Whaddaya Think?

We have little over a week and a half until the mid-term elections. Everyone is giving you their opinions. I think it is only fitting that you should also have a say in what's going on. So, here's your chance. Do Not neglect to cast your vote, whichever way your conscience dictates. It is your duty as a citizen.  But think before you go into the booth, because so much is riding on your decision, and it should not be made lightly. Until then, hit the 'comment' button at the bottom and let me know what you're thinking about what is happening in America. Be polite, but don't be bashful...man (or woman) up, and sound off like you've got something to say, or ask your own questions.  Here are just a few suggestions to get the conversation flowing.

• President Obama recently scolded the United States Chamber of Commerce for taking money from foreign companies and political action committees. Amidst all his and other Demoncrats' bellyaching about the GOP receiving money from "unknown foreign sources," they never seem to get around to telling their audience that their party receives almost twice as much in foreign contributions as the Republicans do.  Any thoughts on the hypocrisy? Do you even see any?
• Under the heading of "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day," the president signed a law requiring new laws to be written in plain English.  A great idea? I think so, but apparently 80 Republicans didn't, because of "Senate modifications."  What were those modifications that prevented a unanimous vote for the elimination of legalese in writing our laws? And why couldn't it have been written more plainly as an example?
• Why does it always come as a shock when there is a rash of teenage suicides? When we become adults, do we forget all the lonliness, the confusion over social roles, the feeling that "no one understands me" that goes through the heads of many teenagers as they struggle to understand the changes going on inside them, and their relationships to the world around them?
• When Imam Rauf, the man pushing for the "Ground Zero mosque" complains that comments like Bill O'Reilly's "The View" statement of fact "only served to further fuel an irrational fear of Islam," is he being serious, or simply taking us for complete fools? Are we suppposed to forget the overwhelming hypocrisy of the Left when it comes to how Muslims are portrayed for public consumption?  In the words of O'Reilly; "What say you?"  And is fear truly irrational when there are literally millions of Muslims who want to kill us?
• In a story that dominated the media for part of the week, what do you think of commentator Juan Williams' firing as a contributor at NPR simply for stating in a Fox News Channel debate that sometimes he feels a little uncomfortable when flying if there are people in traditional Muslim garb on board?  Was his firing justified? Was it wise of Fox News to afterward hire him full-time? More importantly, was he fired as part of George Soros' suddenly-public massive sponsorship of NPR and other Left-leaning propaganda organs, as he openly declared war on Fox and anyone connected with it?  Does it matter that Soros is using his vast (and increasing) wealth in an attempt to be the literal "man behind the curtain," the master puppeteer of the western world? 

• Does it matter that the United States is in the midst of the steepest job decline in modern history? Or that government policies have been literally pushing manufacturing jobs overseas for decades, resulting in a higher level of unemployment than we've seen since World War 2, while simultaneously pushing us into a level of debt impossible to pay off?
• Are you upset by the continuing revelation of military secrets involving the war in Iraq by Wikileaks? If so, why? Are you more offended by the exposure of military secrets, or by the abuses that may have occurred in our name?

As you can see, there are many things going on around us, and naturally I haven't even scratched the surface here. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by the events of the day.  Most people simply tune out, while others catch the ubiquitous sound-bite which becomes all they ever really learn (or at least, hear) about the subject at hand. These media fragments - which are always carefully chosen and sometimes manipulated to produce a desired effect on the listener, then become the foundation if not the entirety of the person's understanding of the issue. 

When soundbite-itis or apathy becomes the total view of a large portion of the population - and that population makes up a republic - there is great danger on the horizon. This is true because a republic absolutely requires the due diligence of the majority; the voters who elect people to oversee their affairs. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who seek high office are persons of low character and an incredibly exaggerated self-esteem; more interested in the power of the office and the perks it brings than the principles that should be guiding their "enlightened rule."

What principles, you inquire? I could give you all sorts of stuff to look up: the  Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the ponderings of Frederick Bastiat (fast becoming a favorite of mine), and of course, the Holy Bible.  But perhaps that which gets the point across best and most simply is a brief list that has been making the email rounds, variously titled. For now, let's just let it answer the questions:

Which side of the fence are you on?
If a Conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn’t buy one. If a Liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.   

If a Conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat. If a Liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.   

If a Conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life. If a Liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.   

If a Conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation. A Liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.   

If a Conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels. Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.   

If a Conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church. A Liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.

If a Conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it. A Liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.   

If a Conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.  A Liberal will delete it because he's "offended."
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So, now that you've got the guidelines, start noticing how your typical reactions match up (or not). Travel down that road to self-discovery. I think you'll find that most of us wobble back and forth over the line, especially when a particular issue confronts us personally.  For most of us it's a matter of degree rather than a strict division of reactions and preferences. One of the most difficult things for a lot of people is to admit to ourselves that we don't always behave as purely as we think we do.  As you think about these very simple examples, I hope you will come to a deeper understanding of yourself. Perhaps you will even find yourself becoming more pronounced - or at least stable - in your own beliefs and reactions to events.

A Nation on Life Support

If you read no further, read this and understand: What you don't know can hurt you. And that is the purpose of this pathetic little blog, to fill in a few of the knowledge gaps, and make you more aware, and more prepared for what lies ahead.

OK, you're still reading, so buckle up. Yeah, I know; more bad news. It sucks to be us. But if we don't take our collective heads out of our nether regions, the America we wake up to one day soon may become an Amerika more akin to the Soviet Union, with all the waste, persecution, suspicion and poverty that image conjures up. Fortunately, some people are beginning to stand up and speak out eloquently on the danger we are in and what our response should be. Unfortunately, most Americans are still living in a dream constructed by master craftsmen in the art of distraction, dissembling and disinformation. It could be chalked up to mere schizoid paranoia if there weren't so much damn evidence staring us in the face.

Our present leadership is taking us on a crash course in "How to Kill a Great Nation". If you're one of those trying with all your might to ignore the obvious, allow me to burst your bubble. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke to a group of illegals in a church in California recently (which tells you where she stands on "separation of Church and State"), clamoring for the suspension of ICE raids on illegal workplaces and calling them "patriotic." Oh really... patriotic to which country, Nancy? And whose side are you on?

Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee that pushed for and oversaw the AIG deal, coincidentally received the biggest campaign contribution from AIG. Barack Obama received the second largest contribution. During interviews covering only a couple of days, Dodd first claimed he didn't know about the sweet bonus deal, then admitted that they had placed a measure in the stimulus bill to restrict the bonuses but were asked to remove it (and did). Yet he, Barney Frank and the rest of the Up-on-the-Hill Mob have the cojones to then use congressional extortion to get the bonuses back, threatening a 70% tax on those who received the money.

As bad as they might look, those bonuses were part of a contract between AIG and the employees. It goes against the Constitution for congress to violate, or cause to violate, a contract in such a way (see Bill of Attainder, Article I, section 9 ). Does it suck that they made the deal? Yes. But is it proper for the government to stoop to mob tactics to extricate themselves from a problem of their own making? Certainly not. In case you're wondering, that's what totalitarian governments do. Hmmm...come to think of it...

My question is, where are the Supreme Court Justices on this issue? They are supposed to be the protectors and interpreters of the Constitution, but the tendency is to look the other way on such matters. Look at it this way: the Senate - the supposed "thoughtful body" of congress as instituted by the Founders - has just decided that it can selectively go after individuals, using the IRS as a weapon of extortion. If they can go after individual AIG employees, who will they go after next; you, someday?

Speaking of justice, Attorney General Eric Holder thinks that a good way to protect the American people from terrorism is to release Gitmo terrorists inside the United States. Makes me feel safer already. Also, the state government of Missouri has published a Strategic Report on "The Modern Militia Movement," which in part outlines what state officials should look for as indicators of possible domestic terrorists. Ostensibly, it's a profile for potential terrorists, and includes intriguing tips for spotting these 'enemies of the state'. Among things to look for are being a supporter of Ron Paul and displaying bumper stickers that contain "anti-government rhetoric." I suppose that would include such rubrics as "Don't steal; the government hates competition."

When all the little pieces of the puzzle are seen together, they point to an ominous conclusion: our way of life has never been in greater jeopardy, and the people's righteous rancor against an increasingly oppressive and unresponsive government hasn't been this high since our forefathers took up shooting at lines of men in red jackets.

A lot of lather was worked up over Obama's careless remark on the Tonight Show, in which he supposedly dissed the Special Olympics. My opinion on this is that there is too much made of too little here. Everyone makes stupid and unthinking remarks from time to time (just keep reading me), and Obama makes more than his share when he goes off-prompter. In this instance, let's worry about the real mistakes he's making, and not dwell on subjective minutiae. But just for comparison, check out what Sarah Palin had to say about Special Olympics.

Now for some actual fun: the Media Research Center's 2009 Gala Dishonors Awards. See; those radical Right-wing conspiracists do have a sense of humor! Unfortunately, the video compilation of Jay Leno's man-on-the-street interviews is a real downer, as it shows the absolutely pathetic state of American education and the utter vacuuousness of a great proportion of American youth. (But I'd bet they can text "UR so kul 2" without even taking their eyes off the road!)

And so I can say it's not all doom and gloom, let me invite you to see what it's like to fly with the Blue Angels. Enjoy!