Recovering but still not hopeful.

Todays Peggy Noonan column in the WSJ was very good. Great column and mostly right in her assessment of Obama except for the conclusion. Obama does not care about jobs recovery. He is not making a mistake because his only plan is to drive America down. He sees it and will do nothing except try to make it worse while saying it's getting better. And he relies on the common man's trusting nature (or stupidity) that thinks he can't possibly intend to purposely harm the country. Yes he can!

We had an interesting week last week. First, on Sunday, February 10th we were invited to a small thank you lunch for Mitt Romney in Palm Beach. We got to spend quite a bit of one on one time with him and Mrs. Romney and met some very important people. Bill Koch and his wife were there. Extreemly nice for a Billionaire! But you can see why Romney lost---too polite and not really in touch with the grass roots.

Next, we got a call from Florida Governor Rick Scott's social secretary asking if we had time to meet with the Governor. I almost said, "Are you sh__ing me?" but I didn't. I said of course and Tuesday late afternoon, after the appropriate security precautions including several fly overs by a state police helicopter, the Governor showed up at our house "just to get acquainted". We had almost an hour to discuss various things and were VERY impressed with what he has been able to accomplish since he was elected. Even a Democrat state representative said in the morning paper that this is the first time in five years that they will start the legislative session without a deficit. He has cut the waiting time for permits to one and a half days from forty five, eliminated sixteen hundred unnecessary rules and regulations and appointed over seventy judges. Also very pro second ammendment.

All in all, quite a week.

My take on the "Gun Problem".

Here's my take on the "gun problem".

The shooting in Webster, NY took place within sight of my house on Lake Ontario. The shooter was a convicted felon, obviously crazy and NOT a member of the NRA! None of these shooters were members of the NRA. And as a convicted felon he was not supposed to possess a firearm. So much for the bad guys obeying the law.

There is never one cause nor one solution to a problem. In this case it goes far beyond the mere ability of the American population to possess firearms, a right guaranteed by the second amendment. Several takes on this follow.

The American population is generally and legitimately afraid. The law abiding citizens are afraid of the spreading violence in society which is not caused by guns. The overall decay of our societies morals, the soaring number of out of wedlock births, the failure of our education system to instill the difference of right and wrong, the closing of mental health facilities to save money or at the insistance of civil rights activists, and the despair generally felt throughout society caused by this never ending recession.

I blame the liberals!!! And here's why. If there was no demand for drugs there would be no drug runner violence. I consider illegal drug users accessories to murder. Yes, even supposedly harmless pot. Gun owners are afraid they will not be able to defend themselves if the liberals have their way and disarm every gun owner with pie in the sky notions that guns are the problem and without guns we will all be safe. NONSENSE! We will never be "Safe". Bad things happen with or without guns but people prefer to be able to defend themselves if some crazy invades their home, their business, school or workplace.

We are spending too much money ineffectively on non-necessary things. We used to be able to take care of the mentally unstable. But now due to budget constraints and liberal attitudes, parents, employers and school authorities are not able to get the help they need or are afraid of being sued if they try to protect us from someone who needs help.

Strict gun laws in other countries have not prevented mass murders or crime. And once again, none of these shooters were members of the NRA! The thing that would help in the long run is better education, more mental health help, self reliance instead of the entitlement mentality and the ability to get a job in a thriving economy instead of this never ending malaise we are stuck in for the foreseeable future under Obama and the Progressives.

Right to Work fight in Michigan

Right to work commentary

12/11/12

The real reason Right to Work has worked in all states that have that option is that the workers are allowed to be productive! Union work rules prevent the workers from being efficient. In the beginning their primary goal was to create safe jobs for fair pay. But soon every job became a specialty. The carpenter couldn’t touch a screw driver and the electrician couldn’t pick up a hammer. Simple! But now the unions do not protect the worker, only the dues they can extract from the workers in order to have a job. Most workers just want to do a good job and get paid without the union telling them what they can and cannot do. The UAW has driven the consumer to buy non union vehicles of higher quality and lower price for years and their membership has steadily declined. My personal experience came years ago when I had to install one of my products in a UAW plant in Flint, Michigan. It took me three days to do what I could have done in a half hour! Right to Work does not limit collective bargaining and does not lower pay or benefits but it does help companies compete free of union work rules. It also allows the worker to choose whether or not he or she wants to join the union and pay dues that are many times used to support politicians that the worker does not support.. All the union arguments are old, outdated and basically untrue. The Right to Work laws do not prevent collective bargaining and do not harm the worker, they free the worker. Right to Work states are growing jobs, have lower taxes and compete very effectively with the non Right to Work states. That's why they continue to grow.  The unions may have won the presidency but they continue to lose in the states and with the worker as their ranks continue to dwindle. 

 

 

I have not posted to my blog, waiting for this disaster to sink in.　 At the moment I am pretty well convinced that we are lost.　 The Progressives have succeeded in perverting our youth, destroying our moral values, discouraging the work ethic and bribing the majority of our population with free stuff with no strings attached.　 It will take a miracle candidate to change it.　 New sign will say, "A fool and his liberty are soon parted." A slight modification of Thomas Tusser’s saying from around 1565.  The following piece pretty well sums up my feelings.  Couldn't have said it better.

Bob

This is a well written piece. So in tune with my thoughts that I will post it here.

Post-Mortem
Laura Hollis　
Nov 08, 2012
[She is a communication intern at the Am Heart Assn] 　
I am already reading so many pundits and other talking heads analyzing the disaster　that was this year’s elections. I am adding my own ten cents. Here goes:
　
1. We are outnumbered

We accurately foresaw the enthusiasm, the passion, the commitment, the　determination, and the turnout. Married women, men, independents, Catholics,　evangelicals – they all went for Romney in percentages as high or higher than the　groups which voted for McCain in 2008. It wasn’t enough. What we saw in the election　on Tuesday was a tipping point: we are now at a place where there are legitimately　fewer Americans who desire a free republic with a free people than there are those　who think the government should give them stuff. There are fewer of us who believe　in the value of free exchange and free enterprise. There are fewer of us who do not　wish to demonize successful people in order to justify taking from them. We are　outnumbered. For the moment. It’s just that simple.
　
2. It wasn’t the candidate(s)

Some are already saying, "Romney was the wrong guy"; "He should have picked Marco　Rubio to get Florida/Rob Portman to get Ohio/Chris Christie to get [someplace else]."　With all due respect, these assessments are incorrect. Romney ran a strategic and　well-organized campaign. Yes, he could have hit harder on Benghazi. But for those who　would have loved that, there are those who would have found it distasteful. No matter　what tactic you could point to that Romney could have done better, it would have been　spun in a way that was detrimental to his chances. Romney would have been an　excellent president, and Ryan was an inspired choice. No matter who we ran this year,　they would have lost.　See #1, above.
　
3. It’s the culture, stupid.

We have been trying to fight this battle every four years at the voting booth. It is　long past time we admit that that is not where the battle really is. We abdicated　control of the　culture　– starting back in the 1960s. And now our largest primary social　institutions – education, the media, Hollywood (entertainment) have become really　nothing more than an assembly line for cranking out reliable little Leftists.　Furthermore, we have allowed the government to undermine the institutions that　instill good character – marriage, the family, communities, schools, our churches. So,　here we are, at least two full generations later – we are reaping what we have sown. It　took nearly fifty years to get here; it will take another fifty years to get back. But it　starts with the determination to reclaim education, the media, and the entertainment　business. If we fail to do that, we can kiss every election goodbye from here on out.　And much more.
　
4. America has become a nation of adolescents

The real loser in this election was adulthood: Maturity. Responsibility. The　understanding that liberty must be accompanied by self-restraint. Obama is a spoiled　child, and the behavior and language of his followers and their advertisements　throughout the campaign makes it clear how many of them are, as well. Romney is a　grown-up. Romney should have won. Those of us who expected him to win assumed that　voters would act like grownups. Because if we　were　a nation of grownups, he　would　have　won.
　
But what　did　win? Sex. Drugs. Bad language. Bad manners. Vulgarity. Lies. Cheating.　Name-calling. Finger-pointing. Blaming. And irresponsible spending.
　
This does not bode well. People grow up one of two ways: either they　choose　to, or　circumstances　force them　to. The warnings are all there, whether it is the looming　economic disaster, or the inability of the government to respond to crises like　Hurricane Sandy, or the growing strength and brazenness of our enemies. American　voters stick their fingers in their ears and say, "Lalalalalala, I can’t hear you."
　
It is unpleasant to think about the circumstances it will take to force Americans to　grow up. It is even more unpleasant to think about Obama at the helm when those　circumstances arrive.
　
5. Yes, there is apparently a Vagina Vote

It’s the subject matter of another column in its entirety to point out, one by one, all of　the inconsistencies and hypocrisies of the Democrats this year. Suffice it to say that　the only "war on women" was the one waged by the Obama campaign, which sexualized　and objectified women, featuring them dressed up like vulvas at the Democrat　National Convention, appealing to their "lady parts," comparing voting to losing your　virginity with Obama, trumpeting the thrills of destroying our children in the womb　(and using our daughters in commercials to do so), and making Catholics pay for their　birth control. For a significant number of women, this was appealing. It might call into　question the wisdom of the Nineteenth Amendment, but for the fact that large　numbers of women (largely married) used their "lady smarts" instead. Either way,　Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are rolling over in their graves.
　
6. It’s not about giving up on "social issues"

No Republican candidate should participate in a debate or go out on the stump without　thorough debate prep and a complete set of talking points that they stick to. This　should start with a good grounding in biology and a reluctance to purport to know the　will of God. (Thank you, Todd and Richard.)

That said, we do not hold the values we do because they garner votes. We hold the　values we do because we believe that they are time-tested principles without which a　civilized, free and prosperous society is not possible.
　
We defend the unborn because we understand that a society which views some lives as　expendable is capable of viewing all lives as expendable.
　
We defend family – mothers, fathers, marriage, children – because history makes it　quite clear that societies without intact families quickly descend into anarchy and　barbarism, and we have plenty of proof of that in our inner cities where marriage is　infrequent and unwed motherhood approaches 80 percent. WhenRoe v. Wade　was　decided in 1973, many thought that the abortion cause was lost. Forty years later,　ultrasound technology has demonstrated the inevitable connection between science and　morality. More Americans than ever define themselves as "pro-life." What is tragic is　that tens of millions of children have lost their lives while Americans figure out what　should have been obvious before.
　
There is no "giving up" on social issues. There is only the realization that we have to　fight the battle on other fronts. The truth will out in the end.
　
7. Obama does not have a mandate. And he does not need one.

I have to laugh – bitterly – when I read conservative pundits trying to assure us that　Obama "has to know" that he does not have a mandate, and so he will have to govern　from the middle. I don’t know what they’re smoking. Obama does notcare　that he does　not have a mandate. He does not view himself as being elected (much less re-elected)　to represent individuals. He views himself as having been re-elected to complete the　"fundamental transformation" of America, the basic structure of which he despises.　Expect much more of the same – largely the complete disregard of the will of half the　American public, his willingness to rule by executive order, and the utter inability of　another divided Congress to rein him in. Stanley Kurtz has it all laid out　here.
　
8. The CorruptMedia is the enemy
　
Too strong? I don’t think so. I have been watching the media try to throw elections　since at least the early 1990s. In 2008 and again this year, we saw the media cravenly　cover up for the incompetence and deceit of this President, while demonizing a good,　honorable and decent man with lies and smears. This is on top of the daily barrage of　insults that conservatives (and by that I mean the electorate, not the politicians)　must endure at the hands of this arrogant bunch of elitist snobs. Bias is one thing.　What we observed with Benghazi was professional malpractice and fraud. They need to　go.
　
Republicans, Libertarians and other conservatives need to be prepared to play hardball　with the　Pravda　press from here on out. And while we are at it, to defend those　journalists of whatever political stripe (Jake Tapper, Sharyl Atkisson, Eli Lake) who　actually do their jobs. As well as Fox News and talk radio. Because you can fully expect　a re-elected Obama to try to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine in term 2.
　
9. Small business and entrepreneurs will be hurt the worst

For all the blather about "Wall Street versus Main Street," Obama’s statist agenda　will unquestionably benefit the biggest corporations which – as with the public sector　unions – are in the best position to make campaign donations, hire lobbyists, and get　special exemptions carved out from Obama’s health care laws, his environmental　regulations, his labor laws. It will be the small business, the entrepreneur, and the　first-time innovators who will be crushed by their inability to compete on a level playing　field.
　
10. America is more polarized than ever; and this time it’s personal
　
I’ve been following politics for a long time, and it feels different this time. Not just　for me. I’ve received messages from other conservatives who are saying the same　thing: there is little to no tolerance left out there for those who are bringing this　country to its knees – even when they have been our friends. It isn’t just about "my　guy" versus "your guy." It is my view of America versus your view of America – a　crippled, hemorrhaging, debt-laden, weakened and dependent America that I want no　part of and resent being foisted on me. I no longer have any patience for stupidity,　blindness,　or vulgarity, so with each dumb "tweet" or FB post by one of my happily lefty　comrades, another one bites the dust, for me. Delete.
　
What does this portend for a divided Congress? I expect that Republicans will be　demoralized and chastened for a short time. But I see them in a bad position.　Americans in general want Congress to work together. But many do not want Obama’s　policies, and so Republicans who support them will be toast. Good luck, guys.
　
11. It’s possible that America just has to hit rock bottom

I truly believe that most Americans who voted for Obama have no idea what they are　in for. Most simply believe him when he says that all he really wants is for the rich to　pay "a little bit more." So reasonable!　Who could argue with that except a greedy　racist?
　
America is on a horrific bender. Has been for some time now. The warning signs of　our fiscal profligacy and culture of lack of personal responsibility are everywhere – too　many to mention. We need only look at other countries which have gone the route we　are walking now to see what is in store.
　
For the past four years – but certainly within the past campaign season – we have　tried to warn Americans. Too many refuse to listen, even when all of the events that　have transpired during Obama’s presidency –　unemployment, economic stagnation,　skyrocketing prices, the depression of the dollar, the collapse of foreign policy,　Benghazi, hopelessly inept responses to natural disasters　– can be tied directly to　Obama’s statist philosophies, and his decisions.
　
What that means, I fear, is that they will not see what is coming until the whole thing　collapses.　That　is what makes me so sad today. I see the country I love headed　toward its own "rock bottom," and I cannot seem to reach those who are taking it　there.

　

I found this column interesting so I am posting it here followed by my comments to the author.  He's 95% right.

Gridlock isn't always a bad thing.  By Lloyd Brown

November 25, 2012  Sun Sentinel

Two friends, one a Democrat and one a conservative, have told me recently that Republicans in Congress need to compromise so the government can "get things done."

One of them actually said it is better to do something than nothing.

No. It is not.  Doing the wrong thing can be much worse than doing nothing.

This is especially true when you are talking about trying to influence the nation's economy

Contrary to popular liberal belief, politicians do not "run the economy." Decisions made daily by millions of Americans, each pursuing his own best interests, determine the course of the economy.

However, politicians are quick to take credit when the economy is doing well and expert at dodging and blaming free enterprise when it goes bad.

The economy goes up and down with or without politicians meddling, much like the average temperature on the Earth fluctuates.

More often than not, when government acts to help, the action is either too late or harmful.

Generally, liberals want to spend more of other people's money, a course of action that they fantasize will help the economy, while conservatives want to spend less.

Compromise is only an option when both sides are going in the same direction and the question is how far to go. If you want to drive 500 miles in one day on your vacation and your wife wants to drive 300 miles, you drive 400. Or, in my house, 300. That's compromise.

But if two people are in a car at an intersection and one wants to turn left but the other wants to go right, what is the compromise?

I don't recall liberals being interested in compromise from 2000-2006, when they were working day and night to derail President George W. Bush's plans.

After liberals gained control of Congress in 2006, the economy began turning south. They had virtually complete control of the government after 2008 and didn't need any compromising. Yet, they didn't fix anything.

If they couldn't fix it by themselves, why do they need conservatives to help them?

You know the answer: So they can share the blame when things go wrong.

America's voters apparently have chosen to live in a welfare state. But the majority still cannot tyrannize a minority – at least as long as the Constitution is in effect.

Therefore, conservatives in Congress have a duty to represent their minority constituents and oppose bad policy.

The nation is $16 trillion in debt. The government does not even take in enough money to pay for interest on that debt and entitlements. It must borrow the money it spends for everything else – from the most banal bureaucracy to the Department of Defense. National defense is the government's primary role and it is fulfilling that role with money it borrows from other nations, including potential enemies such as China.

That is considered bad policy by the millions of Americans who voted for responsible government.

Things are bad, but they can get worse.

Sometimes, gridlock is good.

Lloyd Brown was in the newspaper business nearly 50 years, beginning as a copy boy and retiring as editorial page editor of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He can be reached at lloydb39@bellsouth.net.© Florida Voices

Dear Mr. Brown,

 

Your column today is right on. Absolutely correct in almost every point except one, which is pretty good. You state that "the majority still cannot tyrannize a minority-at least as long as the Constitution is in effect". Unfortunately, the Constitution is being ignored or overridden by the Obama administration or liberal judges. The reason we are in the mess we are in is that Conservatives and Republicans have compromised over and over in the mistaken belief that the liberals will keep their word or stop the incessant push to bring Socialism or Communism to the country. My saying is; "Bad people rely on the good will of good people to get bad things done". Most honorable, honest people cannot fathom that the left has an agenda other than taking care of the poor. It’s power, plain and simple. And to retain that power they must continue to enslave the poor, keep them uneducated, ignorant and most of all, dependant on the government for their well being---and get them to the polls.

 

I look forward to reading your next column.

R. J. Brinkman

Fort Lauderdale

 

 

Early voting in Fort Lauderdale poll watcher.

I had an interesting experience yesterday by being a poll watcher at the downtown library early voting site here in Fort Lauderdale.  I was there for a little over three hours with another Romney supporter and two Obama supporters.  We were all cordial but the Romney fans were the only ones sworn at, flipped off or yelled obsenities at.  I was told that Romney will cut military pay, stop food stamps and repeal Roe v Wade.  No conservative or Romney supporter said one nasty thing about Obama.  This responds to Arnie Rothchild's comments about being civil.  Agree whole heartedly Arnie but the conversations I was able to have yesterday with some of the more civil Obama fans were inane, uninformed and myopic, echoing the lies from the left propaganda machine without any attempt to research the truth or listen to the facts.  Scary how far the country has already declined under Obama who was supposed to be the great uniter.  Now voting is "revenge".  Revenge for what???  Being the last great hope of the world?  This is the most corrupt administration EVER!  If the Communist gets reelected we truly have lost America and we are doomed to suffer a slow agonizing death at the hands of Socialism led by communists.  My Jewish friends here are mostly Romney supporters and can't understand why any Jew would support Obama with the exception of the Jewish trial lawyer on the corner.  Sorry to have offended anyone but that's just the way it is.  Still think it's Romney by a landslide.

Why Romney will win.

Last night Chris and I were fortunate to be able to attend a Romney fund raiser in Palm Beach.  On the way in we saw the usual protesters quite similar to the rabble we saw last year in Athens.  Anti-rich, anti-business and anti anything common sense that might heal this economy.  Inside we met business people who were concerned with getting the economy moving again and stopping the continuing damage that Obama is doing to every aspect of America.  In attendance were Governor Portman of Ohio, Governor Scott of Florida, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and a host of other upper level dignataries.  When Governor Romney spoke he was relaxed, warm, funny, and most of all Presidential.   After his brief comments he mingled with the crowd, shook hands and posed for pictures.  Unfortunately, Chris and I were not able to get one, but no matter.  I did get to shake his hand and tell him he should ask for help electing a Republican Senate so when he becomes President he will actually be able to get something done.  The do nothing Harry Reid senate has blocked every piece of Republican legislation for almost four years.  Time for a change! The democrats are grasping at straws, fabricating things that Romney will supposedly do if elected.  My belief, more than ever, is that the Romney Ryan ticket will win and win big.  I have signed up as a poll watcher on election day.  My only concern right now is that Obama will manufacture some incident---Crisis---that will hurt America even more in the hope that it will somehow win the election.  Not a chance!  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  I don't think the American electorate will be fooled again.