Paul's Falls

 As I grow older it becomes more and more puzzling to me.  Why can't there be a conservative candidate who isn't drooling for war?  President Bush has spent most of his two terms in office minding other people's business than he has taking care of our own. And now his sights appear to be set on Iran as the next target.

The was has been very costly in terms of dollars and lives.  What a waste! Pouring our tax dollars away into a hopeless war that can never be won seems to be the height of folly. And, as it continues the value of our dollar shrinks more and more in the world market.

Republican presidential candidates are hammering away at the anticipated frivolous spending proposed by the Democrats. And yet when Republicans are in power the spending doesn't slow, in fact it increases at an even faster pace.

I'm looking for a conservative candidate who will really reduce federal spending.  Any suggestions?

 My son Eric who lives in Albuquerque, NM sent me this link showing a time-lapse of this years hot air balloon fiesta. It is well worth a trip to see it in person if you have a chance.  Every year early in October ballonists from all over the world congregate for a flying party. If you can spare five minutes or so, have a look here:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/876437/time_lapse_albuquerque_international_balloon_fiesta_2007/

I have experienced it several times and it never ceases to amaze. 

 A tip of the hat to Senator Darling and Rep. Jeskewitz.

Your persistence on reducing spending and your final vote demonstrates that you are not Republican In Name Only.  Perhaps now our local broadcast bigmouths will have to com up with some other insulting term.

Thank you both!
 

 Some years ago my darling wife was in the mood to buy some household bling - you know, a picture a basket, a fancy candle - that sort of thing.  I don't remember if it was over the phone or by an early internet purchase, but since then our life has changed.

Every year at this time our mailbox is stuffed to the flag with catalogs from similar companies that sell the same sort of trash.  Over this past weekend the pile measured two inches high. There will be more today guaranteed.  The usual rule of thumb is to give them a one second glance and put 'em in the recycling bin.

There are so many companies selling the exact same things! Most of the merchants we have never heard of before.  Where did they get our names?  It seems odd that a business would sell customer names and addresses to competitors.  Why sell a customer name for a few cents only to potentially lose dollars of sales to others?

There are apparently different rules for the vendors that I deal with.   When I buy the latest electronic frammis for myself, the only catalog that comes to me is from that particular store - and that will arrive a year later.  Go figure.

So, in the words of Tom Lehrer:  "God rest ye merry merchants may you make the Yuletide pay."

 Broadcast news tonight reports that Governor Doyle is considering curtailing some State of Wisconsin programs if a budget can not be passed soon.

Amen.

As an independent voter with Libertarian leaning, all I can say is "Bring it on." 

It is wakeup time for the pols. For example, the Miller loss should be a major eye opener.  Our business taxpayers will flee to elsewhere if the state taxes make them unable to compete with those in states without the cash drain of  our capricious state spending.

Karen Taubenheim, in her blog today, posted a summary of topics discussed at a recent PAC meting regarding the Menomonee Falls School District.  One of the topics was: Why don’t we have school board reaching out to residence/parents?  Meetings should be more inviting rather than to have an “invisible fence” around themselves ~ Not approachable for most people.

I have been involved with the broadcasting of School Board meetings in the Falls for over 15 years.  For all those years, for the most part, the only time any involved parent shows up at a board meeting is when a son or daughter is singled out for recognition for excellence.  Otherwise a few vocal taxpayers show up now and then to voice opinions during budget preparations. Watch the broadcast sometime.  There are rows and rows of empty chairs visible on the camera.  Nobody cares.  Show up and say something if there is something bugging you.  You voted these people in and they’re doing the best they can. 'There ain’t a conspiracy against you!'

No board member is unapproachable.  If you are too shy to get up in front of a meeting, (every meeting has time set aside for comments from citizens) then call them.  Their phone numbers are not unlisted.

So, get off your fanny and each and every one of you contact a board member.  Don’t depend on someone else – or worse - a mob of people who may have opinions other than you own.

Finally, if that doesn’t motivate you, run for office.  The election process starts again in December.

 It's 7:15 on any weekday morning.  At the corner of Lavergne and Menomonee Avenues stress abounds.  A line of car stretches from the Thomas Jefferson School parking lot for a block to Menomonee Avenue and continues around the corner for another block westward.  Parents are queued up waiting to drop off their children at school before going to work.  They look at their watches hopeful that the line will move more quickly.

 A crossing guard is nearly overwhelmed by the dense traffic.  He's trying to protect children on their way to school.  He must deal with drivers that roll through stop signs and children that don't always pay attention to their surroundings as they cross the street.

A school bus driver arrives with her load and wisely chooses not to join the line up.  She opts to drive through the nearby subdivision and approach the drop off point from another direction.  The bus has room for more students, but they are missing because their parents are willing to inflict themselves into this ritual pandemonium instead of lingering over a last cup of coffee.

Yes, it's a great place not to be at 7:15 a.m.