Romney's Latest blunder...24 years in the making

Romney abused his dog in 1983 by strapping it in a kennel onto the roof of the car... for a 12 hour trip. When his children complained about the "brown run-off" coming down the back window, Mitt pulled over to find that the dog was in so much distress that he had crapped all over himself w/diarrhea... Mitt hosed him down and kept going for the road trip.

His response was that the dog learned to like it, and in time began trying to get onto the roof for road trips...

I don't know... He looked like a dog abuser, but I just couldn't place it before...

Reminds me of National Lampoons Family Vacation: "Poor little guy probably kept up with you for a mile or two..."

What is most important to you: Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution?

In an attempt to better understand the way that we citizens view the role of government and the role of a citizen of the United States, I have (over)simplified my analysis into one simple question:

What founding document do you hold nearest to your heart: The Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the United States?

As such, I plan to use this same concept/question in my CNN/YouTube video question to the Republican Candidates for the September 23rd debate.

Perhaps I should explain why this question matters to me... and should to you.

One who holds the Constitution closer to his heart puts more of an emphasis on the structure of government, the necessity of government, and the hope that a government can exist as a part of the citizenry. All good things.

One who holds the Declaration of Independence closer to his heart, as a government official, tends to have a fear of the "Overbearing" government, and as such, understands that it is the citizenry who rules the government... not the other way around. Again... good things.

The difference between the two, in my oversimplified analysis, is that a government official who fears the people legislates with a lighter touch than one who envisions that the government, as an entity separate from the citizenry, rules the people.

I, for one, in the spirit of Patrick Henry (give me liberty or give me death) agree that there should be less power in the federal government, and as such, live and die by the D.O.I. - a general "Up Yours" to a government that does not represent the people

Have I oversimplified? If so, let me know... Which document do you hold dearest... and how do you perceive the difference between the two?

Let's See if Bush Gets the Message THIS Time

The Senate is 16 votes short of pushing the immigration/amnesty reform bill down the throats of the citizens.

Perhaps, but not likely, the President will get the message that an overwhelming majority of the citizens would prefer us to secure the border first, before we start doling out mini-US-flags and social security cards to millions of illegals...

Sorry Bush... the people have spoken, and the representative (sic) government has listened... again. Your open-borders legacy will have to take a back seat.

What are the bets on Bush-McCain-Kennedy trying a third time? I am hoping that this embarrassing defeat will make that third attempt a "long shot"...

God Bless!

Ooh Baby, baby, it's a wild world!

Reading the headline news stories today on Reuters had really got me thinking... what a crazy world this is in which we all live... Let me tell you what I saw:

• Hugo Chavez says that he wants to rule Venezuela for life, while in the more civilized UK the Prime Minister Tony Blair has stepped down, handing his Powers to Gordon Brown (another very Pro-American).
• Peaceful North Korea has allowed inspectors back into their nuclear facilities, while simultaniously firing a short range missile towards Japan as part of a "defense" test... (of course Japan has not had an army capable of offensive attacks since WWII)
• Iranians are rioting over high gas prices and fuel rationing. Their $0.38/gallon gas prices are outrageous... (no wonder they are lighting gas stations on fire in protest... 38 cents... that is unheard of! Power to the People!... wait... did I say cents??? Ummm... I'll take 38 cents/gallon gas! Pretty Pretty Please!)
• Waring nations Pakistan and India are left helping one another in a search for survivors as the region is hit with catastrophic early floods. (So it looks like it is alright to kill one another, but as soon as Nature steps in, all bets are off... time to save lives!)

Ultimately, what I am saying here is that the headlines did not make sense to me this morning... I am sure that they are always as jumbled as this, but today it struck me as odd...

I Threw Up In My Mouth, Just A Little

I was reading through some political news, and it hit me... Everyone is counting on a Clinton/Obama ticket in 2008... what, O Dear God, would we do about this ==>

Can you imagine? Clinton, the "War Moderate" catering to the "Independents"... and Pelosi, the "Moonbat Lefty" catering to the base liberals/socialists...

Not that Clinton is Moderate by ANY means...

And not that the ticket would be strong... but it popped into my head, and I think I threw up a little in my mouth!

6 Year Old Boy Outsmarts Taliban, Saves US Soldiers

A glimmer of hope, as a 6 year old boy heads to the Afghanistan security forces to help defuse a suicide vest... the vest, being given to him by the Taliban, who told him that he should get close to a US soldier and push the button... you will see the vest will become full of flowers.

The 6 year old boy has saved the lives of a number of US soldiers due to his act of bravery. Not only is he a true hero, but he has removed one more terrorist bomb from the street.

If only more 6 year olds were as street smart as this child... or perhaps my wish SHOULD be that 6 year olds should never have to survive by picking scrap metal from junk yards, and should never have to live in the middle of a holy war.

What a wonderful day for the world... and what a wonderful child!

God Bless...

Congress at 14% - the House FINALLY Makes Good Move

I blinked and something happened... let's see if the rest of the Government will follow suit.

The House of Representatives has ACTUALLY acted on behalf of the American people... And I am shocked... it has ONLY taken 6 years for this to take place...

Let me preface this by saying that similar bills have passed, but with so many loopholes that it was like a floodgate, and Bush (our Super hero/villain - circle one) has vetoed time and again...

GET TO THE POINT ALREADY...

The House has passed a bill stopping all aid to Saudi Arabia because they are a government who has done nothing little to stop the support of terrorism from their country. In fact, Osama bin Laden is Saudi Royalty the son of a billionaire who has pull with the Royals (and OBL is exiled), and the 9/11 Hijackers were overwhelmingly Saudi... The people of the kingdom of Saud have been preaching hate and terror against the US for YEARS... and now we are finally, FINALLY taking some strong actions...

To most likely be vetoed AGAIN by our super-villain (?)

Well... with 14% approval rating, there is at least SOME hope that they are listening... very faint, and slow to action... but some hope...

The future of harvesting, and an end to the Immigration debate?

My favorite line to use in just about any conversation: "We can rebuild him... we have the technology" - of course in reference to the $6Million Man...

In this case, "We can replace the illegal immigrants doing the jobs that 'no American' wants... we have the technology"

Well, almost.

A great article I ran across about the farm industry funding research into optical robotics for machine-harvesters... thus eliminating the need for groups of people in the field picking the fruit/vegies... There is a novel idea... if "No American" wants the job, build a machine to do it for you!

If this technology is perfected, how would THAT shape the debates? Oh that is right... most likely, by then, the illegals will be legal, and won't take the low paying jobs... welfare (which they will be eligible for) will pay more!

Clinton, Boxer: Let's Squash Conservative Talk Radio

An interesting snippet of an article...

What we are witnessing is an increased "reigning in" of conservative free speech... I love where this is going... freedom to discuss issues, freedom to protest government, freedom to express dissenting views... oh wait, scratch that last one if you are a conservative... in fact, conservatives, scratch ALL those on the list...

According to the Liberal Leaders in Congress, the Conservatives' ability to freely discuss issues is NOT protected by the first ammendment.

Listen very carefully... Yes, I am talking to you Moonbats Clinton and Boxer... You are lighting the fuse to a powderkeg if you start telling me what I can and cannot say, or think, or wish, or dream... keep your hands off my thoughts, keep your hands off my ability to speak freely.

This is why socialism is a BAD idea... much like the Soviet Socialist Republic... where the government will review each broadcast, and provide scripts for broadcasters prior to anything being aired... take control of the presses, and eliminate any dissenting opinion... fascism at it's best... 1984?????

The point is, The more liberties that are snatched up by our government, the more we become slaves to the new master... a beast of a government, from who's grip there is little hope of escaping. Let us all hope that the time for action is not too late, and that the raging river of the overbearing government can still be turned back, leaving us with the liberties and freedoms that our founders fought for so long ago.

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We
are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that
siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged
in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the
numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the
things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever
anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the
worst, and to provide for it." - Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

For now, the most we can hope for is a complete sweep of congress... doing away with a senate and legislature that rivals the Late Roman Empire for corruption...

Beware the thought police... and God Bless!

"Get To Know Mike Huckabee" Day

I hereby declare, on behalf of the Huckabee blogging community, that July 4th, 2007 is "Get to know Mike Huckabee" day. Watch the video to learn more:




You can use this text as part of the issues pamphlet, or visit ExploreHuckabee.com to get the issues yourself:

Mike Huckabee on the Issues:

Education and the Arts:
• I believe that every child in America has the right to a quality public education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy.
• Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable – I believe they are essential. I want to provide every child these “Weapons of Mass Instruction.”
• Our future economy depends on a creative generation.
• We need to judge the success of our schools by the results we obtain, not the revenue we spend.
• Test scores rose dramatically when I was Governor of Arkansas because of my education reforms.
• I have been a strong, consistent supporter of the rights of parents to home school their children, of creating more charter schools, and of public school choice.
• We need a clear distinction between federal and state roles in education. While there is value in the “No Child Left Behind” law’s effort to set high standards, states must be allowed to develop their own benchmarks.

Energy Independence:
• The first thing I will do as President is send Congress my comprehensive plan for energy independence. We will achieve energy independence by the end of my second term.
• Achieving energy independence is vital to achieving success both in the war on terror and in globalization. Energy independence will help guarantee both our safety and our prosperity.
• We have to explore, we have to conserve, and we have to pursue all avenues of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar, hydrogen, clean coal, bio-diesel, and biomass.

Taxes:
• I support the FairTax.
• As Governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380 million. I left a surplus of nearly $850 million, which I urged should go back to the people.
• Our massive deficit is not due to Americans’ being under-taxed, but to the government’s over-spending.
• To control spending, I believe the President should have the line-item veto.
• I believe in free trade, but it has to be fair trade.
• Globalization, done right, done fairly, can be the equivalent of a big pay raise by allowing us to buy things more cheaply.

Immigration:
• My number one priority is to secure America's border.
• We have to know who is coming into our country, where they are going, and why they are here. We need a fence along our border with Mexico, electronic in some places, and more highly-trained border agents.
• Those who are caught trying to enter illegally must be detained, processed, and deported.
• Illegal immigrants already living among us who commit crimes must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and incarcerated or deported.
• We must get our border under control before we deal with the illegal immigrants who are already here.
• I am opposed to amnesty - I believe that those who came here years ago and are law-abiding taxpayers must pay a significant fine as admission of their guilt and have a choice of deportation or a rigorous process toward legal status.

National Security/Foreign Policy: Iraq / Israel
• I support a regional summit so that Iraq’s neighbors become militarily and financially committed to stabilizing Iraq.
• Our troops are giving their all to provide a window of opportunity for the Iraq government to succeed
• I am a steadfast supporter of Israel, our staunch ally in the War on Terror, the only fully-functioning democracy in the Middle East, and our greatest friend in that region.
The United States must remain true to its long-standing commitment to the Israeli people
As President, I will always ensure that Israel has access to the technology she needs to defend herself from those who seek her annihilation.
• I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy.
• The top priority of the President as Commander in Chief is first and foremost protecting our own citizens.
• With a focus on renewed diplomacy and inclusion, we can accomplish the goals of our nation without having to go it alone.
• During the Cold War, we had hawks and doves, but this new war requires us to be a phoenix, rising reborn to meet each new challenge and seize each new opportunity.
• As President, I will fight this war hard, but I will also fight it smart, using all our political, economic, diplomatic, and intelligence weapons as well as our military might.
• The terrorists train in small, scattered groups. We can accomplish a great deal with swift, surgical air strikes and commando raids by our elite units.
• We have to get tough with President Musharaff who has allowed Al Qaeda and the Taliban to have bases in Waziristan.
• We don’t have a dog in the fight between Sunnis and Shiites – our enemy is Islamic extremism in all its guises.
• The long-term solution is to empower moderates in the region by attacking the underlying conditions that breed terror.
• Part of winning the war on terror is achieving energy independence.
• I believe in the Powell Doctrine of using overwhelming force to accomplish a mission.
• I have the executive and crisis management experience, the judgment and the temperament to be an effective commander in chief.
I will expand the army and increase the defense budget.

You can use these images, or go to Mike Huckabee's official Myspace page for higher resolution versions... or make something yourself...

Remember, 100 pamphlets... or 1 hour... Hit the parades, the markets, the fireworks shows, the BBQs, church picnics... anything... Putting that flier in someone's hand, looking them straight in the eyes and saying, "You need to see this guy"... wow... it is a powerful message!

Nepotism, and the 23% approval rating in congress

Really, I have nothing more to add... this article really says it all:

Both Republicans and Democrats in power are corrupt...

Unfortunately the masses are too lazy, too ignorant, or too focused on "the win" to make a change... so we get our 23% approval rated legislature...

Enjoy!

RINOs Exposed

Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg! Thank you for your honesty with your true political leanings. Thank you for coming clean that you really had no parallel with the Conservative Republican platform. And thank you for leaving the party!

The reason why I am thanking Bloomberg is that he left the Republican party, and has become a registered Independent (or unaffiliated) politician, stating that:

"Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my
affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our
city..."

In other words, his anti-marriage, anti-gun, pro-abortion, pro-immigration stance never really jived with the GOP platform, and he had to leave...

Mr Bloomberg, you may think that you are shaking things up in the Republican party... I say farewell and best of luck to you... oh, can you take McCain, the new liberal President Bush, Rudy, and the other RINOs with you?

Which brings me to another point... if a liberal RINO does (by some chance) get the presidential nomination for the 2008 race (i.e. Rudy), I think I will have to leave the party myself.

You may understand my frustration... but if the "conservative" platform becomes more and more liberal by selecting more liberal heads of the party, we may as well combine the two party system into one large party. I refuse to be part of the "NEW Bull Moose party", or join the march for socialism in the United States!

Gaffe after Gaffe, and no MSM outrage?!?

Presidential candidate Barack Obama made a HUGE political gaffe that is, well, racist! In regards to Hillary Clinton focusing a lot of energy and money on courting the Indian vote (not to be confused with Native American)...

Obama's campaign circulated a memo criticizing Clinton's campaign for it's ties to the above mentioned community, and labelled Hillary as "Clinton (D-Punjab)"

Where do I begin with this one?

Firstly, how can you be a uniter in leading this country if you feel that another "race" is not worthy of political attention?

Secondly, when does race-bating stop, ESPECIALLY in a presidential campaign?

Finally, where is the MSM outrage on this issue? Had it been the same memo from the Rudy camp... HOLY CRAP! NY Times, LA Times, etc... Front page news... leading every hour's headline news...

Double standards of the MSM aside, it is a gaffe such as this that makes me firmly believe that Obama is not ready to lead the free world.

My suggestion - a public apology to the outraged Indian-American community, and perhaps some sort of rehab stint? All the big time "slips" seem to just need some rehab.

Let's grow up Mr. Obama...

Why Islam is Dangerous

The more that I hear groups like CAIR and the Nation of Islam trying to convince me that they advocate for a religion of peace, I am intrigued by the daily reminders to the contrary.

In this case, the British crown has knighted an author who was at one point allegedly insulted Islam... (for which the Muslim leadership (Ayatollah) issued a fatwa calling for the author's death). And now there are protests in Pakistan calling for his death again, and for attacks (including suicide) against British interests...

So let me understand this:

*writing a book that "allegedly" insults you is cause for the author's
death... no judge or jury. No trial... just a slimy little man calling for
minions to carry out murder from the comforts of his home.

*The knighting of someone who has been "sentenced" to death by the
religion of peace is a call to arms for all suicide bombers around the
world?

Sounds peaceful enough... where do I sign up?

On second thought, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE! You are propagating violence and murder on a catastrophic level because some guy WROTE A BOOK. Or because some guy DREW A CARTOON. Are you frigging kidding me?

The groups listed above have a catchy little phrase used to throw at those of us who make statements about Islam... "You are just afraid because you don't understand it"...

Hey, Geniuses in the Religion of Peace: Try understanding that there are those of us who have a different opinion, and instead of fearfully calling for our killing, try understanding a different point of view.

I would like for ONE, JUST ONE Muslim leader to come out and try to calm the rhetoric, and calls for killing, and jihad talk... and I don't mean here on the safe streets of the USA... I mean in downtown Tehran, Baghdad, Islamabad, Cairo, Istanbul... I dare you!!! Then, and ONLY then will I consider that ANYONE can TRULY believe that Islam is a religion of peace.

How Bush Could Ruin (or save) the 2008 Elections

One word: Iraq

According to a CNN poll, 51% of Americans said that Iraq was going to be "extremely important" when they make their decision for the next president.

43% think healthcare issues are extremely important...

Trickling off after that are economy, terrorism, Social Security, education, etc.

So how is it, you ask, that Bush can ruin the 2008 elections? The answer is simple: Not fixing the mess in Iraq. Bush has about a year to make some MAJOR headway in Iraq, layout a political plan, get other Middle Eastern neighbors involved in securing the region, and be firm with (but PLEASE dont invade) Iran.

It is imperitive that the Democratic candidatates NOT be elected into the White House in 2008... for so many social, economical, and even American unity reasons...

I am not advocating an anti-war message... What I AM advocating is an anti-screw-up message.

I have my fingers crossed... Bush, fix this mess!

What is the main issue that will decide YOUR vote in 2008? Vote here.

Schwarzenegger on target, Hispanic Journalists in left field

English immersion... what a novel concept in learning English as a second language. In fact, anyone learning a new language is bettered by immersion in that language, as it is proven to hasten the process.

So why all the fuss?

"You've got to turn off the Spanish television set and stay away from
Spanish-language television, books and newspapers... You're just forced to speak
English, and that just makes you learn the language faster...I know this sounds
odd and this is the politically incorrect thing to say and I'm going to get
myself in trouble, but I know that when I came to this country, I very rarely
spoke German to anyone."

This was said to a group of hispanic journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists... who of course were outraged:

"I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so
naive and out of it that he would say something like that," Alex Nogales,
president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, "[Illegal] immigrants need Spanish language media to stay informed and function in this society"

Function in THIS society... what society is that? The English based Amercian society, or the sub-society that the pro-illegal racketeers are attempting to create across our great nation? And naive? I think that Mr Nogalas is naive in thinking that anyone coming to this country would not be bettered by learning english, let alone using english as their primary language.


One reporter went so far as to chuckle at the idea, stating that [illegal] immigrants were "too busy working" to learn english... are you friggin kidding me?


So this is how I understand the current situation. There is a sub-class in this country, and those who appear to be FOR them, however, their constant shunning of english-based America is working to maintain this sub-class, or immigration class. Perhaps in hopes that the un-educated masses will, as their numbers grow, rise up and create their own society... in effect "winning" back a land lost in wars and trade hundreds of years ago... And who will be in charge of this new society? Most likely an educated, english / spanish speaking individual, with the ability to easily influence the uninformed mob to better his own situation... aka JUST ABOUT EVERY LATIN AMERICAN REGIME!!!!



Step one in controlling the masses is to keep them uneducated... Well done NAHJ... well done!



For everyone else:



God Bless...

The cost of a senator's vote

$4.4 Billion

I wonder, is that the cost of funding border agents who cannot do their jobs for fear of prosecution, the cost of sending National Guardsmen to the border who are aiding in smuggling illegals into the country, or the cost for a white picket fence that is nowhere near the maximum security fence that is required to stop the bleeding at the border?????

$4.4 Billion... If the Senate crumbles on this "compromise" then there really is no-one left who stands on their convictions....

Fences need not apply... build a friggin WALL!

Fixing the Middle East

World news... filling the front pages with images of violence, terror, religious unrest. But for what? To what end?

In Ireland, Christian is pitted against Christian. In Asia and the Middle East you find Muslims fighting one another (and everyone else). Africa is home to genocide of biblical proportions...

Try as we may, we (the powers that be) will never be successful in "fixing" the problems caused by religious indifference if we (the people of this planet) do not fully understand how it is that we are all connected.

The three main world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have a common beginning... the Patriarchs, none of which belonged to one of the "big three". Noah, Abraham, Moses, they are more than names in a religious text... they are the tie that binds the world together. They were normal men, entrusted with the word of God, and made to be left as a reminder for when the world is lost.

These men did not belong to a church, they did not have religious texts... they were upright men, and in their time that made all the difference.

So in a world full of strife, pain, and torment... instead of world leaders demanding compromise, demanding revenge, or otherwise leading their followers along the same path, they should demand that each and every person on this planet look into their own hearts, asking themselves, "are my decisions upright?" If the inhabitants of the world took personal responsibility for the tears, sweat, and blood of every other member of our planet... well, that would be divine...

God Bless...

Where's the Outrage?

Each and every day I am so very thankful that we are one day closer to January 20th, 2009. For those of you not in the know, that is the day that we will inaugurate the next president of the United States, and hopefully let the healing begin.

I have held out for a very long time, but finally it is all starting to get to me, a long time and avid Bush supporter!

Now, the administration has gone too far. My disdain began with the attempted "push through" of the new immigration bill, which by the strong outcry by ACTUAL citizens, the Senate could not move to vote (45 of 60 needed votes to start the voting process)... but Bush, c'mon... give this bill a rest! Now Bush is stepping up pressure on Senators in the GOP to push this bill through. And he has received a response:

"Bush is wrong to push this piece of legislation so hard after we've
demonstrated the flaws that are in it. He needs to BACK OFF!"

Senator Jeff Sessions (R - Alabama) - Good boy! You get a gold star for the day! Send Bush the message that the Senate and the House represent the citizens, and he needs to keep his poor lame duck bills to himself.

And has ANYONE looked into the new Presidential Directive 51? I caught wind of this yesterday, and am still looking into it... but the long and short of it is that Bush has issued an Executive Directive that allows him to take control of all branches of government, federal and local, and to have full control of radio, press, commerce, free markets, etc. in the case of a "catastrophe". There was a similar directive on the books, but it required the approval of the Congress... now... it is at his own discretion...

Mr. Bush... Don't Tread On Me!

God Bless...

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!

What is the role of "Government"

It is quite often referred to as a separate entity: "The government is taxing us to death", or "I don't agree with the government". But what ever happened to the "We the People" mentality that formed this great Union? Why is it that the founders, who envisioned an independent nation of free men, are being left to the history books, being replaced by the "common understanding" of the overbearing government.

In fact, this is the very situation that led the founding fathers to cast off the tyranny and form a "more perfect union".

I am not saying that GW is the "king", and we are his minions... what I am saying is that the separation of the people and the government is the danger that leads a state to revolution, as was the case some 231 years ago. The government was SO out of touch with the people, that they cast off the government and decided to govern themselves. We are at a point now where we have to decide: Do we want to govern ourselves, or be governed?

Let's take a look at some historical views of the government, and it's role... perhaps to better understand how we got here...

George Washington, in his farewell address:

The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.

George Washington so eloquently spoke of the love of freedom, and with the blood of freedom so fresh on the ground, to always remember the freedom from tyranny, and to be jealous with the ability to self govern. He declared that all men should fight for the control of the government, and revere our form of government, as freedom of man is the ultimate goal of life...

James Monroe (5th President) in his inaugural address:

Such, then, is the happy Government under which we live--a Government adequate to every purpose for which the social compact is formed; a Government elective in all its branches, under which every citizen may by his merit obtain the highest trust recognized by the Constitution; which contains within it no cause of discord, none to put at variance one portion of the community with another; a Government which protects every citizen in the full enjoyment of his rights, and is able to protect the nation against injustice from foreign powers.

President Monroe, an anti-Federalist, and one of the fathers of the Republican party, believed that the role of the government was to uphold the constitution - that the rights and liberty of the people should be upheld, that the people should be protected from enemies (foreign and domestic), and that the role of the government should not be separated from the action of the people - thus adhering to a limited form of existence.

Thomas Jefferson's original version of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created
equal & independent , that from that equal creation they derive rights
inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles & organising its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety & happiness.

Jefferson was so adamant that the government was only to exist at the consent of the people, and NOT to exist as a purpose to rule.

Now let's look at more modern views of government...

The role of government had been pretty much as intended by the founding fathers... limited involvement into the lives of the citizens, with expected involvement from the citizens into the dealings of the government. It wasn't perfect, as history showed (Civil War, Manifest Destiny, etc). But there was a turning point in our history where the role of government became less "By the People" and more "For the People"...

Franklin D. Roosevelt at a speech in Boston in 1932:

We have two problems: first, to meet the immediate distress; second, to
build up on a basis of permanent employment. As to immediate relief, the first
principle is that this nation, this national government, if you like, owes a
positive duty that no citizen shall be permitted to starve. In addition to
providing emergency relief, the Federal Government should and must provide
temporary work wherever that is possible. You and I know that in the national
forests, on flood prevention, and on the development of waterway projects that
have already been authorized and planned but not yet executed, tens of
thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of our unemployed citizens can be
given at least temporary employment.

Roosevelt enacted his "New Deal" legislation that put the government in the authoritative role that we see it as today. Granted, his ideas were necessary in a way that the the US needed to think and care for it's citizens, but he left the door open to corruption and "overstepping" of government as a separate entity into the affairs of the individual... believing that it is the DUTY of the government to intervene and help whenever it sees fit.

Right up to the politicians of today, this idea of government involvement has grown like a weed:

Hilary Clinton in a comment made May 29th, 2007:

Fairness doesn't just happen. It requires the right government policies.

2nd Circuit Court of Appeals - a report from Rick Scarborough:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, sitting in New York, just
issued a ruling which would hamstring the FCC's efforts to keep the worst
obscenity off the airwaves, if it's allowed to stand.

So now we are looking at a government that is separated from the people, that does not trust or allow the individuals to determine "fairness", and is refusing to protect the youngest and most vulnerable citizens from the worst form of obscenity.

So I ask you... what IS the role of the government? Do we need the government to give us policies dictating our rights and liberties? Do we support a government that no longer protects the citizens? Does the government represent the will of the people, or does the government rule with (in the words of Thomas Jefferson) an "act of force, and not of right"?

And I ask you this... Are the "media favorite" candidates upholding your belief in the role of government, or are they simply more of the same?

As a citizen of the United States, the greatest nation of free men, what role will you play in repairing the United States? and do you want to live in a country where liberty or government prevails?

God Bless

Polling and the 2008 Presidential Race

I would like to first thank my friends at the Huckabee '08 blog for alerting me to this article. Please check their blog for a complete Arkansas based analysis of the results and possible race.

The Rasmussen Reports polls have FINALLY conducted a Huckabee poll, pitting him against Clinton, Obama, and Edwards for 2008. The results? Clinton holds only a single digit lead (Clinton 48% / Huckabee 43%). What this means is that Clinton, who most likely holds the lead on name recognition alone, is within reach of this up and coming candidate. Obama and Edwards were polling higher than Clinton against all candidates in this 800 voter study, 47% of which declared that they definitely would not vote for Hillary. That leave a 10% undecided on the Clinton/Huckabee poll. How to get that 10%? Let Mike talk about education, arts in education, and taxes... and stop ONLY asking him about his religious views in the debates! Enough already - the man is a level headed Christian. Move On!

Regarding the Iowa Straw Polls - WOW... what a choice for the slipping top tier candidates!

Giuliani and McCain have both decided to not participate in the Ames Iowa Straw Poll, and for good reason: Romney is expected to beat them both. A Romney win in those polls would be a BIG hit to their campaign, and a trump for Romney. So what should we expect to see? With Fred Thompson also not participating, we should see a Romney lead with a great showing of support for the other candidates, namely Huckabee!

"No candidate has skipped the straw poll and gone on to win the caucuses in the past 30 years..."
The Ames poll is a huge benchmark test for the nomination, measuring the organization ability and strength of the campaigns, and the fact that two of the "top three" are declining to participate because of an expected poor showing is disappointing. I say, if you are in it to win it, let's see what the PEOPLE think! I mean, honestly, NYTimes polling can only get you so far... Leave it in the hands of the voters, and let's see what the NEW direction of the party is going to be.

One thing that I have been saying for some time now, the "Top Candidates" want nothing more than to maintain the status quo. We need to put some spin on this story and expose the "Top Candidates" for what they are... beatable!

Lightning Strikes, but No Major Sparks Fly

The highlight of the GOP debates: God silences Giuliani during his defense of his abortion stance, after being compared to Pontius Pilate (in reference to the crucifixion of Christ where Pilate did not agree, but did nothing to stop the act). The building (or immediate area) was struck several times with lightning, cutting power to his microphone. Better yet, he acknowledged God's presence by saying that he was afraid of the timing of the strikes, and all the other candidates moved away, as if to let God do his dirty work. So for those of you who believe in coincidence only and not God, what were the odds of that???

Other than that, my take of the evening was pretty bland from the top tier.

McCain is a broken record... I understand the philosophy of staying on message, but you don't have to repeat the same phrase over and over. It is like listening to an elderly man who's memory is starting to go, so he tells the same story over and again!

Romney came off as the flip-flopping Republican version of 2004 John Kerry. As I recall, he was even called a flip-flopper by one of the audience members during the Q&A portion of the night. Not a good sign, Romney... And his response: I'll do what I have to do to get the votes... ummm, what? so instead of standing on your principles you will lie, cheat, and steal to get the votes... In the words of Trump, "You're Fired!"

And I think that Brownback got it right, when he told the audience that the party cannot be considered a conservative party if they nominate someone who is as socially liberal as Giuliani. There is moderate, and then there is a Liberal on the Republican ticket...

So other than McCain fumbling, Romney defending his flip-flops, and Giuliani defending his very liberal social issues, there was nothing helping the "head of the pack" candidates... i.e. their attempt to maintain the status quo (hmmm... sounds familiar - see my post about the Democratic debate).

What WAS amazing were the "others". Huckabee came across as the witty and confident underdog that he is, with great answers to open ended questions about the greatest moral issues in America today... and wonderfully, the rest of the field followed... In fact, whenever Huckabee spoke on any topic, the rest of the candidates seemed to try and build off of Huckabee's intelligent remarks, perhaps hoping that the audience will think that they came up with the thought... It was a series of great moments for Huckabee.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Republican Party has “lost credibility” said former
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee when he was asked what happened to his party during the 2006 midterm elections, when the GOP was swept from power in
Congress.
“We didn’t do what we were hired to do and the people fired us,”
Huckabee said at Tuesday’s Republican presidential debate.
Citing the Bush administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina, corruption scandals involving GOP lawmakers and other issues, Huckabee said, “The Republican Party as a whole deserved to get beat. "We’ve lost credibility.”

And that is why Huckabee is the guy to fix the party... he stands for honest conservative values!

Paul is getting further and further out into left field... He has some very good moments, but all in all, he is OUT THERE!

Brownback did a good job in re-emphasizing the diplomatic solution to Iraq. Everything else was pretty forgettable from him.

And the rest... well, a few good moments surrounded by blandness.

I would score it as a Huckabee win overall, with the top tier candidates starting to lose steam.

Angry, Dark, and No Surprises

Political analysts Bill Schneider, James Carville, and J.C. Watts (all from CNN) have dubbed the 2nd Democratic Presidential debate as Angry, Dark, and without any surprises.

From Bill Richardson's bumbling to John Edwards' rant about Obama and Clinton not doing more to voice their discontent with the Iraq War, the debate seemed to be more of the same. The frontrunners are attempting to maintain their lead by keeping the status quo, while the tier two candidates are attacking them to get the headlines.

“They went quietly to the floor of the Senate, cast the right vote — but there is a difference between leadership and legislators,” Edwards said at the Democratic presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. And Edwards is right. The two frontrunners are wavering on their "message". If you are against the war, come out strong against it... stand for something, instead of hiding behind a silent vote. If you want to be the next president, you MUST have substance... and this goes for candidates on both sides of the aisle!

In all, the debate and the candidates seem to be lacking two things: Content and a Message.

Biden and Edwards came out on top. But in all, the feel was that the Democratic field of candidates are angry, dark, and lacking a clear message - none of which make a good candidate to lead our country.

We need to hold our leaders to a higher standard.

So my message to the Democratic Leadership - Lose the anger! Try running a positive campaign where you attempt, however slightly, to rise to the higher ground. Challenge not just your opponents, but yourself, to clearly state their stance on the issues and use that stance to reach out to the people in a positive manner.

If you cannot, you are not fit to lead this great nation!


God Bless!