If you want something done right. do it yourseif...? Here goes EVERYTHING.

OKAY...  Sorry this is taking so long to get started.  I'm REALLY going to have to invest in that voice recognition software... or someone to transcribe my dictation.  It's not really an issue that can be addressed by better time management, I just don't HAVE enough time.

You see, I work in an industry in which 70 to 80 hours a week is not just considered NORMAL, but is expected.  And not just EXPECTED, but necessary to make a descent living.  If I said that was all I put in, I'd be deceiving you.  Don't get me wrong, I love what I do.  Just trying to educate you on what the people bringing you your groceries (and everything else) are up against.


It's unfortunate that while working this LONG week, those of us who have chosen this profession must do it EXACTLY RIGHT, or risk having large portions of our revenue confiscated by various LOCAL, STATE, and FEDERAL authorities.  IN FACT, in the state of Minnesota, answering incorrectly to questions on a VOLUNTARY survey, can cost both time and money.  Here's the story on that


It astounds me that an industry that is so VITAL to our national economy, is targeted so aggressively as a source of revenue, by all levels of government.  Perhaps this is because they know that, no matter how much they take, it's not going to go away.  It CAN'T go away.  It can only get more expensive to operate, the cost, OF COURSE, being passed on to the shipper, and then, OF COURSE, on to YOU the consumer.


This is one of the MANY issues (though far from the most important) that has brought me to this place in my life, where I can NO LONGER stand to just complain and say "something should be done".  It's time for me to ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.


I said in my last post that, IN TIME, I would get to the purpose that brought this blog in to existence.  Well... I've given that more thought, and concluded that perhaps it would be better to START with that, rather than lead up to it.  That way everything you view here, over the next 12 months, can be considered in light of it's purpose.
The purpose is 2-FOLD.  The most important goal I have is to cause you to think... rather RETHINK about the way POLITICS and GOVERNMENT is done.  With any luck, to cause you to become involved... ENGAGED.  I don't mean calling or e-mailing your representatives in congress.  I mean BECOMING your representatives in congress. (more on this in the future)


My secondary goal is to maybe convince those of you in Ohio, to allow me to be a part of the solution.  I intend to have my name on the ballot for United States Senator, from the State of Ohio, in 2010.  That would be my REAL name, not Tom Sawyer.  (listen to the song, by Rush)


I mean it with my all heart, when I say this is my secondary goal.  If I can... WE (you and I) can cause enough REAL PEOPLE... REGULAR PEOPLE to get involved in OTHER STATES, and OTHER OFFICES, how things work out for me will be of little consequence.  Conversely, if I am allowed by the people of Ohio to become a part of the governing body, but I am alone on Capitol Hill, there will be little hope for change.  Every election cycle, someone puts their hand up and says "VOTE FOR ME, I'LL MAKE THINGS BETTER", and they MEAN it.  But they are one vote among many... one VOICE among many.  By the time they have been there long enough to have influence, they have either FORGOTTEN why they went in the first place, or been CONSUMED by the... ... machine? that is TODAY'S American politics.

I know... I know... we've heard a lot about change here recently.  So much in fact, that it's become cliche'. "CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN"...?  I'm talking about the kind of change I think the great men (and women, I'm sure) who FOUNDED this UNION believed in.  You need only look at our U.S. CONSTITUTION to understand what I mean by change.  REMEMBER... the CONSTITUTION?  The sacred document that guarantees our freedom from an ALL POWERFUL and OPPRESSIVE federal government?  CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW... and all THAT?  WELL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, it's STILL the LAW of the LAND...


FOR NOW...


It's hanging on by a thread, and we're running out of chances to save it.


I'll get back to ya...




...OH YEAH... The song.  by RUSH