Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Here's How Tom Stilson Can Really Help Israel: Lace Up Some Israeli Combat Boots
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| Israeli combat boots |
Stilson recently said, "If you mess with Israel, you're messing with the United States of America."
I take issue with this. Yes Israel is an ally, but Israel is more than capable of taking care of itself in most cases. They have a very powerful military and one of the best Air Forces in the world.
Israel isn't the 51st state. As well, there have been tensions between the US and Israel haven't always been cheeky. Remember it was Israel that attacked the USS Liberty in 1967, and Israel has been caught spying on the United States multiple times. This is a far more complex relationship than many make it out to be. While I do support the sovereign state of Israel, I just don't believe we can continue borrowing money from the Chinese and Keynesian currency from the Federal Reserve to provide hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid.
So here's what I have never figured out. Why doesn't someone like Tom Stilson, who still lives at home with mom and dad, give up his Congressional aspirations for a few years and show some real support for Israel that goes beyond redistributing American wealth through foreign aid packages?
If you really want to show your support for Israel, then why not lace up some combat boot join the Israeli Defense Forces. They take Americans in their ranks.
As a former soldier, nothing bothers me more than politicians who are so ready to fight wars with other people's children while not having the courage to lace up their own combat boots and taking up arms. Oh sure, it's fun for Stilson to go out to the backyard and shoot up a lot of ammo to make a campaign commercial, it was furn for Stilson to play solider in JROTC, but I don't find any courage in his neocon war mongering comments as war is brewing in the Middle East.
Stilson has a real chance to prove himself as a man, but something tells me the comfort of mom and dad's basement is far more appealing while convincing voters he is worthy of their vote than showing real individual support for Israel.
Congressman Billy Long's Financial Woes
The word around Southwest Missouri is Billy Long is having a personal financial crisis. Tom Stilson, the candidate whose own finances require him to live with mom and dad, launched a negative attack against Long a number of weeks ago that makes it appear Congressman Long may not even be able to get credit as he has been forced to borrow hundreds of thousands of dollars from family members.
A prominent real estate agent from Southwest Missouri has also noted Long's house may have been facing foreclosure. Supposedly, if you look in The Daily Events, you will find evidence of Long's house in foreclosure.
Court records also suggest that Long may be in financial troubles with several notices the Bus-Plunge blogger has uncovered trying to find evidence.
Long has been absent on the campaign trail hoping not to face voters to have to explain why he has voted for the largest debt ceiling increase ever ($2.4 trillion) and voted against the Constitution multiple times even voting to give Obama great tyrannical power. We think we may have uncovered where Billy Long may have resorted to in the midst of his financial crisis.
A prominent real estate agent from Southwest Missouri has also noted Long's house may have been facing foreclosure. Supposedly, if you look in The Daily Events, you will find evidence of Long's house in foreclosure.
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| Long's house that is rumored to be in foreclosure. |
Court records also suggest that Long may be in financial troubles with several notices the Bus-Plunge blogger has uncovered trying to find evidence.
Long has been absent on the campaign trail hoping not to face voters to have to explain why he has voted for the largest debt ceiling increase ever ($2.4 trillion) and voted against the Constitution multiple times even voting to give Obama great tyrannical power. We think we may have uncovered where Billy Long may have resorted to in the midst of his financial crisis.
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| Is Congressman Long living in one of the houses he slumlords over? |
Fact Check: Billy Long is Fed Up of Obama and Southwest Missouri Jobs
Billy Long is "fed up" with Obama. So I am I. I refuse to argue with Billy Long on this one.
In Billy Long's rhetoric, Long accuses Obama of losing jobs.
Congressman Billy Long states, "As a small businessman, I understand what President Obama does not.
High taxes and out of control regulation shut down businesses and put people out of work."
It turns out it's not just Obama who has cost Southwest Missourians their jobs and helped put out of business signs on Southwest Missouri small businesses. Billy Long too is responsible for putting small business out of business and more people in the unemployment line. You may recall the new federal regulation on roll your own tobacco stores in the last transportation Bill Long voted in favor of.
John Cullen Hagerty won't be waving his American flag this Fourth of July. His American Dream just got regulated out of business thanks to an interesting provision in the new transportation bill Congress just passed today to be on the fast track to law going into effect on July 1, 2012.
Hagerty owns the Liberty Smoke Shop, Freedom Smoke Shop, and the Independence Smoke Shop in Branson, Missouri. Think of it as the Build-a-Bear for tobacco enthusiasts. Hagerty's customers buy various tobaccos and papers, void of all the addictive chemicals and preservatives big tobacco places in their cigarettes which have led big tobacco in court defending their products. Then his customers rent a high-speed rolling machine that makes their own custom cigarettes.
Consumers can roll 200 cigarettes for a fraction of what 200 Marlboros would cost, and his customers note the quality of the tobacco is much, much better.
It appears Big Tobacco and the fact roll your own cigarettes don't come with the federal taxes inspired enough members in Congress to sneak a provision in the transportation bill that makes the equipment Haggerty uses in his shop illegal to use under the legal conditions Hagerty has been using his machine. According to Hagerty, roll your own cigarettes is a lot like something I know a lot about, brew your own beer. You can escape paying federal taxes by rolling your own just like you can brewing your own beer and it's legal. This, combined with the fact Big Tobacco's lobbyists are very powerful in Washington, may be the driving reason Hagerty will closing his doors as these machines become illegal on July 1, 2012.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette writes about the driving reasons Congress has targeted stores like Hagerty's.
Tobacco purveyors have a love-hate relationship with the high-speed, high-tech "roll-your-own" machines that allow customers to make cigarettes on the cheap. Those who operate them, and profit from them, love the machines. Those who don't say the machines might be illegal and are killing their tobacco businesses.
In the end, the government and the courts will decide whether these machines -- known as RYO filling machines -- represent a massive tax dodge or just a more efficient way to hand-roll cigarettes, something Americans have been doing for centuries.
"These places are manufacturing cigarettes," plain and simple, said Regan Bartley, co-owner of Smoker Friendly, a tobacco chain with stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. Her stores are in competition with tobacco shops, gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses that buy or lease the machines.
Here's the problem. Technically, Hagerty and other RYO stores have never sold a cigarette they have manufactured. They aren't in the manufacturing business. Like a Build-a-Bear store, users use the equipment to build their own cigarettes. Hagerty rents the roller to his customers.
Of course when you cut out the federal government from the slice of the pie, the federal government is going to find a way to bite back. This is just sad considering our Republic was founded on the ideas of limited government and fair taxation. We know tobacco has become a huge revenue source for the federal government and is taxed unfairly as Congress tries to regulate behavior.
Hagerty and his employees never operate the machines for the customers. They answer questions, but never perform any of the manufacturing steps. Yet the government is trying to call them a manufacture. This would be the same premise of renting a shovel from your local equipment rental store and then taxing the equipment rental store on the size of the hole dug by the person renting the equipment.
The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau says the roll-your-own machines take advantage of the "personal use" tobacco tax exemption so customers and stores can avoid paying cigarette excises.
Take advantage of the personal use tobacco tax exemption? So with unemployment rising and Obama, Democrats, and Republicans all touting the merits of small businesses in the American economy, we are going to put stores out of business and tax payers who work at these places in the unemployment line all because people have found a legal way not to pay taxes on something they enjoy?
Yes, especially when you look at the breakdown in Congress.
The House voted 373-52 in favor of the bill, which was supported by every voting Democrat, while 52 Republicans opposed it. In the Senate, the tally was 74-19, with 23 Republicans joining every Democrat in voting for the measure. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) voted present, while Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) missed the vote.
Hagerty's own Congressman, Billy Long of Missouri's 7th District, who claims to be in staunch opposition to federal taxes and a friend to the small businessman voted in favor of the bill according to Congressman Long's Washington office, which I contacted this afternoon.
According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazzette, these machines may have the title "high speed" but on average it takes an hour to roll the equivalent of four cartons. This isn't an efficient process considering how little there is to an actual cigarette, but that's not going to stop Fedzilla from chomping down on the small businessman.
Hagerty is letting his customers know that because of this federal legislation, he is being forced to shut the doors on his three locations which create jobs in the Branson area. He is having five employees who will soon be on unemployment.
The Middletown Journal writes this is a joint effort between Republicans and Democrats to tax these small businesses.
In early March, Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., introduced House Resolution 4134, a bill amending the definition of a tobacco manufacturer to include “any person who for commercial purposes makes available for consumer use a machine capable of producing tobacco products.”
In addition, the Secure Rural Schools amendment sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and added to a U.S. Senate transportation bill would categorize retailers providing roll-your-own machines to customers as mainstream cigarette manufacturers for federal cigarette tax purposes.
Do these Republicans sound like they are small business friendly? Or are the fed by the big tobacco lobby who like the soft drink companies see consumers going to other products to fulfill their needs as these politicians see more revenue they can recklessly spend while threatening the livelihood of honest Americans trying to make a living in a tough economy? Once again, I ask is their really a difference between the two parties. They are fed by big corporations and always looking to feed on Americans by expanding the tax base. I don't see much difference between the two at all.
Hagerty says he can keep his shop open, but to maintain the costs of the federal stamps and the federal license required to produce cigarettes is so far out of reach for a store his size that he can't possibly afford to become a federally licensed manufacturer.
Once again, we see how government regulations kill the American dream. This time it's a Branson businessman who contributed to his country by creating jobs, contributing to the economy, paying federal income taxes, and collecting sales taxes for his community. Because he didn't pay a federal excise tax to his federal masters, Hagerty and so many RYO businesses like his have become victims of the federal leviathan.
In a sad goodbye to his customers, a veteran broke down in tears in Hagerty's store wondering what the hell is going on in the country he fought for that he can't buy a bag of tobacco and rent a machine to roll his own cigarettes. It really is a sad statement about our country, a country founded upon great wealth thanks to tobacco.
In Billy Long's rhetoric, Long accuses Obama of losing jobs.
Congressman Billy Long states, "As a small businessman, I understand what President Obama does not.
High taxes and out of control regulation shut down businesses and put people out of work."
It turns out it's not just Obama who has cost Southwest Missourians their jobs and helped put out of business signs on Southwest Missouri small businesses. Billy Long too is responsible for putting small business out of business and more people in the unemployment line. You may recall the new federal regulation on roll your own tobacco stores in the last transportation Bill Long voted in favor of.
John Cullen Hagerty won't be waving his American flag this Fourth of July. His American Dream just got regulated out of business thanks to an interesting provision in the new transportation bill Congress just passed today to be on the fast track to law going into effect on July 1, 2012.
Hagerty owns the Liberty Smoke Shop, Freedom Smoke Shop, and the Independence Smoke Shop in Branson, Missouri. Think of it as the Build-a-Bear for tobacco enthusiasts. Hagerty's customers buy various tobaccos and papers, void of all the addictive chemicals and preservatives big tobacco places in their cigarettes which have led big tobacco in court defending their products. Then his customers rent a high-speed rolling machine that makes their own custom cigarettes.
Consumers can roll 200 cigarettes for a fraction of what 200 Marlboros would cost, and his customers note the quality of the tobacco is much, much better.
It appears Big Tobacco and the fact roll your own cigarettes don't come with the federal taxes inspired enough members in Congress to sneak a provision in the transportation bill that makes the equipment Haggerty uses in his shop illegal to use under the legal conditions Hagerty has been using his machine. According to Hagerty, roll your own cigarettes is a lot like something I know a lot about, brew your own beer. You can escape paying federal taxes by rolling your own just like you can brewing your own beer and it's legal. This, combined with the fact Big Tobacco's lobbyists are very powerful in Washington, may be the driving reason Hagerty will closing his doors as these machines become illegal on July 1, 2012.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette writes about the driving reasons Congress has targeted stores like Hagerty's.
Tobacco purveyors have a love-hate relationship with the high-speed, high-tech "roll-your-own" machines that allow customers to make cigarettes on the cheap. Those who operate them, and profit from them, love the machines. Those who don't say the machines might be illegal and are killing their tobacco businesses.
In the end, the government and the courts will decide whether these machines -- known as RYO filling machines -- represent a massive tax dodge or just a more efficient way to hand-roll cigarettes, something Americans have been doing for centuries.
"These places are manufacturing cigarettes," plain and simple, said Regan Bartley, co-owner of Smoker Friendly, a tobacco chain with stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. Her stores are in competition with tobacco shops, gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses that buy or lease the machines.
Here's the problem. Technically, Hagerty and other RYO stores have never sold a cigarette they have manufactured. They aren't in the manufacturing business. Like a Build-a-Bear store, users use the equipment to build their own cigarettes. Hagerty rents the roller to his customers.
Of course when you cut out the federal government from the slice of the pie, the federal government is going to find a way to bite back. This is just sad considering our Republic was founded on the ideas of limited government and fair taxation. We know tobacco has become a huge revenue source for the federal government and is taxed unfairly as Congress tries to regulate behavior.
Hagerty and his employees never operate the machines for the customers. They answer questions, but never perform any of the manufacturing steps. Yet the government is trying to call them a manufacture. This would be the same premise of renting a shovel from your local equipment rental store and then taxing the equipment rental store on the size of the hole dug by the person renting the equipment.
The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau says the roll-your-own machines take advantage of the "personal use" tobacco tax exemption so customers and stores can avoid paying cigarette excises.
Take advantage of the personal use tobacco tax exemption? So with unemployment rising and Obama, Democrats, and Republicans all touting the merits of small businesses in the American economy, we are going to put stores out of business and tax payers who work at these places in the unemployment line all because people have found a legal way not to pay taxes on something they enjoy?
Yes, especially when you look at the breakdown in Congress.
The House voted 373-52 in favor of the bill, which was supported by every voting Democrat, while 52 Republicans opposed it. In the Senate, the tally was 74-19, with 23 Republicans joining every Democrat in voting for the measure. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) voted present, while Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) missed the vote.
Hagerty's own Congressman, Billy Long of Missouri's 7th District, who claims to be in staunch opposition to federal taxes and a friend to the small businessman voted in favor of the bill according to Congressman Long's Washington office, which I contacted this afternoon.
According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazzette, these machines may have the title "high speed" but on average it takes an hour to roll the equivalent of four cartons. This isn't an efficient process considering how little there is to an actual cigarette, but that's not going to stop Fedzilla from chomping down on the small businessman.
Hagerty is letting his customers know that because of this federal legislation, he is being forced to shut the doors on his three locations which create jobs in the Branson area. He is having five employees who will soon be on unemployment.
The Middletown Journal writes this is a joint effort between Republicans and Democrats to tax these small businesses.
In early March, Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., introduced House Resolution 4134, a bill amending the definition of a tobacco manufacturer to include “any person who for commercial purposes makes available for consumer use a machine capable of producing tobacco products.”
In addition, the Secure Rural Schools amendment sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and added to a U.S. Senate transportation bill would categorize retailers providing roll-your-own machines to customers as mainstream cigarette manufacturers for federal cigarette tax purposes.
Do these Republicans sound like they are small business friendly? Or are the fed by the big tobacco lobby who like the soft drink companies see consumers going to other products to fulfill their needs as these politicians see more revenue they can recklessly spend while threatening the livelihood of honest Americans trying to make a living in a tough economy? Once again, I ask is their really a difference between the two parties. They are fed by big corporations and always looking to feed on Americans by expanding the tax base. I don't see much difference between the two at all.
Hagerty says he can keep his shop open, but to maintain the costs of the federal stamps and the federal license required to produce cigarettes is so far out of reach for a store his size that he can't possibly afford to become a federally licensed manufacturer.
Once again, we see how government regulations kill the American dream. This time it's a Branson businessman who contributed to his country by creating jobs, contributing to the economy, paying federal income taxes, and collecting sales taxes for his community. Because he didn't pay a federal excise tax to his federal masters, Hagerty and so many RYO businesses like his have become victims of the federal leviathan.
In a sad goodbye to his customers, a veteran broke down in tears in Hagerty's store wondering what the hell is going on in the country he fought for that he can't buy a bag of tobacco and rent a machine to roll his own cigarettes. It really is a sad statement about our country, a country founded upon great wealth thanks to tobacco.
Billy Long Using Campaign Donations for Las Vegas Trips
Randy Turner who writes for KY3 reports on how Billy Long is using campaign donations:
A disclosure report filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission shows yet another Las Vegas trip for Seventh District Congressman Billy Long.
The trip is at least the fifth one this year, and of those five trips, money for four came from his campaign bank account.
The latest disclosure report, covering the time period since July 1, shows Long reporting $936.32 for a stay at the Venetian Hotel. The date listed on the item is July 5. Apparently, earlier that day Long spent $609.29 for a meal at Tortilla Coast in Washington. D. C., a place where one reviewer wrote, "The food is great; the drinks are perfectly strong, but not too strong."
It is not clear what campaign event Long was attending in Las Vegas, but if he stayed at the Venetian Hotel on July 5 as the disclosure report indicates, he certainly picked a busy day at the hotel. On that same day, according to the hotel website, things were hopping at the Venetian Poker Room, especially in the "high-stakes area, featuring seven high-limit tables, two relaxation areas, butler service, and gourmet dining."
And as part of the poker room's "Deep Stack Extravaganza," a tournament was being held July 5, No Limit Hold 'Em with a $2,375 buy-in, a $125 entry fee, and a prize pot of $382,200.
Long's July quarterly report, filed on the 14th, indicates he made two trips to Vegas. As I noted in the July 17 Turner Report:
The report appears to show two trips to Vegas for Long since he has a listing for Allegiant Air, Las Vegas, $451.58 on May 21, and lists a meal at Mars Retail, Las Vegas, on April 11, with a cost of $303.74.
The first quarter disclosure report also shows a Vegas trip paid for by Long's campaign contributors, $241.26 for a flight with Allegiant Air, Las Vegas, on March 5.
You may remember two years ago when Long first ran for office he accused bloggers of trying to smear his reputation claiming never even stepped foot in a casino and that he only played cards with family members.
I have my own "Anti Billy Blogger" that has been dogging me for months - he shows up everywhere I go and carries a banner trying to turn people against me. My main two competitors have joined forces with him trying to fan the flames on anything "Anti Billy".
One of my two main competitors has taken $4,800 from the Casino just west of Joplin and the other one has taken $2,600 from casinos in St. Louis and K.C.
I have not asked for and will not accept money from any gambling interest.
One of the two main competitors did a phone poll last week and if you said "undecided but leaning towards Long" the callers response was "well if you knew Billy was a Professional Gambler and has made his living the last several years off his winnings would you feel any different about him?" xxxxx I had a supporter's Mom get one of these calls and she made him repeat it three times which he did, she was totally outraged at their behavior and couldn't believe her ears.
That's how low they've sunk already in this race. If you analyze it they didn't lie - they never said I was a Professional gambler and that's how I've made my living - they just ask "well if you knew..."
10 months ago a staunch anti gambling area resident said he wanted to support me but had heard I hosted "High Stakes Poker Games" in my home on a regular basis. I said "do you want me to lie to you or do you want the truth?" He opted for the truth so I said "well the truth is the last time I hosted any poker game in my house or anywhere else was OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN I LIVED AT HOME and Dad and I would have some friends over every week or two for a 25 cent - 50 cent poker game.
This blogger has filed two frivolous complaints against me with the Federal Election Commission in D.C. One was throw out without being investigated and the other soon will be but I just got a bill from my Attorney of $1,400 for answering his frivolous charges. However now his frivolous ethics complaints have now become "Billy Long's Ethics PROBLEMS" - so when people hear that they automatically think I have real ethical issues.
I played zero poker for thirty years and about three years ago I started playing occasionally in friendly poker games in two friends homes. Their Wives would fix something to eat and we'd play cards. I was never embarrassed or ashamed of this but when I started running for office I just thought it would be better not to play anymore.
You might also remember the denial of Billy Long's gambling addiction in the Springfield News-Leader:
"The truth is less exciting than the rumors. I have played cards and my family and I have been to Las Vegas. I've built a successful small business, raised two beautiful daughters and have been married to the same wonderful woman for over 26 years. It should be obvious that this is not a big part of my life and that it's nothing more to me than a way to relax."
Herman Cain Tweets Billy Long Go Home and Let Mike Moon do the Job
Herman Cain recently tweeted to Billy Long that he should just go home and let Mike Moon do the job if he can't handle the pressure of Congress.
Later in the week, Billy Long was photographed cheering on some pigs at a local Southwest Missouri pig race...
And looking at Billy Long's congressional expense reports, the free meals he has been eating at the courtesy of Southwest Missouri taxpayers has increased dramatically over the past two quarters.
Yet Long has the nerve enough to complain that his job is too stressful. I think it's good to take Herman Cain's advice and send Mike Moon to Congress.
And looking at Billy Long's congressional expense reports, the free meals he has been eating at the courtesy of Southwest Missouri taxpayers has increased dramatically over the past two quarters.
Yet Long has the nerve enough to complain that his job is too stressful. I think it's good to take Herman Cain's advice and send Mike Moon to Congress.
An Illegal Alien's Guide to Beating ICE and Staying in the United States
If you are an illegal alien take note. For the rest of us you can just get angry that Obama has made it so easy for an illegal alien to stay in the United States illegally.
US immigration enforcement officers known as ICE are now speaking out against Obama's illegal immigration policies noting how easy it is for an illegal alien to beat the system under Obama's executive orders. ICE officials note all an illegal alien has to do is say they are in high school or are working on the GED and ICE is required to back down. The illegal alien doesn't have to prove who they are due to the new Department of Homeland Security and Obama's policies. Now think about that the next time a TSA agent asks for your papers and sexually assaults you at the airport with their pat downs.
“Prosecutorial discretion on dreamers is solely based on the individuals’ claims. Our orders are: If an alien says they went to high school, then let them go. If they say they have a GED, then let them go,” said ICE agent Chris Crane, President of the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council. “Officers have been told that there is no burden for the alien to prove anything-even with the greatly relaxed policies, an alien is not required to prove that they meet any of the criteria.”
Crane then went further retelling a story of an illegal immigrant who committed four crimes and was arrested but later released:
“As another example, the incident in El Paso released publicly last week, ICE manager were provided with the following details. One, an alien was arrested by local police and placed in jail on two charges. Charge one-assault with bodily injury to a family member and charge two-interfering with that person’s attempts to call emergency assistance.”
“When ICE arrested the individual for immigration violations, he attempted to escape, another criminal offense, one agent was injured in the incident claiming the injuries were intentionally inflicted by the escapee, another criminal offense, of course assault of a federal agent, so in this case we have four possible criminal charges-two involving violence, one injured family member and one injured officer. Without any questioning—without any investigation, the alien was released as a dreamer. No criminal charges, no immigration charges, no nothing.”
“‘He’s a dreamer. Release him.’ Incidents like this happening around the nation lead us to believe that the new policies will be ineffective in terms of providing for public safety.”
So let me get this straight. We are allowing illegal aliens in this country illegally and all they have to say is the magic word, and yet I can't get on an airplane without being harassed by the federal government?
US immigration enforcement officers known as ICE are now speaking out against Obama's illegal immigration policies noting how easy it is for an illegal alien to beat the system under Obama's executive orders. ICE officials note all an illegal alien has to do is say they are in high school or are working on the GED and ICE is required to back down. The illegal alien doesn't have to prove who they are due to the new Department of Homeland Security and Obama's policies. Now think about that the next time a TSA agent asks for your papers and sexually assaults you at the airport with their pat downs.
“Prosecutorial discretion on dreamers is solely based on the individuals’ claims. Our orders are: If an alien says they went to high school, then let them go. If they say they have a GED, then let them go,” said ICE agent Chris Crane, President of the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council. “Officers have been told that there is no burden for the alien to prove anything-even with the greatly relaxed policies, an alien is not required to prove that they meet any of the criteria.”
Crane then went further retelling a story of an illegal immigrant who committed four crimes and was arrested but later released:
“As another example, the incident in El Paso released publicly last week, ICE manager were provided with the following details. One, an alien was arrested by local police and placed in jail on two charges. Charge one-assault with bodily injury to a family member and charge two-interfering with that person’s attempts to call emergency assistance.”
“When ICE arrested the individual for immigration violations, he attempted to escape, another criminal offense, one agent was injured in the incident claiming the injuries were intentionally inflicted by the escapee, another criminal offense, of course assault of a federal agent, so in this case we have four possible criminal charges-two involving violence, one injured family member and one injured officer. Without any questioning—without any investigation, the alien was released as a dreamer. No criminal charges, no immigration charges, no nothing.”
“‘He’s a dreamer. Release him.’ Incidents like this happening around the nation lead us to believe that the new policies will be ineffective in terms of providing for public safety.”
So let me get this straight. We are allowing illegal aliens in this country illegally and all they have to say is the magic word, and yet I can't get on an airplane without being harassed by the federal government?
Mitt Romney Praises Israel's State Run Healthcare System
Mitt Romney says he want's to repeal and replace Obamacare. Of course Obamacare was inspired by Romney's own efforts in Massachusetts called Romneycare where the mandate was the norm.
Most people should be concerned about the word "replace". The repeal part is correct. It's the replace that is scary, especially when you consider Romney's latest praise.
The Washington Post writes:
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had some very kind things to say about the Israeli health care system at a fundraiser there Monday. He praised Israel for spending just 8 percent of its GDP on health care and still remaining a “pretty healthy nation:”
"When our health care costs are completely out of control. Do you realize what health care spending is as a percentage of the GDP in Israel? 8 percent. You spend 8 percent of GDP on health care. And you’re a pretty healthy nation. We spend 18 percent of our GDP on health care. 10 percentage points more. That gap, that 10 percent cost, let me compare that with the size of our military. Our military budget is 4 percent. Our gap with Israel is 10 points of GDP. We have to find ways, not just to provide health care to more people, but to find ways to finally manage our health care costs," Romney said.
Romney’s point about Israel’s success in controlling health care costs is spot on: Its health care system has seen health care costs grow much slower than other industrialized nations.
How it has gotten there, however, may not be to the Republican candidate’s liking: Israel regulates its health care system aggressively, requiring all residents to carry insurance and capping revenue for various parts of the country’s health care system.
Israel created a national health care system in 1995, largely funded through payroll and general tax revenue. The government provides all citizens with health insurance: They get to pick from one of four competing, nonprofit plans. Those insurance plans have to accept all customers—including people with pre-existing conditions—and provide residents with a broad set of government-mandated benefits.
Oops. Of course, I tend to believe Romney is a liberal and a statist looking at his record of Massachusetts, so I believe the writing is on the wall considering the direction Romney took Massachusetts.
Most people should be concerned about the word "replace". The repeal part is correct. It's the replace that is scary, especially when you consider Romney's latest praise.
The Washington Post writes:
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had some very kind things to say about the Israeli health care system at a fundraiser there Monday. He praised Israel for spending just 8 percent of its GDP on health care and still remaining a “pretty healthy nation:”
"When our health care costs are completely out of control. Do you realize what health care spending is as a percentage of the GDP in Israel? 8 percent. You spend 8 percent of GDP on health care. And you’re a pretty healthy nation. We spend 18 percent of our GDP on health care. 10 percentage points more. That gap, that 10 percent cost, let me compare that with the size of our military. Our military budget is 4 percent. Our gap with Israel is 10 points of GDP. We have to find ways, not just to provide health care to more people, but to find ways to finally manage our health care costs," Romney said.
Romney’s point about Israel’s success in controlling health care costs is spot on: Its health care system has seen health care costs grow much slower than other industrialized nations.
How it has gotten there, however, may not be to the Republican candidate’s liking: Israel regulates its health care system aggressively, requiring all residents to carry insurance and capping revenue for various parts of the country’s health care system.
Israel created a national health care system in 1995, largely funded through payroll and general tax revenue. The government provides all citizens with health insurance: They get to pick from one of four competing, nonprofit plans. Those insurance plans have to accept all customers—including people with pre-existing conditions—and provide residents with a broad set of government-mandated benefits.
Oops. Of course, I tend to believe Romney is a liberal and a statist looking at his record of Massachusetts, so I believe the writing is on the wall considering the direction Romney took Massachusetts.
Mayor Emanuel, Don't You Have Better Things to Do than Pick On Chick-Fil-A?
I visited my hometown this past week where the major controversy was not the murder rate and shootings--it was a Chick-Fil-A that creates jobs for people in Chicago. Supposedly and alderman and Mayor Rahm Emanuel doesn't like the fact the CEO--not the franchise owner who invested her money into a small business to create jobs--supports traditional marriage. Emanuel says Chick-Fil-A doesn't represent Chicago values.
All the while, Chicago's murder rates are skyrocketing. Mayor Emanuel has been criticized from members of the Chicago tourism committee for not doing enough to stop the violence. Funny how Emanuel appears to be more concerned about a Chick-Fil-A when the murder rate in Chicago skyrockets and shootings are up in the city.
Here's a small business--a franchise--that greets passing customers with a cow with a sign that reads "eat more chick'n" where nobody has been hurt. The franchise owner has even hired gay people to work the counters and cook and the mayor wants to put Chick-Fil-A out of business.
It's too bad Rahm Emanuel isn't as tough on crime.
You know what his solution would be if he was. Ensure law abiding citizens can't protect themselves from the thugs that are giving Chicago a bad name. Chicago already has some of the most tyrannical gun laws in the United States, and it's obvious they don't work.
Of course, Chick-Fil-A is a far more pressing issue.
All the while, Chicago's murder rates are skyrocketing. Mayor Emanuel has been criticized from members of the Chicago tourism committee for not doing enough to stop the violence. Funny how Emanuel appears to be more concerned about a Chick-Fil-A when the murder rate in Chicago skyrockets and shootings are up in the city.
Here's a small business--a franchise--that greets passing customers with a cow with a sign that reads "eat more chick'n" where nobody has been hurt. The franchise owner has even hired gay people to work the counters and cook and the mayor wants to put Chick-Fil-A out of business.
It's too bad Rahm Emanuel isn't as tough on crime.
You know what his solution would be if he was. Ensure law abiding citizens can't protect themselves from the thugs that are giving Chicago a bad name. Chicago already has some of the most tyrannical gun laws in the United States, and it's obvious they don't work.
Of course, Chick-Fil-A is a far more pressing issue.
Congressman Billy Long Explains Why He Hasn't Campaigned
Congressman Billy Long explained in the Community Free Press why he hasn't been out on the campaign trail and in touch with the residents of Southwest Missouri. Long said he is too busy doing the work of the people to campaign.
The question is do you want Billy Long doing the work of the people.
Long's decision to not to actively campaign for reelection may have more to do with his record (his work for the people) than anything else. Long probably doesn't want to have to answer questions and be held accountable for his votes in Congress.
Long's work of the people includes:
The question is do you want Billy Long doing the work of the people.
Long's decision to not to actively campaign for reelection may have more to do with his record (his work for the people) than anything else. Long probably doesn't want to have to answer questions and be held accountable for his votes in Congress.
Long's work of the people includes:
- Enslaving Americans with another $2.4 trillion in debt with his debt ceiling increase vote
- Carelessly spending your tax dollars on things like frivolous law suits and NASCAR sponsorship
- Growing government by pushing more power for the Department of Homeland Security like HR617 which sold off frequencies used by Ham radio operators for an emergency broadband frequency connected to the Internet kill switch
- Billy Long voted to give Obama the power to indefinitely detain Americans without due process--not just once but twice
- Billy Long voted to make it illegal to protest on federal property with Obama and certain government officials are present
And we could go on and on. The point is you probably want Billy Long on the campaign trail facing questions about his voting record rather than his continuing to do the work of the people considering his work "for the people" hardly seems representative of "we the people".
Missouri Republican Assembly Loses More Conservative Credibility
The Missouri Republican once again shows how little it is committed to conservatism under the leadership of Dr. Scott Magill and his minions like Patsy Wilcox. They met this past weekend to endorse Republicans who are running in the August primary, and their picks show little commitment to conservatism despite their Web site's claims.
In Missouri's Seventh District, it appears the Magill's minions who should be known as RINOs had problems choosing between one candidate who grew government, voted against the Constitution multiple times, and decided it was a good idea to go another $2.4 trillion in debt funding things like stickers for Dale Earnhardt Jr's car and a 25 year old kid who still lives at home with mom and dad and works part time in retail.
The MRA endorses Billy Long and Tom Stilson. How they can choose two and claim to be conservative with the two names they have chosen is beyond me! Consider Billy Long's record.
He likes certain mandates in Obamacare like forcing insurance companies to consider 26 year olds "children" so they can stay on their parents insurance. Tom Stilson obviously benefits from this one. Long also believes the federal government has the authority to force insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions despite the Constitution not granting Congress any authority to legislate such a thing. Long also has been careless with tax dollars voting to fund Pigford and federal sponsorship of NASCAR teams as we fall deeper into debt which enslaves all American.
Long has grown government increasing the size of the Department of Homeland Security while giving Obama the unconstitutional power to indefinitely detain Americans without due process. Of course, you can't forget Billy voted for the largest debt ceiling increase in American history of $2.4 trillion, enabling Obama to continue down this dangerous path we are on.
Obviously the good doctor and his Missouri Republican Assembly minions need their heads checked, but it gets better.
These same people couldn't decide between Billy Long and 25 year old kid who still lives at home with his mommy and daddy. Here we are $16 trillion in debt, and they endorse a kid who has not proven he can even manage a household budget. Tom Stilson still lives at home with mom and dad while working part time in retail.
So you have to wonder what the criteria was for their endorsement considering the records of who they endorsed. I mean it is so comical. Billy Long and Tom Stilson? What a joke, especially when you claim to be a conservative group!
There is only one true Constitutional conservative in this race and it's Mike Moon. Considering the Republican establishment, who has moved to the left at a record pace over the past decade, doesn't even want to mention his name, this may the ultimate endorsement in the end. The Missouri Republican Assembly's list really is a Who's Who of who you shouldn't vote for if you are committed to conservatism if you look at the list. Another example of a name missing from the list who represents Constitutional conservative values is Tom Martz. Like Moon, Martz doesn't represent the progressive status quo that is present in the Republican party, and therefore he was never considered for an endorsement.
In Missouri's Seventh District, it appears the Magill's minions who should be known as RINOs had problems choosing between one candidate who grew government, voted against the Constitution multiple times, and decided it was a good idea to go another $2.4 trillion in debt funding things like stickers for Dale Earnhardt Jr's car and a 25 year old kid who still lives at home with mom and dad and works part time in retail.
 |
| From the MRA Web Site |
The MRA endorses Billy Long and Tom Stilson. How they can choose two and claim to be conservative with the two names they have chosen is beyond me! Consider Billy Long's record.
He likes certain mandates in Obamacare like forcing insurance companies to consider 26 year olds "children" so they can stay on their parents insurance. Tom Stilson obviously benefits from this one. Long also believes the federal government has the authority to force insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions despite the Constitution not granting Congress any authority to legislate such a thing. Long also has been careless with tax dollars voting to fund Pigford and federal sponsorship of NASCAR teams as we fall deeper into debt which enslaves all American.
Long has grown government increasing the size of the Department of Homeland Security while giving Obama the unconstitutional power to indefinitely detain Americans without due process. Of course, you can't forget Billy voted for the largest debt ceiling increase in American history of $2.4 trillion, enabling Obama to continue down this dangerous path we are on.
Obviously the good doctor and his Missouri Republican Assembly minions need their heads checked, but it gets better.
These same people couldn't decide between Billy Long and 25 year old kid who still lives at home with his mommy and daddy. Here we are $16 trillion in debt, and they endorse a kid who has not proven he can even manage a household budget. Tom Stilson still lives at home with mom and dad while working part time in retail.
So you have to wonder what the criteria was for their endorsement considering the records of who they endorsed. I mean it is so comical. Billy Long and Tom Stilson? What a joke, especially when you claim to be a conservative group!
There is only one true Constitutional conservative in this race and it's Mike Moon. Considering the Republican establishment, who has moved to the left at a record pace over the past decade, doesn't even want to mention his name, this may the ultimate endorsement in the end. The Missouri Republican Assembly's list really is a Who's Who of who you shouldn't vote for if you are committed to conservatism if you look at the list. Another example of a name missing from the list who represents Constitutional conservative values is Tom Martz. Like Moon, Martz doesn't represent the progressive status quo that is present in the Republican party, and therefore he was never considered for an endorsement.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia to Betray the Second Amendment
Earlier this month it was conservative Justice John Roberts who betrayed the Constitution with his vote and opinion to uphold Obamacare. Now we have another "conservative" justice getting ready to betray the Constitution's Second Amendment.
On Fox News, Scalia stated the federal government has the power to regulate firearms.
“It will have to be decided in future cases,” Scalia said on Fox News Sunday. He claimed there are legal precedents from the days of the Founding Fathers that outlaw “frightening weapons” that must be recognized.
Excuse me Justic Scalia, but there is no "frightening weapons" clause in the Second Amendment or any other paragraph in the Constitution. The Second Amendment specifically says the right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon PERIOD.
What we just watched on Fox News is Scalia's version of Judas' kiss.
On Fox News, Scalia stated the federal government has the power to regulate firearms.
“It will have to be decided in future cases,” Scalia said on Fox News Sunday. He claimed there are legal precedents from the days of the Founding Fathers that outlaw “frightening weapons” that must be recognized.
Excuse me Justic Scalia, but there is no "frightening weapons" clause in the Second Amendment or any other paragraph in the Constitution. The Second Amendment specifically says the right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon PERIOD.
What we just watched on Fox News is Scalia's version of Judas' kiss.
Why This Conservative Isn't Voting for Mitt Romney
I won't disagree that Barack Obama needs to be shown the door this November. I find it disturbing the best the GOP can come up with is Mitt Romney--a liberal who ran his state much like Obama has run the country over the past three and a half years. From stimulus to healthcare to gun control to green energy initiatives, there just isn't much difference between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. They are both liberals.
I am insulted by people telling me I am just wasting my vote if I vote for the Constitutional conservative Gary Johnson. Or they try telling me voting for Gary Johnson is a vote for Barack Obama. This is the establishment/Fox News mentality that continues to give the Republican party the power to nominate progressive Republicans that aren't conservative--like John McCain four years ago and Mitt for Brains this year--knowing that you will vote for these progressives out of FEAR alone. Well I am tired of voting because of "fear" and compromising my conservative values, which the Republican party no longer seems to care about.
Do you know the only argument these Romney Zombies have? It is "anybody but Obama" which holds the same meaning as "any terminal disease except cancer." NOTHING Romney has to offer cures the disease - and actually changes the direction of the country. The Romney Zombie argument is "well he will slow the pace." What the hell does that mean? It means following the election people will think "remission" and go back to sleep. When in reality we will just keep falling into the abyss.
Fear is not a reason to vote for someone who doesn't represent your values.
Does anyone really know what Mitt Romney stands for?
I am insulted by people telling me I am just wasting my vote if I vote for the Constitutional conservative Gary Johnson. Or they try telling me voting for Gary Johnson is a vote for Barack Obama. This is the establishment/Fox News mentality that continues to give the Republican party the power to nominate progressive Republicans that aren't conservative--like John McCain four years ago and Mitt for Brains this year--knowing that you will vote for these progressives out of FEAR alone. Well I am tired of voting because of "fear" and compromising my conservative values, which the Republican party no longer seems to care about.
Do you know the only argument these Romney Zombies have? It is "anybody but Obama" which holds the same meaning as "any terminal disease except cancer." NOTHING Romney has to offer cures the disease - and actually changes the direction of the country. The Romney Zombie argument is "well he will slow the pace." What the hell does that mean? It means following the election people will think "remission" and go back to sleep. When in reality we will just keep falling into the abyss.
Fear is not a reason to vote for someone who doesn't represent your values.
Does anyone really know what Mitt Romney stands for?
Mike Moon for Congress on Congressman Billy Long
Mike Moon points out in his latest campaign ad that Billy Long said he was fed up. When Billy Long got to Washington, he began writing some pretty big checks--wasting taxpayer dollars and helping drive up the national debt.
Louisiana GOP Steals Ron Paul Delegates and Gives Them to Romney
A lot of people are telling me I am wasting my vote. Others are telling me if I don't vote for Mitt Romney I might was well be casting a vote for Barack Obama. I am voting for Gary Johnson at this time based on principles of conservatism, libertarianism, and commitment to the Constitution. I know I am not wasting my vote especially knowing the lack of integrity that exists in the current Republican party that I once was proudly committed to. We have another example of how establishment Republicans are willing to cheat election results.
Ron Paul won a majority of delegates in Louisiana. The Republican establishment doesn't want those delegates at the convention and have begun replacing them with Mitt Romney delegates despite being fairly won by Ron Paul.
When Romney needs support of Ron Paul supporters, the GOP is ready to light the match that will set off the national revolt against Romney from Paul supporters looking for a candidate.
The Times-Pecayune writes:
On the eve of Saturday's deadline, the Louisiana Republican Party Friday afternoon certified with the Republican National Committee its slate of delegates to the party's national convention in Tampa, filling slots that backers of Ron Paul won in the caucuses with supporters of Mitt Romney. Ron Paul's Louisiana campaign filed their own delegate slate with the RNC after the party's state convention in Shreveport devolved into two separate conventions, with the Paul forces electing a delegation with a Paul majority, and the state party choosing a slate that left vacant 13 spaces for Paul delegates chosen in the caucus if an agreement could be worked out with supporters of the Texas congressman.
It is up to the Republican National Committee - and if its decision is appealed to the convention's credentials committee - to decide which slate to seat, and there seems little doubt that they would side with the state party. Neither the RNC nor the Romney campaign has much interest in seating a delegation controlled by Paul forces.
In a statement Friday, the Louisiana GOP said, "since the state convention concluded, Ron Paul suspended his presidential campaign and no compromise could be reached with his Louisiana supporters, who still insist on having a majority of the delegates as part of any negotiations. Paul supporters also filed suit against the party challenging its right to bind delegates according to the results of the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary, in which Congressman Paul received 5% of the vote. Unable to reach an agreement, the Executive Committee filled the vacancies in the delegation with supporters of Mitt Romney and certified the official list with the RNC."
"We have a very conservative and enthusiastic delegation," said Chairman Roger Villere, Jr. "The Louisiana delegation is composed of Republican leaders, supporters and activists who are committed to uniting the party and defeating Barack Obama in November."
The 46-member delegation will have one Ron Paul supporter in Lucas Wallace, a member of the state party's central committee, who agreed to play by the rules established by the state party in advance of the convention, rules the leadership of Paul's campaign in the state felt were illegitimate and intended to thwart them.
Doug Wead, a top adviser to Paul, said the party obviously has the power to have its will, but that, if this turns out to be a close election in November, the party and the Romney campaign may rue the day they gave any Ron Paul supporters, a very independent lot, reason to be less likely to vote for Romney. Better, he said, they should have brought them into the convention than find reasons to keep them out.
"Our state party leadership should be uniting the party right now to defeat Barack Obama, not manipulating the election process to punish their most active supporters," said state Rep. Joel Robideaux, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, who endorsed Paul. "These are the swing voters we need to win in November"
Party officials contended that the Paul forces fomented chaos at the Shreveport convention as part of a strategy to grab more than their fair share of delegates by choosing their own designees to fill the delegate slots won by Rick Santorum and Romney in the primary.
But Charlie Davis, who ran the Paul campaign, contended that it is the party hierarchy that acted in a high-handed manner.
"I've been intimately involved with the Republican Party since I served as Louisiana College Republican Chairman in 1995, and both I and my wife are former executive directors of the LAGOP," said Davis. "It's disheartening and infuriating to watch such blatant fraud be perpetuated by an organization that I've worked so closely with for so many years. I hope that the current LAGOP leadership isn't trying to purposely sink the Romney campaign, because it's hard to imagine a better strategy than this one."
Ron Paul won a majority of delegates in Louisiana. The Republican establishment doesn't want those delegates at the convention and have begun replacing them with Mitt Romney delegates despite being fairly won by Ron Paul.
When Romney needs support of Ron Paul supporters, the GOP is ready to light the match that will set off the national revolt against Romney from Paul supporters looking for a candidate.
The Times-Pecayune writes:
On the eve of Saturday's deadline, the Louisiana Republican Party Friday afternoon certified with the Republican National Committee its slate of delegates to the party's national convention in Tampa, filling slots that backers of Ron Paul won in the caucuses with supporters of Mitt Romney. Ron Paul's Louisiana campaign filed their own delegate slate with the RNC after the party's state convention in Shreveport devolved into two separate conventions, with the Paul forces electing a delegation with a Paul majority, and the state party choosing a slate that left vacant 13 spaces for Paul delegates chosen in the caucus if an agreement could be worked out with supporters of the Texas congressman.
It is up to the Republican National Committee - and if its decision is appealed to the convention's credentials committee - to decide which slate to seat, and there seems little doubt that they would side with the state party. Neither the RNC nor the Romney campaign has much interest in seating a delegation controlled by Paul forces.
In a statement Friday, the Louisiana GOP said, "since the state convention concluded, Ron Paul suspended his presidential campaign and no compromise could be reached with his Louisiana supporters, who still insist on having a majority of the delegates as part of any negotiations. Paul supporters also filed suit against the party challenging its right to bind delegates according to the results of the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary, in which Congressman Paul received 5% of the vote. Unable to reach an agreement, the Executive Committee filled the vacancies in the delegation with supporters of Mitt Romney and certified the official list with the RNC."
"We have a very conservative and enthusiastic delegation," said Chairman Roger Villere, Jr. "The Louisiana delegation is composed of Republican leaders, supporters and activists who are committed to uniting the party and defeating Barack Obama in November."
The 46-member delegation will have one Ron Paul supporter in Lucas Wallace, a member of the state party's central committee, who agreed to play by the rules established by the state party in advance of the convention, rules the leadership of Paul's campaign in the state felt were illegitimate and intended to thwart them.
Doug Wead, a top adviser to Paul, said the party obviously has the power to have its will, but that, if this turns out to be a close election in November, the party and the Romney campaign may rue the day they gave any Ron Paul supporters, a very independent lot, reason to be less likely to vote for Romney. Better, he said, they should have brought them into the convention than find reasons to keep them out.
"Our state party leadership should be uniting the party right now to defeat Barack Obama, not manipulating the election process to punish their most active supporters," said state Rep. Joel Robideaux, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, who endorsed Paul. "These are the swing voters we need to win in November"
Party officials contended that the Paul forces fomented chaos at the Shreveport convention as part of a strategy to grab more than their fair share of delegates by choosing their own designees to fill the delegate slots won by Rick Santorum and Romney in the primary.
But Charlie Davis, who ran the Paul campaign, contended that it is the party hierarchy that acted in a high-handed manner.
"I've been intimately involved with the Republican Party since I served as Louisiana College Republican Chairman in 1995, and both I and my wife are former executive directors of the LAGOP," said Davis. "It's disheartening and infuriating to watch such blatant fraud be perpetuated by an organization that I've worked so closely with for so many years. I hope that the current LAGOP leadership isn't trying to purposely sink the Romney campaign, because it's hard to imagine a better strategy than this one."
Rahm Emanuel's Old Boss Had Similar View on Gay Marriage
When Rahm Emanuel worked at the Obama White House, Obama's stand on gay marriage was quite similar to the CEO of Chick-Fil-A's view on gay marriage. Emanuel of course began attacking a franchise--a small business owner--last week who had just opened a Chick-Fil-A in Chicago's loop because of the view of the CEO, which has nothing to do with the owner of the franchise, who by the way hired gay employees to work at the Chick-Fil-A.
When Emanuel worked at the White House, Obama was saying similar things about gay marriage.
Mark Steyn recalls the days when Obama stood for traditional marriage.
Before he was mayor, Rahm Emanuel was President Obama’s chief of staff. Until the president’s recent “evolution,” the Obama administration held the same position on gay marriage as Chick-fil-A. Would Alderman Moreno have denied Barack Obama the right to open a chicken restaurant in the First Ward? Did Rahm Emanuel quit the Obama administration on principle? Don’t be ridiculous. Mayor Emanuel is a former ballet dancer, and when it’s politically necessary he can twirl on a dime.
When Emanuel worked at the White House, Obama was saying similar things about gay marriage.
Mark Steyn recalls the days when Obama stood for traditional marriage.
Before he was mayor, Rahm Emanuel was President Obama’s chief of staff. Until the president’s recent “evolution,” the Obama administration held the same position on gay marriage as Chick-fil-A. Would Alderman Moreno have denied Barack Obama the right to open a chicken restaurant in the First Ward? Did Rahm Emanuel quit the Obama administration on principle? Don’t be ridiculous. Mayor Emanuel is a former ballet dancer, and when it’s politically necessary he can twirl on a dime.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Billy Long Misrepresenting His Conservative Ranking: Not So Conservative Afterall
In numerous speeches across Southwest Missouri, Congressman Billy Long states he has been named the most conservative Congressman in Missouri. This isn't exactly the truth. In fact, Billy Long's conservative record is quite mediocre compared to the brash auctioneer's claim.
Of course, if you follow this blog, you are well aware of how Billy Long has embraced certain parts of Obamacare, raised the debt ceiling to a new record high, voted to fund frivolous lawsuits against the federal government, voted for funding for NASCAR teams, and even has helped grow government while voting against our Constitutional rights. Long's record isn't very conservative at all.
A new survey ranking the top 240 members of Congress as conservatives shows Billy Long isn't even in the top 45% of conservative legislators. Consider he went to Washington claiming to be "fed up" and promising to be conservative.
Putnam's Patriots ranks Billy Long as 111th on the list of the top 240 conservative members of Congress. Long ranks second in Missouri despite him claiming he is first, something Todd Akin has mentioned before as Akin has pointed on Long is second on the list to Akin in speeches noting Long's claim.
This spreadsheet has been compiled to answer the question: "Which of our Congressional representatives are courageously and reliably conservative, deserving to be retained in office or promoted to a higher one, and which deserve to be sent home.
This listing includes all Republicans and two Democrats in the top 240 positions. All other Democrats fall below these numbers and are therefore not relevant to this question since they all need to be retired. (Yes, there IS a difference between the two major political parties!)
The analysis draws from the most recent of 9 different popular rating services that specialize in various fiscal, social, cultural, constitutional, and conservative areas. It then averages the numbers to get a broader perspective than just one rating can provide.
Source websites are provided below. Multiple year averages or lifetime ratings were used whenever available.
"If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government,
our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin." - Samuel Adams, 1780
Sources:
NTU = National Taxpayers Union Scorecard
http://www.ntu.org/on-capitol-hill/ntu-rates-congress/2011-ntu-rates-congress-1.pdf
HFA = Heritage Foundation Action Scorecard
http://heritageactionscorecard.com/scorecard/index.html#home
CFG = Club For Growth Scorecard
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/
ACU = American Conservative Union Scorecard
http://conservative.org/legislative-ratings/
FI = Freedom Index
http://www.jbs.org/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=259&id=423%3Afreedom-index-july-2012
FRC = Family Research Council Action Scorecard
http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11I03.pdf
AFP = Americans for Prosperity Scorecard
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78649565/112th-Congress-MidTerm
NFIB = National Federation of Independent Business Interim Report
http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/AllUsers/issuesElections/how-congress-voted-112th-nfib.pdf
GOA = Gun Owners of America Scorecard
http://gunowners.org/112hrat.htm
(Missouri Congressional team shown in Red letters)
2012 Congressional Rankings Final Rev3
Of course, if you follow this blog, you are well aware of how Billy Long has embraced certain parts of Obamacare, raised the debt ceiling to a new record high, voted to fund frivolous lawsuits against the federal government, voted for funding for NASCAR teams, and even has helped grow government while voting against our Constitutional rights. Long's record isn't very conservative at all.
A new survey ranking the top 240 members of Congress as conservatives shows Billy Long isn't even in the top 45% of conservative legislators. Consider he went to Washington claiming to be "fed up" and promising to be conservative.
Putnam's Patriots ranks Billy Long as 111th on the list of the top 240 conservative members of Congress. Long ranks second in Missouri despite him claiming he is first, something Todd Akin has mentioned before as Akin has pointed on Long is second on the list to Akin in speeches noting Long's claim.
This spreadsheet has been compiled to answer the question: "Which of our Congressional representatives are courageously and reliably conservative, deserving to be retained in office or promoted to a higher one, and which deserve to be sent home.
This listing includes all Republicans and two Democrats in the top 240 positions. All other Democrats fall below these numbers and are therefore not relevant to this question since they all need to be retired. (Yes, there IS a difference between the two major political parties!)
The analysis draws from the most recent of 9 different popular rating services that specialize in various fiscal, social, cultural, constitutional, and conservative areas. It then averages the numbers to get a broader perspective than just one rating can provide.
Source websites are provided below. Multiple year averages or lifetime ratings were used whenever available.
"If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government,
our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin." - Samuel Adams, 1780
Sources:
NTU = National Taxpayers Union Scorecard
http://www.ntu.org/on-capitol-hill/ntu-rates-congress/2011-ntu-rates-congress-1.pdf
HFA = Heritage Foundation Action Scorecard
http://heritageactionscorecard.com/scorecard/index.html#home
CFG = Club For Growth Scorecard
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/projects/
ACU = American Conservative Union Scorecard
http://conservative.org/legislative-ratings/
FI = Freedom Index
http://www.jbs.org/index.php?option=com_rokdownloads&view=file&Itemid=259&id=423%3Afreedom-index-july-2012
FRC = Family Research Council Action Scorecard
http://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF11I03.pdf
AFP = Americans for Prosperity Scorecard
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78649565/112th-Congress-MidTerm
NFIB = National Federation of Independent Business Interim Report
http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/AllUsers/issuesElections/how-congress-voted-112th-nfib.pdf
GOA = Gun Owners of America Scorecard
http://gunowners.org/112hrat.htm
(Missouri Congressional team shown in Red letters)
2012 Congressional Rankings Final Rev3
The Decline of Christianity in the Bible Belt
About 20 years ago, I asked a deacon at my church why our new church needed a workout facility with weights, treadmills, and other equipment. He was quick in his answer. It gets people to come to church. I was saddened by that.
Twenty years later, I am alarmed at a growing trend where people go to church to be entertained rather than give reverence. I see churches carelessly spending their offering on entertainment collateral where it could be used to really help people in need in hopes they find salvation. As I venture into this territory concerned about the decline of Christianity in America, I am reminded of a story a friend shared with me about the pastor of the largest church in Southwest Missouri who drove his car to CarFi, a high-end car audio store, asking the store to put the very best stereo and alarm equipment in his Dodge Viper. "The congregation is paying for it," he exclaimed. It really is a sad commentary about Christianity in the Bible Belt where mega churches continue to build entertainment venues to attract new followers.
Churches are no longer reverent. They are entertainment venues with lights, stages, loud amplified music, theatrics, and even a ball room leaving me wonder if it's God who inspired the church or Chuck E. Cheese. Gone are the intricate details of beautiful structures that feel holy. Churches have a secular influence where an offering amounts to nothing more than an entertainment tax on those who now sway and shake their hips to the guitar solo that now accompanies worship.
Best of all, some of these churches even honor the money changers. An ATM is placed in these churches for worshipers convenience to drink from the cup of the pagan God. Of course, the money changes in the Bible are representative to the modern banking system.
Review Beachbody.com Body Beast
Beachbody.com has a new workout plan. Like the others, it is a solid plan that pushes their line of supplements. That doesn't mean it's all bad.
The plan boasts:
BODY BEAST™ is the first Beachbody® program dedicated to maximum muscle gains and fat loss. Created by champion bodybuilder, Sagi Kalev, it uses a combination of old- and new-school bodybuilding techniques to build muscle without using expensive gym equipment or harmful steroids.
BODY BEAST
BODY BEAST workout is an extreme program, specifically developed to bulk up your body AND your confidence. Check back here for more details and the upcoming BODY BEAST release date. Soon you can start building your body with the BODY BEAST workout, right at home.
PACK ON THE MUSCLE WITH BODY BEAST.
BODY BEAST workout is one of the only all-encompassing body-building, nutrition and supplement systems on the market.
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Gain 10 pounds of muscle in 90 days.
Being a fan of Beachbody.com, especially Tony Horton, I decided to give it a try. I ordered it this week and in record time it was on my doorstop. First, I like the packaging. The green packaging reminds of the Hulk, which is basically the plan--to Hulk up.
I am going to be doing the lean plan on this one, and I will keep you up today whether or not this plan is worth it. I am excited to get going and will begin Body Beast and post my results and stories.
I picked it up on the early bird special. It was less than $100, which is a great deal for a Beach Body product and the shipping was waved. It comes with DVDS, a wall chart, and the book just like other Beach Body products.
Let's see if we can add 10 pounds of fat burning muscle guaranteed to raise the metabolism!
Branson Tea Party Patriot HQ Turns Back on Constitution to Endorse Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney has done some terrible things that many people choose to ignore. Add Tera Sukman and her Tea Party Patriot HQ to that list.
Forgetting Mitt Romney pushed the Brady Bill and a semi-automtic rifle ban as well as Romney forced Catholic Hospitals of Massachusetts to administer abortion pills, Sukman's Tea Party Patriot HQ, a republican backed Tea Party that claims it supports the Constitution and then gives us plenty of examples that it doesn't, has just given us another prize.
Sukman is selling Mitt Romney bumper stickers claiming Mitt Romney, who ran the pilot program for Obamacare while governor of Massachusetts, is going to save us.
The bumper sticker on top says, "It's time to rebuild AMERICA." It then states Romney for President with the Tea Party Patriot HQ. Rebuild America?
Seriously Tera? You want America rebuilt? I just want America returned back to the vision of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the founders. Forget this talk of rebuilding. That's as retarded as Mitt Romney's plan to "replace" Obamacare with more federal mandates and regulations. We have a blueprint for America already.
The second bumper sticker says, "re-ignite the American Dream." Of course there shouldn't be a hyphen between reignite. In bigger letters it says Romney for President.
This is a scare proposition. Looking at how Mitt Romney ran the state of Massachusetts and his eerily similar progressive leadership that parallels Barack Obama's from stimulus, green energy initiatives (that failed too), to healthcare, to gun control, to even funding Planned Parenthood, Sukman, who claims she loves the Constitution, appears to have no caution about how Romney's past leadership could mean an Obama second term if he is elected.
Here's the ultimate that shows just how full of crap Tera Sukman is when it comes to loving the Constitution. We know earlier this year Republicans passed a bill in the House and supported it in the Senate that gives Barack Obama the power to indefinitely detain Americans without due process in the National Defense Authorization Act. This is a clear violation of Constitutional rights.
What does Mitt Romney think of this new executive power?
Yup, Tera's bumper stickers prove how little she really cares about the Constitution. Of course, she will complain "that blogger" is being mean to her on her Facebook page. If she really cared about the Constitution, she would not be selling Mitt Romney for President bumper stickers.
Tera Sukman is easy to figure out. When Democrats destroy the Constitution, she is ready to make a name for herself. When Republicans destroy the Constitution she blindly supports them and even has bumper stickers printed.
Forgetting Mitt Romney pushed the Brady Bill and a semi-automtic rifle ban as well as Romney forced Catholic Hospitals of Massachusetts to administer abortion pills, Sukman's Tea Party Patriot HQ, a republican backed Tea Party that claims it supports the Constitution and then gives us plenty of examples that it doesn't, has just given us another prize.
Sukman is selling Mitt Romney bumper stickers claiming Mitt Romney, who ran the pilot program for Obamacare while governor of Massachusetts, is going to save us.
The bumper sticker on top says, "It's time to rebuild AMERICA." It then states Romney for President with the Tea Party Patriot HQ. Rebuild America?
Seriously Tera? You want America rebuilt? I just want America returned back to the vision of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the founders. Forget this talk of rebuilding. That's as retarded as Mitt Romney's plan to "replace" Obamacare with more federal mandates and regulations. We have a blueprint for America already.
The second bumper sticker says, "re-ignite the American Dream." Of course there shouldn't be a hyphen between reignite. In bigger letters it says Romney for President.
This is a scare proposition. Looking at how Mitt Romney ran the state of Massachusetts and his eerily similar progressive leadership that parallels Barack Obama's from stimulus, green energy initiatives (that failed too), to healthcare, to gun control, to even funding Planned Parenthood, Sukman, who claims she loves the Constitution, appears to have no caution about how Romney's past leadership could mean an Obama second term if he is elected.
Here's the ultimate that shows just how full of crap Tera Sukman is when it comes to loving the Constitution. We know earlier this year Republicans passed a bill in the House and supported it in the Senate that gives Barack Obama the power to indefinitely detain Americans without due process in the National Defense Authorization Act. This is a clear violation of Constitutional rights.
What does Mitt Romney think of this new executive power?
Yup, Tera's bumper stickers prove how little she really cares about the Constitution. Of course, she will complain "that blogger" is being mean to her on her Facebook page. If she really cared about the Constitution, she would not be selling Mitt Romney for President bumper stickers.
Tera Sukman is easy to figure out. When Democrats destroy the Constitution, she is ready to make a name for herself. When Republicans destroy the Constitution she blindly supports them and even has bumper stickers printed.
Billy Long Runs Against Barack Obama and Not On His Record
When we elected a brand new Congress two years ago with Republicans like Billy Long, we expected them to put the brakes on the Obama express. However, that didn't happen. Rather, the Republicans allowed Obama to get away with political murder and did little to get in his way using their Constitutional powers. The Obama agenda moved forward despite taking a blow two years ago.
Part of the do-nothing-to-stop-Obama Congress is Billy Long, a man who went to Washington claiming he was fed up of the way things were done in Washington. Billy Long soon embraced Washington and its ways. Now Congressman Long doesn't want to run on his record that helped push Obama's agenda of more spending, more executive power, and more federal control of your healthcare. Remember, it was Billy Long who quickly went along with the plan to raise the debt ceiling for another $2 trillion in spending with getting very little in the ways of spending cuts in return. It was Billy Long agreeing the federal government with no Constitutional authority can mandate insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions and call a 26 year old a child. It was Billy Long who grew government through the Fouth Amendment killing Department of Homeland Security giving Obama tyrannical powers like the power to detain Americans indefinitely without due process.
Billy Long doesn't want to run on his record because his record is the Washington way. Therefore this year Billy Long isn't fed up with career politicians and Washington's ways. He is just fed up with Barack Obama--who is merely a symptom of the much bigger problem that Long himself has also become a part of.
So as Billy Long claims he is fed up with Obama, ask yourself why did Billy Long vote to give Obama another $2.4 trillion to play with when he voted to raise the debt ceiling a record amount of money? That's a question Long won't answer as he parades around Southwest Missouri claiming he is fed up again. He was fed up two years ago, and Southwest Missouri should know Billy Long became everything he was fed up of.
Billy Long doesn't want to run on his record because his record is the Washington way. Therefore this year Billy Long isn't fed up with career politicians and Washington's ways. He is just fed up with Barack Obama--who is merely a symptom of the much bigger problem that Long himself has also become a part of.
So as Billy Long claims he is fed up with Obama, ask yourself why did Billy Long vote to give Obama another $2.4 trillion to play with when he voted to raise the debt ceiling a record amount of money? That's a question Long won't answer as he parades around Southwest Missouri claiming he is fed up again. He was fed up two years ago, and Southwest Missouri should know Billy Long became everything he was fed up of.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Rahm Emanuel's "Chicago Values" and Chick-Fil-A
Chicago is known as the "city of big shoulders". It signifies the work ethic and values that built one of the greatest cities in America. It should be no surprise Mayor Rahm Emanuel wishes to redefine what Chicago values are as he pushes his social agenda defining all Chicagoans as the collective.
It's hard to miss it as I was walking in the loop this week--a brand new Chick-Fil-A restaurant. A friendly cow greeting the sidewalk warriors begging them to eat more chick'n. It's another example of one American investing in the American dream as a small business owner. If Mayor Emanuel had his way, he would lock the door immediately and kill one woman's dream.
This new Chick-Fil-A is under attack by the mayor. Emanuel speaks out against Chick-Fil-A because the CEO of the company is a Christian who still believes in Christian values. Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, and the CEO still believes in traditional marriage. Mayor Emanuel says Chick-Fil-A doesn't represent Chicago values and has launched his own war against the fast food restaurant that just opened in the "Loop".
Doesn't represent Chicago values? Are you serious Mayor?
Chicago values are about working hard they aren't about advocating gay marriage. Mayor Emanuel talks as if gay marriage is accepted by the Chicago collective when he speaks without considering the view or the investment of the owner of the actual franchise in the loop. Here's a woman who has taken a chance in a bad economy made worse by Emanuel's former boss, Barack Obama, and Emanuel is carelessly attacking the owner and the jobs she created. As well, you can bet this woman is getting raped by Chicago's high tax rates that make it harder to do business in the city.
Why is it we are letting Mayor Emanuel define Chicago's values? Isn't this a man who sent a rotten fish to a political enemy once? What kind of value system is that?
Not one I believe in.
It's hard to miss it as I was walking in the loop this week--a brand new Chick-Fil-A restaurant. A friendly cow greeting the sidewalk warriors begging them to eat more chick'n. It's another example of one American investing in the American dream as a small business owner. If Mayor Emanuel had his way, he would lock the door immediately and kill one woman's dream.
This new Chick-Fil-A is under attack by the mayor. Emanuel speaks out against Chick-Fil-A because the CEO of the company is a Christian who still believes in Christian values. Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, and the CEO still believes in traditional marriage. Mayor Emanuel says Chick-Fil-A doesn't represent Chicago values and has launched his own war against the fast food restaurant that just opened in the "Loop".
Doesn't represent Chicago values? Are you serious Mayor?
Chicago values are about working hard they aren't about advocating gay marriage. Mayor Emanuel talks as if gay marriage is accepted by the Chicago collective when he speaks without considering the view or the investment of the owner of the actual franchise in the loop. Here's a woman who has taken a chance in a bad economy made worse by Emanuel's former boss, Barack Obama, and Emanuel is carelessly attacking the owner and the jobs she created. As well, you can bet this woman is getting raped by Chicago's high tax rates that make it harder to do business in the city.
Why is it we are letting Mayor Emanuel define Chicago's values? Isn't this a man who sent a rotten fish to a political enemy once? What kind of value system is that?
Not one I believe in.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Sarah Palin Endorses Sarah Steelman for Senate
As Sarah Palin's son was off fighting terrorism in the United States military, Sarah Steelman was begging Missourians not to invest in companies that do business with terrorist states. It was soon discovered that Steelman's investment portfolio was full of investments of companies that do business with terrorists states, putting people's lives in danger like Palin's son.
Sunday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch drew attention to the lameness of one of Steelman's major issues. As Missouri treasurer, Steelman made a big deal about "terror-free" investing. But her personal portfolio has held stock in companies that do business in Iran, Cuba, Sudan and Syria, financial disclosure statements show.
For some strange reason, Palin must not have properly vetted Sarah Steelman or has decided it is her duty if she wants to move up in the Republican party to endorse the crap the Republican establishment pushes for candidates these days. Palin recently endorsed Sarah Steelman, which may give Palin's critics more ammo against the former Alaska governor who is often attacked as a mindless dolt. See video below of Steelman attempt to sound intelligent on free trade.
I like Sarah Palin, but some of her recent actions makes me wonder if she is the real deal or just another product of the establishment.
Sunday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch drew attention to the lameness of one of Steelman's major issues. As Missouri treasurer, Steelman made a big deal about "terror-free" investing. But her personal portfolio has held stock in companies that do business in Iran, Cuba, Sudan and Syria, financial disclosure statements show.
For some strange reason, Palin must not have properly vetted Sarah Steelman or has decided it is her duty if she wants to move up in the Republican party to endorse the crap the Republican establishment pushes for candidates these days. Palin recently endorsed Sarah Steelman, which may give Palin's critics more ammo against the former Alaska governor who is often attacked as a mindless dolt. See video below of Steelman attempt to sound intelligent on free trade.
I like Sarah Palin, but some of her recent actions makes me wonder if she is the real deal or just another product of the establishment.
Get You and Your Smart Meter Off My Property: No Trespassing Means No Trespassing
For over a year now, I have been working with an advocate group out of Naperville, IL called Smart Meter IQ. This group warns of the big brother and health dangers associated with that intrusive device called the Smart Meter, which analyzes the amount of electricity that you use and may one day limit your use.
Throughout the United States, people are fighting the installation of smart meters on their property. One woman got really serious about it.
Thelma Taormina warned the installers with no trespassing signs that further read "no smart meters are to be installed on this property." That didn't stop the Center Point Energy employer from walking on Taormina's private property and begin installation.
Taormina wasn't kidding with her warning.
When the worker began physically pushing Taormina out of the way in an effort to install the smart meter, Taormina drew her gun and demanded the worker leave the property .
“Our constitution allows us not to have that kind of intrusion on our personal privacy,” Taormina told KHOU 11 News. “They’ll be able to tell if you are running your computer, air conditioner, whatever it is.”
Throughout the United States, people are fighting the installation of smart meters on their property. One woman got really serious about it.
Thelma Taormina warned the installers with no trespassing signs that further read "no smart meters are to be installed on this property." That didn't stop the Center Point Energy employer from walking on Taormina's private property and begin installation.
Taormina wasn't kidding with her warning.
When the worker began physically pushing Taormina out of the way in an effort to install the smart meter, Taormina drew her gun and demanded the worker leave the property .
“Our constitution allows us not to have that kind of intrusion on our personal privacy,” Taormina told KHOU 11 News. “They’ll be able to tell if you are running your computer, air conditioner, whatever it is.”
RAGBRAI at 40: Eight Who Have Ridden 40
It's that time of year again. Time for the party across Iowa known as RAGBRAI. I have ridden seven myself and have seen just about everything from Howard Dean looking like he was going to die from the heat in a seven mile stretch to the multiple skimpy outfits of Fitness Lynn that leaves little to the imagination and along the way me and my buddies have even added to the legend first by creating the first ever RAGBRAI home brews (an brown ale and a stout) to the first portable showers that actually created hot water that were mounted on top of the team support vehicle.
In case you don't know what RABRAI is, it's the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It attracts nearly 20,000 people during the last week of July who will be challenged by Iowa's hilly terrain (it's not flat) for 500 miles from the Missouri River to the Mississippi river. Dip the back tire in the Missouri when you leave and the front tire in the Mississippi when you arrive.
It's been six years since we did our last RAGBRAI, but every year around this time we regret not packing up the team van and heading to the western side of Iowa. I get the feeling our next RAGBRAI isn't far away. I did notice the Des Moine Register put out a list of eight people who have ridden 39 RAGBRAIs and will be attempting their 40th. So here's a shout out to you in honor of your achievement. If we were there we would give you a Ride to the Right Ale, a piece of pie, and a pork chop. Congratulations.
40 YEAR PARTICIPANTS OF RAGBRAI (RIDERS & SUPPORT)
Rick Paulos, Cedar Rapids
(Now rides with Hawkeye Bicycle Association)
Scott Dickson, Newark, DE
(Now rides with Team Skunk)
Randy Dickson, Sturgeon Bay, WI
(Now rides with Team Skunk)
Margaret Paulos, Davenport
(Now rides with Hawkeye Bicycle Association)
Carter LeBeau, Davenport
(Now rides with Quad Cities Bicycle Club)
Dr. James Hopkins, Windsor Heights
(Rides with their family)
Nancy Jo Hopkins, Windsor Heights
(Rides with their family)
Greg Harper, Muscatine
(Family owns Harper’s Cycling & Fitness)
In case you don't know what RABRAI is, it's the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It attracts nearly 20,000 people during the last week of July who will be challenged by Iowa's hilly terrain (it's not flat) for 500 miles from the Missouri River to the Mississippi river. Dip the back tire in the Missouri when you leave and the front tire in the Mississippi when you arrive.
It's been six years since we did our last RAGBRAI, but every year around this time we regret not packing up the team van and heading to the western side of Iowa. I get the feeling our next RAGBRAI isn't far away. I did notice the Des Moine Register put out a list of eight people who have ridden 39 RAGBRAIs and will be attempting their 40th. So here's a shout out to you in honor of your achievement. If we were there we would give you a Ride to the Right Ale, a piece of pie, and a pork chop. Congratulations.
40 YEAR PARTICIPANTS OF RAGBRAI (RIDERS & SUPPORT)
Rick Paulos, Cedar Rapids
(Now rides with Hawkeye Bicycle Association)
Scott Dickson, Newark, DE
(Now rides with Team Skunk)
Randy Dickson, Sturgeon Bay, WI
(Now rides with Team Skunk)
Margaret Paulos, Davenport
(Now rides with Hawkeye Bicycle Association)
Carter LeBeau, Davenport
(Now rides with Quad Cities Bicycle Club)
Dr. James Hopkins, Windsor Heights
(Rides with their family)
Nancy Jo Hopkins, Windsor Heights
(Rides with their family)
Greg Harper, Muscatine
(Family owns Harper’s Cycling & Fitness)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Tom Stilson for Congress Needs to Hit the Minor Leagues
I used to watch Lucas Harrell's career closely being a Chicago sports fan. As my readers know, I am that rare person who lived in Chicago that rooted for both the north side and south side teams finding a uniqueness in both traditions to celebrate. Harrell was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and brought up in the minor leagues before he was traded earning a spot in the Houston Astro's organization where today he is 7-6 with 4.43 ERA and 69 strike outs.
Lucas Harrell's success wasn't instant. He was developed in the minor leagues until coaches felt he was ready to don a Major League uniform full time. In fact, Lucas spent seven years in the minors beginning in 2004 according to the Major League Baseball database. 2012 is Harrell's first full year in the big leagues according to MLB.
I find there is a good point to make in all of this. Tom Stilson is running for Congress. He is a just-turned 25 year old, part-time employed clerk working the gun counter at Bass Pro Shops, who still lives with mom and dad. Tom Stilson is asking voters to put him in the game--the most critical game of all where our lives all hang in the balance. The voters won't have the luxury of "next season" something I have become accustomed to as a Cubs fan.
With a $16 trillion deficit, the erosion of freedom and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, Tom Stilson is asking to pitch relief in place of Billy Long, a man who went to the mound claiming he was fed up but soon fell prey to Washington's way. Stilson has yet to pitch in the minors to even prove himself, and the temptation of Washington may be too much for a single 25 year old who doesn't even have a full-time job.
He has no record of managing a household budget for a family. He doesn't have to worry about the rent check even now. He has a cushy job where the closest thing he does in terms of government work is calling in background checks to potential gun owners. Oh sure, he talks a good talk using Tea Party buzzwords, but that's the easy part of the game. "Come on coach, put me in the game!"
The truth is Stilson has no experience of doing anything other than graduating college and working at Bass Pro. His real life experiences are quite limited and he has been sheltered by his parents much like a welfare recipient is sheltered by the federal government. He still lives with them.
I can't help but ask why does this 25 year old kid really believe he has what it takes to lead our district in Congress and fight the establishment that continues to move to the left and grow government when his own Web site proves he has embraced this very establishment.
I think Stilson needs to take a lesson here from his buddy Lucas. He needs to hit the minors and learn the struggles that is life so he can apply these lessons to the decisions he will make as an elected leader. He needs to face the ups and downs of life in the game of trying to make ends meet. Living with mom and dad is fine. A lot of kids are doing it these days in a tough economy, but it also should make you question his experience and if he is really ready for Congress.
In my opinion, judging from his political rhetoric which includes calling his opponents sophomoric names, he is still a child acting like a child while obviously being coached by his campaign team to recite Tea Party buzzwords like Billy Long did before him two years ago, that perhaps Stilson needs the minor leagues. Perhaps a county position or a state legislature position. I mean Matt Blunt didn't just become governor overnight, and he had name recognition and a far finer record having served in the Navy and graduating from the Naval Academy than what Stilson posts as he runs for Congress. Stilson went to very liberal colleges and sat in very liberal classrooms that taught radical environmentalism.
Blunt was young too when he broke into politics, but he did so running as a state legislator and then stepping up to Secretary of State. Tom Stilson needs to be broken in the minor leagues too.
That's why Mike Moon is really the only choice in the Republican primary. Moon is a strong Christian, a true Constitutional conservative, and a Republican molded from the original Republicans like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Moon is successful at both family, job, and the game of life, and you won't meet a finer man. Moon can unite the Southwest Missouri Republican party because his supporters come from all sides of the Republican spectrum, where as Stilson still attacks various factions of the Republican party accusing conservatives of trying to destroy the GOP.
Stilson is young. He needs to prove he is a leader and the minor leagues is where voters must insist Stilson goes in August.
Rush Limbaugh Being Silly With Batman Bane Comments
Batman fans know Bane was introduced in 1993. They also know Christopher Nolan long planned for Bane to be the villain in his Batman trilogy long before anyone knew Mitt for Brains Romney was going to pretend he was a conservative and win the Republican nomination for president. The movie The Dark Knight Rises has been in the works for years, long before Mitt Romney was on his way to Florida.
It's a little bit embarrassing to see Rush Limbaugh try to claim there is some kind of liberal conspiracy going on as the coincidence that the villain's name resembles Romney's Bain investment group. Rush asks if it's accidental that the villain in the movie is named Bane and the movie was released in 2012.
“The villain in “The Dark Knight Rises” is named Bane, B-a-n-e. What is the name of the venture capital firm that Romney ran and around which there’s now this make-believe controversy? Bain. The movie has been in the works for a long time. The release date’s been known, summer 2012 for a long time. Do you think that it is accidental that the name of the really vicious fire breathing four eyed whatever it is villain in this movie is named Bane?”
The word bane means 'death'. This is the very reason this villain was chosen to end Nolan's series. Supposedly, Batman doesn't survive in the movie as Bane ends Batman's reign as winged defender of justice.
I do find it ironic though that Mitt Romney's investment is called Bain; although a different spelling. Mitt Romney's record is quite liberal--pushing for abortion, gun control, cap and trade, and government mandated healthcare. Some conservatives have actually predicted Mitt Romney will be the bane of the Republican party.
It's not hard to see the fracturing within the party as the establishment continues to move the left. Rush himself warned that nominating John McCain, a moderate, wouldn't excite the conservative base and lead to defeat. Now the Republican establishment has an even more liberal Republican running for president, who Rush himself has criticized and has some issues with backing. We all know Romney wasn't Rush's first pick.
I like you Rush, but you don't need listeners this bad to come up with this silly notion that this was planned.
Ron Paul Still Not in Mitt Romney's Corner
Ron Paul came out letting the world know where he stands on the liberal Republican Mitt Romney. Congressman Paul says he still hasn't decided whether or not he will support Mitt for Brains.
“I have not made a decision,” Paul told Fox Business Network’s Liz Claman and David Asman.
When asked what he thinks about Romney as a candidate for president, Paul responded, “Compared to whom? He certainly offers different things than the current president. But the current conditions make it rough for anyone. They are going to have a very though job.”
I think Congressman Paul is being kind, especially when you consider the identical records Romney shares as governor of Massachusetts with the leadership of Barack Obama.
“I have not made a decision,” Paul told Fox Business Network’s Liz Claman and David Asman.
When asked what he thinks about Romney as a candidate for president, Paul responded, “Compared to whom? He certainly offers different things than the current president. But the current conditions make it rough for anyone. They are going to have a very though job.”
I think Congressman Paul is being kind, especially when you consider the identical records Romney shares as governor of Massachusetts with the leadership of Barack Obama.
- Romney inspired Obamacare and ran the pilot program
- Romney supported key Democratic party supported gun control programs like The Brady Bill and a ban on semi-automatics
- Romney had his own stimulus program where government money was spent in hopes of lifting the economy
- Romney had his own failed green energy initiatives
- Romney supports cap and trade and believes in global warming
- Romney once told Ted Kennedy he was a greater advocate to abortion than Kennedy himself during a debate
- Romney forced Catholic Hospitals of Massachusetts to administer abortion pills
Ann Romney's Horse: I am Surprised the DNC is Not Kinder Liberal Mitt Romney
The Democratic National Committee has pulled an ad against Mitt Romney featuring Ann Romney's horse. Ann Romney of course has multiple sclerosis and trains the horses as therapy, and Republicans are crying out for political correctness in this matter.
At issue is a DNC video featuring footage of Ann Romney’s dancing show horse. The DNC used the horse in mocking way to attack Mitt Romney for not releasing his tax returns (and dancing around the issue).
Really? This is an issue? Good grief! Even the Republicans cry political correctness these days. I just don't see what is so offensive about it myself.
One again, I ask why is it the DNC hates Mitt Romney?
At issue is a DNC video featuring footage of Ann Romney’s dancing show horse. The DNC used the horse in mocking way to attack Mitt Romney for not releasing his tax returns (and dancing around the issue).
Really? This is an issue? Good grief! Even the Republicans cry political correctness these days. I just don't see what is so offensive about it myself.
One again, I ask why is it the DNC hates Mitt Romney?
- Romney inspired Obamacare and ran the pilot program
- Romney supported key Democratic party supported gun control programs like The Brady Bill and a ban on semi-automatics
- Romney had his own stimulus program where government money was spent in hopes of lifting the economy
- Romney had his own failed green energy initiatives
- Romney supports cap and trade and believes in global warming
- Romney once told Ted Kennedy he was a greater advocate to abortion than Kennedy himself during a debate
- Romney forced Catholic Hospitals of Massachusetts to administer abortion pills
To me, Romney sounds like someone the DNC would love!
Billy Long's NASCAR Funding Vote Under Scrutiny Again
When Billy Long and Republicans couldn't not come up with the $100 billion in spending cuts they promised as this new Congress took their seats, we learned it was because people like Long wouldn't make cuts needed by defunding things like NASCAR sponsorship. Throughout HR1 there were plenty of examples that show Billy Long and the GOP aren't serious about cutting spending. Without a doubt, the Billy Long's vote to continue funding NASCAR teams with your tax dollars was just more proof Congressman Long was never fed up.
I learned through my friend former Congressional candidate Dean Moore who met with Congressman Long last year, that Billy defended his vote to continue funding NASCAR teams during their meeting. Long told Moore there was a real value for the military to have the military's logos on the hoods of stock cars. Long said NASCAR advertising assists in recruiting for the military and produces better recruits.
It now appears Long wouldn't be able to back up his words and his decision to send over $30 million a year to stock car owners to sponsor the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Newman.
Currently in Congress, there is an effort to end federal sponsorship of sports teams. As a conservative, this is something I agree with. Taxpayers should not be footing the bill to make sure Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets sponsored. One of the reasons federal sponsorship of sports teams in under scrutiny is there appears to be no evidence of any benefit for the federal government or the military like Congressman Long claimed.
The Washington Times reports:
Facing that headwind, NASCAR and its drivers are publicly fighting to preserve the $21 million relationship between the National Guard and Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver, and another deal between the Air Force and the No. 43 car driven by Aric Almirola in NASCAR’s second circuit.
In a letter Monday sent to House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, and other top House leaders, NASCAR was joined by the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the Izod IndyCar Series in begging for lawmakers to keep money flowing.
The leagues said sports sponsorships are the “most efficient tool” in the military’s entire arsenal for reaching potential recruits, and pointed to the Army, which the leagues said collected 46,000 qualified leads of potential recruits from its efforts at NASCAR races in 2010. It was unclear how many of those leads turned into enlistments.
The Army seemed to disagree with the sports leagues’ conclusion. When it announced that it was ending its sponsorship of the No. 39 car after this year, it said the return on investment wasn’t good enough.
The Army told the Sporting News that it couldn’t calculate how much the investment in the No. 39 car was worth, saying recruitment takes more than a contact at a racetrack.
Yup, "Mr. Fed Up" has stepped in it again. Did you read that Congressman Long? The Army says there is no real benefit in using our tax dollars to put stickers on a stock car. Thanks for using our tax dollars so wisely one again Mr. Long.
I learned through my friend former Congressional candidate Dean Moore who met with Congressman Long last year, that Billy defended his vote to continue funding NASCAR teams during their meeting. Long told Moore there was a real value for the military to have the military's logos on the hoods of stock cars. Long said NASCAR advertising assists in recruiting for the military and produces better recruits.
It now appears Long wouldn't be able to back up his words and his decision to send over $30 million a year to stock car owners to sponsor the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Newman.
Currently in Congress, there is an effort to end federal sponsorship of sports teams. As a conservative, this is something I agree with. Taxpayers should not be footing the bill to make sure Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets sponsored. One of the reasons federal sponsorship of sports teams in under scrutiny is there appears to be no evidence of any benefit for the federal government or the military like Congressman Long claimed.
The Washington Times reports:
Facing that headwind, NASCAR and its drivers are publicly fighting to preserve the $21 million relationship between the National Guard and Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver, and another deal between the Air Force and the No. 43 car driven by Aric Almirola in NASCAR’s second circuit.
In a letter Monday sent to House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, and other top House leaders, NASCAR was joined by the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the Izod IndyCar Series in begging for lawmakers to keep money flowing.
The leagues said sports sponsorships are the “most efficient tool” in the military’s entire arsenal for reaching potential recruits, and pointed to the Army, which the leagues said collected 46,000 qualified leads of potential recruits from its efforts at NASCAR races in 2010. It was unclear how many of those leads turned into enlistments.
The Army seemed to disagree with the sports leagues’ conclusion. When it announced that it was ending its sponsorship of the No. 39 car after this year, it said the return on investment wasn’t good enough.
The Army told the Sporting News that it couldn’t calculate how much the investment in the No. 39 car was worth, saying recruitment takes more than a contact at a racetrack.
Yup, "Mr. Fed Up" has stepped in it again. Did you read that Congressman Long? The Army says there is no real benefit in using our tax dollars to put stickers on a stock car. Thanks for using our tax dollars so wisely one again Mr. Long.
TSA Agents to Assist in London Airports for Olympics
The Department of HOMELAND Security is going abroad for the Summer Olympics in London. It appears Janet Napolitano's army of sex offenders groping grandma at the airport won't be taking breaks this summer but rather "tea time".
The TSA is branching out beyond it’s own borders as officers are to be stationed at BRITISH airports during the Olympic games, scheduled to begin in just over a week.
The federal agents working under the authority of the US Department of Homeland Security will operate within London’s major airports from a week before the games, up until the conclusion of the Paralympics in early September.
The TSA, working in conjunction with the British Department for Transport, will reportedly provide “an added security layer” with a particular focus on the American airlines flying to and from London’s airports, according to Sky News.
According to the report, TSA agents will be prohibited from straying beyond boarding gates or onto other aircraft.
It is unclear whether the agents will be allowed to conduct patdowns on non Americans or operate full body scanners inside the airports.
A spokesman for London Heathrow airport has noted “The US Transportation Security Administration requested, some time ago, to base a small number of staff at Heathrow and other UK airports to assist the additional numbers of US passengers travelling to and from the UK ahead of the Olympics.”
“‘We agreed to give them access at Heathrow.” he added.
The TSA is branching out beyond it’s own borders as officers are to be stationed at BRITISH airports during the Olympic games, scheduled to begin in just over a week.
The federal agents working under the authority of the US Department of Homeland Security will operate within London’s major airports from a week before the games, up until the conclusion of the Paralympics in early September.
The TSA, working in conjunction with the British Department for Transport, will reportedly provide “an added security layer” with a particular focus on the American airlines flying to and from London’s airports, according to Sky News.
According to the report, TSA agents will be prohibited from straying beyond boarding gates or onto other aircraft.
It is unclear whether the agents will be allowed to conduct patdowns on non Americans or operate full body scanners inside the airports.
A spokesman for London Heathrow airport has noted “The US Transportation Security Administration requested, some time ago, to base a small number of staff at Heathrow and other UK airports to assist the additional numbers of US passengers travelling to and from the UK ahead of the Olympics.”
“‘We agreed to give them access at Heathrow.” he added.
Tom Stilson for Congress May Need Anger Management Classes
Tom Stilson, the Congressional candidate who still lives at home with mom and dad, may need anger management classes. Apparently the presence of large Mike Moon signs painted on trailers sends this kid who says he will support your First Amendment rights into a tirade.
We first learned about this as one Ozark man painted Mike Moon for Congress on the side of a semi-trailer and then parked the sign with permission at an abandoned used car lot in a prominent location in Ozark, Missouri, not far from where Stilson lives with his parents. As the men were parking the trailer, Stilson pulled up and began cussing at the men demanding they move the trailer claiming it was parked there illegally according to my sources. Just before Stilson drove up, he told one of the men to "go to hell". (More details on this coming.)
This wasn't the first instance of shenanigans surrounding the sign. It was originally parked with permission at the Christian County Fair earlier this month. Those not supporting Moon tried to have it removed, even going as far as having an attorney intimidate Moon about the sign. After the fair was over, Mavis Busiek called Mike Moon with a friendly message to contact the man. Moon later found out it was an attorney, but the attorney realized Moon had every right to park his sign there and nothing more was made of it.
Now Stilson is using Twitter accusing the Moon campaign trespassing on private property to display their sign.
Notice Stilson says the sign has been abandoned on private property even though it appears to be attached to a red Dodge Ram truck.
I speed dialed Mike Moon last night to ask him about his sign locations. He noted those who own the signs have gotten full permission to post the signs on the property they have been displayed. Moon said they put the sign up in one location just south of Nixa, and other politicians followed believing the location was a free for all. The next day, all but the Moon sign was removed by the property owner because the Moon sign was the only sign with permission.
Yes, Mike Moon signs are setting this kid off. It apparently these things run in the Stilson family as his dad suffered a major nicotine fit at the Christian County Republican Caucus earlier this year as Stilson's own mom describes in a white trash tirade attacking a third of the people who attended--people Stilson will need on his side if he expects to win in August.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
And the Lobbyists Continue to Buy Congressman Billy Long...
It was about two years ago Sarah Steelman endorsed Billy Long telling Southwest Missouri voters Billy Long would not be influenced by special interest.
I hope you will consider voting for Billy Long for Congress. The way I see it is we need someone who is not part of the political establishment. We need someone who loves his country and is willing to put his country before himself; before his party; before politics as usual; before special interest groups; before lobbyists; and before his colleagues in Congress. We need someone who will put YOU before money and power and influence. -- Sarah Steelman in her endorsement letter of Congressman Billy Long
It appears Billy Long is now the "status quo" the Republican establishment's mini-skirt queen Steelman claims to oppose in one of her latest commercials.
Randy Turner writes in his blog called The Turner Report:
Her name is Lisa Waltzman. She hails from Chevy Chase, Md.
Though I haven't heard of her entering a 12-step program or anything, she has the burden of being a contributor to Billy Long's re-election campaign.
She didn't give much. Long's quarterly report, filed Saturday with the FEC, shows she contributed $250 on June 27.
Apparently, Long's people did not know much about Ms. Waltzman, since they did not list an occupation on the report, simply writing "employer requested."
It took me a five second online search to find her employer.
She's a lobbyist. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) She works for the powerful firm of Steptoe & Johnson, and is described this way on her page on the firm's website:
Her description goes on for a few more paragraphs.
She's a lobbyist.
And not the only one who conributed to Billy Long's campaign, according to the report...
If you read on in Turner's piece, there's a whole long list of lobbyists Billy Long's campaign has taken money from, proving once again Billy Long was never fed up of the way things are done in Washington, and that Sarah Steelman is not a very good job of character when it comes to ridding Washington of the status quo.
Read more at The Turner Report.
I hope you will consider voting for Billy Long for Congress. The way I see it is we need someone who is not part of the political establishment. We need someone who loves his country and is willing to put his country before himself; before his party; before politics as usual; before special interest groups; before lobbyists; and before his colleagues in Congress. We need someone who will put YOU before money and power and influence. -- Sarah Steelman in her endorsement letter of Congressman Billy Long
It appears Billy Long is now the "status quo" the Republican establishment's mini-skirt queen Steelman claims to oppose in one of her latest commercials.
Randy Turner writes in his blog called The Turner Report:
Question for Billy Long: Who's this woman?
Though I haven't heard of her entering a 12-step program or anything, she has the burden of being a contributor to Billy Long's re-election campaign.
She didn't give much. Long's quarterly report, filed Saturday with the FEC, shows she contributed $250 on June 27.
Apparently, Long's people did not know much about Ms. Waltzman, since they did not list an occupation on the report, simply writing "employer requested."
It took me a five second online search to find her employer.
She's a lobbyist. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) She works for the powerful firm of Steptoe & Johnson, and is described this way on her page on the firm's website:
Lisa M. Waltzman is a policy advisor for the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where she is affiliated with the Government Affairs & Public Policy practice.Ms. Waltzman is a Capitol Hill veteran who provides advice on a range of issues from legislative strategy to policy analysis to fundraising. She combines an extensive understanding of a range of policy matters with a unique knowledge in the sometimes arcane Rules of the United States House of Representatives.Prior to working with the firm, Ms. Waltzman was President of LWM Strategies, where she devised and implemented government affairs strategies, advocated on behalf of clients before the House and Senate Commerce and Homeland Security Committees and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, drafted and edited policy documents, assisted in event planning and lobbying activities, and coordinated fundraising activities.
Her description goes on for a few more paragraphs.
She's a lobbyist.
And not the only one who conributed to Billy Long's campaign, according to the report...
Read more at The Turner Report.
Political Comedy from Tim Stilson: Missouri 7th Congressional Candidate
Tom Stilson who is running for Congress in Missouri's 7th District tweets:
Does Tom Stilson even own property?
Oh, that's right! He still lives at home with mom and dad.
Does Tom Stilson even own property?
Oh, that's right! He still lives at home with mom and dad.
Government Orders and Subsidies Don't Make Chevy Volt a Success
Now remember, when GM first announced the Volt, it was supposed to get 230 miles per gallon. In reality, it gets about 37, which means it's considerably cheaper to own and operate a Honda. Then GM was caught lying about the sales.
GM spokeswoman, Michelle Bunker, was quoted as saying that the Volt was "virtually sold out" and only a "few" were available nationwide.
OK, but according to GM sales figures only 125 were sold in July. Consider that in February, the shortest month of the year, 281 volt sales took place in the United States. Sales have fallen over 50% and the current climate of high fuel costs should ignite sales of a car like the Volt one would think.
Now remember, there are huge tax credits established by the Obama administration when you purchase an overpriced Volt.
Then there was the huge federal government order for Chevy Volts. Bloomberg reports:
It looks like General Motors will be throwing everything in but the kitchen sink to help fluff its second quarter earnings numbers. Taxpayers continue to help with the cause as President Obama campaigns on the “success” of GM following the manipulated bankruptcy process that cost taxpayers $50 billion and another $45 billion of tax credits gifted to GM to help protect powerful UAW interests. We now learn that government purchases of GM vehicles rose a whopping 79% in June.
The discovery of the pick-up in government fleet purchases at the taxpayers’ expense comes just weeks before GM announces its second quarter earnings. Overall fleet sales (which are typically less profitable than retail sales) at Government Motors rose a full 36% for the month, helping to drive decent sales improvements year over year.
Now we are learning GM is losing lots of money on its ugly, overpriced, underachieving Chevy Volt:
According to multiple GM executives there is little or no profit being made on each Volt built at a present cost of around $40,000. Furthermore, the $700 million of development that went into the car has to be recouped.
Here's the truth you aren't going to hear from Obama about Chevrolet. Taxpayers are footing the bill for GM's huge development losses on the Volt.
(A)dd $240 million in Energy Department grants doled out to G.M. last summer, $150 million in federal money to the Volt’s Korean battery supplier, up to $1.5 billion in tax breaks for purchasers and other consumer incentives, and some significant portion of the $14 billion loan G.M. got in 2008 for “retooling” its plants, and you’ve got some idea of how much taxpayer cash is built into every Volt.
Remember this when Obama campaigns he saved Detroit.
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