Big $$$ Dog $$$ on the $$$ Block

In a feature article in the opinion section of my Sunday paper, I saw the article in my headline above. Well, Okay! The dollar signs weren't in there. But, as I read the article, it came quickly to me that they should be. Although I am a Navy veteran and have my sentimental imagined memories of the service, I cannot help but question the cost of doing what we do the way we do it on the high seas.


The reporter speaks with awe of the crew of 5000, the $5 billion price tag for each of our 12 carriers, and the complement of aircraft and other vessels needed to safely maintain the carrier on station.

The justification: According to Karl Thomas, the ship's XO (sorry, executive officer), "The George Washington's mere presence is possibly the strongest statement the U.S can make that it is committed to stability in the region--to keeping the oil flowing and that economy growing."

Expensive damn talk there, Karl! What about we get serious about energy self-sufficiency and do some talking with something less expensive than a carrier group. It's working for all the other nations of the world.

Let's Help Our Congress Figure Out How to Balance the Budget

Everyone talks about the budget, but no one does anything about it, to borrow a construct. As citizens of a country with a devastating budgetary crisis, I think we each need to offer Congress suggestions on saving money. Since it is clear that a majority of us don't want our taxes raised, it behooves us to demand that the governmentspend less money. We need to develop or adopt a mentality that it is irresponsible to spend money we do not have and demand that our government practice it.

Each of us needs to target our own Senators and Congressional Representatives with letters or emails whenever we see that they are spending our money like it is theirs. My own Senators, Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, are among the worst and most hypocritical offenders. Although I have communicated with them frequently of the past several years, I resolve to limit my communications with them to ways they should help save our money. I will post my letters to them on this blog when I send them. My goal will be to send at least three communications per week.

Please join me.