Commentary for my Liberal Readers

I recently had a discussion regarding a previous post, with a dear friend who took exception to the wording of my post. A message to my friend, first, thanks for reading my thoughts and opinions of world affairs, and for continuing the discussion and debate. It is this communication that betters the world in which we live, enabling multiple ideals to meet at a common goal (and hopefully a common good). Secondly, this post is for you...

I am going to spell out my feelings on certain issues very plainly, so there is no confusion:

• I am against amnesty for illegal immigrants who come to a free land and disgrace the very institution and sanctity of that freedom. I am very much against anyone who supports race-based and ignorant movements like La Raza, who believe that they are entitled to that which they did not earn, solely based on ethnicity / skin color / primary language. These are violent and vulgar establishments that I equate with hate groups like the KKK, Radical Islam, etc. They have no place in a free society, and work only to tear down a free and just society. Anyone, ANYONE, who supports these movements will find a very harsh word from me in person and in writing on this blog.
  


• I whole-heartedly support the existence of a Jewish Nation in Israel. The Islamic movement to destroy a nation based on religion is a movement that will surely perpetuate war for all of time. The land is Holy to all religions, and all religions are allowed to freely worship in Israel. There was a time where that was not so. The existence of Israel is the existence of sanity in the Chaos of the Middle East. There is no place in a just world for radical religions. Anyone who disagrees will have much to debate with me in person and via this blog.
  


• I firmly believe in the founding principles... There is a moral compass that guided the US into existence. I right to be free, granted not by government, but by the Creator of nature... whomever you believe that to be. Every Man, Woman, and Child (including the unborn) have a Natural Right to Life, Liberty, and the PURSUIT of Happiness... We all deserve to live. We all deserve to live freely, free from Tyranny. And we all deserve the right to follow our dreams, our ambitions, as long as we do not hinder the rights of others. The existence of socialized programs run by governments and funded by increasingly high taxes is a direct threat to the Pursuit of Happiness... it is attempting to re-write the pursuit into the "RIGHT of Happiness". This leads me to Marxism....
  


• I am adamantly against the Marxist belief of "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need". In a principle of charity, I believe that this is a great compass... but when this is the government agenda, you lose your rights to choose happiness... instead you are obligated by the government to help... Forced Charity, if you will...
  


• I strongly support gun ownership. I believe that the first line of defense is the self, and the first line of societal protection is the armed citizen. What hope do we have if we cannot, in the least, defend our very right to Life? Guns are more than a means with which to hunt. Guns are the extension of the will to remain free. The very existence of the Bill of Rights is protected by the 2nd amendment... without it, the others seem to fade with time.
  


• And I believe in honest and even debate. I will surely admit that I am being attacked when a debate begins by my having to defend my very belonging to a political party, or to an ideology. Attacking an individual's belief system is the very core of bashing... and is used, successfully, by those (IMHO) on the left to keep the debate off of the topic, and more on the opponent attempting to prove negatives... It should be known that I am a conservative. Don't question my reasoning for being a conservative... rather, let's discuss the issues... you offer your opinions and facts, and I will do likewise... let us then meet somewhere in between with a common understanding, and we both leave as better individuals... better thinkers!

So to my friend... Your comments, your thoughts, your feelings... they are all welcome... Just know that in the world of political debate the temperatures can run red hot... especially when venting after an attack... ummm... I mean a debate... And know that I always try to reply... I live for the debate... as we all should! I take nothing on the issues personally... unless it is made personal... then what choice do I have?

Thank you for reading! You are a dear friend!

Let's Talk Domestic Issues

Today's issue has to do with four domestic issues that are getting very little discussion time in the Presidential debates. So I did some research on the issues, and have graded 10 candidates, 5 Republicans, 5 Democratics based on my proposed solutions in each category. Please visit OnTheIssues.org for yourself to find more information.


TAXES:
Across the board, citizens believe that they are taxed too much with an often confusing set of tax laws, seemingly set up to confuse them into paying more than their necessary share. Even John Kerry has said, "[When citizens] have to hire another party to prepare their returns, something is not right". Poll after poll nationwide, over the last 4 years, have shown taht nearly all citizens agree that the legislators should focus on spending restraint rather than raising taxes to address budget shortages.

Solution: Presidential candidates should promise to reduce government spending across the board, eliminate dead federal programs, cut beauracracies in the federal government, and cut taxes or support a simpler tax structure for the citizen.

EDUCATION:
When asked about the key problems with the education system, most will repsond "Funding". But it can be shown that a large percent of each stat'es budget goes solely to education. (Federal funding is less tahn 5%, but currently state's are responsible for their own education funding). The problem with funding is NOT the amount, rather the USE of the money. When so much money stalls iat the administration level, never making it to the classroom or to special education programs, therein lies the problem. As well, there is a problem with the structure of authoritiy in schools. Once upon a time, the teacher ruled the classroom... but this is less and less acurate. Teachers are losing authority, and thusly respect, in the classroom which leads to an increase in classroom disruptions.

Solution: Presidential candidates should have a solid track record on education, and the political will to enact sweeping education reform. They should support a financial restructure, as well as reforming the education system with a sweeping Educators Authority Reform.

HEALTHCARE:
Most concerns about healthcare come from high prices of basic care or lack of affordable insurance. Healthcare, I beleive, is a basic right...BUT I beleive that HEALTH is a personal responsibility. The US spends 17% of the GDP on healthcare, where the highest European country spends is no more than 11%. If we reduce our NEED for excessive healthcare, thus reducing the spending across the board to the European levels, the US could afford to pay off the entire national debt in less than 5 years. How do we accomplish this? By taking personal responsibility in your health.Lose the unhelathy weight, get regular exercise, eat healthier, and be healthier! As a society, we need to turn off the TV and turn on the walkman (or iPod), turn off the video games and pick up a frisbee... stop looking to the healthcare system as a reactive helath plan, rather start looking to yourself for a proactive helath plan.

Solution: A presidential candidate must recognize the need for better health across the board, not just reactive health care. They must support healthy living reforms that focus on personal health.

ENERGY:
Rising gas prices, electricity costs, pollution, war... it is all too much! Energy independence has been a talking point for over 30 years, yet no effective or drastic changes have been made. Great Job Lobbyists! You have one-upped us once again! And look where you have gotten us... cars are no more fuel efficient than my mid 80's Toyota (I get about 38mpg), and we are no closer to independence.

Solution: The presidential candidate MUST come out strong on energy independence! We need a sweeping and radical energy plan that will take the money out of the middle east, out of big oil, and clean up the mess the world has gotten itself into. Secondly, we need to take a more personal approach by changing our own habits...Flourescent bulbs, push mowers, adjusting the thermostat a bit...

And now, how do the candidates compare on these issues? You may be very surpised! Remember that I am grading based on these issues alone, with no prejudices based on political leanings or other involvements.

You will see that the positions of the main candidates serves to maintain the current condition, with very little drastic change.

To get anything ACTUALLY accomplished in the next 4-8 years, it is essential that we look to leaders who have sweeping reform plans, across the board. At this point we should be throwing our support behind candidates who have the big ideas, not the big names.

Remember, don't just for change, vote for positive change!

God Bless!