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Obama Said, Obama Said

"I pledge that under my plan, no one making less than $250,000 a year will see any type of tax increase." He also said that if you like your current plan, you can keep it, that his takeover of the healthcare system would not interfere with your current one.

What part of what Barack Obama says is what he means? The answer, nothing, his fancy words and glowing rhetoric is just a load of BS. Aren't all of you who voted for Obama because of speech eloquence happy now that he is "killing you softly with his words."
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Obama Speaks Out on Iran

Barack Obama made yet another calculated statement designed to do nothing more that appease the growing disgust for his inability to take a leadership role among free nations.

Obama did what he does best, "appeal" for calm and reconciliation, while issuing platitudes to his critics and insuring that he did or said nothing that could in anyway be construed as taking a position. That is not what the leader of the world's leading superpower do but then Obama is not a leader, he's just a two-bit politician on perpetual campaign mode.

The very future of the Middle East hinges on whether or not Iran becomes a nuclear state under the now obvious religious radicalism of Iran's Mullahs. Obama has a chance to craft a policy that could "capitalize" on the clear unrest of the Iranian people but he will play it safe, issue feel-good speeches and take a hands-off approach.

"The World is Watching" and Barack Obama is proving an embarrassment. It is a time for bold leadership and our commander-in-sheep is shouting slogans from the rear.

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Speaking of Congress

We have an obligation to pressure congress to hold up this power grab, disguised as a healthcare bill, until at least next year. That will be an election year and no member of congress is going to want to have his fingerprints on this government plot to nationalize healthcare.

Job two is to vote every member of congress who supported this coup attempt of the private sector out of office. Congress doesn't give the American people the credit for being able to make it happen but to use a popular phrase, "oh yes we can!"
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Barbara Boxer V The General

You have to wonder what went through the mind of a United States Senator to prompt her to find it a slight by a General to refer to her as ma'am. It is standard military courtesy to refer to both civilians and public officials as sir or ma'am when addressing a question. Sen. Boxer must have incredibly deep disdain and animosity for members of the military if she took exception to his courtesy. 

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The Bush Years in Retrospect

Writers of all stripes seem to find comfort in excusing the growing and obvious incompetence of Barack Obama, by contrasting his popularity with the “hatred” for George Bush. George Bush was only hated by the left, those on the right did not hate the president but they were extremely disappointed with some of his fiscal policies. Additionally, former President Bush was much too tepid in responding to the libel from liberals. 

Those who faulted the president for his fiscal transgressions and his reticence to aggressively fight back against his liberal aggressors need to look again at the Bush Years. The intention here is not to focus on policy specifics, rather to focus on governance versus autocratic rule. George Bush practiced the former; our new president is in the process of the latter. 

 “Moving forward;” that is the mantra of the Obama administration. It is small wonder that President Obama and his administration cohorts avoid the immediate and especially the past, as the ruins of his actions lay in the wake of his policy decisions. It bears attention however, to view the consequences of the current administration with respect to those of his predecessor.   

George Bush was excoriated by the left for what they perceived as an abuse of presidential power. They accused him of “spying” on Americans when the surveillance of foreign cell phone calls from suspected terrorists was leaked to the press. No manner of evidence to the contrary would persuade them otherwise. Mr. Bush was said to be totalitarian, a hate monger and akin to Adolph Hitler.  

It is Barack Obama however, who has commandeered our financial institutions and set forth limits as to the monetary compensation of its executives. This, even though these institutions are still non-government entities. It is Barack Obama who just created the office of “Pay Czar.” Imagine, a government official in the executive branch of government who is going to examine and possibly propose limitations on acceptable pay levels. Simply stunning! 

Moreover, President Obama has now effectively absorbed two of the three giants in the auto industry. In so doing, he trampled on bankruptcy laws, contractual agreements, has forsaken bondholders and given majority stakeholder status to those with the smallest investment, the Auto Unions. He has used federal loans to these companies as leverage to mandate the terms of their operations, even though he declares that “he” doesn’t want to run the car companies. Certainly, the president doesn’t want to run the businesses directly, he just wants to mandate automobile styles, fuel standards, executive compensation and the fate of still profitable dealerships.

The most critical of all the policy shifts between the Obama administration and the Bush administration is foreign policy and national security. It was clear as George Bush neared the end of his presidency that the powers that be were going to test the resolve of his successor. Since the inauguration of Barack Obama, North Korea has launched a long-range missile, conducted an underground nuclear test, fired several short-range missiles, is in the process of another long-range test and has threatened to end the armistice that ended the Korean War. And the president’s response? Threaten UN sanctions of course. 

Not to be outdone, Iran has slammed the diplomatic door on the overtures by the Obama administration to end its nuclear program. To further exacerbate the issue, Obama has taken a belligerent tone with Israel and that nation’s “legitimate” concerns for a nuclear Iran. And the president’s response? In a strategic counter move, Obama has declared that Iran has a legitimate right to pursue nuclear power as long as it is for peaceful purposes. Again, simply brilliant!

Now, even as he travels to the Middle East to praise Muslim nations for their contributions to the world, while failing to remind these nations of the sacrifices we have made on their behalf, he has succeeded in once again snubbing one of our NATO allies. To date, Barack Obama is making a smash hit with the nations that pose the greatest threat to our national security while insulting the British Prime Minister, breaking protocol with their Queen, incurring the annoyance of the German Chancellor  and dissing the French President. What would John F Kerry say? 

Yes, looking back, as Barack Obama lays siege to the economic, business, educational, health and energy sectors of this nation, while simultaneously gutting the heart of our national security systems in a flurry of foreign policy faux pas, the bad ol’ days of George Bush seem rational and reasonable in retrospect. 

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Republicans Must Stop Jumping at Shadows

Republicans suffered an embarrassing defeat in the elections of both 2006 and 2008 and they still don’t seem to have a clue as to why. The answer is because they stopped being conservative Republicans and behaved more like tepid Democrats. That is, they assumed the “big government” posture, just without the conceited arrogance.  

Ironically, it is the Democrats who enact legislation that grows the size of government, imposes greater and greater limitations on personal freedom and civil liberties and seizes larger portions of our income. All this as they simultaneously blame Republicans for the consequences. Unfortunately, the response from Republican Party leaders is to assume the passive puppy position.

 Watching elected Republicans, party leaders and especially some, who call themselves members of the conservative media, prostrate themselves in response to this challenge from Democrats, is grounds for revolt. The lesson is that passive opposition by Republicans, in the face of a deliberate attempt by the Democrats to marginalize, humiliate, intimidate and defeat them is not an effective strategy. 

An example is the tactic of Democrats to intimidate Republicans with threats of humiliation and increasing obsolescence should they dare criticize the pick of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. The tactic serves two purposes. First, it all but guarantees that Ms. Sotomayor will not be subjected to the rigorous vetting required for the position and second, it further inflames the growing disgust of the Republican Party base for what they rightly perceive as Republican Milquetoast. For the Democrats, it epitomizes the term “win, win.”   

There is also an interesting contrast between the strategies of the two parties in “reaching out” to the electorate. Republicans seem intent on reaching out to their opposition while letting go of those who most support them. The Democrats are intent on reaching out to those who fall away from the Republican Party and after they have voted in their favor, dropping them like hot rocks. Loyalty it seems is subjective in both parties.

What amazes is that the socialistic policies of the left have proven to be inefficient, ineffective and debilitating in terms of governance and the public at large.  By contrast, Republican policies of smaller government, with emphasis on individual and personal achievement, stands as the foundation that propelled this nation to its greatness. And yet, through demographic pandering, ridicule, manipulation and propaganda, the Democrats succeed in selling their message while the Republicans sift through the yellow pages in search of an ad agency. 

The good news for Republicans is that they are at the threshold of being handed one of the greatest political opportunities since Jimmy Carter. Yes, the Democrats will, and perhaps with some success, try to place the blame for our current ills on former President Bush but the tactic is becoming stale and transparent. 

As North Korea sets off nuclear and long-range missile tests, Iran moves ever closer to the nuclear club, Pakistan engages in a low-grade civil war, Russia gains a foothold in South America and our domestic tranquility turns to civil unrest, Republicans can firmly seize the mantle of leadership. The question remains as to whether they will, who their champion will be and do they have the fortitude to endure the slime of liberal intimidation, gutter tactics and mudslinging that will surely follow.

The message here is not one of heaping scorn on the Republican brand, it is a desperate plea to the Republican Party to be more than a party slogan, to shake off the intimidation of recent setbacks, be the party of Lincoln and Reagan once again and for heaven’s sake, stand up and fight. To use the pending confirmation of Judge Sotomayor as an example, Republicans will be vilified by the left and by the press regardless of what they do, so they must make their efforts count with their constituents, not their critics or their opposition.
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They’re Not Listening Still

It seems that elected members of the Republican Party have selective hearing. In a recent Townhall style meeting, “leaders” in the Republican Party vowed to create a new message for the party and to “listen” to their constituents. They declared that it was time to leave the good old days behind and move forward. The word of the day of course was “bipartisan.” 

The message that leaders in the Republican Party either do not or refuse to hear is the message that was communicated so clearly on Tax Day. Those who attended those rallies were shouting in unison:  “Start doing the people’s business and get your hands out of our pockets.” What the politicians heard evidently, was, “keep giving the people the business because they have deep pockets.”

The media is daily pronouncing the death of the Republican Party, with an added dose of good riddance, and the mental morons in the Republican Party want to “reach out” to their opposition. Radical Islam wants to bury the United States and the Democrats are kissing their ring. The Democrats want to bury the Republicans and the Republicans are kissing their ring. It is small wonder that our government is such a failure when such aversion to standing up to your aggressors is so prevalent.   

With the defection of Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party, the left is working overtime to sell his actions as a clear message to the GOP that they must move left or forever wander in the wilderness. To the extreme frustration and ire of the Republican and conservative electorate, leaders in the Republican Party are doing just that. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend Republicans your ears because they can’t hear that the Democrats are coming to bury them, not praise them for their cowardice.

In addition, what Republicans in elected office fail to hear is that it isn’t about numbers, demographics and to whom they must pander to hold their numbers in congress, it is about issues. Moreover, it is about leading the way on the real issues that are affecting this nation and most importantly, being steadfast to those positions. Simply stated, until Republicans again choose to lead, they will wallow in the minority status they deserve. Leadership is not a numbers game.          

Republicans must understand that their demonstration of political mushiness could well destroy the party forever. As warriors live and die by the sword, politicians choose to live and die by wielding political polls. They go into the political arena armed only with a favorability rating. It is beyond comprehension as to why they ignore the armor of how the majority of the electorate actually feels about the issues. 

In just over three months, the President of the United States has essentially annexed both the business and financial sectors of this nation. He is moving with high speed to do the same with our healthcare system as well as education. In conjunction with this takeover of the gross domestic product by the federal government, the United States Congress is in the process of an inquisition against its rivals by criminalizing the actions of its rivals and the Bush administration. 

To counter the destruction of our constitution and current laws that govern economics and business, the Republican Party is muttering something about the physical dimensions of a tent. Size doesn’t matter some say and in this instance, regardless of how big the tent is, it is a mere prop if no one is willing to enter. The people are tired of the circus that plays in the arena of politics and the clowns that daily perform their foolishness. 

It was we the people who stood on Tax Day to raise our voices to “our” government and tell them what we expected and why. It was not environmental activists, gay groups or extreme left wing political organizers, it was just plain folk. In spite of the volume and the unity of the message, all the politicians heard was the din of media criticism. They didn’t hear you America and they’re not listening still.
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An Early Prediction

With the defection of Arlen Specter, the Democrats will not be able to resist the power of controlling congress and in spite of the political consequences, will push through Obama's socialist remake of our form of government.

There will be political consequences however and they will manifest themselves as early as November, 2010. The GOP may not win back the majority in the next elections but I will predict that the Democrat's filibuster proof majority in the Senate will be short lived.

It depends on just how pushy the Dems are between now and 2010 as to the extent of their losses. In spite of a media blitz to try to stem the turning tide however, Democrat hegemony will be their undoing.  In the meantime, the rest of us must continue to send our "Tea Party" message to a liberal congress to let them know that their future is a mere vote away.   
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Anatomy of a Purge

The latest document released by the Department of Homeland Security has a most peculiar title. It is called, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.” Well, the homeland security department is in the business of protecting Americans from radicals and terrorists, be they foreign or domestic so certainly this is of that nature, right? That is until you actually read it. 

It would appear from the document that if you believe in silly issues such as anti-abortion, secure borders, a crackdown on illegal immigration, smaller government or heaven forbid, state and local government as opposed to domination by the federal government, you are a rightwing extremist. The bottom line of this incredibly obtuse document is to intimidate conservative opposition to all things Obama and underscore that intimidation with the threat of finding yourself under surveillance by the FBI.  

There is a real problem in our government when it uses its power to criminalize activities it objects to. We have become a society that speaks our minds only in the most intimate of circumstances. We speak in faltering sentences in public lest we utter a word or phrase that might offend someone who overhears our conversations. When society controls our thoughts and our deeds, we are a “free people” no longer. 

One might think, that when conservatively, 500 thousand people demonstrate across the length and breadth of this nation to protest government gone wild, it would garner at least a modicum of attention in Washington DC. It would appear that the message fell on deaf ears however, as plans to pursue ever more invasive and restrictive measures on the population at large continues apace.  What has emerged is a vicious and threatening attitude of the left to destroy the last remnants of conservatism devoid of all pretense. 

Judging from the patriotic and peaceful demeanor of the thousands that gathered at the Tax Day Tea Parties, there was no desire to engage in angry confrontation. The grassroots of America made its presence known however and it has the liberal activist community that believed it had won both the battle and the war in a snarling snit. 

As a result, the pious and condescending left is determined to exact its own form of religious inquisition; one that eradicates religion from our society and all values and norms derived thereof. The vitriol to follow will almost certainly be of a most despicable nature.

 

As for President Obama, he as well has no tolerance for competition or views that oppose, contradict or challenge his own. His revealing, “I won,” reply to a Republican congressman, who proposed an alternative to Obama’s omnibus spending plan, says as much as needs be said for his willingness or intention to entertain any direction contrary to his own. It is in this regard that the document written by his administration, warning of “rightwing extremism,” is most relevant. 

It is beyond alarming when you consider that the department that was created to coordinate the activities of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, in surveillance of terrorist activities, has taken it upon itself to eschew actual terrorist threats and focus on the political threat of its opposition. To that end, the progressive liberal agenda is to humiliate and politically destroy any person or movement that in anyway energizes conservatism. 

From warnings to law enforcement agencies deliberately profiling the conservative platform, to the vile, crude and belittling depiction of Americans who attended tea parties, the left is determined to smack down their opposition. They have overplayed their hand however, as more and more Americans, who were not paying close attention, are exposed to the true nature of elitist liberals and their subversive tactics.  

 

This overt attempt to purge this nation of its roots and the foundations on which it was built will ultimately fail. We are still America and we do not intend to call our fellow citizens “comrade.”
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End Dependence Day

There appears to be enormous enthusiasm across a large segment of the population for the “Tea Parties” scheduled for April 15th. There is also equal determination in the Daily Kos, Moveon.org, George Soros wing of the left to destroy the message and the credibility of the messengers. To use the vernacular, any effort by the radical left to dampen the enthusiasm of grassroots America has the potential for a spectacular “backfire.” 

The people have reached a saturation point with media propaganda, bureaucratic bumbling and with those who believe they know better how we should conduct our lives. Should the left try to scold the revelers for the peaceful expression of their most basic of freedoms, they will succeed only in exposing the radical intent of their Socialist/Marxist agenda. So far, the attitude against those who intend to disrupt those freedoms is, in the words of George Bush, “Bring it on.” 

There is a confrontation that is about to take place and it is going to be both interesting and telling as to how the parties react. Mainstream America has finally risen from its political slumber and they are in no mood to be “ruled.” Our newest president however, has adopted the attitude, “I won,” and believes his election has given him a mandate to remake America. In this regard, the term, “hands on” has taken on an entirely new perspective.

There has been an undercurrent of anger in mainstream America that is fed up with the constant creep of bureaucratic control and loss of individual liberty to the socialist agenda of the left. They have watched as their efforts to secure the American dream have been assaulted with the “good intentions” of liberal/socialist policies that strip them of ever-increasing amounts of what they earn and produce. The frustration has been evident in the constant cry from the mainstream minions of, “what can I do?” 

The answer has manifested itself in the form of the “Tea Party Rebellion,” probably the most powerful symbol of the attitude of America they could have chosen. Yes, the enthusiasm is growing, the anticipation is keen and the hope of actually making a difference is over-powering but it raises an even bigger question, what happens on April 16th

As it was in 1773, at that first Tea Party in Boston, what followed was the “Declaration of Independence.” What should naturally follow the “Tax Day Tea Parties” is that for the “second time in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another.” The 4th of July should be the day when we again declare the time to “End Dependence” on the government. The government can certainly be considered “another” at this point; it is surely no longer an entity of the people.

  

For some time now, the government has found it appropriate to “overrule” the will of the people. If these were measures of extreme national security, it might make sense but all too often, it is in the form of the social values that the public at large wishes to establish as its norms. Clearly, the people are losing their patience with a system that has become near dictatorial, highly ineffective, absolutely inefficient and is taxing them into poverty.   

There is no doubt that the pending Tea Parties are going to enjoy tremendous public participation. The question which then arises is how will our elected officials react? Do we choose members of our population to become officials of a politburo or do we elect them to represent us; that is the question. We will ask that question on April 15th. It is up to the government as to whether they hear the people or once again, the 4th of July is the day we “end dependence” on government subjugation.
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Free At Last

Yes, America, with the election of Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States, we are once more the “home of the brave and the land of the free.” Let freedom ring; mercy! Yes, the open road once again beckons us, the American Dream is upon us and our children’s future looks brighter than ever. 

Never again will we worry about a repeat of the horrendous attack that happened on September 11, 2001.  Barack Obama has returned to the end of the Cold War era mindset. He has taken his cue from our great American President, Jimmy Carter, and announced drastic cuts to military programs at a time of heightened world tension. Yes, this demonstration of standing down should send a clear message to both our enemies and those of the free world.

You can bet that the Russians have also breathed a collective sigh of relief now that Barack Obama has declared that he wants to eliminate our nuclear weapons and is against any upgrades to our current deteriorating arsenal. One can only sense the euphoria of a Russia, now returning to its aggressive posture in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, as President Obama reveals his intentions to return to a treaty and negotiating style that was so successful (for them) in the past.  

Moreover, the amazing foresight of our new president to work with his close associates in the Democrat controlled congress, to lock up our nation’s energy reserves, even as Israel threatens action against Iran, is a marvelous demonstration of rational thought. Certainly, our current infrastructure of highly efficient windmills, solar tanning fields and the accompanying power grid will stave off the collapse of energy production from the near shutdown of oil from the Middle East, should hostilities occur. 

And, talk about your fiscally responsible budgets.  In his infinite wisdom, Obama has found our need for a missile defense system too costly and has offered it for sacrifice on the budget chopping block.  Obama has made this clear, even though North Korea has now successfully launched its first long-range missile capable of striking our west coast. Surely, this demonstration of monetary discipline coupled with a clear signal that the United States is a sitting duck will deter North Korean aggression and bring them into the family of nations.  

When it comes to sound economic sense, President Obama’s intellect is a stunning display of clear thinking. Consider the benefits of introducing an energy policy in the form of cap and trade that will place serious financial burdens on energy producers, manufacturing and transportation during a serious economic downturn.  Not to mention the resulting increase in the cost of the goods and services that will be generated. Impeccable logic, simply brilliant!  

As a further demonstration of a clear return of our founding principles of individual freedom, President Obama has proudly announced the inclusion of the “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act,” in House Bill, HR 1388. The bill includes language indicating that young people will be “forced” to participate in mandatory national service programs. One can only marvel at the enhancement of our nation’s youth and their respect for democracy, as they are indoctrinated in this program that specifically forbids any inclusion of religious activities. 

What a grand new beginning it will be as we take comfort in the knowledge that our children are being so well trained in the skills and tactics of future community organizers. Imagine our pride as we freely sacrifice in the name of saving the planet when we hit the road on a warm, sunny, summer day, headed for our favorite beach or mountain retreat with our families.  And, we’ll all say neat as we’re crammed in the seat of our automobiles built for two. 

It is a new day America.  We no longer live in the shadow of personal responsibility or fear of achievement.  We have been unburdened from the task of the thinking for ourselves. We are free at last America, free to live in peace and harmony with those who are just like us, with the same standard of living, driving the same cars, subsisting on that which the government believes if fair and just compensation. So free to be all “they” want us to be.   

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Government Sponsored Anarchy?

The natives are restless, the rhetoric is heated, the divisions between political partisans are pronounced and battle plans are being drawn. This isn’t a description of a war-torn third world nation or lawless factions ruled by ruthless warlords, it is picture of the “United States of America.” 

To be fair, the deep divisions of ideology have been apparent since January of 2001, when George Bush assumed the presidency. Since that time, it has been contentious but not on the brink of anarchy. In just three months however, our new president, his cabinet members, advisors and the Democratic Party have civil society near the point of civil war. They have fired their volley at the Fort Sumter of our constitution as they push the hot buttons of partisanship to promote the next Bull Run.   

This concept was evident recently when the public was whipped into a frenzy over the handsome bonuses being paid to executives of insurance giant AIG. The appropriateness of these bonuses is not the topic of discussion however, government culpability and public outrage is. It was by specific direction of the government that language protecting those bonuses was inserted in the “stimulus” bill and signed into law by the president.

It was the same government that feigned outrage when knowledge of these bonuses became public knowledge. It was beyond hypocrisy to watch the very people who inserted that language, lead the lynch mobs calling for the heads of the beneficiaries of the law that “they” wrote. In the words of Hillary Clinton, to ignore this treachery “requires a willing suspension of disbelief.” 

The question unasked is who “leaked” the names of the AIG execs to the public? Who provided their names and addresses to the “community organizer” sponsored protests in front of their private residences? What was their motive for doing so? These are questions demanding answers.  

Adding fuel to an already explosive situation is the fact that with every passing day, we learn that our president speaks in riddles and lies. His message in his most recent press conference was that “his budget moves America from an era of borrow and spend to “save and invest.” His spending to date is already estimated to equal the combined spending of every president to date, to include George Bush. Additionally, his budget pushes the deficit to 9.3 trillion dollars. “Save and invest?” This isn’t just a faux pas, it is a big fat whopper and our president says it with the sincerity. The road to anarchy begins with a complete lack of trust.      

This escalation of class warfare directly promoted by the Obama administration, excoriating big business, large corporations and of course the evil rich, is achieving its objective.  We are accelerating our dependence on the government and losing our independent spirit of achievement and entrepreneurism. As we move towards a “people by the government,” racial lines are being redrawn, the poor decry the rich and the middle is caught between the bottom falling out and the confines of a ceiling they can no longer rise above.  

Our government is essentially out of control. It is no longer a governing body of the people consisting of elected representatives; it has digressed into an egocentric cult with a dictatorial mindset using chaos and crisis as the basis for its power. 

As a direct result of the “factionalization” of society, we are no longer “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all;” we are separate units, each with their own demographic identity and agenda. It is through this division of unity and purpose that the government can conquer the independent nature of America and replace it with centralized government and control. 

It is clear that America has its dander up; the question is how will that anger manifest itself? Will it be used as a tool to defend against attempts to overturn the foundation that lead to becoming the world’s most powerful and prosperous nation or turn on itself in chaotic anarchy and become just another socialistic third world country courtesy of its sponsors in Washington?

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Turnabout, It’s Only Fair

Pondering the significance of the growing number of “Tea Parties” that have sprung up all across this nation spawned an idea whose time has come. Just as the original “Boston Tea Party” was an act of rebellion against unfair and unjust taxation, so too are their re-enactments. It was taxation without representation that provoked the act back in the day. Today, it is taxation by our representation. 

It is aggravatingly comical to watch elected members of all branches of our government stomp their feet and slam their fists as they bellow and bluster for the need of oversight. This system of checks and balances was designed by our founders to guard against excessive power in a single branch of government, but just who has “oversight” of the government et al?

From Senator Chris Dodd who not only wrote the now infamous “bonuses” amendment that has fairly exploded congress, to Barney Frank and his full immersion in the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae housing collapse, the time for all of them to face justice has arrived. It is laughable to listen to the likes of Sen. Dodd wax profound in his condemnation of bonuses and executive salaries, even as he is the leading recipient of campaign contributions from public enemy No. 1, AIG. It is equally repugnant to observe our new president feign anger at AIG when the amount they contributed to his election is near equal to that of the good senator. 

As for the double talk and finger pointing with regard to who inserted the language in the amendment that protected bonuses for Execs of institutions receiving government funds, it is reminiscent of the old phrase: “I am sure you believe you understand what you thought I said but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” 

If all this hocus pocus to shift our focus were not enough, the House of Representatives has passed legislation to tax those AIG bonuses at 90%, an act that in essence violates the constitutional provision against a “bill of attainder.” This provision protects citizens from punitive legislation specifically targeting individuals or groups without a trial. All of which brings us back to the question, who is providing oversight of the government?

Members of congress hold endless and often punitive hearings in their pursuit of “oversight.” However, why should members of congress be exempt from that practice themselves? Many will argue that this process is addressed as a function of elections but once elected, those we send to represent us quickly forget that obligation. 

The concept of holding hearings with members of congress sitting in the hot seat is not as far-fetched as one might think. Certainly, holding actual hearings in congress with citizens presiding over the hearings is a stretch but holding hearings for members of congress in their respective districts by locally elected officials is not. 

Members in both chambers of congress have it in their heads that they are the supreme council; it is time to shake them back to reality. By their actions and their consistent intent to pass legislation that flies in the face of a clear majority of the American people, to include all parties, they have established the government as a “ruling forum,” not one of governance.

We the people have allowed our government to grow to dictatorial proportions and now that government believes they have us bound by the “tenacity of mope.” Nothing would better rekindle the passions of the people to take an active role in government, than the opportunity to periodically subject their elected representative or their senators to the rigors of having to answer to his or her constituents under oath. Moreover, a Townhall forum is not acceptable, such is a forum of the government, it must be a forum of the people.    

Tea parties are wonderful symbolism but accomplish only that, a symbolic gesture of our mood. Just as the action of the first tea party brought substance to the argument, so now should we the people bring that substance to our elected officials in the form of oversight. They will scoff, perhaps chuckle at the notion but would quickly learn that what they say, can and will be used against them. Turnabout is fair play it is said and it is about time we turn the tables on our would be Lords and Ladies

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A Pane in the Glass

The new tactic of career politicians it would seem is “the word of the day.” During the last campaign for president, the word was “hope” or “change” but the newest word to adorn the mantle of political meaning is “transparency.” No doubt about it, our new president is true to the new mantra; it has taken precious little time to see through the gaping holes between his rhetoric and his actions. 

A window to current liberal reality has been opened, not only revealing the politics of Barack Obama, but clearly exposing the true nature of Democrats in congress as well. The Democrats seem so confident in their power that they scarcely notice that the curtain on their actions is open wide and they are exposed to the public sans political cover. The zeal with which they cavalierly spend money in unfathomable amounts is breathtaking. Most revealing is that most of this tsunami of cash will be spent on little of substance and heavily on liberal social engineering programs. 

In the week immediately following President Obama’s inauguration, the bulk of the mainstream media was flush with obsequious platitudes and praise to the man for whom they had sold their souls to get him elected. So too were the pronouncements by the Democrats and the media of the death of the Republican Party and especially the demise of all things conservative. In their haste and euphoria, they flung the drapes open wide on their idealism and their agenda, paying scant attention to the fact that their political slips were showing.     

Now, as the media, members of Obama’s administration and most of the leading figures in the Democratic Party scramble to regain an air of decency, they only exacerbate the revelation of their hypocrisy. Without a doubt, they are all in search of the moron behind the curtain who coined the catchword “transparency.” What was he thinking? If he only had a brain.

One of the most interesting developments in the time since the presidential inauguration, as first espoused by CNBC Reporter Rick Santelli, is the rapidly growing formation of mock “Tea Parties.” This symbolic notion of probably the most notorious act of the American Revolution, in protest of the economic policies of the new Obama administration, is enormous. For grassroots America, to come together under this banner does not bode well for the continued success of the direction Democrats want to take this nation. It may also bode equally gloomy for their continued majority status in 2010.   

Surprisingly, or perhaps not so, Democrats don’t seem to grasp the significance of the statement that the American people are making. For example, there was tremendous pressure on congress not to pass the enormous “spending,” aka “stimulus” bill, with a price tag unprecedented in congressional history; and yet, it was literally rammed through congress with nary a soul having a chance to fully read it. In spite of the objections of a majority of the people, the new president and a compliant congress “summarily” overruled them.

It is this arrogance and near dictatorial attitude, that has spurred the people to action. The current average for the right direction/wrong direction polls, as tabulated by RealClearPolitics.com, shows that 54.7% of the people believe we are headed in the wrong direction; hardly a resounding vote of confidence for either the president or the congress.

Many blame George W Bush for the entirety of our current ills. Many more hold him in extreme contempt.    History will show however, that President Bush was fairly effective in holding our nation and our economy together through a very perilous time. It will also judge him correctly as less than an inspiring leader.  

It was Barack Obama’s ability to inspire people as a true leader that gave him a very real mandate to be one of this nation’s greatest presidents. It is arrogance, selfish agenda, ideological myopia and yes, incompetence however, that will prevent it from ever being so. If Barack Obama had chosen to lead, he would be seen as a man among men. He chose instead to be nothing more than a Chicago style politician. 

President Obama and the Democratic Congress, stripped of their rhetorical mask, are now quite visible. Obama’s actions and those of his Democrat colleagues, are, to use the word of the day, transparent, and easily seen for what they are through what they must certainly now consider, a pesky pane in the glass.   
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Assessing Obama

As of this writing, Barack Obama has been the President of the United States for 47 days. Perhaps it is a bit premature to issue a report card on his performance but given the potential consequences of the actions he has taken in this brief time, it would be inappropriate not to. As with all performance evaluations, the purpose is to determine the ability to adequately carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.

There are basic criteria for this evaluation that supersede partisan politics, personal agendas, the lust for power and even the mainstream media. They are the covenants laid down in the oath the president elect swears to uphold and the very essence of the meaning of this nation as set forth in the preamble to our constitution. 

When the president elect takes the oath of office, his hand on the bible, he solemnly swears that he will “to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” There is nothing ambiguous in these words and yet our new president has turned the principles of our constitution on their head. He has done so on everything from inserting government in a position of control of private enterprise to the near nationalization of our entire economic structure. The president it seems was swearing at something in that oath and it would appear to be the constitution.

Most important in this evaluation are the five principles in the preamble. They are:  (1) Establish justice; (2) Ensure domestic tranquility; (3) Provide for the common defense; (4) Promote the general welfare; (5) Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Evaluating these categories objectively, it can be stated without ambiguity that the president meets only one out of five. 

Merely assessing both the legal and ethics violations of several members of Obama’s cabinet appointees rips the term “justice” to mangled shreds. How for instance, can a man who deliberately chose not to pay his taxes for a period of four years, bring justice to the Department of Treasury and especially the Internal Revenue Service? What justice is served when terrorists are suddenly given the full legal rights of U.S. Citizens and the charges against the person responsible for the horrible deaths of 17 U.S. Sailors aboard the USS Cole are dropped? Our dead, their families and the justice they deserved has been quite forsaken.

Clearly, President Obama inherited a fiscal calamity when he took office. One of the greatest contributing factors to his having been elected however, was his promise to “stimulate” the economy, create new jobs and stabilize our faltering economic infrastructure. To say that the 20% drop in the leading economic indicator since he took office has given the people a “warm-fuzzy” in his ability to make good on that promise, would truly be inaccurate. The current domestic tranquility quotient is measurable on the Richter Scale.    

In terms of defense, our new president has declared a 10% cut in defense spending, made diplomatic overtures to a soon to be nuclear Iran, appeased the Russians and left our East European allies in limbo. Moreover, he has thumbed his nose at our missile defense system, engaged Syria, promised nearly a billion dollars in aid to Hamas controlled Palestine and given the enemies of Iraq a “date certain” as to when they can resume hostilities. Simmering on the back burner is North Korea, China, a deteriorating Mexico and a hostile Venezuela and Cuba re-embracing the Russian military. To address the enormity of these issues, the president has chosen to nationalize health care. 

In the category of promoting the general “welfare” however, the president receives the highest of marks. Given his current agenda, we could all be on welfare before another four weeks of his administration passes. 

Lastly, we arrive at securing the blessings of our liberty. Should we allow this president to be successful in the nationalization of both our economic infrastructure and private enterprise, we are the “land of the free” no longer; we become subjects of the state.     

Barack Obama is not qualified to be the President of the United States. He has clearly demonstrated that his personal ambitions trump the people’s business, that he is naïve in the extreme with respect to foreign policy and that he believes in the power of government over the power of the people.  Additionally, he will forsake his oath to the people of this nation and the principles he swore to defend to achieve his own ends. 

Our economy is in shambles, our allies are nervous, our enemies emboldened, our achievers despondent and our citizens are dusting off their pitchforks, shovels and torches. There is no need to express a desire for our new president to fail; he has already achieved that status on his own.
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