Is it Loony in here or is it just ME?

In these modern times political conspiracy theories abound. In the absence of facts it seems completely human to speculate and given small amounts of info can cause those speculations to become quite extreme. We are, however, not without information when it comes to the political climate in Washington. We have seen how Obama operates and whom he befriends. Based upon that data alone it was possible to predict how he would govern once elected president. Given a cursory understanding of congress and most anyone could foretell Congress’ actions.

So, at this point it is fair to ask the reader: Who here is surprised by what Obama and the Congress are doing? Only if you should leave a comment will I or the rest of the readers of this blog know your abilities at prognostication. I betting you did well.

The more difficult question is what to do about it. What actions should the average citizen take? I followed the norms and wrote and called everyone from here to Washington at least twice. If my results were like yours I was ignored, talked down to, or otherwise treated with disdain. Even sign toting on the steps of the Congress made little if any difference. And, while all of the polls show that Americans are against Healthcare Reform as it now is, Obama and his drones are steaming full speed ahead to deny American’s their right of representation.

For months Obama administration stated he would not be attending Copenhagen for the Climate talks. Once again, who here believed that? I thought so. In days he will go and indicate his willingness to dole out millions to poor nations because America has grossly destroyed the environment and we should pay. Picking up his Peace Prize will be justified as he will be there for government business. This is predictable yet shocking given the questions on the science that is pushing this effort. Why does everything have to be done NOW? I am sure you already have the answer.

Ok so let me get back to predicting or even better finding out your prophesies. I’ll bet you are going to say something about the 2010 and 2012 elections. Do you think your vote will make the needed difference? Yes? No? I’m not at all sure. People I talk to speak of things I never dreamed I’d hear: states seceding from the union, collapse of the dollar, America becoming a second world nation, one world government, and more. I call these WCS (worst case scenarios). Sadly I expect some of these will happen and none of them sound acceptable to me. Of course even thinking these things make me feel loony.

Will all the Loons please stand up.

What the hell is going on?

Listening to the radio today gave me a real sense of just how badly this country is divided. There are economic and ethnic divisions and racial and cultural divides. There are those who favor government and those who favor even more government and some who want no government at all. Some want to take from those who have and give to the have-nots. Some don’t care who they take it from as long as they get theirs. Tom Brokaw once wrote that the Greatest Generation was those who got us through World War II. I am thinking if we don’t rise to a greater height in these days that we will go down as the “loser” generation.

In Saint Louis there are those fighting to stop the sale of the Rams football team if Rush Limbaugh is a part of the ownership. They contend that he would be too divisive and some players wouldn’t play for him. Some contend that he is a racist as they hurl racist accusations against him that they cannot prove nor will they ever. The Rams have bled this city since coming here and anyone who wants to shoulder some of their debt can have it as far as I am concerned.

Next I find that the actions that congress took to defund ACORN were on a stopgap measure. ACORN will again be funded by the Federal Government “we the taxpayers” on November 1st of this year. So, all the hoopla that went on in congress was a ruse. As of today there has been no action by the Congress to investigate this firm and there is actually some indications that ACORN is continuing to gain support through back channels even now.

President Obama stated that illegal immigrants will not get healthcare. Joe Wilson called him a liar. As it turns out, the Supreme Court has already faced this issue with education in the past and has ruled that “all persons” will be entitled to a public education. Joe it appears that you are right and that no matter what congress puts out it will by law be available to illegal immigrants. In the meantime the government is trying to hamstring the efforts of Arizona’s Maricopa county Sherriff Joe Arpaio. They de-authorized him from arresting illegals. Joe as other plans. In these cases the “Joes have it”!

Socialism: A Good Thing...Right???

As a young person in school some 40+ years ago I remember my first thoughts about socialism. I can remember thinking, “That doesn’t sound bad at all. Actually that might be kinda good. That way there are no poor people, nor rich people, there are just people. Today as I listen as young people voice the same kinds of thoughts. They really don’t have the fear of socialism that older people have. Some of that may come from the way that they have been raised.

If you look at the school curriculum it would be easy to argue that the educational system is left leaning. By leaning I mean they are an obtuse angle. Depending upon the school system they may lean from left to extremely left in varying degrees. Even the families that our young people have been raised in have had a left leaning effect on our young people, though unintended. It is the norm in many American families to give and give to their children and to struggle to find ways to meet our children’s every desire. What parent hasn’t worked overtime to provide the “right” tennis shoes or clothes for their children. It is my thought that these things create a sense of entitlement within our children and a natural acceptance of socialistic thought. It becomes normal for them to think "they should have the same things as others". Socialism doesn't seem all that offensive. We parents unknowingly helped create that mindset.

I doubt that many families dine together these days and if they do it seems unlikely that parents would use the time to discuss current events. How many children know that in Communist China during Mao Zedong’s between 40,000,000 and 80,000,000 (40- 80 million) lives were lost to communist rule; mostly due to starvation or slaughter. Millions more died in Russia due to persecution, perhaps as many as 30,000,000. Each day thousands die in North Korea, mostly of starvation, and in every communist country there are similar abuses with totals upwards of 30million. Cuba’s numbers are no doubt lower but surely significant. Who can say what the totals might be.

Now, none of these countries call themselves “Communist”. They call themselves some version of “Socialist Republics”. Regardless they embrace the concept of socialism and that everyone should be and receive equally (“Share the Wealth”). For more than 60 years these countries have struggled with their Socialism and still the people suffer. Notice I said the people suffer and not the governement. Yet someone must GOVERN that sharing and this is where the problem always comes in. If you could just find that right person to govern. Who is that special someone who can GOVERN with fairness, honesty, purity, and justice. They would have to be like god: Some ONE very special. No one has found "The One" yet.

Arguably, no reasonable people would ever surrender to this form of government except for one thing: It is never presented in its final version. It is always presented as a “Foot in the Door” better idea. Usually it is some fine sounding Change that strikes a chord with the masses. Occasionally it is thrust upon the peoplw without their consent. More often it is a combination of the above. The adoption of the CHANGE takes place and all is well. Until, human nature takes its course, greed and corruption enter (usually waiting close by) and voila you have a government telling you what you can have, and when, and how much.

The only way to stop this is to keep the "Foot out of the Door". At first sign of this evil, kick the door closed. I am firmly convinced that the toe is being wedged in the door at this very moment and I am kicking with all I have. I am no longer a naïve schoolboy. I suggest you not be either.

The WHYS have it!

After months of Sausage Making in both houses of Congress there is still nothing resembling a Healthcare Bill that would benefit but a few special interest groups. Persistent forces have kept out amendments that would disallow illegal immigrants and government funded abortions. These legislators say it would be too difficult to require a photo ID for Healthcare services and to require women to purchase an insurance rider to cover abortions is offensive and demeaning. I truly wonder what makes these people think this way.

Recently, the now infamous, ACORN was cut off by both houses from receiving government funds. This due to the organization’s continued involvements in all manner of corruption. Most of this was known in congress for sometime but the efforts of 2 young journalism students was what it took to garner enough media attention to get congressional action. The mainstream media was noticeably absent from reporting on the ACORN videos and but for FOXNEWS and Breitbart.com we would never have known of it.

What truly amazes me is that the senate voted to strip ACORN of funds with an 83 to 7 vote. The 7 who voted to keep ACORN on the dole are surely themselves worthy of note:

Burris (D) from Illinois;

Casey (D) from Pennsylvania;

Durbin (D) from Illinois;

Gillibrand (D) from New York;

Leahy (D) from Vermont;

Sanders (I) from Vermont;

Whitehouse (D) from Rhode Island

What kept these legislators from standing with overwhelming majority in the senate? Next the House took up the Issue and voted to defund ACORN. The result was 345 ayes, 75 noes, 2 present, and 11 not voting. Again the results were overwhelming and you can follow the link to see the results. One thing that was this vote reveals is that 80% of the Congressional Black Caucus voted against, present, or not voting on this matter. You might say they were nearly ½ of all the nays.

Why do both of Illinois’ and Vermont’s senators want ACORN to continue to receive federal money?

Why can both houses recognize corruption and deal with it in a bi-partisan fashion for ACORN but not Healthcare?

Why can’t a simple photo ID be required to qualify for Healthcare?

Why should all of America fund abortions when the majority is against it? Why must those in favor of abortion make everyone pay?

Does it appear to anyone that the August and September teaparties had any affect on your legislators?

It is of little wonder that only 14% of Americans approve of the Job Congress is doing. How are we citizen’s supposed to have confidence in our system of government? There is little doubt that 2010 will seriously change the balance of power in congress. Everyone I speak to is committed to that. The comment they most often make is along the lines of desiring to throw out the lot of them and start over. An interesting idea but how to effect it?

Same OLE Same "O"

It is becoming increasing difficult to accept the actions being taken these days. Congress continues to plug away at Healthcare Reform and it appears the Democrats will accept nothing but a bill that includes abortion and the public option. Obama states that Healthcare Reform won’t cover abortions but the Senate Majority won’t allow any language in the bill that excludes it. Isn’t that just another way of including it?

Not all is lost. Congress did find a way to spend another $300,000,000.00 on their budget. While we all cut, they continue to spend. So the Administration cut $120 Million from the budget earlier this year and Congress ads it back three-fold.

Now Obama finds that his celebrity is needed in Denmark to win the 2016 Olympics for his beloved Chicago. He will be the first sitting president to ever lobby the International Olympic Committee. With all that is going on in America and the World today, the 2016 Olympics should be listed very low on the list of priorities. It seems to me that Obama will reward anyone who helped in any way to help him get his prominence. I suspect there will be camera’s for him to speak to.

Iran’s Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi, reiterated on Tuesday that the Islamic republic will not discuss its "nuclear rights" at the upcoming meeting with the six world powers in Geneva. Tomorrow that meeting takes place and our loquacious president will attempt to talk the Iranians into cooperating with IAEA goals of non-proliferation. If it is not open to discussion, what’s to discuss? Perhaps he can cozy up to them with his Muslim background and soft peddling sales pitch. Look for some tough sanctions here. Obama will is likely to sanction Q-tips and California Wines. Oh the pain.

Over the last several days I have been inundated with requests for political donations for 2010 campaigns. What is so disturbing about this is that most of these candidates are only mildly better, if at all, that those in office now. Sorry. I am only voting for and supporting those who will truly give the Government back to the people. I am so ready for those people to announce their candidacy. I suspect I am not alone.

Freedom of Choice: Carrot, Stick, or Cattle Prod

Much has been said about creating a Bi-Partisan relationship in Congress. During the campaign I heard so much talk about “reaching across the aisle” I thought I would get ill. Like so much that is said during campaigns bipartisan, smartisan. It is history now.

Today, Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the newest Supreme Court justice. The vote was 68 Yeas to 31 Nays. Nine (9) of the Yeas were from Republican Senators. The Democrat Senators marched in lockstep with 100% voting for Sotomayor. Ted Kennedy did not vote. Now I know what the word “bipartisan” means. It means when republicans vote with the democratic controlled congress. It is similar to a one way street. Notice that there was not one democratic dissenter in the bunch. I was going to say how strange it is but I think “scary” is a better word.

Mr. Obama is all the time summoning democrats to the Whitehouse. Sometimes billed as a luncheon but we all know it is to keep the Dems in order. It must be a wonderful meal because afterwards they return all energized in renewed efforts, the phones all a buzz. In the first days, Obama invited republicans but it seems that has grown out of fashion. I suspect their dietary requirements were too difficult.

The hot potato in congress these days is Health Care Reform. For awhile there was talk of the need for a “Bipartisan” bill but that has fallen away. Apparently, there is so much on the democrat’s agendas to pack into this bill that now some of the democrats are not so sure about this reform. They call these democrats “Blue Dog” democrats. These are democrats who may not get reelected if the people at home find out that they voted for something unpopular. Even the rest of the Democratic Party is having difficulty with how to craft this bill. To them it is like another lunch, this time at KFC. The tax payers are picking up the check. Some prefer mild and others spicy. Then of course there are the arguments over all the side orders. So many choices, so little time.

Senator Reid has come up with a plan to get Health Care through the senate without a single republican vote and not needing all the Dems either. It is basically a legislative way to fund something that matters very much to a few and well the rest can just lump it. That way no one has to reach across the aisle.

Actually, now the Obama administration doesn’t necessarily want nor need politicians or the people to be happy with his governing. Now, Obama just wants Americans to tell (rat out) on their friends and neighbors who disagree. You can just email the Whitehouse and report the dissenters and they will be invited to the Whitehouse for a beer. Actually, that is not true. You don’t get a beer. You get an audit from the IRS and every other agency of the government probes every orifice of your body. Oops. Now I said something you can report.

Liberals to pass Health Care Reform no matter what:

Senator Chuck Shumer D-N.Y. has stated "We will have contingencies in place. These plans will likely be considered as a last resort, but they are on the table." The Senator was referring to a provision where the Senate could pass the bill with a simple majority. This would mean that 51 votes could pass Health Care Reform in some manner and would therefore bypass needing neither any Republicans nor even all of the Democrats in the Senate. Now there is commitment for you.


Essentially what Shumer is saying is that he would rather pass a watered down, lame, ineffective bill by Sept. 15th than to work on a useful bill later. Hear it clearly America, the urgency is on the when and not on the WHAT. Schumer and many other liberals favor a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private insurers, and all the plans passed so far have included that. Just do it NOW.

When I am faced with a decision say for instance the purchase of a new car and the Salesman says, “You must buy it right now.” I get nervous and I back away. The harder they push the pen into my hand for a signature on the dotted line, the more I suspect their motives. Since January 20th of 2009, all I have heard from this administration is it must be NOW. Impending doom lies in delaying to gain the facts. Peril will surely overtake us if we take time to read the fine print. America will be destitute among Nations if we don’t act now. And, if you don’t, we politicians will find some way to beg, borrow, or steal this bill into law.

This sort of government sounds like they really don’t care about us. It is like they don’t need us or our opinions. It’s almost like a socialist county. Isn’t it?

When Push Comes to Shove: as in down your throat

The longer one watches the approach and actions of Barack Obama the more clear it becomes that only one opinion matters to him: His. Anytime he is presented with anything he disagrees with he appoints a czar or dispatches his political thugs to handle it. Right now His supreme agenda is Health Care Reform, lovingly referred to as Obama Care. Take yours eyes off this bill for just one second and it will be passed. You will never know what hit you, that is, until you get the bill and spend hours in the clinic waiting for an aspirin.

No one argues that Health Care in America needs serious attention. Notice, I used the words "serious attention". That is not what is on the table for consideration. What is currently being propelled throught the congress is a loosely compiled pile of bureuacratic jargon that loosely translates... Obama wants this and he wants it now and he won't wait and it must be this and, and, and, and.... Neither he nor the group of zombies that are following him have the slightest concern for anyone other than OBAMA. Cost? No problem. We will create a new tax and call it something else. When Oprah called him the "one" I misunderstood. I didn't get it that she was telling us from now on there is no you, no America, no Constution, no negotiating, no freedom, no nada: Only Obama.

The change we were promised and the change we are receiving are extremely different. Obama is essentially a dictator. Even now I wonder how much room there is for Americans to make a difference in what Obama intends to do. It would appear that he has the votes and where he lacks them he sends in his thugs to threaten them. He brushes aside a grass roots movement by the people and calls them "a bunch of tea baggers": disrespect for them intended. He doesn't like what is in the press, albeit highly flattering of him, so he creates "White House TV". He now controls what information the press gets and for months now he seems to have all of the questions and attendees staged. You might say he is playing with a stacked deck. He believes American are playing with half-a-deck.

It has taken Obama only months to disarm the checks and balances we have in our government. Soon, his "Wise Latina" will be confirmed and he will be one step closer to "Obamerica". In Obamerica he will rule in the manner of his idols and Congress will become unnecessary. (I wonder if congress knows they will soon be unemployed.) Still, I suspect that this will not satisfy him. What will? Perhaps he wasn't visiting World Governments. Perhaps he was surveying his territory.