THANKSGIVING, A CURIOUS HOLIDAY ?

On the fourth Thursday of November we celebrate the national and legal holiday of Thanksgiving. On this day, many of us gorge ourselves with food, football, family, shopping, parades, and maybe some thanking. But, exactly who are we thanking and why ?

A very early Thanksgiving occurred near Berkley Plantation Virginia in December of 1619 when Captain John Woodlief safely landed after a terrible Atlantic passage. In his declaration he stated, "wee ordaine that the day our ships arrivall at the place assigned for plantacon  (plantation or place of planting) in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God."  

Later, in 1621 the Pilgrims conducted a three day feast of Thanksgiving with 90 Indians to celebrate their first good harvest. Earlier possible "thanksgiving" celebrations were held by the Spaniards, and by Jamestown Virginia settlers in 1610.  During the Revolutionary war days of "thanksgiving" were observed in 1777 and 1789. In 1863 President Lincoln issued a proclamation inviting all Americans to "... observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of "thanksgiving" to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." On December 26th, 1941, the United States Congress made Thanksgiving  a law.

I believe the observances were thanking a Deity for something. The earliest holidays marked survival and having food to eat. During the Revolutionary and Civil War, the days of  "thanksgiving" were ordered to recognize a new Constitution and military victories. Lincoln was thankful that after several decisive Union military victories the terrible "War Between the States" might be drawing to a close, and he wanted a special day to possibly join all the citizens together. Franklin Roosevelt and his Congress were still pulling out of the Depression, and reeling from the disaster of Pearl Harbor when they made Thanksgiving a law. Their motives were to hopefully draw some positive out of bad times, and by law  remind citizens to be thankful on a legally recognized holiday..

Nowadays in my opinion, a lot of folks are not thanking God so much. It seems fewer people are thanking anybody and more people are demanding more free stuff. Despite all the jabbering and mucking about by our government, a lot of people are demanding governments provide their sustenance, all their daily necessities and even luxuries of life. 

Curiously, a local minister declared that his most recent free Thanksgiving dinner was a great success because several more thousand people gathered this year for the free meal than over the prior year. Is an increase in poverty or people needing or demanding free food a mark of progress ? Should anyone take joy or pride in the fact that more people are drifting about in a fog of poverty and require constant assistance or is the endless cycle of giving the real meaning of Thanksgiving ?  

What has caused the great shift from personal responsibility to a society of able bodied people demanding something for nothing. ?  When the federal government takes more and more tax payer funds for social warfare programs, that will never end poverty, is that a Thanksgiving message or an  example of pandering and virtue signaling to buy votes ? Should self reliance and it's  rewards be a more recognized historic lesson of our Thanksgiving day tradition and celebration ? Should charity remain the work of churches and non government agencies sponsored by millions of charitable minded citizens ?  Or,  is charity the business of politicians and their unelected bureaucrats ? 

As demonstrated by our ancestors, should we not be thankful that our hard work coupled with some divine help give us this holiday ? A curious day and season  to consume dangerous portions of food, shopping and couch football viewing ? Maybe between portions and naps we should think about the real meaning of Thanksgiving or maybe not. 

OUR SHAMEFUL FOREIGN POLICY

Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Susan Rice, and their colleagues have been miserable representatives of our best national interests in foreign affairs. Putin bullies obama in Syria and the Ukraine and the presidents team folds and retreats while denying the existence of a cold war. We foolishly lift tough economic sanctions from Iran and get empty words and no cessation in the development of their nuclear weapons program. At a time when the sanctions were beginning to pressure Iran, the United States backs off and potentially opens the mid east to further nuclear development by rouge nations. Obama has failed in Afghanistan and will cut and run on the threats from their corrupt leadership despite the blood and gains made by of our armed forces.

Kerry, obama, and their left wing media puppets will fill our ears with a lot of propaganda about our talks and agreements being major diplomatic breakthroughs, but more often than not they are not. Again we show an inability to play "big boy" diplomacy and continue the dangerous obama foreign policy ploy of following from behind. Kerry, Clinton, and obama have consistently allowed the likes of Putin, Assad, and Kim to steer our foreign policy. Assad and his murderous regime live on as over 100000 Syrians have died in a civil war. The obama Administration stands idly by while this modern Holocaust continues. Our adversaries threaten and then make empty promises to behave, and like fools our leadership swallows their lies. In the last six years the United States has shed it's role as an  international leader to become an international weakling.

While it is not always in the interest of the United States to be the world's police force it is our business to use our economic and military  power as a lever in creating a world favorable to our national interests. Just as Putin, China, and "little" Kim seem ready to ramp up the "cold war" the obama puppet Hagel is bloviating about great reductions in our military expenditures !

If you want the truth of how the obama Administration is screwing up our role as an international power broker, listen to Benjamin Netanyahu  or FOX News. If you want a heavy dose of excuses, hippie rhetoric, and lies tune in to any number of obama apologists nightly featured on the likes of MSNBC, PBS, CNN or read the printed propaganda in the New York Times, LA Times or Washington Post.  At times it is difficult to ascertain if their latest incompetence is intentional or an attempt to shift the headlines from the obamacare debacle or the wasted triilions squandered in bailouts.

For patriots and those who never drank the liberal kool aid of obama mania we must endure a few more years of a most inexperienced and left wing president. The obama Administration has driven us farther away from our "exceptionalism" in international leadership and national economic good health than any president since the timid reign of Jimmy Carter.  

MAJOR POLITICAL CHANGES ?

Of late, massive dysfunction has become the chief product of our federal government. The government of Washington DC is failing miserably in all it's duties from writing and passing a national budget, conducting political business within the rules of the Constitution, managing foreign affairs, or spending the PEOPLES money with restraint. The big  wigs of Capital Hill, The White House, and The Supreme Court have proven incredibly incompetent and more committed to ideologies than the best interests of the people.

The Republican and Democratic political parties have become so star struck with the power and awe of public office they routinely prostitute themselves to lobbyists, unions, big donors, and the major media-entertainment outlets. They unashamedly sell their souls and principles for re election donations, and thereafter puppet their donors causes. It appears the chief aspiration of most politicians is to gather enough money, sponsors, and political pals necessary to get re elected for decades. And nepotism has again become fashionable in the nations capital. Public office should not be the birth right of every Kennedy, Bush, Clinton or Obama family member coming of age. Washington DC has become a bastion of elites who exempt themselves from many of the laws pushed on overtaxed citizens. The nobles of DC enjoy superior pay, perks, political favors, job security, job benefits, and promotional opportunities while the majority of other Americans struggle with family budgets, job security, health care insurance, and lives filled with government intrusion.

This coalition of DC tyrants has a very active base of brainless voters and illegal aliens who surrendered their personal dignity many years ago in exchange for government handouts. From the early parts of the twentieth century social progressives decided it was their sacred duty to guide the "great unwashed" to a better life by stealing (over taxing) from the citizens who produced the wealth of the nation.  To accomplish this lofty goal the elitist "do gooders" convinced the national government to sponsor an alphabet soup of social programs. All of this socialism was billed to the productive working classes in the form of taxes and fees. From rewarding unwed mothers with money, handing out free telephones, providing free government housing, free condoms, printing billions of poorly policed food stamps, building government bureaucracies to mismanage education and health care, to smothering the free market with asinine regulations, the government of Washington has almost destroyed the greatest economy and society in the history of the planet.

However, I am not talking about social security recipients who suffered years and years of involuntary automatic payroll deductions. Nor, am I talking of those unfortunate citizens deprived of the necessary physical or intellectual abilities to maintain gainful employment. Finally, I exempt, members of our military and public safety sectors who deserve whatever pensions or disability payments they earned in service to their country and community. These groups deserve government stipends because they paid into the system with their hard work, natural disabilities, or job related injuries and disabilities.

The scourge of our nation has been a crooked political class giving away the nations wealth to greedy unions and able bodied lazy people in return for their votes. The biggest problem is in the mega urban areas teeming with unions and politicians who believe their mandate is to tax the rich and provide the unworthy a lifetime dole in exchange for a guaranteed vote. If this pattern is not changed America will soon erupt in a full on civil war because workers have become alert and angry over the injustices. The few remaining wealth producers have become weary of politicians using their money to buy votes from the lazy.

I PROPOSE SOME REALLY BIG CHANGES TO SAVE AMERICA :

 1.  Do not re elect ANY incumbents to the Senate or House of Representatives in 2014 or 2016.
 2.  Adopt immediate legislation to establish term limits for all legislators, supreme court justices, and                   members of the executive branch to only one term of six years. Skip a cycle before any re election.
 3.  Adopt a  pay plan for all legislators which bases pay on the achievement of clearly defined goals in                 legislative and budgetary matters, eg. pass a balanced budget by the end of the FY or forfeit 1% of your       pay for each weeks delay, etc.
 4.  Require the three branches of the federal government to pass no laws, proclamations, or rulings unless          they apply equally to all citizens, including themselves and all government employees.
 5. Increase our military forces and construct a totally secure perimeter at our southern borders. Allow no           more illegal aliens into the country and fairly adjudicate the cases of those already in country.
 6. Establish a standing permanent committee of non government executives to review all federal government      agencies to insure they have a legitimate mission that serves the population at reasonable costs.
 7. Prohibit any former POTUS, congressperson or Supreme Court Justice from any lobbyist group                    involved in federal contracts.
 8. Close Washington DC as the working capital of the United States. Maintain DC as a free National                 Museum. However, allow the Pentagon to remain the nations military headquarters.
 9. Move the working capital of the nation to cities in "fly over" country. Cities such as St. Louis, Kansas            City or Omaha. Perhaps designate separate cities as headquarters for each branch of the government.
10.Reduce the number and length of holidays for presidents and legislators and require their families move to       the new capital city as their chief residence during the six year term.
11 Close the IRS and institute a less complicated and fair system of taxing citizens and companies.
12. Shut down the Department of Education and divide all its funding and resources                                             proportionately to the management of the State and US Territory Departments of Education.
13. Prohibit and disband unions in every agency, department or branch of the federal government that relies        on taxpayer funding.

I am confident there are many other initiatives worthy of consideration to effect a reform to our nations government. Whether the new political parties are called, "Chickens", "Constitutionalists", "Tea Party Americans", "Whigs", "Libertarians", "Goths", or "Cougars", we must part ways with the do nothing political clubs of Democrats and Republicans. Over the last few decades these parties have divided our citizens, wasted trillions of dollars, and abandoned the common sense and fairness provided by our Constitution.
    

OBAMA PROMOTED POVERTY

Since early in the twentieth century social progressives have determined that government intervention is the only way to save mankind. The idea of these elitists, then and now, is that men are too stupid to manage their own lives.

Universal taxation in 1913 gave the federal government a scheme to legally take money from businesses and citizens to fund whatever plans it deemed important to lift mankind from it's misery. A good example was the The Volstead Act which forbade the consumption or production of booze. This was considered a sure way to save citizens from moral ruin.

More significantly, the federal government squeezed itself into the market place by beating down capitalists, supporting unions, and enacting law after law which affected businesses from Wall Street to Main Street. Paper money replaced gold and silver as the measure of value, and the printing presses of Washington DC went crazy. More and more schemes of social engineering became federal laws especially during the Franklin Roosevelt years. These temporary measures of social engineering and welfare became etched in stone. Taxpayer funding escalated throughout the mid and late decades of the twentieth century because segments of the federal government are dedicated to providing minimal living standards for those who want a lifetime of dependence.

Political opportunists of every party and rank have long popularized the notion that the differences between the rich and poor were unfair and immoral. Their solution was big government was the only  solution. This theme has proven the greatest magnet for votes ever conceived. Whichever candidate promises the most "free" stuff usually gets elected and re elected. According to many government experts the cure for all social ills has been trillions upon trillions of tax payer dollars spent on programs administered by federal agencies staffed with legions of bureaucrats. When specific plans fail to garner results the political solution is always to spend even more money, hire more bureaucrats and invent new programs. Those who question the spending disease of more failed schemes and wasted taxpayer funding are usually denounced as racists, haters of little children, handicapped, and the elderly.

Despite what all the social and political planners might preach and think, people are pretty damn smart. When it became crystal clear that individuals and families could get "free" food, shelter, medical help, telephones,and spending money from  the government without working everything changed. In the last hundred years the traditional role of churches, families, and charities has diminished. In too many instances the government has become the family, church, and charity for  many ABLE BODIED citizens who have decided a life of welfare is better than working. Like a DNA marker we have generation upon generation of ABLE BODIED families who have existed off  government handouts.

Elitists and so called intellectuals in politics, academia, and the media continue to insist that BIG GOVERNMENT is the solution to all that ails our nation. They tell us that capitalism is the root of evil even though it is the primary creator of jobs, a healthy economy, and tax revenues. Politicians from Wilson to Obama have preached class warfare, and it has worked. More and more citizens cast their lives on government poverty programs. Also, of note is the fact that American poverty is really not poverty when compared to what poor looks like in other nations of the world.

And as government plans on poverty, mass education, obamacare, etc., etc., continue to fail one thing sure as sunrise will be politicians telling the citizens that the SOLUTION is more money,  agencies, and bureaucrats.

MY PLASTIC ILLUMINATED SIFTER SPATULA THINGY.

In order to supplement my meager retirement earnings, I have taken to the invention of amazingly helpful household items. Behold, my first entry - the Plastic Illuminated Sifter Spatula Device #1.

This handy invention is versatile in the completion of many household chores. Additionally, with a fixed light, chores can be completed in the event of a power failure or in the subdued lighting of a romantic evening. I have listed just a few of the possible uses, but I am sure there are many more uses.

1. Use it as a Pasta Strainer.
2. Use it to sift for buried gold nuggets, Rolex watches, coins, and rings on your next beach holiday.
3. Use it as a spatula to turn pancakes or hash browns in your skillet.
4. Use it to scoop poop from your kitty's litter box.
5. Use it to smack pong balls if you have misplaced your pong paddle.
6. Use it to serve single servings of potatoes, meat chunks, carrots, and onions from your pot roast pan.
7. Use it to deliver a gentle fanny slap to any naughty children or pets.
8. Use it as a personal back scratch for yourself or the pleasure of your significant other.
9. Use it to serve up ice cubes if your ice tongs can not be found.
10. Use it to swat troublesome flying and crawling insects while picnicking.

And, remember with the convenient and powerful light all these functions and more can be performed at night. I will soon apply for US patent rights to this marvelous bit of technology. Foreign investments are encouraged.

For expedited ordering use the code PISSD #1, and send along cash or coin of $ 20 dollars (US) and 30 dollars (US) for shipping and handling

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MY obamacare DREAM SCHEME

It's hard to believe, but last night I had a dream about Obamacare.  And, the most amazing part is that it was a very pleasant dream.

First in my slumbering fantasy, I remember Peggy and I being hired as government workers employed to speed up the application process for people enrolling in the new health care plans. Senior citizens were tapped to fill the thousands of temporary jobs. I do not clearly remember the qualifications for employment, but when the interviewers realized we knew our multiplication tables that seemed to secure our positions. Our part time salaries were generous, and high enough for me to consider buying a Porsche even though Peggy thought a Porsche was a stupid car for an old man.

The government used a fleet of  luxury mini bus limousines to pick up everyone at their homes, and provided a free breakfast drive through service at our favorite fast food places. By the time we arrived at work it was time for our mid morning break followed by our late morning pause, and shortly thereafter it was lunchtime. The afternoon also provided breaks for snacks, restroom visits, and pill taking. There were thousands of seniors at our job site in a space equivalent to a huge concert hall divided into hundreds of cubicles. There were no child care facilities because no one had kids, but there was a day care service for our domestic pets. We were allowed to bring a pet, and we brought along Tinkerbelle. Every animal had a trained personal pet sitter provided "gratis" by the government. In the evening our limousine would return us home with a few stops to pick up groceries, laundry, or pet supplies.

The specifics of the job involved staring at a monitor and watching numbers scroll down a large screen. We had to stop the scrolling, and call a supervisor if we saw anything other than a number. Typically, if a letter or smiley face popped up that was sufficient reason to alert a supervisor. I am not sure why this was important, but there was a lot of scrambling and shouting by leaders when a non number character appeared on any ones computer.  Now, just about every worker had an overseer, and each of those bosses had a boss. There were more supervisors than workers. Needless to say, the job was incredibly boring and drifting off to sleep was very easy to do. However, no one was ever disciplined for snoozing.

Unfortunately, I was fired from this wonderful job because I argued with a boss that an "E" was not a backwards "3" and should not be classified as a number. It was forbidden to argue with a boss. Many people were fired each day which is a departure from the common concept of government employees being immune to sacking. At any rate, those of us fired were entitled to a series of free seminars sponsored by our previous employer. The block of instructions were entitled, "How to Win Lawsuits Against the Government If You are Fired".

Well, I attended all the classes;  got an "A", hired a lawyer, got a ridiculously large settlement, and purchased a sleek and incredibly fast Porsche over the objections of Peggy.

WOW WHAT A DREAM !!!   

HELL NO TO ANY DEBT LIMIT EXTENSIONS

In the coming weeks obama and his merry band of "tax and spend other peoples money" will predict the total collapse of America if a debt limit extension is not passed in Congress. Media talking heads and print liberals will forecast starving children, suffering old people, and universal mayhem without passage of a continuing resolution to spend more and more money. obama's State of the Union speech will demand more money to fix the nations social problems unfixed by the seven or eight trillion spent since the days of Lyndon Johnson. The progressives and obama are lying to scare the nation into more unlimited government spending and national debt. Understand and underline the fact that obama, Carney, Pelosi, Reid, and most democrats along with their willing media dupes are agents of unlimited big government and socialism. They want lots of money to buy lots of votes from citizens and illegal immigrants enslaved by government welfare schemes.

The American people must demand fiscal responsibility and NOW is the time. The major markets may hiccup, but will likely be relieved to see an end to the unlimited printing of money and bonds. Every responsible citizen and corporation in America has a budget, and the Obama regime wants to operate with a blank check budget payable by the decreasing number of working citizens and profitable corporations.

Any sane individual with a $ 500 weekly salary would not go out on Friday night and spend $ 500 on new tattoos, $ 200 on a lavish dinner, and $ 2000 for a third wide screen television. Citizens cannot allow their government to continue unlimited spending on schemes designed to buy political support and votes. Common sense in spending must prevail in our government as it does in our homes and businesses.

Obamacare is the tip of the fiscal cliff of government irresponsibility and Cruz, Lee, Tea Party members, and true conservatives are right to vigorously object. The "Affordable Health Care Act" is not only unaffordable for most Americans, but it's implementation is an embarrassment of clumsy planning by obama and his minions.

Despite the bias and nonsense of polls, most Americans know obama and his political henchmen have us on a path to financial hell. NOW is the time to call, twit, e mail, march, shout, and blog your congress people to stop anything that allows more wasteful spending by an inept and corrupt obama regime.

CLINTON MEANS CHAPTER II of OBAMA'S FAILED BIG FAT GOVERNMENT ...

The government scheme of Obamacare will ultimately fail the people. It will fail because big government cannot effectively fulfill the wants and needs of citizens.

The federal government has failed wars on poverty, drugs, gangs, and guns. Obamacare is simply another big box of empty promises wrapped in the false idealism of socialism.  In general, big government plans are bad and ineffective because despite all the time and money at it's disposable, the government agents are unaccountable bureaucrats. How many big shot bureaucrats brought before House Committees and shown guilty of fraud, poor management, or lying have ever been imprisoned or even fired ?  If the government big wigs are unaccountable than the little wigs know there is no consequence for their performance. The planning, and execution of these boondoggles are done by workers using other peoples money, so they have no monetary stake in a successful outcome. There is no incentive to do well, and no punishment for screwing up. In the surreal world of government there is no consequence for failure except on the battlefield. 

Obamacare is simply another failed socialist idea cooked up by "know it all" elitists. This upper class of leftist politicos, academics, and media types think regular people are too stupid, and or incapable of managing their own lives. Therefore, this coalition of "smarter than thou" folks design "cradle to grave" plans to care for the classes they consider "the lower sort". The dirty secret is this gentry of elites simply want all the power. They want total political, cultural, educational, sexual, housing, medical, and economic reign over the nation and it's "unwashed masses". 

Our founding fathers wrote documents specifically insisting that the best government is one "limited" to just a handful of essential activities. However, when politicians and progressives convinced people that their "welfare" could be provided by the government, our fall from liberty began. With every new law and program we lose our fundamental right to choose. Ultimately, the Obama types goal is to take away all our money and redistribute it to create "universal equality". Of course they have, and will continue to exempt themselves from Obamacare and their other schemes of  "universal equality". We will be taxed and taxed, and forced into more government programs. Now we have the empire of Washington with it's thousands of bureaucrats and millions of regulations. This web is incredibly inefficient and slow in fulfilling it's missions, however it has effectively destroyed the importance of families and churches. The few truly needy have been joined by a greater majority of lazy losers living from generation to generation off the tax payments of workers and corporations. 

The saddest reality is that all the trillions have not eliminated or even reduced poverty, drug crimes, or gang violence. Big government cannot solve the social ills of our nation.  But, when any politician is asked what it will take to solve problem x, y, or z, they will always say "more funding". As Obamacare fails it will be said that it simply needs more time, and MONEY (taxpayer) to succeed !  

OUR TAX $$ WASTED IN "USE IT OR LOSE IT" SCHEMES & PROJECTS

The Washington Post recently ran a very interesting and revealing article, reprinted in the October 6th edition of the Richmond Times Dispatch, about how OUR tax dollars are squandered at the end of the federal government's fiscal year. The federal governments fiscal year ends September 30th each year.

Essentially, each department of the government has a budget. If all the funds for federal contracts are not used by the end of the fiscal year, unused monies are lost forever, and the possibility of budget reductions becomes likely for the upcoming fiscal year. To avoid this ARMAGEDDON of unspent money and possible budget cutbacks, extra ordinary spending occurs the last few weeks of each fiscal year. Thus, the tradition of "use it (budgeted funding) or lose it" has become a tradition throughout the federal government.

Consider, there are 52 weeks in a year, and when 100% of a budget is equally divided it means slightly less than 2 % of the budget should be used each week. However, in the last three fiscal years, records indicate that an astounding average of 19.3 % of all federal budgets was spent the last five weeks of the year. The battle cry from private contractors, government bosses, and federal workers becomes, "USE IT OR LOSE IT." Overtime, and a shopping frenzy dictate that all allotted funds be used. Here are a few astounding examples cited by the Washington Post article:

1. "In a single day the Agriculture Department spent $ 144,000.00 on toner cartridges."
2. "In a single purchase, the Coast Guard spent $ 178,000.00 on "Cubicle Furniture Rehab"."
3. "The USDA bought $ 127,000.00 worth of toner cartridges, ( "end of year ", the order explained )".
4. "Two weeks ago, The Department of Veterans Affairs bought $ 562, 000.00 worth of artwork."
5. "On another day, the VA was buying art again. It spent $ 216,000.00 on artwork for a facility in Florida."
6. "The VA paid $ 27,000.00 for an order of photographs showing sunsets, mountain peaks and country roads."
7. "Two weeks ago, ImmixGroup (private contractor) began bringing its sales team three catered meals a day. If workers walked to Subway, they might lose a sale ( to a government agency).  On that day, ImmixGroup handled $ 16,000,000.00 in business. A normal Monday is about $ 2 million."

As usual President Obama blames Congress, and Congress blames the President. Also as usual,  US taxpayers get screwed by their government's wasteful spending. It's not a new problem. "President Lyndon Johnson ... in May of 1965, said an end-of-year binge was "an ancient practice - but that does not justify it or excuse it"."  Indeed !

Solutions to the problem include better planning, better decision making, a budgeting system other than CR's (continuing resolutions) which allocate funds piecemeal. Perhaps a bonus system, from the for profit private sector, which rewards government managers for budget reductions and better productivity would help. At any rate I expect no improvements.  In my opinion, as long as we vote in the old grays of Congress the problem will continue. In my opinion, a  slim chance of reform comes from the young, energetic Libertarian, Independent, and Tea Party legislators who are consistently demonized by senior politicians and their press lackeys as rebels, radicals, and anarchists. Your vote for reform in 2014 & 2016 - USE IT OR LOSE IT !

600,000 + READ BLOGS

The Final Lap Has hit 600,000 + views from the USA and over 100 countries worldwide!

Many thanks to all my readers and their constructive, and not so much feedback. I write political opinion, fictional, travel, attempts at humor and family remembrance blogs. Also, I authored "Humble Hero" which is a memoir of my father's horrific struggles during WWII in the occupied Philippines. It was published in 2018 and is available from Amazon and E Bay. 

I endeavor to write effectively and find satisfaction in being read and understood. Blogs, Facebook and Twitter are my vehicles of free speech.   

Nearing the eighth decade of my life, I most enjoy putting words together and hoping for readable results. While many in my boomer generation are busy with family, travel, leisure, gardening and other activities, I relish the challenge and pleasure of effectively communicating.

My observations are recorded in "The Final Lap" at Google's  - lemuellam.blogspot.com
Comments are invited to my blog spot or e mail account  lemuellam@aol.com.
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Thanks,  and keep reading.

                                      

THE NEXT AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ?

I believe within the next fifty years there will be a second Civil War. This civil upheaval will ravage the people and landscape of America. This war will not pit race against race or necessarily rich against poor. Rather, this conflict will highlight supporters of the twentieth century era of  "government benevolence" fighting forces dedicated to "less government" and more personal freedom and the free market.

The powers of  "government benevolence" will be supported by the federal government, academia, military big shots, and the creators of public opinion and entertainment. Their cause will be more and more government control over the public and private affairs of people. Their assumption will be, and has always been, that people lack the will, intelligence, or skill to survive in a modern world. Therefore, it is their obligation as a benevolent and intelligent  government ruling class to guide people throughout all the days of their lives. The goal will be accomplished by the full implementation of a hyper and hybrid forms of socialism and eventually communism. Under this scheme all goods and services will be equally distributed to people by government bureaus of clerks and civil servants.

To pay for this program of universal sharing the government would cease to tax, but take possession of all personal property, goods, wages, and valuables within the fifty states and territories. Personal property would become forbidden. The wants and needs of citizens would then be supplied by government bureaucrats as they deem appropriate. Further, the benevolent government forces will seek to extend their authority to eventually dominate the cultural, medical, educational, social, and religious lives of all Americans. Government agencies will grow, and individuals or groups resisting "government benevolence" will be humiliated, isolated, fined, imprisoned, or executed. The elite of the "government benevolent" ruling class will not be included in this scheme. They will enjoy a lifestyle of great extravagance and pleasure for, what will be classified, as their extra ordinary service to the populous.

The "less government" forces will be surviving members of the Tea, Libertarian, independent, democrat and republican parties,  plus millions of other Americans faithful to the tenants of the Constitution, market capitalism, self determination, property rights, and personal liberty. Initially, this group will be a weak and fragmented coalition. Infighting among the leadership will severely restrict  it's message and effectiveness. In the early years of this war the "less government" crowd will suffer setbacks and even casualties. However, like a weak flame in a gale the "less government" assemblage will survive one liberty robbing pogrom after another, and eventually it's light will burn brighter.

 Despite voting restrictions, holding political office or publishing, elements of  the movement will cling to life and slowly prosper. Because of  the second amendment, guerrilla warfare, and a vigorous plan of education, the "less government" coalition will eventually grow. The "less government" forces will flourish in spirit and numbers. Some "government benevolence" key military leaders will grow weary and likely join the "less government" crowd. Also, many citizens will switch over to the growing legions of "less government" proponents as they realize the emptiness in the gray and hopeless world of "government benevolence".

Sadly, this second Civil War of Americans restricting and even killing other Americans will rage for  years. I cannot foresee the outcome. However, the scars of the conflict will mark a temporary  end to the "exceptionalism" which brightly distinguished the United States from other world nations. The presence of a conflict will generate and sustain hope among people of all nations and cultures in the coming centuries.

Proof of this trend is on clear display from the likes and policy initiatives of the AOC gang, socialist presidential campaigns of Sanders and Warren, and government over reach by the likes of Bloomberg, Cuomo, Northam and other big government advocates. The only solution to prevent this awful civil disorder lies with citizens who recognize their vote and voice as vital tools to preserve our republic, constitution and capitalist traditions.

AMERICANS DESTROYING AMERICA

As I get older, and learn more of our history, and observe the daily events which quickly become history, I am convinced that Americans are destroying America.

In our complacency, and civic laziness WE are allowing the fabric of our nation to fray, and be violently torn asunder. Many may blame an odious government, but they fail to recognize that since the beginning  of America, WE have been the government. In our republic it has been our constitutional right and duty to elect representatives. Our forefathers were brilliant to understood that a democracy is nothing more than mob rule, and an erratic system of governance ruled by emotion and poll numbers. However, in a republic, men and women honestly represent the interests of the people.  Unfortunately,  as the industrial and agricultural power of our nation grew, moneyed interests and their lobbyists began to influence the votes of elected representatives. Then, unions were formed to counter the influence of the money barons by pressuring legislator votes to reflect their best interests. Next, progressives flexed their muscle, and promoted the public treasury as the legitimate means to provide assistance to citizens unable or unwilling to be responsible for their selves and kin.  Finally, the federal government became convinced  it could best serve the people by building an empire of agencies to micromanage the affairs of it's citizens. In this process WE have seen our founding government principles, Judeo Christian value system, and "exceptionalism" erode. Too many politicians have been purchased by lobbyists and special interests groups, and WE the people have had our best interests be damned. Our duly elected representatives have become champions to those offering the largest contributions to their re election campaigns or personal fortunes. Most of our legislators are millionaires or more, and consistently exempt themselves and their friends from many stupid  laws and excessive taxes legislated on WE the people.

Our external enemies need only wait patiently while WE allow our nation to crumble from greatness. Many Americans have been so preoccupied with their amusements and self gratification that they have willingly become sheep. It's too easy to follow leaders who are like bright and shiny pennies. Thinking and challenging the common sense and fairness of politicians and their laws has gone out of fashion. For many, it's become too mentally and emotionally challenging to speak beyond the easy cliches, and weary old axioms spewing forth from fountains of ignorance within our culture. How often do we hear, " I'm a -----crat/ican because my daddy was a -----crat/ican, or those damn -----crats/icans are nazis or commies."

Our Constitution stipulates very few legitimate activities for the federal government. Paramount is the defense of our homeland and it's national interests. However, from Pearl Harbor to 9/11/2001, and Benghazi there have been too many failures in this critical area. Yet, with alarming speed, WE have allowed government to waste our national treasure, and poke it's long nose into far too much of our business. What the hell good or with what constitutional authority is the federal government doing in our systems of education, communication, transportation, food production, healthcare, energy production, private enterprise, entertainment, sports, religion, climate control, personal relationships, etc. etc., etc., ad nauseam.

If you feel your future descendants deserve a better America than what happening;  get off your ass, raise hell, and do something to prevent our further slide to serfdom and national destruction. It's WE the people that are required to act. It's not him, or those guys over there, its me and you who must vote and body slam the political class back to serving the legitimate needs of WE the people.

CONSIDER:
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."   MARK TWAIN

OBAMA WASN'T EVEN A DECENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

One of the touted attributes of past candidate Obama was his great success as a "community organizer". What kind of "community organizer" allows the epidemic of murder, mayhem, and injury to young black men in Chicago ?  Obama entered the presidency light on experiences in world diplomacy, and the skills necessary to oversee the worlds largest economy, but he certainly had a resume which boasted great skill in "community organizing". Did he manifest this skill set at any time during his two terms ?

The great cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and more are stained with the blood from hundreds of minority young people. Yet, the only red line Obama can draw was about Syrian people and that was a show as his line and resolve quickly melted away. This black President became aroused about a black professor in New England getting a traffic ticket from a white cop and he was upset when a young Hispanic man killed a young black thug, but where was his community organizing skills and executive actions when it came to stemming black on black violence across America. Did Obama draw a red line to reduce the killings on American streets and actually get anything done ?

Obama must be a cruel disappointment to the majority of blacks who expected more than a free "Obama phone" from his ascendancy to the highest office. They gave their overwhelming support to a man who could talk the talk, and for all the world looked like a great choice for the republic's first minority president. How sad that under his rule the economy struggled, welfare lines grew, and prospects for jobs faded. Obama seemed clueless on the world stage and more often bowed or caved to pressure from other nations. Most tragic is the seeming indifference demonstrated by a black President as the corpses of so many murdered young blacks pile up.

Why didn't President Obama summon  his oratorical and persuasive skills to stop the bleeding in our streets ?  Why didn't  the President summon all big voices in the African American community to unite under the goal of stopping this horrible violence ?  Why are all these black leaders so quiet about the disasters, and the underlying causes which rip urban families apart night after night ?  Why are their responses usually more pleas for public money, and blaming republicans for not getting enough money ? In addition to mayhem in the streets, why didn't Obama speak up and denounce the practice of abortion that kills so many babies of color in addition to traumatizing the lives of young women.

Based upon his record, President Obama will probably blame others, ask that great piles of money be thrown at the crisis, and demand more gun laws be enacted. Wouldn't it be heroic and historic if this "community organizer" President had announced, and led a national campaign to re institute the values which prevent street violence and murder ?  Why didn't Obama travel from city to city in a crusade to re establish the morality of complete families, Judeo-Christian beliefs, compulsory education, and the sanctity of human life ?  Wouldn't it have been inspiring if he had used Air Force One on this mission rather than fly around to do fund raising, and campaign for new government schemes ?

Obama never built a "legacy" or did much to unite America and fulfill the promises he made to black Americans. Despite a fancy museum he will not be remembered as a great statesman or economic leader.  If this president had translated his campaign words to energies in rebuilding the value system of inner cities would there have been a reduction in urban crime of violence. The eight years of Obama rule could've been historic had he been the great community organizer rather than just another ambitious and empty politician.

Will Obama at least follow the great example of Jimmy Carter who gained his mantle of greatness as a community organizer after his lackluster tenure in the White House ?  

TIME TO USE NUKES ?

Since 9/11/2001 our nation has struggled to punish the evil people, and forces behind the cowardly massacre of innocent Americans.

In Iraq at considerable human and material costs we overthrew a despot, and allowed the nation to begin anew. Unfortunately, months since our withdrawal, Iraq has slipped back to a pattern of brutality between opposing religious and tribal groups. Although we assassinated Bin Laden, our efforts in Afghanistan have failed to unite people of different ethnicity's and religious beliefs. The entire mid east, save Israel, has been a source of terror, and unrest over the last twenty or thirty years. Unfortunately, the inept Obama Administration has done nothing to stabilize the unrest in the region. His poor leadership coupled with bumbling lieutenants have increased the boldness of our enemies and their sponsors. Our national interests and prestige have plummeted in this region despite our billions in foreign aid. In the entire area only Israel stands with America.

Perhaps we should consider a few lessons from history as we continue our struggles in the middle east, and seek new directions.

First, the warriors of Allah are relentless. After 1100 years of rule in Constantinople by the Eastern or Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Turks conquered this eastern bastion of Christianity in 1455. In the name of Allah, brutality upon brutality chilled every Christian of the region. Italy and much of western Europe were gripped by fear as the Turks marched, and conquered the Balkan Peninsula. Also, large portions of Austria, Serbia, and Hungary came under the scimitar of Muslim rule. European and Papal leaders of the time were weak. The Crusades did little to bring peace. The friction with Muslims has remained a constant in Eastern Europe and Asia for the last seven hundred years. Fast forward to today, and the threat of terrorism masked in the religion of Allah continues to disrupt the peace and social progress of civilized nations.

In the fall of 1945, America was faced with the awful prospect of invading the Japanese Homeland to end the Pacific portion of World War II. Despite staggering battle losses, and greatly diminished war supplies the Japanese Empire had sworn a fight to the last man. President Truman, and other Allied Leaders were advised that a physical invasion might cost a million soldiers in addition to hundreds of thousands or millions of Japanese casualties. President Truman also knew that a new weapon was available which could deliver in a single blast a destructive force awesome beyond belief. In my opinion, his decision was the most difficult choice faced by any individual in the twentieth century. After the horrific Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings the Japanese emperor and his generals quickly surrendered. Although the atomic bombs killed and maimed thousands a terrible war was ended, and millions of lives were saved.

Sadly, over the centuries war and violence have become the chief means to settle disputes between nations. For many simple and complex reasons , The League of Nations and United Nations have been colossal failures. In the end, throughout history, the nation with the biggest punch, and greatest resolve has survived the longest. The atom bombs deployed in Japan nearly seventy years ago branded the U.S as a superpower. We had then and now a really big stick to use as a weapon or negotiation tool. Perhaps had we fearlessly and boldly deployed a nuclear bomb or two in the Mid East several decades ago our growing losses in soldiers, resources, and world respect would have been minimized. Also, and of greater significance, the despots of the region would understand that America the superpower would never again allow a 9/11/200. As a united nation we answered the injury and insult of Pearl Harbor with total victory over an enemy. In our time, have we yet erased the evil forces which brought us 9/11, or do we even have that clear goal on our national agenda ?

Our nation and the world has been in a muddle over mid eastern terrorism for many years. We have been unable to talk peace or buy peace from fanatics and warrior nations bent on destroying our civilization and culture. Is it time for a bold leader to make the calculations, and mute the madness of our enemies with the most horrible weapons in our arsenal ?  Give them fair warnings and a demonstration in their desert, but by all means keep the option alive.   

obama THE WAR MONGER ?

Why has our president become a war monger ?

Based upon his emotional speeches before entering the presidency this man was nothing short of totally opposed to war. Since his ascendancy to the nations highest office, he has promoted and boasted of assassinations and war actions executed under his leadership. Has this dove of peace grown the talons and strong wings of a raptor ? Or has this amazing transformation occurred to cover his massive failures in leadership on domestic and foreign issues ?

Obama took a shaky economy from 2008 and simply made it worse. He nationalized industries which deserved a natural economic death in a free market. He negatively impacted massive unemployment by appeasing discouraged workers with an endless dole of federal handouts. He has stymied the development of our native energy sources. Forcing the coal, petrol, and nuclear energy sectors to fulfill an endless array of federal regulations, and by discouraging pipelines and fracking our energy costs have soared to record levels. Also, to fulfill his socialist agenda of universal health care, he has championed a program which is fraught with exceptions and complications. Obamacare has so many flaws it will ultimately provide less care, and more costs as directed by a bureau of unelected federal czars. In economic matters he has practically abandoned solutions which use the principles of capitalism and the free market. In foreign affairs he has consistently waited for a poll number or the push - pull from a foreign leader. He has been most comfortable reacting to situations. In general he has run his presidency like an endless campaign. Most often appealing to emotions rather than reason. His speeches blossom with promises, but lack substance, and rarely produce results. With ease his TelePrompter speeches divide Americans along economic, social, and racial lines.

Now he uses a few horrific films, and his emotional words to promote our military involvement in Syria. Ironically, this same president used a film one year ago to explain and justify the atrocities of Benghazi. Now, he seeks to convince the world that America's national security is at risk, and the US military is the legitimate policing agency for all global atrocities and civil wars. Haven't we heard this before ?  While the massacre of 1400 civilians by gas is ghoulish, where was the presidents sentiments over the last few years when 120000 Syrians were slaughtered by bombs and bullets ?  President Obama has shown an unwillingness or inability to reduce federal spending, balance a budget, or allow the American economy to develop and grow within the proven framework of a free market. Now to distract from his failures has he decided to convince the world, and American public that participation in a Syrian civil war is necessary ?

Haven't too many young American men and women died or been maimed physically and emotionally over the last 50 years in aimless conflicts promoted by dishonest presidents ?

ANTOINETTE TUFF - AMERICAN HEROINE...

The young woman, Antoinette Tuff,  who convinced a disturbed young man to keep his powder dry is a genuine American champion. Showing empathy, firmness, and clarity she masked her own fears, and saved the lives of school children and teachers. She bravely responded to a situation which many would have avoided.

Antoinette Tuff will be briefly acclaimed in the media, and recognized by political leaders needing a handy and heroic prop. However, in my opinion, the qualities behind her motivations and actions speak of a value system alive and well in our nation. Whether an individual is courageous on a battlefield or in a classroom, we are a better country because the majority of our citizens are heroes. Folks who act from a background strengthened by family, religious, or strong moral values easily out number the bad people. I believe Ms. Tuff acted from the principles of a strong moral compass. Unfortunately, the arts and media community tend to popularize the misdeeds of criminals, and inspire disturbed people lacking a moral code to perform evil acts.

Her actions deserve more attention than the slime balls who randomly shot babies or innocent joggers. As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream " speech we need to consider Ms. Tuff as a modern day King. She didn't use violence or the threat of violence to disable a potential tragedy. Rather, she used logic, calmness, and understanding.  Dr. King would celebrate the actions of this brave young heroine.

We are a blessed nation for Antoinette Tuff and the millions of other good people who keep our country a more civilized place. Hopefully, more Americans will unleash their heroism, and keep the barbarians from taking control of our homeland. Hopefully, the managers of media and political opportunists will tone down their apologetic and glorification of evil people.            

REMEMBERING JOE FOULKES

Whenever there is a whisper of snow or a hurricane around here I remember Joe Foulkes. He passed about twenty years ago and we lost an original and entertaining weatherman. For natives and residents of Tidewater (Hampton Roads/Coastal Virginia ) he was the television voice of local weather in the 60's and 70's. At the time, he was an icon of local television.

He was a veteran of Naval forecasting, and always ended his broadcast with a snappy military salute. The most impressive part of his weather prognostications was his guttural delivery. When Joe told the weather it was delivered with the deep voiced authority of  god or at least Charlton Heston. Also, he was one of the last weathermen using a real map and black marker to scratch out the wind directions, highs and lows.

At the time the science of meteorology was still sketchy, and many children of the time will remember the snowstorms he predicted that never arrived. Based on his dire predictions, I fondly recall bedding down knowing his blizzard would allow me a few "snow days".  However, very often upon waking to sunshine and dry ground I would hate Joe, at least,  for the day. Late in his career because of age or an extra sip of spirits, Joe would sometimes miss jabbing his large black marker into his suit coat at the close of his broadcast.

Also, during the fierce hurricanes Hazel, Donna, and frequent northeast storms of the time, Joe was the man to watch before the power went out.  All in all,  he was a most likable television personality, and brought humor and a sense of gravitas to weather forecasting.

Remembering Joe Foulkes and his unique weather forecasting is a fond memory as we await the tomorrows climate change, global warming or new ice age.

RACIST

To many liberals, black leaders, and the mass hysteria media you might be a racist IF:

1. You are Caucasian, or your ancestors came from England or Europe.
2. Your grandfather or other ancestors ever used the "n" word.
3. You thought the Amos n' Andy sitcoms were funny.
4. You drive a white car, enjoy your white picket fence, or wear white under garments.
5. You believe Barrack Obama was one of our worst presidents because of his poor  performance in managing the domestic and international business of the USA.
6. You believe Al Sharpton is a race baiter, consummate liar, and does it all for personal financial gain.
7. You believe anyone making fun of Obama is funny, and an expression of free speech.

8. You believe Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson were great military leaders despite their misguided allegiance to the Confederacy.
9. You are weary of some liberals using the race card to excuse criminal and poor behavior.
10.You are fed up with the need of segregated black organizations such as the The Congressional Black Caucus, Black Miss America, Black History Month, etc.
11.You are puzzled that the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) might be offended if you referred to their members as "colored ".
12. You believe the "cradle to grave " socialism begun by Roosevelt, and sustained by Johnson and Obama Administrations have done more to destroy black families, perpetuate generational welfare, and increased poverty rates.

13. You believe the descendants of African slaves, and all minorities in America enjoy a greater standard of living, the most liberty, and more opportunities in the United States of America than in any other world country.
14. You realize that slavery was a dark chapter in American history, but it was not an American invention. It existed far longer in many countries, and still exists in Africa, the Mid East, Asia, and South America.
15. You are angry some black leaders acting unconstitutionally are guilty of corruption, lying, or using the civil rights movement as a cash cow and means of personal enrichment.

16. You oppose tearing down certain historical statues and monuments to erase bad history.
17. You oppose reparations to anyone other than living slaves.

18. You think BLM doesn't give a hoot about black people and is only dedicated to making radical political change to America.  

19. You respect real black heroes, Dr, Martin Luther King, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, Washington Carver, Medgar Evers, Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and many others who fought for a united country of freemen. 

20. You reject those in the entertainment world that celebrate the "n" word, violence, drugs, and the degradation of women in their songs and performances. 

21. You are underwhelmed that extremists on the left quickly proclaim someone a "racist" when they cannot when an argument, continue a conversation or accept a differing opinion.       

TEARS OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING

A few days ago I visited the impressive shrine of cherry colored stone dedicated to Dr. King. It was a slightly rainy day. Just enough precipitation to cool things down, but not enough to keep one indoors. Two things struck me as I enjoyed my visit.

First, the light rain effected the statue of Dr. King in such a way as to show dampness beneath his eyes. The stains under both eyes clearly resembled running tears. This phenomena was noticed by many visitors. Second, parts of the monument were covered to obscure the removal of a quote, and the presence of the Chinese sculptor working on the changes.

Do the tears represent a heavenly sign that perhaps Dr. King has been disappointed with the direction of his historic movement ?  Seems his beautiful message of equality and inclusion by peaceful means has been wrecked in a world of exclusion preached by contemporary black leaders. So many people have used his cause to gain personal fame and fortune. To me it seems pretenders to his lofty goals have actually divided rather than unite people along racial and economic lines.

Despite all the bluster and laws from Washington DC, I wonder if  Dr. King would look kindly on the present state of black family's, inner city crime, and black youth employment in our nation's huge black communities ?  Would he demand more personal responsibility from his followers, and less dependence on government ? While he would surely be proud of a black president, would he be impressed that this historic figure has demonstrated little ability to unite and has instead taken many opportunities to divide Americans along racial and economic lines ?

To me, the temporary shrouding of sections of the monument symbolize parts of  Dr. King's messages hidden amid all the noise from poor civil rights and political leaders. Where is his dream ? While his message was profound and simple, has it become more profitable for politicians and black leaders to maintain a state of crisis and separation in racial relations ? Like Ghandi or The Christ, the tone and message of Dr. King was one of making great change without violence or retribution. No one in the scores of popular black leaders since his untimely demise have continued his profound  cause. To many operate as if a cash settlement or new bundle of government handouts will bring equality or justice.

In August 2013 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Doctor Martin Luther King's historic "I Have A Dream" speech. How many white republican leaders were invited to this grand event ? Will anyone seriously recount the strong segregationist history of the democrat party prior to the Civil War or the many republicans from Lincoln forward who have lead and voted in favor of civil rights improvements ? Why is the world of drama news attracted to confrontation, street violence, and the rare cases when a white cop kills a black person ? Where is the media outrage and in depth news reportage behind the thousands of black on black homicides in Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and other major urban areas ?

As a southern child of the fifties I lived in a racially segregated society and I believe the peaceful and profound message of Doctor King touched all Americans. Societal change is difficult but Dr. King was the rare leader with the heart and reason to make lasting changes. He truly deserved his Nobel Peace Prize at a time when it indicated great achievement. Sadly, his dream of racial equality and justice has been lost by an assassins bullet and a gaggle of truly incompetent black leaders.

Obama, Jackson, Lewis, Sharpton, Maxine Waters and many others have failed black America and taken many of them to a new place of resentment and violence. Their leadership has been spiritually discouraging and even encourages more segregation. They have been satisfied to trumpet a simple message that government dependence is OK and violence is a legitimate agent of change. Black leaders such as Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Ben Carson are consistently shouted down as "uncle tom's" by many with cheer leading from a fourth estate always ready to create grisly headlines at any cost.

In my opinion, Doctor Martin Luther King would be sad and ashamed of the self serving twists and ignorance spewed over black America by scores of faux civil rights leaders who have dominated for far too long. Their service has been a disservice and injured the cause of racial harmony and true equality for all Americans.

AFRAID OF AL QAEDA & THE TALIBAN ?

Has our nation become a giant quivering bowl of jello lead by a cast of  incredibly incompetent politicians ?

Our intelligence agencies report terrible plans by Al Qaeda & the Taliban  for our destruction. However, we quickly surrender our sovereignty in many diplomatic outposts and as usual our President seems to be leading from behind.  Despite her reputed political pedigree, and acclimation by the loony left wing media, Hillary Clinton was a lousy Secretary of State. Kerry is proving to be equally ineffective. Chuck Hagel is an incompetent appointed to weaken our armed forces in numbers and effective weaponry. Many of our best military leaders have resigned or been fired. None of this should be surprising because their boss is more comfortable bowing to foreign potentates than manning up, and being a leader.

It was Obama who haughtily poo pooed terrorists after Navy seals assassinated Bin Laden. It was Obama cowering in the presence of Russia's Putin. It was Obama lying to the world when he promised to nail the Benghazi terrorists. It was Obama threatening retaliations if Assad used poison gas and doing absolutely nothing when the use of chemical agents was proven.  It was Obama pledging to halt Iran's march to nuclear power status and doing nothing but assembling worthless paper agreements. It is obama consistently dis respecting our greatest Mid east ally - Israel. Obama has proven to be an inexperienced, ineffective, lying, and chicken shit shadow leader in foreign affairs. Obama like past pacifist leaders is punishing America because he believes kind words and gestures will smooth a troubled world of despots. Meanwhile, our young military men and women are being slaughtered and maimed in theaters of war sadly reminiscent of Vietnam.

Our greatest fear should not be Al Qaeda or the Taliban, our greatest fear should be our weak president and his clueless gang of diplomats.  Our enemies are scattered bands of terrorists reliving the Crusades and ideas from the sixteenth century. Sadly, these savages must be destroyed with overwhelming force. We have the military and intelligence resources to eliminate our enemies, but we lack effective leadership.

Our greatest fear should be Obama and his supporting cast of incompetents.  

10 % AND LESS CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL ...

Recently an important poll by some important polling agency indicated that Congress gets a 10 % approval rating from the American people. Good or Bad ?

Good if it means we have very high expectations of our legislators and are not pleased with their performance.  Good if we expect our lawmakers to be the very smartest and wisest among us.

Bad if the ratings prove we the voters are consistently duped into electing bozos every election cycle. Bad if we expect little more than free goodies from our government. And, bad if we expect our legislators to spend every penny from the Treasury to fulfill all our wants and needs in return for our vote.

I shutter to imagine the state of our nation if congressional approval registered at 80 or 90 %. Would a very high ratings mean we were approaching a Utopian society or that most of us had drank too deeply from the stupid bucket ?  I believe most voters would quickly admit that their representative is a pretty good fellow and the real clowns in congress are folks from the other states.

Should we worry that we've already elected too many pretty faces and charlatans ?  Hell yes. Will we do anything about it in 2014 and 2016 ?

CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL

In 2013 I attended  a convention of  the CUFI (Christians United for Israel) in Washington DC.  I was impressed by the speakers, but overwhelmed by their message.

For over 65 years, Israel has been our greatest ally in the mid east, and the only place in the region treating it's women as first class citizens.  This tiny nation, since it's inception,  is surrounded by enemies feverish to destroy it's people and nationhood. Practically everyday neighboring madmen; ax, shoot, stab, and bomb innocent Israeli men, women, and children. Yet, Israel remains the only political entity in the region with a stable political system,  robust economy, and deep friendship with America.  Israel stands alone in preventing the middle east from plunging into a total nightmare of chaos and revolution.

The United Nations, Israel's neighbors, and many other nations seek to discredit The Jewish Homeland at every turn. In his tenure of incredible ineptitude, President Obama has allowed an "Arab Spring" of mayhem while shunning the only stable nation in the region. His envoys regularly consult with the dictators and puppet leaders of the Arab states, but ignore consultations with  the only government capable of confronting Iran and it's nuclear threat.  Why is Obama allowed to direct billions of dollars of aid to the enemies of the United States and Israel in the region ?  His administration seems anxious to be friend and fund despotic leaders. Asking Israel to surrender land won in the wars of aggression against it, and return to it's 1967 borders, is like asking the USA to return the rebel states of our Civil War to the Confederacy.

Based upon deep biblical considerations and the common sense reality of supporting a great ally we should support Israel. Whatever your religious flavor it's  just good common sense to support a  loyal nation friend that is Israel. It's record of human rights, especially for it's women, marks it as a progressive nation which deserves to live forever. Speak up for Israel and insure your congressional representatives understand that we have a true international BFF in Israel.

NO MO' MONEY FOR MOTOWN

The combination of corrupt unions, crooked politicians, and an apathetic population has destroyed a once great city.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century workers needed unions.  Perilous work conditions, poor wages,  and few job benefits justified the reforms provided by unions.  However, when the wealth of union dues and organizing became apparent, the movement became infiltrated with greedy and criminal leaders.

The necessity of political leaders must always be carefully monitored by voters. When elections become something other then appointing competent representatives, the public treasury becomes  the whore of elected charlatans.

When too many citizens become enslaved in a political system that buys votes with handouts, apathy in civic matters is bound to occur.

Simply stated, the greatness and vitality of Detroit was sucked out by self serving union leaders aided by incompetent political leaders who consistently duped uniformed and apathetic voters.

The lessons of a  economically dead Detroit should be apparent.  However,  given voter ignorance and apathy coupled with political corruption alive in so many places, the death of Detroit may be the start of a national epidemic.

President Obama promised Detroit would not go bankrupt. Is anyone surprised with another empty promise from our incompetent president ?  At least for a while, looks like "no mo' money" or "Obama stash" for Motown !

TIME TO KILL THE IRS ?

Getting reform in our federal government seems almost impossible. Both major political parties are guilty of purposefully maintaining waste and fraud to sustain their power bases. Congress consistently funds more money to every agency of the federal government. There are too many career overpaid bureaucrats in Washington. Many of these civil servants are largely unaccountable and more interested in increasing their budgets then efficiently fulfilling their department goals. The President usurps his constitutional responsibilities by appointing czars and simply hammering his agenda into law by skipping congressional review and approval. Citizens voting for lawful change have become impotent because too many dead, illegal alien, and stupid people are allowed the vote. All the media talking heads of radio and television are converting no one but simply preaching to their liberal and conservative choirs. Too many Americans are addicted to welfare. These people willingly surrender their vote to the political party offering the greatest array of free goodies. Like the once mighty Roman Empire our nation is stumbling in chaos, and may fall from greatness.

In my opinion their is only one solution. Kill the IRS by shutting off it's lifeblood - money !

Simply SLOW the monetary tributes which animates the Kingdom of DC. By legally DELAYING PAYMENT to the IRS, the government may get a strong message. In response the government will  either war on it's citizens and corporations to get the money or listen to the voices of reform. The IRS is probably the greatest monster of all federal agencies. It declares suspected backsliding taxpayers guilty without a presumption of innocence. It exists in a bizarre world full of so many regulations, it can justify any fine or imprisonment without a logical explanation. It defies serious congressional review. With it's collection of taxpayer funds it pays all the bureaucrats, their agencies, and the bigwigs of the federal legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The IRS provides life and growth to a  government which is not honestly and efficiently serving it's taxpayers.

Is it time for a revolution ?

Hell yes. But, before we bear arms let us seek reform by shutting off the source which funds all the corruption, waste, and fraud of that most surreal place on the Potomac.  There have been too many sensible alternatives to the present tax collecting system to ignore. By killing,  taming, or replacing the IRS ogre,  federal government leaders may once again respect "we the people" as much more then a line from history.  Individuals and corporations can and should  LEGALLY DELAY their IRS payments and this may send a message.

The lives, labors, and tears of too many American patriots and citizens built this exceptional nation, and we cannot allow a handful of miserable politicos to destroy it. We owe it to future generations. Let's use our minds before using firearms. Perhaps killing the IRS softly is a good beginning.

HONORING NELSON MANDELA

Nelson Mandela's long life included persecution,  imprisonment, and a triumphant return to power. He was likely a communist and at times didn't much care for the United States, but he will be remembered as a great hero in South Africa. Additionally, he should be honored as a leader who prevented a horrible blood bath and civil war in his beloved nation.

In a world of brutal despots, vindictive leaders, and power crazed politicians, President Mandela was  exceptional. He consistently sought out peace, lived humbly, and never became addicted to absolute power. His behavior, tenor, and performance was closer to that of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, or George Washington than most world leaders over the past few centuries.

As this outstanding man finished his life,  he should be honored and remembered as a patriot to his nation and the black peoples of Africa. Our world would be a better place if there were more Nelson Mandelas.

OLD PEOPLE MARCHING NOW

Back in the sixties a lot of the people who weren't doing protest marches were off in Southeast Asia doing another kind of marching.  Politicians called it a "conflict" but it was really a war. Thousands of young men were needlessly killed and maimed. Since Korea too many chicken shit politicians have surrendered young men and women to killing fields without proper congressional approval or full support.

The same gutless leadership from Washington D.C. coupled with the unrealistic idealism of liberal college professors and media talking heads continues. It has made a mess of our nation and has roused a bunch of old people to march.

When our federal government decided to steal the capital from capitalism and build a welfare state in exchange for easy votes our nation began a steady decline economically and morally. Other than truly handicapped people, the lazy and useless have been supported by tax payers and the scheme is  bankrupting America. Those addicted to the dole have passed to their children and grandchildren a tradition of dependence. That dependence has corrupted the family, increased ignorance, abortions, and all the other traits of a society in decline. The majority of baby boomers were not marching and protesting in the sixties but they are now. We are simply sick and tired of the inefficiency and arrogance of the assholes, liars, and hypocrites in charge of what is the "peoples" government. Using our canes, walkers, and wheelchairs we'll march and  raise hell until more honest men and women occupy the seats of power.

Too many poor national leaders and uninformed voters have resulted in the likes of Clinton and Obama. Pretty articulate men with attractive families, but lacking the character or courage to rant against the DC establishment of lobbyists, politicians, bureaucrats and far left media. Their leadership was to lead from behind and follow the polls in domestic and international affairs. As poster models  of political correctness, both Clinton and Obama were quick to advance the agenda of their generous donors. Despite eloquent speeches they divided the people of the nation and routinely break campaign promises without skipping a beat. Their record of spending massive tax dollars to improve employment and the economy have been abysmal failures. Their legacies will be marked by scandals, corruption, and failure.

If you're a boomer and can march,  do it.  If you can't march,  write, fax, blog, tweet, or e mail your congressional representatives and let them know your anger and disappointment. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IRS

In March 2013 the IRS passed it's 100th year of existence. At such an age, wracked with so much corruption and morbidly obese with bureaucrats and regulations, isn't it about time the IRS be closed ?

Income taxes are the penalty we pay for earning money in excess of what the government considers poverty. In the decades when taxes were considerably lower our economy blossomed because entrepreneurs, investors, and workers could use their earnings to buy and invest more. Buying and investments cause economic growth which is good for everyone living in a free market including the tax collectors. When we willingly spend and invest more, more taxes are collected. With excessive tax increases there are fewer incentives for the risk takers. Rather then using their capital to start new businesses or expand existing business, the folks with money shelter their wealth away from the tax men.  In Europe and Japan recessions have become common, taxes extremely high, and business starts low. France has a 75% tax rate on the rich. Our corporate tax rate is at 45 % which makes it the second highest in the world.. The obama administration insists our increased taxes will lead to more government investments which will somehow spur the economy. This is an absurd myth less believable then the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. Believing any government has the ability or willingness to grow any segment of the economy with tax payer monies is absolute rubbish. There are too many examples of  fraud, waste, and total mismanagement of collected tax revenues by the federal government to justify any argument the government deserves anymore of our taxes then it takes to maintain national defenses.

Even at the state level, low tax places like Texas are prospering while California, Maryland, New Jersey, and other taxaholic states suffer economically.

Soon the IRS will be the thugs collecting for the socialist Obamacare scheme.  Before it's 101st birthday shouldn't we insist a more common sense and less bureaucratic agency replace the IRS dinosaur ?   

OBAMA - THE INCREDIBLE shrinking PRESIDENT

When elected in  2008 Barrack Obama announced many solutions, enjoyed a majority vote in Congress, and world support for his agenda. His charisma was immense. Despite his inexperience, as a national leader, he trounced John McCain. It was amazing that he soundly beat a skillful politician and celebrated war hero. For many, it was crystal clear Obama's leadership  would end wars, hasten world peace, and more people would enjoy a wealthy slice of American pie. The new President even got a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 before he had a chance to do anything.

Entering the White House, his attractive family mirrored a twenty first century "Camelot" like  the John F. Kennedy gang.  The expectations were high for his successes and his beautifully crafted and delivered speeches said all the right things. The new president enjoyed the full support and defense of the media and an endless fountain of campaign funding from his Hollywood and rich/ famous supporters.

Now years later the ex President's hair has become gray and his presidency has been clouded with scandals, indecisiveness, incompetence, and broken promises.

His government health care scheme never lowered health care costs, untangled the red tape, or improved the efficiency of health care delivery. His economic promises never reduced poverty, increased employment, or reduced taxes. He actually placed more citizens under his control by a government welfare system which resembles charity or a handout. While his government prints tons of paper money our economy remains weak.

The President's world has allowed lavish personal spending while being petty in shutting the White House to school children in the name of government economizing and regularly snubbing our best ally - Israel.  His energy policies have been dictated by a minority of radical, poorly educated and informed environmentalists. Our energy costs remain excessive despite great natural resources which he is unwilling to develop. In international affairs he has failed in Syria, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and many other places. Putin and other tough world leaders consider Obama a weakling and lightweight. His Iran nuclear deal was an amateurish big cash payoff to an unreliable enemy and it proved a monumental failure and embarrassment.

He has lead from behind while waiting for polls or other nations to give him direction.  His appointees have been political yes men, wholly ineffective, and in many cases quite corrupt. Too often he has provided more silence than substantial leadership. His view of immigration reform is more concerned with getting new votes for his political party from illegals than securing the borders, honoring our existing immigration laws, and rewarding citizenship to only legal immigrants. American taxpayers are billed heavily to support his immigration welfare schemes. Finally, when the scandals get too hot the President seems to find a reason to go overseas, take another vacation, lose his memory, limit press conferences, play golf, or blame the matter on Trump, Bush, Limbaugh, Fox News, or the Tea Party.

Hopefully, the 2016 election will give us a new leader with more substance than style and someone blessed with executive experiences and leadership abilities.  Selecting the leader of the worlds greatest military and economic superpower cannot be a beauty contest or politically correct event. It can never again be an election to install the first woman, black, gay or minority as POTUS. It must be a contest to elect the person who can win for America.

Perhaps voters in the future should be required to pass a literacy or civics test to qualify them for voting. Perhaps voters wholly dependent upon a government dole, who have a healthy mind and body, should get less than a full vote. Perhaps voters should be only citizens with lawful identification credentials or folks still alive.

 In my opinion, how we elect our most important  leader and who gets to vote needs serious review. Our republic cannot survive more Obama's who shrink in their presidency because of their narrow ideologies, inexperience, and poor leadership skills. Pray God, Hillary Clinton or the yet to be appointed republican nominee will not add to the empty legacy of Barrack H. Obama.

BECKY GERRITSON A PATRIOT

At a June (2013) House Ways and Means Committee meeting about IRS harassment of Tea Party groups a citizen spoke up. And, a patriot of the highest order was revealed. It is important that we revisit and ponder the stirring words of Ms. Becky Gerritson. Here are a portion of her remarks:

"I AM NOT HERE AS A SERF OR VASSAL. I AM NOT BEGGING MY LORDS FOR MERCY. I'M A BORN FREE AMERICAN WOMAN, WIFE, MOTHER, AND CITIZEN. AND I'M TELLING MY GOVERNMENT THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN YOUR PLACE. IT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK OUR FOR MY WELL BEING AND TO MONITOR MY SPEECH. IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT TO ASSERT AN AGENDA. YOUR POST, THE POST THAT YOU OCCUPY, EXISTS TO PRESERVE AMERICAN LIBERTY. YOU'VE SWORN TO PERFORM THAT DUTY. AND YOU HAVE FALTERED."

In my opinion, it's about time more citizens remind arrogant politicians and their bureaucratic lap dogs that government has gotten too big and far too obtrusive in our lives and liberties.  Our American freedoms painfully evolved over the last four hundred years and should not be traded for government handouts. Politicians of all stripes are guilty of violating the Constitution with czars, legislative tricks, and an attitude that they dispense the rights. Do recent revelations of scandals and misconduct reflect a good system in decline ?

In the eighteenth century King George and the greatest military superpower of the world learned that Americans would not tolerate a monarchy. The king believed that God gave him all the rights. This monarchical system allowed him and his elite circle of royals to grant rights to the people as they wished. Now it seems many of our national leaders manifest the same attitude in their words and deeds.

The Tea Party is feared by political and media elites because it has honestly challenged the excessive spending, inefficiency, and mismanagement of the federal government. Their status quo is threatened by a groundswell of angry and well informed citizens who treasure their individual liberty. Our republican form of government is a difficult blend of citizen rights and responsibilities. Its not easy to be free. Sadly too many lazy citizens gladly trade their liberty for "cradle to grave" handouts and promises. Ultimately too many Americans more interested in their own immediate gratification may wreck our great nation.  Do we need more Becky Gerritson's ?

GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE ...

Usually when we think of government violence we think of war. War against a real or imagined enemy where property is destroyed and combatants are injured and killed. But our federal government uses a subtle form of violence to insure citizens follow government rules and pay for government and it's services. Homeland Security, IRS Agents, Treasury Department, ATF Officers,  and other employees of many agencies carry guns to display and use violence to get their orders obeyed.

All the laws, regulations, and taxes are predicated upon the governments right to use force in getting things done. At an airport if you refuse groping from a TSA agent you'll be forced into a private room. There you will be questioned and probed by as many agents as it takes to render you properly groped or debriefed. If you smoke or enjoy an over sized big gulp in some places you may be fined. If you refuse to pay the fine you will be summoned to court, there you will be ordered to pay the fine or face imprisonment. If you refuse to pay some or all of your taxes for religious, moral, or ethical reasons you will be levied penalties to pay in addition to the taxes. If you continue to refuse payment you will go to jail.

Since voters elect the government representatives who theoretically manage the bureaucrats we the people indirectly allow the government to use violence.  However, in the real world of businesses and workers if a worker refuses to perform a lawful and legal part of his or her job they are usually sent home and lose their  income. It takes a major incident for an employer to seek the imprisonment of an employee. Maintaining discipline and following the rules in our schools, workplaces, churches, and marketplaces is usually accomplished without a heavy reliance on the threat of physical violence.

These days we are witnessing more and more government violence. When a government drone murders someone without a fair trial it's violence of the highest order. When a partisan government official or agency taps phone or Internet communications of an opposing political group it's a "force" of violence. When government illegally snoops on real and imagined enemies in the press it's a quiet violence which leaves all citizens a little less free. It is not a good sign of our future that our governments are growing in employees, payrolls, and agencies faster then our free market economy.

Will more and more government be good for the citizens ?  Is there a limit to the bullying and violence "we the people" will endure from our government ?