There are a few issues that ignite instant hysteria in many Americans. Illegal immigration, gun rights, jobs going overseas and same-sex marriage are among the issues that inspire hysteria.
President Obama’s recent change in the policy regarding illegal immigrants in America has again exposed an irrational debate. While everyone in this country should be here legally, let’s remember that American citizens and businesses created the market for illegals. Yes, American citizens and businesses!
In a capitalistic society, greed drives consumers and corporations. The desire for the lowest prices and the largest profits supersedes priority in hiring only America citizens. Whether this is right or wrong can be debated, but it’s reality.
Many put all illegal immigrants in the same category, but is it fair to put those who were brought here by their parents and want to contribute to this country in the same category with those who come to America to take advantage of our government? Or, those who are born American citizens who have no intent of contributing to this country? The painful truth is that there are many illegal immigrants who are willing to work harder than many American citizens.
Greed of consumers and corporations is also the driving force behind jobs going overseas. A company increasing profits by outsourcing jobs overseas is part of the capitalistic culture. You do support capitalism, right? American consumers, as a group, make decisions based on price and quality and the origin of the product or service is inconsequential. So, why the hysteria over jobs going overseas?
Years ago the Japanese kick our automotive butts with cars that were better and less expensive. Union greed contributed to that butt-kicking. And would we not try to lure a company away from another country to employ Americans?
Jobs in America are not an entitlement. You have to work to get a job and work to keep a job and that means beating out the competition. We all compete – that’s the American way.
As the election approaches, there is growing hysteria that a second Obama term will lead to new laws that will take away our Second Amendment rights. This is hysterical rhetoric. No president is going to take away America’s Second Amendment rights, which means if you want to vote against President Obama, do it for a legitimate reason and not over something conjured up by those who become hysterical over issues.
Opposition to same-sex marriage is completely irrational. Ultra conservatives who oppose same-sex marriage are asking the government to get involved in the private lives of individuals. I thought conservatives favored ‘less’ government involvement? If gays and lesbians are allowed to legally marry, that action will have no impact on the lives of those who so adamantly oppose it.
When did this stop being the United States of America? In the United States of America I know, all individuals have rights – in a capitalistic society we all compete for jobs and consumers set prices – and no one is going to take away a citizens’ right to own a gun – period.
There are so many reasons to vote for a presidential candidate, try not to buy into the distraction of the hysterical rhetoric from either side of the political perspective. Stop following whoever your ‘leader’ is and think for yourself.
The last remaining Hornet from the pre-Dell Demps era has been traded away, along with first guy the GM acquired.
The Hornets have finally unloaded center Emeka Okafor. Okafor, as well, as forward Trevor Ariza, are heading to the Washington Wizards in return forward Rashard Lewis and the 46th pick in this year’s draft.
The Hornets have been looking to dump Ariza and Okafor for some time now, and recently there has been talk of them attaching one or both of these bad contracts to the tenth pick in an effort to get rid of them. Instead the team simply traded both of them for one, shorter bad contract.
Rashard Lewis is scheduled to be paid $23.8 million this season, but only $13.7 million is guaranteed. The Hornets will likely pay only the guaranteed part, and let Lewis walk. In essence, this trade will free up about $7 million dollars in cap room this season and give the Hornets a 2nd round pick that can either be used as an asset in another deal or to select a player that the team can stash for a couple of years.
The big savings in this deal comes next year, where it clears over 22 million dollars off the books for an off-season that will feature Chris Paul, Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard, Serge Ibaka, James Harden and others as free agents. Imagine CP3 coming back to New Orleans? EWWWWWWW-EEEEEE!
As of right now, Jason Smith and Gustavo Ayon are the only big men under contract now for next season. Obviously the Hornets will select Anthony Davis with the first pick, but that still leaves the door wide open for a starting caliber big man to be plucked out of free agency or targeted in the draft.
Chris Kaman could be re-signed. There is also Omer Asik, JaVale McGee, Robin Lopez, Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, and Spencer Hawes on the free agent market that could be targeted. As for the small forward position, Al-Farouq Aminu could get a shot to show whether or not he is the guy that can hold down the position long-term. He is only 21 and flashed some signs of life late in the season. A full training camp with Coach Monty Williams and the staff could do him wonders.
With this trade, the deck has been cleared to move forward with young players on cheap contracts, two top ten picks, and the ability to retain restricted free agent Eric Gordon. The foundation is in place and the franchise has gotten into an unbelievably flexible position where they can go in any direction he chooses.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012 - The newest ‘distraction while driving’ target is lap dogs and pets loose in a moving car. Like texting and driving, drinking and driving and so many other things, common sense should tell us that certain things are dangerous. When we fail to use common sense, there is an immediate temptation to pass laws forcing us the use common sense, which is a human instinct.
If you are driving with a dog on your lap, that’s dangerous. But do we need to expand the ‘nanny state’ by passing a law banning pets that are not restrained in a moving vehicle? Laws that require the use of common sense discourage individuals from using the natural survival instinct of common sense. And that raises the question: How did any of us survive?
I grew up at a time when you could drive without wearing a seatbelt and there were no laws about child car seats. Our parents smoked in the house and in the car with us and people rode motorcycles without helmets. And somehow we all survived.
Of course, we should do all we can to make the world a safer place for everyone, but the never-ending barrage of laws that make it mandatory to apply common sense will lead to us evolving into a society with no common sense!
