Almost 234 years ago some very brave men met in Philadelphia. Led by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, they declared our nation’s independence. The Father of our Country, George Washington, formed a small citizen army. They were undertrained, underequiped and underfunded. But they made up for their deficiencies with spirited patriotism, ruggedness and grit. With little food and without adequate clothing or shelter, they endured harsh winters in their campaign for freedom and independence. Against daunting odds they defeated the strongest, best trained and best equiped military force in the world at that time. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice as they suffered bitter defeats and setbacks but they persevered. It would have been fitting if Al Michaels had been around to proclaim, “Do you believe in miracles?!”

   Since then the brave men and women, who have served in our military, have worked, fought and died to protect the liberties and freedoms which were won by Washington’s courageous citizen soldiers. Their bodies have littered many battlefields such as Queenston Heights, Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Khe Sahn, Baghdad and the mountains of Afghanistan.

   The World War II generation has been touted as the greatest ever. That may or may not be true but they did endure great hardships, and they accomplished great things. The Great Depression, the Dust Bowl,  Pearl Harbor and a brutal two-front worldwide war could not break their spirit nor weaken their resolve. On the warfront and the homefront they fought and labored to not only preserve liberty and freedom here at home but to also stop tyrants with mighty war machines from taking over the world. Sacrifice and honor were the trademarks of this remarkable generation of Americans.

   Today, there are too many Americans who have been raised in an atmosphere of privilege. As parents and grandparents, we have spoiled them, pampered them and have uplifted their self esteem to the point that many believe that they’re the center of the universe. Too many think that the human condition and history didn’t start until the day they were born. They take liberty and freedom for granted, and they are too willing to give it up. They feel entitled to the point that they think someone else (the government, their parents etc.) should be responsible for their sustenance, their college education, their housing, their healthcare and anything else they might need or desire in this life. Many deadbeat slackers are jobless by choice and are still living with their parents well into their 30′s. I’m afraid that generations X and Y would not have the backbone, the resolve, the work ethic nor the ruggedness to take on anything nearly as daunting as World War II. They wouldn’t be willing to bow their necks and hunker down to accept the challenge. And sadly, us Baby Boomers aren’t much better. We may be worse because we created this mess.

   It is the present environment of entitlement, which has been years in the making, that has given rise to Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and their ilk. Many are looking for a handout of some kind. Few will accept responsibility for their actions. They’re more concerned about themselves and are less concerned about their country. This great nation is on the verge of becoming a socialist “nanny state” of lazy video game playing, TV watching, drug using, basement dwelling, couch potato slackers, and countries like China, India and Brazil will pass us by.

   The Tea Party movement, the raucous town hall meetings and the groundswell of rejuvenated conservatives have provided me with a dim ray of hope. I pray that we can turn this situation around before it’s too late. Too many brave people have fought, sacrificed and died for this great Republic for us to let it be tossed away like yesterday’s newspaper. I am praying that the American people will come through in the clutch this time like so many have in our glorious history.

   I am a 24 year veteran law enforcement officer. There was a time that I worked in a large metropolitan police department. That city had a strong organized crime syndicate in its midst. And as far as I know, it still does. I no longer reside or work there. The local mafia was involved in three major legitimate businesses. They owned a local bank where their money was laundered. They were involved in legalized gambling. And they monopolized the local garbage pick-up.

   At one time, a hard-working small business man moved into the area. He attempted to start a competing garbage pick-up service. At first the local crime family attempted to discourage him with minor hinderances. They blocked his trucks with debris so his routes couldn’t be run on their proper schedule. They then began to vandalize his equipment. Some of his trucks were torched beyond repair. His insurance was cancelled. Then some of his drivers were assaulted. A few were critically hurt. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He closed his business and meekly left town. The bad guys won.

   Last year our government took over two car companies, General Motors and Chrysler. They were both deemed to be too big to fail. They are both based in Michigan and both use UAW workers. We all know that leadership in the major unions has been in bed with organized crime for years. It’s no secret. And we know that bloated union packages led to the decline of both companies. The government, meaning the Obama administration, reorganized Chrysler. Under their reorganization, the UAW was given a large portion of the ownership of the company. Company bondholders were forced to accept pennies on the dollar. Many hard working people lost their life savings, and their retirement plans were wiped out. A lawyer for the bondholders, who balked at accepting the government’s plan, was directly threatened by the Obama White House. As usual, the Democrats in power took care of their staunch union boss supporters. And once again, the bad guys won.

   Now the White House seems to be targeting the largest and strongest competitor to their government-owned companies. Toyota is feeling the wrath of the Obama administration. Car companies have been having recalls on their vehicles ever since vehicles have been made. There is nothing unusual about it. It’s commonplace in the industry. But now, Toyota is being raked across the coals by the government like no other company has ever been. To me it is obvious that the government is doing everything possible to do major damage to Toyota. And I suspect that it is because Toyota is successful, and they don’t use union workers, which is a big part of their success. Other companies which use non-union workers are also doing well. Honda, Mercedes, Hyundai and Khia all have factories in the U.S., and their share of the market is growing. It is probably just a matter of time before the government comes after them with their mafioso-style strong arm tactics. Ford is probably safe for the time being, because they’re still marching to the UAW’s drumbeat.

   The Obama administration has brought “Chicago-style” politics to Washington. Their strong arm tactics are deeply rooted in organized crime. I’m not saying that President Obama is a mafia “don” but he has close associates who are obviously “made” men. And they’re not trying too hard to hide it. This November, let’s go to the ballot box and make certain that the bad guys don’t win again.

   It is tax season once again. Like most working middle-class people, I dread having to deal with it. The current broken, bloated tax code is overly complex, unfair and oppressive. The Washington elitists and the pointed-head bureaucrats manipulate it for power and profit. It should also be noted that it is completely unconstitutional. But, as we all unfortunately know, federal taxes will always be with us.

   In the past I have been a strong proponent of a flat tax system, and I still believe in it. Steve Forbes proposed a simple yet effective model in the 90′s, but the idea never gained any traction. Now the idea of a “fair” tax is being bandied about. All tax paying Americans should get behind the movement. The Tea Party protests and anti-amnesty movement have both proven what can be accomplished when Americans get fed up and mobilized.

   The Fair Tax would eliminate all federal and payroll withholding taxes. It would remove federal taxation on spending up to the poverty level. It would do away with the majority of the bureaucrats at the Internal Revenue Service, and it would be fair, simple and transparent. Another important aspect of the Fair Tax is that it would force illegal aliens and the underground economy to join us law abiding taxpayers.

   What is the Fair Tax? It would be a 23% federal sales tax. Before you panic and say that would be too high, read on. A “prebate” would be sent to families/individuals who qualify. The prebate would offset taxes on the necessities of life. It would also eliminate taxes on the poor and would provide the middle-class with significant tax reductions. I calculated my own situation. Under the Fair Tax, I would have $10,000.00 more per year in expendable income. Complete information on the Fair Tax can be obtained at www.fairtax.org.

   There was a time in the not-so-distant past when a family could live comfortably on one income if they wished. Now all working-aged people in a family must work just to make ends meet. Why? Oppressive taxation at all levels of government is the reason. The average family works until the first of June each year just to cover their tax burden. And that timetable is constantly being pushed back.

   In this season of spirited civic revolution, it is the perfect time for us to remind Washington that the money we earn is ours, not theirs. So come join the cause.

   Liberals, democrats and the media, which we all know to be one and the same, have attempted to convince the world that they have the market cornered on compassion and care for the less fortunate. They have demonized republicans and conservatives as being heartless and uncaring. Their campaign of propaganda has been very successful. The majority of apolitical, uninformed people look at conservatives in that light. However, nothing could be farther from the truth.

   The “nanny state”, which the liberals have created, does just enough to insure that the poor stay poor. They provide government-subsidized housing which is almost always substandard and squalid. And since the residents have no ownership stake in where they live, they do not have enough pride in it to properly maintain it. It becomes even more rundown. The food stamp program has been relatively successful when compared to others but irresponsible recipients still abuse and mismanage what is given them. Unfortunately, this causes many children to go hungry. Welfare checks are just enough to keep the impoverished in poverty. Medicaid is rife with abuse and corruption. Many doctors will no longer see medicaid patients because of slow payment, inadequate payment or nonpayment. This guarantees that the poor will be deprived of proper healthcare. The children of the poor are forced to attend substandard, mismanaged public schools with tenured substandard teachers. They enter the game of life without a proper education.

   Trillions with a capital “T” of dollars have been spent by the liberal democrats in their “war on poverty” but poverty is still just as prevalent today as it has ever been. Obviously, something is not working. These liberal “do-gooders” continue to throw more and more of other peoples’ money at problems, and the unsuccessful results be damned. I guess if it makes them feel better about their self-centered selves and demonstrates their superior compassion, they don’t care about the actual results. The poor, ignorant people of our society gladly line up to receive free handouts of “Obama” money. They don’t know nor seem to care about from where it came. And they don’t seem to realize that it is the briefest of respites from their dire situations.

   Liberal democrats have done more to keep poor people down than any dictator, despot, slaveowner or land baron ever has. But out of their ignorance these underprivileged people continue to give their oppressors their loyal blind support. It’s laughable but sad.

   As a dyed-in-the-wool conservative, I truly compassionately believe that everyone should be given access to the American Dream. The poor should receive a quality education through school vouchers and charter schools with quality educators. Private schools provide far superior educations at less than half the cost of public schools. More money is not always the answer. At key moments in their developement, they should receive proper career counseling and guidance. Instead of a lifetime of handouts, they should be provided with usable, practical career/job training. We shouldn’t toss them a can of sardines each day ; We should provide them a fishing pole and tackle with the proper training to use them so they can gainfully provide for themselves. This will instill pride and dignity in them which at this point has been drained out. They should also have a properly operating government that will not punish any success they may attain. Our governments on all levels waste enough taxpayer money to balance all their budgets and to pay all existing debt over time. And they need a government that will take wise common sense steps to protect and create quality jobs for them to fill. We should be encouraging the less fortunate to strive to be productive citizens that give to the common good of society instead of being a drain on it. It would take a lot of time to undo the damage that has been wrought but it is doable, and it’s certainly worth the effort.

   I have immense respect for all people no matter their race, creed, gender or color. I would never compare people with animals but it’s true that humankind and animals do share some characteristics. If you take a young animal out of the wild and raise it to adulthood on handouts, you will never be able to release it back into the wild because it will not have the skills necessary to survive on its own. The liberal handouts have left multiple generations of people without the proper skills to succeed in life. Now is as good a time as any to turn that negative tide.

   South Carolina Lt. Governor Bauer was right in what he was trying to say. He just used an extremely poor choice of words to express himself.

   Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid referred to President Obama as being light-skinned and without negro dialect. A firestorm ensued from our side of the political spectrum. I understand why many in the conservative movement used this “gotcha” moment to make a point about the double-standard which exists between liberals and conservatives in matters such as this but there is no reason to go on and on about it as some have. The double-standard has been in place since the political correctness craze came along, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon because liberals run the so-called mainstream media, and they are much more tolerant of one of their own.

   There is no reason to call for Mr. Reid’s resignation. We all know that he is not leaving on his own. I feel confident that the good people of Nevada are going to kick him out this year anyway. Trent Lott was forced to resign his post over comments that were not any more offensive than Reid’s. But it is our own fault. And when I say “our” I mean conservatives. We do not look out for our own the way liberals do. We are so worried about being called a bigot, a racist, a homophobe or some other derogatory name that we are quick to throw alleged offenders under the proverbial bus. We can’t worry about labels; We have to concentrate on doing what is right. When something is truly offensive or deplorable, we are all able to recognize it. It doesn’t have to be highlighted for us. And it will be dealt with as it happens.

   I have been told all my life that actions speak louder than words. And the Bible tells us that we will know a tree by the fruit it bears. So let’s pay more attention to what people do and how they conduct themselves, and let’s quit walking around looking for an excuse to be offended. We should start a concerted effort to rid our society of the plague of political correctness. It cost 13 people their lives at Fort Hood. It prevents law enforcement and security personnel from properly screening and profiling potential terrorists. If it is not reigned in, it will bring about the deaths of many more innocents. Political correctness has to go.

   I recently watched an episode of a dramatic fictional TV program. The show was entertaining but like most of Hollywood’s offerings these days, it had an underlying theme with a liberal bias. It was urging tolerance and understanding for Muslims and the Muslim faith.

   Freedom of religion is one of the pillars on which our republic was built. I strongly believe in religious tolerance, because I do not want anyone to infringe on my right to worship as I please. But let’s examine some of the track record of tolerance within the religion of Islam.

   For several years the Taliban ruled Afghanistan. They are ultra-fundamental Muslims who ruled with the iron fist of fundamental Sharia Law. And we must not forget that they provided a base of operations for Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda. Under their rule, women were treated worse than second-class citizens. They were considered to be property and were treated as such. Girls were not even allowed to attend school. Where were the feminist activists of the world? Also, under the Taliban all competing thoughts and ideologies were completely forbidden.

   Honor killings are another aspect of the treatment of women by Muslims. They are not part of traditional Islamic Law, but they do occur with regularity in the Middle East and South Asia. Women are killed by stoning or other grisly means for bringing dishonor on their families. How do they bring dishonor? They may speak to any unrelated man or it may be rumored that they have lost their premarital virginity or they have the audacity to be a rape victim. Honor killings have even occurred right here in the good ole U.S.A.

   The following is the basic theme of Islam: “Allah is the sole creator of everything on heaven and Earth and Muslims are His only legitimate and righteous people. All other people (Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.) are simply infidels and hated by Allah.”

   Muslims believe that anyone who does not agree with them is an enemy of Allah. A true believer of Islam must oppose these enemies and kill them whenever the opportunity arises. There are several verses in the Quran which endorse this belief in violence. They are the inspiration for jihad.

   All religions have dogmatic beliefs, including Christianity. They wouldn’t be much of a religion without them. But in our modern world, Islam is the only religion which attempts to spread its beliefs through force and violence. You often read and hear stories of Muslims murdering and condemning others who do not share their beliefs. You never hear or read similar stories about Christians because it just doesn’t happen. Christians attempt to win converts through witnessing and mission work, which includes love and kindness not violence. It would be much easier to be more tolerant and understanding of Muslims if they weren’t murdering thousands of people each year. I realize that the majority of Muslims do not kill but this peaceful majority does not do enough to condemn the violent minority. And in many instances they provide support for the jihadists.

   Christians are excoriated because we believe that homosexuals should not be allowed to marry. Many prominent Muslim leaders around the world have called for homosexuals to be stoned to death. And many Muslims share in that belief. Again the liberal human rights activists are deafening in their silence.

   How ironic is it? The most violent, intolerant religion/society in the world is seeking so much tolerance and understanding from everyone else. As has been stated by many, truth is stranger than fiction.

   We can all clearly see that we are living in troubled times. Society’s moral compass is very much askew. Innocent unborn babies are murdered by the thousands each year. People who are living perverted “alternative” lifestyles are allowed to marry in some states and are also allowed to adopt impressionable children. Our government is growing at an alarming rate and is becoming more and more intrusive. School shootings and workplace shootings are regular occurrences. Our southern border is under siege by violent drug traffickers. The urban areas of our nation have multiple homicides each week. The value of human life is in a constant downward spiral. Extremist Muslims are spreading their terror all over the world. Our government’s “Safe Schools Czar” has a history of instructing boys on how to be proper victims of pedophillia. This is just a few of the problems we face, and it is truly a sad state of affairs. My heart aches as I watch it unfold on a daily basis.

   With all that being written, this is still a glorious season of good tidings and great joy. A little over 2,000 years ago, a special child was born. His mother was an unwed teenager when He was conceived. He was born in squalid conditions, and His birth was first announced to the world’s lowest social class. He was sought by wise men and still is today.

   In the city of David, God in the flesh entered the world. His name is Jesus, and He came to seek and to save. It is imperative that we educate our children and grandchildren that Jesus’ miraculous birth is the true reason for this glorious season. It is certainly okay for us to enjoy the Christmas traditions of shopping, fellowship, gift giving, decorating and jolly old Saint Nicholas, who was a real person by the way. But we cannot truly have Christmas without Christ.

   If you are a born-again believer, please, take the time to tell someone the good news of Jesus Christ and what wonderful things He has done in your life. Just imagine that the world was hit by a terrible plague, and a select group of us knew about the cure. What kind of people would we be if we didn’t share it with the afflicted? Make no mistake about it, our world is suffering with the plagues of sin, immorality and pure evil. Jesus Christ is the only cure, and we should be compelled to share Him with the sick. And we should do it with love and kindness. It will be their important decision as to whether or not they accept the cure.

   If we truly wish to change our world for the better, and I believe that deep down we all do, we must do it one heart at a time. Jesus is still seeking the lost, and He still wishes to save. As His disciples, it is our duty to assist Him in every way we can.

   And always remember, even in the darkest of times, all things work for good for those who love the Lord. God bless everyone and a Merry Christmas to all.

   A recent poll indicated that approximately 40% of Americans identify themselves as conservatives. Only 20% proclaimed to be liberal. This has always been and is still a majority center-right nation. Outside the D.C. beltway and Hollywood, the folks still believe in God and country.

   For many years, our nation has bent over backwards to protect the rights and interests of minorities, and we should. It is important that we protect the rights and freedoms of all. But as the rights of minorities have been protected, the will of the heartland majority has been kicked to the curb, and this is not right.

   Much of our current situation is our own fault. We have not held our governments accountable. We continue to elect corrupt, elitist officials. We have stood by and watched as the Democratic Party stole election after election with the assistance of organizations like ACORN, the SEIU and the New Black Panther Party. Without as much as a whimper, we have bent over and took it.

   Even though the leftists are in the minority, they work harder and are much more persistent than the “silent majority.” Our army is larger but they have more soldiers on the battlefied. Too many on our side are content to passively watch from the sidelines. This has allowed this vocal minority to make deep rips in our societal fabric. We have allowed them to indoctrinate our children through the public education system. We have completely ceded control of the so-called mainstream media to them. As we meekly stood by, they have managed to remove God and Christianity from the public square.

   We must all enter into the fray before it is too late. We are on the verge of completely losing our great nation to the leftists and secularists forever. It is imperative that we all get involved politically on the local, state and national levels. We must identify, nominate and elect strong candidates who mirror our values and viewpoints. We cannot be timid about letting our elected officials know where we stand on the important issues. It is a must that we educate our children on our conservative values and our Judeo-Christian heritage. Our beloved Constitution is under constant assault. Do not be afraid to toe the line and fight the good fight. Our future and our way of life is at stake. We cannot blink nor take a backward step.

   The Tea Parties and the Town Halls demonstrate that a much needed spark has been lit. We need to stoke it and fan it until it becomes a wildfire that cannot be contained. I realize that in this forum I am preaching to the choir but we must find a way to inspire and spur our sedentary brethren into action. Many live their lives conservatively with conservative values and viewpoints but they have never stepped outside of their workaday world to take a stand on anything. This has to stop. We cannot afford the luxury of having anyone on our side to sit out the fight. Our toes are on the edge which falls off into utter disaster. And we can’t just think of ourselves. The future of children and grandchildren has to be considered also.

   The U.S.A. is without a doubt the greatest nation in the history of the world but it is somewhat tarnished, and it’s our fault. We all must share in the blame. But fortunately we can do somethng about it, and we must. There is a place for all here no matter their race, ethnicity or religion. But when we make a place at the table for them, we shouldn’t toss away the culture and traditions which made this country great. The time has come for us to stop the tail from wagging the dog.

   Merry Christmas to all, and I ask that you reflect on the true reason for the season. Always keep Christ in Christmas.

   I will keep this entry short and to the point. I have been a police officer for 23 years. On several occasions, I have found myself in situations where I needed assistance from my fellow officers. They have never let me down. I know that other officers will always come to my aid when I call. And I am always there for them. It’s how the thin blue line works. I am glad that I do not have someone like President Obama to decide whether or not back-up is sent my way. He can’t seem to make a decision. Our brave men and women in Afghanistan are calling for back-up while heroes are losing their lives there on a daily basis. Mr. President, you cannot vote present this time ; You must decide to do the right thing. Our warriors are asking you to help them to complete their mission. Please, do not let them down.

   There is not nor has there ever been a vast rightwing conspiracy. It was invented by the Clintons. They used this imajinary “boogie man” to deflect the harmful truth as it came to light and to attack their detractors. They were very good. Now the Obama administration has dredged up this mythical conservative creature. They are attempting to paint Rush Limbaugh and Fox News as the two-headed ogre that leads this monster by its leash. And they have multitudes of willing accomplices in the so-called mainstream media who take up their torches and pitchforks to battle this monster that doesn’t exist. These people are either blind, stupid or both. I think it’s the latter. They make Don Quixote look sane and rational.

   There are many great conservative commentators on Fox News and talk radio. But Rush Limbaugh was one of the very earliest to hang the conservative banner in the alternative media, and he has been the most successful. He blazed the trail that allowed others to follow. He has been the most effective commentator at pulling back the curtains and revealing liberals as the buffoons and morons they truly are. And he is extremely entertaining while doing it. Rush is the standard by which all others are judged.

   Liberals claim to be for the poor and downtrodden, but their policies keep them impoverished ; They do not lift them up. Liberals claim to be tolerant of all people, but when it comes to opposing viewpoints, they’re about as tolerant as the Taliban. Liberals claim to be for free speech, but only when it is speech with which they agree ; They fall over themselves to condemn someone over something that was spoken. Liberals claim to be against racism, but they are the ones that always bring up race in a situation whether it is applicable or not. Liberals claim to care, and they do. They care for the perpetrators not the victims. They care for the guilty not the innocent. They care for the perverted not the pure. They care for the oppressors not the oppressed. They care for our enemies not our allies. They care for the lawbreakers not the law abiding. They care for endangered minnows not human beings. They care but for all the wrong things.

   Rush Limbaugh has taken on liberals on all fronts, and he has been wildly successful. I thank God for Rush Limbaugh and others like him. For his success, liberals loathe him and hate him with extreme prejudice. Liberals will stop at nothing to destroy those who dare to get in their way. To them the truth is irrelevant ; The ends always justify the means. Rush has been purposely misquoted, taken out of context, misrepresented and attacked without merit. He has withstood it all like a fortress in a storm.

   Now the liberals have successfully spoiled one of Rush’s aspirations. They have libeled and slandered him beyond all reason, and I’m certain that they see it as poetic justice. Rush has proven to be a fighter, and he is not taking this lying down, and I would be disappointed if he did. Rush has been blessed richly by God, and he doesn’t need our pity. But he does deserve our support. What has happened to him can happen to any of us. Let’s support Rush with our prayers, with our words (both written and spoken) and with any boycotts which may become applicable. We should be willing to do it for anyone that has been treated unfairly. Now is the time to draw that proverbial line in the sand. We must stand against slanderous liberal persecution.