Get yer drink on...yahoo!

Utah Division of Alcohol Beverage Control is a prime example of letting the inmates run the asylum.

During the last session of congress (Utah), which is actually shorter than, oh let’s say, a teachers school session (another debate for another time), the Utah congress told DABC to cut 2.2 million from its budget. Doesn't seem too crazy, we all have had to cut a little here and there. This is a little different though. All profits from DABC go into Utah's public school system. So you could say that what DABC does NOT bring in is what Utah schools do NOT get in funding. Hmmm. That doesn't make much sense. But, let’s continue....

The DABC decided it would be best to eliminate some outlets. Hmmm, ok, but when you are the only one selling a VERY popular item, why would you stop selling it? Wouldn't it simply make more sense to increase the cost for patrons slightly to offset the 2.2 million shortfalls? That's what any good monopoly would do. Actually, a smart monopoly would raise prices astronomically. Look at gas prices. You need to hit that threshold of cost/value. What are we willing to pay to maximize profit for the monopoly? As a monopoly, the DABC is pretty frackin' stupid.... but there's more.

So, the DABC decides to limit itself to the number of outlets it will sell its wares. They compiled a list of outlets they would like to close and the combined profit of these several stores equals 10 million. What What???? To save 2.2 million, you are going to eliminate 10 million. Who the fuck is doing the math? Maybe I just don't understand business, but I don't think cutting off your nose to spite your face is such a good idea. Utah isn't the only state with a monopoly on alcohol; Washington State has the same system. Difference in the two is as follows: Each Utah DABC store serves a population of 17,000; Washington stores serve a population less than 2,000. Talk about being stingy and controlling.

Ok. Ok. I'm off the ledge now. This really goes to show that there seems to be some other driving factor behind the DABC's push to close outlet stores. I'm not saying what it is but will let you come up with your own conclusions. Sad thing is this, the children in the public school systems of Utah are the ones who are getting the axe. More proof that the state legislature doesn't value education. Education is key to freedom, without an education, you remain a slave to those over you.

Way to go UTAH!

It was 20 yrs ago today......

Sergent Pepper taught the band to play..... But seriously yo! I think I need to get back to this thingy. I am encouraged by a certain special someone who always makes time to blog just about everyday. She might not know it, but I do read her posts. I have no excuses. I just need to think of it as ME time.... Lets see what this week brings us......

Let's Make Them Smaller

Please watch this clip. I totally agree with Jim Wallis, and I'm not particularly religious. I hope we can do the things that should be done. Why does Jon Stewart make more sense than 85% of the NEWS channels?...

Hatfield's and McCoy's

Well, we all survived this years election. We even heard the voters shout who they want in office. They turned away from the negative beat down and embraced the future. We all know that the future holds more for us that the past ever will. The past is a great place to visit but we don't want to live there. South Salt Lake has had no problem drawing attention to itself through the opinions of the people who tend to have negative attitudes. I know. I once lived with a negative and skeptical person whom listened with their heart and not their brains.

Sure it's good to be emotional. However, when your emotions get in the way, your vision can get very blurry. We can't elect people this way, especially at the local level, and we can't elect people who behave in such a manner either. I can't even imagine a person of authority having the ability to make decisions when they are so emotionally attached and blinded to the potential ramifications. The future becomes dim. We need our representatives to have their eyes wide open and have a clear vision for the future.

I think for the first time I have become witness to the awesome power of knowledge. But let's not forget, if you keep the knowledge it will serve only you. You have a civil duty to pass that knowledge on. You as a citizen would be doing a huge dis-service to your community. I hope that in the future, the public will take a greater responsibility in sharing their views and knowledge and make their local communities a place to brag about.

Jeremy-

Respect Me

Who cares about the citizens of South Salt Lake? Who cares about the city employees? Who cares for the title of “Mayor of the City of South Salt Lake”?

I have read all the pamphlets passed around this election cycle touting all the good things that can happen, will happen and such. I am in a very fortunate situation whereas I have all the keys to investigate such claims. I do this by searching through archives of information on the internet. I attend local meetings within my community concerning issues in my community, presenting my ideas and listening to other ideas that, to be honest, I never would have thought of. I LISTEN TO ALL SIDES. Then I make the best decision based on the knowledge I SEEK OUT. I don’t take what someone tells me is the truth without validation to such a claim. If you told me that the moon was gone, you had better prove it with evidence to support your claim. If you told me you cared about public safety in my city, you better prove it. If you told me you care about my vote, you better prove it.

Well, that is where some balls have been dropped. One of the candidates running for the title “Mayor of the City of South Salt Lake” has really missed the boat on TWO golden opportunities to express his opinions and views to the citizens he wants to vote for him and the city officials he would hope to support him. To not show up to TWO “meet the candidates nights” should be a significant sign of his unwillingness to properly inform voters of his agendas. How does it look to the voters? I would hope they feel the same way I do. EMBARRASSED. FRUSTRATED. ANGRY. This person has totally disrespected those who took the time to speak directly to him. His apparent lack of responsibility is potentially a sign of things to come. If he does not care enough to make 2-3 hours available for the citizenry, how in the world will he be an efficient leader? I want to know his views on specific public safety issues and I didn’t even have the open forum opportunity to present him with my concerns. I supposed he had good reasons not to show up. I don’t know. Maybe his style of campaigning is more of a predator style. Strike fear in those not able or unwilling to seek truth and hope they outnumber those who KNOW the truth. I would have loved to hear his responses to my concerns and share them with other members of this community.

His attitude is not contained to himself. The second meeting, all the candidates who were running for ANY elected position were invited THREE times to attend the “Meet the Candidates” night. In total, 8 people should have been there. Only the three incumbent council members and one of the candidates for mayor showed up. WHAT?! ARE YOU FRACKING KIDDING ME?! How can anyone make an informed decision when half of the freakin ballot doesn’t even show up? I will tell you this, if this had happened in a larger city, and there was media coverage, they would be done politically. I am tired of people who want my vote, not caring about me enough, to EARN my vote. It is time to stop voting on emotion and start voting for those that prove that they care about their constituency.

More to come

Words of encouragement

A little while back I posted an entry regarding educating oneself. You can do a search for it and I wont re-hash (too much).

I was listening to a talk show that I used to listen to everyday about 3 or 4 years ago. The host was very educational and entertaining. I really looked forward to listening everyday. Yes, it was political but the host was non-partisan and therefor made it very easy to listen to. No it was not Rush (not exactly a non-partisan spokesperson). I never have like the way Rush speaks about other people.

I started listening to Glenn Beck today again for the first time in about a year, and I am very disappointed. He has become more Rush like in the fact that he has become more negative and seems to speak down about US Americans. What is disturbing are his doom and gloom rants about OUR country. Yes, our country has problems, but what words of encouragement does he offer? A jab at another media outlet and their host. Wow, that is sure as shit gonna solve some problem, eh.

I am so tired of the MEDIA using the airwaves to send their one sided, biased, completely partisan agenda. As Americans we have a duty here. Stop getting sucked in by these talk show hosts and their antics. The DUTY we all have is to be as educated as possible about the opinions we have. Why be educated? That is where the TRUE power comes from. No one will be able to take advantage of you, manipulate you, use you, or enslave you. Listen to all sides. There is ALWAYS two side to a story.

Tomorrow night, the South Salt Lake City Council is having it's usual meeting. One of the topics is the sale of a small park located in a highly industrial part of town, for the purchase of a much larger parcel of vacant land. It is becoming a topic in our local mayoral race. The interest I have is because this was a non-issue until a resident from a completely different locality has made a public outcry that SSL has no clue what they are doing. That may be true, however, I don't think this person has even been to the park in question, but has an opinion about it. Ignorance is bliss, until it costs you. Anyway, I will post my comments to the editor regarding this issue in a seperate entry.

My point is this. You want to make a REAL difference? GET INVOLVED! Due the research and make it known how you feel. Especially at the local level. This is where you are directly impacted with the decisions made by your elected officials. Let them know if the are representing you. If they are, then thats a good thing. If they aren't - DO NOT RE-ELECT THEM. Make them accountable.

Good night for now

Not so new direction

Hey y'all,

I just noticed that I haven't been on here in a LONG ASS time. Phew, what a summer it has been.

I wanted to take a moment and redirect this blog. I would like to keep it slanted towards political.

Why in the hell would I do this? Perhaps I need to start thinking about public service.....WHAT????? Well, I'm not military material, so serving and giving back would not be best approached in this manner. So how else can one person at least try to make a difference? Listening to people has always been easy for me, and as of lately I have been comfortable in expressing myself in a way that is...new for me.

I have chosen this platform to have people listen to me and hear my point of view, and at least have my readers better understand me. Perhaps I can offer direction or information that may not make it to main stream. But more than likely, I will learn from all who read my thoughts and LEAVE COMMENTS. I really want this to be an open forum. Challenge me if you don't agree, please. How can I be a better human if I get no raw human input. I have only lived one life (so far as I can tell), but if anyone can offer suggestions or even share an experience, then we all can grow and learn.

Life is about learning new things and growing as an individual. We are only limited by our own limitations we place on ourselves.

You never know, I am old enough to be the next president (well, after Sept 2). But lets start small and see where it takes us.

Thank you for your time, and if you just want simple family updates, please feel free to visit my other blog "Trippin..." http://jeremy-trippin.blogspot.com/