All Red No Blue

What Tha?

2011-04-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

So the other day my little girl (who just happens to be in the first grade and is discovering the wondrous world of the written word) and I were driving to the local Publix when she spotted a fairly large commercial land for sale sign. As we zipped by the sign she tried to read it and asked me what zoning meant. I told her that the property for sale was zoned commercial meaning that someone could buy it and build more stores. She was horrified at the thought. She told me that it would be wrong for someone to buy that land to build more stores because the squirrels and birds would have to find a new home. She said we had enough stores already. I thought to myself what tha?

I was the one that was actually horrified, just how was she forming such an opinion? When I quizzed her a bit, she told me that no one was telling her those things, that was just what she thought. Of course I was not satisfied. Finally she told me about some pictures a teacher at her school showed her class. Pictures that showed what little squirrel's and birds homes looked like before stores were built on land they called home; poor things. My six year old daughter loves her teacher and her school. How am I supposed to tell her that whoever told her such nonsense is full of bull? Besides, what business does any teacher responsible for 1st graders have in promoting their own values?

What this teacher failed to discuss was the fact many new developments have extraordinarily positive impact on their communities. The Publix store in question probably generates close to a million dollars a week in sales and more than likely employees a minimum of 250 people while the shopping center in total probably generates close to 1.8 million in revenue employing 400 or more folks. Not to mention the sales taxes collected. What's more, the little squirrels and birds only have to fly about 500 yards and they are in the country side. If anyone has any really good ideas on how to communicate such positive things to a six year old. I'm all ears.

I'm going to do my best to make sure that my little girl grows up with a well rounded idea of the world. Teachers should make that easier, not more difficult.

You Might Be A Liberal......................

2011-03-31T16:23:00.001-07:00

You Might Be A Liberal If:

You believe that the issue with our deficit is not that federal spending is not too high, it's that everyone's taxes with the exception of your own are too low.

You believe that public unions should have the right to collectively bargain against their employers; the tax payers.

You believe that your Senator or Representative is better suited to make decisions about your neighbors life than they are.

You believe that from each according to his means to each according to their needs sounds pretty cool.

You believe that the United States should grant citizenship to twelve or fifteen million illegal aliens.

You believe that people who feel the Department Of Education should be dissolved are extremists.

You believe that Barack Obama understands how an economy works. An economy base on capitalism that is.

You believe that a woman has the right to end the life of her baby as long as it is in her womb.

You believe that John McCain is a conservative.

You believe that Lindsay Graham would be one Republican you could support for President.

You believe that we (The Citizens of The United States of America) were at fault on 9/11.

You believe that the Tea Party is a flash in the pan.

You believe Bill Maher is funny.

You believe that the United States place in world affairs is just to be part of a collective.

You Believe that it's OK to be in debt up to our eyeballs to the Chinese.

You believe Obama is a good President and you would vote for him again.

You belive Obama is a poor President and you would vote for him again.

You believe that a good national energy policy is doing away with oil and employing wind mills (except on your property, or anywhere that you may have to see them).

You believe that it's ok for the government to manage your thermostat.

You believe that Obama Care is a good thing.

You believe that everyone is equal in their contribution to our economy.

You believe that the rich don't pay their fair share of taxes and should be forced to pay more.

You believe that Obama will be re-elected.

Just One More Voice

2011-01-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Over the Christmas holiday I had the opportunity to visit with my brother for a while and as usual our conversation turned to politics. Like me, my brother is wary of where our country is, where it is headed, and what that direction portends not only for his future, but that of his children. However; unlike me, my brother feels that his voice will not make a difference.

Well Brother, just over a year and a half ago a single voice was heard telling Americans that they should unite to provide opposition to our out of control government. In that instant the Tea Party Movement was born and with it a fire rekindled under a single belief that made our country great; a belief at the very center of this countries fight for Independence; FREEDOM. Freedom from an overbearing government that believes its citizenry is intended to serve the government rather than government serving its citizens.

This single voice that is now the Tea Party is actually a collection of hundreds of thousands of individual independent voices speaking as one. Voices that have our Constitution as a foundation, voices that have translated into action, voices that have indeed made a difference.

Just like the "Shot Heard Round The World" in Lexington MA. so many years ago. The election of November 2, 2010, is only the beginning. We must each remember the words of John Paul Jones when he said: "I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight". His words should be our battle cry because the fight we face begins and ends with the voice of each individual American working together with others. USE IT.

We Are Not Stupid! Extending Current Tax Rates Is Not A Stimulis!

2010-12-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

From my vantage point, anyone that thinks making a decision not to raise taxes amounts to an economic stimulus is either a fool or drunk on Obama Kool-aid.

Look at the extension of the current tax rates in the following context. Lets say that the company you work for is struggling to stay afloat and everyone working there knows it. As a matter of fact there are rumors floating around that at the end of the year the company is either going to have to lay folks off, or cut everyone's base pay.

Now as a smart person you brace yourself and begin to cut back on spending as you don't really know what your future is regarding your income. Finally, at the end of the year the company announces they are not going to lay anyone off, nor cut anyone's pay. They do announce however; that there will be no raises for the next year because they believe that times will continue to be difficult. In other words your pay is staying exactly the same.

Now after hearing this news you may be relieved, you may be happy, but are going to treat the news like a raise and start spending money wildly? Do you really have any more money to spend?

The answer is no, and the obvious result of keeping the current tax rates is exactly the same. The act to maintain the current tax rates averts disaster, it does not create an economic stimulus.

At some point the income tax producing citizens of this country must turn this table around and become the leaders of the company and congress must be held in check as employees of the people, WHICH THEY ARE. Meaning that the people of this country must keep government spending in check.

Current Debate On Bush "Tax Cuts" Perfect Example Of Why We Need The Fair Tax

2010-12-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

First things first, and that is that all the hoopla in DC and in the press around the so called "Bush Tax Cuts" is a bunch of baloney. What Democrats are trying to do is raise taxes! Period! Tax cuts that were passed during President Bush's administration established new tax rates; Democrats would like to raise those established rates to the Clinton's administration higher levels.

The reason this debate serves as the perfect example of why we need the Fair Tax is that it illustrates with the utmost clarity how Politicians use the tax code to maintain their power over you and I. Just look at what they are doing. THEY are debating on how much income the average American can keep, therefore; tax paying Americans have to count on the benevolence of their elected officials to determine what take home pay should be! This is an absurd position for the American People to find themselves in and one that passage of the Fair Tax would eliminate.

The Fair Tax would end these type of discussions in DC, because the Fair Tax would abolish politicians ability to manage your income through the income tax code because there would be no tax code to manipulate.

Name one politician anywhere that should have the power to tell any American how much they should bring home from their pay check, how much a family should fork over in inheritance taxes, or for that matter has any business at all knowing what anyone's income is........period.

America needs the Fair Tax and we need it now!

Why The Fair Tax Could Be Called The "Tea Partiers Tax"

2010-10-19T19:16:00.001-07:00

When you get right down to it, one could argue that the fuel that feeds the passion driving the Tea Party Movement comes directly from BIG GOVERNMENT. Big Government that spends too much, taxes too much, intrudes too much into private affairs, does not listen to the governed, and is directed by politicians that wield too much power over the governed.

So what does the Fair Tax have to do with the Tea Party's drive to cut bloated, over stimulated, too far reaching government down to size? EVERYTHING. The Fair Tax is much more than simple tax reform, the Fair Tax provides reform that cuts to the heart of what Tea Party activists strive to accomplish, and that is cutting the strings that tie one's income to the greedy hands of politicians. Once you get government out of your pocket book, a huge step is taken to get them out of your everyday life.

The passage of the 16th Amendment created those strings by allowing Congress to institute the income tax and initiate all the appropriate measures for the government to confiscate income from individuals; can you say IRS? The 16th Amendment imparted great power to politicians with respect to being able to tax one individual less at the expense of another being taxed more. It hatched a whole new industry of lobbyists, hired guns if you will directed to entice politicians to bend tax rules in their clients favor. The tax code is a politicians ace in the hole. An ace not much different that Obama Care really. The favors have already started for McDonald's and twenty two other lucky companies and unions that get a waiver from parts of Obama Care; but I digress.

The Fair Tax cuts the heart out of Congress's ability to manipulate the tax code by doing away with the tax code for good. With no tax code to manipulate, the federal government's view into any tax paying American's life is obliterated. I believe that one could argue that where one can find a politician willing to support the Fair Tax, one can find a politician willing to surrender power, work for the people, and cut government down to size. One the other hand where one finds a politician unwilling to support the Fair Tax, one can find a politician seeking to keep their power over you, and your money.

So there you have it. the Fair Tax is the Tea Party Movement.

We Reserve The Right To Say NO!

2010-09-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Among the many rights we enjoy in this great country of ours should be the right to say NO!

NO to a Mosque for Muslim worship built in the very space where 3,000 innocent Americans were brutally murdered by radical Islamic Terrorists.

NO to so called Social Justice.

NO to overreaching government.

NO to out of control government spending.

NO to government imposed debt on our children and grandchildren.

NO to suffocating taxation

NO to one man's definition of "Hope and Change".

NO to government bureaucrats meddling in a private individuals doctor patient relationship.

NO to the government dictating what temperature a private citizen should keep the thermostat in their own home.

NO to allowing eleven to twenty million illegal aliens rights to citizenship just because they are here illegally.

NO to government ownership of what should be public companies.

NO to government coercion of private lending institutions to lend money to those that do not have the means to pay back such loans.

NO to government bail outs of private industry.

NO to transforming this country into a Socialist Utopia.

NO to politicians that do not listen to the people.

NO to depriving our children the rights, freedoms, and opportunities that made this country great.

Sometimes you just have to say NO!

John McCain: Conservative Through Coercion

2010-08-27T05:23:00.000-07:00

John McCain, the Maverick Senator from Arizona. The man that is willing to take principled stands on tough issues. Like Supporting Illegal immigration by reaching across the isle to work with that bastion of conservatism Ted Kennedy to write a bill that virtually assured amnesty for illegal immigrants, or working with Russ Fiengold on campaign finance reform, or his support of Cap and Trade, or his no vote on the Bush tax cuts.

But wait, now Mr. McCain supports tough immigration laws, is willing to spend $20,000,000 to secure his primary win, and supports the continuation of the Bush Tax Cuts. What happened?

I would say Mr. McCain drank the TEA and through some miracle has become a conservative, or at least a conservative enough to get re-elected. It's evident that Mr. McCain throughout his entire political career has taken steps to increase the power of the federal government, and move to take advantage of whatever position he thought would keep him in office. Too bad the great majority of these positions were progressive liberal positions.

What does this man really believe? I would say that his actions over his career define him pretty well. He is a liberal. He wants the government to wield power over the individual. It's evident that he thinks the government can make better decisions for individuals than the individual can for themselves.

His primary win in Arizona this week over JD Hayworth was described by many as a loss for the Tea Party and a win for the Washington Republican Establishment. I don't think so. Had the Tea Party and it's followers not raised the conservative banner and it's values over the last two years, do you think Mr. McCain would acquiesce to the conservative views that he now seemingly embraces. No way. The bottom line is that Mr. McCain had no choice, he read the tea leaves and now extols conservative values on most every issue. I'm sure that genuine conservatives in Arizona would rather have a Senator of their own ilk, but sometimes I guess you have to reach across the isle and make a compromise.

A Little Free Speech Rant

2010-08-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

In the US we cherish the many freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution. There are however; limits to those freedoms. We have free speech, but I was always taught that such a freedom does not mean that one can walk into a crowded theater and yell FIRE! We have the freedom to worship God through the religion of our choice, but we do not tolerate forcing individual religious beliefs on others. We have the right to bear arms, but there are limits to when and where fire arms, hand guns specifically may be carried. We have the right to gather and protest, but not in such a fashion as to impose hardship on others.

We also have the right to say NO! No to stupidity No to those that wish to build a monument to the cowards that killed 3,000 innocent Americans on the very spot the act took place. I don't believe that the average American could care less that a Muslim Imam would like to build a Mosque in New York, but I think most Americans believe that building such a structure at Ground Zero is no different than the Japanese building a monument to their Air Force at Pearl Harbor, or Germans Building a monument to Adolph Hitler in Jerusalem, or the United States building a replica of the Enola Gaye in Hiroshima, or Nagasaki. None of those actions would ever even be mentioned in public much less discussed as serious, but it's ok for a Mosque to be built at GROUND ZERO?

Allowing a Mosque to be built on Ground Zero is not a testament to our countries unyielding adherence to our freedoms, it is a yielding of our rights as a people and we should never let that happen. Period.

This Reagan Republican's Recipe for Economic Recovery

2010-08-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

I believe that Ronald Reagan, more than any other political leader in recent history grasped the power of Capitalism; especially when harnessed to the the can do attitude of the American People and the constitutional freedoms our founders secured for us. It is with unmovable belief in those three ingredients that Ronald Reagan knew this Great Country could overcome anything. Personally, I believe he was right on.

When Ronald Reagan took office in 1980 he was faced with extraordinarily high interest rates driven by equally high inflation. In President Reagan's Words there were "Too Many Dollars Chasing Too Few Goods". His cure for this was to institute a Supply Side Economic plan by cutting tax rates on business and individuals as an incentive for business to produce more goods. Many criticized this as "Trickle Down" economics; just another way for Republicans to provide perks for the wealthy. I don't think that anyone in their right mind today can argue with President Reagan's results.

Today we find ourselves in yet another economic rut brought on in large part by the pinheads running the federal government. Unlike 1980, there are goods to be had, but no money to buy them. I guess you could say that we have too many goods chasing too few dollars. What to do? One thing is for sure, the efforts of the liberal progressive democrats in charge today illustrate exactly what does not work, and that is socialism. Now we know what socialism looks like; up close and personal.

Back to the point at hand; how do we get out of this mess? Inflation and interest rates are extraordinarily low rather than extraordinarily high. So, what to do? In 1980 producers did not produce because demand was stifled by high costs and interest rates so high no one could get a loan to make a purchase or finance improvements. Today, producers are not producing, and therefore not hiring because demand is stifled due to the fact consumers don't have the money or confidence to purchase anything other than necessities, and guess what, no one can get a loan! The dynamics may be different in the two time periods, but the results are the same. An economy with no growth, or any expectation of growth.

So, what is the answer? If you are a believer in Reaganomics, the answer is clear; CUT TAXES! No doubt reducing tax rates worked for Ronald Reagan, and it would work again for the very same reasons. When the government allows tax payers to keep more of their money, they spend it. When they spend it they create demand, when demand is created, businesses find a way to meet that demand through expansion and the hiring of workers necessary to manage increased production. In this environment, producers create new products and generate product line extensions to capture dollars that consumers are willing to spend because they have more money to spend and are confident they won't be laid off or see a reduction in current income flow! This is an environment that the government simply can not create through spending your tax dollars and mine on stupid stimulus packages. Only the private sector can create economic growth and prosperity.

However; I believe that cutting taxes alone is not the answer. Such an action is akin to treating a symptom of a problem rather than the problem itself. A stance I believe our conservative leadership should assume. We need a cure, a cure that will keep us from getting to the same place again in twenty years. While cutting taxes is a great idea, it is short term because it does not remove the real culprit; Politicians with the power to tax or not to tax, to increase taxes, or not increase taxes, or just spend tax dollars they don't have.

Consider the Bush Tax Cuts for a moment. They are set to expire in a short period of time and now it is up to politicians to determine what will happen. They use the Bush tax cut expiration, indeed any tax or non tax event as a way to wield power over every tax paying American. It's time for it to stop!

Now, how could congress take action that would have the same impact as cutting taxes while at the same time reposition the economy of the United States as the most powerful in the world? What steps could congress take to restore a powerful manufacturing base in the United States? What steps could congress take to make the United States the most tax friendly place for individuals and corporations to do business? What steps could congress take to dramatically reduce unemployment? What steps could congress take to pull Social Security and Medi-Care out of the financial ditch? What steps could congress take that would put a fire wall between what's best for all Americans and special interest lobbies?

ANNOUNCE INSTITUTION OF THE FAIR TAX! Yes, that's right, implement the Fair Tax. The Fair Tax would have a greater positive impact on our economy than any so called tax cut could ever have on our economy through replacing current tax revenue with a national sales tax. Think about this; with implementation of the Fair Tax, individuals no longer pay federal income, social security, capital gains, or inheritance taxes. Corporations no longer pay federal or payroll taxes. Tax revenue currently collected through confiscation would be replaced with a 23% sales tax on all purchases of new goods and services. Bottom line is that a new pair of slacks that retail for $100.00 today would still retail for about the same $100.00 after the Fair Tax because approximately 23% of that $100.00 retail is a culmination of taxes paid the get those slacks to retail.

Think about this, an individual that Grosses $50,000 today probably pays 20% or around $10,000 in federal taxes, with the fair tax that individual would bring home 100% of their pay; a 25% increase in take home pay, so for all you Fair Tax dissers out their that say the Fair Tax amounts to a 30% tax, well consider this; reveive a 20% reduction in taxes and get a 25% increase in pay. If you would like to learn more about how the Fair Tax actually works, please review my many blogs on the subject, or go to the Fair Tax Website to learn more.

So how does the Fair Tax restore manufacturing, our economy, jobs, and Social Security? Pretty easy, when every individual that earns a living has more money to spend, they do, when manufacturers find the most tax friendly place to do business; they set up shop there, when corporations need to hire people to scale up to meet demand; they do. Social Security, Medi-Care? Well, when Nancy Pelosi or her her husband buys a new Mercedes, they pay 23% sales tax, when Bill Gates, or Warren Buffet and the like that live on accumulated wealth and pay virtually no tax on income, pay taxes every time they make a purchase. People in our country on vacation; they pay taxes on every purchase they make. People here illegally; ditto. Individuals that earn what would currently be unreported income pay taxes on every purchase they make. If you still don't think that the Fair Tax would restore our economy, I don't know what else to tell you. Oh yeah, the really big deal here; its the fact that with the implementation of the Fair Tax, there is no need for the IRS, it goes away along with politicians ability to manipulate the tax code to maintain power over you and I.

Now along with passage of the Fair Tax, conservatives must repeal Obamacare and let open competition go to work to reduce the cost of health insurance, and then remove itself from ownership of any corporation such as GM, Chrysler, Fannie, or Freddie.

Is this a cure all? No, but it is one heck of a great start! Just do what Ronald Reagan did. Believe that when the American People are given the tools to work with; namely by getting government out of the way; the sky is the limit.

Illegal Immigration; My Take On A Solution

2010-07-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following letter to then President Bush concerning my thoughts on illegal immigration and one possible solution to consider back in June of 2007, and I believe it has merit today.
It did not even cross my mind to send such a letter to Obama, I mean it should be obvious to all that he wants to legalize TWENTY MILLION illegal aliens, not enforce the rule of law and actually enforce our border and immigration laws.

To: President George Bush

Subject: Immigration

Count me as one American AGAINST President Bush’s Illegal Immigration Amnesty Bill.

I simply cannot believe that the President I voted for is so adamant in his pursuit to grant those in our country illegally; legal status. While in the midst of a global war on Islamic terrorism, our President to date has shown great willingness leave our southern border open for anyone to cross whether they are toting some WMD or not.

Now we have a bill that allows illegal aliens legal status with the new Z Visa. LEGAL STATUS overnight. Even with the obvious outrage in the heartland of America, our PRO Illegal Alien Amnesty President continues to show his true colors. RED AND GREEN.

Our government can’t police current immigration laws, why are we supposed to believe that we will force those here illegally to go home, come back and get a visa and pay a fine. GET REAL. We have upwards of TWENTY MILLION illegal aliens currently in our country! Great job so far!

What is the purpose here; Compassion, Votes, Fear? Probably some of each with a heavy dose of Votes and Fear.

What Republicans in Congress should fear is Conservative backlash if they pass this bill. A bill I might add that was cobbled together under the cover of darkness. Just like so many illegal crossings into our country.

It is my opinion that Conservatives in general desire an immigration process that follows the rule of law. Not a program that allows breaking the law. Further, I don’t believe that conservatives are against immigration, they are against disregarding American Culture and heritage. The current immigration bill is a slap in the face of all Americans here legally.

Want a Solution? Try This Two Page Idea.

Enforce Current immigration laws/maintain current legal immigration procedures.
Secure our Southern Borders

ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE BEFORE ANY OTHER DEBATE!

Create a Bio-Metric Tamper Proof “Legal Alien Employment Visa” that is only available in the Country of Origin that any potential legal alien worker wishes to migrate from in order to find employment in the United States. This card would have a specific number much like a Social Security Card Number that follows that worker while in our country.

This Workers Visa would only be awarded to individuals that pass a thorough background test.
This Visa would have to become “Validated” with proof of employment within ninety days of entry into the US. If not validated, any immigrant worker would be deported for a period of no less than six months.
This Visa would be eligible for renewal every three years with continuous employment with no need to leave the US. Visa is valid for a maximum of twelve years. Legal Alien Worker must initiate normal Citizenship process before the end of the twelfth year of legal status ends.
This visa does not legalize, nor provide a path to citizenship for any visa holder. Any legal alien wishing to obtain US Citizenship must go through normal channels.

Require all employers to require appropriate proof of citizenship, or legal alien worker status.
Pass tough laws for employers not maintaining proof of legal status of workers.
Enforce laws
Initiate a FLAT TAX workers fee code for Legal Alien Workers (of course a national consumption tax such as the Fair TAX would work better) designed to pay for legal alien workers use of infrastructure, emergency social welfare, education, etc. with no requirement for employer matching taxes. No refunds, no tax forms for legal alien workers.
Specifically state that legal alien workers are not eligible for social security, medi-care, food stamps, or any other legal tax paying citizen social entitlement. If Legal Alien Workers desire social entitlements or other perks of US citizenship, then they must go through normal channels of the immigration process.
Require legal aliens to maintain a legal alien driver’s license, insurance, etc. in order to maintain legal status.
In order for Legal Alien workers to individually own an LLC, Sub Chapter S Corporation, sole proprietorship, or any other private business, they must first initiate and achieve US Citizenship status. Any such entity will be subject to all taxes and fees.
NO CHILD BORN IN THE UNITED STATES TO LEGAL ALIEN WORKERS SHALL BE GRANTED US CITIZENSHIP. However, any legal alien worker that earns US Citizenship through normal immigration processes while in the United States legally would have granted to any offspring born in the United States legal status with no exceptions.
On the one year anniversary of passage of legal alien workers bill, Impose a 50% tax on all fund transfers to Mexico without proof of citizenship or appropriate legal alien workers visa for a period of five years.
Allow SIX MONTHS from initiation of new legal alien workers program before penalties for non compliance begin. (This gives those in our country six full months to go home and apply for legal status, more than enough time for those that want to obtain legal status to do so, and enough time for employers to develop programs for compliance)

It is my opinion that initiating such a program would solve several problems:

1. It would force all aliens here illegally to migrate back to their Country of Origin to apply for a legal workers visa.

2. It would offer a way to track citizens of other countries while in our country.

3. It would secure the Southern Border First.

4. It would resolve the question of amnesty; there is none, but there are also no fines, mass deportations, or harm to those currently working in our country as long as they abide by new legal alien worker status procedures.

5. It would uphold and maintain American Values, Heritage, and Culture.

6. It would not be a sellout to those wanting to award legal status to current illegal aliens currently in our country.

7. I believe that it would satisfy conservative/American values.

8. It would not compromise the value of US citizenship

We Need Budget Hawks In Congress

2010-05-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

It's about time we elected representatives that will vow to manage the Federal Budget in the same manner households (that don't use credit cards!) manage theirs. It's about time the we elect representatives that understand that the money they spend is not theirs!

We all know that federal spending is out of control. So, what do we do about it? Cut, Cut, Cut, that's what.

According to the Louisiana State University Federal Agency List there are some 1,300 federal agencies, count them if you like. You can also go to USA.GOV to for a complete list. According to the 2005 Census, there are some 2.7 MILLION Federal Employees.

So, where to start? How about directly with the Department of Education. Here you have a 62.6 BILLION dollar annual budget and 5,000 employees that could be released TODAY. Someone please tell me why we need some department in Washington D.C. to tell us how to educate our kids. We don't. Besides, that 62.5 billion would go a long way if spent by each state the way they see fit.

Where do we go for the second cut? How about directly the IRS? We could eliminate their 11.6 BILLION dollar budget at 93,000 employees through instituting the FAIR TAX!

OK, what next? What about Freddie, and Fannie? Together those two bastions of financial responsibility have cost tax payers some 145 BILLION DOLLARS according to the
Financial Times and that's just six months into 2010!

So far we've just scratched the surface and one can find over 200 BILLION DOLLARS! So I'm sure some out there would say something like: what about all those people that would lose their jobs if we eliminated those agencies? Well we could send them down to the Arizona Border!

Seriously though, instituting the Fair Tax would take care of any unemployment the elimination of federal jobs would create. No doubt that the best way for the Federal Government to create jobs is to quit taking money from the pockets of those that actually create jobs; small business owners!

So who out there running for office will propose a list of federal departments and agencies that should be shuttered? Please, Anyone?

Tell Me The Difference Between 1765 And Today

2010-04-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

By 1765 New England had been inhabited by those immigrating from England and other European Nations for well over 100 years. The people of New England considered themselves British Citizens with the same rights as their brethren in England. There was no doubt however; that there was a growing sense of independence in the air.

When the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act of 1765 to help pay for the French and Indians wars, there was an uproar in America. How could parliament impose a tax on those in America without representation? Were not British Citizens in America protected by the same "Constitutional" rights as Citizens in England? One could argue that this was the first flame that ignited the revolution that gave birth to our country. The beginning of a sense of pride in one's country, not in England, but in America.

There was a growing sense of self awareness of being an American. A desire to engage in self rule. A desire to create a governing process that put the people before government. The same fire that burned in John Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Ethan Allen, Ben Franklin, and George Washington must still burn in you and I today. A burning desire to be independent, free from the shackles of others, free to do and be what we desire. Thank God for our Founding Fathers; men that built the foundation of what was to become the greatest testimony in the history of civilization to what a truly free people can achieve.

We stand at a crossroads today. Just as the Stamp Act of 1765 ignited the flame of liberty in Americans so many years ago so should the current actions of our government ignite those same fires in all Americans today. If not, please tell me why. Just as in 1765 we are being subjugated by a dislocated government through a series of actions that are not warranted nor requested by the people. Actions that run afoul of the Constitutional Rights so many shed blood to provide and then protect. Thank God that we live in a country where with the pull of a lever we can change the course of our nation. That time my friends is coming in November. I don't know about you, but I love this country and I want it back.

Please tell me what right the government has to force any American to buy health care insurance. What right does the government have to confiscate my hard earned money only to hand it to someone else? Tell me what right does the government have to confiscate private property? Tell me what right does the government have to create uncalled for entitlements, entitlements that a plurality of Americans reject and then plot to tax all Americans to pay for such entitlements for generations!

The list goes on and on. At what point do Americans stand up and say NO MORE! The difference between 1765 and today is that we know without a doubt what our rights are and what limits are placed on our government; they are enumerated in our Constitution.

Some may ask where will we find those brave and inspirational leaders like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Samuel Adams, Ethan Allen, or John Hancock to lead the fight for freedom. Well I say look no further than to the closest mirror, to your wife, your husband, your kids, your parents, and your friends, for it is time for all Americans to stand united to change the tide. Our founding fathers made sure we had everything we need to keep our country on track. We just have to take the wheel.

Is Mitt Romney A True Reagan Republican?

2010-04-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

First let's look at what this Tea Partying Fair Taxing individual believes a Reagan Republican is in the first place.

In my opinion, a Reagan Republican should:

Have a no compromise passion for low taxes, preferably the Fair Tax.
Show a strong unwavering belief that we should maintain strong borders and that there should be no amnesty for people in our country illegally.
Be strong in our defense against Islamic Terrorism and not be afraid to say so.
Be able to articulate plans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government especially in the case of Health-Care, Energy, Education, and government ownership of private companies.
Believe in the sanctity of life.
Support the second amendment.
Believe that we should be an energy independent nation through drilling and refining our own oil.
Truly believe that and individuals rights are bestowed by God, not by other men.
Show through actions that they believe that the United Sates of America is the best nation on earth.
Last but not least, I believe that a Reagan Republican should hold these positions not because they are popular today, but because these are ideals they believe in their very core.

So the the question of whether or not Mitt Romney qualifies as a Reagan Republican. If you go back and look at Mitt Romney's career I believe that you will find an individual that has core conservative values, but also a man that will tweak his positions to curry political favor.

Sanctity of Life: Just go back and look at his various statements about abortion. When it favored him to say that he was pro choice, that is what he said, when it favored him to say that he was pro life, that is what he said.

Health-Care: Just look at what Mr. Romney did while Governor of Massachusetts; He played a key role in instituting an State Run Health Care program that serves as the basic model for Obama Care. Does this sound like someone that is for small non intrusive government?

Taxes: I do think that Mr. Romney believes that low taxes are the key to igniting our economy and that both taxes and spending should both be lowered. The sad thing here is that Mr. Romney does not get the Fair Tax. Not only does he not get it he believe that the current code should be manipulated to spur growth through letting companies depreciate capital improvements over one year. Big Whoop! Manipulating the tax code is how politicians keep their power over individuals.

Strong Borders: Mr. Romney says he believes in strong boarders and does not believe in amnesty, but he also has said that he does not believe that we should round up illegals and send them home. You decide.

Energy Independence: Mr. Romney supports drilling here and drilling now. He also believes that energy independence will come through alternate fuels.

Terrorism: I've read nothing that would make me think that Mr. Romney would be weak on Islamic Terrorism.

True Beliefs: How can anyone know what is in the heart of another? One can only go by the actions they see and the words they hear. I do believe that Mr. Romney has shown a propensity to change positions when he thought it would win him votes, just like 90% of all politicians do today.

My Conclusion: I surely don't see Mr. Romney as a RINO like Lindsay Graham or Olympia Snowe. Personally I see him as more of a middle of the road Republican. I just don't hear him say or have seen take actions that make me stand back and say "Man, that dude is a real Reagan Republican". Just don't. What about you?

Why Charlie Crist is Not A Reagan Republican

2010-04-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

The one hope that those on the political left and therefore the majority of those in the main stream media cling to in their desire to maintain Democratic Majorities in Congress after the 2010 mid term elections is that the Tea Party Movement will produce third party candidates that will dilute the conservative vote allowing Democrats to stay in power.

I for one believe that those that make up the Tea Party Movement and identify with a Conservatism defined by Ronald Reagan are pretty smart folks and would not support third party candidates running as some made up Tea Party Ticket. I believe that the very notion of putting personal pride or political gratification over what is good for our country is in direct conflict with the basic founding principles that created the Tea Party Movement in the first place. Which brings me to Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

The impact of the Tea Party Movement is obvious in the current Florida Senate Race between Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist. Mr. Rubio has opened up a 20 point lead in the Republican Primary race and it is obvious that Mr. Crist will not win the Republican Nomination for Senate in Florida. So what does Mr. Crist decide to do? Well, based on an April 15 Quinnipiac Poll that shows Mr. Crist winning the Senate Seat in a three way race as an independent, he seemingly has decided to do just that; run as an independent. This is a classic case of a politician putting their own personal pursuit of glory and power above what is good for the country.

If you believe as I do that the foundation of the Tea Party Movement and Reagan Republicanism are wrapped around a belief that serving one's country implies that one will put their country first and in doing so you as an individual will prosper from that decision along with the country, then one could conclude that Mr. Crists's position runs in direct conflict with Tea Party Movement principles and Reagan Republicanism, and is a perfect example of why conservatives in Florida have flocked to Marco Rubio over Charlie Crist. Sometimes it the man, not the politics.

I would like t say that I don't have a dog in this hunt and that this is Florida's business, but I nor anyone else that wants to see this country get back on the right track can take such a position. We all must rally around the effort to take back the Senate And House of Representatives in November. We must not let the vanity of any one individual stand in our way. We must make clear to all who will listen that we will not be swayed, that we are determined in our effort, and that we will put our country first knowing that if we do that, we will win.

Would Ronald Reagan Support The Fair Tax

2010-04-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said that federal taxes are too low.
I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said that the federal government is too small.
I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said that the federal government has too little to do with Americans everyday life.
I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said we should build debt today for our children to pay tomorrow.
I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said its OK for the federal government to spend without limit because all the government has to do is raise taxes.
I can not find one quote where Ronald Reagan said that the road to prosperity is paved with ever higher tax brackets.
What Ronald Reagan did say was that lower taxes are the key to prosperity, that limited government was important to keep taxes low, that the difference between our constitution and others was that in our Constitution, the powers of the government were enumerated and bestowed to the federal government by "We The People" versus other constitutions where the government grants freedoms to the people.

I guess that by this point you may be thinking OK, so what does any of this have to do with the Fair Tax and if Ronald Reagan would have been a supporter. Well, I would think that most folks that take the time to read this will have at least heard of the Fair Tax and perhaps know that the Fair Tax is a proposal to eliminate all federal withholding taxes, death taxes, medicare, medicade, social security, and capital gains taxes and replace that revenue with a national sales tax. If you would like more detail, just review my blog, I've detailed the Fair Tax and how it would impact our economy many times.

But back to the question at hand; Would Ronald Reagan Support the Fair Tax Today? I say that the answer to that question would be a resounding YES! Why? Because I would argue that Ronald Reagan believed that the power and wonder of our country resides in the individual, not the government that, the fuel that drives our economic engine is derived from the sweat equity of you and I, not a Nancy Pelosi or a Harry Reid.

So what does this have to do with the Fair Tax? Well, beyond the direct implications and impact on the economy of the Fair Tax, the indirect implications run parallel with what Ronald Reagan Stood for; a country where "We The People" have more power than "We In The Government".

Today, the federal government can tax and spend to their delight, they use the tax code as leverage to gain favor with one group and therefore by definition, punish another. Someone has to pay for those tax breaks. In a word, its corrupt. Even today, April 12, 2010 I heard Mitt Romney on the Factor talk about how he would use the tax code to create jobs. How? He would let companies write off capital improvements in one year rather than five. Folks, that's using the tax code to manipulate people and businesses. If there is no tax code, politicians can not manipulate taxes to curry favor. We the people are in charge, not We the government!

Pretty simple stuff here. If the tax code as we know it is eliminated along with the IRS, how could special interest groups direct tax policy? How could politicians continue to carry the big stick of taxation every day? I believe that Ronald Reagan would see the Fair Tax as not only a superior way to revive our nations economy, but one that restore the balance of power between "We The People" and "We In The Government"

In Which Country Do You Want To Live?

2010-04-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Obama Nation where social Justice, collectivism, and big government rule.

The Reagan Nation where individual liberty, capitalism, and small government rule?

In the Obama Nation the United States of America is a country that must apologize for it's faults, a country that must take from those that have to give to those that have not, there are fat cat wall street types, evil insurance companies, high unemployment, nationalized health care, cap and trade, nationalized auto companies, nationalized segments of the banking industry, out of control spending, higher and higher deficits for your children and grandchildren to bear, bigger and ever growing government reaching into every facet of your life.

In the Reagan Nation the United States of America is as Ronald Reagan said: "A Shining Beacon on a Hill" and "The Worlds Last Best Hope". A country that dare not apologize for it's faults, but be proud as a shining example what can happen when individual liberty is the first priority. A country where small government is the desire, where the individual can rise as high as their individual initiative will take them, a place where such achievement is not met with scorn, but with admiration. There is no nationalized health care, there is no redistribution of wealth, there is no out of control spending, there are no nationalized auto companies or banks. Taxes are kept low because we know we have a responsibility to pass the liberties and freedoms we grew up with and enjoyed to our children free and clear, not with a high interest mortgage.

I don't know about you but the choice seems pretty clear. I want to be FREE! I want to take back Ronald Reagan's vision of America. I want my daughter to know what our founding fathers vision of America was and that we are still living it today. Let the Europeans live Obama's dream, for it has no place in my America!

You Don't Know What You've Got Till Its Gone

2010-03-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

The more I read about Ronald Reagan, the more I realize that this was a man that understood how precious and singularly unique the United States of America is, or should be. He understood very well what we have and and the responsibility we as Americans share to keep liberties fought and died for, for our our children and their children.

With the events of the past week, I have to ask; are Americans today made of the "what have you done for me lately crowd", or are we smart enough not to let Paradise Be Paved Over for a parking lot? One has to wonder.

I had the opportunity to live in Boston for a few years back in the roaring 90's and found the history there utterly amazing. Everywhere you looked the history of our country was right in front of your eyes. If you have never spent a 4th of July in Boston, you have not experienced a true July 4th celebration.

In Boston, you can tour Old Iron Side, retrace the march from Lexington to Concord where the "Shot Heard Around The World" was fired, stand in the very spot where the Boston Tea Party, or Boston Massacre unfolded. Boston is truly the cradle of our country. Every American should take the time to visit Boston.

Like most places though, people that live there seem to take all the history around them for granted. I bet you would be amazed at how many people born and raised in Boston have never walked the red line tour and seen where Paul Revere lived, or toured Old Iron Side, or retraced the march from Lexington to Concord. Why, because they grew up with it and take it for granted. Just like you and I take for granted the very liberty our forefathers that fought and died for in Boston during the birth of our country.

The brave men and women of our countries founding fought against tyranny, for a liberty they knew was endowed by our creator. They gave their lives to create a country where the government answers to the people. Our founders framed a Constitution to put limits on government to protect the people from the inevitable abuse of power that stems from those in control of government. Obama Care is a direct assault to those principles.

Now is the time to stand up, look around, take inventory of all those precious liberties you may have taken for granted for your entire life. Not in an effort to mourn them when they are gone, but to protect them for yourself and those that you love. Obama Care should not serve as the end of our liberty , but rather, it should serve as the resurrection of those traits that make each one of us uniquely American. Some may call it pride, some may call it selfishness. I call it a sense of liberty and individualism that is bred into each and every one of us. It is what makes us uniquely American. I don't know about you but I am mad as hell and I am not going to take this lying down. I can only hope that each of you feel the same way.

We can protest, we can march, we can write letters, we can call into talk radio shows, or we can whine about what progressive liberals bestowed upon us this past weekend. All of that is fine. What we really must do is vote every single Democrat out of office in November and repeal the Obama Health Care Bill. The power is in our hands. We just have to use it. I don't know about you, but I kind of like the America I grew up in and I want it back!

It's The Vote That Counts

2010-03-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

Literally thousands of "Tea Parties" held all around the country, hundreds of thousands march on Washington DC, virtually every legitimate poll illustrated a plurality of Americans opposed Obama Care. This was a grass roots effort like never before, but to what avail?

Democrats in Washington DC. ignore their constituents and pass legislation that every American that holds our Constitutional liberties dear believe is a move that mere words can not describe.

So was this effort a gigantic waste of time? I don't think so and neither should you. There is no doubt that we will hear those that question the Tea Parties ability to stay focused until November, that the grass roots movement we witnessed in 2009 will lose intensity, that like the liberties swiped away with the passage of Obama Care, we will let ourselves be tread upon like Progressive Liberals tread upon the Constitution. If Tea Parties fade this summer without another gigantic march on Washington, we will be presumed D.O.A.

The only march that counts now is the march to the polls in November. If you want to coordinate a march, want to get folks riled up to take action, do it for the November Elections because it is the Vote That Counts.

There are 253 Democrats in the United States House Of Representatives, 219 voted for Obama Care. If you want to stage a protest that makes a difference, protest in November by voting every single Democrat that Voted for Obama Care out of office! There are 59 Democrats in the United States Senate, 18 are up for Election in November; replace every single one with a Republican! The right to protest through voting is one right Progressive Liberals have not taken away...yet. Make sure they don't.

Its my personal opinion is that the talking heads on TV and Radio continually underestimate the American People. All I heard on the Monday after Obama Care was passed was that repeal of the bill would be virtually impossible, that the best chance to override it would be through the courts. Why, because analysts don't believe we can take back enough seats in Congress to override a Presidential Veto. If the courts overrule Obama Care, great, if not don't give up. The power still resides with the people, we just have to use it in November.

What Now?

2010-03-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

Now that Democrats have actually passed the Health Care Takeover Bill; what do we do now? If this bill survives all the legal challenges it will surely receive, Clearly we have to repeal the bill!

Today there are 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans in the United States House of Representatives. Conservatives need a super majority of 290 members to overrule a Presidential Veto. So, we need a minimum net gain of 112 seats in the House in the 2010 elections to do what needs to be done. Actually all 217 Democrats that voted for this abomination of a bill should be voted out of office this November!

The Senate is a different story, there are 18 Republican and 18 Democratic Senators up for reelection in 2010, why not gain all 18 seats? Now that would only give Republicans 59 seats when we need 67 to override a Presidential Veto, but can you imagine the state of mind of Democrats if they lost in excess of 112 seats in the House and all 18 seats at risk in the Senate? I believe it would be much easier to convince 8 Senators to vote to repeal than the 219 Democrats in the House that voted for this unbelievable health care take over!

Americans must not let this bill stand!!!!

Why We Need A "Reagan Republican" For President

2010-03-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well, this is just one reason. Check out this Ronald Reagan Quote from October 27, 1964:

"Are you willing to spend time studying the issues, making yourself aware, and then conveying that information to family and friends? Will you resist the temptation to get a government handout for your community? Realize that the doctor's fight against socialized medicine is your fight. We can't socialize the doctors without socializing the patients. Recognize that government invasion of public power is eventually an assault upon your own business. If some among you fear taking a stand because you are afraid of reprisals from customers, clients, or even government, recognize that you are just feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last.”

In 1964 Ronald Reagan was able to articulate the dangers of Socialized Medicine much better than most can today. For those that believe health care insurance rates should be between the insured and the insurer, and that the government's involvement should be limited to and directed towards creating an environment where the laws of supply and demand coupled with a healthy dose of competition reign should look back and study Ronald Reagan.

Obama, Pelosi, Reid Are You Listening.

2010-03-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

"Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: 'We the people.' 'We the people' tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. 'We the people' are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do. 'We the people' are free. This belief has been the underlying basis for everything I've tried to do these past eight years".

Ronald Reagan.

Enough Said.

Join The Tax Revolt

2010-03-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to speak to you about something from the Internal
Revenue Code. It is the last sentence of section 509A of the code
and it reads: 'For purposes of paragraph 3, an organization described
in paragraph 2 shall be deemed to include an organization described
in section 501C-4, 5, or 6, which would be described in paragraph 2
if it were an organization described in section 501C-3.' And that's
just one sentence out of those fifty-seven feet of books.

Ronald Reagan.

President Ronald Reagan Got it, on so many levels, especially when it came to Taxes. He understood that taxes were governments way of retaining power over "We The People".

Neal Boortz and others are hosting an electronic "Tax Revolt Rally" where those that believe that it is high time for true tax reform can to to On Line Tax Revolt March For America choose an avatar and join the on line march to rally in Washington D.C. on April 15. You can check your progress daily. Last I checked there are about 101,000 people on board; are you?

I am a firm believer in the Fair Tax, but even if you would just like to see a reduction in taxes you should join the revolt.

Please take a few minutes and join the On Line Tax Revolt. We need millions of Americans to join, so saddle up today!

Health Care Summit: Should Republicans Attend?

2010-02-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

Duh! Cameras are going to be in the room! Asking Republicans not to attend would be like asking the President not to meet with the Dalai Lama in public and to have him escorted out of the White House through the back door by the trash! OOPS, let me rethink this for a minute.

Those on the left would say that Republicans should attend to show a bipartisan spirit and to avoid being looked at as the party of NO! You know, those obstructionist radical Republicans!
Those on the Right say that there is no problem being considered the party of NO, especially when one considers the policies the party of NO can stop by sticking together. I'm not sure what those in Scott Brown's camp would say (that is if he has any left).

What scares me here is that John McCain is on the Republican Senate Team slated to meet with the Prez and his cronies. Mr. reach across the isle himself' although Scott Brown looks like he is going to make a run at that title. I think Jim Demint, Mike Pence and Jim Boehner should lead any Republican meeting with Obama and they should keep their hands in their pockets to assure no reaching across the isle is in play.

What should Republicans do in this Summit Meeting? They should SAY NO through demonstrating that the solution to health care reform is founded in supporting the Free Market Capitalist approach they have outlined several times; not through instituting socialist policies . They should ask the President and his cronies which current government run program, or company they plan to pattern their government run health care system after to insure fiscal responsibility. The Post Office, Am Track, Freddie, Fannie, Social Security perhaps?

No pressure here, it's only the future of our country at stake. Look, the current conservative movement afoot in our country would love for the Republicans to continue to be considered the party of NO. NO to more spending, NO to Cap and Trade or any Global Warming Voodoo policies, NO to any new taxes or tax hikes, NO to granting terrorists Constitutional Rights, NO to weak borders, and absolutely NO to the Democrats health care take over!

As a matter of fact, when it comes to the President's policy agenda, a good tag line for Republicans in Congress should be: JUST SAY NO!

Tea Party Or Teetotaler?

2010-02-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

I like to read Neal Boortz "Nealz Nuze" every morning because I like the way he sees things, that and the fact he introduced me to the Fair Tax. This morning he mentioned that the Fair Tax had disappeared from the Contract From America Site managed by the Tea Party Movement.

The effort here is for folks to vote on the top ten items that should be in the Tea Party Contract From America. Well, in my humble opinion, if the Fair Tax is not part of the Tea Party Contract From America, then I believe such a contract should be called the TEETOTALER CONTRACT FROM AMERICA. What have Tea Party leaders done? Let themselves be co-opted by mainstream Republicans?

I firmly believe that Fair Tax supporters and activists were the fore-bearers of the Tea Party Movement. I mean, just take a look at then number of Fair Tax signs that show up at any Tea Party Event! How could the Tea Party not support the Fair Tax?

Let's take a look at what I believe are some of the basic principles of the Tea Party and how they relate to the Fair Tax and the impact the Fair Tax would have on our country.

Basic Principle 1.
I believe that by and large the people that make up the Tea Party movement believe that politicians pay more attention to special interests than the voting public, crave power and will do what ever is necessary to keep it. That politicians don't think they have to listen to us, so they don't. As a solution, I believe that Tea Party members want to support politicians that want to change that mind set and will go to Washington to be true to that belief.
Fair Tax Solution:
The Fair Tax does away with the current tax code and the IRS. Such an event begs these questions: How do politicians today retain power over you and I? Through the ability to reward one and punish another through the TAX CODE! Who persuades politicians to manipulate the tax code for personal, or group benefits? Special Interests! If you believe this to be true, then one could argue that political types that do not support the Fair Tax want to keep their power over you through the tax code, and those that do support the Fair Tax want to put power back in the hands of the people. What a great way to validate Tea Party Support for any Republican Candidate!

Basic Principle 2.
Politicians are spending us blind, they are building debt that our children and grandchildren will be paying off, if our economic system does not collapse first! Part of this issue I believe is that Tea Party supporters do not believe that government can create jobs or stimulate the economy through throwing our tax dollars against it. Rather it is the private sector that creates jobs and will do so when there is consumer demand and less uncertainty.
Fair Tax Solution:
The Fair Tax does away with federal income withholding taxes of all types. These dollars flow directly into each tax payers pockets each pay period, not through a one time stimulus. What to do with that raise? Go out and buy something? How do you pay off debt? Revenue. Taxes reduce revenue, lower taxes increase revenue, what would no payroll taxes do to revenue? Any politician that supports the Fair Tax must be a believer in Capitalism and understands that the private sector creates jobs and prosperity, not government. What a great way to validate Tea Party Support for any Republican Candidate.

To separate the Fair Tax solution from the Tea Party Movement is a bad idea. The Tea Party Movement should be the movement of Pam, Sally, Bob, and Sam not Gingrich, Romney, and Steele.

Health Care Reform; A Tea Party Activist View

2010-02-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

First, let me say that I am not a spokesman for the Tea Party Movement, but I am most definitely part of the Tea Party Grass Roots initiative, so I believe that I can frame a view from the Tea Party Perspective, and that is what I would like to do concerning the current health care bill and what Republican Congressional members should say when asked about the future of the current bill.

Over the last several days, I've seen multiple interviews on Fox News where a Democrat and Republican are asked their view as to if the current bill can be salvaged with Republican input. You know; "Can't we accomplish something to take to the American People if we just work together?"

For the Republican, I believe the answer should be easy; NO. Here are three simple talking points Republicans could use that I believe would embrace the Tea Party Movement View:

Any Reform to our current system must embrace our free market system and ensure less government intervention.
Any Reform to our current system must not create any new government agency, any new government jobs or incur cost.
Any Reform to our current system must include tort reform.

As to the first point, reform that embraces our free market system would encourage competition between carriers beyond state borders, would enable groups of small business, or similar groups to band together to pool risk to bring down plan costs.

As to the second point, the Republican stance should be that legislation should not create more government bureaucracy, rather it should eliminate it.

The last point should speak for itself. Now if Democrats want to reach across the isle and take the steps listed above, we should talk, if not Republicans should listen to their Tea Party Roots and say.......... Let's talk again in November.

Fair Tax Revisited

2010-01-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

Quite some time ago I wrote a post concerning the Fair Tax and how I thought it would aid in not only in rescuing the economy, but how I thought it would help to curb corruption in the halls of government. In that post I reviewed my understanding of the Fair Tax and just how it would rescue our economy. Imagine my surprise when I actually received a comment from someone named Dutchman 3 (Fair Tax Skeptic). He argued the following:

Using the 2007 data in the Kotlikoff/BHI study about what Fairtax rate would work, with retail sales of $9.5 trillion, businesses paid $291 billion in income taxes or 3% of sales; businesses paid $435 billion in FICA or 4.5% of sales; and businesses paid $265 billion in compliance costs or 2.5% of sales. Add them up and, if you agree that businesses can't save more than they paid in tax related costs, then businesses might reduce costs by 10%. Add the 30% sales tax to their costs and retail prices will rise by 17%. (1.00 x .9 x 1.30 = 1.17). Simple math. And, please note that retail merchants have to add 30%, not 23%, to their costs in order to arrive at a 23% inclusive price.

In a nutshell, Dutchman 3 argues against the Fair Tax folks, who claim that on average 23% of the retail selling price of goods and services is made up of direct and indirect tax costs. Dutchman 3 asserts that at most, 10% of any particular retail could be saved through implementing the Fair Tax and that the Fair Tax is actually 30%, not 23%. Obviously Dutchman 3 is very articulate in his criticism and utilizes Fair Tax research in his critique. I've given Dutchman 3's rebuke of the Fair Tax quite a bit of thought and after some time came back to consider his argument.

In this response, I won't argue with Dutchman 3's numbers, rather I will use them to demonstrate that even when one considers that 10% of the average retail today is due to tax burdens rather than the 23% the Fair Tax uses, that the Fair Tax is still the way to go.

So, let's consider a product today that retails today for $100.00 and the gross margin associated with that item is 30% or $30.00, and therefore the cost of that product is $70.00. Per Dutchman 3, the tax burden of that $100.00 retail is $10.00, not $23.00 as the Fair Tax would suggest.

Well then, let's implement the Dutchman 3's Fair Tax savings of $10.00 and see what happens. Rather than a cost of 70.00, the new cost to the retailer is $60.00 ($70.00 - $10.00 tax savings = $60.00 post Fair Tax Cost). Now let's mark that $60.00 item up to generate a 30% gross profit as before. ($60.00/.70 = $85.71 retail), add the 23% Fair Tax ($85.71 + 23% Fair Tax = $85.71 + $19.71= a total Fair Tax retail of $105.43). The new retail is only 5.43% higher than the original retail of $100.00 and that is using Dutchman 3's tax savings of 10%.

Now I don't know about you, but if I could tell someone making Sixty Grand today that they would take home approximately $300.00 more per week ($1,200 more per month) with the Fair Tax; a 39% increase in take home pay given a 28% tax bracket, but that they may have to pay $105.00 for something that costs $100.00 today; do you think they would think that a good deal? Oh and that is only if that item is new, if it is used, there is no tax.

No matter how you slice it, I think the Fair Tax is the way to go.

Tone Deaf?

2010-01-27T13:49:00.000-08:00

I just received my latest letter from the NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) urgently asking for donation for the 2010 elections. Thing is; I don't know that they deserve it.

I watched Fox News with Chris Wallace this past Sunday as he interviewed the Chairman of the NRSC, John Cornyn. In this interview Chris Wallace asked some general questions about the Tea Party Movement and noted that it seemed that members of the Tea Party were not just dismayed with Democrats, but with Republicans as well, and he asked Senator Cornyn what the Senator thought of that.

Senator Cornyn's answer was predictable; he thought that the Republicans should listen to what those that make up the Tea Party movement have to say. Well to that I say just when is that going to happen? When are Republicans in power actually going to stand up and demonstrate with deeds, and not just words that they "get it" because I don't think that they really do just yet.

Just go to the NRSC's website www.nrsc.org and see for yourself. It's pretty easy to see who they support by state. Click on Illinois and you see a picture and bio of Mark Kirk, the same Mark Kirk that voted for both Cap and Trade and the Stimulus as a Congressman. There is no mention of Patrick Hughes; he seems to be against both of those pieces of legislation. Click on the state of Florida and you see Charlie Crist, the same Charlie Crist that was for the stimulus and traveled the state with Mr. Obama in support of that legislation. There is no mention of Mark Rubio, the same Mark Rubio that has Tea Party Movement Support in Florida.

Senator Cornyn said that each state should let their primaries play out to get the best Republican for office. If that is the case, why is it that neither Patrick Huges nor Mark Rubio are mentioned on the NRSC site? I see this as further evidence that Republican leaders truly don't get it yet. If the NRSC is not going to vet candidates to gauge their views properly, you can rest assured that the those in the Tea Party movement will.

Until I see true Republican Support of true conservatives, the NRSC will not see one dime of my money.

The Government and Job Creation

2009-11-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

After the Earthquake that was the Massachusetts election that put Scott Brown in office we hear that the Democratic Congress and President Obama are going to focus on Creating Jobs.

President Obama continues to think that spending your tax dollars and mine on silly stimulus programs will create jobs. Let's all say this really loud: The Federal Government Does Not Create Jobs; The Private Sector Does!
President Obama, get a hint here:

Private businesses create jobs, especially small businesses.
Private businesses flourish when government intervention is lessened, not increased.
Private businesses fuel the economy when they are taxed less, not when they are taxed more.
Private businesses create jobs when their customer base is broad and deep.
Customer bases are increased when consumers of goods created by private businesses have cash in their pockets. Usually from higher pay, less taxes, and employment by a business that can afford to pay them.
Customer bases that are broad and deep create cash flow for business when those customers have an ongoing supply of cash to spend, not from some one time stimulus that is here today and gone tomorrow.
JOBS are created when all the above are satisfied.

President Obama, Cutting Taxes on business and individuals alike is GOOD! Raising Taxes on businesses and individuals regardless of income is BAD!

This is really pretty simple stuff. One would think that an individual that is smart enough to dupe close to half of the electorate in a presidential race would be smart enough to understand what really fuels an economy; DEMAND FROM PEOPLE WITH A CONSTANT INFLOW OF CASH! It's called disposable income. When the government plans to tax disposable income and then some, demand for goods stalls, jobs are lost, and the economy suffers.

So President Obama, what is so hard about that? Here is what you need to do and its pretty simple stuff; at least it would be for one with a Reagan Republican View of the Economy.

Reinvest the balance of the first TARP into immediate payroll tax cuts. In other words, give it back to the tax payers.
Initiate The Fair Tax for 2011 launch.
Walk away from Cap and Trade, Socialized Medicine, and all other Socialist items on your agenda.

Problem is that President Obama is such a left wing ideologue that he won't do these things. I guess twenty years of listing to Reverend Jeremiah Wright, cavorting with William Ayers, working with ACORN, the the SEIU, and studying the works of Saul Alinsky is a bit much to overcome.

A Coservatives Fantasy Press Conference.

2009-10-06T12:01:00.001-07:00

I received a "Republican Senate Leadership Survey" today in the mail urging me to fill out the questions in a timely manner and return the information ASAP. Oh yeah, there was also the usual request for a donation. I filled it out, but I also added "additional comments" that you will see below. Towards the end I thought that there is a great opportunity here for a great press conference for conservative Republicans to take the lead in the true issues that face our country today. Here is my commentary:

Republican Senate Leadership Survey Additional Comments

I can’t speak for every conservative, but I know what I see, and I know what I feel. Our country is at a crossroads. We can either be lead down the path to some Marxist/Fascist type of government, or we can stand and fight. I choose to fight. We are not Guatemala, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Our ancestors fought for a liberty and freedom that we as American’s hold dear. We believe in individual liberty, not a collective authority overriding our individual rights. Government will impose its will on us only so far.

We were all born of liberty; it is who and what we are. I believe the people of our nation will do whatever is necessary to keep it.

Our government is not supposed to own banks, insurance companies, or auto makers. Our government is not supposed to manage our health insurance or health care, and our government should not be populated with corrupt officials working to curry favor with whoever is able to help keep them in power. Our government is supposed to be “Of The People And By The People”.

I expect our government to preserve and protect the constitution of the United States. Not treat is as some aged document that does not speak to the complex world we live in today. I would say that we live in a world not so much different than that of 1776, a world with tyrannical leaders, a world with governments that would impose its will and authority on its people without fair representation. What is so different in that world from the world we live in today? Perhaps it is the character and intellect of our founding fathers; men who lived under tyranny and were willing to do what was necessary to end it, and create a model government for the entire world to see. Men who knew once established how fragile such a government would be.

I would argue that over the last 50 years our country has known one great leader, a leader that understood the role of government as defined by the constitution, and more to the point the foundation of rules our founding fathers put in place to keep the American Idea strong. That leader was Ronald Reagan. You ask in your survey if I believe voters have turned away from the principles and ideals of the “Reagan Revolution”. I say no, it’s not the voters that have turned away from those ideals it is our Republican leadership in Congress!

The blueprint is right there in front of you. You don’t need surveys and you don’t need to continue to ask for my money to develop some type of strategy to regain the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives. All you need do is listen to Ronald Reagan and follow his lead. If you follow that lead, support will take care of itself.

I ask where is the Republican united front in Congress against a government takeover of the health care system in the United States? Where is the united front in calling such a grab by the government what it is; Socialism? Where is the united front against government take over of private business? Where is the united front against a tax system that is unfair and unjust? Where is the united front against weak boarders? Where is the united front against a weak foreign policy? Where is the united front against such fallacies as Global Warming used to fuel more government power and increased energy costs? Where is the united stand against our government creating crises in order to gain more power over the people? Where is the outrage? Where is the united front in the Republican Party?

If our Republican Party will just do what is necessary to take care of today in accordance with the ideas that built our country, tomorrow’s support will take care of itself.

Let’s take this a step further and consider if you will this conservatives fantasy press conference.

Imagine if you will, a majority of Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives coming together as one to declare the following:

“We gather here today to declare that Health Care Coverage, Global Warming, Bailing out companies so called too large to fail or any other manufactured crises do not define the true dangers or “crisis’s” our Republic faces today. Rather, the crisis we must stand together and fight is a Federal Government spiraling out of control, a Federal Government marching away from our Republics foundation of individual liberty and freedom towards some form of government of collectivism where the people become dependent on the government for everyday needs.

Today we stand together to say no! Today we say no to any legislation designed to transfer power from the people to the government. Today we say no to the premise that government knows best how to manage ones health care. Today we say no to the faulty ideal that the government creates jobs. Today we say no to any government initiative that undermines who we are as Americans, or the truths we hold dear that make the American Dream a reality.

Today we say that the government can not solve any shortcomings in our health care system, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that the federal government can not create jobs; green or any other color, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that the federal government can not create demand for any certain type of vehicle, or product, that demand comes from the people when the private sector creates goods that the people desire regardless of what the government thinks. Today we say that increasing taxes will not increase revenue, only lower taxes and increased productivity generated by the private sector will increase revenue when allowed to do so. Today, we say that the government can not solve our energy crisis, only the private sector can when given the opportunity to do so. Today we say that Ronald Reagan was right when he said that “Government Can Not Solve Our Problems, Government Is The Problem””

With this introduction the group would introduce the following:

A “Health care Cost Solution Bill” of about FIVE pages outlining Five simple steps to curb health care costs. Simple steps that allow the private sector to work.

Portability of Insurance
Tort Reform
Expansion of HSA accounts
Ability to buy insurance across state lines.
Tax reform to allow individuals to deduct insurance premiums from taxes.

An “Energy Independence Bill” of no more than TEN Pages.

Tax deductions for corporations investing in new exploration
Repeal of restrictions as to allow for the exploration of oil on the continental shelf and shale wherever found in the U.S. along with tax breaks for solutions to extracting shale oil in an efficient manner.
Opening up Anwr
Repeal of restrictions and creation of incentives to build more refineries in the U.S.

An announcement repealing or at least relaxing the latest C.A.F.E. standards.
Announcing United Support of the Fair Tax

Proposal of a Simple “Immigration Bill” that requires:

Establishing a worker permit program where such permits are dispensed only in the individual’s country of origin after a background search. Such a card would act as a biometric identity card that serves to collect taxes/process support fees, and trace to the whereabouts of alien workers.

Establishes a fixed time period of use, and a finite number of renewals.

Explicitly defines no child born of alien workers in the United States is a U.S. Citizen and there is no fast track process for U.S. Citizenship with the alien worker card.

At the end of the alien workers renewals, the individual must have completed the process to become a U.S. Citizen or loose worker rights.

Pretty simple stuff, but what a great press conference that would be!

An Unintended Sunday School Lesson

2009-10-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

This Past Sunday Morning we had a missions day at church where representatives of various missions our church is involved with discussed their needs and purpose.

The first group we listened to represented a group with missions in Guatamamla. The young man leading the discussion had grown up as a missionary's son and had taken on his fathers charge. He said that one of the major obstacles in bringing the Lords word to Guatamala was the fact that a communist dictator had taken over the country and this change was making their work much more difficult that in past years.

Someone from the group asked what aspect of the imposition of communism had made their mission more difficult. His answer was like a revelation and in so many ways brought clarity to what is happening in our country today. He said that with communism the government worked to keep the people down that the government did not want their people to have access to anything that gave them power, that the governments goal was to create an environment where the people of the country would be dependent on the government for everything.

Everyone in the room had the same reaction as I, you could see it, feel it, and sense it, eyes raised, with expressions of wait a minute, that's what is going on right here in our own country! One guy even mumbled under his breath: "you mean like Obama". That really stuck with me. We all sense what is happening to our country, you just have to hope that the people of this great country will not be led easily down such a path.

It's time to wake up AMERICA!

The Army Is Ready; Where Are The Generals?

2009-09-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

While taking my daily walk listening to Rush Limbaugh I found myself wanting to cheer on a caller who was extraordinary in her ability to express the outrage everyday ordinary Americans are feeling towards the dunderheads in Congress. As a mother of seven she articulated with great passion her desire to get our country back in order to save it for her kids. As a father myself, I understand exactly how she feels. She was almost begging for direction, searching for the appropriate steps to take to be heard.

Somewhere in the conversation between Rush and this caller the point was made that there is an army of like minded people ready and willing to take the fight to those who would tear down this Republic, who would shred the Constitution to gain power, we just need leaders in the Republican party to get a hint and stand up and join in the outrage. How blind must the Republican leadership in Congress be to simply overlook the opportunity at hand?

Just yesterday I watched coverage of the Senate committee vote on a public option to health care and was amazed at how politically correct and measured every utterance is from Republicans concerning this debate. When will Republican leadership stand up and say what needs to be said? Charles Grassley rebuked the public option amendment by saying something to effect that it was a path to government take over of health care. Really? What a shock.

When will Republican leadership in Congress stand up and ask their Democratic counterparts these very simple questions:

At what point did the Democratic majority determine the American People should trade Capitalism for Socialism.
At what point did the Democrati majority determine the American people should trade away our individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution for some Marxist, Fascist collectivism.
At what point did the Democratic majority determine the American People should trade away our common sense for some far left belief that a government run institution of any type not reliant on profits to flourish, rather subsidies from tax payers will bring competition and "fairness: to the health care industry much less any other industry. I mean, do they really think we are stupid? Will some Republican leader please stand up and ask that one simple question?

Beyond these questions, when will Republicans insist on free market remedies to health care costs? When will Republicans insist taxes be lowered, when will Republicans insist that all bills are read before being voted on, when will Republicans insist all bills pass muster with the Constitution before being voted on, and when will Republicans in Congress stand as one with the majority of the American People and say NO MORE!

Special Treatment Must Go!

2009-09-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a perfect example of why we need the Fair Tax and how politicians use their power over your tax dollars to reward one group of tax payers at the expense of another. This specific example has to do with the Health Care Bill. Wake Up People! Personally, I don't care if the politician is Democrat, Republican, Or Independent; using the tax code or earmarks to curry favor is the basis of all CORRUPTION in our government today that must stop! Check out this article by of all news papers the New York Times.

Whomever the Politicians are, no matter the party, if they take part in these type of actions, their constituents must take the appropriate action and vote new blood into office.

You don't have to wait for the next election to take action. Contact your Congressman and Senators today about the Fair Tax. If they are not currently a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax, ask them why. Is it because they want to keep their power over you and your tax dollars, or are they just ignorant when it comes to the Fair Tax and the positive impact it will have on our economy, or both?

The Fair Tax: A Bold Idea For Bold Times

2009-09-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Republicans that value and demonstrate conservative ideals stand before a huge opportunity to gain control of Congress in 2010. All they have to do is get back to their conservative roots, challenge the status-quo, and support reform targeted to end corruption in Washington D.C.

I know that is a tall order, but one that is more than past due. The more the American people are exposed to ACORN, the SEIU, the Apollo Alliance, Health Care Reform, Cap and Trade, the unsustainable spending going on in our Capitol, how they may all be tied together, the corruption, and potential corruption within each, the more their eyes are opened. What better time than now to support a bold idea that will cut the heart from the rot that infests Washington today. The Fair Tax is such a Bold Idea.

I felt this would be a good place to insert a quote on corruption by by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, or Benjamin Franklin, but then I came across The following quote by John F. Kennedy:

"Communism has never come to power in a country that was not disrupted by war or corruption, or both".

How prophetic is that? So there you go, a fair and balanced approach through using the quote of a Democrat. But back to the point; ending corruption, or at least cutting off the life blood that feeds corruption. First, one has to ask what feeds corruption in Washington? Power? Money? Both? My answer would be Power over Money.

Today our government has the power to tax one individual at the expense of another or to relieve the tax burden of one group at the expense of another. Our government should not possess such power over the people. Is it not the responsibility of government to treat all citizens the same? How is it that the government can wield such power? I would suggest that it is through the Federal Tax Code. The Federal Income Tax Code gives our government power over the people it should not possess.

I am not advocating that the people of our country pay no taxes, only that we all pay our fair share through the Fair Tax. I hear talk all the time of a Flat Tax, but that simply will not do. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 was in essence an attempt to consolidate some 15 levels of tax into 4, or a Flat-er Tax. However, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 has been amended literally thousands of times. Why you might ask? Because special interest groups influence politicians to reward their groups through the Tax Code. Not all of these changes are malicious, but they can all lead to corruption. It is a simple fact that each and every one enable politicians to curry favor through the expense of tax payers like you and I.

A Flat Tax keeps politicians in charge of the tax code and therefore your income. The Fair Tax puts people in charge by eliminating special interest groups influence on politicians and politicians ability to change the tax code.

I have written about the Fair Tax many times, so check out what I've already written. I encourage everyone to go to www.fairtax.org read about the Fair Tax and educate yourself on how the Fair Tax works. Simply said, through eliminating the 16th amendment, the Fair Tax does away with all Federal income withholding taxes. (Social Security Withholding, Medicare, And Federal Withholding). For individuals and Corporations alike and replaces those taxes with a 23% national sales tax on all new products.

Four Things I Learned From MR. Obama's Health Care Oration.

2009-09-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

Let's see, I didn't take notes and I'm sure that I blacked out at some point during anointed one's speech, but I do recall a few points.

Mr. Obama believes that one of the reasons health insurance premiums are so high is because of excessive overhead and PROFITS generated by those insidious insurance companies. What is Mr. Obama's fix for that? Well by gosh, they should compete with a government run NOT FOR PROFIT health insurance provider. You betcha, that will teach those evil insurance companies how to be efficient. Give me a break.
Mr. Obama believes in competition. He said so. He points out that in far too many states there are too few insurance companies to provide real competition. He believes the way to fix that is to install a a single government run health insurance provider to allow choice. But Mr. Obama is not for allowing the American people to buy health insurance across state lines! No way sir, he will not do that because it would instill real competition to bring down costs without increasing the reach of the Federal Government. Give Me a Break.
Mr. Obama believes the Federal Government which means you and I, your wife, your brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, kids, and grand-kids can pay for insuring some 30 million people through eliminating waste in medicare and medicade. He actually believes that this can be done without increasing the debt. What? How? Like instilling the efficiency of the Post Office, or Am Track, or GM, or Chrysler, or Freddie and Fannie into his new health care take over government agency? Give me a break.
Mr. Obama really believes that WE THE PEOPLE are stupid. Well I have news for Mr. Obama; Stupid resides on the other side of the teleprompter.

Health Care Taker Over, Or Health Care Reform?

2009-09-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Personally I would prefer reform of our current system to allow true competition between both insurance companies and doctors. In other words let's put the free market to work along with tort reform to bring down costs for health care and health care insurance. We do not need to allow the big finger of government to impact the cost of health care anymore than it does today.

Because of current Government intervention we should all ask ourselves along with our Senators and Congressmen these simple questions:

Why is it that I can only buy insurance from companies operating in the state I live in?
Why don't doctors post their basic costs for basic services like a physical exam, or blood test, or to sew up a cut that requires 10 stitches or so?
Why can't one have a health savings account that grows like an IRA for medical needs in later years of life in addition to regular insurance if one so chooses?

These are thee very simple questions, but questions that must be answered. Do you really think that insurance companies choose not to sell their products outside the states they operate in, or do you believe there must be some federal or state regulation that keeps them from doing so? Have you ever looked at your insurance summary after a doctor visit where the doctor may charge $200.00 for a procedure but the insurance company only covered $105.00 plus your co-pay and wondered what that procedure is really worth? Do you believe that because insurance companies operate only in the states they are based in that they can dictate what they pay doctors? Do you believe that if we operated a true free market system with health care providers that they would not advertise or promote costs for basic straight forward procedures?

In most every case here, some form of government regulation has impeded the free market system and the rule of unintended (well, perhaps they are unintended) consequences comes into play. We do not need more government intervention, we need less!

All this talk of a single payer system is quite frankly; Stupid. In my opinion, anyone that thinks a single payer (the government public option) will bring down costs by forcing private companies to abide by the same rules and the government option is either naive, completely uneducated in economics, a fascist, or all of the above.

Let me ask this simple question: Has anyone out there ever made a choice to shop at Wal Mart before Wal Mart became a convenience? Probably so, and probably because they offered lower prices than their competitors. Pretty good reason. What if Wal Mart was never allowed to operate beyond the state lines of Arkansas, would they ever have had the same impact on the marketplace as today? Or think about this.; if Wal Mart had no competitors, in other words, there was only one option for your shopping pleasure; would their prices be as low as they are today? Would they respond to any of your product requests? Would their check out service be worse or better than it is today? Do you think they would worry about keeping the shelves stocked, or the floors clean?

What about suppliers? Would there be any incentive to come up with as many new items if they could sell to only one distribution channel and that channel could dictate how much they would pay? Would there be an incentive to improve on the items produced today? What if the only option available to sell goods to could dictate what the profit structure of the supplier should be? What would that picture look like? Well, if you have not figure it out, I will tell you. It would look just like our health care system with a government take over.

Look, Wal Mart has achieved what it has because of our free market system; more power to them. But consumers can also thank our free market system for our shopping OPTIONS. We can still choose to shop at Whole Foods, Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger, or any number of other supermarkets because we do have a choice, we have OPTIONS. And its because of our Free Market System that we have those choices, not in spite of it. Not only that, our free market system keeps each of those competitors on their toes!

We do not need a government take over of our health care. We need government to allow the free market to work in our heath care industry just like it does in retail or any other segment of our economy.

Communicate With Your Elected Officials NOW!

2009-09-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thank Goodness for Conservative Talk Show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, and Neil Boortz among others. One has to wonder what has happened to our country when those that are the most articulate in defining conservative values are not our elected officials, but Radio and Television Talk Show Hosts.

Even with their voices shouting in unison as to what lay in wait if Mr. Obama were to be elected as President of our United States; the majority of the electorate chose not to listen to the warnings. Now we find ourselves in the fight of our lives to preserve and protect a way of life that our Founding Fathers fought for and thought they had guaranteed through the Constitution of The United States. We the people must make our voices heard, we must stand against tyranny and any move to turn our country into a Socialist State.

Over the last few weeks, Glen Beck has exposed Van Jones, Mr. Obama's Green Jobs adviser, as an avowed Communist, and Mr. William Lloyd, Mr. Obama's Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC as a sympathizer to Chavez and his takeover of privately held radio stations. These are people that advise the President. What does that say about Mr. Obama's intentions? Beyond that, why is it only talk show hosts like Glen Beck and Sean Hannity exposing these people for what and who they are? Where is the rest of the press? Where are your elected officials? Why aren't they speaking out?

You will find below communications that I recently sent to Senator's Shelby and Sessions, and Congressman Bachus, plus an email I just sent to the Minority Leader of the House asking him to take action with regard to Mr. Jones, and Mr. Lloyd. I urge you to do the same.

Letter to my Senators and Congressman:

Sir, I would like to bring to your attention if you are not already aware of two of President Obama’s Radical Advisers/Czars and then, ask what your office plans to do to expose these individuals for what they are.

First:

Mark Lloyd, Mr. Obama’s Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC. I actually saw a video of this person praising Caesar Chavez’s take over of the private radio industry in Venezuela! I then heard his plan to utilize localism, diversity, and some crazy scheme to tax private companies 100% of their operating costs and fork those taxes over to the FCC to support Public radio. If you are not aware of this individual and his radical agenda, you should do what you need to educate yourself and make a public statement as to what you plan to do to expose the impact such a person may have on our freedom of speech.

Second: Van Jones, Mr. Obama’s Green Jobs Advisor. This man is a self expressed radical Communist internal government community organizer. What is this man doing advising the President of The United States?

I urge you to do find out for yourself the radical nature of these two individuals and make public your plans to expose these people for who they are. I would think the people of Alabama, should expect no less. I would think that after your office does its job, there should be public questions to the President as to if he agrees with the views of his advisers, and if not why he appointed them.

Finally I would ask that your response to my inquiry be specific and not the typical political non answer. This Country needs our representatives in congress to start standing up and protecting our Constitutional rights!

Here is the letter just recently sent to Congressman Boehner:

I regularly receive your GOP Leader Alerts and they are great. However; along with the threats to our way of life that the Democrats proposed government takeover of our health care would impose are the political views of key Obama advisers like Van Jones, MR. Obama's Green Jobs Adviser, and William Lloyd, The Chief Diversity Officer for the FCC. Mr Jones is an avowed Communist and regularly voices his views, while Mr. Lloyd praises the Chavez takeover of private radio in Venezuela. I've written both of my Senators, Sessions and Shelby, along with my Congressman Spencer Bachus urging them to take their oath to protect the Constitution seriously and speak up on this matter. I urge you to do the same and protect Conservative Republican Values with the same passion the Progressive, Socialist, Communist, and Marxists in Mr. Obama's administration are pursuing their "change". We the people need you to use you Bully Pulpit to speak up and challenge the direction Mr. Obama and his ilk are trying to take this nation!

It's time we speak up!

The Real Issue With "Cash For Clunkers"

2009-08-22T17:42:00.000-07:00

Every retailer has promotions to increase sales; even those that go to market with an every day low price approach. Typically though, these retailers utilize their own funds, or promotional funds provided by their suppliers to pay for their markdowns. Most Sunday newspapers are full of ads designed to generate foot traffic and sales. But at what point did it become fashionable for the U.S. Government to use my tax dollars and yours as promotional funds to stimulate one segment of our economy? Especially when one considers that the Government owns two thirds of the segment they chose to stimulate?

Just another example of a government out of control. One has to wonder if GM and Chrysler will be able to operate under the same profitability program as Am Track and the Post Office? Will they be allowed to continue to operate at a cash flow deficit funded by tax payer dollars? Will the Car Czar continue to create promotions for the auto industry funded by tax payer dollars? Will the next promotion be limited to GM and Chrysler products?

The American people should demand that our Government exit all industry in which they have involvement at once, beginning with Chrysler and GM. Directly followed by the banking industry, followed by AM Track, followed by any involvement in the mortgage lending business, and never be allowed to have involvement in health care.

Proud To Be An American

2009-08-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Events of the last few weeks have reinforced my belief that the United States Of America is the most spectacular country ever to grace our planet. I've long held that at some point the American people would rise up and have their voices heard, that the people of this country would reach a tipping point where their emotions would bubble over to a level that would force the attention of the main stream media and elitist politicians.

It has taken some doing but the idiocy of Obama Care has brought a new life to town hall meetings across the country. The American People are not only speaking their minds on Obama Care, but against the lunacy of our politicians out of control spending. I'm proud to live in a country where the people can speak up to have their voices heard to the highest level in government. I don't know that the liberal left politicians are listening, but there is no doubt they hear us.

What Democrat loons in Congress fail to appreciate is how informed the American People are. More informed in fact than the politicians themselves trying to shove socialism down our collective throats; one individual at a time.

I believe this is what most Americans are wondering:

What Constitutional authority does the Federal Government have to impose government run health care on the citizens of this country?
Why should the Federal Government have anything at all to do with an individuals health insurance or health care decisions?
At what point did Democrats determine that the Federal Government could run health insurance for every American better than they run the Post Office, Am Track, Social Security, Medi Care, General Motors, Chrysler, Fanny Mae, Freddy Mac, or a simple cash for clunkers program?
At what point did Democrats determine a single payer "option" run by the government would actually increase competition between the government an private industry thereby forcing costs down? Hello, if you don't have to make a profit to stay afloat, why is there reason to reduce costs or increase efficiencies? And oh by the way, since when was it possible for a for profit private or public business to compete with a government business that can stay in business with a horrible balance sheet and negative cash flow and expect to stay in business!
At what point the Democrats determine that a stimulus package that puts no money in the hands of working Americans, but rather to those that don't work, or to special interests would actually stimulate the economy?

I could go on, but there is no reason as Democrats in Congress don't understand or rather don't believe in the principles of competition, individual liberties, and small government that built the foundation of our magnificent Republic. No, Democrats believe in a nanny state where the people are beholden to the government, where the people look to the government for everyday needs like health insurance, wale-fare checks, housing, education, establishing pay rates, food stamps, and cash for clunkers.

I'm often amazed at how conservatives are painted by the left as greedy penny pinching misers bent on keeping the little guy down and paying homage to big business and the rich bringing home fat paychecks. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the liberals that look to keep the little guy down by bringing everyone down. It is the Liberal that wants to control the individual and treat him or her like a pet that can't think for itself, while the Conservative looks to liberate the individual. It is the Liberal that wants the state to control every aspect of every individuals life and force them into groups, while the Conservative looks to smaller government to let individuals make their own decisions through their own intellect and initiative. It is the Liberal that is Close Minded while the Conservative is Open Minded.

Now is not the time to let up pressure on Congress. Now is the time to keep the pressure on!

What Senate Republicans Need To Do NOW!

2009-08-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

Last week I received a survey from the National Republican Senatorial Committee asking my opinion on several issues our country faces today. Not only did they want me to return the survey, (with a small donation to help offset the cost of the survey) the letter indicated that I was chosen to represent the opinion of Republicans in my voting area; yeah, right.

What struck me about the survey is that very much like the surveys and letters I continually receive from the Republican National Committee, it is obvious that Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words an phrases like Socialism, Islamic Fascism, Government takeover of health care, strong borders, etc. What is not evident is what the heck they plan to do about the issues they raise. I mean, where is the Republican plan designed to reduce health care and insurance costs through encouraging competition and appropriate deregulation? A plan that embraces the individual and capitalism, not collectivism and and socialism.

I gladly filled out the survey and attached a few documents for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to think through. I also sent same to my Senators; Shelby and Sessions. If you like what you read, I encourage you to do the same. Here is a copy of the letter I sent along with my survey:

First, let me say that I appreciate your survey, however; I do have some comments to add to your questions.
I have to say that in my opinion, the Senate has a far larger percent of center to left leaning Republicans than does the House of Representatives. Just see our last Republican nominee for President.
Talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh do a much better job of articulating the conservative point of view than the vast majority of our so called conservative Senators. Why is that?
Republicans in the Senate must stop trying to compromise with liberal democrats on issues like socialized health care.
Republicans in the Senate must stand fast to protect our culture and not give in to buying votes from illegal aliens.
The Republican Party leadership in the Senate must offer fresh, bold ideas to get our country back on track; ideas that adhere to the principles that made our country the strongest, most efficient country on the Planet.
Ideas that support and celebrate the individual rather than the Federal Government.
Ideas that draw a sharp contrast to the Obama administration and liberal Democrats move to Socialism.
Ideas that Conservatives and Moderate Democrats embrace as true to our countries heritage.
Now is the time for Republicans to be the Party Of Contrast.
Perhaps I’m too simple here, but a comprehensive plan that first includes the FAIR TAX to rescue the economy, through putting more money and power in the hands of Americans and less in the hands of special interests and politicians is indeed a bold fresh idea.
Such a step would demonstrate Republicans willingness to take the big stick away from politicians and place it firmly in the hands of the people.
It would also make the United States the most tax friendly country on the planet for Corporations and individuals alike.
However, the fact that the Republican Party, Senate Republicans, and House Republicans are not currently rallying around and promoting the Fair Tax is an indicator that they do not want to give power back to the people, obviously they would rather use the tax code to curry favor with special interests and maintain the upper hand through the tax code.
The Second Bold Step should be a Comprehensive Plan For Health Care Insurance predicated on Capitalism, not Socialism.
A plan that asks: Why should the government have any involvement at any level with an individual’s health care or health care insurance? Why does the federal government restrict competition between Doctors and and competition between Insurance companies? Why does the state dictate the coverage in my policy? Why does my health insurance policy need to be tied to my employer? Why can’t I shop insurance health insurance in states other than the one I live in? Why can’t I create a co-op of people that live in my neighborhood for insurance? Why can’t I make my health insurance portable? Fix these issues and you just might have an alternative to government take over of health insurance.
Finally, I have to say that I get a lot of email and letters from the RNC and such yapping all the time with surveys just like the one I received from your group. Unfortunately that seems to be as far as it goes. No doubt the Republicans in Congress know all the buzz words, like lower taxes, strong borders, Islamic fascism, and the such, but where are the ideas?

I’m also including in my response a letter I received via email written my an anonymous individual, I only wish I could articulate my thoughts as well as this person has.

Ray England

The letter is rather long, but I will post it to this Blog. I don't know who wrote it, but it is a fabulous letter that really articulates the where Americans are today with their Federal Government.

If you are of the same mind as I, please feel free to send these points along to your friends, and if you like, go ahead and send a copy to your Congressman and Senator. It's high time that we insist they work for the people and act like the leaders they are supposed to be. If there ever was a time for true conservative ideas that made our country the greatest place on the planet to take the forefront; it is now.

Ray England.

Adopt The Fair Tax Today

2009-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

I actually wrote this post some time ago on another blog, but as I read it there is no doubt that the content is more than appropriate for our countries current state of affairs. In as much, here is a reprint if you will of a blog written over two years ago:

"I thought I would talk about something a bit different today than the usual rantings of retail dysfunction. Something that I believe will have huge impact on all types of retail,every tax payer, and that would be the The FAIR TAX.

If you are not familiar with the Fair Tax, let me take this opportunity to tell you a bit about the Fair Tax, along with the why and how I think it will impact all things retail. Not to mention your pocketbook.

First let's look at the overall premise of the Fair Tax, which is in essence a proposal to replace all federal withholding taxes on income with a national 23% sales tax. No more social security, medi-care,or INCOME TAXES are taken out of your paycheck. The federal government collects taxes with a national 23% sales tax. Not only for individuals, but for corporations as well. Now before you go and say that there is just no way I can afford to pay a 23% sales tax on top of what I pay today, just take a breath and let me explain a bit further. And remember with the Fair Tax, you bring home all of your paycheck.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the actual workings of the Fair Tax and what its passage means for you and me you have to stop and think about how the current tax system impacts the retail selling price of every single item or service that you purchase today. Understanding that the current tax system has a direct impact on every purchase you make is the key to understanding the beauty of the Fair Tax.

The reason that the current income tax system impacts your every purchase is because each and every for profit company in existence passes their tax bill directly to you. That's right,every company out there that performs a service, manufactures a product, grows and apple, or sells you a TV passes every single penny of taxes they pay directly to you through the selling price of their goods or services. Why? Because their tax burden is part of their overhead expense and the profit margin they sell their goods for is developed to not only cover their overhead, but return profit. A dollar spent on taxes is no different than a dollar spent on labor, or raw materials. If companies want to stay in business, they have to pass on the taxes they pay directly to whomever buys their products or uses their services. If you have ever worked in the corporate world, you know this is true.

Now that you see how all corporate taxes are passed on to each consumer through current retails, what do you think would happen if all of those taxes went away? Well, the best way to think about this is that every link in the distribution chain, from the original producer, to transportation, to packaging, to distribution, to retailing the final product realizes an overhead savings that will be passed on through the distribution chain directly to you, the final consumer! That is where the 23% figure for the sales tax comes in. All of the research done by the Fair Tax Group has shown that on average 23% of the selling price of most goods and services reflect the tax burden associated with getting that item, or service to you, the final consumer. Now what this means to you is that an item that retails for about a buck today would retail for about the same after the Fair Tax is instituted.

Let's say you spend $50.00 on a new shirt today. According to the Fair Tax group, 23% or $11.50 of that retail price is caused by all of the tax burden from all of the companies that had anything to do with getting that shirt to retail. So the actual retail selling price of that shirt after the Fair Tax should be around $38.55 and when you add the $11.50 in taxes back to the new retail you have a shirt that is still costs you around $50.00 to purchase after all your federal taxes are paid. I suggest you go to www.faritax.org and read all the research that proves these tax implications.

I know what you must be thinking; retailers will just keep the extra profit for themselves and I'll be paying $61.50 for that shirt! Well, give me a break. The beauty of our economic system of capitalism is that it thrives of competition. I can name five companies that will reduce retails appropriately for every one that someone thinks will keep retails high. Retailers will be forced by competition to lower retails.

A huge key to the Fair Tax is that every service and new retail item is taxed exactly the same rate of 23%. No exemptions. EVERYONE IS TREATED THE SAME. Say good by to the power of tax lobbyists and tax special interests. Not only that but the IRS will go away as well.

Key Points To The Fair Tax:

Pre-Bates. To help offset the impact of the necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care costs the Fair Tax includes something called a PRE-BATE. The pre-bate is paid to each and every family regardless of income. Its calculation if based on the number of people in a household and the official poverty rate. I believe that for a family of three, the pre-bate is in the neighborhood of around $400.oo per month. So if you are family of three the pre-pate is like a TEN PERCENT raise on top of fact you bring home your entire paycheck less any state taxes.
Only new items are taxed at the 23% rate. All used or pre-owned items are exempt. Those taxes have already been paid; right?
The Fair Tax is progressive: Today many of the super rich do not pay income taxes. They live on accumulated or inherited wealth. Meaning that at the most they pay 15% on capital gains, but they don't pay income taxes like you and I. What will the Fair Tax change about that? Well let's say that Paris Hilton wants to go out and buy a brand new Bentley for $150,000. When she does she just paid $34,500 in TAXES. Every new pair of $500.00 shoes is another $115.00 in taxes! That $1,000.00 dress, that's right $230.00 in taxes.
The Fair Tax Taps The Underground Economy: Think about this. There are upwards of 20,000,000 illegal aliens in our country. How many of them do you think pay income taxes? Well each and everyone of them will with the Fair Tax. Every time they buy food at the grocery store they will pay taxes just like you and I. What about drug dealers, or any other type of criminal that lives on unreported income. Every time they spend a dollar on a new car, clothes, a huge mansion, or food, they pay their taxes.
The Fair Tax Will Boost Our Economy: If you owned a corporation, where would you headquarter it? Where the tax laws are simple, or complex? If you had 15%, 20%, or 35% more money in your pocket to spend, would you? What do you think that would do to our economy? If you invest in a 401k, can you day DOW 20,000?

Gripes About The Fair Tax That Hold No Water:

If new items have the sales tax and pre-owned don't, what will that do the sales of new items like new homes? NOTHING. You have to remember that a new home will cost about the same after the Fair Tax and it did before the Fair Tax and there is no tax on pre-owned homes. It's just a fact so sorry Mr. Romney, your objection to the Fair Tax holds no water.
What about exemptions, or managing the collection of the sales tax? How will that get done? First there are no exemptions, and sales taxes are collected and paid every day today. So sorry Mr. Giuliani, your objections to the Fair Tax hold no water either.
The Fair Tax is Unfair to the Poor! Give me a break, everyone gets the Fair Tax pre-bate, you take home your entire paycheck, the rich pay taxes they never paid before, and retails don't go up with the Fair Tax. Come again on how this is unfair to the poor?
How is the government going to manage all these pre-bates? They manage sending out social security and other entitlement checks on a monthly basis.

I hope you take the time to research the Fair Tax at www.fairtax.org, and read the Fair Tax Book by Neal Boortz and John Linder. After you have seen the light, I urge you to call your Congressman, and Senator to find out where they stand on the Fair Tax. This could very well be one of the greatest changes our country experiences."

If we get behind the Fair Tax today, we just may be able to resurrect our economy in time for the 2010 elections!

1776 All Over Again

2009-07-05T18:06:00.001-07:00

In 1776 our Founding Fathers took a bold stand against taxation without representation, a tyrannical ruling class, and a monarchy that was neither for the people, by the people, or of the people. This stand took life in a single document: The Declaration of Independence.

This declaration was a message to the King of England that the new nation had had enough and their message was very clear; It says in part:"That all men are created equal, that they are they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

If you take the time to read the Declaration, to really think about it's meaning; not only will you be struck by the power of the words within it, you will understand that some two hundred thirty two years later, we as a nation are at a cross roads. Just as in 1776, we find our government working against the governed and outside the limits imposed by the Constitution. As noted in our Declaration: "He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

At what point do we stand up and say that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! At what point do we stand up and tell Congress that they are elected by and work for the people, that government is to be limited in scope, not all powerful, at what point do we stand up for state rights, at what point do we insist that our elected officials embrace the constitution, not desecrate it!

Since when is it the work of the government to run public companies like GM, or Chrysler? Since when is it within the purview of the government to manage the banking industry, set workers salaries? When did we authorize the government to manage the housing industry, or our health care? At what point did we determine that the government should tax us on our so called carbon footprint? Who are they to tell us what temperature our homes should be, or to inspect our homes before sale to determine if they are up to some made up code for energy efficiency?

These are only a few of the transgressions our government is guilty of. We must make the right choices, we must elect officials that will embrace our way of life, our culture, and constitution! If not we are doomed. I do have faith though. I have faith that as a country we respect individual freedom and know when it is being threatened. All of us, our parents, and parents before them have lived in the most wonderful country on the face of the earth. It's time to wake up people! We simply can not let a few Socialists ruin our country. Call your congressman, call your senator and tell them to stop the spending, stop the taxing, stop the madness!