One Before the Vote

By: Bastiatarian

Well, the conference is over, my presentation went well (everybody laughed at the right places, which is what it's all about anyway), and I'm starting to recover from the past month of little sleep and far too much work, so I suppose I should get at last one post in before the election.

Here in southern Arizona we have a congressional race going between Jesse Kelly and incumbent Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords isn't quite the hardcore totalitarian thug that we get in Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, and their ilk, but she is thoroughly in their camp. Of course, she tries to get the conservative vote by talking about how she's a gun owner (although Gun Owners of America gave her a D grade on gun rights) or a supporter of border security (although she doesn't want immigration laws to be actually enforced, so she's against SB1070). Her actual, documented record, however, makes it perfectly clear that she is just another a big-spending, big-regulating Democrat.

She is also a brazen liar. I constantly see her claim that Jesse Kelly wants to increase taxes 23%, which is completely false. Anyone who interprets Kelly's statements of support of a flat tax as an indication of a desire to raise taxes is just plain stupid. Giffords isn't being stupid, however. (Granted, she's not too terribly sharp, but that's not the issue in this case.) Lying is part of the leftist playbook, and so it's par for the course.

I was in Los Angeles for my conference, and saw the same type of thing going on with local candidates there as well. I wasn't even that familiar with the candidates, but the ads placed by Democrats were so ludicrous that the viewer didn't even need to go outside the context of the ad to find refutations of the claims.

The ads/signs placed by the Democrats are getting more desperate, something that can be seen in what I had thought was impossible: a further decrease in actual substance. Not being able to gain the advantage in an actual discussion of relevant issues, southern Arizona Democrats have started placing a new sign next to Kelly's campaign signs. It reads, simply, "Kelly Lies!" It reminds me of when elementary school students are caught in an improper act and respond by accusing the accuser of what he or she has been accused of, but without any supporting evidence.

Voting should be simple. A real American will never vote for anyone, of any party, that will, in any way, violate the absolute right of each individual to his or her life, liberty, and property. Maintenance of and respect for those absolute rights constitute the American way. Not "free" education, not subsidizing laziness or mediocrity, not massive funding of specious and thoroughly unsupported claims of catastrophic climate change, not anything at all that takes from one person that which he or she has produced or obtained through voluntary exchange, and not anything that would then give those goods or services to another who has not obtained a right to those goods or services through voluntary exchange.

I held my nose and voted for John McCain (D-lite, AZ) in the last presidential election. It didn't do any good, the first Affirmative Action president was elected, and I still feel dirty. Compromising for a Republican who will sell my life from under me just a little more slowly than the Democrat doesn't do me any real good. I'm not compromising again.

The only way to return the United States to the Founding Principles, and then to increase the strength of our liberty from that starting point, is to be unrelenting and uncompromising. We haven't been able to do it by playing the political game. The only ones who win that game are the politicians. Instead, we have to live and promote true principles of liberty, without backing down, without playing their game, without compromising, and without giving up a single inch. Regardless of who wins what election, we have to stand our ground. We have to be willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Founding Fathers. "Give me liberty, or give me death!" is not an old-fashioned, outdated conviction.

Don't compromise on your vote. If there isn't a candidate who fully embraces the principles of liberty, write in your own name. If we do that, the worse candidate will win, you say? Hey, it's not like our compromises have been electing men and women of honor and integrity anyway. Before we can elect men and women of honor and integrity, we have to display those characteristics ourselves, regardless of the circumstances. Voting for evil is never justified.

Wisdom, Virtues, and the Principles of Proper Governance

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA


Wisdom is often found in the most simplistic values... Liberty, Limited government, and Self Reliance...

Rational Nation USA, after consideration of all alternatives  is left with the realization and stark reality the left is unyielding  and often irrational in defense of its progressive collectivist agenda.

One particular progressive (communist) blog has found it appropriate to label Rational Nation USA reactionary. Therefore I ask you, my readership the following:


What is reactionary about believing in advancing technology...
What is reactionary about believing in the value of and advancement of  scientific research...
What is reactionary about the belief in advancement  of outer space exploration...
What is reactionary about the belief in individual rights and the pursuit of individual achievement...
What is reactionary about the belief in self reliance...
What is reactionary about the belief in limited government...
What is reactionary about the belief in the nations founding principles...
What is reactionary about the belief that each individual can achieve in direct proportion to his or her own efforts...
What is reactionary about the belief the only justification for war is in response to an act of aggression against a sovereign state.
What is reactionary about the belief that the nation should operate under a balanced budget...

The answer to these rational and reasoned  questions... NOTHING!

Unless of course you are an irrational progressive collectivist such as is this site.

Remember to get out and vote November 2, 2010. Only by voting can you make a difference.

Only by voting out incumbents, specifically democrats (DemonCrats) will a real difference be made.

I find it interesting the progressive collectivists are so bent on stifling any and all thought that does not fall in line with their failed agenda.

And so I ask you.. Who are the real idiots?

Cross posted to LCR

Pajamas Media: "Something Stinks in California's 47th Congressional District

by the Left Coast Rebel

Last night I wrapped up an article for Pajamas Media on California's CD-47. I focused on a funny bit of news related to the Van Tran campaign, here's the opener:

Away from the face-off between the two candidates, something smells as bad as trash-truck juice on a Death Valley summer day in California’s 47th.

In search of the olfactory offense, I point the reader to a Van Tran mailer masquerading as a fragrance sampler, making its way to the mail boxes of likely voters in Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Anaheim.

Don’t judge this book by its cover; it’s no ordinary fragrance sampler:

Note that the mailer says: “Open for a Free Sample Fragrance of: Loretta, The Scent of Washington.

You have to read the rest to see what happens when the mailer is opened! Later on in the piece I describe Van Tran campaign HQ, it's a pretty neat story:

The folks in the Van Tran campaign were a pleasant bunch. After meeting them I could sense that they are having fun (easily evidenced by the humorous mailer too), working hard, and ready to win. At the same time, I gathered that they were perfectly able and willing to go back to normal life if the election doesn’t go their way on Tuesday.

Central command for Van Tran is set up in a foreclosed Blockbuster building in Garden Grove, a city of 175,000 in northern Orange County. The building was essentially stripped of most things that one would associate with the past life of movie rentals such as shelving and other interior structures. Although the sign had been removed, the outline of the letters B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R were still clearly discernible on the building’s stucco exterior.

It was somewhat dirty inside, a proverbial makeshift campaign war room with folding tables set up for walk-in volunteer phone bank folks. Van Tran signs were strewn graciously and haphazardly across the walls, and there was a constant buzz of activity. The accommodations were functional but not flashy.

Please read the rest, comment, Facebook 'like' it and pass it along to friends - especially those of you that live in California. And please, above all, support Van Tran and other conservative candidates in the closing days of the 2010 midterm election.

Nothing short of the future of the nation is at stake.

(VIDEO) MoveOn.org's Lauren Valle Proved a Liar by Just-Released Video Showing Events Before Head-stomping Incident

by the Left Coast Rebel

If you are like me and voraciously following election news this week, you are most-likely exhausted of reading about the "head-stomping" incident involving a violent, paid, far-left batsh$t-crazy MoveOn.orger with a mile-long rapsheet and a Rand Paul supporter. The left has found it to be the cause célèbre of the final week election push - proving just how desperate, doomed and pathetic they truly are. In some ways I consider the issue a blessing as it is distracting hundreds of Soros-funded Bolshevik-bloggers at this point and Rand is going to easily win his race.

Lauren Valle (the MoveOn.org activist) has repeatedly claimed that she was just trying to get a signature and photograph from Rand Paul. She said this on MSNBC last night:

Well just before the tape I was identified by the Rand Paul campaign because they’ve seen me around town at these events. And they realized they know me because of my work and they don’t support it. So they actually formed a blockade around me once they realized that I was there. And as Rand’s car pulls up they step in front of me and start to block me so I stepped off the curb to try and get around them and at that point they pursued me around the car, chased me around the car, and what you see in the video is when I’m in the front of the car and that’s when I’m pulled down and then my head is stomped on.

She is an out-and-out liar.

The following video clearly shows Lauren Valle rushing Rand Paul's vehicle and pushing her sign into the car. A clearly dangerous, provocative act that completely discredits her version of the events. Hat-tip to Redstate:



I guess that Lauren Valle and MoveOn.org assumed that the rest of the video would never surface, this revelation easily disproves the 'angry-white-male-mob' that the Bolshevik bloggers are running with.

And for the record - though it won't matter to the trolls out there - it is never ok to step on someone's head. Tim Profitt should face serious penalties and the full extent of the law for doing so.

Cross posted to LCR.

Storm Clouds Gather over Democrat Turnout

Storm clouds gather before the historic 2010 election

by the Left Coast Rebel

A new meme is developing that stormy skies in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast may keep Democrats away from pols across the nation on November 2. The subtle reasoning for this is simple - folks that vote Democrat are so incredibly helpless that they cannot even brave bad weather to perform their civic duty.

Nothing shows the fall from our founding and rugged individualism quite like this. First, let's begin with this from The Hill:

According to Laurel Harbridge, a Northwestern University political science professor, GOP voters are not typically discouraged by rain. “Republicans are helped by bad weather ... it does harm Democratic prospects.”

What? Republicans are helped by bad weather? I thought that Republicans created bad weather on election day. Soros told me so!

More from The Hill:

Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University, echoed Harbridge. “Bad weather almost always hurts Democrats,” she said. “The traditional Democratic base tends to include lower-income people and the elderly. Both of those demographic groups have a hard time getting to the polls.”

Now we are getting closer to the gist of theme here. Many Democrat voters are poor and lazy. In fact, they are so lazy that they may not attempt to manage a bit of wet weather to protect taxpayer-funded goodies.

Forget the old people too, they clearly are defenseless as cumulonimbus clouds approach.

However, on a more serious not, riddle me this - are dead democratic voters less likely to show because of bad weather?

I would crawl over miles of broken glass mixed with rusty nails, under spiral barbed-wire and dodge the occasional land mine to vote for the future of this nation on November 2, wouldn't you?

Apparently the Democratic base's ballot box 'robbing form Peter to pay for Paul' credo doesn't elicit an equivalent degree of emotional response as fighting for the very survival of one's nation.

Cross posted to LCR.

Ideological Idiocy

"Diversity" means whatever the left says it means, and minorities are only celebrated so long as they stay on the reservation

The whole Juan Williams controversy, and the illogical and hate-filled response from the left shows them to be in complete intellectual collapse.  There is no reasoning left on the left, just rage, outrage and raw emotion.  A dogmatic MSNBC mindset that anathematizes the impure who stray from the liberal orthodoxy.

It's an "us versus them" mentality.  Juan's cardinal sin was to treat conservatives as worthy of debate instead of just smearing them from a safe distance.  And he had the temerity to do it on the hated "Faux Nooz!"  For this same reason, liberal atheist Christopher Hitchens has more fans on the right than on the left, all because he cogently critiques militant Islam.

A Diversity of Thought
We enjoy a diversity of thought on the right; the left chokes with rage on it.  We may not agree with Juan Williams, Bob Beckel, Kirsten Powers or the other liberals who routinely appear on FOX news, but we enjoy the debate.  They add clarity to our thought, as fire hardens steel.  And we even learn something every now and then.  For this we will only grow stronger as our friends on the left suffer a rigor mortis of rationality.

We on the right are now much more about thought, debate and exploring new ideas.  We've dropped our knee-jerk support for big business and big wars.  We don't foam at the mouth in rabid anger like the left does, but we now criticize crony capitalism and Wall Street gamblers flush with our tax dollars.  We're also tiring of military adventures and we have awoken to the the dangers of our burgeoning domestic security apparatus. 

Ideology Kills
Blind allegiance to ideology kills rational thought, and that is what we're seeing on the left.  Daniel J. Flynn, in his most excellent book Intellectual Morons , explains:  

"ideology acts as a mental straitjacket. It blinds adherents to reality, breeds fanaticism, and rationalizes dishonesty. It makes smart people stupid."

Ideology can be a mental framework to make sense of what's going on around you, but Flynn sees it more as a crutch for those too lazy to think for themselves. Reading the opening chapter slowly and thoughtfully can provide a good intellectual self-examination.

The main idea behind Intellectual Morons is that ideology acts as a mental straitjacket. It blinds adherents to reality, breeds fanaticism, and rationalizes dishonesty. It makes smart people stupid.

It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are if you don’t use your brain. Intelligent people aren’t necessarily rigorous thinkers. In fact, many of them are mentally lazy. Ideology provides a way for lazy people to respond to issues, ideas, people, and events without thinking.

For the ideologue, ideology is the Rosetta Stone of everything. Why think when the system provides all the answers? Ideology is attractive to smart people because it flatters them by suggesting that a single idea from the mind of an intellectual has the power of explaining all of history or ordering the affairs of whole nations. No person is that smart; no idea that good. (Front Page - Interview)

"Intellectual Morons" is a storehouse of of ammo for those who enjoy arguing with liberals.  More importantly, it is a useful springboard to an intellectual self-examination.    It also explains why modern-day American liberalism is a rotting carcass.  They cling to their dogma and purge their ranks; we on the right invite thinking liberals to the debate.

Allan West for Congress... District 22 Florida

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

The video below demonstrates the worst in one issue politics. Cutting through the rhetoric it is obvious, the driving underlying issue with these progressive women is the right to abortion. While they tepidly proclaim other issues this is in reality their singular driving issue.



Excerpt from the Shark Tank:

This protest against West was not the norm for the Democratic Party, and it came across as a desperate last hour maneuver by Democrats to help save the prized Congressional District 22 seat that Congressman Ron Klein currently holds.  Recent polls show West slightly ahead of Klein in this highly contentious Congressional race.

I am not a Florida resident. I do know we need individuals in Congress with the integrity and vision of Allan West. Visit his website here.

For compelling videos of this man of character:





This man is for real. Support him in his run for Congress from the 22'nd district in Florida.

Via: Memeorandum

Andrew Cuomo... Is He the Man for the Job?

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA


Andrew Cuomo is part of the problem. He is part of the established progressive collectivist element in New York state politics and governance (state legislature) that has continually perpetuated the states fiscal woes. Of course the lion's share of the problem lies with the ultra liberal New York city crowd. If that sounds oh so not politically correct so be it. Ban me from he blogosphere. It is something that is likely coming soon anyway.

As I do not live in New York state (any longer) I question why I even bother to post on a race that doesn't directly affect my life. Being the introspective person I am it is a fair question to ask myself. In my final analysis I decided that as bad as one may believe Paladino is Cuomo is not the solution. As an entrenched member of the democratic  establishment he will only continue the practices of former progressive governors and the progressive New York state legislators.

Perhaps I am biased by the realities I saw when his father Mario Cuomo  was governor of the state and I lived there. Or perhaps it is the influence of some of my wife's family who still lives in New York state. Or perhaps it is that my understanding of the modern liberal (progressive collectivist) ideology leads me to believe  that the election of Cuomo to the governorship is simply a mistake and and sure road to more of the same. The same fiscal and financial irresponsibility so prevalent in this large and influential state.

As New York state is the third largest state in the union, and home to the nation's financial markets it's future may very well be that of the nation's at large. For those residents of New York who are proponents of limited government, fiscal restraint and responsibility, and individual liberties as set forth in our founding documents please think deeply before casting a vote for Andrew Cuomo. Remember from whence Franklin Delano Roosevelt hailed.

As bad as Paladino may seem to some I leave you with this quote from Buffalo News.com 

And, as much as we believe Paladino would be an unfit governor, it is fair to say that he has accomplished many good things for Western New Yorkers over the years, from restoring old buildings to leading the charge that finally eliminated the tolls on the Niagara Thruway.

But he has done more than that. Exposing the depth of New Yorkers' anger about Albany is the true favor Paladino has done for taxpayers...

 Admittedly the article in full is making the case for Cuomo. But that I suppose is the result of a narrow and myopic viewpoint. Or the influence of a progressive mindset within the Nw York media establishment.

Cross posted to the LCR.

Via: Memeorandum 

Music... The Universal Language

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Weekend wrap up with a little Reggae as only the master could deliver.

ENJOY!

NPR and the Great Government Media Complex

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Juan Williams was fired by NPR for having the honesty and truthfulness to say that which I would wager most Americans have felt since 911. The realities of the modern world support Williams concern and his statement. National Public Radio, financed by your taxpayer dollars as well as healthy contributions from the likes of Progressive Collectivist George Soros and other left wing nuts has an agenda. The mission? To take control of the air waves and supply increased left wing ideology and governmental indoctrination with increasing ferocity. Don't buy it, okay that is certainly each individuals choice. Just remember, you read it here first.

Now to the major point of this post. Why in the world is congress supplying even a penny of funding to a news organization? In a country where the founders, and presumably those who followed (including us today) believed in a free and independent press would such funding even be a consideration. How is it possible for government to talk about the evil influence of special interest money and yet supply funding for news outlets? Does this not create at least the appearance of "special interest?" Hm, government a special interest focused on increasing it's own ideological agenda. A crazy thought, perhaps. On the other hand maybe not.

Bureaucrats doling out taxpayer money to a particular news outlet or it's affiliates. Certainly seems to me this, at the very least, creates the potential for nefarious conduct by those controlling the levers of power in the federal bureaucracy. Of course this is America. Certainly not the old USSR, Communist North Korea, Iran, or any one of a number of nations with state run news and propaganda machines.

I understand the idea behind NPR was at the onset admirable. To give the public information that was objective and free from the potential taint made possible by a corporation interested in making money to survive. Today NPR has just proven itself far removed from that concept with the firing of Juan Williams, a man I did not agree with often but highly respected e for his professionalism and journalistic integrity.

NPR has become that which is should be vehemently opposed to. Lockstep political correctness. Certainly NPR stands against right wing political correctness. It is now glaringly obvious that it supports left wing political correctness. Without a doubt a biased and unenlightened political correct driven organization. NPR should be De-funded by Congress immediately.

Cross posted to LCR

Via: Memorandum

CBO: Obamacare Disincentives Work

by the Left Coast Rebel

Sometimes I grow weary of reading and analyzing the malfeasance and treachery that surrounds us. I'm sure that you do too.

Aside from bankrupting the nation, bringing the quality of care down for everyone and instituting the most micromanaged government intrusion into every aspect of our lives, Obamacare also disincentives productive work. The gory details from IBD:

... the new health law will give some older households without access to employer care a big incentive not to earn too much. That’s because earning more than 400% of the poverty level would make them ineligible for subsidies that may be well in excess of $10,000 for couples.

Consider this example of a single individual age 62 in a high-cost area and no access to employer care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Reform Subsidy Calculator:

* At 200% of the poverty level, or $23,000 in income in 2014, an individual would get $10,750 in premium subsidies.

* At 400% of the poverty level, or $46,000, an individual would get $7,830 in premium subsidies.

* And at 401% of the poverty level, an individual would get no government support.

Just another Ivy League-overlooked, moral hazard aspect of the forced takeover of our health care industry. If we still had enough of the Founder's spirit running through our veins, there would be a revolt over this. Remember, Obamacare has nothing to do with 'improving' the health care system, it has everything to do with income redistribution.

Just how big will the comeuppance be on November 2? It's up to me and you. Cross posted to LCR.

Sarah Palin Signs American Flags at Tea Party, Liberals say Palin "Desecrated" Flag

by the Left Coast Rebel

My local news thought the following story was important enough to dedicate a large early morning segment to it.

They played this video wherein The Guardian caught up with Sarah Palin in Reno, Nevada, and filmed her signing autographs for fans:

No big deal, right? Well, Salon lib writers want you to take note of Palin at 1:30 on the needle. Look. Look closer. See it? It's a smoking, flag-desecrating, double-barreled shotgun.

In other words, Palin 'signed' an American flag which is a clear, imprisonable violation of the Flag Code and today's Wag the Dog tail-chasing leftist gotcha moment.

Salon points us to the precise section of the code:

Subsection 8, part (g) reads: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

Ah, yes neo-Bolshevik progressives always refer to Subsection 8 of the Flag Code when a clear example of flag desecration comes into play. Except, of course, when the American flag is being burned. Then it is Consitutionally-protected free speech.

Bob Owens nails this level of intellectual deformation:

I've always found Salon to be one of the most informative web sites on the entire Internet...though not for the reasons you might think. Like many other sites that feature and attract progressives, Salon serves as a chronicle of the "liberal condition," collecting the insecurities and psychological projection of its writers and its intended audience.

Some interesting comments from the Salon article:

She's wrapped herself in the flag so often

she thinks it's part of the new Sarah Palin apparel line, now available at Walwart.

—pinkoursula

Seriously?

Take this story down. This is something you would see on Fox news if it were a Democrat. Don't sink to their level and promote scandalism. She probably signs flags every single day and any person with common sense knows that isn't desecrating the flag. Who cares about Flag Code? People fly flags at night without proper illumination of the flag everyday.

scandalism: journalism that promotes and hypes menial events to scandal

—dirtetimo13

The photographer is just as much to blame...

as you are not supposed to photograph the flag for personal/monetary gain, either. This is an embarrassing article, and Salon should be ashamed for putting it on their site.

—Derek73

And drumroll.....

The law against signing a flag is unconstitutional

If a law against burning a flag is unconstitutional, then so is a law against signing one.

—Michelangelo

Ah, yes, that sums it up!

Qoute of the Day

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Qoute of the day:

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the industrious out of it. You don't multiply wealth by dividing it. Government cannot give anything to anybody that it doesn't first take from somebody else. Whenever somebody receives something without working for it, somebody else has to work for it without receiving. The worst thing that can happen to a nation is for half of the people to get the idea they don't have to work because somebody else will work for them, and the other half to get the idea that it does no good to work because they don't get to enjoy the fruits of their labor."

DR. Adrian Rogers

From Wikipedia:

Adrian Pierce Rogers (September 12, 1931 – November 15, 2005) was an American pastor, conservative, author, and a three-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1979–1980 and 1986–1988).

This quote appears frequently on the Internet and is often attributed to Dr. Rogers with an incorrect date of 1931. In fact, the quotation is part of a longer sermon by Dr. Rogers' from 1984 in a larger series titled God’s Way to Health, Wealth and Wisdom, but it also appears as a passage in Dr. Rogers' 1996 work Ten Secrets for a Successful Family complaining that "by and large our young people do not know either the importance or the value of honest labor".

No matter what  ones political, religious, or social ideology might be the wisdom contained in Dr. Rogers quote should resonate with all. It is sound reasoning, and it is common sense.

Russ Steele... When You're Holding a Hammer (Everything Looks Like a Nail)

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

From Rational Nation's in box.

This song is written and sung by a High School Football coach. He
wrote the song and sent it out to his email list. Someone complained and he
lost his job. The good news, the guy has talent and when you see the words
you'll be amazed.

Not only is this guy talented he has a very poignant message. He simply rocks! 

The system that encourages and supports this kind of  "political correctness" is much of what is wrong with this nation today.

Lets help make this song go viral and in the process maybe help this educated man launch a new career.

Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel.

O'Donnell Boinks Coons... and the Government Media Complex goes Into Overdrive to Spin

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA


The progressive government media complex once again proves their slavish devotion to progressive political candidates as well as their apparent ignorance of the Constitution. Or perhaps it's not ignorance but rather desperation as they see their chosen facing possible defeat on November 2, 2010.

Of course I am referring in this instance to the the O'Donnell - Coons debate in which O'Donnell proved her superior knowledge and understanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Coons, while trying to sound the intellectual heavyweight actually embarrassed himself with his lack of  knowledge of the First Amendment. Let his words speak for themselves.

VIDEO:

h/t: Left Coast Rebel

Can any reasonable person blame Christine O'Donnell for the look of puzzlement on her face in reaction to Coons obvious lack of knowledge. The thought of an individual with Coons lack of knowledge, and his obvious belief judges should interpret the wording of the Constitution to fit a particular agenda should frankly scare the hell out of a person. I know it does me.

Below are the actual words of the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Clearly the amendment makes no reference as to "the separation of church and state" as Coons and the progressive media believe it does. Rather it it provides that Congress be prohibited from enacting any law that would establish a state religion (remember the Church of England?), or prohibit the rights of the people to freely exercise their religious expression of choice.

Thomas Jefferson is the individual responsible for the expression "separation of church and state." However, as seen above that wording appears nowhere in the First Amendment. Indeed it doe not appear anywhere in the entirety of the Constitution. For reference, and to shed further light for those who share Coons misunderstanding (the liberal government media complex) the document in which Jefferson coined the phrase is found in his "Wall of Separation Letter" written to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.

The Text:

Mr. President 

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen 

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing. 

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. [Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorised only to execute their acts, I have refrained from prescribing even those occasional performances of devotion, practiced indeed by the Executive of another nation as the legal head of its church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. 

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association assurances of my high respect & esteem. 

(signed) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

 The final draft of Jefferson's letter is stored online at The Library of Congress.

Further to this, when pressed by O'Donnell  Coons could not identify the other guarantees incorporated in the First Amendment which are that no laws shall be made abridging 2: the freedom of speech, 3: the press, 4: the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and 5: the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

O'Donnell pressed the issue with Coons not because she was lacking in knowledge or understanding, but rather to point up Coons deficiencies. Which she succeeded in doing quite well. His deficiencies, given he is running to become the United States Senator from Delaware is astounding. Is it any wonder why Christine had the look of puzzlement on her face. It isn't to me and likely most reasonable people.

However for the progressive government media complex her expressions was used in their perverse spin on this issue to make her seem somehow unintelligent and ill-informed. Here is the spin by CBS:

Poised for Gains, GOP Tries to Contain Gaffes

Just 13 days remain until voters go to the polls in what could be a power-shifting election. Republicans are poised to make big gains, but some GOP candidates have been giving their party a new batch of worries with bizarre and controversial comments, reports CBS News congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes.

Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell actually drew gasps from her audience with a recent remark - asking "Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?"

O'Donnell and her opponent Chris Coons were debating the teaching of creationism in schools when O'Donnell, who calls herself a strict constitutionalist, appeared unaware of one of the constitution's most basic tenets.

"You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the first amendment?" she asked.

"'Government shall make no establishment of religion,'" Coons quoted.

O'Donnell's reply: "That's in the first amendment?" 

The attempt backfired. Similar attempts will continue right up to election day. These attempts will backfire as well. The American public has saw through the progressive agenda. They have rejected it. November 2 is looking very very good for those who wish to defend liberty, our republic, and self sufficiency.

O'Donnell won the contest, hands down.

Discussions @ Memeorandum

The Great Comedy Act 2010

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA  


A man with a smile like this is a man to be carefully watched. You just know he is up to something mischievous, and more likely than not it has a lot to do with how he and his progressive collectivist minions are going to further fleece you.

Now to the rest of the story. The Great Impostor and comedian is soon to appear with another comedian of note, albeit one of questionable value as well.

The Associated Press reports:

President Barack Obama is taking his campaign message to "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.      

White House spokesman Dan Pfeiffer says Obama is taping an appearance on Oct. 27, just days before the Nov. 2 elections. Stewart is coming to Washington next week for the "Rally to Restore Sanity" he is holding three days later on Saturday, Oct. 30, on the National Mall. 

The host of the Comedy Central show says the rally is for people who think the loudest voices shouldn't be the only ones people hear. 

Obama recently endorsed Stewart's event. It will be the president's first appearance on Stewart's program. 

I am willing to lay odds that most of us will have much better things to do than watch this comedy show.

 Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel.

Obama Stimulus

by Les Carpenter

Rational Nation USA

Once again a huge h/t goes to eron63 for sending me this absolutly hillarious and award winning demonstartion poster.  Truly a gem. Thanks eron63!

Award for Best Original Sign at a Demonstration....

As Mid Term Elections Approach Dems. Really Worried

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

The democrats are seeing gloom and doom as Tea Party candidates and conservative Republican candidates are gaining on the progressive collectivist Democrats now holding office. The potential loss of congressional leadership has Democrats worried and it shows from their spin comments in the media. As well as in their faces.

VIDEO:



Excerpts from Politico:

With two weeks remaining until Election Day, the political map has expanded to put Democrats on the run across the country – with 99 Democratic-held House seats now in play, according to a POLITICO analysis, and Republicans well in reach of retaking the House.


It’s a dramatic departure from the outlook one year ago – and a broader landscape than even just prior to the summer congressional recess. As recently as early September, many Republicans were hesitant to talk about winning a majority for fear of overreaching.


Today, however, the non-partisan Cook Political Report predicts a GOP net gain of at least 40 House seats, with 90 Democratic seats in total rated as competitive or likely Republican.


"When Chairman [Pete] Sessions and Leader [John] Boehner said that 100 House seats were in play, Democrats scoffed,” said Ken Spain, the National Republican Congressional Committee’s communications director. “Today, they aren't laughing anymore."


The number of Democrats in danger is more than double the 39 seats Republicans need to seize control of the House. It reflects an elastic electoral environment that favors the GOP by every measure: money, momentum and mood of the country — in this case, sour on Democratic incumbents.


For Democrats, a deteriorating political environment – unemployment high, President Barack Obama’s approval ratings low — has been exacerbated by the presence of cash-flush, independent conservative groups that have poured huge sums of money into races.


The groups, including American Crossroads, have combined with the National Republican Congressional Committee to stretch the boundaries of the 2010 map into races where there’s even a scent of Democratic vulnerability.


“This year is shaping up to be something of a repeat of the 52-seat House and eight-seat Senate rout of Democrats in 1994,” handicapper Charlie Cook wrote last week. “Sure, the circumstances and dynamics are different from then, but the outcome seems to be shaping up along the same lines.”


At one time, there was serious doubt the GOP would have the financial resources to compete effectively for the House majority. The thinking was that scores of potential opportunities could go unexplored due to the cash disparity between the NRCC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.


While the NRCC still trails in cash on hand, its fundraising has picked up...

With potentially 100 seats in play the 2010 mid terms could be shaping up to be a blood bath for the Democrats. With two weeks to go, and the momentum definitely moving in the direction to unseat entrenched Democrats,  now is the time to step up the pressure, increase the intensity, and really take the fight to progressive candidates.

Read the rest of the article here.

Cross posted to Political Integrity Now.


Via: Memeorandum

A Kid in a Candy Store or a Drunken Sailor... You be the Judge

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

The nation took a giant of a leap of faith on November 2, 2008. That day we elected perhaps the greatest impostor of all time to the most powerful position in the world, the Presidency of the United States.

Twenty months into his administration we find our nation facing increased financial instability with an additional 3 trillion dollars in debt, an unemployment rate of 9.6% with no end in site, home foreclosures nationwide at approximately 4 million units, and a world that is less stable than it was when he took office. Oh, did I mention ObamaCare that was forced down our throats before we had a chance to see and know what was in it and how it would effect us.

Given all this (and it is just the tip of the iceberg)it is no wonder this President and his party have lost so much support. The American public can only be fooled so long. All indications are the house built on sand in DC may come tumbling down on November 2, 2010. That is an exhilarating thought!

While there are many troubling aspects of the Great Impostor's reign, the most troubling is the fiscal insanity that he, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of his democratic minions have showered on the country. Obama and Congress cannot continue to throw fiscal responsibility to the wind without potentially devastating consequences. The following CSN News article is telling.

It's official: The Obama administration has now borrowed $3 trillion, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

It took from 1776, when the United States became an independent country, until 1990, the year after the Berlin Wall fell signaling victory in the Cold War, for the federal government to accumulate a total of $3 trillion in debt, according to the Treasury Department. It only took from Jan. 20, 2009, the day President Barack Obama was inaugurated, until Oct. 15, 2010, for the Obama administration to add $3 trillion to the federal debt.

The overall debt of the federal government, according to the Treasury Department, is now $13.666 trillion.

Each business day, in the afternoon, the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Public Debt publishes the exact amount—to the penny--of total federal debt as of the close of the previous business day.

Clearly this President sees the Federal Treasury as nothing more than an agency to be used to further his progressive an socialistic agenda. He, more than any other former President fails to understand basic common sense principles of sound fiscal management. But really that comes as no surprise as he never created a single job, nor did he ever balance the budget of a government department, or meet a payroll. Basically he is like a child given free rein in a candy store.

Read the rest of the article here.

Cross posted to the Left Coast Rebel.

Via: Memeorandum

Off the Radar...

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Always the rebel, and always right, I find it interesting the web recently is relatively silent on the goings on in Mexico and the possible effect it could have on the Southwest United States. More specifically the Mexican Drug Cartels and their activity to protect their distribution activity to the U.S.A.

I find it interesting that intelligent and reasoned individuals apparently overlook the obvious answer to this problem. My "independent conservative" take on this is most chose to do so. Possibly blinded by their belief in the "Virtues of the War on Drugs." I challenge anyone who believes the "War on Drugs" has been a success to point to the EVIDENCE of this.

In fact the "War on Drugs" has, if anything, been a dismal failure costing American taxpayers untold millions if not billions of dollars in its execution. But the believers in "Big Government" an it's ability to rectify social ills persist in spending your hard earned dollars in their efforts to correct this "societal ill." As an example of this madness check out this link to Human Events

Okay all you supposed conservatives I have just given you the ammo to blast me as a closet liberal. The problem is I freely admit to being a "Classical Liberal." Look the definition up if in doubt as to what that means. Because I am an "independent conservative" I personify that whick "Classical Liberalism" stood for... Two hundred and thirty four years ago.

My apologies, I have once again digressed. The "War on Drugs" has failed and will continue to fail. The cost passed on to the public the result of the "Big Government's" attempt to protect society against itself will only continue to rise as the failures continue to mount.

The answer is so simple, so straight forward, so liberating. Legalize, tax those who chose to purchase recreational drugs, and use the revenues for drug education and treatment. Let those who make the decision to use drugs pay for their decision up front but don't criminalize them for doing so.

There will always be a demand for drugs. Current law and drug enforcement efforts have merely created a huge profitable billion dollar illicit enterprise. Americans can either chose to perpetuate the madness or engage in enacting the solution. What will it be?

In the process of deciding recall if you will "Prohibition." And its historic dismal failure.

Cross posted to Political Integrity Now and the Left Coast Rebel.

California NOW President calls Meg Whitman a political whore

If ever there was proof that feminist groups like NOW care more about abortion than about women's rights and dignity (as well as the inane political correctness standards they are often known to advocate), is it not in the recent endorsement of California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown by NOW's California chapter despite his campaign's use of the word "whore" to describe Republican candidate Meg Whitman, a word that NOW's national president describes as "hate speech?"

And furthermore, the fact that NOW's California chapter president insists that Meg Whitman is indeed a "political whore?" We report you decide. Here's the scoop (with FULL AUDIO of the voicemail which inadvertently recorded a Jerry Brown campaign aide calling Meg Whitman a whore and Jerry Brown approving) recorded from an article I wrote over at the California Independent Voter Network.


Wes Messamore,
Contributing Webmaster,
for Rational Nation USA

Elvis Presley - My Boy

by Les Carpenter
Rational National USA

Always an avid Elvis Presley fan I can say there are many many songs that merit recognition for their unique creative presentation and feeling. However, there is one tune that, at least in this critics view ranks at top of the best of his best. Call it my sentimentalism or the fact I am getting older (and hopefully wiser) but the emotions this song brings to the surface are as profound as they are powerful.

Perhaps this post is my way of saying to my two sons and daughter publicly how proud I am of each and and how much joy they have brought to my life over the years. Or perhaps it is that my better half of twenty five years and I now have a wonderful two year old grandson and another grandchild on the way. Or more likely it is both.

The message of this post is this... Life is short and sometimes the really important values far to often end up taking a back seat. Sad but true.

VIDEO:



And now some good ole rock and roll:



To all my faithful readership have a great up and coming week!

Chris Wallace's Frustration is Understandable

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Who can possibly not understand Chris Wallace's frustration with Fiorina's lack of specific ideas as to where to cut the budget to offset an extension of the Bush era tax cuts? Wallace asked tough questions as he should. It is also worth noting Chris is not a flaming progressive collectivist. Rather he is an objective journalist asking obvious questions as to how a candidate plans to achieve their stated goals. Fiorina's response to Wallace's questions were a huge fail.

Don't get me wrong, in contrast to the alternative Fiorina may be the better choice. However, she may want to consider that voters want concrete answers to legitimate questions. In a obvious act of self promotion she may want to consider this alternative.

VIDEO:



What say you?

Via: Memeorandum

Is Ken Buck for Real?

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

Okay, so here I go again. While a self proclaimed "independent conservative", and proud, very proud of it I am aghast at Ken Buck's characterization of homosexuality as being akin to alcoholism.

Even given the fact that homosexuality is not a chosen "lifestyle" (who by choice would {chose}to be different than 90% of society)this guy has chosen to stick his head in the sand for purely religious and or political reasons. It matters not which it is as this nation has much greater issues confronting its survival. I therefore ask... Shouldn't a candidate for the U.S Senate be focused on issues of constitutional integrity and proper and limited government rather than the issue of a persons sexual orientation?

As further argument I offer the following as a proper constitutional resolution to this emotional and obviously distracting national issue. See "An Independent Conservative's View of Gay Marriage."

Excerpt from Buck's remarks on this mornings edition of NBC's "Meet the Press"

"In a debate last month, you expressed your support for Don't Ask, Don't Tell [and] you alluded to 'lifestyle choices.' Do you believe being gay is a choice?"


Buck replied, "I do." Gregory followed up, asking, "Based on what?" After initially pretending not to understand the question, Buck added, "I guess you can choose who your partner is."

More idiocy:

Gregory pressed further, asking, "You don't think it's something that's determined at birth?" Buck replied, "I think that birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things, but I think that basically you have a choice."

This is the sort of extreme right wing lunacy that contributes to the fallacy that conservatism is out of touch with reality and therefore doomed to extinction. Bu then again I suppose if conservatives in mass buy into these outdated beliefs we very well may be doomed to extinction.

I leave it to you my fellow conservatives to decide.

VIDEO:



Via: Memeorandum

The Great Impostor Speaks...

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA


President Barrack Husein Obama, the great Impostor in Chief gave us more of his blah, blah, blah in his weekly address. As he continued to blame Republicans and yet failed to take responsibility for continuing job losses he would have America believe he has a workable plan. Right, the man who never created squat or met a payroll. Kinda like putting a 10th grader in charge of  managing a manufacturing firm.

Excerpt from his prepared text:

Winning this fight will not depend on government alone.  It will depend on the innovation of American entrepreneurs; on the drive of American small business owners; on the skills and talents of American workers.  These are the people who will help us grow our economy and create jobs.

But government still has an important responsibility.  And that’s to create an environment in which someone can raise capital to start a new company; where a business can get a loan to expand; where ingenuity is prized and folks are rewarded for their hard work.

 The Presidents answer, more government. Read between the lines people.

THE VIDEO:



Via: Memeorandum

Carlos Santana...

As only Santana can. A great artist and cool persona.

Thoughts From An Independent Conservative

by Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA

America is a changing nation. It is changing today just as it has been changing gradually over the past 234 years. While change is necessary not all change is advisable or good.

Modern realities are not exactly the same as the agrarian realities of 1776. Life has changed and while the basic needs of human survival has remained essentially the same the avenue to achieve the satisfaction of those basic needs has evolved.

As we moved from an agrarian society to a modern industrial society the requirements to effectively sustain our life and provide for the welfare of our families changed. Skill sets and knowledge had to continually evolve to keep pace with advancing technologies.

Forward progress was essential to remain competitive and successful in an evolving and advancing global environment and economic reality. In as much as we are experiencing rapid, almost instantaneous change today our founding fathers, the product of the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason certainly realized that life 234 years following their great experiment would be vast;0y different than their lives were in 1776.

The great wisdom of our founders was in giving us the greatest document in self rule ever known to mankind. This document, the Constitution of the United States of America provided a road map to effectively governing our nation while at the same time insuring the rights of the people and the individual states remained sovereign over the federal government. One need look no further than the Original Bill of Rights, or the Present Bill of Right specifically the Tenth Amendment  to confirm this fact. Specifically:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The founders in their infinite wisdom realized that from time to time the Constitution may, due to changing times need to be amended to preserve the integrity of the founding document as well as respond to a constant evolving and changing world reality. Progress was in their view not only desirable, it was essential. After all they were of the Age of Reason and amongst the most forward thinking an enlightened individuals of their time.

However, it is clear, at least to the honest student of history that the founders intent was to forever protect, defend, and preserve the rights of the individual over those of an oppressive state. Liberty does not mean compliance to the designs or dictates of the state. Rather it means allowing for the GREATEST liberty possible while alowing for the maintenance of a safe and civil societal order.

Classical liberalism was the foundation of the "American Experiment" and strongly entrenched in our founding principles. As an "independent conservative" I fully support the tenets of Classical Liberalism.

Today the term liberal, in practical reality means something vastly different than it did in the 18th century. One of the first principals of classical liberalism was the belief in a limited central government with just powers vested in, and derived from the people. Modern liberalism has come to represent the power of the socialist state to determine the solution to all issues affecting the individual and society. In other words liberalism today essentially espouses the belief the federal state is sovereign not only over the separate states but the individual as well.

Perhaps President James Madison said in best when he said:

Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the political firmament to permit it to remain anywhere, as it has heretofore done, almost everywhere. 

Of course Madison lived during a time when individual  freedom and liberty was the reality in America and on the rise throughout Europe. Today the exact opposite is true. Today we are hailing progressive movement away from the "classical liberal" principles on which this nation was founded and flourished for over 200 years.

Conservatives, independent or otherwise take a beating from modern liberals. Or as I prefer to call them, progressive collectivists. Perhaps it is understandable given the "modern liberal's" disdain for the individual and apparent love for all things collective and "progressive".

I now refer you back to the second sentence of my first paragraph:

While change is necessary not all change is advisable or good.

Could it be we have witnessed over the past 234 years a circular back to tyranny?

Cross posed to Political Integrity Now and the Left Coast Rebel