IF YOU ARE NOT OUTRAGED, THEN YOU SHOULD BE...

AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES

This agreement for Services (this "Agreement) is made and entered this 1st day of January, 2009, by and between Shane L. Gibson d/b/a/ Gibson Law Office, LLC (the "Gibson"), and the City of New Albany (hereafter referred to as "City"). Gibson and City agree as follows:

1. Gibson is an independent contractor for the City and shall be paid $12,500.00 per month.

2. Gibson shall be the head of the Legal Department.

3. Gibson has agreed to not take on additional clients in his private practice in order to devote his ultimate time to the City.

4. Gibson shall be responsible for all his federal and state taxes. The City is not responsible for any obligations with respect to taxes for Gibson (i.e. employer contributions) since Gibson is an independent contractor.

5. Gibson shall be responsible for any retirement of his choosing. City shall not be participating and/or making payments to PERF on behalf of Gibson.

6. City shall provide Gibson with a 1099 for tax purposes.

7. City shall provide Gibson space for an office and the use of the City Attorney's budget for costs associated with the City Legal Department and it's operations.

8. City shall provide Gibson an administrative assistant to assist in the duties relating to the legal Department.

9. City shall pay and/or provide for professional liability insurance for Gibson. Gibson shall pay all other costs associated with maintaining his attorney license.

10. Gibson shall pay for all continuing education requirements which are not directly related to Municipal Government and its operations.

11. Gibson and/or his family shall participate in the health insurance and other insurance policies and plans offered by the city.

12. Gibson's duties and responsibilities shall include, but not limited to, attendance at respective board meetings for the City Departments, City Council meetings, research legal issues and render legal opinions, and draft legal documents, enforce ticket and ordinance violations.

13. Gibson shall be available during normal business hours for work related to the City.

14. This contract shall terminate at the will of either party upon notice of two (2) months.

Date: January 1, 2009 - Douglas B. England, Sr. Mayor City of New Albany
Date: January 1, 2009 - Shane L. Gibson, Attorney

Freedom of Speech would like to say:

* Our calculator shows: 12 months X $12,500 = $150,000 annual cost to us taxpayers, not counting insurance benefits, an office and cost of an administrative assistant.

* Was this contract advertised to take bids?

* Will Mr. Gibson also receive commission on bonds or the refinancing of bonds by the City of New Albany?

* In our opinion, the truth of this whole sorry ass agreement should be: that until everyone sees England for what he is, inept, arrogant, and a danger in any position of power...

Let your council members know what you think, "it's your money!"

Contact information for:

City Council President
Dan Coffey
Home: (812) 949-1262
Cell: 502-797-8347
mcnain2@netzero.com

Diane Benedetti
Home: (812) 945-6240
Cell: 989-7179

Jeff Gahan
Home: (812) 949-9314
Cell: 987-3262
gan2020@insightbb.com

Patrick (Pat) McLaughlin
Home: (812) 949-9140
Cell: 987-5218 or 421-3257
pat4na@insightbb.com

John Gonder
Home: (812) 944-3121
Cell: 502-500-3333
jdgonder619@gmail.

Jack Messer
Home: (812) 949-9638
Cell: 727-6809
j.messer278@insightbb.com

Steve Price
Home: (812) 941-9032

Robert (Bob) Caesar
Home: (812) 945-8744
Work: (812) 944-3133
diamonds@endrisjewelers.com

Kevin Zurschmiede
Home: (812) 945-7827
Cell: 664-9181
zursch@msn.com

Our final thoughts.

To our City Council members:

You each took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the laws of Indiana, Charter of the City of New Albany, and to represent us taxpayers. It is NOW time for YOU 9 members to stand up and DO the job we PAY you to do!

MARK - TO - MARKET

Mark to market rules requires firms to account for the price that individuals in the market are willing to pay for a given asset. In other words, if you own a car that Blue Book [which averages willingness to pay for car buyers] says is worth $10,000, you are required to list that asset as $10,000 on your balance sheet. You cannot claim, for example, that the car is worth $200,000 today because someday it might be worth the amount in the future.

The rule prevents the over-valuation of assets, and gives investors a clear view of the value of the firm as if the market were to value firm assets today.

The idea that removing " mark to market" rules will somehow do away with our current problem is fundamentally wrong.

The underlying assets, [i.e., the mortgages] are simply not worth what the banks thought they were worth.

This came about from a breakdown of sound business protocols in terms of assessing both value and risk on the part of several market players--loan originators, debtors, bundled loan buyers, and rating agencies.

First, anyone who believes that a house selling for $200,000 in January is suddenly worth $300,000 in June is a fool.

Banks who gave loans of $300,000 for such properties were just plain dumb.

Secondly, anyone who took out a loan for $300,000 on a house that had been sold for $200,000 a few months before is a fool.

Opponents of mark-to-market argue that the "true value" [what ever that is] of the assets are not being "properly" assessed at this moment in time, and so we should allow firms to make up a "better" price for these assets.
Did the stock price drop following the Sept. 11 attacks in NYC really reflect the true value of the firms pulled down by the reactions?

Of course not, and those with the calmness of mind and the strength of pocketbook at the moment in time made out like bandits when the market subsequently rebounded.

The same thing happened when the Dow fell 770 points after the failure of the House to pass the Paulson bailout bill, then rebounded 485 points the day afterward.

The problem, or course, is that no one knows what the value of these mortgage-backed assets in the future will be. We rely on the pricing mechanism to discover this, and there is no way of knowing how the market might price these assets in the future.

The economy can only work out this situation in one of two ways--it can have a massive deflation of asset values [which is what is happening now, and is what smothered the Japanese economy for over a decade] or it can have massive inflation in wages to bring wages into line with these overvalued assets.

Anyone who believes that the aforementioned house will go back up in value to $300,000 is selling something--most probably a mortgage-backed security.

"TAXPAYERS OF NEW ALBANY WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOU!"

"REVOLT AT THE STATEHOUSE" to be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the North Atrium.

Now more than ever,
Hoosiers need each other.

Dear New Albany Taxpayers:

The state of our country, state and city is in CRISIS!

The focus of the "Revolt" is the anger the average citizen has with government at all levels which has been captured by big money interests and does not listen to ordinary citizens.

People are angry as they see their hard-earned money being taken to give out to failing companies, like AIG and others.

"In Indianapolis, leadership of both the Republican and Democratic Parties is deeply involved in a corporate welfare culture that silences even the most well-meaning party member who dare speak out for the interest of the taxpayers."

Citizens are fed up with the back door deals and lack of transparency in how government operates.

"The Revolt will include a call for ethics reform, including conflicts of interest, many of these politicians have need to be exposed and ended.

We should not have our elected officials using their positions to make themselves and their friends richer at the expense of taxpayers."

Come join your fellow Hoosiers for the Revolt at the Statehouse!

Bring your families and share with them, history in the making.

You've relied upon this blog and others, for updates on the property tax crisis. As you read this, be assured that friends in the legislature have made it perfectly clear, that, public presence on Wednesday will make all the difference, and bolster the confidence of legislators to do what is right...

For better or worse, history is made by those who are present!

One group that's been missing from the public debate and therefore consideration, isn't a lobby or special interest group. It's a "general interest group" of citizens, who call themselves Hoosiers, who have been missing for far too long.

This is one of "those moments" in history, a designational crossroads that will be viewed retrospectively; from either a vibrant altitude of possibility, or a condescend platitude of the status quo "can't do attitude."

That very decision, concerning the destination of our country, state, and city.

Real people are being oppressed by our government and powerful people are standing in the way of immediate relief and permanent reform.

Our friends in the legislature tell us that public presence makes a big difference. Shining the spotlight on the legislature frightens the crooks into honesty, persuades those who are wavering, and gives courage to our friends.

We need to fill the inside of the Indiana State House so that our legislators have to go through a crowd to get to the House chambers.

We're all busy making a living...Right?

We know ~ we all are!

But...

"Too busy" is not a good answer to an emergency call, when you're imperiled and need someone to respond.

But...

As you consider this request, hear that person's voice of reason and recognition, who has always been able to rally "your conscience" when it's important for you to be there.

Make no mistake about it, the time is now for you and all of us to be there.

Freedom Of Speech again has organized another large group of New Albany taxpayers to make the trip. Come join all of us this Wednesday March 25, 2009 in Indianapolis and show yourselves to be the "little people" they've forgotten.

New Albany Taxpayers!

PITCHFORK TIME..."REVOLT AT THE STATE HOUSE"

Hoosiers are tired of working hard for their families only to see politicians with the same failed answers of more spending, more government, and more debt.

We must not tolerate it any longer!

On March 25th, join us in Indianapolis and declare "NO MORE!"

Are you fed up with LOCAL government?

Then take it back!

We, the People own our government.

On March 25, WE, are going to have a talk with OUR wayward public servants!

Revolt At The State House

Where: Inside The Indiana State House

Date: March 25, 2009

Time: 11:30 am

Are you Republican, Democrat, Independent or Libertarian?

Bring your signs, and we will let them know "We are mad as hell, and were NOT going to take it anymore!"

In case you were wondering, the line-up of speakers for the March 25th "Revolt at the Statehouse."

Speakers and Topics:

"Increasing Debt: Mortgaging our Childrens Future"
* Lisa Kelly, former Libertarian candidate for Lt. Governor

"The Colts, Pacers, and the Capital Improvement Board"
* Gary Welch, Attorney at Law and Publisher of Advance Indiana Blog

"Government Grants & Public Corruption"
* Rev. Solomon local political activist

"Property Taxes: How our Property Taxes are sold for Votes"
* Vicki Denhart, President, Citizens for Accountability, and taxpayer activist in New Albany, Indiana

"Pay to Play Politics"
* Mark Small, Author and Attorney at Law

"Transparency and Accountability in Government"
* Diane Vice, Lafayette-area, house wife and publisher of Welcome to My Tea Party

"Lobbying and Ethics Reform"
* Julia Vaughn, Common Cause

Topic TBA
* Jim Premeske, Team Hammond Taxpayers Group

"Conflict of Interest in Government"
* Chris Hiatt, Delaware County Taxpayer Association

"A Call to Action"
* Paul Ogden, Attorney at Law, and publisher of Ogden on Politics Blog

"How to Get Involved & Make a Difference"
* Melyssa Donaghy, publisher of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation Blog

" Run Over By the Speedway Redevelopment Commission"
* Jo Ellen Dotlich, SPEED

Government corruption is so broad that it does not give us the luxury of focusing on just one point.

The theme of the Revolt is Transparency. With transparency, and the ENFORCEMENT of transparency, many of our problems would disappear.

But you know those cockroaches running our government don't like the light of day!

As promised the Revolt At The Statehouse will shock you with our experts knowledge of corporate welfare, greed, immorality, cronyism, and lack of transparency within Indiana government.

The immorality of our state and local governments will be called out in public by statewide activist in the very house where The People's business is done!

As you consider this request to attend the "Revolt At The State House" , hear that person's voice of reason and recognition, who has always been able to rally "your conscience" when it's important for you to be there.

Make NO mistake about it, the time is NOW for YOU and ALL of US to be there!

Freedom Of Speech again has organized another large group of New Albany taxpayers to make the trip. Come join all of us next Wednesday March 25, 2009 in Indianapolis and show yourselves to be the "little people" they've forgotten...

FANNY & FREDDIE ....BONUS-GATE 2

Here we go again!

House Financial Service Committee Chairman Barney Frank demanded that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cancel retension payments being paid to thousands of employees, but the federal regulator that authorized the payments is refusing to comply.

In an email to Chairman Frank, Lockhart said that Fannie Mae has offered 5,000 employees retension payments averaging $21,000, and that Freddie Mac has offered 4,000 employees retension payments averaging $19,000.

Fannie Mae also plans to pay retension bonus of at least $1 million to four key executives as part of it's plan:

* Michael Williams, Washington based Fannie Mae's executive vice president and chief operating officer: $1.2 million

* David Hisey, the deputy chief financial officer: $1.2 million

* The other two executives receiving the bonus are Thomas Lund, who oversees the company's single-family mortgage business and Kenneth Bacon, who heads up housing and community development. Both are receiving about $1 million.

Lockhart also wrote. "In this uncertain compensation environment, it is very difficult to hire people to fill vacancies of which there are a larger number of senior ones at both companies, including the CEO, COO and CFO positions at Freddie Mac."

Source: Alan Zibel AP Writer

Completely amazing...the belief that individuals, who work for a company that is in directly responsible for millions of people losing their homes, 401k, and /or jobs, are entitled to demand bonuses to fix a gigantic economic meltdown that their company helped create.

Just how will they be derailed if they don't get bonuses?

Just another idle threat by these greedy ba$tards running the show and screwing the American taxpayers out of every dime they can.

We are sick and tired of hearing about "justified" greed!

We believe this is simply further proof that NOBODY in the industry wants to take any degree of responsibility for creating this meltdown without somehow receiving a bonus on top of still being allowed to keep their job.

We have but one question for all of the financially righteous idiots of American:

If all of your employees are such exemplary, intelligent, hard working, and morally above reproach, then why didn't at least ONE of them come forward to warn America of your utter incompetence and the coming financial meltdown?

------

We received an email from our Constitutional Lawyer [friends] in Washington DC:

Nancy Pelosi should have read the:

Constitution of the United States, specifically, Article 1 section 9," No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."

More smoke and mirrors from "Mrs. Pelosi" in Washington!

"BONUS-GATE"

Our government should withdraw the bailout money and let AIG go bankrupt.

Let these greedy bastards stand in front of a bankruptcy judge and see how much bonus they could get from a worthless company.

Why are we taxpayers still paying for these failures to get million dollar bonuses while other Americans are being thrown in the streets?

We say: Publish the names, positions, bonuses and hometown of every AIG employee who is benefiting from a bailout-funded bonus. Then let disgruntled taxpayers vent their anger and scorn in words!

In China they would be swing from the rafters...here, we give them bonus so they can keep their accountants and lawyers employed.

The contract stuff is all bullshit!

The way we see it, it's one crook agreeing on paper to give another crook in the same crooked company money they're stealing from you and us.

Our thinking is this:

There is no excuse for our government to not have gone over the books to see what was in these contracts, or thrown a clause into the bailout agreement.

This is our government at work, we are constantly told how great a nation we are, how we are the best, and here this great nation couldn't have some smart people overseeing a bailout?

Well folks, were not sure anyone in Washington can read. They sure don't read the bills they vote for.

Forgive us, but didn't these bonuses get paid out last Friday 3-13-2009, who was President last Friday? Bush or Obama?

We think Obama was completely disingenuous when he sent Turbo-tax cheat Geither out to "block" bonus that had already been paid out!

Their "bonus" money is plenty enough to build a max security prison for the AIG-Bunch and others.

Don't you agree?

Our final thought:

How confident now are you the Stimulus money will be spent and overseen?????

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK...

In all fairness we will list Mayor England's top accomplishments since he took office in 2008:

1. Raise for Mayor England

2. Raise for Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz

3. Raise for City Clerk Marcey Wisman

4. Hired two Deputy Mayors

5. Mayor England:
* Bought himself a NEW city car
* Bought a NEW city car for Deputy Mayor Malysz
* Has taken three personal vacations and trip to China

6. Raise for Mickey Thompson, Street Department

7. Raise for Kelly Welch, Manager of Billing Department

8. Raise for April Dickey, Billing Department

Sorry folks, we have been watching our tax dollars for several months, and still can not come up with even one positive accomplishment.

Maybe we will have better luck in the next three years, Nahhh.

Looks like three more years of his "status quo". In other words SSDY (same shit just a different year).

Contact Mayor England at: mayor@cityofnewalbany.com let's all tell him what a GREAT job he's doing...spending our tax dollars!

SKIN COLOR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OBAMA...

If you care about race and proper equality do follow MLK's advice and look ONLY at character and be "colored blind". There is no basis for looking at skin color when character is what is at issue.

Skin color tells nothing about character!

We are looking at a president who managed to get elected by a majority vote, but he is not WHO they voted for.

They voted for a media forced result, and they knew they were voting for a "YOU HAVE ONLY ONE INCUMBENT AS YOUR ONLY VALID CHOICE IN A PHONY BUT TRUE BY MEDIA RULE IN AMERICA AS CORPORATE CORRUPT POLITICS ."

Look at character. There were SIX and the change due is not shown in Obama's agenda.

He is not seeking to fix the budget or cut taxes.

Cut taxes isn't what is needed, holding up a budget in the black is what is urgently needed for a BUDGET ON TRACK to allow American's to have their earned money to have two results, one take home pay to pay living expenses, and taxes for "good beneficial government", not red ink for unwanted trillions in debt and increases already asked for by Obama, and should not be granted.

He is sleeze politics and lies up front while telling you what he actually will do, but covering it up with lies of "hope, peace, and change" but notice he has not failed to use nasty mentality to coerce the red ink that cannot sustain anything, neither peace nor prosperity, it will increase DANGER and the RED FLAG of warning should be flaring in any sane person's face.

Skin color has NOTHING to do with our opinion of Obama.

PROPERTY TAX RALLY

What: Rally for Permanent Property Tax Relief

Who: Hoosier Property Tax Reform Alliance

When: Tuesday, March 10th

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Where: Indiana State House

Act now
Take a stand
Permanent Tax Relief!

A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR EVAN BAYH...

Thanks to the powerful stand taken by two Democrats, Evan Bayh, a centrist after our own hearts, and Russ Feingold, both of whom did vote against the $410 billion spending bill as long as it contains 9,000 earmarks, the Senate leadership came up one vote short this week.

Next week, the United State Senate will vote on a spending package to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year.

In a candid conversation with our favorite Indiana Senator, he explains why he voted NO and answers our other questions.

* Bayh's thoughts on Obama's promise:

Throughout his campaign last year, President Obama promised repeatedly to change the tired ways of Washington, reform the "old politics," and specifically go "line by line" through the federal budget to restrain wasteful spending.

Obama has broken that promise to the American people by signing the $787 billion stimulus bill.

Reform-minded Democrats like myself, and Republicans have exposed this especially smelly bit of old-style Washington politics.

Now, he has the perfect opportunity to make good on his words stated Senator Bayh. By announcing that he would veto the bill unless it is stripped of earmarks, the President could guarantee that the House and Senate leadership would do just that and present him with a clean bill.

President Obama would not only fulfill the spirit and letter of his campaign promises. It would also be good policy - good for the nations and good for all Americans.

* So why is he calling this "old business" and doing his best to duck the issues? Why won't he take a stand?

The old politics of Washington against which he campaigned so eloquently is alive and well.

Key Congressional committee chairs and ranking members, along with many of their colleagues, regard pork projects as theirs by right and will never part with them without a fight.

No doubt, Obama fears that these powerful people on Capitol Hill will retaliate against him in many less-than-public ways if he screws them out of their earmarks.

* Can Obama at least try to rise above these political considerations and show some courage in bringing "change we can believe in" to Washington?

If he doesn't, he will fully deserve to face the consequences of further public disappointment and gathering opposition.

It's up to him.

* Why did you vote NO on omnibus?

Drafted last year, the bill did not pass due to Congress's long-standing budgetary dysfunction and the frustrating delays it yields in our appropriations work.

Since then, economic and fiscal circumstances have changed dramatically, which is why the Senate should go back to the drawing board.

The omnibus debate is not merely a battle over last years unfinished business, but the first indication of how we will shape our fiscal future. Spending should be held in check before taxes are raised, even on the wealthy. Most people are willing to do their duty by paying taxes, but they want to know that their money is going toward important priorities and won't be wasted.

The economic downturn requires new policies, not more of the same.

The omnibus increases discretionary spending by 8% over last fiscal year's levels, dwarfing the rate of inflation across broad swath if issues including agriculture, financial services, foreign relations, energy and water programs, and legislative branch operations.

Such increases might be appropriate for a nation flushed with cash or unconcerned with fiscal prudence, but American is neither.

Our nation's current fiscal imbalance is unprecedented, unsustainable and, if unanswered, a major threat to our currency and our economic vitality. The national debt now exceeds $10 trillion.

Washington borrows from foreign creditors to fund it profligacy. The amount of U.S. debt held by countries such as China and Japan is an historic high, with foreign investors holding half of America's public held debt. This dependence raises the specter that other nations will be able to influence our policies in ways antithetical to American interests. The more of our debt that foreign government control, the more leverage they have on issues like trade, currency and national security. massive debts owned to foreign creditors weaken our global influence, and threaten high inflation, and steep tax increases for all our children and grandchildren.

* Is it true or just rumor that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told the Republicans to go fu*k themselves?

Yes, that's true. How did you find that one out? We have friends in high places now, Senator Bayh... You must have!?!

* Is it true, Obama will be visiting Turkey soon?

Yes, it's my understanding, he will visit Turkey in a month or so.

* Is it true you voted for an amendment that would have stripped all earmarks, including your own, from the bill?

Yes, it failed by a vote of 63-32.

Our final question:

* Will you vote for or against $410 billion Omnibus next week?

I will vote "no", unless they remove the pork.

Thank you Senator Bayh, for your time, and your candid answers. We realize this isn't the most popular position, but we think it's the right one. Thank you for taking this stand against Washington's bad spending habits because we believe it's the right thing for our economy and country in the long run.

Senator Bayh's final comment:

Thanks to Freedom Of Speech, and other blogs throughout Indiana, the path is open for Indiana taxpayers to have a voice in Washington. Keep sending those emails, call me anytime.

Senator Evan Bayh

45-24.... WISEMAN OUSTED AS DEMOCRAT CHAIRWOMAN!

Congratulations to the following candidates:

Democrat Party Chairman:
John Wilcox

Vice Chairwoman:
Stacy Deck

Secretary:
Tony Toran

Treasurer:
Samuel Locke

Maybe now the Office of the City Clerk can now maintain and preserve the integrity of city records relating to Common Council, New Albany Sewer Board and the Board of Public Works documents and minutes.

It's time for you to earn that raise Mrs. Wisman!

OPEN LETTER TO: REPRESENTATIVE BARON HILL

Dear U.S. Representative Baron Hill,

As your constituents, and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, we are writing to urge you to please oppose any legislation, plan, or commission that will in any way harm the benefits, structure, or traditional role of Social Security or Medicare. This includes further efforts to privatize Social Security and Medicare, which will undermine the principles that have made these programs so successful.

As you know, President Roosevelt and Congress created Social Security in 1935 to protect retiring Americans from experiencing a "...poverty old age." And America's more than 36 million seniors have invested their hard-earned money in Social Security and Medicare during their long working lives.

Social Security and Medicare represent a covenant between the government and it's citizens. We therefore stand against plans that in any way will harm or diminish these critically important protections against poverty and the devastating cost of medical care.

One of the top priorities as citizens and voters is the protection of Social Security and Medicare for all current and future retires. Among your top priorities as our elected representative should be the defeat of proposals that threaten retirement security.

We urge you to work closely with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare to protect the benefits we have worked for, paid for, and earned.

Sincerely,
Freedom Of Speech Staff

What our readers can do:

Make a phone call to
Voice Your Opinion:
Baron Hill's Washington Office at: 1-866-440-1321
Jeffersonville office at: 812-288-3999
Fax: 812-288-3873

WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY MR. MAYOR...

When local politicians care more about staying in power and their party controlling the city and council, the system is broken.

When some local Council members care more about keeping Mayor England happy than actually doing what is right for their constituents, the system is broken.

When politics become a career and not a service to our community, the system is broken.

We the people should not give up our rights and our voices to a bunch of "IDIOTS" who still feels it is "them first, and the HELL with us citizens."

Right...Mr. Mayor?

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

In fairness "to all other city employees", the newly approved salary increases for the "three employees" should be rescinded.

Is it true the Board President is not a resident of New Albany?

If so, Mr. Carroll will NOT be paying the fees to fund these salary increases.

We demand accountability from our Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Board Members and Controller.

So, clean out your desk, turn over the keys, credit cards, and get the "Hell Out of Our Town!"

TO ERIC HOLDER ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Dear Mr. Holder,

Although the generations involved with slavery are gone, blacks such as Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson and others have decided to keep the hate alive instead of forgiving.

In doing so whites have been cowards all these years and accepted the blame for it, and the problems of black society in general, and having paid millions in taxes for welfare programs as a ransom.

Well, we're cowards NO more.

Get educated, get a career, or blame yourselves.

Contributor: Jackie Proctor

DO THE MATH...

Barack Obama's $275 billion Housing Handout is designed to help 9 million American homeowners.

The Obama Adminstration's summary of the plan says that it could offer a buffer of up to $6,000 against value declines on the average home.

Wait a minute.

$275,000,000,000 divided by 9,000,000 mortgages is about $30,555 per mortgage.

What happen to the rest?

Sounds JUST like England's fuzzy math...

SHOVEL READY AND MORE...

With all the pork flying around you would think Jimmy Dean was president.

The bailout package is 1/3 tax relief and the rest PORK.

Obama failed miserably with the Republican Congress and "new tone."

He failed in leadership letting the House leader give him 60 pounds of pork when he ask for 7 pounds of beef.

The stimulus package is a ticket for China and other countries to take over the USA without firing a shot.

They will own us.

We are also leaving our children and grandchildren with a legacy of debt.

He appointed 5 TAX CHEATS (with a straight face) to his cabinet and one of them actually made it through to become head of the IRS.

He should have never rescinded the welfare program, which was working very well, and made such thoughtless decisions on Gitmo and reducing the defense budget at a time when we are at an escalating was in Afghanistan, which will produce even more enemy combatants - lets put them in Pelosi's and Reid's backyards!

However. they'd rather push a bill like the Fairness Doctrine to stifle conservative talk shows, and diminish our constitutional right to free speech. If the socialist liberals want a voice on the radio airwaves all they need to do is invest in a license to broadcast with the FCC.

Flying all the way to Denver to sign the stimulus bill, after saying the sky is falling.

Promote the general welfare, doesn't mean bailouts, homes, food stamps, socialized medicine, and whatever makes you happy Mr. Obama!

President Obama needs to remember some of the Constitutional Law he once taught.

American people are riled and rightly so.

One way to stop this insanity is on April 15 everyone send in their tax forms with the words "You're fired!", no money, no check and self-proclaimed elite leaders and get some "real" people representing us that really works, really represent the masses, really understand the constitution, and most importantly, people who really love America and want her to prosper.

Would Holder like to come to our house and see if the America we live in "is a coward?"

We are white, christian. conservative and damn proud of it.

They are the cowards who have hide things on a bill that the people voting on couldn't even read, then only to have it SIT there for FOUR days until Obama gets around to signing it!

The "mayors" of the cities in the United States don't work for or answer to him. They answer to the citizens in which they work, to those who elected them.

Obama and his inner circle are just following through with their long thought out plan to bring this COUNTRY down...Talk about shock and awe.

Through his policies Mr. Obama has proven that he lacks the knowledge of what this great country was built on. Free market, hard HONEST work reaps innovation and financial gain. Some in our society forgot that a free market ONLY works with honest fundamentals as a base.

Apparently the government played a huge role in his life through financial entitlements.

Capping salaries, adjusting mortgage rates, preventing foreclosures, moving the Census, Obama has overstepped his bounds in his first month and likely insured he will be a single term...

Hillary Clinton warned us in 2007-2008 that Obama had no experience, we have to say Hillary was so right.

If expressing dissatisfaction at the current events in America can be misconstrued as "hatemongering or racist", so be it.

Many feel he has already failed by force feeding us this undefined, frivolous, pork-filled package.

CHANGE and HOPE is not a plan.

"Welcome to the old-new deal!"

PSALM 2008-2012

Obama is our shepherd, we shall not want.

He leadeth us beside the still factories.

He restoreth our faith in the Republican Party.

He guideth us on the path of unemployment.

Yea, though we will walk thru the valley
of the bread lines, we shall not go hungry.

Obama has anointed our income with taxes.

Our expenses will runneth over our income.

Surely, poverty and hard times will follow
us all the days of his term.

From hence forth we will live all the
days of our lives in a rented home
with an OVERSEAS landlord.

Amen...

"God Save America!"

PROPERTY TAX CAPS: PUBLIC DEBATE CHALLENGE

Freedom Of Speech are advocates for good government that focuses on the state and local tax burden of Hoosier working families.

Governor Mitch Daniels did his part to support SJR 1 debate in his State of The State Address on January 13.

SRJ 1 opponents falsely claim they need more information before they can take a responsible SRJ 1 vote.

The 2010 property tax caps will have NO significant impact on essential service delivered by the great majority of Indiana's 566 cities and towns.

SRJ 1 opponents are afraid to debate their position outside the Statehouse shadows.

SRJ 1 opponents falsely claim they need more information before they can take a responsible SJR 1 vote. The state's non-partisan Legislative Service Agency issued on January 5, 2009 and updated report of the property tax revenue decline that every local government unit can expect as a result of the property tax caps in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Click on http://www.in.gov/legislative/pdf/CircuitBreaker

The false claims calling for SJR 1 information is nothing more than a delaying tactic based on a cynical belief that public interest will wane and the old ways of doing business can return - a burdensome property tax on working families no matter how much other taxes go up.

The real reasons to support the single-interest property tax spenders at the expense of the property tax payers are not discussed in public.

Governor Daniels dedicated more than 10 percent of his Address to beseeching the General Assembly to "show your faith in our fellow citizens" by passing SJR 1 now. Governor Daniels eloquently made the point that "procrastination will add nothing to what we know."

The Governor's complete Address can be found at http://www.in.gov/gov/09stateofstate.htm.

Freedom Of Speech provides information that is easy to understand about the revenues, spending, and long - term debt assumption of Indiana local and state government.

CHIEF CRABTREE'S 2009 WISH LIST:

During the year of 2008 the New Albany Police Department was able to hire 6 full-time police officers bringing the manpower total to 62 at the close of 2008.

Thanks to taxpayers, Chief Crabtree was able to purchase ten new police cars in 2008!

Chief Crabtree's NEW Wish list for 2009:

* Increase manpower by at least four.
* Replace aged police cars over 100,000 miles.
* Replace aged lap top computers in police units that are failing.
* Starting the departments own towing service, to receive funds that now are going to private towing services.
* Increase report fees and start photographing crash scenes and charging for photographs.
* Add additional evidence technician unit, to ease overtime on the one we have.
* Improve the electronic crimes unit, which involves computer crimes, child porn and white collar crimes.

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

1. You have NO take home car policy.

2. Police cars are adding additional miles due to take home cars going outside the city. Why doesn't the chief agree to keep all police cars inside the city and reduce those miles?

3. Laptop Computers:

Do we provide laptops to each and every policeman? Costs of Internet service and software would be very expensive.

4. Towing:

How could we start our own towing company when we do not have the necessary equipment and trucks to do the towing?

What would the cost be to buy trucks and equipment to set up a towing service?

Would they use the garbage trucks to tow in cars?

5. Increase Report fees:

This is another joke!

Would this increase end up like the necessary fees required to open a sexual oriented business?

Remember:

When the sexual oriented business went to the Court House to file and pay the necessary fees, NO one in the city administration could find the necessary forms and know one knew who was to collect those fees.

6. How are you going to pay for this "Wish List" Chief Crabtree?

Yes--this city is now a JOKE!

7. White Collar crime:

Is there White Collar Crime in City Hall?

We were told white collar crime is a crime committed by an employee or employees which runs along the lines of fraud, embezzlement, bribery, forgery, and ghost employment. It is committed by a person or persons and often goes unnoticed and they generally don't get caught by police.

Why not focus on Public corruption?

Public corruption can take funding away from our children's schools and even prevents our streets from being re-paved. And guess who ultimately foots the bill for these crimes?

Taxpayers do...through higher taxes.

Plummeting revenue, and wasteful spending prevents the city from fully staffing the NAPD. It is our opinion: If the NAFD had to make cuts and concessions so should the NAPD.

New Albany has the most generous take-home car policy in the area. Be glad you 62 officer's and city officials don't work for Louisville.

Our thoughts are: "if you work for the city, you should live in the city!"

Mayor England has been VERY reluctant to take on Police Department take home car issue, but us taxpayers consider it an obligation for council members to question: why is there "NO" policy!

New Albany needs a "common sense" approach to help clean up the financial mess the city is in now and the mess that is yet to come.

As our economy is sinking into a deeper recession!

VODKA...WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?!?!

* To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

* Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

* Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.

* Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

* Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-oz bottle of shampoo, the alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

* Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger spray bottle with vodka and spray bees and wasps to kill them.

* Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.

* To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.

* Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.

* To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka, the vodka dissolves adhesive.

See, we DO read your emails...

A HOT TIP FOR: WALL STREET

The reason you are such a big story is that you've stolen our money!

Or that's how most of the country sees it.

First you broke just about everything you touched: mortgages, 401(k)s, the kids college accounts, and even the employers who provide paychecks-the chump change that middle-class American counts on while you live high on the hog.

Then we had to bail you out!

You think those auto executives looked bad when they appeared shocked, shocked to find that Congress didn't really appreciate their traveling in corporate jets to come and beg for their bailout?

Well no one hates Detroit as much as they hate Wall Street.

At least the Big Three makes something people need to get to work and take their kids to school and pick up the groceries.

What, exactly, do they do with a derivative?

We know that Wall Street is to New York what automakers are to Detroit and tourism is to Florida. We know that when your eye-popping paychecks plummet, the deli guy who rides the subway in from Queens to make your takeout gets hurt, and so do the waiters and bartenders and the owners of those black limos that idle at the curb and who have to make loan payments on the cars even when you cut down on your trips-or cut out the car service altogether.

Now President Barack Obama wants to cap some of your executives pay at $500,000, but strictly require such a limit only if you're doing as badly as, say, Citigroup and AIG, which would fall into the category of institutions that got "exceptional assistance" from us taxpayers (about $450 billion between them).

The limit applies only to companies that seek this much largesse in the future. And the "claw back" provisions require the return of excessive compensation only from top executives engaged in "deceptive practices" not extraordinarily stupid ones!

Your golden goose so far isn't cooked. It's only seared.

And there are hearings scheduled for this week where you WILL have to DEFEND yourselves.

Our advice to you is this:

There is really nothing to be done except try not to do anything else that is incredibly stupid. Like get photographed at a glittery charity ball, thinking that this shows commitment to public service.

Or try to justify bonuses as just compensation for long days and nights navigating through this crisis.

Crisis is when you lose your job, your health insurance and your house Mr./Mrs. Wall Street!

And unless you're planning to pilot a plane yourself and stage a miraculous landing in the Potomac, don't even think about taking a private jet to Washington.

Try Amtrak!

Source & Contributor: Marie Cocco

CONTACT STATE SENATOR CONNIE SIPES:

The State Senate will vote any day now on the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1.

State Senator Connie Sipes voted for SJR 1 last year.

Contact Senator Sipes today (812-948-9445, S46@ai.org) and ask her to cast another Taxpayer Friendly YES vote for SJR1.

The General Assembly must pass SJR 1 this year so "We The People" can vote next year to make the property tax caps a permanent part of the Indiana Constitution.

DON'T BLAME US, WE SUPPORTED HILLARY & McCAIN...

Inauguration is over, party favors cleaned up, bands have gone home, campaign climax has ended and reality has begun!

Time to get on with the country's business and stop pushing the Affirmative Action button with your ego of "I won".

If his media people were experts in what they were writing about, and talking about, they would be in the investment business making tons of money.

The Federal government already dictates how much water can be used to flush our toilets; where the loading port has to be located on our washing machines and what kind of light bulbs we must use to illuminate our homes.

We can't decide if Obama is more like:

1. Eddie Haskell on Leave It to Beaver

2. The Little Boy Who cried Wolf

Or,

3. My little sister who uses emotional terrorism to get her way.

If economic catastrophe is as imminent as our President warns, perhaps he and his friends in the media should stop blaming Republicans and Rush Limbaugh for the failure of the agenda-driven entitlement legislation drafted by partisan liberals in his own party.

He fooled the American people once, but he's not likely to get a second chance thanks to Nancy Pelosi's "candor."

Obama should do his job and draft a clean bill himself that stimulates the economy rather than creates new and more expensive entitlement programs and distributes taxpayer dollars to special interest groups.

The campaign is over and it's time for Obama to get to work and do the things he promised he would do.

You all elected Barack Obama to be President, not Nancy Pelosi, or us and if he continues to defer to her and her liberal agenda at the expense of the American people, then he's not the person he represented himself to be.

He obviously thinks he can convince us to swallow the pork his party is trying to shove down our throats with cleverly scripted television ads and op-eds.

Good luck with that, Mr. Obama!

"Hurry up and pass this bill before your constituents figure out how insidious and useless this stimulus bill is." Boy, does that sound familiar?

Now Obama tells us if he doesn't get what he wants, the next Great Depression is coming.

If this bill passes unemployment will go up and we will go into a depression, and you democrats will cast blame on republicans for being obstructionists and not passing it fast enough.

Just how outrageous is this shameful $819 + billion stimulus?

More than $4.3 billion is earmarked for ACORN, which worked closely with the Obama campaign, the same group accused of massive voter fraud.

* $600 million goes for new cars for top government bureaucrats.

* $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.

* $90 million for new golf courses

* $60 million for new Frisbee parks

* $75 million to fund anti-smoking programs.

* $335 million to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases

* $600 million for "climate change" research programs.

* $90 million for "flu" research

* $87 billion Medicaid

* $ 70 billion break for the Alternative Minimum Tax

* $1 billion for climate satellite and habitat restoration programs

* $200 million for "condom" research

How can our government spend hundreds of millions of dollars on research of condom's?

How does that stimulate the economy?

Good grief!

But it's not really a stimulus bill. It's a big government, big corruption, and big pork bill.

Anyone who has been paying attention knows that for every problem, there is a solution that involves reducing corporate or capital gains taxes, or lowering the top rate, or instituting a regressive flat tax or consumption tax.

Even the Congressional Budget Office have noted in recent studies this so called "stimulus bill" will NOT work!

Among the $110 billion in spending cuts:

* $98 million for school nutrition

* $3.5 billion for school construction

* $100 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Freedom Of Speech was informed by our Washington friends, that funding to computerize health records is all but gone, as is a national study on the comparative effectiveness of health treatment, and an expansion of the child tax credit for the working poor was also trimmed.

At least half the funds to subsidize state education spending were eliminated.

Also trimmed were dozens of other programs, including Superfund, Head Start and Early Start, energy loan guarantees and historic preservation.

Only 5% of this package goes for infrastructure.

It is true that we need to make real investments in transportation, energy, education and technology for the future and that our future fiscal difficulties will be eased if we make those investments now. Yet the most immediate need is to promote demand, which will restore confidence and encourage investment.

The Gallup Poll found that 80% of Americans either want to see major changes to this current plan, or they outright reject it. Politicians can call it stimulus and they can call it change, but it's just more of the same -Democrat Tax and Spend!

That's why the time to act is now. With so much at stake, our elected officials need to hear from us.

Here is what you can do - pick up your phone and call: Senator Evan Bayh right now at 202-224-3121. Let him know exactly what you think about how they intend to spend your hard-earned money!

Or,

(copy and paste or write your own letter.)

Dear Senator Bayh,

We are writing you to urge you to vote against the so-called American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

We should not enact an expensive spending bill under the pretense of stimulus or recovery. Not matter which amendments pass, the fundamental approach of dramatically increasing federal debt and spending is a mistake.

We therefore urge you to vote NO!

We cannot spend our way to prosperity, and such an expansion of the federal government will put a crushing burden on taxpayers in the long-term.

Central planning and bigger government cannot solve our problems. Excessive borrowing to fund consumption was a major cause of our economic crisis.

The first rule of holes is to stop digging, and more than $1 trillion of additional borrow-and-spend big government will only throw more good money after bad instead of trying to pick winners and losers from Washington. Congress and the Senate should cut spending, strip down burdensome regulations and allow individuals and free enterprise to flourish.

How can any reasonable person believe that our country needs another pile of consumption spending and debt that will have to be repaid out of future income?

And truth be told, there's barely any stimulus in this bill. Only about 5 percent of the expenditures in the current (680 page) package would actually go to highways and bridges, the real physical infrastructure of our country.

We therefore urge you to vote NO on this so-called stimulus bill.

Sincerely,

We The People

Our final thought is this:

Obama's promise of CHANGE to you who voted for him is not spend, spend, and spend.

We certainly all know that are country is in trouble, but his way of fixing things seems like no change to us.

What we want Obama to do is:

* the man or woman that does not have a job to have one.

* older person that lives on a fix income to be able to have medication when needed.

* young person that has been putting into savings for his/her future to have something when that time comes.

* President, Congress and the Senate to first be Americans and then Democrats or Republicans.

If we ever needed our government to be Americans, now is the time.

Now that's a real mandate of CHANGE...Mr. Obama!

NO wonder Hillary wanted out of the Senate, she knew what was coming down the pike.

Have a safe trip to China, Madam Secretary!

READER CALLS ENGLAND HYPOCRITE

Freedom Of Speech has received a lot of emails from New Albany taxpayers. They are upset because they feel that the whole story is not being reported. Deals being cut, political favors given, and public needs being ignored.

Are local officials giving favors to their pals?

Recently, Mayor Doug England removed Steve LaDuke as president of the New Albany Building Commission, stating that it wasn't personal but wanted a local resident on the board instead.

Perhaps the mayor could explain then why his sewer board and stormwater board president, Ron Carroll - a Corydon resident - remains in the capacity, particularly in light of Mr. Carroll's stated intention to seek rate increases for both utilities that he won't have to pay.

Could it be that Mr. LaDuke would not bow to any political pressures from the mayor's office and enforced the building codes diligently?

This really should come as no surprise, since the mayor apparently puts politics and previous business ties first over what's really best for the city he claims to want to lead.

Case in point: Mr. Carroll's "affiliation with the Hughes Group", Mr. England's employer before becoming mayor again.

Sorry, Mr. Mayor, but your credibility has reached an all-time low, three years and counting!

Tim Deatrick

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

Why count Mr. Deatrick? Taxpayers should be tarring and feathering England and riding him out of town on a rail!

AN INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMAN STEVE PRICE - 3RD DISTRICT

Freedom of Speech contacted 3rd District Councilman Steve Price to comment on several issues facing our city.

The following are Mr. Price's response in writing:

Mr. Price, we have heard it said that you are out of touch with citizens of the 3rd District, how do you respond?

* I am always accessible. I receive on an average of 20 to 25 calls a day from my constituents. I will be more than happy to meet with any group or individual and listen to any suggestion, ideas or complaints to make New Albany a better place to live.

Our city is in a financial crisis. What do you suggest to help with these problems?

* New Albany needs to focus on budget cuts early. Stop the wasteful spending. I consider this to be one of our main concerns. The city should be run like a business. Freeze hiring and wages, or start laying off city employees. Police, EMT's and Fire Department employees are pricing themselves out of a job.

These employees need to be cross trained, or we will have to go to a Volunteer Fire Department like Clarksville.

Mr. Price responded:

"Let me ask FOS a question. Would the taxpayers rather spend $1-2 million to make Spring Street a two-way street or would they rather spend $1-2 million to provide needed city services?"

Please elaborate on other issues of importance to our city:

* We need hands on leadership through example, starting with Mayor England. Code Enforcement needs to enforce the laws on the books and not create more new laws that won't be enforced. City Attorney should go after these violations.

I've researched property owners through our Assessors office, and have never had a problem identifying the owner.

Why did you refuse to sign President John Gonder's Rental Inspection Committee report?

* If used, it could set our city up for a discrimination lawsuit. It should be an equal playing field for all.

Communication:

* All city departments should follow ''FOIA and OPEN DOOR LAW", and provide financial information to the council and the taxpayers. We need a real hands on Mayor. You don't hire someone else to do the job that we elected the mayor to do.

A town of 36,000 citizens, should not have to hire a Deputy Mayor at a cost of $92,000 to taxpayers.

Service is your best product.

City Finances:

* Clean up the financial mess of the city of New Albany. We are drowning in city debt. We should take politics out of all decision making. There is a lot of waste in local government with no accountability. Our current administration keeps spending and spending. Our city is in a big financial crisis just like our country.

Employee's Attitude:

* There needs to be more of a "we" attitude rather than a "me" attitude. Many times department heads are more concerned with their own issues than the city as a whole. There needs to be more interest for the citizens then the departments. Citizens are on a budget, why shouldn't local government?

Employee's Benefits:

* We need to shop for the best deals on insurance, even a higher deductible if necessary. I gave up my insurance, why don't other council members? Our council should lead by example and repeal their own insurance benefits.

About 82.3% of our General Fund goes to Police, Fire and 14% goes for Employee's Insurance. These issues needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Employee's Cellphones:

* We should do like Clarksville, let employees pay their own cell phone bill, since NO one wants to follow State law, by keeping required logs.

Take home cars:

* First, we need a take home car policy. When off duty, office holders and employees need to maintain a mileage log and pay mileage on off duty use, and/or just park them.

I pay for my gas, don't taxpayers?

What's your thoughts on raises:

* I voted against raises for Mayor England, Deputy Mayor, City Clerk and others. Now two billing employees want raises. Have other council members forgotten we froze the 2009 budget? I will NOT support ANY raises until we fix city finances.

How can we give raises and then ask rate payers to pay higher taxes and higher fees. That's NOT right or fair.

This administration and council needs to stop the tax and spend mentality.

Street Department:

* The street department needs a route system similar to the previous sanitation department instead of "ping ponging" to answer selective telephone calls. Even rotating routes every two or three weeks would be better than the current system.

I am in favor of bring sanitation back, but the only problem I see, is our city does not have the money to buy new sanitation trucks.

Councilman Price, how do you feel being one of two left of the so called "Gang of Four?"

* In my personal opinion, as I cannot speak for Mr. Coffey, everyone needs a "watch dog" and that is what I focus on, what is best for our city and all citizens not a selective group.

As of yet, not one of my critics have admitted that Jethro has been right yet. But look at the mess our city is in. "I can now say, I told you so!"

What about all of the attacks against you on the other blogs, Councilman Price?

* It means I am doing the job I was elected to, and the job the taxpayers are paying me to do. I am not a "rubber stamp" for this administration or any group. I have always believed in checks and balances.

Is there anything you wish to share with the citizens of New Albany?

* Yes, my grandmother's philosophy is, "If you don't have it, don't spend it, and our city doesn't have it!"

We also asked Mr. Price why he ran for City Council again:

* He saw the unfairness in the previous administration and all of the wasteful spending and felt taxpayers were being abused. As of today, I still feel the same way.

One final question Councilman Price, who is your pick to win Super Bowl XLlll?

* Arizona Cardinals, even though the Steelers are favorite to win.

Steve Price, Councilman Third District

Freedom of Speech wishes to thank Councilman Price for taking the time to answer our questions. We are sure many of our reader's appreciate his honest answers.

Contact: Councilman Steve Price at (812) 941-9032 or 112 Butler Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150