posted on December 1, 2006 11:05:51 AM new
Above and beyond the costs of remaking our currency....there are others to consider also.
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Vendors protest mandated currency changes for blind
By Bryce Baschuk
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 30, 2006
The vending machine industry would have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars so its machines could handle new currency that blind people could use if a new ruling on U.S. bills is enforced.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled Tuesday that the current bills discriminate against blind people. He ordered the Treasury Department to find a solution.
"If the government is mandated to change U.S. currency, there would be a tremendous financial impact across a number of industries, including the automated vending industry," said Jim Brinton, a director of the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), a trade association of the food and refreshment vending industry.
There are 7 million food and beverage machines in the United States, and 1.5 million of them accept both $1 and $5 bills, according to NAMA.
The vending machine industry would have to spend an estimated $200 to $300 to retrofit each machine, Mr. Brinton said. "I couldn't afford to spend $300 per machine. I simply wouldn't be able to do it," said Mr. Brinton, who is also the president of Evergreen Food Services Inc., a vending company in Tukwila, Wash.
The American Council of the Blind filed the lawsuit against the government in 2002, saying U.S. currency should be redesigned to help blind and visually impaired people distinguish among denominations.
"We're not deliberately setting out to overturn American industries," said Melanie Brunson, executive director of the American Council of the Blind in Washington.
"We wanted the government to add accessibility [to the U.S. currency], and we wanted to make it an issue while our currency was being redesigned," she said.
Ms. Brunson couldn't say exactly what impact the decision might have on the nation's industries, but conceded that "the cost to retrofit vending machines could be somewhat substantial."
NAMA filed a brief during the trial, noting that a decision to change U.S. currency would cost the vending industry substantial amounts.
Metro officials yesterday could not estimate how much it would cost to retrofit their fare-card machines to handle new currency.
"A lot will depend on what the U.S. Treasury will do," said Stephen Taubenkibel, a representative from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Metro's fare-card machines accept denominations of $1, $5, $10 and $20.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 1, 2006 11:21:39 AM new
From a journalist who articulates the issue much better than I ever could:
Why we love government
By Walter E. Williams
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
At least two-thirds of the federal budget represents forcing one American to serve the purposes of another.
Younger workers are forced to pay for the prescriptions of older Americans;
people who are not farmers are forced to serve those who are;
nonpoor people are forced to serve poor people; and
the general public is forced to serve corporations, college students and other special interests who have the ear of Congress.
The supreme tragedy that will lead to our undoing is that so far as personal economic self-interests are concerned, it is perfectly rational for every American to seek to live at the expense of another American.
Why? Not doing so doesn't mean he'll pay lower federal taxes. All it means is that there will be more money for somebody else.
In other words, once Congress establishes that one person can live at the expense of another, it pays for everyone to try to do so.
You say, "Williams, don't you believe in helping your fellow man?" Yes, I do. I believe that reaching into one's own pockets to help his fellow man is both laudable and praiseworthy.
Reaching into another's pockets to help his fellow man is despicable and worthy of condemnation.
The bottom line: We love government because it enables us to accomplish things that if done privately would lead to arrest and imprisonment.
For example, if I saw a person in need, and I took your money to help him, I'd be arrested and convicted of theft. If I get Congress to do the same thing, I am seen as compassionate.
This vision ought to bother the Christians among us, for when God gave Moses the commandment "Thou shalt not steal," I'm sure He didn't mean thou shalt not steal unless you got a majority vote in Congress.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Dec 1, 2006 11:24 AM ]
posted on December 1, 2006 01:48:49 PM new
linduh, so what ? YOU ARE STILL a selfish self-centered nasty old vicious hag who has what SHE wants so no one else should have anything.
Taxes are taking from some to give to others....can't get away from that....it's OUR money redistributed to us !!!
It's like not wanting to make Halliburton execs rich but having no choice if we want to give equipment to our troops in Iraq.....such a shame you begrudge giving YOUR share to support the troops...but we know you only want to support MALE troops(sex-starved little pervert that you are).
If you don't like paying your share why don't you quit using roads and highways paid for with tax dollars? Some of those were MY tax dollars, your neighbor's tax dollars....how DARE you sponge off of us !!!How dependent can you be on other's money!!!
And PLEASE don't use your seatbelt taxes were spent to study them and pass laws about them....PLEASE don't use yours
posted on December 1, 2006 03:47:59 PM new
From mingo:
"If you don't like paying your share why don't you quit using roads and highways paid for with tax dollars? Some of those were MY tax dollars, your neighbor's tax dollars....how DARE you sponge off of us !!!How dependent can you be on other's money!!!"
Mingo, you sure got it right with that statement. When I was in politics and the usual gasbags came to our public meetings to complain about taxes, I asked them what roads they drove on, do they walk on sidewalks that are lighted with streetlights, does their tap water run pure, do the police answer your calls, is your pharmacist regulated. Etc. etc. etc.
posted on December 1, 2006 03:55:16 PM new
I believe states and local taxes take care of that. Those they don't...they could.
Ours system would be much more fair....and there would be NO duplication of agencies IF these issues were dealt with on only a state level.
You use the roads....you help pay for them...but I don't need to help pay for some expensive bridge in SJ nor it's upkeep....since I don't use it. Let the ones who use it pay for it.
Very simple....except for those who support socialism....and income redistribution....and MORE government intervention in our lives than there already is.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 1, 2006 04:03:27 PM new
Sorry linduh, you lose AGAIN! Federal money IS used for highways in all states.
And it's a shame you can't drive any farther than your state line....is it that ankle bracelet thing???
"At a time when Americans (and many other peoples) are skeptical about the value they get back for taxes paid seeking loans and investment secured against toll revenues is often the only practical way to finance needed new roads."
"At the beginning of construction of the US interstate highway system in the late 1950s the federal gas tax was an accepted user-pays mechanism for financing highways but since the late 1960s it has been increasingly diverted to other purposes and by now is little more than a general revenue raiser for the many purposes of the federal government.
Federal highway spending is now much smaller than and quite independent of the gas tax.
A few states (for example North Carolina) have been able to use state gas taxes to raise money for new highways but many more states, and often counties within states, are using developer contributions and tolls instead.
Outside the US toll-financing has become the norm for almost all major highway works.
==============
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"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Dec 1, 2006 05:20 PM ]
posted on December 2, 2006 06:55:45 AM new
Linda - I really don't like responding to you at all and generally avoid it, but your attitude on this thread is really very appalling and so very UN-AMERICAN. You really don't give a rat's behind about America's disabled, do you? What about the soldiers that might come back from Iraq blind? Is opposing this bill showing lack of support for them. .our troops? I really pray that you never:
1. lose all your money
2. go any more blind than you already are (we won't discuss deaf and dumb because I think most here think you are already there)
3. lose your home by default or to a natural disaster
4. lose friends and/or family due to your incredible selfishness (I believe you really should learn the word "selflessness")
because I don't think you'd make it on the kindness of strangers. You apparently don't believe in showing strangers any kindness. You have to give in order to get back.
When you meet your maker someday, perhaps you can discuss your tax issues with him and how you don't feel the disabled are worth a few extra of your dollars every now and again.
Now, before my blood pressure rises more, I'm leaving this thread. It really makes me ill.
posted on December 2, 2006 07:13:39 AM new
I agree with Mr. Williams. I propose we make the introduction of Democracy to countries who don't want it a personal affair. Let those who really want the middle east to turn democratic go there and help them, and not bother the rest of us with it.
____________________________________________
May 1, 2003, America brings "democracy" to Iraq. November 7, 2006, Iraq brings democracy to America.
posted on December 2, 2006 09:42:35 AM new
Roadsmith that was priceless!
It's notable that Fascist neocons like linda approved heartily of our tax dollars going to huge corporations and being used to kill and maim thousands of people but scream like crazy when our taxes are used to help less fortunate Americans.
Just think ...linduh actually LIKES the fact that her taxes are going to help the richest 2% of Americans...that her taxes buy rotten food for our troops and embroidered towels for Halliburton execs.....
posted on December 2, 2006 10:06:57 AM new
Yes, cheryl, you SAY that each and everytime you JUST HAVE to address me.
And yes, cheryl I have long understood that you just can't grasp 'government aid' vs 'private aid/charity/etc.
Who do you think PAYS for their seeing eye dogs?
And you must think all the programs we've already establised to aid the disabled, including the blind, are nothing.
But....as one who leans towards socialism....guess it would NEVER be enough for you.
===============
On the bumper sticker....wouldn't work....this President's morals are FAR above clintons. People would think you the fool especially since it would appear you believe he was impeached over a bj. He was impeached for obstructing justice....which SHOULD matter to all American's....AND for LYING under oath.
Course those liberals who don't care about ethics/morals/or the LAW can easily WISH to ignore the actions/behavior of THEIR adulterous womanizer.....but boy can you yell with any repubican is found to have done anything unethical. LOL LOL LOL It's that oh-so-old-liberal DOUBLE STANDARD.
==================
I watched the President of ONE of the associations for the blind, on Fox News last night.
Guess what his position was on this stupid judge's ruling. He was against it, for a couple of reasons. Said his group of approx. 50,000 blind people had discussed it....voted on it among themselves THIS time and once before when the subject came up.....and THEY voted AGAINST it.
They don't want to be seen as incapable of dealing with their OWN cash. He stated just as I had ....they've managed quite well all these DECADES without our bills being changed. And that THEY felt it would make the public see them as INCAPABLE of working IF they were challenged by THIS issue.
posted on December 2, 2006 10:13:50 AM new
Boy linduh, I bet you breathed a huge smelly sigh of relief that YOU wouldn't get caught helping someone!
And you know what...I'm all for BLIND people deciding their issues....but having something like YOU decide for them is unacceptable.....you're still a despicable selfish, souless old a-hole.
posted on December 2, 2006 10:48:48 AM new
Cheryl, you can't argue or communicate with a loon. Why would a reasonable and sensitive person like you want to hear the long piercing cry of someone so callous.
posted on December 2, 2006 10:50:00 AM new
I understand there are some who just can't THINK of dealing with ANY issue unless it involves RUNNING TO BIG BROTHER.
The solution to most of any problem is to get 'big brother' to make it all better.
Imo, these are people who have lost their way. Refuse to recognized that most American's are very generious people who do help the disadvantaged. Refuse to even THINK about dealing with any problem WITHOUT turning to 'big brother'.
That's why our Nation continues to go more and more into the debt that you complain about all the time....but are so willing to spend MORE of it on any good cause. Because you CAN'T see any other way....you can't imagine it being taken care of by those BIG corporations you so hate, by those generous religious groups that have ALWAYS helped those in need....but those generous everyday people who also give their time and money to help the disadvantaged.
NOPE...the ONLY solution to EVERY problem is to turn to BIG BROTHER.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 2, 2006 11:00:32 AM new"Would Somebody Please Give Bush a Blowjob So We Can Impeach Him"
I think "deep throat" Linda already tried that several years ago. It did not work because she was not wearing a blue dress.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on December 2, 2006 11:08:22 AM newWho do you think PAYS for their seeing eye dogs?
If you would bother to do reasearch, most seeing eye dogs are trained by non-profit organizations.
http://www.thepuppyplace.org/
http://www.guidingeyes.org/
http://www.seeingeye.org/AboutUs.asp
http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/mission.html
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on December 2, 2006 11:22:31 AM new
It appears old logansdad CAN'T have a civil conversation without adding some VILE, vulgar statements that he SWORE weren't his intent the first time he pulled this garbage.
But can we EVER expect anything else from him? Nope....sure doesn't appear so. He's pathetic....as usual.
=================
I'm glad though that he did point out to all those who weren't aware that they managed to be that wonderful help and didn't NEED TO TURN TO BIG BROTHER to make it all better - as the liberals ALWAYS do.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 2, 2006 11:29:09 AM new
""Linda_K
posted on December 2, 2006 10:50:00 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I understand there are some who just can't THINK of dealing with ANY issue unless it involves RUNNING TO BIG BROTHER.
The solution to most of any problem is to get 'big brother' to make it all better.
Imo, these are people who have lost their way. Refuse to recognized that most American's are very generious people who do help the disadvantaged. Refuse to even THINK about dealing with any problem WITHOUT turning to 'big brother'.
That's why our Nation continues to go more and more into the debt that you complain about all the time....but are so willing to spend MORE of it on any good cause. Because you CAN'T see any other way....you can't imagine it being taken care of by those BIG corporations you so hate, by those generous religious groups that have ALWAYS helped those in need....but those generous everyday people who also give their time and money to help the disadvantaged.
NOPE...the ONLY solution to EVERY problem is to turn to BIG BROTHER. """
Please show proof where liberals think every solution is to turn to Big Brother....BTW, is THAT how you refer to your government run by your godbush....Big Brother? How telling!
Please tell me what charity is supporting the war in Iraq ??????????
posted on December 2, 2006 12:46:31 PM new
That book was printed years and years and years ago....and I read it WAY back then.
Accurately describes the democratic party mostly...and the liberal attitude....but now we jus recently seen that this administration has done more of the same.
But....there's always been that false accusation that the 'mean old republicans' don't care about the people....only the dem party does. LOL What hey care about are giving them as much as they can so they can BUY their votes. It's worked....so now the other party is trying to keep up.....but imo, they do a much better job of encouraging private industry, private help rather than the 'let the gov. make it all better dems' do.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 2, 2006 12:53:03 PM newThe government under George Bush is Big Brother, according to LINDA!
Georgie boy is such a great BIG BROTHER that it is even being adopted in Iraq. Why should the Iraqi people fight for their country and take control over the terrorists when the US troops and the US Government can do it for them.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on December 2, 2006 01:04:08 PM new
I'll try and make it more simple so the slower ones can grasp it.
According to our constitution.....NONE of these things are mentioned NOR required of our government [we, the taxpayers]. NONE.
===============
But both parties, the dems MUCH MORE than the republicans, continue to grow government because too many think they're 'entitled' to everything....just because they exist. And that's one way they BUY the voters VOTES....
The give me ...give me liberals have always been the party that supports more government aid/more government DEPENDENCY.....always and they still are.
Here they've done NOTHING buy whine and whine about spending.....but there's NEVER a suggested entitlement that they aren't willing to spend our tax money on. NEVER.
Now we'll see if they work to pass a couple TRILLION dollar health care system. They'll either be more than willing to spend MORE taxpayer dollars....or they'll be proven again, to be full of hot air....and won't produce any such thing.
One of the dem leaders was interviewed about just how much he'd like to see our tax rate raised. He said top rate back up to 39%. Yep.....tax and spend dems....they're in power now.
Meanwhile they'll do all they can to put our security at RISK from our enemies. They so want our enemies to have 'all their RIGHTS'. They'll work to have us admit defeat and run out of Iraq....like cowards from our enemies.
But hey....the American public put them in power....so it was what they want. Some can only learn the hard way....and 9-11 wasn't hard enough for them I guess.
I do take great comfort in the power of this Presidents VETO.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Dec 2, 2006 01:12 PM ]
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