Saturday, July 23, 2011
Yes, Obama Did Actually Say This
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/07/22/obama_would_be_easier_if_i_could_do_this_entirely_on_my_own.html
Friday, July 22, 2011
Sarah Palin Speaks Out On Irresponsible Obama
This was from her Facebook page. Yes, I would be happy if she were the GOP nominee, but I think she speaks for all of us right now. This frustration with Obama comes from all of our hearts and gets to the core of his failed presidency.
Lame Duck President
.by Sarah Palin on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 10:11pm.After listening to the President’s press conference today, let’s keep in mind the following:
This is the same president who proposed an absurdly irresponsible budget that would increase our debt by trillions of dollars, and whose party failed to even put forward a budget in over 800 days! This is the same president who is pushing our country to the brink because of his reckless spending on things like the nearly trillion dollar “stimulus” boondoggle. This is the same president who ignored his own debt commission’s recommendations and demonized the voices of fiscal sanity who proposed responsible plans to reform our entitlement programs and rein in our dangerous debt trajectory. This is the same president who wanted to push through an increase in the debt ceiling that didn’t include any cuts in government spending! This is the same president who wants to slam Americans with tax hikes to cover his reckless spending, but has threatened to veto a bill proposing a balanced budget amendment. This is the same president who hasn’t put forward a responsible plan himself, but has rejected reasonable proposals that would tackle our debt. This is the same president who still refuses to understand that the American electorate rejected his big government agenda last November. As I said in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Tax Day Tea Party rally, “We don’t want it. We can’t afford it. And we are unwilling to pay for it.”
Now the President is outraged because the GOP House leadership called his bluff and ended discussions with him because they deemed him an obstruction to any real solution to the debt crisis.
He has been deemed a lame duck president. And he is angry now because he is being treated as such.
His foreign policy strategy has been described as “leading from behind.” Well, that’s his domestic policy strategy as well. Why should he be surprised that he’s been left behind in the negotiations when he’s been leading from behind on this debt crisis?
Thank you, GOP House leaders. Please don’t get wobbly on us now.
2012 can’t come soon enough
Lame Duck President
.by Sarah Palin on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 10:11pm.After listening to the President’s press conference today, let’s keep in mind the following:
This is the same president who proposed an absurdly irresponsible budget that would increase our debt by trillions of dollars, and whose party failed to even put forward a budget in over 800 days! This is the same president who is pushing our country to the brink because of his reckless spending on things like the nearly trillion dollar “stimulus” boondoggle. This is the same president who ignored his own debt commission’s recommendations and demonized the voices of fiscal sanity who proposed responsible plans to reform our entitlement programs and rein in our dangerous debt trajectory. This is the same president who wanted to push through an increase in the debt ceiling that didn’t include any cuts in government spending! This is the same president who wants to slam Americans with tax hikes to cover his reckless spending, but has threatened to veto a bill proposing a balanced budget amendment. This is the same president who hasn’t put forward a responsible plan himself, but has rejected reasonable proposals that would tackle our debt. This is the same president who still refuses to understand that the American electorate rejected his big government agenda last November. As I said in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Tax Day Tea Party rally, “We don’t want it. We can’t afford it. And we are unwilling to pay for it.”
Now the President is outraged because the GOP House leadership called his bluff and ended discussions with him because they deemed him an obstruction to any real solution to the debt crisis.
He has been deemed a lame duck president. And he is angry now because he is being treated as such.
His foreign policy strategy has been described as “leading from behind.” Well, that’s his domestic policy strategy as well. Why should he be surprised that he’s been left behind in the negotiations when he’s been leading from behind on this debt crisis?
Thank you, GOP House leaders. Please don’t get wobbly on us now.
2012 can’t come soon enough
The Two Biggest Contenders Are Not Yet In
The Republican polls mean nothing today. Romney, Cain, Bachman, these names all bounce around different polls like ping pong balls in a lotto machine. But until we know for sure about two individuals, the polls mean nothing.
Rick Perry. Sarah Palin.
These are your heavyweight contenders, even though Palin's name often gets tossed into the polls now despite not having announced.
Simply being governor of Texas makes Perry a factor. His state is prospering relative to the rest of the nation. Texas has to deal with border issues, the EPA's maniacal war on nartural resources, and has taken on the Department of Education's incompetence. He has been an effective anti-Obama.
Sarah Palin has tremendous weight and resources that have not been fully applied as of yet. No one has the name recognition of Palin, for better or worse. It is not even a question now of whether or not she will run, considering her blitz on television and motion pictures. She and Perry both have placed themselves on the moderate edge of the Tea Party/libertarian movements in that their candidacies will be palatable to traditional Republicans and the newer movements.
Palin's advantage in a general election is that she will attract "history" voters in the way Obama did in 2008. A lot of folks have no problem with a woman in the White House and will support one to be a part of history.
Once these two heavyweights jump into the fray, I predict that they will dominate the show. Both have experience and enough media savvy to hold off on their official announcements. I would say that at the end of the day, we will see Palin as nominee and Perry as the running mate.
Rick Perry. Sarah Palin.
These are your heavyweight contenders, even though Palin's name often gets tossed into the polls now despite not having announced.
Simply being governor of Texas makes Perry a factor. His state is prospering relative to the rest of the nation. Texas has to deal with border issues, the EPA's maniacal war on nartural resources, and has taken on the Department of Education's incompetence. He has been an effective anti-Obama.
Sarah Palin has tremendous weight and resources that have not been fully applied as of yet. No one has the name recognition of Palin, for better or worse. It is not even a question now of whether or not she will run, considering her blitz on television and motion pictures. She and Perry both have placed themselves on the moderate edge of the Tea Party/libertarian movements in that their candidacies will be palatable to traditional Republicans and the newer movements.
Palin's advantage in a general election is that she will attract "history" voters in the way Obama did in 2008. A lot of folks have no problem with a woman in the White House and will support one to be a part of history.
Once these two heavyweights jump into the fray, I predict that they will dominate the show. Both have experience and enough media savvy to hold off on their official announcements. I would say that at the end of the day, we will see Palin as nominee and Perry as the running mate.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Romney's "Ism" Problem Has Nothing to do With His Religion
Herman Cain this week told the Washington Times that Mitt Romney's main obstacle to the Republican nomination is his Mormon faith. Cain reasoned that southern evangelicals would hold his religion against him, even though he is a good candidate.
Cain is a good man and would make a good nominee himself. However, he is dead wrong on both Romney and southerners.
Romney's main problem is his faith in state based solutions. His signature program as governor od Massachusetts was a government health care system. In today's environment where Republicans hate big government more than they have in years, Romney really has a shaky resume. He has to emphasize free market economic solutions and play down his problematic health care past.
This is the core of my issue with Romney, as well as many Tea Partiers. It is also why the mainstream media seems to love this guy. Conservativism is different from place to place. Romney may be conservative for New England, but the South and Midwest, economically and otherwise, see him as moderate or even liberal. This is why he will not be nominated, not his religious faith.
Republicans are more focused on economic and domestic policies than in any time that I can remember. Additionally, Mormonism faces less prejudice than at any time in that faith's history, except among Christian hating liberal and leftists. They benefit from the success of the HBO show Big Love (even though that show's emphasis on polygamy does not reflect current official Mormon practice) as well as the increased prominence of Brigham Young University in collegiate athletics.
It hurts the Republican Party to continue making Mormonism an issue. They are a different brand of Christianity, but they are strong backers of the kinds of values Republicans believe in. Most Republicans would have no problem with a Mormon nominee, provided that he or she was dedicated and devoted to free markets and smaller government.
Cain is a good man and would make a good nominee himself. However, he is dead wrong on both Romney and southerners.
Romney's main problem is his faith in state based solutions. His signature program as governor od Massachusetts was a government health care system. In today's environment where Republicans hate big government more than they have in years, Romney really has a shaky resume. He has to emphasize free market economic solutions and play down his problematic health care past.
This is the core of my issue with Romney, as well as many Tea Partiers. It is also why the mainstream media seems to love this guy. Conservativism is different from place to place. Romney may be conservative for New England, but the South and Midwest, economically and otherwise, see him as moderate or even liberal. This is why he will not be nominated, not his religious faith.
Republicans are more focused on economic and domestic policies than in any time that I can remember. Additionally, Mormonism faces less prejudice than at any time in that faith's history, except among Christian hating liberal and leftists. They benefit from the success of the HBO show Big Love (even though that show's emphasis on polygamy does not reflect current official Mormon practice) as well as the increased prominence of Brigham Young University in collegiate athletics.
It hurts the Republican Party to continue making Mormonism an issue. They are a different brand of Christianity, but they are strong backers of the kinds of values Republicans believe in. Most Republicans would have no problem with a Mormon nominee, provided that he or she was dedicated and devoted to free markets and smaller government.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
U. S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez Threatened
Mexican drug cartels have threatened the United States consulate in Ciudad Juarez after the seizure of drug suspects last week. American officials are watching entry points and other facilities in Juarez, which is across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.
This comes on the heels of claims by Democrats that the threat of overflow violence from Mexico into the United States is overblown.
The threat from Mexican instability is real. Drug cartels, now armed by our own federal government in a failed operation, are a threat to Americans in Mexico and on our side of the border. Instability and violence will not respect borders that are not watched and defended vigorously.
We must focus our national security apparatus on eliminating the threats to our country and the legitimate Mexican government. We must also shut down our borders until the Mexican crisis subsides.
This comes on the heels of claims by Democrats that the threat of overflow violence from Mexico into the United States is overblown.
The threat from Mexican instability is real. Drug cartels, now armed by our own federal government in a failed operation, are a threat to Americans in Mexico and on our side of the border. Instability and violence will not respect borders that are not watched and defended vigorously.
We must focus our national security apparatus on eliminating the threats to our country and the legitimate Mexican government. We must also shut down our borders until the Mexican crisis subsides.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
180 Is a Magic Number
Legislators and others have for years now made it a paramount objective to keep children in school some how, some way, for 180 days. Few school systems actually accomplish that goal, but many people are very much focused on that number.
In West Virginia, that may be unattainable. School staff often supplement their meager incomes by taking summer jobs, so starting and ending dates are not extraordinarily flexible. Holiday vacations are pretty much set by parental requirements. People go out of town over Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving regardless of whether or not school is in session. There is also the fact that, even if you did mandate school during Thanksgiving week for example, few would show up. Often, the teachers plan little for those times anyway. Finally, the period after the mandated state testing has become an academic dead zone.
Most teachers agree that it is the quality of instruction, not the number of days in school, that matter. College students and home schooled children spend much less time in "school" such as it is, yet often seem to get more done in less time. A home schooled child can get accomplished in a few hours what public school cannot finish in a day. But then again, public school as it exists now may be an increasingly anitquated concept.
Our students do not get the bang for the bucks spent. So long as we focus on a number of days, and not what happens in those days, our education system will continue to fail.
In West Virginia, that may be unattainable. School staff often supplement their meager incomes by taking summer jobs, so starting and ending dates are not extraordinarily flexible. Holiday vacations are pretty much set by parental requirements. People go out of town over Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving regardless of whether or not school is in session. There is also the fact that, even if you did mandate school during Thanksgiving week for example, few would show up. Often, the teachers plan little for those times anyway. Finally, the period after the mandated state testing has become an academic dead zone.
Most teachers agree that it is the quality of instruction, not the number of days in school, that matter. College students and home schooled children spend much less time in "school" such as it is, yet often seem to get more done in less time. A home schooled child can get accomplished in a few hours what public school cannot finish in a day. But then again, public school as it exists now may be an increasingly anitquated concept.
Our students do not get the bang for the bucks spent. So long as we focus on a number of days, and not what happens in those days, our education system will continue to fail.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Evolution or Revolution in China Is Inevitable
Last week, Obama hosted the Dalai Llama. Once again, China huffed and puffed, saying it could harm relations between the two countries. They have more and more leverage over time, due to the fact that Obama has to periodically beg them to fund more of our debt. However, our leverage is that they cannot fully break with us without crippling their own economy.
The Dalai Llama's home region of Tibet still desires to exercise autonomy, if not break away entirely, from Chinese control. A few other areas share those goals, thus putting pressure on Beijing.
Pressure will only grow over time. China's system is nowhere near as stable as it appears. Corruption is rampant and the governemnt insists on maintaining its anachronistic dictatorship despite advances in education and individual material wealth. Almost a quarter of a century ago, we saw the yearning of their people for freedom crushed by tanks. It remains within their hearts, growing, not shrinking.
The time is ripe now for China to do as Poland did, simply hold elections and watch their Communist system fade into oblivion. Then they can truly join the free world. If they do not, then the nationalist ambitions of Tibetans and others will merge with the democratic yearnings of the middle class. They will take the freedom that the government refuses to allow.
Let us not forget that an alternative Chinese government on Taiwan exists. It is a democratic republic. The Communists have not forgotten. Its example of freedom and prosperity is yet another pressure point on that morally bankrupt regime.
China will eventually change of its own accord, or see revolution. Once violent revolution starts, it could lead towards a stable and prosperous republic, a violent fascism, or something else. In the worst case scenario, an expansionist and nationalist faction will take over and menace peaceful neighbors such as Vietnam and Japan. This would, of course, start World War III.
The Dalai Llama's home region of Tibet still desires to exercise autonomy, if not break away entirely, from Chinese control. A few other areas share those goals, thus putting pressure on Beijing.
Pressure will only grow over time. China's system is nowhere near as stable as it appears. Corruption is rampant and the governemnt insists on maintaining its anachronistic dictatorship despite advances in education and individual material wealth. Almost a quarter of a century ago, we saw the yearning of their people for freedom crushed by tanks. It remains within their hearts, growing, not shrinking.
The time is ripe now for China to do as Poland did, simply hold elections and watch their Communist system fade into oblivion. Then they can truly join the free world. If they do not, then the nationalist ambitions of Tibetans and others will merge with the democratic yearnings of the middle class. They will take the freedom that the government refuses to allow.
Let us not forget that an alternative Chinese government on Taiwan exists. It is a democratic republic. The Communists have not forgotten. Its example of freedom and prosperity is yet another pressure point on that morally bankrupt regime.
China will eventually change of its own accord, or see revolution. Once violent revolution starts, it could lead towards a stable and prosperous republic, a violent fascism, or something else. In the worst case scenario, an expansionist and nationalist faction will take over and menace peaceful neighbors such as Vietnam and Japan. This would, of course, start World War III.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Obama As King Ahab
Obama seems bound and determined to take something from the American people to pay for his programs. He will either tax it out of us now or later. Sure he says that the Republicans must "eat our peas," whatever that means. And he blames Eric Cantor in his hissy fits. But he has his costly Obamacare program that is sucking up money like a vacuum and now he needs more, more, more!
How do we like it? Not much, even though he claims that the people love his idea to tax small businesses to death. He and the Democrats also want to seize inheritances through taxation. Again, this will affect small businesses.
Obama's behavior is reminiscent of an old Bible story. Sunday is a fitting time to tell it, so here goes.
Ahab was king of Israel during the two kingdom period. This was the time for a few centuries after the death of Solomon when there was a kingdom of Israel and a kingdom of Judah. According to the Bible, this period was a particularly unholy time when oftentimes people only did what was right in their own eyes and even kings strayed from God. One such king was Ahab.
Ahab had tremendous power and wealth, but being an evil king, he always wanted more. In his kingdom, as told in I Kings 21, there lived a godly man named Naboth. Naboth owned a very productive vineyard that Ahab coveted. Ahab requested the vineyard of Naboth, offering a variety of other things in its place. This is much like Obama offering us his socialist policies if we agree to turn over our wealth.
Naboth refused, saying that the LORD forbade him to relinquish his inheritance to anyone. Ahab, like Obama, threw a hissy fit and went to bed. He refused to eat his dinner or speak to his wife, Jezebel. Jezebel scolded him, telling him that he was the king and that he would have his vineyard.
Jezebel riled up people against Naboth, saying that it was he who was ungodly. A faction of angry people found Naboth and killed him, allowing Ahab to finally get his vineyard. Needless to say, this incurred God's wrath.
In this story, we see the arrogaance of the leader who thinks he is entitled. He is willing to set part of the people against thhe other to get what he wants. The Bible tells us that Ahab is wicked and evil in his coveting of this property. Obama should consider this story.
How do we like it? Not much, even though he claims that the people love his idea to tax small businesses to death. He and the Democrats also want to seize inheritances through taxation. Again, this will affect small businesses.
Obama's behavior is reminiscent of an old Bible story. Sunday is a fitting time to tell it, so here goes.
Ahab was king of Israel during the two kingdom period. This was the time for a few centuries after the death of Solomon when there was a kingdom of Israel and a kingdom of Judah. According to the Bible, this period was a particularly unholy time when oftentimes people only did what was right in their own eyes and even kings strayed from God. One such king was Ahab.
Ahab had tremendous power and wealth, but being an evil king, he always wanted more. In his kingdom, as told in I Kings 21, there lived a godly man named Naboth. Naboth owned a very productive vineyard that Ahab coveted. Ahab requested the vineyard of Naboth, offering a variety of other things in its place. This is much like Obama offering us his socialist policies if we agree to turn over our wealth.
Naboth refused, saying that the LORD forbade him to relinquish his inheritance to anyone. Ahab, like Obama, threw a hissy fit and went to bed. He refused to eat his dinner or speak to his wife, Jezebel. Jezebel scolded him, telling him that he was the king and that he would have his vineyard.
Jezebel riled up people against Naboth, saying that it was he who was ungodly. A faction of angry people found Naboth and killed him, allowing Ahab to finally get his vineyard. Needless to say, this incurred God's wrath.
In this story, we see the arrogaance of the leader who thinks he is entitled. He is willing to set part of the people against thhe other to get what he wants. The Bible tells us that Ahab is wicked and evil in his coveting of this property. Obama should consider this story.
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