http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118 I'm tired of getting cheated! Worse yet, I'm tired of the people cheating me expecting me to like it!   Went to WalMart the other day to get some anti-freeze/coolant! I saw a label that said, "Don't add water! Pre-diluted!" Ah, excuse me! You water it down and call it pre-diluted as if we're getting something special! Oh, and then there's the store brand muscle rub. Described as a cream. Be careful how you open it! It may run out like a watery lotion! Give me a break!   I went to the local HEB store and bought some 81mg baby aspirin for my Mother and absent mindedly looked at the label. Instead of the usual 50 tablets there were only 36 and the price was actually higher! The bottle? No change in size! It can easily hold 100 tablets! Deceptive? You bet!   I'd like to know if State Representative Geanie Morrison would please do me and the rest of her district a favor? A new law making it illegal for the Appraisal District to up my taxes just because some idiot next door with more money than brains decides to build a mansion! While she's at it I'd appreciate it very much if she could get the State Comptroller's office to stop pressuring Appraisal Districts to up their valuations!   I find it interesting that those most vocal in their opposition to the proposed nuclear power plant have never been to a presentation by the company! Those folks have, however, raised a red flag about the plant's raiding of our "precious groundwater" when, in fact, the plant will only have three wells and use very little groundwater. It also seems odd to me that these same folks supported the creation of a groundwater district and now don't trust that district to protect our groundwater! Very strange, indeed!   Why do I support a nuclear project? Jobs for the average working people of this area! Simple as that! Those who oppose it seem to all be in a position so that they need not worry about employment! I, however, see local working people falling farther behind with all the rising prices. My neighbor and his wife work a total of five jobs! They have a little girl who spends a lot of time away from her parents! The average working people of this area are quickly being turned in to the working poor! We need the jobs!   Those of you who know me personally are aware that no amount of money or position would make me support any project I felt would endanger our water resources. You are also aware that I would happily spend my last dollar, and have many times, to fight such a project!   What no one is aware of until this writing is that it was communicated to me a number of years ago that if I'd just shut up about the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project I needn't worry about money for the rest of my life! After four years of unemployment and being left destitute I didn't even find that a temptation! I would not and will not support any project that will endanger our water! I, therefore, confidently declare that after much independent, thorough research, I support the nuclear power project for Victoria!    I have a small tidbit for those of you driving the big SUVs and seem to feel you're bigger than anything else on the road and you wanna be first so you pull out in front of everyone! Here's the tip: if there's a 26,000 pound diesel bobtail coming down the road at 65 MPH hauling an 8,000 pound payload and you pull out in front of him, YOU'RE TOAST!   It is a known fact that China and India are now the number one countries in the world for producing pollution, yet on the AllAfrica.com website Texas was blamed for such a large carbon footprint! This seems to me typical United Nations propaganda. The UN always seems to blame Americans first!   ABC News reported this week that there is a growing food shortage world wide. FoxNews reported that a consequence of stepped up enforcement of immigration laws is driving truck farmers across the border into Mexico. In 2006, the U.S Department of Agriculture reported that the United States has for the first time become a "net food importer." In some areas of the south people are starting to hoard and store food stuffs. Personally, I don't like the sound of any of this!   Much of the blame for this new food shortage is being pointed at the use of ethanol as fuel! HorseHocky! When an ethanol plant is through with the mash used to make alcohol used in motor fuels that mash is dried and made right back into food for livestock! It doesn't just disappear off the planet! Yet rumors of this is driving up the cost of food and it's just speculation and greed!   Let's talk about speculation for a moment! On speculation that refineries may slow down production for shutdowns, the price of gasoline will rise! On speculation of increased violence in the Middle East the cost of gas goes up! However, this past week FoxNews reported that vast new discoveries of oil have been found in Brazil, North Dakota and Kansas! How is it that on speculation the price of oil hasn't decreased?   Why doesn't our President think before he speaks? He announced last week that a new law would make manufacturers phase out incandescent light bulbs in preference to the new fluorescent bulbs! Completely ignorant of the fact that you can throw an incandescent bulb in the trash but fluorescent bulbs contain hazardous waste! Another goofball idea that will cost the average American millions over the years!   As someone who was in a position to hire employees and see that employees are hired I can tell you that we have raised two generations of children in this country, of all races, who feel that working with their hands and breaking a sweat as a skilled craftsman is a bad thing to be avoided and looked down upon. I've seen Mexican workers work harder, learn faster and take their jobs more seriously than their American counterparts almost 100% of the time! This comes from a misguided theory coming out of the Great Depression. The theory that each successive generation wants to make life easier than they had it!   I believe in the idea of a four year college for Victoria! The prospect of people from other towns and cities sending their children and their money here delights me to no end! The students come here, bring no children to our schools, spend their money here, provide service jobs and then go away! An economic development dream! Call me selfish! I'm just looking after my wallet!   The recent article about rape in Victoria was important! The best thing about putting a rapist in prison is that he soon finds out what being raped is like! Child abusers and rapists don't usually do well in prison!   There is some justice in this world! For those who never get caught, the Lord God will judge! I note with sadness that I miss my friend, Linda Hawes, a Victim's Advocate for the Sheriff's Office! Seems like only yesterday!   I have always been a strong advocate for the average working people! I know what it's like to sweat-to build-to work at a craft to make a living! Frankly, I don't see a lot of good times ahead for my class of people on a national basis. Prayer might be a good practice for all of us to take up!   I note with sorrow the passing of Carl A. Johnson, Jr.! A fine man and founding member of Water Research Group! Carl is now drinking the Living Water! He will be missed!      I'm tired of getting cheated! Worse yet, I'm tired of the people cheating me expecting me to like it!   Went to WalMart the other day to get some anti-freeze/coolant! I saw a label that said, "Don't add water! Pre-diluted!" Ah, excuse me! You water it down and call it pre-diluted as if we're getting something special! Oh, and then there's the store brand muscle rub. Described as a cream. Be careful how you open it! It may run out like a watery lotion! Give me a break!   I went to the local HEB store and bought some 81mg baby aspirin for my Mother and absent mindedly looked at the label. Instead of the usual 50 tablets there were only 36 and the price was actually higher! The bottle? No change in size! It can easily hold 100 tablets! Deceptive? You bet!   I'd like to know if State Representative Geanie Morrison would please do me and the rest of her district a favor? A new law making it illegal for the Appraisal District to up my taxes just because some idiot next door with more money than brains decides to build a mansion! While she's at it I'd appreciate it very much if she could get the State Comptroller's office to stop pressuring Appraisal Districts to up their valuations!   I find it interesting that those most vocal in their opposition to the proposed nuclear power plant have never been to a presentation by the company! Those folks have, however, raised a red flag about the plant's raiding of our "precious groundwater" when, in fact, the plant will only have three wells and use very little groundwater. It also seems odd to me that these same folks supported the creation of a groundwater district and now don't trust that district to protect our groundwater! Very strange, indeed!   Why do I support a nuclear project? Jobs for the average working people of this area! Simple as that! Those who oppose it seem to all be in a position so that they need not worry about employment! I, however, see local working people falling farther behind with all the rising prices. My neighbor and his wife work a total of five jobs! They have a little girl who spends a lot of time away from her parents! The average working people of this area are quickly being turned in to the working poor! We need the jobs!   Those of you who know me personally are aware that no amount of money or position would make me support any project I felt would endanger our water resources. You are also aware that I would happily spend my last dollar, and have many times, to fight such a project!   What no one is aware of until this writing is that it was communicated to me a number of years ago that if I'd just shut up about the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project I needn't worry about money for the rest of my life! After four years of unemployment and being left destitute I didn't even find that a temptation! I would not and will not support any project that will endanger our water! I, therefore, confidently declare that after much independent, thorough research, I support the nuclear power project for Victoria!    I have a small tidbit for those of you driving the big SUVs and seem to feel you're bigger than anything else on the road and you wanna be first so you pull out in front of everyone! Here's the tip: if there's a 26,000 pound diesel bobtail coming down the road at 65 MPH hauling an 8,000 pound payload and you pull out in front of him, YOU'RE TOAST!   It is a known fact that China and India are now the number one countries in the world for producing pollution, yet on the AllAfrica.com website Texas was blamed for such a large carbon footprint! This seems to me typical United Nations propaganda. The UN always seems to blame Americans first!   ABC News reported this week that there is a growing food shortage world wide. FoxNews reported that a consequence of stepped up enforcement of immigration laws is driving truck farmers across the border into Mexico. In 2006, the U.S Department of Agriculture reported that the United States has for the first time become a "net food importer." In some areas of the south people are starting to hoard and store food stuffs. Personally, I don't like the sound of any of this!   Much of the blame for this new food shortage is being pointed at the use of ethanol as fuel! HorseHocky! When an ethanol plant is through with the mash used to make alcohol used in motor fuels that mash is dried and made right back into food for livestock! It doesn't just disappear off the planet! Yet rumors of this is driving up the cost of food and it's just speculation and greed!   Let's talk about speculation for a moment! On speculation that refineries may slow down production for shutdowns, the price of gasoline will rise! On speculation of increased violence in the Middle East the cost of gas goes up! However, this past week FoxNews reported that vast new discoveries of oil have been found in Brazil, North Dakota and Kansas! How is it that on speculation the price of oil hasn't decreased?   Why doesn't our President think before he speaks? He announced last week that a new law would make manufacturers phase out incandescent light bulbs in preference to the new fluorescent bulbs! Completely ignorant of the fact that you can throw an incandescent bulb in the trash but fluorescent bulbs contain hazardous waste! Another goofball idea that will cost the average American millions over the years!   As someone who was in a position to hire employees and see that employees are hired I can tell you that we have raised two generations of children in this country, of all races, who feel that working with their hands and breaking a sweat as a skilled craftsman is a bad thing to be avoided and looked down upon. I've seen Mexican workers work harder, learn faster and take their jobs more seriously than their American counterparts almost 100% of the time! This comes from a misguided theory coming out of the Great Depression. The theory that each successive generation wants to make life easier than they had it!   I believe in the idea of a four year college for Victoria! The prospect of people from other towns and cities sending their children and their money here delights me to no end! The students come here, bring no children to our schools, spend their money here, provide service jobs and then go away! An economic development dream! Call me selfish! I'm just looking after my wallet!   The recent article about rape in Victoria was important! The best thing about putting a rapist in prison is that he soon finds out what being raped is like! Child abusers and rapists don't usually do well in prison!   There is some justice in this world! For those who never get caught, the Lord God will judge! I note with sadness that I miss my friend, Linda Hawes, a Victim's Advocate for the Sheriff's Office! Seems like only yesterday!   I have always been a strong advocate for the average working people! I know what it's like to sweat-to build-to work at a craft to make a living! Frankly, I don't see a lot of good times ahead for my class of people on a national basis. Prayer might be a good practice for all of us to take up!   I note with sorrow the passing of Carl A. Johnson, Jr.! A fine man and founding member of Water Research Group! Carl is now drinking the Living Water! He will be missed!      en-us Oh yeah, I also think the Bush Administration should stop pressing Israel to give up more land for peace! It just isn't going to happen! Israel gave up settlements in Gaza and the Palastinians used the area to launch more rockets! Give me a break! Conde Rice is too intelligent and valuable to be wasted on a silly idea like land for peace! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45342 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45342 Oh yeah, I also think the Bush Administration should stop pressing Israel to give up more land for peace! It just isn't going to happen! Israel gave up settlements in Gaza and the Palastinians used the area to launch more rockets! Give me a break! Conde Rice is too intelligent and valuable to be wasted on a silly idea like land for peace! Part of the point I'm trying to make is that we, Americans, Texans and Victorians, think things will just keep tripping along and other than paying more for goods and services (and getting shortchanged and cheated) things will be just fine! Well, that's a lie! We continue to think we'll just drive down to WalMart or HEB and buy what we need. I paid $4.28 for a gallon of milk this week! People! Diesel is $3.99 at the Shell station! Groceries and staple items for the home are both labor and fuel intensive! The idea that behind those swinging doors at the local grocery store is a vast warehouse of food is WRONG! WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SHELF IS PRETTY WELL ALL THE STORE HAS OF THAT ITEM! The groceries on that shelf came off a pallet that was taken off a truck last night!  Many rural Americans don't even garden anymore! People have forgotten how to store and keep food! I'm not trying to say there'll be a disaster this afternoon but we should be prudent! Nor do I want to spread new Y2K-like alarm but the average American seems to be ignorant of just how fragile our economy is! I'd really like to see a time when America is seriously less dependent on foreign imports or fossil fuels. When clean burning coal and nuclear power plants heat cool and provide most of the power for this country! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45345 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45345 Part of the point I'm trying to make is that we, Americans, Texans and Victorians, think things will just keep tripping along and other than paying more for goods and services (and getting shortchanged and cheated) things will be just fine! Well, that's a lie! We continue to think we'll just drive down to WalMart or HEB and buy what we need. I paid $4.28 for a gallon of milk this week! People! Diesel is $3.99 at the Shell station! Groceries and staple items for the home are both labor and fuel intensive! The idea that behind those swinging doors at the local grocery store is a vast warehouse of food is WRONG! WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SHELF IS PRETTY WELL ALL THE STORE HAS OF THAT ITEM! The groceries on that shelf came off a pallet that was taken off a truck last night!  Many rural Americans don't even garden anymore! People have forgotten how to store and keep food! I'm not trying to say there'll be a disaster this afternoon but we should be prudent! Nor do I want to spread new Y2K-like alarm but the average American seems to be ignorant of just how fragile our economy is! I'd really like to see a time when America is seriously less dependent on foreign imports or fossil fuels. When clean burning coal and nuclear power plants heat cool and provide most of the power for this country! While I agree with you for the most part I would like to point out one small detail. If your neighbors have 5 jobs between the two of them I don't think a lack of jobs is the problem. but the amount of pay the available jobs provide in a rising cost of living situation. For the rest of your post. I agree 100% http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45350 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45350 While I agree with you for the most part I would like to point out one small detail. If your neighbors have 5 jobs between the two of them I don't think a lack of jobs is the problem. but the amount of pay the available jobs provide in a rising cost of living situation. For the rest of your post. I agree 100% Sailor! Agreed! Victorians on average have less income but pay higher rent, house payments and taxes than other cities the same size. While being one of the states richest counties we maintain about a 28% poverty rate and the amount of working poor is increasing. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45354 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45354 Sailor! Agreed! Victorians on average have less income but pay higher rent, house payments and taxes than other cities the same size. While being one of the states richest counties we maintain about a 28% poverty rate and the amount of working poor is increasing. Oh Kenneth, there you go again. Running around pointing out wrongs and making sense of things,  you ol'  trouble maker you.  ;) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45372 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45372 Oh Kenneth, there you go again. Running around pointing out wrongs and making sense of things,  you ol'  trouble maker you.  ;) Yes, I am a troublemaker! I find it comical that had we not stopped the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project the nuclear plant would not be possible! I recall that many of the same people who applaud me now for supporting the plant were, back then, supporting the pipeline project! Think I'll hold my breath until they admit.......No, let's not go there! It's interesting that the working class people have suffered here locally because Dow and Invista/DuPont cut personnel drastically, yet people who don't need the jobs are now standing in the way of this new plant! Rumor has it there's a push-poll being taken painting the project in a bad light. Seems the questioners, rumor has it, are saying that the plant will use all our water!  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45404 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45404 Yes, I am a troublemaker! I find it comical that had we not stopped the Lower Guadalupe Water Supply Project the nuclear plant would not be possible! I recall that many of the same people who applaud me now for supporting the plant were, back then, supporting the pipeline project! Think I'll hold my breath until they admit.......No, let's not go there! It's interesting that the working class people have suffered here locally because Dow and Invista/DuPont cut personnel drastically, yet people who don't need the jobs are now standing in the way of this new plant! Rumor has it there's a push-poll being taken painting the project in a bad light. Seems the questioners, rumor has it, are saying that the plant will use all our water!  May I suggest that everyone please read the March 3rd edition of Businessweek Magazine and the stories on Vigilante Consumers! It's high time that we, the average working people, taxpayers and consumers started trying to get what we pay for! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45436 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/KennethSchustereit/7118/#c_45436 May I suggest that everyone please read the March 3rd edition of Businessweek Magazine and the stories on Vigilante Consumers! It's high time that we, the average working people, taxpayers and consumers started trying to get what we pay for!