired Judgement (stemming from feelings of invincibility)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Depression<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Nervousness<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Delusions<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Mood Swings (including manic-like symptoms leading to violence)<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Extreme Irritability<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*Hostility and Aggression<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
The last three, in particular, seem to be a close match in many of these cases of police acting aggressively.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/drug-war-cost-could-go-shockingly-long.html" target="_blank">Drug War Cost Could Go a Shockingly Long Way if Spent on Education</a></div>
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The pamphlet also describes the allure of steroids for police officers (pg. 2):<br />
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"Anabolic steroids are a drug of choice (for law enforcement officers) because they are known for increasing the size and strength of muscles more quickly and easily, and increasing one's endurance while performing physical activities. Some law enforcement personnel may believe that steroids provide them a physical and psychological advantage while preforming their jobs."<br />
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Anecdotally, one 26-year-old officer, wanting to be known only as "Jimmy" suggested that steroid use at his police department was around 1 in 4! <a href="http://www.menshealth.com/health/scandals-cops-and-steroids" target="_blank">(via MensHealth.com)</a><br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/we-need-21st-century-currency.html" target="_blank">ALSO CONSIDER: We Need a 21st Century Currency</a><br />
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Police officers are supposed to be public servants. Those that take steroids are public nuisances (or worse!) The time has come to test law enforcement officials for steroids!<br />
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To those in law enforcement and their unions that may be disinclined to the idea of drug testing, I repeat to them what they've been saying to the general public for decades: "If you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about..."<br />
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Go pee in a cup.<br />
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If you'd like to tweet or Facebook this subject, use: #TestCops4Steroids<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/jeffersonville-police-officer-admits-guilt-resigns/article_631ef70e-1eb9-11e5-8e02-2b5b83241848.html" target="_blank">UPDATE 6/29/2015: IN Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Steroid Abuse</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do You Agree that Cops Should be Tested for Steroids?</span><br />
<a href="https://www.change.org/p/loretta-lynch-us-attorney-general-chuck-rosenberg-dea-administrator-dea-reports-that-some-police-brutality-is-due-to-steroid-abuse-test-cops-for-steroids" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CLICK HERE to sign a petition at change.org</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Also by Drew Desmond: Prescott, AZ History (Includes tourist tips!)</a></h3>
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-1932-prescott-police-chief.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO ENJOY: March, 1932: Prescott Police Chief Demands Gun Control (and the Shocking Reason Why)</span></a></div>
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0McKinney, TX, USA33.1972465 -96.63978220000001332.984697499999996 -96.962505700000008 33.4097955 -96.317058700000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-36062870975709842552015-06-04T11:59:00.000-07:002016-05-12T13:53:20.264-07:00Republicans Smoke Pot Too<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Arizona GOP leadership has decided to go whole-hog against any initiative to legalize marijuana in 2016. Many are pointing out that in 2010, Prop 203, the initiative to legalize medical marijuana won by just 4,340 votes. They believe that if they can improve republican turnout just a little more, recreational marijuana can be defeated in 2016.<br />
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However, this school of thought forgets the circumstances surrounding the 2010 election.<br />
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2010 was a <b>backlash</b> election. It was the first opportunity since the election of Obama for people to vote. Particularly in Arizona, but throughout both red and purple states, republicans won big. In Arizona, GOP turnout was quite high. In fact, republicans won <b><i>every</i></b> statewide office in 2010 and in many of them, they won big.<br />
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With just over 1.75 million votes cast in 2010:</u></h4>
US Senate:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>McCain won by 413,604<br />
Secretary of State:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bennett won by 272,803<br />
Governor:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Brewer won by 204,999<br />
Sup. Pub. Instr.:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Huppenthal won by 176,767<br />
Treasurer:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ducey won by 173,807<br />
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It's possible that the AZ GOP reached a high-water mark in 2010. In the hotly contested US Congressional District 1 race, Paul Gosar (R) beat incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick (D) by 6 points. Knowing that he would have difficulty being reelected in a presidential cycle, Gosar quickly moved to CD4, leaving Kirkpatrick to take back her seat.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/drug-war-cost-could-go-shockingly-long.html" target="_blank">ALSO CONSIDER: Drug War Cost Could Go a Shockingly Long Way if Spent on Education</a><br />
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Indeed, the GOP won everything they could possibly hope to win in 2010. In retrospect, 2010 might have been the worst possible election year to try to bring a marijuana proposition--and yet, it still passed.<br />
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The real lesson in the passage of Proposition 203 is not that it barely squeaked through because of a lack of republican turnout. The real lesson here is that in spite of a giant republican tsunami, medical marijuana <b><u>STILL</u></b> passed by 4,340 votes!<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/should-marijuana-money-go-to-tax.html" target="_blank"><b><i>RELATED:</i></b> Should Marijuana Money Go To Tax Revenues or Drug Cartels?</a><br />
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In spite of what the AZ GOP leadership believes, there are <b>many</b> in their camp that support the legalization of marijuana to some degree! Come Wednesday, November 9th, 2016, they just might realize that in some closet, somewhere, republicans smoke pot too.<br />
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<b><u>SOURCE:</u></b><br />
http://apps.azsos.gov/election/2010/General/Canvass2010GE.pdf<br />
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#LegalizeMarijuana #Marijuana<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Also by Drew Desmond:</u> </span> </i></h2>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Prescott AZ History (Includes Tourist Tips!)</a></span></i></h2>
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<i><a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2016/04/prescott-smoker-events-featured.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY: Prescott "Smoker" Events Featured Marijuana</span></a></i></div>
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Arizona, USA34.0489281 -111.0937311000000127.330691099999996 -121.4208796 40.7671651 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-12164815700687718072015-05-05T11:27:00.000-07:002016-05-12T14:23:19.578-07:00We Need a 21st Century Currency<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you were a business, would you spend ten cents to produce something that was worth only five? Would you spend two cents to produce something worth only a penny?<br />
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Who on earth would make such poor decisions? <b>The U.S. Government, that's who!</b> Indeed, the government does spend two cents to produce a single penny and ten cents to produce a single nickel. (*1) Talk about "wasteful government spending"!<br />
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Due to inflation over the many decades, we need to update our currency for the 21st century.<br />
<a name='more'></a>First, we need to reintroduce the $500 bill. In 1969, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing discontinued producing these bills as well as those larger, "due to lack of use." (*2) Another reason for stopping circulation of these larger bills was in the fight against organized crime. The idea being that if $100 was the highest denomination, it would be more difficult to ship millions of dollars in cash somewhere.<br />
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However, this was done nearly a half-century ago and inflation since then has made the $500 bill quite feasible for use today. In 1969, the average monthly household income was <b>six</b> $100 bills. Today, the average monthly household income would be <b><i>forty</i></b> $100 bills (or <b>eight</b> $500 bills.) (*3) (Retailer's cash registers rarely even carried $100 in total change back then!)<br />
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However today, consumers now need a conspicuous wad of bills to purchase things that are bought everyday. Take automobiles, for example: if you want to pay cash for a $20,000 car, you need to show up with 200 single $100 bills that need to be counted. With a $500 bill available, it would only be 40 bills that need to be counted. <br />
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Even with a $500 bill, it would still be difficult for organized crime to move millions of dollars in cash secretly. It would take 2000 individual bills to make one million dollars--hardly something that can be hidden in one's pocket!<br />
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Secondly, we should also discontinue the expense of making the $2 and the $20 bill. They are simply not necessary. The ten-dollar bill and the fifty-dollar bill will work as well as one's and five's do today.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-only-road-to-liberty-is-tolerance_11.html" target="_blank">ALSO CONSIDER: The ONLY Road to Liberty is Tolerance Avenue</a></span><br />
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<u>Now to the touchy issue of coins:</u></h4>
Coins can be a tremendous value in the production of currency. Although they can be twice as expensive to produce than paper bills, their lifespan is up to ten times longer. The $1 and $5 bills are expected to last less than 6 years while coins last many decades (reducing production costs significantly.) <br />
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The problem with introducing new coins in the past is that the american consumer has proven that four different coins is all he or she is willing to carry. The introductions of any fifth coin (the dollar or the half-dollar) were failures.<br />
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Still, the time has come to discontinue the penny and the nickel. They are a complete waste of taxpayer dollars!<br />
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For those who are nervous about losing the few cents in change, remember that only <b>CASH</b> sales would be affected. Pennies will still exist electronically. Payments by credit, debit or check would be completely unaffected for the exact amount. Generally, with cash sales, the consumer would be out zero to four cents.* But remember, giving you that few cents in change is costing you TWICE that amount as a taxpayer! If you want to pay the exact amount, simply use a check or plastic!<br />
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<u>What will happen to these "extra cents" that merchants collect?</u></h4>
That should be up to each individual state. 48 states collect sales-tax now and have the infrastructure in place to collect this money already. Perhaps a state will use the money toward education or sidewalks and roads. Perhaps some states will let the merchants keep it. However, adding a single line to a sales tax form that businesses are <i>already</i> used to is far better than requiring a new, separate form to be filled out for a brand new <i>federal</i> bureaucracy.<br />
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With pennies and nickels gone, we would only have dimes and quarters and potentially two spots for new coins. The best use of taxpayer money would be to replace the penny and nickel coins with a dollar and $5 coin. Millions would be saved annually in printing costs and we would no longer be spending twice the amount in production that pennies and nickels are worth! Additionally, consumers wouldn't have to carry any more coins than the <u>four</u> they do now.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/immigration-issues-laissez-faire-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO READ: Immigration Issues: The Penalty For Not Learning English</span></a><br />
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<u>Metal Lobbies & Political Viability:</u></h4>
One of the strongest forces against change in our coinage has been the metal lobbies. They are afraid of lost revenue and lost jobs. Will we need as many $1 and $5 coins as we need pennies and nickels? No, but these new coins will be guaranteed to be popular (there would be no other choice) and they would be larger <i>in mass</i>--requiring more metal to produce each one. It might end up being close to "a wash" as far as metals purchased by the mint.<br />
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The author believes we should keep the flow of metals heading into the US Mint--there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We simply should do it <i><u>without</u></i> wasting taxpayer dollars!<br />
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21st century currency should sport four coins and four bills. The coins should be: dime; quarter; $1; and $5 ("Fiver"). The bills should be: $10; $50; $100; and $500. This solution is simple, cost effective, and finally takes into account the rise of inflation over our many years.<br />
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*<i>(Unless the total is 1-5 cents over the exact dollar or first dime, in which case the loss could be up to 9 cents; ($5.01 or $1.11, for example.) But remember, that 9 cents is costing you 18 as a taxpayer!)</i><br />
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<u><b>SOURCES:</b></u><br />
(*1) <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(*1)%20http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/PDFs/United_States_Mint_Report_2012_Biennial_Report_to_the_Congress_on_the_Current_Status_of_Coin_Production_Costs_and_Analysis_of_Alternative_Content_December_2012.pdf" target="_blank">US MINT</a><br />
(*2) http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/largedenominations.html<br />
(*3) http://www.davemanuel.com/median-household-income.php<br />
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States38.548165423046584 -101.95312513.026130923046583 -143.261719 64.070199923046587 -60.644531tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-29292521369592353762015-04-29T09:32:00.000-07:002016-05-12T16:04:11.899-07:00Immigration Issues: The Penalty For Not Learning English<br />
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When it comes to immigration reform, some are demanding that people learn english before they can earn US citizenship, but is this really necessary?<br />
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Millions of people from all around the world are learning english as a second language because english has become the business language of the world:<br />
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* Foreign countries and their corporations use different native tongues and most of the larger businesses sell to the american market. So when these companies talk to each other, they use english because it's the one language that they have in common.<br />
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* Whenever airline pilots and flight controllers talk over the radio, they are required to use english no matter where on earth they are...<br />
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When a hotel maid goes home for the day, one can be sure that she will tell her children: "Aprendes inglés! (You learn english!)" Why? Because she knows that if her children don't learn english, they will be destined for the lousiest, dirtiest, lowest paying jobs available. <br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-only-road-to-liberty-is-tolerance_11.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO ENJOY: The ONLY Road to Liberty is Tolerance Avenue</span></a><br />
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We already have a penalty in place for immigrants who don't learn english: It's a minimum wage job (at best) with no advancement all the days of their lives... Isn't that penalty enough?<br />
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We don't need the power of the Congress or the Constitution to get our immigrants to learn english. The power of our economy is more than power enough.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-immigration-solution-market-based.html" target="_blank">NOW READ: The Immigration Solution: A Market Based Approach</a><br />
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.418582499999992 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-68225857949656573232015-04-20T19:30:00.000-07:002015-11-29T11:08:29.500-07:00 The Root of Congressional Gridlock is the "Hastert Rule"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Rebublican Party is causing dysfunctional gridlock in Congress. While many of the "R's" are proud to wrap themselves in the Constitution, it is, in fact, the completely contrived and unconstitutional "Hastert Rule" that is the cause of this gridlock.</div>
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A typical example is Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ). A visit to his website shows how seriously he takes his oath of office to the United States Constitution. His website includes a 74 second video entitled "Defending Our Constitution" and an essay entitled "The Constitution's Keepers." A deeper dive also shows that he's a member of the "Constitution Caucus" as many tea-partiers are.</div>
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In his essay he writes: "If we do not have a culture that respects the Constitution... then our nation will not long endure. I ask the people...to join with me in creating this culture... Demand that your elected official (sic) at all levels of Government knows and respects the Constitution and appreciates this culture."</div>
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So important is this issue that in his video, Rep. Gosar rightly states "This isn't a Republican issue. This isn't a Democratic issue... I'm not here to defraud this document (holding up a copy of the Constitution). We've done it too long--both sides."</div>
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Indeed. For too long both sides have attempted to add gimmicks for their own political gain. A recent example follows: The Constitution states that "a majority of the House" is required to pass legislation there. However, in the mid 1990's, two Republican Speakers of the House: Newt Gingrich and his successor, Dennis Hastert, brought a new guideline to passing legislature in the House. From now on, they decided that in order for bills to come to a vote in the House, it would require a "majority OF THE MAJORITY of the House" (The "Hastert rule.") This rule effectively ADDS three words to our beloved Constitution that were NEVER meant to be there. During the government shutdown, when 20 Republican House members were willing to join House Democrats to open back up the government, the "Hastert rule" stood in the way for the political expediency of a few.<br />
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The entire reason for congressional gridlock fulcrums on the "Hastert Rule." The reason why the House does not even take votes on issues like the minimum wage is because a majority of House Republicans will not allow a bi-partisan majority to have their will. This utter hypocrisy is the reason for congressional gridlock and the disappearance of bi-partisan votes.</div>
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Congressman Gosar states that we the people should "demand" that our elected officials be held accountable for this. Well, Rep. Gosar, The Crux is fulfilling your wish! Newt Gingrich was not a founding father and neither was Denny Hastert! A concept like the Hastert rule isn't even alluded to in the Federalist Papers. The "Hastert Rule" is wholly unconstitutional and any purist should shun it like the plague--including Gosar himself!</div>
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So, which Constitution have republican congressmen take an oath to? The US Constitution of our founding fathers, or the newly revised constitution of Dennis Hastert?</div>
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(It should be noted that The Crux wrote Rep. Gosar about this very subject and requested a reply. After several months, he has not. It can only be assumed that he doesn't have a good answer to offer. Would any Republican?)<br />
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Some might like what Gosar and his tea-party comrades are doing to bring Congress to a virtual halt. But to cloak himself in a cape of "Constitutional purity" is the same old hypocrisy that he himself bemoaned when he first entered office.</div>
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Below the reader will find the link to find and email your Congressman. If you are sick and tired of Washington's gridlock, email and remind them that the "Hastert rule" is unconstitutional and abiding by it is hypocritical.</div>
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<a href="http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to find and write your Congressman</a></div>
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<a href="https://gosar.house.gov/contact-me/email-me" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to email Paul Gosar</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF25PNeWfsQ&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to see Rep. Gosar's "Defending Our Constitution" video for yourself.</a></div>
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<a href="http://gosar.house.gov/weekly-column/weekly-column-congressman-paul-gosar-constitutions-keepers" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to read Gosar's essay: "The Constitution's Keepers" </a></div>
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<i> Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) chums it up</i><br />
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<i> with a known Koch brothers icon.</i></div>
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0Washington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.03687070000000938.7094713 -77.3595942 39.1049133 -76.714147200000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-416926597466293052015-03-23T10:28:00.000-07:002016-05-12T14:01:51.232-07:00Drug War Cost Could Go a Shockingly Long Way if Spent on Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes it's difficult to picture the huge amount of money we are spending on the failed war on drugs. This article takes just one line item from the cost of the drug war and shows how shockingly far that money would go if it were spent on education instead...<br />
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In a June 2010 report entitled "The High Cost Of Incarceration," (the link to this PDF is below,) the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) found that there are 561,526 NON-VIOLENT drug users incarcerated in the U.S. The cost to tax payers is $26,000 a year (or $2166.67 a month) per inmate. This means that we are spending $1.2+ billion ($1,216,639,666.67) every month to incarcerate non-violent drug users. Of course, this is just the cost of incarceration alone. It does not include the costs incurred by law enforcement or the courts to convict these people.<br />
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Now let's take a look at the population of school children in America. According to childstats.gov, (whose link is also included here,) there are approximately 50 million school-aged children (age 6-17) in 2013... <br />
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SO WHAT ELSE COULD BE DONE WITH THIS MONEY?<br />
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* After only 5.75 months, we could buy a $140 computer tablet for every schoolchild age 6-17!!!<br />
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* After 14.38 months, we could buy a $350 laptop computer for each schoolchild in our country.<br />
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Imagine! The price of textbooks would go down (there would be no need to actually print them.) Children would have constant access to the internet to do their school work. The possibilities are endless. Even the weight of backpacks would decrease greatly! <br />
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Having such advantages could immensely improve our children's education, but people who are averse to this species of life seem to feel that the money is better spent on putting non-violent drug users in prison. <br />
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In these days of government austerity, why do we keep throwing good money down the drain? Why is it that education budgets are being slashed, but the failed drug war remains at full funding?<br />
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Bibliography & Sources<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/Child%20Stats:%20http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/tables/pop1.asp" target="_blank">Child Stats: http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/tables/pop1.asp</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/incarceration-2010-06.pdf" target="_blank">Center for Economic & Policy Research: (PDF) </a><br />
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Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States38.8225909761771 -100.195312513.300556476177103 -141.5039065 64.3446254761771 -58.8867185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-22355162764044351642015-03-11T16:39:00.000-07:002016-05-12T14:14:57.829-07:00The ONLY Road to Liberty is Tolerance Avenue<br />
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Some believe that tolerance is just an "excuse to promote liberal agendas". However, as Americans, we have a RESPONSIBILITY to show the rest of the world that liberty cannot exist where there is tyranny and that tyranny is born in intolerance.<br />
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In World War 2, we fought Hitler and fascism... In the Cold War, we fought the soviets and communism... We've spent much blood and treasure toppling two-bit dictators from third-world countries... Was the reason for all of this because we found them all to be too TOLERANT? Hardly! The antithesis is true!<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/alec-fact-check-can-churches-take.html" target="_blank">ALSO READ: ALEC FACT CHECK: Can Churches Take the Government's Place in Supporting the Poor?</a><br />
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Indeed, a society void of tolerance is a society full of tyranny. Wherever tolerance moves-out, tyranny begins to move-in.<br />
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With every right comes responsibility and every right of expression REQUIRES the responsibility of being tolerant. Where there is no tolerance of free speech, there is no free speech at all. There cannot be free, useful elections if the fair results are not tolerated. We cannot be blessed with our own religious freedom if we are unwilling to tolerate another's expression of that same freedom. <br />
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Liberty means allowing individuals to be their imperfect selves as long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others--(a VITAL point.) Anything short of that ultimately leads to the oppression, tyranny and loss of liberty for that individual.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/mckinney-et-al-test-cops-for-steroids.html" target="_blank">ALSO CONSIDER: Police Brutality Linked to Steroids</a><br />
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Democrats are not the enemies of freedom. Republicans are not the enemies of freedom. <br />
Tyranny is the enemy of freedom and tyranny can rear its ugly head in ANY political party. <br />
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In this day of political polarization, we would all do well to remember this fact...<br />
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There is only one road to liberty and it is called "Tolerance Avenue". Let's join together as Americans and move forward down this path.<br />
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<a href="http://prescottazhistory.blogspot.com/2015/09/teddys-rough-riders-originated-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SAMPLE: Teddy's Rough Riders Originated in Prescott</span></a>Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4181565 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7939158988283898650.post-5013638295707111862015-03-05T16:33:00.001-07:002016-05-12T14:06:41.603-07:00Should Marijuana Money Go To Tax Revenues or Drug Cartels?<br />
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Those are the only two choices.<br />
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Perhaps one of the reasons the issue of marijuana is so contentious is because there is no perfect solution to the question.<br />
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For many, however, the bottom line of the issue is the bottom line of the finances. Here, we have only two choices: Either marijuana revenue will go to law-abiding companies and tax receipts; or, THE MONEY WILL GO TO THE DRUG CARTELS!<br />
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Some anti-pot pundits will quickly point out that it is nonsense to think that the drug cartels will disappear if MJ is legalized. This is probably true. However, after four decades, it's clear that the Drug War won't stop the drug cartels either!<br />
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How ironic! Those who espouse that the drug cartels would certainly survive marijuana legalization are half-way to realizing and admitting that the Drug War itself is a continuing failure.<br />
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Which brings one back to the original, "lesser of two evils" question: Should these billions of dollars go to our government to help offset the social cost of legalization, or should the money go to the drug cartels so they can become even stronger and buy submarines to haul heroin unnoticed?<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/drug-war-cost-could-go-shockingly-long.html" target="_blank"><b><i>ALSO ENJOY:</i></b> Drug War Cost Could Go a Shockingly Long Way if Spent on Education</a><br />
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Additionally, concerns about potency can only be effectively dealt with through regulation; a cap, for example. There are several drugs currently on the market that have an over the counter strength and a prescription strength. Perhaps consideration should be given to a similar situation with marijuana.<br />
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No, legalization of marijuana probably will not cause the complete destruction of the drug cartels, but it WILL take away billions of dollars annually from their ghastly objectives of murder and corruption for market share of MJ.<br />
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<a href="http://thecruxblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/republicans-smoke-pot-too.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ALSO ENJOY: Republicans Smoke Pot Too</span></a><br />
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Over 60,000 people have been killed by the cartels in Mexico alone; including police officers, mayors, journalists and children. These people didn't die from smoking marijuana. They were murdered because of the black market on marijuana. Ending prohibition would save thousands of such lives in the future.<br />
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(Published 3/3/15 by The Daily Courier: <a href="http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=1119&ArticleID=142475" target="_blank">Link to the Courier Article Here</a> )<br />
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<br />Drew Desmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07336376426387722889noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4181565 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987