I am committed to educating President Obama, his staff and the US public about super-energy efficient, hurricane, earthquake and tornado proof dome housing kits manufactured by American Ingenuity. There is another way of lving besides in box shaped houses that are inefficent and weak. But our clients cannot obtain financing from banks and lenders who are comfortable with old time, stick built housing.
I just sent the following survey comments to our State of Florida Obama headquarters.
One of the ways we can change America's dependence on foreign oil is by building super energy efficient housing that can save 50% to 70% on homeowners’ AC and heating costs. In America such new green technology housing has been developed by US entrepreneurs. But the perspective customers cannot get financing on these alternatives. Banks and lenders loan on old stick built technology houses….not on new technology dome homes and other outside the box housing alternatives. I would like to know who to contact in the US government that can make mortgage financing and appraisals easier for geodesic domes and other outside the box green housing alternatives. Once we find out these options, how does the public get informed about these alternative green housing options and the financing that is available?
My company, American Ingenuity, has developed this new housing technology over a 30 year period and has sold its dome homes into 46 US states and 12 foreign areas...but our perspective customers cannot get financing…that is why you do not see thousands of them in every region of the country. Also the domes come with a hurricane, earthquake and tornado guarantee. Our offices and factory are located in Brevard County where the Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy Space Center is. I have invited President Obama to visit our factory when he visits the Space Center. Our web site is www.aidomes.com What can you do to help us obtain financing to expand our factory, hire factory and construction workers, and help our clients obtain financing?
I cannot tell you how happy I am that our new President is so FRIGGIN' AWESOME!!!
He took the time, in the beginning of his Presidency, to speak with Al Arabiya TV - not just to yell and scream about the "bad guys" in the Arab world, but to talk about what is similar in our lives...
Obama to Al Arabia TV
AWESOME!!! (did I say he's awesome?)
Today, My son's GF Carly and I went out and helped clean a local beach as part of the National Day of Service.
Any of you who know me, I have spent the last 20+ years of my life in community service, and now find that my health limits me on the things I can do. That's really touch for someone who has it in their blood...
Either way, today was a great day! I hope that people will find it in their heart to continue with their community service efforts. You don't need to give up an un-Godly amount of time, but I betcha the local animal shelter, or soup kitchen, or your neighbors, for that matter, would appreciate one or two days a month dedicated to helping out our fellow human beings. It feels good, AND it's good for you, too!
here are some pictures:
We were dreamers, not so long ago . . . .Destinations are where we begin again . . .
You have everything you need, if you just believe!
Believe in what your heart is saying, hear the melody thats playing, there's no time to waste,
there's so much more to celebrate.
Trust in starlight, to get to where you need to be.
Believe in what you feel inside and give your dreams the wings to fly,
Happy Holidays and blessings to you and yours!
YES WE CAN! YES WE DID! YES WE BELIEVE!
click below
Polar Express - Believe (Josh Groban)
Homemade videoclip of the movie "The Polar Express" (2004).All video footage belongs to the Warner Bros. Company
They just turned Florida Blue on CNN... and as I watch the McCain speech with their 'boo's and sneers - I have to smile the most calm and peaceful I have smiled in years...
We 'Baracked the Vote' here in Florida....
Here's to at least 4 years (and onward) of the CHANGE we have worked to help bring.
Sorry to hear about his grandmother. May she rest in peace
and look down on her wonderful grandson... the future president
of the United States.
In Florida, you can vote early until Sunday, November 2. Record numbers of Floridians have already voted!
Visit www.voteforchange.com so we can find the closest location.
Al and Tipper Gore will be stumping for Obama in West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale. It's the first time he's campaigned in Florida for president since 2000. While he's campaigned in the Sunshine State since 2000, he's not done so for a presidential candidate since he himself was running
Welcome back, Al.
The turnout was amazing at the Biden Rally tonight! We overflowed the parking accomodations -so those of us on volunteer duty were turning away cars and having them park over at BCC and along the road! I am so proud of you all! We are really turning the tides here...
We [my husband and 2 children along with myself] carried our signs from the event area out to the road where the McCain supporters were protesting and shouting at cars as they entered the event. We wanted to welcome our supporters and offset all that venom...
My heart sank as I listened to some of the ugly, hateful, and just plain IGNORANT things these people had to say out there. We bolstered the children so they might be prepared - and I paid close attention to their comfort levels because the children were there to support their hope for their future - not to engage in spiteful exchanges of words with strangers.
These 'grown ups' - who claim to belong to some "moral majority" - were not content to hold their signs and wave at cars - but insisted on yelling about 'baby killers' - telling my children that all the jobs would be gone here if our candidate won... rambling about how Obamas plan to level out the taxes so the rich folks and multimillion dollar coprorations get to pay percentages that are more like the percentages that I actually pay - is marxism [did she mean 'socialism'?].
Socialism - "Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy."
Capitalism: "an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations"
Which does this Wall Street bail out fit into?
Concerned about how the kids were taking it - I checked with them both regularly to make sure they were not scared - only to find my son (age 12) smiling ear to ear - and raising his voice even higher - calling out 'Yes We Can!' and my daughter (age 16) more resolved than ever that there must be a serious connection between low IQ and McCain supporters - that they are obviously not thinking a whole lot and may just be consuming what is being fed to them on their TV sets or in their churches. I had to struggle with my own disgust as I reminded them not to judge all the McCain supporters by the actions of these few...
I had to chuckle at the thought that maybe they mistook my family and me for members of that elite 'middle class' the republicans seem to believe exists out there making $250,000 / year. LOL.
I am not 'Joe the plumber'. Actually, the last time I called him, his rates were far too high for me - he wanted over $800 for the work I needed done, so I went to Home Depot and fixed the problem on my own for the cost of the $80 part and about 3 hours of my own time :) Did they actually perceive that 'people like us' might suddenly see things 'their way' if they just shouted misinforation in our faces loudly enough? It was so ridiculous that one adult out there actually even assaulted my daughter's hair style when they ran out of other material... I was glad when they left shortly after that.
I am so confident that we have the numbers to win here and feel it is more important than ever to win this...and despite what all the ignorant, hateful, prejudiced nay-sayers might want to believe, our numbers cannot be ascribed to any single demographic or socioeconomic group.
There is only one singular unification point that we - the diverse Americans that make up the Obama Biden support base - can be justly accused of; there is one trait we do all share:
HOPE
I have come to believe that there is a small 'light' inside each of us - a long forgotten illumination within each our minds - or maybe a warm glowing ember inside each of our hearts... I think we each have this small, quiet place that knows how to hope - how to dream - and how to believe in something bigger than we are - something in this world that is 'right' and 'good' about our world. A faith in ourselves - faith in our leaders - and faith in one another. When you look around in the grocery store, the shopping mall, your place of work - where are these? So many of us have looked around and felt this lost - lost to ourselves and to those around us - shrouded in the fears and uncertainty of our day to day lives.
I think people forget how to hope after they spend enough time struggling, sufferring, and losing the fight. I think maybe America forgot how to hope in these last 8 years...
This campaign has shown me some things - those little lights of hope have been switched back on for so many of us - all over our country. I can feel it. Hope is NOT lost. Change CAN happen. I know it. I feel it. I think there are a lot of us right now who do. We can still dream of a future that holds a place for each of us.
Can we embrace new hope? Yes We Can.
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
One of John McCain's big themes this year is the alleged outrageousness of Obama's fundraising, compared to the allegedly strict limits on McCain's expenditures under federal campaign finance laws.
Back in 2000, I gave money to John McCain’s campaign and he has sent me fundraising mailers ever since.
I just received his “McCain-Palin Victory 2008 Final Push Emergency” mailer. Here’s how they would allocate my donations to the McCain campaign, if I made any this year. I am quoting directly from the mailer:
“Contributions to McCain-Palin Victory 2008 (“Victory 2008”) are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Victory 2008 allocates contributions to the Republican National Committee (“RNC”), the state parties’ federal accounts, and the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund (“Compliance Fund”) in conformity with federal limits. Unless contribution would exceed federal limits or a contributor designates otherwise, Victory 2008 will divide contributors as follows:· For Individuals -- The first $28,500 will go to the RNC, the next portion will be divided evenly between the Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania state parties’ federal accounts up to a maximum of $9,250 for each Committee, and the final $2,300 will go to the Compliance Fund.”
“Contributions to McCain-Palin Victory 2008 (“Victory 2008”) are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Victory 2008 allocates contributions to the Republican National Committee (“RNC”), the state parties’ federal accounts, and the McCain-Palin Compliance Fund (“Compliance Fund”) in conformity with federal limits. Unless contribution would exceed federal limits or a contributor designates otherwise, Victory 2008 will divide contributors as follows:
· For Individuals -- The first $28,500 will go to the RNC, the next portion will be divided evenly between the Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania state parties’ federal accounts up to a maximum of $9,250 for each Committee, and the final $2,300 will go to the Compliance Fund.”
So let me add this up. I can give $2300 to the Obama campaign. But I can give $28,500 + 4 * $9,250 + $2,300 (total = $67,800) to McCain’s Victory 2008 fund.
How much of this can be used to help McCain’s campaign directly? I don’t know how much can be used LEGALLY (I just don’t fully understand the campaign finance law), but I’m watching a video on Rachel Maddow right now, that shows Mike Duncan (the chair of the Republican National Committee) and here’s what he has to say about who paid for Sarah Palin’s wardrobe, “We are working with the campaign. This was a coordinated expense that the campaign asked us to pay for and we paid for that expense.” (October 27 show)
Even though there are limits on what McCain can spend directly in the 2008 election, under the campaign finance law that he wrote (McCain-Feingold), the Republican Party can spend whatever it wants. And when (if) I donate to the McCain campaign, the first $65,500 of what I give doesn’t go to the more restricted McCain fund, it goes to the party, which, according to Mike Duncan, works closely with McCain’s campaign, coordinates expenses with McCain’s campaign, and pays for expenses that McCain’s campaign asks the party to pay for.
So when McCain complains about all that money coming into the Obama campaign (in personal donations of $2300 or less per person), he has nothing to complain about. If there is a difference in total money in the race, it is because people don’t want to give McCain money this year, not because there are any REAL limits on what he can collect ($67,800 per person!!!) or on what he can spend (the RNC pays his campaign’s expenses).
McCain has made a huge issue of this. It reflects badly on his integrity that his fundraising is so inconsistent with the whining he has done to the public.
The claims that a 39% tax rate is outrageously high -- MARXISM -- are laughable.
Was President Reagan a Marxist? His top tax rate was 50%.
Was President Nixon a Marxist? The top marginal tax rate under Nixon was 70%.
Was President Eisenhower a Marxist? The highest income bracket's tax rate under Eisenhower was 91%
Yes, that's right. 91% (ninety-one percent).
That's how they paid for (for example) the infrastructure (e.g. Eisenhower's national highway system) that the current generation of Republicans has been leaving to crumble and rot today. It costs money.
Should we tax top incomes at 91%. I don't think so.
But the idea that our economy would be crippled by a tax rate of (oh, blush) 39% on incomes greater than $250,00 or that this is Marxism, or that this is a Democratic Party level of taxation -- anyone with a sense of the economic history of the 20th century should find this a very sad joke.
For more historical data, http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php
In Ike's Words, why some conservatives like Obama
Colin Powell's endorsement today adds muscle to the growing conservative chorus for Obama.
This post features the endorsements by Susan Eisenhower (Ike's granddaughter) Wick Allison (former publisher of the National Review) and the Chicago Tribune, with their first endorsement of a Democrat since the paper's founding in 1847.
Scroll down the page at MakeFloridaCount.com to find -
resources to counter McCain lies
and The Fight for Florida - why we can't stop now. Encourage your friends in Blue States to use my.barackobama.com to call battleground states.
Be sure to make use of the resources on the left side of the page at MakeFloridaCount.com and MakeOhioCount.org to reach undecided voters.
Yours,
Barbara
oh my goodness... I've never heard such vicious bile thrown at me... ever.
Here's the story:
my take on the final Presidential Debate of the season...
YouTube Video
MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources to use with undecided voters.
I am developing section on Conservative and Republican endorsements of Obama. Please send me your suggestions (by e-mail or by commenting on the blog).
See extended blog for more detail of what is available on the site.
New organizing resources are added daily. In unity. Barbara Myers
barbmyrs@gmail.com
Since it's hard for me to type...
Michelle Obama has got to be one of the sweetest, smartest, most unassuming women I have ever seen. What I wouldn't give to sit down and have a chat over a cup of coffee with her. I honestly think I love Michelle - ok, not the way you think, I love my husband too.
I watched her on The Daily Show and on Larry King Live today and it just reminded me of the fact that there is, indeed, hope on the horizon.
I had an extremely bad day today, worried about the impending loss of my home, my health, looking down the barrel of a $50,000.00 bill from my most recent hospitalization (a number, incidentally, that would nearly pay off my mortgage), no medical insurance, no job for over a year, sadness, despair, chronic pain - all those things that made a 90 year old woman attempt suicide and a man murder his family and commit suicide, and the discussion came up with my son (again) about why his dad and I don't just move away from Florida. I explained to him that even though my friends and family can't pay my bills, without them nearby, I would be even more lost. I explained to him why I can understand the despair that caused the attempted and completed suicides I spoke about... My sister talked me down, and asked me to give my problems to God, which I think I have done. She made me want to live through the night, and she's no better off than I am.
Then I turn on Larry King and hear Michelle Obama speak so eloquently about allowing things to be as the will be, and that change can come if we are all willing to work for it. How what people say or do to you matters not in the big scheme of things. And I could breathe...
Thank you, God, Michelle, Barack, my sister, my husband and children for giving me a glimmer of hope in an otherwise lightless existence, of late.
