The ever dour Sergeant Joe Friday would look the person in the eye after they had rambled on for minutes and just ask for the facts. We could use Dragnet today and maybe we have finally found it. Maybe now we can stop prancing around the ring and get into some heavyweight boxing.

The injection of Paul Ryan is beyond healthy. I don’t care what side you are on. We now have more than platitudes to work from. This guy is a budget wonk at 42. Maybe, just maybe we will have a substantive discussion over the role of government and someone getting to a brass knuckle debate over the deficit.

Ryan is the first one to specifically address entitlements. If you think we can keep them the way they are I have some wonderful swamp land to sell you. We have to change the age of Social Security. Not 30 years from today but now. We have to means test both SS and Medicare. We all know it. Let’s just bite the bullet and do it.

I have written before and will write again that we have to inject copays into every aspect of medical treatment. People will say that if we do that, then some won’t be proactive in their approach to life. DUH!! I think it’s far time for people in general to take responsibility for their own welfare. I hear the whining now. If I do that as a legislator then I might not be reelected. Well that might be the case. Should go with the turf.

We are in a tizzy about defense spending. That we don’t have enough. We outspend the next four countries in line including China. We have bases, weapon systems, and staff that we do not need. No more studies. No more committees. Just do it.

We duplicate in every aspect of life in DC. There are twelve different agencies that are involved in affordable housing. Count’em.TWELVE! These are little fiefdoms that have been created and have to go. This isn’t Tea Party. It is rational human beings that have said enough is enough.

From this day forward let’s just knock off the personal attacks. Let’s not keep complaining about what you have inherited if you are Obama. That story is four years old and very stale. Cut out the crap about getting the rich. Robin Hood died many years ago. Your populism sounds great to any one who is downtrodden or has sat on their ass dealing with dreams and fantasies.

If you are Romney let’s not say you will work with Congress in order to nail down the details. Give us your plan in depth. Your tax cuts don’t work as laid out. Your vagueness on what subsidies and loopholes you will do away with does nothing for me. Tell me what they are and you may very well earn my vote. Cut out the breaks for the wealthy. You all play the game the rich pay more. They do because they earn more and pay at a lower rate. The fair share is everybody.

So here it is. If you are over 60 and have done nothing whatsoever to plan for your retirement you have a tough road ahead of you. If you want to become a ward of the state so be it. But don’t expect that to be lollipops and roses. Sorry but you are owed nothing. If you haven’t taken care of yourself physically then I will tell you where the nearest track is. After a certain period of time do not expect extraordinary measures. We are not going to cure you at all costs.

If you are under 60 lower your standards. Forget the big house or the new car for now. Start saving. Everything does not have to come to you when you want it. How about needing it to survive but putting the rest on the back burner. No one said you have to have a better life than your parents. Get creative. Be industrious. Make do.

We have had tough times but let’s just stop bitching. It solves nothing. Whether you are rich or poor, get real. Life can be fun with the simplest of things. We don’t need the latest and greatest. When you have to wait or earn something it is going to feel better. Otherwise it is like a sugar hit. Feels great for a few minutes and then you are craving more. Haven’t done drugs but I am sure it is the same.

Wake up America. Deal with difficulty and don’t let any politician tell you he or she has the way out. I just haven’t see it yet. Just tell them “Just the facts Maam or Sir”. They’ll squirm. They will blather. They will stall. Hold their feet to the fire.

As Always

Ted The Great.

Just the Factoids:

Everyone does pay taxes. $1mill+ 29.1%, $50-75K..15% $40-50k 12.5%, $20-30K ..5.7%

There are $1 trillion per annum in exemptions and credits but most benefit higher earners. E.G the rate on interest earned is 15%.

1470 households making more than $1million in 2009 paid no taxes.

The Social Security surplus will be gone in 2033.

Medicare racks up $80 billion in fraud every year. The cost of our health system as a whole is $2.5 trillion which includes 30% in accounting and paperwork. In other countries the cost is 7-15%

We spend approx. $700 billion on defense. The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard all have their own air operations.

There are Fort Drums everywhere.

We admitted a man in his early fifties to Hospice tonight. He has incurable brain cancer. I rest my case.