More About Our Republic

Lynn Mueller in the Georgetown Times discusses the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the encroachment upon States rights by the Federal Government. To forestall the impending health care legislation, many states are passing legislation reinforcing their Constitutional authority. All States should look into doing the same. All Men Are Created Equal

Obama's Birth Certificate: Not Where He Was Born, But Who Is He?

Roger Kimball of PajamaMedia is asking the question many of us have asked: "Who Is HE"? Why can't the media find the answers to the questions? The Obama We Hardly Know

Andrew C. McCarthy in National Review Online also investigates this. Who Is He?

It's All About Loyalty

James Lewis of the American Thinker questions whether Obamas upbringing taught him "The American Way". He is a Ruling Class Aristocrat steeped in an Anti-American way of thinking. It's About Loyalty

Why is Tort Reform Not On The Table?

Obama blamed greedy doctors for excessive health care costs. He should look at his friends, the trial lawyers, more closely. Investors Business Daily had an editorial They're Coming For Your Tonsils that had some worthy comments on the need for tort reform.

Health Costs: Lawyers are responsible for more unneeded procedures than "greedy" doctors. But instead of capping malpractice awards, bureaucrats will soon decide which treatments are OK and whether you're worth it.

The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers says about 10% of the cost of medical service is attributable to medical malpractice lawsuits. Roughly 2% is caused by direct costs of the lawsuits; an additional 5% to 9% is due to expenses run up by defensive medicine.

Michelle Malkin vs Matt Lauer

Senate Version - First Read

Phyllis Schlafly comments on her first read of the Senate version of the Health Care Bill.
Phyllis Schlafly's Read On the Senate Version Of The Health Care Bill

Ayn Rand

An article in the American Thinker sets forth Ayn Rand's conservative philosophy and comments on how the Democrats embraced more moderate candidates in conservative areas in order to gain control of the Congress. The article suggest that if conservatives fail to reach out to the centrists, there is no way to defeat the Democrats in 2010 and 2012. What do you think? Ayn Rand: " Goddess Of The Market"

Democrat Censorship of Franking Privaleges

The Democrats are violating Congressman John Carter's freedom of speech by censoring his communications to his constituents. Congressmen utilize taxpayer's funds, Franking Privileges, to communicate by mail, items deemed important to the home folks. Evidently the words "Democrat controlled" and "Government run" have no business being in his communication. Instead, "majority controlled" and "public option" must be used. The Franking Review Board has also prohibited the inclusion of the Republican chart of the bureaucracy created by the new health care proposal.

Another example of the Democrats trying to deny freedoms and obfuscate their intentions. Fox News Interview With John Carter, Republican From Texas

Iran - One For Obama?

Over the weekend, on Meet the Press, Hillary made some stern statements to Iran and North Korea regarding nuclear proliferation. I, like many conservatives, feel that it has been a long time coming for the Obama administration. What no one knows is whether it is a policy change, a departure by Hillary or just words vetted for poling purposes. Investors Business Daily ran an article on the subject.Lessons Learned On Iran

Government Needs A Bigger Truck

John Brock's column last week is full of common sense. Our Government is run, mostly, by persons who have never created wealth or held productive jobs in their lives. Their sole existence has been to redistribute others' hard earned income. Why do we expect them to do other than to spend, spend, spend?

John's piece is to the point. Bigger Truck

Sarah Palin's Farewell Speech

Michigan's 17 Electoral Votes - Bought And Paid For in 2012

The Delphi reorganization through Chap. 11 was going smoothly since 2005 in accordance with the bankruptcy laws and now, in steps the Obama administration with a lollipop for the UAW. The PBGC (Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp.) is assuming $6.2 billion to shore up workers pensions, but with a heavy emphasis on UAW pensions at the expense of non-union and small union employees.

We, the taxpayers, are paying for years of UAW excesses and mismanagement in the auto bailouts and the PBGC, a governmental agency that was supposed to be self funding, is now over $33.5 billion in debt.

How can the government be trusted to control spending when the President and Congress are using taxpayers money to buy votes?

The UAW's Defined Benefactor

Rhetoric Meets Reality

Charles Krauthammer, in his article Rhetoric Meets Reality writes this about the high cost of malpractice insurance for doctors.

"But the greatest waste is the hidden cost of defensive medicine: tests and procedures that doctors order for no good reason other than to protect themselves from lawsuit. Every doctor knows, as I did when I practiced years ago, how much unnecessary medical cost is incurred with an eye not on medicine but on the law.

Tort reform would yield tens of billions in savings. Yet you cannot find it in the Democratic bills. And Obama breathed not a word about it in the full hour of his health care news conference. Why? No mystery. The Democrats are parasitically dependent on huge donations from trial lawyers."

Anyone who goes to a doctor regularly, or has had a visit to the hospital or emergency room can see the prolific waste in resources caused by the"cover your a--" tests the doctors must do to protect themselves from lawsuits. This cost, plus the resultant higher than necessary insurance premiums directly inflate the doctor and hospital bills. The only people that benefit are the trial lawyers and Charles answered the question as to why tort reform is not in the proposed bill.

Medicare is sinking under the weight of these costs and any medical care legislation is doomed without comprehensive tort reform.

Illegals - Why Not Ration Their Care?

Last week, Democrats in the House defeated an amendment that would prevent illegals from using the "public health option" in the proposed House bill.

The Democrat controlled Senate Finance Committee plans to exempt illegals from the requirement to buy insurance. Law abiding citizens will be fined.

Many clinics in California and elsewhere are closing because they are required to give emergency and non-emergency health care to illegals free of charge.

Texas spent $1.3 billion in 2006 on illegal's hospital care.

The Dems are threatening to ration the care for the elderly.

Why not ration the care for the 12 - 20 million illegals.

Best yet, as the following article says, why not turn off "ALL" the magnets that draw the illegals to this country? Illegals Freed From Dictates of ObamaCare

Is Hugo Adopting Obama's Tactics?

On television this morning, there was a piece about Hugo Chavez threatening to revoke the licenses of, I believe, 124 broadcasting stations and turn them over to his supporters. On June 23rd, my blog entitled "Obama's Consolidation of Power" gave Dick Morris's 5 steps that Obama will use to consolidate his political base. This was step #4.

I guess Hugo has read our President's playbook, or maybe he is just a Dick Morris fan.

Is Obama a Narcissist?

I have been wondering for some time now about how Barack Obama, a young man with absolutely no experience, was able to convince millions of Americans, uneducated and educated alike, to vote him into the highest political office in the free world. People appeared to be mesmerized by him.

Dr. Sam Vaknin, Ph.D., author of 9 books on narcissistic personalities and recognized expert in his field (of course snopes.com tries to minimize this) has, through observation, stated that Barack Obama appears to be a narcissist. In his article he states:

Obama displays the following behaviors, which are among the hallmarks of pathological narcissism:

Subtly misrepresents facts and expediently and opportunistically shifts positions, views, opinions, and "ideals" (e.g., about campaign finance, re-districting). These flip-flops do not cause him overt distress and are ego-syntonic (he feels justified in acting this way). Alternatively, refuses to commit to a standpoint and, in the process, evidences a lack of empathy.

Ignores data that conflict with his fantasy world, or with his inflated and grandiose self-image. This has to do with magical thinking. Obama already sees himself as president because he is firmly convinced that his dreams, thoughts, and wishes affect reality. Additionally, he denies the gap between his fantasies and his modest or limited real-life achievements (for instance, in 12 years of academic career, he hasn't published a single scholarly paper or book).

Feels that he is above the law, incl. and especially his own laws.

Talks about himself in the 3rd person singular or uses the regal "we" and craves to be the exclusive center of attention, even adulation

Has a messianic-cosmic vision of himself and his life and his "mission".

Sets ever more complex rules in a convoluted world of grandiose fantasies with its own language (jargon)

Displays false modesty and unctuous "folksiness" but unable to sustain these behaviors (the persona, or mask) for long. It slips and the true Obama is revealed: haughty, aloof, distant, and disdainful of simple folk and their lives.

Sublimates aggression and holds grudges.

Behaves as an eternal adolescent (e.g., his choice of language, youthful image he projects, demands indulgence and feels entitled to special treatment, even though his objective accomplishments do not justify it).

The entire article can be read here. Dr. Sam Vaknin's Article

Obama, Not Palin
Obama's Revealing Body Language

Global Warming Primer - Facts

Sometimes it is hard to find the real facts to make up your own mind regarding items in the news. I ran across the following "Global Warming Primer" that displays the historical facts in graphical format for all to examine and make up their own minds.

I, for one, found the following interesting:

Greenhouse gases make up 1% - 2% of the atmosphere.

95% of that is water vapor, 5% is CO2 (.1% of the atmosphere).

96.6% of the CO2 is produced by nature, volcanoes, decaying plants, animal activity, etc. 3.4% is caused by humans where breathing is a major factor.

550 million years ago, the Cambrian Period, CO2 was 18 times greater than today. In the Jurassic Period, when Dinosaurs roamed the Earth, CO2 levels were 9 times higher than today.

Charts show, that over millions of years, there is no close relationship between CO2 levels and temperature.

When taking the last 400,000 years there appears to be some relationship between CO2 levels and temperature. But through the ups and downs of CO2 levels during that period, the Earth went through a number of Ice Ages.

During Roman and Medieval times, the Earth was warmer than it is today.

Today we are in a recovery period from, what they call, a Little Ice Age, that began in 1300 and ended in 1800.

The Earth's average temperature has risen less than 1 degree Celsius in the past 100 years, 1/2 of which happened before 1940, before greenhouse gases began to rise.

After seeing this, it is hard to see where all the panic is coming from. There must be a lot of money to be earned by Al Gore and friends. The attached pdf file gives you the facts to make up your own minds. Page 11 is particularly interesting. Global Warming Primer

H. RES 615 - Health Care Resolution

A number of Members of the House of Representatives have offered the following H. Res. 615. You are urged to inform your Representative that if he votes for a Government run health care system, he must vote also for this resolution or you will vote against him in the next election. For those of you not familiar with the FEHBP, it is one of the best health insurance policies given to your Representatives for life and paid for, primarily, by you, the taxpayer.

You, the voter, can make a difference.

P.S. - It is no wonder they don't bother to read the bills before the vote. The redundancy is unbelievable.


HRES 615 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 615

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the Establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 8, 2009

Mr. FLEMING (for himself, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. LINDER, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. SCALISE, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BONNER, Mr. LAMBORN, Mr. LUETKEMEYER, Mr. AKIN, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. COLE, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. PENCE, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. PITTS, Mr. POSEY, Mr. MARCHANT, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. POE of Texas, and Mr. BOUSTANY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.

Ron Paul On Issue

Sarah Palin - Spokesperson?

Sarah Palin continues to be blasted by Democrats and the liberal press even though they say she is irrelevant. So why continue? Because they are scared that she will awaken the Republicans and Independents in a way that no other conservative has since Ronald Reagan. Palin may not be the standard bearer in 2012, but she can draw a crowd, speak to the issues and stir the pot enough to worry many sitting Democrats. They are taking a peremptory strike in the hopes that they can stop her before she gets started.

John Kerry got into the act yesterday.Palin vs Kerry (and MoveOn.org)

Read Sarah's Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post. The "Cap And Tax" Dead End

Hate Crimes Amendment Tacked On To Defense Bill

Dems Treatment Of GOP Court Nominees - Ann Coulter

Why are the GOP Senators acting so civilly to Sonya? It is not the way the GOP nominees have been treated and certainly the Dems have been more racist in their treatment of conservative justices.

Ann Coulter has a few facts on this subject. Ann Coulter Re: Dems Treatment Of GOP Nominees

Are We There Yet? - Tax Revolt?

Roger Kimball of Roger's rules wrote a piece on PajamasMedia about Obama's tax plans and his idea of fairness which really means penalizing success. The article makes a few good points and has generated significant response from bloggers, both right and left. Both the article and the responses are an interesting read. Preparing For The Coming Tax Revolt

GOP Re: Obama And The Stimulus Plan

Killing Off Competition

Referencing Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac and Florida's public insurance option, this article makes a good case against any public option to health care insurance. From inception, to offering coverage at lower unsustainable prices, to taxpayer subsidies, to reduced coverage or bankruptcy, government "public" options always fail.

We must make sure our congressmen know we are against a government run and dictated health plan or we will end up with what the rest of the world has, rather than what the rest of the world wants, the existing USA health system, the best, most advanced system in the world. Public Option Will Kill off Competition

Canadian Health System Video

War On Business

Great summary on Obama's War on Business
Obamanomics

Career Government Employees - No Room For Conservatives

While conservatives are focusing on liberal judges, liberal congressmen, liberal senators and liberal presidents, there is an equally troublesome group, the liberal career government employee. By nature, conservatives do not believe in a big government, and therefore do not seek government jobs. Enter the liberals who are all about big government.

They, the liberals, are well entrenched in the power positions, and are able, through advising, leaking, controlling conservative appointees, to influence legislation and enforcement with little consequence.

The following article, by a conservative employee of the Justice Department, delves into the power and lack of consequences these liberal employees share.Conservative? Ethical? There's No Room For You In Government

UN - The Problem?

European Hot Air

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal on July 7th summarized actions taken by Germany and Italy seeking exceptions to the EU climate control package, stating mainly loss of jobs and construction of coal fired electricity plants as the reason.

Spain has suffered over 100,000 job losses, more than double the green jobs created and politicians are starting to run from the Kyoto Treaty agreements.

European Hot Air

Biden: Second in Line - What We Should Have Known

The mainstream press, because of its bias, has become a danger to our nation rather than the watchdog it has been in the past. Using its powers to nitpick and denigrate conservative candidates and praise and gloss over liberals' mistakes, the American people no longer vote from an impartial informed point of view.

There are indications that the American public is starting to gravitate away from the "worst of the worst" media organizations and they will suffer the inevitable economic consequences. Hopefully sanity will return and they will again fulfill the role society is clamoring for, an unbiased and vigilant media.

An article by Tim Graham "Reporter: "We Took Sides, Straight and Simple" Against Palin" summarizes White House reporter Carl Cannon's take on the press coverage of the Biden/Palin VP debate.

The list of errors, exagerations, misstatements, and downright fantasy put out by Biden and not reported by the media is alarming and reason to wonder how he could ever have been considered for the number two spot in our nation.

Please read the following article. Press Bias

The Road to Economic Demoralization

Columnist Larry Kudlow's article on Obamanomics and its effect on businesses and our standing in the world economy refutes the notion that we can tax our way to a greater economy. Europe has been there and done that and is now showing signs of adopting Reaganomics. China is changing toward capitalism and prospering while the USA is going the way of the failed policies of socialism.

Where is the incentive to take risks if all earned wealth is redistributed to the unproductive and Government dependents?


Larry Kudlow's Article

On May 4Th I wrote an opinion about the welfare state creating poverty and subservience to the Federal government, in effect slavery. Columnist Star Parker has written a book entitled "Uncle Sam's Plantation" setting forth basically the same argument.

Star has written an op-ed piece commenting on Obama's socialist proposals. Back on Uncle Sam's Plantation

At the request of the Black Caucus, about a month ago, the Senate passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and racial segregation. the resolution fell short of authorizing monetary reparations for these offenses. In my opinion, these have already been paid through welfare, food stamps, etc.

What the Senate should do is apologize for the effect of the government programs on the poor (read Slaves) and take immediate steps to place stringent job training requirements and timetables on any give away programs and reduce the funding substantially to ensure these requirements are met.

Gov. Sarah Palin

There is a lot of speculation going around about the future of Gov. Sarah Palin. Some believe she is fed up with politics and wants to retreat to a more comfortable life; others, myself included, believe she wants to make a difference and bring reason and integrity onto the national political stage.

Ronald Reagan took some time off to extend his knowledge base and build a cadre of workers for his run for President. I think Sarah is taking a page from Reagan's book and getting herself ready to "go for it in 2012".

Right now, I don't think she is qualified to be President, but is probably more qualified than Obama. What I like about Palin is the way she goes after all who she feels are doing the citizenry harm, Democrat, Independent and Republican alike. After all, eight Republican Congressmen voted for that strange Cap & Trade (ACES) bill last week. Shouldn't they be without a job next election?

Another idea I have is that Palin is not satisfied with the status quo in the Republican party. I've been a Republican all my life, but my views are more Libertarian and the Republican party has drifted too far left. I believe Palin wants to put more common sense into the party and give Conservatives a comfortable home.

That be said, the following article by Charlie Cook sets forth what needs to be done for Palin to be a viable candidate in 2012.

Palin's Move: Totally Reasonable

A Garden of Piggish Delights

Steven Spruiell and Kevin Williamson (National Review) have read "THE BILL". In their article, they give 50 reasons to stop The Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) (Cap & Trade) and call it part power grab and part enviro-fantasy.

Anyone who reads these selected items and doesn't think that a change is now needed, away from the current liberal fanatics and toward a more rational Congress, must be smoking something stronger than Havanas. The power this hands to the Federal Government to control our corporate and personal lives is staggering.


A Garden of Piggish Delights

John Boehner Searches for Jobs

I Believe, by John D. Rockefeller

I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.

I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.

I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character — not wealth or power or position — is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.

I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.

Treason Against the Economy - Cap & Trade

The House passed The Cap & Trade bill last week and, again, not one Rep had the time to read it. The last 300 pages of amendments to the bill were released at 3AM the morning of the vote. Hopefully there are enough moderate Democrats that will join with Republicans to defeat it in the Senate. Individual liberties are in danger if this bill is passed. Such provisions as having teams of green inspectors survey you home to see how energy efficient it is and to require you to correct the problems or be fined. Also, if you want to sell your home, it must be "green". If not, you must pay to have it corrected prior to sale.

Of course jobs will be created, not in the private sector, but in the Government.

The bill is expected to raise $7-$8 billion. Guess who gets to pay it and who gets to spend it.

The problem is not "Treason Against the Planet", it is "Treason Against the Economy. The Heritage Foundation has an article on this.

Treason Against the Economy

Celebration!

Terrorist Watch - 23 Plots Foiled Since 9/11

The media does not make a big thing out of the number of potential terrorist threats that have been foiled since 9/11. The number that we know of has reached 23 and still growing. Any thought of reducing our vigilance should be scrapped after reading through the list currently provided by the Heritage Foundation.

Those of you who live and work in NYC and NJ should be especially interested in the list.

Terrorist Watch

Remember the True Meaning of the 4th of July

THE 4TH OF JULY

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured
before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving
in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the
Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were
farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but
they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the
penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton ofVirginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from theseas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his
debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move
his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and
his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and
poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British
General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.
He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was
destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed
his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13
children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to
waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning
home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take
these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they
paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

A Note To Our Military

Knowing the job is still not over in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is fitting to mark a milestone in the Iraq war, that is, the removal of American troops from the Iraqi cities and the takeover of primary responsibility for security by the Iraqi forces trained by the American soldier. We are all praying for the safety of the troops remaining overseas and want to congratulate them all on a job well done.

Obama's Tyrannical Ambition by Paul Rahe

"To take from one," Thomas Jefferson wrote, "because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father's has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association--'the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.'" It was on this foundation that Abraham Lincoln objected to slavery, and it is on this foundation that one can object to the health care reform proposed by our President. For this proposal is designed to take from those who have earned and to give to those who have not bothered to do so; and, by way of constraining "incentives," it will take from us the right to manage our own lives in a matter most dear to each and every one of us, and it will confer this responsibility on experts empowered to decide whether, given the cost of care, it is of greater value to society that we suffer or are cured, that we live or die.

It is easy enough to see why progressive doctrine should be attractive to our masters. Tyrannical ambition is nothing new, and throughout human history it has nearly always presented itself to men in the guise of idealism. We are all inclined to meddle in other people's business; we are all inclined to think that we know better; and higher education tends to inflate our vanity and to make us more inclined to lord it over those who are less well-instructed. Never for a moment does a Barack Obama stop to ask whether depriving us of responsibility for our own well-being is demeaning. He and his supporters know that they know better, and their putative wisdom in this regard constitutes for them an absolute claim to rule. The logic unfolding within the progressive impulse requires that there be a class of Guardians empowered to supervise our lives in every particular, and to an ever-increasing degree this is the reality with which we live.

Complete Article - Well Worth Reading

Roadmap to Recovery - One View

Roadmap Summary

Details of Plan