Has the UCMJ been rewritten?

 

The military under the Biden administration is embracing a more progressive and inclusive approach.

According to the UCMJ DoD Directive 1344.10 the display of political signage on your person, your uniform, your vehicle or home, except for a single bumper sticker, is prohibited on base premises, including on personal vehicles. Additionally, military families residing on base are not permitted to exhibit any political signs, posters, or banners in public view at their residences. It has always been a rule that this rule always be upheld while in the military, however, it appears that has changed. So, when did the UCMJ get rewritten?  

The military under the Biden administration is embracing a more progressive and inclusive approach.

Traditionally, insignia and patches on a soldier's uniform were indicators of their military qualifications and experience. However, in a move towards greater diversity and representation, the Biden administration has allowed for the inclusion of a "Pride Patch" on military uniforms during "Pride Month." This decision signifies a shift towards recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community within the military.

 The insignia on a soldier's uniform speaks volumes about their military journey. From current assignments to combat experience, these patches and badges are not just for show - they are symbols of pride and accomplishment. Elite units like the Ranger Regiment and Special Forces are revered, with soldiers proudly displaying their unit insignia. The Combat Infantryman's badge is another prestigious honor that infantry veterans wear with pride. These patches and ribbons serve as a visual biography of a soldier's service, showcasing their dedication and bravery. Each symbol represents a chapter in their military career, a story of where they've been and what they've achieved. While they may not be officially called "pride" patches, they are worn with a sense of honor and respect for the sacrifices made in the line of duty.

I've addressed the risks associated with a politically-influenced military many times over the years, but no one seems to listen to the warnings of such influence over military personnel.   A military that is swayed by political agendas poses a threat to not only a democratic society but can lead to a loss of freedom and creating of a dictatorship. Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, we are witnessing a rapid politicization of the military. I’ve heard from various warriors across the world how our American Flag was accompanied by the Pride Flag on many of our embassies and military bases around the world since 2011. Senior brass of our military doesn’t have the spine to stand up to this false DEI initiative to demoralize our military personnel to the detriment of our military and our nation.   It's clear that commanders seeking promotions or favorable assignments understand who holds the power and what they expect.

Case in point: The Stars and Stripes have recently uncovered yet another instance of political influence seeping into military affairs. The commander of the OSAN airbase in South Korea has given the green light for troops to wear a "pride morale patch" on their uniforms, both in public and while on duty.

According to a spokesperson for the commander, the patch symbolizes the Air Force's dedication to diversity, inclusion, dignity, and respect within their mission. It seems this commander is well-attuned to the desires of higher-ups. And he’s itching for a better billet to advance his career before retirement. Go Figure.

Personally, I'd prefer our Air Force to focus more on winning wars, but I suppose that's just the way I was brought up by an Army Officer. This "pride patch" doesn't hold a candle to the prestigious symbols of military achievement like Ranger tabs, Seal tridents, or campaign ribbons that actually represent valor and service in combat.

The Army troops at the air base are now able to show their support for diverse sexual practices with "pride" patches alongside their other military accolades. Quite the decision, commander.

Let's be clear: Wearing a 13-colored "pride" patch as a symbol of identifying with specific sexual practices or lifestyles is a political statement. Political statements according to the UCMJ Title 10 don’t allow for political statements while in uniform, right? Or has the UCMJ been rewritten, and no one told me? It doesn't contribute to a military unit's effectiveness, skills, readiness or cohesiveness. Instead, it signifies allegiance to DEI politics. Allowing such patches on military uniforms undermines the principle of a politically neutral military, crucial for a democratic society. However, Colonel William McKibban clearly sees the best way to becoming a general is to be politically correct and pray someone at the higher level notices he’s playing political ball and rewards him with a star for good behavior.    

While the Colonel plays politics with insignia the U.S. House of Representatives is playing with our tax dollars when it comes to the annual defense policy bill. Recently the House of Representatives passed its version of the annual defense policy bill, which includes provisions related to abortion rights and the treatment of transgender service members. That’s right instead of funding warfighting capabilities, personnel retention funding, and overall defense spending, they’ve decided it’s more important to allocate defense appropriation funding to controversial social issues that have the potential to complicate the passage of this crucial legislation. Now, the Senate Armed Services Committee will need to collaborate with the House to create a compromise version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). How about allocating funding to maintain the Caisson Unit at Fort Myer Base which is historical in nature for the honor and dignity of those buried at Arlington cemetery, or how about replacing or refurbishing the run-down housing on various bases where warriors and their families live while stationed on that base. Or even better refurbish the barracks where our warriors live? Those expenses would be better used instead of paying for sex changes and abortions. I didn’t lobby for defense appropriation for so many years to have my work diminished by a bunch of social issue idiots looking to change the landscape of our military for their political ideology.

The House's bill authorizes a historic $895 billion in spending, representing a 1% increase from the previous year. Despite some bipartisan support, the legislation faced opposition from both Democrats and Republicans during the House vote.

 Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

Law Makers crying for a raise Should learn Economics first.

 

Law Makers crying for a raise Should learn Economics first.

Recently Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, a representative from New York cried that Congress needs a pay increase because they can’t afford to do their job on such a low pay scale. Let’s look at this issue from a different perspective than what AOC is looking at it. Congress is paid $174,000 per year to do their job; the Office of Revenue and the Office of Management and Budget pay their staff to work in their office. On top of that, the position to which she holds has a benefit package that doesn’t even compare to the real work, in their world, meaning Congress, is paid an outrageous retirement package, Free healthcare, 10 paid holidays, three weeks’ paid vacation and unlimited sick days. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker only gets free healthcare if their employer can afford it, which these days doesn’t happen, in addition, the average worker only gets 7 sick days per year if they are lucky, vacation days are only 1 week up to one year and maybe 2 weeks after 1 year. Their retirement plan is not paid for unless they invest wisely, and the stock market doesn’t crash on them before they retire.

When we calculate in the other benefit that the Congressional House and Senate are afforded that the average worker doesn’t get, would be the subsidy that allows them an annuity of $34,000 per year for housing rental, hotel stays, and meals while doing their official work while in the nation’s capital. A total of 217 lawmakers utilized this annuity and guess what they don’t have to produce receipts to get this money paid out to them as reimbursement. Sorry but any employer in the public or even state level must show receipts and justify the expenses being requested, but Congress and Senate don’t have to and the breakdown for this luxury is 113 Democrats, and 104 Republicans claimed this annuity in 2023.  That’s right folks, lawmakers spent over 1.4 million in taxpayer dollars to subsidize lodging and food while representing you In Washington, DC.  This annuity is a fiscal pay raise that was authorized by the 117^th Congress. Slipped into a bill no doubt. Isn’t that a nice bonus, get a salary plus housing and food chit that throws your base salary up to $208.000 per year oh and only $174,000 is taxable. Nice huh. If AOC can’t live on that then she really needs to go back to bartending and then to college, because apparently, she has a degree in Economics? I think she was sleeping in class because she had no knowledge of figures or finance.

My Friend, John Penman, a former soldier, has a good idea for AOC and her fiscal crying baby friends, he suggests that members of Congress should contract with Residence Inn or another hotel in the area for a nice Suite for every member that needs it. If the member doesn’t want to live there, then they can find their own lodging at their own expense. For the Senate, each state should provide a nice three-bedroom house with a dining room (they are in office for 6 years after all). They the Senator doesn’t’ want to live there, then the state can rent it out at fair market value on a year-to-year basis.  While her constituents flounder financially, AOC lives in a building in DC that sports a Rooftop Pool and an Indoor Golf Simulator. She’s living high on the hog for sure. Sounds like she’s living in the swanky Collective in Southeast DC. Good choice AOC nice digs. Why don’t you move to a more affordable location, or better yet have your boyfriend pay half the rent so it will allow you to buy food on your own and not have to use the $34,000 annuity.

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.

We no longer hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.

At one time in the history of the United States of America, members of the Congress and Senate were held to a higher standard of conduct which resulted in each member acting in accordance with propriety and decorum both in private and in public. However, as time went by, things seem to have changed. Members of both houses no longer are holding to the code of conduct set forth by human decency and the federal government, maybe because they’re paid a salary not worthy of what they produce each year.  

It is quite interesting to look back over history to see how many times the leaders of both Congress and Senate have sanctioned someone within their ranks for misconduct, public scandals, or just for being such as disgrace to the body to which they serve, for sexual harassment, drunk or disorderly conduct, ethics violations and don’t forget bribery and corruption and a host of other infractions placed upon them for their behavior. Neither have they been sanctioned when it is discovered that they’ve used information learned within their ranks as a public servant for their own personal gain, stock fraud, or allocating federal funding to friends and family. Now mind you they’re not considered guilty for their fractions, because they are being accused of any of the above, just that there is an investigation into their actions being conducted.  The members of the ethics committee should be fired and sanctioned themselves for failure to do their job. Hell, this would never have flown in the 17 or 1800s when representatives were true gentlemen and knew that their actions had consequences worthy of dismissal from their position representing the people, not anymore, it gives them street creds to campaign for another round of opportunities to take advantage of the people they represent in either house. What a disgrace.

According to the Legislator Misconduct Database from 1789 until the present day, there have been only 487 times an elected official was accused of misconduct by fellow legislators in Congress alone.  While that is a very low number considering the number of years being analyzed What is disturbing is the number of ethics violations (41), Acceptance of gifts (12), arrests (20), criminal conspiracy (2), drunken disorderly (2), sexual harassment (7), violations of the Stock Act (7), bribery and corruption (2) and failure to secure security screenings (14) since 2020. Mostly on the Dem side of the aisle while the number of sanctions for not wearing a mask was mainly on the Republican side with fines up to 103.000. Protest fines were only $50 each while not wearing a mask started at $500 for the first violation and then $2500 each after to the tune of 93,000. A few fines were $500 for ethics violations and $5000 for unprofessional behavior. When you compare the history of both houses, you will find that in the previous 10 years, 2010 there were 62 ethics violations and 16 sexual harassment (both sides of the aisle), during the 1990’s there were 30 ethics violations, 4 sexual harassment cases and 7 campaign violations (again both sides of the aisle) 1980s 10 ethics violations, 1970s 8 ethics violations, 1960s 2 ethics violations then you go back to the 1810 and there was only 1 ethics violations whereas in 1790 there were 2 ethics violations. Interesting how the morals of our elected officials have declined over the years. So where do the fines go and into what pot of golden money does it flow into when a representative is fined for the above charges? Just in one review, I calculated over $279,000 dollars was collected in the last year and a half.

If you go back into history to see just how greedy our elected representatives have become just look at the base salaries. In 1789 representatives were paid $6.00 per day per diem to conduct the country's business and their travel was much harder than it is today. Then you look at the history of those salaries and you’ll see that by 1925 the salary per year went up to $10,000 and in 1935 it began to increase every year thereafter until it results in today’s salary of $174,000 for both houses. The President received a salary of $25,000 back in 1789 and nothing else, but now they get a paycheck of up to $400,000, and in 1949 Congress added an expense account of $50,000 per year for food and sundries.  The reason is largely ideological. The rationale, as described by the founding fathers in the Federalist Papers, is that “the president's salary reinforces their status as an employee of and servant to the American public. A president who is not beholden to the people for his livelihood is more likely to act on their own interests.”  The only president to forgo a pension and expense account was Harry S. Truman. Now there was a servant to the people.

Think about this, you leave your job upon retirement, and you get a pension for only being in your job for four years, you get a stipend allowance for a transition office, staffing personnel, postage and travel expenses, and secret service security too. You get a free funeral and burial, GSA allocates taxpayer money to build you a private library, you get funding for transition expenses when you leave office, and you get free medical for life. Nice retirement package huh? While the country is trying to figure out how it’s going to survive financially it tried to reign in the expenses of the President upon leaving office to limit them to a pension for only 10 years at the rate of $200,000 per year and an expense allowance of $200,000 inclusive. Unfortunately, in 2016 President Obama didn’t like the idea that his retirement package would be so limited, so he vetoed the bill because he thought it was unfair to economically saddle a former President with the burden to pay out-of-pocket expenses for things associated with his former office. Talk about someone who thought of himself as entitled. Burden the taxpayer by paying for six living presidents. The living Americans who have served as president are Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter, plus Joe Biden who is currently in office. Don’t you wish you had a pension plan like these men have? I know I would.

Let’s get back to our other public servants, Congress, and Senate. Today we have representatives who have made their elected office a full-time job for life rather than for a few terms. In Washington DC circles we called these individuals the “Sharks of the Hill.” The reason they are called sharks is that a new representative can’t get anything accomplished without kissing up to the sharks and abiding by their rules of how things get done in Washington. In other words, they always want a quick pro quo to get anything done. You sponsor my bill and I’ll think about sponsoring your bill before you leave the office. This was one of the reasons why the founding fathers wanted the tree of democracy to be shaken every few years so that new blood could represent the people of this country.  The longer representatives stay in office the more capable they are and vulnerable they become to corruption, bribery, and unethical behavior as we’ve seen in the above instances. Many of the old Sharks are in their mid to late 70s or late 80s showing signs of dementia and other medical ailments.

As of today’s writing, there are 611 former members receiving a pension and out of that number 311 retired under what is known as the CSRS program which pays them 74,028 per year plus free medical for life and a small stipend for office and postage, and the other 276 receive a pension as of 2016 under the FERS retirement program which pays them $41,076 a year plus the free medical and other stipends allocated to former members of either the House or Senate. Gotta love the way our government just throws money to the wind, huh?

So why do I bring up these various issues, well it’s because within the next couple of years we as American citizens have an opportunity to shake the tree of democracy and change the face of our elected officials.    The use of public offices should not be used for private gain as it says in the Code of Federal Regulations 5CFR § 2632.702. “An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, including nonprofit organizations or which the employee is an officer or member, and persons with whom the employee has or seeks employment or business relations.” The Federal Regulation goes on to say, “An employee shall not use or permit the use of his government position or title or any authority associated with his public office in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another person, including a subordinate, to provide any benefit, financial or otherwise, to himself or to friends, relatives or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity.

Now some on Capitol Hill will argue that they are simply an elected official and should not be considered an employee, well I beg to differ with them because according to the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 3401 © states that an “Officer, employee or elected official” of government is an employee for income tax withholding purposes. This includes any official who administers or enforces public laws whether the public elected the individual or an office appointed them.”  Gotta love it when the federal government covers its own six and stabs the others in the back without realizing it.

So, to all elected officials, political appointees, and government employees you are all subjected to the HATCH ACT 5 U.S.C. 7323 (a) and 7324 (a) and the Code of Conduct set forth by Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch wherein you have 14 general principles to adhere too that are as follows:

 

§ 2635.101 Basic obligations of public service.

Public service is a public trust. Each employee has a responsibility to the United States Government and its citizens to place loyalty to the Constitution, laws, and ethical principles above private gain. To ensure that every citizen can have complete confidence in the integrity of the Federal Government, each employee shall respect and adhere to the principles of ethical conduct set forth in this section, as well as the implementing standards contained in this part and in supplemental agency regulations.

The following general principles apply to every employee and may form the basis for the standards contained in this part. Where a situation is not covered by the standards set forth in this part, employees shall apply the principles set forth in this section in determining whether their conduct is proper.

1)      Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.

2)      Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

3)      Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

4)      An employee shall not, except as permitted by subpart B of this part, solicit, or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee’s agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee’s duties.

5)      Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

6)      Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

7)      Employees shall not use public office for private gain. Subpart A-General Provisions 2 Codified in 5 C.F.R. Part 2635 As amended at 85 FR 36715 (effective June 18, 2020).

8)      Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

9)      Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

10  Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

11   Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

12   Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those—such as Federal, State, or local taxes—that are imposed by law.

13   Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

14)  Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law, or the ethical standards set forth in this part. Whether particular circumstances create an appearance that the law or these standards have been violated shall be determined from the perspective of a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts.

So in closing, Patriots share this article around in your network and encourage your fellow patriots to begin to educate themselves on the above issues, research your elected offices in your state by contacting the Library of Congress to find out what sanctions have been implemented against your elected representative (there could be a small fee for the results). Then challenge the elected official with the results and inquire why they did what they did to receive such a sanction or fine. Enlighten your fellow voters and let's clean house in Washington the old-fashioned way – the intelligent way and the grown-up way – hit them where it hurts, their ego and reputation. Don’t allow someone to represent you who has been investigated for ethical issues, criminal behavior, sexual misconduct, bribery, corruption, or even for violating the Hatch Act. I’ll write a separate article about the Hatch Act and what it means, along with the Stock Act too. 

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Master's in Criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.

Message for Elected officials across the nation!

 

Message for Elected officials across the nation!

A person in public office who wishes to stand before their fellow Americans, and make stupid statements, a joke or not, does not deserve to be elected into office. I have no respect for any elected official who is not willing to adhere to the following rules of etiquette as an elected representative. 

Rules of Etiquette for Elected Officials.

1)         Speak publicly on issues before you in Congress. 

2)         Speak publicly about the concerns of all Americans, for you represent every American while in elected office, not just your home district. 

3)         Set an example for citizens of our country to follow:  serving with character, honesty, integrity, morality and patriotism

4)         You have a responsibility to safeguard unity, patriotism and most of all the foundation of American values. These values include service to our country in uniform of the armed forces. This responsibility does not give you the right to degrade those who have, are, or will serve in that uniform now or future generations. 

5)         Most of all remember that when you open your mouth in public or in private, you represent me and my fellow Americans – be careful of what you say, because those that are the enemy of our country are surely listening to what is said and could ultimately cause us all harm based on your actions and words. 

I think those who have taken up permanent residency on Capitol Hill in both Washington, DC and every state capitol have become complacent and need to think about retiring. I think it’s time that the system be changed to term limits, maybe then we might be able to choose leaders who will truly represent the people. Then maybe, just maybe, we might have leadership worth respecting?

For those who received your seats in Congress or Senate based on family name, you are not true servants of the people. You are nothing more than tokens for the people who are paying for that seat. You have sold your souls to the lobbyists, corporate America and special interest groups to be their voice and nothing else. You are the people who are the most dangerous, because you are willing to sell out this country for a buck, rather than serve honorably in the footsteps of our founding fathers’ intention of what a member of the House of Representatives was supposed to be. 

The founding fathers did not serve based on monetary rewards, pensions or benefits. They served because they loved this country and everything it represents – FREEDOM! 

Benjamin Franklin writing as Silence Dogood once said,

"Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as publick Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man... This sacred Privilege is so essential to free Governments, that the Security of Property, and the Freedom of Speech always go together; and in those wretched Countries where a Man cannot call his Tongue his own, he can scarce call any Thing else his own. Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation, must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech; a Thing terrible to Publick Traytors." The New-England Courant, July 9, 1722.

Mr. Franklin was accurate in his statement. Therefore, we must not allow the mistakes of the past to reap their ugly head once again. We must look to ourselves rather than to our leaders for answers. We must ask ourselves many questions. Have we become complacent in our thoughts about our country? Have we become so materialistic that we are blinded by reality? Have we become so self-absorbed that we do not see what is happening around us, how special interest groups and politicians are manipulating us? Have we hidden ourselves in our homes, rather than admit there is an evil knocking at our doors and in our communities? Do we really need to be that affluent that we fail to see that our economy is spinning into an abyss?

Politicians say it is because of bad leadership in the White House. Others say it is a sign of a different world. Some say it is because of the war in the Middle East. I see it as three individual indicators that are causing the major problems within our society, indicators that every American has the power to change. 

1)         Smoke and Mirror Politicians: 

In the political arena smoke and mirror politicians raise issues that get a candidate immediate press; such as Roe v. Wade, gun rights and gay rights. A candidate will raise these issues if he or she has no real platform to stand on. When a candidate brings up these issues, this should tell you they are a token candidate for their political party. Their political party does not have a real leader within their ranks to represent you in office. Political parties know that the voter is uneducated when it comes to issues. This allows them to entice you to vote for their token candidate so they will have control over you in that office. The world sits and watches as we struggle with the thought of losing everything, we hold precious in our lives, as the political wars begin, what will you do to stop it? 

2)         Bait and Switch Issue

The environment should be a key issue to all who live on this planet, but we should look closely at those who are delivering the message. 

Many of those who are on the bandwagon of the environmental issues have personal investments in the outcome if this one issue. These are the very people you should be concerned about because they speak out of both sides of their mouth. On one hand, they say cut the defense budget to ensure that war-fighting capabilities are halted in the war effort and we can all live in peace. What they do not understand is that every time we cut the defense budget, we cut funding for the environment. 

The Department of Defense is the largest environmental program in the world. On a daily basis, they are the leaders in environmental resource management, conservation and education, on U.S. military bases here at home and throughout the world. Funding from DoD helps to support colleges, technical schools and students in education and research projects that help the environment. Those who receive their PhD and Masters degrees, in most cases, have done their internship on a military installation or through a Defense Department funded project. These projects concentrate on our life in and around waterways and streams, land use, conservation and clean up, air purification capabilities, rescuing and safeguarding animals and endangered species. 

Who will benefit the most if we are to convert to electric vehicles? It will not be the car dealers directly. Who is the leader in the environmental issue these days? Who will benefit from laws enacted to ensure cleaner air? Will it be one man or a group of people that lead the fight? 

It surely will not be the citizens of the United States or even the world, because someone always has their hands in the pocket of someone who controls the money at some point. We the people should take a stronger, active role in saving our environment because we live here. We as a people should be more responsible in our efforts to recycle and conserve wherever we can. This issue doesn’t just affect us; it affects the future of our children. 

3) Economic Destruction Issue:

Now we have the major issue that most directly affects us all, the economic issue. We have those who control the very essence of our economy; he was a man who could cause the stock market and other indicators to going into a tailspin, Alan Greenspan! This man had been out of touch with reality for many years prior to stepping down, yet for many years prior to his replacement the stock market reacted violently any time he sneezed! Reality is that our economy is now feeling the full effects of the attack of September 11. This was the goal and objective of the terrorists from the beginning, destroy the economic well-being of the strongest country in the world. As with recent events in our economic status, they have begun to succeed. 

Instead of our financial leaders advising and encouraging Corporate America to reinvest in the American People, Corporate America is looking at their bottom line. Corporate America undoubtedly has been thinking incorrectly. Instead of investing in their employees as if, they are their private stock market, they listened to Greenspan. One has to wonder what would happen if they changed their mentality of the stock market being a better investment than a loyal employee! Companies wonder why they are continually sabotaged, if only they would look at themselves and how they conduct business with their own employees. Corporate sabotage results in other people losing their jobs and the income that supports their family.

One of the basic lessons in any business course is when a company is in a slump, that’s when you need to reinvest in that company, reevaluate its past performance and modify, as needed its policy, practices and results. For some strange reason companies are not doing this. Is it because our thought process is so turned around, we cannot think about business ethics, but rather focus on always making money? We need to start thinking about reinvesting in our own companies, from the top down. Presidents and CEO’s should voluntarily not resign that leased vehicle agreement in favor of driving their own vehicle. As would any good leader, they should consider setting the example by making the same sacrifices their employees are being asked to make... such as cutting back expenses for any unnecessary items until things turn around. Leading by example retains loyal employees and creates a cohesive team willing to weather the storm and help strengthen the company in the future. This also ensures confidence in consumer loyalty as well. If Corporate America thought properly, they would know that this is the time to reinvest in this country and the people who helped make them rich. 

The above is an exert from my book, Soul of an American Warrior: A Writer's Journey Comes Full Circle. 

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist. business professional, and creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Masters in Criminology and a BS in Business Management who stepped out of the loop for a while, but who is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months. 

Misuse of Power in question

For the last few months, the world has been overpowered with news about President Trumps’ misconduct in dealing with the Newly Elected President of Ukraine by encouraging him to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter along with the conspiracy that the Ukraine, not Russia was behind the interference during the 2016 Presidential Election here in America. However, the use of misuse of power is not in the hands of the President, but clearing in the hands of Congress, specifically Congresswoman Nany Pelosi (CA-D) and her ilk, Congressman Schiff (CA-D) and Congressman Nadler (NY-D) who have misused their congressional powers by implementing the waste of time and farce behind these proceedings against President Trump. As an independent voter, and someone who has been in the political arena for most of her life, (50 years’ worth of her life) I can attest that the abuse of powers is not at the feet of the President but that of Congresswoman Pelosi, Congressman Schiff and Nadler and it is these three elected officials to whom should be sanctioned and removed from office for their misuse of power that they have been given as elected officials.  

According to the house of Representatives own website states the following:

“The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
— U.S. Constitution, Article II, section 4

As a legal course of review and by following the above section 4 of the Constitution, the President of the United States has not been convicted in a court of law of committing Treason, nor has he accepted a bribe  or paid a bride for anything, in fact, he has given up his salary to various federal Agencies to help them reduce their budgetary requirements. In addition, he has not been convicted of any high crimes or misdemeanors in a court of law, therefore, the bogus charges being brought against him by Congresswoman Pelosi and her party of misfits are absolutely and legally illegal charges claiming abuse of power while in his office as President.

So instead of going after the President of the United States on false charges, how about we go after all Congressional representatives who accept bribes from lobbyists in exchange for favors on votes regarding legislation that would benefit their company or organization. Now that’s truly a bride worthy of impeachment or sanctions don’t you think?

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist, business professional, and creative artist. Although she has been out of the loop for a while, she is back with a powerful opinion and voice in how this country and the entertainment industry has gone off course. She is determined to bring to light the issues in a clear and opinionated voice.

Term Limits for elected officials are already available but most American’s don’t know it!

                Every American complains about their elected representative and demands for term limits, but little do these constituents realize there are already term limits available to ensure that all elected representatives adhere to the Constitution and laws already on the books, it’s called the next election cycle. Unfortunately, due to a lack of memory, every voter forgets the transgressions of their elected officials. So every two years Congress can be voted out of office, but unfortunately, the constituents within their districts are unaware of the negative work they’ve been involved in on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Little do they realize that their political choice of representative has sold their soul to the highest bidder to ensure their next election if winnable with the proper funds made available for that next run for office by some special interest group to who has bought their allegiance.  Meanwhile, the Senate can be voted out of office every six years wherein a third of the Senate can be refreshed or removed from office, but the same goes for the Senate as it does for Congress, they too have sold their soul to the devil in order to keep their seat in the Senate. Don’t believe me, go to Washington, DC while both houses are in session and hang out at the local nightspots such as Old Ebbits Grill, The Capital Grill, or any restaurant in Georgetown and you’ll see the elected officials huddled in the corner with some lobbyist making their next deal at the cost of the American people.

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist, business professional, and creative artist. Although she has been out of the loop for a while, she is back with a powerful opinion and voice in how this country and the entertainment industry has gone off course. She is determined to bring to light the issues in a clear and opinionated voice.

Financial Crisis – What caused our Pending Doom?

With the deadline for America’s pending financial doom on the horizon, Washington needs to revisit history fast.

There have been three periods in American history that ultimately brought this country to its knees: the “Progressive Age”, known as the “Gilded Age”, or the “First Industrial Revolution”, 1866- 1897, this period caused a financial crisis known as the “Great Panic of 1893”. The second period was the “Technology Era”, better known as “The Roaring Twenties” (1920’s) which sparked the “Crash of 1929” and ultimately caused the “Great Depression”. The Third; well according to Wall Street Analysis’s and Capitol Hill what is happening across America today, hasn’t fully materialized into a depression. Hey, I have a bridge to sell you real cheap if you really believe them.

Let’s start with the Progressive Age, better known as the Gilded Age created millionaires on the backs of the working class. Just as England’s Nobility created companies to capitalize on industry and trade throughout the 1700 and 1800’s, America’s Elite produced “Trusts” such as the Railroad Trust, Meatpacking Trust, Farming Trust, Manufacturing Trust, Steel Industry Trust and Financial Trusts that ultimately made them all millionaires. Because of these trusts, the steel industry out produced Britain, France and Germany making America the richest country in the world. The Railroad industry Trust skyrocketed, tripling its network throughout America between 1860-1880. Who were the men behind these various Trusts, rich industrialists of the era - Rockefeller, Mellon, Carnegie, Rogers, Morgan, Vanderbilt and Astor; each had a hand in creating the elite status every entrepreneur of today wishes to emulate.

These same men introduced the mechanization of industry. Machine driven production produced more products for sale faster than man could produce; this replaced skilled labor leaving many without jobs. Creativity became a thing of the past. While machines took over labor, the railroads created bureaucratic complex systems to control time and travel. Roles of management became the norm causing nepotism and who would receive a jobs. Mindset of business in general began to change.

With the increase in productivity rose in the industrial complex, patents were becoming more and more popular to safeguard person’s innovative creation. Over the course of a thirty year period, over 500,000 patents had been issued. Thomas Edison received a few of these patents for his electrical devices which lead him to co-found General Electric Company. With the creation of the telephone, Theodore Vail created American Telephone and Telegraph Company, better known as AT&T.

Individuals who once held jobs became angry and violent because they couldn’t’ feed their families. Union organizers began to stir the pot of discontent sparking two major strikes – 1870 workers demanded shorter hours and better wages; 1877 the Great Railroad Strike that lasted forty-five days and ended in violent attacks on property owned by the railroad conglomerate; 1886

While the first industrial revolution created the Gilded Age, the second industrial revolution lasted well into the 1920’s.

During President Grant’s term in office the phrase Lobbyist was created because those who wanted the ear of the President found him in the lobby of the Washington Hotel which is next to the White House, sipping his bourbon and smoking a cigar. It was during his time in office coupled with the reconstruction of the South that groups learned they could get what they wanted by lobbying his favor. Over the next twenty years, a sense of government favoritism became the norm throughout the political arena. It became more apparent in during the Gilded Age where bribes, kickbacks, inefficiency, waste and corruption gained larger voices in Washington, DC. Therefore, corruption and waste in politics isn’t a new phenomenon.

Each of the voices of the Trusts created a monopoly and exploited their employees. The Elite Wealthy Barons of the time helped perpetuate the establishment of unions throughout America causing further destruction and downfall of the American Dream.

Political wars between Republicans and Democrats isn’t a new phenomenon either, American history will show that it’s been going on since this time too. Voters were manipulated heavily during the 1870s. The political machine supporters who helped dominate the political field were rewarded for supporting the hand picked candidate. It was called “Patronage” back in the 1870’s where individuals were given favors back from the government once the candidate was elected. The candidate chosen had to agree to this form of support at the time and their willingness gained them tremendous support in return. If they didn’t agree, they were blackballed by the members of the industrial elite. Does this sound familiar? It should because it happens every day here in America.

Media was no better during this time; they resorted to “Yellow Journalism” and it took speed with negative reporting of political issues, a candidate’s stand on that issue and resorted to personal character attacks to diminish an opponent’s character. The media propaganda machine took on a new role of inflicting fear and unrest with their so called sentimental stories which ultimately were taken as fact, but were actually lacking in true facts. This still happens in today’s political arena.

With immigration on the rise with over 10 million coming to the United States for a better life from Europe and the United Kingdom, skilled craftsman and farmers who built our bridges and helped our farmers increase their production. The railroad industry needed skilled labor too, and over 64,000 come from China to build our railroads and railways, but they never got the credit for their hard work.

Inner cities swelled with these new inhabitants causing crime to increase and ethnic gangs formed which pitted each against each other even though they wanted the same thing – freedom, prosperity and a new life in America.

The Gilded Age also created many social movements: Susan B Anthony lead the Woman’s Suffrage Movement while religious temperance movement was born to bring morality back to America. Thanks to author Edward Bellany who wrote “Looking Backward” the birth of the socialist utopia was born. Bellany’s writing influenced Karl Marx and other socialist of the 20th and 21st century which has lead to the voice of the Gilded Age to reappear once again in 2011. Bellamy wasn’t the only socialist of his time, so was Laurence Gronlund who authored “The Cooperative Commonwealth: An Explosion of Modern Socialism” (1884). These two authors sparked Saul Alinsky’s teachings.

As the country came out of the 1800’s with a financial flourish, the Progressive Age continued with politicians such as Woodrow Wilson who believed in government controlling the lives of its people. As President, Woodrow Wilson established the income tax system to ensure the government had the necessary funds to pay off the war debt. The first tax revenue collection was enacted in 1913 at a rate of 7%. This wasn’t enough Wilson said to Congress, therefore, it was raised again in 1917, this time at a rate of 70%.

With the increase in tax collection, more innovative technology being introduced, World War I coming to a close, excessive gambling and speculation through the Stock Market and a mentality of “buy today, pay later” the “Roaring Twenties” was a decade of partying by the wealthy. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so bright for those who didn’t have their wealth.

The best example of this type of behavior occurred during the “Technology Era”. No I’m not talking about the nineteen eighties, I’m referring to the “Roaring Twenties” (1920’s) During the “Roaring Twenties” innovation became the new craze with new technology, such as automobiles, radios, and other goods that were in mass production for immediate purchase. The only problem was, this new technology was expensive, only those with wealth could afford it. There were other new innovations enhancing aviation technology and with the creation of the power grid system, people who could afford it stayed up all night partying. The “Roaring Twenties” became even more financially prosperous for the Industrial Moguls who gained power and wealth during the Gilded age of the 1880’s. They used their money to help start new corporations like Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and General Motors Corporation. They Silent film era became a thing of the past with the creation of talking movies and they invested heavily into this new industry. This new innovation allowed films to include sound, music and sound effects. Hollywood was born.

Traditional values were thrown out the window in order to break free of the bonds of social constraints.

With the right the vote, women became more empowered; raising skirts higher and higher, some throwing away their virtue while others got married and used their husbands paychecks to buy, buy, buy.

Then the Crash of 1929 hit and the world as we know it spiraled into despair. The Great Depression had started and lasted until the early 1940s. Those who had money and were affluent on Wall Street found themselves living in tent cities, squandering for food and a place to sleep. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt implemented the New Deal Act that brought social programs to the forefront of our nation. What most people in America don’t understand about the New Deal Act is this; the social programs established were supposed to be a temporary band-aid in order to help the people of America get back on their feet. Like everything in Washington, DC, these programs became political and more money was poured into the wound of a country for the next 65 years. Another thing America doesn’t know is that these very programs were copied from the socialist party programs throughout Europe. While FDR himself wasn’t a socialist sympathizer, his wife Eleanor certainly believed in their ideology.

The critical indicators that caused the first two stock market crashes and drove this country into despair are the same indicators sending us into an even more devastating depression. Washington needs to stop playing politics with the lives of Americans and prevent our financial doom from happening next week. Those who believe they understand the situation that is before us also need to relearn history, because they just don’t get what is truly at stake, American Lives! America needs to wake up fast and take control of this situation personally, individually and throughout the government. The gravy train of government spending must stop. Excessive trips that are not fiscally sound must be stopped. If Congress and Senate truly want to prove to the American people, they’re serious about protecting the American financial interest, cut out all the payback jobs that are truly unnecessary, like those special committee positions that do nothing to help the security of America. Instead of sending money to wealthy countries to help their starving citizens, use that money to help our fellow Americans stand on their own two feet once again. That would be a better return on investment for the future.

The question is simple, is Washington willing to gamble with the future of America, or will they learn from history?