Here are a few things that have been on my mind ...
A few weeks ago President Obama visited Nellis Air Force Base, where he applauded the 140-acre solar array. He said we need more solar energy systems just like that one. Don’t the green energy and environmentalist crowds realize that every gigantic solar array, whether it’s as large as Nellis’ or one-10th that size, will destroy and replace that many acres of the environment, be it forest, grassland, field or desert?
•••
How many of the hundreds of Wheatfield residents who vehemently opposed housing for low-income earners in 2006 and 2007 have now become, as a direct result of the recession, the very kind of individual they did not welcome to their neighborhood?
•••
Am I the only one who finds humor in the hypocrisy of the two-party system when it comes to human life? The Republicans like war and the death penalty while bemoaning abortion. The Democrats hate war and the death penalty yet like abortion.
•••
In the past 100-plus years, not a single president or member of Congress has followed the Constitution. Federal organizations like the Department of Education and the EPA are totally unconstitutional, as are activities like surveillance of innocent civilians, pork barrel spending and the bailing out of banks and auto companies. That said, why don’t we charge federal elected officials with treason for failure to uphold their oath of office, one which asks them to support and defend the Constitution?
•••
Is reality TV so successful because Americans enjoy watching people fail?
•••
If the government can force employers to collect income taxes and garnishments, why can’t the employer charge a fee to the government for the services of that debt collection?
•••
Why is Americorps considered “service” or “volunteerism” if people are getting paid to do it?
•••
Some veterans have recently become ill with blood-borne diseases like hepatitis and HIV because VA hospitals and clinics did not properly clean their colonoscopy equipment. That begs two questions. One, is this the best care that we can offer our vets? And, two, does government-run health care (which is what the VAs are) still look attractive to you?
•••
When businesses expand or come to the area, people go out of their way to thank the elected officials for all the new jobs. Last I knew, politicians don’t create jobs, the private sector does. As a matter of fact, many will argue that politicians stifle job growth. That said, has anyone ever gone out of their way to thank the entrepreneurs for the new jobs?
•••
If my company had a known carcinogen in the workplace’s air, we’d have to outfit all of our coworkers with masks and respirators. My question is: Prior to the smoking ban, why weren’t bars required to outfit their bartenders and wait staff with masks and respirators since there were extremely high levels of a known carcinogen (cigarette smoke) in their air?
•••
If China’s currency manipulation is so evil, why is it OK for the United States and the Federal Reserve to manipulate our money supply?
•••
We know that people have been leaving Western New York in droves, so why does it seem that new complexes and developments are always being built?
•••
Why don’t taxpayers get an interest payment from the government when they receive their tax refund? Shouldn’t Uncle Sam pay for borrowing your money, just like a bank or debtor would?
Bob Confer is a Gasport resident and vice president of Confer Plastics Inc. in North Tonawanda. E-mail him at bobconfer@juno.com.
Bob Confer
Related Photos
CONFER: A few random thoughts on the world today
- Bob Confer
-
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CONFER: Property taxes: Paying unfair share
A debate that has dominated the American political scene for months has been this premise that everyone should “pay their fair share.” So much attention has been trained on this matter at the national level (in the form of federal income tax) that most people have almost totally ignored the concept at the local level (in the form of property taxes) where it would carry even greater weight.
-
CONFER: The dangers of feral cats
The town of Newfane — more specifically the lakeshore hamlet of Olcott — has a feral cat problem. The community is inundated with dozens of free-roaming, essentially-wild felines which have created health and safety issues galore as well as major inconveniences to property owners, businesses and tourists.
-
CONFER: Yahoo! layoffs not good for area
Last month, Yahoo! announced layoffs of 2,000 jobs. That’s their sixth layoff - and largest – since 2008. The other five ranged from 150 to 1,000 job cuts each and totaled 3,950 jobs lost. In the aggregate, the internet giant has cut 5,950 jobs (or 30 percent of its workforce) in 4 years.
-
CONFER: Take a kid fishing and hunting
The outdoor sports face an unknown future. Hunting and fishing license sales are decreasing at an alarming rate. The population of hunters could be under 10 million for the first time in 2025 after numbering 19 million just 30 year ago and 12.5 million in recent years. The average hunter is now 45 years old and that age continues to rise.
-
CONFER: Obama's policies promote outsourcing
As a manufacturer, I’ve been interested in President Barack Obama’s insourcing kick. By “insourcing,” the President refers to a reversal of the outsourcing trend by American companies; some of them — very little in number — are bringing jobs back to the US.
-
CONFER: Do yourself a favor — read newspapers
Quite often I speak to large groups — like Leadership Niagara or students at SUNY Brockport — about leadership skills. When discussing some of the more important tools for leading their organization — be it a business, a non-profit, a government agency, or even their household — I always mention that they need to read a newspaper (or a few newspapers) every day.
-
CONFER: Senator Maziarz stands his ground
Quite a few years ago I wrote a column about bringing the Castle Doctrine to New York State. The Doctrine would empower the individual by recognizing, within the confines of the home, the natural right to self-defense.
-
CONFER: It’s time to end the minimum wage
Early in this legislative session, New York senators and assemblypeople debated Sheldon Silver’s proposal to increase the minimum wage in New York by $1.25. The argument — whether to maintain the status quo or strive for $8.50 — is wasteful political rhetoric in itself, for the determination of the lowest wages is best left to the free markets, not the government.
-
CONFER: Getting schooled on new disclosure law
For years, the model citizens who engaged in their civic duty by attending and speaking at town and school meetings had faced an uphill battle in their quest to make their voice heard as best as it could be.
- More Bob Confer Headlines
-
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
