WEEKEND THOUGHTS

This clear cold Saturday leading up to a wintery week and #99 may be a revelation of our today’s political world 

Yes. even though he is getting less dollars than in the bill he refused to sign, Trump the self-acclaimed Deals Maker claims a victory in the resolutions ending the danger of another shutdown. Of course, he is trying an end run through his declaration of a NATIONAL EMERGENCY.

It is true  that there have been 31 National Emergencies declared since 1978 and 31 are still in effect. But only about 3 have been for national reasons including a Flue epidemic; the others for international reasons including freezing of funds or sanctions.

None before "The Wall" had been opposed by Congress as a whole. Before the Midterm election defeats Trump had not pushed the Wall but now he is trying to rally support from the Far Right.

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He may succeed in diverting monies earmarked for disaster relief and the military  military construction, narcotic containment, Treasury  seized funds. .  “Congress can terminate a declared emergency, but it requires a joint resolution – a high hurdle. Democrats in power at the House of Representatives would have to convince Republicans who control the Senate to join them in blocking Trump's move. Then they would have to get a signature from the president, the same person who declared the emergency in the first place or override his veto.”

But political shenanigans are not limited to DC.  There have been plenty occurring in Trenton, and locally the Administration will b e able to sneak through its plan to privatize the 911 operation when the public is not looking. As Rebecca Perkins commented on by 2/14 blog:” A motion that does not receive a second is treated as though it were never introduced. It may be introduced again as a new motion”.

Our mayor continued to flout as progress his and others attacks on our pocketbook. He wrote: “Regardless of industry or profession, no one should put in a full day's work, and a complete work week and not be able to afford somewhere to live; or have to choose between paying bills and feeding their family.

This increase will also allow more people to afford a better quality of life, more goods, services, and more living options, which will provide a boost to the local economy.

I will continue to fight for job opportunities for residents, fair working conditions, affordable educational options, accessible vocational training, and housing options to meet a variety of household budgets. We are a diverse community, and our needs and means are also different. As we continue to grow, there will be changes, but these changes are reflective of our progress and the ongoing momentum of our renaissance.”

Like all socialistic programs and action results in a counter action. To raise wages will cause increased costs therefore there will be the inevitable decrease in the purchasing value of the Dollar, i.e.: INFLATION. Add to this the increased costs of supporting Universal Health Care even if financed by increasing the debt that will eventually have to be paid or wiped out through bankruptcy; the fixed income senior citizen will be the biggest loser.

MIRACLES???

Miracles can happen. Congress has reached a compromise spending bill that allows for 55 miles of barriers, not the complete wall. If Trump signs the bill (unlikely) the new shutdown will be averted. 

He might sign it but at his El Paso rally Monday he reiterated that THE WALL will be built. Does this mean that he is going to take the National Emergency route?

Also Monday night despite the Council meeting having been moved up one hour the Court House/Council  room was jammed with concerned citizens objecting to the plan to privatize the 911 operation.

For the first time  in my memory the Council may have rejected their master's voice by failing to vote on the resolution.  

No they did not vote against it, just did not vote  on it. Does that mean it is still viable and can be approved in March or any other time in the future? 

 Although I feel that an agenda item that is not brought to the floor by a seconded motion remains "open"I could not find any clarification in "Robert's Rules". Perhaps The Corporation Counsel could give his opinion at the next meeting.

THANKS BILL

I have not asked Bill Kruse for his permission to publish his reply to  my Feb 10 blog. I would also suggest that you read his reply to my 2/4/19 blog. Bill may be one of the minority that understands  the danger of this era's "what is in it for me" society fueled  by a parasitic political system

Doc Over the years we have made a number of trips to Ireland. What we observed regarding their Socialized health care system is that there are good and caring doctors to be had once you reach them. It took a relative weeks to get an appointment with the specialist that her primary physician referred her to. Then more weeks to obtain the prescribed X-ray; still more to get the diagnosis which was that she had a brain tumor. Hahe tumor been more aggressive she would have died before treatment. More Nations implode from internal strife, and fatal economic policies than from external conquest. Rome was conquered by the Vandals, but only after internal strife had diminished it. What ended the 50 years of Communist dictator ship in Russia was not an Atom Bomb...it was their Socialist economic policy. Venezuela and Cuba are on going examples of failed governments. Greece and Italy are tottering. Sadly, politicians, like Bernie Sanders, and echoes like Mayor Mapp, get elected by promising the public more of everything. There comes the day when it becomes unsustainable and the goose that has so faithfully laid golden eggs becomes sterile. The aftermath is a country like the ones that the caravans are fleeing in Central America. A great country opens its doors to sensible, controlled immigration, and provides education for the capable from foreign lands so they might return to elevate their own countries. One problem is that many students, after having been warmed by goose down, never return. At virtually all of our institutions of higher education you will observe an abundance of foreign students. In fact, in some instances quotas are established which gives them preferential treatment over our own kids. A great country provides technical, financial and material assistance to deserving regimes. If we were to unconditionally open our borders probably half of the world's population would come. It might get a tad crowded accomodating three billion arrivals. Reductio ad absurdum. The Mayor Mapps, the Bernie Sanders, and all the Ladies in white would be well advised to study history before they do irreparable harm. The entire Congress, right and left, including the moderates in between, would do well to address fiscal responsibility, which apparently has evaporated from the agenda, before we, or our grandchildren, have to pay $1,000 for a quart of milk on Monday, and $2,000 on Tuesday. Bill Kruse

A RAID ON YOUR POCKETBOOK

It may be futile to try to write a blog about Plainfield’s Council meetings and the city’s administrative branch.

Once again, I am not able to open any of the supporting material for Monday’s business meeting.  Not that it matters since the posting seems to be an exact unchanged copy of last week’s agenda setting postings. The control of spending vast sums of money will not be questioned.

Of note that in line with this government's policy of being public friendly and transparent the meeting time has change from 8pm when people would have no meal conflicts to 7pm. Of course, this time is convenient for the Councilors who will conduct their business in less than an hour. Collect their compensation and spend the better part of the evening at home.

The Mayor this week wrote in favor of universal health care. This is one of the favorite pitches of politicians who do not care how they spend the public’s money.

Health care is a society’s responsibility. It has been met in the past by charitable institutions, voluntary contributions and to a smaller extent through governmental grants.

Universal health care is an expensive socialistic program which societies are unwilling to pay for and can bankrupt that society unless taxes are raised.

In New Jersey there is a cap on how much taxes can be raised each year but as the Council will vote for Monday night Plainfield will be able to increase its taxable budget by another percent. With a decreased taxpayer base individual property taxes will rise significantly.

Universal Health care will be funded through federal taxation in addition to present taxes or by increasing the deficit for another generation to meet. This of course does not worry our local, state, and federal governments who increase sending by increasing debt.

Controls for Universal Health Care include reduced payments to vendors and providers, limiting access and services all of which negatively impact the level of care. Examples today are long waits for appointments, use of Practice assistants to treat patients and restrictions on the freedom of choice of physicians. The list goes on but to this old doctor the net result  is poorer medical/surgical care for the individual patient.

COUNCIL MEETING

Once again we can be reminded of the old saying that “Figures do not lie, but liars figure”

I must take Dan’s word for it since I can not open or download any of the support material for the Ordinances and Resolutions on AJ’s posted agenda. 

Apparently, Administration would privatize the 911 operators as a “money saving” operation.

Shades of the outsourcing of the Engineering Department, or the abolishment of the Animal Control section in favor of a Newark service. Consider the delegation of legal matters from a full time Corporation Counselor to numerous ‘outside contractors”. 

Have we had an independent accounting to show that the above actions have saved the city money? NO! In fact, I would bet that the costs have been greater but we have never had a sworn to comparison accounting.

It was Senator Booker when he first ran for city office against the notorious Sharpe James machine who describe d that city’s government  as a “corrupt favor dispensing  fiefdom.”

Does Plainfield fit that description?  Could Mapp be making Jerry Green, famous as a patronage dispenser, seem to be a piker?  Would this Council question?

SHORT NOTE

 Dan has already made negative comments about tonight's Council meeting. I have been having Computer pro blems but expect to be able to post LATE afternoon.

Please note that in line with this administration's desire to be public friendly  the meeting will start at 7pm and I expect over by 8.