Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian, U.K.

Mr. Freedland,
Yes, we Americans are about to elect John McCain & Sarah Palin.
Thank God!
Barack Hussein Obama is not running for President of the World.
Please keep your pig-headed ideas out of our election. We yankees do not want to be anything like you people in the old, decrepit world which neither produces or accomplishes anything. And then when you get in a pickle you hide and wait for us to come pull your collective chestnuts out of the fire.Your socialist/communist day has passed.
Get the hell out of our way or be rolled over!

It's 3 A.M.--Who is Your President?

It's 3 A.M. and the phone rings in the President's bedroom. There's a big ugly happening somewhere in the world. Who is answering the phone, Obama or McCain? Does it matter? You bet it does! If one thing is certain in this race, John McCain clearly has the edge over Barack Obama when it comes to national defense. And isn't that really the primary, fundamental and crucial issue when choosing a President? Protecting our citizens and borders from outside aggression is indisputably the most critical role of the federal government. Everything else pales by comparison. If the government does not keep us safe then debates about taxes, spending, abortion and health care are moot. Barack Obama simply does not clear the first and most important hurdle to be President. That's an absolute no-go; he is not qualified by that measure alone. For that one reason it is just too great a gamble to put someone as inexperienced and unsure on national defense as Barack Obama at the end of that telephone. We just can't take that risk in a dangerous world governed by the aggressive use of force. As someone said (Governor Palin I think), 'The presidency is not a journey of personal discovery.'

Anarchists Organize Protest March!

Thinking Can Be Taxing

I just concluded a discussion (debate) with a friend regarding the question of the federal income tax. He was whooped but refused to admit it. The question was on the fairness/constitutionality of the ‘progressive’ federal income tax where the more income one makes the higher percentage tax is paid on it. My point is that the 16th Amendment authorizing the federal income tax does not speak to tax brackets or percentages. Given that, the next place to look for instruction is the 14th Amendment which guarantees that all citizens will be treated equally under the law. Anyone with passing knowledge of logical deduction would conclude that within those constraints all citizens taxed on their income would be taxed at the same percentage rate. Right? But, he replied if you make more you should pay more! Eureka, he just discovered the mother-lode. Egad, how many times have I heard that tired bromide? From each according to his ability, to each according to his need…ooops, wrong country wrong constitution. I desperately tried to explain the scenario that 10% of a million dollars is substantially more than 10% of fifty-thousand dollars. Not enough, he snapped. Says who, says I? Well, the Congress. So is 20% of a million enough, compared with 10% of fifty-thousand I ask? Maybe. Again I remind him of the 14th Amendment and the equal protection concept. He is not moved to enlightenment. So rather than obey the actual letter of the Constitution we should let the Congress arbitrarily set the tax brackets based upon the prevailing political winds of the day. And change them constantly. How’s that for equal treatment? Now the 10th Amendment becomes relevant. If the Constitution does not specifically empower the Congress, it cannot act; but rather must defer to the States acting as agents of the People. So, in carrying out its 16th Amendment power to levy income taxes on the citizens, the Congress must also be guided by the equal protection concepts of the 14th Amendment. To do otherwise would be acting extra-constitutionally or even un-constitutionally. Passing legislation to set progressive tax rates does not and cannot amend the Constitution. Gotcha, I cry! He is unfazed. Ah well, pearls before swine.
The rub is that he really knows that I am technically correct, but that to admit so would begin unraveling a huge quilt leading to the undoing of 50 years of progressive chinks (chunks) in the Constitution. The result would be a federal government about 10% of its current size and power. The States’ power would thus grow proportionally. And it’s much easier to control one capital than it is fifty. Also, under this scenario the importance of Presidential, Congressional and Senatorial races would be greatly diminished. The importance of which party controls the federal government is likewise less critical. There would be very little mischief for them to meddle in and much less damage that they could do to our pocketbooks and our freedoms.
What we are rapidly approaching is a return to simple democratic majority rule, which is of course tyranny of the majority over the minority. Since we have strayed so far from the actual text of the Constitution it has become almost meaningless to many politicians. Why not just take out a lighter and finish the job? Without our constitutional moorings the federal government is free to do anything it pleases without repercussion. That is why it does matter so much these days which party is in power and why these national elections matter so much. Conservatives tend to meddle less than liberals in our pocketbooks and freedoms, but it would be far better to remove the ability and temptation altogether.
Let’s return to the actual Constitution as it is written. And at the same time return to the constitutionally required flat-tax rate for all citizens equally under the law; or just pass a Constitutional amendment to institute a national sales tax (not a V.A.T.).

Barack Hussein Obama/Biden

Barack Hussein Obama, the candidate formerly known for change.

Boss, I Demand a Raise!

With so many tasks beyond Obama'a pay-grade it's no wonder that the Democrats are always trying to increase the minimum wage.

Obama Bumper Snickers

Obama-nation=abomination

Monk for McCain
No Change, Never

OCD’s Against Obama:
Because Change is Just Too Scary
Because Change is, Well, Change
Anything but Change
Because Change is Too Unpredictable
Why Would Anyone Ever Change?
Because Change Changes Things
Change is Just Too Much to Bear

The Stated Case for the States

I have asked many times in this forum how the people can reign in a rogue federal government. The answer of course is that the state legislatures are the true reservoirs of that power. Consider, the states existed before the federal government, they created the federal government and their constitutions existed before they wrote the federal constitution. So why won't the states exert their power and bring the feds back within their limited boundaries? Just follow the money trail. The federal government has diverted the tax flow away from state capitols and instead to D.C. That money is then doled back out to the states as subsidies and federal projects based upon state compliance with federal mandates. Naturally, the federal bureaucratic machine extracts its pound of flesh first, thereby diminishing the return to the states. How clever. It would be much more efficient and responsive to the local needs of the people if the states took responsibility for these tax dollars and projects. The level of government closest to the people (and typically the smallest) that can deal with an issue is usually the best. Think about it, there really are very few problems that demand federal solutions. Maybe a dozen, if that many. So let those of us who yearn for a return to a small, constitutional republic ponder how we can convince the various states to flex their muscles and bring sanity back to the federal monster.

Krispy Kreme Krusade

Governor Arnold, a ban on trans-fats? Good grief. There is not a scintilla of evidence that trans-fats harm or kill anyone. However, yesterday people died in California because of alcohol and tobacco, they will die today and they will die tomorrow. Where is the ban on alcohol and tobacco?? I thought not. There is too much money and power politics involved with those. So pick on wimpy trans-fats. They have no lobbyists. Boy this takes courage. Why don't you grow some gonads (destroyed by steroids?) and do the right thing? This is just more of the nanny state run by you girlie men. You are nothing more than a cowardly neo-communist. If I ever come back to your pathetic excuse for a state I am going to bring in tons of trans-fats and walk down the street eating donuts. You gonna' arrest me sheriff? You frauds are eroding our personal freedoms and liberties one by one. But mark my words, you and your ilk's day of reckoning is coming. The people are going to take our country back from the likes of you.

Don't Shoot Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes

It is sad that the liberals seem more comfortable killing an innocent unborn baby in its mother’s womb than killing terrorists, or even treating them harshly at Gitmo. How reckless and pathetic. They are simply not mature enough to govern. In this dangerous world we must have the resolve to go after terrorists wherever they hide around the world and before they strike us. This means we must be ready to carry out pre-emptive defensive strikes around the globe. Unfortunately the libs think that the term ‘pre-emptive defensive strike’ is an oxymoron. If a bad guy has a gun to my wife’s head and I shoot and kill him before he pulls the trigger I have taken a pre-emptive defensive action. Would the liberals demand that I wait until he pulls the trigger before I shoot? Well, that is no different that terrorists telling the world that they are acquiring weapons of mass destruction and intend to use them against us at the earliest opportunity. We must go to them and kill them first. Simple.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It is an embarrassement and a total insult to the intelligence of the American voter for the Democrat party to put forth this incompetent racist moron as a Presidential candidate. Come back Hillary!

Double-Talk

Liberals are all for Big Government, but not Big Business, Big Oil, Big Pharmaceutical or Big Tobacco. They are all for Choice when it comes to abortion but not for schools. They are all for Fairness when it comes to the media but not with regard to affirmative action.

The Right Rights

I am more interested in the federal government respecting my rights than the "rights of the planet and the environment."

It's a Race Race!

According to Comrade Junior Senator Barack Hussein Obama it is de facto racist for the Republican Party to even run a candidate against him. This sounds more each day like a high school student council presidential election. He is becoming a pathetic, silly, comical cartoon caricature. It's hard to take him or this race seriously any more. What's next, free candy in the lunchroom? He's not qualified for hall monitor. I truly believe that the Clinton's are behind the scenes egging the media on to provoke him to make these goofy remarks. By the time Denver rolls around I think that there will be enough delegates who won't be able to stomach this guy and the thought of losing the White House that Hillary will be able to stroll in and 'save' the day, claiming the Democrat nomination at the convention.

The Tiger Roars!

Why is Tiger Wood's such a champion? The video clips of him and his father which aired during the U.S. Open talked of mental toughness. Saturday evening at the post-round press conference Tiger was asked about his knee. His short reply was an encyclopedia on success. He simply said, "yeah there's pain, but so what, it's only pain." Champions control their circumstances rather than being controlled by them. For the vast majority of the rest of the world it's just the opposite. Tiger has pain but continues to act according to his plan. His plan was to win the U.S. Open. Knee pain was not going to get him off his plan. The rest of the world has pain and immediately begins to react to the pain and get completely off of their game plan. Their plan now is no longer to win but to try to control the pain. That's why there are so few Tiger's.

Rein in the Robed Renegades!

We must get these nine robed pooh-bahs in the Supreme Court down from the ivory pedestal on which they have been placed. There is nothing mystical about a 5-4 ruling, or any of their rulings for that matter. The Court CANNOT amend the Constitution. Their rulings can be easily overturned by the Court itself or by Congress. See the attached exercpt Article 3, Section 2. Also, please understand that the Supreme Court does not have an exclusive duty to interpret the Constitution. The President and Congress have an equal duty to interpret it as well.

"U.S. Constitution - Article 3 Section 2
Article 3 - The Judicial Branch
Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make."

Bumper Snicker

"Believe in climate change, because we can, my friend."
--John Hussein McBama '08

Neophyte Neo-Commie

Barack Hussein Obama, the Junior Senator from Illinois who is running for President sounds like someone running for a local school board position when he speaks. And he's not even qualified for that. He has absolutely no resume for President. When you can glean a small tidbit of a policy position from his flowery nonsensical speeches that turns out to be just another illegal federal nanny program funded by higher taxes. He is the quintessential cradle-to-grave socialist manipulator. This guy is a blatant neo-communist. He is in the direct lineage of Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and Castro. He must be stopped!

Subsidize This!

Could someone please direct me to the specific section of the U.S. Constitution that authorizes and empowers the U.S. Federal Government to take money from me and give it to farmers? I am deadly serious about this. These constitutional authority questions are leading to an ultimate confrontation with the Federal Government. If we can subsidize farmers we can subsidize anyone. Why not subsidize police officers, teachers, grocery clerks? Why not susidize me? May God have mercy upon us all.

Welcome DNC!

Just read the article on your catering requirements for your convention. Hey, this is Colorado. We grill beef and bison, fry potatoes and drink Coors. We drive SUV's and would never eat anything BLUE! We carry concealed to scare off the bad guys and don't go in for homosexual marriage. The thermostats will be set on 72 and we don't much care what the rest of the world thinks. You are our 'guests' here so behave, watch your step, be grateful for whatever you get and clean up after yourselves. Boy Scouts always leave the camp-site cleaner than they found it. Abide what you say and use good manners. Remember we have Bibles and guns. Enjoy your stay in beautiful Colorado!

Hey That's Rad, Man!

A radical may be someone who is right, but 50 years too soon.

Staying Alive

Oh how I long for the days when we are less concerned with whether or not the rest of the world likes us and more concerned with whether or not they fear us. Those countries that have no reason to fear us will come to respect us for our strength in standing up to tyranny and injustice. From that grows a friendship much more substantive than one based merely upon what we give them. Peace through strength. Trust, but verify (keep your powder dry). Speak softly and carry a big stick. Slogans to live by. The key word being 'live.'

Oil, Oil Everywhere and Not a Drop to Refine

Tired of the price of gasoline? Write your Congressman and tell him you want this immediately:

1. Begin drilling in ANWR, off the East and West coasts, in the Gulf of Mexico and anywhere else around the country there is oil or oil-shale.
2. Start building refineries.
3. Begin extracting payments from Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait in oil for the cost of us pulling their chestnuts out of the fire.
4. Demand that Mexico send us one barrel of oil every day/week/month (you pick) for every illegal Mexican alien in the United States (about 20 million). This will help defray the costs foisted on the American people to take care of these illegals. If Mexico refuses send in the 82nd Airborne and take it.

Think About It

• Why is there so much misery and poverty in fertile, resource-laden countries around the world?

1. Bad Government Ideas
2. Bad Economic Ideas
3. Bad Religious Ideas

• The only reason that one person or people-group can be angry with another person or people-group is if they will do not what you want them to do, won't stop doing something you want them to stop doing, won't think/believe what you want them to think/believe or won't stop thinking/believing something you want them to stop thinking/believing.

Playing Chicken With Oil

For the past couple of decades the Democrats have opposed new drilling for oil in ANWR and various off-shore sites around the country, as well as building new refineries. We are now more dependent upon foreign oil and tinpot dictators than ever before and are seeing skyrocketing gasoline prices. It would seem that THE DEMOCRATS' CHICKENS...ARE COMING HOME...TO ROOST!

Separation of School & State --Selwyn Duke

Yesterday I heard Selwyn Duke talking about the homeschool issue in California. A state appellate court has ruled that homeschooling parents must have a state teaching certificate or put their kids back in public (government) schools. This is nothing more than a bold attempt to get kids back into these socialist indoctrination chambers while denying them an education. Their primary purpose is to turn out liberal voters for the Democrat Party. Kids who graduate (if they do) are barely literate, have no idea what truth is and cannot think for themselves. They are malleable pawns in the calculated slide to socialism, used to vote in the liberal pied pipers while being distracted with bread and circuses. The education of our children is the perogative of parents not politicians. It is indeed time to demand a Separation of School and State!

Prescription for Disaster

The results of your study (59% of doctors support national health care system, Dr. Ronald Ackermann and Dr. Aaron Carroll, University of Indiana School of Medicine, March 31, 2008) reported in the media yesterday are rather intriguing. I find in talking with colleagues that doctors are not so much enamored with a national health care system as they are simply frustrated with the current authorization and reimbursement mess (much of that government created). What they don't realize is that the devil that you know may be better than the devil that you don't know. The simple truth is that the federal government lacks the constitutional power and authority to be enmeshed in any sort of federal health care system or insurance program, including by the way Medicare. I have raised this point with several sitting Congressmen and Senators as well as all of the current Presidential candidates and none have been able to refute the point. The mood seems to be that we'll do whatever we want, hang the Constitution. Without a legal foundation we are headed for anarchy. Doctors are simply unwitting pawns in the overall equation. My experience over the years in things political is that doctors by and large are woefully uninformed and disengaged from that arena. Which is why the liberal-leaning A.M.A represented three-fourths of U.S. physicians 30 years ago but today barely speaks for a third. The current system needs reform, but not the kind that would lead us into the disaster which is evident in all countries with any sort of nationalized health care insurance or delivery system. We must run in the opposite direction. But don't expect doctors to be leading the charge. They know medicine, not business or government. Don't look to them for validation or leadership on the topic. Your study only tells me that 59% of doctors don't know what the heck they are talking about! As Anatole France said, 'If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

S.O.S. from the U.S. Constitution!

First the feds wanted to nationalize health care, now the banks. My tax dollars are being used to bail out lenders and borrowers who made bad decisions and entered into private contracts without consulting me first. I am beginning to feel like I have been transported back to 1930's Germany during Hitler's rise to power. I don't know my country any more. Personal liberties and States' Rights are laughed at by those in power. The rest of the great unwashed masses don't even know what you're talking about if you bring them up. Glazed over deer-in-the-headlights stares. The idea of a Constitutional Republic is poo-pooed as so old school. The federal government can give us anything that we want, or rather what that they want to give us. Can we possibly save ourselves from ourselves? The Constitution, the document that gave this country life was supposed to keep the federal government in check. But now it seems more like check-mate. Unfortunately, we're just the pawns. I keep screaming, how do we mere pawns enforce our Constitution upon an unwilling federal government??? It seems that the only thing left to do is to roll the darn thing up and use it to shoot darts at the politicians. S.O.S. !!!!

P.T. Barnum Call Your Office

A con-man’s job is not to convince skeptics but to enable believers to continue to believe what they already do and want to believe.

Schoolyard Bullies

What has become of adult society that makes it impossible to deal appropriately with children’s behavior? Take three boys in middle school, ages 12-14. One is of mixed racial descent. The other two boys are verbally taunting and ridiculing him. So he puts one in a headlock. There ensues an altercation. What happens? The one child is charged with assault and the other two with racial harassment. All are in court!! Good grief. We hear other stories of 8 year-olds being charged with sexual harassment for playground antics. These kinds of stories go on and on. What has happened to parents, teachers and principals? In the 60’s when I was in grade school, events like these would have resulted in a trip to ‘meet’ with the coach and a call to my parents who would have reinforced the coach’s teaching when I got home. That followed by a round of public apologies to the offended parties. We would have all learned our childhood lessons, moved on and been the better for it. No waste of law enforcement, court and lawyer time and resources. I know what has happened. It’s a combination of baby-boomers and way too many hungry lawyers. Not to mention the wacky parenting principles that came with the narcissistic boomers. I am embarrassed to be counted among that goofball generation. Instead of teaching children right and wrong, good and bad, behavior and consequences; boomers were told not to force values into their children, but rather build their fragile little self-esteem. Wrong! That’s not how the real world works. Unfortunately this cockeyed mindset has carried over into the adult world. Boomers think that they should never have to be offended and that nothing in life should ever hurt. If it does it must be someone’s fault and that person or company must be sued to compensate me for having my delicate sensibilities and self-esteem bruised. Suck it up and get over it! Life hurts and people are rude. Always have been and always will be. God save this country from my generation!

Like a Dimestore Lawyer

(Tune sounds like Rhinestone Cowboy, sung by John Edwards)
Dedicated to personal injury lawyers, trial lawyers and class action lawyers...

I've been walkin' these halls so long
Singin' the same old song
I know every crack in these dirty hallways and courtrooms
Where hustle's the name of the game
And nice guys get washed away like the snow and the rain
There's been a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

Like a dimestore lawyer
Riding out on a Caddy in a star-spangled legal show
Like a dimestore lawyer
Getting checks and letters from people I don't even know
Settlement offers comin' over the phone

Well, I really don't mind the strain
And a frown can fake all the pain
But you're down when you're tryin' the claim that's takin' the long way
And I dream of the things I'll do
With a subpoena and a cervical collar tucked inside my shoe
There'll be a load of compromisin'
On the road to my horizon
But I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me

Like a dimestore lawyer
Riding out on a Caddy in a star-spangled legal show
Dimestore lawyer
Gettin' checks and letters from people I don't even know
Settlement offers comin' over the phone

Like a dimestore lawyer
Riding out on a Caddy in a star-spangled legal show

(FADE)
Like a dimestore lawyer
Gettin' checks and letters from people I don't even know

Doing the Luddite Lindy

There is a movement afoot, particularly amongst fundamentalist Christians to disavow science and embrace everything wacky. From acupuncture to goofball ‘nutrition’ to herbs to magnets to magic water the Christian Luddites are on the march. Even some physicians and scientists are not immune, though financial gain may be a factor for them. If people are going to buy into this stuff anyway and it won’t hurt them why not get a piece of the action? But is all of this really harmless? How many people delay getting real medical help for real medical problems because they are detoured by some charlatan or snake oil? While there is no serious science to support any of these products’ claims, the lay literature is replete with anecdotes and personal testimonials that they will cure everything from dandruff to lumbago. And if you just sign up in their business they might even cure your financial woes. Ah, P.T. Barnum would be so proud. If all of these claims were true there would be multiple Nobel prizes awarded, emergency world science symposia in Geneva and news flashes on FOX and CNN. All of the medical and science textbooks would have to be rewritten. Do you see any of that happening? Is that a hint? If it looks and sounds too good to be true… It’s sad and amusing to listen to people untrained in anything scientific lecture real doctors and scientists on why their product is for real and the real science is phony. There's almost a gleeful smugness about their 'in-your-face' ignorance. Now that’ll set us back 200 years. “We don’t need rigorous scientific studies; my grandmother’s warts fell off! You must be part of the grand medical, science, big pharmaceutical conspiracy.” Flush the black helicopters. Wanting something to be so does not make it so. And if all of that fails they resort to the final argument. “Well, this is so advanced that real scientists don’t understand it and can’t explain it, thus it threatens their current positions and beliefs so of course they will try to discredit us. The fact that they are trying to discredit us proves that they are wrong and we are right. And of course the big pharmaceutical companies who control the world won’t let the scientists and doctors tell the truth. If we stop taking their drugs they will lose all of that evil profit. Now please buy our product.” E.T. phone home. Oh well, for them that have ears.

The Meaning of Life

Someone recently remarked to me that they're not crazy about people because there are so many crazy people. The older I get the less patience I have for foolishness. And it seems that foolishness is always increasing. Unfortunately it also seems that there is really little that we can do to stop foolishness from increasing. Outside of one's religious faith, life really comes down to great food, great wine, great company, great music, great art, great literature and beautiful sunsets.

William F. Buckley, Jr. RIP

My prayers and sympathy go out to Bill's family, friends and the staff at National Review. He will be greatly missed. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Now at least God has someone to talk with!! Just kidding, I think Bill would love that. (wry grin!)

It's None of Your Business!

What is the primary purpose of a private U.S. business?

1. Provide jobs and benefits for people
2. Make the best product possible
3. Generate a profit for the owners
4. Collect taxes for the government
5. Boost the country's economy
6. Provide products/services for customers

What is the one best answer?

Comrade Chairperson Hillary's Healthcare Highwaymen

Knock, knock, knock.
Shuffling noises inside, door opens.
Mr. Workerbee, “Hi, can I help you?”
Agent #1, “Good morning and greetings from your federal government wealthy contributor.”
Mr. W., “Well, I don’t know about the wealthy part. I work for Home Depot, my wife is a school teacher and we have four children. And why are you wearing sidearms?”
Agent #2, “Pay no attention to the guns, they are for your protection citizen. Now trust me, you are wealthy. We are here to collect your contribution for your neighbor’s hip replacement. Mrs. Hap E. Retiree down the street is tired of maneuvering her government-supplied Hoveround power chair around the Cripple Creek casinos and would like a new hip. Could you please get your checkbook.”
Mr. W., “Wait a minute. Why should I pay for her hip replacement? I have four hungry kids to feed. If I contribute to her surgery that’s less milk that I can buy for my family.”
Agent #1, “No problem. When we talk to her we will collect voluntary federal milk program contribution. But I am troubled by your lack of compassion for fellow American.”
Mr. W., “Why can’t she buy private health insurance to cover these things? People who want to participate pay premiums and in return they get benefits. If you don’t want to pay you don’t have to, and you don’t get the benefits either. You take care of your own health needs. It’s a voluntary choice.”
Agent #2, “Sir, you try our patience. If Mrs. Retiree had to pay premiums herself she would have less money to double-down on split 10’s. You have no respect for our venerable senior citizens.”
Mr. W., “Where does the constitutional authority for this program come from?”
Agent #1, “Um, er it comes from the, um new healthcare amendment.”
Mr. W., “I don’t recall hearing of any such amendment.”
Agent #2, “It’s the Smith & Wesson Amendment. You ask too many questions. Now write the check or we go talk to your employer.”
Sounds of hurried scribbling of pen on paper with sound of cold steel locking and loading in background.
Agent #1, (smiling broadly) “Your government and neighbor thank you for your compassionate voluntary contribution. Now please get to work. I will be needing colonoscopy soon.”
Door slams.

Government, Mend Thyself?

How do ‘We the People’ rein in the runaway federal government? My how things have changed in just over 200 years. What started as a compromise between thirteen fledgling colonies to provide a few functions that they felt could be accomplished more efficiently collectively rather than individually, has become a monstrous doomsday machine, devouring everything and everyone in its path. It has its long bony finger in just about every pot in the country. As the old saw goes, a government that has the power to give you anything you want also has the power to take everything you have. And don’t think it’s not trying. From your money to your kids to your freedoms, nothing is safe from its reach. In the midst of this why are so many people so complacent?

Undoubtedly the sad state of education over the last 50 years, whether accidental or intentional has led to a pervasive misunderstanding of our nation’s history and governmental structure. While the progression of our founding started with settlements which became colonies which became states which begat the federal government, many people don’t really understand this. I think that there is a belief amongst too many that the states are merely subunits and extensions of the federal government. Nothing could be further from the truth. The states created the federal government to serve them. In fact, the states had to have individual state constitutions before they could draft a federal constitution. The federal government is actually subservient to the states. Well, at least it was originally intended to be that way. That is why U.S. Senators were originally elected by the states, not the people. The President is actually the President of the United States of America, not the people directly. This explains the existence of the Electoral College. The people elect their respective states’ slate of Presidential Electors who meet and select the President. They usually vote the wishes of the people of their state, but are not bound to and on occasion have not. The President, and originally the Senate represented the states, not the people of the country at-large. Truth be told, the election of the President should be a relatively minor event. Given the President’s relatively minor role in the day-to-day running of the federal government, the things that really impact the average citizen’s life on a daily basis; I am amazed at how much time, money and attention is focused on that one election. It’s the state elections that should really be the battleground since the states wield most of the power in the country. After state elections the election of federal Representatives should occupy more of the people’s interest. After all, the House of Representatives was designed to be the People’s House. That is why tax and spending bills must originate there. It is the people’s balance to the states’ representation.

A strict reading of the Constitution and Bill of Rights is a sobering and eye-opening experience. You can’t read those documents and fail to come to the conclusion that probably 80% or more of the meddling of the federal government is simply unauthorized and furthermore expressly prohibited. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments are the most ignored tenets of the lot, while the Fourteenth is one of the most misinterpreted and misapplied. The Founding Fathers had a strong fear of powerful centralized government, a la King George (no, not Washington). Thus, these amendments stipulate that powers not specifically granted to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people. Today it seems that the federal government has the position that it holds all power and grants some limited power at times to the states, and none to the people. And the band played The World Turned Upside Down. For example, look at the metastatic bastardization of the infamous Interstate Commerce Clause. This innocuous little passage has been twisted so as to give cover to the Feds to regulate virtually anything and everything on a whim. The Founders realized that every future situation could not be addressed at the time of the writing of the Constitution so methods of amending it were written into the document. That process has been utilized 26 times since ratification. Sadly, the various branches of the federal government have taken it upon themselves to simply ignore these established legal procedures and in effect ‘amend’ the Constitution anytime following its edicts becomes obstructive to their agendas. The recent Kelo Supreme Court decision granting eminent domain authority for private rather than public use is perhaps the most egregious example of adverse illegal ‘constitutional amendment’ in memory. The protection of private property was a central motivation for the establishment of our nation and the Constitution. I sincerely believe that the five justices who voted in favor of Kelo committed an impeachable offense and rightly should have been impeached and removed from the bench.

So what are we suffering masses to do? Well, I see several possible responses.

The simplest and by default the current state of affairs is to do nothing and tolerate whatever abuse we are handed. This is the response of ignorance and apathy. By taking this course of inaction we will have effectively repealed our Constitution and become a nation ruled by the whim of the government. All of our rights and protections will be null and void for all practical purposes. The federal government will be free to take whatever it wants at any time and to regulate any and every aspect of our lives. This would usher in creeping socialization of many aspects of our lives and ever-increasing taxes and regulations. Productivity will invariably falter and businesses will begin to move off-shore and overseas, with resultant loss of jobs and shrinking tax base. As more and more illegal aliens pour across our non-existent borders, the strain on social services and the shrinking tax base will be disastrous for the economy. The preeminence of the United States on the world stage will decline to no more than the level of the decrepit European socialist states, producing little and providing no incentive to its citizens to achieve more than long vacations and short work weeks.

Another solution that is widely discussed by those actually concerned about our current course is that of trying to recruit and elect better politicians to national office. On the surface it sounds promising but history does not bode well for this fix. We have been doing just this for over 200 years and I believe that the situation is growing worse at an ever-accelerating pace. Even if we can somehow get ‘better’ people to Washington, most of them are devoured by the inside-the-beltway culture and overrun by the perpetual bureaucracy within a short time. This is one argument against term limits. That process does not address the underlying problem of bureaucratic indoctrination. While bad politicians may be thrown out, good ones are given the boot as well. Then, nothing protects newly elected replacements from being quickly corrupted. On first blush I believe that the idea of somehow getter ‘better’ people to Washington is, by itself a very dubious proposition. Keeping them ‘better’ for any period of time in that D.C. cesspool is virtually impossible. The dirty little secret is that so much of our federal government has become entrenched as self-fulfilling bureaucratic behemoths. These agencies and programs have lives of their own that exist for decades as administrations, political parties and legislators come and go. They are not affected by the prevailing political tilt of the day. They are not changed by the politicians, but rather they shape and mold the politicians to suit their ongoing needs. The bureaucrats that run these agencies and programs control huge budgets and will be in their positions long after the President and Congress change hands. They wield great influence over the legislators. By convincing the legislators to perpetuate the bureaucratic status quo, theses bureaucrats provide the illusion of great power and influence via the power of the purse to the egotistical legislators. Furthermore, legislators themselves soon become focused on their own political survival and obtaining territorial power rather than doing what is right for the country and the people that they ostensibly represent. They are unlikely to pass reform that refocuses the federal government on its rather limited constitutional responsibility and turn power (and money) back to the states and the people. Human nature being what it is they are much more inclined to seek to broaden their power and influence, not limit it. Why would they voluntarily relegate themselves to the political sideline and give the States the limelight?

So what legal recourse do ‘We the People’ have over the various branches of the federal government to hold them accountable to the Constitution? They have demonstrated repeatedly that the concept of the balance of power between the three branches has broken down. It has become an unholy triumvirate. Each enables the others so that they will in turn be enabled. With a wink and a nod they turn a blind eye to the abuses of one branch, knowing full well that branch will do the same for them. In this way, each is assured of being able to ram through its unconstitutional agenda unencumbered by any fear of checks and balances. When the police will not police the police, what are we to do? If we sue one of the branches of government for its perceived illegal activity, the case will ultimately wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court, one of the parties to the scam. How can we get justice? The fix is in. What are the penalties for a branch of the federal government violating the Constitution? It is the supreme law of the land, right? Can and would the states step up to the plate and take action? But what action? Some have put forth the idea that county sheriffs evict federal agencies from offices and buildings within their respective counties. We could defund the federal government by withholding federal income tax payments. This would be a gargantuan undertaking given that approximately 95% of income taxes are withheld from paychecks. The cooperation of businesses big and small across the country would be required and probably very difficult to secure. How about a Constitutional Convention to draft amendments to provide enforcement power and real legal sanctions against unconstitutional activity by any of the three federal branches? Do the States have the chutzpah to pull that off?

Could an armed rebellion against the federal government ever occur again here? Texas retains the right to actually legally secede from the United States and factions there have discussed that possibility. How seriously and widespread is anyone’s guess. For historical reference the opening passages of the Declaration of Independence lay out the reasons for the Colonies forceful separation from Great Britain. Similar justifications would certainly be required to convince the world and our citizens of the necessity for such drastic action, following long suffering and other peaceful attempts to redress grievances. While I am not advocating a violent overthrow of our federal government, history teaches that this is a common end to governments gone awry, even to this day. What this nation would look like after such a conflagration and depending upon what faction prevails would be anybody’s guess. The outcome would probably have a lot to do with which side the military allies, which is why many of these coup d’etats are led by generals and result in military dictatorial governments. The interesting twist in this instance is that no new Constitution would need to be drafted. The current constitution would simply be enforced and the government reconstituted according to its specific dictates. In essence, a return to normalcy. A return to the federal government that we used to have and should have. Simply put a civil war to ‘throw the bums out.’ Hopefully, we would get getter bums. We might need a few correctly enacted Constitutional Amendments to avert future similar diversions. One I can think of is William F. Buckley, Jr’s., ‘there are no penumbras or emanations.’

“Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?”

Dear, I Think We're Lost...

The federal government has wandered so far off of the Constitutional reservation that I don't think they could find it with a Tom-Tom.

Senator Salazar, Esq. to the Rescue!?

Greetings Senator (Ken) Salazar, D-Colorado;

Thank you for responding to my question about federal healthcare programs. Out of all of the people I contacted you are the only one to take time to write back. My question went to the root of the constitutional authority for the federal government to implement, run or oversee such programs, whether ‘mandatory’ (such as Medicare) or voluntary. From your letter it seems that you look to the Preamble to empower the federal government in these programs.

“Congress has the right to provide for the general welfare of the people whom they serve and it is clear that the general welfare of children lacking health care coverage is significantly and negatively affected.” -Senator Ken Salazar, January 17, 2008

Is that what they teach in law school classes on constitutional law in Michigan? That the Preamble empowers Congress? Under that theory there would need be no additional substance to the Constitution. The Preamble would empower Congress to do anything it wants relative to the ‘general welfare.’ How convenient. But there is much more to the Constitution than the Preamble. Why so? Perhaps because most (nay, all) constitutional scholars maintain that the Preamble is merely a statement of purpose, an explanation of why the constitution is being offered. It is a prelude to the actual empowering language that is to follow. It authorizes and empowers not a wit. Congress’ powers reside and are limited to Article 2, Section 8.

Pre-am-ble: noun: an introductory statement (as to a contract); especially: the introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law. Note: While preambles do not state law and therefore are not judicially enforceable, they are used to determine legislative intent when interpreting statutes. –Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law

So, upon perusal of Article 2, Section 8 I am still at a loss to find any empowering language for federal healthcare programs. Can you possibly further instruct?

Don't Argue with One Who Commands Lightening

Anything done by man, can be undone by man. Only things done by God cannot be undone by man. And nothing done by God can be undone by man.

Kooks Unite!

Does anyone else out there get the feeling that politicians think it is serious business to endlessly debate the fine points of some silly, insignificant legislation, but raising a question of the constitutionality of some government action or program is laughed off as quaint and irrelevant? They tend to relegate people who ask such questions to the fringes of the process, labelling them as unwashed hicks, historical daydreamers or frank kooks. In fact, many of these people are serious intellectual heavyweights. And the question of keeping the federal governement within the constitutional guardrails is of supreme importance. After all, the constitution is the supreme law of the land, is it not? It is the document which really does define what the federal government can and cannot do. Many serious people believe that much, if not most of what the feds engage in is in fact unconstitutional. Such discussions, however get in the way of activist politicians and judges advancing their personal agendas. So the agreed upon ruse is to just pretend that the constitution really does not exist, it really does not mean what it says and, you know it's really intended only for a long-gone era, not the present modern day. It's interesting to study as history, but no one of any real substance takes it seriously these days. Besides, only we elevated and enlightened members of the political intelligentsia can interpret the mysterious and deep hidden inner meanings of the constitution and find penumbras and emanations that mere mortals can never see. Those people who run around waving it their faces are just goofballs from fly-over country. Ignore them and they will go back to hunting and attending church, harmless and pointless activities. With politicians in collusion with judges on the scam there is no threat that the federal juggernaut will be reigned in. I hear the Founders calling from their graves for justice!

Casting Stones

I believe that it is a sin to compare sins.

Tradition!

I feel a bit like Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof' vis a vis the Republican party and the conservative movement. One by one his core traditional values were stripped from him. Finally near the end of the play he cries 'enough!' and will not accept any further erosion of those values. I believe that it is time for the true conservatives to draw a line in the sand and refuse to cross it. Since 1988 we have been told by the Republican establishment that if we will just hold our noses and help them get their candidates elected (because you know this is the best we're going to get right now), then they will advance some of our causes. Year after year we go along and hold up our end of the bargain only to be shafted every time when it comes time to really do something conservative. George W. Bush squandered the time that he had both houses of Congress. Oh, we get a little lip service from time-to-time, but we never saw any real movement on true tax reform, abortion, illegal immigration or reform of Social Security and Medicare; just to name a few. Why should we keep up this farce? The emperor has no clothes! Our nation has wandered so far off of the Constitutional reservation that I don't think we could find it with a Tom-Tom. I believe that it is time for conservatives to let the Republican party fall flat on its face without them and then either form a third party or come in and reconstruct the Republican party on the foundation of true conservatism.

National Conservative Party

It is now time for a third party, the National Conservative Party.

Who's Your Daddy?

We make way too big of a fuss over electing a President. You would think that we are selecting a King. Or Queen. No, that would still be a King. Well nevertheless you get the point. How is it that we have come to expect our President to be our daddy, big brother, grandfather, uncle, mother, soldier, statesman, preacher, doctor, teacher, banker and all around best friend? The President's constitutional role is actually rather limited, as is that of the entire federal government really. More akin to a city manager than a potentate. Yes, he should inspire us to greatness and represent the country on the world stage; but not have a plan and a program for every single aspect of our lives. He runs the military, negotiates treaties and enforces the federal laws. He can propose budgets, but taxing and spending bills actually originate in the House. Have you grilled your Congressman on all of the various federal programs and spending priorities to the extent that you have the Presidential candidates? I doubt it. The President really represents the interests of the states, not the people. The Congress represents the people in Washington. His power to affect our daily lives is not that great. Bureaucrats have more power to make us miserable or happy in our everyday lives than the President ever will. And we don't even know who they are. This process has become a farce; nothing more than high comedy. We need to refocus on the right priorities. That would begin with teaching and understanding the Constitution.

McCain=McNasty=Perot=NUTS!

Hey Juan, when you have all of these squirrels around you admit it, you are a NUT! I must agree with Limbaugh and Dobson, I cannot and will not support McCain. If McCain or Obama or Clinton are going to make a mess of the country I would rather have a Democrat to blame it on. Reagan rose from Carter's ashes.

Cheshire Cat

What is it with that goofy smile that McCain flashes at the most inappropriate times? It's freaky.

Sit Down John!

Sit down John,
Sit down John,
For God's sake John, sit down!

John you're a bore,
We've heard this before;
Now for God's sake John,
Sit Down!

(1776)

Bite of the Night

The best sound bite from the candidates' comments after last night's Florida Republican primary came from Mitt Romney: "We won't change Washington by sending the same people back just to sit in different chairs."

The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg

A bill under consideration in Colorado would compel religious non-profit organizations that accept State funds to comply with State non-discriminatory hiring practices. This would of course conflict with the tenets of many religious organizations on matters such as homosexuality and couples living together in sin, to name a few. With regard to the specific question in this bill, organizations must realize that the Golden Rule applies; whoever provides the gold makes the rules. No government largess comes without strings attached. Since any government financial gift is really the accumulated tax dollars of all of the citizens of the State, some money given to say a Catholic charity is coming from die hard atheists.
The solution is two-pronged. First, why should governments be in the business of giving tax dollar subsidies to such private organizations? These governments lament that they are chronically short of funds and many run regular deficits. Why not cut out these gifts? Secondly, I believe that private organizations should seriously consider refusing any government handouts. They should live within the means provided privately by citizens who truly support their causes, not those coerced into 'donating' their tax dollars by the government. Furthermore, why should non-profit organizations operate in a tax-free status with regard to say property and sales taxes? Again, along with such gifts can come undesirable constraints imposed by those bestowing the gifts. If we did away with the tax breaks and government subsidies perhaps taxes could be lowered for all thus giving people more money in their wallets to then donate to the charities that they personally support. It would also be a much simpler and more direct system, providing more net funds to the receiving organizations. When government collects taxes and then doles out gifts there is a steep administrative cost that reduces the amount that is ultimately handed out. Cut out the middleman!
The principle at issue here is a launching pad for a much broader discussion of how and why governments treat people and organizations differently. In a nation founded on the idea that all men are created equal, we have certainly come to a place where some men are treated more equally than others. We have government dictated hiring practices that require special consideration be given to certain sexes and ethnic groups. People with different income levels are taxed at different rates. Some businesses and industries are given government subsidies, tax breaks and protection from imports. People who commit 'hate crimes' are treated more harshly than people who merely commit what I suppose are 'love crimes.' And the list goes on. Doesn't the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee all U.S. citizens the equal protection of the laws? Apparently not.

It's mine, no it's mine. No, Mine. MINE!

So who does the Constitution belong to? The federal government? No. The President? No. The Congress? No. The Supreme Court? No. It belongs to the people. The people, acting through their States wrote the Constitution which created all of these federal entities. The thing that is created cannot own the thing that created it. The creator is always greater than that which is created. Think about it. God and Man. The people giveth and the people can taketh away.
The people can amend the Constitution; not the President, not the Supreme Court (though heaven knows they in essence have), not the Congress alone. The people created the federal governement and set the constraints, the boundaries within which it must operate and not stray beyond. The people hold all of the power and granted the federal government a small, limited slice of that power for the collective good of all people. They then set a fence around the federal government. Power does not flow from Washington to the people, but rather from the people to Washington.
The rights of the people set out and protected in the Constitution came from God and the natural state of human freedom, not from the federal government. It is not the role of government to confer rights upon people but rather to protect the rights that the people already enjoy. It is the people who tell the federal government what rights it has, not the reverse. And the people can change those rights bestowed upon the government, but the government cannot alter the inalienable rights of the people.
It is not the role of the federal government to interpret the meaning of the Constitution to the people. The people, who wrote the Constitution can interpret it for themselves and to the government. No government entity, particularly the Supreme Court is the final arbiter of what the Constitution says and means.
The challenge for the people is enforcing the Constitution upon the federal government. The various branches and institutions have shown that they clearly have no compunction about flagrantly violating the letter and intent of it. Sadly though, while brazenly ignoring and violating the fundamental and supreme law of the land the very same government expects the people to obey every obscure and obtuse rule and regulation that it promulgates. And beyond the lengthy and difficult amendment process, the people have precious little power to force the government into compliance. After all, the government is the police power, not to mention the tax and spend power. If we try to sue the government we wind up in courts and before judges that are essentially representatives of the people that we are bringing suit against. They are all complicit and in league together, thus enabling and providing cover for the other branches of government. Where is justice?
The people need a sheriff.

Sanity is not Statistical

"If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."
--Anatole France

Frosty the Snowman

It was six degrees below zero with a windchill of 24 degrees below zero this morning in Colorado Springs. I propose that we bring Algore up here, strip him down to his undies, chain him to a light pole and make him chant all night, "I do believe in global warming, I do believe in global warming." Let's see if that keeps his hiney warm!

Last Person to Leave Please Turn Out the Lights

Mercury light bulbs. Government remote-controlled thermostats. When are the good, hard-working people of California going to tell the Hollywood nut crowd to jump in the ocean and swim? Pretty soon, I think. Speaking of Hollywood, has anyone really missed the writers? I don't think so. The world is still revolving on its axis. No one is really missing those pitiful shows.

Constitutional Amendments

"Article. V. - Amendment
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."
Let's see, can the President amend the Constitution by Executive Order? No.
Can the Congress amend the Constitution by simple legislation? No.
Can the U.S. Supreme Court amend the Constitution? No.
Then who can amend the Constitution? Well what do you know, it's the States. I wonder why that might be...

Department of Education Responds

--- Original message ---
From: "Freid, Steve"
To: Subject: Response to Inquiry
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:42:15 -0500
Dear Sir:
This is in response to your recent electronic message to the Secretary of Education. In your message, you write that "there is no authorizing language in the Constitution for a federal Department of Education, and thus [the Department] is truly illegal" and should be abolished. You further state that "[e]ducation is truly a local function." Thank you for writing to us.
This Department's web site at http://www.ed.gov/about/overview/fed/role.html contains an overview of the Federal role in education, which recognizes that "[e]ducation is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States" and that "[i]t is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish and schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation." Because education is primarily the responsibility of State and local governments, the law establishing the Department of Education generally prohibits the Department from interpreting the laws it administers in a manner that would result in exercising "any direction, supervision, or control" over matters such as curriculum and the program of instruction in public elementary and secondary schools. 20 U.S.C. 3403(b).
The Department's web site also notes that the Department's current mission is to "promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." The Department carries out this mission in two major ways--by playing "a leadership role in the ongoing national dialogue over how to improve the results of our education system for all students" and by administering Federal education programs. As you suggest in your message, there is no one provision in the Constitution that specifically authorizes the establishment of the Department of Education (or any other Federal Department for that matter). However, the Constitution does give Congress the power to lay and collect taxes and provide for the "general Welfare of the United States" (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1) and "to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution" the other powers enumerated in the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18). These provisions of the Constitution are consistent with the creation and role of the Department. I hope that this information is responsive to your concerns. Sincerely, Stephen H. Freid Assistant General Counsel Division of Elementary, Secondary and Adult Education Office of the General Counsel U.S. Department of Education

Greetings Mr. Freid,
Your explanation in the last paragraph of your note is clever but unconvincing. By your logic there is virtually nothing that the federal government cannot engage in. This is in direct conflict with the intent and words of the Founders in the Constitution. If a duty is not specifically authorized in the Constitution then the federal government is prohibited from engaging in that duty short of an actual amendment. That duty is then reserved to the States. Unfortunately the incorrect and expansive power that you cite has been growing exponentially over the last many decades and has led to a huge, bloated and dangerous federal behemoth. If the people cannot enforce the Constitution upon the federal government we are indeed doomed. The authorized powers of the federal government are specific and yes, quite limited. The true power resides with the States, which created the federal government in the first place. Our current federal government rules by fiat and fear, and is quite illegal and unconstitutional in most actions.
God save the people.
Warmest regards,
December 28, 2007

"Who says A must say B." --WFB,Jr.

The best way to defeat someone in a debate is to force them down the path of their own argument.

Constitutional Fundamentalists?

It seems that every time the press gets the Republican presidential candidates together they ask them if they believe every word in the Bible. I think that we need to ask the Democrat candidates if they believe every word in the Constitution.

Broken Promises

The Constitution is the document which created our federal government and supposedly empowers and constrains it. It is a covenant between the Government and the People. A fixed point of reference. Changes occur through the intentionally slow, difficult process of amendment. That is the only evolutionary process permitted. There are no penumbras or emanations. Announcements of the Supreme Court or legislation do not alter its fundamental fabric. Or at least, they are not supposed to. These bodies are creations of the Constitution and subordinate to it. That which is created is never greater than the creator. Everything the federal government does is supposed to be directly traceable to specific empowering language in Article 2, Section 8, or one of the amendments. Not some vague, ambiguous Supreme Court interpretation of the infamous Commerce Clause. Without a fixed point of reference we the People have no guarantee of our freedoms and liberties. If the federal government is not constrained by the Constitution then it is really constrained by nothing other than the capricious whims of maniacal politicians. That makes one shudder. Anarchy and tyranny by any other name would smell just as foul. I contend that the federal government has broken its covenant with the American People. It has jettisoned the Constitution and much of what it now engages in is de facto extra-constitutional; thus unauthorized and illegal. Sadly, anyone who points this out is laughed at and dismissed as a throw-back hick. I doubt the Framers what have appreciated such a label.
For example, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings was recently interviewed by Human Events reporter Terence Jeffrey, as reported in the November, 2007 edition of Imprimis. “ Mr. Jeffrey asked her is she could ‘point to language in the Constitution that authorized the federal government to have a Department of Education.’ Her reply shows that she knew the bearing of the inquiry: ‘I think we had come to an understanding, at least, of the reality of Washington and the flat world, if you will, that the Department of Education was not going to be abolished, and we were going to invest in our nation’s neediest students.’ Mr. Jeffrey persisted: ‘It is one thing to say that the political reality is we are not going to abolish the federal Department of Education, but can you seriously point to where the Framers actually intended the Constitution to authorize a Department of Education?’ The Secretary replied: ‘I can’t point to it one way or the other. I’m not a constitutional scholar, but I’ll look into it for you, Terry.’ Mr. Jeffrey reports that he did not get his answer. This is the Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, sworn to uphold the Constitution in the exercise of her office.”
Well, I’m no constitutional scholar either, but I can read it. The beauty of the document is that it is written so that nearly anyone can read and understand it. It means exactly what it says. Let me help you Madam Secretary, there is no authorizing language in the Constitution for a federal Department of Education, and thus your department is truly illegal, short of an amendment. And yes, it may some day be abolished, as it should. Education is truly a local function.
So, if the federal government is not required to abide by the letter of the Constitution are we the people required to abide by laws of the federal government when they exceed its constitutional authority? What power do we have to enforce the Constitution upon the federal government? All three branches are in it together. We can’t elect enough good people fast enough to make any substantive changes.
One if by land, two if by sea.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

So the Aussies finally drank the kool-aid and took the hard-left turn. Frankly, I’m surprised it took them this long.
Taking the liberal tack is really the effortless, gutless choice. It requires no intellectual heavy lifting. As long as it feels right and you think that you are helping out the facts are irrelevant. Good intentions, not results are the yardstick for success. Just look at the War on Poverty beginning in the 1960's in the U.S.A. Before this war most black families were intact and pillars of family and faith. With progressive welfare policies and trillions of dollars we succeeded in decimating black society. Thousands of young black men have died in their youth, lying in pools of their own blood on inner-city streets. Millions of babies have been aborted and millions born into impoverished single-mother 'families.' Generations have been locked into this cycle of poverty, misery and death. But these facts don't sway the liberal mind. They meant to help and thought that they were, so they feel oh so good about themselves. The actual results be hanged. Maybe we just need more money and more time. Liberalism is so easy. As Ronald Reagan remarked, it's born of a good heart and a misguided mind. The liberal looks so glamorous in the beginning, but the conservative is not vindicated until the end when no one is watching and no one remembers the liberal way back at the start. The liberal has since moved on to the next popular issue.
So, signing the Kyoto Protocols on global warming and pulling out of Iraq are now the top issues defining the Australian political scene. Well, that puts them in line with all of the other clueless, non-productive countries of the West. If the United States takes that tack next year who will be left to pull our collective chestnuts out of the fire when the insane Muslim throat slashers start pouring over our non-existent borders? Stalin couldn’t have hoped to pull this off so well. Without a shot being fired we go out with a whimper not a bang. Something about giving us enough rope. Ah well, just listen to the wizard and everything will be OK.

I Spy

Illegal alien and spy Nada Prouty got 6-12 months for stealing FBI and CIA secrets and passing them on to God knows who. Don't we execute spies? Our Federal Government is going to get all of our throats sliced. We must secure our borders and kick out these illegal infiltrators. We must replace our elected representatives and judges with people who understand the threat that we face and are willing to deal harshly with it. It is not pretty work, but the consequences of doing virtually nothing are nothing short of national suicide.

Money for Nothin' and Chicks for Free

Liberals will always have an easier time garnering undecided and new voters because they offer something for nothing. Conservatives won't typically do that. This appeal is particularly seductive to the lower socio-economic classes and those with less education. Just look at the LOTTO mentality in this country. Lotteries are steep regressive taxes on the lower classes. The sad eventuality is that the siren song of the liberals actually turns out to be nothing for something.

Clinton Kitty Caper

All eyes on Fort Marcy Park for the carcass of Socks the cat, a victim of apparent suicide by catnip overdose.

All Heil Harry (Reid)

Using the power of the Federal Government against a private citizen and directing a citizen’s private employer to take certain disciplinary actions is nothing short of Fascist. The senators who signed the Clear Channel Communications letter on official U. S. Senate stationery regarding their misunderstanding of Rush Limbaugh’s comments are acting as nothing short of Nazis. We must never forget this and never let them forget either. They will hear from us. Oh yes.

Dear Doctor Dobson

As a fundamentalist Christian living in Colorado I have visited Focus on the Family several times and deeply appreciate the contributions that Dr. James Dobson has made to the cause of family values. On the issue of who to support in the 2008 Presidential contest I must however diverge from Dr. Dobson and many other Christian leaders. While I am not greatly enamored with the current field of Republican candidates, the prospects from the Democrats are downright frightful. I am constantly reminding my friends that electing government officials is not tantamount to selecting pastors and popes. We are selecting people to run our secular public institutions. Politics is the art of the possible not the perfect. I doubt any candidate will ever suit me completely (unless of course I run, not). My goal in deciding on whom to cast my vote comes down to who is the best possible choice on my side that has a chance of getting elected and keeping the much worse choice from the other side from being elected. The progress of political success is usually gained in many small steps with many small setbacks over a long period of time, not in one grand fell swoop. If my stand on principle predictably results in my opponent getting elected then I really have no principles. I have merely been a willing participant in making life worse for all. Sadly, politics is many times choosing the lesser of two evils. But the keyword is lesser. I know that the current consternation in Christian camps hinges on abortion. And I believe that there is a fear amongst many that voting for someone who is not unabashedly pro-life may truly invoke the personal judgment and wrath of God. But if your opponent is solidly pro-abortion and by your action of sitting out an election or supporting a third-party candidate (who has no chance of getting elected and merely siphons votes from your party’s candidate) with the result in either case being that the pro-abortion candidate is elected; then in my view you are complicit in that eventuality. Do you suppose that might be how God would see it? Have you served God and served your cause and the public or have you only served your selfish viewpoint? The truth is the President has little to do with abortion policy save appointing judges. So what we should be evaluating is who potential candidates might appoint to the bench and what the judicial temperament of a potential judge is. The real rub is that under our Constitution questions of abortion policy have no place in federal courts. The U.S. Supreme court has no jurisdiction in those questions since they are not addressed in the Constitution. The proper forums for those debates and policies are the States. So to my friends on the Christian right I beseech you to get some perspective on what we are really engaged in here. Washington, D.C is not heaven and politicians are not angels. We’re doing the best we can with what we have. Remember, progress not perfection is the goal. Let’s do some good today in order to avoid a really big bad tomorrow.

With Liberty and Health Care For All

In her letter of 10/9/07, 'Gotcha Covered' (The Gazette, Colorado Springs), Kathy Verlo wonders why ‘socialized’ is a derogatory term and she makes the point that under a federal government single-payer health care insurance system, ‘everyone pays and everyone benefits.’
Well, first the simple truth. The elephant in the room that no one will notice is that under our Constitutional Republic (not the ‘true democracy’ to which she defers) the federal government has no constitutional power or authority to enact any federal health care or insurance system, mandatory or voluntary. No current Congressman, Senator or prospective Presidential candidate to whom I have made this point has been able to refute it. Short of a Constitutional Amendment such a program is a State prerogative. If our State’s constitution permits such a program then it should be proposed and debated in Denver, not D.C.
Second, socialism is just another name for collectivism which has been foisted upon the world in various forms including communism and fascism. It has never worked. It did not work that first harsh winter in Jamestown and it doesn’t work anywhere today. Socialism is merely the equal sharing of misery. Does she really want us to be more like decrepit, decaying Europe which produces nothing really, except laziness? The fact is most people of means who need specialized medical care come to the U.S.A from Mexico, Canada, Great Britain and most of the world. Most medications and medical treatments are the product of American research and development.
Finally, which successful federal government social program does she want to model this one after? You can hear the pin drop. There really aren’t any. These programs rapidly become bloated, inefficient and counter-productive to their original intent. Let’s leave the federal government to its true responsibilities of defending the borders, coining the money and building the roads on which to deliver the mail. I agree that we can make improvements in our health care delivery and insurance systems, but not the way that she has proposed.

Her Highness Hillary the Hilarious

• Since Hillary has fired the opening salvo by referring to Vice-President Cheney as Darth Vader, name-calling is now the order of the day. Jaba the Hut?
• If she is the Wicked Witch of the West, that would make Bill the general of the flying monkeys.
• How about Nurse Ratched?
• When will Norman Hsu turn up face down in Fort Marcy Park?
• KFC’s new meal combo: The Hillary Special: Two large thighs, two left wings and two small breasts.

Health (S)care

I have a simple request regarding the concept of federal mandates or provision of health- care and/or health insurance. Would someone kindly cite the empowering language in the U.S. Constitution (as amended) which gives the Federal Government authority and power to provide or mandate healthcare and/or health insurance and furthermore to use any federal tax money for such activity. I have read through the Constitution and amendments and can find no such positive authority, short of a new amendment. Finding none, it seems that the Tenth Amendment is the controlling legal authority in this instance and only the States would have such power. Any light that shed on this murky conundrum would be greatly appreciated. And by the way, don’t throw up the infamous Interstate Commerce Clause. Sorry, no cigar. It would seem that this question applies equally to Medicare and Social Security as well.

Full Disclosure

I think it would be great if Congress were required to specify at the beginning of each bill, unique topic within each bill and each amendment to a bill passed and sent to the President for signature; the exact language from the Constitution and its Amendments explicitly authorizing and empowering the Federal Government to engage in those activities. Furthermore, such disclosure should include ellaboration by Congress on the quoted Constitutional text so as to explain its understanding of why and how that language does indeed empower and authorize the Federal Government to engage in those activities. Full disclosure is required on a can of peas, why not Federal legislation?

Keep It Under Your Hat

Greetings Mr. Harsimran Kaur (United Sikh Coalition),
The ability to fly in the United States is not a right, it is not enshrined in our Constitution or Bill of Rights.It is a privilege. Just like having a driver's license. With that privilege comes responsibilities and regulations. We who drive are subject to random sobriety check points. When we fly we are subject to searches. It is the price we pay for living in a dangerous world. Checking headwear is no different than being asked to remove coats and place them on the x-ray conveyor belts.With regard to racial or ethnic profiling, that is a time-tested method used by law enforcement for decades. Nearly 100% of all international terrorism is perpetrated by radical Islamic fundamentalists.We who fly have a reasonable expectation that the government and the airlines will use all reasonable methods at their disposal to ensure our safety. This practice is reasonable. I think your ire would be better received if it were directed at denouncing and rooting out those Islamic factions responsible for making this screening necessary in the first place.

What Do These People Want?

Peaceful, freedom-loving people are going about their typical daily routines; getting the kids up for school, preparing breakfast, doing the laundry, going off to work, fixing the car, painting the house, camping up in the mountains; and then BOOM! Hijacked airliners start crashing into buildings. People scratch their heads, what in the world is going on? And why? We and those like us around the world harbored no evil designs or ill will toward those that planned and carried out these and other attacks like them before they happened. Our desire is that people everywhere have every opportunity to enjoy the best life possible. To that end the United States and our friends offer aid and support of all kinds to countries and peoples in need. We have for decades. Whenever catastrophes occur we are there with money, medicine, food and manpower. To those who don't like us or want our help we adopt a live and let live philosophy. We may not always understand why we are not liked, but we accept the fact that not everyone is our friend. But it is important to know that we do not threaten those who disagree with us. Unfortunately, some that disagree with us do threaten us. This is what we don't understand. The most prudent course of action is to agree to disagree; peacefully.

Which brings us to the question of 9/11. What do these people want? Surely they don't think they will forcefully overthrow the West. Do they believe that they can terrorize us into submission to their desires? Perhaps. But what desires. They are not yearning for individual freedom or Western culture or even wealth. In fact, they claim that these are the very things they vehemently oppose. To the point of suicide. So is this really all about fanatical Islamic militantism? The forcible establishment of universal worldwide Islam? Something seems fundamentally wrong about a religion that seeks to convert unbelievers by killing them. Are prayers prayed with a gun in one's ear really sincere? There is no obvious temporal, earthly benefit to those forcing such a culture upon the West, is there? No doubt they believe that a grand reward awaits them in the next life for fulfilling what they interpret to be Allah's wishes here on planet Earth. But the only thing they stand to gain before that next life begins is simply the raw exercise of power over another person.
Come to think of it though, over the centuries that has been the cause of scores of wars. So this current iteration is not really so different; just megalomania with a spiritual twist.

How, then; do peaceful, rational people deal with irrational murderers on a self-proclaimed religious jihad? Can you reason with someone willing to die for his wicked cause if he truly believes that he is headed for a grand reception in the sky? Probably not. Then what can we do to protect ourselves? First we do all that we can to educate and inform ourselves here at home. We must be vigilant and wise. We must protect our borders and admit immigrants only with scrutiny and caution. Every step must be taken to keep weapons and instruments of destruction out of the hands of those who mean us harm. A coordinated global effort to root out pockets of terror and hatred must be undertaken and sustained. These cells and breeding grounds of murder must be summarily destroyed whenever and wherever they are found. This effort will never end, just as our city police departments never close. Those who provide money, arms, training, food, shelter and safe-harbor to terrorists must be sternly dealt with. The cost of such complicity must be so high that it is absolutely unpalatable to those who do not share the suicidal zeal of the fanatics. We must continue to provide aid to those in need and pursue the peaceful spread of freedom.

Immigration

If this U.S. federal government refuses to enforce and protect our borders, refuses to build the southern border fence, refuses to enforce our immigration laws, imprisons our Border Patrol agents for doing their jobs, allows Mexican trucks to roam unchecked on our highways, allows illegal aliens access to our social and financial resources, refuses to deport illegal aliens, institutes an amnesty program for illegal aliens and institutes a guest worker program for illegal aliens; then this U.S. federal government is derelict in its Constitutional obligations and has broken the Constitutional covenant with the American people. The American people may have no choice but to rise up as we did in the American Revolution and forcibly replace this U.S. federal government and reestablish our U.S. Constitution. I am a peaceful citizen, a father, a husband and a physician. I don’t own a gun—yet. But my patience is worn thin. I hear people talking. May God bless America!

King for a Day

I have lost all faith and trust in the ability of the Federal Government (all three branches; Executive, Legislative & Judicial) to properly govern the affairs of our country. This is due in large part to a mostly apathetic, uneducated, immoral, amoral and dependent citizenry. In a sense we have the government that we deserve. President George Washington warned that a democratic form of government would only likely succeed with a moral citizenry. I think that even our financial system is corrupt. Adam Smith only discussed the concept of money in The Wealth of Nations in conjunction with ethics and morality. He referred to money as an ethical standard. I don’t believe that really is the case now. We are not teaching our children to understand our form of government or economics. People are shackled by unconscionable personal debt, have no concept of work, saving and thrift, believe that they should have anything that they want and believe that the Government will take care of them if and when they can’t. What a recipe for disaster! So, can we regain our footing? I’m not really sure. But there are a few things that I would do were I king for a day:

· Mandatory 2-year public service at graduation from high school or upon turning 18. It could be military or some other paid public service. Don’t tell me that we can’t order people around like that. We did it during the military draft. And we do it every day when we force people to pay mandatory taxes. My money IS my time. Most Americans work for the government through May each year to pay taxes before they can keep a penny for themselves. That’s 4-5 months of involuntary government servitude every year.
· Maybe property ownership to vote.
· Proof of basic civics knowledge to be allowed to vote.
· A 22% Federal Sales Tax, the ‘FairTax’ (NOT a V.A.T.) to replace the Income (Personal and Corporate) Tax, along with abolishing all Capital Gains Taxes and all Estate/Death/Inheritance/Gift Taxes.
· Outlawing all personal consumer credit other than one primary home mortgages for the sole purpose of the home purchase. No 2nd, 3rd home equity loans to finance cars or vacations to Hawaii. No car loans. No further credit card purchases or credit. Cards could still be used for purchases/travel, but only to the amount of cash in the personal bank account backing the card. Current credit payment contracts/rates would be locked and then after 7 years all unpaid balances would be forgiven with no tax implications.

Constitutional Amendments I Would Like to See

Abolish the Department of Education, no Federal funding of education
Enforce borders, deport illegal aliens immediately, no ID cards/Drivers licenses, no medical/education/welfare benefits (life or death emergency only pending deportation), no U.S. Citizenship for children of illegal aliens born on U.S. soil.
English as official and only language of Federal business
No Federal estate tax
No Federal capital gains tax
No Federal income tax on corporations
Abolish Federal Social Security
No Federal unemployment insurance or medical insurance/payment programs
The Interstate Commerce clause refers only to taxes levied by one State on real goods manufactured in another State and then sold in that State. It shall not be broadly interpreted and applied.
Personal income taxes shall be paid quarterly by the individual, not their employer. Move to the FairTax, a national sales tax, NOT a value added tax.
Federal personal taxes of all types, names and intended uses shall not exceed 10% of a person’s total yearly net income.
The powers and authorities of the Federal Government shall be strictly limited to the express and explicit enumerations contained within the Constitution, as amended.
There shall be no Federal Minimum Wage.
Enforce the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, and the First and Second. How about all of them?
There are no penumbras or emanations from the Constitution or Bill of Rights.

Capitalism

“Capitalism does not insure that people will always make good choices. But it does insure that people will always have choices.”

50 and Broke?

So, you’re 50 and broke huh? Are you finally ready to listen to your mother? It’s time to swallow your pride and do what I’ve been telling you for years. Your generation has done it all backwards. My generation worked hard, did without, saved our money and then when we could afford it we got the things that we wanted. You sniveling baby-boomers thought you could do it your way, after all you are the smartest and most coddled generation in history. Well, it finally caught up with you didn’t it? You thought you could go out and get whatever you wanted right off the bat and try to figure out how to pay for it later. It backfired. While we made compounding work for us, you have had it working against you from the day you left high school. And the credit card companies thank you as they laugh all the way to the bank. Well, they are the bank. So here are some thoughts in no particular order:

· Stick with your job; quit jumping from one to another. Get a second job evenings and weekends. Both of you. Put the kids to work. Put the dog to work
· Cut up the credit cards and pay cash for what you really need. Points are for suckers
· No more $4 cups of coffee, $100 sneakers or $3000 TV sets
· Cancel the newspaper and all magazine subscriptions
· Cancel the cable or satellite TV
· Cancel the satellite radio
· Don’t lease cars
· Quit buying new cars
· Quit buying new, big houses and financing them with ARM’s, Interest-Only Loans, and Minimum Payment/Negative Amortization Loans. Refinance now
· Snow skiing is too expensive
· You can’t afford to shop at Whole Foods
· Goodwill and The Salvation Army have great deals on almost-new designer clothing and home furnishings. Swallow your pride, put on some sunglasses and go shop
· No more movies, concerts or sporting events. No more $5 popcorn and $3 sodas
· Find your public library. It’s probably on the way to Barnes & Noble.
· If you have a home mortgage, car note or personal loan/credit card debt you have no business investing. Real investing is for people who fly private jets, drive Bentleys and carry more mad cash in their pockets than the net worth of the company you work for
· When you start having a little extra cash each month (what a concept, huh?) start putting a little into savings. The goal is 10% GROSS, remember?
· Start paying a little extra against the highest rate debt that you have. When that’s paid off just keep going down the list
· Don’t be proud, ask family if they can help (particularly the older ones, they have all the liquid cash)
· You do not have to hire the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for you kids’ birthdays. Birthdays and Christmas are great times for new shoes
· Great people have graduated from in-state public universities
· Kids do not have to be in a dozen after-school activities
· Monopoly and chess are much better ways to learn life lessons and thinking skills than Grand Theft Auto. Smart kids get scholarships
· Get rid of the cell phones. They do make emergency-only phones for teens. Cell phones are for investors
· No more fast-food and restaurants. Restaurants are where investors have lunch. Learn to actually cook; it’s fun and nutritious. And cheaper (remember, no shopping at Whole Foods)
· Malls are for people-watching, not shopping
· Massage parlors are not places that nice people go to
· You can do your own nails
· Vacations are for people who can really afford them (Hint)
· Quit running to the doctor every time you sneeze. You’re not really sick and you are driving the doctor crazy. Besides, generic cold medicine at the grocery store is much cheaper (Not Whole Foods)
· The terms ‘all natural’ and ‘organic’ are not in your vocabulary
· The Lottery is not a retirement plan. Quit buying tickets

Now shut up and get to work!

Declaration of Independence from Judicial Tyranny

In DISTRESS, July 4, 2005
The unanimous Declaration of the People of the United States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the judicial bands which have connected them with the Federal Courts and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Courts are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,--That whenever any Form of Judiciary becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Courts, laying their foundation on such principles and organizing their powers in such form, as to them shall deem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Courts long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Courts, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Americans; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Federal Judiciary. The history of the present Courts is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Judicial Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

They have conspired with State Courts in Florida to order the brutal torture and murder of mentally handicapped people.

They have denied the same Rights to unborn citizens that are ascribed to Citizens of these States.

They have ordered Legislatures to lay taxes and levies on the People without their consent.

They have illegally amended the Constitution in the Kelo case, eradicating the protection of private property by changing the original intent of public use to that of private use for eminent domain. (added August 28, 2007)

They have found non-existent Penumbras and Emanations from the original text and meaning of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

They have misinterpreted and misapplied the Commerce Clause.

They have taken for themselves the exclusive right of Judicial Review, thereby usurping this authority from the Executive and Legislative branches.

They have made a mockery of the First Amendment, banning religious ceremonies and displays from all public discourse and failing to enforce the safeguards of Free Exercise.

They have permitted the squashing of Political Speech sixty days prior to an election.

The have systematically ignored the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.

They have intimidated the Senate so as to disallow simple votes on Presidential Judicial Nominees in violation of the intent of Advise and Consent.

They have brought Foreign Ideas and Principles into the adjudication of cases before them.

They have extended the Rights and Benefits of our Nation’s Laws to Aliens.

They have erected a multitude of lesser Courts, and sent hither swarms of Judges to harass our people and eat out their substance.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms; Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Judge, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the judge of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our legislative brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their Supremes to extend unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must, there, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in Elections, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the People of the United States of America, in General Distress, Assembled across the land, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the Good People of these States, solemnly publish and declare, That these People are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent from Judicial Tyranny, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the ersatz Federal Judiciary, that they have full Power to read and understand our Laws, engage in Contracts, correctly enforce the Commerce Clause, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent Citizens may of right do.—And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.