Check out the link for real time national debt.
US debt is 12 Trillion plus and averages out to $40,174 for each citizen (NOT taxpayer, just citizen, includes children and retirees, and other unemployable persons).
Personal debt per citizen is $53,967 (cars, credit cards, etc).
Social Security, medicare drug part D, medicare average out to $348, 322 per citizen!!!
Total liability/debt per citizen equals $442,463!!! For a family of four, that's $1,769,852 (that's B, billion - more than most families will make in a lifetime!). We're Broke!
Now do you understand why we have to cut spending? This cannot continue. How does a nation go bankrupt? It prints more money (inflation!), taxes the heck out of us, or defaults (doesn't pay back) on the debt (the world will not value our currency or us as a nation that doesn't agree to pay what it owes. How could we be trusted with peace treaties?). Some speculate we will pay debt by giving away our property (to China)! Probably all of the above will happen unless you demand to stop the spending!
Look at the most debt. It's not the 12 trillion the news has been hyping (as horrible as it is). It is the social programs! Incidentally, the constitution does not authorize the federal government to do this "redistribution of wealth". The states hold that power, if they so choose. We must solve social security and medicare. We must cut benefits for our nation to survive. But let no person be left behind! How? Personal charity, the way Jesus did it. I believe in the greatness of Americans as the most generous people. We will step up to save our own, because we do it for poor countries all over the world whom we don't know personally. How much more will we help when it is our friends, family, and neighbors?!
How does this affect us at the state and local level? The taxes and devaluation of our currency, and inflation will hinder our ability to spend money for any reason (salaries to new projects). We must be extra vigilant in guarding our finances. We should not be tempted to tax more as our coffers decrease. What you tax decreases and you end up getting less! The key to increasing government revenue is to lower all taxes and not provide any loop holes, but tax everyone equally. We should prioritize spending to essential government functions such as police, fire departments, road and building maintenance, and ambulance service. Safety first! In addition, we should consider not accepting any federal funds that have strings attached. As we focus on a business friendly community, jobs will increase and let us lead the recovery.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thoughts on Downtown
I was able to get onto www.gatewayplanning.com without a password finally. The downtown plan looks great on paper, if you were building a city from nothing. What I found odd was the fact that the "plan" destroys many existing buildings to make way for "public use spaces" and one hotel. It praises this because it will increase the value of the properties that are left! How, exactly, does a more expensive, less available business space help revitalize this area? It will artificially raise property values which only benefits someone trying to sell it, lease it, or tax it. If I were a new business, what incentive would I have to open shop in the "revitalized" downtown? Higher taxes, higher lease rates, more regulations and restrictions. Hummm...I think not.
So you made all this beautiful public space downtown. Build it, they will come. O.K. Where, pray tell, do they park?! This, I believe, is the central issue of why people don't come downtown often. Street parallel parking is a challenging skill and dangerous with children exiting the car. The River Park Center is so successful in part because of the wonderful parking garage adjacent to it.
I feel like my tax dollars are being wasted on a cosmetic project when I see the riverfront project in progress during a great recession that even President Obama's administration admits will last for years! This kind of spending should be held off until we are in a boom cycle, not the bust without end cycle. Remember all government money comes from the people it taxes and fines. It creates nothing but more bureaucracy. Government is wealthy only with a prosperous community. Spending must be controlled in a recession, just like when your bank account is low. Who ever "spent" their way out of debt?! To end the recession, we should be looking for ways to liberate capitalism. Solutions come from the people!
How would I "revitalize" downtown? First, all taxes would be decreased. Then new businesses would get three years of no city taxes, a reduced rate the next two years, then full city taxes after being in business for five years. It takes five years for a business to make it or fail. I would have the planning and zoning commission would be helpful, not appering to make it up as they go along, with no fines or bonds unless three deadlines missed. I'd like to see a river use, like a boat trolley that would take you from a big covered parking garage near the old Executive Inn area to the River Park Center for a couple of bucks. Kids would love to do this all day long. You could easily walk back to where you parked, but would enjoy all the great shops along the way. How about some put-put golf or other quiet family fun activity in the area? A tower with great views of the river (restaurant? observatory? ride?)? I don't want any public money spent! Private enterprises want to be where the money is, so let them put up the capital to make downtown great! And allow them to make profit, by not taxing everything they make. That is how real jobs are created; private profit, not public spending! These are just some of my ideas. I'm sure you have better ones!
So you made all this beautiful public space downtown. Build it, they will come. O.K. Where, pray tell, do they park?! This, I believe, is the central issue of why people don't come downtown often. Street parallel parking is a challenging skill and dangerous with children exiting the car. The River Park Center is so successful in part because of the wonderful parking garage adjacent to it.
I feel like my tax dollars are being wasted on a cosmetic project when I see the riverfront project in progress during a great recession that even President Obama's administration admits will last for years! This kind of spending should be held off until we are in a boom cycle, not the bust without end cycle. Remember all government money comes from the people it taxes and fines. It creates nothing but more bureaucracy. Government is wealthy only with a prosperous community. Spending must be controlled in a recession, just like when your bank account is low. Who ever "spent" their way out of debt?! To end the recession, we should be looking for ways to liberate capitalism. Solutions come from the people!
How would I "revitalize" downtown? First, all taxes would be decreased. Then new businesses would get three years of no city taxes, a reduced rate the next two years, then full city taxes after being in business for five years. It takes five years for a business to make it or fail. I would have the planning and zoning commission would be helpful, not appering to make it up as they go along, with no fines or bonds unless three deadlines missed. I'd like to see a river use, like a boat trolley that would take you from a big covered parking garage near the old Executive Inn area to the River Park Center for a couple of bucks. Kids would love to do this all day long. You could easily walk back to where you parked, but would enjoy all the great shops along the way. How about some put-put golf or other quiet family fun activity in the area? A tower with great views of the river (restaurant? observatory? ride?)? I don't want any public money spent! Private enterprises want to be where the money is, so let them put up the capital to make downtown great! And allow them to make profit, by not taxing everything they make. That is how real jobs are created; private profit, not public spending! These are just some of my ideas. I'm sure you have better ones!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Freedom Maker
At the last TEA (taxed enough already) party meeting, I proudly signed the Freedom Maker pledge. Keep me honest, folks! Check out the link.
My goals
There are several items I would like to accomplish as your county commissioner.
First, I want to make it easier for citizens to be heard. There are many ways to accomplish this, and I will need your input! Some thoughts are: facebook (share ideas with many people), monthly publication with info on the issues and how to contact us, and anyone, of course, can come to the fiscal court meetings.
Second, I want to make this a community where businesses are waiting in line to come here and hire you! The zoning and planning commission can become the leaders in assisting new and existing businesses instead of extorting them for money at every turn. We can encourage more competition to develop our land and resources instead of giving our assets away. We need to hear from each business to share their experiences with us and let us know how we can help! You see, businesses create jobs which are essential in rising us up out of the ashes of this recession, like a glorious phoenix!
Third, I desire to get rid of every single outdated, freedom stealing, over regulated ordinance that is bogging us down with dozens of decades of laws stacked upon each other. Yes, it is a herculean task, but it needs to be done! It can only be done with the assistance of you, my fellow citizens. This housecleaning is way overdue at every level of government. To prevent this "messy build up" from happening again, I propose we limit each and every single ordinance with a time limit to expire in 10 years. At the end of it's time, it will be reviewed and reinstated if you so desire. Taxes should not have immortal life! I call it the Jubilee clause (Biblical idea). The time frame could be 15 or 20 years, but you get the idea. By Kentucky state law, every tax is to have a specific usage associated with it. Now I ask you, what building project takes more than 10 years to complete? One we/ you can't afford! Any amorphous, ambiguous "purpose" associated with any tax that has no time frame, may in fact be illegal. "Developing the riverfront" is such an example. Define "develop". Define a time frame. Where is the plan (the website link requires a password)? And why, oh, why, is the government putting any of your money into commercial development of the BEST pieces of property Daviess County owns (you own)?!
Your ideas? You can respond on my faceboook page (Dr. Carol Meza for Daviess County Commissioner, East Division) or email carolmeza@wildblue.net
If you like any of these ideas, vote for Carol Meza! But to really get things done, I'll need at least two other like minded fiscal conservatives. Thanks for your support!
First, I want to make it easier for citizens to be heard. There are many ways to accomplish this, and I will need your input! Some thoughts are: facebook (share ideas with many people), monthly publication with info on the issues and how to contact us, and anyone, of course, can come to the fiscal court meetings.
Second, I want to make this a community where businesses are waiting in line to come here and hire you! The zoning and planning commission can become the leaders in assisting new and existing businesses instead of extorting them for money at every turn. We can encourage more competition to develop our land and resources instead of giving our assets away. We need to hear from each business to share their experiences with us and let us know how we can help! You see, businesses create jobs which are essential in rising us up out of the ashes of this recession, like a glorious phoenix!
Third, I desire to get rid of every single outdated, freedom stealing, over regulated ordinance that is bogging us down with dozens of decades of laws stacked upon each other. Yes, it is a herculean task, but it needs to be done! It can only be done with the assistance of you, my fellow citizens. This housecleaning is way overdue at every level of government. To prevent this "messy build up" from happening again, I propose we limit each and every single ordinance with a time limit to expire in 10 years. At the end of it's time, it will be reviewed and reinstated if you so desire. Taxes should not have immortal life! I call it the Jubilee clause (Biblical idea). The time frame could be 15 or 20 years, but you get the idea. By Kentucky state law, every tax is to have a specific usage associated with it. Now I ask you, what building project takes more than 10 years to complete? One we/ you can't afford! Any amorphous, ambiguous "purpose" associated with any tax that has no time frame, may in fact be illegal. "Developing the riverfront" is such an example. Define "develop". Define a time frame. Where is the plan (the website link requires a password)? And why, oh, why, is the government putting any of your money into commercial development of the BEST pieces of property Daviess County owns (you own)?!
Your ideas? You can respond on my faceboook page (Dr. Carol Meza for Daviess County Commissioner, East Division) or email carolmeza@wildblue.net
If you like any of these ideas, vote for Carol Meza! But to really get things done, I'll need at least two other like minded fiscal conservatives. Thanks for your support!
Friday, February 12, 2010
This is my press release letter to the Messenger Inquirer. Mr. Steve Veid couldn't use all of it, of course, so I decided to post it here. Enjoy!
Dr. Carol Meza, M.D., of Philpot, is tossing her hat into the ring and running for Daviess County fiscal court commissioner (East). Dr. Meza has served our country as a Naval Officer from 1990-2002, a Navy Flight Surgeon for eight years and as a physician for the Tennessee County Health Department for two years. Dr. Meza grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, obtained her B.S. in Biology at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, and her M.D. at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (our nation's military medical school) in Bethesda, Maryland.
Her husband, Dr. Alex Meza, works for Owensboro Anesthesia Services which contracts with OMHS. After having moved to Philpot, Dr. Meza stayed home to attend to the most important job of raising her two daughters (ages ten and two). Dr. Meza is a member of Owensboro Christian Church and has volunteered with various local entities.
A significant era has dawned upon us and Dr. Meza is ready to serve her community as county commissioner. Dr. Meza will respond to the desires of Daviess County residents when it comes to the spending of their money. She understands that the government exists to serve the people. Local governments depend on a prosperous private sector to fund its coffers. In these uncertain economic times we need to be especially careful not to over spend. Fiscal prudence is required and Dr. Carol Meza is committed to having Daviess County be as fiscally responsible as each family who resides here.
Dr. Carol Meza, M.D., of Philpot, is tossing her hat into the ring and running for Daviess County fiscal court commissioner (East). Dr. Meza has served our country as a Naval Officer from 1990-2002, a Navy Flight Surgeon for eight years and as a physician for the Tennessee County Health Department for two years. Dr. Meza grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, obtained her B.S. in Biology at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, and her M.D. at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (our nation's military medical school) in Bethesda, Maryland.
Her husband, Dr. Alex Meza, works for Owensboro Anesthesia Services which contracts with OMHS. After having moved to Philpot, Dr. Meza stayed home to attend to the most important job of raising her two daughters (ages ten and two). Dr. Meza is a member of Owensboro Christian Church and has volunteered with various local entities.
A significant era has dawned upon us and Dr. Meza is ready to serve her community as county commissioner. Dr. Meza will respond to the desires of Daviess County residents when it comes to the spending of their money. She understands that the government exists to serve the people. Local governments depend on a prosperous private sector to fund its coffers. In these uncertain economic times we need to be especially careful not to over spend. Fiscal prudence is required and Dr. Carol Meza is committed to having Daviess County be as fiscally responsible as each family who resides here.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
MY inspiration
I've always been interested in national politics, but the 2008 elections followed by more bailouts and "spending our way out of a recession" inspired me to try to find a way to participate more as a concerned citizen. I am proud to be a part of the TEA (taxed enough already) parties. The vast majority of people who attended, like me, had never participated in any "protest" before. I used to believe the deficit didn't matter since our economy was strong. After crunching the numbers myself, I now believe we are in grave danger. Spending is out of control. Most funds are spent on pet projects that don't reflect the desires or needs of the community and are not authorized by the constitution.
As the federal government spends more, it will need to increase taxes and/or print more money, causing inflation in order to pay off it's (our) debt. The need to protect ourselves on the local level has never been more important! I believe states need to re-claim their 10th ammendment rights (the check and balance on the federal government). All powers not enumerated by the constitution to the federal government belong to the states. Moral and social issues belong to the states.
We need to be fiscally conservative now more than ever. "Can we afford it?," "Do the vast majority of people want it?," and "Are we authorized to spend the people's money this way?" are three basic questions I will use as my guide.
As the federal government spends more, it will need to increase taxes and/or print more money, causing inflation in order to pay off it's (our) debt. The need to protect ourselves on the local level has never been more important! I believe states need to re-claim their 10th ammendment rights (the check and balance on the federal government). All powers not enumerated by the constitution to the federal government belong to the states. Moral and social issues belong to the states.
We need to be fiscally conservative now more than ever. "Can we afford it?," "Do the vast majority of people want it?," and "Are we authorized to spend the people's money this way?" are three basic questions I will use as my guide.
My life in Kentucky
Although I didn't have the pleasure of being born here, my family has strong ties to Kentucky. My mother's early childhood was in Kentucky. I still have relatives living here, most are Kentucky Colonels, and you may know U.S. Representative William Curlin. We felt right at home when we moved to Philpot. After moving so much with the Navy, we were ready to plant some roots! We love the genuine friendliness of the people in Daviess County and I am so proud to call this my home.
Alex, my husband, is a physician with the Owensboro Anesthesia Group. My ten year old daughter, Sophia, attends Heritage Christian School.
I chose not to work as a physician here in order to enjoy being a mother and being part of a community. I joined the FAN (friends and neighbors) club and Owensboro Christian Church. I volunteered at my daughter's school as much as possible. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine, Sophia and I started taking horseback riding lessons and got a horse (sigh). We have supported the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, the Birthright Center, Dreamriders, the Boleware Mission, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, the Women's Auxiliary, Patriot Days, New Hope Horse Farm, International Medical Alliance, St. Mary's, Kentucky Firefighter's Association, and many others.
Then we had our lives turned upside down with the premature birth of our second daughter, Clarissa. She was just under two pounds when she was born and spent nearly 12 weeks at the NICU at St. Mary's in Evansville. Due to her prematurity, her immune system was fragile and we had to keep her away crowds and public spaces as much as possible for two years. Now she is healthy and strong, thanks to God! I have a better relationship with God and my family because of her. I now have the time and energy to devote to giving something back to my community.
Alex, my husband, is a physician with the Owensboro Anesthesia Group. My ten year old daughter, Sophia, attends Heritage Christian School.
I chose not to work as a physician here in order to enjoy being a mother and being part of a community. I joined the FAN (friends and neighbors) club and Owensboro Christian Church. I volunteered at my daughter's school as much as possible. Fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine, Sophia and I started taking horseback riding lessons and got a horse (sigh). We have supported the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, the Birthright Center, Dreamriders, the Boleware Mission, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, the Women's Auxiliary, Patriot Days, New Hope Horse Farm, International Medical Alliance, St. Mary's, Kentucky Firefighter's Association, and many others.
Then we had our lives turned upside down with the premature birth of our second daughter, Clarissa. She was just under two pounds when she was born and spent nearly 12 weeks at the NICU at St. Mary's in Evansville. Due to her prematurity, her immune system was fragile and we had to keep her away crowds and public spaces as much as possible for two years. Now she is healthy and strong, thanks to God! I have a better relationship with God and my family because of her. I now have the time and energy to devote to giving something back to my community.
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