Articles written by Chris Messner - Page 2

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About me - Chris Messner

Hi,

My name is Chris Messner. I'm a native New Yorker (Let's Go Mets!), married with 2 adult children, retired military, currently working in hi-tech manufacturing.

I often daydream about writing short stories but I never seem to be able to recall the ideas

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Politics, News & Issues > Economic News High gasoline prices and the solution: 3 of 21
The skyrocketing prices for crude oil and gasoline are grabbing most of the headlines these days. Newsreaders prattle on about whose fault it is and what can be done about it. You've heard the saying: "Talk is cheap". It's never been more true or more relevant. So whose fault is it, anyway? Well, everyone (yes, even you and ... More..
Sports & Recreation > Baseball History World Series: 1969 New York Mets: 1 of 7
I was a die-hard Mets fan long before 1969, but it was hard. It was hard watching the Polo Grounds and Shea Stadium fill up with Giant and Dodger fans when they came to town, rooting against the Mets. It was hard taking all the crap about the Mets off my Yankees-fan friends. But what could I do? Of course, they were right. T... More..
Business > Advertising Should tobacco advertising be permitted?: 2 of 13
The ban on tobacco advertising illustrates a couple of different bad characteristics of government. The first is gradualism. I think the most understandable example of gradualism is the old "how to boil a frog" story (although why anyone would want to boil a frog is beyond me). It goes like this: If you try to throw a frog i... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy Should the US adopt the Flat Tax Amendment?: 2 of 12
The so-called "flat tax", whereby each earner would pay federal income tax on their earnings at the same rate as all other earners, would be an improvement, for taxpayers, over the current federal income tax system, on a scale that is hard to comprehend. Doing away with all the credits, deductions, alternative calculations a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Should senators and congressmen have a term limit?: 5 of 28
I've written to my senators and representative many, many times over the years about a variety of issues, including this one. They always reply, except on this issue and the issue of Congressional pensions. They simply don't want to address either, and they know they don't have to, 'cause there's nothing we can do about it. ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Libertarian is an alternative for the weary: 1 of 5
"We have met the enemy, and he is us". What a great line! Apparently first used by Walt Kelly, the author of the well-known comic strip "Pogo", the quote succinctly sums up what is wrong with America today. Not only is our federal government totally out of control, it continually gets worse, thanks to people (voters) who con... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars?: 2 of 9
Not only did skyrocketing gasoline prices wipe out a substantial portion of the demand for new cars and trucks, but, now that the price of gas is back down to what it was more than 3 years ago, the collapsing economy is keeping a lid on that demand, as well. Apparently, unemployment in the United States is at a 16-year high,... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Political Values Art that mocks faith: Freedom of speech or slander?: 5 of 20
I'd have no problem with art (and it's highly debatable whether or not a crucifix in a jar of urine comes anywhere near qualifying as "art") that mocks faith if I didn't have to see it or hear about it. Unfortunately, as I'm watching the news and they switch from the stock market to, "The Brooklyn Museum of Art is catching a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Baseball Do the fans hate Barry Bonds as much as the media portrays?: 4 of 16
I wouldn't presume to speak for anyone else, but I can't stand Barry Bonds and I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. I don't know him personally, but from what I've read and heard about him, I wouldn't call 9-1-1 if I saw him get hit by a bus. In other words, I wish he would just go away. He's admitted to using steroids,... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Baseball MLB: What it's like to be a New York Mets fan: 3 of 12
In 2007, it hurts to be a Mets fan. Over the past 10 years or so, the leadership of the Mets decided to try to beat the Yankees at their own game. It simply isn't possible, so the sooner Mets' leadership accepts that reality and adapts accordingly, the happier everyone, Mets fans, Yankees fans, the world at large, will be. T... More..