The Die Was Cast In 1945

And, is still rolling down the line from Harry Truman to Kim Jong-un and beyond. The monster will not go back into the tube. Whom will break the arc? Paul Hunter

Evil Is Banal

That nice quiet family next door re:the Hovaters, may be, for any number of reasons, a representative of the dark side of human ideas. As much as I abhor and condemn their ideology I defend their right to have a different opinion outside of the workplace and under certain conditions. Their proselytizing actions must be away from the workplace and minor children. When Mr. Hovater allowed the Times interview he harmed his employer's right to earn a living. He did, in the end, do the right thing by requesting that his employer let him go. (Wash Post) There are no winners when we adopt the censoring methods of our enimies. Paul Hunter

Another Trump Lie As Political Strategy

From the AP. Not seen as a moral lapse by the prevaricator. Or, maybe he can't differentiate and there is no moral compass. The lie: "The consumer protection bureau has devastated the financial industry that is unable to serve the public.","it has been a total disaster". The truth: Those institutions have grown by 5% over the same quarter last year. 67% of reporting institutions had year over year growth. The bureau has saved untold numbers of potential home buyers from the sub prime loan speculators that nearly broke the country in 2007-2008. Paul Hunter

The Punishment Of Oliver North

A confessed felon walks Excerpted: http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/09/weekinreview/the-nation-the-punishment-of-oliver-north.html The Judge who presided over the Iran-contra trial of Oliver L. North, saved a final surprise for last by punishing Mr. North for his crimes with a sentence that included a fine, community service and probation, but no prison term. Mr. North, the former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and National Security Council aide, was convicted of destroying documents, accepting the gift of a $13,800 home security system and abetting the obstruction of Congress. Judge Gesell could have imposed a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fines of $750,000. Instead, he imposed a $150,000 fine, two years of probation, a three-year suspended sentence and an order to perform 1,200 hours of community service. At the same time, Judge Gesell's leniency seemed to deflate a campaign by Mr. North's conservative supporters for a Presidential pardon. An appeals court later ordered Gesell to hold a special hearing to determine whether any of the witnesses at his trial had been influenced by North's congressional testimony, which he had been assured would not be used against him in court. North's congressional testimony: " Oliver L. North conceded today that he lied to Congress after his boss sent him against his will to a session where he denied providing assistance to the Contras. "Did you tell the truth at that meeting on Aug. 6, 1986?" defense lawyer Brendan Sullivan asked North during his second day of testimony at his criminal trial. "No," North said. "I went into the meeting not believing it would be illegal not to tell Congress the truth. "We do live in a democracy, don’t we?" a congressman asked the Marine. "We do. Thank god," North responded. "In which it is the people," the congressman continued, "not one Marine lieutenant colonel that get to decide the important policy decisions for the nation." "I saw that idea of using the Ayatollah Khomeini’s money to support the Nicaraguan freedom fighters as a good one," North stated. "I still do. I don’t think it was wrong. I think it was a neat idea. Posted by Paul Hunter

Corporations Add Tax Savings To Cash Pile.

The supporters of the federal tax reform and reduction bill, claim that reducing tax rates will actually increase revenue. The unproven theory posits that corporations will use the tax savings to increase investment in plant, equipment and wage increases. This hope ignores the fact that consumer demand drives corporate investment. Consumers are the ultimate job creators. If spare cash is the panacea for slow growth, a look at the spare cash on hand for the following sample businesses begs the tax reduction point. Apple-$262B Microsoft-$135B Alphabet (Google)-$95B Cisco-$68B Oracle $66B GE-$44B Amgen-$39B Qualcom-$38B Et al. http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-us-companies-with-largest-cash-reserves-2017-8
 Paul Hunter

U S Corporate Tax Rate Too High

If you pay taxes, that is. Why would the parent company of the local Alkermes facility return to its original home, Cambridge Massachusetts? The corporate tax rate in its current home, Ireland, is 12.5% which is still lower than the proposed 20% being considered by congress. For every $1 million of income a tax savings of $75,000 would be lost. Would any reasonable financial adviser recommend a move back to the U S from the Cayman Islands if: The Corporate Tax Rate in Cayman Islands stands at 0 percent thus saving $200,000 for every $1 million invested. Many large corporations don't have to move overseas because they have gamed our tax system and pay little or no taxes (o%) regardless of income. Paul Hunter

Positive (save the) Baby Steps

Will sanity finally overcome the single issue and well financed pressure politics of the NRA? The NRA spent over $2 million into November's Virginia races, including a $750,000 advertising push in the last three weeks before the election. The results: The winners were an anti NRA governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Mark Herring. In 13 competitive races where the Democratic candidate was endorsed by a pro–gun control group and the Republican was backed by the NRA, the control groups candidate was victorious in 12. The control groups dumped $700,000 into Virginia races as election day drew near. Paul Hunter

Thanks Red States

Thanks to those 19 Trump pandering red state governments, mainly in the south, for sending their medicaid money to us 32 states that care for our needy brothers and sisters. Your unintended generosity is greatly appreciated. Paul Hunter

The Rich Get Richer

Do these companies need a 15% tax cut to invest in new plant, equipment and jobs?Need it or not theyare going to get it. 2012 Forbes top ten companies with largest cash reserves in billions Apple $137,000,000,000 Microsoft $68 Google $48 Phizer $47 Cisco $46 Oracle $34 Qualcom $28 GM $27 Amgen $24 Ford $23 $391,000,000,000 2015 Forbes top ten companies cash reserves in billions Apple $200,000,000,000 Microsoft $110 Alphabet/Google $70 Cisco $61 Yahoo $35 Qualcom $30 EMC $15 E Bay $10 Face Book $9 $540,000,000,000

More Guns That's The Ticket

We are bombarded with the harangue, from the NRA gun sellers and their feckless congressional lackeys, that more guns means a safer population. The "more guns" rant apparently includes adapters that convert semi automatic military style assault rifles with oversized magazines into rapid fire killing tools. Please explain to the families of the dead and wounded how armed concert goers in Las Vegas could have prevented the tragedy. Watch, listen and weep. https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/contributors/100000005475556/our-loved-ones-died-we-want-action-on-guns.html Paul Hunter

Seeking Comment

If world affairs continue on the current path we could expect, sooner rather than later, the next synthesis in the Socratic/Marxian dialectic. Economic power will shift from the malfunctioning democratic capitalism of the developed nations to the command capitalism of China. The only hope is that the equally populated and democratic India can survive the struggle.

The western model eliminated the communist/socialist/dictator system of the USSR and the axis powers to create the current synthesis. Nothing but change is constant.

Our only hope is that we can overcome the political blame game and regain our bipartisan balance.

Paul Hunter contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Not The Time For Gun Talk

Asked by a reporter at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas if the United States has a "gun violence problem," the president dismissed the question.

"We're not going to talk about that today," said Trump. "We won't talk about that."

'This isn't a guns situation,' says Trump after Texas church shooting.

What situation is it? It's time to sell guns to church goers it appears!
NRA's Wayne LaPierre will target anyone for blame over the Las Vegas massacre."“There are menaces out there every day. People want to be able to protect themselves,” LaPierre told CBS News’ “Face the Nation.
” It's Obama’s fault"

Paul Hunter

What We Don't Know

Is it in Ohio's citizens best interests to maintain a secret department manned by private business executives that may have agendas that are not necessarily in the interest of the public at large?

As Bloomberg Businessweek points out "Jobs Ohio" spends millions of tax payer dollars in an attempt to bring new companies to Ohio. The citizens and their watchdog, the state auditor, have no access to the results of that spending. The legislature has made Jobs Ohio bullet proof from audits and public records requests. The overall results are rather depressing. According to Bloomberg, Ohio's job growth rate trailed the U. S. average for 57 consecutive months.

The original, still existing and public, Ohio Department of Development, could duplicate that record for a lot less money.

Paul Hunter

Where Did The Money Go?

Wilmington, Ohio's estimated median household income in 2015: $33,316 (it was $34,880 in 2000)
Estimated per capita income in 2015: $20,977 (it was $17,346 in 2000)Population in 2014: 12,375 (99% urban, 1% rural). Population change since 2000: +3.8%
Check it out:

a. Wilmington's median household income (most common occurring income) decreased from $34,880 in 2000 to $33,316 in 2015.

b. The population of Wilmington increased from 11,904 in 2000 to 12,375 in 2014.

c. The per capita (average) income increased from $17,346 in 2000 to $20,997 in 2015.

I conclude that the city's income wealth over the observed period, for the most part, didn't go away it actually increased and was simply redistributed to fewer people. This wealth transfer replicates the national trend.

A sample calculation

Population in 2000 was 11,904 with an average income of $17,346 = $206,486,784 total income.

Population in 2014 was 12,375 with an average income of $20,997 = 259,837,875 total income

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Wilmington-Ohio.html#ixzz4wtQAlNbU

Paul Hunter

For comment and correction contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Amateur Economist

If tax cuts are actually made by congress in spite of near full employment:

Buy gold because the dollar will lose value.

Interest rates will climb if the Federal Reserve senses an inflationary trend over 2 percent.

If the interest rate rises so will the cost of financing the federal debt further increasing the budget deficits.

Unless corrected, the big boys in fund management will continue to receive rate loop holes that you could drive a truck through. (see carried interest)

Tax cuts for consumers, so called pump priming, in a recessionary, high unemployment economy, is meant to stimulate growth and not necessarily increase government revenue.

Tax cuts on businesses is meant to stimulate business growth and lower unemployment but, as in Ohio, the business owner often pockets the tax saving for personal purposes. This results in a reduction in tax revenue and a reduction of essential government services.

Both Kennedy and Reagan primed the pump but then increased taxes when the economy overheated.

Clinton raised taxed to balance the budget and to build a rainy day fund for Bush II

Bush II kept his tax cuts beyond the use by date and the debt and deficits soared and contributed to the great crash of 2008.

Supply side, trickle down has not worked for the mainly because those befitting the most pocketed the saving rather than invest in new plant and equipment. Ergo we see the great rift valley of wealth distribution we see today.

One upside is that U.S. goods will be more affordable in foreign markets.

These are personal observations and opinions based on 50 years of interested study. I welcome any and all counter opinions.

Paul Hunter (contact paulhunter45177@gmail.com)

Rosenberger considering a run for County Commissioner

From the speaker of the Ohio to a commissioner in a small county?

Maybe Cliff can use the donations from his fundraiser, the 2017 Winter Warmer that took place Feb. 4 at the Bay Club, a luxury golf and country club in Bonita Springs, near Naples. Attending the general reception and dinner costs $1,000. Additional brunch and golf options are available to those who donate $5,000, $10,000 or $12,500 to Rosenberger's campaign fund*.

He could also arrange for a summer cooler in Sligo to raise additional funds

He also might finally reveal who paid for his trip to Turkey as an indirect guest of a Ohio charter school sponsor cum rebel agitator Mr.Gullen**.

It's doubtful that the Speaker will need such fancy digs in Clinton County

The public is in the dark about how much Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger is paying to rent a 2,200-square-foot luxury condo from a well-heeled GOP donor. Ohio ethics law doesn’t require Rosenberger to offer public proof that he is paying a fair market rate.*

*Columbus Dispatch

** Akron Beacon Journal

Paul Hunter

Work To Consume Model Threat

Krogers and around the country:

How will the majority of the 3,541,010 former cashiers and an unknown number of baggers in the United States pay for their groceries?

From the Dayton paper: "Expanding self-checkouts and ‘Scan, Bag, Go’

Kroger will be re-designing the front-end of its stores to maximize the customer experience.

The store will increase the number of self checkouts and will also dramatically expand its Scan, Bag, Go checkout option.

The Scan, Bag, Go checkout allows shoppers to check out using wireless hand-held scanners in aisles as they shop. The checkout option will be expanded to 20 stores this year and then to 400 stores in 2018, according to Kroger."

Paul Hunter

Choice of Statues On The Town Square

Either Nat Turner. a killer of sixty people in the name of freedom

Or, R. Lee, killer of tens of thousands in the name of slavery

Paul Hunter

Dark Underbelly Of Unregulated Capitalism.

CEDC: "Opioids (including prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl) killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. Nearly half [16,000] of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. "

When the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) legal and investigative department began making cases against recognized suppliers and pill mill prescribers. The distributors, including a local area firm in the below link, stated calling in their bought and paid for political allies for relief from the pesky DEA.

The result: A new law was passed defanging DEA enforcement and the opiate overdose deaths continue to soar.

Poster's note: The major buden resulting from this, selling of poison as medicine, for profit, falls on families already demoralized by the upward shift of national wealth.

Unregulated banks just take our money unregulaed pharma takes our lives.

CBS "60 Minutes" exposed this sad story of the effect of uncontrolled money in politics. on 10/15/17.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/

http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/report-springboro-distributor-

benefited-from-weakened-drug-enforcement/u9iTbp4UnPYy0wp2CMDxnN/

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Critical Input On Ohio Issue 2

Critical input on Ohio issue 2:
This 60 Minutes, segment https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/, informs on the aggressive marketing techniques of big pharmaceutical firms. This evidence is enough to cast doubt about the honesty of the " vote no on issue 2", campaign's claims. The story also condemns the fecklessness of our political representatives. Shameful!
The group opposed to Issue 2 is called Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue.
"The campaign is entirely funded by major drug manufacturers through the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a drug industry trade group. PhRMA spokeswoman Priscilla VanderVeer said all the money the group has donated to the campaign came from member companies, of which there are 37 listed on PhRMA’s website. They include some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the market — Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck, Gilead and more."
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/your-questions-answered-about-issue/dTMjggyqOIW7JtHT9558kO/

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com

It Ain't Bumper Pool

Here's some real facts for those folks that insist on literal data.

Internet information indicates that a semi-automatic rifle in the hands of an experienced shooter could be fired at a rate of 90 rounds per minute including reloading

The firing rate on bump stock equipped rifles can be as high as 800 rounds minute not including reloading.

The hit rate increase is obvious, especially when firing into a mass of people where accuracy is not a requirement.

Enter this gun nut propagandist: Buckeye Firearms Executive Director Dean Rieck said in an email to supporters Friday that a ban [on bump stocks] would create a “slippery slope” that could further some people’s goals to “take our guns away.”

Questions for Mr. Rieck and our local outspoken gun industry representative What people and by what method, other than a constitutional amendment could anyone take away any U. S. citizens legally owned weapon? I posit that the some people exist only in PR manuals of the NRA.

The stock makers owe the NRA a thank you if not a cash contribution for the original hint that they might support controls on the bumper. Sales and prices for the item soared. Subsequently the gun makers and sellers recanted their support.

Paul Hunter

Uncontested Hate Speech Result

This story is for those that want to include hate speech as a constitutional right and for those folks that fear peer pressure if they condemn it.
Listen, watch and weep.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/opinion/auschwitz-israel-holocaust.html?emc=edit_th_20171011&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=77098190

 Paul Hunter

Nobody Wants Your Legal Gun

Unless you are an irresponsible owner. Actual events not anecdotal hearsay. http://fox8.com/2017/09/29/parma-child-killed-in-accidental-shooting-identified/ Fox 8 Cleveland Parma child killed in accidental shooting identified SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 http://fox2now.com/2017/09/26/child-accidentally-shoots-self-police-investigating/ FOX 2 New St. Lewis Child accidentally shoots self; police investigating (2nd in week there) SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/09/29/american-toddlers-are-still-shooting-people-on-a-weekly-basis-this-year/?utm_term=.ac110ac48214 The Dearborn boys are at least the 42nd and 43rd people to get shot by a child under the age of 4 this year, according to a database of accidental child-involved shootings maintained by Everytown, a gun violence prevention group http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/watchdog/article162848728.html A child shoots himself or another child in Kentucky once every seven weeks, on average, according to a database created by the Herald-Leader using police reports, news stories, obituaries, social media and other public sources. Law-enforcement officials usually sympathize with the grieving adults who most likely would be held responsible, so cases are quietly closed.Marcus Dorsey and John Cheves mdorsey@herald-leader.com Most recdent home defense I found http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/06/20/watch-florida-man-chases-off-gun-wielding-home-intruders-with-machete/ Watch: Florida man chases off gun-wielding home intruders with machete Jun 20, 2017 5:56 pm http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/07/robert-farago/self-defense-tip-dont-use-a-gun-lock-on-your-home-defense-gun/ Anti-gun lock defense: However, anyone who thinks a gun lock makes his or her weapon or weapons safe from children or other curious usurpers is guilty of dangerous complacency. Whether you use a combination lock or a key, kids can defeat your security procedures. They can find out the combo or steal the key.

No Voo Doo For Wilmington

When a new Wilmington city council and administratWilmingtonnstalled in 2016 the "no new taxes" mantra of their predecessors was examined and put to sleep. The city's infrastructure, mainly streets, had been deteriorating for years and city government had been kicking the repair can down those streets for several years in fear that the voters would through them out if they even hinted at the need for increased revenue. The voters were even denied the opportunity to speak for themselves on the tax issue.

When given the chance by the present government the voters spoke and opted for the necessary revenue needed to fix the streets and provide essential services.

The recent federal and state governments could take a lesson from our fair city. What have they done to fix their infrastructure, revenue and deficit problems? The state cut revenue under the illusion that lower taxes would increase commercial activity and actually increase total tax revenue.

The tactic known as trickle down or supply side economics failed and the state budget is the worse for it.

The deficit and debt burdened federal government is about to walk down a similar path of cutting revenue to increase revenue. Yes really!

Providing essential services to the citizens costs money and must be paid for somehow.

Hey up there! Take a cue from the shining city of Wimington as you contemplate our future. A well explained, fair and limited tax increase will be accepted by the voters. Trust them.

A couple of examples of supply myth busting

Paul Hunter

paulhunter45177@gmail.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaganomics

Reagan was inaugurated in January 1981, so the first fiscal year he budgeted was 1982 and the final year was 1989. During Reagan's presidency, the national debtgrew from $997 billion to $2.85 trillion. ... Federal revenues averaged 17.5% GDP from 1982–89, versus the 1974–81 average of 17.8% GDP.

Reagan Deficits and Debt Ceilings

Deficits http://www.beingfactual.com/reagan-vs-obama-deficit-edition/

Reagan was in Office from Jan, 21 1981 until Jan 20, 1989. The deficit at the end 1981 was $78 billion dollars.  His last budget deficit was $152 billion dollars. So during his term he had a net increase of only double, not triple.  the deficit under Reagan reached $207 billion in 1983, two years after Reagan passed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 [3] which reduced taxes, effectively reducing tax revenue. It turned out to be too much loss of revenue, combined with increased spending, so in 1982 the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 [4] rescinded some of those cuts, and a few more laws in following years helped bring in more revenue, but with increased spending, decreased the budget deficit back to the $152 billion in 1989. Revenue doubled in Reagan’s 8 years, but so did spending, which in turn caused the doubling of the deficit. [5

False Heroes

Robert E. Lee was a hero to the slave owning community and abhorrent to the slaves in bondage.

 

Adolph Hitler was a hero to the fascist community and abhorrent to the Jewish population. 

 

Each is guilty of sending thousands of young citizens to their pointless deaths in the last stages of a lost war.

 

A true historical monument would depict their heinous acts.

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com 

Gun Makers and Sellers Strike Again

Gun lobby money must be pouring into the pockets of our Ohio state legislators. Those same representatives are proposing a bill that would practically eliminate the the penalty for conceal carry permit holders, when lawfully detained, not alerting a police officer that they are armed, Why? Downside, possible injury and death to both parties. Upside, NRA gets to flex its legislative muscles and grow its brand.

In the meantime the Ohio Senate is toying with legislation that could bring a Tayvon Martin case to our state.

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com  

Cut revenue to balance budget

Trickle up, trickle down: Mr. and Mrs. Grover Norquist's conversation: Husband says, "honey we don't make enough money to operate our household and save for retirement". Wife replies, "maybe if I quit my job the problem will be solved. Then my boss will have more money and he might share it with us.". 
Translation: Budget out of balance? Cut revenue, that's the ticket.
Paul Hunter
paulhunter45177@gmail.com

It's Not A 2nd Amendment Issue

From the internet:

the NRA has now come out against bills requiring parents to lock their guns up in a safe,
The NRA does not oppose new technological developments in firearms," the group writes on its website. "We are opposed to government mandates that require the use of expensive, unreliable features, such as grips that would read your fingerprints before the gun will fire."
Almost as soon as smart gun technology was introduced, the National Rifle Association (NRA) moved in quickly with a dissenting voice. In fact, in 2000, the NRA nearly boycotted Smith &Wesson into ruin for developing a smart gun.

9/17 Boy, 3, dies from accidental shooting in Madison Township

8/17Accidental shooting death of 2-year-old boy 'tragic'

6/17 Man charged for accidental shooting that killed 3-year-old Clinton Twp ...

7/17 Police: 3-year-old boy dies after accidentally shooting himself

8/17 4-year-old killed in accidental shooting in southwest Las Vegas ...

9/17 North Texas Boy, 9, Killed in Apparent Accidental Shooting

And on and on and on

Wages Dichotomy

Wages Dichotomy
Addendum:  No degree? No experience?

No problem.

With employers struggling to find workers in an ever-tightening labor market, many are hiring job candidates for both white- and blue-collar jobs who lack skills or experience deemed essential just a few years ago.         

I find it interesting that most people that support right to work laws, oppose prevailing wage policies for public construction projects and the formation of public unions are also anti immigrant worker.

After all unions drive up wages and the cost of products and services. On the other hand immigrant labor is seldom if ever organized and their low wages reduce the cost of those same products and services. In effect, by reducing costs our standard of living is enhanced.

In any case we have a shortage of native workers so costs, are going to rise in any case if we chase away the only source of available new labor. Who is going to support the retirement of the current worker?

From the web:

The construction industry, led by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Association of Home Builders, opposes any national policy that would deport vast numbers of illegal immigrants, saying they help alleviate a chronic shortage of workers.

LABOR GETTING SCARCE: “Labor is getting very scarce. We have actually turned a few jobs away because labor is unavailable,” said Johnny Yates, vice president at Rampart Construction in Dallas.

A high-end home builder who supported President Donald Trump last year, Brown said the president’s immigration policies have dried up the already stretched supply of Hispanic-dominated framing labor. That has driven up home prices by slowing the supply of new houses as well as raising the cost of building them. A 3,000-square-foot house that cost $9,750 to frame even late last year now costs $18,000, he said, while last year’s six-month supply of homes in the construction pipeline is down by half. And that’s even before Trump pursues promised trade rule changes that could drive up other home building costs.

Paul Hunter

Blood and Treasure Gone For Naught

Afghanistan is not a domino and we should have learned from Russia not to play the game. Surgical removal of a specific threat was a valid mission, nation building is not.

Ashamed To Open Carry A Weapon

With minor exceptions Ohio law allows any citizen to openly carry a gun, so why the political pressure for conceal carry (CCW) laws?

Rationale 1. To protect a law abiding citizen from an armed attack from any source for any reason.

Rationale 2. To stop an attack by one or more persons during a terrorist event.

Answer 1. The chances of an armed attack taking place against an openly armed target is nearly zero.

Answer 2. A potential terrorist is very unlikely to conduct a attack against an openly armed group.

Question: Given the above scenarios why do CCW advocates insist on total privacy from the press and police departments concerning the names of permit holders?

Answer: The privacy rules certainly don't add to the deterrence factor.

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Silence is Acquiescence

Quote from Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Posted by Paul Hunter

Is Being Evil A Choice?

Imagine a baby boy, a child of loving and caring parents, destroying his favorite stuffed animals and in the following years attacks and hurts his siblings. The parents, desperate for an explanation and a cure seek professional psychiatric help.

After much testing and analysis the parents are informed that their son suffers from a brain dysfunction that causes him to be a psychopath, destined to a life of crime and punishment. Except in rare cases there is no cure for this most difficult of disorders.

What is the best way for a modern society to deal with such people? Kill them in the womb, kill them at birth or kill them as adults following a capital murder conviction?

A better way, in my opinion, is to separate these psychopathic victims from the general population as soon as symptoms appear and hope that modern science can come up with a solution in their lifetimes.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wicked-deeds/201401/how-tell-sociopath-psychopath

Psychopathy is the most dangerous of all antisocial personality disorders because of the way psychopaths dissociate emotionally from their actions, regardless of how terrible those actions may be. Many prolific and notorious serial killers, including the late Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, and the incarcerated Dennis Rader ("Bind, Torture, Kill" or BTK) are unremorseful psychopaths. Psychopathic killers view their innocent victims as inhuman objects to be tormented and exterminated for their own amusement or even sexual gratification.

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com

Gun Nuts Are Not Impressed

Guns kill nearly 1,300 US children each year, study says

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/19/health/child-gun-violence-study/index.html

Balance of Power Negated

Bad things happen when a single party is in control of all three branches of our government. That statement particularity applies to the state of the State of Ohio.

In an attempt to placate major big money contributors the governor resurrected a failed economic policy first tried by the Reagan administration in the 1980s.

Supply side economics consists, in large part, of cutting taxes on the investor class in the expectation that economic growth will follow and tax revenue will grow. The father of the supply side or trickle down theory, David Stockman later in life admitted that the idea was a failure and that it contributed to the 2008 macro recession.

Governor Kasich, not to be deterred by the history of failure and without meaningful opposition in the legislature, tried the system at the state level. The governor and a compliant legislature, including our Rosenberger and Peterson. cut taxes on the investor class and businesses promising great job growth and new revenue.

The result: A significant loss of tax revenue, poor job growth and a budget that is stretched thin. We can add to this sad tale of failure, increases in sales and property taxes and robbing local governments and schools of their share of taxes sent to the state.

There was no one with the power to say Hey! Wait a minute.

As state after state has moved to incentivise renewable and alternate energy projects our legislature has gone backwards and instead plan to place the added costs of inefficient coal plants to the consumers bill. Other legislative disinsentives have slowed the progress job generating wind and solar power projects.

Who's to say no that's the wrong way to go? Certainly no one in the majority party will.

Paul Hunter, Wilmington 6/19/17

Donald Underwood Trump

For viewers of House of Cards and the evening news:

It appears that Donald Underwood and Claire Bannon are following a fictional TV script as a real life political strategy. Fear Trumps (pun intended) rational discourse.

Paul Hunter  

Not Serving The Public Good

Senate Republicans, including Rob Portman, aim to gut debit-card safeguards

A group of seven Senate Republicans are moving to gut consumer protections for prepaid debit cards before they’re enacted. The rules, aimed at providing many of the same safeguards that consumers take for granted with credit and debit cards, would require fee disclosures, fraud protections and limits on overdraft fees...........

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-group-aims-to-gut-debit-card-safeguards/

City Council April 20

Tyler Williams read a brief introduction and an open letter to the voters of Wilmington from Paul Hunter.

Begin Transcription.

Open letter to the voters of Wilmington. For over 25 years I have participated in and observed many versions of our city's government. In my considered opinion the present team is the best of the bunch. The people who are making change happen are too modest to toot their own horn so I will do it for them.

Starting with Chief Weyand, a true professional and certainly the best we have ever had.

I have little operational knowledge of Fire, EMS and Treasury operations and so will not speak to them. A standout on this team has been Lori Williams and she is darned near irreplaceable.

In Brian Shidaker we have a mission centered public service director dedicated to serving the public needs. In his short time in the position he has been the driver in updating the street repair schedule among other accomplishments. One, by this summer South St. will be drivable again. Two, the new road access for one of our major employers, Ahresty, is also to his credit. Three, personnel changes have created a more mission centered supervisory staff in the service departments. Four, the previously mismanaged and delayed sidewalk and bridge connection from Southridge- Highland to Holmes school has been put back on track by Brian with the Mayor’s help. Five, after years of empty rhetoric, actual cooperation with the county is gaining ground. The County Commissioners and the city are investigating ways to lower landfill tipping fees with his participation. Six, curbside recycling will be augmented by adding a revamped cardboard component. Seven, positive action to eliminate wasting treated water due to over-flushing. Eight, there was an early stumble on zoning enforcement but that is now up to speed.

Marian Miller, council clerk and assistant to the Mayor is the key to the day to day operations of the city and the functioning of the city council. From job interviews to answering questions from the public. Some would say that she is the most important person in city government and I agree. Marian typifies the better way of governance. No secrets and no hoarding of information.

The organizing principals and staff selection of the Mayor has set the city on a course for success. He had the humility to realize that a new, younger less politically encumbered group of council people are in place and that he would work with them to meet goals he had set. If he drifts off course Marian is there to provide a nudge.

A “better way” City Council has provided leadership in all areas of government. Rather than set back and rubber stamp handed down legislation, as was past practice, this group has proposed solutions to long avoided problems. One, along with the Mayor the 2017 budget was the smoothest operation for many years and required no special meetings to pass the legislation. Two, did not invoke the emergency clause to limit public and council input on important issues. Three, after open debate and with the help of a proactive civilian committee, council faced up to the need for new revenue if the city was going to survive as community. (See streets).The voters responded yes. Four, after several years of misallocation of the so called bed tax revenue, council held several public hearings, weighed the facts then voted to divert a portion of the revenue to deserving entities without affecting the Visitor’s Bureau’s mission. Five, council tackled the very contentious issue of water fluoridation by first placing a non-binding resolution on the fall ballot. The voters supported the concept by good margin. Public hearings were held and thanks to Council President Riley, near unending public comments were allowed during council meetings. After taking in

information from all sides of the issue council decided that the preponderance of evidence indicated that the greater good would be served by adding fluoride to our drinking water.

Quite a year and a half for a “better way" council and administration.

Thanks

Paul Hunter 

An Honet Look At NRA Funding

http://money.cnn.com/news/cnnmoney-investigates/nra-funding-donors/

Some political funding comes from big corporations, many within the gun industry, which donate millions to the NRA.

http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-industry-funds-nra-2013-1

In its early days, the National Rifle Association was a grassroots social club that prided itself on independence from corporate influence.

While that is still part of the organization's core function, today less than half of the NRA's revenues come from program fees and membership dues.

The bulk of the group's money now comes in the form of contributions, grants, royalty income, and advertising, much of it originating from gun industry sources.

Since 2005, the gun industry and its corporate allies have given between $20 million and $52.6 million to it through the NRA Ring of Freedom sponsor program. Donors include firearm companies like Midway USA, Springfield Armory Inc, Pierce Bullet Seal Target Systems, and Beretta USA Corporation. Other supporters from the gun industry include Cabala's, Sturm Rugar & Co, and Smith & Wesson.

Posted by Paul Hunter

A BETTER WAY

The federal government has formed a circular firing squad.

The state government has become a fiscal paracite sucking the life blood from local governments and schools.

The two party system is no longer functional.

There is a better way and the city of Wilmington is working toward that goal and can be a grass roots example of that way. The present government due in large part to a progressive non partisan administration and council exercising best practices are achieving a better government and a creating a better city.

A better way is populated by better people and Wilmington has the good fortune to have a critical mass of better people in place.

I consider better people to have these qualities:

Does not lie

Does not believe lies

Debunks rumors

Does not hoard information

Speaks truth to power

Decides from the preponderance of evidence

Decides for the greater good

Gives opposing views a fair hearing

Walks away from circular arguments

Better governments legislate without political theology

They define the the mission

Assemble the facts

Analyze cost versus benefit

Allow for public comment

Use the public discussion and referendum killing “emergency option” only in extreme cases

Vote for passage.

Paul Hunter

Add comment budhunter@frontier.com

INVITATION

A request to all of my friends and all friends of the present city administration and council, to attend Thursday's council meeting as a show of support for their performance so far. I will not be there but my heart will. 7;30 council chambers city building 4/20.
Paul Hunter

Plea From Widow and son

Dear Tim Inwood,

I write this email with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. Although you don't know me personally, you were somewhat acquainted with my husband. Recently, I received copies of emails you apparently forwarded to Paul Hunter. It breaks my heart to know the pain these emails are causing an old friend. It seems my late husband's musings are being used to hurt someone he cared about.

I think it's safe to say, John never intended for his correspondence with you to be used in such a manner. John would have been dismayed. Unfortunately, he is not alive to defend his words, offer explanations, or provide context for his actions

Since John is not here to ask, as his widow, I will plead on his behalf. Please stop using his words to hurt Paul.

 You should know, when John found out he was dying of brain cancer, he asked me to contact those he cared for most. Paul was one of the handful of people he wanted to spend time with. Over the years, John never lost his hope that he and Paul would rekindle their relationship, despite having very different political viewpoints.

So I appeal to your sense of morality and hope you will honor John's memory. Whatever beef you have with Paul, please leave my poor dead husband out of it. You are not just hurting Paul, you are hurting me, too.

Sincerely yours,

Pamela Holdren

Paul,
I am saddened to hear about your health.  You and I may not have been very close personally, but you were a dear friend of my father.  John often let politics get the better of him socially, but he always knew who mattered to him.  I am sorry that he did not always express this well and sometimes went overboard with his conservatism.  I doubt that he thought anything would come of what he said, but it is hurtful nonetheless.  John talked about you often, and while the word "commie" did come up in jest, he always referred to you as a friend.  Please don't let your final memories of your friendship to be of betrayal.  He can be promiscuous with his words, especially when discussing politics, but he would never have intentionally betrayed or hurt you.
With that being said, I am sorry to hear of your illness and hope you find peace.  My mother will be going to see you tomorrow.  My family still loves you, and I know John does too. 

Kind regards,

David Holdren

Acciental Shooter

Ideal cndidate for school or day cares guard. He has the traing, (or does he?)
Kevin Wilson was a customer in the store, 2400 W. Michigan St., when his semiautomatic weapon discharged, sending a slug into the floor, Sidney police Sgt. Sean Martin said. 
No one was hit. 
Wilson presented his concealed carry permit and police confiscated his weapon, Martin said. Police were dispatched to the store about 5:30 p.m., he said. 

Paul Hunter.