Wow, the country has sure gone to Hell in a handbasket since Obama took over the reins…Is anyone really, I mean really, surprised? Perhaps it’s time I returned to the blogosphere to keep a watchful eye on these politicians and pinheads who are determined to destroy this country. And from the looks of things, they are unfortunately succeeding. Lock the doors and windows folks. I just rode back into town.

Thank you to the many people who have requested that I return to blogging. I have been taking a very enjoyable hiatus since election day and will return on Inauguration Day… “Locked and loaded” and ready for anything an Obama presidency may bring. After all, someone has to keep a close eye on these back-slapping, braindead, ready-to-run-wild Washington wack-jobs who now think they can do what they want, when they want. We’re not about to roll over and play dead for four years. Forget playing nice… We’re going at ‘em hammer and tong. Buckle up boys, this country is worth fighting for. And we don’t mind throwing the first punch.

NO JKE! BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT. (REALLY…) GOD BLESS AMERICA. WE’RE GOING TO NEED IT!

The voters have spoken. History has been made. The most liberal and fourth most partisan Senator in the U.S. Senate–a man for which numerous questions remain about his associations, his true agenda, and his positions on many major issues–has been elected the 44th President of the United States of America. Barack Hussein Obama, an African-American, is now president-elect Obama. Let the cheering for many, and the nausea for almost as many others, begin.

The debate will continue for days and weeks and months as to why it happened. Suffice it to say younger voters played a significant role, as did African-American and Latino voters. And of course, the liberal mainstream media, for the most part, did absolutely everything within their power to sway public opinion, misguide, and malign. Tonight’s intoxicating victory celebrations and unbridled euphoria will soon fade. Reality will assuredly rear its ugly head early and often during Obama’s earliest days as this nation’s new president.

Promises will be broken, perceptions will become reality, and the media honeymoon will end sooner rather than later. Talk of hope and change will quickly fade as the monumental challenges of our times flood in. Flowery speeches and pandering will no longer pass for progress. Obama will be tested to the very core. How he will respond remains to be seen. One cannot even begin to predict how such an unknown candidate will react as president. The excitement that exists tonight in Grant Park in Chicago will rapidly dissipate as the demands of the most powerful office in the world soon begin to wash over Obama.

True change and an end to partisan politics are unlikely anytime soon. For every vote cast for Obama (or against President Bush), there was almost an equivalent vote cast against Barack Obama/for McCain. History will show that in the end, the economic/credit crisis, the unpopularity of the current president, and two long and protracted wars proved to be a political trifecta that Sen. McCain simply could not overcome. But Barack Obama is certainly not riding a landslide nor a mandate into office. For all intents and purposes, as demonstrated by the popular vote totals, we are still talking a general neighborhood of around 50/50… Clearly, our nation will remain greatly divided for the foreseeable future.

In the coming days the mainstream media will attempt to paint a picture of the Republican party fading out of view, a moment in time wherein the Democratic Partry controls our way of life, our wallets, and our collective wisdom–a vision of the end of the Reagan years, and a portrait of a new world where the government grows even larger, even more hands-on, and the smiling, happy people welcome it all with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Will the myopic mice indeed reach for the cathartic cheese? Only time will tell.

As of this moment, the 2008 race, the longest in history, has now ended. We must now clean up the confetti and prepare for what an Obama/Biden administration may bring to bear. One thing is certain, for a man who has talked a good game for months now, the game is now on. And the stakes have never been higher.

There has been only one real choice for president this election season: John McCain is, in reality, “the one.”

From the earliest days of this year’s presidential campaign, John McCain’s life and times have been an open book. For better or worse. It is what it is. Take it or leave it. That much we know. That much we have always known. And that is perhaps the most important consideration for deciding which candidate to vote for today.

His opponent, however, Barack Obama, is the quintessential question mark. Amazingly, at this final moment of the campaign, in a day of 24/7 news cycles and instantaneous communications, far too many questions remain unanswered–and the shameful mainstream media has successfully resisted vetting Obama at every turn. For that, history will no doubt judge them harshly. More important, a nation may suffer greatly due to their professional lapse of ethics.

Over the course of the past several months, at times, it has definitely gotten petty and borderline pathetic. I don’t care what Obama’s middle name is, but I do care about things like who would Obama name to the Supreme Court, who would Obama name to his cabinet, and who Obama named as his running mate–and equally important, who he associates with….William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, ACORN, etc. Accordingly, I am greatly concerned and increasingly disturbed with what’s truly in his heart and mind, and his past, rather than what’s printed on his driver’s license.

First he wasn’t in attendance and he didn’t know about Reverend Wright’s hate-filled sermons. Later, he was there for some of the sermons but not for the truly controversial sermons. Later still, he says that he was there and he did hear what Reverend Wright said and that he wouldn’t have felt comfortable staying at that church if the Reverend Wright hadn’t retired.

The association with William Ayers is a flashing red light and Obama’s “explanation” is incomplete and alarming. Obama’s ties to ACORN have been more or less swept under the rug and ACORN’s impact on this election could be the tipping point, not to mention, criminal. Only time will tell.

Barack Obama makes John Kerry look like a man of firm conviction when it comes to presidential politics. You almost need a calculator to keep up with Obama’s flip-flops. One of the more revealing flip-flops was Obama’s about-face on accepting public financing. Not surprisingly, the milquetoast mainstream media gave him only minor rebuke for something they would have assuredly still be hounding McCain over had he done the same thing.

Some of the otherwise smartest Democrat voters that I know have sipped the Barack Obama Kool-Aid with a very large ladle along the way. And the taste is apparently delicious. They are drunk on Obama. But what happens after election day and everyone sobers up?

To hear them speak and squeal about Obama is reminiscent of listening to a child talk about their favorite toy or pet. You can see the giddiness in their eyes. I would imagine that if they could actually hug Obama, they might do serious bodily harm to him in their zeal to show their unbridled affection.

Their love affair with the idea of Obama becoming president is deeper than that found in any love story that ever came out of Hollywood. And their overly enthusiastic and surprisingly saccharin support of Oprah’s favorite candidate is nearly palpable, and in my observation, reason for much pause. They are so attracted to Obama’s style, they have been completely and inexplicably willing to by-pass reviewing his substance.

I am still waiting on just one of them to present a solid reason as to why they support Obama without defaulting to reasons of none other than that they are against something else, mainly President Bush and all things Republican.

Racial considerations aside, why would someone be so inexplicably eager to see such a largely unknown and more importantly, untested man become president of the United States, knowing what is facing the next occupant of the Oval Office? This type of fawning and folderol is frightening and a political phenomenon that will certainly be studied and dissected for decades to come.

Obama has been clever and crafty to use clichéd throwaway lines in each and every speech he has delivered but what has he really delivered as a U.S. Senator? Not much. Not enough to be our next president.

The fact of the matter is, we don’t really want change. What most of us crave most is actually stability, a happy family and decent schools for our children, the capability of owning a home and paying the mortgage on time, a stable job, and a few dollars in our pocket from time to time to enjoy the rich tapestry of life that this great country offers.

So pardon me if I don’t drink the Obama Kool-Aid of change just yet. The incessant promise of change has already left a bad taste in my mouth.

When Obama repeatedly uses the word “change,” he is clearly simply pandering and completely disconnected from reality. He pays the expected lip service to the huddled masses at each campaign stop but also conveniently ignores facing the monumental problems that will shape our world in 2009 and beyond.

Here are just a few of the top issues facing the next president: Balancing the ballooning budget. Ending political partisanship and bringing about real bi-partisan cooperation. Bringing the economy out of the current or pending recession. Defeating terrorism and protecting our homeland. Saving the Social Security system. Making health care more affordable and obtainable for all Americans. Fighting global warming. Establishing peace in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine. Illegal immigration. Bringing the troops home sooner rather than later without jeopardizing our accomplishments in Iraq.

Here is what we know about his “qualifications” to deal with the aforementioned problems:

Barack Obama’s milestones: Won Illinois Senate race in 1996. Lost race for U.S. Senate in 2000. Delivered keynote address at Democratic National Convention in 2004. Won race for U.S. Senate in 2004. Launches campaign for presidency in 2007. 

But in 2008, to question Obama’s qualifications is to run the risk of being labeled a racist. How can we hope to have a conversation on race and other important topics when every other word out of our mouths in reply is “racist!”? The reality of racism is far too hurtful and dangerous and destructive and devastating to dare dilute it by reducing any given disagreement of opinion to knee-jerk name-calling.

Racism is never as black and white of an issue as those who so easily label others as being racist would have you believe. But until we can stop over-using the word in an effort to justify hatred in our hearts and minds and instead begin to try and understand each other and reach a middle ground, the divide will continue to grow until one day all that will be left in an extremely hopeless abyss that sucks us all in to the point of no return.

Name-calling in presidential politics is certainly nothing new, but someone needs to remind Obama that this is America. A country where we do not vilify others for their lot in life. No matter how distasteful it is to those of us from Chicago who make millions annually, have a Harvard education, and then seek the power rush of becoming the most powerful person on the face of the earth.

I am referring of course to steel workers, coal miners, auto workers, gun owners, church-goers, small-town living (and loving) middle class blue collar Americans. Let us never forget Obama’s comment, “…then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

If you thought it was a miss-speak, a one-time thing, or a harmless out-of-context moment, you were wrong. Just ask “Joe the Plumber.” Joe has been attacked repeatedly by Obama’s legion of snarling supporters and malicious mainstream media. It is shameful, it is repugnant, it is further reason to send Obama and the Democratic Party a strong “no” vote today.

I am ready to vote for a black man for president–-but it is not Barack Obama. Call me crazy, but I am not going to blindly vote for anyone, just because of their sex, race, creed, or religion or hollow promises and heavy hype. The future of our country is far too important.

Which brings me to Obama’s choice of Joe Biden as his running-mate. A well-orchestrated smear campaign has been focused furiously on Gov. Sarah Palin for weeks now, while Biden has been given a political pass with the exception of a few reports on Biden’s numerous gaffes on the campaign trail. There has been no serious spotlight, no teams of investigators spreading out across Delaware, no breaking news reports about Biden’s past, family, friends, or political career.

Joe Biden, vehemently asserted that Obama was not qualified to be president during the Democratic candidate debates which took place over a year ago.Prior to that, Biden urged then presidential candidate John Kerry to select Republican Senator John McCain as a running mate in 2003. As a result, Biden has had absolutely zero credibility and believability when he has opened his mouth while on the campaign trail. Yet the media has let it all slide. The reason is clear–and repugnant.

65-year old Joe Biden has been working in Washington since Richard Nixon was in the White House and I cannot recall a single significant thing that Biden is noted for regarding foreign affairs and national security.

This is Obama’s vision of change? A career legislator and deeply-rooted Washington insider? So in his first major and most high-profile decision of the campaign, Obama’s experience, intellect, political acumen, and heart and soul told him that Joe Biden was the best of the best? In Obama’s eyes, Joe Biden should be one heart beat away from the presidency. This is the man Barack Obama chose over all others. But the focus has remained on Gov. Palin.

This is not a playground for children, this is politics at the highest level and the presidency we’re talking about. And no place for the timid, the tense, the smooth talker peddling style over substance, the untested, and even more important, those unprepared to be president of the world’s greatest country in a time of its greatest challenges. We need a president who is prepared to lead not just prepared to read a teleprompter.

Not since the story of Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned during the great fire in AD 64 have we witnessed such a remarkable and repugnant laissez faire attitude as we did during the most critical days of the recent economic meltdown. In the middle of the largest American economic crisis in perhaps a century, Barack Obama defiantly demonstrated his complete lack of ability to lead and perpetuated his propensity to simply perorate and pontificate.

In a time of crisis, Obama chose to respond without action but rather with two simple words: Call me.

There is one simple question that seems to weigh very heavy on the minds of many Americans who will walk into their place of voting today to select the next president of the United States. But earlier in the campaign, it did not come from a well-seasoned member of the White House Press Corps, it did not come from a prepared panelist during a nationally televised political debate, nor did it come from his political rival. Instead the simple yet deceivingly dangerous question came from a curious 7-year-old child in attendance at a Barack Obama campaign stop in middle America.

The answer to the question however, was enough to make any child cry and any reasonable bystander shake his/her head in disgust and disbelief. As Obama appeared before a packed high school gym recently in Elkhart, Ind., a 7-year-old girl asked him why he is running for the White House.

The eyebrow-raising answer from Obama–-who struggled to form his words–-“America is …, uh, is no longer, uh … what it could be, what it once was. And I say to myself, I don’t want that future for my children.”

Clearly in Obama’s mind, America’s best days are behind it. Not so long ago presidents and presidential wannabees, no matter how inexperienced and inane, did their best to inspire the citizens, especially the children. But not Obama. This is apparently his idea of change.

And Obama may be humming on his way to the White House, but his kin seem to be singing an anthem of shattered dreams. According to a shocking news report out just last week, Zeituni Onyango, the aunt so affectionately described in Barack Obama’s best-selling memoir Dreams from My Father, lives in a rundown public housing apartment in South Boston–Just across town from where Obama made history as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review.

So much for “spreading the wealth.” Apparently Obama is only a Socialist when it comes to spreading other people’s money around–-not his own–-at least not to help his own family.

Incredibly, “Aunt Zeituni” recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew’s presidential campaign. Did the Obama campaign keep it? What do you think? When you’re spending $1 million dollars per TV network to air your own informercial, you’ll take money from anyone–-no matter how much they had to sacrifice to send it to you.

Obama, a multi-millionaire who is known for wearing $1,500 designer suits, also has a half-brother who reportedly lives on less than $1 per month in Africa. Obama may be living the American Dream, but some of his closest blood relatives seem to be relegated to a life of harshness and living hand-to-mouth. The next time Obama rants about bringing “change,” someone should speak up and ask him why he doesn’t start with his own family.

For the voters who are concerned about Gov. Palin’s experience–experience which clearly trumps Obama’s—keep this in mind when you cast your vote today: On any given topic or concern, the president is always surrounded by experts who know infinitely more about the subject matter than the president does. Therefore, the president’s judgment and ability to weigh the quality of that advice, and then act on it in the proper fashion, is what really matters. Obama’s judgment is clearly questionable–while Gov. Palin’s most vicious (and ridiculous) attack has been the price of her apparel. Note to the media: Judge not, lest not you be judged.

Only a few short weeks ago, John McCain led in the polls. Then the ecomonic crisis struck. Obama has clearly benefited from being in the right place at the right time politically. But today’s economic crisis, like every other in our history, will pass in time. A frightening but fleeting moment in our history. But the barbarians will still be at our gates. Who better to be at the helm than John McCain? Certainly not Barack Obama.

Sen. McCain brings a lifetime of practical and unmatched experience, including his grueling and courageous captivity in Vietnam and his long and legitimate Senate service. McCain has been willing to cross party lines to work on tough problems. Not just talk about doing it.

McCain’s presence is “steady as she goes” and far less exciting and flashy than Obama’s spectacle and symbolism, but you know what you’re getting with McCain–and that it works. Now more than ever, we need a stable and sensible leader in these challenging and unpredictable times.

In better days, America could perhaps afford to consider entrusting our country, our future, and the White House to a smooth-talking newcomer like Obama and giving control of the presidency and Congress to the same party. But not here and now. The result could be disastrous and irreversible.

Obama talks about change, but only John McCain has actually has made change happen. In Washington, DC, that speaks volumes. Actions speak louder than words, unless of course it is being filtered and reported through the mainstream media. Nevertheless, only one candidate in this race has a real record of standing up to his own party, and working hand in hand with legislators from the opposing party to actually get things done. Record beats rhetoric any day–or at least it should.

Out of sheer and shameless political agenda and partisan politics, the mainstream media has sought to annoint Barack Obama as King. They have taken every opportunity to attack and trash the McCain/Palin ticket at every turn. The Chinese refer to it as “Lingchi,” death of/by a thousand cuts. That is apparently how The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, USA Today, and many other members of the mainstream media sought to ensure that Senator John McCain does not become the next president of the United States.

But today, voters must set aside the newspapers, turn off the TV, switch off the radio, turn off the computer, and must judge for themselves who is the most experienced, the most trustworthy, the most competent, and who has demonstrated the best judgment thus far. No rose-colored glasses, no blatantly-biased media reports, no hype, no teleprompters, no more typical political pandering. And absolutely no time for lightweights. This is gut-check time. And time to vote for the only real candidate in the race who is qualified to be the next president of the greatest country on the face of the earth.

That man is John McCain.

Peggy Joseph, a Barack Obama supporter, thinks Barack Obama will pay for her gas and mortgage and she “won’t have to worry about anything” if he is elected.

Perhaps H.L. Mencken said it best, “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.”

Obama may be humming on his way to the White House, but his kin seem to be singing an anthem of shattered dreams.

According to a shocking news report, Zeituni Onyango, the aunt so affectionately described in Barack Obama’s best-selling memoir Dreams from My Father, lives in a rundown public housing apartment in South Boston–Just across town from where Obama made history as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. So much for “spreading the wealth.” Apparently Obama is only a Socialist when it comes to spreading other people’s money around–not his own–at least not to help his own family.

Incredibly, “Aunt Zeituni” recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew’s presidential campaign. Did the Obama campaign keep it? What do you think? When you’re spending $1 million dollars per TV network to air your own inane informercial, you’ll take money from anyone–no matter how much they had to sacrifice to send it to you.

Obama, a multi-millionaire who is known for wearing $1,500 designer suits, also has a half-brother who lives on less than $1 per month in Africa.

Obama may be living the American Dream, but some of his closest blood relatives seem to be relegated to a life of harshness and living hand-to-mouth. The next time Obama rants about bringing “change,” someone should speak up and ask him why he doesn’t start with his own family.

What will they think when you wear this one to the voting booth?

One of the funniest pieces of political memorabilia I have seen in quite some time. An actual working “Beanie Cap” embroidered with three simple yet simply on-target words: Obama’s Energy Plan.

Twirl the propeller and stroll into your voting booth and watch the reaction. Or just torture your liberal co-workers by wearing it to the office.  

As a collector of political memorabilia I now have one in my personal collection of presidential political items. Money well spent. And the same Web site where I found it also offers a very funny T-shirt you don’t want to miss.

 http://www.getyourobamahat.com/

Michelle Obama took time out from the campaign trail and from wearing designer fashions to trot out a J. Crew outfit in an obviously orchestrated effort to position her as simply one of the people, as she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday.

“Actually, this is a J. Crew ensemble,” the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama told Leno on Monday night’s show. In a moment of remarkable fashion mismanagement, she wore an out-of-season yellow sweater, skirt and blouse ensemble. Hardly Fall Fashion at its finest–or what you would expect a presumptive First Lady to wear in late October.

“You can get some good stuff online,” she added. Obviously Easter clearance merchandise one would have to surmise from one glance at her choice of threads for the Tonight Show appearance.

Questioned by Leno, Obama declined to criticize GOP vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin over revelations the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 at stores like Neiman Marcus on clothes and accessories for Palin and her family.

For good reason. Michelle Obama is no stranger to expensive high-end fashion herself. But when you’re the wife of “the one” and a Harvard lawyer who the media loves, the slings and arrows never seem to come your way. Only praise and foolish fawning.

Upon closer examination, you will discover that Michelle Obama’s closet is apparently overflowing with expensive apparel designed by Chicago designer Maria Pinto. According to a report in the New York Times earlier this year, “Ms. Pinto, a designer known for luxuriant evening wear, is a favorite of Mrs. Obama, who wore buzzed-about Pinto creations when her husband announced his candidacy and on the night of the notorious fist-bump before his speech claiming the Democratic nomination, among other occasions.”

Pinto’s fashions are sold in department stores such as Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue. The same stores where Gov. Palin’s fashions were reportedly purchased.

Obama also wore a raspberry and lavender print silk dress from the Thakoon Panichgul Resort 2009 collection as she embraced her husband on stage at the Democratic convention earlier this summer, when he officially accepted his Presidential nomination. Washington Post’s Robin Givan, in his September 7, 2008 article “First Ladies and the Fabric of the Nation,” estimated the price of Michelle’s Thakoon outfit to be around $1,500. Thakoon’s fashions are sold at Neiman-Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores, among other upscale retailers.

In addition, Michelle Obama’s personal hairstylist is French hairdresser and “celebrity stylist” Frédéric Fekkai. Fekkai is reportedly responsible for her “silky, perfect coif that women just can’t stop talking about.”

Let’s hope that Pinto, Thankoon, and Fekkai will forgive Mrs. Obama for wearing clothing in public from J. Crew–even if it was just for a brief appearance on national television…in the interest of convincing the public that despite her wealth, her Harvard education, and her frou-frou hair care, Mrs. Obama is just like “Helen the homemaker.” She can even shop online to prove it.

One has to wonder just how far that facade will fly in fly-over country.

Dejá News?

According to CNNPolitics.com’s Political Ticker, The New Mexico Sun News has declared Barack Obama the winner of next Tuesday’s election–one week before the actual voting occurs.

According to CNN, “the Sun News is a bi-monthly newspaper and its Oct 26-Nov 8 issue had to hit the streets, and the newsstands, before the election. So the editors decided to make a leap of faith and declare Democrat Barack Obama the winner.”

“An ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness.”

Each president recites the following oath, in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.”

(But don’t expect a President Obama to place his hand over his heart during the singing of our National Anthem.)