actualpolitics

Of Political Protests and Laser-Guided Hushpuppies

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:40:20 -0800

I’m sure by now you’ve seen the video of the disgruntled Iraqi reporter throwing his shoes at President Bush last Sunday. I’m also fairly confidant after all the in-depth expert analysis that followed in its wake, you’re well aware that the act is the Arab equivalent of giving someone the “finger”; albeit in an admittedly more forceful and potentially painful manner.

That’s not even mentioning the potential olfactory offensiveness, depending on the attacker’s personal hygiene and the condition of their shoes, but I digress.

235 YEARS LATER AND ALL THAT THE TEA PARTY WAS ABOUT IS FORGOTTEN

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:40:58 -0800

December 16th, marked the 235th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. As many of us struggle to make the most of the holiday season, this major event in the history of the creation of our nation will go unnoticed. Trying to cope with the troubling economy makes it harder to afford the newest wii or xbox for our children before Christmas day rolls around. While we cope with it, we will not be thinking about the individuals who, 235 years ago, were more preoccupied with their rights than their Christmas gifts.

TOO MUCH CORRUPTION BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MUCH GOVENMENT

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:41:59 -0800

POLITICS 24/7 has often stated that not only is state government too big but that there are too many governments in the state. Based on the relatively small size of New Jersey, why there is a need for more than 650 municipal governments, is beyond me. Drive down any road in New Jersey and you will find yourself entering a new town within 5 minutes or less.

Candidate Strangelove Becomes Secretary Strangelove

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:25:59 -0800

In honor of Senator Clinton's introduction as President-Elect Obama's nominee for Secretary of State, I thought it might be nice to take a look at what we - and more importantly the President-Elect - might expect from Secretary Clinton.

What worldview does she bring to the administration? What style of diplomacy might we expect from her? What personal panache or interpersonal communication skills does she bring to the table?

NEW JERSEY GRASS ROOT REPUBLICANS ISSUE PRESS RELEASE REGARDING GOVERNORS RACE

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:51:54 -0800

Garden State Grass Root Republicans Trying To Cultivate A Winning GOP Ticket In ‘09 (Manchester, N.J. -December 1, 2008) ~ Followers of Republican State Senator Beck, R-Monmouth, have begun a petition and campaign for her to be tapped as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and running mate of whomever ultimately wins the nomination for Governor. They expect to deliver that message to whomever the Republican nominee for Governor winds up being.

As stated in the petition, it calls “upon the Republican party’s nominee for Governor to select State Senator Jennifer Beck as their running mate and our nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey in the November elections of 2009.”

Obama and Osama - Passion Verses Patience

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:47:02 -0800

As the family and I sat at the dinner table last night, ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson” was on in the background. Listening to the coverage of the unveiling of President-elect Obama’s economic team and discussion over the potential size of his “jolting” stimulus package, it struck me what a daunting set of challenges await the young President come January 20th.

With each new day, news of record housing foreclosures, rising unemployment, failing economic institutions, skyrocketing budget deficits, community-devastating plant closures, chaotic stock markets and once unfathomable governmental bailouts add to the increasingly pessimistic outlook of millions of Americans.

Obama - President-Elect, Master of Political Stagecraft

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:30:08 -0800

One of the areas that the Obama campaign clearly dominated its’ Republican counterpart was in the realm of political stagecraft.

As the old saying goes, perception is reality. Masters of political stagecraft understand it is a powerful element in the creation of perceptions and thereby political realities.

As early as June, I gave the stagecraft advantage to the Obama camp. This was due in part, to their mastery of the “shot”.

Berg v Obama

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:28:11 -0800

On September 29^th ofthis year a Federal District Court in Pennsylvania ruled that the Democratic Nominee for President Barak Obama had 72 hours to turn over a copy of his long form “vault” birth certificate to long timeDemocrat and Hillary Clinton supporter, Philip Berg. In the DNC’s motion to dismiss they argued Mr. Berg had no “standing” upon which to bring his lawsuit and therefore the Federal Court should dismiss it.

The court refused to accept theDNC’s and Mr. Obama’s argument instead issuing a ruling that gave numerous statutes and case law which, in the court’s judgment, gave Mr. Berg standing. One such case was the 1998Supreme Court case of FEC v. Akins. In this case the United States Supreme Court held that Akins, et.al. acting as voters had standing to challenge the FEC for information under the FECA, Fair Election Campaign Act. The court so eloquently held that “the injury pertaining to voting, the most basic of political rights, is sufficiently concrete.” For a petitioner to have standing the injury, in the eyes of a court,must be sufficiently concrete as to merit a case or controversy. In the case of Akins, et.al. the court sided with the voters.

Cutting the Gordian Knot of GE Theory

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:01:15 -0800

Abstract

In the context of GE Theory, the conditions required for capitalism to be efficient are implausible in practice, though conceivable in theory. The former implies that the free market is always inefficient. The latter implies that a central planner can mimic how capitalism would work if it were efficient while the profits and interest generated by the operations of publicly-owned business enterprises would be distributed to the general public as a social dividend.

In the context of GE Theory, there is no way for libertarians to get around this dilemma without being impaled on one or the other horn. Either we live with a system that can never be efficient in practice or we have an efficient system but renounce private property rights and put distribution of the "social dividend" in the hands of a central planner.

Is there another way?

Searching For Reagan In The Wilderness - The Future of the Republican Party

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:17:55 -0800

With the Democrats controlling both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, there are those among the Conservative ranks contemplating how best to take maximum advantage of their newfound time in the political wilderness. Recruiting foot soldiers, grooming the next generation of leaders, raising money and engaging in a robust and often painfully honest bit of soul-searching all rank high on the list of priorities.

Crucial among those pressing issues is the debate of the intellectual-ideological foundation on which the next Conservative revival will be built.

What lies at the dogmatic heart of the Conservative movement? What principals are inviolable? What is considered heresy? Are pragmatics apostates to be excommunicated?

Now that the race is over

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:23:18 -0800

“If the mouth holds nothing good, it’s better to keep it shut, but if it holds anything of value; its contents must then be carefully delivered.” - Joseph Luxum

McCain jumped from strategy to strategy like a tiger in a cage. The maverick tried anything that works; from troops surge, to Aires, to Joe the Plumber, but finally what really worked, was to call Mr. Elect to congratulate him.

The congratulations were honest, but anything before that was white wool strewn over the eyes of those that saw too many colors.

McCain ~ With Honor He Fought, In Honor He Is Undone

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:02:45 -0800

As signs of his impending defeat rise, criticism of Senator McCain and his campaign has mounted.

Having assailed the Senator and his staff for failing to learn from history and to fundamentally understand the priorities and mood of the electorate myself several times over the course of the campaign, I speak from experience.

Rest assured, despite many pointing to September 15th and the devastating landfall of the financial hurricane on the American economy as the tipping point of the campaign, this defeat has been eight months in the making.

Honey, Are You Feeling Mavericky?

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:59:53 -0800

Joking about a candidate’s wife entering a topless biker beauty contest, offers for Playboy centerfold shoots, Russian servicemen “nailin’” an insatiable female governor in a farcical porno political parody and inflatable love dolls dressed like librarians.

What do all these have in common, you ask?

An uncharacteristically high degree of sexual banter and raw sex appeal associated with the traditional bastion of political Conservatism and stalwart defender of family values – the Republican Party.

Dinner and Politics Don't Mix

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:56:56 -0700

I have to apologize here from the get go. The other night my partner Nick, and I went out to a local diner for a quick bite to eat. We were seated at a booth in between a group of four behind me and a group of three senior citizens behind Nick. While perusing the menu my ears caught the phrase “I don’t like Obama”. It came from one of the ladies in the group sitting behind Nick .

Being preoccupied by politics, certain buzz words like election, President, McCain, or Obama, catch my attention even when I am not paying attention. So this older woman’s utterance of the word “Obama” lit up my on my radar screen. Even though it may have been impolite to pay attention to a conversation not involving me, I couldn’t help myself. So I apologize for any impolite eavesdropping, that I may be guilty of. It wasn’t my intent but I’m a political junkie, and as such, this election season is for me what Christmas is to a wide eyed, little boy. It’s like the Super Bowl to football fans and I am just in tune to any references to politics. Besides, to put it nicely, this woman was not using her inside voice.

Pride Goeth Before The Fall ~ Republican Hubris and Barack Obama

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:24:22 -0700

I originally published this piece on March 3, 2008. While the introductory paragraph has been excised and it has been structurally revised, it remains substantively true to its’ original composition.

At the time, Republicans were gloating over the prospect of Barack Obama putting Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign out of its misery.

As they relished the agony that had become Clinton’s campaign, I admonished them to resist the allure of hubris and be mindful of history. Failing to learn its lessons, like so many others before them - including Senator Clinton herself – I warned they may well find themselves doomed to repeat it.

I Think I Disagree With The Former President

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:56:46 -0700

It's no secret really: I love Bill Clinton. I think he is a brilliant person who has done great things for the United States and continues to do great things for the world through his Foundation. I think that he is an extremely gifted politician (perhaps the best of my lifetime, so far?) and I'm glad that he is widely recognized as such.

I generally agree with most things President Clinton says. Not in a blind-follower sort of way, but I just usually agree with him on economic and social issues (perhaps because both of us are democrats - just a guess). However, there was a recent occasion in which I took issue with a comment from the former president.

Stuck

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:05:44 -0700

I love this country. That's right, Michele Bachmann, I'm a democrat and I love this country. This country affords anyone who is willing to face circumstantial barriers, an opportunity to live up to their God-given potential. In this country we are allowed to freely voice our opinion, even at the expense of others (which is often the case). Because this country allows me the right to speak freely, I'm going to do so.

I'm stuck today. I can usually let the ridiculous things people say roll off my back and I go about my day getting done what I need to. My thoughts are generally not consumed with the words of those who choose to speak so ill of gay people. I hear things from time to time, pause to convince myself that the majority of the people in the world may not agree with such hateful comments, and then get on with my day.

Unconventional Omens ~ Of Coffee Cups, Baseball Bats and Sponge Bob's Brats

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:06:18 -0700

In honor of Halloween this coming Friday, I thought I would kickoff the week with a wee electoral fright.

Having previously scared Republicans with the specter of FDR’s ghost and the electoral torment he inflicts on them every sixteen years, I’ve unearthed a few more foreboding omens portending impending presidential perils for the pachyderm party.

As infighting mounts in the McCain campaign, Conservatives begin openly pointing fingers and red states teeter like unstable dominoes under a combination of Senator Obama’s overwhelming media assault and coordinated ground campaign, a bit of unconventional political wisdom has surfaced that adds insult to what increasingly appears to be fatal injury.

Debate Three ~ A Disappointing Final Course

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:11:54 -0700

Over the past several days I’ve been repeatedly asked where my analysis of the third and final presidential debate was. Initially chocking the delay up to my desire to avoid the pitfalls of insta-analysis, as time went on the thought began to creep into the back of my mind that perhaps I had contracted a nasty case of writer’s block.

How could this be, I wondered. Surely someone as opinionated and verbose as me had something to say about Wednesday night’s final faceoff between Senators McCain and Obama.

An Open Letter To Keith Olberman

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:01:14 -0700

An Open Letter To Keith Olbermann and NBC.

Dear Depraved, Liar;

I happened to see your low rated program “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”. I would have turned you off like most Americans do but I was curious. I wondered if you were as big a schmuck as I have been told you were. Like passing a car wreck on the Garden State Parkway, I just had to look and see if it was possible for a news station to be as irresponsible as I have been told NBC is. Not only did I find that it was possible, I was stunned by the outright lies and offensiveness of the so called program you attempted to get through, .

Spinner in the No-Spin Zone

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0700

When it comes to unbiased, fair and balanced Fox News reporting, much is to be desired. Catchy slogans do just that, catch. You can hide under slogans like those coming from Bill O’Reilly and his ‘No-Spin Zone’, but when it comes to Dems, Reps Bill uses a more self-righteous epithets. Stuck in the values of the past and beating on a dead horse he seems closed-minded when it comes to less conservative fresh and new things. Yet, the conservatives use brand new technology, flat screens TV, mobile phone and Internet. they are no Amish for sure. Only religion’s wheels are stuck in the mud of the past, because it constantly borrows from it. Conservative Republicans do the same, as if they are afraid of the new, the untested. That’s their only trump card they can play these days, untested inexperience.

Michelle Bachmann and the Politics of Division

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:42:40 -0700

I write this article neither as a Liberal nor as a Conservative. I write this article as an American. I write this as a Caucasian American who holds to a set of Moderate to Right-Libertarian political views. I write this as someone who is quote worried about the direction our Nation is taking. I write this as someone who is heartsick over the deep divisions in the world of politics.

For the first time, since I have been Blogging, I feel the need to speak out against those who hold similar political views as mine. I am referring to the comments that were made by Rep. Michelle Bachmann. Rep. Michelle Bachmann on an appearance on MSNBC’s Hardball said that there were persons in the United States Congress, who held to Anti-American views. She also said that these people should be investigated.

It is official: Keith Olbermann has become a sad parody of himself.

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:19:29 -0700

Tonight I saw something that I thought I would never see. I saw a famous liberal broadcaster become a sick parody of himself; Keith Olbermann, who has been lauded by the Republicans as the Anti-Christ of the liberal political world tonight went, in this writers opinion, from a professional broadcaster with a bit of a liberal slant to an overpaid journalistic hack.

Keith was reporting or something to that effect, on the roast that Barack Obama and John McCain both attended, which was held for a very good cause. In the course of this roast, John McCain landed some rather good-natured humorous insults at MSNBC and Keith Olbermann. Of course, Keith being the very prideful man that he is felt the need to respond.

Sarah Palin - Hockey Mom, Conservative Icon, Playboy Playmate?

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:05:02 -0700

In high school, Sarah Palin’s nickname on the girls’ basketball team was “Sarah Barracuda”. Playing off this, stage managers at the Republican National Convention used Heart’s 70’s hit “Barracuda” as her signature music, much to the chagrin and dismay of the Wilson sisters. However, in light of several recent offerings by Reuters and Associated Press photographers, perhaps a more appropriate selection would be ZZ Top’s “Legs” or even Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher”.

What's In A Name?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:44:19 -0700

With less than thirty days before voters go to the polls to pull the lever down, the Republican Presidential Nominee,Senator John McCain, aggressively goes on the attack questioning the "character" of the Democratic Presidential Nominee, Senator Barack Obama.

Debate Two - Bland Cold Cuts and Stale Leftovers

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:51:04 -0700

In the second of their three scheduled debates, Senators McCain and Obama agreed that the nation faced the most challenging economic crisis since the Great Depression. Sadly, though, neither believed circumstances were dire enough to warrant dispensing with the petty bickering and snide remarks that have become the hallmark of the current presidential race.

Cordial Combat - The Vice Presidential Debate

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:21:51 -0700

Stepping into the national spotlight together for their lone debate, Alaskan Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her Democratic counterpart, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, carried the expectations and hopes of their respective campaigns heavily on their shoulders.

With more than 35 years in the Senate, two runs for the White House of his own and considered to be one of the Democratic Party’s elder statesmen on matters of foreign policy and national security, Biden’s experience complimented the comparatively meager resume of Democratic presidential nominee, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

THE OBAMABOMBER AND LIBERAL’S TOLERANCE OF TERRORISM IN THE PRESIDEDRNTIAL ELECTION

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:37:21 -0700

Eric Rudolph was convicted to life in prison after murdering people and bombing two abortion clinics. Had his despicable crimes not killed people in those bombings and he served a lesser sentence he may well be out of prison someday. But what if Eric Rudolph had he not been kept behind bars?

Mild Form of Socialism

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:49:25 -0700

Is America slipping into Socialism?
Well it should. Anyway, eventually it will, it’s inevitable. Why?

Watch the European countries like, Brittan, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, or even France, all of them are socialistic, which means, their citizens do, and quite naturally so, have affordable healthcare and social services; their economies are stable. In Sweden, for example, everyone’s gotten lazy from too much of the good thing. As the human nature tends to be, we would get lazy too by taking the ordinary things for granted.
Humanity seeks security and stability. Families must make sure that their children get good education and a good start in life. It’s a natural trend, even Rome recognized it more than 2000 years ago, and gave us the new idea.

At the break of the 19th and 20th centuries, the socialistic movements, spurred by completely natural desires, fought for their rights. Extremities like Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism were only born due to the rust-jammed capitalistic machinery enjoyed by the privileged few. The Stalins and Trotzky’s threw God away, or rather religion, just so that it’s controlling element on the human mind might be eliminated in order to spur industrial expansion. (Today China copies this model). The selfish capitalist machinery had rusted giving way to revolutions and reforms.

America was too young to go through this process; instead, it was preoccupied with labels. Like Abbott Castello’s “who’s on the first” who is a commy and who ain’t, was America’s paranoia, at least of some. McCarthianism only served us too well, protecting what? Waste of precious time.

What are we fighting for? Something the Europeans have enjoyed for decades, and which became a normal way of life? Why do we need this big hoopla about health care? Do we need champions for something which elsewhere is basic?

It is not a Democratic or Liberal idea, but common sense. If we do not regulate, we will be forced to regulate. Something must be centralized and not evolve all by itself, money is not a bacteria, it lives as long as the living navigates it. If the living has gotten too selfish and too greedy, irresponsible and uncaring then the hammer must fall on the anvil; we should not wait to long but strike the anvil now.

Government buys bad debt? Who ever heard of such a scheme? We are buying government bonds and securities, so just as the name 'security' suggests there will be nothing secure to buy from the US government anymore. What will we invest in, junk bonds sold to us by Uncle Sam?

Whether we like it or not, especially now, with the banking crisis on our sick-with-worry heads, we slip into a mild form of socialism, which means that the taxes-paying citizens should be taken care by their government.
Is it too much to ask?

Socialism in America

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:48:28 -0700

THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE...Two Bracelets, No Sale

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:44:39 -0700

After first suggesting that the debate on foreign policy be postponed so that participants can work on the 700 billion dollar economic bailout package, John McCain joined Barack Obama on the stage in Oxford, Mississippi. The suspension of normal campaign activity by McCain’s campaign actually did little to effect the issue that it intended to and it was not a move that was seen through by McCain. The bailout bill has still not been assembled and neither one of the potential White House occupants have influenced the final product that either one of them will have to contend with in 4 months. That is disappointing.

I'm Sick of the Politicians in this Country

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:06:23 -0700

I'm sick of the politicians in this country. I am disabled, a veteran, and live on a fixed income in one of the country's poorest states, Tennessee. I have tried to contact my local government in Harriman to no avail. I have tried to contact my state senators that also to no avail.
I worked for the U. S. Postal Service for 22 years and was injuried on the job. The Post Office out-sourced the management of Worker's Compensation claims (as they claim, to reduce paperwork but really so that management could say they had nothing to do with any disapproval of claims i.e, no blood on their hands) and so my claim was turned down. I had to wait to get surgery on both my knees and couldn't returned to carrying mail because the Post Office claimed that since my injuries weren't job related they didn't have to provide me with work at all. I had to go on welfare and state-assisted insurance.

Sarah Palin's son is a Racist? Perhaps so... read this

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:05:54 -0700

Sarah's son Track is a serious Nazi sympathizer but he joined the white power movement rather recently. His story is not yet told. He was overheard talking about Mexicans in a derogatory way to other members of his unit.

We're at war....again

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:03:13 -0700

We’re now at war with Pakistan. Recently the BBC picked up a story of the United States Congress giving President George Bush the authority to invade and attack Pakistan. The BBC confirmed this three days ago and last night may have solidified the fears.

Dark Ages Have Not Gone Away

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:17:26 -0700

The Dark Ages Today,

“Are you in allegiance with the Devil? “
“No!”
“Are you in league with the Prince of Darkness?”
“No, I’m not”
“For the last time I adjure you in the name of Christ…”

Patriotism of the Americas

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:44:38 -0700

Wider Lens – Articles by Lee Rudy
As the Europeans conducted their disgraceful African slave trade with the Americas, they did not keep those slaves for themselves. Americans did. As a result, there ware far fewer Negroes in Europe than in America. When The British outlawed slavery, Lincoln abolished slavery in the US, the Civil war broke out.

Abortion - The 19th Century Debate

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:08:43 -0700

The heated abortion debate sparked by Roe v Wades' 1973 supreme court ruling may seem as old as the case's filing, but, in reality, it's simply a new take on an age old argument - too who, and under what circumstances, do civil rights apply.

During the first drafting of our Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson challenged the ethics behind our use of African slaves. Although Jefferson's family owned over 100 slaves, he felt his famous line,"All are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights", couldn't be taken seriously unless it applied to all men - even blacks.

Spending Our Way Out of Debt

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:38:55 -0700

When the country is faced with a tremendous debt, what is the first solution that comes to mind? Is it to try and pay off the debt using the money we don't have? Is it raising taxes to an unspeakable amount on anything and everything, and then pay it off with that money?

A Winter Chill In August - A Resurgent Russia in the Near Abroad

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:17:20 -0700

One of the intentions behind Russia’s ongoing revisionist aggression in Georgia was to send a message to its former republics and vassals in what it considers to be its’ historical sphere of influence; particularly those gravitating towards a Western orientation and flirting with NATO. Having sent a message, one might naturally expect it to elicit a response.

While they have succeeded in spades, it is hardly the response Prime Minister Putin and the Kremlin had sought or imagined.

Putin's Georgian Hunting Holiday

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:56:53 -0700

While the fog of war still lingers over Georgia, a few things are becoming crystal clear.

-With Russia's emasculation of the Georgian military, look for Russian forces to retrench in the separatist South Ossetian and Abkhazian regions and consolidate their territorial gains.

Musharraf Resignation Creates Uncertainty

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:03:16 -0700

CNN reports that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has announced his resignation today in a publicly aired address to the nation. This comes after months of political pressure from the opposing party; who won the majority in their parliament last February.

Editorial: Russia and Democratic Neglect

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:22:12 -0700

One of the biggest issues with this Russian/Georgian conflict is the fact that there is a lack of verifiable information. One minute you hear that the conflict has ended and the fighting has stopped the very next, you hear that the fighting is still happening, and that the Russians are not honoring the cease-fire agreement. It is all rather confusing, and it makes for a very frustrated blogger. Because the last thing a blogger wants to be, is wrong.

The Politics of Military Spending

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:20:25 -0700

Two stories this week surrounding our military and self interest driven politicians clearly illustrate the problems our military leaders are forced to deal with. I'm sure you're familiar with the Air Force tanker issue which was supposedly won by European company EADS. Do you know the entire story though?

The Power of Free People

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:56:01 -0700

I saw a poll on CNN's front page yesterday that asked, "Should the international community get involved in the conflict in Georgia? " I quickly clicked no and viewed the results. The consensus was ‘yes,' the international community should be involved in the Georgian conflict. The results of the poll were overwhelming with over 25000 yes votes to less than 5000 voting no.

McCain Rises to Presidential Authority on Foreign Policy

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:48:54 -0700

Thursday night Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia. This ‘pop quiz' for our Presidential candidates has shown us exactly which man is right for the job. Senator McCain immediately came to Georgia's rescue with sharp and decisive criticisms of the Russian military maneuvers. Showing presidential decisiveness and clear alliance with our friends in Georgia, McCain said:

Global Inflation

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:08:39 -0700

In the next Newsweek, in the international edition, Senior Editor Rana Foroohar reports on why globalization, which used to be all about making things cheaper, has led to half the world living with double-digit inflation. Between 2003 and 2007, world GDP grew 5 percent per year-faster than it ever has. But freer trade, cheaper emerging-market labor, better technology and prosperity, made everyone from consumers to policy makers to the bankers financing it forget that this unprecedented growth came with greater global demand for things such as labor, food and energy.

Defend Your First Amendment Rights Against the Assault of Liberalism

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:23:28 -0700

Despite what liberals would have you believe, the phrase ‘separation of Church and State’ does not appear anywhere in The Constitution of the United States of America.

In a January 1, 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, Thomas Jefferson declared that the First Amendment built “a wall of separation between Church & State.”

Harvesting Rotten Fruit

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:10:38 -0700

For years liberals of all stripes from socialists to communists to all out fascists have been planting seeds in our society. It became clear to them in the early part of this century that America was not quite ready for the revolutions that swept their fellow travelers into power across the globe in places like Russia, Germany, France and Italy. Something about the right of the people to keep and bear arms still being believed in at the time put serious kinks into that plan. So they opted for a more subtle approach on America’s shores.

The Housing Bubble: A Walkthrough

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:15:26 -0700

On the newswire this morning I came across the following headline, “Real Estate Roundtable Urges Swift Senate Approval of Housing Relief – GSE Backstop Plan.” I figured a little research was in order. Specifically, I wanted to know, “Why does this group, Real Estate Roundtable, care about people losing their homes?” The question may appear cynical, but rarely are there truly altruistic groups fighting the good fight; I wanted to see if this was one of them.

Snappy Answers to Leftist Lies about Oil

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:00:46 -0700

It’s one of the biggest news stories out there right now, one that directly impacts us on so many levels. If we don’t address this issue soon, we will be thrown into a depression that will take years to overcome. I’m speaking, of course, of the racy photos of Miley Cyrus circulating on the Internet.

Oh, and there’s that whole kerfluffle over oil prices.

A New Invisible Enemy

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:26:54 -0700

We have yet another invisible enemy. This gruesome enemy has no regard for women’s rights. It doesn’t understand the meaning of democracy. It is an enemy, and it demands our immediate legislative attention. We must rally behind our government and fight….. cancer!

Oil Speculators and Evil Empires

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:39 -0700

As I was sipping my morning coffee today I came across this little announcement which blew my mind. As per the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association: "Everyone agrees one of the biggest factors in high oil prices is oil speculation by hedge funds and investment bankers," said John V. Kulik, Executive Vice-President, Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association. "Some experts say as much as 60 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline or heating oil can be attributed to pure speculation and abusive trading practices."

The Nuclear Stare Down

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:51:40 -0700

No doubt Iran continues to move forward with its nuclear program, but just how dangerous is it? I mean really. Today I found a report written by a Middle Eastern Nuclear Technologies group concerning Iran. It covers everything, with pictures! If you've ever wanted to know anything about Iran's nuclear program, it's here. It read:

First Blog Post

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:51:05 -0700

This is my first post with ActualPolitics and I wanted to start off with something really juicy.

America’s Health Insurance Plans is a group which exists for one reason: to protect the Health Care cartel. The AHIP is mounting an attack on the Democrats of Congress by ‘educating’ and ‘recruiting’ people. What’s the cause? “Status Quo!”

ACLU Gets a Hug

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:03:03 -0700

Sometimes I enjoy a feeling of relief when reflecting upon organizations such as the ACLU consistently keeping accountable those institutions in the government that, many of the times, are seemingly hell bent on tyranny and general civil liberty intrusions. But, then again, I sometimes can’t stand the bastards. That’s the way it works.

The Need to Have Improvements In Education

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:22:02 -0700

Studies have been conducted by the Department of Education and Development to assess the level of knowledge achieved by students by the time they reached the senior year of high school. The results indicated that there needed to be improvements in education made because some students considered eligible to receive a high school diploma were unable to read past the reading level expected of a fifth grader. Children were being left behind in knowledge while being pushed through the education system to make room for others coming up behind them.

A (Legitimate) Declaration On Marriage

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:30:46 -0700

Recently, I read an article by William Gairdner (or possible Gardner, I'm not sure which) entitled "A Declaration On Marriage." This article expressed a view that seems to be quite common among so-called "Bible-Thumpers," and other social conservatives. Rather than attempting to sum up the view myself, I'll provide this quote to provide a more accurate description.

No Expansion for Blue Cross

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:17:14 -0700

On July 8th, in Nashville, HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's proposed package of bills reforming the state's individual insurance market and allowing the insurer's for-profit subsidiaries to expand its non-health insurance products, met resistance with the state Senate. According to the latest Michigan Health Plan Analysis, the state Senate approved a compromise measure only giving the insurer some of what they wanted, deferred a portion of the request and took no vote on the expansion of the non-health business.

Lying Legislation?

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:20:27 -0700

LANSING, Mich., July 7 -- Throwing yet another jab towards middle of the road politicians; the Spokesman for Michigan Citizens Against Unrestricted Science and Experimentation, Dave Doyle, has publicly scrutinized legislation which will continue to allow Michigan Universities to study Embryonic Stem Cells.

Greasy Burgers Could Save America

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:49:05 -0700

This article could have been called "Drive Through Fast Food Lane," or "Grab Lunch and Fill 'er Up at the Drive Through." I liked all three. The fact is, there is a huge, as yet untapped resource out there that could drastically reduce emissions, and slash dependence on oil. This fuel source can be found all over the country at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and many other fast food chains. Oh yeah, it burns clean, and is more efficient that fossil fuel. Clean and green, it's a no brainer, Folks.

S&P: Worst Quarter in 18 Years for Corporate Dividends

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:25:49 -0700

NEW YORK, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's, the world's leading index provider, announced today that 97 of the approximately 7,000 publicly owned companies that report dividend information to Standard & Poor's Dividend Record decreased their dividend during the second quarter of 2008, representing a 439% increase from the 18 issues that decreased their dividend payment during the second quarter of 2007. Reported dividend increases declined 16.1% to 455.

Patriot Actions: A Citizens Perspective on the Patriot Act

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:16:56 -0700

9/11 changed all of our lives. No one can argue that the people of America changed that day. What continues to be of debate is whether the government has the right to amend the laws of the land as they have under the Patriot Act.

Abbas Urges U.S. to Help Reach Peace Deal by Year-end

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:51:58 -0700

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope on Sunday that the United States would help push Israelis towards striking a permanent peace agreement with Palestinians before the end of 2008.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice following their meeting in Ramallah, Abbas asked Rice to "help us to convince Israel of being committed to stopping settlements activities."

Homeschooling Critiques are Unfounded

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:19:52 -0700

The debate over homeschooling has been going on for years, and will continue to persist as parents look for viable alternatives to public school education.

Proponents of homeschool activities say that their children are allowed to work at a much faster pace, can receive much more individual attention, and are free from possible negative influences that may be present in a public school setting. While those against home schooling say that it stifles creativity, socialization, and can potentially set a child down a more difficult road toward the future.

Will Students Benefit From the Future of Education in the U.S.?

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:14:38 -0700

When we talk about the future forecast of what the coming years have in store for us in so far as education there are a number of new theories about things like "gift" economies, sustainable environments, and new civic processes as well assessing the future trends in education. One dilemma is the tension between the marketplace for increasingly personalized learning and the social mandate of the public schools to provide foundational education to everyone. And this does not include the factor of varying income levels and what people can afford.

The Greatest Threat to the United States Security

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:44:36 -0700

The wedding of terrorist and nuclear weapons is now the greatest threat to the United States, security. The U.S. tried to deter terrorists from gaining access to nuclear weapons through Pakistan. The results however of investigations into Pakistani nuclear black market and nuclear proliferation network demonstrates in stark terms the devastating consequences of nuclear proliferation by Al-Qaeda and Taliban who may now have access to state-controlled nuclear weapons according to an American/Pakistani who said, “I read it in a Pakistan newspaper during a recent visit to that country”.

The Second Amendment-We are the People

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:38:33 -0700

Old Glory, The Stars and Bars, That Grand Old Flag and The Red, White, and Blue. This Statement can only refer to one thing--The symbol of a Great Nation, a Nation of Free people, a Nation that remembers the struggles and the loss of life that it took to achieve this freedom.

Why Congress Can't Fix Health Care

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:14:39 -0700

Hillary Clinton says she will fix our health care system. Barack Obama says he can fix it better. The fact is that neither of them will “fix” anything. Either of them will change system, but there are some serious issues as to why neither of their plans will actually do anything to lower the cost of health care in the United States. The reason is very simple when you stop and think about it rather than get emotional about the issue.

A Nation of Mooches

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 03:54:58 -0700

"Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don't worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it." --Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio.

An Overview of the Presidential Candidates’ Stances on Human Genetics Issues

Tue, 20 May 2008 23:45:27 -0700

Wrangling over economic and national security issues has left health and genetic discussions on the backburner in the presidential race. However, the three leading candidates have been active on these issues during and prior to their time in the Senate. Barack Obama has encouraged personalized medicine research and genetic test regulation; John McCain has concentrated on stem cell research; and Hillary Clinton has been active in all of these areas as well as newborn screening and genetic and environment interactions.

America the Squishy

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:13:22 -0700

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the mainstream media are getting kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies who make anti-depressants. Turn on a TV, read a newspaper, or log onto the computer and you’ll find stories about how everything is getting more expensive.

Interpretation of the Equal Pay Act Clarified

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:02:39 -0700

The Senate blocked a bill meant to change the Equal Pay Act. During a session on April 23, 2008, the Republican block of senators voted to turn down the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The act delineates the Title VII under the Equal Pay Act to clarify the statute of limitations on filing lawsuits for claims of pay discrimination.

Taking the Temperature of Global Climate Change

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:04:17 -0700

The daily observation from the Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) clearly highlights a potential global problem. In 2008, nearly every day of each of the first four months of the year has recorded an observation of sunspot activity that is equal to zero. In fact, there have been only two days in the last four months when there has been any sunspot activity at all and each small event disappeared very quickly.

Will Clean Energy "Cross the Divide?"

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:25:40 -0700

Fossil fuels provide most of the world's energy and are the foundation of the past two centuries of economic growth. The issue of climate change poses the first serious challenge to fossil fuels' primacy.

Ways to Use Biomass Energy

Sat, 10 May 2008 03:19:21 -0700

There are many different ways to use biomass energy. Today, we are going to look at four different categories: biofuels, biopower, bioproducts, and space heating and cooling.

Give Peace a Chance

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:13:36 -0700

You say you want to help the Palestinians, but most of them still struggle in poverty. How are you helping anyone?
Having been born into a privileged life, you use your wealth toward death, destruction, division, and sorrow.
Here is an old saying for you to ponder: "Give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime." How are you helping the people of the Middle East, learn how to help themselves, with your millions of dollars?

An Iraqi Disagreement

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:30:43 -0700

When is a “disagreement” not really one? When the AP claims [via QandO]Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants U.S. troops out of Iraq faster than Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker [emphasis mine]:

Drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:52:06 -0700

Yesterday the Selfservatives in the Senate (read: REPUBLICANS) forced through passage of drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, against the will of Americans, with no regard for the opposition, and in an entirely disrespectful way.

The Medicare Maze

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:16:06 -0700

If you have never seen a riddle in an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, just log into the Medicare or the AARP site and try to figure out the plans for Medicare, Part D. Now, this is not to be confused in any way with Medicare as we know it. Gone is the "single-payer" program. This is nothing more nor less than a mandatory requirement to engage in commerce with the regularly licensed insurance companies with which we are all too familiar.

Junk Science

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:35:03 -0700

Why do teachers so often force-feed kids one-sided facts and theories about the world? Wouldn't education be much more stimulating if schools focused on broad underlying debates, instead of assumed dogma?

Prayer in School - Persistance Wins

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:58:00 -0700

In 1960 Madalyn Murray O’Hair sued the Baltimore MD School system on behalf of her son, William J. Murray, because he was forced to participate in prayer in school. Her actions along with the American Atheist Organization resulted in the Supreme Court’s 1962 decision to forbid state-sponsored prayer in public schools.

How could one women change the course of history? Easy – she never gave up. She persisted until her demands were met.

The Voucher System - an overview

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:55:07 -0700

To voucher or not? This question triggers controversial conversation among the educational elite and parents across the nation.

What is the educational voucher system? It is a program enacted by Noble Prize winner Milton Friedman by which parents are given the ability to pay for the education for their children at a school of their choice – public or private.

Bison are dying

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:24:33 -0700

From Defenders of Wildlife:

^{Record number of bison slaughtered around Yellowstone National Park}

A record number of bison – over 1,100 – have been slaughtered this winter around Yellowstone National Park. The removal of nearly one-quarter of the park’s bison population dramatically demonstrates the need to reform the rules governing the last stronghold for America’s wild bison.

McCain's Health Care Woes

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:39:21 -0700

You gotta love this headline (unless you're a Republican).

McCain camp working out healthcare details
Aides struggle to sort out his promises

Aides struggle to sort out his promises? Oy. See, he's got a problem. His proposals don't make much sense.

Will we catch Bin Laden?

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:55:04 -0700

Few Americans know as much about the history of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda within Afghanistan and Pakistan as Steve Coll. A few years ago Coll won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001.

We Lost The War On Terror

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:26:29 -0700

The war on terrorism is over. America has surrendered. I’m not trying to be witty or alarmist. Just stating the facts. Like Vietnam, Somalia, Korea, and so many of the wars over the past 50 years, America surrendered before the job was finished. It’s merely a matter of time.

The Surge is Working. Right?

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:52:12 -0700

by: Meteor Blades

Saying 'the surge is working' has worked pretty well for the Cheney-Bush regime the past few months. It certainly calmed down the megamedia, which – after years of publishing and broadcasting stuff about Iraq quaffed from the Kool-Aid fire hose – had actually started doing the job they should have started in January 2002 when the White House initiated its march-to-war publicity tour.

What should the US do in Iraq?

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:51:22 -0800

The Bush forces are discovering that winning the peace in Iraq is more difficult than winning the war. It is expensive and dangerous, and most other countries show little interest in contributing either money or troops. That's natural--why should they contribute to maintaining a Bush occupation designed to enrich Bush and his businessmen friends?