WHEN I WAS GROWING UP there was a peddler that would come through our town on a regular basis. He had a favorite quote which was "Money is the root of all evil, and everyone is after the root". This is a little misquote of the Bible, of course. You will find this quote in the 1st Timothy 6: 9-10. 9."But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10. For the Love of money is the root of all evil; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
So what does this have to do with any thing. I have been thinking quite a bit about the politicians that seem to have a thing for the root, as the old peddler called it. Recently the legislators in the State of New Mexico sent a "balanced" budget to the governor. A governor who had stated that she would not raise taxes to balance the budget. So she vetoed the budget, calling for the legislators to balance the budget without raising taxes. They raised taxes 350 million dollars. There seemed to be no thought of where the people would come up with the money to pay these taxes. When I can't afford something, I have to adjust my budget, go without or go into debt. Since the State constitution don't allow for an unbalanced budget and debt, they chose to raise taxes.
I recently had a conversation with a local business owner. He needed some clerk/book work done and advertised for help. One young land applied for the job and then when told the rate of pay ( which was a few dollars above minimum wage ) stated, I can't afford to go to work. I can make $30,000.00 a year on welfare and don't have to do any thing. Yet, the legislators can't seem to see that they can cut this "root" and using this type of cuts come up with a balanced budget.
Our federal politicians often get elected to office and with a salary of less that $200,000.00 a year, soon end up multi millionaires. They seem to be after the "Root" in a big way and will pass laws that favor them in any way they can.
I think it is time that we the people use a chopping ax and get rid of the Root that the tics seem to be after.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Friday, April 21, 2017
Friday, March 24, 2017
A MESSAGE TO THE TICS
DO YOU EVER WISH YOU COULD JUST HAVE A ONE ON ONE WITH SOME OF THE TICS? Or in other words a Politician? One that has some "Power" or "Pull" to get things done? Well, I often feel that way, but of course I am not important enough to get that kind of conversation with any one. So I will carry on a one sided conversation with the Tics here in this post. So here goes. And I assume you who may read this has been keeping up with what is going on with the tics.
1. Grow up and go to work. That is the first thing I would say. And I am speaking to the members of all parties in both the house and senate. You were elected to go to Washington to do the work of the people. Instead you are wasting time squabbling like petulant teenage boys over which one of them a cheer leader likes best. They don't realize, in their squabbling, that the cheer leader don't really like either one of them. Still they squabble over something that will never bear fruit.
2. What ever your opinion is, ( talking to the tics ) Trump won the election. So work with him and quit wasting time trying to take him down. If he has a plan to improve something, work with him to improve it and then own it with him. If it is a bad plan, and I repeat, if it is a bad plan, then work with him and show him that it is a bad plan, explain why it is a bad plan and what the results will be if he continues on what ever path his plan would take.
3. Members of the opposing party. Please understand that Trump was elected because a lot of American people didn't like the way things were going in the last decades. Not just the last administration, but the last several administrations. They were tired of the same old same old. So look at some of the things that have been mentioned and work with that.
4. To President Trump. Quit with the tweets already. Be the President that you were elected to be. If, and I would say If you were wiretapped or whatever you claim, then have the FBI or who ever investigate that, if it really is an issue. If it turns out that something was actually done, then present the evidence so that the media will have to report it. If there is nothing there, then no harm done, cause you weren't tweeting it to start with.
5. Finally, for this post, the house pulled the Obama Care act repeal bill today, because the Repub's were unable to get it passed. While I believe the act needs to be overhauled, repealed is probably not a good idea. So I am kinda happy that they couldn't pass it. So here is what I would suggest. Go back to where the public was before the ACA was passed into law. What did we have then? Why did we feel the need to pass such an act? Look at that real closely. Then keep what was good from that time and pass the parts of the ACA that would improve on that. But do not, and I would repeat, do not fine people who can't afford insurance. if they can't afford insurance, they sure can't afford a fine.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
1. Grow up and go to work. That is the first thing I would say. And I am speaking to the members of all parties in both the house and senate. You were elected to go to Washington to do the work of the people. Instead you are wasting time squabbling like petulant teenage boys over which one of them a cheer leader likes best. They don't realize, in their squabbling, that the cheer leader don't really like either one of them. Still they squabble over something that will never bear fruit.
2. What ever your opinion is, ( talking to the tics ) Trump won the election. So work with him and quit wasting time trying to take him down. If he has a plan to improve something, work with him to improve it and then own it with him. If it is a bad plan, and I repeat, if it is a bad plan, then work with him and show him that it is a bad plan, explain why it is a bad plan and what the results will be if he continues on what ever path his plan would take.
3. Members of the opposing party. Please understand that Trump was elected because a lot of American people didn't like the way things were going in the last decades. Not just the last administration, but the last several administrations. They were tired of the same old same old. So look at some of the things that have been mentioned and work with that.
4. To President Trump. Quit with the tweets already. Be the President that you were elected to be. If, and I would say If you were wiretapped or whatever you claim, then have the FBI or who ever investigate that, if it really is an issue. If it turns out that something was actually done, then present the evidence so that the media will have to report it. If there is nothing there, then no harm done, cause you weren't tweeting it to start with.
5. Finally, for this post, the house pulled the Obama Care act repeal bill today, because the Repub's were unable to get it passed. While I believe the act needs to be overhauled, repealed is probably not a good idea. So I am kinda happy that they couldn't pass it. So here is what I would suggest. Go back to where the public was before the ACA was passed into law. What did we have then? Why did we feel the need to pass such an act? Look at that real closely. Then keep what was good from that time and pass the parts of the ACA that would improve on that. But do not, and I would repeat, do not fine people who can't afford insurance. if they can't afford insurance, they sure can't afford a fine.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, March 13, 2017
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
OR JUST NORMAL CONDITIONS. The town/area where I live is a mining area. Oh sure, there is a college, and there is ranching and even an art district. But mostly the area is supported by mining. The mines have been up and down for decades, according to the economy. Businesses depend on the income of the mining industry to survive. Most of them, however, struggle through the down times along with the mining families and plan for the down times during the up times. Lately, however, there seems to be a decline in businesses in this area that have nothing to do with the mining industry or even the economy.
There has been a plethora of eating establishments come into the area. This is an area that is proud to be known for eating chili. Lots and lots of chili. Our brand of Mexican food, or Southwestern cuisine, if you will. The local restaurants that have been in business for years are mostly in business. Many of the new ones that have came in, and try to bring a different type of food to this area, usually fold up after a while. One man who did that is now on his third restaurant, still trying to find what the locals will eat. He may figure it out before he goes out of business for sure. A local restaurant closed down a year or more ago, due to the older generation passing on and the younger ones not living here and not wanting to run the operation, sold it to a chain. Rumor is that we will have a Denny's there soon. Taco Bell has closed down. We have Chinese restaurants that come and go. We now have a Sushi restaurant but I don't know how it is working out, since I don't eat raw fish. We do have a McDonalds that is going strong, and two Sonics and a Wendy's and an Arby's, as well and the New Mexico Lota Burger. We have had a Golden Corral that has closed down, A Burger King that has closed down, opened up and closed down again. There are a couple of other restaurants that have closed down and a couple more that are struggling. Is this a case of too many establishments for the population, or just a sign of the times?
Not food related, a shoe store has shut down and sent their inventory to a store in a neighboring town. Radio Shack is in the process of going out of business.
SO, IS THIS DEATH OF BUSINESSES JUST A SIGN OF THE TIMES, OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON. PART OF IT IS THE NORMAL TURNOVER OF THINGS, SOME JUST THE ECONOMY, AND THE REST I HAVE NO CLUE.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
There has been a plethora of eating establishments come into the area. This is an area that is proud to be known for eating chili. Lots and lots of chili. Our brand of Mexican food, or Southwestern cuisine, if you will. The local restaurants that have been in business for years are mostly in business. Many of the new ones that have came in, and try to bring a different type of food to this area, usually fold up after a while. One man who did that is now on his third restaurant, still trying to find what the locals will eat. He may figure it out before he goes out of business for sure. A local restaurant closed down a year or more ago, due to the older generation passing on and the younger ones not living here and not wanting to run the operation, sold it to a chain. Rumor is that we will have a Denny's there soon. Taco Bell has closed down. We have Chinese restaurants that come and go. We now have a Sushi restaurant but I don't know how it is working out, since I don't eat raw fish. We do have a McDonalds that is going strong, and two Sonics and a Wendy's and an Arby's, as well and the New Mexico Lota Burger. We have had a Golden Corral that has closed down, A Burger King that has closed down, opened up and closed down again. There are a couple of other restaurants that have closed down and a couple more that are struggling. Is this a case of too many establishments for the population, or just a sign of the times?
Not food related, a shoe store has shut down and sent their inventory to a store in a neighboring town. Radio Shack is in the process of going out of business.
SO, IS THIS DEATH OF BUSINESSES JUST A SIGN OF THE TIMES, OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON. PART OF IT IS THE NORMAL TURNOVER OF THINGS, SOME JUST THE ECONOMY, AND THE REST I HAVE NO CLUE.
AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, February 27, 2017
MIXED EMOTIONS
I HAVE MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT THIS. We are a country of emigrants. Even though we may have been born here, some where in the past century or two, most of us had ancestors that emigrated here from somewhere else. Now, the mood of the country is to close our borders. President Trump and his staunch supporters are clamoring for a wall to be built between the U.S. and Mexico. Keep the people out, they holler. There are arguments for both sides of the issue. And living as close to the border as I do, I can see both sides, I think. I know there are people who have came here, illegally, to escape violence or just the poor living conditions in their home country. Mainly Mexico or South America. They come here and find a job, work and contribute to the economy and raise their families here. And, except for the issue that they are here illegally, I have no problem with them being here. On the other side of the coin, there are many who come across who are here for criminal purposes. And a wall will not stop them. Slow them down, somewhat, but it won't stop them. As for those that are already here. I feel that to round them up an deport them, disrupting families and jobs is not a good thing. I feel that they need to be found, registered as here illegally, do they have a job, do they have a criminal record, are they collecting welfare. Then determine if they should be deported or not. If they are not causing problems, are working and contributing to the economy of whatever area they are living in, then put them on track to gain citizenship and assist them in gaining this. And be more vigilant on those coming in illegally. AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, February 20, 2017
ARE YOU PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH
EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK: Recently there was an news article in the state of Utah about the rate of pay for men vs. women. The statement made was that men need to be paid more so they can support their families and so that the women can remain at home where they probably prefer to be. This statement was made by a county GOP vice chairman or something like that. He received so much flak over this statement, that he had to resign from his position in the local Republican party. As well he should. So, reading this, I want to weigh in on my opinion on this equal pay debate. I have a jumble of thoughts, so may ramble a bit more than usual.
1. Workers at the fast food places, like McDonalds, are demanding higher wages. They want $15.00 an hour to flip burgers. When they get to that point, burgers will be so expensive, people will quit buying them. Places like McDonalds can literally price themselves out of business. While the workers may make that much money if they are working, they won't make any thing if they are laid off because the company can no longer to pay them. Flipping burgers is a good job for many, especially those who are working their way through school. Managers of such restaurants can and should be paid a living wage, as they have more responsibility, but if you want that much money to flip burgers, then work for that position.
2. I spent 40 years in the mining industry. The company I worked for had equal pay for equal work. When a person was hired at an entry labor position, they were paid for that position, regardless of their gender. When they moved on to higher paying positions, again they were paid according to the position rate of pay, regardless of gender. In the early 1990's the union's that were in place were disposed of and the company changed the way people were paid. People were put on a sliding scale, with each position being put on that scale and you were given a raise according to seniority in that position. Again, that applied to the position, not the gender of the person filling that position. So a man may be paid more to do a job than a woman, because he had been there longer, and the opposite applied also.
3. Going back to the above mentioned news article, apparently this man did not take in to account the many women who have to support their families for a variety of reasons. Due to divorce, widowhood, or a number of other reasons, women have to work to support their families. But regardless of the reason, if a woman is doing the job, she should be paid for the work.
1. Workers at the fast food places, like McDonalds, are demanding higher wages. They want $15.00 an hour to flip burgers. When they get to that point, burgers will be so expensive, people will quit buying them. Places like McDonalds can literally price themselves out of business. While the workers may make that much money if they are working, they won't make any thing if they are laid off because the company can no longer to pay them. Flipping burgers is a good job for many, especially those who are working their way through school. Managers of such restaurants can and should be paid a living wage, as they have more responsibility, but if you want that much money to flip burgers, then work for that position.
2. I spent 40 years in the mining industry. The company I worked for had equal pay for equal work. When a person was hired at an entry labor position, they were paid for that position, regardless of their gender. When they moved on to higher paying positions, again they were paid according to the position rate of pay, regardless of gender. In the early 1990's the union's that were in place were disposed of and the company changed the way people were paid. People were put on a sliding scale, with each position being put on that scale and you were given a raise according to seniority in that position. Again, that applied to the position, not the gender of the person filling that position. So a man may be paid more to do a job than a woman, because he had been there longer, and the opposite applied also.
3. Going back to the above mentioned news article, apparently this man did not take in to account the many women who have to support their families for a variety of reasons. Due to divorce, widowhood, or a number of other reasons, women have to work to support their families. But regardless of the reason, if a woman is doing the job, she should be paid for the work.
AND THAT IS THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Monday, February 13, 2017
A few facts and observations
FACT: I have never seen an episode of Saturday Night Live and I'm OK with that.
Fact: I don't take selfies and don't understand the need to do so and then post them on social media, but I'm OK with that.
Fact: I don't care that Beyoncé and Amal are having twins. I don't understand the need to gush over that like some of the National media people are doing. If that is what they want to do, I am OK with that, but really, people have been having babies, even twins, for thousands of years.
Fact: George Bush started building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and that continued somewhat under the Obama administration. Trump has vowed to build a wall. He will only continue the wall that has already been started.
Fact: Regardless of whether a wall is built or not, it will not work. Why; you may ask. Because those who are trying to come here legally don't need it and those who are coming here illegally will only go over it, around it, under it or through it. It may slow them down a little, but it won't stop them. So, we can save the money and use it for something else.
Fact: I am getting older and having trouble accepting that I can't do the things I used to do. I do them, but it takes longer and more help. I am learning to accept that, but I am not OK with that. Accepting yes, but not OK. Just the way it is.
Fact: AND THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
Thursday, February 9, 2017
I AM REALLY GONNA DO IT
I AM REALLY GONNA GET AWAY FROM POSTING ON POLITICS: But before I do, I have a couple of things to say at the start of this post.
1. Fact--I have mentioned before that Donald Trump was not my choice for a President. I did vote for him, but would not consider myself a staunch supporter. he has his problems, and many of them are self inflicted. I do not concern myself overly much about his business dealings, vs. his government dealings. I am concerned with the way he is brashly going about the business of conducting the office of President and I think he needs to quit being a tweety bird.
2. Fact--When Bill Richardson was governor of New Mexico, he got a law passed that issued valid drivers licenses to any and all. Even those who had entered the country by illegal means. Because of that, the Federal government has been after the State to rectify this mistake. Susanna Martinez has for the 6 years she has been governor tried to get the State legislature to overturn this law, but they have been reluctant to do so. The Obama administration kept telling the state they had to do something, and finally last year they said that New Mexico drivers licenses would no longer be considered as a valid ID for a lot of reasons. Because of this, they State government finally created a two tier license system. The top tier, which requires a citizen jumping through a lot of hoops to prove citizen ship, can have a drivers license that is valid and can be used as a valid ID for government purposes. If you don't want that, you can get a lower tier and can drive with it, but you can't use it as a valid ID. Now, a former Santa Fe mayor is accusing Governor Martinez of being a racist because she advocated for this. Really.
3. Fact---My wife and I walk two to three miles a day, most days. My wife can walk faster than I can. She never says any thing, just adjusts her pace to match mine and we go along together.
4. Fact---Every day there seems to be a new APP for something. I don't need or even want those APP'S. I. Just. Don't..... I will muddle along with what i have and hope I can live in the "modern" world in an older world type of style. I don't need all the electronic items coming out.
5. Fact---When I go through the candy aisle in Wal Mart, I sometimes feel that I want some thing to eat from that aisle. And I guy it and then I find out it is not as tasty as I thought it would be. I am getting to the point that candy just don't taste as good as it used to. So I just don't go through that aisle much any more. I don't need the candy any way. I used to love a Snickers bar. Now, I can't hardly eat a whole one with out feeling sick. Old Age I guess.
FACT----THAT IS THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
1. Fact--I have mentioned before that Donald Trump was not my choice for a President. I did vote for him, but would not consider myself a staunch supporter. he has his problems, and many of them are self inflicted. I do not concern myself overly much about his business dealings, vs. his government dealings. I am concerned with the way he is brashly going about the business of conducting the office of President and I think he needs to quit being a tweety bird.
2. Fact--When Bill Richardson was governor of New Mexico, he got a law passed that issued valid drivers licenses to any and all. Even those who had entered the country by illegal means. Because of that, the Federal government has been after the State to rectify this mistake. Susanna Martinez has for the 6 years she has been governor tried to get the State legislature to overturn this law, but they have been reluctant to do so. The Obama administration kept telling the state they had to do something, and finally last year they said that New Mexico drivers licenses would no longer be considered as a valid ID for a lot of reasons. Because of this, they State government finally created a two tier license system. The top tier, which requires a citizen jumping through a lot of hoops to prove citizen ship, can have a drivers license that is valid and can be used as a valid ID for government purposes. If you don't want that, you can get a lower tier and can drive with it, but you can't use it as a valid ID. Now, a former Santa Fe mayor is accusing Governor Martinez of being a racist because she advocated for this. Really.
3. Fact---My wife and I walk two to three miles a day, most days. My wife can walk faster than I can. She never says any thing, just adjusts her pace to match mine and we go along together.
4. Fact---Every day there seems to be a new APP for something. I don't need or even want those APP'S. I. Just. Don't..... I will muddle along with what i have and hope I can live in the "modern" world in an older world type of style. I don't need all the electronic items coming out.
5. Fact---When I go through the candy aisle in Wal Mart, I sometimes feel that I want some thing to eat from that aisle. And I guy it and then I find out it is not as tasty as I thought it would be. I am getting to the point that candy just don't taste as good as it used to. So I just don't go through that aisle much any more. I don't need the candy any way. I used to love a Snickers bar. Now, I can't hardly eat a whole one with out feeling sick. Old Age I guess.
FACT----THAT IS THE VIEW FROM THE DITCH BANK
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