"Did You Hear the Tree Fall?"
Jan. 24, 1997
What is truth? Do any of us know it? Can we define it?
Or, even find it? As a people living in a free nation
truth is essential. For without it, we are lost, without beliefs or confidence in what we are told.
Truth is a valuable commodity that seems to be in short supply. We can never be certain whether or not we are
being told the truth.
"A man's word is his bond" is only a distant creed, no longer used to address one's integrity. And I wonder
how many of us realize this, or even care?
Thoughts of truth come to mind when I think of politicians
who should be paragons of virtue and honest without fault.
All politicians have are their words, and if we cannot be
confident in what they tell us is true, what else is there?
But they are not. They seek to persaude us
Can we re-capture "truth" and restore this creed and
allow people to 'know' when they read or hear something
they can be confident it is true?
Yes we can. But it takes diligence and a concerted
effort to FIND the truth. To question what you hear
or read. To CHALLENGE those who seek to persuade you.
Only with our personal efforts can find the truth.
I think it's too late for voters to learn enough
about the candidates and the issues before election
day. And we are the poorer for it.
The average American knows more about the Simpson
trial than they do about individuals asking to
represent them. Yet, the people we elect impact
our pocketbooks and regulate our lives.
Most of us select a person either by party, personality,
one key issue, or an outside influence (spouse, friend, celebrity).
We know little about the legislation to be introduced,
or how candidates will be voting. And the legislation
is so complex even our representatives don't know all
the elements before passing news laws.
The media reports on negative ads, rather than presenting real differences between candidates. And the candidates become evasive when pressed to defend an unpopular vote.
The blame belongs to each of us. "We get the representation we deserve". This statement was never truer.
How do we fix it? By taking the election process as a serious exercise. Study the candidates and issues. See how
new legislation impacts you, your state and our country.
And once the election is over keep in touch with your legislators. Let them know you care, are interested and will be an active citizen.
A bigger challenge is to overhaul Congressional rules.
Allow all votes to come to the floor and not stay bottled
in committee. Provide a line item veto, change two-year Congressional terms to four years and allow legislation
to be put to a state or national vote.
Much needs to be done, but it has to start with us.
Anthony J. Bruno
Friday, December 18, 2009
The American People
Watching from the Sidelines
Nov. 1, 1995
I was thinking today about American citizens, our goals, priorities, and interests. It saddens me to see my fellow citizens, and I, passing time, rather than living our lives.
Most people don't even realize how far they are from leading a full life. So to them, there isn't a problem. But to me, also someone who has not given as much to life as I can, the frustration leads to this commentary.
What is happening to us? Where are we going as a society?
Do we truly understand what is happening to our country,
and ultimately the people of the entire planet? We've
become a country of observers, rather than doers. We
live by slogans, or symbols rather than our own deeds.
If every minute of our lives were one dollar bills,
what we are doing is the equivalent of burning one
every sixty seconds.
"The times, they are a changin.." so goes the song. Yes, much of today is better than yesterday. As a people we
have advanced further in the past fifty years than the
prior five thousand years. But also,too much of today
is weaker, more shallow, with little meaning. Is this
the destination we wanted to arrive at as we rode the technological advances available to us? Are fifty channels, video recorders, computer-chat groups, mindless programs what we really desire? And will they be our legacy?
I wonder how many of us get introspective about our lives? How many question what we do? Or measure the importance of our lives?
The burning of the minutes of our lives is a crime.
Yet no charges are filed, and each of us is acquitted.
Unfortunately, we are still sentenced. Sentenced to a
life unfulfilled with human achievement.
Will this essay end without an answer? NO! There is one.
The answer is within each of us. First, blow out the match! Stop burning the minutes we live! Plan your life so you can reach your goals and follow the road to reach them.
Second, spend LESS time watching others at THEIR vocation, and focus on your own. Turn off the TV and get involved
in your life!
And if you have no defined goals, help others. Every day
we have the opportunity to do something for another.
For every kindness or good deed we do, we give something, for not only for the person we aid but also for ourselves.
Anthony J. Bruno
Nov. 1, 1995
I was thinking today about American citizens, our goals, priorities, and interests. It saddens me to see my fellow citizens, and I, passing time, rather than living our lives.
Most people don't even realize how far they are from leading a full life. So to them, there isn't a problem. But to me, also someone who has not given as much to life as I can, the frustration leads to this commentary.
What is happening to us? Where are we going as a society?
Do we truly understand what is happening to our country,
and ultimately the people of the entire planet? We've
become a country of observers, rather than doers. We
live by slogans, or symbols rather than our own deeds.
If every minute of our lives were one dollar bills,
what we are doing is the equivalent of burning one
every sixty seconds.
"The times, they are a changin.." so goes the song. Yes, much of today is better than yesterday. As a people we
have advanced further in the past fifty years than the
prior five thousand years. But also,too much of today
is weaker, more shallow, with little meaning. Is this
the destination we wanted to arrive at as we rode the technological advances available to us? Are fifty channels, video recorders, computer-chat groups, mindless programs what we really desire? And will they be our legacy?
I wonder how many of us get introspective about our lives? How many question what we do? Or measure the importance of our lives?
The burning of the minutes of our lives is a crime.
Yet no charges are filed, and each of us is acquitted.
Unfortunately, we are still sentenced. Sentenced to a
life unfulfilled with human achievement.
Will this essay end without an answer? NO! There is one.
The answer is within each of us. First, blow out the match! Stop burning the minutes we live! Plan your life so you can reach your goals and follow the road to reach them.
Second, spend LESS time watching others at THEIR vocation, and focus on your own. Turn off the TV and get involved
in your life!
And if you have no defined goals, help others. Every day
we have the opportunity to do something for another.
For every kindness or good deed we do, we give something, for not only for the person we aid but also for ourselves.
Anthony J. Bruno
The American People
Watching from the Sidelines
Nov. 1, 1995
I was thinking today about American citizens, our goals, priorities, and interests. It saddens me to see my fellow citizens, and I, passing time, rather than living our lives.
Most people don't even realize how far they are from leading a full life. So to them, there isn't a problem. But to me, also someone who has not given as much to life as I can, the frustration leads to this commentary.
What is happening to us? Where are we going as a society?
Do we truly understand what is happening to our country,
and ultimately the people of the entire planet? We've
become a country of observers, rather than doers. We
live by slogans, or symbols rather than our own deeds.
If every minute of our lives were one dollar bills,
what we are doing is the equivalent of burning one
every sixty seconds.
"The times, they are a changin.." so goes the song. Yes, much of today is better than yesterday. As a people we
have advanced further in the past fifty years than the
prior five thousand years. But also,too much of today
is weaker, more shallow, with little meaning. Is this
the destination we wanted to arrive at as we rode the technological advances available to us? Are fifty channels, video recorders, computer-chat groups, mindless programs what we really desire? And will they be our legacy?
I wonder how many of us get introspective about our lives? How many question what we do? Or measure the importance of our lives?
The burning of the minutes of our lives is a crime.
Yet no charges are filed, and each of us is acquitted.
Unfortunately, we are still sentenced. Sentenced to a
life unfulfilled with human achievement.
Will this essay end without an answer? NO! There is one.
The answer is within each of us. First, blow out the match! Stop burning the minutes we live! Plan your life so you can reach your goals and follow the road to reach them.
Second, spend LESS time watching others at THEIR vocation, and focus on your own. Turn off the TV and get involved
in your life!
And if you have no defined goals, help others. Every day
we have the opportunity to do something for another.
For every kindness or good deed we do, we give something, for not only for the person we aid but also for ourselves.
Anthony J. Bruno
Nov. 1, 1995
I was thinking today about American citizens, our goals, priorities, and interests. It saddens me to see my fellow citizens, and I, passing time, rather than living our lives.
Most people don't even realize how far they are from leading a full life. So to them, there isn't a problem. But to me, also someone who has not given as much to life as I can, the frustration leads to this commentary.
What is happening to us? Where are we going as a society?
Do we truly understand what is happening to our country,
and ultimately the people of the entire planet? We've
become a country of observers, rather than doers. We
live by slogans, or symbols rather than our own deeds.
If every minute of our lives were one dollar bills,
what we are doing is the equivalent of burning one
every sixty seconds.
"The times, they are a changin.." so goes the song. Yes, much of today is better than yesterday. As a people we
have advanced further in the past fifty years than the
prior five thousand years. But also,too much of today
is weaker, more shallow, with little meaning. Is this
the destination we wanted to arrive at as we rode the technological advances available to us? Are fifty channels, video recorders, computer-chat groups, mindless programs what we really desire? And will they be our legacy?
I wonder how many of us get introspective about our lives? How many question what we do? Or measure the importance of our lives?
The burning of the minutes of our lives is a crime.
Yet no charges are filed, and each of us is acquitted.
Unfortunately, we are still sentenced. Sentenced to a
life unfulfilled with human achievement.
Will this essay end without an answer? NO! There is one.
The answer is within each of us. First, blow out the match! Stop burning the minutes we live! Plan your life so you can reach your goals and follow the road to reach them.
Second, spend LESS time watching others at THEIR vocation, and focus on your own. Turn off the TV and get involved
in your life!
And if you have no defined goals, help others. Every day
we have the opportunity to do something for another.
For every kindness or good deed we do, we give something, for not only for the person we aid but also for ourselves.
Anthony J. Bruno
Sweet Little Sixteen Taxes
"Sweet Little Sixteen" May 6, 1996
I recently read an essay by Walter Williams on taxes,
a subject near and dear to all Americans who believe
they pay too much of their income to our government.
Dr. Williams noted that today, May 6th, the 127th day
of the year, the average taxpayer will have finally paid
his local, state and federal taxes.
The article describes the relationship between taxes and freedom. Dr. Williams draws a close connection between
these two, not so obvious, elements of a civilized society.
The connection occurred with the ratification of the 16th Amendment, giving Congress the power to tax our income.
Dr. Williams concludes that with the 16th Amendment a master-slave relationship was created that enslaved
citizens to a Congress that determined who will pay
and how much will be paid to the Federal government.
Additionally, the 16th Amendment allows Congress to
not be accountable for financial responsibility that
should come with the taxing power they have.
To curb the excesses of a Congress and Administration that continually increase our debt we, the taxpayer, must ACT.
We must take responsibility for the financing of government, and not leave it in the hands of people who spend their career seizing our money, then retire, and leave a national debt to our children and our children's children.
We must petition Congress to give all taxing authority
to the citizens who pay them, not legislators who impose taxes WITHOUT our consent. Rather than listen to arguments of why taxes need to be increased and which group of Americans should pay them WE need to vote on tax
referendums as the need exists.
This single change will immediately return the power to where it belongs. It will make politicians do what they
are most skilled at, make a persuasive case to support
their viewpoint. And the public, if convinced, will
provide the additional funds.
Going from the 16th Amendment, which is a subtle effort
to keep citizens enslaved, to REAL accountability by
giving it to the people who pay the taxes, will not be
easy. But a grassroots effort is long overdue.
Since the 16th Amendment was adopted the United States
has accumulated over $5 TRILLION in debt. Need we see
any more evidence that something is very wrong and
the public should be responsible for the amount of
money we are taxed and how it should be spent.
Anthony J. Bruno
I recently read an essay by Walter Williams on taxes,
a subject near and dear to all Americans who believe
they pay too much of their income to our government.
Dr. Williams noted that today, May 6th, the 127th day
of the year, the average taxpayer will have finally paid
his local, state and federal taxes.
The article describes the relationship between taxes and freedom. Dr. Williams draws a close connection between
these two, not so obvious, elements of a civilized society.
The connection occurred with the ratification of the 16th Amendment, giving Congress the power to tax our income.
Dr. Williams concludes that with the 16th Amendment a master-slave relationship was created that enslaved
citizens to a Congress that determined who will pay
and how much will be paid to the Federal government.
Additionally, the 16th Amendment allows Congress to
not be accountable for financial responsibility that
should come with the taxing power they have.
To curb the excesses of a Congress and Administration that continually increase our debt we, the taxpayer, must ACT.
We must take responsibility for the financing of government, and not leave it in the hands of people who spend their career seizing our money, then retire, and leave a national debt to our children and our children's children.
We must petition Congress to give all taxing authority
to the citizens who pay them, not legislators who impose taxes WITHOUT our consent. Rather than listen to arguments of why taxes need to be increased and which group of Americans should pay them WE need to vote on tax
referendums as the need exists.
This single change will immediately return the power to where it belongs. It will make politicians do what they
are most skilled at, make a persuasive case to support
their viewpoint. And the public, if convinced, will
provide the additional funds.
Going from the 16th Amendment, which is a subtle effort
to keep citizens enslaved, to REAL accountability by
giving it to the people who pay the taxes, will not be
easy. But a grassroots effort is long overdue.
Since the 16th Amendment was adopted the United States
has accumulated over $5 TRILLION in debt. Need we see
any more evidence that something is very wrong and
the public should be responsible for the amount of
money we are taxed and how it should be spent.
Anthony J. Bruno
First, the tax system.
Let's look at what we 'believe'. First, the tax system.
For the longest time the public has demanded the tax
system be overhauled. 'We' have claimed it is unfair,
regressive (whatever that means), and goes beyond the
intend of taxation to fund the business of government.
When there is an 'outcry' for such reform it is usually
done by politicians attempting to win our support. These
crys demand great change, such as the flat tax proposal
being promoted this year.
But before Congress begins the work of re-writing our
tax code and 'closing down the IRS' lets review the tax
system the way it currently appears, what it is doing,
and what is needed.
The tax system is the legal means of transferring money
from the private sector to the public sector. This money
is to be used to pay for the goods and services government provides.
Unfortunately, the money collected is less than the amount
government spends each year, causing our country to increase
its debt. So the first issue is to determine how can our government 'pay its bills' without worsening our debt load,
which is nearly 5 trillion dollars.
We can reduce spending to a level to a level equal to tax revenue, or raise taxes so our debt burden is not increased.
Or, apply a combination of both of these approaches.
On the spending side there are many ways to cut expenses
and save money. This can be done in two ways. First, look
at current processes that are inefficient and improve them.
Make government perform the same way most successful companies
do. Peel away bureaucrat layers that burden both the public
and those in government who must adhere to outdated laws and burdensome regulations that provide no benefit to the public.
Second, look at areas that go beyond the role of a 'limited government' which is the core of our representative democracy.
At every level governement does too much. It offers more
support to the public, at a great cost, than the benefits provided. This will be the hardest 'mind-set' to alter. Once people receive something from government, whether it is surplus cheese for senior citizens, or lunch and condoms for school children, it is difficult to take away. Advocates for groups getting goods and services will protest any benefit either
taken away or reduced.
Once we clearly define what role government should play in
our life we can move forward to see what the best means of taxation is.
And what is the 'best' way to collect taxes? Experts argue, usually on philosophical grounds. The arguements are filled
more with rhetoric than thoughtful persuasive positions.
The 'flat tax' is getting lots of attention. So is 'higher
rates on the rich' and reducing 'capital gains tax'. It is
mind-boggling to average citizens.
And again, before we debate the way to tax we need to address
what tax policies are EFFECTIVE and should remain. And secondly
what is best way to tax.
Currently, our tax system circumvents the natural laws of
supply/demand in a free market system by creating artifical
incentives. If we make changes that eliminate conditions we
have adjusted our behavior towards, we risk damaging any
industry operating in this environment. We must make certain
any changes do not place a hardship on the public.
There are many tax laws specifically designed to benefit key industries.
we have If for example
Some 'experts' argue increasing taxes will increase revenue, while others claim reducing taxes will increase revenue. And we, the public, quizzically wonder who is right.
For the longest time the public has demanded the tax
system be overhauled. 'We' have claimed it is unfair,
regressive (whatever that means), and goes beyond the
intend of taxation to fund the business of government.
When there is an 'outcry' for such reform it is usually
done by politicians attempting to win our support. These
crys demand great change, such as the flat tax proposal
being promoted this year.
But before Congress begins the work of re-writing our
tax code and 'closing down the IRS' lets review the tax
system the way it currently appears, what it is doing,
and what is needed.
The tax system is the legal means of transferring money
from the private sector to the public sector. This money
is to be used to pay for the goods and services government provides.
Unfortunately, the money collected is less than the amount
government spends each year, causing our country to increase
its debt. So the first issue is to determine how can our government 'pay its bills' without worsening our debt load,
which is nearly 5 trillion dollars.
We can reduce spending to a level to a level equal to tax revenue, or raise taxes so our debt burden is not increased.
Or, apply a combination of both of these approaches.
On the spending side there are many ways to cut expenses
and save money. This can be done in two ways. First, look
at current processes that are inefficient and improve them.
Make government perform the same way most successful companies
do. Peel away bureaucrat layers that burden both the public
and those in government who must adhere to outdated laws and burdensome regulations that provide no benefit to the public.
Second, look at areas that go beyond the role of a 'limited government' which is the core of our representative democracy.
At every level governement does too much. It offers more
support to the public, at a great cost, than the benefits provided. This will be the hardest 'mind-set' to alter. Once people receive something from government, whether it is surplus cheese for senior citizens, or lunch and condoms for school children, it is difficult to take away. Advocates for groups getting goods and services will protest any benefit either
taken away or reduced.
Once we clearly define what role government should play in
our life we can move forward to see what the best means of taxation is.
And what is the 'best' way to collect taxes? Experts argue, usually on philosophical grounds. The arguements are filled
more with rhetoric than thoughtful persuasive positions.
The 'flat tax' is getting lots of attention. So is 'higher
rates on the rich' and reducing 'capital gains tax'. It is
mind-boggling to average citizens.
And again, before we debate the way to tax we need to address
what tax policies are EFFECTIVE and should remain. And secondly
what is best way to tax.
Currently, our tax system circumvents the natural laws of
supply/demand in a free market system by creating artifical
incentives. If we make changes that eliminate conditions we
have adjusted our behavior towards, we risk damaging any
industry operating in this environment. We must make certain
any changes do not place a hardship on the public.
There are many tax laws specifically designed to benefit key industries.
we have If for example
Some 'experts' argue increasing taxes will increase revenue, while others claim reducing taxes will increase revenue. And we, the public, quizzically wonder who is right.
"The American Voter-Essay One"
"The American Voter-Essay One"
Feb. 6, 1996
Each day the American public is presented stories on important issues affecting our lives and impacting
our pocketbooks. These stories are provided by the
media who report on our local, state and national government. As citizens we receive more 'news' about
our government than any country. We should be the
most informed people in the world. But are we? Not
according to polls that test our knowledge of issues.
And if not, why not?
Not unlike children who are guided through public
school systems but not educated; most Americans are
not educated about what government is doing for us
and to us.
The media presents us with polls upon polls, gathering
this information so politicians 'know how we feel'.
And elected officials respond to poll results.
I cannot cast stones at our politicians. They are doing
what they should do, represent us and persuade us, and nothing more. But I can throw a brickbat or two at the media. They fall far short of the mark. Most often they present our politicians argument, rarely challenging the 'facts' supporting it. They leave the public wanting,
not fully understanding an issue, yet believing they
have 'done their job'.
If the media believes they have done their job, then
we must begin to do ours. WE must take responsibility
for the information we receive. We must read, listen, analyze,and conclude the validity of this information.
Every story the media presents should be viewed as a
used car ad, with suspicion. There may not be a
deliberate effort to distort a story, but we must
question what we are told.
Is this hard work? Yes and no. Some of the issues may
be beyond our comprehension, but most are not. Most
issues, especially those affecting our Federal pocket-
book are no different than those faced by most American
families. Most fiscal problems we face are simply because
we spend beyond are ability to pay our bills. Anyone can understand this. And raising our debt ceiling each year
does not cure our government's addiction of spending the public's money.
As for non-fiscal issues, let the words of Jefferson
and Madison guide you. Don't allow the 'technology of today', such as a V-chip, allow government to intrude
into our lives. Too many of us have abdicated our
personal responsibilities to politicians; men and
women we do not know, but who ask for our trust.
We would not give our children to strangers, so why
our rights?
Anthony J. Bruno
Feb. 6, 1996
Each day the American public is presented stories on important issues affecting our lives and impacting
our pocketbooks. These stories are provided by the
media who report on our local, state and national government. As citizens we receive more 'news' about
our government than any country. We should be the
most informed people in the world. But are we? Not
according to polls that test our knowledge of issues.
And if not, why not?
Not unlike children who are guided through public
school systems but not educated; most Americans are
not educated about what government is doing for us
and to us.
The media presents us with polls upon polls, gathering
this information so politicians 'know how we feel'.
And elected officials respond to poll results.
I cannot cast stones at our politicians. They are doing
what they should do, represent us and persuade us, and nothing more. But I can throw a brickbat or two at the media. They fall far short of the mark. Most often they present our politicians argument, rarely challenging the 'facts' supporting it. They leave the public wanting,
not fully understanding an issue, yet believing they
have 'done their job'.
If the media believes they have done their job, then
we must begin to do ours. WE must take responsibility
for the information we receive. We must read, listen, analyze,and conclude the validity of this information.
Every story the media presents should be viewed as a
used car ad, with suspicion. There may not be a
deliberate effort to distort a story, but we must
question what we are told.
Is this hard work? Yes and no. Some of the issues may
be beyond our comprehension, but most are not. Most
issues, especially those affecting our Federal pocket-
book are no different than those faced by most American
families. Most fiscal problems we face are simply because
we spend beyond are ability to pay our bills. Anyone can understand this. And raising our debt ceiling each year
does not cure our government's addiction of spending the public's money.
As for non-fiscal issues, let the words of Jefferson
and Madison guide you. Don't allow the 'technology of today', such as a V-chip, allow government to intrude
into our lives. Too many of us have abdicated our
personal responsibilities to politicians; men and
women we do not know, but who ask for our trust.
We would not give our children to strangers, so why
our rights?
Anthony J. Bruno
"Is it too Late to Become an Educated Voter?"
"Is it too Late to Become an Educated Voter?"
Nov. 2, 1994
I think it's too late for voters to learn enough
about the candidates and the issues before election
day. And we are the poorer for it.
The average American knows more about the Simpson
trial than they do about individuals asking to
represent them. Yet, the people we elect impact
our pocketbooks and regulate our lives.
Most of us select a person either by party, personality,
one key issue, or an outside influence (spouse, friend, celebrity).
We know little about the legislation to be introduced,
or how candidates will be voting. And the legislation
is so complex even our representatives don't know all
the elements before passing news laws.
The media reports on negative ads, rather than presenting real differences between candidates. And the candidates become evasive when pressed to defend an unpopular vote.
The blame belongs to each of us. "We get the representation we deserve". This statement was never truer.
How do we fix it? By taking the election process as a serious exercise. Study the candidates and issues. See how
new legislation impacts you, your state and our country.
And once the election is over keep in touch with your legislators. Let them know you care, are interested and will be an active citizen.
A bigger challenge is to overhaul Congressional rules.
Allow all votes to come to the floor and not stay bottled
in committee. Provide a line item veto, change two-year Congressional terms to four years and allow legislation
to be put to a state or national vote.
Much needs to be done, but it has to start with us.
Anthony J. Bruno
Nov. 2, 1994
I think it's too late for voters to learn enough
about the candidates and the issues before election
day. And we are the poorer for it.
The average American knows more about the Simpson
trial than they do about individuals asking to
represent them. Yet, the people we elect impact
our pocketbooks and regulate our lives.
Most of us select a person either by party, personality,
one key issue, or an outside influence (spouse, friend, celebrity).
We know little about the legislation to be introduced,
or how candidates will be voting. And the legislation
is so complex even our representatives don't know all
the elements before passing news laws.
The media reports on negative ads, rather than presenting real differences between candidates. And the candidates become evasive when pressed to defend an unpopular vote.
The blame belongs to each of us. "We get the representation we deserve". This statement was never truer.
How do we fix it? By taking the election process as a serious exercise. Study the candidates and issues. See how
new legislation impacts you, your state and our country.
And once the election is over keep in touch with your legislators. Let them know you care, are interested and will be an active citizen.
A bigger challenge is to overhaul Congressional rules.
Allow all votes to come to the floor and not stay bottled
in committee. Provide a line item veto, change two-year Congressional terms to four years and allow legislation
to be put to a state or national vote.
Much needs to be done, but it has to start with us.
Anthony J. Bruno
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