31 March 2016

Thursday Things

A few months ago at work, we purchased a video surveillance system: eight high-res cameras with night vision, and an NVR with 16 channels and an Alaska-sized hard drive. Our I.T. contractors began installation.

Got the first two cameras installed in the lobby ... and then the building was purchased by a new group of owners. Work came to a halt.

Last month, there was a robbery in the pharmacy, and while the robber was filmed entering and leaving, it pointed up the fact that work was needed.

Yesterday, wires were routed and connected for the remaining cameras; today, the cameras will be mounted and aimed, giving me a view of the other entry, and 90% of the parking lot.

* * * * *

Alaska legislators continue to debate how to bail the State out of its fiscal shortfall, caused by the drop in oil prices.

Rather than shrink the government (nope, can't do that: the horror!), they propose an income tax and to take proceeds from the oil savings account.

This, in a nutshell, is how government works. It expands, it grows, it takes, it encompasses, it devours ... and then demands that those who had little-to-no say in the growth of the beast must now pay for it, at the point of a gun.

If you think that last statement is too extreme, try not paying your taxes, and see what happens.

So since the Legislature has been in virtual gridlock, they've been conducting town hall meetings to get public input. It's safe to say there's little support for either of their proposals, but change is inevitable. One way or the other, it's going to cost more to live here.



*network video recorder

4 comments:

Guffaw in AZ said...

"virtual gridlock"

Not gridlock - checks and balances. :-)

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Unfortunately not, Guffaw. It's more an inability to agree on even the simplest of things. No longer are they colleagues with different viewpoints or approaches, but with a common desire to get things done.

Now it's us-versus-them, and I posit that, if put to a vote, a declaration that today is Thursday would fail 23 to 17.

Chickenmom said...

The saddest part of all is that we, the people, let them getaway with it. What the heck is wrong with us?

Rev. Paul said...

Chickenmom, I'm convinced that We the People are too busy with our iThings, texting, Netflix, etc etc etc. Too busy and caught up in our everyday lives, and simply not paying attention.

These days, children are taught nothing in school, either, so they never learn that the elected officials are criminally misbehaving.