By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY Posted Wednesday, September 10, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Jimmy Carter became our 39th president at the young age of 52. He was a one-term governor from Plains, GA, where he managed the family peanut farm and taught Sunday school. He was also a graduate of the Naval Academy and served seven years in the Navy, leaving as a lieutenant. He came to power in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the resignation of President Nixon. The public wanted change and someone new, and Carter was an ambitious, hands-on politician who promised better days. As good as his intentions were, however, the things he tried were not successful. In fact, he created far more serious problems than he ever solved.
The centerpiece of Carter's foreign policy was human rights, and he did achieve one noble success---a peace treaty between Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachem Begin.
Unfortunately, that later led to Sadat's assassination at the hands of Muslim radicals. Many people felt Carter was a good man who worked hard and meant well. But he was naive and incompetent in handling the enormous burdens and complex challenges of being president.
He wrongly believed Americans had an 'inordinate fear of communism,' so he lifted travel bans to Cuba, North Vietnam, and Cambodia and pardoned draft evaders. He also stopped B-1 bomber production and gave away our strategically located Panama Canal.
His most damaging miscalculation was the withdrawal of U.S. support for the Shah of Iran, a strong and longtime military ally. Carter objected to the Shah's alleged mistreatment of imprisoned Soviet spies who were working to overthrow Iran's government. He thought the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, being a religious man, would make a fairer leader. Having lost U.S. support, the Shah was overthrown, the Ayatollah returned, Iran was declared an Islamic nation and Palestinian hit men were hired to eliminate opposition.
The Ayatollah then introduced the idea of suicide bombers to the Palestine Liberation Organization, paying $35,000 to PLO families whose young people were brainwashed to kill as many Israelis as possible by blowing themselves up in crowded shopping areas. Next, the Ayatollah used Iran's oil wealth to create, train and finance a new terrorist organization, Hezbollah, which later would attack Israel in 2006.
In November 1979, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranians stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Not until six months into the ordeal did Carter attempt a rescue. But the mission, using just six Navy helicopters, was poorly executed. Three of the copters were disabled or lost in sandstorms. (Pilots weren't allowed to meet with weather forecasters because someone in authority worried about security.) Five airmen and three Marines lost their lives.
So, due to overconfidence, inexperience and poor judgment, Carter undermined and lost a strong ally, Iran, that today aggressively threatens the U.S., Israel and the rest of the world with nuclear weapons. But that's not all. After Carter met for the first time with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the USSR promptly invaded Afghanistan. Carter, ever the naive appeaser, was shocked. 'I can't believe the Russians lied to me,' he said. The invasion attracted a 23-year-old Saudi named Osama bin Laden to Afghanistan to recruit Muslim fighters and raise money for an anti-Soviet jihad. Part of that group eventually became al-Qaida, a terrorist organization that would declare war on America several times between 1996 and 1998, before attacking us on 9/11, killing more Americans than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
On Carter's watch, the Soviet Union went on an unrestrained rampage in which it took over not only Afghanistan, but also Ethiopia, South Yemen, Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique, Grenada and Nicaragua. In spite of this, Carter's last defense budget proposed spending 45% below pre-Vietnam levels for fighter aircraft, 75% for ships, 83% for attack submarines and 90% for helicopters. Years later, as a civilian, Carter negotiated a peace agreement with North Korea to keep that communist country from developing nuclear weapons. He also convinced President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to go along with it. But the signed piece of paper proved worthless. The North Koreans deceived Carter and instead used our money, incentives and technical equipment to build nuclear weapons and pose the threat we face today. Thus did Carter unwittingly become our Neville Chamberlain, creating with his well-intended but inept, unrealistic and gullible actions the very conditions that led to the three most dangerous security threats we face today: Iran, al-Qaida and North Korea.
On the domestic side, Carter gave us inflation of 15%, the highest in 34 years; interest rates of 21%, the highest in 115 years; and a severe energy crisis with lines around the block at gas stations nationwide. In 1977, Carter, along with a Democrat Congress, created a worthy project with noble intentions---the Community Reinvestment Act. Over strong industry objections, it mandated that all banks meet the credit needs of their entire communities. In 1995, President Clinton imposed even stronger regulations and performance tests that coerced banks to substantially increase loans to low-income, poverty-area borrowers or face fines or possible restrictions on expansion. These revisions allowed for securitization of CRA loans containing subprime mortgages. By 1997, good loans were bundled with poor ones and sold as prime packages to institutions here and abroad. That shifted risk from the loan originators, freeing banks to begin pyramiding and make more of these profitable subprime products.
Under two young, well-intended presidents, therefore, big-government plans and mandates played a significant role in the current subprime mortgage mess and its catastrophic consequences for the U.S. and international economies. Hardest-hit by the mortgage foreclosures have been the citizens that Democrats always claim to help most----inner-city residents who fell victim to low or no down payment schemes, unexpected adjustable rates, deceptive loan applications and commission-hungry salespeople. Now we're having to bail out at huge cost Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the very agencies that were supposed to stabilize the system.
Comment, not in IBD: But the party of Carter and Clinton that midwifed our mortgage mess now wants to be trusted to give us another, young, inexperienced, well intentioned, but misguided president who wants to raise taxes, tremendously cut our military spending, take away our missle shield, negotiate with our enemies and take over and have the government run our entire system of health care!
The road to hell is, without a doubt, filled with good intentions.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
What are 545 Politicians at the Bottom of the Sea?
A start ... read on ...
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300+ million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.
Who is the speaker of the House?
She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.
If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300+ million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility.
I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.
When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ .
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insolvable government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
And this column is from Charlie Reese a former columnist for the Orlando Sentinel and I thank him for writing it.
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300+ million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.
Who is the speaker of the House?
She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.
If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300+ million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility.
I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.
When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ .
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insolvable government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.
They, and they alone, have the power.
They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
And this column is from Charlie Reese a former columnist for the Orlando Sentinel and I thank him for writing it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Latest on Ty Edwards
Latest on Ty Edwards from his wife Anna
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008 06:50 PM, CDT
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Today, Ty began to follow us a bit with his eyes. It was wonderful to see! He appears to be focusing on us more. He is breathing entirely on his own. His lungs sound great and he's taking deep, full breaths. Tomorrow, he will have another EEG to assess brain activity. Please pray that we'll hear good results.
Also, I'd like to ask that you keep Mom, Dennis and the kids in your prayers as they will be traveling from Okinawa during the next couple of days. The support we've received from you all is beyond description. Today's service in the hospital chapel was titled "Humility"... such an appropriate message for us, as we continue to be humbled by the overwhelming love, prayers, and support we've received from family, friends, coworkers, the hospital staff, the US Marine Corps, fellow service members, and complete strangers! Thank you all.
Much love,
Anna
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008 06:50 PM, CDT
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Today, Ty began to follow us a bit with his eyes. It was wonderful to see! He appears to be focusing on us more. He is breathing entirely on his own. His lungs sound great and he's taking deep, full breaths. Tomorrow, he will have another EEG to assess brain activity. Please pray that we'll hear good results.
Also, I'd like to ask that you keep Mom, Dennis and the kids in your prayers as they will be traveling from Okinawa during the next couple of days. The support we've received from you all is beyond description. Today's service in the hospital chapel was titled "Humility"... such an appropriate message for us, as we continue to be humbled by the overwhelming love, prayers, and support we've received from family, friends, coworkers, the hospital staff, the US Marine Corps, fellow service members, and complete strangers! Thank you all.
Much love,
Anna
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Latest Update on Ty Edwards
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 05:38 PM, CDT
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Finally word from Anna!!!
She emails: Today has been a busy and encouraging day. We walked into Ty's room this morning to see his eyes open and news from the nurse that he was really responding well. Yesterday was a day full of exams and more took place today. The injury seemed to be a graze to the top of the head rather than an injury with an entry and exit wound. But there was significant energy and force transmitted to the brain--enough to place him in the coma. He has undergone 2 operations. The first operation was to debride the wound and the second was to relieve pressure in the brain by removing parts of his skull. There will be a third to reconstruct these areas. He has been on a ventilator but is making a strong effort to breathe on his own. Now, he's only requiring minimal support from the ventilator. He has been opening his eyes spontaneously and appears aware of us and what we are saying to him. Initially, Ty was having a lot of problems maintaining a normal blood pressure. Since he's been here in Bethesda, it's been very stable. He has been having a lowgrade fever--we're not sure of the source and so far it does not seem to be infectious. It is being monitored closely and he is on strong antibiotics. The doctors have conducted several studies to look at his brain and the blood vessels. So far, the results are all encouraging. Tomorrow, he will have a tracheostomy and a feeding tube placed in his stomach. Hopefully this well help him be more comfortable and eventually he will be weaned off the ventilator. We are all very optimistic and have found the messages here to be a lifeline for us! Thank you, thank you for your support. We read your messages on the waiting room computer and then we go tell Ty all about them. We know that he's drawing so much strength and comfort from your love and prayers and so are we--more than we can ever express. We'll keep the updates coming as we find out new information
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Finally word from Anna!!!
She emails: Today has been a busy and encouraging day. We walked into Ty's room this morning to see his eyes open and news from the nurse that he was really responding well. Yesterday was a day full of exams and more took place today. The injury seemed to be a graze to the top of the head rather than an injury with an entry and exit wound. But there was significant energy and force transmitted to the brain--enough to place him in the coma. He has undergone 2 operations. The first operation was to debride the wound and the second was to relieve pressure in the brain by removing parts of his skull. There will be a third to reconstruct these areas. He has been on a ventilator but is making a strong effort to breathe on his own. Now, he's only requiring minimal support from the ventilator. He has been opening his eyes spontaneously and appears aware of us and what we are saying to him. Initially, Ty was having a lot of problems maintaining a normal blood pressure. Since he's been here in Bethesda, it's been very stable. He has been having a lowgrade fever--we're not sure of the source and so far it does not seem to be infectious. It is being monitored closely and he is on strong antibiotics. The doctors have conducted several studies to look at his brain and the blood vessels. So far, the results are all encouraging. Tomorrow, he will have a tracheostomy and a feeding tube placed in his stomach. Hopefully this well help him be more comfortable and eventually he will be weaned off the ventilator. We are all very optimistic and have found the messages here to be a lifeline for us! Thank you, thank you for your support. We read your messages on the waiting room computer and then we go tell Ty all about them. We know that he's drawing so much strength and comfort from your love and prayers and so are we--more than we can ever express. We'll keep the updates coming as we find out new information
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Specific Prayer Request for Ty Edwards
We have asked all our friends, colleagues and members in the Unity Church around the world via their International Prayer Line to join with us in prayer for Ty and Anna Edwards. As you recall Ty, Kay's cousin, was seriously inujred with a wound to the head while serviung in Afghanistan last week.
This means prayers from around the globe will be offered up for Ty's healing for the next 30-days, 24/7.
All my friends and colleagues in security and intel agencies also have been re-notified and are sending their prayers and best wishes during this time.
See details below.
Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 02:09 PM, CDT
From Ty's family:
I have a specific prayer request for Ty. He is currently running a fever and they have him packed down with ice. A fever is never good especially in brain injuries. Please pray for his fever to stop and for his body to continue to heal. Virginia left a message that Ty has had several procedures; therefore no significant responses from him (his body being tired from the procedures).
Mason and Alaina are doing well. Still in Japan with their grandmother (Virginia). They will leave for the states next week.
Anna, Tommy and Debbie are reading the guestbook entries. The words of encouragement, stories and prayers are helping them tremendously. Keep the emails coming!
This means prayers from around the globe will be offered up for Ty's healing for the next 30-days, 24/7.
All my friends and colleagues in security and intel agencies also have been re-notified and are sending their prayers and best wishes during this time.
See details below.
Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 02:09 PM, CDT
From Ty's family:
I have a specific prayer request for Ty. He is currently running a fever and they have him packed down with ice. A fever is never good especially in brain injuries. Please pray for his fever to stop and for his body to continue to heal. Virginia left a message that Ty has had several procedures; therefore no significant responses from him (his body being tired from the procedures).
Mason and Alaina are doing well. Still in Japan with their grandmother (Virginia). They will leave for the states next week.
Anna, Tommy and Debbie are reading the guestbook entries. The words of encouragement, stories and prayers are helping them tremendously. Keep the emails coming!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Ty and Anna Update
Your continued prayers are appreciated. Here is an update for everyone compliments of friends of Ty and Anna ...
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008 12:51 PM, CDT
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Many have asked for Anna's address. She is currently booked at the Navy Lodge, but will relocate once the Fisher House has room. I will post her more permanent address soon. We haven't recieved any medical news and still waiting to hear from Anna direct, but i did get an email from Marijke Landon, a longtime friend of Anna and Ty's. She wrote the following:
Kristen Hicks, my husband, and I visited yesterday. I have to say I am in awe of both Ty's and Anna's strength. Ty was responding to Anna's voice and, in turn, Anna was there encouraging him. He has opened his eyes to her voice and was moving his arms and legs. He seems to be coughing on the breathing tube which Anna's sister-in-law (Katie) said it meant he was trying to breath on his own. All good signs! Anna despite being so tired had a smile for us (through tears on both our parts) and explained that Ty would not be happy to discover he didn't even get a sexy female nurse, but a male! Anna reassured him that he (the nurse) was still a 10! Oh so Anna!
I am amazed and humbled by how much has aligned in these last few days. From friends and family in far off places to people being here to support Anna and Ty. No human could have done a job or coordinating this so well. Please continue to pray and know that God is here with Ty, Anna and family.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2008 12:51 PM, CDT
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Many have asked for Anna's address. She is currently booked at the Navy Lodge, but will relocate once the Fisher House has room. I will post her more permanent address soon. We haven't recieved any medical news and still waiting to hear from Anna direct, but i did get an email from Marijke Landon, a longtime friend of Anna and Ty's. She wrote the following:
Kristen Hicks, my husband, and I visited yesterday. I have to say I am in awe of both Ty's and Anna's strength. Ty was responding to Anna's voice and, in turn, Anna was there encouraging him. He has opened his eyes to her voice and was moving his arms and legs. He seems to be coughing on the breathing tube which Anna's sister-in-law (Katie) said it meant he was trying to breath on his own. All good signs! Anna despite being so tired had a smile for us (through tears on both our parts) and explained that Ty would not be happy to discover he didn't even get a sexy female nurse, but a male! Anna reassured him that he (the nurse) was still a 10! Oh so Anna!
I am amazed and humbled by how much has aligned in these last few days. From friends and family in far off places to people being here to support Anna and Ty. No human could have done a job or coordinating this so well. Please continue to pray and know that God is here with Ty, Anna and family.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Please Pray with Us for Ty Edwards, a Brave Marine
Lake Barkley --- Ty Edwards, a family member, a fellow "brother" and Marine, while training troops last week in Afghanistan was ambushed and shot in the head. An update follows:
From Kay --- Hello everyone. I called and spoke this morning to Tommy Edwards. He seemed more hopeful today than last night. He said Debbie is holding up well.
They had learned a couple of additional things. When Anna's mother was coordinating with a Lt. Col. her plans to travel to Japan to pick up the kids, she learned that Ty had opened his eyes and been responsive at some point. Tommy wasn't sure whether that was in the field when he was injured, or later. But that was a hopeful sign.
Another sign of 'angels' watching over Ty is that his cousin-in-law (one of Tommy's nephews by marriage) is serving as a pilot with the Mississippi National Guard, and flies the medivac units. He was planning to look Ty up when he was in Afghanistan, and instead transported him to Germany.
Ty is safely in Germany and Anna is enroute there. When she arrives, the plan is to transport them both in the same plane to the states. That's all the details on that we have at this point.
We all know that treatment of head injuries has come a very long way in particular during this war, so we are all continuing to pray fervently that Ty's injury will be able to have good treatment, and we pray for his safe passage throughout this process.
I'm not sure where he will be located, but we are very grateful for our Miller cousin, Jake's kind offering of housing in the DC area for Ty's family, should that become helpful. Thank you, Jake.
I'll keep you all posted as I learn more.
From Kay --- Hello everyone. I called and spoke this morning to Tommy Edwards. He seemed more hopeful today than last night. He said Debbie is holding up well.
They had learned a couple of additional things. When Anna's mother was coordinating with a Lt. Col. her plans to travel to Japan to pick up the kids, she learned that Ty had opened his eyes and been responsive at some point. Tommy wasn't sure whether that was in the field when he was injured, or later. But that was a hopeful sign.
Another sign of 'angels' watching over Ty is that his cousin-in-law (one of Tommy's nephews by marriage) is serving as a pilot with the Mississippi National Guard, and flies the medivac units. He was planning to look Ty up when he was in Afghanistan, and instead transported him to Germany.
Ty is safely in Germany and Anna is enroute there. When she arrives, the plan is to transport them both in the same plane to the states. That's all the details on that we have at this point.
We all know that treatment of head injuries has come a very long way in particular during this war, so we are all continuing to pray fervently that Ty's injury will be able to have good treatment, and we pray for his safe passage throughout this process.
I'm not sure where he will be located, but we are very grateful for our Miller cousin, Jake's kind offering of housing in the DC area for Ty's family, should that become helpful. Thank you, Jake.
I'll keep you all posted as I learn more.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thanks Chuck - You Summarize My Positon Better Than I Can
Chuck Howell and I were managers with the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1980s. TVA is an outdated, outmoded and grossly mis-managed public utility that President Ronald Reagan would have been wise to have "sunset" during his tenure (my editorial comment). What follows is his take on the Presidential election. Please enjoy while I go and "clean my guns and cling to my religion".
From Chuck Howell:
As to the race for the presidency, I am disappointed in both candidates. The most recent debate was, in my view, a boring embarrassing spectacle. Here were two career politicians jabbering away, endlessly repeating their talking points, never giving a direct answer, never providing any clear and precise definition as to how their "programs" would work to benefit the American people without further spending us into bankruptcy.
Some of the pundits said that McCain's only hope to turn the tide of public opinion was to attack Obama. He didn't, of course, for U.S. senators do not do such things! These fellows are expected to always respect the decorum of the Senate, to promote a collegial atmosphere while debating "extremely important national policy" in a courteous and respectful manner. A prerequisite seems to be that members must be able to speak for at least forty-five minutes without saying anything of substance--both of these gentlemen surely demonstrated these attributes to the extreme. Senator Biden is tops in this category.
Thank goodness that the debate committee chose that old Liberal, Tom Brokaw, to serve as moderator. Tom seem more concerned about time-management than the debate itself--notice how he adroitly selected twenty questions from among Nashville's Corp of Undecided and the Internet, while narrowly avoiding the really important issues facing America today. For instance, where were the questions on the War on Terror (after all it IS only the survival of the Western Culture we are talking about when it comes to the agenda of the Radical Islamists)? How about illegal immigration (what DO we do about the twenty million illegals who are bankrupting our local health care facilities, local schools and other taxpayer-funded social services)? What about the failure of the president and U.S. congress to properly oversee our nation's financial system and markets?
I also wonder why the people chosen to ask questions seem only marginally articulate. Was there some strong weed dispensed at Belmont that evening? I'm sorry. That was crude and uncalled for. And to think that they were once a strong Southern Baptist school.
In my view of things, Senator McCain looked totally un-presidential. In fact, he looked tired and incapable of a good knock-down, drag-out political fight. Bill Clinton would have destroyed him. In the same format, Ronald Reagan would have verbally denuded Obama in about five minutes and showed him to be the novice that he is. Would someone please tell me what this guy has accomplished? Oh, I know how he (as he said on TV last week) "took advantage of the opportunities of this great nation" to get a world-class education. He does indeed appear to have applied himself and I do not question that he is a smart politician. However, what were his accomplishments as an Illinois state senator? Even his spoke people can't or won't answer this question. He has apparently been a non-entity in the U.S. Senate. He has championed no major bills nor has he headed any subcommittees within his purview. the Right Wing pundits all say that he has devoted his time since joining the Senate to running for president. I have found nothing to refute this statement.
The fact that he beat out Alan Keys, a second-rate, inexperienced Black conservative talk show host for the U.S. Senate isn't very impressive. With the political and financial clout of the Mayor Richard Daley's Chicago political machine behind him, Jeffrey Dahmer could have taken that seat.
Then there's his tenure as a Chicago community organizer. If my information is correct, his main objective was to help the under-served minority community to register to vote and get home mortgages which they couldn't afford to pay. Would someone please tell me how this shallow resume qualifies this dude to serve as the president of the United States?
Finally, I don't know about you but I'm more than a little concerned about the associations and political output of both McCain and Obama. While we know that McCain escaped the legal fallout from the Keating Five mess (the Dems own lawyer vindicated him), his votes on illegal immigration and campaign finance reform shows that he is not really attuned to the priorities of the American majority in the first case, and deserves criticism for stomping on the First Amendment in the latter.
Bipartisanship and cooperation is okay when it is in the best interests of the citizenry, however I would like to see a little more spunk from a person trying to win my vote. Frankly, I'm not enamored with McCain "The Maverick." We have a two-party system and when you get too far from the center of your party, you become marginalized and ineffective--I think this definition fits McCain to a Tee. If I hear him brag about "reaching across the aisle" one more time, I think I'll puke. I favor Sarah Palin's take on things....speak direct and with strength. Shoot the damn moose if you need meat in the freezer!
Then there's the extremely important issue of Barack's association with Bill Ayres, Reverend Wright, et al. There is a saying going around the Internet, "What does Obama and Osama have in common? Answer: They both have friends that bombed the Pentagon." How can we trust a person who knowingly associates with an unrepentant terrorist? Troubling.
And, some of you know, my dad was a Baptist preacher.....I sat under his preaching for over twenty-five years, and you can rest assured that what he had to say made a deep impression on me. Now, am I supposed to believe that Barack and Michelle attended Reverend Wright's church for twenty years, heard his virulent Anti-American and racist sermons and weren't effected? Ah, come on! Down home they would say "that dog won't hunt!"
I also find Obama not to be trustworthy. Like the career politician that he is, he parses his words when trying to explain where he stands on important issues. He was recently asked to give his position on the Fifth Amendment. He stated that he "supported the Fifth Amendment," but refused to explain whether or not he believed that the amendment's "right to bear arms" was an individual right or only a right pertaining to "state militias." Of course, Obama is a product of the Chicago political machine and has always voted against gun ownership--he scores a definite "F"by the folks at the NRA. I have no doubt that if given the opportunity, he would appoint supreme court judges who would act to overturn the recent Washington D.C. case where the court found that the rights under this amendment was an individual one, and D.C.s strict ban on handgun ownership was unconstitutional. Okay, if I needed a single issue to determine my vote, this would be it.
I'm one of the Great Unwashed who in times of trouble regularly "falls back on my religion and guns." Today I cleaned several of my guns. With the collapse of the banking system and the meltdown of the stock market, guns and cartridges may be valuable barter items in the coming months. Going dove huntin' on Saturday morning. Barring illness or other calamity, I'll be in church on Sunday. I will continue to pray for our nation and its leaders whoever they are.
Please forgive this wordy epistle. What say you?
God bless America.
Chuck Howell
"Blessed are the cracked for they let in the light"
From Chuck Howell:
As to the race for the presidency, I am disappointed in both candidates. The most recent debate was, in my view, a boring embarrassing spectacle. Here were two career politicians jabbering away, endlessly repeating their talking points, never giving a direct answer, never providing any clear and precise definition as to how their "programs" would work to benefit the American people without further spending us into bankruptcy.
Some of the pundits said that McCain's only hope to turn the tide of public opinion was to attack Obama. He didn't, of course, for U.S. senators do not do such things! These fellows are expected to always respect the decorum of the Senate, to promote a collegial atmosphere while debating "extremely important national policy" in a courteous and respectful manner. A prerequisite seems to be that members must be able to speak for at least forty-five minutes without saying anything of substance--both of these gentlemen surely demonstrated these attributes to the extreme. Senator Biden is tops in this category.
Thank goodness that the debate committee chose that old Liberal, Tom Brokaw, to serve as moderator. Tom seem more concerned about time-management than the debate itself--notice how he adroitly selected twenty questions from among Nashville's Corp of Undecided and the Internet, while narrowly avoiding the really important issues facing America today. For instance, where were the questions on the War on Terror (after all it IS only the survival of the Western Culture we are talking about when it comes to the agenda of the Radical Islamists)? How about illegal immigration (what DO we do about the twenty million illegals who are bankrupting our local health care facilities, local schools and other taxpayer-funded social services)? What about the failure of the president and U.S. congress to properly oversee our nation's financial system and markets?
I also wonder why the people chosen to ask questions seem only marginally articulate. Was there some strong weed dispensed at Belmont that evening? I'm sorry. That was crude and uncalled for. And to think that they were once a strong Southern Baptist school.
In my view of things, Senator McCain looked totally un-presidential. In fact, he looked tired and incapable of a good knock-down, drag-out political fight. Bill Clinton would have destroyed him. In the same format, Ronald Reagan would have verbally denuded Obama in about five minutes and showed him to be the novice that he is. Would someone please tell me what this guy has accomplished? Oh, I know how he (as he said on TV last week) "took advantage of the opportunities of this great nation" to get a world-class education. He does indeed appear to have applied himself and I do not question that he is a smart politician. However, what were his accomplishments as an Illinois state senator? Even his spoke people can't or won't answer this question. He has apparently been a non-entity in the U.S. Senate. He has championed no major bills nor has he headed any subcommittees within his purview. the Right Wing pundits all say that he has devoted his time since joining the Senate to running for president. I have found nothing to refute this statement.
The fact that he beat out Alan Keys, a second-rate, inexperienced Black conservative talk show host for the U.S. Senate isn't very impressive. With the political and financial clout of the Mayor Richard Daley's Chicago political machine behind him, Jeffrey Dahmer could have taken that seat.
Then there's his tenure as a Chicago community organizer. If my information is correct, his main objective was to help the under-served minority community to register to vote and get home mortgages which they couldn't afford to pay. Would someone please tell me how this shallow resume qualifies this dude to serve as the president of the United States?
Finally, I don't know about you but I'm more than a little concerned about the associations and political output of both McCain and Obama. While we know that McCain escaped the legal fallout from the Keating Five mess (the Dems own lawyer vindicated him), his votes on illegal immigration and campaign finance reform shows that he is not really attuned to the priorities of the American majority in the first case, and deserves criticism for stomping on the First Amendment in the latter.
Bipartisanship and cooperation is okay when it is in the best interests of the citizenry, however I would like to see a little more spunk from a person trying to win my vote. Frankly, I'm not enamored with McCain "The Maverick." We have a two-party system and when you get too far from the center of your party, you become marginalized and ineffective--I think this definition fits McCain to a Tee. If I hear him brag about "reaching across the aisle" one more time, I think I'll puke. I favor Sarah Palin's take on things....speak direct and with strength. Shoot the damn moose if you need meat in the freezer!
Then there's the extremely important issue of Barack's association with Bill Ayres, Reverend Wright, et al. There is a saying going around the Internet, "What does Obama and Osama have in common? Answer: They both have friends that bombed the Pentagon." How can we trust a person who knowingly associates with an unrepentant terrorist? Troubling.
And, some of you know, my dad was a Baptist preacher.....I sat under his preaching for over twenty-five years, and you can rest assured that what he had to say made a deep impression on me. Now, am I supposed to believe that Barack and Michelle attended Reverend Wright's church for twenty years, heard his virulent Anti-American and racist sermons and weren't effected? Ah, come on! Down home they would say "that dog won't hunt!"
I also find Obama not to be trustworthy. Like the career politician that he is, he parses his words when trying to explain where he stands on important issues. He was recently asked to give his position on the Fifth Amendment. He stated that he "supported the Fifth Amendment," but refused to explain whether or not he believed that the amendment's "right to bear arms" was an individual right or only a right pertaining to "state militias." Of course, Obama is a product of the Chicago political machine and has always voted against gun ownership--he scores a definite "F"by the folks at the NRA. I have no doubt that if given the opportunity, he would appoint supreme court judges who would act to overturn the recent Washington D.C. case where the court found that the rights under this amendment was an individual one, and D.C.s strict ban on handgun ownership was unconstitutional. Okay, if I needed a single issue to determine my vote, this would be it.
I'm one of the Great Unwashed who in times of trouble regularly "falls back on my religion and guns." Today I cleaned several of my guns. With the collapse of the banking system and the meltdown of the stock market, guns and cartridges may be valuable barter items in the coming months. Going dove huntin' on Saturday morning. Barring illness or other calamity, I'll be in church on Sunday. I will continue to pray for our nation and its leaders whoever they are.
Please forgive this wordy epistle. What say you?
God bless America.
Chuck Howell
"Blessed are the cracked for they let in the light"
How Our Tax System Really Works
Our Tax System Explained:
Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.'
Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected.
They would still drink for free.
But what about the other six men - the paying customers?
How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!
''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.
It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got' 'That's true!!'shouted the seventh man.
'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two?
The wealthy get all the breaks!
''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!
'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him.
But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important.
They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works.
The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction.
Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.
In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
(True or not - it sounds about right to me!)
Spread the word
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Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.'
Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected.
They would still drink for free.
But what about the other six men - the paying customers?
How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man.
He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!
''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.
It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got' 'That's true!!'shouted the seventh man.
'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two?
The wealthy get all the breaks!
''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!
'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him.
But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important.
They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works.
The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction.
Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.
In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
(True or not - it sounds about right to me!)
Spread the word
del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Ask BlinkList blogmarks Google Ma.gnolia Netscape RawSugar Rojo Shadows Simpy Socializer Spurl StumbleUpon Tailrank Technorati Windows Live Wists Yahoo!
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