Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny While Governor Huntsman was not my favorite to land the rEpublican nomination in 2012 (Ron Paul was) looking back he would have made a formidable candidate in the effort to unseat President Obama. Instead the party nominated Mittens the Flip Flopper Romney and we all know the results of that brilliant move to pacify the more (false) conservatives in the rEpublican Oligarchical power structure. Unless the party wakes up and gets some sense it will pay a lasting price as America, including America's real conservatives and libertarians move on to a new era. Jon Huntsman should figure predominately in a new future for the rEpublican party. The Telegraph - The Republican Party is leaderless and "devoid of a soul" but can rebuild in the wake of its election defeat if it embraces its history of supporting limited government, Jon Huntsman has said. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the former Utah gover

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs - Tyranny This is just a guess but I'm thinking I just might be the only fiscal conservative that understands what the President is saying. But then again there aren't any real fiscal conservatives in the nation's capital these days anyway. I find myself more and more each and every day wondering exactly what has happened to the conservatives of old. You know, the William Buckley, Barry Goldwater, Dwight Eisenhower, and the Gerald Ford types. The types that actually understood what conservatism (in these days aka classical liberalism) really means as well as recognizing that community and government actually can play a positive role while at the same time remaining as limited as reasonably possible . Preparing for inevitable criticism from the false conservatives, as well as likely skepticism and taunts from the partisan liberal progressives I can only respond by saying... "Nuts". Or to put it another way

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny In sorting it all out as the nation continues the debate on firearms, high capacity magazines and the rest, I thought the following information very pertinent and germain to the discussion. It seems that while firearm sales have significantly increased in California (2002 - 2011) the number of gun related injuries has declined 25% during the same period. The Sacramento Bee - Gun deaths and injuries have dropped sharply in California, even as the number of guns sold in the state has risen, according to new state data. Dealers sold 600,000 guns in California last year, up from 350,000 in 2002, according to records of sale tallied by the California Attorney General's office . During that same period, the number of California hospitalizations due to gun injuries declined from about 4,000 annually to 2,900, a roughly 25 percent drop, according to hospital records collected by the California Department of Public Heal

by: Les Carprnter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in which 20 innocent children lost their live to a sick and mentally unstable individual the subject of gun control has remained center stage. This is understandable, and as it should be. The pursuit of finding improved methods to better identify unstable individuals and thereby keep firearms out of the hands of such individuals is a worthy pursuit. As we consider how to deal with increasing societal violence we must find a happy medium that will both improve public safety and preserve our second amendment rights. It can be done, if both sides of the gun control debate will start listening to each other rather talking A T each other. We have heard from the NRA's Wayne LaPierre, who has offered essentially the same solution as the organization did in 2007. Put armed police guards in every school in America. Not anything most suburban and rural Mom's and Dad's will b

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Roman Colosseum Greek Acropolis Two arguably great ancient world cultures. Reason and senatorial governance. Two cultures that yet today have influence on western thinking and philosophy. Three giants in the realm of philosophy arose from ancient Greece, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Rome, arguably the world's greatest empire was ultimately doomed to decline and ultimate collapse, primarily the result of self destructive behaviors. Fast forward to 2012. America, arguably (once) the freest, most prosperous, and influential nation in the modern world is facing decline, just as the great nation states of Greece and Rome before them. In fact if one looks to history they will see that history is replete with examples of nations that achieved the apex of influence and power, only to experience decline and be replaced by another rising influential power. Today America is at that crucial tipping point where we eith

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny 'The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,' LaPierre says. | Reuters The NRA Solution to gun violence in our schools will either be met with scathing rebuke, or it will just be ignored. Must admit, it's not a novel or new idea, they floated it in 2007 as well. One I am fairly certain my sons and daughters-in-law, like millions of others will have a real issue with, again. Way to go NRA, really thinking outside the same box. Politico - The National Rifle Association stunned Washington observers Friday when the group’s CEO announced a plan to install armed guards at every school in the country — its response to the Connecticut shooting last week that left 20 children dead. Wayne LaPierre called the idea the National School Shield program, which would rely on local police forces. It will be led by former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.). “The only thing that stops a bad

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Michael Moore, the multimillionaire fat ass that made all his money using the American capitalist system while discouraging America at every turn and opportunity is ONCE again putting his full complete idiocy on display. The man is a sorry excuse of a human and IMNHO a total waste of good oxygen. Moore, weighing in on guns manages to bring race into the discussion. This was inevitable I suppose as it comes from the completely looney fire breathing progressive left, which Moore without a doubt personifies. What a piece of work this idiot is. Thankfully he doesn't represent the entire liberal population. The Daily Caller - Friday night, on the heels of last week’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., the left-leaning Current TV is planning to air progressive filmmaker Michael Moore’s ten-year-old Columbine documentary “Bowling for Columbine,” with Moore revisiting the film to accuse American g

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny With the debate on where the nation goes from here on gun control Mayor Bloomberg strikes a somewhat reasonable stance. Neither side of the debate is likely to agree fully. However, the Mayor is at least sensible and that should provide a reasonable starting point. Given the current mood of the nation there is little doubt but what something is going to change with respect to gun laws. Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. Watch More News Videos at ABC | 2012 Presidential Election | Entertainment & Celebrity News CBS - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg today placed partial blame on the National Rifle Association for the Connecticut elementary school massacre in which 20 children and six adults were gunned down last week. "We're not trying to take away your right to advance the interests of gun owners, hunters, people who want to protect themselves," Bloomberg told "N

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Perhaps this is a large part of the problem? The Weekly Standard - Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, made his "fiscal cliff" position clear in a press conference today. "We are not going to do anything," said Reid. Reid added, "We are not taking up anything they are working on over there." The top Democrat in the Senate was explaining his inaction on the House plan, the proposal put forward by Republican John Boehner, the speaker of the House of Representatives. Boehner's plan is being referred to as 'Plan B.' { Read More } But as there always is two sides, maybe this is a small part of the problem? Politico - Speaker John Boehner, using his harshest tone of the fiscal cliff debate, said the White House has “done nothing” since he relented on letting low tax rates lapse on wealthy Americans. “For weeks the White House said if I moved on rates, that they wo

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs - Tyranny "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." Cicero , 55 BC Indeed. Evidently we have learned nothing in the past 2,067 years. It has often been said, "The more things change the more they same the same." Apparently it is true.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Connecticut State Police walk near the scene of an elementary school shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown, Conn. (credit: Douglas Healey/Getty Images) Today, in Newtown Connecticut an act of unspeakable violence against innocent children occurred. As unfathomable as this act was it occured. As I sat numbed by the realization such a grotesque and deranged act could actually occur, I could not help but to contemplate what it is that would drive a 20 year old individual to commit such a heinous crime against innocent children. Having a 4 year old grandson and a 1 and a 1/2 year old old granddaughter the events of today hit very close to home. My heart, as well as that of Mrs. Rational Nation goes out to the parents and families who lost loved ones in today's tragic shooting. Now is the time for all Americans to come together in mourning the loss of innocent young lives. After the grieving we must look for answ

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Of interest no doubt to the Star Wars enthusiast. However, quite far fetched. For now anyway. Or is it? THE FW - On the White House’s website there is a “We The People” section, which allows citizens to “petition the Obama Administration to take action on a range of important issues facing our country.” If any submitted petition gets 25,000 E-signatures, then the White House will review the proposal. Our favorite of these petitions this month has to be from Colorado man “John D” who, as we reported last week , wants the government to secure resources and funding to begin the construction of a Death Star by 2016. His rationale for building the mega-weapon from the ‘ Star Wars ‘ movies is as much public works project than direct threat to the little green men who could be living below Mars’ surface. “By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the gover

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Yep, certainly everyone should be able to agree on the need to offset the cost of Sandy's devastation to the federal budget. As well, everyone should be able to see the logic of the states effected shouldering a share of the burden of cost. THE HILL - House conservatives are wasting no time in demanding that emergency spending for Hurricane Sandy be offset by spending cuts to the rest of the budget. The White House on Friday requested Congress to pass a $60.4 billion bill to pay for damage resulting from Sandy. Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders have so far been mum on whether they will demand spending cuts to match. The right wing members of the House conference are not waiting to make their feelings known. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who sits on the Appropriations Committee, said she will need to see offsets on Wednesday as did Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho). “We have these emergencie

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA   Liberty -vs- Tyranny NBC/WSJ poll: GOP already goes off one cliff -- the image cliff… American public: We want compromise… But this also presents dilemma for White House: Does it bend over backwards to achieve compromise, or does it try to make the GOP cry “Uncle”?... Who gets the blame if the country goes over the cliff? Answer: Both sides… But Obama and the Democrats also have the upper hand… The other big news from our poll: Majority, for the first time, supports gay marriage… { First Thoughts - NBC } Maybe the President and Congress will finally listen? I'm linking it unlikely. Those among us that lean towards a reasonable fiscal conservatism and a libertarian social agenda have seen this coming for quite some time. rEpublicans (many are members of the Tea Party) decided after the 2010 mid term elections that compromise on debt and budgetary matters was a dirty concept. The agenda was to stare down the President and dEmocrat party

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny It appears more rEpublicans are either A) acquiescing to the Obama and democrat push for an increase in the tax rate for those making over $250,000.00 per year, or B) the rEpublicans are actually learning how to effectively negotiate and perhaps out maneuver the democrats long term. We'll just have to wait and see. THE HILL - Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) on Sunday joined a growing chorus of Republicans who are open to higher tax rates for the richest Americans as part of a deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” Corker, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, told “Fox News Sunday” that Democrats have the upper hand following the election. He said he was optimistic Congress would strike a deal within the next 23 days, even if it means agreeing to President Obama's plan to increase the top rate on individuals making more than $250,000 a year. But Corker said he expected Democrats to accept spending cuts to entitlem

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Is the following a voice of reason by Representative Cole (R-Okal.), or is it a voice for further statism and federal control of the individual's right to retain a larger share of their personal property? Dialogue begins just prior to the one minute mark in CNN video following excerpt. THE HILL -... “So just let’s make sure for the 98 percent, they know they’re not. We can continue to fight on the other two percent and the higher rates,” Cole said. The Oklahoma Republican said this would swing leverage over to Republicans in their negotiations with the White House to avoid going over the “fiscal cliff” — a set of massive tax increases and budget cuts that will go into effect early next year unless Congress acts. “It’s quite the opposite. We gain leverage,” Cole said. Not everyone is on board with Cole’s suggestion though within the House Republican caucus. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said the election resu

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Treating all fellow human beings that mean you no harm, and do not threaten you or your families livelihood and well being are deserving of respect and full equal treatment under the laws of the United States of America. Including the full recognition of equal rights for gay couples to marry and enjoy the same secular rights that heterosexual couples enjoy. America's belief in equality with respect to treatment of homosexuals, specifically their right to marry is, and has been changing. A plurality now support gay marriage. POLITICO - A plurality of Americans supports gay marriage. A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground Poll found 40 percent of those surveyed said that same-sex couples should be able to be legally married. Thirty percent thought same-sex couples should be able to enter into civil unions but not be allowed to get married. And 24 percent said they should not be allowed to have an

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny More federal power statism being exerted into the role that many believe ought to be reserved for the "Several States." I find myself thinking on just how the rEpublican right, and the social conservatives, both whom should support Washington and Colorado on this will ultimately come down. WASHINGTON — Senior White House and Justice Department officials are considering plans for legal action against Colorado and Washington that could undermine voter-approved initiatives to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in those states, according to several people familiar with the deliberations. Even as marijuana legalization supporters are celebrating their victories in the two states, the Obama administration has been holding high-level meetings since the election to debate the response of federal law enforcement agencies to the decriminalization efforts. Marijuana use in both states continues to be illegal

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Marco Rubio when asked if homosexuality is a sin handled the question like a real professional politician. While saying his faith considers it a sin he went on to say there are a whole bunch of other sins as well. I guess an affirmative but without actually saying the words "I consider it a sin", or answering simply "yes." He added that from a policy position while his faith informs him on decisions he doesn't go around pointing fingers. ... "I can tell you what faith teaches, and faith teaches that it is. And that's what the Bible teaches ... but it also teaches that there are a bunch of other sins that are no less. It teaches that lying is a sin, it teaches that disrespecting your parents is a sin, it teaches that stealing is a sin, it teaches that coveting your neighbor and what your neighbor has is a sin," Rubio said. "So, there isn't a person in this room that isn't

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Bill Clinton is urging the "faithful" not to be too discouraged with what they see going on in inept Washington DC as discussions continue in an attempt to broker a deal between rEpublicans and dEmocrats to avert the fiscal cliff. During his lecture session he played coy as to whether Hillary would make another run for the "Crown" in 2016. The Hill - Former President Bill Clinton sought to strike a comforting tone Wednesday, telling a lecture audience they shouldn't "get too disgusted" by ongoing budget negotiations in Washington. "Don't get too disgusted by what you see — they're doing a little dance now," Clinton said, equating the two sides to sumo wrestlers circling one another in the ring. "I'll be very surprised if they don't do a reasonably acceptable deal." The president made the remarks, reported by the San Jose Mercury News, at De Anza

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The liberals/progressives will have fun with this one. Gear up for the future scorched earth politics. Coming to America compliments of the rEpublican (and dEmocrat no doubt as well) party. Pull up a seat, grab a cold one and enjoy! You're looking at the future. Via: Libertarian Republican

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Another son of Massachusetts who went on to be the leader of the free world. President John F. Kennedy was both inspiring and forward thinking. His vision to put a man on the moon before 1970 motivated a nation to move science and technology beyond what was perhaps considered possible or even necessary at the time. Individuals like JFK challenge the norm, push to achieve new goals and heights for mankind (humankind for the PC sensitive), and challenge us all to move forward and acheive our highest potential as human beings. JFK on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. His remarks begin at approximately the 2 minute and 30 second mark. Perhaps the rEpublican party, especially the socon religious right should listen to and learn from words and example of JFK, a devout Roman Catholic.

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty   -vs- Tyranny As the nation struggles with diverse and often divisive factions and varying ideological principles/beliefs, it would do well to consider the struggle (and views) of those that came before us. Our forebears were, after all, responsible for galvanizing folks around principles that spawned the greatest political and governmental experiment mankind (for the PC sensitive humankind) has ever witnessed. Note that all points of emphasis are mine. Federalist #10, James Madison 1787 - To the People of the State of New York: AMONG the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction. The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice. He will not fail, therefore, to set a due value on any plan wh

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Pay special attention at the 1:35 minute mark. May America never let the oligarchs and the rEpublican or dEmocrat party destroy the vision of John Adams, a son Massachusetts.

by; Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty   -vs- Tyranny One simply can't help but wonder at the 21st century rEpublicans and how far they are removed from the reality of their own absurdities. I don't know, maybe it's the socon neocon and anti science connection. Whatever it is the party need some new blood and an infusion of reality. TPM - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said that Congress will not give up control over the nation's debt limit and that each time the limit is raised, Congress will demand cuts and reforms, during an interview on "Fox News Sunday." Congress is never going to give up this power. I've made it clear to the president that every time we get to the debt limit, we need cuts and reforms that are greater than the increase in the debt limit. It's the only way to leverage the political process to produce more change than what it would if left alone. Via: Mewmeorandum