Romney's Good Ideas and Free Stuff for Votes

If the worst thing about the presidential election process is the un-ending and ceaseless barrage of campaign commercials, the second worst thing has got to be the weeks of Monday morning quarterbacking that go on after the election ends.

With today seeing the first White House press conference since summer, of course there was talk of the election, and how Our Great Leader, HRH Barack Hussein Obama, (Peace Be Upon Him) feels about Gov. Mitt Romney.  And then for some reason (probably to show they were covering both sides) our liberal media decided to share the contents of a conference call that Gov. Romney had with his top supporters.

HRH Obama, in his press conference today, said, "my hope is before the end of the year, though, that we have a chance to sit down and talk.  There are certain aspects of Gov. Romney's record and his ideas that I think would be very helpful."  This an absolutely amazing turnaround. During the campaign, Gov. Romney had no good ideas according to the Obama campaign.  In fact, it was Gov. Romney, who said he agreed with the President on some issues, particularly in the realm of foreign relations, and was blasted for it in the press.

Of course, with the President being so "bipartisan" and "magnanimous" the mainstream media could not resist participating in their favorite sport; spinning comments so Republicans look bad.

Gov. Romney commented during a "post-election conference call" with major donors, that some of the policies enacted by the administration appeared like "gifts" to help win young minority and low income voters.  From the New York Times:

“In each case they were very generous in what they gave to those groups,” Mr. Romney said.

“With regards to the young people, for instance, a forgiveness of college loan interest, was a big gift,” he said. “Free contraceptives were very big with young college-aged women. And then, finally, Obamacare also made a difference for them, because as you know, anybody now 26 years of age and younger was now going to be part of their parents’ plan, and that was a big gift to young people. They turned out in large numbers, a larger share in this election even than in 2008.”

Even the voters saw these policies and "gifts" as a reason to keep Obama in office.  A prime example of this was the YouTube video of the woman saying, vote for Obama because he gave us Obama phones and Romney will take them away.

At the GOP convention people like Sen. Rubio, Sen. Martinez, and Sen. Rice were showcased.  They all shared the same story.  They came from very humble and sometimes poor beginnings, but they worked hard, overcame adversity and made themselves into successes.

But prosperity that involves hard work is frowned upon by the left.  The left says, we will take care of you.  The government will fix your problems.  Besides, it's not your fault.  It's the rich guys fault.  We need to get at him and hit him in the wallet.  Vote for us so you can keep getting government handouts--like free healthcare, free cell phones, free Internet. Vote for us to "get revenge."

All this really shows is that Alexis de Tocqueville was right:

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years.” 

If you offer someone YOUR cash for their vote, it is called "bribery".  If you offer someone OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY (TAX DOLLARS) for their vote, it is called "public policy."

Romney's Good Ideas and Free Stuff for Votes

Going Viral- The Secession Petitions and the White House

I seriously doubt that when someone in the current administration thought of creating a place on the White House website for people to create a short petition, gather signatures and have the Administration respond, they ever dreamed that there would be petitions from the citizens of 42 of the 50 states, asking to leave the Union.  As of 7:00 pm (MST) there was a petition visible on the "We The People" page of the White House website for every State in the Union except Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Washington.

As a bit of background,  the "We The People" page allows people age 13 and over with a valid email address to create a petition (with at title no longer than 120 characters and text no longer than 800 characters) and post that petition for anyone with an account at the "We The People" site.

The "rules" of the site are fairly simple. After you create your petition, the site will assign a web address to the petition and provide it to you.   You can then send the link to your petition to anyone you like.  People may then go to your petition, click on the "sign this petition" button, and then they are presented with a link and additional buttons to share the petition by Twitter or Facebook.  After the petition gets 150 "signatures" the petition can be found by searching the "We The People" site.  Until the 150 signature threshold, the only way anyone will know about the petition is to be sent the direct link.   The petition has 30 days to receive 25,000 signatures.   If the petition receives 25,000 signatures within 30 days, the petition will be presented to a member of the White House Staff, and an Official Response will be posted by the White House (unless by doing so, there is a violation of law).

The Louisiana Petition was the first to be posted on November 7.  The petition is as follows:

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Peacefully grant the State of Louisiana to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government.

As the founding fathers of the United States of America made clear in the Declaration of Independence in 1776:
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." 

"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and institute new Government..."

For the most part, the petitions for other States basically say the same thing, with the name of the State replaced.   And no, none of these petitions are binding, and the ONLY outcome that MIGHT result from the petitions, is that some person in the administration of  Our Great Leader, HRH Barack Hussein Obama (Peace Be Upon Him), might provide a polite response.

There are those that will say these petitions are just a waist of time--  except, they are a "message" to the White House of how unhappy people are.

And no, none of these petitions will result in a State being able to secede. To secede, Arizona, for example, would require acts of both Houses, the Governor, and likely a popular vote of the people to amend the Arizona Constitution-  and beyond that, there are the implications of Amendment 14, Section 3 of the Constitution.   Robert E. Lee was stripped of his rights under the 14th Amendment-  His rights were restored by a 2/3 vote of the Congress-- in 1976 (yes nineteen seventy six).

I do not believe that ANYONE takes these "petitions" seriously- as far as anything "happening" or a state actually being able to secede because of the petitions.  What those that are signing this petitions are really wanting is an HONEST, FRANK AND OPEN RESPONSE from the White House (not just something written by an intern who just got clearance to work in the White House yesterday).

I also think that people have found a way to vent their anger at the "government in general"-- the White House and the Congress.   People want to feel like they are heard, and these "petitions" are a good- maybe even healthy- way to express an opinion and "believe" that a White House staff member may actually look at the "petition."

Too many times, people feel that there is no way to communicate to their government on an individual level-- hence the popularity of the Town Halls.  People feel that unless you are a Lobbyist with a truck load of cash- or a person who can donate the "Federal maximum" to a campaign-- a member of the "Party Elite" (name the party-it is on both sides)-- or a member of the media- their voice, their opinions, their ideas do not matter- that no one will see or hear what they have to say.   This "viral movement" has given people a chance to feel like they can 'get the attention' of someone in power- and they are getting on Facebook and Twitter and telling their friends, and encouraging them to sign up and "click" to express their opinion.

However, deep down inside, I don't believe that more than a handful of people think that clicking on a button on a web site will have effect on the governing or laws of this nation.  IF people actually DO believe these petitions ARE going to result in secession, I believe that would actually be convinced it is time "education reform"-  starting with the curriculum for US History and US Government...

SECESSION PETITIONS  AND SIGNATURES AS OF 19:00 MST 11/13/2012

150 Signatures Required to View/25,000 in 30 Days for White House Response

(Some states have more than one petition. State names are to the petition with the highest number of signatures as of the time of this report.  No petition listed is more than 6 days old)

Texas	87,761		Nevada	7,553
Louisiana	31,376		Wyoming	6,066
Florida	26,588		Delaware	5,819
Georgia	25,310		Utah	5,755
Alabama	24,448		Kansas	5,264
Tennessee	23,757		Alaska	5,208
North Carolina	23,384		West Virginia	4,483
South Carolina	18,157		Nebraska	4,354
Arkansas	17,432		Virginia	4,195
Colorado	16,728		South Dakota	3,906
Arizona	15,691		Wisconsin	3,057
Indiana	15,671		Idaho	2,202
Michigan	15,063		New Hampshire	2,143
Missouri	14,834		Illinois	2,133
Kentucky	14,450		Rhode Island	2,067
Mississippi	14,272		Minnesota	1,408
Oklahoma	13,889		New Mexico	981
New York	12,310		Connecticut	0
Oregon	11,720		Hawaii	0
New Jersey	11,204		Iowa	0
Montana	10,775		Maine	0
Pennsylvania	9,596		Maryland	0
North Dakota	9,563		Massachusetts	0
California	8,591		Vermont	0
Ohio	7,811		Washington	0

Going Viral- The Secession Petitions and the White House

Eastwood on Obama

Eastwood on Obama

First Thoughts on the Obama Care Ruling

Like most I am still trying to decide exactly how I feel about the Supreme Court's ruling this morning in "National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius" also known as the Obama Care ruling.

I've downloaded the Court's opinion and am in the process of reading and digesting it.

While on the surface it appears to some, especially those on the liberal side of the aisle, that this was a defeat for the GOP.  It may not have been.

Of primary import is the fact that nothing galvanizes conservatives like a Supreme Court ruling that does not go their way. While the ruling upheld what was previously called an individual mandate, it's important to note that the Court ruled that this is an individual tax not a mandate. It is also important to note that the Chief Justice in his opinion limited the application of the Commerce Clause.

Further the Court held that the government cannot coerce States into an enormous expansion of Medicare. If the states choose not to expand Medicare then that would force those that are above the poverty level but without insurance into government pools. This could potentially put a large burden on the Federal Government financially.

This ruling also paints the Obama administration into a corner. If they brag about their health care ruling, then they have to admit that this is the largest tax increase in the history of the United States certainly if not the history of modern civilization. They swore they would not raise taxes on the middle class or the poor and yet the Court has ruled today that they did.

I'm also looking at the dissent from Justice Kennedy. It is been reported, but not widely, that there are some very interesting "errors" in the wording of the dissent. The dissent appears to read like a majority opinion. Further the dissent is reported to refer in places to a dissent that no longer exists begging the question was this dissent actually the majority opinion at one point? Did Chief Justice Roberts originally vote to strike the entire law? If so why did the Chief Justice change his vote?

The final opinion handed down by the Court today is 193 pages long and I have certainly not finished reading it yet. Rest assured when I do I will have more here.

First Thoughts on the Obama Care Ruling

Fast and Furious- The Holder Contempt Vote

Tomorrow will be a huge day with the Supreme Court announcing the ruling on Obama Care and its Tax Hikes and the Holder Contempt vote for his decision to defy Congress's lawful subpoena asking for documents regarding the testimony Holder gave to Congress stating "No one knew anything about Fast and Furious"-- which he then retracted in a letter about 9 months later.

Unfortunately, based on the recent history of Our Great Leader, HRH Barak I, (Peace be upon him) in going around Congress on immigration, defying the Courts in the ruling on SB1070, and his stated goal of "not waiting" for the Congress and acting on his own, I STRONGLY SUSPECT, that shortly after the House cites Holder for Contempt, His Imperial Majesty Barack Hussein Obama, will just issue a pardon for Eric Holder, stating this was all a Republican witch hunt and then say something to the effect "well, President Ford issued a pardon for Nixon,"  Fast and Furious was the same thing as what President Bush did (Operation Wide Receiver), and Congress should sit down and shut up.  He will also go back to the "Executive Privilege" claim.

ICE Agent Jamie Zapata

On the claim of Executive Privilege- my first response to Executive Privilege is sorry-- the President has stated he knew NOTHING about  Fast and Furious- How can there be Presidential Communication about something he knew nothing about?

My second response Executive Privilege?   Sorry--  United States. v. Nixon 418 US 683 (1974) states executive privilege does not cover criminal activity.  Congress is investigating Criminal Activity and there is evidence already that "high levels" of the administration of Our Great Leader, HRH Barack I (Peace be Upon Him), knew of and were briefed on Fast and Furious- despite denials of the Administration.

On "its the same thing Bush did"-- There are MAJOR differences between Wide Receiver and Fast and Furious. Operation Wide Receiver was run by BATFE by placing RFID markers in gun stocks and following straw purchasers and arresting them.   Wide Receiver was ended when Justice found problems with the RFID markers AND Wide Receiver was conducted in COOPERATION with the Mexican government.   In contrast, Fast and Furious was run WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE of Mexico and included few if any RFID markers.  Wide Receiver covered 275 guns-- Fast and Furious, OVER 2000!

On "this is a Republican Witch Hunt"--Unfortunately, the facts and the record seem to get in the way of the denials and the cover up.  Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, a member of the Appropriations Committee, requested a $30 Million increase for the Justice Department for the parent of Fast and Furious, Operation Gunrunner.  The appropriation request was made in March of 2009- with Fast and Furious beginning less than six months later. How could a Congressman know about money needed for a Justice Department operation, unless he had been briefed on the operation and asked to appropriate the money?  Or are we saying the Congressman just made the whole thing up as some place to park $30 million?

Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry

On March 12, 2010 Gary Grindler, Attorney General Holder's current Chief of Staff, attended a meeting on Fast and Furious where he wrote on his notes "multiple long rifle sales," "Fast and Furious," and notes about long gun reporting and multiple weapons sales.  He also wrote "seizures in Mexico"-- but remember, the Justice Department said they knew nothing of Fast and Furious.
The list of these events goes on and on.

Why care?  Because the reason for Fast and Furious was simple- If American's are outraged about Guns from Arizona going to Mexico, they would support a renewal of the Assault Weapon's Ban.   This was the stated goal of Eric Holder as early as 2009.

On "Ford pardoned Nixon"-- No one died from the Watergate break in.

Lest we forget, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed on December 15, 2010, by guns purchased in January 2010 through Fast and Furious, allowed to leave Phoenix, cross the border, and show up in the hands of drug traffickers. 

Lest we also forget ICE Agent Jamie Zapata was killed in February 2011, also with guns from Fast and Furious.
Lest we also forget, hundreds of others are estimated to have been killed directly from Fast and Furious.

But of course, Our Great Leader is probably right--  this is all nothing and just a distraction...

Fast and Furious- The Holder Contempt Vote

Talk About Unreasonable

It never ceases to amaze me at how there seems to be a sense of "entitlement" among some in the Public sector.   This time it is the teacher's union's in Chicago- demanding a 29% pay increase over the next two years and refusing to consider changing the length of the school day (Chicago has the shortest school day in the nation).

To be fair- there are some teachers who do not get paid enough. I will gladly concede that point.  But 29%???

As long as I am taking a shot at the Democrat's sacred cow, I will attempt to "confuse the issue" with FACTS.

• The average Public School Teacher makes $49,630 according to US Government Data for working about 186 school days a year- Or $266 per day.  The average Registered Nurse in the US makes $65,932 for working 260 days a year- Or only $253 per day-- (As a point of full disclosure, I did attend a private grade school, but I was taught that $266 per day is GREATER THAN $253 per day).

• According to 2010 US Government data there were 49,266,000 students in Public Schools (K-12).  We, the Citizens of the United States, spend $593,061,181,000 on public education, again according to US Government Data.   $593 Billion divided by 49 Million students equals over $11,000 spent PER STUDENT PER YEAR for Public Education-- Or at 20 kids per classroom, that’s $220K per classroom spent.

• The Median Salary for a CHICAGO Teacher is already $53,639 (or $288 per day for working a 186 day school year). A 29% increase would make the median salary $69,194 (or $372 per day for working a 186 day school year)

Personally, as previously stated, I believe some teachers should be paid more.  However, a demand for a 29% increase for those already being paid far above the national average is totally unreasonable.

There are two ways that teachers take-home pay could easily be increased:

• Stop paying Union Dues (let the teacher's keep the money themselves)- of course, that would DEFINITELY decrease the money going to Democratic Candidates and the Democratic Party  the NEA.

• Get rid of the US Department of Education- keep the money in the States.  Now, I did go to a Public High School, but in my US Government class I seem to remember something about a 10th Amendment to our Constitution- and I don't seem to remember seeing ANYTHING in the Constitution about a requirement for the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to regulate education (NO- EDUCATION IS NOT PART OF THE COMMERCE CLAUSE). Of course, our Current Administration (and the George Soros owned Democratic Party) has NO regard for the Constitution- as they have shown again this week.  All they care about is re-election.

I am fine with merit pay, and I am fine with REASONABLE increases in salary-- but this is way beyond reason.

Talk About Unreasonable

Ron Paul is a NUT

I have been watching a bit of the GOP debate in Iowa. Ron Paul ACTUALLY BELIEVES it is OK for Iran to get a nuke! And Terrorist should be treated as CIVILIANS!!!

This guy is a NUT JOB!!!!

From Fox News- Ron Paul on Iranian Nukes:


(Editors note: I do not care for the politics of the person that originally posted the video on YouTube and I am looking for another source)

Another clip:

Ron Paul is a NUT

AAA Rating Lost

The Washington Post seems to be "downgrading" the downgrade.

But the question remains, if the big downgrade was going to happen anyway, why did the GOP give in to a less that what we wanted debt deal? 

Would "Cut, Cap and Balance" have saved the rating?  Who knows.   But this we do know for sure- Our Great Leader, Barack Hussein Obama, Peace Be Upon Him,  has now presided over the first credit downgrade in American History.  Was this the "change" he was talking about?  Or is he just going to blame President George W. Bush again?

AAA Rating Lost

AP Says MSNBC "Liberal"

It is something we in the general public have known for sometime, but it is nice to see the Main Stream Media finally "get it"-- MSNBC is liberal!

The Associated Press today said that MSNBC has a "liberal tilt."

When three MSNBC hosts forecast the winner of next year's presidential race, their choice isn't surprising, considering the network's liberal tilt.

But their respective certainty wasn't uniform when asked that question at an appearance before reporters on Tuesday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association.

This really should not suprise anyone (with half a brain) who has paid any attention to the "bias" of the MSM over the last few decades. What was suprising was the actual point of the story-- the [liberal] press is prediciting a 2012 election victory for Our Great Leader, Barak Hussien Obama, peace be upon him, but there was "concern" expressed in the predictions:

"Hardball" host Chris Matthews waffled, saying Obama's fate will rest largely on the economy as well as his GOP rival.

If the man who gets "a thrill going up [his] leg" is publically concerned about the re-electability of Our Great Leader, Barak Hussien Obama, peace be upon him, just imagine what they are all saying in private.

AP Says MSNBC "Liberal"