My two boys love their favorite superheros! I know more about Spiderman and Batman than I ever wanted to know. But what makes these characters heros? Other than their strength, speed, agility, and uncanny ability to dodge bullets, it's their willingness to do what is right no matter what it costs them. Superheros will fight against evil and defend the innocent people, never worried about their popularity or what is in it for them. They display selflessness while protecting the citizens of their respective cities, while the law and media condemn their actions. Do these types of people exist in today's world? Can we find any of these heros in our government?
Many of our Republican politicians like to talk tough during campaign season, promising constituents they will fight to cut the budget, cut taxes, repeal Obamacare, and vote against anything that will go against our conservative principles. Then they get elected, and the establishment gets hold of them, and they start to compromise their idealogy in order to climb the political leadership ladder. Most of our current politicians view politics as a career choice, and feel they must go along to maintain their career. Unfortunately, due to a lazy electorate and a biased media, this has worked for the majority of politicians for dozens of years.
We have had a recent wave of elected officials who have fallen on their sword for their beliefs, politics and media be damned. Florida Congressman Colonel Allen West immediately comes to mind. He rode the Tea Party wave of Republican candidates who won the majority in the US House of Representatives in 2010. He has been one of the most outspoken members of Congress against the oppressive, socialist policies of the Obama administration, and has not been afraid to call a spade a spade. The Republican establishment tried to keep him quiet, because they were afraid of media and electorate backlash. The Republican elites did not support him in his reelection bid, and the Obama administration targeted his race during the last election, and Colonel West narrowly lost his race. So, did Congressman West slink off quietly to lick his wounds, and try and get back in the GOP's good graces again? - NO! He is remaining a strong voice against the Obama administration and the establishment, and is sounding the alarm and trying to wake the American people!
There are others in politics who are doing heroic deeds. Senators Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee and Jim Demint are speaking out against Speaker Boehner's "fiscal cliff" negotiations and removal of fiscal conservatives from key financial committees. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann and Congressman Paul Ryan, although quieted from their recent failed presidential/vice-presidential bids and tough reelection campaigns, are still standing strong against raising taxes and the debt limit, and speaking out against Obamacare, the EPA, and other extreme policies of the current administration. Former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, is still speaking out loudly against liberal, socialist policies, and has been calling out the GOP for their failed leadership as well.
The American people need our elected officials to act like heros, willing to fall on their sword for their beliefs. Our politicians need to realize that their popularity and electability is not important - they must be willing to do what they feel is right, no matter what it costs them. Vote against raising the debt limit if real cuts aren't on the table, vote to defund Obamacare, investigate Benghazi and Fast and Furious. The media is against conservative Republicans, and will continue to blame the GOP for the bad economy, whether they compromise or not.
So, I say "Don't compromise!" The Democrats won't, so why should the Republicans. No matter the outcome, the Republicans will be demonized by the media, so why not stick to their principles of lower taxes and smaller government. This is the real reason why the GOP lost in November. The American people know that both parties are willing to raise taxes and spend money, and they would rather vote for the party that is being more honest about what they will do. The Democrats have told us what they want to do - continue to spend, raise taxes, and spread the wealth - and they are doing it! The Republicans have said they want to cut taxes, cut spending, and repeal Obamacare - so they must continue to vote to do this! C'mon GOP, be a hero to the people, and do what is right for your country!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Twinkie Saga, Part 2 - Capitalism vs. Corporate Greed
The Twinkie Saga continues. Hostess filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which means they must liquidate their assets and sell off the company. In order to liquidate the company, the brand is seeking permission from the court to pay 19 top executives a $1.8 million "bonus" to help oversee the liquidation. This means that each executive will receive a little less than $100,000 for a few months of work (if that). While I'm sure that is significantly less than their usual salary, it is not chump change.
Many conservatives appear to be divided about whether bankrupt corporations should give their CEOs bonuses. When it comes to corporate bankruptcies, CEOs and management are last in line to be paid according to the SEC (Security and Exchange Commission). Only if there is money left over from the liquidation of assets and payments in full to creditors would it be okay to pay out bonuses. If, however, some creditors do not get paid in full due to renegotiation of terms, it should NOT be okay for those company executives to take a bonus.
I have absolutely no problem with executives making loads of money when they are in charge of successful companies - that is called capitalism. The problem is when those same executives keep giving themselves loads of money at the expense of others, whether that is due to price gauging, slave wages, cheap materials, or not paying debts. That is when capitalism turns in to corporate greed.
In my conservative opinion, if you borrow money you should pay it back. Bankruptcy is really not a conservative principle. As conservatives, we believe in paying our creditors in full, no matter how long it takes and what happens to us. The concept of declaring bankruptcy to get out of paying our debts is relatively new, just as using food stamps and applying for unemployment is for short term financial problems. My husband and I had to deal with six months of joblessness, and never applied for unemployment, food stamps, or personal bankruptcy, and instead incurred massive credit card debt and personal loans from family members we are still paying off. While using government welfare programs would have been a much simpler solution to our financial problems, we took our personal responsibilities seriously.
This is the cultural problem we have in this country - very few of us take our financial responsibilities seriously. Bank lends you a mortgage you can't pay - it must be the bank's fault! The government lends you insane amounts of money to go to college - the government must forgive the student loans! If you can't afford a cell phone, the internet, or cable - the taxpayers must pay for them. If you can't manage to save your money to retire at 65 - the government must pay you to retire! If you can't find a job that provides enough money to pay for health insurance, the government must pay for that too!
Do you see the pattern here? Personal responsibility vs greed! This is what we are teaching our children. Do ask what you can do for your country, but what your country can give to you! The baby boomer generation has done an excellent job teaching all future generations how to mooch off the system. We must start reversing this mentality. We must start teaching our children how to be responsible by becoming responsible ourselves and not giving in to our greed!
Many conservatives appear to be divided about whether bankrupt corporations should give their CEOs bonuses. When it comes to corporate bankruptcies, CEOs and management are last in line to be paid according to the SEC (Security and Exchange Commission). Only if there is money left over from the liquidation of assets and payments in full to creditors would it be okay to pay out bonuses. If, however, some creditors do not get paid in full due to renegotiation of terms, it should NOT be okay for those company executives to take a bonus.
I have absolutely no problem with executives making loads of money when they are in charge of successful companies - that is called capitalism. The problem is when those same executives keep giving themselves loads of money at the expense of others, whether that is due to price gauging, slave wages, cheap materials, or not paying debts. That is when capitalism turns in to corporate greed.
In my conservative opinion, if you borrow money you should pay it back. Bankruptcy is really not a conservative principle. As conservatives, we believe in paying our creditors in full, no matter how long it takes and what happens to us. The concept of declaring bankruptcy to get out of paying our debts is relatively new, just as using food stamps and applying for unemployment is for short term financial problems. My husband and I had to deal with six months of joblessness, and never applied for unemployment, food stamps, or personal bankruptcy, and instead incurred massive credit card debt and personal loans from family members we are still paying off. While using government welfare programs would have been a much simpler solution to our financial problems, we took our personal responsibilities seriously.
This is the cultural problem we have in this country - very few of us take our financial responsibilities seriously. Bank lends you a mortgage you can't pay - it must be the bank's fault! The government lends you insane amounts of money to go to college - the government must forgive the student loans! If you can't afford a cell phone, the internet, or cable - the taxpayers must pay for them. If you can't manage to save your money to retire at 65 - the government must pay you to retire! If you can't find a job that provides enough money to pay for health insurance, the government must pay for that too!
Do you see the pattern here? Personal responsibility vs greed! This is what we are teaching our children. Do ask what you can do for your country, but what your country can give to you! The baby boomer generation has done an excellent job teaching all future generations how to mooch off the system. We must start reversing this mentality. We must start teaching our children how to be responsible by becoming responsible ourselves and not giving in to our greed!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Naked Compromise
Naked protesters stormed Speaker of the House John Boehner's office yesterday, chanting "Boehner, Boehner, don't be a dick. Budget cuts will make us sick." They are apparently concerned that cutting federal spending on healthcare will limit their access to free AIDS care. This is a similar false narative to the "War on Women", since there have been free and cheap access to AIDS clinics and drugs since the 1980s.
What are fiscal conservatives to do? Is there any chance of actual compromise with the radical Obama administration? Democrats and the people on the left only want to increase taxes and eliminate tax deductions, while Republicans and people on the right talk about cutting spending on social welfare programs. I think just about everything is going to have to be touched, but I don't think that will happen with the current political makeup.
I'm no financial expert, but I know there is no such thing as a sacred cow when your budget is out of control! I've been there. I've moved to an apartment from a house, cut cable and internet, stopped traveling to see family, stopped eating out and going to movies, and shopped at discount stores. When will our government do the same? I'm not opposed to raising taxes and cutting loopholes, because everyone is going to need to feel the pain at some level and cutting the budget will take time to implement. But, we can't only raise taxes, as that will surely have the effect of slowing the economy and most likely pushing us into another recession.
Republicans need to hold strong on cutting the budget, and should propose an "across the board" percentage cut on all budgetary items (including congressional salaries, government salaries, and defense). That is the only way to sell budget cuts to all of the American people, and win the war of words. When conservatives state they are opposed to raising taxes, most Americans believe they are trying to protect the wealthy, especially when wealthier Americans pay the majority of the taxes. When Republicans refuse to cut defense spending and can't wait to cut social security and medicare, it appears heartless and cruel.
Unfortunately, I don't know if a compromise is possible in today's political climate. Even if Republicans put revenue on the table and propose moderate budget cuts to all government programs, I doubt the Democrats will agree. So, what can the GOP do? They should put out there most reasonable compromise, and make sure to publish it in all the papers, over the internet, and on all the political talk shows. Then, if and when the Obama administration and the Senate Democrats refuse the compromise, people can see for themselves what offer the Democrats will put on the table.
I'm going to guess that the Republicans will be villified for refusing to tax the rich and wanting to cut services to the poor, and that the Democrats will refuse to make any significant cuts to the budget while wanting to raise taxes on most Americans by increasing tax rates and eliminating or reducing many tax deductions. The media will glorify the Democrat plan, therefore getting public opinion behind them, and the Republicans will be blamed for their partisanship. Republicans will have to get behind the Democrat plan to avoid the US falling of the fiscal cliff.
America is truly a divided nation at this moment. How and if we can come together remains to be seen? Is compromise even possible anymore, and is it in the country's best interest? I pray that our politicians can find a way to come together and find a workable solution to our problems, but I don't hold out much hope. I fear we are already to far gone.
What are fiscal conservatives to do? Is there any chance of actual compromise with the radical Obama administration? Democrats and the people on the left only want to increase taxes and eliminate tax deductions, while Republicans and people on the right talk about cutting spending on social welfare programs. I think just about everything is going to have to be touched, but I don't think that will happen with the current political makeup.
I'm no financial expert, but I know there is no such thing as a sacred cow when your budget is out of control! I've been there. I've moved to an apartment from a house, cut cable and internet, stopped traveling to see family, stopped eating out and going to movies, and shopped at discount stores. When will our government do the same? I'm not opposed to raising taxes and cutting loopholes, because everyone is going to need to feel the pain at some level and cutting the budget will take time to implement. But, we can't only raise taxes, as that will surely have the effect of slowing the economy and most likely pushing us into another recession.
Republicans need to hold strong on cutting the budget, and should propose an "across the board" percentage cut on all budgetary items (including congressional salaries, government salaries, and defense). That is the only way to sell budget cuts to all of the American people, and win the war of words. When conservatives state they are opposed to raising taxes, most Americans believe they are trying to protect the wealthy, especially when wealthier Americans pay the majority of the taxes. When Republicans refuse to cut defense spending and can't wait to cut social security and medicare, it appears heartless and cruel.
Unfortunately, I don't know if a compromise is possible in today's political climate. Even if Republicans put revenue on the table and propose moderate budget cuts to all government programs, I doubt the Democrats will agree. So, what can the GOP do? They should put out there most reasonable compromise, and make sure to publish it in all the papers, over the internet, and on all the political talk shows. Then, if and when the Obama administration and the Senate Democrats refuse the compromise, people can see for themselves what offer the Democrats will put on the table.
I'm going to guess that the Republicans will be villified for refusing to tax the rich and wanting to cut services to the poor, and that the Democrats will refuse to make any significant cuts to the budget while wanting to raise taxes on most Americans by increasing tax rates and eliminating or reducing many tax deductions. The media will glorify the Democrat plan, therefore getting public opinion behind them, and the Republicans will be blamed for their partisanship. Republicans will have to get behind the Democrat plan to avoid the US falling of the fiscal cliff.
America is truly a divided nation at this moment. How and if we can come together remains to be seen? Is compromise even possible anymore, and is it in the country's best interest? I pray that our politicians can find a way to come together and find a workable solution to our problems, but I don't hold out much hope. I fear we are already to far gone.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Democratic Dictators - Morsi and Obama
What is a popular President to do when he is unable to pass legislation he believes the people want? Well, if you are Mohamed Morsi or Barack Obama, you issue an executive order, of course!
In an unsurprising move on Thursday, the Muslim Brotherhood leader in Egypt issued presidential decrees that allowed him to usurp the democratic process. President Mohamed Morsi declared himself the guardian of the Egyptian revolution, granting him higher power than any court, in order to issue a retrial of former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarek. He believes that the contentious atmosphere in the legislature is halting the democratic process, and he needed to go around the process for it to move forward.
If this sounds familiar, it is because President Barack Obama has been issuing his own executive orders since the 2010 mid-term elections when the US Congress became divided, and his legislation could no longer become the law of the land. Since becoming the President, Obama has issued 141 executive orders, many of them having to do with security and defense, or giving opinions on certain policies. However, he has also grown the size and scope of government, creating dozens of councils, commissions, and task forces.
More disturbing than President Obama's executive orders, however, are his presidential decrees, where he has decided things like which immigration laws to enforce or how the EPA will limit companies carbon usage. These decrees have more bite in them, since they go directly to the agency in charge of said decree. Those agencies will then carry out the decree by enacting new rules and regulations, or just ignoring old ones.
So, while the Egyptian people feel sucker-punched by Morsi's power grab, they shouldn't be surprised. Most of today's democratic leaders rule by decree and executive order, especially when the wheels of democracy turn at a snail's pace. Perhaps the uprising of the Egyptian people against such dictatorial policy will open the eyes of the American people, but I'm guessing the American people will remain asleep.
In an unsurprising move on Thursday, the Muslim Brotherhood leader in Egypt issued presidential decrees that allowed him to usurp the democratic process. President Mohamed Morsi declared himself the guardian of the Egyptian revolution, granting him higher power than any court, in order to issue a retrial of former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarek. He believes that the contentious atmosphere in the legislature is halting the democratic process, and he needed to go around the process for it to move forward.
If this sounds familiar, it is because President Barack Obama has been issuing his own executive orders since the 2010 mid-term elections when the US Congress became divided, and his legislation could no longer become the law of the land. Since becoming the President, Obama has issued 141 executive orders, many of them having to do with security and defense, or giving opinions on certain policies. However, he has also grown the size and scope of government, creating dozens of councils, commissions, and task forces.
More disturbing than President Obama's executive orders, however, are his presidential decrees, where he has decided things like which immigration laws to enforce or how the EPA will limit companies carbon usage. These decrees have more bite in them, since they go directly to the agency in charge of said decree. Those agencies will then carry out the decree by enacting new rules and regulations, or just ignoring old ones.
So, while the Egyptian people feel sucker-punched by Morsi's power grab, they shouldn't be surprised. Most of today's democratic leaders rule by decree and executive order, especially when the wheels of democracy turn at a snail's pace. Perhaps the uprising of the Egyptian people against such dictatorial policy will open the eyes of the American people, but I'm guessing the American people will remain asleep.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Israel's Lonely Battle
Imagine getting bullied every day by a coworker - having your lunch stolen, getting nasty notes on your desk, being tripped and pushed while walking to a meeting, and being told by other coworkers how much this person wants you fired. You speak to your boss and coworkers about the bullying, but everyone denies that the bullying is happening. Then one day, this bully slaps you in the middle of a meeting, and still no one stands up and condemns this person. The bully continues to slap you each week at this meeting, and you have no one to defend you.
After several months of this happening, you finally decide to fight back. During the next meeting, after your bullying coworker slaps you, you slap him back. All of your coworkers finally look at you, and stare in disbelief. They say, "How could you hit a coworker?" and "Why are you so mean?". Then, your boss calls you into his office, and tells you that your behavior was outrageous and will not be tolerated at this company. You try and tell your boss that it was in self-defense, and that your coworker had been slapping you for months, but your boss doesn't care. So, you stop defending yourself again, and the bully goes back to slapping you every week during the meeting.
This is how I imagine Israel must feel. The international community ignores attacks from Hamas and other terrorist organizations on Israel, and when Israel finally defends itself, they are condemned. Israel's biggest ally, the United States, remains silent while all of their neighbors call for Israel's destruction. What would you do in that situation? If it were your job, you have the option to find another job or maybe file a lawsuit against the company. What options are left for Israel?
After several months of this happening, you finally decide to fight back. During the next meeting, after your bullying coworker slaps you, you slap him back. All of your coworkers finally look at you, and stare in disbelief. They say, "How could you hit a coworker?" and "Why are you so mean?". Then, your boss calls you into his office, and tells you that your behavior was outrageous and will not be tolerated at this company. You try and tell your boss that it was in self-defense, and that your coworker had been slapping you for months, but your boss doesn't care. So, you stop defending yourself again, and the bully goes back to slapping you every week during the meeting.
This is how I imagine Israel must feel. The international community ignores attacks from Hamas and other terrorist organizations on Israel, and when Israel finally defends itself, they are condemned. Israel's biggest ally, the United States, remains silent while all of their neighbors call for Israel's destruction. What would you do in that situation? If it were your job, you have the option to find another job or maybe file a lawsuit against the company. What options are left for Israel?
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Palin for President
The only reason I was fired up and ready to vote for anyone in the 2008 US Presidential race was because Sarah Palin was the Vice-Presidential nominee. It gave me a little hope that maybe Senator John McCain knew what he was doing and could make some good decisions as our President. She was an outstanding speaker, beautiful and witty, and was clearly a patriotic, pioneering, all-American girl. However, she was also divisive and controversial the moment she stepped onto the national stage.
If you were a woman, you either loved her or hated her immediately. I'll never understand how women can be so judgemental and hateful to another woman. It is especially shocking when "women's rights" activists and feminists are so eager to attack successful, attractive, intelligent women. The media eagerly attacked Governor Palin for having a pregnant teenage daughter, not having an Ivy League education, and having no national political experience. She was portrayed as stupid, hypocritcal and judgmental.
Because of the media scrutiny, her life has been forever altered. After she and John McCain lost to the Obama campaign, she tried to go back to her life in Alaska as Governor, but the media scrutiny and daily lawsuits filed by obsessive liberals caused her to resign. When the TEA Party movement started, she became a superstar to fiscal conservatives. Not only does she say all the right things, she has lived them in her personal life, business life, and political life.
So, now the GOP is in chaos, because their chosen "moderate" candidate did not win against possibly the worst US President in our history. Mitt Romney was "moderate" in all the wrong ways - moderate on economic policy, moderate on healthcare, and a big-government progressive. He was for all of the bailouts, for government-run healthcare (at least at a state level), and for government being a solution to the problem. Yes, he was a staunch conservative on social policy, but due to our politically correct education system and liberal entertainment industry, the majority of America is not conservative socially.
Republicans continued to play the old game of nominating the moderate country club guy, and using the conservative vice-presidential nominee to motivate the base (and this time the TEA Party). Grassroots conservatives were not as motivate to GOTV for Romney, although they were motivated to GOTV against Obama. But, I always say that in order to win an election, you have to be FOR something. That is why McCain/Palin got three million more votes than Romney/Ryan. The base was not excited about voting for Romney.
I don't know what will happen in the next few years with the Republican Party. I think they need to rethink their party platform at a national level, but I think they might be challenged by a third party (namely the TEA Party) soon, especially if GOP refuses to see the writing on the wall. We need to embrace the fiscal conservatives who have shown proven leadership like Governor Sarah Palin. Conservative leaders that aren't afraid of putting values before party.
If you were a woman, you either loved her or hated her immediately. I'll never understand how women can be so judgemental and hateful to another woman. It is especially shocking when "women's rights" activists and feminists are so eager to attack successful, attractive, intelligent women. The media eagerly attacked Governor Palin for having a pregnant teenage daughter, not having an Ivy League education, and having no national political experience. She was portrayed as stupid, hypocritcal and judgmental.
Because of the media scrutiny, her life has been forever altered. After she and John McCain lost to the Obama campaign, she tried to go back to her life in Alaska as Governor, but the media scrutiny and daily lawsuits filed by obsessive liberals caused her to resign. When the TEA Party movement started, she became a superstar to fiscal conservatives. Not only does she say all the right things, she has lived them in her personal life, business life, and political life.
So, now the GOP is in chaos, because their chosen "moderate" candidate did not win against possibly the worst US President in our history. Mitt Romney was "moderate" in all the wrong ways - moderate on economic policy, moderate on healthcare, and a big-government progressive. He was for all of the bailouts, for government-run healthcare (at least at a state level), and for government being a solution to the problem. Yes, he was a staunch conservative on social policy, but due to our politically correct education system and liberal entertainment industry, the majority of America is not conservative socially.
Republicans continued to play the old game of nominating the moderate country club guy, and using the conservative vice-presidential nominee to motivate the base (and this time the TEA Party). Grassroots conservatives were not as motivate to GOTV for Romney, although they were motivated to GOTV against Obama. But, I always say that in order to win an election, you have to be FOR something. That is why McCain/Palin got three million more votes than Romney/Ryan. The base was not excited about voting for Romney.
I don't know what will happen in the next few years with the Republican Party. I think they need to rethink their party platform at a national level, but I think they might be challenged by a third party (namely the TEA Party) soon, especially if GOP refuses to see the writing on the wall. We need to embrace the fiscal conservatives who have shown proven leadership like Governor Sarah Palin. Conservative leaders that aren't afraid of putting values before party.
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Twinkie Movement
Apparently, one of the best ways to get the American people's attention is to take away their beloved Twinkies! I was at the grocery store today, and although I rarely ever buy Hostess products for my kids, I made a special point to make my way to the Twinkie aisle. Before I even made it there, a lady I didn't know told me I'd better hurry, because there was a run on Twinkies. I thought it was strange, since she didn't know I might be headed there. Then, when I saw what remained of the Hostess products, a half dozen people were there talking about if Twinkies were really going away.
So, here are total strangers, all coming together for a common cause - the Twinkie! I could hardly believe it. As a TEA Party activist, I have been trying to figure out how to open the average working citizen's eyes to what was going on in our country. Who would've guessed that a food product could be the answer?
Now we have to find a way to message to the people about why the Hostess company is having to close its doors. We have to let the people know that this is not about Wall Street, Big Business, and greedy CEOs. While that may be part of the problem in corporate America, and perhaps Hostess needs to reevaluate if and how they pay their stockholders and if their leadership needs a bigger paycut, the reason Hostess is closing its doors is because the Union refuses to accept the best deal Hostess can give their employees. While many employees are willing to work, their Union forbids it or they will lose their Union representation and benefits.
I see a Twinkie movement starting. Perhaps we should buy up all the Hostess products and set up a table and sell them along with our message of small government, individual liberty, and lower taxes. It could work, couldn't it?
So, here are total strangers, all coming together for a common cause - the Twinkie! I could hardly believe it. As a TEA Party activist, I have been trying to figure out how to open the average working citizen's eyes to what was going on in our country. Who would've guessed that a food product could be the answer?
Now we have to find a way to message to the people about why the Hostess company is having to close its doors. We have to let the people know that this is not about Wall Street, Big Business, and greedy CEOs. While that may be part of the problem in corporate America, and perhaps Hostess needs to reevaluate if and how they pay their stockholders and if their leadership needs a bigger paycut, the reason Hostess is closing its doors is because the Union refuses to accept the best deal Hostess can give their employees. While many employees are willing to work, their Union forbids it or they will lose their Union representation and benefits.
I see a Twinkie movement starting. Perhaps we should buy up all the Hostess products and set up a table and sell them along with our message of small government, individual liberty, and lower taxes. It could work, couldn't it?
Republicans Are Lazy!
The GOP Governors all met yesterday, and decided that Mitt Romney lost because he didn't offer enough specifics during the campaign. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Where were the specifics from the Obama campaign on economic policy? We haven't see a government budget in four years, and Romney lost because he wasn't specific? I don't think so! Republicans have been losing ground in national elections for dozens of years, because the progressive liberals and Democrats are following a plan.
Democrats, and especially the radical left-wing of the party, had decided long ago that if they wanted to forward their agenda of big government, shared sacrifice, and shared wealth, they were going to have to start from the ground up. They infilitrated our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our media, our entertainment, our city councils, local and state governmental bodies, and finally our national representatives. This took almost 100 years to achieve, and along the way, they helped to move popular culture from conservative, traditional family values to a secular, progressive, "tolerant" society. Obviously, some of the causes that liberals championed were important for promoting individual liberty (civil rights and women's rights), and there are some liberal social causes that I somewhat agree with (gay rights, legalizing marijuana). However, the secular-progressive war on religion is unacceptable in America, and their war on our Constitution is down-right treasonous.
Unfortunately, during this long period of time that the Democrats have been expanding their base and spreading their agenda throughout the country, conservatives and Republicans have been diligently working for a living, paying their bills, putting their children through school, and voting on election day. Conservatives believed that was all they needed to do to make sure their children had a better future. And for the last three generations, they were right. But now, the creeping progressive, big government policies that began with Social Security and other welfare programs, has grown into dozens of government agencies that regulate Agriculture, Geology, Education, Environment, Security, and Federal Reserve, is slapping conservatives in the face!
Republicans and everyday citizens allowed this to happen by believing we were doing enough to protect our country just by working, owning a home, shopping, paying taxes, and playing by the rules. We were wrong. While we were enjoying the comforts of our prosperity, others were plotting to take our prosperity away and spread it around to others who didn't earn it. Constituional conservatives can no longer sit on the sidelines of our local, state and federal agencies. We must take an active role in advocating for what we believe in. We must find new ways of spreading our message of individualism, hard-work, and self-sacrifice instead of collectivism, welfare, and shared-sacrifice.
Conservatives and Republicans are definitely not lazy, but we haven't put our energies into growing the conservative movement until now. Winning back the hearts and minds of the American people will be a long term proposition. We need to stay focused, continue to organize or conservative groups, and stop the in-fighting and work together. This war will not be fought or won easily, but together we take our country back!
Democrats, and especially the radical left-wing of the party, had decided long ago that if they wanted to forward their agenda of big government, shared sacrifice, and shared wealth, they were going to have to start from the ground up. They infilitrated our schools, our churches, our neighborhoods, our media, our entertainment, our city councils, local and state governmental bodies, and finally our national representatives. This took almost 100 years to achieve, and along the way, they helped to move popular culture from conservative, traditional family values to a secular, progressive, "tolerant" society. Obviously, some of the causes that liberals championed were important for promoting individual liberty (civil rights and women's rights), and there are some liberal social causes that I somewhat agree with (gay rights, legalizing marijuana). However, the secular-progressive war on religion is unacceptable in America, and their war on our Constitution is down-right treasonous.
Unfortunately, during this long period of time that the Democrats have been expanding their base and spreading their agenda throughout the country, conservatives and Republicans have been diligently working for a living, paying their bills, putting their children through school, and voting on election day. Conservatives believed that was all they needed to do to make sure their children had a better future. And for the last three generations, they were right. But now, the creeping progressive, big government policies that began with Social Security and other welfare programs, has grown into dozens of government agencies that regulate Agriculture, Geology, Education, Environment, Security, and Federal Reserve, is slapping conservatives in the face!
Republicans and everyday citizens allowed this to happen by believing we were doing enough to protect our country just by working, owning a home, shopping, paying taxes, and playing by the rules. We were wrong. While we were enjoying the comforts of our prosperity, others were plotting to take our prosperity away and spread it around to others who didn't earn it. Constituional conservatives can no longer sit on the sidelines of our local, state and federal agencies. We must take an active role in advocating for what we believe in. We must find new ways of spreading our message of individualism, hard-work, and self-sacrifice instead of collectivism, welfare, and shared-sacrifice.
Conservatives and Republicans are definitely not lazy, but we haven't put our energies into growing the conservative movement until now. Winning back the hearts and minds of the American people will be a long term proposition. We need to stay focused, continue to organize or conservative groups, and stop the in-fighting and work together. This war will not be fought or won easily, but together we take our country back!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
To TEA or not to TEA (Party, that is)!
I have been a defacto TEA Party leader for the past year in my area. I basically inherited the leadership position, although I'm not necessarily someone who has leadership qualities. To be perfectly honest, I was excited about the opportunity at first, and really worked hard to see the most conservative candidates become our GOP candidates in the Texas Primary and our local school board election in May.
Then, life happened this past spring. My husband got a serious infection following a relatively routine surgery, and was sick for almost two months, putting everything on hold. This allowed me to take a step back, away from the craziness of politics, and reassess my priorities. I quickly realized that the world did not fall apart without me in it. I also realized that many of the things I was doing weren't all that important in the long run. Was it really necessary to hold weekly or monthly TEA Party meetings that only a dozen people came to? Was it really necessary to hold forums or attend meet and greets that the same people always attended? Was it really necessary to attend every school board meeting, every political event in the area?
So I stepped back, and decided to take a break from the TEA Party after the primaries were over. Unfortunately, no one was there to pick up where I left off. So nearly six months later, I am left with another decision - do I help get the TEA Party movement back off the ground in my area, or do I try and find someone to continue the fight. I'm no longer interested in hosting meetings, forums and rallies anymore, but finding someone who is willing and able to do so is difficult.
There are very effective TEA Parties and TEA Party leaders out there, but I am moving on. I am involved in my local Homeowners Association, my local school board, and my local Republican Party (for now, at least). That is what I can do to help the conservative cause today. The TEA Party will have my support, but for now, it will need to find a new leader.
Then, life happened this past spring. My husband got a serious infection following a relatively routine surgery, and was sick for almost two months, putting everything on hold. This allowed me to take a step back, away from the craziness of politics, and reassess my priorities. I quickly realized that the world did not fall apart without me in it. I also realized that many of the things I was doing weren't all that important in the long run. Was it really necessary to hold weekly or monthly TEA Party meetings that only a dozen people came to? Was it really necessary to hold forums or attend meet and greets that the same people always attended? Was it really necessary to attend every school board meeting, every political event in the area?
So I stepped back, and decided to take a break from the TEA Party after the primaries were over. Unfortunately, no one was there to pick up where I left off. So nearly six months later, I am left with another decision - do I help get the TEA Party movement back off the ground in my area, or do I try and find someone to continue the fight. I'm no longer interested in hosting meetings, forums and rallies anymore, but finding someone who is willing and able to do so is difficult.
There are very effective TEA Parties and TEA Party leaders out there, but I am moving on. I am involved in my local Homeowners Association, my local school board, and my local Republican Party (for now, at least). That is what I can do to help the conservative cause today. The TEA Party will have my support, but for now, it will need to find a new leader.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
A Fire Rises!
It has been a week since President Obama won reelection. I have gone through a myriad of emotion since then - sadness, despair, fear, disbelief, rage, and depression. Maybe that seems extreme over an election, but for me and many other Constitutional conservatives, this election was about more than a man. It was a mandate from the people on the direction our country will take for the future. If the election results are accurate (and there are some questions about the results), then America has moved away from its Christian, family-centered, independent roots and toward a secular, fatherless, dependent society.
After sorting through all of my emotions, and assessing the reactions of other conservative grassroots activists as well as the GOP political elite, I have made a decision. I will not give up on my country. I will work with other grassroots activists to update the conservative message, and I will work to educate college students, single women, minorities, and liberals about the US Constitution, fiscal responsibility, and government independence!
There are 27 states that have filed a petition with the White House on whitehouse.gov for secession from the United States. I understand the sentiment. However, I don't want to be something different than the USA. I can see removing a few states from the Union, but I want to keep our Constitution. Of course, someone pointed out that perhaps petitioning for secession is a bit ironic. But, I feel this is more of a statement than an actual movement at this point.
We need to concentrate on what we CAN do right now! This is a battle for the soul of our country! Constitutional conservatives are losing!!! We need to figure out how to infiltrate the MSM, Hollywood, radio, and television. We need to put out interesting, fresh internet videos that kids will find and watch that have a mild conservative message. In psychology, I learned the easiest way to change someone's mind is through behavioral shaping - moving the thoughts and behaviors in small ways over a longer period of time to get to the desired result. Republicans and Conservatives have been pummelling Americans with a strict moral message that is in conflict with the messages we encounter through our daily interactions.
Americans didn't accept women in the workplace, gays fighting in our military, single-parent families, or teenage sex and abortion overnight. This was done over a long period of time through very small changes in our television shows and movies, the education system, and our politics. Liberals have discovered this. Yes, the riot and protest in the streets to get attention over their favorite issues. But many of them have gone underground and assimilated into our society to quietly take over every corner of American society. They are our teachers, our pastors, our volunteers, our local politicians, our actors, our media, and our business owners. This is where we must begin.
This is not going to be a sexy war! Conservatives need to realize we let our country slide over the last 100 years. Many younger Americans believe the Constitution is antiquated, that family-values are antiquated, and that being proud of your country is antiquated! Because trophies are given to everyone now, pride itself has now become an old-fashioned idea. How dare we believe that our country is the BEST country in the history of the world. We need to work even harder than we worked the last four years. We need to be in the PTAs, the MUD boards, the HOAs, the School Boards and the City Councils. We need to be members of our Churches and charity organizations. Do what you can and do your part!
I don't know where our battle will take us. We need to start being proactive, however, instead of being reactive like the last four years. None of the insane policies that are undoubtedly coming our way should surprise us now, and we need to stay focused on our ultimate goal of promoting the US Constitution, fiscal conservative values, and government independence. If we do this, a fire will rise, and our movement will grow!
After sorting through all of my emotions, and assessing the reactions of other conservative grassroots activists as well as the GOP political elite, I have made a decision. I will not give up on my country. I will work with other grassroots activists to update the conservative message, and I will work to educate college students, single women, minorities, and liberals about the US Constitution, fiscal responsibility, and government independence!
There are 27 states that have filed a petition with the White House on whitehouse.gov for secession from the United States. I understand the sentiment. However, I don't want to be something different than the USA. I can see removing a few states from the Union, but I want to keep our Constitution. Of course, someone pointed out that perhaps petitioning for secession is a bit ironic. But, I feel this is more of a statement than an actual movement at this point.
We need to concentrate on what we CAN do right now! This is a battle for the soul of our country! Constitutional conservatives are losing!!! We need to figure out how to infiltrate the MSM, Hollywood, radio, and television. We need to put out interesting, fresh internet videos that kids will find and watch that have a mild conservative message. In psychology, I learned the easiest way to change someone's mind is through behavioral shaping - moving the thoughts and behaviors in small ways over a longer period of time to get to the desired result. Republicans and Conservatives have been pummelling Americans with a strict moral message that is in conflict with the messages we encounter through our daily interactions.
Americans didn't accept women in the workplace, gays fighting in our military, single-parent families, or teenage sex and abortion overnight. This was done over a long period of time through very small changes in our television shows and movies, the education system, and our politics. Liberals have discovered this. Yes, the riot and protest in the streets to get attention over their favorite issues. But many of them have gone underground and assimilated into our society to quietly take over every corner of American society. They are our teachers, our pastors, our volunteers, our local politicians, our actors, our media, and our business owners. This is where we must begin.
This is not going to be a sexy war! Conservatives need to realize we let our country slide over the last 100 years. Many younger Americans believe the Constitution is antiquated, that family-values are antiquated, and that being proud of your country is antiquated! Because trophies are given to everyone now, pride itself has now become an old-fashioned idea. How dare we believe that our country is the BEST country in the history of the world. We need to work even harder than we worked the last four years. We need to be in the PTAs, the MUD boards, the HOAs, the School Boards and the City Councils. We need to be members of our Churches and charity organizations. Do what you can and do your part!
I don't know where our battle will take us. We need to start being proactive, however, instead of being reactive like the last four years. None of the insane policies that are undoubtedly coming our way should surprise us now, and we need to stay focused on our ultimate goal of promoting the US Constitution, fiscal conservative values, and government independence. If we do this, a fire will rise, and our movement will grow!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Do You Hear The People Sing?
One of my favorite Broadway musicals is Les Miserables. I never paid much attention to the story, but love the music, and love to play it on the piano. As I was attempting to destress today, I started to play some of the songs, and one of them stuck out to me. It is a battlecry - a song that was song to rally the troops (sad, sick, weak, tired, and ill-equipped as they were) just before heading into battle.
This musical is written about the The French Revolution, a revolution against a monarchy and for equality, citizenship and inalienable rights. It seems appropriate to revisit such times in our world's history, doesn't it? People were tired of working long hours and having little to nothing to show for it - all of their money going toward an overgrown government that promised to take care of the citizens, but only took care of itself. The working class lived in relative squalor, barely scraping by, while the ruling class enjoyed lavish living conditions.
Much like the modern day TEA Party, the grassroots citizens in France longed for freedom and prosperity and worked together to accomplish those goals. When it became clear that the French government would not hear their requests for individual rights and religious freedoms, they rose up. I see the same thing happening in America today. The calls for secession grow louder every day the government ignores the will of the people. I know many of us will continue to try and work through and with our current government to make sure our Constitutional freedoms are upheld. However, if the time comes when it becomes clear the government is no longer willing to listen, we must be prepared.
I thought I'd share the words from the song that inspired this post:
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
that will give you the right
to be free!
Will you give all you can give
so that our banner may advance?
Some will fall and some will live,
will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes!
This musical is written about the The French Revolution, a revolution against a monarchy and for equality, citizenship and inalienable rights. It seems appropriate to revisit such times in our world's history, doesn't it? People were tired of working long hours and having little to nothing to show for it - all of their money going toward an overgrown government that promised to take care of the citizens, but only took care of itself. The working class lived in relative squalor, barely scraping by, while the ruling class enjoyed lavish living conditions.
Much like the modern day TEA Party, the grassroots citizens in France longed for freedom and prosperity and worked together to accomplish those goals. When it became clear that the French government would not hear their requests for individual rights and religious freedoms, they rose up. I see the same thing happening in America today. The calls for secession grow louder every day the government ignores the will of the people. I know many of us will continue to try and work through and with our current government to make sure our Constitutional freedoms are upheld. However, if the time comes when it becomes clear the government is no longer willing to listen, we must be prepared.
I thought I'd share the words from the song that inspired this post:
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
that will give you the right
to be free!
Will you give all you can give
so that our banner may advance?
Some will fall and some will live,
will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing,
singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people
who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start
when tomorrow comes!
The 108 Percent?
Four days after President Obama surprised conservatives by winning a second term, we are learning more about how Team Obama outplayed Team Romney! It seems that Mitt Romney's election team did not use the best technology, did not reach out to youths, hispanics, other minorities, or non-Christians. It appears that President Obama's election gurus increased voter registration in all of those categories. They also used high tech GOTV (Get Out The Vote) equipment, and it actually worked. Obama's team also successfully supressed the Christian vote by going after Mormonism (and having CNN and MSNBC doing hit pieces on Mormons). They successfully supressed the military vote by not getting the ballots to them in time. They successfully made the election about social issues and emotion rather than economic and fiscal responsibility.
There are also some strange things going on in three of the swing states with the voter registration roles. In crucial counties in Ohio, Florida, and Colorado, voter registration is equal to or greater than the total number of eligible voters in those counties. In other words, 100% or more of people 18 or older are registered to vote in these areas. In one county in Ohio, there are 108% of the voting population registered to vote! Amazing. How is this possible? Well, one explanation is that each of these counties hasn't purged their voter roles in a very long time. Another explanation given to us by a Colorado County Clerk is that their county is a destination/vacation county that has many temporary residents that may be registered to vote there. Of course, that doesn't explain why the voter turn-out in these specific counties happens to be about 20 percentage points higher than their state or national average.
One thing is clear to me. President Obama and his GOTV team is doing things that the Republican Party can't even imagine, let alone keep up with. It is time for some new thinking. We must analyze the Obama GOTV machine, and get it right this time. or conservatives won't have a chance to win back the hearts and minds of the American people.
There are also some strange things going on in three of the swing states with the voter registration roles. In crucial counties in Ohio, Florida, and Colorado, voter registration is equal to or greater than the total number of eligible voters in those counties. In other words, 100% or more of people 18 or older are registered to vote in these areas. In one county in Ohio, there are 108% of the voting population registered to vote! Amazing. How is this possible? Well, one explanation is that each of these counties hasn't purged their voter roles in a very long time. Another explanation given to us by a Colorado County Clerk is that their county is a destination/vacation county that has many temporary residents that may be registered to vote there. Of course, that doesn't explain why the voter turn-out in these specific counties happens to be about 20 percentage points higher than their state or national average.
One thing is clear to me. President Obama and his GOTV team is doing things that the Republican Party can't even imagine, let alone keep up with. It is time for some new thinking. We must analyze the Obama GOTV machine, and get it right this time. or conservatives won't have a chance to win back the hearts and minds of the American people.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Jumping Off the Fiscal Cliff
Have you ever done something you were afraid to do, but felt so much better after you did it? This past year, I went zip-lining for the first time. It was a huge accomplishment for someone with a massive fear of heights. I'm glad I did it, but I probably wouldn't do it again purposely. That is what fiscal conservatives are going to need to do to save our country - face our fears of massive debt, large tax increases, loan defaults, and credit rating downgrades by giving Democrats what they want.
I know, I know. We have fought against tax increases for four years as the TEA Party! Well, America has spoken, and we need to let the Obama administration lead the way. According to the AP, letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire plus the defense, Medicare, and unemployment cuts will cut our deficit by $800 billion annually, leaving us with only $200 billion more to find in order to cover our $1 trillion annual deficit. I don't know if it would work to balance the budget, but I know Americans would be hurting financially. Perhaps that is what needs to happen to wake people up!
I know, I know. We have fought against tax increases for four years as the TEA Party! Well, America has spoken, and we need to let the Obama administration lead the way. According to the AP, letting the Bush-era tax cuts expire plus the defense, Medicare, and unemployment cuts will cut our deficit by $800 billion annually, leaving us with only $200 billion more to find in order to cover our $1 trillion annual deficit. I don't know if it would work to balance the budget, but I know Americans would be hurting financially. Perhaps that is what needs to happen to wake people up!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Obamacare - A New Reality
One of the first things I realized after the 2012 election results were in, and it was obvious that the GOP did not take the back the Senate or Presidency, was that Obamacare (or the Affordable Care Act) is here to stay. I believe the majority of Americans probably didn't like the way it was foisted on us, but have gotten used to the idea. They are comfortable with the changes that have been made, which are mostly positive (free annual checkups, pre-existing conditions covered, children through age 26 covered), and don't realize there are many more changes to come. Of course, this might have something to do with none of our elected officials actually reading the massive bill before it was passed. Many Americans were hopeful that Obamacare would be repealed after the Supreme Court disappointed us by finding it Constitutional, but now it is apparent that we will be dealing with government healthcare for the forseeable future. So what can we expect.
From Americans for Tax Reform, there will be many tax increases, but here are five of the worst that begin in 2013:
The Obamacare Medical Device Tax – a $20 billion tax increase
The Obamacare “Special Needs Kids Tax” – a $13 billion tax increase
The Obamacare Surtax on Investment Income – a $123 billion tax increase
The Obamacare “Haircut” for Medical Itemized Deductions – a $15.2 billion tax increase
The Obamacare Medicare Payroll Tax Hike -- an $86.8 billion tax increase
Read more go to Americans for Tax Reform's website.
Admittedly, most of these taxes will only affect individuals making more $200,000/yr or couples making $250,000/yr. Maybe that will affect you, maybe it won't. But it will affect business owners, who will have to increase prices that will be passed to you. Something else that will impact small business owners is the redefining of "full-time employee". Apparently, a full-time employee will be someone who works more than 30 hours per week, which will mean businesses must offer benefits now for those employees or reduce their hours.
As for my family, we have had an epic year dealing with medical issues and expenses. I have witnessed the changes in hospital care, with doctors and nurses following computer protocols to problem solve rather than their education, experience and intuition. I have heard the conversations between doctors and nurses in elevators regarding reduction in services, reduction in insurance reimbursements, reduction in salaries, and reduction in patient care. I have witnessed my own doctor's frustration regarding wanting to prescribe one medication but being forced to prescribe another due to government regulations and mandates. I have taken my kids to walk-in clinics staffed with physician's assistants more often than their pediatrician, because my insurance covers those visits at a higher rate. I have argued with every single doctor I have seen about why I don't want the flu shot, and won't give my children any more vaccines during almost every medical visit. I watched my husband nearly die because doctors and nurses refused to listen to our concern about a medication because it was the "recommended and best" one that shouldn't be causing problems according to the computer literature.
I have a child with autism. My biggest concern is for him and how we will be allowed to care for him in the future. Currently I am homeschooling him, because our public school refuses to do what is necessary to teach him, which I hope to continue. We have used the majority of our flexible spending money towards different uninsured therapies over the years, and he has medical problems that regular doctors can't and won't treat. By capping flexible spending savings accounts at only $2500, Obamacare will cost us a few hundred more dollars every year in taxes and trying to find alternative ways to treat his medical issues.
Obamacare is our new reality. This is not going to change. Americans are heading toward a single-payor, government run system that will determine what gets covered, who gets treated, and how much it will cost you. On the front page of Yahoo! yesterday, I saw an article on how certain treatments and procedures (spinal fusions for compressed disks, medication for depression) aren't necessary because there are natural therapies that can be successful, which is just a precursor to our government telling
us we can't have that procedure or that medicine because they don't want to cover it. Get ready, because it's coming fast. In the meantime, I plan on looking for doctors and medical groups that are willing to take cash and stay away from Obamacare.
From Americans for Tax Reform, there will be many tax increases, but here are five of the worst that begin in 2013:
The Obamacare Medical Device Tax – a $20 billion tax increase
The Obamacare “Special Needs Kids Tax” – a $13 billion tax increase
The Obamacare Surtax on Investment Income – a $123 billion tax increase
The Obamacare “Haircut” for Medical Itemized Deductions – a $15.2 billion tax increase
The Obamacare Medicare Payroll Tax Hike -- an $86.8 billion tax increase
Read more go to Americans for Tax Reform's website.
Admittedly, most of these taxes will only affect individuals making more $200,000/yr or couples making $250,000/yr. Maybe that will affect you, maybe it won't. But it will affect business owners, who will have to increase prices that will be passed to you. Something else that will impact small business owners is the redefining of "full-time employee". Apparently, a full-time employee will be someone who works more than 30 hours per week, which will mean businesses must offer benefits now for those employees or reduce their hours.
As for my family, we have had an epic year dealing with medical issues and expenses. I have witnessed the changes in hospital care, with doctors and nurses following computer protocols to problem solve rather than their education, experience and intuition. I have heard the conversations between doctors and nurses in elevators regarding reduction in services, reduction in insurance reimbursements, reduction in salaries, and reduction in patient care. I have witnessed my own doctor's frustration regarding wanting to prescribe one medication but being forced to prescribe another due to government regulations and mandates. I have taken my kids to walk-in clinics staffed with physician's assistants more often than their pediatrician, because my insurance covers those visits at a higher rate. I have argued with every single doctor I have seen about why I don't want the flu shot, and won't give my children any more vaccines during almost every medical visit. I watched my husband nearly die because doctors and nurses refused to listen to our concern about a medication because it was the "recommended and best" one that shouldn't be causing problems according to the computer literature.
I have a child with autism. My biggest concern is for him and how we will be allowed to care for him in the future. Currently I am homeschooling him, because our public school refuses to do what is necessary to teach him, which I hope to continue. We have used the majority of our flexible spending money towards different uninsured therapies over the years, and he has medical problems that regular doctors can't and won't treat. By capping flexible spending savings accounts at only $2500, Obamacare will cost us a few hundred more dollars every year in taxes and trying to find alternative ways to treat his medical issues.
Obamacare is our new reality. This is not going to change. Americans are heading toward a single-payor, government run system that will determine what gets covered, who gets treated, and how much it will cost you. On the front page of Yahoo! yesterday, I saw an article on how certain treatments and procedures (spinal fusions for compressed disks, medication for depression) aren't necessary because there are natural therapies that can be successful, which is just a precursor to our government telling
us we can't have that procedure or that medicine because they don't want to cover it. Get ready, because it's coming fast. In the meantime, I plan on looking for doctors and medical groups that are willing to take cash and stay away from Obamacare.
Are We Wrong?
That is the question that haunted me all night. Maybe my world view is too old fashioned? What if America's place in the world is supposed to change, and we are supposed to become part of a global movement - a one-world order, if you will? Perhaps the world doesn't have a place for free markets and inalienable rights anymore? The global community might just be rejecting our "shining city on a hill", spreading our democratic ideas and protecting other countries' freedoms. Americans might not want economic and personal freedom through lower taxes and smaller government anymore, choosing instead the comfort and security that comes from government safety nets like welfare, social security, unemployment, and mandated minimum wages and vacations.
Clearly my country is moving in the opposite direction of my personal values and beliefs. Social issues are clearly trumping economic issues at the ballot box, with the War on Women having a greater impact on the Presidential election than the impending Fiscal Cliff. The war on the wealthiest 1% seems to be more important than the War on Terror. Marriage equality and abortion rights are in the news more than dead and injured soldiers in Afghanistan and the death of our US Ambassador in Benghazi.
This is where I am today. I'm just trying to figure out where the American people are after voting for four more years of increasing government, more taxes, and less freedom. If that is the direction the USA is heading, I will have to get used to it. However, I don't have to like it, and for now, I will keep fighting for what I believe.
Clearly my country is moving in the opposite direction of my personal values and beliefs. Social issues are clearly trumping economic issues at the ballot box, with the War on Women having a greater impact on the Presidential election than the impending Fiscal Cliff. The war on the wealthiest 1% seems to be more important than the War on Terror. Marriage equality and abortion rights are in the news more than dead and injured soldiers in Afghanistan and the death of our US Ambassador in Benghazi.
This is where I am today. I'm just trying to figure out where the American people are after voting for four more years of increasing government, more taxes, and less freedom. If that is the direction the USA is heading, I will have to get used to it. However, I don't have to like it, and for now, I will keep fighting for what I believe.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Our 51st State!
I visited Puerto Rico three and a half years ago during a Carribean cruise. It's a beautiful place, and the people are good. The one thing I remember the most from that visit, other than the US government stimulus signs everywhere, was speaking with a gentleman who gave us a tour of his homeland. He was proud of Puerto Rico, and was not afraid to show us everything about it. We saw lavish hotels, pristine beaches, and posh shopping centers at first. A few miles down the road, we were introduced to "his" Puerto Rico, with the rocky public beaches, plywood huts, rusted-out cars, stray animals everywhere, and dirt roads where the locals lived. The people were happy here, and there was a strong sense of community. This young man told us that some people in Puerto Rico want to be part of the United States, but most do not.
Why would Puerto Ricans vote to become a State in our Union, when they receive all of the benefits already (military protection, representation, stimulus dollars), without any of the costs (no federal taxes). He was very well-spoken about all of this, and let us know that the Puerto Rican government was complicated, but it worked for them.
At the time of our visit, I was concerned about Puerto Rican statehood, because I had heard on the Glenn Beck program that President Obama's administration had helped to draft a resolution that would inevitably lead its people to vote for it, even though past resolutions had failed multiple times. After the 2010 elections, I didn't hear anything more about it, so I thought maybe it just hadn't passed and was nothing to worry about.
Today, after the devastating blow to Constitutional Conservatives in America with the reelection of President Obama, I was looking through the headlines and discovered this on Yahoo!'s front page... PUERTO RICO ENDORSES STATEHOOD! This was after reading a horrendous article detailing all of the ways our taxes will increase (also on Yahoo!'s front page).
Why is this important? Well, it might not be, if our Republican House of Representatives had a backbone and stood up to Obama and the liberal progressives, and if they can hold control over the next four years. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, the liberals will undoubtedly get two more US Senators, and at least one more liberal congressman, as well as more liberal electoral votes. If Puerto Rico really wants to become a State, and if both houses of Congress and our President vote for it, then we should gladly welcome them, even with their liberal ideaologies and votes. But, if the Puerto Rican people have been played, and the Congress gets bullied into allowing them into the Union, this was nothing but an absolutely brilliant political strategy by the far left in America.
Why would Puerto Ricans vote to become a State in our Union, when they receive all of the benefits already (military protection, representation, stimulus dollars), without any of the costs (no federal taxes). He was very well-spoken about all of this, and let us know that the Puerto Rican government was complicated, but it worked for them.
At the time of our visit, I was concerned about Puerto Rican statehood, because I had heard on the Glenn Beck program that President Obama's administration had helped to draft a resolution that would inevitably lead its people to vote for it, even though past resolutions had failed multiple times. After the 2010 elections, I didn't hear anything more about it, so I thought maybe it just hadn't passed and was nothing to worry about.
Today, after the devastating blow to Constitutional Conservatives in America with the reelection of President Obama, I was looking through the headlines and discovered this on Yahoo!'s front page... PUERTO RICO ENDORSES STATEHOOD! This was after reading a horrendous article detailing all of the ways our taxes will increase (also on Yahoo!'s front page).
Why is this important? Well, it might not be, if our Republican House of Representatives had a backbone and stood up to Obama and the liberal progressives, and if they can hold control over the next four years. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, the liberals will undoubtedly get two more US Senators, and at least one more liberal congressman, as well as more liberal electoral votes. If Puerto Rico really wants to become a State, and if both houses of Congress and our President vote for it, then we should gladly welcome them, even with their liberal ideaologies and votes. But, if the Puerto Rican people have been played, and the Congress gets bullied into allowing them into the Union, this was nothing but an absolutely brilliant political strategy by the far left in America.
Welcome, Comrades!
That was how my husband greeted us this morning! "We are officially a left-of-center country now!" he said. But how did it happen, I keep asking myself!? When did we make that left turn toward bigger government, more entitlements, and less personal responsibility? I hope to examine all of those things through this blog, and hopefully you will join me on that journey.
I've known for months that Obama was going to win this election, and it was pretty apparent to me that President Obama knew he was going to win also. However, I admit to becoming caught up by the images of the large Romney rallies (and the small Obama rallies), and actually started believing miracles could happen. I truly wanted to remain optimistic for my three young children and their future. I knew what all the polls were saying, and knew it was probably a long shot (unless conservative pundits were right about the polls being wrong). I also knew that all of the swing voters I knew were still voting for Obama.
So, all day yesterday, I prayed and hoped, and prayed some more! I was not very surprised when the results started coming in, and weren't looking promising for Romney. So many pundits kept saying that Romney would win Florida, Virginia and Ohio, because the polls showed that 60% of our country did not like the direction our country was heading. Well, that may be true, but apparently they didn't think Romney was going to take the country in a better direction.
So, where does that leave us - the TEA Partiers, fiscal conservatives, libertarians, and reluctant Republicans? Is our United States of America truly lost to the liberals and far left? Can we capture the independents with a different message? How do we get rid of the big-government progressive that has taken over the Republican Party? Is our country now divded among the taxed and the dependent, the elites and the common man, the haves and the have-nots? Is America lost forever after decades of increasing social welfare programs and generations of government-educated citizens? I don't know. I hope not! I will try to be optimistic, but I am the political pessimist.
I've known for months that Obama was going to win this election, and it was pretty apparent to me that President Obama knew he was going to win also. However, I admit to becoming caught up by the images of the large Romney rallies (and the small Obama rallies), and actually started believing miracles could happen. I truly wanted to remain optimistic for my three young children and their future. I knew what all the polls were saying, and knew it was probably a long shot (unless conservative pundits were right about the polls being wrong). I also knew that all of the swing voters I knew were still voting for Obama.
So, all day yesterday, I prayed and hoped, and prayed some more! I was not very surprised when the results started coming in, and weren't looking promising for Romney. So many pundits kept saying that Romney would win Florida, Virginia and Ohio, because the polls showed that 60% of our country did not like the direction our country was heading. Well, that may be true, but apparently they didn't think Romney was going to take the country in a better direction.
So, where does that leave us - the TEA Partiers, fiscal conservatives, libertarians, and reluctant Republicans? Is our United States of America truly lost to the liberals and far left? Can we capture the independents with a different message? How do we get rid of the big-government progressive that has taken over the Republican Party? Is our country now divded among the taxed and the dependent, the elites and the common man, the haves and the have-nots? Is America lost forever after decades of increasing social welfare programs and generations of government-educated citizens? I don't know. I hope not! I will try to be optimistic, but I am the political pessimist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)