We Do Have a Revenue Problem!

We Do Have a Revenue Problem!

Al Ritter

Of course our biggest problem IS a spending problem, but Obama will never admit that! Obama is correct though when he says that they are lacking revenue. Think of it logically and in an unbiased view and you will see what I mean.

The median income of America has dropped substantially in the last four years, and subsequently the same income drop has caused the tax income to drop. There is less money coming in to the coffers.

Now the discussion heads to…….”who was to blame?” Who really cares who was to blame at this point even though substantial evidence exists to support the idea that the Democrats are to blame for the bursting of the real estate bubble?

The fact remains now how to deal with the shortfall of taxes caused by them. Blame is one thing but solutions are something entirely different.

The economic principles practiced during the Reagan years became the corner stone of the Tea Party war cry. Art Laffer developed the “Laffer Curve” as a young economist that worked for Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan raised taxes, no question, but in doing so his economic team discovered quite by mistake that if the percentage of taxation was lowered (within reason) the money coming in actually increased. Kennedy had also discovered the same thing 20 years prior, but now finally Laffer had discovered the formula.

If you delve into his theory, you will find that the theory has a window of taxation percentage that is rather large. I’m not saying that Obama is entitled to take a higher percentage of our income for taxes, but I am saying that maybe a tightening of the tax loopholes should be left on the table for bargaining with, so that eventually we can lower income tax percentages.

We know that Obama’s aim in “taxing the rich” is merely class warfare, and that instituting those taxes on the rich at even 100% of their income would only pay for 8 days of government operation. These are the facts plain and simple, and yet he is fighting with this tooth and nail to force a wedge in between the classes.

What the house leadership needs to do is offer up a closing of loopholes, and maybe a small increase of taxes on those who make over $1 million a year or $1.5 million as a couple.

This could be the bargaining chip we need to make AFTER the sequestration kicks in to make Obama submit to massive policy cuts to entitlement programs that he has increased since coming into office.

To escape this horrible economic blunder started by the Democratic congress under George Bush, (there I said it) we need to play a chess game not a constantly reinforced “Mexican standoff” that leads to constant dead ends. Obama has caused this rift between sides, think back to when it started!

The art of politics is one of give and take between sides not that of constant stonewalling. We need to work together to return our country to some sort of sanity.

Of all the people to be the most upset in this debacle, it SHOULD be congress! They are the ones being bypassed through executive actions. They are being denied (both Republican and Democrat) their voice in the legislature, by an egotistical tyrant who only serves himself at the cost of others. Just look at the way he treats supposed friends in his own party…….they are merely a vehicle to get what he wants.

The faster they see him for what he is rather than to just blindly follow like sheep the faster we can get our country back!........Ok now all my Tea Party friends can string me up!

Conservatives Need Political Backbone In 2014 & Beyond

Conservatives Need Political Backbone In 2014 & Beyond

Kevin Bryant 

Mid-term elections are 21 out. Why should I be thinking about them now? I don’t even know who is going to be running for office. What I do know is this: I know the type of person I would like to in office. It could be a republican, it could be a democrat, what party doesn’t matter to me as much as my ideas of what is best for this country and who best represents those ideas. 

My district here in Missouri is represented by the good reverend “Obama is more popular that Jesus” Emanuel Cleaver II. I knew of this person’s reputation long before I moved here. His beliefs and mine do not match at all. I think we are about as opposite as we can be. Since I moved here in 2005, the republicans have ran the same guy against him (Jacob Turk) and he has never received over 44% of the vote. Jacob Turk is a nice guy with good ideas and will likely be Cleaver’s challenger in 2014, so what is the problem?  

Turk suffers from the same problem as most conservative/libertarians/republican politicians. They are afraid to go into democrat strongholds and face those that you know are going to reject you. They are afraid to fight to convince them your ideas are right for them, for their community, their city and their state. Most people that vote democrat all the time do it because they have been conditioned to do it since they first knew what politics were.  

I was wrong in a statement I made a few years back. My parents did not vote for John McCain in 2008. I made an assumption they would based on multiple comments. Once I found this out I also realized that was the first time I can recall they didn’t vote. In 2012, again they didn’t vote. So at least their track record of only voting for “the democrat” is still intact.  

Here is the point of why I brought up my parents: Using Jacob Turk as an example. If he were to go into a democrat strong hold and not convince them he is the better candidate, he may succeed in planting the idea that perhaps Cleaver is not the right man for the job and “like my parents”, it’s just not worth the effort to go vote at all since neither is what they are looking for.  

If you want something badly enough (Jacob Turk), you can’t just stay within your comfort zone. You have to be willing to do what seeming appears to be the impossible, if not end the idea in the minds of many that “the democrat” is always the right choice.  

It’s a fact, conservative politicians, no matter what state or city, are afraid to go into urban areas that are predominately populated by minorities and those that live below the poverty line. Most democrats don’t have a comfort zone when it comes to campaigns. They go everywhere, they speak at every opportunity and they come into predominately conservative areas and fight the political fights that are necessary to win. They face fear and they face rejection.  

I didn’t vote for Turk in the 2012 primaries. He has shown me that he has what it takes to represent me and the district…..everything except the willingness to fight for his beliefs.

 

 

Ron Investigates the Idea of Taxes – An Oppressive Factor

Ron Investigates the Idea of Taxes – An Oppressive Factor
Ron Boat

Tax:

Noun

1. a sum of money demanded by a government for its support or for specific facilities or services, levied upon incomes, property, sales, etc.

2. a burdensome charge, obligation, duty, or demand.

Verb (used with object)

3. a. to demand a tax from (a person, business, etc.).

    b. to demand a tax in consideration of the possession or occurrence of (income, goods, sales, etc.), usually in proportion to the value of money involved.

4. to lay a burden on; make serious demands on: to tax one's resources.

5. to take to task; censure; reprove; accuse: to tax one with laziness.  

In looking up the definition of “tax,” I found it thought-provoking that each is laden with such negativism. Insupportable terms of onerous meaning like “money demanded,” a “burdensome charge or obligation,” to “demand” or “lay a burden” or “take to task.” What a way to start a concept of revenue… or just a discussion.

In light of the recent fiscal cliff (or physical depending on your reaction to the D.C. fiasco), I thought it worth a moment to reflect on our taxes, their effect and consequences. It’s true that none of us relish the thought of April 15th, yet we realize that a certain amount of money needs to be collected for such things as running the government, paying our military, building ships, planes and roads. It’s a requisite participation of a society where we all benefit and need to contribute. 

America was born in strife, disagreement and violent conflict over… taxes. Local taxes in the colonies were low but the British Parliament (our government at the time) was belligerent and intrusive in its obsession to collect what we had over here to run their government and buy what they wanted over there. And they did it with disregard for the benefits we didn’t see for ourselves. To pay for a local road down the street here makes sense. To pay for a new carriage for the king in England wasn’t so popular.

Hence started the list of taxes and political-economic rift that propelled us into war and ultimately freedom from England.

·        The Stamp Act – 1765 / Passed by the Parliament and required all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, wills, pamphlets, and playing cards in the American colonies to carry a tax stamp. It was to defray the cost of maintaining the military presence protecting the colonies. Something not exactly perceived as a necessity by Americans who rose up in strong protest, beginning the argument of "No Taxation without Representation." Boycotts forced Britain to repeal the stamp tax, but convinced many British leaders it was essential to tax the colonists on “something” to demonstrate the sovereignty of Parliament.

·        The Sugar Act – 1764 / Taxes on Sugar, cloth and coffee that came here but didn’t export from Britain. They wanted their share of our life that they weren’t even involved in. [Sounds like our current gas taxes]

·        The Townshend Revenue Act – 1767 / Two tax laws passed by Parliament, and proposed by Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchequer. They placed a tax on common products imported into the American Colonies, such as lead, paper, paint, glass, and tea. In contrast to the Stamp Act, the laws were not a direct tax that people paid, but a tax on imports that was collected from the ship's captain when he unloaded cargo. The Acts also created three new admiralty courts to try Americans who ignored the laws. [You can see where this was going. Import taxes and ultimate legal oppression of citizens, IRS?].

·        The Tea Act – 1773 / This received the royal approval on tea. The act was designed to undercut tea smugglers and was to benefit of the East India Company, in which England didn’t own shares of ownership but had indirect control. This single Act (or tax) prompted protests and became the prominent foundation of… The Boston Tea Party which angered Britain to the point of war with us in 1775.

So from our very beginning, taxes, tariffs and monetary impositions have indeed had their effect on the common people of the land and ultimately resulted in our break from England and freedom. The citizenry of then should see what “taxation WITH representation is like now.” It’s still not a popular annual event.

In 1862, to support the Civil War effort, Congress enacted the nation's first income tax law. It was a forerunner of our modern income tax in that it was based on the principles of graduated, or progressive taxation and of withholding income at the source. During the Civil War, a person earning from $600 to $10,000 per year paid tax at the rate of 3%. A far penetrating scream from the total rate of 90% just 100 years later and today’s rate around 50%. 

Today there seem to be two areas of passionate, often obsessive discussions that anger Americans when debating taxes. Areas which are growing and diverging in their use and meaning to the public who pays – or doesn’t pay them. Areas vocally evident and extensively exposed in the reality of our recent election. 

First, most agree there are too many taxes. We’re particularly dismayed because what money we do send to Washington is wasted, frivolously squandered and even lost: Billions each year being unaccounted for. Even the heads of many government agencies can’t tell you how many vehicles they really own… or where they are. And the GAO is routinely unable to account for money and resources in the military, defense departments and others. And yet they want even more to play their expensive administrative Monopoly games.

Add to the “missing in action” you’ll find millions being spent for what seems more like personal enrichment than requisite resources. Agencies who demand a better resort instead of a hotel for meetings, accoutrements befitting royalty bringing newer and nicer cars, first class travel, bigger well-appointed offices and more. It’s a systematic harvesting of questionable reimbursements, benefits and other economic advantage; the people’s over extended credit cards run amuck if you will. No wonder average people become hesitant in their “contributions” to a bunch of governmental, ideological trogs who work less than they do but live the life of Riley at our hard earned expense.

The second dog in this fight has a contention bone that represents a large number of people who refuse to “contribute” or are unable to through reasons of either joblessness or laziness. With welfare growing at a distressing pace, food stamp recipients nearing 50,000,000, and so many unable to pay taxes for lack of employment, America is an economic scale tipping toward government dependency. A condition that is fiscally irresponsible and precipitously unsustainable. Half the people are supporting the other half…. through taxes. Money collected and redistributed for one irritating, vexatious reason or another.

Ah, redistribution. Remember that term? “Take from the rich and give to the… poor(?) But hey, when you rob Peter to pay Paul, you’ll always have the support of Paul. It’s Socialism at its best when you can give away the worth of so many to placate the wanton desires of others less willing to participate in an equal society. It’s the dream come true of dictators who want more control, more lauding and praise from the willing yet unknowing masses they subjugate.

But there’s a lesson to be learned and America will soon find itself living the manifestation of Margaret Thatcher’s truthful expression. “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” But our problematic reality is that rarely do governments – even ours – look far enough down the money road to realize that you can’t tax, tax, tax without consequences of your actions. They seem to think there’s some unlimited supply, some unrestrained never-ending wellspring of bucks coming their way. And of course with those ongoing windfalls come power.

The associated point of this is that benefits and availability of taxes are not only limited but limiting. A Socialistic leader or complicit governing body fails to rightly observe that taking money from people limits people. It reduces the resources with which a business can use to remain financially stable and even grow. It takes from people and redirects the very thing that an economy needs to remain solvent and stable, developing and growing: Money.

The more a family pays in income tax, property tax, sales tax, gas tax, capital gains tax, social security and Medicare taxes, and more local taxes you can count with a 200 foot long abacus, then the less money they can devote to dining out, a new or second car, a new house, clothing, a bigger TV, new furniture; Things that people actually work toward AND which supports the economy. Forget about education expenses, the medical emergencies, repairs, and other unexpected costs of just living that you can’t pay for if…you’ve paid too much toward to guy who finds it too inconvenient to work or the woman with 9 kids from 7 men but no means of support... except you and me.

Taxes are a part of life, an obligation of a responsible society as a cohesive, productive assemblage living and working together. But when taxes become burdensome, a demand, a limit or censure on people’s lives, then it’s time to examine the use to which our funds are expended. When they take away from people their desires or rights to participate in life, their quality of life for themselves and their families, and preclude them from meeting basic essentials, then it’s time for an answerable examination. A review before action becomes the next step.

Many say that 50% is a fair total of all taxes to be paid but really… to say that you work and slave sometimes 6 or 7 days a week to only start making money for yourself as compensation for your hard work in July every year? And many in some states are paying higher totals of 55, 60% and more of their hard earned wages. When does it really end? When people work totally and solely for the government and the government gives all to people in payment as housing, food, medical care, and life’s substances? That’s called Communism. An economic system where the government owns the factors of production and decides the allocation of resources and what products and services will be provided.

Karl Marx agreed with Louis Blanc (a French "utopian Socialist") in how labor and income should be managed: "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs." But that is not America. Not the way we were founded, led to believe, brought up and practiced our work, or pledged our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Is this where America is headed? Are taxes part of the controlling, limiting factor purposely imposed that decides our future? I pray not but they’re increasingly intertwined with our daily way of life, our work, our societal discourse. We’re quickly approaching a crossroads where we’ll be forced to certainly decide how we’re to live our lives. Some say this past election was the most important in our history and yet that group of 50% that lives off the other 50% decided they like “getting” more than “working.” The Obama phone was a great thing and having the government pay your healthcare, food bill, food stamps, subsidized housing, Pell grants, children’s head start, special allowance and tax credits, cold fuel payments, guardian’s allowance, maternity expenses, general welfare/public assistance/financial and community care grants, and more is quickly becoming an expected good thing for the masses - their new life du jour. But someone has to pay for these communal favors.

Will this continue the spiral from which we can’t recover?

I wonder… How soon before we run out of other people’s money?

A Party of One

A Party of One

Kevin Bryant 

As usual, I start to write three or different things before I abandon them all and actually finish something completely different.  

I have no idea why people on various websites insist on calling and labeling me a republican. I am neither a republican nor democrat. Sure, the ideas I have as to how government should be ran is more in line with the Republican Party platform but why on earth would I wish to align myself with a party that doesn’t even believe their own platform. 

There are 535 voting members of congress. Out of those 535 voting members, I am of the opinion that there are only 3 members who are truthful more than 60% of the time only one of them ranks above the 70% truthful mark. There is one other member who boarders on the 50% mark but as of late has fallen just below that mark. All others can go as far as I am concerned.  

If I have that much distrust in the members of congress why would I wish to align myself with either political party? Why does anyone align themselves with a party? Both are full of crap. Both lie to your face and stab you in the back at the same time. Obama and Boehner both said we avoided a fiscal crisis. We didn’t avoid crap….. congress just kicked it down the road a little further.  

The best one though for lying to our faces is the clown in the white house. If he uses the word “we” in a sentence that is speaking of a past action he is actually boasting that he and congress lied to the American public and got away with it. If he uses the word “I” in a sentence he is semi telling you the truth. He believes his opinions or actions are right for America based on the ideas of Karl Marx and Saul Alinsky. Bernie Sanders, God bless him, has the easiest time in congress. A devout and well known socialist, he is the only person in congress who doesn’t have to lie to the people. The people of Vermont know exactly who they voted in and why.  

I am a party of One. I don’t vote based on Republican or Democrat. I don’t believe in political platforms, I have my own ideas, beliefs and standards. I believe in God, Family, Truth, Freedom, & Country in that order. That is my platform. That is what sways my vote. I am a party of One.

 

 

There is No Winning, Only Degrees of Losing

There is No Winning, Only Degrees of Losing

Al Ritter

Gun Control means a lot of things to a lot of people, as does the second amendment.

To Barack Obama the second amendment only presents itself as a speed bump to his final “adjustment” to conservative America to get his desired end.

First you need to actually respect the Constitution to try to make a legal amendment to it. Secondly you need a 2/3^rd majority in BOTH the house and senate to repeal the second amendment. And thirdly you need to have ¾ of the states ratify it. We all know even Obama can’t make that happen, but what is more important is that Obama doesn’t care, nor does he intend to take that route.

This is what will happen…….first he intends to get every liberal governor to pass some of the strictest guns laws this country has ever seen into law. That is being done as we speak, then he intends to “occupy” America with a potential federal assault weapons ban introduced by Diane Feinstein….that will fail to pass the house in the form she intended it, but that makes no difference.

He intends to do what he does best……..he will stifle the gun industry with regulations, taxes and rules much in the way he has done in the past with the EPA. Secondly he has already started his media blitz with talking points and scheduled interviews with “experts” to sway public opinion. We already know he can do that and so does he.

Let’s say we defeat any such bill that Congress can muster to dilute the second amendment………do you think it will end there? Of course it won’t!.........Did senseless massacres end after the last assault weapons ban..? Tragically the main reason for these acts has never been addressed nor will it ever be, because America won’t admit it has a mental illness problem. Instead here is what Obama will do the next time a massacre happens.

First off IF we happen to defeat an assault weapon ban, after the next attack (and we know it will happen,) he will claim that the Democratic Party tried their best to prevent the next attack, but the Tea Party Republicans mounted a successful campaign through the lobbyists for the NRA to keep this from happening.

Now IF the liberals succeed in passing ANY kind of legislation against assault weapons the press conference will be must different. Obama will say that they passed the most comprehensive assault weapons ban in history, but much more work needs to be done to assure farther safety for our children, and then an all out atll hove ALL weapons from us.

No matter what happens in the gun debate the Constitutional supporters will come out on the short end of the stick……..I hate to be a fatalist but we have had 4 years of this President and we can now see how he operates…….does anyone doubt me?.......Prove me wrong!

Ron observes IDL (irrational destructive leadership.)

Ron observes IDL (irrational destructive leadership.)
Ron Boat

This week we saw the continuing transformation of America. We saw the installation of a failed incompetent whose mission is social justice for some, overbearance on others. Will he become even more dictatorial? More tyrannical? Will we continue down this road of government and private interconnection whose intertwining control and support was never meant to be? What anti-American, anti-privacy, anti-rights, “anti-freedom” sort of actions will take the place in an unrestricted and open society where our only concern should be those enemies abroad, or who's coming for the neighborhood BBQ on Saturday night?

I'm not a conspiracy guy but there are undeniable actions and trends that are affecting the long term course on which this country is set…contrary to that envisioned by our founding fathers. My previous post gave testament to the founder’s desire for the moral direction of our country and we’re wavering more and more every day from these standards, led by irrational actions and deliberate destructive misguidance.

There are irrefutable facts regarding the insanity that is leading this country toward destruction. I’ve said for several years now that our president has an agenda, desires and goals that are NOT for our best interest. His own father’s hatred for America as a purveyor of colonialism, stealing wealth and impressing its will on countries around the world, started this president on his road of anti-Americanism.

Add to that the mentoring of such influences as racist, pro-Soviet Frank Marshal Davis (an admitted Communist who wrote “Are you with me in my determination to wipe out white supremacy?"), and his early political years with the Socialist organizations of the SDS and the New Party of Chicago all leading to his desire to work with the “social organizing” ACORN. Associations with others such as terrorist William Ayers and Communist connected individuals such as David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett added to his disdain. All fueled further by the fires of 20 years under the Black Separatist teachings of Rev. Wright.

There have been numerous comparisons of Obama and Hitler and I won’t tender or argue them here but the similarities of their rise to power, public acceptance, timing, the taking of liberties and infiltration of industries and development of social intrusions through the youth and more are undeniable.

The insanity and irrational mindset of this country’s governance is exhibited in virtually every action being undertaken by this administration including the Congress in many areas. I would encourage your consideration of the following:

·        How logical financially to continue to drive national debt past $16 Trillion to 17, 19 and $20 Trillion plus, unless you have an agenda to “overwhelm the system,” a dictate of Cloward & Piven, two Socialist Columbia University professors. They sought to hasten the fall of capitalism by overloading the government bureaucracy with a flood of impossible demands, thus pushing society into crisis and economic collapse. Would any reasonable caring family breadwinner already in debt continue to put new TVs, stereos, a car and fancy trips on a credit card already tens of thousands over limit?

·        How logical is it to completely, irrevocably alter the world’s best medical care system by forcing people to pay for others’ care (even against their own moral and religious convictions), by driving profits down (the basis of American capitalism) and forcing doctors and hospitals out of their business while “creating impossible demands” adding millions to the list of those needing to be served by those shrinking resources?

·        How logical is it to demand that law abiding citizens who never broke anything other than an occasional speeding law, now register guns and restrict their Constitutional rights in favor of trying to control those who couldn’t care less about such laws and will get a gun anytime/anywhere they choose and kill whomever they want? Putting up “Gun Free Zone” signs at schools does as much good as filling Walmart with “No Shoplifting” banners.

·        How logical is it for Congress to NOT meet the immediate needs of desperate people after a major natural disaster in favor of adding millions and millions of unneeded wasteful pork projects to a relief bill strictly for personal political gain?

·        How logical is it to raise taxes and take even more money away from working people during dire economic times when they need it for food, rent and daily necessities? You wouldn’t unless again, you have agenda that forces more and more people into dependency on the government which, of course, needs more and more money from those working which again reduces available money for spending which drives the whole economy which helps everyone…instead of few. You can see where this cycle of madness is heading.

·        How logical for security to be denied ambassadors and personnel when warnings were issued and signs were present that trouble was brewing which resulted in the loss of life and property? And we must remember it was not one but 20 of our embassies and consulates that were attacked in September. Our leaders have advocated all sense and responsibility for their actions to….. I give up, who?

·        How logical is it for our “leaders” (and I use that term VERY loosely) to not only lie to the America public about the violence perpetrated on our diplomatic personnel but to NOT ask the right questions? To allow lies of web videos, and statements of “I don’t know” to dominate when real accounts and facts are swept under a Persian carpet somewhere? Where are the dedicated experienced leaders, the patriots that should be getting to the truth, demanding answers and assigning responsibility?

·        How logical is it for a president whose job it is to protect us, to be a uniter/a leader of all people, to continually divide us by race and by class? To demonize those who are successful and in fact ultimately make better lives for everyone? To drive social wedges of hate, envy and condemnation and pit one group against another? Again unless… there are other agendas.

·        How logical is it for a president, and the chief law enforcement officer to give weapons to foreign drugs dealers and murderers, allow the killing of thousands of Mexicans, including a US Border Patrol officer, and then deny responsibility and truths by covering and protecting each other and then… an executive order?

This list of irrational behavioral traits and actions could fill many pages but the point being… we have people running the country that for whatever reasons are NOT operating with the country’s best interest at heart. They are NOT making decisions based on logic and reason. They are NOT looking out for our future when national security is at risk from within our own borders to our overseas operations.

At what point do we start to stand and be counted? Should we contribute and make a difference vs. leading lives of acceptance and passive indifference? If we as Americans truly want to live free and enjoy what I term as “life, liberty and the happiness of pursuit”, when do we take up peaceful arms of resistance and opposition to battle a growing tyranny seeking total control?

Yes I said “happiness of pursuit” because there is a happiness in pursuing accomplishments, personal goals, and achievements which are part of leading productive lives – something which is becoming harder and harder because of an irrational destructive leadership. And then, having done such, we find, enjoy and appreciate the happiness we have pursued.

This week saw the ushering in of a more arrogant, divisive, defensive president, a man who warned us four years ago, is leading the transformation of America. But why transform the greatest country on earth? And, why think you’re the one to do it? For when you attempt to transform this established and proven governing structure, you only succeed to destroy it. This county has weathered many storms in 200 plus years and can only be made better through quality concerned dedicated leadership in concert with its citizenry– not independent irrational and destructive actions.

We’re being led by people who hide the actualities of Fast & Furious, who deny knowledge of Benghazi, who pass blame for economic times and mistakes. They forsake the responsibilities of their posts creating fiscal gymnastics while obfuscating their pecuniary duties. They promote illogical and unconstitutional changes to our lives, and who attempt to make equal that which is not guaranteed nor intended. We have foxes hiding behind wolves protected by lions who are ignored by ignorant blind farmers while the chickens suffer.

Everyone needs to ask themselves what they are willing to do to save our country. What part do they play in the recovery of freedoms, rights and their own personal pursuit of happiness? What is their contribution to a better way of life and a freer society? I hope mine is writing a small article with fun, facts and foolery and your feedback is always appreciated.

God help us through the next week, month and upcoming four years of potential oppression, racism, distrust and control.

In our next visits, we’re going to be looking at taxes, the oppressive factor, and the “Real State of the Union”: What normal people think about where we are in our daily lives and individual pursuits  - not the meandering creative proliferation of Washington based political pontifications of positively pretentious pomposity.

Not In the Best Frame of Mind

Not In the Best Frame of Mind

Al Ritter 

I must admit the last few weeks I have not been in the best frame of mind. January should be a time of renewal and rebirth but to me it seems like more of the same and retreating four years back in time. I feel like I’m playing some small part in the movie “Groundhog Day.” 

As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” I find myself unable to accept my dear old departed grandmother’s advice of “And this too shall pass.” I felt that November the 6^th would have been the day that pulled us back from destruction, but that wasn’t the case for whatever reason. We have plunged into the abyss knowing full well what the result will be. 

The President has become arrogantly aggressive with his reelection and shows no sign at all of trying to even learn the basic principles of compromise. He feels that the majority reelected him and ALL his policies. He is clearly the leader of the Democratic Party and not the American People. 

Almost all past Presidents have learned the transition from candidate to world leader except Barack Obama. This President will go down in history for being one of the most polarizing figures if not the most polarizing Presidents in this century. 

Not since Abraham Lincoln (maybe this is why Obama sees himself as his reincarnation) has America become so divided over not one or two issues, but almost every single issue this President has signed into law. 

Obama sees his time as limited to push his progressive agenda and he wants to accomplish as much change as he can in his 8 years. 8 years………what a horrible ring that has. Our forefathers never envisioned the America we have now vs. what they had 235 years ago. The fundamental change that Obama never hid in his election campaign has come to fruition. 

The sad part is that 52% of the voters in America are willing to accept whatever change Obama wants and will blindly follow him into this countries’ destruction. We became a great nation because our founders weren’t acceptant of the results of a monarchy. Ironically America is becoming the same type of monarchy we escaped two centuries ago. 

Our people totally ignore history and repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Even successful corrections to problems of just 10 years prior are being ignored for “new and improved” solutions that are not only untried, but contrary to logic and destined to failure. 

Progressives ignore past successful fixes for difficult problems if those fixes came from the “other side of the isle,” and flat out deny their success regardless whether or not those successes are logged into the annals of history. 

I feel for the first time in my life, (right or wrongly) that the President we have now is directly responsible for my own wellbeing and mental status, and I truly fear the next four years.

 

Dear Patriots;

Dear Patriots;

William G Burmer 

 Having suffered some business and health problems the last few months I have taken myself off the list of pontificators of domestic and world events.   I read with interest those however  who have pressed on and  have concluding, even long ago,  that we are "preaching to the quire;" leaving what Rush Limbaugh  refers to as the "Low Information" reader, If there are any, in the dust.  

     If I lived now in the days prior to and during the American Revolution,  given  present circumstances that face us as patriots of America, her ideals and traditions being threatened as they are, I picture myself defending my country, not with words only but,  with the sword of righteousness.   My indignation for those who seek power over service to country and honoring their Oath of Office exceeds comprehension, or my limits of tolerance.

     Talking to my friend Jim this past Saturday about the events of our day, he shared some profound insight with regard to the adversity we face in the world today.  Solutions are not easy nor  are some acceptable  juxtaposed against human nature  being what it is and the reality of our times.  In essence,  Said he, we need to "be grateful  for what we know,  be true to our Faith in God and share it, and to encourage others about us to do the same." 

     We must of necessity leave the rest to our Lord and Savior to sort out, and know this, He is  sifting those who would follow after him, the" wheat,"  from those who are following after Satan, the "Chaff".   It is left to each of us of all faiths, in the interim, to do our very best to improve the moral fabric of our communities , our nations, and the world, to protect our religious freedoms. This will best be accomplished within our own homes, families and communities. 

     We all share equally a love and appreciation for Our Constitution and about those  efforts currently underway  to diminish it, the Bill of Rights' guaranteeing our freedom of religion,  and  our ability to defend ourselves against tyranny in Government.   It is all important that we share our concerns with those elected to serve with as much force as possible, to be relentless in our quest for redress and real justice, and to support those organizations which would help in our quest to support  the  moral fabric of our society amongst all people, and especially in Government. 

     Perhaps even such efforts might strike a chord with even those "low information" voters and readers to do more.  God Knows, after all we can do we must exercise our faith He will in the end, prevail.    

The REAL Zombie Apocalypse

The REAL Zombie Apocalypse

Kevin Bryant

I learned today there is a real Kansas Zombie Militia, formed by concerned individuals about an inevitable (according to them) coming Zombie Apocalypse. One of their beliefs is the apocalypse will be caused by the accidental release of some bio-engineered germ or something. What they have yet to realize is there is a small but growing zombie like apocalypse happening right now.

Every two years most states do their best to send to Washington those whom they feel will best represent them and their state. Each passing year we bear witness to the conversion of those we send to Washington from normal caring individuals who want what is best for their state and our nation as a whole. Each year we watch as many of these public servants convert to a zombie like mentality. Instead of putting the welfare of their states and the nation at the forefront of their thoughts, their brains turn to mush and they enter a zombie like state craving “more government….. more taxes …… more government….. more taxes…..”. This mentality being their only thought and the center of their vocalized speech.

535 members of congress. This so called “fiscal cliff” bill that was passed was anything but relief for the majority of Americans. All the bill did was slightly reduce the “more government….. more taxes…..” mantra but still managed to stick it to every American. Out of the 535 members of congress, about 370 (roughly 70%) of them have succumb to the Washington Zombie Virus or probably better known as the "beltway bug". They tell us they did it to save the middle class……..phooey!!!!!! All they did was allow the middle class to die a slightly slower death. They killed the “tax holiday” which will hit me personally for between $1200 - $1300 more in taxes to go along with all the inflated prices we pay every day for gas, groceries, home repair, auto upkeep, state taxes, county taxes, sales tax, user fees, utilities, home and auto insurance and every other facet of our lives. Add that to Obamacare which already jacked my health insurance cost up roughly 10%. Then add all the other hidden Obamacare taxes which about 12 of the 21 new taxes will hit the middle class in some form or another. All in all, these taxes are not to help reduce our debt or even balance the budget. They are strictly for more government programs and more workers to oversee the operations of those programs.

Obama laid claim to reducing the tax burden of the middle class 17 times during his first term. What we gained in the holiday tax is all I personally saw in the way of tax reductions. I surely didn’t see any gain from those 16 others that he bragged about. Yet whatever I gained from that was absorbed in the rising cost of everything else. With each of the past 3 years, I saw my pay checks grow, the amounts of goods I purchased reduced each year due to rising costs and my savings accounts slowly shrinking.

Obama and the big government zombies in Washington are growing the government and growing the amount of people dependent upon government programs. They are doing it by reducing the middle class. What is considered the “middle class” today is the smallest percentage of the population in over 40 years. At this rate, the percentage of the population in the American middle class will be less than 30% of the population of the United States. Included I the prayers I say every night is a request to God to please shine his light and wisdom upon those that we elected to govern and please kill the virus that causes those we elect to turn into Washington big government zombies. 

PERSONAL NOTE, I will be reducing the number of opinions I write for this site. I have begun to feel I am more useful taking the conservative message directly to the liberals rather than writing for those who don’t always agree with me but who do share many common ideas. With the addition of Ron Boat, there are now 4 other writers here, all of which are FAR much better than I. I have already been suspended from posting on Yahoo for a week and the Washington Times website as well for almost two weeks. What I have discovered by purposely banging heads and seeking confrontation with liberals is almost everyone of them when cornered by truth resort to personal attacks and I don’t turn the other cheek, hence the suspensions. You haven’t gotten rid of me, but on the bright side at least you won’t be putting up with me quite as much. KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!!

Obama Voters Are Upset With New Payroll Taxes

Obama Voters Are Upset With New Payroll Taxes

Al Ritter 

The arrogance of the left knows no bounds, they seem to be surprised and angry at tax increases they voted for! I suppose they thought that Obama would just single out the bible bangers and gun lovers and tax them at a higher rate than the rest of the Democratic voters.

It seems hilarious to me that the denial of the left totally overrides any sense of logic. Did they somehow believe that the 1% could make up the spending deficit? They were told that passing the tax on the rich would only fund the federal government for 8 days and yet they somehow ignored that fact from the CBO.

They have blindly ignored any and all FACTS and voted to continue the failed policies of Barack Obama. They criticized the Bush tax cuts, and cheered for higher tax rates on the “wealthy” even though the Administration kept moving the goal posts on the definition of wealth.

Because Obama couldn’t cover his massive spending problem, he lowered the bar on income and now the middle-class Obama voters are beginning to see the hypocrisy of the man they voted for.

This week Obama reportedly told John Boehner, that America doesn’t have a spending problem. I am curious to ask President Obama what kind of problem do we have?

Read what the whinny Obama voters say here

Ron Boat wonders; To God, or not to God?

Ron Boat wonders; To God, or not to God?
Ron Boat 

It’s not just the past Christmas season that brought these facts to mind, but a consolidation of emotions and thoughts that propel us toward a new year and a seemingly more ungodly America.

We must, or should, admit that America is unique. Conceived in liberty – Born out of revolution – Based on forethought, reason and freedom. A country whose very essence and form of governance is like no other ever developed.

Forgive me while I digress for a moment. The tyrannical oppression of England, the burden of over taxation through the Sugar Act (1764), or the Stamp Act (1765), the controlling monopolistic policies of the Tea Act (1773) and the general concept of taxation without representation (They should see taxation WITH representation) all contributed to the desire for change. More and more regulations and taxes to pay for England’s debt from the French and Indian War (1763)… and the colonists didn’t like it.

These were a spark, the basis for change. It became clear that a separation was needed for many reasons. A new and better country based more on a sense of fairness, good, what’s right, strong religious principles, independence – and a desire for freedom, hence the foundation for our United States.

Our founding fathers were brilliant, thoughtful men of deep religious convictions based in the Bible and their Christian faith in Jesus Christ. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, nearly half (24) held seminary or Bible school degrees.

Adams and Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton, and many of their colleagues were men of exceptional European learning. They immersed themselves in the Greek and Latin classics, in the history of medieval and modern Europe, in British and French constitutional theory and practice. And they were men of action. They understood mistakes of the past and had a clear, intimate awareness of the special needs for a new America.

While in Turkey (Aug. 2009), President Obama casually rebuked the concept that the United States is a Judeo-Christian nation. "…we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."

How wrong and descriptively demeaning can one be? Where do the best, most solid “ideals and set of values” come from if not a foundation of true inner and religious beliefs – not in social justice ideology. And yes, the basis for our country was a belief and dependence on God and his own wisdom and guidance for us.

God has systematically been reduced, slighted and eliminated from our culture more and more over the last few years. The taking of the words “under God” from our pledge to our flag, the daily practice of even pledging allegiance to this flag and the country has been stripped from acceptance. And forget about prayers in school any more.

“In God we trust” offends people who use our money. The mere presence of a nativity scene or “Christ”mas tree drives many to the local courthouse, the Ten Commandments are removed from view, and in 2007 (and with many maneuvering explanations) the monogram of “IHS” was covered from view behind the president during a speech at Georgetown University. When growing up this was predominant in our church standing for “In His Service” – or the service of God – even though it actually comes from the original Greek for Jesus’ name, being the first three letters of “ihsous.”

The following Christian quotes of the founding fathers stand as testament to their strong moral and spiritual convictions which helped form the fundamentals of our nation and our government. And these represent only a small sampling of their views, beliefs and many writings.

George Washington - 1^st  U.S. President

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

John Adams - 2^nd  U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."

And Adams wrote in 1813, a letter to Thomas Jefferson, excerpts being:

"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the…general Principles of Christianity.” "Now I will avow, that I then believe, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God; and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature…”

Thomas Jefferson - 3^rd U.S. President, Drafter & Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ."

John Hancock - 1^st Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."

Benjamin Franklin - Signer of the Declaration of Independence & Unites States Constitution

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped."

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see.”

Samuel Adams - Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the American Revolution

"And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again…and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace."

James Madison - 4th U.S. President

"A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven."

Rev. John Witherspoon, president of Princeton University when James Madison graduated wrote:

"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ." [Can you imagine such writings in liberal academia today?]

Add to the above even more words, references and beliefs from:

James Monroe - 5th U.S. President

John Quincy Adams - 6th U.S. President

William Penn - Founder of Pennsylvania

Roger Sherman - Signer of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution

Alexander Hamilton - Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

Patrick Henry - Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

These men, while religious in their core beliefs, also knew that a governing body should have no demands on its citizens to worship a particular way other than to hold principles of value that enhance the lives of all men. Principles we have been losing through the social evolution of more recent time.

The 60’s brought its “social freedoms” of drugs, sex and rock and roll. And the “right” to do as we wish personally without regard to punishment or consequences. These are seen in the basic principles and actions of our current president and his selected team of “social sovereigns” – ideals born in the 60’s with views and actions toward man and not God. Even belittling or denying God.

People believe in many paths to God as is their privilege. So much a civil right that our founders established its steadfastness in the First Amendment to the Constitution: Two rights in fact.

The first part being known as the “Establishment Clause” which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or showing preference of one over another.

The second is the “Free Exercise Clause” which prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s right to practice his or her religion. Religious freedom is an absolute right guaranteed and without government control, however this has been boldly abused lately and with Constitutional disregard.

My reasoning behind this exercise in history is straightforward. To show that we are drifting knowingly and deliberately, dangerously away from the basis of our foundation and the beliefs of our founding fathers which served us well for nearly 200 years – until modern society decided it knew better.

The concept of being a Christian nation is not limiting, not controlling or demanding of anyone to believe in a common path to heaven. Nowhere is it found that our founders expressed a Christian point of view for this purpose but yet, a set of values which guide our lives and actions toward others and… we are losing them. They talked of these principles in the terms of freedom, charity, law, liberty, kindness and duties of good citizenship.

Many will say that our founders were Deists and not Christians, but Deism is a position that God does not intervene in the “natural world” but allows it to run according to the laws of nature. I think one can clearly appreciate that our founders believed that God held the power and set the rules for a life above and beyond our mere existence.

As we embark on a new year, a future of questionable “retainment” of rights, freedoms and ability to live and enjoy in our personal and yes, our religious lives, it’s important to recognize the eroding of these rights; One by one – little by little. When government can dictate to and demand of established religions a change in their belief system to fit “changing social values,” can other more diabolical intentions be far behind for the betterment of a society gone askew from God?

As Thomas Jefferson said, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God?” I sincerely take this not just as Jefferson’s belief, but a warning lest we remove God from our lives and society. And aren’t we daily doing just this?

America is a unique and well founded country that had everyone’s best interest at heart without need for changing its core beliefs. Unlike a recent rant by CNN’s Piers Morgan, it is not “time for an amendment to the Bible” and “the American Constitution is not inherently flawed.”

Whether Protestant, Jew, Hindu, Catholic, Buddhist, or of any organized religion, there are values and a divine guidance, something bigger and better than ourselves that can enhance our lives. I wish you nothing but happiness and success in this New Year and hope that whatever your religious basis, it brings you peace and contributes to the betterment of yourself, your family and the country we all love as conceived by our founders.