Presidential Accountability

According to many, President George W. Bush has been a failed administration for several reasons. So indeed, the American people have spoken and “Change” is finally here. Some have complained that President-elect Obama is a bloviator who would say anything to get elected. I’m not sure that’s the case. Regardless, I do believe in government accountability and certainly believe that we should hold candidates that we entrust with public office accountable.

Investor’s Business Daily has recently posted a list of some of the promises that the President-to-be made during the campaign. (http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=311212244872396) I encourage us, as the American electorate, to remind Mr. Obama of his promises and hold him accountable for them during his administration of the highest office of the land. The list is further pasted below.

Taxes

• Give a tax break to 95% of Americans.

• Restore Clinton-era tax rates on top income earners.

• “If you make under $250,000, you will not see your taxes increase by a single dime. Not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes. Nothing.”

• Dramatically simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes.

• Give American businesses a $3,000 tax credit for every job they create in the U.S.

• Eliminate capital gains taxes for small business and startup companies.

• Eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000.

• Expand the child and dependent care tax credit.

• Expand the earned income tax credit.

• Create a universal mortgage credit.

• Create a small business health tax credit.

• Provide a $500 “make work pay” tax credit to small businesses.

• Provide a $1,000 emergency energy rebate to families.

Energy

• Spend $15 billion a year on renewable sources of energy.

• Eliminate oil imports from the Middle East in 10 years.

• Increase fuel economy standards by 4% a year.

• Weatherize 1 million homes annually.

• Ensure that 10% of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012.

Environment

• Create 5 million green jobs.

• Implement a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Get 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road by 2015.

Labor

• Sign a fair pay restoration act, which would overturn the Supreme Court’s pay discrimination ruling.

• Sign into law an employee free choice act — aka card check — to make it easier for unions to organize.

• Make employers offer seven paid sick days per year.

• Increase the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2009.

National security

• Remove troops from Iraq by the summer of 2010.

• Cut spending on unproven missile defense systems.

• No more homeless veterans.

• Stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq.

• Finish the fight against Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaida terrorists.

Social Security

• Work in a “bipartisan way to preserve Social Security for future generations.”

• Impose a Social Security payroll tax on incomes above $250,000.

• Match 50% of retirement savings up to $1,000 for families earning less than $75,000.

Education

• Demand higher standards and more accountability from our teachers.

Spending

• Go through the budget, line by line, ending programs we don’t need and making the ones we do need work better and cost less.

• Slash earmarks.

Health care

• Lower health care costs for the typical family by $2,500 a year.

• Let the uninsured get the same kind of health insurance that members of Congress get.

• Stop insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most.

• Spend $10 billion over five years on health care information technology.

Congratulations to Senator Obama, and in fact, to us all….

My limited government leanings steered me clear of any chance I would vote for Senator Obama.  With statements like “Universal” this and “Universal” that and “spread the wealth around”, and that paying taxes is both “Patriotic” as well as a matter of “fairness”, it was a bad fit.  But the Cult of Personality has spoken and Obama is now “Our President” as he so eloquently promised during his victory speech.  So it is with the spirit of moving America forward that I offer my perspective on this Historic election.

The Election of Obama is the justification of everything our country was founded on and the repudiation of many of the principles that Obama himself has expressed during his campaign.  We founded this country with the promise that the opportunities would be ours’ to create and master, not the government’s to give out.  A country that became the Beacon of Liberty the world over with the promise that all were welcome, all were equal, and all had a chance to make their own way. The American Dream says that Social mobility is an expected result of the system.  Our immigration policy asked for “…your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”.  And yet we are a country still heavy with the wounds of racism and slavery; the latter of which was the clearest lapse of judgment by some of the very people who promised that “…all men are created equal”.  How important was slavery in this country?  We killed 620,000 Americans in the effort to end it while preserving our Union–a number that has yet to be matched by any other war we’ve fought in (WWII was closest with close to 420,000 Americans killed).

We have just elected by a respectable majority a man who is widely considered “black” (actually the label “African-American” truly applies here) and is, in truth, of mixed heritage…racism be damned.  He is the first generation son of an immigrant–a dubious label since his father eventually left the US to return to Kenya, but an immigrant nonetheless.  His upbringing was meager, making his rise to the top all the more of a compelling “rags-to-riches” story.  If the doubters and naysayers of modern America were right, this man never had a chance.  And yet here we are.  This election is proof of the American Dream and that it still exists for anyone who wants it.

Obama has stated on several occasions that he believes in the ideology that the poor in this country are somehow disadvantaged by outside forces they can’t control rather than their own choices and decisions and may even buy into the Marxist principle that the poor are exploited and oppressed by the rich (“the poor get poorer and the rich get richer”).  He has said that taking money from people who are successful and giving it to people who aren’t is a matter of “fairness”.  And yet his own story, even as he tells it, belies this very idea.  And if he could do it why can’t anyone?  And if they can’t do it, maybe no amount of “fairness” is going to change that situation for them.  Giving fish and feeing for a day versus teaching to fish and all that.  If he’s not an elitist, how could he not believe that others will be inspired by his example and follow it without government assistence/intervention?

Obama invoked the Founding of our country in his speech tonight.  Let’s see how well he actually understands the Founding principles going forward.

“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”
-Thomas Jefferson

Election day changes I want to see…

I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the United States wrangling over the results of our presidential election, and even suggesting that the presidency itself could be stolen by thievery at the ballot box.
-Thomas Jefferson

At this point we are better than halfway through the all-important day that we exercise our Right as Free Men (and Women) to control our governance. There is no greater power in the world where Freedom reigns than the power to cast a vote and tell those who would lead how we feel and what we think. Much will be read into the results of our voting, and much possibly misconstrued or manipulated, but consider the alternative where a elite few make all decisions based on their personal whimsy or gain. Great Civil Rights battles have been rightly fought throughout the history of our country and, indeed the world, to establish this most basic of controls. I believe because of all that has been sacrificed, it is not something to be taken lightly or cynically ignored. Make time, make a choice, and vote, no matter what the outcome. It is in this spirit that I would like to propose two changes to the process of Election Day in this country:

1) Not releasing the result of any actual vote tally until after the last poll in the West closes.

2) Not publishing the result of Exit Polling until after the last poll in the West closes.

Both are really for the same reasons; if the goal of Election day is to make sure that all voices are heard then we are doing Western voters a huge disservice by implying that by the time they get a chance to vote that their vote “won’t matter”. While it could electrify a close race, the potential for disaffection on a seeming landslide can’t be dismissed for either the apparent winner or loser. I think one of the little discussed advantages of a secret ballot system is that not only does it protect the voter from persecution, but it also protects later voters from the results. They can remain enthusiastic about their vote and their candidate’s chances.

The excitement to know the results after so much discussion and wait is understandable, but it serves no democratic purpose to publish the information before everyone has a chance to be involved. And there are plenty of cases of incorrect or potentially fraudulent exit polling results that could be interpreted by the cynical as an attempt to manipulate the outcome.

We seem to pay lip-service to Election Reform after each major cycle has passed (usually championed most by the party that lost the election) but rarely does there seem to be enough steam by the newly annoited to actually get it done. Maybe this is just another good reason why we need a National Initiative system.

After all….

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
-Thomas Jefferson

HAVA, Republican Suppression Tool or Real Voter Registration Reform?

Democrats have been accusing Republicans of using HAVA(Help America Vote Act) to suppress Hispanics, blacks, disabled, elderly as well as those of low income status who traditionally vote Democrat(their words) from having their votes counted. It’s nice to see that the Democrats time and again paint themselves as the saviours of the underrepresented, the disenfranchised, and that they alone are looking out for their needs on election day.

They make it sound like only the rich are Republicans, and that the Dems alone have their best interests in mind. My Great Aunt and Grandmother would be insulted to be viewed in such a light, as if they were helpless victims that can’t do for themselves. Stereotyping those I mentioned above is insulting in my opinion, as if they are unable or incapable of having some control over their own destiny.  That they, The Democratic Party, know what’s best for them in light of their present situation. Sound like big goverment?

I have heard many Dem’s accuse the present administration of using “scare tactics” in an effort to suppress those that would vote for their members by imposing stricter methods of identifying legal voters to avoid registration and voter fraud. Dem’s have also stated for a couple years that their is no evidence of either happening and that the administration is chasing a problem that does not exist. Read a paper lately?

Look, you have to register to vote. All the scary stuff is on that form which can be picked up at any Post Office or printed on-line. Once you fill  out the form with the PROPER information you mail it in your state or counties registrar of voters office for verification. Once it is verified and determined not to be fraudulant you are added to the voter roles. If your name changes, you move, you need to re-register. If you have your civil rights taken, you lose your right to vote and are removed from the roles. If a felon registers they are denied unless their civil rights are restored. If their are names on the roles that hold unverifiable information, don’t match other sources of state records(DMV, for instance), they are placed in suspension and if suspected and found fraudulent, purged. 

It is the voters responsibility to keep this information up to date, not the governments. You should when going to the polls provide ID before getting a ballot to insure that indeed you are who you say you are and are legally registered to vote. In my state when registering we provide our ID# as one of the ways to identify who we are. How is that unfair or unjust? Take personal responsibility to insure your right to vote.

My wife did not receive her absentee ballot. Mine went to our old address and they gave it to me. We both went to the DMV when we moved and requested that they re-register us along with the other stuff we were doing. Obviously that did not happen. I immediately printed the registration forms from on-line, filled them out and mailed them. I called the registrar of voters office a couple days later and found that my wife was put in suspension and neither of our addresses were updated. Needless to say we took care of it and everything is up to date, are going to re-send her absentee ballot(they received the original back as undeliverable, so yes, it was accounted for) and she will be voting on the 4th. 

HAVA was created to avoid a Florida like voting disaster we saw in 2000. Their needs to be accuracy, accountability and confidence in our voting system. This aids in identifying Individuals or groups like ACORN who attempt to perpetrate registration and voter fraud so they are caught, removing there ability to continue corrupting our nations elections. At this time it appears voter registration fraud is running rampit in border-states, Florida and not surprisingly, key battleground states. Do you think that’s just a coincidence? For the record, I don’t. I believe the FBI investigation is now spread to 15 states in regards to ACORN’s involvement in “Getting out the Vote”. Look what groups, individuals and political parties are supporting this rogue establishment? Quid pro quo, you get us votes we’ll give you $. Need I say more?

Where there is smoke, there is fire. This is an issue that needs to be put to rest. Our election process needs to be unbiased, fair and accountable. Strong measures need to be taken to insure that they remain so, and that is why HAVA was created. Take personal responsibility to insure that your voting rights are protected by registering to vote at your local post office or at your county registrar’s web sight. It’s a simple task, and you don’t need others like ACORN to do it for you. Vote with confidence Nov 4th!

Obama Runs out the clock in the 2nd and 3rd Debate.

Well, as the last debate comes to a close I must say I am disappointed. Time and time again McCain had Obama against the cage ready to take him down and just backed off. Even more frustrating was Obama’s lack of commitment to engage or go out on a limb, choosing instead to continually pander to the 95%, tie Bush to McCain, Obama’s refusal to debate McCain’s points, instead treating them as if they were not worthy discussion and doing whatever possible to steer clear of real debate.

I understand that Obama is favored in the polls but to just wade through these debates with memorized responses and repeated statements is in my view a disservice to the spirit of the debate. In all he pulled it off as if he were walking down Easy St flipping a coin. On the flip side McCains choice not to deliver the last blow made it that much easier for him to slip away.

I am of the opinion that McCain drawed the 1st and was dominant in the others. Obama’s message of “Vote Democrat, we can’t do any worse”, “Bush is running for a 3rd term” and “I’ll punish the rich” did not wash with me. Unfortunately I am in the minority.

Socialist views are gaining strength in our nation, and it gives me great pause. Come January we face the reality of a Democratic House, Senate, and President. Where will the voice of balance come from, and will it be heard? It will come from Republicans and Blue Dogs to be sure, but most importantly that voice must be ours. So get out and vote November 4th!

Obama…The Robin Hood of our Times?

By now I’m sure we all have heard Obama’s plans on tax’s. I am sure to many most of his proposals sound great because it means less out of their pockets, or in some cases putting some in if your one of those who fall within the 40% who don’t pay tax’s at all (sounds like tax welfare to me). Those in the top 5% will have to give up tax breaks given in the past in an effort to give the rest of us po’ folk a tax break. Is it fair to dump the majority of the tax burden on those who make a good living because they are few while we the little people are many? What makes people think the “Rich” don’t pay more than their fair share of tax’s now?

I think if everybody did their own tax’s most would realize the fact that indeed many folks in the +250K range pay quite a bit more than let’s say those in the 75k area when it comes to tax’s, not just in dollars, but % of income! To suggest that they are getting away with something in regards to tax’s is ridiculous. When discussing the issue at BBQ’s and such the one thing I hear the most is “Well, they can afford it, so what’s the big deal?”. The big deal is that it is not right to in essence “Punish” those who are financially successful in an effort to re-distribute that wealth to those who are not. That is unfair, and in my opinion un-American, not to mention it being the cornerstone of socialism.

Time and time again both Obama and Biden have made this election about class warfare, in all it’s various shapes and sizes. Tax’s, Health Care, Education, Economy, Poverty or whatever the subject may be, it’s those evil rich folks against us defenseless victimized poor ones. It’s insulting to the intelligence of the American people, and pure rubbish.

Let’s take the now popular conversation between Joe the plumber and Obama. I went to the New York Times websight and was only able to locate this pathetic little tidbit regarding the incedent http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/obama-knocks-on-doors-in-ohio/?scp=4&sq=plumber&st=cse . Spectacular journalism… Fox on the other hand had the incedent a little more flushed out http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/13/obama-plumber-plan-spread-wealth/ and in my opinion explained the plumbers plight in much greater detail.

Here is a guy who supposedly wants to grow and expand his business to achieve financial success. We are not talking about some mortgage broker, attorney or some white collar job, but a plumber. And for his efforts he is being taxed ever more and would suffer greater financial hardship under Obama’s new and improved tax plan for America. So when he tells Obama he will pay even more tax’s to achieve this success the response he gets speaks volumes about Obamas doctrine, which simply put is to take more of his hard earned well deserved money and spread it to those who don’t.  Why does Obama feel that dollars earned by the “Rich” should be taken and given to the “Poor”? Just ask those at ACORN and I’m sure they could give you a dozen answers to that query. That my friends is re-distribution of wealth and socialist dogma through and through.

When I go to Obama’s website and read his plans the one thing that presents itself again and again is bigger government and crippling tax’s. Does anybody really think that if he lowers tax’s on 95% of the populace and guts the other 5% he can pay for all the government oversight and spending he is presenting? It’s pandering for votes via class warfare and it’s not balanced at all. We all know Biden’s view on taxing the wealthy minority, as if they finally are getting what’s coming to them and its now their “Patriotic Duty” to sit back, shut up, while they take more because after all they can afford it andothers less fortunate have a right to those dollars anyways. Rich people spend lot’s of money and pay alot of salary’s in the process lest anybody forget, and do there part to drive this economy.

Is business the bad guy here? Are big corporations evil? Some may be, but the vast majority are not. Wanting to turn a profit for investors or in the case of the small business for oneself is as natural and normal as breathing. Why not lower the corporate tax as some have suggested? We are in  a global market now and America needs to aggressively compete once again in it to keep and grow skilled high paid labor. Over time cheap labor will disappear overseas and we will be in a much better position to capitalize on it if we act now to get the ball rolling in that direction. By raising taxes especially on business in any form is cutting off the lifeblood of this nation in this rough economy. Tax’s and the Economy, there never is one without the other.

To get back on point is it sound economic policy to take from the rich and give to the middle and lower class? Absolutely not, but it is a good way to try andget elected by pandering to the majority. It destroys the entrepreneurial spirit on which this nation was founded, not to mention socialist ideology. May I remind those out there we still are a capitalist nation(for the moment). I am reminded by politicians of the old west offering bribes on election day to crowds in exchange for votes. Obama offers tax cuts to the vast majority and the rumor of a 2nd stimulus plan if elected. Cigar anybody?

Look at the economic and tax proposals of the Democratic and Republican candidates. One is a proponent of higher tax’s, big government, increased spending and increased oversight. The other supports smaller government, fiscal discipline, personal responsibility and keeping tax’s low for all Americans. One wants to cut spending, the other increase it. The choice is yours in November, so get involved, be a part of the solution and cast your vote!

Afterthought:

With the world economy in bad shape(we are not alone mind you), the housing market in tatters, unemployment rates increasing and centers of wealth folding weekly how do you think Obama’s going to pay for his proposed $1,000,000,000,000 in new government spending? History bares witness to the results of raising taxes in poor economic times, or are those enamoured with Obama’s celebrity status so blind they would follow him right off a cliff like lemmings on the march? My opinion is if elected he will inevitably  lower his annual income bar to achieve his overall goals.

Fannie, Ayers and Acorn, oh my!

Everybody in Washington has skeletons in their closet, andhave done things that I am sure given a second chance would do differently, take Senator Kennedy for instance. But they move on and some bounce back, andsomedon’t depending on what way the political wind is blowing. Take McCains involvement in the Keating 5. Though he was later exonerated of any wrongdoing something of that nature can be disastrous to ones political aspirations regardless of the outcome.

Only now after over a year of campaigning we finally begin to see the liberal mainstream press give scant attention to a few of Obama’s skeletons, and only after Conservatives have been screaming it from every rooftop in the country for some time. Fair and balanced journalism my ass, it’s a sad fact to be sure. But is it to little to late?

Where to start…I am amazed for a man in the Senate for barely 4 years has adjusted so well to acting and spending like an old Washington pro. His pork-barrel/earmark spending totaled $932,000,000 in just 3 years of his 1st term. He only suspended it when he began his “Official” run for the White House. He solves problems or gets favors by throwing taxpayer dollars at it. McCain only told you half of the story regarding the Planetarium projector to be sure. It seems the original request was for 300k, but after the Chairman and two of the Vice Chairman of the Adler Planetarium Board of Trustees raised a total of almost $250,000 for Senator Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign they were awarded a cool $3,000,000 earmark instead. That’s not all, take a look at an earmark to his wifes employer, and then her salary shortly thereafter. A voice for change and reformer he is not.

James Johnson and Franklin Raines. Don’t know who they are? They are former CEO’s of Fannie Mae and are in large part the cause for what has gone wrong in our economy. Did I mention they advised Obama? Google both of them, I dare you Liberals who read this, then try and defend them. These two are as slimy as the day is long. Johnson was appointed to head Obama’s vice-presidential selection committee, but he was forced to step down when a controversy surfaced in June concerning alleged millions in questionable real estate loans he had received on favorable terms from Countrywide that were outside the normal business channels. Raines at that time was playing a role advising the Obama presidential campaign on mortgage and housing policy. Are you kidding me? Both these guys walked away with millions upon millions of dollars for what, cooking the books, lying to everybody, grabbing as much money for themselves and lining politicians pockets to keep them fat, happy and stupid? So I guess Obama needed their advise in how to screw, mislead and cheat those around him? Which reminds me….

Obama received, lets see here, oh yea, $126,349 in campaign contributions from the before mentioned company in a scant 3 years in office, only 2nd to Christopher Dodd in overall $. You remember him, that’s one of the the windbag’s who spearheaded saving America to to try and cover up his own stupidity. So anyways, Obama received big money while our economy was sliding into the abyss. Talk about getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

Another shining star in Obama’s circle of friends is Tony Rezko. This guy has a rap sheet longer than my arm and is a certifiable scumbag. He was a political fundraiser convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery in 2008. Rezko has been involved in fund-raising for local Illinois Democratic and Republican politicians since the 1980s. In turn Rezkowas able to have business associates appointed onto several state boards. Rezko andseveral others were indicted on federal charges in October 2006 for using their connections to the state boards to demand kickbacks from businesses that wanted to do business with the state. While the others pleaded guilty to the charges, Rezko pleaded not guilty andwas found guilty of 16 of the 24 charges filed against him. These activities before charges were filed seemed to go unnoticed by those he aided in the Illinois government, including one Barrack Obama who landed a $250,000 donation from the man while running for the Senate. Kind of worked out like the Freddie deal.

Let’s not forget the man who helped Obama launch his political career. This man for some reason is looked upon by the liberal minded as a folk hero who stood up to the American government in turbulent times. I speak of the infamous domestic terrorist Bill Ayers of the Anti-Vietnam War group Weather Underground. Just to be clear, there is a difference between a protester practicing civil disobedience and a terrorist, well, blowing stuff up. Now many in the Obama camp have given conflicting reports on his relationship with Ayers but it is obvious that it’s just more than a guy he knew in the hood. They worked closely together on various projects and boards where BIG money was about including the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. Stanley Kurtz of the National Review Online wrote an in depth article regarding the issue surrounding the Ayers/Obama relationship  http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTgwZTVmN2QyNzk2MmUxMzA5OTg0ODZlM2Y2OGI0NDM=&w=MA== that I found very informative.

How a man could gain such prominence in the Illinois educational system just floors me. This just goes to show just how liberal/radical minded our centers of higher learning are becoming and their willingness to accept and hold folks like Ayers in such high regards. It’s completely unacceptable. University of Illinois at Chicago (UCI) should never have let such a despicable character on the grounds let alone teach. It’s a discrace and a sham. Is this the type of radical “Education” that Obama buys into and has in mind for my kid if elected? Not no, but HELL NO. Funny thing that the vast $ recieved from the Chicago AnnenbergChallenge never went to the public schools directly, but instead went to “External Partners”. Proposals from groups focused on math/science achievement were turned down. Instead money  found it’s way to various far-left community organizers, such as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (or Acorn). ACORN? Naw, that’s just coincidance and must be an attempted smear campaign by Conservatives to distort the truth about the Senator from Illinois. He would never want to push political beliefs on children that Ayers thought was appropriate and Obama agreed with instead of a real education. He would never take money meant for public schools and funnel it into radical political groups. Well folks, he did.

Last I bring ACORN to the table. This group last time I checked was under investigation in 11 states for voter registration fraud. Obama has given large sums of money ($800,000) to this organization and has waded hip deep with them for many years to reach his political goals. These people lie, cheat, mislead, commit fraud and make a mockery of our election system, and Obama has been with them every step of the way. I have two words for ACORN, POST OFFICE. Look, if you want to vote just go to your local post office and register! It’s that simple! You don’t need to deal with ACORN or any politically driven group when registering to vote. I wonder how many of the 1,315,037 people they “registered” are fraudulent? It’s a disgrace on so many levels, I can’t begin to express my disgust for this organization.

So in my ranting I can only come to one conclusion. These relationships and choices seriously call into question the Democratic nominee’s character, judgment and I for one do not agree with his liberal views or socialists policies. What might be accepted by those in Illinois is not acceptable to myself and many Conservative and Independent Americans. So go do your own research and homework on the issues, educate yourself, register at your local Post Office and make your voice heard!

VP Debate…Knockout?

Look, I’m not going to spin this in any way. She rolled over Biden, fed the liberal media a turd sandwich, and most importantly appealed to the average American and independent voter. Everybody has had the last laugh at her expense since the RNC and she came out and really showed that she is a strong, intelligent, and capable woman who is able to get the job done if given the opportunity.

Of course the press now says expectations were so low that she “Surprised” everybody and viewers thought her folk-sie attitude was cute. I am just stunned that they have gone at her with such feriocity as a female politician while singing the praises of Hillery Clinton at every turn. It’s a double standard and I am left to believe journalism is truly dead.  

Biden on the other hand came off sour, was outclassed on every subject except foreign policy and not by that much to be sure. She stole ALL the thunder and gave much better than she got, all the while energizing the room with the prospect of John McCain running for President.

I must admit some time ago while eating lunch with Tom Paine I questioned the wisdom of McCains choice of Palin as a running mate over the many other qualified conservative candidates in the Republican Party, and there are a TON to be sure. Now I’m not going to speak for Tom, but he said more or less McCain has demonstrated that he values a woman’s opinion and perspective, and regardless who Obama picked as a VP he more than likely would have stayed with Palin.

It seems in McCain’s eyes the best man for the job was a woman, and he thinks she has what it takes more than anybody to help him clean up Washington.

On another note, I am now 100% convinced that Alan Colmes of Hannity & Colmes is completely out of touch with anything remotely related to reality. I think Sean should demand that they find and replace him with a Liberal who has a brain…..Oooo, good luck with that one…

Senator McCain, a moment of your time if you please…

As I watch our financial(credit) system take a pummeling I see those in office not miss an opportunity to once again take up the mud and fling it forth upon their foe’s in whatever branch of office. I enjoy the sport as much as the next guy but this is really starting to border on the absurd and take away from what is indeed a very trying time in our nations history. As I watch the media tear the McCain/Palin ticket to pieces daily and leave the Obama/(…what’s his name….OH!)Biden ticket mildly bruised never ceases to amaze me. Then again, not much to dig up on a 1st term Senator with very little experience compared to a man such as McCain.

Both the Obama AND McCain camps for some time now have entered in a tit for tat spit balling match that has sent the media into a feeding frenzy. I for one am tired of it, and I believe the American people are as well. The spin is so strong nobody knows what to believe. Even as our nation teeters on the edge of a razor as some have suggested Democrats have taken the opportunity to blame Mccain for the bailout plan being delayed in Washington. http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/25/dems-blast-mccain-after-bailout-negotiations-go-sour/ 

Though I have my views regarding big government I find this a very typical reaction from a Democraticly controlled Senate who in many ways has the ball regarding this matter, and with the big chair at stake will not pass up the opportunity to mislead the American people as to why the bill was held up. Why blame Bush or Republicans when McCain’s the real threat now. It’s ridicules and beyond contempt.

I would challenge the the McCain campaign to see beyond this finger pointing and name calling and focus on the substantial issues that need attention in this election. Have faith that the American people will hopefully see in time that actions speak louder than words, and that Obama is a spirited Senator with a gift for public speech but lacks the true grit one needs to hold the most powerful office in the land. 

And to you Senator McCain:

I value you as a public servant for the very reasons that your critics dislike you. You believe in a smaller Federal Government, swear, get mad, drive a gas hog (Caddy), speak your mind, and have continually blazed your own trail of service to our nation regardless of party lines or affiliations. I value your life experience as a Naval Line Officer, P.O.W. and Senator. You and a select few know the true horrors war can bring and the price to be paid in human dignity and life. You have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you posses the understanding, fortitude and conviction to carry the heavy mantle/Office of the President of the United States.

And lastly take your argument to the people, don’t back out of ANY debate or chance to challenge your opponent face to face on any subject matter or forum. That is the only way you are going to be able to convince those on the fence or the other side that YOU have the right vision and are the man for the job.

                 Thank you for your time!  Patrick

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. Here I am bashing and giving my advice to Senators, and I can because I am an American. More than ever our country needs a leader who has the tools to turn this country around. Hold your government officials accountable, make your voice heard, and vote! I look forward to the debates!

$700 Billion Bailout? Are you F-ing Kidding Me?

Look man, I am no Economist and I lack a PhD, so could somebody please explain to me (preferably somebody with a MBA or higher in Business or Economics) why the hell our government is bailing out Wall St? Tom Paine some time ago wrote a little ditty (Obama’s Fantasy World) explaining his concerns about government continually getting involved and bailing out the economy for fear of it’s citizen’s becoming uncomfortable, and moreover us demanding that they do so. Why is it when something happens it’s the governments job to handle it?

The US government (taxpayer) owns 80% of AIG and is now in the insurance business. Let’s not forget Fannie and Freddie. Now they want to give Washington broad authority to purchase bad mortgage-related assets from U.S. financial institutions for the next two years?http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080920/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown

These institutions made horrible irresponsible short term investments in the mortgage market betting on the rising value of homes to cover their ass! Literally! Let’s all make a quick buck! There WAS a reason why it was difficult to get a home-loan. Credit checks, background checks, salary confirmations, length of employment, and a chunk of $ to prove your commitment in holding your end of the agreement. Well, not anymore! Sub-Prime anybody? No $, no credit, no problem! And don’t worry about if you make enough, we won’t verify it!

I have very little pity for those who lost their homes under such circumstances, for they are just as culpable as the lenders. You know what you can afford, and if you closed your eyes believing the lenders and realitors had your best interests in mind you are a sucker. Nobody wants to take personal responsibility for their actions, it’s somebody else’s fault and job to fix.  

Oh, let’s not forget big brothers part by bullying financial institutions to give home loans to those who fell into the low income/high-risk/minority profile bracket. If I were a bank president I would have told Uncle Sam to get bent. The government demanding business to make bad investments is a crock.

Obama of course is right there to promote his dream of bigger government http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/20/obama-casts-mccain-as-gambler/ as well as taking a swipe at Mccain who is concerned about government meddling to much in the market. Words such as “Curb some of the Risk Taking” and “Enthusiastically Backing” send chills up my spine. 

I agree that there needs to be complete transparency in regards to publicly owned business financial’s for shareholders and potential shareholders. The problem lies with the board of directers cooking the books, misleading shareholders, and getting the golden parachute regardless what happens to the company.

Is it truly the lesser of two evils for our government to buy back all this bad debt and allow business to pass go and collect $200?  Is it truly nessesary for our government to take taxpayer money and try and fix this problem? Is this just delaying the inevitable? I truly don’t know, and neither do the experts in my opinion.

What I do know is if this passes our national debt will crack the 11 trillion mark, and that gives me great pause. All those in this country, from the ultra rich to the piss poor, should be concerned right now, because this effects all of us as Americans. This indeed will surpass National Security as the main issue of Election ’08, and we the people need to get off the couch, get involved in our system, and tell Washington what we want at the polls!