Gone In 60 Minutes

Yes, it's true.

I'm taking a few days off to enjoy the summer (here in Upstate New York, summer lasts about three weeks) and spending some time with my family.  Yes, I'm taking time away from my computer, my work, and, my home state.

While I am gone, feel free to write! 

But if you are writing, please, please, please, do not commit any of the following 'Word Crimes'...

My son sent me this link knowing that: 

a.:  I'm a fan of Weird Al, and 

b.:  I am also 'kind of sort of' a fan of the English language (one of my kids called me the 'Grammar Police' once - yes, this works for me)

In my absence, continue to enjoy your life, spend some time with your family, and if it's not too much to ask, could you PLEASE fix the economy before I get back next week?

Thank you, that would be most excellent!

Be well, and be nice to each other while I'm gone.

See ya!

Me and Flipper, together again for the first time

 

 

Mean Mrs. Mustard

#BringBackErucaVesicariaSativa

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POLITICO, July 19, 2014:  First lady goes on offensive at ‘Kids’ State Dinner’
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First lady Michelle Obama used a White House lunch honoring the pint-size winners of a national recipe contest to send a clear message to Congress on Friday: Healthy school lunch reforms are here to stay.
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The first lady called out the “grown-ups” in Congress, who she said are “trying to undo some of the progress we’ve made,” and delivered her sharpest remarks yet on the food industry.
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“There’s a lot of money involved in feeding our kids at school,” Mrs. Obama said, surrounded by schoolchildren from all 50 states at the third annual “Kids’ State Dinner” in the East Room. “We are currently spending $10 billion a year on our school lunch program…so it’s not surprising that certain interests are resisting change and trying to take us back to the old way of doing business, because for them there’s a lot of money on the line.”

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(Moos Note:  Sure, why wouldn't FLOTUS take the opportunity to morph a kid's cooking celebration into a crass political attack-the-attackers-of-'change'-event?  We can't do anything about the border, fixing ObamaCare, Gaza, Iran, or the Ukraine.  Gut gosh darn it, we're going to get these kids up to speed on these 'certain interests' who 'resist change and are trying to take us back to the old way of doing business' back to when I would have been a slave, and when a Republican President FREED the slaves, and OOPS, hold on kids, that's not what I meant!)
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Mrs. Obama’s comments come as the Obama administration wages a battle against House Republicans and the School Nutrition Association (SNA), which have teamed up to relax many of the changes mandated by the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, a bipartisan law championed by the first lady.
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The remarks echo those she made last month to “fight until the bitter end to make sure that every kid in this country continues to have the best nutrition that they can have in our schools.”

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...

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President Barack Obama made an appearance at Friday’s lunch and briefly talked about the importance of healthy eating, revealing some of the first family’s guilty pleasures in the process.
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“Each of us have our weaknesses,” the president said. For Malia it’s ice cream, for Sasha it’s sushi and for the first lady it’s French fries. “My big thing: chips and guacamole,” he said. “If there’s a good bowl of chips and guacamole, I lose my mind.”  

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(Moos Note:  Who knew they were serving 'All Mexican All The Time' at the White House during the past six years???)

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The president, who had just come from a briefing on the situation in Ukraine, did not address the politics of the school nutrition fight.  

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(Moos Note:  I find it odd that even on the issue of 'School Nutrition', the President of the United States chooses to lead from (Michelle's) behind.)

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In a related story, kids are taking to Social Media to tell the President (and her husband) exactly what they think of their new meal programs.  If these kids grow up to vote (assuming the food doesn't KILL them), the Democrats are in BIG trouble.  

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Warning:  The following posts include foul language, graphic depictions of nasty food, and a sense of reality reserved exclusively for the 'young'.  

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Bottom line is that I didn't write the comments which follow, 'They' (young Democrats) did.  Good boys and girls, YOU are the future of this country, go out and grab yourself a McRib or something...

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For more about TWEETS about Michelle's Meal Plan, visit:  Twitchy.com
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The good news is that these kids are learning about Progressive Democrats early in life.  You screw with 'lunch', you screw with the kid.  And kids of a certain age have a very long memory. 

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The bad news is that each of the above Twitter ID's is now scheduled for IRS audit once they file their first tax return.

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Good luck kids...   

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Poor little sprouts...

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"Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste" The Gas Tax Edition

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Definition of crisis (n)  
(Plural, crises)
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    cri·sis
    [ kri'ssiss ]

1. dangerous or worrying time: a situation or period in which things are very uncertain, difficult, or painful, especially a time when action must be taken to avoid complete disaster or breakdown
2. critical moment: a time when something very important for the future happens or is decided
3. turning point in disease: a point in the course of a disease when the patient suddenly begins to get worse or better

..
synonyms: disaster · catastrophe · emergency · calamity · predicament · crunch
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Early in the Obama Administration, incoming White House staffer Rham Emanuel famously stated, "You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before..."
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Almost six years later, we find that this political precept continues to form the narrative of President Obama's second term.   
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If you are anything like me, you may also be 'burned out' by the number of seemingly endless Obama Administration Crises, but this one, WILL affect you directly.  This one will impact your life, your financial well-being, your ability to keep the job you like, and your freedom.  
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Hmm, come to think of it, MOST Obama Crises do this...  My apologies for getting you more upset than you most likely already are. 
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With the Obama bunch currently in DC, this 'Crisis-du-jour' is like an empty bus stop in NY city - if you miss this one, don't worry, the next one will come along and it'll 'get ya'...
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Today's crisis pertains to the soon-to-be-worst-than-expected-we've-run-out-of-money-to-maintain-our-highways because...
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• Congress has mandated that cars be more fuel-efficient,
• Congress has agreed to subsidize Hybrid / Electric vehicle purchases for the wealthiest Americans, and,
• Because, in general, the economy still 'stinks up the place' and neither the President, nor Congress, knows what to do about it

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Yes ladies, gentlemen, boys, and girls, fuel tax revenues with which the government funds 'our crumbling infrastructure' (a.k.a.:  Highways and bridges) is going broke.  Even after the President told us about ALL of those 'Shovel ready projects' he was spending BILLIONS of TARP dollars on to save our roadways, well, it just isn't enough to save the roads which George W. Bush left in such disrepair for the new 'Hope and Change' guy.  (President Obama hasn't said this YET, but, don't worry, he will...  I'm just basing his future comments on his past in an effort to save some time later.) 
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Why are our roadways crumbling?  
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Take a moment to review the three bullet points above.  
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One, the President has increased CAFE standards for vehicles pretty much every time is is asked for his opinion.  The CAFE requirement signed into legislative reality by President Obama most recently?  By 2025, the Federal Government will REQUIRE that automobile manufacturers build cars which will, on average, get 54.5 MPG. 
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54.5 MPG!!!

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Yes, in 2012, President Obama signed legislation which requires that new autos sold in the U.S. get an average of 54.5 miles per gallon!  Yay!!! 
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Just to confirm that I'm not making this up, check out the announcement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - they never kid around...
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NHTSA.GOV - Tuesday, August 28, 2012, Consumer savings comparable to lowering price of gasoline by $1 per gallon by 2025
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WASHINGTON, DC – The Obama Administration today finalized groundbreaking standards that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025. When combined with previous standards set by this Administration, this move will nearly double the fuel efficiency of those vehicles compared to new vehicles currently on our roads. 
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In total, the Administration’s national program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will save consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump and reduce U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.  
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But here's the dig - in another article I stumbled across online, the author laments that BECAUSE vehicles get higher MPG in 2014 than they did in the 1990's...
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DN Editorial: Running out of gas on the fuel tax
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In 1993, Bill Clinton was president, "Seinfeld" was on TV and a cellphone was the size of a brick. It was also the last time that Congress raised the federal gasoline tax, which pays for roads, bridges and public transit. Over two decades, the cost of building and maintaining the nation's transportation infrastructure has gone up significantly, while the tax designed to fund the work has stayed flat: Drivers still pay 18.4 cents per gallon at the pump for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel.
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It should be no surprise, then, that the Highway Trust Fund is about to go broke. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the fund could run out of money as soon as August, which means that states will not receive the federal dollars they've been promised until the fund is replenished.
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The gasoline tax generates about $35 billion a year, but the federal government spends $53 billion on highway and transit projects. Since 2008, Congress has transferred general-fund tax revenue to cover the shortfall. This year, gas-tax revenue is coming in even lower than projected.
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So which does the Federal Government want?  Higher mileage cars built by Unionized Workers, or increased tax revenues to pay 'Solidly Democratic Union Workers' to build (or rebuild) roads and bridges?
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The answer, of course, is 'both'.
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Democratic leadership (and sigh, even some Republicans) want to keep their 'Green Friends' happy by insisting upon higher mileage vehicles to save the Earth, save the Polar Bears, save the Whales, et al, but they are conflicted because when we drive higher MPG vehicles, we pay fewer tax dollars at the pump.  If the NHTSA estimates are correct and the higher CAFE standard means that we will be importing 12 BILLION fewer barrels of oil, DC will need to find a LOT of other revenue to throw at our roads.   
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How much is a 'lot'?
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BARREL REDUCTION CALCULATION:
12,000,000,000           x    19                               =           228,000,000,000  
(Reduction in Barrels)       (Gas Gallons / Barrel)            (Gallons Reduced)
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TAX REVENUE REDUCTION CALCULATION:
228,000,000,000         x   .184                             =          $  41,952,000,000
(Gallons Reduced)            (Federal Tax at Pump)           (Tax $ Lost)
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Reviewing the numbers above, the NHTSA estimates that they will LOSE more in tax revenues than they are actually collecting today, but since these numbers are coming from the Feds, WHY should we expect them to make much sense at all?  
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The article above implies that while the gas tax generates $35 BILLION per year, the Feds will LOSE almost $42 BILLION of these dollars in 2025.  Unless, of course, what the NHTSA 'meant to say' they meant the period between now and 2025 that they would reduce US demand for fuel by a total of 12 BILLION barrels...  But again, as these numbers are coming from highly-paid Federal Employees, why try to figure it out?  They're wrong any way... 
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Two, as you're already aware, the Federal Government will give tax filers a Federal Tax Credit if they buy what the IRS deems to be a 'high MPG vehicle'.  Since most of these vehicles cost anywhere between 25% to 50% MORE than a gasoline-powered vehicle, the Feds have decided to reward the folks who can AFFORD to spend $40k to $120k for an electric, or hybrid car.
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The Tesla S - Electric Sex on the Beach  ($69,900 - $93,400 MSRP)

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I'm thinking that if you can afford a car which cost more than my first newly-constructed home...  You probably don't need a tax credit to purchase it.  
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But hey, that's just me. 
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AND if you can afford to plug this bad boy in under the roof of your garage, just make sure you install the appropriate fire suppression equipment to go with it...  
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Why?  Because electric vehicles have a really bad habit of bursting into flames when you least expect it... 
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USATODAY.COM:   Feds open formal probe into Tesla electric car fires
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has opened a formal investigation into the safety of the Tesla Model S electric car following two reports of battery fires after striking roadway debris.
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The agency said its safety investigation was prompted by recent "undercarriage strikes" in Washington state and Tennessee. In both cases, fires resulted after the cars both ran over debris on the road that pierced the battery compartment.
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Early Tuesday before NHTSA's announcement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that he taking three steps as a result of the fires, but added that he stands behind their safety. The steps were:

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• Higher ground clearance to make them less likely to strike road debris that can potentially penetrate the battery pack and ignite a blaze.
• Asking federal safety regulators to "conduct a full investigation as soon as possible into the fires." Musk gave no hint that NHTSA was about to open an investigation.
• Amending the cars' warranty to cover damage due to fire.

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Three, with fewer people driving, fuel sales will continue to diminish because, quite frankly, most folks have a hard time for paying $3.70+ per gallon to go anywhere just for the joy of 'the drive'.  When given the choice between getting a driver's license and getting a cell phone, most high school / college kids chose...  The Cellphone.  Oops, sorry, I meant to say 'Mobile Device' because no one wants a plain old flip phone any more.  I mean, who wouldn't want a device that allows the NSA to track you wherever you go?
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And hey, BONUS, when the Feds implement the NHTSA 'Mileage Tax' to bill you for the miles you drive, what better way to track you than to use your GPS-Enabled Mobile Device?  I just hope you don't FLY a lot because your bill is going to be HUGE.
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In the end, the Feds will find the money somewhere and we'll miraculously avoid the August Transportation shut down.  Then the question becomes, "Where did they find the money, and why didn't they plan on using it sooner?"
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There are movements within Government planning to double the Fuel Tax because well, "Clinton, and Reagan did it - and look how good their economies were?!?!?"  
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The major difference, I guess, is that this is neither a Clinton economy, nor a Reagan economy.  The past six years have felt a lot more like Carter's second and third terms to me, and even though they've done away with the official "Misery Index", it still feels like the pain needle's pretty much pegged in the Red.
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Happy motoring!

Your Vote = $ 37... Their Vote = $ 40,659

Last Train to Brownsville

Hop the last train to Brownsville
And I'll meet you at the station
You can be there by 6:30

Let's call it illegal immigration
But don't be slow
Oh no no no, oh no no no


President Obama says that it's okay
He's getting us $3.7 Billion, so we can stay together
Just tell them you're a refugee and you're feelin' under the weather

You'll get some clothes, food and shelter,

You'll get your DNC voter ID cards, and
Oh no no no, oh no no no
I don't think they'll ever send us back


Hop the last train to Brownsville
I'll be waiting at the border
We'll have lots of free immunizations

As we laugh about how they couldn't stop us
We'll head up to California, New York, or maybe stay in Texas
Oh no no no, oh no no no


Hop the last train to Brownsville
Now I must hang up this phone
I can't hear you over these coyotes

'Cause I'm crossing the Rio Grande with all my pals
I took some peyote and just saw kind of spider
Oh whoa whoa, oh no no no
I Don't think you're ever gonna go back home


Hop the last train to Brownsville
And I'll meet you at the station
You can be there by 6:30
Let's call it illegal immigration

 But don't be slow
Oh no no no, oh no no no
I Don't think you're ever gonna go back home
Take the last train to Brownsville,
Take the last train to Brownsville,
Take the last train to Brownsville,
Take the last train to Brownsville.

With deepest apologies to The Monkees...

Practicing 'Sales' (a lot like practicing 'Medicine' except that normally no one 'dies' as a result of said 'practice') I from time to time receive interesting alerts regarding Advertising / Sales trends, Market updates, and on occasion, some odd Political news.  As you may have rightly surmised, yesterday was one of THOSE update days.

July 7, 2014, mediasalestoday.com:  Politicians, Organizations to Spend $37 per Eligible Voter on 2014 Advertising

If you think that the rate of political ad spending has increased in recent years, you’re right. Borrell Associates is predicting that politicians and political organizations will shell out $8.3 billion to try to sway voter opinions during the 2014 election cycle.

Borrell does an impressive job of compiling statistics on political elections across the U.S. For example, they report that 30,000 elections will take place this year. These elections range from local town council races, where up to $47,000 may be spent on media, to gubernatorial races, where up to $27 million may be spent on some of the more heavily contested campaigns.

In a separate blog post on Borrell’s site, Kip Cassino provides a breakout of projected spending by types of races across the U.S.:

• U.S. Senate $757.4 million
• U.S. House $1.151.4 billion
• Gubernatorial  $981.5 million
• State Attorney General $141.6 million
• State Congressional Seats $1.417 billion
• County/Local Offices $1.366 billion
• Referendums/Initiatives $1.401 billion
• Special Issues $1.081 billion

It’s worth noting that 30% of the estimated spending on political advertising will stem from referendums, initiatives, and special issues. This spending, often paid for by political organizations, may cover topics like casino gambling, legalized marijuana, or gay marriage.

Taking the number of eligible 'legal' voters into consideration, total advertising spend PER voter comes in at $37 between now and the end of 2014.  This is YOUR worth to the local, state, or Federal politician.  Yup, $37, um, that's you...  

On the other hand, President Obama is now requesting $3.7 BILLION to provide for the 59,000 unaccompanied illegal alien minors and 39,000 women and children who have crossed illegally into the US since January, 2014.  

Doing the math on these numbers yields a 'somewhat larger' and rather shocking number.  Each of these 91,000 people is worth, um, hold on, taking my shoes off since this number is a LOT larger and no one did it for me in the article,  $3,700,000,000 / 91,000 = $40,659 per illegal.

I've seen articles online claiming the cost per illegal was $80,000 or more, but that's just crazy.  Everyone knows that the cost to buy a Democratic Voter ID card is NO more than $41,000, at least, given the numbers above.  

Does the President want money to return these folks to their 'country of origin'?  No.

Does the President want the money to secure the US border with Mexico?  No.

Does the President want the money to build a really cool, tall, electrified fence to keep this from happening again?  Again, no.

So what's the $41k per illegal for?  To buy stuffed animals, Monopoly games, some food, some shelter, and lots more JUDGES to move these 'cases' through the US legal system.  

How many of these illegal (this, word, 'illegal' is the operative word) immigrants will be returned to their place of birth?  I've heard numbers as low as 10%.  As for the other 90%?  They get cake...

 

Over the next few months (well, except when Congress takes all of August and the beginning of September off for vacation), you'll hear about why we need to spend this critical 'Humanitarian Funding' to provide for these illegal folks who are coming here KNOWINGLY breaking our laws.

Of all the emergency 'Humanitarian Funding' the President seeks, why does he look only at these illegal aliens?  

Perhaps there are other 'more worthy' groups who could benefit from this supplemental, non-budgeted funding?

 

Here's an idea, why don't we take this $3.7BILLION and give Health Care voucher cards to our service veterans so they can 'opt out' of the VA and get necessary health care treatment, prosthetics, and services elsewhere, away from our mismanaged, corrupt and systematically flawed Veterans Administration if THEY (the veterans) see the need to do so?

Yeah, how about THAT?

As the President has chosen to ignore current immigration law and has made baby sitters / wet-nurses of border security personnel, I have some information which may help him maintain the Democratic-controlled Senate in the 2014 elections...

   

Those trains they're coming up on out of Mexico...  They go South too.

Yes, they do!  All aboard...

But before we send them all back, can't we please hire more Homeland Security folks to make sure they're not transporting anything illegal back into Mexico?  It's for their own security, after all...

You know, something like:

Welcome to America, now please leave in an orderly fashion.

And as for the Marine who has spent over 100 days in the Mexican prison for taking a wrong turn, find a north bound train and put him on it.  We'd like him back now please. 

Thanks.