Chicago Style Politics

Corruption seems to work its way into the conversation when the Obama administration gets involved; after all, it’s the Chicago way of doing things.  Fast and Furious is a bomb waiting to explode on the White House lawn depending on how far knowledge of the illegal operation went up the chain of command.  There are many who believe the operation was known all the way to the top; that Obama had given the okay to provide weapons to drug cartels.  We may never know the answer; witnesses seldom live to testify when it comes to Chicago style corruption.

Then there’s the Solyndra loan and subsequent bankruptcy which also threatens to blow up in Obama’s face.  Reputable sources have said the White House “pressured” the Energy Department to provide Solyndra a $528 million loan even though the company was already in trouble.

‘“A half a billion dollars that was not supported in January under the Bush administration was ... conditionally recommended in March,” Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, pointed out.”

I looked at the photograph which accompanied the lead story as it appeared on Fox News, Obama standing next to a fellow wearing the white lab coat with the Solyndra company logo in the background and had to wonder what was being explained.  “Mr. President, your cut will be safely stored away behind that stainless steel door.  Five white envelopes, each containing one million dollars in unmarked untraceable bills as you requested.”  This is pure speculation, but isn’t that the way it’s done Chicago style? 

This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

American Jobs Act and Raccoons

President Obama’s jobs speech wasn’t much different than rhetoric used to bilk American tax payers on stimulus packages before.  Obama said, “Let’s pass this jobs bill right away”, even though it hasn’t been written or presented to Congress as yet.  This morning I recognized the similarities to something in my back yard, an empty container of cat food.  You read right, an empty container of cat food made me think of Obama’s call to pass a piece of legislation which nobody has read; this might take some explainin’.

Our garage has become a rest haven for Hobo Kitties along with an occasional skunk, opossum and raccoon.  These critters wander around the neighborhood and spot the Hobo’s X painted on the garage door, stop in for a drink of fresh water, a free meal and a safe place to hide if the elements are threatening.  Those animals which act half way civil to each other are permitted to stay while those who become “problematic” usually leave in a black plastic body bag.

The day starts by filling three bowls of cat food intended for the Hobo Kitties which lasts most of the day.  The huge communal water bowl doubles as a bathtub for opossums and raccoons each night so it has to be cleaned and replenished each morning or it looks more like a mud wrestling pit. 

At one time we kept a pair of five gallon heavy duty plastic containers filled with dry cat food in the garage; that is until the raccoons figured out how to unscrew the lids.  We came out one morning and they’d emptied both containers and eaten every last morsel.  Ten pounds of food “vanished like a fart in the wind”; a line the Warden used from the movie Shawshank Redemption that fit the situation.   From that day on we stored the large containers in the house, not exactly a Martha Stewart moment; it’s worked for better than a year now.  Once a week we transfer from the five gallon containers to more manageable containers which are lighter and have snap on lids that allow for pouring the dry food much easier. 

Last night after pouring half rations into the bowls, half rations so the Hobo Kitties will leave them completely empty and not encourage unwanted visitors like skunks, opossums and raccoons; I set the small container down and got distracted with some chore in the back yard.  This morning I went to feed the Hobo Kitties but the container was no where to be found, at least it wasn’t in the kitchen nook where it was supposed to be.  I looked out the back window and saw the lid sitting in a planter box where our tomato garden used to be and the empty container on the other side of the back yard; the raccoons had a party and had emptied a weeks worth of food in one sitting.

Do you see a similarity between raccoons raiding Hobo Kitty food stores and spending policies of the Obama administration?  Regardless of how much is put away for the future it all gets used up if given half a chance, and the next day, when the sun comes up a cry goes out for more to end the new crisis.

Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate had this to say, according to an article at the Fox News :

“Faced with the reality of historic unemployment rates and record federal debt, I had hoped that President Obama, by now, would understand that even more government spending doesn't create jobs,” he said. “Rather than offer a new roadmap for recovery and reform, he merely dusted off a tired agenda of old ideas wrapped in freshly partisan rhetoric.”

In the same article:

“The president’s so-called jobs plan is to try those very same policies again and then accuse anyone who doesn't support them this time around of being political or overtly partisan, of not doing what's needed in this moment of crisis,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said. “This isn’t a jobs plan. It’s a re-election plan.”

Obama wants to throw money away, money we don’t have, claiming it will go toward job creation; but jobs are not created by government, that part of the economy requires a growing economy based on supply and demand. 

The reason we’re in a recession is complex and won’t be solved by throwing money in the air for a few to grab up.  Folks who run businesses have good reason to be cautious as government places  mandates and restrictions on the market place.  This isn’t the time to expand or hire new employees because nobody knows which part of the free market system government will destroy or take over next. 

Don’t let Obama have another chance at raiding the treasury; it’s already been emptied.  Economic recovery, long term investments and job growth will have to wait until the raccoon has left the White House.    

This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

The blog has been revived

 

Yesterday my blog got redirected into oblivion; probably by something I did while working on the template; things like that should be kept out of the hands of folks like me.  I was trying to snatch the URL for a 9/11 Tribute which I’ve had on my sidebar so I could post it on Facebook.  That worked out great; no tribute and it locked my blog off the internet all at the same time.  

I was about to start a new blog to take its place when “Waha” the old blog showed up.  It looked a lot different and my side bar items were gone, including the 9/11 Tribute and all the places I visit regularly.  I was able to salvage some of the links; but if you notice yours is missing, send me an email letting me know, “Do you feel lucky, Punk…Well Do ya’?”

This is Labor Day Weekend so I might have time to do some “tweeking” to the way this blog thing looks.  I’d like to here from you, what you’d like to see added or deleted.  

Happy Birthday Dad

I called my folks this morning to wish dad a Happy Birthday. Mom answered; but she wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t sure she was up to taking dad out for dinner, much less making his cake.


Many years ago mom wasn’t feeling well on dad’s birthday. It was a hot August afternoon in Levittown, Long Island, New York. The air conditioning where my father worked wasn’t working and he was looking forward to getting home where he could relax, take a shower and enjoy what remained of his birthday.


The cake mom made split in two and she did her best to fill in the crack with extra chocolate icing before giving up and heading for bed since she wasn’t feeling well. She placed the cake in the middle of the dinning room table with a note, something to the effect, “Enjoy your birthday cake”.


Earlier in the day my brother and I had cleaned the fish tank. We’d left the fancy blue rocks on the bottom of the tub to dry, never considering someone might want to use the tub after we’d gone to bed.


The house was dark as everyone was already asleep when he got home. He glanced at the note on the dinning room table, the one telling him to enjoy his birthday cake, “What cake?” He only saw an empty plate, the one the dog left after having eaten the entire cake leaving only a trace of chocolate icing.


Dad reached into the freezer for some ice only to find grape Kool-Aid ice cubes which were half frozen, not exactly what he’d planned. In my mind I can see him taking a deep breath and letting it out, shaking his head and wondering what else could go wrong.


He opted for a shower, stepping into the tub without looking his tender feet landed on the rocks from the fish tank. The expressions which escaped his lips were not recorded; but you can bet they were spot on. I’m told he carefully gathered up the rocks and placed them in the kitchen trash with a vow never to let us have another fish tank.


Did I mention dogs that eat lots of chocolate cake tend to get sick, from both ends? Dad cleaned up several locations throughout the house prior to venturing into the shower for his second attempt at leaving the day behind. He never noticed the small fish tank rocks embedded in the soap bar as he gouged the side of his face; why else would he have let out a death defying war hoop in the middle of the night?


Here’s hoping your birthday is quiet and peaceful; Happy Birthday Dad!


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

Fixing Camera Issued Tickets

The City of Houston put itself in an interesting predicament, caught between the proverbial rock and hard place, through a series of blunders related to Red Light Camera Ticket Enforcement. Red light cameras were installed, ostensibly as a public safety measure; but in reality they were installed to generate revenue for the city and the private contractor, a private contractor who only required a percentage of the “take” according to the contract entered into.


The citizens of Houston voted the arrangement down; but only after a contract had been signed and put in place; too long a time period having elapsed for such a referendum to be voted upon by the citizenry. The Mayor flip flopped, perhaps a political brain cramp, and decided the contract took precedent over the will of the citizens and had the cameras turned back on to issue more tickets in order to avoid litigation by the company which maintained the mechanical devices. City Council, having observed an uncomfortable amount of heat directed towards the Mayor’s Office which would eventually include all City Council members coming up for re-election, decided to put it to a vote according to an article by Gabe Gutierrez of KHOU 11 News .


“Council members first passed a non-binding resolution to take the cameras down, but then took it a step further – outlawing them in the City of Houston.”


Wonderful, we’re out of one frying pan and back into the other.


“They’ll be fighting the manufacturer of the cameras, American Traffic Solutions (ATS), in court over breach-of-contract claims.”


Here’s how to “fix” the mess without having ATS sue the city for gobs of money they think they’re entitled; keep issuing red light camera tickets. That’s right, keep issuing tickets until the cows come home; but instead of demanding violators pay an automatic fine, have specific wording on each ticket indicating payments are strictly voluntary based on an individual’s “civic responsibility” or conscious desire to do what is right.


There could be additional explanations which point to the fact the city could not produce witnesses to the event in a court of law, at least none that actually observed the running of the red light. Certified Police Officers who review the images on film were not present at the time of the violation and it would certainly be difficult, if not impossible to put a mechanical device on the witness stand should a defendant demand his/her right to cross examination, a time honored and established legal procedure. Judges would be instructed to dismiss any and all challenges to camera issued tickets; no revenue produced and fairly expensive to maintain such a system.


Eventually ATS would look at the bottom line of their “investment” and declare the “for profit venture” a failure; they would bow out of the business quietly. The City of Houston would have honored its original contract and the citizens would eventually see red light traffic camera devices vanish like a bad dream when the sun comes over the horizon.


The lesson; we need to stay within long established legal boundaries requiring human witnesses to testify in our civil and criminal courts. Witnesses must be available for cross examination instead of turning things over to mechanical devices. Returning to these necessary limits would work for Houston and other municipalities where traffic ticket enforcement is based on revenue generation rather than the public’s safety. Remember, the first concern voiced by our city leaders after red light cameras were voted down wasn’t the safety of our citizens; it was how to make up the loss of revenue!


Folks who run red lights are a real danger to society; please don’t read anything into what I’ve said; just make sure we enforce the law in a fair, just and lawful manner. Those who run red lights put lives and property at risk and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law; but only if the violation can be proven in a court of law with real live witnesses, one of whom would normally be a uniformed police officer who observed the incident in person.


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

Robert Gibbs the Perfect Reverse Barometer

There’s a short AP article which has advice from Robert Gibbs, one of Obama’s re-election campaign strategists (“strategerists” for Rush listeners). Immediately the thought occurred, General Custer supposedly asked an Indian scout which way to go at the battle of Little Big Horn. In the movie, Little Big Man , Custer explained, “what ever this scout says will be exactly the opposite of what he wants me to do”. So it is with Robert Gibbs, anything he says will be a reverse barometer.


“Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says Republicans must decide whether they’re going to “swear allegiance to the tea party” or work with Democrats to create jobs.”


Let’s take that statement apart and find out what Gibbs is actually saying. Republicans must decide whether they’re going to “swear allegiance to the tea party”; isn’t that the same as reminding folks “tea party” is code for main stream America? The Tea Party movement represents a broad swath of middle American values which are easily identifiable; government should follow the rule of law and stay within Constitutional limits, enforce immigration laws, stop spending money we don’t have and sharply curtail entitlement programs to name a few.


Gibbs made it sound like an “either/or” proposition, “work with Democrats to create jobs” or abandon all hope; as in Hope and Change. He meant to say Union jobs; but in either case government cannot create jobs, they can only hinder the free market where real jobs are born of necessity. Gibbs thinks Republicans should abandon American values and join with Democrats; swell, just swell!


“He also suggested that some Republicans “do not want to see this economy get better” because they know continuing misery will likely improve their election prospects.”


The Democrat’s agenda leads to destruction; pardon me if I associate them with Progressives, or should I simply call them Marxists intent on destroying our Constitutional Republic? Isn’t that what redistribution of wealth is all about?


Printing money at record rates will eventually make the Dollar worthless and inflationary prices on basic commodities which follows will make it extremely difficult (extreme is a trigger word used by the left when labeling conservatives; turn about is fair play). At the same time our ability to run industry will no longer exist since Obama’s directives to the EPA have handcuffed the coal and oil industries and the jobless rate will be near twenty percent before it’s all over. Which party doesn’t want to see the economy get better?


We are nearing that point in time when the American people will do like other desperate people have done across the earth; they will grab hold of anything which looks like it might keep them afloat, even if that means living in bondage under socialism. When we as individuals forget to be self sufficient and permit ourselves to take government handouts a little piece of liberty is sacrificed. Is this what Obama meant when he asked every one to sacrifice a little more in order to bring about the Transformation of America?


The end game of the Democrat Party is totalitarian socialism. This is not a hidden agenda , only now have all the stars been aligned in such a way as to make it possible to complete. Don’t believe me; go down the list!


One last quote from Gibbs and it’s time to give it a rest… I had to put brown shoes on prior to including this last quote.


“Gibbs says Obama favors a number of moves to help businesses step up hiring. He says “the president is not focused on keeping his job, most of all. He’s focused on creating jobs for the American people.”’


Gibbs would have us believe; speaking as one of Obama’s re-election campaign strategists, Obama’s current bus tour isn’t a re-elect Obama campaign tour on wheels. Obama has never stopped running for office; that’s the only reason he steps in front of a teleprompter. He certainly can’t run on his accomplishments, only on the promise of better things to come while continuing to blame the previous administration for all our ills. You want jobs, you’re family has lost its house, you’re unemployment check is about to run out, “Here I am to save the day…Mighty Mouse will save the day”; I mean “Obama and government handouts will save the day”.


Obama’s focused on doing a number on the American public, not on creating jobs for the American people. Obama and those in his close knit circle of advisers despise main stream America and what we stand for. Is it any wonder their attacks at the tea party movement are so vicious? When they tell us our only hope is to join with them, shouldn’t we first ask, “Why would we want to join with you in destroying the greatest nation ever?” No thank you; instead let’s restore that which was great to begin with!


Thank you Robert Gibbs for reminding everyone of what really is going on; your advice is priceless.


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

Can I get a Witness?

There’s an article by Michael E. Ruane in the Washington Post, Gettysburg battle bullets found embedded in tree 148 years later . Historians call these Witness Trees since they stood at the time of the Civil War battle; bullet fragments captured in them testify of that terrible conflict.


‘“The real witnesses to the battle… are still here,” John Heiser, Gettysburg National Military Park historian, said Tuesday, “even though they can’t talk to us… They’re the last living witnesses to this singular event.”’


Thinking about the historical significance of these silent witnesses, what could we learn from trees whose lumber yielded building materials for houses, barns, furniture and other everyday items? Do such inanimate objects stand as witnesses or is that just a metaphor intended to grab the reader’s attention?


Could lumber used to build a house have seen a family struggling to make ends meet or would it have recorded tender moments as love was shared among friends and family at dinner? Perhaps some trees were turned into stately chairs and reside in the halls of Congress; wouldn’t that be interesting, the tales they could tell. It’s all speculation, considering what a tree might say; isn’t it?


A tour of Washington D.C.’s national buildings provides a glimpse of symbols which denote a binding link to God, as our Creator is so titled in the Declaration of Independence. Moses holding up the Ten Commandments adorns the top of the Capitol Building and the Ten Commandments appear engraved on the entrance doors of the Supreme Court. “Laus Deo”, translated into English, “Praise be to God”, rests atop the Washington Monument, etched into the solid aluminum stone cap. The list goes on and on; but those are just symbols, visual expressions of what is in our hearts and minds.


“We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” - James Madison, fourth president and considered the “father of our Constitution”


There is a concerted effort to separate our nation from anything having to do with religion and its associated symbols. The argument hinges on a ruling by our Supreme Court that somewhere in our Constitution a separation of church and state exists. Such wording isn’t in the Constitution; but the ruling stands all the same. The idea that our founding fathers intended such a separation is preposterous based on the archived writings available; but that hasn’t stopped the non-believers from filing law suit after law suit to have religious symbols removed.


Getting back to the Witness Trees of Gettysburg, what would the timbers, the carved stone and mortar used to build our nation’s capitol have to say to folks attempting to distance us from God?


“The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” Alma 30:44


Did you catch that, “…all things denote there is a God, yea, even in the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it…”, trees, dirt, rocks and every other item found under, on or above the Earth testify of our Creator. How is it then, with all do respect to those who are intent on proving otherwise, these individuals have chosen to not to accept such evidence?


The Book of Jeremiah, chapter 5 explained it quite well starting in verse 21;


“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:”


Skipping down a little:


“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.” (verses 25-27)


Look out for the consequences for rebelliousness… 

“Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?”  (verse 29)


Should not a nation built under the direction of the Lord, a nation whose founding documents were written by choice individuals chosen for this purpose , should not our citizens be grateful for the many blessings we have been given? Be careful how you answer, more importantly, how you act; the rocks and trees are observing. They stand eternally as witnesses, either for or against your willingness to follow the Commandments of God.


“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, chose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

Defending Core Tea Party Beliefs

I’ve been challenged to defend “core Tea Party beliefs” and requirements directed toward our government by someone who claims I’m out of touch with reality. He’d visited one of my recent articles and left a comment which listed the following as “unrealistic” core beliefs found on one of the “official Tea Party” websites.


1. Illegal Aliens Are Here Illegally.
2. Pro-Domestic Employment Is Indispensable.
3. Stronger Military Is Essential.
4. Special Interests Eliminated.
5. Gun Ownership Is Sacred.
6. Government Must Be Downsized.
7. National Budget Must Be Balanced.
8. Deficit Spending Will End.
9. Bail-Out And Stimulus Plans Are Illegal.
10. Reduce Personal Income Taxes A Must.
11. Reduce Business Income Taxes Are Mandatory.
12. Political Offices Available To Average Citizens.
13. Intrusive Government Stopped.
14. English As Core Language Is Required.
15. Traditional Family Values Are Encouraged.


There you have it, fifteen ideas which appear to separate Tea Partiers from reality, at least according to those who apparently believes life can’t exist without government involvement in each and every aspect of our lives. In a word, Poppycock!


Illegal Aliens Are Here Illegally


Now that’s a tough one, Illegal Aliens are Here Illegally. President Obama and Homeland Security seem to have difficulty understanding that as well; guess I’ll have to concede the match, throw my hands up in despair and give up.


The border between our sovereign nations means absolutely nothing; immigration laws mean absolutely nothing and citizenship means absolutely nothing. I think not; those who enter our nation in any way other than legally therefore are here illegally. (That’s 1 for the Tea Party)


Pro-Domestic Employment Is Indispensable


If Americans were rich beyond our wildest dreams I suppose we could have everything, and I mean EVERYTHING (where’s Ed McMan when you need him) done by the “hired help”. We’d all have two or three (undocumented) Mexican maids, an Argentine butler and a Chinese chauffer to pamper us daily. There would be a full compliment of Polish yard workers and Pakistani maintenance people to keep the estate going not to mention our haberdashery over in Hong Kong and a seamstress in Paris. I guess that’s pushing the envelope; where are summer jobs flipping burgers for kids in high school or grad students working their way through college? No, there has to be domestic employment or our children will grow up spoiled beyond measure.


We’re not rich beyond belief; a good percentage of Americans actually have to earn a living. Unfortunately our government has created an unfavorable business environment on our own soil and has driven jobs away by the thousands, many which involve the creation of tangible products which now are made over seas. In the month of July alone over 600 newly imposed mandates were implemented which make it that much harder for businesses to operate. Pro-domestic employment is indispensable. (That’s 2 for the Tea Party)


Stronger Military Is Essential


Until recently the United States was considered the world’s super power; that is until “we” (read that any way you like; but it still comes out the same) decided to relinquish the title and become a spineless jelly fish adrift in an ocean of sharks. The singular most important job which We the People have given our government is to safeguard our God given inalienable rights from those who would seek to do us harm. Having the strongest military possible is essential to inflict mortal damage on a grand scale or simply have the ability to do so; it matters not. Our enemies are forced to consider the consequences as long as we remain strong. (If you’re keeping score, that’s 3 for the Tea Party)


Special Interests Eliminated


That could be interpreted any number of ways; let’s just say the wording is a bit vague. Our Declaration of Independence did a wonderful job of expressing the sentiment:


“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,”


That means no matter how much influence a lobbyist uses to sway our elected representatives, our God given inalienable rights can never be voted away in favor of special projects intended to enrich a small segment of society at the expense of others. Somewhere along the way elected representatives have misplaced their allegiance along with their integrity in favor of “filthy lucre”; they’ve sold their souls for a few pieces of silver. It is not unreasonable to expect and even demand people of character and integrity to represent us. (That’s 4 for the Tea Party)


Gun Ownership Is Sacred


The 2nd Amendment listed in the Bill of Rights to our Constitution defines one of our inalienable God given rights, the right to own and bear arms. While this singular right has often been argued as to its exact meaning and scope; our Supreme Court recently made it evidently clear that the right to own and bear arms is an Individual right and may not be restricted other than in the case of mental instability or other such invalidations. Whether or not a person believes in God or an all powerful deity is of little importance; the “natural right” to defend life and property existed prior to the formation of any government. (Five for the Tea Party and counting)


Government Must Be Downsized


How big should government be, perhaps I should alter that; how big should our federal government be? The answer; only as big as necessary to accomplish the tasks assigned to it through our Constitution; not one iota more. Government works best at its smallest level, being close enough to those who must abide by its rules, regulations and laws. It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to explain this principle; however the folks in Washington would have us believe “they know better”. They know better than the individual what formula blend of gasoline we should use, what kind of light bulb to read by and which toilet paper is environmentally friendly; bluntly put, they are mistaken. A goodly portion of the laws enacted stand at variance to our Constitution, having usurped powers never intended and certainly at odds with God given individual rights. Government must be downsized in order to comply with the will of the governed. (Six for the Tea Party and I’ve yet to break stride)


National Budget Must Be Balanced


Why is this concept difficult to accept? As individuals we must adhere to this rule; why should government be exempt from eternal laws? We can only spend that which we are able to cover through actual income; either with a cash and carry system or within reasonable expectation of future earnings such as would be necessary to make a car payments or mortgage over an extended yet established and finite time period. The idea of placing future generations in bondage for our reckless spending is deplorable and immoral.


Likewise, it is immoral to expect one group of citizens to carry the burdens of others through disproportionate taxing systems intent of depriving some individuals the fruits of their labors while rewarding other individuals who have not. Being a citizen requires effort and our government has violated the trust of its citizenry by promising rewards and entitlements to undeserving members of society in such unrealistic amounts as to bankrupt even the wealthiest among us.


“Though the people support the Government, the Government should not support the people.” - Democrat President Grover Cleveland


Spending must be restrained and brought within reasonable limits even if it means cutting social programs which many among us have taken for granted. Social Security, Medicare and other entitlements are in violation of moral concepts and we as a people turned a blind eye from their inception. Socialism is not compatible with our constitutional republic. The welfare of our citizenry should be taken care of at the local level by means other than government such as private donation or church funds.


Redistribution of wealth through taxation is nothing more than government authorized theft and cannot be compared with charitable donations intended to help the less fortunate or those in desperate need. Balancing the budge would be much less trouble if it were not for special interests and entitlement spending; but that limitation on government “taxes” reason for those looking for Utopian castles in the sky. ( That’s 7 time, for a Dr Pepper)


Deficit Spending Will End


Deficit spending has been covered in the previous section; however, there’s a great article worth reading, an interview with Milton Friedman .


“In the long run government will spend whatever the tax system will raise, plus as much more as it can get away with. That’s what history tells us, I think. So my view has always been: cut taxes on any occasion, for any reason, in any way, that’s politically feasible. That’s the only way to keep down the size of government.” (Eight for the Tea Party)


Bail-Out And Stimulus Plans Are Illegal


If Congress would stick to limits placed upon it by our Constitution it wouldn’t have to explain why it was involved in “Crony Capitalism”, favoring one business over another, or businesses “too big to fail”. The free market capitalistic system which has served our country has been, forgive the common expression, “basterdized” to the point where it’s hard to tell if it isn’t closer to pure socialism than capitalism. Government is strictly forbidden from playing favorites and yet that is exactly what is going on; paying off political “debts” with favorable trade arrangements.


The use of taxpayer money is a stewardship which requires people of integrity and character. Sadly it is the disposition of all men that when they obtain a little power they tend to use that power unrighteously. It is not unreasonable for We the People to expect or even demand our government commit to following limits placed upon it by our Constitution. (That’s 9 and still counting)


Reduce Personal Income Taxes A Must


Personal income taxes have been used to redistribute wealth ever since it was forced upon the public. The purpose of a “graduated tax” was to level the playing field so to speak; the rich wouldn’t mind helping out in a disproportionate manner since the poor didn’t have the means to accomplish grand projects proposed for our national infrastructure. Beyond being immoral, the graduated income tax has become a tool used to deprive earned income from successful individuals as if exceptionalism were some sort of sin, “You make too much compared to others so we will relieve you of what others rightfully would have if you hadn’t stolen it to begin with.” Isn’t that a nice way of putting it?


Regardless of wealth redistribution, natural laws of productivity kick in at some magical point. It becomes counter productive to work if the government is going to take it all anyway; better to take a vacation than work.


Ronald Reagan explained this thought process when he was a member of the Actor’s Guild. Any money he made after a certain amount was taxed at such a high rate as to make him want to sit out the rest of the year and not make any movies once the “target” level had been reached. The same holds true for wage earners or those simply raking in money from their investments; if the government is going to take it all; why bother extending or stretching to reach your highest potential? (Ten and I haven’t stuttered once, not even once)


Reduce Business Income Taxes Are Mandatory


The idea of taxing business only adds to the cost of doing business. The cost of doing business is always passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. In actuality, by taxing businesses, individuals at every level of earning capacity are paying higher taxes. This is a hidden tax which hurts the lowest income levels of our society more so than any other tax. (Moving right along, that was 11)


Political Offices Available To Average Citizens


I have mixed feeling on this particular point; not that my opinion is so important. Those who represent We the People are going to be tempted by special interest groups and lobbyists at every turn. The “average citizen” might not with stand the temptations offered whereas a person of established means might not.


In the movie, A Man For All Seasons, there was a scene on the river where a boatman had been hired to taxi Sir Thomas Moore, played by Paul Scofield, to his residence. He held for display, to an up and coming young man, a silver pitcher given by a lobbyist to sway his opinion. Our hero tossed it in the river, recognizing it for what it was, a poorly fashioned bribe. The boatman retrieved the “prize” as it broke the water’s surface, before it was lost forever; as it was worth a considerable sum, then as it would be now.


With the power to legislate also come temptations, often more than the average person might be prepared to resist through self discipline, which certainly isn’t being taught in our public schools; that was the lesson Sir Thomas Moore wanted understood. Have we learned it; I think not.


So it is with our elected representatives. I fear the “average citizen”, if there can be such a moniker placed on humans, the average citizen in our day has not been sufficiently taught to resist temptation. Even so, the financially elite among us, those who are currently serving have ignored Sir Thomas Moore’s council and seek monetary incentives at every turn; I could be mistaken on this issue. (The Tea Party movement is built upon “average citizens” who represent a goodly portion of We the People; admittedly, I may be a bit short sighted on this one)


Intrusive Government Stopped


This topic has been covered throughout all the above subsections. If our elected government officers and representatives would adhere to Constitutional limitations placed upon them the Tea Party movement wouldn’t have to remind them of their back sliding ways. God given individual rights are not to be toyed with. (Not too many left, are you with me so far?)


English As Core Language Is Required


English is the language of the United States of America, all others are fine when individual citizens are within the confines of their homes or businesses. The idea of America having to be “diversified” is a ploy used by progressives to undermine the unifying Spirit requisite for a successful society. Pandering to each and every minority defeats the purpose of our great Experiment, an experiment which requires our several states to agree on certain basic elements; English as our language is part of our foundation. Those who come here seeking the blessings offered need to learn English so they can be assimilated and become We the People; anything less is destructive of these purposes. (Almost done, hang in there)


Traditional Family Values Are Encouraged


Our country was founded on Christian principles as set forth in the Bible. I know, that catches in the craw of progressives and those claiming otherwise. None the less, our originating documents are the result of wise men specifically brought forth at precisely the right moment to establish a nation which would honor our Creator and gain His stamp of approval on our founding documents and form of government.


The family is the single most important unit of government and the teachings which proceed from within the walls of our individual homes determine the quality of our lives. The family unit has come under attack by those who recognize this fact. There is a concerted effort to destroy the foundations of America, the family unit is at the top of the list. We are in a war, the same war which started before the Earth was formed; a war between the forces of good and evil.


For America to survive its citizens must develop good character and integrity, the same qualities which the Lord would have His children cultivate and which just happen to be taught best at the family level. Is it any wonder those who wish to destroy America also want the Ten Commandments removed from public view, falsely claim that our Constitution has placed a wall of separation between religion and government or that prayer has no place in open society? The family unit stands in the way of total collapse of our nation and those who follow the Father of Lies, even Satan, know this.


I do not apologize for depending on my faith or the teachings of morality gained in my youth as my parents drilled these lessons into my stubborn spirit. I acknowledge my belief in God the Eternal Father and in His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer as having set aside this nation to be a beacon unto the world for all that is right and proper. I acknowledge the Constitution as the law of the land. It is not unreasonable to demand elected representatives confine their actions to those specifically outlined within that essential document.


Two hundred years ago the core beliefs shared by today’s Tea Party activists were dominant among a goodly portion of We the People. It is my hope that a strong majority of my fellow citizens continue to hold these truths to be self evident. I rest my case.


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

Sticks, Stones and Dehumanization - History Repeats

Have you noticed the left’s marginalization of conservative values, more specifically folks who align themselves with the Tea Party movement? Glenn Beck touched on it during his radio show the other day; focusing on a disgusting name calling explosion which aired on MSNBC .


“Well Martin Bashir really went all out on this one. He brought a guest on who called Tea Party members aliens, cannibals, addicts and more – plus he said that if they don’t get their (…) what they want they will end up in a “Norway” situation!”


{…}


“Many of the Tea Party people, they are some of the most responsible among us. These are people that have paid taxes their whole life. They have run businesses their whole life. They have done the right thing. They have never broken the law. They have never taken a handout. They have paid charity. They have tried to be decent law abiding citizens. And now what they are saying is, we will pay the price as well. We understand. But it’s best for our country and our children’s freedom to do it. That’s a psychosis? That’s nirvana? No, nirvana, nirvana is some socialist communist utopia that never happens. It always ends, can I even say poorly or is that the understatement of the entire universe?” Glenn said.”


During the radio broadcast a history lesson was given, a reminder of a time, not too long ago, when an unpopular group of people were similarly branded as less than human; part of an agenda to have them eventually eradicated. Yes; the reference was to the Jews during the build up of public resentment and ridicule which marked the extermination of millions of people during the Holocaust.


People in high places are calling Tea Partiers a variety of names, none of them too flattering. From an article by Brian Faughnan , House Democrat Leaders: Tea Partiers Are Racist, Nazi, Gun Nuts, something the more than pliant news media is happy to broadcast steadily.


‘“This initiative is funded by the high end; we call it AstroTurf, it’s not really a grass-roots movement. It’s AstroTurf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class,” Pelosi said.


Other House Democratic leaders took a different tack: One senior aide has been circulating a document to the media that debunks the effort as one driven by corporate lobbyists and attended by neo-Nazis...


In addition, the tea parties are “not really all about average citizens,” the document continues, saying neo-Nazis, militias, secessionists and racists are attending them. The tea parties are also not peaceful, since reporters in Cincinnati had to seek “police protection” during one of the events, it states.”


Nancy Pelosi, while speaking at Tufts University in Massachusetts back in April gave some advice to the “other side of the isle”; but if you read between the lines the information is more telling about the old guard Republicans than perhaps they would like us to know.


“To my Republican friends: take back your party. So that it doesn’t matter so much who wins the election, because we have shared values about the education of our children, the growth of our economy, how we defend our country, our security and civil liberties, how we respect our seniors.”


This is the same (old guard) Republican Party which advocated larger government through No Child Left Behind, the same (old guard) Republican Party that caved over the “debt ceiling crisis” and agreed to add to the national debt rather than act responsibly. They promised to cut spending, eventually; except the spending cuts would happen so far down the line as to be a pipe dream which only the dimmest of light bulbs might accept as plausible.


Pelosi wants everyone to know how dangerous the Tea Party movement is to the rest of us. Tea Partiers are to be blamed for nearly taking the country over the cliff, defaulting on our monthly payments to those who’ve been dumb enough to lend us several trillion dollars more than we could ever pay back in several life times; but we can at least put together enough to pay the interest due. Tea Partiers are to blame for Obama considering a hold on Social Security payments to our elderly. Tea Partiers are to blame for our troops not getting paid as well; but only if Obama decides not to pay them.


John Kerry is following the play book as well, speaking on August 4th , Tea Partiers are hostage takers with guns:


“There is a small group that has the ability in the last days to hold the entire country and our economy hostage and were willing to literally shoot the hostage,” said Senator Kerry.


The Democratic U.S Senator from Massachusetts slammed the tea party for equating compromise to a “form of treason” and bringing the country to the brink of default by blocking efforts in Washington to raise the federal debt ceiling “that would have guaranteed a financial crisis more severe than anything since the Great Depression.”’


In yet another assault on Tea Party members within the Republican Party, as reported by Jonathan Allen and John Bresnahan at the Politico :


“Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) called it a “Satan sandwich,” and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) called seemed to enjoy the heat analogy, saying: “the Tea Partiers and the GOP have made their slash and burn lunacy clear, and while I do not love this compromise, my vote is a hose to stop the burning. The arsonists must be stopped.”


It wouldn’t be fair to leave our Joe Bidden, Vice President and heir to the Presidency. Joe must not be taking his lithium; but it’s fun to listen when he babbles on, even if he denies having said it during the Democrat Caucus this past Monday.


“We have negotiated with terrorists,” an angry (Rep Mike) Doyle (D-Pa) said, according to sources in the room. “This small group of terrorists have made it impossible to spend any money.”


Biden, driven by his Democratic allies’ misgivings about the debt-limit deal, responded: “They have acted like terrorists.”


Do you see how this matches the template used by the propaganda machine in pre WWII Germany? The Jews were to blame for the poor economy, the Jews were to blame for unemployment, the Jews were to blame; get rid of the Jews and Germany will once again be able to stand proud.


Tea Partiers are to blame for all the ills of our broken nation. If only the Tea Partiers would shut up; better yet, go away! Isn’t that the message being sent?


“Sticks and stones may break my bones; but words can never harm me”; a particle of truth in the popular saying when we were in grade school. The cold hard fact of it, there’s a purpose behind attacking the Tea Party movement. The ideas of our founders must be eradicated from public discourse regardless of the methods used. Those who support constitutional restraints on government, responsible spending and a balanced budget must be marginalized and their influence on society removed in order for the statist Utopia promised by Hope and Change to come about.


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

…is good for the gander

I like colloquial sayings; used to have a picture with the most common phrases in the bathroom. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”, not one of my favorites; but you get the idea.


A line which wasn’t on the list; but easily could have been, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander”. Who’d have guessed there would be an entire page on Google dedicated to explaining this ancient saying?


The only reason the subject came to mind was the recent debt ceiling crisis talks in Washington. Devin Dwyer, writing for ABC World News wrote an article explaining how Obama wants both sides to “pull off the band-aid”, something which is often quite painful.


“Obama has endorsed a “balanced approach” to deficit reduction that would trim close to $4 trillion over the next decade through a mix of spending cuts -- including changes to some entitlement programs -- and tax increases for wealthier Americans and corporations.”


The problem, at least the way I see it, has to do with what folks in Washington call a “balanced approach”. They show up at the public trough and fill their pockets while at the same time destroying the livelihood of the very people who pay those tax dollars and then tell us there isn’t enough money; we have to spend more money to get out of debt and increase taxes on the filthy rich. I’ve yet to figure out how spending more money we don’t have will…kind of like a short sheeted bed isn’t it?


Statistics are fun to play with because they have so many ways of being interpreted. Looking up the median income for working Americans proved more difficult than expected so the numbers included here are those shown are from a 2003 Wikipedia compilation . The figures listed can easily be projected to present day since, according to the information supplied; these numbers have not changed significantly in decades.


“While the median household income has increased 30% since 1990, it has increased only slightly when considering inflation. In 1990, the median household income was $30,056 or $44,603 in 2003 dollars. While personal income has remained relatively stagnant over the past few decades…” (Subliminal message to sheeple, ignore that word inflation, printing money is good, long term debt is healthy…)


Family income for 50% of American households ran between $45K and $47K. The next major bracket was for those making between $50K and $75K; only 18% of the total families. In other words roughly 70% of all America working families make less than $75K; this data does not take into account the recession which put unemployment over 9% after the Obama administration took charge of the economy.


When Obama said he wanted a “balanced approach” to fixing the budget nothing was mentioned about cutting payroll to the elite among us, our federal workers. An article by Dennis Cauchon in USA Today pointed out the fact that public sector jobs tend to pay almost 20% better than private sector jobs requiring the same job skills.


‘“The data flip the conventional wisdom on its head,” says Cato Institute budget analyst Chris Edwards, a critic of federal pay policy. “Federal workers make substantially more than private workers, not less, in addition to having a large advantage in benefits.”’


The real elite class, our elected representatives, make at least twice the median income of most Americans who are paying their salaries. We actually pay these folks to muck up the budget, to tell us we need to sacrifice more. Our president said we need to “pull off the band-aid” and suck it in. Well isn’t that special.


“The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.” This does not even mention automatic pay raises and side benefits such as tax payer funded staffing which greatly increase the cost of government.


I have an idea; let’s take the federal budget down by 20% starting the first Monday of September, that’s Labor Day for those not looking at a calendar. All federal employees, regardless of position, longevity or pay grade will take an automatic 20% reduction. This won’t hurt nearly as much as being out of work like 9% of Americans unemployed during this recession; come on “rip off that band-aid”!


The EPA has gone out of its way to destroy the coal and petrochemical industry through draconian policies and the EPA is only one of many government bureaucracies. Not only are we paying elitist bureaucrats excessive salaries compared to the median income of most American families; their agenda would seem to run counter to helping the economy recover and I’ve said nothing about how they’ve trampled on individual liberties. Enough!


How about a substantial reduction in salaries paid to elected representatives? These folks are more than willing for average Americans to sacrifice in order to “right the ship”. Why should they be exempted; after all, “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander”!


This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.