Warning! Rant in Progress

I support Congressman Joe Wilson! I am sick and tired of being abused, over taxed and lied to!
I am sick and tired of having my wages reduced every time the state decides it needs more money. I am sick and tired of driving on bad roads that my taxes pay for. I am sick and tired of seeing big corporations get bailed out while I fall behind on my mortage. I am sick and tired of seeing the auto industry and other industries being taken over while the rights of the citzens are being trampled.

My name is John Kokolski welcome to my world. Recently the state of Massachusetts decided that they needed more taxes. In their infinite wisdom they decided to raise sales taxes. With the sales tax came an increase in the meals tax. Cities and towns were given the local option to raise taxes even further. Who is the one paying those increased taxes, the customer. Who gets hurt by the increase in taxes? ME!!!!!

I deliver pizza for a living. A few years ago, I decided to try doing it full time. I love my job. I have made a good living at it in the past. For several years it paid the mortgage and kept two cars on the road. I get paid in the form of wages, a run allowance and tips. In Mass, I get a wage below the minimum. Ct pays the minimum. The run allowance helps to pay for gas, maintence and insurance. It does not even come close, but it helps. I drive my own car, pay for my own gas, insurance and repairs. What I really count on to make a living is tips and that is the problem. When the government needs money, they add a tax, when corporate needs money, they raise prices to my franchisees. When they need money, they raise prices. When these increases hit the customer, what happens, they do not tip as well. I either have to work harder or reduce my standard of living. I am sick and tired of both!

Now I am sure that some wil say, why not get out of the business? Not as easy as it sounds. Currently I have heard quotes that the "real" unemployment in this country is close to 16%.
I am 55 years of age. The only other industry, I have ever worked in is in worse shape then what I am doing now. I was partially unemployed for six months this year and am currently trying to stay out of foreclosure.

What I am getting at is whether you know it or not, you are all in the same position I am in.
Every time you go to work, you feed the beast. Put gas in your car, you feed the beast, buy virtually anything at a retailer and feed the beast. If you own a home or a car, you feed the beast. Maybe it is time to stop the madness now.

I wish that I could have been in Washington this weekend. I had to work and could not afford to go. Unfortunately I fear that those voices will not be heard. There is only one way to kill the beast, shut off the blood flow. I hereby pledge to live my life in such a way as to minimize any revenue to any government anywhere. While I do not seek to engage in any illegal acts, I am going to take steps to reduce my tax liabilites and keep my taxable activities to a minimum.

I am also going to suggest a national tax holiday. It is time for us to take radical action. On the day to be determined, a general strike will occur. Those who chosse to join us, will not work, nor will be be in the stores. We will not buy gasoline or other taxable items. We will stay home and meet with our families and friends. It will also be a national day of rest. A true national day of prayer. Maybe someone will listen?

Hello Again

Well now, I have been trying to do a post here for several weeks. Just goes to show you what a sick wife and 80 hr weeks do to your time contraints. A warm welcome to the friends of the Howie Carr show. In addition to a periodic link on my FB page and on the Sound Off Ct site, this blog will now been seen on Howie's page. I just hope Junior and Steve understand.

I am a fan of both Jim's and Howies shows for similar reasons. While I live and work here in the Springfield Ma. area, I also have a part time job in Enfield Ct.. Both of these shows are very similar in theme and I think that we who are fans of both shows can help link them together even if it informally.For those of you who are fans of Jim, try Howie's show. It is broadcast out of Boston with a local station in Springfield, 560, WHYN from 3-7 pm. Howie does Mass politics and the national scene with an accent on Boston.. For you Howie fans, Jim Vicevich and his Sound Off Ct show runs from 9am to noon on WTIC 1080 out of Hartford. Jim does Ct politics and the national scene as well. Both hosts tend to be libertarian/conservative and that pretty much fits me as well.

Since the folks from SOC know me pretty well. I am going to introduce myself to Howie's friends. My name is John Kokolski. Born and raised in R.I., I graduated from Woonsocket schools and hold a B.A. from Rhode Island College. I have always been interested in politics and was involved from a young age. I held a sign for George McGovern. Graduating from college in the Carter years and doing a stint in the military proved to me conclusively that liberal ideas do not work. After several years of traveling the stock car circuit, I relocated here to Springfield wher I married my wife Janet. Our full house consists of two poodles, and african grey and a host of smaller birds. I make my living as a pizza delivery person for Domino's Pizza. As to what a pizza guy is doing writing a blog, I am just going to ask you to stay tuned and find out.

Till next time John

An Open Letter to President O Bama

Mr President

I am writing this blog using the freedoms that have been guaranteed to me by the Consitution of the United States. Those freedoms include LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Depending on which agency you contact, you will find that I am, employed, and a homeowner in the city of Springfield Ma.. I have been married only once,and am still married to her after some 18 yrs.

I graduated from high school in 1972, attended Providence College for three years and got my B.A. from Rhode Island College in 1979. I went on to a brief career in the U.S. Army and was discharged under honorable conditions in 1982.

Over the years, I have been successful in a number of areas ranging from a career in the automotive industry, involvement in an auto racing ministry, and a period spent as an internet columnist for several regional and national websites.

Here is the problem Mr. President. I am both a handicapped person and a disabled veteran.
I was born with several defects including a hand/eye coordination issue. If I had been a fetus today, I would have never been born. The same could be said for my wife. In the 50s her mother took a drug. As a result, my wife could never concieve. We are a childless couple in our 50s.

I have accepted my limitations and have always worked around them. Despite my handicap, I was able to complete military training. My VA disablity has less to do with my handicap and more to do with some stupid actions on my part.

The move to nationalize heath care scares me. I may be 20% disabled, but I am still 80% able.
Last week I worked some 80 hours as a pizza delivery person. I spent another 10 hrs maintaining my home and several more assisting my wife. Sleep is an option.

My wife depends on Mass Health for her medical treatment and I use the VA. Each month my wife has to visit her doctor to get her pain killer medication. Every month it is a battle for her to stay functional Under your plan her life would be worthless. She would be classified as a non productive citizen. She would be amoung those forced to consider assisted suicide.

I try to avoid using the Veterans Administration. That currently leaves me with untreated diabetes. I would rather self treat than face the doctors and the wating lines. I use the mental health unit, but only under extreme conditions. My fear is that in time, I too will face the lable of a non productive citizen.

Mr President, You cannot give life nor should you or your government have the power to take it.
That includes forcing abortions on people as well as assisted suicide. I have always believed that we as Americans value life. Our elderly, our veterans and our unborn all deserve a chance.

Thanks

John Kokolski
an American citizen

Cash for Clunkers? I want to trade in John Kerry!

Disclaimer!!!

I currently am driving my wife's 98 Kia Sephia, which does not qualify as a Clunker. By choice, I have been driving 4 cyl fuel saving vehicles for most of my 35 yr plus driving career. I am also an admitted car nut. My favorite vehcles of all time include the Ford Capris of the early 70s and the Hemi powered Mopars of the mid 60s.

Could you please tell me where I can trade in Senator John Kerry for the Clunker credit? If the price is right, I will add in Senator Ted Kennedy and the House delegation from the state of Massachusetts. If the purpose of the legislation is to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emmisions, I cannot think of a better way than to trade in our elected representatives for newer lighter and more efficient models.

In the long run the C for C law is the biggest bomb to hit Detriot since the Edsel and here is why.

Yes there are a number of cars on the road that could/should be scrapped. Most of these are driven by low income people. This law only permits credit towards the purchase of new vehicles. That alone puts it our of reach to those who need it. It requires that all vehicles must be scrapped after the engine has been disabled. This reduces the supply of used vehicles and thus the prices on them will rise, furthur hurting the poor. The requirement that the vehicles be scrapped has a double whammy. Prices for scrap have already fallen, this supply will push them down further still. Meanwhile, the poor get wacked again as prices for used parts will increase.

Detroit, Japan and other car countries share a common problem. There is only so much demand for new vehicles. The manufacturers have been building too many cars for too long and have resorted to discount pricing. All this does is move demand forward. The C for C law does more of the same. What will happen when the law finally ends? Demand will fall back to previous levels. What Detriot and the other car builders will have to do is to continue to reduce their production until the supply is equal to the demand. That is pretty simple. I leaned that in Econ 101. Oh, I forgot, Barney is capable of running a bank but never studied Economics.

Hey! for the right offer, I will toss in Chris Dodd and Deval Patrick

The "N" Word

Hello folks



I grew up in the 60's and 70' on the edge of what used to be know as a slum. The polite term then was "The Inner City". My neighborhood was made up of working folks of all races creeds and colors. We had our gays, our loose women and our welfare families.



My fmaily had moved into the area in 1960 when I was 6 years old. My dad had had a business in the area before that. While not in the upper crust of the community, we had "respect". Respect in those days was earned. It was how you treated people that counted. As early as I can remember, the one word that was off limits, was the N word.



I make no claims to perfection. There is only one person who was ever that way and he died on the cross. Still, I did try to do what my parents wished. I chose my friends carefully. It wa a pretty mixed gang, most of us were in Boy Scouts together and had other interests we shared.

Hanging together were some catholics, some protestants and even a lutheran family. My neighbor from across the street was darker than most of us. His family came from The Azores and was of Portugese decent. I met my first black family when i was eight years old. they were just like us, working folks. they went to church and like most others , we never treated them with anything other than respect. I might have used the N word once and got a beating for it.

My father then explained to me the evils of racism and how using that word would cause my family to loose the respect that he had worked so hard to earn.

From that background, I come into today. I am a middle aged white male. As part of my job, I spend a good bit of time in the inner city. Having been in this area and in this field for several years, I know that I have many customers who watch for me. I have earned the respect of people I work for and with.

What I do not understand is how certain groups of people use that word without a thought. I hear young people of many races refer to each other using the word, the word that would hav earned me scorn by my peers and a beating by my parents. I wonder if they realize the meaning of the word. I wonder if they realize that by using that word they are beating themselves up in a society that seems to have little use for them to begin with. I wonder where the pride is, where the self respect is? I for one do not see it. Until you respect yourself, no one else will respect you.

At the same time I wonder, why does so much of today's popular music glorify the inner city lifestyle? When growing up, tyhe inner city was a place to grow up and leave. Leave I did, for another city. My home today is still in a working class area. My neighbors today are a diverse lot. Will I choose to leave the area? I think not. We are safe and happy here. We have respect. In the end, that is what matters today.

NASCAR and More

As I predicted in my writing on another site, GM has announced cutbacks in their NASCAR activites. It has already been anounced that some truck and Nationwide series teams have lost support. Cuts in the Cup series have not been announced as of yet. This follows moves by both Ford and Dodge to cut costs. These moves have resulted in layoffs throughout the sport.

At Michigan, it was Mark Martin taking his third win of the season in race taht was decided by fuel strategy. A crowd of only 80,000 watched Mark win another one for the over 50 crowd.

While the current crop of car suppliers are suffering, Brian France is opening the door to more imported competition. This was announced following this weekend's race.

It has also been announced that NASCAR is going green. Following each race, trees will be planted to provide a carbon offset.

What does Brian France have in common with the captain of the Titanic? Both went down with their ships. The double file restarts are a plus, but if things do not start changing, look for NASCAR to get in line for a bail out.

If you want see some real neat vintage racing photos, check out the latest edition of "Muscle Machines" published by Hemmings. The spotlight is on Darlington in the 50s. Among the cars are a 51 Kaiser Manhattan and a 59 Buick Invicta. Drivers include a young Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts and other greats of the early years. Both "Muscle Machines" and "Classic Car" are good reads if you like cars the way I do.

The Chrysler -Fiat marriage is a done deal. We will now be blessed with ugly little cars that start rusting before they leave the lot. I have always been a fan of the US car companies, but scratch Chrysler and GM from the competition for the vacant spot in my driveway.

"Trains" magazine had an interesting article this month on trasnpotation comparing how various modes stack up for costs and efficiency. It costs less to build a mile of track than a mile of expressway. Lots of other intersting stuff there also. It vacks up my belief that we need a balanced transportation system in this country.

The Obama administration shudders every time unemployment figures are announced. They can be held directly responsible for another jump with almost 800 Chrysler dealers closing this month and thousands of GM dealers getting ready to follow. While BO has said that he does not want to run a car company, it looks like many of the closings have been dicatated by politics as opposed to economics.

I have not had as much time to blog or to participate in my favorite chat rooms, but that is a good thing. My personal economy has improved since I returned to work for Tony Patalano's
stores. I am now pushing around 60 hrs a week. That can easily grow, depending on sales.
We are negotiating with the bank and hoping to avoid foreclosure.

That it for this trip. John

Ranting at Random

Hello all

Welcome to any new readers. This blog now is being posted in the Soundoff Ct. chatroom, the Western Ma 912 discussion board and on my Facebook Page.

I would like Tony Patalano of Patalano Pizza for rehiring me. Tony has two Domino's stores in Chicopee and Springfield Ma. I worked a full week for the first time in about five months and it feels good.

Looks like the house is safe for now. I have spoken to our lender and we are now eligible for a loan modification. Looks like I will now have to mow the grass since it is now taller than a poodle.

A interesting development. Some old friends from Woonsocket High School have been finding me on Facebook. I wonder what they are thinking when they see the rest of my page?

I am a proud member of two conservative groups. The Western Mass 912 group and the Sound Off Ct chat room. The 912 group operates on priciples esposed by national talk show host Glenn Beck, while the Sound Off group supports Jim Vicevich who is a talk show host on WTIC in Hartford. The reason I support both of these organizations is simple. I live in Mass and work both in Mass and Ct.. I have also found the chatroom that supports Jim to be a really great bunch of people. They proved to be very supportive during my recent difficulties.

What bothers me is the inability of these two groups to get together. Despite the fact that they are built around many of the same priciples, they let geography and the fact that they support different radio shows keep them apart. I am trying to act as a link between the groups because I feel that if we really want to have an impact, we need to show larger numbers. We cannot do that if we are splintered into many small groups. Western Mass and Ct. have many of the same problems. We face high taxes and representatives who do not speak for the people but are bought and paid for by special interests.

I have read a copy of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy that was recently made public.
If you are intersted in the sport, you will find it of interest. Now what I would like to see is a list of banned substances and a quick end to the Mayfield case. I am sick of this sideshow. We should be reading about racing, not court cases. Jimmy Johnson won this week's race at Dover Downs. I missed the end of the race but what I did hear was a good one.

General Motors is now officially bankrupt. Another 30 Billion of our tax dollars will be invested in this company. If GM was going to go bust, it should have happened a year ago without taxpayer dollars. As a result of this bankruptcy, more plants are going to be closed as are more car dealers. Where will the administration find jobs for all of these displaced workers?
Another result is less choice for the car driving public. Both Pontiac and Saturn are being dropped and the Hummer brand will be sold. As part of the deal to sell GM of Europe, there was an agreement that the new company could not sell cars here.

While the Federal government prints and spends money, the states are in trouble. California is already bankrupt and voters there recently failed to approve new taxes. Mass and Ct. are not far behind however we cannot follow the lead of Ca voters. In Mass., our leaders recently approved a 25% increase in the state sales tax. A small band of us recently staged a protest at the state office building in Springfield. Why would our state reps listen to 25 protesters in Springfield when they are getting lobbied constantly by people who get paid to do just that?
Meanwhile, our brothers and sisters who own firms in Ct. are beins slapped with another penalty. Thye are being told that they have to provide paid sick time if they have 50 or more workers. This is just another form of taxation. More buisness will either leave or not grow in the Nutmeg state.

Till next week, Live long and pay cash. John