Lynda Baran

Good Starting points, but I think it will take a hell of a lot more than that Rock. But to assage the original question of how it will effect my Second Life. Not one wit. But, we need to make a fundamental change in the way we run the country. And I don't mean the Hope and Change Uncle Barry and his Regime' had in mind. It's going to hurt, and it's going to be messy. It's not going to be pleasant or easy. But the sooner we realize it and get started, the sooner it will be over. (*Full Disclosure: I work full-time for the government in a Right to Work State with no Public Union Collective Bargaining, a Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget (showing a budget surplus and with a AAA Bond Rating) and serve Part-Time in the US Military. I'm a strict Constitutionalists and whole heartedly subscribe to the idea: "That government which governs least, governs best." And that those rights not granted to the Federal Government by the Constitution are reserved for the several States and THE PEOPLE.) My suggestions for solving the problems would start with the purchase of 28,100 feet of good sturdy Rope. This, cut into 50 foot segments and combined with the Light Standards lining Pennsylvania, Constitution and Independence Avenues would make a good start. Okay, okay, this is just wishful thinking on my part, but everyone needs a dream. :matte-motes-big-grin-wink: There is absolutely no single measure that will deflect the current budgetary situation. It would require a concerted redirection of our present system and a return to the principles of a Constitutionally Limited Government, with power being returned to the States and, the People. And, take a few Amendments to enforce the changes, since politicians can't be trusted beyond the ends of their noses. We can't be concerned with what other countries think or want, or by concerns for some misguided concept of a "Global Community. This is about us and they can go their own way. And these are just some of the things that have distracted us over the past 120 years and lead to the current situation. Things can be turned around, but at a cost few may be willing to bear. But the alternative is becoming Greece, Spain or Portugal. Or Worse...... We need to start by remembering we are a REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC and not A SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY!! The US was founded on the principles of INDIVIDUAL Rights and Liberties, Personal Responsibility and a very limited central government, NOT collective, Special Interest or group rights. Nor a bloated Federal Bureaucracy. They work for ALL of us, not the unions, the Greenies, the lawyers or the other special interest, ALL of us. Return the size of the US Government to that authorized by the Constitution: Then return authority to the States where it belongs. Say Bye Bye to the Departments of Energy, EPA, Health, Education, etc. It would save hundreds of billions dollars a year. Also get rid of FannieMae, FreddieMac, Federal Housing Authority and Housing and Urban Development. The Federal Government never had any business acting as a mortgage company or gaurantor. If you want a home of your own, bust your ass and earn it. Shut down Uncle Sam's Plantation: The federal government has no business in welfare. It's better left to the state and local governments and to private charitable organizations. Like many other things provided by the Federal government these days, welfare is not a right and they don't do it well. Immediately remove all US Forces from all places outside the continental United States: They'd be better used securing our own borders. This would also allow major cuts in defense spending, which would spur more efficient procurement and reduction in waste. So how do we defend ourselves form external attacks you ask? Nukes!! If someone knows that any attack, or sponsoring attacks by others, will end up with their capital city as a smoking whole in the ground, well... You figure it out. I went to both Afghanistan and Iraq twice between 2001 and 2007. I would have much rather stayed home or just bombed the hell out of them. My nephew is getting ready to go to Afghanistan for his second time in 18 months. I'd rather see him down on the southern border. Resign our memberships in NATO, SEATO, the United Nations, et al: Immediately stop all financial support to these organizations and repeal all treaties signed while involved in them. Some of the treaties signed as part of the United Nation directly impinge on US Sovereignty and the rights of US Citizens. The UN is so totally corrupt, not one penny should come from US coffers to support it. If countries like France and England can't whip a third world douche bag like Daffy Kaddafhi, why should we get involved. I don't have any friends who are Lybians and it sure as hell wasn't in the US national interest trying to help install god knows who in his place. Get Ride of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Income Tax: Go to a National Sales tax of 6.5%. Repeal the income tax with all it's loop holes. Couple this with a Constitutional Amendment that limits any raises in the Sales tax to .25%. Raises could only be passed by a super majority vote in two successive terms of Congress. It would also mean that the 50% of people that pay NO taxes at all had a little skin in the game for a change. Maybe then they'd vote a little more wisely instead of for the politicos who promise them the most programs. Alexis De Tocqueville warned in "Democracy In America" against the proliferation of politicians who bribe the citizens with their own taxes. That is exactly what has occurred. Except today, they are being bribed with the taxes of others. (Redistribution) This action should be included in a Constitutional Amendment REQUIRING a Balanced Federal Budget. It's time they learned to live within their means just like the rest of us and the majority of states. Political Reform: Eliminate the "Elite Professional Ruling Class" with another constitutional Amendment that: Bans anyone holding any Federal Elected Office from succeeding themselves in office, or running for another elected office while holding a Federal Elected Office. It's stupid to pay someone to run for office instead of staying put and doing the job they're being paid to do. Return the appointment of Senators to the states as it originally existed. Bans ANY Pension for Senators, Congressmen, Presidents, Vice Presidents or Cabinet Members. If you want a pension, apply for a Civil Service Job. And it was never intended that there be a Ruling Class. Bans any elected officials, Cabinet members, or their staffs from having ANY contact with Lobbyist or Special Interest Groups. The ONLY Special Interest group that exists is the Citizens of The United States of America, as a whole. Mine, Drill and Refine: We have enough oil, coal and natural gas to make the US completely energy self sufficient. Our big hang up is that we've let the tree huggers dictate policies that harms the US a hell of a lot more than they help. Little things such as the pressure not to allow the building of any new refinery facilities since the 1970s. "Dirty Bill" Clinton signed a Presidential Degree which keeps us from taking advantage of the largest Low Sulfur Coal deposits in THE WORLD!! This cut us off from a usable source of energy, as so many enviro driven policies have. And before anyone starts whining about "BIG OIL", their massive profits and "Government Subsidies...... They actually get no "subsidies", they simply get the same tax breaks that every other US Corporation gets. They operate on a profit margin of 12.6%. This is slightly higher than would be considered marginal under stable economic conditions. They do, however, sell more of their product than the next half dozen of the largest industries in the world. But to placate some of you, the tax breaks for ALL corporations would be eliminated by a National Sales Tax. And 'don't start whining about "Global Warming", "Global Cooling" or "Global Climate Change" either. Weather changes as do weather cycles. Global (pick one) is disputed by as many credible and qualified scientist as support the unproven theories ascribing to it. And a large number of the staunchest supporter of the theory have NO scientific background what-so-ever. Does Al Gore ring a bell? Helping keep the planet clean is one thing, destroying the world's economy on the "Yes, but what if it's true" argument is idiotic beyond belief. In places Like Spain, each "Green" job created was at the expense of the loss of two other jobs. Elsewhere the statistic is slightly lower, but not by much. "Environmentalism" is the new Communism. It accomplishes nothing more than putting more power in the hands of government and non-elected bureaucrats Green on the outside, Red on the inside..... Immigration Reform: Those here illegally would have 90 days to register or leave the country. Those who register would be given the status of "Guest Workers". In 10 years they would be allowed to apply for a Green Card and, if approved, granted Resident Alien status. Eight years afterward they would be eligible to apply and be considered for Citizenship. While a Guest Worker, they would not be eligible for any of the social services available to Resident Aliens or Citizens. Anyone either falling to register, failing to leave, or committing a Class One Misdemeanor or Felony while either a Guest Worker or Resident Alien would be deported upon conviction and ineligible to return to the US for 20 years and never eligible for anything other than Temporary Guest Worker status for the remainder of their life. Now, before anyone starts the whole, "but they have children born in the US, would you break up families?" schlub, no I wouldn't. They are free top take their progeny with them if they go. And before anyone broaches the whole 14th Amendment argument, a little honest research on your part would show you that was meant to protect the children of slaves born in the US from being deported after the War of Northern Aggression. (Civil War for you Yankees) It was never intended as a catch all for any woman that slips over the border to drop her litter, then use that and an excuse to stay here and bring 64 relatives over to live off the public dole. Entitlement Reforms: Set a cut off age for Social Security and Medicare benefits. Everyone below that age would be responsible for planning for their own retirement needs through the use of Investments, IRAs, etc. (But, but..... Hey, invest in gold and Oil Company Stocks. Remember those MASSIVE Profits?) The National Sales tax would eliminate double and triple taxation on the investments and the future returns form those investments. (and once and for all kill the death tax) Medicare and Medic-aid for anyone under the cut-off age would be handled by the STATES establishing Insurance Pools that guaranteed coverage for everyone and paid for by the individuals from their investments. Medical Insurance, Medication, Medical Appliances, Medical Treatment, Hospitalization and Home Healthcare would be the only things exempt from the National Sales Tax. The system could be made even more efficient by knocking down the regulations that prohibit individuals from buying Insurance across state lines. Tort Reform: Costs in many areas can be lowered by Tort Reform. Stop Plaintiff Attorneys from "Court Shopping", limit attorney fees in class action suits and institute "Loser Pays". And the losing attorney would be responsible for the same percentage of this payment as they expected to recover if the suit had succeeded. The latter will cut down on the number of nuisance lawsuits and clear court dockets for more legitimate suits. Also limit punitive damages to 25 times actual damages. Attorneys would be responsible for screening law suits and fined if they filed suits that were later determined by the Trial court to be frivolous. (yeah, I don't like lawyers, even though my GF is one and I'm related to a couple.) Judicial Reform: Another amendment but, a necessary one. Federal Jurists are appointed for life, I'd change that in two ways. First, by subjecting them to re-confirmation every ten years and secondly, by subjecting them to the same mandatory retirement standards that apply to all Federal Employees. This would keep some senile, doddering old fool from staying beyond their ability to render fair and impartial decisions. Reconfirmation would also cut down on Activist Judges legislating from the bench. Legislative Reform: Last but not least. First, enfolded in the Amendment regarding Tax Reform and a Balanced Budget would be a provision which would require that, in budgetary matters, no session of Congress may pass laws extending more than six months passed the end of their current term. This would force Congress to pass a budget each term dealing with the operation of government during that term, but would allow them six months to accomplish it. Second, ALL bills submitted to the President for his signature into law would have to be "Stand Alone" legislation. It would be required to be posted for no less than 14 days prior to a vote for public perusal and comment. This would almost completely eliminate add ons and riders (PORK) and ensure that each piece of legislation is capable of standing on it's own merit. A return to the principles of the US Constitution being the Supreme Laws of the Land, and the principles of a small, limited central government with the bulk of the power residing with the states and the people would reverse the decline of government that has occurred over the past 120 years. The rights of the Individual are clearly defined in such documents as the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution and discussed in other places such as the Federalist Papers. And "shall NOT be infringed", period. Many of the things people consider "Rights" today, are no such thing. No one is guaranteed a living, a college education, welfare, unemployment, health insurance, retirement benefits and all the myriad of things taken for granted as "Rights". The progressive catch all of "the Public Good" just doesn't wash. We are guaranteed no more and no less that those right specifically enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Each of us has the right to Life, Liberty and "The Pursuit" of happiness. And as Ben Franklin once said, "It up to each of it to catch it...", not the job of the government to provide it..... These are, of course, my opinions. They are influenced by my personal beliefs, along with open discussions with others, extensive research and much frank consideration. I know there are many that will disagree, and some that will disagree vehemently or get down right torqued. Sorry about that **bleep**! But if everyone, as a nation, doesn't get their heads out of.... the sand, there's a good chance it's going to be a hell of a lot worse than any of you can imagine. And I wouldn't pin my hopes of a politician doing what right for anyone but himself. So everyone do what you want, be partisan, be a slacker and wait for the G to bail you out. But if we don't start thinking as a nation of citizens and no a lot of special interest groups, and stop being a bunch of greedy bastards wanting the government to take care of our every need.... If you don't start being responsible for yourself and your family and community. And don't start requiring your elected representatives to start doing their job, and thinking of the country and not their re-election, then it's going to fall apart. Then it will be every man/woman for themselves. As for me, I have a house that's paid for, a good deep well, a solar power system, a stock pile of food, land to grow more, game near by, some monetary preparations and plenty of weapons and ammunition. So if the effluvia collides with the wind propulsion unit, I know my family and I will survive. And I'll get by quite nicely without SL too. :matte-motes-sunglasses-1:

Tari, I have had the same problem on occasion. Even knowing the steps to correct it can be maddening because it always seems to happen at the most inopportune moment. A friend finally suggested making an "Emergency Recovery" outfit and saving it in My Outfits. The recover outfit is simply the issue shape, skin, etc. that I had on my very first appearance in SL. So when I have this problem, I simply drag my recovery outfit to my avi, then drag a second outfit I created with my current shape, skin, etc. and a pair of shorts and a top in it. I can then change into whatever I wish to wear with ease. It works everytime.

Oh nuts. I saw this and thought LL had come to their senses and brought back a GD Forum. It's so boring since it's been gone. Now I see it's just a random Rah-Rah V2/slam Phoenix post. Must have been bored and I can't blame you for that. Hey LL, bring back the GD Forum. It may have been contentious and over the top a lot of the time, but it was never boring. Unlike things in here since the change.

The recent controversy about RZ and similar devices has certainly changed the way I shop. Where before my shopping habit was split about 60%-40% in-world v. Market Place shopping, now it's about 20%-80%. The merchants I purchase from on a regular basis still get my business, though not generally in-world. But I see an effect on the adjacent merchants as a possible negative side effect of my adjusted shopping habit. Normally when I would go shopping in-world, I would also take the time to browse the near-by shops. Sometimes I would make purchases, at others I would make note of ones whose merchandise I might like to buy at a later date. I would also relay information about these merchants to friends or in group chat if someone mentioned they were looking for a certain product. Now that I rarely shop in-world, these adjacent merchants no longer have a shot at gaining my patronage. As I see it, they may be the really losers in this equation because I no longer window shop, becoming familiar with a wider variety of merchants.

First, your friend knows what the rules are for this particular game. If you don't want to be actively involved you have the option to be dormant and taken out of the equation temporarily. Your friends decision to be active at the time was what put her at risk of attack and she knew that. Since this particular game is one confined to competition between the players, it doesn't interfere with others outside the game. There are no overt acts involved that would even let outsiders know what is happening. If you friend told you, that was actually a violation of the games rules, as players are not allowed to discuss the game with "Humans". Any business owner who wishes, may contact the administrators of the game to file a complaint. They may also request that their business location be declared a "Safe Zone" so that the game will not be played in any area that might effect their business. Most player of this game are usually polite, mainly because a complaint can get them booted out. As a rule, they will honor any request to refrain form playing in a specific business. Because of the nature of the game though, I know several business owners who don't mind their businesses being a "Hunting Ground" as it generates traffic. The players also tend to shop at these businesses when they aren't directly in play. And, as I said, since this games does nothing overt that non-players would be aware of, it doesn't really interfere beyond the possible contribution to sim lag due to the scripts in the gaming HUD. If you have been considering joining the game, don't let the actions of one player deter you from checking it out further. There are lots ove very nice people who play this particular game. But this is all conjecture on my part of course, since if I knew all this first hand it would be telling, which I couldn't do.

Are you trying to hide it from yourself so you won't spend it? Because unless V.2 has changed something, you are the only one who can see how much you have.