The grass is greener across the ocean?- Not so

The European Union (EU) is beginning budget talks this week as it faces financial issues yet once again. Once again, countries are pitted against one another to determine the outcome of their economic relationship. Great Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, who is acting as a lead negotiator, comes to the table with spending cuts and to defend the British rebate. President of the EU, Herman Van Rompuy, seems to agree with Cameron and will push for $75 billion cut to the $1.3 trillion budget. Spain and Italy are already up in arms. Spain claims it will lose $20 billion euros and Italy states it will lose $10 billion if the cuts are passed. Nobel laureates also flew to Brussels to protest the cuts stating that it will damage research and innovation. Countries are not just upset with the cuts but also with the rebates they will receive. Apparently, Great Britain's rebate will be protected while other countries, such as Denmark, are being denied their fair share. Other countries agree that there need to be cuts but disagree as to where these cuts should be made. Others, such as France, are pushing for higher taxes on finances. Let me see where I've heard this before...oh right...the United States and our wonderful gridlocked government. Spending cuts. Higher taxes. So you see America, we are not so different from our neighbors across the ocean. You may think things are better in Europe but they are facing the same problems we are. Hopefully all sides can come to a resolution. If not, look for our economy to take a hard hit as well. Yours in honesty, SGS

President of the EU- Herman Van Rompuy

We need cybersecurity now more than ever

Last night, the Senate failed once again to pass a bill on cybersecurity that would protect our most vulnerable and critical industries from cyber attacks. Many of these industries that could come under attack are power grids, water systems, transporation, banking, and communication. The major opposition came from a small group of "liberty-minded" Senators in the Republican Party who argued that the bill would only expand the control of the federal government on private industry. ??? I am a Republican- well moderate Republican- and I honestly do not see how someone could vote against something as important and needed to protect our country. In the last few months, the evidence is very clear that we need to protect ourselves from this new threat of cyber terrorism. Banks have come under attack and hackers have broken into our federal institutions, such as the White House and the Pentagon. Believe me, I am all in favor of smaller government when it comes to certain issues. However, our founding fathers wrote a document that stated that the main function of the government is to protect the people. The government cannot protect the people without the proper tools, such as this cyber security bill. I recently took a class as an undergrad titled "The Collapse of Civilizations". The class mainly talked about previous civilizations and how they collapsed but it also gave insight to how America could be on the same path. Anyone want to take a guess as to one of the contributors? You guessed it- attacks on our cyber security. If a terrorist, domestic or foreign, wanted to completely destroy this country, all he or she would need to do is attack the power grids. If you attack the power grids, you stop communcation, you stop clean water and the sewage system, and you stop transporation. It's very simply folks and I don't see how anyone in their right mind doesn't consider this a very real threat. We need to start taking this seriously or we are on the same path to destruction. Yours in honesty, SGS

AFL-CIO and SEIU want TAXES

As the "fiscal cliff" doomsday draws nearer, it seems that both President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner are willing to work together to come to a compromise to solve the fiscal crisis before it arrives. Heck- even David Axelrod said he was "pleased with Mr. Boehner's willingess to discuss the possibility of increasing tax revenues by eliminating tax deductions and tax loopholes". President Obama has also agreed to meet with both union leaders and business leaders to hear their ideas. It looks like we may actually have a functioning government again But hold on- don't get the ticker tape ready just yet. While I applaud the willingness of all these parties to come together, it seems that the unions still have one thing on their mind- raising taxes on the wealthy. Leaders from AFL-CIO and SEIU, just to name a few, have already stated that they want to see taxes raised on wealthy Americans to help solve the looming "fiscal cliff". Peter Colvalito, president of government affairs for SEIU, stated that he wants to make sure "the president holds true to his promise of raising taxes on individuals who make more than $200,000 a year and on families that make more than $250,000 a year. Personally, I don't believe in raising taxes on anyone- especially when we are still working to get out of an economic slump. And remind me- wasn't it former President Bill Clinton who stated only a few months ago that taxes shouldn't be raised on anyone in times of a recession? And how much do this union leaders make?- In my opinion, they should be the first to shove out their cash if a tax on the wealthy is imposed. Now don't get me wrong- I'm all in favor of giving a little to get a little. What John Boehner has offered is fair- even though many conservatives don't even want that. You could raise more revenue by eliminating certain deductions and by closing certain loopholes than by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. And I'm glade to see President Obama agreeing to discuss the details of the plan in return for entitlement form as well. My major concern is that the president will listen to these union leaders instead of his own conscience. Either way, I just hope we can avoid a tax increase on all Americans within the next few weeks. Yours in honesty, SGS

Harry Reid plans to "strangle" GOP in the Senate

As I sit here watching one of my favorite movies (and yes it is chessy) "Anaconda" with Jennifer Lopez, I can't help but view Senator Harry Reid as the giant snake that strangles its prey to death... Yesterday, Reid stated that he while he is willing to work with Republicans in the Senate, he will attempt to push through new rules that will limit the GOP from filibustering. As I stated earlier, its as if Reid is an anaconda strangling the GOP Senators. It's almost laughable to think that someone would even think of doing this. It would be perfectly fine if Reid wanted to limit filibustering in the Senate for both parties. But to limit just one shows that the current Democratic leadership is not ready to negotiate or work together in a bipartisan way. I honestly don't see how this can ever happen but if it does, we may be looking at the next Soviet Union- silencing the opposing party to advance your own agenda Yours in honesty, SGS

"A Hard Day's Journey Into Election Night"

It was a long hard-fought journey but the results were not what I wanted. Yes, I did vote for Mitt Romney to be the next President. Explaining myself would be to complicated on this post and since we all already know the results, I'll make a long story short. The economy worried (and still does worry) me and I believed that Mitt Romney could help get us out of this economic situation. I understand that social issues are important but it is my opinion that if you raise people up economically, you will raise them up socially (I don't know what you would call me on that?) Apparently the rest of the country did not and went a different course as you know. I am dissappointed and feel somewhat defeated (I believed Romney had a good chance at winning it all) but I accept the results of our democratic process. Am I happy? No- but that does not mean I will go out and riot or throw a tantrum (like some of my fellow conservatives are). I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility in our government and support ways to ensure that BIG government stays out of our lives. Many commentators have said that Obama's re-election was a mandate on his presidency and the job he has done so far. While that may be true to a degree, the fact that Democrats were unable to recapture the House of Representatives or further expand their control of the Senate goes to show that this country is still at a standstill, or possibly a crossroads, on what direction it wishes to go. Yes, Obama was re-elected as President but we are still in the same position we were a year ago. Gridlock government is the term. Personally, I don't believe much will get done simply because both sides are to passionate about their own party to negotiate. There are a few in the parties that will negotiate and are willing to compromise but the majority are not. We need more negotiators in our government- period. In other words, get ready for more "nothing" in my opinion. Yours in honesty, SGS