RichC | September 22, 2013
The Cleveland Clinic is a bright spot in medical care for those of us living in Ohio and for people from around the country (and world) who need some of the best medical care available. The Clinic was even touted as a role model of health care by President Obama when pushing for his Affordable […]
RichC | August 31, 2013
Now that about everyone is convinced that Syria and the Assad government has used chemical weapons in their civil war and the “red line” has been crossed, the decision about what to do about it is up to President Obama. Personally I’m aligned with at least a strategic military response when it comes to Syria […]
RichC | August 26, 2013
Wasteful government spending is nothing new, nor is the corruption and abuse by companies and recipients siphoning off our hard earned tax dollars. What is new is a much bigger federal government and the addition of bunches of new programs and the seeming disregard for responsible oversight that comes with a “bigger government.” It is […]
RichC | August 16, 2013
While helping my son bone up for an interview for a planning job west of the Mississippi … and well north too, he began reading a bit of information on the county so he can at least talk intelligently with the interviewer. He researched the area, included cities and towns, geography, political make up, culture […]
RichC | August 14, 2013
Way to go Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel. Let’s keep the pressure on reforming Ohio and to make our state a model of openness and transparency. For those in SW Ohio … watch to the end when he compares Cincinnati to Detroit. Concerning?
RichC | August 12, 2013
Something has got to change folks … I’m not proposing a tax revolt, but I won’t have a problem supporting one! Hey Democrats … is this really the way you want to spend taxpayer dollars? (and just because Republicans lament not having leverage, I don’t plan on letting them off the hook. In other words, […]
RichC | August 5, 2013
… what about employees and retirees of private companies – those who still have a pension plan? Almost everyone realizes that public pensions are going to remain a major problem for our country, but not as many realize just how underfunded pensions are for most large corporations. A report published by S&P Dow Jones shows […]
RichC | July 27, 2013
The question posed by the WSJ this past week was “will the young and give up disposable income to pay for health insurance” or with they pay the penalty until it becomes too expensive? It has been difficult to explicate the complex and questionably titled “Affordable Care Act” – Obamacare to many who are politically […]
RichC | July 7, 2013
Having a recent college graduated living at home and looking to start his career gives me intimate insight on what young adults and their parents are facing. The frustration exacerbates the strong opinions regarding the new health care law and the economic policies put in place by the federal government under the leadership of President […]
RichC | June 13, 2013
I’ve delayed opining on the latest NSA and whistleblower story over the last couple of days because I can see both sides and like most Americans , value the liberty our constitution protects, yet expect our government to protect us. It is a frustratingly difficult conundrum we face … or I should say, those we […]
RichC | May 28, 2013
Hard to believe that the already high price of air travel (20% is already in taxes) could go up another $14 per flight. May 27, 2013 — Another airfare increase may be on the way. But this time It has nothing to do with the airlines. The Obama administration has proposed raising the taxes on […]
RichC | May 22, 2013
Hmm, perhaps we are alone in having to make significant changes in our health care coverage this year … not to mention paying more for less? “If you already have health insurance through your job … nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change your coverage or your doctor. Let me […]
RichC | May 22, 2013
I’m sure that I’m not the only one hesitant to voice my thoughts about the IRS targeting conservative groups like the Tea Party and pondering the wisdom of even chiming in. Normally I favor the “keep quiet” approach and avoid even the thought of commenting on an agency with the power of the Internal Revenue […]
RichC | May 1, 2013
Erskine Bowles gave his pitch on CNBC’s Squawkbox Wednesday morning although doesn’t seem to be making much headway with the politicians who refuse to face reality. Neither Republicans or Democrats seem willing to negotiate our future solvency — looks like we’ll need another crisis before real reform is made in Washington DC. I found it […]
RichC | April 11, 2013
If you are the average healthy American who is working or independently seeking a job, you might be as unknowledgeable as I am when it comes to knowing anything about government benefits. I’ve generally assumed that those who are “disabled” are not capable of functioning or were disabled on the job due injury. What I […]
RichC | April 5, 2013
We’re hardly sputtering along when it comes to getting Americans back to work. One wonders why we bother to spend so much money on government when our over compensated bureaucrats only add to the problem. If it were not so frustrating and painful, government’s adding “programs,” meddling with tax rates and monetary policy and out […]
RichC | March 28, 2013
A filler blog post … just heavily forwarded “Food For Thought” email. If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for being in the country illegally …you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots. If you have to get your parents’ permission to go […]
RichC | March 15, 2013
Thoughts: Will the GOP take the position of Senator Rob Portman? Should they? I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married. That isn’t how […]
RichC | March 12, 2013
As a strong defense conservative, I do have a difficult time finding fault when our leaders when it comes to keeping our country safe, but does the Department of Homeland Security really need 1.6 Billion rounds of ammunition? As a taxpayer the overkill and waste is very frustrating. 1.6 Billion Rounds Of Ammo For Homeland […]
RichC | March 8, 2013
In talking with a long suffering customer the other day he asked me, “why are the stock market averages rising to all time highs, but business seems slower than ever?” I thought about that a bit since business wise I’ve felt pretty much the same way … as do most Americans with depleted savings, depressed […]
RichC | March 6, 2013
As the self-appoint nation’s problem solver [that’s worth a chuckle], I’ve been thinking about our underfunded Medicare and soon to be underfunded Social Security programs. For those needing a little primer, I will start by regurgitating some background information on these two taxpayer supported entitlements. Both Social Security and Medicare are supported by working citizens […]
RichC | February 27, 2013
I find it difficult to listen to “the sky is falling” coming from special interest groups with the politicians looking out for them … or for that matter President Obama “crying wolf” once again. If it is so difficult to trim a few percent federal budget (something that was suppose to be done several years […]
RichC | February 25, 2013
The negative implication of “big government’s Obamacare” is just beginning to be felt by those with health care coverage and businesses are squirming to adapt to the pages of new regulations. One of the latest money saving measures is that of “dropping spousal coverage” – I’m just guessing, but I suspect it will be unpopular? […]
RichC | February 24, 2013
Every once in a while, actually a lot lately, someone will include something from the past in their books, articles or blog which reminds me of the challenges we face in becoming independent thinkers. A couple sailing friends of mine who have and are currently living a life out of the mainstream and shared a […]
RichC | February 21, 2013
Really … something has to change in Washington DC. We’re borrowing TRILLIONS, yet the President jets around playing golf while the first lady and family heads to Colorado on vacation. Sure it only MILLIONS … In the another branch of our govenment, they pass reams of laws, bicker about raising more revenue (taxing us), pretend […]
RichC | February 14, 2013
The coming government cuts, either by choice or sequester and their economic impact is bound to be felt by all of us. The President for his part Tuesday night in the State of the Union address offered a warning, but little that addressed the ominous across the board cuts coming on March 1st if nothing […]
RichC | January 22, 2013
Pulitzer-Prize winning historian and biographer Jon Meacham made a few comments that had me nodding my head Monday evening in a discussion with Bill O’Reilly. I snagged a bit of audio while replaying for my wife. He was able to succinctly communicate the fiscal issues facing our nation and the seeming lack of urgency President […]
RichC | January 21, 2013
Our nation has come a long way in race relations in my lifetime in large part due to Martin Luther King Jr., a 1960’s era civil rights leader that we remember and celebrate with a national holiday today. Considering the United States has come “a long way” since slavery and segregation, we … and the […]
RichC | January 16, 2013
It is becoming increasingly clear the the answer the federal government’s excessive spending is to “broaden the base” … but before the attacks from Democrats begin, let me clarify my reasoning (highlighted below) and explain. The current debate in Washington DC is whether to address the deficit (and mounting debt) by raising taxes on the […]
RichC | January 12, 2013
One would expect some of the conservative western or southern states to adopt deterrents when it comes to criminals targeting gun free zones like public schools, but the Montpelier Exempted Village School Board of Education has been quick to adapt here in Ohio. They approved (5-0) to permit four of their janitors to carry handguns […]
RichC | January 8, 2013
I’ve held off until now before adding a couple thoughts to the discussion on the high profile killings last year which concluded with the December mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Commenting while emotions were raw was not something that was going to further logical debate … and probably still won’t since from what […]
RichC | January 2, 2013
Well the “fiscal cliff” has been averted for the time being … a sort of a “kick the can down the road” decision was made in Washington DC … to use two of the banished terms for 2013 (link). The deal with hardly dealt with spending, the deficit or the looming under-funded entitlements which are […]
RichC | December 28, 2012
Those old enough and wise enough to know how the sausage is was made in Washington DC have noticed a change in recent years. Politicians of different stripes and philosophies are no longer coming together for the common good … and the lack of a leader (aka: POTUS) willing guide congress is shocking. Here we […]
RichC | December 11, 2012
Those of us watching the “dance” in Washington DC over the looming taxes and possible spending cuts closing in on every American can make one’s head spin. What we all know is that our government spends too much and seems unable to even come close to balancing their budget or coming up with a plan […]
RichC | December 10, 2012
While following the Kabuki Theatre between President Obama and congress in Washington DC focused on increasing the top tax rate, cutting government spending and dealing with what has become known as the “fiscal cliff,” it was interesting to hear what European’s think of our latest governing hurdle. The BBC offered up a video interview with […]
RichC | December 8, 2012
My kids roll their eyes when I strike up offhanded conversations with strangers in parking lots, gas stations, etc. Take Friday for instance, I saw a guy get out of his new Passat TDI and glanced over to ask how he liked his new diesel. He grinned and exclaimed, “I’m getting 47 mpg!” which I […]
RichC | November 30, 2012
Playing the tax game as a big business or 1%-er investor must be a challenging problem to have? [sarcasm] Here’s a Wall Street Journal op-ed commenting on Costco’s recent “early” dividend announcement. Uncertainly in the tax code, along with the credits, deductions and complexity, slows economic growth, deters job creation and demonstrates that the more […]
RichC | November 30, 2012
I started a post earlier in the week with the intent to demonstrate my ability to “Rise Above” and to recommend a compromise solution that would address the fiscal cliff, but I realized that I was banging my head against a wall even when dealing with people I get along with. I can’t imagine reaching […]
RichC | November 17, 2012
There is a Rise Above movement afoot and it is being promoted by business news network CNBC. Supporters and business leaders from both political parties agree that politicians must work together to focus on the financial health of our country and rise above partisan politics. We have yet to see progress and the stock market […]
RichC | November 16, 2012
I have purposely not entered an “excuses” comment or worse since everyone in the conservative political realm has an opinion and I’m tired of hearing the internal bickering. I personally prefer the conclusion that neither party had a decisive mandate – the country is indeed split – but know that the Republicans will have to […]
RichC | November 9, 2012
The AP/Wall Street Journal published a color coded county map which does a pretty good job displaying the voting split in our country this past Tuesday. We are a divided country when it comes to political philosophy — I just hope we can survive another 4 years and stay the “United” States. Posted via email […]
RichC | November 7, 2012
I’ve unfortunately been watching the financial markets react negatively to the re-election of “less than business friendly” President Obama this morning and I am struggling to decipher what the future holds for investors and those saving for college or retirement. In the middle of a 300+point DOW drop is probably not the time to form […]
RichC | November 7, 2012
The 2012 presidential election is over and I am reminded of my subject line four years ago … “life goes on.” Of course at that time my conclusion was that the nation was tired of the excessive deficit spending, a slow economy, the housing and banking woes, job losses and continuing unrest overseas under a […]
RichC | November 5, 2012
One more post before election day as we’re finally on the home stretch to 11/6/2012. Thankfully a presidential election, and the ridiculous amount of money being spent, takes place only once every 4 years. Let’s hope we can shift this same kind of energy to governing our country and dealing with the enormous fiscal problems. […]
RichC | November 4, 2012
Discussing politics can get a person in hot water with friends and family (thankfully in my case it is not with family). Unfortunately after I posted my blog commentary on Saturday regarding a local GOP rally held in our town Friday night, I obviously ruffled the feathers of a friend who has views that differ […]
RichC | November 3, 2012
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and supporters gathered in West Chester, Ohio last night (my home town) and warmed the large crowd of 30,000 on a cold night north of Cincinnati. He gave a critique of President Obama for the lack of leadership over the past 4 years, as well as for running a campaign that […]
RichC | November 2, 2012
I found an excuse to use the Apple iOS Passbook app on the iPhone 5 yesterday while adding tickets to a Romney Ryan Real Recovery Road Rally being held tonight just north of Cincinnati in my hometown of West Chester Ohio. The ticket distribution site EventBrite makes easy checkout and automatically adds the QR coded […]
RichC | November 1, 2012
I’ve been seeing one of the more powerful political ads appear regularly as the election inches closer and it may be the only one that grabs my attention (posted a few days ago). Below are a couple more points that were recently shared with me by email. This first one was from Bret Baier who […]
RichC | October 29, 2012
It sure has been nice to see my daughter on weekends the last couple of months as her residency schedule has been somewhat gentler. Unfortunately she knows it will not last and the rotations will eventually be more challenging and stressful in a couple more weeks. She went to a wedding show near Kings Island […]
RichC | October 28, 2012
Give some serious thought about the direction you see our country going before voting in November. No offense intended towards those desiring a compassionate federal government that oversees the care of its people, but socialism is a slippery slope that we’ve seen fail throughout history … and are witnessing in Europe today. Below is minute […]
RichC | October 27, 2012
This past week offered up the last of Indian summer unless something in the forecast changes and Brenda and I have appreciated the warmer weather, beautiful sunsets (driving by VOA park above) and evenings to work on projects. Besides finishing the downspout and sump pump drain lines, I’ve also replaced and grouted the broken […]
RichC | October 24, 2012
The final presidential debate was held at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida on Monday night (a college visit there in 2007) and the sit down face-to-face capped off the campaign season – I don’t think most Americans could take any more. I personally found it interesting, but assume most were bored with the foreign […]
RichC | October 17, 2012
Over the lunch hour today, I reviewed a few articles and opinions regarding last night’s debate, as well as skimmed through my Twitter feed. What stood out were Romney supporters focused on the content and ideas clearly stated by Mitt Romney. He was focused on the economy and jobs which requires a direction change. This […]
RichC | October 17, 2012
In one corner, wearing a dark suit is the undefeated President of the United States Barack Obama! [cheers and jeers] In the other corner also in a dark suit is the challenger, Salt Lake City Olympics rescuer, Governor Mitt Romney! [more cheers and jeers] Neither man wore gloves, but should have, as they at times […]
RichC | October 16, 2012
Once again, our tax dollars were squandered on another failed green energy company. This time the once promising A123 Systems Inc. (AONE -74.67%) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A123 was one of the Obama Administrations’ handpicked companies to be given a handout … free money … and took nearly $250 million taxpayer dollars […]
RichC | October 15, 2012
I’m not sure I would put a lot of faith in polling this year, especially following 2008 which saw a turnout unique in our recent history. Who knows if the motivation and base for either party will vote in the same numbers … and who knows if it even matters with the electoral college vote? […]
RichC | October 12, 2012
Some are having difficultly getting beyond mannerisms — Laughin’ Joe. 🙂 Ralston Report’s Jon Ralston: “Biden’s facial expressions guarantee he will have a talk show after his elected career, but may not be good for a debate.” (Jon Ralston, Twitter Feed, 10/11/12) NBC News’ David Gregory: “Biden’s smile is out of control.” (David Gregory, Twitter […]
RichC | October 9, 2012
Seriously folks, are we really suppose to see an economic recovery with incomes down $4000/year for the average family over the past 4 years and the cost of fuel and food up? At least with over the board inflation peoples paychecks rise a little along with prices … but not in this Obamaconomy. The latest […]
RichC | October 5, 2012
The unemployment numbers were released this Friday morning and looked 4 tenths better than August (7.8% from 8.2%) drawing suspicion from those who suspect a political conspiracy. Since the numbers are generated in questionable ways including phone polls, who knows? This is still good news for President Obama who will who will point to economic […]