Programming with VB needs an AutoIT3 helper!

So, I've got this code that goes out and checks on the timestamps of some files that are important to the BMC Bladelogic Client Administration (formerly Marimba) Tuner (aka Agent) on the endpoints.

Checking from a central location out to a couple thousand computers, the Visual Basic .NET (written using Visual Studio Express 2012) can't be trusted to get the latest time stamp.  I wrote the following function and this issue arises specifically when using the Mod.

    Shared Function GetFileInfo(ByVal ComputerName As String, _
                ByVal FiletoFind As String, info As String)        
        Dim Ret As String = ""
        Dim targetfile = "\\" & ComputerName & "\" & FiletoFind
        Dim fi As FileInfo = New FileInfo(targetfile)
        If fi.Exists Then
            fi.Refresh()
            Select Case info
                Case Is = "Exists"
                    Ret = fi.Exists.ToString
                Case Is = "Delete"
                    fi.Delete()
                    Ret = fi.Exists.ToString
                Case Is = "Created"
                    Ret = fi.CreationTime.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss tt")
                Case Is = "Access"
                    Ret = fi.LastAccessTime.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss tt")
                Case Is = "Mod"
                    Ret = fi.LastWriteTime.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss tt")
            End Select
        Else
            Ret = "File Not Found"
        End If

        Ret = Ret.Replace(vbCrLf, "")
        Ret = Ret.Replace(vbCr, "")

        Return Ret

    End Function

So, it should be no problem, right?  Wrong.  Even with the fi.Refresh() in there, it still brings back an outdated time stamp.  You could go to Windows Explorer and UNC to the remote computer, browse to the file and right-click, bring up the properties and see the correct time stamp.  Oddly enough, after you do THAT, the above function gets the right time stamp!  Sometimes the difference between the two can be days!

So, I went to AutoIT3 and ... okay, I already had the code to check the files I wanted...

Func _FileTimeStamp($path)
    Dim $file,$astamp
    $file = $path
    $astamp = FileGetTime($file, 0, 0)
    If IsArray($astamp) Then
        $stamp = $astamp[1] & "/" & $astamp[2] & "/" & $astamp[0] & " " & _
                $astamp[3] & ":" & $astamp[4]
    ElseIf $astamp = 0 Then
        $stamp = "file not Found"
    Else
        $stamp = 0
    EndIf
    Return $stamp
EndFunc   ;==>_FileTimeStamp

The AutoIT3 code gets the right time stamp and makes the VB accessed 'ghost data' update. 

The reason to get the time stamps is to make sure that the Tuner is functioning as expected.  Too often, it is not.  So, WHEN a Tuner has an outdated channel, I wrote a little function to go through a little process that usually fixes the problem.

Private Sub UpdateChannelFix()
        Dim runchannel As String = TunerPath.Replace("Tuner.exe", "Runchannel.exe")
        Dim Procedure(5) As String
        Procedure(0) = "Tuner,-stop http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/PatchService"
        Procedure(1) = "Tuner,-stop http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/InventoryService"
        Procedure(2) = "Runchannel,-subscribe http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/PatchService -reset"
        Procedure(3) = "Runchannel,-subscribe -update http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/InfrastructureService"
        Procedure(4) = "Runchannel,-subscribe -update http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/InventoryService"
        Procedure(5) = "Runchannel,-subscribe -update http://MyBMCServer.Mycompany.local:5282/Marimba/Current/SubscriptionService"
        For Each pStep As String In Procedure
            Dim rp As Process = New Process
            Dim rpi As ProcessStartInfo = New ProcessStartInfo
            Dim parts = Split(pStep, ",")
            Dim mExe As String = parts(0)
            Dim mCmd As String = parts(1)
            rpi.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden
            If mExe = "Tuner" Then
                rpi.FileName = TunerPath
            Else
                rpi.FileName = runchannel
            End If
            rpi.Arguments = mCmd
            rp.StartInfo = rpi
            Try
                rp.Start()
                rp.WaitForExit()
            Catch ex As Exception
                ' oops, nevermind - will catch it in examination
                AlertText = AlertText & vbCrLf & mExe & " " & mCmd & _
                    " <-- Failed to run"
            End Try
        Next
    End Sub

The program finds the path to Tuner.exe by looking in the registry for the Application entry.  Using that, the function uses Tuner.exe to stop the Patch and Inventory channels, which can sometimes get stuck in a running state and cause issues.  Then, it uses the Runchannel.exe program in the same folder to do a reset on the Patch channel.  The -subscribe makes sure that if the channel is not present, it will install it.  Then it updates or subscribes and runs the Infrastructure, Inventory and Subscription channels.  Running the Inventory channel will usually run the Patch channel as well.

Cool, huh?!? :)

Equipment I Need for the Long Motorcycle Trip

Note: I've updated the map with planned places to tent-camp for the night.  Next step in the map-making department is adding planned Gas stops and Food.

I have a Sissy Bar and luggage rack with a roll bag.  I have a standard tent ( I have to repair the poles on it ) and a sleeping bag.  I have a clothes roll.

Still, there are a few items that I feel that I really need before I make the almost 6,000 mile loop.

The first thing I need is a good seat.  I am looking at getting the Comfort Max Gel Jumbo Seat Pad. $114.95, sheep skin cover.  The AMA rider testing seemed to like it well enough.  I won't be doing any 'high spirited riding.'

The second thing I need is some Highway Pegs - without Highway Bars.  For this, I am looking at Comfort Ride Zone's peg support.  $74.99. I'll need to find some male mount pegs to go with them, but that should not be too hard.

The third thing I need is a way to charge my cell phone while on the go.  It could be a solar charger or a battery-connected usb charger for the motorcycle.  If I get a Tank Bag, then there is a charger for use with a tank bag or saddle bag.

The last thing that I really, really need is a good rain suit.  I think I want the blue Rev'It Pacific H20 Rainsuit. $119.99  Maybe the Frogg Toggs?  I just want to stay dry.  Another possibility is to spray my existing rain suit - which leaks like crazy - with the tent-waterproofing stuff.  Maybe some tape along the seams to help repel water.

In addition to the things that I really must have for the trip, there are some things that I really want to have!

I kind of want to have a different sleeping arrangement.  Sleeping on the ground, even with a sleeping bag, can be rough.  What I would like, is an Explorer Deluxe from Hennessy Hammock.

One of the things that I want to get out of this trip is the memories.  I already have a nice DSLR camera and a couple lenses.  What would be great would be to have video!  The Drift HD would be a great camera to capture the ride with.

Saddlebags ( check out vikingbags.com ) would be very useful on such a long trip.  A sleeping pad for the tent would make it a lot more comfortable, if I don't get a Hammock to sleep in.  A Rider backrest might be nice to have on a long trip.

Gun Entheuists vs Reality

So, I see the following pic on my Facebook news feed :

While I support the 2nd amendment and am not anti-gun, I am not obsessed about guns any more than I am obsessed about hammers, digital cameras or computers.

The above meme image has some very inaccurate information.  For one, the PICTURED top gun IS more dangerous than the PICTURED bottom gun.  It has, IN THE PICTURE, a 20 round Magazine.  The bottom gun only has 5 rounds.  Using basic math, the top gun can kill or damage 4 times more things than the top gun. (Oh, and don't call a 'magazine' a clip, which is what they were called until rather recently when terminology freaks started using the difference to call people stupid.  I remember when gun magazines - the monthly publications for reading - advertised "banana clips", curved, high capacity 'magazines' for various guns.  Okay, so maybe my experience is a bit out of date... like I said, not obsessed with guns.)

They claim that a pistol grip, higher capacity magazine and, it looks like the top gun has a heat dispersal mod and a flash suppressor on the barrel, are just cosmetic.

Lets stop and define the word cosmetic. 

: not important or meaningful
: not substantive :  superficial <cosmetic changes>

Any HONEST police officer or SWAT officer will tell you that the grip changes a LOT about how the gun handles.  It changes the ergonomics and mechanics of shooting.  The shaped stock improves shoulder contact.  Having a pistol grip will allow more accuracy when firing in rapid succession.

Even the MANUFACTURER (Ruger) calls the top version a "tactical rifle" and the bottom one is the "ranch rifle" model.  They are DESIGNED for completely different applications.

According to the specs, the Tactical has a shorter barrel by a little less than 2 inches, shorter overall by 4 inches, a tiny big heavier and $80 more.

Saying that the differences are only cosmetic - not important nor meaningful - goes against all of my logic and reason.  It seems an affront to physics, mechanics and ergonomics.

But the idiots jumped my case, called me ignorant and said all kinds of nasty things about me because I dared to point out that blatant lies do nothing to help any cause.

The poster below is a bit more accurate. 

It uses "mostly superficial" instead of "only cosmetic."  It also points out they can both accept the same magazines of different capacities.  However, they are not the same gun.  They are different models of the same gun.  Using the Tactical Rifle to go hunting is like taking a Nascar vehicle to do the grocery shopping.  I'm sure it will get the job done, but it is not what it was made for.

Of course, with our roads, I'm not sure the racer could make it to the store without bottoming out and getting stuck in a pothole.

When I found a youtube video of a guy demonstrating the differences a pistol grip makes, they called HIM an idiot too.

I have found a blogger who knows about guns...

"The pistol grip affects a few things in reference to your relationship with the rifle.  The shape and angle of the grip affect how the rifle carries and how it shoots, which encompass most of the things you might do with your rifle."

"The reason is that vertical grips make shooting easier."

and part 2...

(with a pistol grip there is) "No contorting necessary.  I can just grasp it normally and the finger ends up pretty close to where I want it.  I find it odd that a rifle could just fit so easily."

Doesn't seem like it is 'just cosmetic,' but they would probably call him ignorant as well - his knowledge doesn't fit with their meme and talking points.

I was looking at reviews of the Mini-14 Tactical and one of the best quotes I saw in comments was from a Trooper :

"Accuracy? Well sports fans, it was never meant to be a benchrest rifle but it will reliably kill a man at two to three hundred yards all day long, which was the whole point."

A different article has a good quote regarding the pistol-grip design on the AR:

"Many famous firearms such as the Thompson submachine gun and several WWII-era German designs used similar grip-to-receiver angles for the same reason it’s endured more than five decades of AR service: It is conducive to effective combat shooting. The AR grip is most natural in-hand when shooting upright (standing, kneeling, etc.), but is likewise well suited for prone work and patrol-type activities. Traditional stock designs lack in one or more of these areas, but thanks to Eugene Stoner, today’s ARs are pretty darn comfortable guns."  (note: the AR has a pistol grip)

It is fairly clear that the reason for a pistol grip on a rifle is to make it an effective Combat Weapon.  Therefore making the change not just for looks.  The standard stock is better for long-term carrying and carrying in wooded and brush areas - less stuff to get caught on the brush and poke into body parts while being carried.

Not 'just cosmetic' differences

Mostly Superficial differences

I made a picture from Ruger's website.  The top is still the 'tactical' model and bottom is still the 'ranch' model, but the differences AS PICTURED are, in fact, mostly superficial and neither is 'more dangerous.'

All I'm saying is have a little more accuracy when trying to do a meme!!  And when called on the bullshit, don't defend it.

One more thing about the 'arguments' is that they used school-yard bully tactics.  They focused on one, insubstantial part of a statement and over-emphasised it to discredit me and distract from the substance of the argument.  Since they can't argue on the facts, they have to draw attention away from valid points by any means necessary.  I hate that - and that is one reason I don't keep firearms within reach.  :)

I have no experience with firing those two configurations one after the other.  I, however, hunted and shot quite a bit growing up.  I was (successfully) squirrel hunting with a revolver when I was a teenager. 

The only way to fully settle this would be to do a side by side test at a firing range with the two guns AS PICTURED.  Firing once for speed, once for accuracy.  With a non-biased judge collecting the stats of each test, the speed, the accuracy, the accuracy during the speed test and the speed during the accuracy test.  Probably at least two or three testers with various experience levels.

Fire 5 rounds as fast as possible with each, time speed and accuracy of both rifles.
Fire 20 rounds as fast as possible with each, time speed and accuracy of both rifles.
Fire 5 rounds as accurately as possible, time speed and accuracy of both rifles.

1. Would you expect a difference in the two rifles performance?
2. Would you expect a difference in speed and/or accuracy due to the stock/grip?
3. What was the actual experience regarding performance and the stock/grip?

If Ruger would loan me the rifles to test, I am sure that I can get a gun range to host the testing.  My office is full of people who won't stop talking about guns, load their own ammo, etc. Even a guy with his own range.  So I can get some volunteers to help test.  I'd be a tester, of course.  Probably have to bring our own ammo though.

I wonder what the engineers who designed the Tactical Rifle would say to all their additions being 'just cosmetic.'  Or what all the designers for military applications whose designs are basically being called complete failures - as they make no difference other than looks?

I guess there is a possibility that they are just cosmetic and change nothing significant about the gun.  That would make those wishing to ban the weapon because of it's looks seem very silly.  It would also make those who want to own that style weapon, who would suffer great emotional distress if they had to settle for the standard version, very, very silly people.

If it turns out there is no difference, then I'd have to say, "I came into this thinking that they should not be banned.  Now, why not?  There is no functional difference in the two, no reason to want one over the other, so, why not put the scary looking one away to make a lot of people feel better?  Its not like they'd be taking away any combat advantage or anything.  All sides of the argument are stupid and a waste of time."

One small side effect to this encounter is that I am now considering getting the Mini-14 Tactical instead, or perhaps in addition to, the CZ75-b that I have been looking at getting. But I know, realize and admit that I am not getting either one to go hunting for food nor just for target practice.  Its all about the Zombie Apocalypse!

Motorcycle Trip in the Planning

I am going to a gathering of my motorcycle association in 2014.  The gather is from Wednesday, June 25th to Wednesday, July 2nd.  I plan to take off from June 20th to July 8th in order to ride my motorcycle from Brandon, Mississippi to the gathering location on the coast of Oregon.

Going the Google Maps way would take 43 hours of driving about 2,608 miles.

View Larger Map This is pretty big, since my longest trip before this has been only 1,060 miles of riding over the course of four days.  This trip will be well over twice that in the same time period.  YIKES!!

View Larger Map
Of course, the Google Map default route to Oregon seems fairly boring.  So, I'm thinking of taking a route that would take 43 hours and add 117 miles, but be a lot more interesting.  Then, I plan to take a more scenic route home, that will take 51 hours or so and add around 500 miles.

View The Oregon Trail in a larger map
So, the trip there will be "Total: 2,725 mi - about 1 day 19 hours"  or 43 hours of riding.  Lets think about 700 miles per day will take me four days to get there, but I will take five.  I think I'll spend some time in Denver.  The return trip will be "Total: 3,206 mi - about 2 days 3 hours", so thinking about 700 miles per day, that will take me four and half days - all five days to do.  I am going to try for one or more certificates from Long Distance Riders.

Lets go over the trip there.  I will leave the Flying J Truck Stop in Pearl, MS at around 5:30 PM.  I'll roll down I-20 West almost to Vicksburg, MS and take Hwy 61 - the Blues Trail - up to Leland, MS.  I'll head West on Hwy 82 and try to make it to Warfield Point Park in Greenville, MS, to camp right on the Mississippi River.  That will be 150 miles down.

From there, I will try to do 732 miles to the Amarillo KOA campground.  This should easily get the Easy Rider cert from LDR.  If the KOA is priced like I have heard - asking them via email revealed $26.67 per night - then I will not stay there.  I'll go on down to the Sun Down RV Resort and pay $14 for a campsite.

Leaving Amarillo early in the morning, Sunday will be a leisurely 435 miles to Denver, CO.  There, I hope to stay with friends or camp in their yard.  This will also be a nice break after the push of Saturday and help prepare for the mountain ride on Monday.

Monday, I will head over the mountains toward Salt Lake City, Utah.  I have two options for the night, Crystal Hot Springs campground or Lottie-Dell campground.  Lottie-Dell is 600 miles, Crystal Hot Springs is 560.  If the trip over the mountains really wears me out, there is Willard Bay State Park at a mere 543 miles.

Lets assume I make it to Lottie-Dell.  Either way, Tuesday is a tough ride through a small, twisty mountain road. (yah!)  At 520 miles, there is the Ochoco Divide campground, another campground 5 miles down the road, but I'd like to make it to Smith Rock State Park in Oregon.  That would be 568 miles from Lottie-Dell.

That would leave around 200 miles to make it to Waldport, OR and the gathering.  An easy ride on Wednesday morning.

Then there is the way back home....  It will start out Wednesday afternoon and take the Coast Highway southbound.  There is a KOA in Sacramento, CA - but not much else.  Lots of camping supply stores, no camping sites.  LOL!  I will probably just do 400 or so miles and hit up the Red Bluff Diversion Dam Recreation Area for camping.

From there, it is 700 miles to Las Vegas, baby!!  I'll just look at the city from a distance and camp at Boulder Beach Camp Ground.

Albuquerque has a KOA, but other than that, it is kind of hard to find campgrounds.  I may just wind up camping off the side of the road somewhere. However, I think I will try to eat at "The Frontier." Lets say 550 miles for Friday.

Saturday starts off early and the destination is 454 miles to Davis Mountain State Park in Texas.  Of course, the route will be through Roswell and Carlsbad, New Mexico.  Area 51 and Caves!!

Sunday will be a harsh ride - 684 miles to Oak Leaf Park in Orange, TX for camping.  The route will take me within arms reach of the Mexico Border and through Houston, TX.

Monday will be a nice ride up the Natchez Trace, 365 miles to Home.  Then a day off on Tuesday to rest up before work on Wednesday.

Of course, I may just hit Carlsbad, NM and get to I-20 and take a left instead of a right and shave off several hundred interesting, yet unnecessary, miles just to get home quicker.  Then again, I hate that stretch of I-20 as I have traveled it way too much.

The trip there will start the 20th of June around 5:00 PM.  I plan to ride as far as I can before stopping for the night and wake up early, early to get started again.  The trip back will start July 2nd in the early afternoon, same plan - ride as far as possible and waking up early.

So, anyone want to join up for a stretch of the ride, let me know!!

I'll be your CEO for $100k per year

I will be any company's CEO for $100,000 per year salary.

One of the first things I will do is adjust the compensation model.  The company will become at least 50% Employee Owned.

EO-Stocks will be divided by company position and stay with the company, so technically, it won't be 'employee owned' in the sense that an individual employee owns stock, but it will be employee owned in that each position, from new-hire secretary to long-time CFO will each have a certain percentage of stock assigned to their position.  The employee will get the Dividends from the stock each quarter and will have a vote in all shareholder meetings, etc. as long as they hold that position in the company.

New Hires may have only one issued share to their position.  For each quarter with the company, they add one share, up to the max allotted for that position.

This creates a vast incentive for the company to be run efficiently, productively and profitably - everyone working there has a financial stake in the success of the company.

Of course, the employee can not sell nor transfer the stock, but when they leave the company, "their" stock will be bought back from them.  So, everyone, from day one, has a 'severance package.'  This will make everyone work to reduce turnover.

So, any company looking to greatly improve productivity and profits, lets talk.

If Kior wants to hire me, I could get them profitable in less than two years.  But I'm not going to reveal THAT secret here.

Riding with Bad Drivers (Rant)

Yesterday on the ride home from work, a car pulled over into the lane to their right - colliding with the vehicle that was beside them.  Well, they collided with the trailer the truck was towing - and if they didn't collide (as both just kept on rolling down the interstate) then they came very, very, remarkably close.

Today, on the ride in to work, things have been much more annoying!

First, on a street in Brandon, this car stops in the road with his right turn signal on.  I'm fairly close behind him, but nobody is behind me.  As I come to a complete stop, I realize that they have stopped to 'courteously' allow the person sitting at the stop sign to pull out into non-existent traffic.  This jerk has delayed everyone in order to ignore traffic laws and make themselves feel 'nice.'  What an asshole.

Then, on the same street, a car pulls out in front of me, forcing me to apply my brakes firmly and downshift.  Still nobody behind me.  They proceed to slowly go up one block and turn left.

Both of those drivers got a 'you're number one' signal from me.  Although I'm sure neither one comprehended what they had done to deserve it.

On the interstate, this car pulls into my lane in front of me, going slower that I was.  I get into the left lane (of three lanes) and get up to where my front wheel is aligned with their front door - and they take off.  So, I move back over into the middle lane.  I "catch up" to this vehicle three more times before my exit.

Closer to my exit, I run into the worst event on the interstate - all three lanes at least three vehicles deep, all going almost the exact same speed.  Come on, people!!  If the car to your right is going almost the same speed as you are - SPEED UP!  If the car to your left is going almost the same speed as you are - SLOW DOWN!  When you are past them, if you want to go the speed you were going, get behind or in front of them and THEN match speeds, but DO NOT get beside someone on the interstate and match their speed.  If you are not past them in under 30 seconds, you are blocking traffic.  MOVE.

At my exit - a two lane exit only that merges to one lane into a big curve - there is a sporty blue car with LED turn signals that do a progression in the direction of the turn... six or seven lights that go on one at at time to simulate motion... with the tag JON4FUN driving slow in the right lane.  Half of a car length behind him, but in the left lane, is an SUV from Louisiana driving the SAME SPEED as the blue car, but not moving over,  preventing me from passing either one.  Normally, I shift down to fifth gear to go into the curve and speed up to around fifty five or sixty in the curve.  These jerks are going much slower than the usual slow traffic.  I have to shift down to fourth gear and go around forty miles per hour through the curve.  If the car in the right lane in front of you is going the same speed you are, you are blocking traffic - MOVE OVER into that lane!

In good travel news, the city of Jackson had a crew paint a white line through an intersection with two turn lanes where people in the left hand lane were very often turning into the right hand lane.  I'm sure there were accidents and I know there were lots of close calls.  I've had at least four close calls there myself in the last couple years where people in the left lane just came over into my lane in the turn.  I'm not sure what they were thinking.  There are two lanes to turn, two green arrow turn signals, two lanes going into the tunnel, but somehow they just don't comprehend why they couldn't turn from the left lane and get into the right lane in the turn.  I even have a video where a guy cuts me off in that turn.

UPDATE:  This morning, I thought that I would set up my video camera to document the ride in to work - so I did.  It is not very good quality as I don't think it was ever meant to work on a motorcycle at 70mph.  Still, it takes video.  The ride in this morning was astonishingly easy and trouble free.  No bad drivers at all, just some average drivers and maybe a couple below average.  I even made all the traffic lights - all green or turned as soon as I stopped.  It was amazing!  Boring video, but great trip to work!

Conspiracy in our Government (or, The Promise of the USA)

#PromiseoftheUSA


The Government of the United States of America, The USA - because "America" is a group of two (2) continents and thirty six (36) different nations - is set up as a Constitutional Democratic Republic.  This means that a governing group of representatives (republic) is elected by the people in a democratic process.  Our government is set up to protect individual rights from the majority, from the powerful and from the elected representatives.

To do away with government, or reduce it in size so that it is small enough to drown in the kitchen sink, would be to invite a tyrannical rule of a few, powerful, entities.  This is also known as the Libertarian Utopia - rule by the strongest, usually most violent and oppressive.  Well, they don't see it like that - they imagine that the strongest will just let everyone else go about their business in peace or that individuals will be able to 'fight' for their rights against a more powerful, well armed group.

The Republicans want to eliminate the Democratic process and just appoint whomever they want to the congress and presidency.  They would rule by whatever their corporate masters tell them to do - consequences borne by The People be damned.

The Democrats want everyone to vote, everyone to have the same opportunities to start off with and everyone to be safe and cared for, whether they like it or not.

There is no doubt that Private Interests have bought into and corrupted our form of government to suit their needs.  The Federal Government has expanded beyond it's intended scope.  We have a standing military, which the Founders never intended.  The Federal Government sets State level policies - usually by withholding funds from States that don't comply by passing laws encouraged by the Federal Government - investigate Seat Belt laws to find out more.  Our police forces are becoming more like occupying armies.  Our government has been hijacked by Insurance Companies, Big Banking, Big Agriculture, Big Pharmaceutical and Military Supply Companies.  Each private interest exploiting and weakening We, The People, for their own benefit.

Insurance Companies get laws passed requiring citizens to buy their protection scams.  They get laws passed that reduce their exposure to liability for paying out on their promised protections.  They work huge loopholes that allow them to not pay out for most frequent damages.  They create complicated paperwork that will allow them to cancel your coverage or refuse payment based on flimsy grounds - but you can't get your money back because of it.

Big Banking - private entities - control the issue of our currency.  They gamble and risk our money and then suffer no consequences when they lose it - or more accurately, they profit from our losses they instigated.  They reward the rich with lower interest rates on borrowing, higher interest rates on savings and investments while punishing the poor with high interest rates on borrowing, lower interest rates on savings and investments.  This is by design to keep the 'worker' class from becoming financially independent, paying off their debts and living free.  This is the new version of a Sharecropper or Indentured Servant.  They create debt for us to be forced to pay off - then make sure we will never pay off that debt.

Big Agriculture takes our tax money as subsidies, poisons our food, exploits workers and turns our food supply into large scale genetic experiments.  Probably seeing if they can breed a more docile worker.

Big Pharmaceutical gets laws passed to make cures illegal, addictive substances legal and make profits off of treatments that make other problems worse.  They don't want cures - because that would end the profit stream. 

Military supply companies lobby for increased military spending, urge covert agencies to create more conflict and start more foreign wars - so they can supply the perpetual war machine with more equipment with a built in end of life.

All Private Interests have one goal in mind - keep the majority of people oppressed and happy with it.  They funnel profits from the most people into the hands of the few.

Our food is poisoned, our water is poisoned, the very air we breathe is poisoned - and we are forced to pay the very people who have poisoned us to treat the most obvious and adverse symptoms.  They will never provide a cure or stop the poison because that would decrease profits.

They keep us distracted with religion, movie stars, game shows, fake wars and false news and political controversies.

Our government is set up to protect us, the citizens, from the corrupting influence of all of those private interests.  It has been infiltrated and corrupted.  I believe the balance tipped in favor of the corruption in the 1950's, when congress destroyed part of the constitutional protections by putting "Under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance (1953) and making "In God We Trust" our official motto (1956).  It is impressive that it took the corrupting influences a full one hundred and seventy something years to tip the balance.

The Promise of America has always been individual freedom and liberty to pursue our own happiness.  Our government is still the best there is to ensure such freedom, but we need to clean the corruption out of it.  We need to get back to having a Federal Government of representatives, freely elected without undue influence from the rich and powerful, beholden only to the will of the people, whose powers are limited to securing individual liberty, providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare of all Citizens.

Some first steps would be :

1. Dismantling of the entrenched two-party system to allow more fair elections.
2. Federal or State funding of election campaigns, barring or limiting any private or corporate contributions.
3. Get "God" out of Government.  Our laws should be based on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Liberties, not any religion.  If something legal is against your religion, you don't have to do it, but you can not actively prevent others from having the opportunity to do it if they so choose.
4. Do away with the legal fiction that corporations are people.  Corporations are limited legal constructs for the purposes of doing business - not influencing politics.
5. Tie Representative pay to the median income of the state they represent and require a 40 hour work week, each and every week.  No work, No Pay.

Eventually, we need to completely revamp the medical profession.  Profit should be eliminated as a motive for any medical professional, from the researcher and drug manufacturer to doctors and nurses (though they should be paid well for their efforts).  Cures and total recovery from injury or illness should be the only goals in medicine.  Our Drug and Alcohol policies need to be completely revamped to include more liberty and less monopolistic profit goals.  We need to make the safety and health of our environment a higher priority than short term profit.

In the end, we need to make sure that the Promise of the United States of America is secured for our posterity and the future of all.

#PromiseoftheUSA