Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Warren Buffett, in a recent  interview with CNBC, offers one of the  best quotes about the debt ceiling:
"I could  end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just  pass a  law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of  GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for  re-election.

The 26th amendment (granting the  right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days  to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in  1971…before computers, e-mail, cell  phones, etc.  Of  the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or  less to become the law of the land…all because of public pressure.
Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email  to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most  people in The United States of America will  have the message.  This is one idea that really should be passed around.
*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_

1. No  Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in  office and receives no  pay when out of office.

2.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move  to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow  into  the Social Security system, and Congress participates with  the rest of the American people. It may not be used for any other  purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan,  just as all  Americans can.

4. Congress will no longer vote  themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower  of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care  system and participates in the same health care system as the  American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws  they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with  past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The  American people did not make this contract with the members of Congress. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
If each person  contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three  days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Maybe  it is time.
 

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!  If  you agree with the above, pass it on to at least 20 others.. Please keep it  going.

Skeptics in The Pub

The October Cape Ann Skeptics in the Pub will be on the 18th. Mary Bowles will present a program based on the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The book explores the story of extremely successful people. Why so some people succeed more than others? Gladwell argues that the lives of such ‘Outliers’– people who’s achievements fall outside normal experience– often follow a peculiar and unexpected logic.

The meeting will be held at the Dog Bar, 65 Main St., Gloucester. As usual, we will gather at 6:00 to meet each other and order dinner and drinks. The program will begin at 6:45.

Come and hear this interesting talk!

The Docksider’s First Annual Comedy Show, November 10 at Bass Rocks Elks Club, Atlantic Ave, Gloucester

Hosted by Hank Morse of 105.7 WROR Loren and Wally show. Starring comedian Tony V and featuring Artie Januario and Graig Murphy. Doors open at 7:00, show at 7:30. Tickets $20.00. Recommend purchasing tickets in advance at Virgilio’s, Jeff’s Variety, Christine’s Variety,Annisquam Auto Body, and The Depot Restaurant all in Gloucester or email sales@take1promos.com. Raffles and Door prizes. Dont miss this evening of laughs! All proceeds to support the Docksider’s trip to play at Disney World and SeaWorld in Florida in April 2012

BankGloucester will be giving away a total of $15,000 to community organizations at a brief reception at the bank on Monday, October 17^th beginning at 5pm.

This is the fourth year in a row that they have held their “Banking for the Community” program where the public votes for a slate of community groups that aid others; write-in nominations are also welcomed. These votes determine how the money is distributed. Top three awards are $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000. Twelve others groups will each receive $500. BankGloucester believes in giving back to the community and this is one of the ways that they do that.

Perhaps you would like to cover this event considering the positive impact it has on Gloucester residents. The reception will begin at 5pm in the lobby of the bank at 160 Main Street. Bank President, Patrick Thorpe, will be presenting the checks to the winners.

Just had to share before leaving for a weekend conference what an INCREDIBLE evening it was at breathtaking Shalin Liu Performance Center for Wellspring’s 30th Anniversary!  Rockport native and Grammy award winner Paula Cole was Joined by Grammy award winnerShawn Colvin (one of my favorite singers) for this wonderful event.  I’m sure Kay O’Rourke the Executive Director will have far better pictures but I told her I’d send these just in case.  

I remember volunteering for Wellspring over 20 years ago while at GHS.  The movie they showed about what they have been doing, the lives they have touched, and where they are today is truly inspiring.  This event was a sparkling example of the potential for the various local organizations to team up with the arts and culture of Gloucester and come together and really make a huge difference.  I am so grateful to have been in attendance tonight for this view of the exciting things already making their way to Cape Ann.  The possibilities are endless.  Bravo Wellspring House for a great evening for a great cause!

Bright Blessings,
Dr. Nicole K. Andrade