9 years old and still the same story.....

 Attached is a TED talk given by Chrystia Freeland on the state of Plutocracy and how the 1% has so much control over the 99% - how their wealth increases while the so called "working class" buying/living income decreases. Not much has changed and in fact may be getting worse for those who just want to live. When will there be some sort of income equity? Not saying that people can't and shouldn't strive for wealth; but when is too much too much - will there ever be the proper political representation if only the rich and famous can afford to run, finance and yes buy political offices......  In this the greatest country in the world, something has got to give......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6NKdnZvdoo

Twitter and the Musk 1%

 Now that Elon Musk has used his billions to by a social network, has a free speech platform been neutralized.  Will he monitor any negative remarks about himself and stop all criticism about himself or his companies, or will he honor the social town square forum? Will he let a disrupter and hater like Donald Trump back to spew his vile comments just because he thinks it good theater.

In the one day that Musk has owned the platform he has already fired top executives (can't say they don't deserve it for being callus in selling); but I am sure they all got Golden Parachutes. This purchase by a billionaire (if not the, but one of the, richest) is proof again that the 1% is pushing out the 99%.  If this continues all the news and media outlets will be printing and promoting only what they think is viable. Little by little it has and continues; Murdoch and Fox, Bezos and Washington Post, jus to name 2. The 99% have been pushed aside during the 4 year reign of a modern day tyrant and has to rise up again.  Also those who follow the tyrant should realize that they too are part of the 99% and would be trampled on when no longer needed a props anymore.

We have always been a country founded on a "For the people, by the people" philosophy - but the rich get elected and take care of the rich 1% and the people 99% are still made to carry the load on their backs and suffer all the burdens. The 99% (which always has outnumbered the 1%) needs to get and find their voice again and fight (not violently) for change. Let us all have a chance for a better life - we all deserve it.

Is this how an elected official should make decisions?

On a local level elected officials are asked to make some pretty hairy decisions; but of course that is why they were elected. There have been some cases where an elected official, who just seemed couldn't think for himself/herself, would ask for a survey or a petition about the subject that is being discussed or voted upon.

Is this how you would want your elected official to govern, by survey or petition?  If he or she is so weak and can't think on their own why did they run for office in the first place. This type of elected official seems to have no confidence in decision making and presents weak leadership, and would rather take heed in a possible misguided response from the masses.

Voters/citizens need people who can think for themselves, assess the issue and give the best possible decision they can render. Will they always be right, of course not, but after some further thought anything can be corrected. The key would here is thought..... If you can't think for yourself you shouldn't be making decisions that could affect others.

Who is watching your HOA board and management company?

I have always been a proponent for people getting involved in their local government.  Now of days the most purest form of local government is one that effects our everyday daily life and that no one takes into consideration, it is your local HOA board and the management company that works for them/you.  They all actually work for you the residents.  Without checks and balance these boards become kingdoms for those who look to abuse the system.  Why does this happen; because no one wants to take the time to get involved, just like any form of government, - so you get what you are paying your ever increasing monthly assessment (a tax) for.  In most cases it is for mismanagement.

Why should residents care?  Because these are people that truly control your every day life; right outside your doorway.  They determine on what to spend and charge you and 
if they are not financially prudent and have a management company that doesn't give the proper advise - it will cost you, and may cause financial woes going forward for your assosiation.  
Now don't get me wrong, most people want to get involved to help the community and make it a great place to live. After all they are residents also and have a vested interest in what goes on. But you still have some who have a personal agenda and are only thinking of themselves.  This is where you have to get involved. Now I also understand that some people don't want to run for a board but that is not just the limit of your involvement.  Go to a meeting and just 
watch and observe and say something. As a disclaimer I was on my board for about 20 years and the reason being was that no one wanted to run for the position.  I was always an observer as a board member and now as just a good ole resident.

As for the management company - they manage the everyday functions and in some cases the financial aspects of the associations.  The are the supposed day to day experts who do this for a living and should be more knowledgeable then the volunteer board; but the board members should still be aware of what they are doing; after all they work for the HOA and can be replaced by the HOA.

The bottown line here is to get involved - you may find it interesting and also in you and your fellow neirghbors interest. Keeping an eye on things doesn't mean you lack trust but; that you are asking for accountability.

Can't make this sh*t up.....

Just some quick comments of what is going on - It is too bizarre to be real.....

**Prez Trump had mentioned recently that he would have made a good General.  Well General Shin Splints don't you realize that you need to go thru some grueling training.  Your wimp ass could handle it.  Or maybe Big Daddy would buy a Generalship for you.

**He identifies..... Hey there Richie Rich Trump can you really fool the working man & woman that you really identify.  You are nothing but a big phony...

**About the Wall:  The GOP had the majority for Trump's first 2 years and did nothing about a WALL.  Now they blame the Democrats who have only been in the majority for a week.  What a bunch of wimps...

**General Shin Splints Trump needs to Wag the Dog again - now it is called The Wall.  Oh yeah I forgot, Mexico's wall...hahahahahaha. Idiot.

Identify?? Really??

How can a man who inherited $400 million dollars (and squandered it) actually make the statement that he "Identifies" with the working man and women.  Even when in bankruptcy (many times) he always has one of his fancy hotels to stay in.  Can he fool that many fools? Apparently he thinks so and in some cases he is accomplishing it. (38%)

Well Mr. Richie Rich Trump you are hurting all Americans by your antics but all you care about is what Rush & Anne think.  You are the President of the United States not your own state of mind.  It is time for the 25th Amendment; but then again we would get that coward bot of Mike Pence.

Fight Back

It just seems that now of days in the political arena there is a super uncivil divide between the right and the left.  Why is this; because we are being lead by a hate mongering, mob gathering President who seems to think he only represents a certain section of the people.  He is not or has never been a President of all the people but just of his small 37% portion.  More of a divider there has never been - well at least since Newt Gingrich, but he wasn't or hopefully will never be President.

Mr. Trump just seems to think that to run the country he is only to cater to those cowardly GOP that will follow him blindly.  Doesn't he still understand that the majority of the people didn't vote for him and probably will not do it again.  With a smarter Democratic campaign he will be booted out office.

His hatred and fearmongering and blood mob gathering has to be hit back and hit back hard.  The Demorats & Progressives have to get down and dirty with this tyrant.  And why should this be done; because turning the other cheek has not and has never worked.  It needs to be done as said in "The Untouchables" - the Chicago way..... The time is now and the best thing that can be done is to let this poor excuse for a President feel the pain by getting the vote out this November and winning the House &  Senate back, and then see how humble he gets.....