Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth America seems to be in perpetual campaign mode. No sooner than things start to settle in following a mid term or presidential election than the pols start preparing for the next election and the spinning starts in earnest. Leaving one to wonder just when our elected officials are actually working on our behalf. Call me the cynic but I cannot help but believe our politicians and leaders spend more time working to create the "world of smoke and mirrors" they want us to exist in for their sake than actually representing us and taking care of crucial matters that affect our nation and each and every one of us. So, today, I'm joining in the American Political Merry-Go- Round and predicting that Americans will once again get exactly what they (in their apathy) vote for. America, with its dismal voter turnout, low information voters, and political sound bite junkies, will pull the levers once again for those politic

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, using her Executive pen, vetoed SB 1062, the anti gay bill that would have given businesses the right to refuse services to LGBT couples on religious grounds. While this site agrees with the Governor's veto decisions many do not. In an op-ed piece this morning Rich Lowry , writing in POLITICO , puts forth an opinion and his argument that the veto was both unnecessary and foolish. His reasoning is arguably based on sound logic. Here then is Rick Lowry: In addition to the federal government, 18 states have such statutes and about a dozen other states interpret their state constitutions as extending the same protections, according to the letter. The statutes, the scholars write, “say that before government can burden a person’s religious exercise, the government has to show a compelling justification.” The letter argues that, properly interpreted, the federal law that inspired the Arizon

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Purveyor of Truth As the nation's Governors display the national partisanship political mood and mentality.  You rock Bobby! Keep on pressing the agenda for American economic growth, personal responsibility, opportunity for all, and while you're at it please spend some time working on getting your republican associates to get on board moving into the 21st century. Thank you for your patriotic efforts. Read the ENTIRE ARTICLE BELOW the FOLD . Via: Memeorandum Louisiana  

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced plans today for major defense policy reform. The reported plan includes a plank that would shrink U.S. Army active duty personnel to what the New York Times called “pre-World War II levels .” For those who understand that the Cold War is over and the realities of modern warfare have change significantly this announcement should be a welcome one. However, there is certain to be a huge outcry by the pro MIC and pro war advocates that the Obama administration is gutting America's military and the nation's defense capabilities. Nothing could be further from the truth. The statement that the defense policy reform plan will result in a return to pre-World War II levels is not completely factual. So, before signing onto some political right wing knee jerk reaction take the time to check out the factual information that is available for those with inquisitive minds. In a nut

Ted "the degenerate" Nugent apologized today for calling the President "a sub-human mongrel." Or did he. Watch the clip below and you be the judge. Since Nugent is hoping to learn from better men than himself the game of politics could this mean he is planing a run for Congress? The Senate? This nation can only hope that if he is he never makes it past the primaries. Now, for Tea Party favorite Senator Ted "Green Eggs and Ham" Cruz on Nugent's remark. Hm, did I miss something or did Cruz do a nice side shuffle? Texas republican Attorney General Greg Abbott and likely gubernatorial nominee when pressed on why he he selected Nugent to campaign with him to bolster his 2'nd amendment right credentials (not that Abbot needed bolstering) refused to answer. Sometime not answering speaks volumes about the person being questioned. Texas sure does breed em big and dumb. Finally outgoing Governor Rick Perry on the Nugent remark. Well c

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Tired of the daily political bull**it? I don't know about you but I sure as he*l am. With the growing partisanship kn America and the resulting rancor between the wings of both g-damn major political parties perhaps you'll enjoy the following. On second thought, maybe not. Here goes anyway... The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes. Aristotle The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists. Ernest Hemingway There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth A majority of Americans support the 2'nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Actually the more accurate statement is a majority of Americans support the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms responsibly , without endangering innocent individuals, or using deadly force except in an act of self defense against an assailant . That is how I see it anyway, and honestly believe most others do as well. However, as we continue to witness unnecessary deaths by firearms in ever increasing frequency even the most staunch 2'nd Amendment right advocates (I consider myself in that group) need to begin to ask themselves what measures must we take to end the growing firearm violence. Surely a nation of intelligent people ought to be able to protect the right of the responsible and well balanced citizens to have firearms and at the same time do a better job of protecting society from the senseless violence we as

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Social conservatives, aka the religious right and republican legislators continue their efforts to deny same sex couples the same considerations (read rights) heterosexual couples enjoy. Kansas, with a republican dominated house just passed House Bill 2453 that would " explicitly protects religious individuals, groups and businesses that refuse services to same-sex couples, particularly those looking to tie the knot." The bill passed the House on a 72 to 49 vote and now goes to the senate were it likely will pass. Excerpts from CNN U.S. Denying services to same-sex couples may soon become legal in Kansas. Skip Such a law may seem unnecessary in a state where same-sex marriage is banned, but some Kansas lawmakers think different. They want to prevent religious individuals and organizations from getting sued, or otherwise punished, for not providing goods or services to gay couples -- or for not recogn

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Once again Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is flexing his Tea Party credentials and limp shoulder, chest, and leg muscles declaring “Under no circumstances will I agree to the Senate’s raising the debt ceiling with just 50 votes. We hear ya Mr. Ted (Green Eggs and Ham) Cruz and as expected we will chuckle along with ya at the ridiculous charade you obviously love to perpetuate and engage in. I say go for it dude as America laughs at your expense. Without further ado here then are the goodies. POLITICO - ed Cruz will demand that the Senate come up with 60 votes to raise the debt ceiling, but indicated he won’t delay the vote as D.C. awaits a snowstorm. The GOP freshman senator from Texas told reporters Tuesday afternoon that he will not allow a clean bill to lift the debt ceiling through the Senate with a bare majority. “Under no circumstances will I agree to the Senate’s raising the debt ceiling with just 50 votes. I inte

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth This site has always felt a women's choice to elect abortion, up to the point of viability, ultimately and properly rests with the women. Since viability beyond the 20 weeks is almost assured it seems reasonable to support and accept a ban on abortion beyond the 20th week of pregnancy. With exceptions to protect the life of the pregnant women, if doctors determine the child will be born severely disabled, either mentally or physically or in the case of rape, or incest. Texas Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis has now came out and stated she would have supported a ban on abortions "if the law adequately deferred to a woman and her doctor." Ms. Davis' shift of course makes all the sense in the world based based on a rational rather than religious/emotional thought process. Texas passed the 20 week ban as drafted however parts of the bill are under court review and it is possble the United States Supreme

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth THE // INTERCEPT , a new launch O\online publication of First Look Media might just be the alternative to the MSM, including Fox News we've all been waiting for. With an impressive line up of journalists, including editors Glenn Greenwald , Jeremy Scahill , Laura Poitras THE // INTERCEPT is certainly a site to add to your favorites list to visit often. A teaser from their welcome page today. We are very excited to welcome everyone to The Intercept, a publication of First Look Media (FLM). The Intercept, which the three of us created, is the first of what will be numerous digital magazines published by FLM. As soon as we resolved to build The Intercept, we set out to recruit many of the journalists whose work we have long respected and admired: those who have a proven track record of breaking boundaries, taking risks, and producing innovative, rigorous journalism. We have assembled a team of experienced and

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Ever hear of or read Mother Jones ? Well I just did, and as near as I can figure she must be Woodrow Wilson's or Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Mother. I say this because she sure as hell is pro statist and pumped up for growing the government bureaucracy. The article is short so it is being reproduced here in full. This site appreciates Mother Jones candor in expressing the statist credo and the desire on the part of the left for an ever larger and more intrusive presence in our daily affairs and lives. January's job numbers were fairly dismal, but the bad cheer wasn't equally spread. Private sector employment, as usual, increased—by 142,000 jobs last month. At the same time, public sector employment declined. Government employment at all levels was down 29,000 in January. Aside from the brief census blip in early 2010, this has been the usual state of affairs for the past four years, ever since the rece

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth It's 1998, a sitting United States President has a liaison with a white house intern. The United States House of Representatives votes in favor of Articles of Impeachment and William Jefferson Clinton is the second president in United States history to be impeached. The United States Senate does NOT convict President Clinton and the matter is dropped, as set forth in the United States Constitution. Fast forward sixteen years to 2014. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a presumable 2016 republican presidential candidate brings the issue of the Clinton sexual dalliances to the forefront once again. This in response to the current democratic party claim that conservatives, and republicans in particular are waging a war against women. So, a 1998 Congress impeaches the President, the Senate does not convict, the President serves out his second term of what was essentially a successful administration, and Senator Rand Paul

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth "Five years into Obama's presidency, only a third of the public believes that Obama and the Democrats are primarily responsible for the country's current economic problems. More Americans continue to blame former President Bush and the Republicans. But the number who say the GOP is more responsible - now at 44% - has dipped below the 50% mark for the first time since Bush left the White House. Fourteen percent blame both parties equally." As the above excerpt from a recent CNN/CRC International Survey indicates Americans after five years of the Obama administration are still placing more blame on ex president GBW than the current sitting president. While confidence in the economy remains low, sixty-four percent say the economy is still in bad shape, it is going to be interesting watching the 2014 mid term race unfold. Given that sixty-six percent of the public believe the republican party and GWB are

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), that evil republican according to many democrats and progressives, unlike some of his conservative counterparts chose to help set the record straight in regards to what the CBO said about ObamaCare this week and it's affect on jobs. Kudos to Representative Ryan for his effort to insure the truth world be understood. TPM ARTICLE BELOW THE FOLD . Kudos also to the left leaning TPM for their recognition of Ryan doing the right thing. It was refreshing to see. Via: Memeorandum