Not Paying Attention

My job requires me to travel. Although it's usually locally, sometimes, it may be out of state. It gives me an opportunity to observe, and with my construction knowledge, I see things differently than many.

I'm observing the gradual decay of cities. Not just a few isolated cities; all cities. Streets are becoming less maintained, public buildings are showing wear, private homes are abandoned, and it's obvious most cities are having budget problems.

With some cities, the decay is almost startling. The decay indicates lack of money, lack of qualified repair personnel, and a shrinking tax base. People are fleeing, businesses are closing, and the property tax value shrinks accordingly. Houses that might once have been repaired are rotting away, and even if the city condemns the property, it's just another drain on the budget. When the property is auctioned for taxes, the value of the property is a small percent of the value it once had.

What's the solution? There is no quick solution, since ignorance is the biggest reason for the decay. Elected officials aren't qualified to shovel dog poop, but they're voted into office for their party affiliation, or the color of their skin, or their slick commercials, or their wealth.....the list goes on forever. Regardless of the reason, most voters are woefully ignorant of the basics of government, fiscal responsibility, how crime is like cancer, and their responsibility in the entire mess. To make things worse, those qualified are shrewd enough to stay away from politics. It's easier to move to a rural area, and avoid the pitfalls of living in a failed community.

So, it's only going to get worse. The ridiculous pensions, waste, squandered resources, and outright corruption in city governments will continue, and those accepting their ignorance will continue to wallow in their ignorance.

I think some may think there will some sort of bailout, but they fail to realize it will never come. Eventually, many cities will be bankrupt, those expecting a pension will find there will only be pennies on the dollar, and those that can, will leave; never to return. Too many were not paying attention, and it will be too late to do anything.

Playgrounds and the Supreme Court

Missouri has a law that states no public funds can go to any church or religious institution. There was a state grant for playground equipment, and a Lutheran school was refused an opportunity to receive some of the taxpayer funded grant; so they sued.

The suit eventually worked its way to the Supreme Court, and in a 7 to 2 decision, the court ruled for the plaintiff. Sotomayor, and Ginsberg dissented, which is not surprising, but their reaction shows volumes about their inability to understand the Constitution, and the First Amendment.

The law preventing religious schools from public funds is a clear violation of the First Amendment.

"...Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"..."

The state of Missouri, by refusing the school the same opportunity as secular school, was punishing the school for failing to abide by the rules secularism. That's not what the First Amendment mandates, and it's tragic two Supreme Court judges can't, or won't, base their opinions on something other than politics.

Be Careful For What You Ask For

Detractors, including many in the media, for months asked for a probe into Russian meddling in the election. They were focused on the President, but after months of probes, Loretta Lynch is now a focal point. 

The testimony of Comey not only shows Lynch meddled in the election, it's purported there are emails assuring members of the Democratic party the investigation into Clinton's emails wouldn't go too far. Add this with her almost clandestine meeting with a candidate's husband, and you have something much more than media conjecture.

The last administration operated in unison with their political party to promote an agenda, regardless of whether illegal acts were part of the process. With the media running interference, they deepened the acceptance of corruption that pervades the capitol. To made things worse, the murder of Seth Rich reveals the possibility murder was even acceptable to continue their goal.

I don't know where the investigation will lead, but Lynch doesn't have the power she once had, those she collaborated have shown they have no integrity, and she may find her best move is to provide evidence to shorten any sentence she faces. Time will tell.

Maybe They're Not Very Smart

If you look at the minority leader in the House of Representatives, you find an aging, very rich, somewhat demented, and out of touch woman, who can only offer her party members platitudes and ridiculous talking points created by the media that runs the party. It appears the Democrats are not only becoming less important, they're not very smart.

Personally, I think they should keep her in her important position. Her fecklessness is doing more to reduce the influence of the Socialist Democrats than anything else, and it doesn't cost any money.

Tropical Shenanigans

A tropical storm is forecast to come ashore in my locale over the night hours. While the forecasters thought there would be more rain, the rain bands are now over the coast, and they look heavy on the radar.

I don't think we'll lose power, but the satellite dish will become less concave, and the signal will be lost after the rain cuts down the signal.

I'll watch, probably enjoy a fitful night of sleep, and enjoy the lower electricity bill due to the cooler temperatures.