Rational Nation USA

Even the Russians know Trump is a morally bankrupt vessel. The America I Knew as Russia’s Foreign Minister Is Gone But by impeaching Donald Trump, it can become a beacon of moral truth again.                                      Andrei V. Kozyrev, Russian foreign minister from 1991 to 1996 Russians with moral integrity know that for America to return to a position of MORAL authority Trump must go. Looks like some Russians have a much higher bar to clear than many Americans. The United States has often played a pivotal role in my political life, beginning 50 years ago when I was a student of international relations at a Moscow university. At that time, Soviet propaganda was well-practiced at denouncing Richard Nixon for rejecting the Kremlin’s dogma that in politics, the ends justify the means. Mr. Nixon had argued during his 1960 presidential campaign that the American ...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny Abortion is back in the news, fueled by possible misconceptions over exactly what the morning after pill does. The New York Times - Labels inside every box of morning-after pills, drugs widely used to prevent pregnancy after sex, say they may work by blocking fertilized eggs from implanting in a woman’s uterus. Respected medical authorities, including the National Institutes of Health and the Mayo Clinic , have said the same thing on their Web sites. Such descriptions have become kindling in the fiery debate over abortion and contraception . Based on the belief that a fertilized egg is a person, some religious groups and conservative politicians say disrupting a fertilized egg’s ability to attach to the uterus is abortion, “the moral equivalent of homicide,” as Dr. Donna Harrison, who directs research for the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists , put it. Mitt Romney recently called...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny The torch; Greek symbol of truth. Editor's Note: The following article has been changed and updated through the cooperative efforts of  Rational Nation USA and the Left Coast Rebel . Seeking, and ultimately finding the truth requires a searing light of desire for knowledge within oneself. Truth, once found, becomes knowledge and light for future generations. At least that is how this individual sees it... It seems at times Americans fail to seek truth. In politics, we act as though we are more concerned with winning particular ideological arguments we have bought into (some more false than others) than whether they are right or wrong. Many of us cling to false premises even when an argument is lacking in reason, and is contrary to our own rational self-interest. Far too often securing the "right" to wield power over others becomes more important than doing that which is ethically and morally righ...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny In case anybody is paying attention, I mean really paying attention, the liberals are winning the high ground over the whole contraceptive issue with respect to ObamaCare. I mean the majority of Americans, including Catholics use some form of contraceptives, whether it be the use of a condom or the pill. Those are the facts. Feel free to check them out for yourselves. Obama's mandate, which requires health insures to provide coverage for contraceptives with no co-pay or deductible is really a Godsend (no pun intended) for those who use contraceptives. I mean what's better than free birth control for all? Given this is the 21'st century, and a whole bunch of the religious dogma dating to antiquity is no longer observed and held to be the gospel by the majority of Americans (Catholic or otherwise) this is bound to gain votes for Obama. Especially among women and particularly the younger set. Mark my words. T...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -v s- Tyranny There are many reasons neither the republican party nor the democratic party appeals to this independent conservative. First and foremost is the simple fact that both are home to opportunists that really have no consistent philosophy or ethical standards that guide them.... Other than what it will take to win the next election. Not all mind you, but certainly more than just a few. The current hoopla over the name of Perry's hunting camp, called "Niggerhead" and Cain's remark that is was offensive to many blacks has me scratching my head. I mean really really really scratching it. 1} Cain was correct in his assessment the camp's name is insensitive and offensive to blacks, just as it should be to all people regardless of their race. 2} On the other hand while Perry may not be the conservative he plays himself up to be {based on his actual politics} he is not...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism And the class warfare goes on, and on, and on. The progressive Moonbattery {following} continues. You can tell something’s happening in the economic policy debate when you start reading more things like AEI’s Arthur Brooks explaining that it would simply be unfair to raise taxes on the rich. Harvard economics professor and former Council of Economics Advisor chairman Greg Mankiw has said the same thing. And of course Representative Paul Ryan is both a fan of Brooks and a fan of the works of Ayn Rand. Which is just to say that we used to have a debate in which the left said redistributive taxation might be a good idea and then the right replied that it might sound good, but actually the consequences would be bad. Lower taxes on the rich would lead to more growth and faster increase in incomes. Now that idea seems to be so unsupportable that the talking point is switched. It’s not that higher taxes on ou...

By: Pamela D. Hart As many of you know, I’ve been on a little hiatus from politics, and for you newcomers, you can catch up here . You also know that I’m a strong voice for ethics, good character, and just plain old honesty. So, imagine my surprise when I turned on Bill O’Reilly, whom I haven’t seen in well over two months, and there smack dab in the middle of my TV screen was none other than Charlie Rangel, and listed beneath his name was Congressman (D-NY)! I sat there, my mouth agape, staring at the television, for ten minutes, as Bill O’Reilly didn’t just interview Rangel, but actually argued with him! Yes, he WASTED time arguing with a convicted CHEAT, who STILL holds public office! Now, you might ask, why am I upset about this? Well, because it’s bad enough that our Treasury Secretary is a tax CHEAT and signs our money—even if it isn’t worth much these days. And now to have the Tax Ways and Means Committee Chairman found GUILTY on 12/13 counts of ethics VIOLATIONS and be censur...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism We have become a nation of cynics. To a ceertain degree we no longer concern ourselves with a focus on the ethics and values that formed this nation and resulted in it achieving a preeminent place among people and nations. We seldom discuss in a serious sense the principles of integrity, productive work, personal responsibility for our actions, ethical behavior in government or the business sector, personal liberty and what it means in within the context of meeting personal obligations, or the meaning of rational self interest within the framework of a value based ethical system that leads to a morally just society. We are so busy pointing fingers at the "opposition" we rarely take the time to look in the mirror. Either the national or the personal one. Perhaps if we were to occasionally do so we would not like {very much} what we might see. It is easier to dismiss those things which make u...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism The question I ask today my fellow independent conservative is this... Does the image to your right really represent the truth? Or does it represent an illusion created by the political forces, both progressive and conservative, that want nothing more than to control your life based on a particular political ideology. Such ideology would be, as we have grown accustomed to seeing, based on their own political interests. Such interests as viewed through the lenses of their political prognosticators and or beneficiaries. As politicians and the courts continue to scrutinize ObamaCare, perhaps one of,  if not the most ill advised pieces of legislation since FDR's New Deal, answering the hypothetical questions asked above is of the utmost importance to our nations understanding of freedom. liberty, individual responsibility, the right to individu...

By: Pamela D. Hart I feel it’s important to conduct oneself in an honorable manner on the internet and I’ve behaved properly since my first social networking gig, which was MySpace back in the day. When I decided to begin blogging I knew I would continue my good behavior not only because I wanted to maintain my respectable on-line reputation but also because I didn’t want anyone I knew to read something unsavory written by me. I can say with confidence that after 3 years of blogging I have maintained my respectable behavior and will continue to do so. I’m not proud of some bloggers who actively and knowingly tried to censor other blogs. You can read the story here . I’m a firm believer in our 1st Amendment and I’m ashamed that Conservatives have been named in this Digg scandal. It makes those of us who are respectable and noble look bad. I would like to go on record right now by saying that I denounce anyone, Right or Left, who engages in sleazy behavior. I also oppose bloggers...

I am reminded of Pinocchio as I read Ms. Speaker's statement on how she is running the most ethical and honest Congress in history. Three observations; 1) She is delusional with her view of her stewardship, 2) She is as narcissistic as her Leader in Chief, and 3) she is clueless when it comes to ethical behavior, or should I say the lack of it. Ms. Ethics of the House, Her Speakership Pelosi has, at least for now determined she will not ask for Mr. Rangel's resignation from the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee (of course this is to give time to find a way to plausibly do nothing). The Democratic power base will take whatever action it can to protect one of their own. Pelosi is merely using delay and stalling tactics in hopes this will either blow over, or they can find a way to justify his lack of ethical behavior or else assign responsibility to someone other than "good ole Charlie." Frankly t...