Napoleon “Ted Cruz” Bonaparte

I’ve heard it said that everything is bigger in Texas. If so, then nothing can be bigger than the Texas-sized ego of Ted Cruz.  This was especially apparent during a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Candy Crowley.

It seems as if it wasn’t enough that Mr. Cruz’s efforts led to a federal government shutdown.  Now, Mr. Cruz wants to ensure that shutdown remains in effect.  Despite the fact that there have been 44 attempts to undermine “Obamacare”, Mr. Cruz wants to use the debt ceiling as a means to advance his own personal agenda against “Obamacare”.

Mr. Cruz’s rationale for this is simple.  According to him, “Obamacare” “would destroy the private health care system.”  Really Mr. Cruz?  Apparently you haven’t noticed, but the private health care system IS ALREADY BROKEN!  Don’t believe me, just ask someone that has a pre-existing condition that can’t afford health care!  “Privatize” is the Republican Tea Party answer to “fix” everything.  The only thing health care privatization “fixes” is the bank accounts of doctors and politicians like Ted Cruz.

Mr. Cruz went on to state that “Obamacare isn’t working”.  Once again, really Mr. Cruz?  “Obamacare” was only implemented 5 days ago.  Don’t you think it’s a bit premature to state that the system isn’t working?  Or better yet Mr. Cruz, are you afraid that “Obamacare” just might actually be successful?

At this point, I feel there are a few things quite apparent here.  First of all, the angst that Mr. Cruz feels towards “Obamacare” is nothing more than a manifestation of the jealousy he feels towards President Obama himself.  The reality is Mr. Obama is President and Mr. Cruz is not.  More importantly, Mr. Cruz will NEVER BE PRESIDENT.  As a result, he will never be taken seriously. At least as seriously as he wants to be taken.  Mr. Cruz has always been nothing, will always be nothing, and his current actions only serve to reinforce this.

Ted Cruz is nothing more than a modern day Napoleon.  Texas’ed sized ego with an equally large inferiority complex. Completely out of touch with reality.  A bane upon society.  A loser in every sense of the word.  “Obamacare” won’t destroy the private healthcare system.  It’s fair to say at this point “Obamacare” will work.  The only thing amiss here Mr. Ted Cruz is YOU and the rest of your Republican Tea Party puppets!!

An Open Letter To Congress

Dear Congress,

 

It’s only fitting and proper that on my first furlough day I take the time to thank those responsible for taking away from me.  Thank you Congress for taking 20% of my paycheck.  Your irresponsibility and indifference regarding sequestration will go far towards negating my efforts to maintain my quality of life.  I appreciate you adversely impacting my current financial stability.   

In addition, since the amount of money going towards my retirement is based on a percentage of my base pay, your ineptness will also adversely impact my future financial stability.  Since I will no longer have any “disposable” income to speak off, I will also no longer be able to contribute to the additional Roth IRA I established.  Unlike you, I planned responsibly for my future.  Thank you for negating my efforts. 

Despite your efficiency in adversely impacting both my current and future financial stability, I will sleep well at night knowing each and every one of you, my “leaders” in Washington, will continue to draw every penny of your six-figure salary. 

I’d also like to thank you on behalf of the local businesses I will no longer be able to frequent due to my furlough status.  Thank you for taking away from those small business owners who’s every dollar means the difference between success and failure.

Rest assured though, since I have to put gas in my vehicle for the days that I am not furloughed, feed and clothe myself, and pay my mortgage, I will continue to support the big business, “Capitalist Masters”, that fill your re-election coffers.

Thank you Congress!  Thank you for taking from me…your constituent.  Thank you for taking from my local small business owners…so much for that whole “job creation thing” you talk so much about.  Come Election Day, you better believe I will remember.  I will remember those that took from me!!!!

 

Sincerely,

Civil Servant, Veteran, Your Constituent

 

Sequestration and a Three Day Weekend…It’s Good to be a D.C. Lawmaker These Days!

Well, it’s official. That which was never supposed to happen is here. The Federal cuts required by the sequestration will be enacted today. Fittingly, Congress has begun their weekend early and won’t even be in session to officially herald in the fruits of their incompetence. Our “leaders” in Washington have been irresponsible for creating this situation all along. Why should they be responsible now and actually show face for their ineptness?

For those Americans that have looked forward to this day. For those that believe they will not be affected by this sequestration, I have a news flash for you. You will be. Because every facet of society is connected. What affects one will eventually affect another. Americans have become grossly complacent when it comes to just how much the Federal government affects and subsides our daily lives. Ironically, it will be these very same oblivious Americans that cry foul the loudest when they all of a sudden they realize that which they had is no longer available to them.

Sequestration…Eh…What’s a Furlough Here and There

113TH isn’t looking all that promising either!!

Like many federal civilian employees, I’m keeping a leery eye towards the future. Sadly, the sequestration that was never supposed to happen appears more and more likely with each passing day. Once again words cannot describe the overwhelming disappointment I have towards our “leaders” in Washington D.C. They have yet again blown an opportunity to step up and do the job that they get paid (and get paid well) to do. To add insult to injury, it seems most have made the decision to purposely allow the sequestration to occur rather than actually put forth the effort to reduce this nation’s deficit rationally and responsibly.

If the sequestration occurs, I like many federal civilian employees, will be furloughed. This means that I will be forced to take an unpaid “vacation” one day a week until the “Dolts in DC” pull their heads out of their anal orifices and actually make the decisions they have been elected to make. My elected representatives will be responsible for a loss of income which accounts for almost a third of my monthly paycheck. Contrary to seemingly popular belief regarding federal civilian employees, I’m not a millionaire. I make approximately 35K/year. While I’ve taken responsible steps to help mitigate the effects of potential furlough, this loss of income will adversely impact my standard of living.

I’m sure there are some that have read this far and are thinking “blah, blah, blah, whining and bitching”. For those that feel this way and lack the ability to think beyond their immediate self, I’d like to put things in perspective. First of all, can you afford to lose a third of your monthly paycheck? Probably not! If the shoe were on the other foot you too would be up in arms over the degradation to your standard of living. In addition, you’d probably also be rather indignant that no one cares about your plight.

I imagine there are also some that are reading this thinking “well if you want to make more money, get a better paying job”. Brilliant!! Why didn’t I think of that! However, I’m not asking for anything more than what I already receive. I don’t want more money. I simply want to receive the full amount of money I currently make! I feel I get paid well for what I do. Through responsible decision making, my current income enables me the ability to live a rather comfortable standard of living. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy what I do. Do you want to walk away from what you enjoy doing? Probably not! To expect me to do so because of the ineptness of others is simply idiotic.

Ultimately, there are those that may be thinking “well it could be worse, at least you have a job.” I couldn’t agree more! It could be worse. I could be unemployed or I could be furloughed for more than one day a week and lose even more income. I am quite thankful I have a job. I recognize there are others that are not as fortunate. Yet those that take this “be thankful for what you have” approach, as well as those that feel I’m whining and bitching, are missing the ultimate point.

We pay (to the tune of six figures a year) our elected officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of this country. Our “leaders” are simply NOT DOING THEIR JOB and the sequestration is yet one more example of this unwillingness to perform the duties they have been elected to do. If I don’t do my job, I get “written up”. I will ultimately be fired if I continue to shun the responsibilities I was hired to do. What price do our elected officials pay for blatantly thumbing their noses at their responsibilities? What price do our elected officials pay for putting the interests of their Super-PAC’s, special interest groups, and political parties ahead of their constituents’ issues? Absolutely nothing…with a pretty good chance for re-election at the end of their term!! The ultimate point is our elected officials are not doing their jobs and we are not holding them accountable for their inactions.

To add even more insult to injury, I recently learned that Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) introduced bill H.R. 273. This bill effectively aims to eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees. Not surprisingly, this bill passed the Republican Tea Party controlled House and is now up for Senate consideration. While it is uncertain whether or not the Senate will approve the measure, in light of the current political climate, it’s reasonable to assume at this point it will.

So it’s not good enough to steal the money that federal civilian employees currently make. No, let’s make sure federal civilian employees receive less in the future too!! If only Rep. DeSantis and the rest of the 48 obstructionist Republican Tea Party members that co-sponsored this bill could be as thorough when it comes to actually introducing and passing responsible legislation!

While many will view my words as nothing more than bitching and whining, the reality is we have a huge problem. The “Dolts in DC” are not doing their job and we are not holding them accountable for their inaction. This has got to change!! We as citizens CANNOT continue to simply make do with what is given to us. As citizens, it SHOULD NOT be expected that we continually accommodate the ineptness of our elected officials. The free ride is over! Our Senators and Representatives MUST BE held accountable for their actions…or more importantly, their inactions. As citizens we have a RESPONSIBILITY to become more aware and more involved in what our elected officials do. That way come Election Day, we ensure those that have not been living up to their responsibility are finally held accountable and unseated! Perhaps a good place to start is a certain Representative from Florida.