I thought that those of you who visit this site but perhaps don't get the Courier in hard copy would benefit from reading Mr. Calderone's column.

Len Calderone is a guest columnist from time to time in The Coastal Courier

"Calderone is a conservative who lives in Midway and has written for trade publications in various fields."

Yes TOT."Mr. Calderone is a conservative who lives in Midway and has written for trade publications in various fields." I read his columns from time to time for entertainment. He seems obsessed with inflicting his conservative mantra about big guv-mint demons about to devour us on a fairly regualar basis. It's not surprising that you find enjoyment in his conservative blather.

FYI: Lenny once used the word GOVERNMENT thirteen (13) times in one short 'column' that ran in the Courier.

It may be OCD. I'm not really sure.

Despite his politics, Calderone has stated several "truisms" about our guvamint that few can deny:

* The guvamint is broken.
* There are three branches.
* The description of what happens in the Judical Branch is - IMHO - accurate.
*The description of what happens in the Legislative Branch is - IMHO - accurate.
*The comments on the debt ceiling are - IMHO - accurate.
*The last paragraph which outlines Congress' failures and the president's (GOP and Dem) usurpation of power and authority over the years is well-documented.

We may not like the messenger, but a close examination of the message - again IMHO - leaves little to criticize. However, Calderone's arguments are a bit stale - as we've seen and been hearing about these issues for at least 50 years but nobody seems to want to do anything about them. Each party in power just wants to add to their power/authority. You've seen it recently in the U.S. Senate. Now Reid wants to kill the filibuster, but when the Republicans were in control and the Dems were the "obstructionists" he hollered to high heaven when they wanted to do it, citing the "unconsitutionality" and lack of "fair play" if it happened.

In related political matters: Aside from its projected effects on the economy, the "fiscal cliff" is looking better and better to me as I explore the consequences:

*Taxes WILL go up.
*Entitlements WILL go down.
*Defense WILL be cut and our international military footprint WILL have to shrink as a result.
*The guvamint WILL have to closely examine all expenditures and tough choices WILL have to be made.
*The growth of guvamint WILL be slowed, as will the increase in the federal debt.

I've argued for these happenings on this here blog site since I first started posting. So it looks to me like - if our guvamint can't make these things happen through legislative compromise, where they can all take the credit - then maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they happened by operation of "fiscal cliff" - where they can all take the blame.

Jimmy - you predicted this months ago, just as you correctly predicted the results of the presidential election. What sayest thou?

Hi Sebe. I sayest thou art right.

...is that as opposed to left?

Hey - check this out:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/7...

76% favor cutting spending? That sounds like a "mandate" to me. They ought to get on with it.

Hi Sebe. Naw...it just means that I agree with you and the points you made. I believe the Prez will use his bully pulpit to force the hand and we will miss going over the cliff.

I knew. Just trying to make a funny. It does seem that they now want to make a deal. It will be interesting to see how the debt limit "negotiations" play out. Everybody is talking "leverage," but the GOP is executing a strategic withdrawal. Reminds me of "Peace With Honor."

It might just be that the Republicans are going to just allow Obama to drive the train over the cliff.

I don't think the econimic engine which supports this nation can sustain much more abuse of taxing authority at any and all levels of government.

There is simply too much Government in all of our lives.

Historically, government grows until it collapses of its own excesses, or until the people get fed up and get rid of it (or them). Hopefully, our elected officials will see the light and cause some self-correction before either occurs.

This is not a good year for "Military cuts"...

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/...

"Historically, government grows until it collapses of its own excesses,"

We are approaching that now.

Half of our citizens (or perhaps I should say residents) pay no taxes and receive their sustainment from those who do pay taxes.

The majority of consumer goods are produced in foreign economies and purchased here by consumers which live off of paychecks from some element of government.

Most everything in Walmart is made in China.

China along with nearly the entire world gets foreign aid I believe. If I am wrong please correct me.

Our private sector continues to shrink and the government continues to hamper it at each and ever opportunity.

each and every

The argument for smaller government diminishes in the court of public opinion (and in the legislatures) as the number of recipients of benefits from bigger government grows. Before long, a vote for small government will mean a vote to cut off almost everyone's "benefits," which people won't want to do. Bigger government only increases dependency and creates an environment for even bigger government. Somehow, the cycle must be broken. If it isn't, we will continue to be our brother's keeper until there are only "brothers" and no "keepers."

Then what will we do?

I am reminded of the comment by one of our forefathers..."surely we will all hang separately if not altogether."

Not many of us will be left safe and solvent if the bus goes over the cliff.

I'm hopin' it don't happen...

"Not many of us will be left safe and solvent if the bus goes over the cliff."

Probably true but this continuing upward spiral of mounting debt sustained by the borrowing of funds from the likes of China and Russia will ultimately cause the crash.

Most Americans who grew up in the sixties have grown accustomed to living beyond their means.

When did the U.S. Senate last pass a budget?

Our Congress has become a failure.

That I think was the point that Mr Calderon was attempting to make when he wrote the column referred to in this blog.

Those who have lived within their means will survive.

Those who are self reliant will survive.

Those who are dependent on the government for sustainment will be the first to suffer.

That is a cold hard fact but nevertheless that's how it is.

"When did the U.S. Senate last pass a budget?"

I wouldn't be surprised if a budget isn't passed until the Republicans take over both houses of Congress. It's a sad state of affairs when a President submits a budget, and the Senate majority leader OF HIS OWN PARTY refuses to bring it to the floor for a vote, stating that to vote on it would subject his party to ridicule.

If our broadcast media was honest and honorable like it once was they would have been harping on the lack of a budget ever since Obama got to Pennsylvania avenue.

I think their intent is to make him look good no matter how miserable the performance.

Mr Calderone covered the present condition of our country in his column which I copied and posted on this blog site.

The three branches of our government were identified and their purpose was explained.

Traditionally it has been understood that the press is the fourth estate of a democracy.

In addition to our three branches of government being broken I must add that the fourth estate also is broken.

Our newspapers are not functioning as they once did.

Please God have mercy on my soul.

TOT: Does them broken reporters include members of Fox News in your condemnation?

Are Jews next on your list? Anxious people of color, I am sure, would like to know. As noted by Chris Rock, a black comedian, "that train is never late." I say this because you have already run down liberals, the President, the Supreme Court and both legislative houses, so why not just provide us all here with your list of Evil doers?

I don't know because I don't watch Fox News.

Traditionally the Press (Newspapers) was always considered to be the fourth estate of a Democracy.

I posted a blog on that very subject a year or so ago.

I have some liberal leanings regarding some issues.

However for the most part I think I prefer the more conservative slant on things.

Please God have mercy on all of our souls.