Fourth
Dimension Report
Decision is Made
Jerry
Melvin
12/19/2002
WHERE'S THE RECOGNITION?
Should those of us who truly love this great country be concerned and upset? You darned tootin we should! Today is President's Day and I see nothing in the papers celebrating the memory of our great presidents. I see no one emphasizing the importance of our form of government that has been lead by great presidents over the years. Surely the Chambers of Commerce throughout our communities and even the National Chamber and State Chambers could place some emphasis on this important day.
What do you think?
The original version of President's day was in commemoration of George Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency). Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the mid-18tgh century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in 1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked the occasion on the 11th instead.
By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in the American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and fellow February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal observance of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did become a legal holiday in several states.
In 1968, legislation (HR 15951) was enacted that affected several federal holidays. One of these was Washington's Birthday, the observation of which was shifted to the third Monday in February each year whether or not it fell on the 22nd. This act, which took affect in 1971, was designed to simplify the yearly calendar of holidays and give federal employees some standard three-day weekends in the process.
Apparently, while the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management) it has become popularly (and, perhaps in some cases at the state level, legally) known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.
FLORIDA'S BUDGET PROCESS PROVING TO BE INTERESTING
Governor Jeb Bush has proposed his budget for the $54-billion which represents an increase of some $2+ billion. But in the House, Speaker Jonnie Byrd has put his foot down and stated the House will not support ANY tax increases while Senate President Jim King has said he may want to suggest some increases so the Senate would not need to make major cuts in present programs and spending. I am personally on the side of Speaker Byrd. I don't think Florida needs more income, I think it needs more restraint on spending. The taxpayers cannot be all things to all people and those who are working and producing cannot continue to support and provide for those who do not with to work and produce. It's my feeling that those referred to today as "Liberals" are no more than Socialists or Communist who wish to take from those who have and give to those who have not. I refuse to refer to folks as liberals any longer - I'm going to refer to them as "Socialists".
THANKS KATHLEEN
I am extremely thankful for the information that Kathleen Aronson gives on Tax Tips in her column in the Daily News. Her column in the Sunday, February 16 issue was extremely informative and straightened out my thoughts on the subject.
PROFESSOR JAVED ASHRAF AT UWF INTERESTING
If you didn't see the article by Rebecca Cason in the Daily News about Economics Professor Javed Ashraf, you really should find it and take a look. It would be interesting if the UWF center in Fort Walton Beach would book him for a speaking engagement one evening so we could hear him and then have time for questions and answers.
WHAT IS UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA UP TO?
I received a report from Charlie Murphy informing me of a gathering taking place today at the University of West Florida. He says it is a group of trial lawyers involved in various aspects of environmental law suits who are holding a meeting open only to UWF students and faculty. He states that if a person is not a UWF student or faculty or a trial attorney, then that person will be barred from attending. Mr. Murphy goes on to say that funds for this project were made available from the Federal Government by a former congressman from this area. Maybe some of the news media will have some reports on the gathering and how it came about.
GREAT REPORT ON VOTING
The James Madison Institute publishes "The Journal" four times each year, and the winter 2003 edition has a report on Election Reform entitled "In Florida, We Get It Right". Additionally, JMI publishes a newsletter and special reports from time to time. You can learn more about this great conservative organization by going to the web page at www.jamesmadison.org. Other articles in this winter publication include: "Is there a Doctor in the House? - Skyrocketing costs of medical malpractice insurance are causing a health care crisis; Another Time for Choosing - The author's ideal candidate would affirm that America needs to return to constitutional principles; Brook Review: A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution - Carol Berkin's book explains that the Founding Fathers' humanity made their accomplishments all the more impressive; and Florida is Not Facing a Revenue Crisis - Florida is better insulated against recessionary downturns than most states.
RECOMMENDING ANOTHER BOOK TO READ
My daughter gave me a copy of the book, "Fish!", by Stephen C. Lundin, PhD, Harry Paul and John Christensen. It's very short and easy to read and is intended to boost morale and improve results. One of the statements on the cover is "Work Made Fun Gets Done" I can promise you you'll enjoy it and it'll help you change your attitude as you are reading. Get it and then let me know what you think. It's published by HYPERON, New York. It's been acclaimed as The Wall Street Journal Business BestSeller
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Because of the way our American society is structure, dating is about the only way to choose a good spouse, and that decision is probably the most important you will ever make. A mistake can become a disaster that will ruin your life - and someone else's - forever. So get good at dating, and hang it up when the right person comes along. (The O'Reilly Factor)
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Are you satisfied with the coverage the news media of all types are furnishing relative to the national problems surrounding Iraq?
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