In Defense of Freedom

A Note From Jim

2013-02-19T13:26:00.001-05:00

Greetings, fellow tea-party terrorists!

After much consideration, I have decided to change the focus and use of this blog (again). I have begun the process of starting a new technology business, and I anticipate that the business will take a large portion of my time. Due to the new work that I will be doing, I will no longer be writing large amounts of new content. I will continue to post links to great opinion pieces and news articles as I am able, and I plan to continue some of the daily features I started. Those who subscribe to the nFocus email will receive daily updates of the links I post.

For now, here is my planned post schedule:

6 AM - Morning Media
10 AM - D.C. Daily
8 PM - Newspaper Roundup
Links to opinion pieces will be posted as I find them throughout the day

nFocus: February 12, 2013

2013-02-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

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It Makes a Difference

2013-02-12T20:30:00.000-05:00

While testifying at the Benghazi hearings about three weeks ago, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the incredulous statement, “What difference does it make?” while responding to questioning about the administration's initial claim that the attacks were the result of a protest due to a video. Whether it was a protest due to a video, a few guys taking a walk, or—as we learned when the truth came out—a terrorist attack, makes a huge difference.

First, it makes a difference to the man sitting in prison right now due to the administration's cover-up. While he may have violated the terms of his parole in making the video, the truth is that his actions would most likely have gone unnoticed were it not for the Benghazi attacks. The government did to him what was done to Al Capone: unable to arrest him for the reasons they desired, they found something else that could be used to arrest him. I am sure that this man would like the administration to explain why his video was made the scapegoat for these attacks.

Second, it makes a difference to the families of the dead Americans. If this was a spontaneous protest, then the administration would have been unable to prepare for it, but if this were a coordinated attack that we had knowledge could be coming, then there is no excuse for the lack of security and response. The families of the four Americans killed in Benghazi deserve to know whether or not their loved ones died as a result of the negligence of our government.

Third, it makes a difference to those who desire the truth. Our government lied to us in the days following the attacks. At the same time that the government was claiming that the attacks were the result of the video protest, they had evidence that this was a terrorist attack. If they have lied to us about this, what else have they lied about? Furthermore, why are they answering questions about the attacks with statements like “What difference does it make?” rather than telling the truth? Unanswered questions like these are what cause many to question the government.

How the government portrayed the attacks in Benghazi does make a difference. It makes a difference to one jailed filmmaker, it makes a difference to the families of those killed, and it makes a difference to anyone who wants our government to tell the truth. With responses like these, the Obama administration is stonewalling any attempt to get at the truth about Benghazi. It will be up to us to try and determine why.

nFocus: February 8, 2013

2013-02-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

Immigration Reform: Too Many Unanswered Questions

2013-02-08T20:30:00.000-05:00

Imagine a time when Republicans and Democrats have agreed to an immigration plan that will secure the border, grant legal status to illegal immigrants, and crack down on employers who hire them. If you think this is a current event, you're wrong. I'm talking about the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act passed by the 99th Congress and signed into law by Ronald Reagan. The 1986 reform shows us that the current proposals before Congress will not solve our immigration problems; it will only add to them.

Since the 1986 plan, border security has not improved. In 1986, amnesty was approved with a promise of border security, but no one followed through on the promise. In fact, more illegal immigrants are coming across our border today than in 1986. According to the Office of Immigration Statistics, there was an average of just over 200,000 people coming across the border in 1986; in 2010, that number stood at well over 300,000.

The present “bipartisan” plan also includes a promise of border security, and unlike the 1986 plan, implementation of the amnesty program would supposedly hinge on the border being secure. However, we are left with an unanswered question: what exactly is a secure border? The question would most likely be left to the committee that is supposed to determine when the border has been secured.

This committee raises a second unanswered question: who will be on the committee, and how will they be appointed? It is highly unlikely that Democrats would support a plan that would require Joe Arpaio and Jan Brewer to approve, and it is equally unlikely that Republicans would support a plan requiring the approval of Janet Napolitano and Chuck Schumer. Until we know exactly how this committee will be appointed, it is impossible to know if the committee will actually do its job or serve as a farce to satisfy enough Republicans to pass the bill.

Without securing the border, we are not finding an immigration solution; we are finding a temporary fix. The 1986 bill was supposed to solve our immigration problems, but 27 years later, we are faced with the same problem on a larger scale. Without knowing the specifics of the border enforcement provisions, it is impossible to know if this is a worthwhile bill or another useless congressional can-kicking exercise.

D.C. Daily: February 8, 2013

2013-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

The Senate met yesterday and took the following actions:

Passed H. Con. Res. 11, providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.
Passed S. Res. 27, designating the week of February 4 through 8, 2013, as "National School Counseling Week".
Resumed consideration of S. 47, the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013". During consideration, the Senate rejected one proposed amendment to the bill.

The Senate will not meet today. The next scheduled meeting of the Senate will be on Monday, February 11.

House of Representatives

The House was not in session yesterday.

The House will meet today at 11:00 AM in a pro forma session.

Morning Media: February 8, 2013

2013-02-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Robert Arial provides a description of exactly what Obama is shooting. View at Townhall

Second, Dr. Benjamin Carson gave this amazing speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. It is almost 30 minutes long, but it is well worth your time to watch. View at YouTube

Next, another longer video (about 17 minutes) shows what the President should have said at his inauguration. View at RightScoop

And finally, adding the cat ruined Monopoly. View at Townhall

D.C. Daily: February 7, 2013

2013-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

The Senate was not in session yesterday.

The Senate will meet today at 9:30 AM. The Senate will resume consideration of S. 47, the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013".

House of Representatives

The House met yesterday and passed H.R. 444, the "Require a PLAN Act", by a vote of 253 yeas to 167 nays.

The House will not meet today. The next scheduled meeting of the House will be on Friday, February 8.

Morning Media: February 7, 2013

2013-02-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Chuck Asay shows the problem of anti-gun education. View at Townhall

Next, Robert Ariail shows what happens when Popeye ate some bad spinach. View at Townhall

And finally, CBS in New York City did a report on the growing number of flash mob robberies. View at RightScoop

D.C. Daily: February 6, 2013

2013-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

The Senate was not in session yesterday.

The Senate will not meet today. The next meeting of the Senate will be on Thursday, February 7.

House of Representatives

The House met yesterday and began consideration of H.R. 444, the "Require a PLAN Act", after approving H. Res. 48, the rule providing for consideration of the measure.

The House will meet today at 9:00 AM. The House is expected to resume consideration of H.R. 444, the "Require a PLAN Act", subject to the rule passed yesterday.

Morning Media: February 6, 2013

2013-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Henry Payne explains why the groundhog failed to see his shadow. View at Townhall

Second, Steve Kelley shows Obama's hypocrisy on guns and weapons. View at Townhall

Third, Bob Gorrell has an idea on the immigration debate. View at Townhall

And finally, a father of a student at Sandy Hook gave this speech to a board investigating the tragedy. View at RightScoop

nFocus: February 5, 2013

2013-02-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

The Withheld Secret

2013-02-05T20:30:00.000-05:00

A little over one month ago, the government stood in gridlock as politicians once again argued over the current income tax rates. Ironically, only thirty-four days after we came to a solution on the “fiscal cliff”, the tax rates that were the primary source of contention turned one hundred years old. On February 3, 1913, the income tax became a part of our Constitution, and by extension, the life of every American.

The income tax in 1913 was imposed on those making over $20,000 per year ($440,000 in today's money), and it began at a whopping 1%. The highest rate, reserved for those with incomes over $11 million in today's money, was 7%. At the time of its enactment, the tax affected approximately 7% of Americans. However, within thirty years, the higest rate was 94%, and the tax affected all Americans.

How were taxes allowed to get so high so quickly? We barely notice our income tax today because most people never see their income tax money. During World War II, Roosevelt proposed reinstating income tax withholding. (Withholding had been included in the original 1913 tax plan but was dropped three years later.) Under this plan, money to pay our income tax is removed from our paychecks before we see it. At a designated point (currently April 15), we must then submit paperwork to the federal government which shows our income and documents any extra tax we owe or requests a refund for taxes overpaid through withholding.

This system has reduced the awareness most Americans have about the taxes they pay. The Treasury Department, in The History of the U.S. Tax System, states that the income tax “greatly reduced the taxpayer's awareness of the amount of tax being collected.” How much did you actually pay in federal income taxes last year? Most people would have no clue. However, they can usually tell you how much they owed or received as a refund. By creating the withholding system, government has masked the true impact of high taxes.

Even worse, it has created a system where most people actually get excited when they realize that they overpaid the government and will receive that money back. This system can have a huge impact on your finances without you even realizing it. If a person receives a tax refund of $100 per year from age 18-62, that person will have received a total of $4,500 back from the government. However, if the same person took $8.33 per month (which is $100 per year) and invested it with a 6% annual return, that person would have almost $23,000 by the age of 62. For this ficticious person, the income tax comes with a $18,500 cost.

Combined with the complexity of our tax code, income tax withholding has destroyed any knowledge about the actual amount of taxes we pay to the federal government. In fact, despite our President's assertions to the contrary, a poll conducted by The Hill showed that 75% of Americans believe that current tax rates are too high. While other polls showed majority support for Obama's “tax the rich” idea, The Hill asked about specific rates and reported that “precisely 75 percent said the right level for top earners was 30 percent or below.” At the time, tax rates for the highest earners were 35%, and for this year, the rate will be 39.6%.

Americans have no clue how much they or anyone else pays in income taxes. Until we can get Americans to start paying attention to their check stubs and tax statements, they will never understand the true impact of income taxes.

D.C. Daily: February 5, 2013

2013-02-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

The Senate met yesterday and passed the following measures:

S. 227, the "Embassy Security Funds Transfer Act of 2013".

The Senate also began consideration of S. 47, the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013", after agreeing to the motion to proceed by a vote of 85 yeas to 8 nays.

The Senate will not meet today. The next meeting of the Senate will be on Thursday, February 7.

House of Representatives

The House met yesterday and passed the following measures:

H.R. 297, the "Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013".
H.R. 225, the "National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013

The House will meet today at 10:00 AM. The House is expected to consider H.R. 444, the "Require a PLAN Act", subject to a rule.

Morning Media: February 5, 2012

2013-02-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Gary Varvel shows where the path to citizenship leads. View at Townhall

Second, someone brought the economy to Obama's garage. Will he find the right solution? View at Townhall

Next, this great video explains the entitlement state. View at Conservative Videos

And finally, this commercial for the Dodge Ram was the most-tweeted commercial and has already reached 1 million views. View at YouTube

D.C. Daily: February 4, 2013

2013-02-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

The Senate was not in session on Friday.

The Senate will meet today at 2:00 PM. The Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 47, the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013", with a vote on the motion to occur at 5:30 PM.

House of Representatives

The House met Friday in a pro forma session.

The House will meet today at 2:00 PM. The House is expected to consider three bills under suspension:

H.R. 297, the "Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013".
H.R. 235, the "Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2013".
H.R. 225, the "National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013

Morning Media: February 4, 2013

2013-02-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Obama's "all of the above" energy policy excludes a few items. View at The Weekly Standard

Second, the President's Jobs Council is looking for a new job. View at Townhall

Third, while immigrants are headed to California, someone else is running out of it. View at Townhall

And finally, Sandra Fluke was attempting to stay relevant by appearing in front of the (small) MSNBC audience to claim that opposing the contraception mandate is the same as opposing leukemia coverage or blood transfusions. View at Conservative Videos

nFocus: February 1, 2013

2013-02-01T20:30:00.001-05:00

Educational Socialism

2013-02-01T20:30:00.000-05:00

Full Disclosure: I am currently employed in school transportation for a public school system.

If we need an example for the future of our healthcare system, we need to look no farther than our education system. Like our healthcare deform, the federal role in education was expanded with the promise of providing results at a reasonable cost, and like every nation that has attempted nationalized healthcare, our educational system has resulted in a system that demands greater amounts of money with fewer positive results. In essence, American education has become a microcosm of socialism.

The opportunity to obtain a high school diploma is a right guaranteed by every state. However, receiving that education in a quality school is not a right. Instead, the quality of your education is determined by the location of your home. Children who reside in a richer area are able to attend schools that can afford to hire the best teachers and provide increased opportunities. Those who live in a poorer area are forced to attend schools that will generally have to take whatever teachers the richer districts turn down. (Certainly, not all teachers in poorer districts are of a lesser quality, but since they cannot afford to pay at the same rate, many of the teachers are.)

Furthermore, just like a socialist economy, choice is virtually eliminated. Parents who live in a district with a failing school are often forced to either send their children to that school, pay the tuition rates at a private school, or homeschool (with a considerable cost for homeschooling materials). With tuition or homeschooling costs being too expensive for many parents, approximately 85% of American students attend public schools.

Without competition, poorly performing schools have no incentive to improve. If Congress passed a bill mandating the purchase of a particular cell phone model at a set price based on your state of residence, what incentive would Apple, Samsung, or Motorola have in producing better phones? They have a guaranteed customer base and no opportunity for expansion into new markets. Eventually, these companies would focus on producing their phones as cheaply as possible in order to maximize their profits. They have no incentive to improve their product quality or develop new features because doing so would result in added expense that would yield no added reward.

Unfortunately, our fictitious cell phone example is a reality for our public schools. Without major competition (since, in most cases, the only competition comes at a much greater expense), schools have no incentive to improve and innovate. Leadership knows that it will continue to collect a check from the state regardless of performance. Without competition, these schools have little incentive to succeed.

Recent innovations in education have helped to alleviate this problem in some districts. Private school vouchers and charter schools have allowed parents some degree of choice in the educational process, and one of the positive points of Bush's No Child Left Behind law was the implementation of school choice for those enrolled in failing schools. These have started to create a competitive environment for schools which could eventually require them to improve if they are to survive.

Nowhere have these innovations been more successful than in New Orleans. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the school district covering Orleans Parish needed assistance in getting schools ready for students. The district turned to outside groups to create charter schools in place of many of the public schools. As of 2010, all of the 46 charter schools and 23 traditional public schools had open-enrollment policies. The results have been positive: more than half of the failing schools are now passing, and the gap between the district and the rest of the state has also been cut in half. (See The Daily Beast for more on the success in New Orleans.)

Socialism either has failed or is failing in every nation where it has been tried, including the recent move toward socialism in America. Yet the model of socialism has been embraced by our public schools, and it is also failing. If we are going to improve American education, we must start by basing it on the model that built the American economy into the greatest economic force the world has known: the free market. Until we change our educational model, any other attempts at reform will be futile.

D.C. Daily: February 1, 2013

2013-02-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

During business yesterday, the Senate passed the following measures:

S. Res. 24, commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
S. Res. 25, honoring Gonzaga University on its 125th anniversary.
H.R. 325, the "No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013", after rejecting four proposed amendments and a motion to commit.

The Senate also began consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 47, the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013". The Senate agreed to vote on the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill at 5:30 PM on Monday, February 4.

The Senate will not meet today. The next scheduled meeting of the Senate will be on Monday, February 4.

House of Representatives

The House was not in session yesterday.

The House will meet today at 11:00 AM in a pro forma session.

Morning Media: February 1, 2013

2013-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Steve Breen solves the Super Bowl Chicken Wing problem. View at Townhall

Next, this Homeland Security Department release describes how to oppose an active shooter, but carrying a firearm is not included. View at Conservative Videos

And finally, Bill Whittle responds to Hillary Clinton's "What difference does it make?" comment. View at YouTube

D.C. Daily: January 31, 2013

2013-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

Senate

During business yesterday, the Senate passed the following measures:

S. Res. 13, congratulating the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for 100 years of service to communities.
S. Res. 22, recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.

The Senate will meet today at 9:30 AM. The Senate will begin consideration of H.R. 325, the "No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013", with a series of votes on amendments and passage of the bill.

House of Representatives

The House was not in session yesterday.

The House will not meet today. The next scheduled meeting of the House is on Friday, February 1.

Morning Media: January 31, 2013

2013-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Steve Kelley explains what Obama means when he "goes shooting". View at Townhall

On the same subject, Glenn McCoy has a slightly different take. View at Townhall

Next, Dick Morris explains the GOP's con game in Washington. View at Hope for America

And finally, Ted Cruz took the Senate to task for operating in a "fact-free zone" on gun control. View at RightScoop

D.C. Daily: January 30, 2013

2013-01-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

Senate

During business yesterday, the Senate passed the following measures:

S. Res. 14, designating January 2013 as "National Stalking Awareness Month".
S. Res. 20, designating Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Confirmed the nomination of John Kerry to be Secretary of State, by a vote of 94 yeas to 3 nays, with 1 voting present.

The Senate will meet today at 9:30 AM. The only item presently on the Senate's agenda is the farewell address of Senator John Kerry at 2:30 PM.

House of Representatives

The House met yesterday in pro forma session.

The House will not meet today. The next scheduled meeting of the House is on Friday, February 1.

Morning Media: January 30, 2013

2013-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

First, Steve Breen has reaction to the immigration proposals. View at Townhall

Next, we have Greg Gutfeld's reaction to the Obama/Clinton interview. View at Hope for America

And finally, immigrant Henson Ong has a warning on gun control. View at YouTube