Obscene oil company profits

Not so obscene after all; actually quite modest.
Compared to other American industries, the oil and natural gas industry’s profit margin are mid-range compared to other industries – 5.7 percent for each dollar, according to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data.

Those industries making much higher net income/sales percentages on the dollar include beverage and tobacco products (21.7 percent), pharmaceuticals (19.4 percent), computer and peripheral equipment (17.3 percent) and chemicals (14.7 percent). (link)

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Big Oil? That's me!

Corporate management owns only 1.5 percent of the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. The rest is owned by tens of millions of Americans through retirement accounts (14 percent) and pension funds (26 percent).  Mutual funds or other firms account for 29.5 percent ownership and individual investors own 23 percent of oil stock holdings. (link)

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Government has not yet fixed the housing crisis the government caused

"The Obama loan modification program actually cost taxpayers $200,000 for each of the 375,000 loan modifications that were completed." Read more : no-government-fix-for-housing-woes

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A Punk-Rock Libertarian in Ronald Reagan’s Court

Barry Donegan

by Barry Donegan, May 16th, 2011, Liberty Republican Forum

My foray into Republican politics probably started more as a form of protest than anything else, but once I got my foot in the door, it became clear that, for those interested in freedom, only the Republican Party has the appropriate organizational structure to give rise to an insurgent libertarian mainstream movement. (link)

Comment

This is a great article by Barry Donegan, a former Regional Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party. It is full of practical advice; a kind of, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" guide for insurgent Republicans.

I am not a Ron Paul supporter myself, but was an "old Goldwater faithful" and a YAF'er and have at various times felt like an insurgent in the Republican camp so I can relate to much of what Barry says. I have at times found myself frustrated with one or the other faction in the party, but always knew that I had more in common with Republicans than Democrats and despite internal disagreements knew it is the Republican Party that stands for liberty and common sense.

In 1976 I was a passionate Ronald Reagan supporter but when Reagan lost the primary to Gerald Ford, I only licked my wounds for a day or two then began volunteering for Gerald Ford. It was the right thing to do. A Ford presidency would have been preferable to the Carter presidency. We are not a parliamentary system. Our system demands compromise and playing nice or one is simply a novelty act on the sidelines.

Barry's advice and insights include, "Be Friends with everyone," "Do the job you were elected to do," "choose your battles," and, (I especially like this one) "People in local politics do not get phone calls from the Bilderberg Group or the Council on Foreign Relations, so there is no reason to make a conspiracy out of everything and start calling people names." Good advice.

It has been a pleasure to get to know Barry Donegan and call him my friend.

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Ken Jakes Demands Records re David Torrence

Ken Jakes is the kind of crusader for honest government and justice we need in the Metro Council. Last week he took action on the Fair Board issue and this week, David Torrence. This is not something new for Ken Jakes. He has a track record of fighting corruption, incompetence and abuse of power on the part of Metro Government. He is a thorn in the side of corrupt, incompetent and arrogant bureaucrats and politicians. Too often people get elected to Council and then never speak out on the floor and never raise issues. They get elected and then want to get along with everyone and not make waves.  Ken Jakes would not be that kind of councilman.  

Below is Ken's latest effort to force ouster proceedings against David Torrence. 

Ken Jakes

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Ken Jakes"
To: toryjohnson@jis.nashville.org, "sue cain"
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 8:19:12 AM
Subject: Public record requests

Mr.Tory Johnson and Ms. Sue Cain,

On May 20,2011 I hand delivered a complaint letter to both of your offices against David Torrence as a first step in ousting proceedings as per State statue regarding a citizens right.

Our Davidson County Council who are elected by the people passed by resolution requesting that ouster proceedings be taken against David Torrence. I know the resolution itself has no bite to it or really is just a request but at least it should show that this is the will of the people.

The people are looking to the both of you to just do the right thing and start the proceedings. Mr.Johnson let's not forget that you yourself are an elected official and in my opinion there are duties and responsibilities that go with your office and failure to perform your duty and responsibility could be looked on by the people as negligence.

It appears to me that by now having been no legal action taken it will not be one forth coming. So that I may proceed to take legal actions I make the following Public Record Request to inspect and review.

1. Mr.Johnson from your office my request is below:
All emails, letters, hand written notes, or any other documented material concerning the case against David
Torrence as requested by the Council and complaint letter by me. This pertains to any by you or any of your
staff.

2. Ms.Cain from your office my request is below:
All emails, letters, hand written notes, or any other documented material concerning the case against David
Torrence as requested by the Council and complaint letter by me. This pertains to any by you or any of your
staff.

When this is ready for my review please notify me. It is not necessary to review both request at the same time.

I am willing to spend as much time in review as necessary. This information to review is so that I may have all records so I may start to prepare my case against David Torrence.

One citizen of thousands who is totally disgusted with this issue,

Ken Jakes.

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Green HIlls Breakfast Summit- Metro Elections Saturday

Michale Craddock

Charlie Tygard

Rise & Shine, Join Your Fellow GOP'ers

GREEN HILLS BREAKFAST SUMMIT

Saturday, May 28, 2011
Swett's - Green Hills - 2209 Abbott Martin Rd

Breakfast begins at 8:15 am ($8.75 cash, no credit cards)
Meeting begins at 9 am (sharp)

METRO ELECTIONS SATURDAY, WITH:

 MICHAEL CRADDOCK, Candidate For Mayor

CHARLIE TYGARD, KEN JAKES AND RENARD FRANCOIS, 

Candidates For Metro Council At-Large

DAVE PATTERSON, Candidate For Metro Council District #4

COME MEET THESE CANDIDATES, HEAR FROM THEM ON THE ISSUES

AND GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

Event Chairmen - Peter and Gail Voysey

Dave Patterson

Kathleen Starnes, DCRP Chairman 

Ken Jakes

This event sponsored
by the

Davidson County Republican Party

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County GOP Opposes Cable Fee Hike

Nashville, Tenn. –According to a news report this morning in The Tennessean, Mayor Karl Dean and Metro Nashville government are proposing major increases in the fee cable television subscribers pay for public, educational and government access channels, known as PEG programming.

Metro Government plans to charge and collect millions of dollars in higher fees from Davidson County television subscribers to make PEG channels available in high-definition quality, put new cameras in the mayor’s media room, purchase a mobile production van and build a new production studio. The media report states that Metro Nashville’s plan is to charge customers of Comcast Cable a 1,200 percent increase in their monthly PEG fee.

Kathleen Starnes

The Davidson County Republican Party opposes this plan, and offers the following statement by County GOP chair Kathleen Starnes:

At a time when families are watching every dollar, Metro Government is proposing huge fee increases on just about every household that has cable television service, so the government can go on a shopping spree and buy a bunch of toys for the IT department. The Davidson County Republican Party believes this is bad public policy and terrible timing in light of the economic challenges facing families.

Mayor Dean presented his budget and made a big deal about ‘no new taxes,’ but this is a tax increase, plain and simple. Government should be making plans to rein-in spending, not fattening its wallet for a spending binge on fluff, like making programs such as the Bat Poet and Something about Zombies available in high definition. The priorities of this administration appear to be out of step with Davidson County families and their budgets.

Let us be clear – the County GOP considers an open and accessible government an essential ingredient in its relationship with taxpayers. Metro Channel 3 works just fine and serves an important purpose, but it does not require new expensive bells and whistles, or expansion for the purpose of providing homemade TV shows and other non-essential programming. I encourage all residents of Davidson County to voice their opposition to this proposed fee by contacting their local council member and the Mayor’s office. County Republicans plan to make this fee increase a campaign issue and demand opposition to it by the candidates we endorse.

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Council Candidate Ken Jakes files complaint against Fair Board

Ken Jakes

Ken Jakes, who is running for the Metro Council for an at-large seat, has filed a formal complaint with the Metro Attorney calling for the removal of Katy Varney as chairman of the Fair Board. Ken Jakes, is a long-time political activist and has previously taken legal actions against the city and forced changes in city policies in other unrelated matters.  Ken has a record of challenging city wrong-doings and winning.  A formal complaint filed by Ken Jakes will most likely not be ignored. I am enclosing an email which Ken wrote the Metro Attorney which explains the basis of his complaint. I have removed the email addresses of Ken and Sue Cain, but am otherwise posting in full as written.


From: "Ken Jakes"
To: "sue cain"
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2011 7:17:45 PM
Subject: Formal complaint

Ms.Cain, please except this email as a formal complaint by a tax paying / registered voter of Nashville and Davidson County, that you as the attorney of Davidson County start proceedings for the removal of Katy Varney as chairman of the Fair Board. Please review :

 In a report by Channel 4.

 Rose told Channel 4 that he believed Varney was aware that there were only 100,000 paid admissions last year. He said he presented his numbers to Varney the night before the May 3 meeting during a negotiating session.

"We disclosed how we came up with our numbers and what we felt like was workable for us," Rose said.

Asked again if Varney had heard the 100,000 figure the night before the board meeting, Rose said, "I think she knew. I think she knew that."

Varney said she didn't know.

"I find that very curious," she said. "We did not."

I am filing this complaint because,in the words of Mr.Rose it confirms my complaint, ( Mr. Rose words, "the night before the May 3 meeting during a negotiating session." )

My complaint that you take actions is pursuant to the State of Tennessee Sunshine Law.

Tennessee's Sunshine Law

"The General Assembly hereby declares it to be the policy of this State that the formation of public policy and decisions is public business and shall not be conducted in secret."

                                  Title 8, Chapter 44
                                (T.C.A. 8-44-101-201)

Further in my complaint, There were three bids for the 2011 State Fair with Mr.Rose's group being the lowest bid submitted. His group did not have as much financial backing or experience yet they were offered to submit a new bid proposal while all the while having private / close door negotiations.

The people of our City just went through serious issues with the fair Board. The position of chairman has just recently been filled. It is my personal opinion that shenanigans have already started again.

Please take action on my behalf and all the citizens of Davidson County who believe that government should be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC,

Ken Jakes.  

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West Nashville Summit Report: Metro Council Candidate Dave Patterson

Dave Patterson

From Matt Nemeth, Moderator, West Nashville Republican Breakfast Club

Hello All!

We were honored yesterday to have Dave Patterson speak about his candidacy for Metro Council in District 4!  Dave did a great job talking about his background, experiences and vision of what Nashville can be.  Some interesting things about Dave include:

- He has spent more than 15 years as an officer in the United States Army and Army Reserve

- He is a very successful businessman

- Dave believes in low property taxes for the city

- He and his wife are members of Our Savior Lutheran Church

When elected, Dave will become an important and effective leader in Metro Council.  He has a great vision to bring business to Nashville and make this area very competitive for small business.  I donated to his campaign earlier today.  You can do so and learn more about Dave at his website: http://www.electdavepatterson.com.

Thanks again to all who attended!  Have a wonderful Memorial Day and see you all next month!

Regards,

Matt Nemeth

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