Reflections

In a reflective mood, I am focusing on the XFactor tv program. It was the most over produced show in the history of television.Billed as a singing competition, it was more a show for halftime of the superbowl.When the contestants sang, there was a group of dancers cavorting on stage with flashing lights and sounds similar to a fourth of July celebration.
The judges seemed to outdo each other with praise of the last group of performers. Truly the level of the twelve finalists was perhaps the best since the inception of the program.
Who was the idiot who decided to have the three finalists sing a duet with an established performer and then have a judge state the contestant was nervous.Duh!Feedback welcomed

The Tenant

If you like horror films, I strongly recommend The Tenant available for rent on Netflix

If you like horror films, I strongly recommend the Tenant that may be rented at Net Flix Reserve and bought at Blue Ray Purchase and DVDV Purchase. Comments welcomed

Social Security

People have a right to look forward to retirement and not worry about what is going to happen to themselves if Social Security is reformed and benefits reduced.
Therefore, it is imperative that we notify our members of Congress to take Social Security off budget to prevent Congress from taking money from the Social Security fund and then tell recipients that there are no funds for cost of living adjustments and other benefits.
This affects every one of us.
To write to your members of Congress address your letter to:
The Honorable [Full name]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
To reach your Senator, The Honorable [full name]
U.S.Senate,Washington, D.C. 20510

To call, the number is 1 202 225 3121 and tell the operator who answers to connect you to your
representative in Congress and the two U.S.Senators.

an E-Mail about my book

An E-Mail about my book For A Better America:Observations, Insights and a Plan for Action by a 95 Year Old American, has been issued by my publisher and is available at Barnes and Noble .com.

Devaststedvictims

I suggest the US suspends all payments to foreign countries and use the money to help rebuild the areas devastated by tornadoes, floods and earthquakes in our own country.

Baseball--is it really a walk-off hit or a home run?

Who is the idiot who coined the term walk-off for a winning hit or home run? Where is the walkoff feature when a winning team gathers together on the field to celebrate a win for several minutes? Let's get back to describe a game the way it is and call it a winning hit or home run.
Comments welcome.

The American Idol TV show

Like the judges on the American Idol show I was shocked that Pia Toscano was eliminated on Thursday night.
Part of the reason for her departure was due to the judges who insisted the week before that she sing an uptempo song to showcase her diversity. She took the advice of the judges and was eliminated.
I think another reason was the unrealistic system of speed dialing voting whereby voters can voted hundreds of time by one means.
In view of the fact that Casey Abrams was eliminated but saved by the judges and the elimination of Pia whom I and many others had picked as a finalist, it is time that the method of voting be restricted to the number of votes cast by any one particular instrument.
I would welcome comments from Idol fans.

american idol

What happened on Thursday night's program is a true indication of what is wrong with American Idol when it allows voters to cast numerous votes by re-dialing. It is not an authentic method.
The producers should limit the number of votes cast by any method.
The judges are to be commended for " saving " Casey Abrams.
Comments welcomed.

Thoughts on Season Ten of American Idol

With the best talent since its inception, American Idol producers chose the Beatles Songs from which the contestants must select for their performances Wednesday night. The Beatles songs do not give the contestants the best opportunity to showcase their talent.

I predict that this will be another losing season for the Idol if the contestants are not permitted to choose songs that create a mood, sustain it, cause goosebumps and tears in the eyes of the viewer.

Comments welcomed.
Visit my website www.eugenedicerbo.com

social security

In the very near future, President Obama will send congress his budget proposal for the next fiscal year.
It is imperative that we all send a message to the President to take social security off budget in his budget proposal to Congress for the next fiscal year.
This will prevent Congress from " borrowing " money from the social security fund and then telling participants and recipients of social security there are no funds for cost of living increases social security disability grants and retirement benefits.
Write to President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
20500

student loans

Anyone who has a student loan or has a relative or friend who has a student loan is urged to send a message to his or her senators and members of the house of representatives and prevail upon them to forgo earmarks in the next fiscal year and use the $8B to buyout the existing loans and restructure them to a pre determined rate of simple interest through the U.S. Department of Education so that the lending program will be self supporting
Visit my website www.eugenedicerbo.com

An Idea for Student Loan Reform

$8 BILLION!
In the recent tax bill signed by President Obama, there were $8 billion in earmarks.

REFORM
My suggestion is for members of Congress to forgo the earmarks and use the money to buyout all existing loans and through the U.S. Department of Education restructure the loans to the original amount of the loan minus payments made to the principal and adding predetermined accrued simple interest since the time the loan was granted and set the loan at simple interest high enough to make the program self supporting and low enough to make higher payments on the principal.

This will result in a much better approval rate for Congress, be beneficial to constituents and improve the economy by having the loans repaid much earlier and making it possible for the purchase of luxury items.

A CALL TO ACTION
I ask all my blogging friends to send messages to their Senators and Representatives. Click here for a list of addresses for your Congressperson.

Tax Bill

With all the rhetoric about the importance of cutting our national deficit, Congress had the gall to add $8B in Pork Barrel projects to a tax bill and signed by President Obama into law.There should be a public outrage against such a reprehensible bill. That money could have been used for buying out all the student loans and restructure them at simple interest minus payments made and at a rate high enough to make the program self supporting and low enough for repaying the loans much sooner as explained in my recently published book, For A Better America:Observations, Insights, and A Plan for Action by A Ninety Five Year Old American, the theme of which is to motivate " We the people" to take a more active role in the affairs of government, available at Barnes and Noble. com.

Student Loans

According to news sources, more money is owed on student loans than on outstanding credit card debt.

One student borrowed $255,000 to become a doctor and upon graduation owed an outrageous $555,000. Students are in debt for most of their working lives. This is a disgraceful situation that needs to be changed.

So what's an alternative?

The Department of Education should grant student loans at a simple rate of interest-- high enough to make the program self supporting and low enough for students to make substantial payments on the principal.

This and more in my recently published book, For A Better America:Observations:Insights and A Plan for Action by A Ninety Five Year Old American available at Barnes and Noble.com

Social Security

I think it is terrible that changes are being considered for Social Security that will raise the retirement age, reduce benefits and cost of living increases.The answer is for the President to take Social Security OFF Budget when he makes his budget proposal for the next fiscal year. This will prevent Congress from raiding Social Security and using its funds for other purposes, thus denying or reducing benefits for Social Security recipients.

illegal immigration

It seems that President Obama is considering granting amnesty to illegal immigrants and thus making them eligible for social security benefits. This is unacceptable because these people have violated our laws and should not be rewarded with amnesty and social security benefits.What happens twenty or thirty years in the future? Do we grant amnesty to another multi million group of illegal immigrants?Please send a message to President Obama opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants.

amnesty for illegal immigrants

It seems that President Obama will sign an executive order granting amnesty to illegal immigrants and allowing them social security benefits. These people have violated our laws and should be denied amnesty. Please send a message to President Obama that you oppose granting amnesty and social security benefits yo illegal immigrants.

corruption

In view of the corruption that has infested our country, it is time for the creation of a Citizens Commission with full powers of a grand jury as described in my book For a Better America:Observations, Insights and a Plan For Action by a Ninety Five Year Old American available at Barnes and Noble .com

corruption

In view of the corruption that has permeated our country, it is time for the creation of a Citizens Commision with full powers of a grand jury to oversee the affairs of government as described in my book For A Better America:Observations, Insights and a Plan for Action by a Ninety Five Year Old American available at Barnes and Noble .com.