Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- April 8, 2012

NFP Big Miss: 120K, Expectations 205K, Unemployment 8.2%, "Not In Labor Force" At New All Time High - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - April 8, 2012 - March NFP big miss at just 120K. Unemployment rate declines from 8.3% to 8.2%. Futures slide, for at least a few minutes before the NEW QE TM rumor starts spreading. The household survey actually posted a decline in March from 142,065 to 142,034. Considering Birth Death added 90K to the NSA number, the actual number was almost unchanged. And as always, as we predicted when Goldman hiked its NFP forecast yesterday from 175K to 200K saying "if Goldman's recent predictive track record is any indication, tomorrow's NFP will be a disaster", Goldie once again skewers everyone. Finally, Joe LaVorgna's +250,000 forecast was just 100% off... as usual.                        The unemployment rate drops to 8.2% for one simple reason: the number of people not in the labor force is back to all time highs: 87,897,000.

US Needs To Generate 262K Jobs Each Month To Get Back To Breakeven - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - 04/06/2012 - This is the latest tally: since the start of the Second Great Depression, the US has lost a total of 5.2 million nonfarm payroll jobs, beginning with 138 million jobs in December 2007, and printing at 132.8 million as of 90 minutes ago. So far so good. The problem, however is that the denominator in the equation is not fixed, and as everyone knows the US labor force, despite the ridiculous BLS data fudging, is growing in line with population, albeit at a slower pace. According to all non-partisan budget forecasters, each month the labor force should be adding 90,000 people. Which in turn means that since December 2007, the labor force has really grown by 4.6 million. Adding these two together leads to a 10 million job deficit. So what has to happen for these 10 million to get promptly put back into jobs, and for America to get back to the ~5% unemployment rate it boasted just as the credit bubble peaked? Nothing too crazy: the country just has to create 262,000 jobs every month for the remainder of Obama's first, and now, by the looks of it, second term too. We are quite confident he can handle it.

Jobs Report: The Beginning of a Disappointing Trend? - Yahoo Finance - Contrary Indicator - Daniel Gross - April 6, 2012 - It's a good thing the stock market isn't open Friday. If it were, the disappointing March employment report, a rare piece of negative economic news this spring, would likely have caused stocks to nosedive. As it was, U.S. stock futures (which were open) slipped, the dollar is falling and Treasury prices are spiking on the report.                The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the U.S. economy added only 120,000 payroll jobs in March, a sharp decline from recent jobs growth. The unemployment rate slipped to 8.2 percent from 8.3 percent in February, but that's largely because the workforce declined. In short, this is the type of report that is more typical of an economy beginning to emerge from recession than one that has been growing for nearly three years.               The addition of 120,000 jobs represents the 15^th straight month in which jobs were added. Compared with March 2011, there were 1.9 million more payroll jobs in the U.S. in March 2012. But this represents a sharp slowdown from the pace of job creation. In each of the previous three months, the economy had added more than 200,000 positions. As is typical, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised the job creation for previously reported months. The January figure was revised from a gain of 284,000 to a gain of 275,000, while the February figure was revised up from 227,000 jobs created to 240,000. Looking back, BLS discovered an extra 4,000 jobs that it hadn't detected last month — a negligible figure.



World food prices rise further, raising fears of unrest - Reuters - Svetlana Kovalyova and Veronica Brown - April 5, 2012 - Global food prices rose in March for a third straight month with more hikes to come, the UN's food agency said on Thursday, adding to fears of hunger and a new wave of social unrest in poor countries.               Record high prices for staple foods last year were one of the main factors that contributed to the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as bread riots in other parts of the world.               The cost of food has risen again this year after coming down from a February 2011 record peak.


Higher gas prices could cause wider economic slowdown, economist says - Financial Post (Canada) - Jameson Berkow - April 4, 2012 - Gasoline prices, already near record highs of $1.40 per litre ($5.425/gallon) this week, could rise further if Middle East tensions escalate, further dampening the economic outlook.                   Oil prices are expected to remain relatively steady at about US$100 per barrel for the next year, which Mr. Guatieri said would either stabilize gas prices or even cause them to decline a little. However, he cautioned there was a “not insignificant” risk of the cost jumping another 25% (a 30% cumulative increase from last year) if tensions between the West and Iran continue to escalate.            A disruption in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices back up to their 2008 record highs of US$147 per barrel. Coupled with widespread refinery closures along the U.S. East Coast — more than one-third of refining capacity in the region has gone offline in recent months and Sunoco Inc. has threatened to close its massive Philadelphia facility this summer — and Mr. Guatieri believes Canada’s economic growth could slow to about 1.5% between this year and next, a full percentage point below BMO’s previous 2.5% growth forecast.


'Massive Wealth Destruction' Is About to Hit Investors: Marc Faber - CNBC - Jeff Cox - April 2, 2012 - Runaway government debts have triggered uncontrolled money printing that in turn will lead to inflation that will decimate portfolios, according to the latest forecast from "Dr. Doom" Marc Faber. Investors, particularly those in the "well-to-do" category, could lose about half their total wealth in the next few years as the consequences pile up from global government debt problems, Faber, the author of the Gloom Boom & Doom Report, said on CNBC. Efforts to stem the debt problems have seen the Federal Reserve expand its balance sheet to nearly $3 trillion and other central banks implement aggressive liquidity programs as well, which Faber sees producing devastating inflation as well as other consequences.

The $15 Trillion Party - The Economic Collapse Blog

45 Signs That America Will Soon Be A Nation With A Very Tiny Elite And The Rest Of Us Will Be Poor - The End of the American Dream Blog - April 3, 2012


U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Consequences - Infowars.com - James Hall - April 4, 2012 - Now that Japan lowered its own taxes, the U.S. stands on top with the dubious distinction of having the highest corporate tax rates. Claims that, when you consider all the tax loopholes, subsidies, deductions and tricks, the effective rate is not really the 35% level seem less reassuring. However, if you view any tax policy that focuses upon revenue collection, you miss the entire significance of the dynamics in trade. The slogan “Free Trade” applied in real terms, means capitulation of domestic production and prosperity for the sake of maximum international return on equity. In essence, the global corporatist supersedes the home domicile country for the joy of worldwide plunder. The United States runs away from these hard cold consequences out of some distorted motivation to become a programmed society, connected to Asian computer devices that broadcast the social destructive culture, while destroying the work ethic. Not all countries admire or model their economies accordingly. Reflected in their internal tax policies, there is a sharp contrast to that of the Uncle Sam stamp – No Longer Made in the USA. As the country weakens and the industrial foundations crumble, the excuses multiply. What do other countries understand that evades the mindset of those who cannot grasp the supply and demand equation?

The American Legislative Exchange Council (for Corporate Interests) - Silence DoGood

The American Legislative Exchange Council or ALEC for short.  Has anyone else out there heard of this group?  Yeah, me either.  I’m not the most politically savvy person in the world although I stay about neck deep in it most of the time, but today is the first time I’ve ever ran across this particular entity.  An eye opening discovery that could only be likened to driving a transfer truck into the side of an aircraft carrier at 70 miles an hour; it’ll get your attention.

It seems that ALEC is comprised of member corporations who draft legislation and then forward it to friendly legislators in each of the several states for those legislators to introduce and become future law in those states.  I think that bears repeating.  This is an organization of corporations partnered with legislators for the sole purpose of drafting legislation for the sole purpose of having that legislation turned into law in the respective states.  Are you starting to feel cold, lonely, and sober?

Reducing this to simplest terms, we have the best government money can buy.  I’ve stated that very phrase here on several occasions and seen it written by others as well.  Now, well, we seem to have proof of that premise.  This likewise brings an entire host of other premises into the fore.  States’ rights first coming to mind.  ALEC is active in every state in the nation.  Don’t you think it mildly convenient that ALEC counts among its members some of the largest and most lucrative corporations active in America and exists for the sole purpose of having laws drafted for the benefit of their members.  I keep emphasizing those points it seems, but this is insanity hiding in the open and thumbing its nose at the people.  Talk about your prime tactic of divide and conquer under the guise of independence and a constitutional ideal of a weak central government.  These people have 50 different ways to manipulate their way into prominence.  They buy influence through the legislators we elect to get what it is they want.  Influence and law that is favorable to the corporation and not to the people. It is easier in this regard to negotiate and deal with 50 separate legislatures than a single strong central entity with strong laws that prevent such action from occurring.  Oh sure, “we’re working hard to create jobs.”  And working even harder to have every law that favors the worker overturned and enact legislation to gain every possible advantage and favor they can to feed and propel this mindless unfeeling entity known as corporation.  Maybe Mitt Romney isn’t wrong in that regard; corporations are people.  It eats, it consumes, it exudes greed and self-indulgence.  A multi-layered sociopath that exists only for the perpetuation of self.  A cannibal that devours and consumes those weaker than itself and absorbs others comparable to itself, morphing into a monolith of dominance.

Looking at the list of legislators friendly to ALEC in North Carolina, I’m quite delighted to say that none of the local contingent are affiliated with this organization although their political affiliation figures prominently with ALEC association.  Not exclusive affiliation, but it’s not far from being so.  The majority of State Representatives and Senators are Republicans with a smattering of Democrats thrown in.  I know, I’m just anti Republican.  Explain the predominance to me controlling for the political affiliation so as to make it irrelevant and believable.  I’ll listen.

More proof is required?  Ok.  Many of us have seen this new television campaign called “Common Sense Answers for NC” where this lady is on television talking about how the new legislature halted a tax increase, balanced the budget, funded 2,000 new teacher positions.  Have you looked at who is behind this campaign?  You’ve got to follow the money always.  Reading the fine print, you find that ads are paid for by the “Americans for Prosperity Foundation.”  Who are they?  They are a tax exempt organization with a stated purpose of “not supporting or opposing any specific legislation, but to inform the general public about public policy issues.”  Well, you dig into “Americans for Prosperity Foundation” and you discover that the foundation was formed by David Koch of Koch Industries.  It is a GOP/Conservative based foundation.  Now, flip on over to the member corporations of ALEC and there you have Koch Industries.  TV ads to blind you, brainwash you, deceive you to what is being done in your legislature.  David Koch has no interest in you or me.  He has every interest in amassing more wealth for himself and his corporate dynasty.  That’s the reality.

I’ve stated many times here that I’m not entirely anti-corporation.  I’m not entirely pro-labor, even though I do lean more that way since I think its people that make or break any organization and that no entity is greater than the sum of its parts.  Certainly you could argue that these corporations draft legislation to benefit the people who work for them.  You can try.  Look at who or what benefits from every piece of legislation that these fine people try to pass.  Not the spin, not what the “Americans for Prosperity” propagandists want you to believe, but what is actually provided for in each piece of legislation.

Below are the links, for those of you that may doubt the content.  You can read it for yourself.

http://endthelie.com/2012/04/06/more-proof-activism-works-kraft-coca-cola-and-pepsi-all-say-they-will-leave-alec/#axzz1rGdDhNEz

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Corporations

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Politicians

http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_State_Chairmen

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/07/10887/cmd-special-report-alecs-funding-and-spending

http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2012/03/20/real-solutions-require-real-facts/

http://ncrealsolutions.com/

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/08/americans-for-prosperity/

The possibility of a World Physical Breakdown Crisis

To Concerned Citizen: I cannot submit the information that you sent me at this time. I have to have verification and that will take time to accrue. I appreciate the information, because it does paint a picture and gives further context to the issues. The problem is that I don't know the rules for all of these practices at this time and it will take time to research and to get advice from legal authorities. I am not saying that the trail ends here. All I am saying is there is no need to be redundant. Everyone understood the picture that was painted. If you would like to convey further information and subject material to me, please feel free to do so.

The Hound: Warren Pollock who is a contact and someone that I pay attention to in regards to "Big Picture" trends believes that we are moving away from the Financial Breakdown Crisis into a Physical Breakdown Crisis. He has written a document that goes into the subject material and I am reposting it here on the Hickory Hound. Mr. Pollock was an executive on Wall Street who was involved in creating the Programmed Computerized Model of Trading that has basically taken over all commodity markets today. The Derivatives market hinges on this form of trading. It is what has our current financial situation perilously close to tanking. The current market value is only supported by inflation and program trading. Remember the flash crash on May 6, 2010 when the DJIA fell 998.5 points in a matter of minutes or the DJIA 778 point crash of September 28, 2008? Whatever initiates such cascading negative momentum, just remember it can happen and when it does there is no guarantee that it will stop the next time. If it does not stop, then we move to the physical crisis talked about below.

Through the Breakdown Crisis - Warren E. Pollock

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of April 3, 2012

This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.

At right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.

You will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 4/3/2012 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:

Please remember that pressing Ctrl and + will magnify the text and page and pressing Ctrl and - will make the text and page smaller. This will help the readability for those with smaller screens and/or eye difficulties.

 Invocation by Rev. Bob Roach, Pastor, First United Methodist Church

Special Presentation

A. Presentation of Proclamation to City of Hickory Public Safety Communications Personnel Declaring the Week of April 8 – 14, 2012 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Mayor Wright delivered the Proclamation.

Police Chief Tom Adkins next came to the podium. The philosophy of Community Policing starts with these phone calls. These people are the first line of defense. He talked about a couple of incidences of response that were successful. An Elderly gentleman with Alzheimer's was lost and his friend and he had lost contact with their wives. A silver alert was issued. He described the above and beyond the call of duty help provided by dispatchers and officers to help find this man. Chief Adkins then talked about Dispatcher involvement during a power outage caused by a storm on June 11, 2011 at 7pm. Over 400 calls came into the center. They prioritized calls, which resulted in fewer delays in responses. These folks go unrecognized for their duties and the Police Chief thanked the Mayor for recognizing these individuals through this proclamation.

The Hound agrees that these dispatchers and officers do deserve recognition for their response to emergencies. You never know when it will be you that needs their service. This should not be taken for granted.



B. Presentation of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers Award - The Charlotte Business Journal recognized the City of Hickory, March 21, 2012, as a Healthiest Employer. The City ranked fourth among seven finalists in the large employer category. Healthiest employers are selected based on best practices in the local market for workplace-wellness initiatives. The City’s annual health screenings, programs to reduce high risk factors and the tobacco cessation program were highlighted by the Charlotte Business Journal. Staff will present the award to City Council.

Mike Bennett made the presentation Large Employer category that includes entities that consist of 500 to 5,000 employees. The City was commended for its Smoking Cessation program and health screening program. Mr. Bennett stated that the City has defied skyrocketing costs through this program.


Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of March 26, 2012

The Hound - I was unable to attend this meeting held last Monday that discussed Resilient Hickory 2012 Presentation and Special Events/Activities Application for Hickory Alive (Downtown Music Concert Series) by Hickory Jaycees on June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22 and June 29, 2012. You can read the minutes at the link.

The Hound was wrong about the Jaycees and the Hickory Alive situation. Everything and every comment pointed to the event not being allowed to continue, but apparently the City Council had a change of heart and they should be commended for that. The event isn't going on as many weekends, but at least it is moving forward and that is great.

Consent Agenda

A. Proclamation – Proclaiming Saturday, April 21, 2012 as Arbor Day in the City of Hickory

B. Proclamation – Proclaiming the Month of April, 2012 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Hickory

C. Proclamation – Celebrating the 95th Birthday of Esther Zenobia Morgan Jett

D. First Amendment to Post Office Parking Lot Lease with US Post Office -  In 2007, the City entered into a lease agreement with the US Post Office for 65 spaces for employee parking in a graveled lot located at the corners of 3rd Street SW and 2nd Avenue SW. In 2010, the graveled lot was configured into multiple paved lots as part of the Piedmont Wagon Transfer Station. Prior to the transfer station’s construction, a map showing the configuration of the future paved parking lots was recorded. However, it has been determined that the map was not correct. The City had planned to convey the transfer station property to the Greenway Transit Authority as part of the transfer station project, but the conveyance could not be accomplished with the incorrect map on record. The first amendment to the post office parking lot lease revises the lease to place the correct map on record which shows two paved parking lots the City is leasing to the Post Office that are equivalent in size to the original graveled lot. The map also correctly indicates the other paved lots. Staff recommends approval.

E. Resolutions Approving Terms of Refinancing With BB&T - The Finance Department discovered that the City can refinance current outstanding installment purchase contracts with BB&T and realize significant savings over the remaining life of the debts. Currently, four resolutions are being presented to Council to approve refinancing terms, with all terms staying the same except the interest rate, which will change as follows:

Entity - From - To - Remaining Term of Debt

Convention Center - 3.79% - 1.79% - 7.2 Years

Ridgeview and Highland Recreation - 3.69% - 1.69% -  5.2 Years

Tourism Development Authority - 3.91% - 2.09% - 8.2 Years

Maiden Waterlines 4.19% - 2.17% - 9.2 Years

As the City can only refinance up to $10 million dollars per month and remain bank qualified, Staff brought a portion of the outstanding debt to Council during the month of March. Staff recommends approval.

F. Request by Hickory Police Department for Approval to Apply for 2012 Justice Assistance Grant in the Amount of $26,658.00 - The Hickory Police Department and Catawba County have received notification of approval to receive a combined allocation of $42,364.00 under the 2012 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Cities and Counties are required to file joint applications for the available funding. Hickory Police Department requests permission to apply for a grant in the amount of $26,658.00 to be used for an infrared/thermal imaging camera recorder for low light situations and law enforcement training to include training aids for police officers. The City of Hickory has agreed to serve as lead agency in the grant application process. There is no match required.

G. Budget Ordinance Amendments

1. To budget $100 of Library donations from several donors in the Library Books line item.

2. To budget $2,050 of Unity Fair donations in the Unity Fair expenditure line item. The Unity Fair is part of the International Spring Fest.

3. To transfer and budget a $750 donation from the Branding Project Advertising operational budget line item to the Unity Fair donations line item. The Unity Fair is part of the International Spring Fest.

New Business -  Public Hearings

1. Approve FY 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan and FY 2012 Action Plan for Submission to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - The US Department of Housing and Urban  Development requires the City of Hickory, as a CDBG entitlement funding recipient, to develop a five-year agenda outlining housing and community development needs within the City to be addressed during that period of time. The Annual Action Plan is required as a yearly update to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, setting priorities among the needs, and stating the plan of action for use of available funds on a yearly basis. Central to the City’s five-year strategy and action plan is the City’s mission to preserve its existing housing base, enhance ownership opportunities for all of its citizens to obtain decent housing, and provide a quality environment which is conducive to the safe and healthy growth of its citizenry. Staff recommends approval. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on March 23, 2012 and April 3, 2012.

Todd Hefner presented the above information with the specific costs and then Angela Heard with the City of Refuge came to the podium to speak to the Council about her program. She spoke about the successes with the 20 children who attend the after school program. They meet at the Brown-Penn center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 16 awards were awarded to these children over the last 9 weeks. They are helping with homework and communicate with the children's teachers. They partner with Lenoir-Rhyne University. They are attempting to sow seeds and build positive support. They are building a foundation.

Matters not on the Agenda
Alderwoman Fox made positive comments about the community garden at First Methodist
Church, which is due to a lot of great work. She stated that there is a wonderful article on the community garden that is featured in the current issue of Carolina Gardener.

Alderwoman Patton stated that she attended the Saint Strong event this past weekend, which was a benefit for three members of the senior class of Saint Stephens High School to support kids with cancer. The Police Chief and other members of the city were there. People coming together makes this a better community.

Alderman Seaver remarked about the greatest Easter Egg Hunt he has ever been involved in this past weekend. He talked about all the hard work that went into the Event. Over 25,000 eggs were there and he said it looked like a flower garden. He Thanked all of the groups involved in the event.

Citizens Requesting to be Heard
Walter Witherspoon  - Mr. Witherspoon stated that when he spoke before the Council at the last meeting no one had any comments, but as soon as he was ready to leave the building Alderman Guess introduced him to Mandy Pitts, her assistant, and another person and they informed him that there was going to be a drawing of some kind of name or something of that nature. He asked the council and they didn't say anything but as soon as he was walking out the door the said something. That is beside the point. He got the information he asked for.  He is confused, because he was under the impression that he understands the structure on Union Square was to be the Farmer's Market, because on December 20,2011 - he reads:

Council members endorsed the construction of a permanent multi-purpose facility on Union Square for the Hickory Farmer's market. The estimated cost is $285,000 to move the Hickory Farmer's market to the center of Union Square.

Now, the monies to allocate that were to be for the Hickory Farmer's market, that is my impression and I guess this author as well... Are there any Hickory City Employees involved in the construction of this project. (The Mayor answered that he would staff to get that information to Mr. Witherspoon). Mr. Witherspoon stated that he is in a quandary, if this was to be the Hickory Farmer's Market, then why are we going to rename it?

Larry Pope next came to the podium wishing to speak and proceeded to stand in silence for nearly three minutes before the Mayor asked if he had something to say and the motioned for the council to go into closed session.

Quotes of the Day - April 4, 2012

The marriage of Hope to Denial bares forth Delusion

Knowledge is positive; Ignorance is negative

Ignorance is not knowing better. Stupidity is knowing better, but doing it any way. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Can't never could!

City Council Newsletter tomorrow.

Peace be with you all!

Communication

Some people think I am writing this blog because I am somehow lacking for attention. Honestly, I will relish the day when this blog is no longer necessary. I remember a lunch I had with a local leader five years ago. I expressed my concerns with this person who I have known for 30+ years. This person expressed empathy towards my issues, but in the subsequent year I saw no action being taken that would alleviate those issues of concern.

As I have stated in the past, Harry and I went to several city functions and we were summarily ignored and one could see if you didn't belong to the inner circle, then you weren't going to play any role in the city's methodology. The labelers would ask, "Who are you? Who are you with?" I guess if you don't have a title, which I never thought much of titles anyway, then you are a non-person to these people. That in a nutshell is why people don't participate and that is the reason why we moved forward with this blog.

Five years and a couple of days ago my Uncle died -- March 31, 2007. He knew what was happening in this community. We talked about some of it. He was always direct and to the point. Those conveyances about where things were headed were eye-opening to say the least. He was pretty much on target about the trends. He understood the energy issue and the economic competition we face with China. He had been an executive in the furniture craft, furniture, and hosiery industries. He was one person that was an executive that I actually saw hustle.

Alex Moore was a computer genius and helped me a lot and taught me a lot. He would run satellite programs on his laptop at his bed, while he slept in bed, that went directly to his business all night. He taught me how to put computers together and troubleshoot programs. This man went to work before sunrise and got home after sunset and worked many Saturday mornings. He would come help us at 1859 in his time off and he always found a way to spend time with his kids. He had a Purple Heart from Vietnam.  And yet, he spent a year and a half out of work, because of what happened with our local economy. He was looked highly upon by many people in this community, but he was stressed out because he wasn't finding permanent work and he was a Number 1 Class A Executive.

He didn't toot his own horn and you would never hear him brag about himself. He was low key, but when he said something you listened. Whenever I talk to people about Alex, who knew Alex, they tell you how they revered him. He was a class individual. He was the Real Deal. If he had lived, I believe in my heart of hearts that he would have figured a way to make things work out, but I don't know that it would have been in Hickory. Hickory doesn't seem to offer opportunities to people who aren't in the inner circle.

Many of you don't like what I am doing. I don't have a problem with that. It's a mutual thing. Sometimes I don't like doing this. This isn't about ego. When I had lunch with that person five years ago, I told them if I didn't see certain things start moving forward that I had things that I could do. I waited and bided my time, but eventually you figure out when people are pacifying you and playing you off as someone who is insignificant, even when they are long time friends. I don't think my concerns met with their agenda.

Some people have insinuated that I and others who have the audacity to speak on this forum don't know what we are talking about. If that is the case, then why don't we hold a Town Hall meeting sponsored by the Hickory Daily Record and WHKY and discuss the issues related to this area. If we are truly the most open local government in North Carolina, as the Mayor stated this morning on WHKY, then let's have an open ended forum where people can ask public questions and get public answers. 

I have proposed this in the past. I'll go back to when Patrick McHenry had the healthcare forum in the Summer of 2009.  I thought it went pretty well and a lot of people attended and a lot of issues were addressed. You can argue about whether it was a show or not, but I truly believe that the people that left that auditorium that night felt a little bit better about their partnership with government.

If our form of government is truly a partnership, then let's do things that empower individuals. I understand that a Town Hall meeting won't resolve many issues, but I do think it would help with moving issues of trust and understanding forward and to me that is always a good thing. 

I honestly believe that a government that has good communication with its constituents is the most effective form of government. How can you not believe that?

George Carlin ~ The American Dream - (Warning - Profanity)

This is a video of a George Carlin performance from 1990. It is profanity laced, so if that offends you don't listen. But, this is on target. They call it the American dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.

Just like in George Orwell's Book "1984" where critical thinking is a crime -- Thought Crime. What he says is cynical and a few years ago people would have told you that this was "Conspiracy Theory," but now it is obvious that he was on target. That is what bothers me and it should scare you to death.