It seems that each day we read more about how the Republican Party is in disarray, it’s leaderless, or else the leader is Rush Limbaugh or Dick Cheney. Also the Republicans are advised to embrace a “big tent” approach, appeal more to this or that ethnic group, interest group or other demographic. And how conservatism is holding the party back.
Mostly this analysis and advice comes from the Party’s bitter enemies the Democrats and the mainstream media. Apparently the party should disavow Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh, and find a spokesman like John McCain only more in line with Obama’s policies. Like Colin Powell, who I understand still claims to be a Republican? Puh-leeze! If the Republican Party follows this kind of advice, it will fade into history sooner than later.
Some Republicans, we are told, are privately concerned about Dick Cheney’s boldness in speaking out to defend Bush Administration anti-terror policies and question Obama’s approaches. But Cheney is, in my opinion correct in his statements and also wise and courageous. If Republicans are embarrassed by conservatism, and opposition to Obama, let them follow Specter and become Democrats. The “moderate” (liberal) Republicans do the party more harm than good and the GOP would be better off without them. Then the party could more effectively articulate a conservative message and many voters, who will soon be very tired of Obama, will be convinced. If the Republican Party will affirm conservatism and a pro-life position, they will have an excellent chance of success.
Only a conservative and articulate Republican Party (not a third party) has any real chance of saving this country from socialism and preventing the Obama Administration from becoming a full-fledged fascist dictatorship, for that is the process that is in place, slowed only by whatever opposition can be mustered.
I believe the Tea Parties were the start of something significant. God bless Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mark Steyn, Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Dick Cheney, and all the real conservatives. Some just need to find their voice.
CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL COMMENTARY
Pro-Constitution, Anti-Globalist, Anti-Socialist, Anti-Communist, and usually with an attempt at historical and economic context ************************13th Year ----- 2009-2021*****Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Urgent Warning About Gardasil
Please watch the Health Sciences Institute video, which reveals facts about side effects and deaths related to Gardasil, a "cervical cancer vaccine." Some states are considering legislation to mandate this vaccine as a condition for attending school. It is designed to be given to girls as young as nine years of age. As the video explains, it does more harm than good.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Warren G. Harding? Return to Normalcy!
I posted a picture of President Warren G. Harding, along with his slogan “return to normalcy,” because I think that most Americans will soon want our country to return to normalcy and away from the freedom-crushing, fiscally irresponsible and socialistic policies of Barack Obama. The U.S. was tired of the overbearing government activism, intrusions, and curtailment of freedom that was experienced under Woodrow Wilson’s administration and Harding was a welcome relief.
Historians have generally not been kind to Harding, although some have attempted to show that not all the criticism was deserved, and that he (or his administration, at least), in fact, accomplished some quite positive things. Harding was nominated as a dark-horse compromise candidate to break a convention deadlock. Calvin Coolidge was chosen as his running mate.
President Harding is most often remembered for the scandals that some of his appointees got involved in, such as the Teapot Dome bribery scandal, and some others. Harding remarked that he could deal with his enemies, it was his friends who caused him the most trouble. Some had to serve jail time. Harding apparently had several weaknesses that impaired his work as president. He was a good speaker and able to get along well with people, even those in rival factions of his party, but he was not, it seems, a strong leader or visionary. Also, despite his charm and good appearance, and a true liking for people, he had some moral failures leading to extramarital affairs. Most of the political and personal scandals were unknown to the public until after his death, and may very well have contributed to his death. He took office in 1921 and died in 1923, supposedly of a heart attack or stroke, following food poisoning and pneumonia, although no autopsy was permitted.
Probably he thought that America needed a respite not only from World War I, but from the dictatorial rule of Wilson. Under Woodrow Wilson, during the War, it was made illegal to criticize the government or the war effort. Publications that were suspect could have their postal permits withdrawn by a simple government decision. Thugs were empowered to bully people who didn’t seem to conform enough. And business interests grew weary of government controls and taxes they considered too high.
Harding addressed these issues. He had some able and upright men in his cabinet, not just crooks and self-serving cronies. Herbert Hoover, Andrew Mellon, and Charles Evans Hughes made important contributions as Cabinet officers.
Harding helped make sure that America was not going to join the League of Nations, Wilson’s dream project. Wilson was adamant that no compromise was possible on this, although historians believe he could have negotiated a successful conclusion. Harding, along with his successor Calvin Coolidge, led America through an important transition from wartime, through an economic downturn and toward a period of prosperity.
Under Harding, taxes were lowered, protective tariffs were increased, aid was given to Russia (under Hoover’s supervision) that reportedly saved ten million lives, a treaty limiting naval armaments was approved, which saved a great deal of money, and various reforms were implemented.
Some trivia: Harding was the first president to ride to his inauguration in an automobile. The presidential campaign of 1920 was the first to be covered by radio. Harding was the first president to visit Alaska. And he was the first president elected as a sitting U.S. senator. Also, his presidential election victory was by the largest margin up to that time. It is reported that he ran against the retiring Wilson and mostly ignored his Democratic opponent James Cox. He campaigned from his front porch and attracted many people to his home town, including Hollywood celebrities.
We will need (and already do need) a “return to normalcy” from Obamaism, but I hope that a leader more effective than the unfortunate Harding will emerge, someone more like Ronald Reagan, a conservative person of principle with strong political and communication skills, and not an advocate of Liberalism Lite or Slower Socialism.
Some have rated Harding, unjustly I think, as the worst U.S. president. For me, that honor (among presidents who have completed their time in office) goes to Jimmy Carter. He at least proved his ineffectiveness over a full term.
(See Harding biographies at answers.com)
Historians have generally not been kind to Harding, although some have attempted to show that not all the criticism was deserved, and that he (or his administration, at least), in fact, accomplished some quite positive things. Harding was nominated as a dark-horse compromise candidate to break a convention deadlock. Calvin Coolidge was chosen as his running mate.
President Harding is most often remembered for the scandals that some of his appointees got involved in, such as the Teapot Dome bribery scandal, and some others. Harding remarked that he could deal with his enemies, it was his friends who caused him the most trouble. Some had to serve jail time. Harding apparently had several weaknesses that impaired his work as president. He was a good speaker and able to get along well with people, even those in rival factions of his party, but he was not, it seems, a strong leader or visionary. Also, despite his charm and good appearance, and a true liking for people, he had some moral failures leading to extramarital affairs. Most of the political and personal scandals were unknown to the public until after his death, and may very well have contributed to his death. He took office in 1921 and died in 1923, supposedly of a heart attack or stroke, following food poisoning and pneumonia, although no autopsy was permitted.
Probably he thought that America needed a respite not only from World War I, but from the dictatorial rule of Wilson. Under Woodrow Wilson, during the War, it was made illegal to criticize the government or the war effort. Publications that were suspect could have their postal permits withdrawn by a simple government decision. Thugs were empowered to bully people who didn’t seem to conform enough. And business interests grew weary of government controls and taxes they considered too high.
Harding addressed these issues. He had some able and upright men in his cabinet, not just crooks and self-serving cronies. Herbert Hoover, Andrew Mellon, and Charles Evans Hughes made important contributions as Cabinet officers.
Harding helped make sure that America was not going to join the League of Nations, Wilson’s dream project. Wilson was adamant that no compromise was possible on this, although historians believe he could have negotiated a successful conclusion. Harding, along with his successor Calvin Coolidge, led America through an important transition from wartime, through an economic downturn and toward a period of prosperity.
Under Harding, taxes were lowered, protective tariffs were increased, aid was given to Russia (under Hoover’s supervision) that reportedly saved ten million lives, a treaty limiting naval armaments was approved, which saved a great deal of money, and various reforms were implemented.
Some trivia: Harding was the first president to ride to his inauguration in an automobile. The presidential campaign of 1920 was the first to be covered by radio. Harding was the first president to visit Alaska. And he was the first president elected as a sitting U.S. senator. Also, his presidential election victory was by the largest margin up to that time. It is reported that he ran against the retiring Wilson and mostly ignored his Democratic opponent James Cox. He campaigned from his front porch and attracted many people to his home town, including Hollywood celebrities.
We will need (and already do need) a “return to normalcy” from Obamaism, but I hope that a leader more effective than the unfortunate Harding will emerge, someone more like Ronald Reagan, a conservative person of principle with strong political and communication skills, and not an advocate of Liberalism Lite or Slower Socialism.
Some have rated Harding, unjustly I think, as the worst U.S. president. For me, that honor (among presidents who have completed their time in office) goes to Jimmy Carter. He at least proved his ineffectiveness over a full term.
(See Harding biographies at answers.com)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
OK, it's an unpaid commercial, but well worth watching:
Putting aside politics for the moment, here are some thoughts for Mother's Day, in the form of a Christian message to men. I have found these principles very helpful over the years, although I've had failures at times.
HUSBANDS, HONOR YOUR WIVES
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25 (NASB)
1. Realize that motherhood is a greatly demanding job, not at all less difficult, and generally much more so, than your own, whether your wife works outside the home or not.
2. Be creative in providing your part of rearing your children, and in relieving your wife of some of her burden.
3. Realize that failure to understand and help your wife to be a good mother is a failure as a husband and father.
4. Get together on discipline and don't resolve your differences in front of the children.
5. Provide spiritual leadership for your family. Don't expect anyone else to do it if you won't. God will hold you accountable. Teaching your family about Jesus Christ is not only your privilege, but your responsibility. Help them to understand the Gospel. First, be sure you understand it yourself.
6. Never think of parenthood as anything less than a primary responsibility.
7. Rejoice with your wife and children in their successes.
Putting aside politics for the moment, here are some thoughts for Mother's Day, in the form of a Christian message to men. I have found these principles very helpful over the years, although I've had failures at times.
HUSBANDS, HONOR YOUR WIVES
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25 (NASB)
1. Realize that motherhood is a greatly demanding job, not at all less difficult, and generally much more so, than your own, whether your wife works outside the home or not.
2. Be creative in providing your part of rearing your children, and in relieving your wife of some of her burden.
3. Realize that failure to understand and help your wife to be a good mother is a failure as a husband and father.
4. Get together on discipline and don't resolve your differences in front of the children.
5. Provide spiritual leadership for your family. Don't expect anyone else to do it if you won't. God will hold you accountable. Teaching your family about Jesus Christ is not only your privilege, but your responsibility. Help them to understand the Gospel. First, be sure you understand it yourself.
6. Never think of parenthood as anything less than a primary responsibility.
7. Rejoice with your wife and children in their successes.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Obama Explains the Effects of Cap and Trade
What are two effects Obama says cap and trade would have?
1. A huge sum would be charged that would bankrupt anyone building a coal-powered plant.
2. Electricity rates would skyrocket.
Got it?
Where does this leave the coal industry? Also, when energy rates go up, many other prices also go up. Obama would make this program permanent with stricter requirements each year.
All this would raise costs, raise taxes, and impose more controls in the name of fighting "climate change," a non-existent "crisis" about which, even if climate is changing, which it naturally does over time, nothing can be done anyway. Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. But this plan is another step toward wrecking the American economy. Think the financial meltdown has been bad? We've yet to see the impact of Obama's plans for that. This is equally destructive if not worse. How many businesses will close or leave America if this plan comes into effect? Probably a lot. If we think of our economy as a building, cap and trade is a wrecking ball.
Cap and trade is supposed to provide billions for "investment" in alternative energy sources. Wind and solar power industries will develop as entrepreneurs (capitalists!) see a profit potential and are willing to invest in them. Right now these things, as far as massive energy production is concerned, are a pipe dream that's going to cost billions, and with government in charge, the payoff is doubtful, and far away at best.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Does Obama Like the Constitution?
Obama complains that the Warren court did not break free from the constraints of the Constitution to redistribute wealth. But not to worry, he can take care of it through legislation!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Milton Friedman (1912-2006)
Milton Friedman was one of the greatest economists, and possibly the greatest economist, of our time. He was a staunch advocate of free markets and a foe of government interference. He wrote prolifically and also won numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1976. He was a teacher and researcher and member of several economics organizations. His theories have had a profound effect on government policies, against the influence of Keynesian theory.
He warned of the drift toward socialism and believed there was a less than 50-50 chance of avoiding it, but he would not give up the fight. See the Video Bar below for Milton Friedman interviews and statements. He was a tireless champion of freedom and demonstrated the superiority of free-market capitalism over other economic forms. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information on the web about Milton Friedman. No student of economics can afford to ignore him.
Some quotes (quoted at answers.com):
"The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem."
“Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself."
"Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it."
"There's no such thing as a free lunch."
He warned of the drift toward socialism and believed there was a less than 50-50 chance of avoiding it, but he would not give up the fight. See the Video Bar below for Milton Friedman interviews and statements. He was a tireless champion of freedom and demonstrated the superiority of free-market capitalism over other economic forms. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information on the web about Milton Friedman. No student of economics can afford to ignore him.
Some quotes (quoted at answers.com):
"The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem."
“Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself."
"Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it."
"There's no such thing as a free lunch."
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