We'll see if any interest is generated this time around.
I'm preparing a post on the current Illinois mess, but I'm trying to figure out a few issues in my head before publishing. Look for it tomorrow!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Political discussion group, round two...
The first time I tried this, the bickering and fighting on the Politics forum drowned me out. The link to my current invitation is below.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Mandatory reading
A belated Merry Christmas to everyone! I spent Christmas Day at my in-laws' house in central Minnesota, well away from the distraction of on-line access.
For the "kids" in the family, Christmas morning still unfolds much as it would for those decades younger. We wake up to stuffed stockings and presents under the tree. This year, however, my stocking had an unusual stuffer...
Some of you know that to call me an avid reader is a gross understatement. I had given a list of books to my wife to distribute when she was asked for gift ideas for me. Imagine my surprise when my stocking contained not only a book that wasn't on my list, but one that looked very promising for inspiring a few posts here! The tome in question is by Joe Scarborough, and is entitled "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day".
For the "kids" in the family, Christmas morning still unfolds much as it would for those decades younger. We wake up to stuffed stockings and presents under the tree. This year, however, my stocking had an unusual stuffer...
Some of you know that to call me an avid reader is a gross understatement. I had given a list of books to my wife to distribute when she was asked for gift ideas for me. Imagine my surprise when my stocking contained not only a book that wasn't on my list, but one that looked very promising for inspiring a few posts here! The tome in question is by Joe Scarborough, and is entitled "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day".
This book should be required reading for all young conservatives. It is a behind-the-scenes account of the Republican revolution of 1994, and is quite disheartening at first glance. When you read deeper, however, you realize that Scarborough seems to be writing it so that we may learn from the mistakes of that attempt to massively reform the spend-crazy culture of Washington.
Note the date and time of this post; I'm done with the book. It's a fast read: conversationally-written, excellently paced, etc. It's difficult to not self-examine while reading about the backdoor power-brokering that overwhelmed the idealistic young Congressmen. If you get your hands on a copy, ask yourself whether you identify with the freshmen Congressmen, or the established leadership. If it's the latter and you're in Congress, we're coming for your job.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Getting ready for the legislative session...
I'm guessing that the DFL is going to hit hard at the beginning of the MN legislative session with social issues instead of fiscal ones. Gay marriage will be the first one up, forcing the GOP to take a hard stance and pushing Governor Pawlenty into a corner in preparation for the gubernatorial campaign in 2010. The GOP needs to come back with difficult budget decisions in response to our state's budget crisis, and needs to make sure the public knows which party is putting the critical issues first.
Dems have easy wins in the social arena. They profess to want to help everyone, it gives voters a warm and fuzzy feeling, and they feel like something is being accomplished. The problem is that extending the power of government takes away individual rights.
Pay attention, everyone...this is going to be an interesting session.
Dems have easy wins in the social arena. They profess to want to help everyone, it gives voters a warm and fuzzy feeling, and they feel like something is being accomplished. The problem is that extending the power of government takes away individual rights.
Pay attention, everyone...this is going to be an interesting session.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Missing the forest for the trees...
A parable:
A man with less-than-perfect credit wants to purchase a new car to replace his current vehicle which is outdated and suffers from numerous mechanical problems. He calls and visits various banks and finds out that only one bank is willing to approve a loan for the amount he needs.
Upon visiting the bank, the man is shown a check made out in his name for the amount he requested. The loan officer tells him that once he agrees to a few specific conditions, the check will be signed and handed over. One of the conditions is that the man carry full comprehensive insurance on the new vehicle. Due to his poor credit, the bank requires him to have a much lower deductible than he would normally prefer, which would result in a slightly higher (but still affordable) premium.
The man is indignant and refuses to agree to the conditions. The loan officer reminds him that if he does not agree, the bank will not issue the loan and the man will not be able to purchase the vehicle. The man angrily leaves the bank without agreement, and therefore without the check.
The next day, his failing vehicle breaks down. He now has no choice but to purchase a new car. He goes back to the bank, and the loan officer tells him that the bank will still be happy to loan him the funds, but now the interest rate has tripled, the deductible requirements are even lower, and the bank gets to control how and where he drives the car.
If only he had accepted the original terms...
Let me pose this question to the UAW leadership.
Which is worse for your members, wage concessions or bankruptcy?
A man with less-than-perfect credit wants to purchase a new car to replace his current vehicle which is outdated and suffers from numerous mechanical problems. He calls and visits various banks and finds out that only one bank is willing to approve a loan for the amount he needs.
Upon visiting the bank, the man is shown a check made out in his name for the amount he requested. The loan officer tells him that once he agrees to a few specific conditions, the check will be signed and handed over. One of the conditions is that the man carry full comprehensive insurance on the new vehicle. Due to his poor credit, the bank requires him to have a much lower deductible than he would normally prefer, which would result in a slightly higher (but still affordable) premium.
The man is indignant and refuses to agree to the conditions. The loan officer reminds him that if he does not agree, the bank will not issue the loan and the man will not be able to purchase the vehicle. The man angrily leaves the bank without agreement, and therefore without the check.
The next day, his failing vehicle breaks down. He now has no choice but to purchase a new car. He goes back to the bank, and the loan officer tells him that the bank will still be happy to loan him the funds, but now the interest rate has tripled, the deductible requirements are even lower, and the bank gets to control how and where he drives the car.
If only he had accepted the original terms...
Let me pose this question to the UAW leadership.
Which is worse for your members, wage concessions or bankruptcy?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
From statehouse to courthouse in Illinois...
I'm so disgusted I can barely see straight.
Yes, I'm referring to Governor Blagojevich of Illinois. What a piece of corrupt trash.
How do people like him and his chief of staff (John Harris) look at themselves in the mirror? I'm sure the money helps, but is there no decency in their souls? Money can't erase a total lack of morals and ethics.
So to you, Governor, let me call it like I see it.
SCUMBAG. That is how you will be known throughout history, and may you enjoy being the guest of the federal prison system when they convict you...and they WILL convict you.
As someone who is contemplating a run for office, this is all the more unsettling. I would like to believe that our leaders are ethical men and women regardless of party, that they truly have our best interests at heart...and then this man gets elected.
It's time to throw the bums out on both sides of the aisle, and we can start with him.
Yes, I'm referring to Governor Blagojevich of Illinois. What a piece of corrupt trash.
How do people like him and his chief of staff (John Harris) look at themselves in the mirror? I'm sure the money helps, but is there no decency in their souls? Money can't erase a total lack of morals and ethics.
So to you, Governor, let me call it like I see it.
SCUMBAG. That is how you will be known throughout history, and may you enjoy being the guest of the federal prison system when they convict you...and they WILL convict you.
As someone who is contemplating a run for office, this is all the more unsettling. I would like to believe that our leaders are ethical men and women regardless of party, that they truly have our best interests at heart...and then this man gets elected.
It's time to throw the bums out on both sides of the aisle, and we can start with him.
Friday, December 5, 2008
"We the People..."
The content of the post on Ron Paul has opened the door for me to discuss my favorite topic.
We rally behind the flag because it is a symbol of our nation, but we forget that our nation would not and could not exist without the Constitution. It is the founding law of our land, the principles that give us freedoms of which other nations can only dream.
When it was written, there had never been anything like it in all of human history. No nation had ever attempted the brave experiment our founding fathers set in motion.
Who knew that a few pieces of paper could change the face of the world? Did the authors realize the profound effect their words would have on generations to come?
I had the chance to visit the National Archives in January of 2007 on my honeymoon. D.C. is a ghost town in mid-January, and my wife and I had many of the landmarks to ourselves. Three specific instances stand out in my mind: having the Lincoln Memorial to ourselves, having the Vietnam Memorial Wall to ourselves, and having the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom to ourselves.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
I stood there and stared at that phrase, unable and unwilling to speak in the cavernous room. Good men and women have given their lives in protection of the values embodied in that single sentence. So strong was the faith of our founding fathers in the ability of those words to serve as protection for all the people of the United States that our leaders swear an oath not to the people, but to the Constitution.
We the People, indeed.
We rally behind the flag because it is a symbol of our nation, but we forget that our nation would not and could not exist without the Constitution. It is the founding law of our land, the principles that give us freedoms of which other nations can only dream.
When it was written, there had never been anything like it in all of human history. No nation had ever attempted the brave experiment our founding fathers set in motion.
Who knew that a few pieces of paper could change the face of the world? Did the authors realize the profound effect their words would have on generations to come?
I had the chance to visit the National Archives in January of 2007 on my honeymoon. D.C. is a ghost town in mid-January, and my wife and I had many of the landmarks to ourselves. Three specific instances stand out in my mind: having the Lincoln Memorial to ourselves, having the Vietnam Memorial Wall to ourselves, and having the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom to ourselves.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
I stood there and stared at that phrase, unable and unwilling to speak in the cavernous room. Good men and women have given their lives in protection of the values embodied in that single sentence. So strong was the faith of our founding fathers in the ability of those words to serve as protection for all the people of the United States that our leaders swear an oath not to the people, but to the Constitution.
We the People, indeed.
Clarifying on Ron Paul
My comment about Ron Paul representing the future of the GOP polarized a few people, judging from responses I've received. Allow me to clarify a bit...
I'm not saying that Ron Paul needs to be the nominee in 2012 or 2016. What I'm saying is that by the time the next presidential election occurs, we need to be aligned with the vision of true conservatism. Rep. Paul is the current torchbearer within the GOP of Barry Goldwater's beliefs and philosophies. He doesn't pander to interest groups, be they religious or corporate in nature. He supports the Constitution, and the Constitution alone.
I'm not saying that Ron Paul needs to be the nominee in 2012 or 2016. What I'm saying is that by the time the next presidential election occurs, we need to be aligned with the vision of true conservatism. Rep. Paul is the current torchbearer within the GOP of Barry Goldwater's beliefs and philosophies. He doesn't pander to interest groups, be they religious or corporate in nature. He supports the Constitution, and the Constitution alone.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
How to be a conservative in December 2008
It's hard to be a conservative these days.
President-elect Obama has made a number of choices that have garnered praise from both the left and the right. Republicans received a very public beating in the election.
I said earlier that it is hard to get in front of people and tell them that government won't solve their problems. Going against the nanny culture that is so popular today is seen as political suicide. The neo-cons screaming about Obama's birth certificate, Clinton conspiracies, broken tax-cut promises and the like don't help the conservative cause.
I'm not losing hope. I believe there is still room for conservatism in goverment, but it must be ACTUAL conservatism, not the doctrine that has been pushed on us in recent years.
I'm calling for a total return to the principles of Goldwater, a reinvention of the GOP. We need to go back to the pre-Reagan era. There is exactly ONE politician on the national stage who embodies those values, and he is Ron Paul. I'm puzzled and disappointed that the GOP treated Rep. Paul as a second-class member of the party when it came to the RNC here in Minneapolis, treating him so poorly that he felt the need to hold his own convention. Ron Paul represents the only future that the GOP truly has, but our party leaders are too blinded by special interests to see it. The Democrats have their unions and environmental groups and the GOP has corporate donors and religious extremists. A special interest is a special interest regardless of party affiliation.
We need to return to the planks of small federal government, strong local government, strong national defense, fiscal responsibility and individual rights. We need to not hide behind the American flag but to wave it proudly with one hand and hold the Constitution in the other.
There is room for conservatism now more than ever, and our job...nay, our duty is to convince the American people that our cause is their cause.
President-elect Obama has made a number of choices that have garnered praise from both the left and the right. Republicans received a very public beating in the election.
I said earlier that it is hard to get in front of people and tell them that government won't solve their problems. Going against the nanny culture that is so popular today is seen as political suicide. The neo-cons screaming about Obama's birth certificate, Clinton conspiracies, broken tax-cut promises and the like don't help the conservative cause.
I'm not losing hope. I believe there is still room for conservatism in goverment, but it must be ACTUAL conservatism, not the doctrine that has been pushed on us in recent years.
I'm calling for a total return to the principles of Goldwater, a reinvention of the GOP. We need to go back to the pre-Reagan era. There is exactly ONE politician on the national stage who embodies those values, and he is Ron Paul. I'm puzzled and disappointed that the GOP treated Rep. Paul as a second-class member of the party when it came to the RNC here in Minneapolis, treating him so poorly that he felt the need to hold his own convention. Ron Paul represents the only future that the GOP truly has, but our party leaders are too blinded by special interests to see it. The Democrats have their unions and environmental groups and the GOP has corporate donors and religious extremists. A special interest is a special interest regardless of party affiliation.
We need to return to the planks of small federal government, strong local government, strong national defense, fiscal responsibility and individual rights. We need to not hide behind the American flag but to wave it proudly with one hand and hold the Constitution in the other.
There is room for conservatism now more than ever, and our job...nay, our duty is to convince the American people that our cause is their cause.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A little spending money?
Maybe it's because Wednesday is my birthday and I'm feeling a bit
punchy due to getting older.
punchy due to getting older.
Maybe it's because I can't comprehend how someone can mismanage a
company so badly as to need a multi-billion dollar loan.
Or maybe I'm just sick of over-compensated idiots crying because they
have more Rolexes than brains.
Ford now says that they don't actually need a loan, but would like to
have a $9 BILLION line of credit from the government regardless.
So would I, but it's not going to happen. My advice to Ford? Shut up,
bring your more efficient and reliable European market vehicles to the
US market, and watch your profits go back up.
Until then, I'll keep driving my Honda Civic. 40 mpg, reliable, and
built in Ohio. Detroit should take notes.
-Blogged from my iPhone
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