Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The Supreme Court is considering striking down Section V of the voting rights act. The conservative members of the Court, along with swing vote Justice Kennedy, question whether the specific section has outlived its usefulness. Appears the President concurs. At least partially. Striking Section V would remove the need for certain states and counties to get federal government approval before changing their voting laws. THE HILL - President Obama also seemed to signal earlier this week that a loss at the Supreme Court was possible, if not likely. Obama said in a local television interview last week that losing Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act would not cause people to lose their right to vote. “People will still have the same rights not to be discriminated against when it comes to voting," Obama said. "You just won't have this mechanism, this tool, that allows you to kind of stay ahead of certain practic

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The whole sequestration issue is sort of amusing really. Two parties of adult legislators plus one President playing politics again. Rather than governing effectively and in the best interests of the nation as a whole. The following is quite informative. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - And when the Republicans opened the seventh seal of the sequester, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black and the stars fell unto the Earth; and our nation's ability to forecast severe weather, such as drought events, hurricanes and tornados, was seriously undermined. Lo, and the children were not vaccinated, and all the beasts starved in the zoos, and the planes were grounded. Or so President Obama and his Cabinet prophets have been preaching ahead of the automatic budget cuts due to begin Friday. The bit about the weather is a real quote from the White House budget director. But if any of these cataclysms do come t

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Bob Woodward, the very same investigative reporter that along with Carl Bernstein was ultimately responsible for bringing down President Richard M. Nixon in the early seventies is reporting the White House is responsible for the looming sequestration. Hm, anybody else hear the scrambling of liberals ardently and strenuously denying Woodward's allegations? What Woodward is reporting is very plausible, in fact it is more likely than not in the world of dirty political gamesmanship. And for those who believe the democrat party is above dirty politics one only needs to harken back to the days of LBJ and Mayor Daley to realize the democrats are primo at dirty politics in the furtherance of their agenda. The Washington Post - Misunderstanding, misstatements and all the classic contortions of partisan message management surround the sequester, the term for the $85 billion in ugly and largely irrational federal spending

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Sequestration. Who's responsible for the idea? I personally do not know, so I will leave the discussion to someone with a tad bit more klnowledge than I posses on this matter. The New York Times - On July 26, 2011, Jack Lew, then the White House budget director, went to Harry Reid’s office for a budget strategy session. According to Bob Woodward’s book, “The Price of Politics,” Lew told the Senate majority leader that they had come up with a trigger idea to force a budget deal. “What’s the idea?” Reid asked. “Sequestration,” Lew responded. Reid folded himself over with his head between his knees, as if he were going to throw up. Then he came upright and gaped at the ceiling. “A couple of weeks ago,” he exclaimed, “my staff said to me there is one more possible” enforcement method: sequestration. Reid said he had told his staff at the time, “Get the hell out of here. That’s insane. The White House surely will

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -VS- Tyranny Senator Ted Cruz There has been just a bit of an uproar by the liberal media and blogs over Senator Ted Cruz and his methodology with respect to questions over former Senator Chuck Hagel's income and the sources from whence they came. He has been characterized by many on the left as the "new McCarthy"." After listening to the following several times I find no reason to characterize Senator Cruz as a "new McCarthy". I do think there was a better and more diplomatic way to have enunciated his very legitimate concerns. Giving the benefit of the doubt to Senator Cruz at this point seems prudent as he is is a freshman senator and likely will learn better diplomacy as he settles into his senatorial duties. The following from Lanny Davis, former Clinton White House Counsel confirms my sentiments. Maybe it's just me, however, with our overly heated national partisanship both sides are m

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny John Huntsman - Former Governor of Utah and Ambassador to China There are many things to like about Jon Huntsman. A fiscal conservative Republican with libertarian leanings on some issues he has come out strong for marriage equality. This is one issues the republican leadership and representatives in Congress would do well to follow his lead. THINKPROGRESS - Former GOP Presidential candidate and Utah governor Jon Huntsman has endorsed marriage equality. Huntsman, a Mormon whose previous support for civil unions set him (and libertarian Gary Johnson) apart from an otherwise virulently anti-gay field, came out in favor of equal marriage rights in an essay in The American Conservative entitled “Marriage Equality Is a Conservative Cause.” In the piece, Huntsman argued that if the Republican Party wants to survive, it needs to be able to appeal to gay Americans and the growing majority of all Americans that support marri

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The Republican Party leadership, those who guide the political strategy in Washington, need to take a long look at what the public is saying. When a USA TODAY/Pew Research Center Poll shows a majority of Americans, including republicans as being more supportive of Obama's plan for cutting the deficit than their own party's plan for the future it certainly spells trouble for limited government/fiscal stability advocates. Having a good sensible plan and marketing it well is certainly something the republican leadership has failed to do, on both counts. WASHINGTON — President Obama starts his second term with a clear upper hand over GOP leaders on issues from guns to immigration that are likely to dominate the year, a USA TODAY/Pew Research Center Poll finds. On the legislation rated most urgent — cutting the budget deficit — even a majority of Republican voters endorse Obama's approach of seeking tax hikes as

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The rEpublicans are getting their strategic plan in place as to how and when to strike. By this I mean how to push the issue (or maybe better stated ignore the issue until it serves their purposes)of possible sequestration to the cliffs edge. All in the hopes that Obama and his fellow democrats cry uncle and become more malleable in the the enlightened rEpublicans. The Hill has a good article laying it all out that really focuses ones attention on the issue. There is a time to stand and fight and there is a time to sit back and wait for the right time to fight. To the rational observer it definitely appears that the rEpublican party doesn't really understand the difference. Republicans have decided that the sequester scheduled for March 1 — not a government-funding bill due at the end of March — is where they’ll make their stand on spending cuts. After the bruising political battles of the last Congress, GOP lead

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -VS- Tyranny President Obama is taking a lot of heat from the presumably "conservative" element in America. While I wish I understood completely why this is so, primarily because I find myself in disagreement with at least 50% of his positions if not more, I find myself in realization that America in majority voted for exactly what the President espouses. So, in my rather individualized mind, as uncomfortable as it is, I must acknowledge that America has spoken. In their affirmation of the President's views and policies it is reasonable to expect he would continue to pursue the policies and agenda that the citizens of the United States voted in majority to embrace. As I see it the lion's share of the problem can be found in the "conservatives" unwillingness to recognize that the realities confronting our nation today are vastly different than those confronting the Patriots of 1776. Now I realize that the

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The future does not look bright for either the Republican Party or it's Tea Party faction. There are more than just a couple of reasons I make this statement, but perhaps the biggest reason is found in the changing demographics of the United States. I touched on this issue in priors posts here , here , and here , but the issue deserves revisiting as it is very likely the single most important factor that will determine the future fate of the Republican party. Demographic changes as well as other issues the Republican party will need to address effectively if the party is to remain relevant is outlined in some detail by Michael Gerson & Peter Wehner writing for Commentary . Excerpt: -The first factor is America’s changing demographics. Much has been written on this topic, but the essential datum is the long-term shrinking of those demographic groups, especially white voters, who traditionally and reliably favo

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs - Tyranny Unfortunately Chuck Hagel gave less than a stellar performance during his confirmation hearings.Therefore it is reasonable to expect many, especially in the rEbublican and neocon camp to have grave reservations with his nomination/confirmation. Taking a step back and reviewing his background and qualifications I find no reasons not to confirm. Perhaps reason will prevail in the Senate (unlikely) and Hagel will be confirmed. POLITICO - President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have fiercely defended the nomination of Chuck Hagel, despite advisers and Hill Democrats who questioned the move and predicted a firestorm, according to Democratic sources. That opinion was validated, at least for the moment, by events Thursday as Senate Republicans narrowly blocked cloture on Hagel’s nomination. Obama immediately slammed the filibuster — which could be broken after a 10-day congressional recess. But an irked Ob

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny I have long wished the penny would disappear. It has very little, if any practical purpose in today's marketplace and they only take up space in your pocket or pocketbook. Finally we have a President registering his agreement. Los Angeles Times - President Obama on Thursday said he supports eliminating pennies, but that it’s unlikely to happen because it’s so low on the list of congressional priorities. In a Google Plus “Hangout,” Obama was asked why the U.S. Treasury continues to mint pennies even though the cost to mint them is more than they’re worth. “I got to tell you, I don’t know,” Obama said. “It’s one of those things where people get attached emotionally to the way things have been.” The president said the penny was a good metaphor for other inefficiencies in Washington that become institutionalized. “Any time we’re spending money on something people aren’t going to use, that’s something that shoul

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Something to think about rEpublicans and Tea Party enthusiasts... Indeed. h/t to Robert Draper of The New York Times . Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Is it just me or is anyone else tiring of the seemingly never ending drone of guys like LaPierre and Nugent? Mostly they are just blowing smoke and trying their damnedest to spread fear with all their hyperbolic, please forgive me, bullshit . We all understand you guys despise the President, but at least try and use some intelligence, commonsense, and cut the BS about how the sky is falling on our second amendment rights all because Obama is a commie and has no greater desire than to strip us of our liberties. The dude might me a lot of things but just in case you've failed to notice in many ways he's not all that different than any other mainstream politician and leader. I suppose I have most likely wasted the keystrokes, but at least I got it off my chest. By Wayne LaPierre - Before I tell you how the NRA and our members are going to Stand And Fight politically and in the courts, let’s acknowledge that all

Excerpt from Huff Post Politics , Ted Nugent's response to President Obama's state of the union address tonight promises to be very interesting. My money is with those who suspect Nugent will do more harm than good to advocates of firearm rights, which obviously includes the NRA. ... "We know that the president will have the State of the Union stacked and jammed with props, children and victims of violent crime," Nugent said. "And my friends wanted me to attend to counter that the way that I do: with facts, statistics and common sense and logic and a celebration of self-evident truths. So I will be taking on the media orgy following the State of the Union Address." Nugent went on to promise to "remain respectful to the office of the presidency and the event itself," but suggested that he wouldn't tone down his rhetoric. While Nugent laughed off critics whom he said doubted his ability to form "cognitive thoughts," a number of

BY: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Ex Vice President Dick Cheney continues to advocate for United States intervention into every conflict across the globe while criticizing Obama's nominations for cabinet posts to key national security positions. In essence supporting the idea that the USA ought to be the world's police force and arbiter of ethics and mortality. It seems to me the prior administration did nothing to either enhance our nations world standing or create a safer world environment by their ill conceived excursion into Iraq. But perhaps the more we get it wrong the more right it will eventually turn out to be. Old Guard Neo-Con logic 101. CBS - Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday night that President Barack Obama has jeopardized U.S. national security by nominating substandard candidates for key cabinet posts and by degrading the U.S. military. "The performance now of Barack Obama as he staffs up the national secu

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny It looks as though the Obama Administration, not satisfied with enacting a flawed national health plan that even unions are becoming leery of has decided to tell Americans what to do to make their homes safer. Sure to follow will be new mountains of regulations and costs associated with this benevolent and loving plan. Certainly the Federal Government needs more to do as it increases control over the lives of every individual and business in the country. But I best shut up because the Feds just hate naysayers now din;t they? HUD No. 13-011 Shantae Goodloe (202) 708-0685 FOR RELEASE Monday February 4, 2013 FEDERAL AGENCIES WORKING TO MAKE HOMES HEALTHIER Improving housing quality can dramatically affect the health of residents WASHINGTON—Several federal agencies today unveiled Advancing Healthy Housing – A Strategy for Action. White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Nancy Sutley, Environment

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny I am not a big fan of Bill Maher, nor do I agree with much that Crooks and Liars puts out for the public's perusal. However, priding myself on being fair and balanced I figured this one deserved a play here at RN USA. It is really funny, portrays the "Donald" perfectly, and besides he had it coming. That and personally I don't care for the "Donald." He may not be an Orangutan but he certainly is a buffoon. Via: Memorandum

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Every so often you hear a messages such as the one from Dr. Benjamin Carson that strikes a cord because it is a message of ultimate truth. Whether one is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, a non believer, or whatever, the basic truth Dr. Carson speaks to is universal. As I listened to the good doctor's message I couldn't help but thinking our elected leadership, starting with the President on down needs the message perhaps most of all. The presentation is 27 minutes long, but if you haven't seen it yet it is well worth the 27 minute of your time. And that from a non believer. ht: FreeThinke Dr. Benjamin Carson is a leading pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins, where he is a renowned authority on separating Siamese twins. He was raised in the Detroit inner city by a single mom who worked multiple jobs to get him through school. He is a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, and plastic surgery as

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny It seems like a reasonable means of bringing more high tech talent to the USA, thus helping to make us more competitive in the global marketplace. Some however disagree. The New York Times - WHILE genuine immigration reform has the potential to fix a seriously broken system, four senators have introduced a bill to solve a problem we don’t have: the supply of high-tech workers. The bill’s authors, led by Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, argue that America would benefit from letting more immigrants trained in science, technology, engineering and math work in the country, with the sponsorship of high-tech companies like Microsoft and I.B.M. But the opposite is the case: the bill would flood the job market with indentured foreign workers, people who could not switch employers to improve their wages or working conditions; damage the employment prospects of hundreds of thousands of skilled Americans; and narro

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny I have been skeptical of the rEpublican cries of voter fraud that never seems to go away. However, one must question if the following is but a isolated incident or whether it goes much deeper as some have claimed. The explanation seems plausible perhaps but then again... ABC - CINCINNATI - The Hamilton County Board of Elections is investigating 19 possible cases of alleged voter fraud following months of investigation after the 2012 election. Twenty-eight subpoenas have been issued as a result of the investigation, which includes 19 Hamilton County voters and nine witnesses who still need to answer questions to satisfy the board. The board started with 80 suspicious cases and now are down to 19. Officials say the majority of the cases turned out to be simple misunderstandings. Melowese Richardson, a Madisonville resident, first learned of the allegations when approached by 9 On Your Side reporter Tom McKee Wednesda

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny As Big Brother (Leviathan) watches... Complements of GWM and the Patriot Act. WIRED - The Department of Homeland Security’s civil rights watchdog has concluded that travelers along the nation’s borders may have their electronics seized and the contents of those devices examined for any reason whatsoever — all in the name of national security. The DHS, which secures the nation’s border, in 2009 announced that it would conduct a “Civil Liberties Impact Assessment” of its suspicionless search-and-seizure policy pertaining to electronic devices “ within 120 days .” More than three years later, the DHS office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties published a two-page executive summary of its findings. “We also conclude that imposing a requirement that officers have reasonable suspicion in order to conduct a border search of an electronic device would be operationally harmful without concomitant civil rights/civil libert

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Bill Clinton, a man whom I did not vote for has, over time engendered a certain level of respect. While I do not agree with many of his positions I do admire his resiliency as well as the wisdom he has gained and so effectively communicates. I cannot help but wonder why there is no one individual in the limited government classical liberal movement that can define precisely what those terms mean and why limited government and classical liberal principles are both workable and sustainable. I suspect it is because they do not really believe it themselves. After all, most of the so called "limited government liberty politicians" have been only too willing to take advantage of the very system and programs they criticize. Being a true limited government, pro capitalist, and pro liberty individual is the furthest thing from the so called conservative movement of the present as one can get. Of course one needs to

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Former Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. It seems the apple never falls far from the tree. Charlatans both... The Hill - Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) has signed a plea deal over violations of campaign finance law, according to a report. The former Illinois congressman agreed to the deal in the last few days, according to NBC News Under the agreement, Jackson — who resigned from Congress in late 2012 citing health issues — would have to repay the campaign money he spent on furniture and other personal items. According to NBC News, Jackson spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on items and travel unrelated to campaigning. Using campaign funds for personal use is illegal and punishable by a minimum penalty of five years in prison. It is unclear how much time in prison Jackson is likely to spend. A federal judge for sentencing has not yet been assigned. In response to the reported plea agreement

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny State Representative Daniel B. Winslow State Representative Winslow, a relative unknown rEpublican is 99% certain he'll run in the special election for the Senate seat being vacated by John Kerry. He appears to be a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. Winslow certainly merits a sincere look. If he is indeed that which he appears to be on first glance sending him to Washington as an offset to Senator Warren ain't such a bad idea. Political Intelligence - State Representative Daniel B. Winslow, a former judge and onetime aide to Governor Mitt Romney, said Thursday he is entering the special election for the US Senate, the first Republican to officially declare his candidacy. “I’m in,” Winslow said in a telephone interview. He had said earlier this week that he was “99 percent” certain he would run. Winslow said he has donated $100,000 of his own money to jumpstart his campaign, which he estimated wi

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The heavy hand of big statist Socon rEpublicans in Alabama at work finding ways around the law. It is only a matter of time until the rEpublican party is irrelevant. Speaking frankly, perhaps it is time. When the state exercises power in this fashion liberty is indeed threatened. It is but one example demonstrating the rEpublican party has ceased to be the party of liberty that it once was. By Adam Peck  - Republican lawmakers in Alabama took a crucial step on Wednesday towards their goal of shuttering the state’s last five abortion clinics, advancing a bill to the full house that would impose strict requirements on abortion providers. The bill, the so-called “Women’s Health and Safety Act,” passed the Republican-controlled House Health Committee on Wednesday morning, and could come to vote in the full legislature as soon as Thursday. If passed, it would require clinics to meet certain architectural standards and hav