Why I oppose Obama

I read a funny headline on yahoo the other day

"Obama breaks from Bush, avoids divisive stands"

You may recall that Bush came to Washington with hope of being a uniter and not a divider. I am sure that is what is referred to. Bush wasn't able to unite the parties or the people. We did get rid of Gore so I think it was probably worth tolerating the horrible No Child Left Behind and other horrendous Bush policies.

First line in the article

"Barack Obama opened his presidency by breaking sharply from George W. Bush's unpopular administration, but he mostly avoided divisive partisan and ideological stands."

First, Bush was unpopular with me because he was too liberal and he and the republicans acted just like democrats. Spent way too much of my money on things I didn't ask for. But George Bush was right on fighting islamic jihadis and for that I love him and forgive a lot of his silliness.

Bush was unpopular with people that opposed him but that is to be expected. Obama is now unpopular with me because of his divisive partisan and ideological stands.

Second, Obama is divisive and ideological. That should be clear. Perhaps he doesn't seem that way to the liberal who wrote the article because he agrees with Obama. But I agree with Bush and not Obama. From my perspective this is the end of a presidency where people tried to get along. Now we have a president who doesn't care about being nice, saying, "I won"

President Bush was never that divisive.

Now Obama calls for an end to politics, just pass the stimulus bill. The stimulus bill is stupid. Note that people only want an end to the discussion if you are going to do what they say. Its only partisan politics when you disagree. No one ever says. "okay enough of this bickering, I'll do it your way." Imagine Obama saying, "I am tired of all this arguing, I am now in favor of winning in Iraq and jailing terrorists forever on Gitmo. I just can't take the contention anymore." What would the reaction be had President Bush said, "This is not a time for politics or divisiveness, by executive order all abortions are illegal. It is a time for unity, lets all be Americans and move forward"

As evidence of partisan ideological stands I give you the Mexico City policy. Over turned the day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade, this policy forbid the use of taxpayer money to fund abortion overseas. Obama removed that ban as one of his first acts as president.


Other reasons I oppose Obama:

We can use his own words against him.
Analysis of Inaugural Address: it is difficult to criticize because it is vague. I could interpret many of words favorably as they apply to history and the place of America in the world. Or they could be read as a communist declaration of "worker's paradise". I think he intended the latter, of course. Left will hear what they want without sparking the ire of the right. He declares the triumph of the individual in solving all past problems and then suggests the collective will solve all current problems. Collectivism is evil, don't forget.


Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, as delivered.
OBAMA: My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.
How is science not in its rightful place? Did President Bush damage science?

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. There is no such thing as global warming. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do. All this the taxpayer will fund.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. Free men can achieve much when not shackled by government
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works FALSE, it is far too big which is one of the reasons it doesn't work. — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Now we are into it. The purpose of government has nothing to do with finding wages, or healthcare or retirement. When government enters these realms it has gone beyond its bounds. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Capitalism can be virtuous. Free market is always better. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control The current crisis was caused by people trying to control the market, not by a lack of oversight — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. Welfare checks, welfare checks, stand in line to get your welfare checks
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. Whatever, are you referring to the Patriot Act? Just say so. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child (especially Muslims) who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. I thought we weren't supposed to create American Empire?
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. Tell the robber in your house that you are safe because of the justness of your cause and then see if he leaves because of your humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. Can you really list nukes and a warming planet on the same scale? Are these people more afraid of carbon than Iran? We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. Is he going to defeat the warming or the nukes?
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are a nation of Christians, non-believers, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus to be more correct. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; Perhaps a little but mostly by traditional western civilization, the greatest civilization on the planet. and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. True, because our way is the best
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. Please end the brutal traditions of your past and we can talk about the future. Please overthrow your tyrannical governments and we can be friends. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West we will kill you — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. (good line but I use the same rule against Obama. Socialism is designed to destroy, not to build.) To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, (is silencing dissent the same as the the call to unity, the end to debate, the end of diviseness? The fairness doctrine?) know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. What effect? For the world has changed, and we must change with it. What has changed? What change do you propose? What could you possible mean? This is either scary or just boring poetry
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

This next part is especially bad. It honors the individual but the federal government has no part in the successes he refers to. Why then is it the answer to all the problems?
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America


It is nice to have Jefferson's words completed that all men are created equal as Hugh Hewitt has written but to do so with a socialist may have been too high a price to pay

Growing government doesn't help the economy

Government eats money. Government can't increase anything. It provides services at the expense of taxes. People like those services. But they don't grow economies or produce anything. Taxes are just a purchase. The only potential benefit that can come from government spending is in long term military projects. If you want to grow the economy you have to buy aircraft carriers or cut taxes. The new $850,000,000,000 stimulus package is just the largest pork bill ever and should be shot down.

Socialism destroys wealth. That is its purpose.

"Tax cuts" to people that don't pay taxes is another name for welfare


Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/bg2208.cfm

Read the Stimulus
http://www.readthestimulus.org/

more toys

My friend convinced me to open a facebook page.   I thought I would try it out.  It may be far too much communication for me.  I will start slow, I guess.  I won't let facebook spam my address book so I haven't connected with many people yet.

I also started twitter account to follow Hugh Hewitt on the radio.  That is pretty funny although I don't post there much either.   I did find an old friend on twitter.  I haven't figured how to find people there.  For example, how would I search for Glenn Beck if he had a twitter account?

twitter.com/z7greens

Biology Quiz Part II

Quiz question #2

Where do plants get carbon?

a. Mother Earth

b. dirt

c. air

d. government contracts

(answer to question 1 in comments section)

Kill the Bailout

I am glad the car bailout keeps failing. There are enough capitalist in Congress to keep it from passing by vote. President Bush has done a great job defending the country. That is his job. Running the economy is not his job. No one can do it. By trying to run the economy he is failing as President. The harder Pres. Bush tries the worse things will be and the more doors he will open for Obama. Just let the market work things out. Everything gets messed up when people that think they are smarter than millions start to pick winners and losers. "We will save this bank but not that one". That changes the rules of the game and so no one can play

Biology Quiz

Time for a little anti-environmentalism in honor of Obama's cabinet picks.

Question 1:    Of what substance are plants made?

a. chlorophyl

b. carbon

c. juicy fruit

d. acetametaphine

marriage without the state

Since prop 8 lost I am hearing a new argument about marriage

Why is the state involved in marriage anyway?




Marriage is not merely a function of the state. That is true only in terms of continuing our civilization. Marriage is the same around the world for centuries. Homosexuality isn't new but gay marriage is a recent invention. Alexander the Great didn't marry his male lover. Since he could pretty much do whatever he wanted, I wonder what restrained him? Most likely tradition alone. It just isn't done. Because it doesn't make any sense. People still think that way. (On another note - Most people agree in 30 states except for writers like this guy. This is horribly written opinion piece with slurs in every paragraph for those he personally disagrees with.) You cannot separate marriage from the state. The connection is more than collecting nominal fees. No one goes through this much trouble for $50. The state has a vested interest in marriage. The proof is in the examination of alternatives. If you removed the state from marriage and all of the advantages that the state gives to married people then were would be? If you want to visit people in the hospital and pass on property to someone other than a spouse than those legal rights already exist. Just go get them. Yes, married people get them automatically. That is one reward from the state. What is the vision of married (without the state)? Where do people get married (without the state)? Who can get married (without the state)? What rights are transferred to married people (without the state)?

Eat Crow

I guess I eat crow today

I can’t believe Obama pulled off the election. I never thought he had much of a chance because he is a socialist with no experience and horrible friends. Very sad. I realized last night that my perception was wrong. I think Sarah Palin is normal and Barack Obama is weird. It is apparent that a lot of people don’t agree with me.

I am glad that the Iraq was won and that it was no longer an issue in the election. I am glad that this election shows that America is the greatest land of opportunity. Anyone can be elected President of the United States.


I wish that Martin Luther Kings "I Have a Dream" speech would come true.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Economic terrorism

Remember when a billion meant a lot?    

Who is more dangerous:  ACORN or bin Laden?   ACORN doesn't kill people so the question must be isolated to money.  The lives lost are a tragedy and can't be accounted for.  Who has caused America more economic damage?  

I looked into the estimates of damage done to the New York City economy on 9/11, and it comes to about $100 billion.   That is a lot of money.  

The estimates of the recent market upheaval is that something near $1 trillion has evaporated. That is a whole lot more money.  That is 10 times more money lost than on 9/11

If its true that ACORN and the liberals orchestrated this crash with bad loans then they should pay.  If Obama is their buddy then how can his recent polling numbers be above 3%?

same sex marriage is new

Historical First

My response to an article on cultofmac
http://cultofmac.com/apple-stands-up-for-equal-rights-with-100k-contribution-to-defeat-prop-8-in-california/4225

The timeline of this article is not correct and is biased against marriage. Leaving out prop 22 in 2000 is not honest.
Although homosexuality has been around for millennia, the idea of homosexual marriage is a first in history. Why didn't ancient greeks or egyptians have same sex marriage? Because it doesn't make sense. It has never been done for obvious reasons. Marriage is for a man and woman.
Trust the vote of the people on the definition of marriage. When this issue came to ballot in 2000, marriage was defined by law as a man and woman. Gavin Newsom violated the law with his ceremonies and they were nullified in 2004.
The judges stepped in and forced a vote to define marriage in the constitution. When it passes all the ceremonies will again have to be nullified. Very shameful. Apple should have stayed out of it. I will delay my purchase of an iphone until they make this right.

Government and Health Care

The government shouldn't be involved in healthcare.  There is no need for it.  What benefit is gained by having government involved in healthcare?   I would love to hear the argument that defines how great things will be once our healthcare is run by DC

First the constitutional argument:

I don't know of any law authorizing the government to be involved in healthcare therefore it is not legal.  

Not that anyone cares about that.

Second....

Why is the government involved in healthcare and when did it happen?  Well it was before I was born so I don't remember.  

The first tangle that I know of is related to WWII and the income tax.  Companies like to pay employees benefits as a bonus to salaries.  Companies used to offer retirement plans and pensions before the invention of 401k.   But later the income tax was expanded and then included paycheck withdrawal "to support the war effort" against powermongers.  The withdrawal plan was a huge success with few people complaining about it so it continued after the war.  As with most emergency legislation passed due to a crisis it didn't go away once things returned to normal.  The problem was that politicians wanted to tax benefits but how do you count them?  Retirements benefits aren't taxed until you receive them and medical insurance wasn't paid to the employee but to another entity so that it was not considered taxable income.  No income - no tax.    So that's how this mess started.  

I don't know how well the system used to work.  There isn't much history written on the topic.  Medical care was a relationship between people and their doctors with medical benefits paid for by some employers.  When government got involved with income taxes then HMOs were created and used as a loophole to avoid the tax.   The benefit is still paid but to an HMO rather than directly to the employee.  Slowly, for several decades, the relationship of medical care changed as more and more government jobs were created.  As an employer the government always pays medical benefits. 

 I don't know why that is.   I think it is absurd that government employees voted themselves retirements plans and pensions.  First it was pensions for soldiers and later for Presidents. I read that people were embarrassed about their past presidents living in poverty.  Didn't look good for the country.  Later came pensions for congressman and over time an avalanche as everyone else joined.  Our Gilbert town councilman recently added themselves to the state plan with retroactive benefits.  

I disagree with the whole notion of government pensions.  It encourages people to stay in office.  Never a good idea.  Serve and then get a real job.  There is no right to a retirement.  Leisure is earned, not guaranteed by others taxes.  But back to medical care.....

Government has become more involved in medical care and it hasn't helped anyone.  As with most functions the government didn't make improvements but rather took over the duties and functions of other organizations and proceeded to perform worse than they.

Today we have a so called crisis.  I don't see it.  Everyone I know gets the care they need.  Haven't seen a single case of a child limping around because their broken leg was never set.  The reports are always about a lack of medical insurance rather than about medical care.  But that is really an argument about how we may for medical care, not whether we can get it or what it should cost.  If the real argument is about methods of payment then the solution is easy.  We must end the relationship between government and medical care.  That will help to end the perception that healthcare is a right.  And end the notion that this perceived right is guaranteed by the government.  

People do not live forever and have no right to medical care.   Medical care at the expense of others is theft, not charity.  That isn't what life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness means.   

The simplest way to end the healthcare crisis if there is one is to get government out of it.  To do that requires a change to tax policy to end the practice of withholding and income tax.  This will return healthcare to its proper position of doctor and patient with some companies paying perks if they wish.  People can take the money and pay for a doctor.  Or join an HMO if they wish to get group buying power.  

Problem solved.  

Acres of oil

Coments on Off -shore drilling. Pelosi and Obama don't understand oil drilling or contracts if they keep saying that the oil companies already have 40 million acres of land on which to drill. "They need to use what they have", they claim.  Very ignorant.   Let the oil companies go where the oil is.  We don't need politicians deciding where oil companies explore.  Low prices will help the economy and starve our enemies in Venezuela and Iran.  Plus exploration will turn into jobs for people.  

Gas prices are down as of Dec 15 but they should still drill, drill, drill.  Don't let anything drive those prices back up.  

McCain Obama debate

I missed the first debate and part of this one.  It is hard for me to watch because they are such bad candidates.  Very boring. Obama is just flat out socialist.   McCain's proposals for mortgage relief lost my vote.  Mr. Anti-pork voted for the $700 billion monstrosity filled with pork on the grounds that it was an emergency.  Always is.   And now he proposed mortgage relief.  What a shame.   Guess I should have bought a mansion when I had the chance to be victim.  I played the market wrong.  Even with Palin I don't think I can vote for that.  Oh well, won't matter much.  McCain will carry Arizona without me.  

I can always vote for a third party.  I would never vote for Obama, whom I consider a baby-killer as cold as that may sound.  But he is definitely a socialist and I despise that also.

A recap on socialism of which Barack Obama is the worst type:

He will take your money to spend on programs you don't agree with because he thinks he is smarter than you and knows what is best for people and the country.  He and his programs will fail and it will be your fault.  Then he will say you aren't kind enough and that more sacrifice is required.   More taxes, more programs, more failure.   Government is not capable of solving the problems he wants to tackle.  The government does not owe you a retirement or healthcare or a job.   That is your problem to solve.  People have many rights but leisure and money and ease are not part of that package.  The idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer.  

The genius of capitalism is that it rewards work and intelligence.   Obama said he wants to tax rich people to make it fair.  Life is not designed to be fair.   Didn't anyone ever tell him that? He is delusional if he thinks he can make life fair.   He is especially crazy if he thinks life can be made fair through taxes.  It can't be done.  Attempting it is socialism and will always end in ruin.  

Read "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat who can explain this a lot better than I.  Read his brilliant pamphlet and you will wonder why Obama is pushing an idea that should have been crushed when this essay was written in 1830.  Law is justice.  It is the only source of "fairness" that Obama seeks.   Too bad he is way too far left to try it.  Only when people own and control their own resources, time, skills, labor and money can the best end be achieved.  Then the higher behaviors of people can become evident such as sharing.  Taxes are theft, charity is a gift.

   

Americans like to give and they will always take of people but it has to be done through communities and churches, not DC.

Last day to register

Monday Oct 6th is the last day to register.  Go to servicearizona to register.

Propositions Revisited

I read up on the propositions some more and have some revised views.  I think I have more yes votes than before.  Yes for Marriage is still a yes, of course

100  Yes - This would prevent a future law to tax real estate transactions.  I wish there weren't so many complications in the text that could create problems but the basic issue is to vote yes to prevent a future potential tax

101  Healthcare - vote yes.  Another one with too many words but the idea is prevent someone from being punished for opting out of Hillary Care when Obama puts it in place.  Once government takes over healthcare then the next step will be to punish those that don't participate because not playing along will be considered unfair.  

102 Yes for marriage.  Marriage is a man and woman.  Any questions?

105  majority rule  - This could be a scary one but I will vote yes based on republican principle.   This would help to get rid of all the propositions we have in Arizona.  The power to legislate lies with the people and they can reserve this right.  But in our republican government we turn over this power to the legislature and elect representative to create law.    The problem with propositions is there is no room for debate and compromise.   Bad laws go into effect without this required tempering.  After this passes it will make it much more difficult to pass a ballot proposition.   That I agree with.  You will have to have a majority of registered voters to pass an initiative.  The vocal minority will not be able to get things done.  Only when most of the people are very excited about something will you be able to get another ballot proposition to pass.

200  I am voting no like I always do unless I see a good reason to vote yes.  Payday loans are stupid but don't need to be illegal.  They will expire if you vote no.  But I am sure they will find a new way to renew them because too many people are making money.  Let the legislature talk this out and find a way to renew if people really want them so bad.  

201  Homeowner right bill - vote no!  This is a bad idea.  If you can read you will see how silly.  The homebuilder are not evil and don't need to be punished.  Unions are horrible and we don't need them.  Arizona has done well as a right to work state.  One effect is that it will take away legal rights of businesses.  It will remove people from bidding on work.  It is a lawyers dream and people will wait for courts to settle disputes

202 Don't employ illegals.  Vote no.  Our laws to keep illegals out of the system is just starting to take effect.   Don't ruin it now by voting yes.  It isn't perfect but things are improving.    This proposition guts all past attempts to curb illegal hiring.   The signs may say "stop illegal hiring - vote yes"  but if you read it then you will see.  Vote no to stop illegal hiring

p.s. once we get illegal hiring under control then we can work on guest workers.  It is the only logical progression

 

300 pay raise  Yes.  The legislators aren't overpayed.  I would like to get rid of their retirement program.   I think all government pensions are a bad idea but that is a different topic

There are still a few more weeks to read for more details if you want but they are pretty boring.  Note that 102 is the shortest. 

$700 billion bailout

Pres. Bush quickly signed the $700 billion bailout today. Everyone said it was critical, it was an emergency. Also that it won't solve the problem but without it there will be disaster. I am glad that my congressman was among those that voted against it. So if this amount of money won't solve it, what will? More money?

I can only hope that more responsible legislation will follow that will limit the influence of government on the market. It is government involvement that made the mess in the first place. The reports about meddling that started at least as far back as 1999 are becoming more clear that the GSE's Fannie and Freddie and other large mortgage holders were purposefully giving loans to those that could not pay them. Without going too much into conspiracy theories I think it was done intentionally to crash the market in order to gain control. But even in more sensible terms it was a terribly ignorant thing to do.

It is also racist. Martin Luther King dreamed of a day when his children would be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin. I think this should apply to home loans as well as all other aspects of life. Some people were approved for loans because of the color of their skin rather than on their credit score. That is not helpful. It is demeaning and racist. I am in engineer and so I think of this in terms of process control. If you don't measure something then you can't control the outcome of the process. You can't improve something without measure and understanding it. Worse than that is too ignore the data you get and make random judgements. Credit rating (not just scores BTW) have been used to control the mortgage loans. To ignore that data is to ruin the process. Like trying to control the water level in the tank while ignoring the level sensor. Just throw the valve wide open, fill it quick and ignore all else.

A measurement only has value if you are going to use it. Something ignored obviously has no value. Ignoring character and judging by race is wrong. Ignoring someones history of payments or credit score in place of demographics is wrong.

Another reason this interference is a bad idea is because it interferes with the free market which should not be violated. Even smart people are not smarter than "the market". Why is that? Because many people making many decisions in their own best interest is better than one person making decisions for everyone else.

I don't know if that is what caused the housing bubble. That may have been a big contributor. That sort of things happen when people mess with the market. If you take the average house appreciation to be 7% then we're just returning to normal marketplace. If you bought a home eight years ago at $150,000, then it would be worth $256,000. And that it's exactly what a house like that is going for these days. So there hasn't been a huge market crash. It only looks bad compared to the price of that same house two years ago when it sold for $400,000. But of course, everyone knew that that wasn't real. The bubble has burst, but the market hasn't crashed. It looks like things returned to normal.

Vote no on Budget increase

My rule is that any time you can vote for a tax reduction it should be a yes vote.  That is pretty simple but especially on anything regarding property taxes which is the worst sort of tax possible. Property tax is worse than income tax.  (Even worse than HOA fees.)  The school district is funded with property taxes.

Schools should make do with less money, just like everyone else.  Pouring more money into the system won't help it.   If there are extra needs and parents want them then they can write a check.  I agree with all the arguments that say that children need a good education and it improves society but that should have no connection with property taxes.  

Some of the other arguments however are pretty silly.  I read in the information packet that James thinks that out of date teaching materials will negatively impact the emotional health of children.   Marty thinks that a no vote is turning your back on obligation as parent or citizen.   Must be in the Biden camp that believes taxes are patriotic.  Or perhaps a religious duty.

Don't tax yourself.  Vote no

Did you see the fireworks?

The Constitution fair ended with a nice fireworks show. The kids enjoyed it again this and as usual we missed the Sunday evening activity. Something always happens, tonight it was a sick baby. Sept 17th is Constitution Day so the organizers of Constitution Week pick the closest Saturday.

We spent the day helping to set up. The organizers claim to have the largest Constitution Day celebration in the country. I don't think there are many challengers. Everyone loves to celebrate the 4th of July but not many on Sept 17th. Why do we do it? Because our country is founded on many documents with the Declaration and Constitution separated by thirteen years. The Declaration was about freedom and stated why we were willing to fight for it. But the Constitution gave us law and order. Without it we wouldn't have our government.

3 countries in Iraq

I was in favor of breaking up Iraq after we kicked Saddam out. 

It is a mistake. It would be a mistake to do so.  Let the people make their own countries. Iraq was a British creation which started the whole mess.  They also made the mess in Kashmir after WWII.  And they argued a long time against Israel.  I am glad the Brits are our allies but they sure made a mess of things when they collapsed their empire.

The Iraqi's should be left to choose their own fate and for now they have decided to stick together in one country.  That might be hard but they choose the challenge.  

Sarah is stupid

Sarah Palin is being called stupid. This idea is spreading among critics of the VP. This is a tired argument against conservative candidates. Look up the quotes about Reagan. He was called stupid constantly. Then Bush and now Palin. They are dismissed as stupid because they are conservative. Because intelligent people must be liberal, in their opinion. It won’t work in the campaign because there isn’t time for it to sink in and because of the sympathy that is generated by the vicious attacks against her. Although it has had some effect against those that don’t like Pres. Bush. For example, he is a good public speaker but most critics call him a bumbler. Strategory was a Saturday Night Live skit that stuck.

I would bet Pres Bush has a higher IQ than either Gore or Kerry who are considered intellectuals. He has performed well except for his socialist tendencies like no child left behind, embryonic stem cell research, medicare prescription drug program, business bailouts, “compassionate conservativism”, deficit spending etc. But other than that he is okay. Anyway, Sarah Palin is not stupid and her opponents should find a new criticism and a better method of attack. I heard part of the skit on SNL and the accent was pretty funny.

Why did Democrats lose the last two elections?

The answer to that is easy - because they nominated losers.  

But to be more specific, they lost by nominating someone from the extreme left.   Why don't they nominate someone more centrist?  Gore was a huge liberal.  Kerry was left of him.  And now Obama is left of Kerry.    Do they think that going farther left is a good strategy?  There are good democrats that are not among the Kennedy, Biden, Hillary crowd.  Why can't they fix their system so they can nominate one of them?

Gilbert Elections 2008

Primary is over - time to think of the general election. Get registered to vote, the deadline is Oct 7th



President
I wish there was another candidate to vote for other than John McCain. Where are my options?


Congress
No Senators up for election this year. Flake will win in this congressional district


State
Support Thayer for Senate, should be easy race. Andy Biggs has done a good job and should be returned to office. Who knows who the other guy is, but he will win because he has an R by his name. Hope he is a good guy. We'll see what these people are up to


Corporation Commission

no info



Gilbert
Council elections are in the spring.




Propositions
I will have to do some research. I will welcome any arguments. You can get info on elections website. I always vote no unless there is a compelling argument. New laws are generally worse than the old bad laws.


First is Prop 102 because that one is easy.
Vote yes on marriage amendment. Time to explain to the smart guys in black robes what marriage is.


Prop 100 real property
Prop 101 health care
Prop 102 YES marriage
Prop 105 Tax rules
Prop 200 Payday loans
Prop 201 Housing
Prop 202 Employee Identity
Prop 300 Salaries


Judicial Review
My theory to vote no to all on question to retain judges until they clean up their act. There are few that are good. You can usually find a list of those to support at the CAP website - but I don't see it up yet. I can update when I get more info

Fannie Freddie buyout

Do I need to say anything about this? Stupid, ignorant and wasteful. This rescue proves that GSE's cannot function. Don't ever try them again. Break these companies and sell them and let's return to capitalism. Socialism is designed to destroy markets and money. It performs every time. Don't bail out the big car companies. Let them die. America can continue without the existence of GM. (capitalism works too - I will be able to buy a another car from another new manufacturer.  Time for a new one to start.) Let banks and airlines fail.   They are not so critical that taxpayers need to come to rescue they are poorly managed and not prepared for changes in the market.  It is part of how things work. Everyone will be better when they go out of business, that happens as part of creative destruction.

Isn't the purpose of a loan to make money?  Is there any chance of taxpayers making money off all these bailouts?  Will I get an employee discount for insurance, airline tickets or car purchase from all these welfare handouts to businesses?

The most poorly managed, out of money, shortsighted, broken backwards corporation in the world is the US government.  What happened to all the cries about the dangerously large deficit?  What is now $400 billion?  There is no money to be giving out to companies.  It is fiction.

Obama on abortion

I grabbed this aim.org

Obama Regrets Abortion Answer
By Don September 7, 2008
In an interview aired on ABC's "This Week" Barack Obama says he probably was too flip with his answer to an abortion question posed by Pastor Rick Warren.
From the Politico.
Barack Obama says his answer about abortion at the Saddleback Church forum was probably” too flip.During separate televised interviews last month, Pastor Rick Warren asked the two presidential candidates when a baby gets human rights. Obama replied that the question is “above my pay grade,” while John McCain won love from the right by saying quickly, “At the moment of conception.”Now, Obama tells ABC’s George Stephanopoulos in an interview taped for “This Week”: “What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into … It's a pretty tough question. And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don't presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions.”
To most observers Obama did fare poorly at the Saddleback Forum and raised doubts about his ability to speak effectively off the cuff rather than from a teleprompter.

I will try to find this video and watch it. I am very curious about the pause in this sentence - "I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into … It's a pretty tough question."

When the soul enters into .....what? What word would you put there? Why can't he finish a sentence?

9/11/08 p.s. I watched the video and you could see him struggle to avoid the dead end he was driving into. The pause was filled by George S. who threw in Augustine. Obama agreed with him but they are both on bad theological ground. Just as Nancy Pelosi - it was the same pit she fell into. But Archbishop Chaput is giving her a lifeline

McCain/Palin in Arizona

I am glad I don't have to worry about McCain winning Arizona.  Otherwise I would be disturbed by losing to uninformed voters. Living in Arizona my vote for president won't mean much.   McCain will easily carry the state.   I am glad about that so I won't have to think about all the silly people voting for Obama.  Some know-no-thing goofball is going to cancel my vote but there are plenty of other Arizonans ready to vote for McCain.  I don't really like McCain but I would vote for him because he picked a real conservative like Palin.  Ask a typical Obama supporter why they like him and you won't get much for a response.  I don't know many that will admit it.  I know of three and they don't have a reason.  They just like him and their friends are voting for him.  

Arizona Marriage Prop 102

Time to get organized to support Prop 102. It will be on the ballot in November.

One group that is driving this is Yes for Marriage

If approved the following language will be added to the Arizona Constitution:

"Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

It is very sad that we have to do this - I know of no society in history that recognized same sex marriages like the judge in California just tried to impose. Marriage between men and women is just common sense.

wow! Sarah Palin VP?

I was skeptical of Sarah Palin as VP for many weeks. I figured it was a long shot and not really a good idea. She is doing very well in Alaska. The biggest argument against her is that she lacks experience but Obama has conveniently removed that argument. Palin has as much experience as Obama. I think more since she is governor. She has executive experience that he lacks. She is family oriented, pro-life. I read she has a son in military. She doesn’t listen to the green communists (environmentalists). I am beginning to think McCain made a great choice – if only to point out what a unprepared newbie Barack is.

Plus it is fun to cheer for a home town hero.

I have to admit it is a good choice after review. In five minutes of leaking it might be Sarah Palin, John McCain created more buzz than the whole democratic convention. He eclipsed them too easily

Gilbert Election Picks

Vote Tuesday Sept 2

My picks for the upcoming 2008 election

First we have to get through the republican primary

Senate:  Eddie Farnsworth

Representatives:  Biggs & Armer.   

Don't know much about corporation commission

County Assessor

Don't really like Kevin Ross.  Guess he did an okay job and the democrats don't like him.

JP

JC Cox

All the others are unopposed so I don't vote for them.

I won't vote for Jeff Flake because he is violating his pledge to only serve 3 terms.  but he will get elected and I think he does a decent job

Pick a Number

Pick a number between one and ten. Closest guess wins the prize.

Remember the strategy? First, try to pick last. Second, play the odds and select the number next to your opponents that secures the most remaining numbers.

Obama boldly staked his claim by going as far left as he could by picking number 1. What is John McCain supposed to do? I don’t like him but he’s smart. He is aiming for 2. He can’t lose.



…..until people refuse to play this game to select presidents

Hinchey (C-NY)

Maurice Hinchey (C-NY)
Is Maurice Hinchey a communist? Should he change parties? He is definitely a socialist. I am looking for a transcript or audio. It was played on Hugh Hewitt also.

Hinchey said the oil situation was a mess and that the people should take it over and run the industry for the benefit of all. (That is communism)

Just to be clear - this has been tried before and it doesn't work. Hugo Chavez just did this. Of course the "people" still don't own the oil in his country. He does. The "people" have never owned anything. Socialism is designed to destroy money and capital. Its purpose is not economy but power and so those in charge ruin everything in attempt to get and keep power.

The "people" (which means would-be tyrants) cannot take property from oil companies except through theft aka legal plunder. Such a suggestion violates all property rights.

Hinchey's plan is that he own the oil so he can set the price (and get rich meanwhile) instead of oil companies providing a service to their customers.

I didn't find the audio but got one quote from FoxNews which is this:
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), member of the House Appropriations Committee and one of the most-ardent opponents of off-shore drilling

"We (the government) should own the refineries. Then we can control how much gets out into the market."

The Hope Drive

I was laughing listening to the radio the other day when Dean Barnett substituted for Hugh Hewitt. They were mocking Barack Obama's ideas about creating a car that doesn't run on gas. I wonder if I could find the audio on their website?

I found his post on the site and it includes audio from Barack. Check it out. here is audio link (hope that works right)

Drilling won't help but a new warp drive will. Dean named it the "Hope Drive". It runs on
90% Hope
5% Change
5% Corn

Ha! Very funny!

from hughhewitt.com:

"We will have spent by the time this thing is over well over a trillion dollars, one trillion dollars. Think about what we could have done with a trillion dollars. Think about, think about what we could have done if we had invested even half of that even a quarter of that into research into clean energy, developing new ways of transporting people, if we had tried to look at how are we going to create a new engine that doesn't run on fossil fuels. Imagine that. Over the last five years, we could be in a position now where we could have perhaps sliced our energy consumption by a third, and if we had done that gas prices would be low because people wouldn't be using gas."

Barack on the economy, carbon etc

A couple comments:

The economy is not in recession. Many economic indicators are up.

The oil prices are just a bubble. There is no shortage. It is just speculation driving prices. I bet it won't last as long as the housing bubble. And likely crash harder

Barack Obama is mourning the loss of money spent in Iraq that could have been used to make a car that gets better gas mileage. Check your Constitution buddy. It allows for war but not for research projects. He doesn't want to drill for oil because that won't help. But I have to write a separate post on that.

Besides Global Warming is a hoax, nothing but green communism.

Drill now. Drill in ANWR. Drill off shore. Get the oil shale. There is no oil supply shortage in the US. The only problem is that congress has placed so much out of reach. I wonder about the legalities behind that. How does one go about purchasing a piece of coastal shelf on which to drill? Why does DC own it?

Carbon is not the enemy. Carbon Dioxide is not a pollutant. Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe according to Wiki. You aren't going to rid of the stuff. Politicians and environmentalists should speak more precisely about carbon when they refer to carbon credits, carbon footprint etc in my opinion. Carbon is not the same as carbon dioxide any more than sodium is the same as sodium chloride. Some things you can eat and others you can't.

Apathy as an American value

The world is sometimes ugly. I am sometimes amazed that we survive. Hard not to be depressed at times when you see bad things in the world. I wonder that everything hasn't fallen apart. For example, a judge in California recently decided that homosexual marriage is legal in that state. That is pretty bad - the people just clarified the law and gave common consent to the idea that marriage is man and woman. Everyone knows what marriage is and most people just want to play a game with the kids after work. I don't have energy to fight judges about the definition of marriage.

If one person can cause so much havoc then how do you resist it? I read Liberal Fascism and he gives a bunch of examples of how things got bad and how the fascist ideas keep coming back and reaching for power. They are always the same. But they don't quit. Mussolini, Wilson, Hitler, FDR, peaceniks. All on the same script.

Dennis Prager is sometimes pessimistic about the goodness of humanity. I am more optimistic than he is, believe it or not. He has a good example though. It takes 10,000 good drivers to keep traffic moving well and only one to mess the whole thing up.

So if one bad person can hurt so many then how do we survive? How can things be fixed or improved if no one cares? We had an election recently and the voter participation was somewhere around 5%. Almost no one voted. Trying to get people involved or to man volunteer booths is nearly impossible.

While reading Liberal Fascism I tried to think of a reason that they have failed in so many attempts to seize power. On one hand they have had a lot of success. I am not fond of most government programs. In my view both major parties have taken a steady march to the left and we have come a long way from the constitutional republic we started with. But on the other hand I think the struggle to get people involved shows the positive side of American political apathy. We just don't care enough to get excited. People prefer to watch football over attending political rallies. I think there is too much goodness and kindness to support fascist tendencies for long. Ruling your neighbors world takes to much effort. The elitist minority can't keep up the excitement long enough to fire the average Joe into socialist revolution. It seems to work in our favor somehow.

Liberal Fascism

I read Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg and I recommend it. It took a while to finish since he covers a lot of history but it is worth reading. I should write about it and some of the things I learned. I was amazed at how twisted historical view can be. It reminds me of all the college kids wearing Che t-shirts, thinking its cool. Goldberg even mentioned it in the book. He was a murderer, but I guess as long as you murder the right people....

May Day?

I missed May Day?

ah, bummer.   I heard a little about Earth Day but mostly that was the annoying commercials from all the corporations explaining what wonderful things they are doing for the environment.  They are wasting their money.  There are those of who don't expect a corporation to save the planet.  That's not their job.   And the rest don't think anything a corporation does is good.   For anyone, including the environment.  I read an article about how the real environmentalists have abandoned the holiday because it's been taken over by the man.  Sad, kinda like someone stole Christmas.  I almost feel bad for the socialists that can't support their holidays.  Maybe Earth Day and May Day are too close together?   Do they want a "holiday season" or is it like having your birthday on Dec 24th?   Not enough money or energy for both

Earth Day is on Lenin's birthday in case you forget next year.  Intentionally on his birthday. May Day is the pagan holiday squashed by Christians, and then revived by socialists (and re-adopted by pagans).   

Well in honor of all the lunatics I have some info on saving energy:  Blackle doesn't work.   It is a dumb idea.  The plan was to use Google but with a black screen to save energy.   It doesn't save energy (except on some CRTs).   I give you permission to laugh at anyone using blackle.  I love their explanation though.   "Well even if it doesn't work it is a good reminder to save energy."    I have a better idea.  Turn off your monitor when you aren't using it.   That will really save you some money.

here is some info on blackle and testing:

http://techlogg.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=360&Itemid=9

"It doesn't work but it is a good reminder" should be the slogan of environmentalist.  Nothing they do works.  Mostly because they are interested in power and not the environment but also because they have bad ideas.  Just look at their poster child, Al Gore.  He lies and gets a Nobel.  He's wrong but he is a good reminder. 

And Gore endorsed Obama.  Ha!  Just keep 'em coming.  Next endorsement he needs is John Kerry.   That poor guy.  (who's next?, Fidel, Kim Jong Il?) He is going to get wiped out by John McCain who is a weak candidate.  That's my prediction.  

Engrish humor

Time for a little Engrish humor. I hadn’t seen this for a while and they had all new signs so I started chuckling as I read it. Cumulative humor. By the end I was trying not to disturb my coworkers with laughter. So in honor of the Olympics here is some Chingrish:

http://www.engrish.com/category_index.php?category=CHINGLISH

Budget and taxes

Over 52 cents of every dollar spent on socialist programs like social security, welfare education etc .
42 cents of every dollar is spent on defense including veteran’s benefits and military debt interest and the Iraq war etc.
(Total is rounded out with roughly 5% on general government expenses)

We should cut federal spending in half by eliminating all socialist programs.

no recession

The economic growth has slowed but no recession.   Slowing growth does not equal receding economy

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080430/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy;_ylt=An9kXyTBXscIDOqSmXfMKJ6s0NUE

Obama's buddies

Obama’s voting record –most liberal of all?
http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/



Major General Rick Lynch
http://www.taskforcemarne.com/command-corner/19-command-profiles/45-major-general-rick-lynch

He has given some interesting interviews. Hugh Hewitt has transcript here
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/transcripts/Transcript.aspx?ContentGuid=2e0278ff-f379-47ed-85fa-bd7d374a0171


Michael Yon
The best source I have found for what is happening in Iraq
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php?view=article&catid=53%3Ahunting-al-qaeda&id=351%3Ahunting-al-qaeda-part-iii-of-iii&option=com_content&Itemid=79

Who are Obama’s friends?

Most of the reviews of Obama’s associates come from partisan sites so you have to look past that but the list of his friends is pretty ugly. The list of his supporters is horrific although to be fair he can’t control that. It isn’t his fault that Hamas endorsed him. This thing is spreading and he has no answer for this crazies that he hangs out with. He is sunk.
A couple samples:
http://www.abovepolitics.com/forum/thread346223/pg1
http://www.redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/obama_ayers_and_wright

there are a lot more. Just do a search for Davis, Ayers, Wright, Obama and you can find some interesting stuff

-Michael

Why Vote for McCain?

Why Vote for McCain?

I don’t like John McCain. He isn’t conservative and he is wrong on so many issues. Those that support him say that he is the only republican that can beat Hillary or Obama. I wonder where that idea comes from. Who will support him against the democrats? If one had to vote for John or Hillary, who do you pick? What a horrible position to be in. That is the dream choice of leftist and socialists. The liberals would love to put conservatives in a position of choosing between the lesser of two evils. They forced that with Al Gore. Vote for Bush or you get a lunatic environmentalist moron. So Pres. Bush won. Conservatives don’t like McCain but liberals and “moderates” like him. Liberals and the press will push McCain and call him a hero and the front runner but who will they tout in the general election? Will they want a moderate socialist like McCain or a leftist socialist like Obama? They will just keep pushing left and select the biggest government candidate they can get. McCain will be their second choice.

If McCain does well then my ideas lose either way. I won’t vote him over Hillary. I don’t want him and I won’t run up his vote numbers to make it looks like he has some support. I am not voting against someone like Obama just because McCain is just a little better.

People that think McCain is a good candidate listen to MSM too much. They hold him up now and make it look like he has momentum and potential to win but they will dump him when put up against a democrat. For example, the New York Times endorsed John McCain. Will they endorse him over Hillary? No way. So what does their endorsement mean? It means that they want McCain to run against her so she can win. That defines him as the worst candidate to run against her, not the best. The idea that he is the only one to beat Obama or Hillary is completely backwards. With McCain conservatives will lose whether he becomes president or not.

global warming: reason for population control

Taxes on people to support the environment.

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/187_11_031207/wal10921_fm.html

This is a scary article. Some people believe in their cause so fervently that they are willing to enforce it on others. Very much like medieval muslims spreading their religion by the sword, these doctors and scientists aren't concerned about your beliefs. Or like 19th century arrogant philosophers and utopians spreading false ideology of socialism, they think they are smart enough to control everyone. This is how it starts but where does it lead??

Of course, they deserve to make the rules because they are smarter than you are. And if their plan fails then the cause is only that they weren't given enough control over your life to make you do what was best for yourself and everyone else.

We have seen the results of this thinking before. Some obvious examples? Hitler - 10 million dead. Stalin - 20 million dead. Mao - 30 to 45 million dead (but who's counting, there are still too many Chinese people)

I remember hearing about population control when I was young. I was glad that it went away, for a while anyway. The scare-mongers thought everyone would starve to death if more babies were born. The population was going to explode! But they were wrong and people found ways to make more food than we could ever eat. So they are trying a new tactic: Go Green! Don't breath, don't eat, don't breed. Or everyone will die and you will be responsible. If you can't control yourself then we will make you pay. If that doesn't work, then we will begin "selective reduction" of the worst offenders, and maybe some people that just don't contribute to society anyway. If you don't have skills and abilities that can contribute to the solution then you are just a parasitic free-loader draining the earth's dwindling resources.

These ideas have been wrong for a hundred years and that hasn't changed. They have no right to control people, especially how many children one has. That is a basic human right. All people are children of God and should be treated with respect. To play with them as cattle is horrific. We can always use more people and we will always find better ways to clothe and feed them.

No updates

My job has kept me swamped. No energy or time to write. It may be a few more weeks

Oil Conspiracy - price fixing revealed

Powerful groups are working against America. Powermongers and lobbyists have conspired to push up oil prices. They have schemed to prevent new oil from coming to market. They have rallied around oil industry chokepoints and hindered all attempts to build new refineries. They have isolated oil rich areas, keeping them hidden and undeveloped in order to increase power of foreign oil.

But you can fight back against this dark mob.

Vote them out of Congress and elect people who understand economics

FICA Tax

I am sure you have looked at your paycheck and seen a large sum of money taken out as FICA tax. Ever wonder where it goes? Into the lockbox? Ever try to get it back on tax return? I haven't complained about socialism for a few posts so here it is. Social Security and Medicare are a scam. If this money was invested by the owners then they could all retire on their own. Instead it is stolen and then wasted.

-Michael


Comments and article sent to me from a friend.......

Missing from all of this is the concept that all Ponzi schemes mathematically fail given enough time. That is why they are illegal to set up and execute, unless of course you're the government. Then it's called a "program".
The term "trust fund" is also a misnomer, as it implies that there is money sitting in the fund with your name on it. Not until the very last sentence does the real picture begin to emerge - the "trust fund" is nothing more than a stack of government IOU's.
Anyone ever see the movie "Dumb and Dumber"? They found a suitcase full of cash, spent it and filled the suitcase with slips of paper that said IOU $XXX? The crook came back to get his money, and when he had them at gunpoint, the idiots explained, "All the money is there. These slips of paper are as good as money. See, this slip of paper is worth $250,000. You might want to hang onto that one."
It was funny because no one in their right mind would actually believe those slips of paper were money, even though the two idiots in the movie thought they were accounting for it all. But the government can make good in its IOU's. The problem is that when it does so, it hurts the economy either by inflating existing currency, or stealing wealth from the private sector, or both.
To raise the actual cash, the government must:
(1) Print more money - which is just another tax that depreciates the value of already existing dollars, but don't expect the report to say that.
(2) Raise taxes - self explanatory
(3) Cut spending - no necessarily "in other programs". Likely they'll legislate that payouts are less but are distributed over a longer time, though they can't also legislate that you live X years longer.
Most likely a combination of all three will be done. The Feds will also print more money since this is a proven method of bamboozling more money from the public without their knowledge. They will also raise taxes, and likely will cut spending from the program itself as described above.
And oh yeah - the Supreme Court has already ruled that you have no actual claim to this money. Kind of redefines the concept of a "trust fund". The money isn't really there, and it isn't really yours anyway. Ladies and gentlemen, this is "our social safety net".


Social Security, Medicare Trust Funds Sink

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer 57 minutes ago
The trust fund for Social Security will be depleted in 2040, a year before expected, and Medicare will exhaust its trust fund reserves just 12 years from now, trustees for the programs said Monday.
Their annual report showed deterioration in the financial condition of both of the government's two largest benefit programs.
A year ago, the depletion of the Social Security trust fund had been projected to occur in 2041 and the Medicare hospital insurance fund in 2020.
The trustees, who include the head of the Social Security Administration and three members of President Bush's Cabinet, painted a sober assessment of the health of the two programs in advance of the looming retirements of 78 million baby boomers.
"We do not believe the currently projected long-run growth rates of Social Security or Medicare are sustainable under current financing arrangements," the trustees said in this year's report.
Bush's efforts last year to overhaul Social Security went nowhere in Congress. Even members of his own party refused to support the benefit cuts that would have accompanied the establishment of private accounts for younger workers.
Treasury Secretary John Snow, who is the chairman of the trustees' panel, told a news conference that the country faced a "looming fiscal crisis as the baby boom generation moves into retirement." He said the administration stood ready to work with Congress to come up with a solution.
"The serious concerns raised by the trustees' reports demand the attention of America's policymakers and the public," Snow said.
Bush, facing bleak prospects for winning approval for any changes in an election year, called in his State of the Union address for creation of a bipartisan panel to study the issue and come up with recommendations, just the latest in a number of commissions that have examined the programs.
While the depletion of the reserves built up over past years is projected to occur in just 12 years for Medicare and 34 years for Social Security, both programs will face financing issues much sooner at the point that the amount paid out each year exceeds the amount the government collects to fund them.
For Medicare, that occurred for the year of 2004. However, the program is projected to be in the black again before crossing over to paying out more than it takes in again.
For Social Security, the point at which the program will pay out more in benefits than it takes in will occur in 2017, the trustees projected, the same as in last year's report.
The trust funds contain the equivalent of government IOUs. To raise the actual cash to meet obligations, the government must either borrow more money from the public by issuing marketable Treasury securities, raise taxes or cut spending in other programs.
___
Social Security: http://www.socialsecurity.gov
Medicare: http://www.cms.hhs.gov

Gas Price Investigation

Terry Goddard wants to begin investigation into high prices and gouging. Silly man, there is no suh thing as gouging. Price controls mean shortages. If something is cheap than people buy a lot. The cause of shortages is bad legislation. Poor government has created the problem. More ill government will not solve it.

Great column on opinionjournal.com about prices and the messed up republicans
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008286

We need to reduce gas taxes, open more drilling and build more refineries and eliminate the EPA to get rid of high prices.

Phoney AIDS crisis

You may have heard about an AIDS crisis in Africa. Like global warming it is not true

links in the article from aim.org

Steyn on nukes

Iranian president is a nut - or is it just me?

Mark Steyn wrote great column on Iranian nuclear strategy.

http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_2_iran.html
Back when nuclear weapons were an elite club of five relatively sane world powers, your average Western progressive was convinced the planet was about to go ka-boom any minute. The mushroom cloud was one of the most familiar images in the culture, a recurring feature of novels and album covers and movie posters. There were bestselling dystopian picture books for children, in which the handful of survivors spent their last days walking in a nuclear winter wonderland. Now a state openly committed to the annihilation of a neighboring nation has nukes, and we shrug: Can’t be helped. Just the way things are. One hears sophisticated arguments that perhaps the best thing is to let everyone get ’em, and then no one will use them. And if Iran’s head of state happens to threaten to wipe Israel off the map, we should understand that this is a rhetorical stylistic device that’s part of the Persian oral narrative tradition, and it would be a grossly Eurocentric misinterpretation to take it literally.

Kill him already

It is an embarassment and a violation of justice that Moussaoui hasn't been hung yet. He is an evil murderer. We have an obligation to kill him. It is a legal, Christian, patriotic, and humane duty.

Politics and blogs

FEC ruled that blogs will not be subject to all campaign laws. Aren't they kind to allow people to write what they want? Even if it contains political messages or endorsements they will only be restricted in terms of disclosure of finances. Ad payment will have to be dislosed, for example. Sen. McCain should be run out of the country for this violation of rights called Campaign Finance Reform. Maybe we should revive the practice of burning in effigy. What a slime. And of course he excluded the Indian Gambling where he gets millions of dollars.
But my real question is why? Why don't they regulate internet content? Some people want to. I am sure McCain will come up with a new law and the President will sign it. I think I know why they back away from trying to control political speech on the internet - because they can't. No one will care or listen. No one would obey such a stupid law. And you can't have mass violation of the rulings of government or the power of government would be undermined. They would rather back down and maintain illusion of supremacy.

May Day

Of course the illegal immigrants would plan a big march for May 1st. Because they are fools misled by communists and socialists.

Religious schools

From comments: The only alternatives are either private or home schooling. Private schools can be cost prohibitive for many families or depending on the community, the majority of the private schools can be of a different faith, which can be uncomfortable for some people. I don't know that I would send my kids to a Catholic or Baptist (or whatever) private school. I don't like home schooling either. So what is a parent like me to do?


See the problem? If someone isn't Catholic then they are not comfortable with idea of sending their kids to a catholic private school. Why then is it okay to send them to school where they are told there is no God? Maybe the obvious contrast is easier to correct and teach than the confusion of slightly different doctrines among churches. My children are young and mostly focused on basics like grammar and multiplication but even now there are getting reading assignments to test their comprehension that include political/moral statements. One involved a thief running away from the scene. Multiple choice answers led reader to conclude that you shouldn’t get involved and let the police handle it. That’s garbage. Another involved global warming and how people are destroying the world. My kids don’t believe that because I have taught them better. Another incident with a cousin: teacher contradicted student who stated belief that Adam and Eve were first people on the earth. It starts early. It can be corrected but why do we allow it to happen? They should be reinforcing Sunday school not opposing it. Education cannot be separated from religious teaching. All the real lessons are the moral ones. Why shouldn’t they cheat on tests? Why shouldn’t the biggest kid be first in line? Why sit quietly and respect the teacher?

What don’t you like about home schooling? Private schools don’t have to be expensive. If people could get their tax money back that goes to schools they could use that to pay tuition.

illegal immigration marches

Seeing marches of people waving Mexican flags and demanding so-called “rights” angers me. Did they learn this socialist garbage from the French riots?

Arizona legislature is considering resolution to make English official language of Arizona. I don't think this is a new law, just a resolution stating purpose and opinion. I didn’t think much of it at first. I would generally agree with critics that these things are a waste of time. All the recent marches show that such action is needed. All these illegals marching in the streets waving Mexican flags is just wrong. They should be rounded up and driven to the border. All the kids ditching school can have fun explaining that to their parents. "mom, can you come pick me up?"

The Arizona taxpayers have no responsibility to teach people English. People should pay for such services. I definitely don't want my property taxes going to school classes to teach such things. One more reason to have each parent right a check for their student's school tuition. If they want to pay someone to teach their children English that would be great.


Some might think it strange but I am in favor of guest worker programs. I think people should be allowed to come here to work. I have no problem with that. It helps everyone. Work is good. Socialist welfare is not.


Part II

The marches will gain nothing except the wrath of working Americans who don't really begrudge illegal immigrants as long as they do what they came here for: Work. Marching in the street for non-existent rights will back-fire.

Congress may notice large crowds now because they put on a show but they will get another message come election time from the millions who are too busy to march for their cause but will take the time to vote later. Elections will go against those who make concessions to non-voters. Illegal aliens shouldn't be surprised at being treated like "second-class citizens". They aren't even that. They are criminals.

What is all talk of immigration reform to protect immigrants rights? They have human rights because they are human but they don't have civil rights because they are illegal aliens. You can't kill them because that violates Christian principles but you can deport them. They can claim rights like those described in the Declaration of Independence: Life, Liberty and Property. But they don't have civil rights desccribed in Constitution because they are not citizens.



p.s. I am opposed to line item vetos

more on labor unions

Interesting article on unions. It is another in a series from Paul Weyrich trying to plot out strategy of next conservativism. He separates labor from union and says that we need to work with labor to help them keep good jobs with out sending union dues to causes that damage them.
here

Lead in to war

I am a better reader than a writer. I don’t think I can finish the essay I wanted to write on slavery. But I will tell you the theme and you can read some of the material below to see if you agree.

Slavery is bad. The founders of the country realized this and struggled with it. But something so pervasive in one region is hard to get rid of. Slavery was part of the debate in Constitutional convention. Several compromises were added. The goal was to limit the power of slave states and to contain the practice. They did not successfully solve the problem but instead decided it was best to have a country and get rid of slavery later rather than have slavery and no country. It was debated from day one but not fixed. They only succeeded in delaying the fight for generations.

As soon as was allowed by the new Constitution the Atlantic slave trade was stopped in 1808. There was a self-sustaining population of slaves, however. Slavery was abolished in the northern states and in the northwest territories. Problems were created as vast new territories were added to the US possessions. Each required a new compromise as to how slave issue was to be handled. Louisiana Purchase, Texas and California, later New Mexico and Utah Territories. As the population grew and spread new states were added to the union. Balance was maintained with various agreements so that national abolition laws could not be forced on states that allowed slaves. Missouri Compromise of 1820 seemed a good attempt at this. A north/south line was established but needed to be extended because of western expansion. It seems talking and compromise worked until about 1854 when Stephen Douglas tried to get the planed railroad connected from California to Chicago instead of St. Louis. He also wanted to be President. It was a bad idea with too much given up to slave owners. Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed Compromise of 1820 and created confusion as to future of slavery. Containment was destroyed and talks broke down. In theory, all open territories could have slaves.

Dred Scott case was finally decided in 1857 and was another blow to peace because the court gave opinion that not only was a slave not free just because owner had resided in a free state for years. Plus they added a few things. They wrote that slaves were not citizens and descendants of slaves could never be citizens. As non-citizens they had no right to bring suits to court. They declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. (Second time that ever happened, I read.) They basically said that all laws restricting slavery were not allowed. Slavery should be allowed everywhere. This got people upset of course. This is similar to the so called right to privacy. They just made it up.

Lincoln countered Douglas in his 1854 speech. Good speech, I will include a link below. Basically the fighting didn’t stop after 1854 and led right into the War Between the States. Bleeding Kansas, attack on Sumner in the Senate etc. With all this I'm not sure why the first shot is considered to be fired at Fort Sumpter in 1861. But after reading his speeches I can see why the slave states were so opposed to a Lincoln presidency.



These are some of the better websites I read. Not all are that great but you should read Lincoln’s speech about Kansas.

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=51

In no particular order
Bleeding Kansas http://www.assumption.edu/ahc/Kansas/
http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_slav.html
Rise of republican party http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/biography6text.html
Dred Scott http://www.gdg.org/Research/Causes/causes5.html
dissenting opinions http://www.hrcr.org/docs/US_Constitution/dscott4.html
impact of Dred Scott http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/scott/impact.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2933t.html african in america
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2933.html dred scott
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/civil_war/compromise_of_1850.htm
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/civil_war/kansasnebraska_act.htm
http://mattstodayinhistory.blogspot.com/
http://www.infoplease.com/timelines/slavery.html
http://blackhistory.harpweek.com/2Slavery/SlaveryLevelOne.htm
http://members.aol.com/digasa/dubois.htm war to preserve slavery

Immigration Law needs reform

Marches in support of immigration lately in LA and Phoenix are crazy. How can anyone support illegal aliens? What a stupid idea. And why was the march targeted at Senator Kyl? I wonder if it has anything to do with the senator’s re-election this fall? He is a much better leader than McCain. Why didn’t they march on him? I might have joined them. This is a political ploy to get the opposition excited about the election. And make the republicans waste a bunch of money on the campaign to keep him in office. They can’t beat Kyl because he does a good job but they can force spending millions here in strategic move for other elections.

We need to improve security at the border. My vote is to close the border. Here is what needs to be done to solve this problem. For a start anyway…

1. Eliminate social programs that bait people into entering the US
2. Make entering the US illegally a felony
3. Add a worker program
4. Revise 14th Amendment so that children of aliens and tourists are not automatically US citizens. The slavery question that this clause addressed is long past. Should read “All persons born to citizens or those naturalized in the United States….”

Missouri Compromise

I sent the following question to History According to Bob. Hopefully he will respond in his podcast (which I highly recommend).


I have a question about the Missouri Compromise and later actions taken to repeal it.

I read in the Dred Scott decision (1857) that Justice Taney declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820 unconstitutional. Odd that, and wasn't it already repealed because of the Kansas- Nebraska Act (1854)? And the Compromise of 1850 appears to negate most of the 1820 Compromise. The deal struck in 1820 seems the best of them to me. Situations change but why go back and destroy what seemed a good idea? Doesn't seem like the best compromise is to throw out all the last compromises that have kept the peace.

Do you have a podcast on this or book to suggest on the topic?

Government schools not religiously neutral

Should government education continue? Is government education beneficial? Is government education allowed according to powers granted to government in Constitution?
Education is good. Everyone agrees on that. Quote from Washington:

"Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions
for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the
structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is
essential that public opinion should be enlightened. "

-- George Washington (Farewell Address, 19 September 1796)

I know some people think these organizations are crazy but I agree with stance taken by ExodusMandate.org on education. They say Christians have mandate to leave government schools. They refute argument that children need to be an example to the world. That is more the job of the adults.

Be a light? Salt of the earth? Yes, but only in cases where the children are not in danger. The Christians sending their children to government school are assuming the education they receive is religiously neutral. Something along the lines of the Freedom of Religion or "Let all worship according to the dictates of their own conscience". Government school is not religiously neutral. It is godless, humanistic, pagan by design. Most children not yet ready for that environment and that challenge. Would the same parents send their children to Jehovah’s Witness or Unitarian Sunday school for their religious teaching? That would be spiritually forbidden and morally irresponsible.

Socialism makes people worse

Ah, the French.
They are a like a crystal ball, letting us see our future if we try to act like them. What a disaster. They are rioting again because the country is falling apart and someone expects them to work. Economic cannabalism. They believe the myth that they can all support themselves off the labor of others. Legal plunder gone mad where everyone spends the whole day stealing from others pockets.
Go get a job!

Okay, that is my rant. Inspired by Dennis Prager's latest writings about the riots over at Real Clear Politics. (thanks Ross)

And it is time again for a plug of the greatest book written about socialism, from a frenchman no less, "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. It is short - Read it.

And now I will accept submission of French Jokes.

such as......
(from purepolitics.com)



Why did the French Army cross the road?
The road just happen to be in the path of their retreat.

What do you call a french woman who sleeps with every man she meets?
Married.

And why are French streets tree lined?
So the Germans can march in the shade.

How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?
No one knows. It's never been tried.

What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up?
The army.

How many gears does a French tank have?
Five, four in reverse and one forward (in case of attack from behind).

How do you identify a French soldier?
Sunburned armpits

What do you call someone in France taking a bath?
A tourist

FOR SALE: French rifles . . . never fired, only dropped once.




p.s. another good one about french youth from Investor Bus. Daily
I had to add this because I love the last line comparing French and American systems:

Why the big difference? The U.S. system is based on the realities of economics, not the delusions of socialist policymakers who dream up nonexistent rights and believe that labor and risk should not be required to achieve comfort and security.

Amen

Katrina and gun control

Good articles on NCPA on Katrina and unlawful gun control during that time of crisis. Ask you lawmakers to protect your rights so they don't try this again during the next emergency.

http://www.ncpa.org/newdpd/dpdarticle.php?article_id=3064

"New Orleans was the first city in American history to disarm peaceable American citizens door to door at gunpoint, says NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre, and it must be the last."

Gilbert Constitution Week

Gilbert Constitution Week
September 11 – 17 Lots of volunteers, sponsors and promoters needed.
Highland High School Gilbert, Arizona

Great lessons the whole week. Theme will be centered on celebration of Benjamin Franklin’s 300th birthday. Statesman, revolutionary, scientist, inventor, writer, printer, diplomat

Website needs an update but mark it so you can come back for updates.

I read the First American by H. W. Brands which was good. A lot of great quotes are attributed to him, whether he thought of them or just wrote them all down I don’t know. My latest favorite is:

Better to go to sleep supperless than to wake up in debt.

Crayons, snacks ... & HIV

Aids talk in Kindergarten

Your government schools in action. They decide what your little children need to know about (homo)sexually transmitted diseases.

Author Tom Bethell writes in his book, “Politically Incorrect Guide to Science” that there is no AIDS epidemic, not even in Africa.

Here is the news article about New York schools.