I started this website in November of 2008 when it became clear that this Country was taking an alarming turn toward Progressive Liberalism.  At that time I was concerned at the prospects, but I  had no way to know how far it would or could go.  The last four years confirmed my worst fears, as we are on a track to complete fiscal melt down a’la the Eurozone and there is nothing being done to  stop it.

We now have a two term President who is hell bent on turning America into a second rate country,  and it citizens into dependents who look to government for their every need from birth to death.  We  have a President who has decimated the three branch system by working around the Congress and  Supreme Court with executive orders and agency directives.  He has set aside many in his duly  appointed cabinet in favor of  hand-picked “Czars” that would never pass Senate confirmation.   Additionally this President’s foreign policy has been described, I think accurately as “worse than  none at all”.

In December of  2008, I wrote in my second blog post:

Where do we go from here?  How do we find direction?  How do we alter the course of this Country to a more sane path?  What do we have to do in order to jump-start our economy, put our  unemployed back to work and promote lasting prosperity?   What will it take to make our  Government responsive and responsible, treating our citizens as partners in democracy rather than  children in a sandbox?

How do we find that direction, the guideposts back to a decent, spiritual America where people take  care of themselves and each other, where home and family are key to happiness and success, where  free enterprise and free markets fire the engine of our economy and where freedom, equality and  dignity are God given rights of all Americans, not apportioned by some governmental program for the benefit of the few?

We, as conservatives must return to our core beliefs of family, faith and freedom…We’ve got to be  vigilant against the onslaught of Liberal ideals and ideology that permeates government, education and media.  Those ideals can be intoxicating emotionally, but fall flat when examined under the daylight of reality.  We’ve got to procure bright, energetic, eloquent candidates to run for office, and support  them with all the grassroots and organized party effort we can bring to the table.  We must demand  fiscal responsibility from our state and federal governments, and only elect candidates who promise  to pursue that goal.  As a group, Conservatives have to get a backbone and stand up to the emotional ad hominem rhetoric so beloved by the Liberal side.  We’ve got to be prepared to call a lie what it is,  and back up our arguments with facts in a compelling way.  And finally, we must stop allowing those  in power to treat the Constitution as a loose general guideline, the intent of which may be changed to  allow their current whims.

So what is the way?  Where does the compass point and how do we follow that path?  We do so  through hard work, education, integrity, unflagging faith in what we believe, and an unyielding love of  America.

I used to say that this Country could survive any President for eight years.  I’m not so sure anymore.  Even more distressing is that the American people apparently still don’t get it.  I’ve tried here for four  years to make it clear that this Administration is not operating in the best interest of this Country or  for that matter, the rest of the world.  Yet, the electorate returns that Administration to power.  I am  reminded of the old saying:  “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and  expecting different results”.  Clearly a majority of American voters are willing to continue to do the  same thing over, and somehow expect better results.

This time more than ever, the American people are going to get the government they deserve.   Personally, I’ve reached the point where I no longer see a value in providing this website.  The last  four years I’ve been hammering this Administration for its Socialist agenda of taxation, overspending  and re-distribution.  Since the American people still don’t get it, I now have more important things to do:  Enlarge the garden, store food and water and make provisions to care for my family and myself  as America devolves into a mediocre European Socialist culture.  In the next four years, American will reach the tipping point with more of its citizens riding in the wagon than pulling it, and sadly, it will never recover.

I will leave you all now with the words of Winston Churchill:
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent  virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”

Believe it.

Originally posted on 11/06/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

I’ll be the first to admit that I was disappointed in the debate last night.  I had thought and hoped that Paul Ryan would bury Joe Biden with his knowledge of the budget and economy.  I had hoped he would make a strong case against trillion dollar deficits, bankrupt entitlements and vilification of the rich.  Unfortunately, I forgot what kind of person his opponent was.  I was rudely reminded almost immediately.

“Uncle Joe” Biden is a consummate politician.  He is cocky, blustery and benefits from the experience of being in Congress longer than anyone has a right to.  He is a showman:  One minute waving his hands and shouting one liners, only to drop his voice to a whisper in feigned emotional platitudes.  You can’t get him off balance because he doesn’t care.  He blurts out whatever comes into his head with all the authority and seriousness of a judge.  You see, in his world, whoever says it loudest and with the most conviction is by definition, right.  If you silence your opponent, you win.

His job Thursday night was to give no ground.  After President Obama’s dismal performance, Joe was supposed to stop the bleeding.  They told him I’m sure to be tough and hit the talking points, but I don’t believe they told him to be disrespectful and arrogant.

The Libs over on MSNBC were giddy after the debate.  You see, they thrive on ad-hominem attacks, shouting and brow beating anyone who dares to question their twisted reality.  Joe Biden had fulfilled all their wishes.  That is the tactic they prefer; their MO when challenged, and they loved it.

Despite what the media would have you believe, I don’t think it “played very well in Peoria”.  Americans by and large are kind.  They are generally understanding, tolerant and reasonable.  I think many Americans being honest, would tell you that regardless of their politics, Vice President Biden’s behavior made them uncomfortable.

I was gratified to find today, that it wasn’t just me who found Biden’s demeanor less than what we might expect from our Vice President.  The focus thankfully now is not upon what he said, but rather how he acted and I can’t imagine that is what the Administration wanted to come from this debate.

Originally posted on 10/12/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

1.  Come prepared.

2.  Look your opponent in the eye when he speaks, don’t study the top of your podium.

3.  Lose the huge fake looking smile.  It looks like it hurts.

4.  Don’t depend upon the moderator to save you from your opponent.

5.  Don’t tell the audience what your opponent believes, he can articulate that himself.

6.  Don’t look like you would rather be having a root canal.

I don’t know if this evening’s debate will help win the election, but at least tonight it feels great!

Originally posted on 10/03/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

Asked about the Fast and Furious program at the Univision forum on Thursday, President Obama falsely claimed that the program began under President George W. Bush. 

“I think it’s important for us to understand that the Fast and Furious program was a field-initiated program begun under the previous administration,” the president said. “When Eric Holder found out about it, he discontinued it. We assigned an inspector general to do a thorough report that was just issued, confirming that in fact Eric Holder did not know about this, that he took prompt action and the people who did initiate this were held accountable.”

In actuality, the Fast and Furious program was started in October 2009, nine months into the Obama presidency.  White House officials did not respond to a request for comment after the falsehood was pointed out to them.

What do we take from this?  One, the President sat there with a straight face and lied, fully believing that because he said it, the falsehood would become true.  Two, the Justice Department is being run by someone who is so far out of the loop that he wasn’t aware of this rogue operation, or if he was aware ignored or condoned it.  Since he claimed “executive privilege” to prevent the release of relevant documents, we won’t know the truth behind this for some time to come.

Then we come to the issue of Mitt Romney and his taxes.  Just released returns for 2011 show that Mitt and his wife under-claimed their charitable deductions.

“Romney and his wife, Ann, donated roughly $4 million to charities last year, but they only claimed a deduction of $2.25 million on their tax return….”

Most of us on the Right have been saying for some time that wealthy Americans are always welcome to write out additional checks to the Government if they feel they are not being taxed enough (Mr. Buffett could just pay what his companies actually owe).  By under reporting his charitable deduction, Romney is doing just that.  So what is the Democrat response to this?

Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama, said the release of Romney’s 2011 tax returns “confirms what we already knew – that people like Mitt Romney pay a lower tax rate than many middle-class families because of a set of complex loopholes and tax shelters only available to those at the top. Yet, Mitt Romney still wants to give multimillionaires an additional $250,000 tax cut at the expense of middle-class taxpayers who will see their taxes go up.”

What?!  Is that the complex set of loopholes and shelters that are 100% legal, and written into the tax code by largely Democrat members of Congress?  Thank you, mister Rangel.  Democrats are still so clueless on economics that they refuse to acknowledge the difference between wages and investment income, and the levels at which each are taxed.  How can they write the tax code and still not get it?  As for the middle-class seeing their taxes increase, yes they will but it is more likely from fewer people paying income taxes because they are unemployed, oh yeah and that Obamacare thingy.  Our capitalist system is not a zero sum game.  Every penny Romney makes is not a penny taken from me or any other middle class citizen.  Any politician in Washington who doesn’t like Romney taking every deduction he is entitled to, needs to get to work revising the tax code.  Of course that might affect their own deductions and credits…hmmm, not going to happen.

One last point about rich people:  I am not, have never been and probably never will be “rich”.  But I am glad there are rich people.  God bless them and I hope they continue to be successful.  I have never worked for a poor man.  How many Americans are working today because of names like Gates, Buffett, Walton and Bezos?  These are the people who drive innovation and development in this Country.  They are the fuel of our economic engine, and they will bankroll and support viable technologies in transportation, energy and manufacturing.  They also generously support programs for the less fortunate in America.  How many politicians in this Country give $4 million dollars to charity each year?  How about that Dems?   (Crickets…)

Originally posted on 09/22/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

The Supreme Court by way of Chief Justice Roberts, has declared that ObamaCare at its core is a tax.  Not a tax on income, not a tax on goods or services, not a tax on property but rather a tax on doing nothing.  The Court has said that the funding mechanism in ObamaCare is a TAX for simply failing to participate.

OK, fair enough.  Now Speaker Boehner and the House Republicans need to start bringing bills to the floor and I would like to suggest a few.

1.  A bill to tax those who don’t eat healthy food on a regular basis.

2.  A bill to tax those who don’t spend a certain percentage of their income stimulating the economy.

3.  A bill to tax those who don’t send their kids to college.

4.  A bill to tax those who don’t care to drive an energy efficient vehicle.

Now none of this would ever fly.  It is symbolic to the extreme.  But it would force Democrats to try explaining the difference between these taxes for non-compliance and the tax Juggernaut called ObamaCare.  How could they support and vote for one and not the other?

It might also illuminate the light bulb for so many Americans who haven’t quite yet realized what an attack on freedom Obama’s healthcare disaster really is.  You might even see the mainstream media squirm a bit trying to spin this one.  That would be worthwhile viewing.

Originally posted on 07/15/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

Justice Robert’s words were carefully nuanced with regard to the difference between a penalty and a tax.  Regardless of what the Obama administration called it, Roberts clearly stated that the mandate could not stand by way of the Commerce Clause if failure to participate resulted in a fine or penalty.  Further, his language clearly limits Congressional authority to make Americans buy anything, (like a GM car).  They have no authority over commerce that does not exist.  Only by levying a tax, (like a tariff on imported goods) can Congress exercise its Constitutional powers to force participation in the Government’s health insurance program.  That is a huge plum for Republicans and Governor Romney.  Now they will be able to point to this as a massive tax increase on the middle class.  Perhaps the largest tax increase in history, and they will be able to lay it in total at the feet of the incumbent, Barack Obama.

We could not reasonably expect the Supreme Court to decide the merits or appropriateness of the Affordable Care Act.  That is beyond their scope of authority.  Their job is to determine the limits and appropriateness of the actions of Congress or the Executive Branch.  We on the Right are always complaining about “activist judges” legislating from the bench, and yet in this case we expected the Supreme Court to do that very thing.

What initially appeared to be a sound defeat is in some ways a challenge delivered to the American people by the Chief Justice.  If you don’t like the way things are going, and you’ve decided that you made a mistake, don’t expect the Courts to help you out.  Your opportunity to correct that is coming in November.  Justice Roberts, inadvertently or by design has awakened and energized a sleeping giant as the outrage spreads across the Country and political orientations.  The Romney campaign which normally receives about $140,000 per day in contributions, logged $4.6 million in the 24 hours following the Court’s decision.

I don’t know if Justice Roberts was paving the road to an Obama defeat, but the Court’s decision did one thing for sure: It kept Obamacare alive as a campaign issue.  Had the Affordable Care Act been declared unconstitutional, it would have faded into the past, never to be mentioned again by the Left in America.  As it stands now, Obama will have to continue defending it until November 6th.  In addition, his Democratic minions who voted for it in Congress will have to defend their support of the Bill in their individual re-election bids.  It couldn’t be better for their Republican opponents.

The lesson of the day is this:  True political change comes about in the ballot box, not the chambers of the Supreme Court.

Originally posted on 06/29/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

This win adds one more building block to an Islamic stranglehold on the Mediterranean Sea that not only will affect all countries that share its shore, but also American influence in the region.  In particular, the United States will be called upon to render increasing support to our only real ally left: Israel.  France, Italy and Spain are great places to go on vacation, but don’t bet they will be much assistance if the going gets tough.  The rest of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean are so mired in their own political and financial crises that they are virtual non-entities.

One could make a good argument that today’s event marks the logical conclusion to an Islamist initiative born of President Obama’s Cairo speech.  In that speech, he not only opened the door to radical change in Egypt, he also implied that America would not interfere regardless of the direction that change took.  We could also make a good case that we should have no influence or control over democratically elected governments in foreign counties, (though we’re not bashful about jumping in the middle of a civil war or two, as in Libya or soon Syria).

Our “hands off” approach and tacit approval of Muslim Brotherhood control of Egypt will surely have negative repercussions with regard to Egyptian/American relations not too far down the road.  But pity the Egyptian citizens, women in particular who starting today will feel the winds of change profoundly.  It will be a cold breeze indeed.

Originally posted on 06/24/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

The mainstream political media hasn’t had an original thought in over four years, so we know where all this stuff comes from:  The Obama machine.  Indisputably the state of this Country is not better than it was four years ago.  Our economy still stinks with no legitimate rebound in unemployment.  Race relations have deteriorated to the point where we could face a truly awful and dangerous summer in our big cities.  The world hates and disrespects America more than ever.  Inflation is robbing our citizens of their savings and buying power, increasing energy costs and eroding the bottom line of American companies big and small.  Most disheartening is the growing number of Americans who truly believe their President has told them that they have a right to take the earnings and property of others…In the name of fairness.

With nothing positive to talk about, Democratic operatives are showing an odd mix of desperation and incompetence, heavily seasoned with the “D’oh factor”.

ROMNEY THE DOG ABUSER:
In 1983, during a family vacation, Mitt Romney apparently strapped a dog carrier to the roof of his vehicle so they could include their pet “Seamus” on the trip.  The implication is of course that Mitt Romney is unsuited for the Presidency because the dog suffered permanent psychological damage as a result.  Really?!  Have you ever seen dogs hanging out of car windows on the freeway?  They love the wind in their hair!  He was more likely damaged by being called “Seamus”.  If Mitt had tied his leash to the trailer hitch…Now that would be a story.

OBAMA THE DOG EATER:
In his memoirs “Dreams of My Father,” President Obama mentioned that he commonly consumed dog meat while living in Indonesia.  There is no word on how the dog got to market: inside or outside the vehicle…D’oh!

ANN ROMNEY, CHAMPION OF FINER THINGS:
Mitt’s wife Ann has been criticized by the media for wearing a $990.00 blouse during a recent TV interview.  I guess the fact that she has some pride in her appearance and likes to spend her own money on nice things means the Romneys are “out of touch with the middle class”.  Baloney!  Every day I see “middle class” Americans driving expensive cars and trucks, buying expensive big screens, going to expensive sporting events and spending plenty money for things that bring them pleasure.  The upper and middle classes are separated only by ambition, hard work and willingness to take a risk.

MICHELLE, CHAMPION OF THE DOWNTRODDEN:
Mrs. Obama is no fashion slouch when it comes to pricy duds, wearing cardigans, priced between $2,000 and $3,000.  In Hawaii last December, she sported an almost $2,000 sundress and a $950 skirt.  And who can forget her trip to a food bank wearing $500 sneakers?  That’s what I call empathy…D’oh!

PRESIDENT OBAMA, WORLD POLICEMAN:
President Obama has made much this week about “his” killing of Osama Bin Laden.  The media trotted out that situation room picture of him in his golf shirt surrounded by the greatest minds in the Administration.  He was quick to remind us of the incredibly difficult “gutsy call” he made to take Bin Laden out.  Gutsy?  Yeah, if the mission failed, it would doom his re-election chances.  Boy, that WAS a tough call.  If I was President that day, the conversation would have gone something like this:  “He’s there?  OK, pull the trigger…Anyone got anymore French fries?”

WHAT WOULD ROMNEY DO?
It’s not bad enough that the administration machine used Bin Laden’s death as a campaign tool, but they also suggested that Romney would not have OK’d the kill of Bin Laden.  With their track record of lousy decision making, how can they tell anybody what Romney might or might not do?  Finally, the only President who had Osama Bin Laden in the cross hairs and didn’t pull the trigger was…wait…here it comes….Bill Clinton, a Democrat…D’oh!

REPUBLICAN WAR ON WOMEN:
Democrats have manufactured the War on Women talking point to court the female vote and convince everyone that Republicans want all women pregnant, barefoot and in the kitchen.  Not true.  Republicans want women responsible for their own decisions and successful in their chosen careers.  The $500 sneakers are optional.  “Reproductive rights” are a matter of personal moral beliefs and as such should not be taxpayer supported.  No war here, just common sense.

THE REAL WAR ON WOMEN:
Speaking of Bill Clinton, the Obama machine seems to be embracing him to assist in the President’s re-election bid.  It does seem odd that the “Party of Women” would enlist the help of such a misogynist.  I guess that is to be expected from a White House that pays its female employees less than their male counterparts.  I guess that is also expected from an Administration and Party that is so brutal in its criticism of intelligent successful Conservative women.  You want a real war on women?  Just wait until Liberal judges spurred on by this Administration and Justice Department begin acquiescing to Sharia law in their decisions…D’oh!

I wish I was more confident in the possibility of removing Obama from office in 2012.  What really nags me are the people who acknowledge that things in this Country are really crappy, yet when pressed say they will still vote for Obama.  They make the Ron Paul zombies look like deep thinkers.  I only hope the Obama re-election team keeps campaigning on these stupid points that are so easily shot down, or at worst actually reflect poorly upon the President himself.  If he keeps surrounding himself with idiots, it may eventually pay off.

Originally posted on 05/05/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

Rick Santorum dropped out of the race for the Republican Presidential nomination.  I’ve liked Santorum from the beginning, though recognizing he probably didn’t have the staying power to really make a strong bid.  Although I am not as socially conservative as he, I have admired him for his fearless adherence to spiritual and moral principle.  I think he is a good and decent man who would have made a good and decent President; something our Country probably could use right now.

I had no idea he has a child with special medical needs.  His withdrawal at this time is best for his family, and especially for his little girl.  Rick Santorum is a young man, and there will be plenty time for other Presidential bids.  I’m sure in the final assessment of Rick’s life, he won’t wish he had spent more time campaigning, and less with his daughter.

George Zimmerman was finally arrested and charged with second degree murder in the shooting of Trayvon Martin.  Apparently Florida authorities found a prosecutor who was willing to write up the charges.  I would feel better if they had come from a Grand Jury, rather than an individual that might be succumbing to political pressure or other motives.  Having said that, I think it is a good thing to give everyone their day in court.  Let’s see all the evidence and hear all the testimony.  My only concern here is that the prosecutor might have a tougher time getting conviction on second-degree murder than manslaughter.  If Zimmerman is acquitted of all charges, there may not be enough National Guardsmen in all of Florida to keep it from going up in flames.

President Obama is still trotting out the “Buffett Rule”.  Would some newsperson with balls please ask the President how much exactly the deficit would be reduced by implementation of the “Buffett Rule”?  Then follow up with:  “When exactly would Warren , and all the tax evaders in Government and elite Hollywood be required to pony up what they owe to IRS?  When EVERYBODY has paid “their fair share”, I’ll consider supporting something like the Buffett Rule.

Did I mention waste in Government?  I’m not against taxes.  We need taxes to make this Country run.  What really burns my backside is seeing the hard earned tax money from Americans being squandered by the dimwits in our Government.  The GSA (you know, the people keeping track of how our money is spent) scandal broke last week.  Looks like GSA employees had a great time at our expense.  I guess they were just doing their part to stimulate the economy in Las Vegas.  How patriotic.

In a related item this morning I see that the President’s Secret Service contingent was sampling some of the “local flavor” in Columbia during his visit to “stimulate relations” with that country.  According to an Obama administration official , this news broke because of a loud disagreement between one of the Secret Service guys and his “date” over her bill for “services rendered”.  I assume he thought he was being overcharged for the “merchandise”.  Thank God somebody in Washington is watching out for our interests!

Originally posted on 04/15/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

The events of February 26, in Sanford Florida are tragic to the extreme.  I don’t know what kind of kid Trayvon Martin was.  I don’t know what kind of person George Zimmerman was. I do know that they met through the most random of circumstance, and that neither of them deserved to die because of it.

Many in the black community have jumped on this sad situation to stir up hatred and fear on both sides.  I ask you:  When has that ever worked out well for minorities in this Country?  The insane hyperbole and grandstanding of their most visible leaders only cheapens Trayvon’s life, and makes him a tool to be used for their blind hatred and culture of victimization.

The media has almost universally experienced their “Dan Rather moments” with questionable editing of video and audio related to the crime scene investigation.  Never mind that Detroit, Chicago or New Orleans have a couple hundred gun deaths each year.  Adults, teens and children all fall victim to rampant violence, much of it black on black.  The media apparently doesn’t care:  “Move along, nothing to see here.”  No political gains to be made reporting on that. The big three broadcast media has almost made their irrelevancy complete, and this coverage shows why.  If they couldn’t manipulate the news, they wouldn’t have much to tell us.  When FOX News is chosen as the most trusted network news source, de-evolution of the mainstream media is pretty clear.

I don’t know how the investigation will shake out in Sanford, but for those with cooler heads who want to see all the evidence before forming an opinion, I submit this:  The original police incident report from the officers involved at the time.   It’s not like it was hard to find.  Unfortunately I don’t think many people were really looking for it.  They were too busy shouting, waving signs and fanning the flames of hatred.  I only hope that Trayvon is the last victim of this tragic situation.

Originally posted on 04/01/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com