Some say it is a war of ideologies. Some say we are a nation in decline. Other cry “it’s not fair!” They call for “social justice.” A phrase coined by communist, but eerily void of definition. The Constitution calls for “Equal Justice,” the right of opportunity, in essence to do or be whatever you can do or be in America. This was the principle that led to the creation of the very concept of a “middleclass!” It didn’t exist before America! Our Founding father’s envisioned a country of “free men,” pursuing their own trade and profession and a “limited government” tasked primarily with the safety of our Republic. The Federalist papers are filled with admonition for big government, intervention and nationalization. That was not to be America! Government has never been successful at managing enterprises in a free market. That is why the rise of government intervention usually leads to the destruction of “free markets.”

America is in a Truth War! It has been a long time coming and we have no one to blame but ourselves. It is not about political parties. It is about ideologies. Values and morals have become passé’! Truth is no longer viewed as an absolute. Black and white have given way to gray. Now we wonder why Americans are becoming so jaded, untrusting and self-centered. The next generation gets fed a steady diet of “relativism” from liberal professors who have never experienced real life and teach an ideology that sacrifices personal responsibility for the idea that somebody or everybody somehow owes them something for doing nothing. The world is upside down! We have dishonest opportunist ruling the halls of justice, the Oval office and most of our agencies that are sworn to protect the American people. They believe that they are simply smarter and more “progressive” than the poor, stupid American people. They think they can tell us anything and the lie will never be found out. They can squander the treasure of this nation and never be held accountable for it. The poster-child of government deceit is the $519,000,000 squandered on a company called Solyndra! The darling of Obama’s plan to appease the radical environmental movement. To those of us who have worked in “business” Solyndra was nothing if not “obvious!” It started with the recognition that an American manufacturing company, whose direct competitor was China (the COUNTRY!) was not going to be price competitive given the regulations, labor rates etc. etc. Unless, you had a “sustainable competitive advantage.” Something that made your product a quantum advancement over your competition. A counter balance to a cost disadvantage. There was no such advantage at Solyndra. The accountants (PwC) knew it. The industry knew it. The banks certainly knew it. Obama? He simply didn’t care. That was a detail. THIS was politics! A thought process only a Community Organizer could understand.

The closer they look, the uglier it gets!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5d2aQXX0s

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take everything you have!”

It has been 1000 days since the Democrat controlled Senate has passed a budget. That is a breach of law and a failure by elected officials to do their duty. Americans should ask WHY!

Last year President Obama sent to the Senate his budget in February. It was rejected by the Senate 100 to 0! That’s right, not one Democrat voted for it! Doesn’t that seem odd? I’ll bet you never heard about it from the media either. The reason, was that it was full of wasteful government spending and dangerous cuts to our nation’s military (during a time of war.) The Republican congress however, did pass a budget. It was called A Path To Prosperity and proposed to reduced spending by $5.8 TRILLION over a decade. It was a thoughtful and responsible attempt to lay the foundation for bringing America back from the brink of insolvency. What was the Democrat response? They spent millions on ads showing Republican Congressman Paul Ryan pushing a grandmother off a cliff in a wheelchair. None of the proposals effected people over 55. Democrats didn’t care. They lied, no other way to describe it. Why would Democrats fight spending cuts? Don’t they see that the path we are on is unsustainable and leads to disaster? Do they want America to be the next GREECE? The obvious answer is “politics!” They have conditioned their base to EXPECT more! More pork! More “free stuff!” But there was another more sinister and sneaky reason they have not passed a budget in over 1000 days.

Most Americans don’t know what happens when a budget is not passed. They think that the nation just continues to operate on the existing “passed” budget. That is not true. If no budget is passed, then a law passed by Democrats (when they controlled both houses,) mandates that the federal budget is AUTOMATICALLY RAISED by 10%! That is also why, when we see cuts in the budget of 4%, the deficit continues to expand. 10% minus 4% is a 6% increase. Not a 4% reduction. That is why we have had no budget in 1000 days! It is a way to increase federal spending without voting for it!

You simply cannot make this stuff up!

Maranatha!

We have learned more today about the “politics” of the Administration’s decision to award a NO BID contract to the Brazilian company Embraer. This comes with some interesting side notes.

Specifically:

1. Embraer is currently under Federal investigation for the allegations of bribery in the award of military contracts. In Washington? Really?

2. The Brazilian “Toscano” cost approximately 30% MORE than the Beechcraft AT-6

3. The government already has approximately 700 AT-6 type aircraft in service. (A maintenance/logistics consideration.)

4. The contract is worth over $1 BILLION.

5. Brazil has established strong ties to Iran!

Look, this is a no brainer. Beechcraft says it will cost 1200 good paying jobs in Wichita. That alone should make someone stop and think! For some reason which is undoubtedly “political,” Obama wants to give this to Brazil. The American people have to start asking some important questions about the block of the Canadian oil pipeline, the ban on drilling in the Gulf and now the awarding of a NO BID contract to a foreign nation with increasingly close ties to our major nemesis Iran! Hawker Beechcraft will take this to Federal Court. I for one support them!

You simply can’t make this stuff up!

Maranatha!

What do Canadian Oil, Brazilian Aircraft and lost American jobs, have in common?  OBAMA!

Two important things happened in the last two days that should, at a minimum, infuriate the American people. ALL of the American people. I am continually amazed at how “tone deaf” our President is. The last I heard, we have a major JOBS problem in America. Am I right? That means that the Administration should be doing everything possible to create new employment opportunities. However, instead, it is doing everything possible to block pro job initiatives “IF” they are in the energy area. Have you seen the price of gas lately? This makes no sense, unless you understand that this president is a leftist ideologue whose primary allegiance is to the far left crazies that populate our Universities these days.

WHY?
• We have seen a radical EPA doing everything possible to destroy energy production that does not “fit” the radical environmentalist’s view of the future. This has resulted in huge losses of jobs. It has resulted in the shutdown of numerous power plants. It has also resulted in $BILLIONS of our dollars wasted! Solyndra cost America $500 million alone. So far, the Obama administration has reinforced the old maxim. “Government cannot pick winners and losers!”
• YESTERDAY, Obama vetoed the pipeline that would bring cheap Canadian oil to Americans, from a trusted ally. Why, because his environmentalist crazies want to kill the usage of petrochemicals. It is estimated that the Obama decision to block the construction of the pipeline, will cost America over 100,000 jobs! High paying Jobs! Consider what is happening:

- The future of “green” is not NOW! Spain nearly went bankrupt trying to make the transition. For the near future, we need oil!
- Chevy Volt and the two other international “electric” cars being manufactured with our dollars are either catching fire, or smoldering on dealer lots wanting for buyers.
- Four companies in the solar panel industry, that have been funded by $Billions of tax payer dollars have failed. Why? Because of China’s low wage rates and predatory pricing policies.
- Obama was told that this would not work. He did not listen!

• Remember Obama’s refusal to allow drilling in the Gulf after the oil spill? If that was because of risk, then why did he make a $2 Billion low-cost  loan to Brazil to drill in the Southern Gulf at a depth more than twice as deep as The global Explorer? That makes no sense. So! the owners of the drilling platforms left the US, laying-off  high paid workers, forcing them on unemployment.

WHY NOT?
• Today I learn that the decision to manufacture the new Air Force AT-6 close air support aircraft was given to Brazil! Moreover, it was a NO BID contract after American Company, Hawker Beechcraft, worked on a prototype and spent over $100 million over the last two years. Why not give the job to an American company that employs American workers? Union workers!
• The country of Brazil has moved further and further toward a Marxist ideology. Their new best friend is Iran. Why not decide to keep military secrets here in America? This is insanity. Read about it below:

http://www.redstate.com/aglanon/2011/11/21/obama-administration-sends-weapons-contract-to-foreign-company-with-ties-to-iran/

These are just a few examples of conundrum that is Obama! The answer is that “it’s all about politics!” He needs to appease his base and he hates the American military establishment. It also probably means that he is beginning to realize that he will be a one term President. That means that during the next nine months he will be at his most dangerous. These examples certainly support that!

Maranatha!

The origin of our nation is worth remembering as we face an uncertain world and difficult economic times ahead.

Maranatha!

(From the Washington Monument Society)

On top of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: “Laus Deo”. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there.

But, once you know Laus Deo’s history, you may want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years. They are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America. Laus Deo! So, what do those two words, mean? Very simply, they say “Praise be to God!”

“Praise be to God!” Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings, the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th of 1848, inside that cornerstone were placed several items—including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society.
Laus Deo! From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of its designer, Pierre Charles L’Enfant… a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape – with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. Yes, a cross! Separation of church and state was not, and is not, in the Constitution and those who designed our capital knew that.

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation’s capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God.
Share this with every child you know; with every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you’ll have given them a lesson in history they probably never learned in school.

During the 2008 campaign, Hillary Clinton asked, “who do you want in the White House, when that 3:00AM crisis call comes in?” Of course no one really thought we’d have a President that actually spent so little time in the White House or knew so little about leadership for that matter.

There is no doubt, that one of those calls came in last night. The leader of a rogue nation (N.KOREA) with nuclear, chemical and biological weapons died last night and it is uncertain if his heir apparent son, or the military leadership will replace him. What is certain, is that this is a delicate international matter that requires leadership, sound judgement and attentiveness from our Commander-in-Chief. There looms the possibility that nuclear weapons could be stolen or sold, for personal gain. The missile “test” this morning was a provocation that tells us something is going on.

Have we heard from our Commander-in-Chief? No! He is on the campaign trail, otherwise known as “Obama’s number one priority!” Payroll tax extension? International crisis? Or campaign stop? Judgement is critical in a President. November 2012 can’t come soon enough.

Maranatha!

As we look back on the last almost nine years of warfare in Iraq we find, like all wars of modern times, it was both purposeful and painful. War should always be the choice of last resort. There is a risk to that, such as seeing Iran pursuing nuclear weapons. Never the less, it always has been and should be, a part of America’s worldview. The threat to America that took us to war, was defined as “A Clear and Present Danger.” That is a term that means America and its interest are at significant and immediate danger requiring action to counter it. America goes to war when its interest are faced with a clear and present danger. The suggested threat was never proven nor, for that matter, disproven. Was there a WMD threat? We may never know. The threat however, was more than WMDs. It was the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. That has surely been proven. The strategy behind invading Iraq, was to create a democracy in the midst of the arcane theocracies of the middle-east. It was theorized that, if democracy could be seeded in the region, the result would be a safer, more democratic and stable world. Now it looks like that vision for the middle east is very much in jeopardy. Iraq seems to many in the know to simply not be mature enough to go it on its own. And Iran appears poised to ensure it doesn’t.

Probably the most prescient image of the future for me is an Iraq where the loss of lives (4500) and our $800 billion investment have bought us nothing: no democratic state, no moderate Arab nation, no counter-balance to Iran, Syria and the pirates of Somalia. It is an outcome where Iraq is indistinguishable from its Shiite neighbor, Iran. Unlike the Second World War with the Marshal Plan in Europe and the reconstruction and democratization of Japan, we are looking at the potential of a zero return on our investment. And it doesn’t have to be that way.

Historians will debate the intent, strategy, execution and results for decades. As with all post-mortem strategic review, they will start with outcomes and work back. The outcome in Iraq has not yet be written; however, the actions of the last two years may have destined an outcome that is neither democratic nor moderate, and certainly not “pro-western.” As improbable as it should be, the outcome in Iraq may well be the same as Vietnam — and amazingly for the same reasons: politics and the will to stay the course. What a tragic outcome for Iraq and even more so for America.

Maranatha!

This is another example of just how STUPID we all are for allowing our Government officials to pander to us about “how hard it is to cut money from the Federal budget.” In case you have been living under a rock for the last year, here are a few points that every American must understand about our government and its operating budget:

1. The bureaucrats in Washington passed a law that increases the Federal budget EVERY YEAR by 8%, even if Congress does not pass a single bill! If they do nothing, their budget (the entire federal budget) goes up by 8%!

2. Your Congressmen and Senators voted themselves automatic raises annually to take effect without a vote! They did this so they won’t have to be on record voting themselves a raise as their constituents lose their jobs, their homes, their 401k’s etc.

3. Your Senators and Congressmen don’t even read the bills they vote on. We saw that first hand on the Obamacare abomination! However, the real problem is that “we the people” have allowed Washington to build a huge Political Class of bureaucrats (staff and lobbyist) on the payroll of these elected officials that literally run our government. And, we don’t know who they are! They make huge salaries and they legislate in the shadows. Do you think that they are interested in cutting the Federal budget? Give that a second to sink in.

Concerning the failed “Super Committee” (who makes up these names?):

These politicians were handpicked … to FAIL! They represented the hardline of the left and right on the political scale. Did we really think John Kerry was interested in, much less capable of, bi-partisan problem solving? Of course not. This was a “kick the ball down the road” moment. It was also an opportunity for the left to radically gut our military. As long as we act like idiots America, the political class will treat us like idiots!

Here is a humorous example of how ridiculously simple reducing the debt can be AND, it doesn’t even address just stopping the 8% cost escalator!

http://www.youtube.com/v/KV-RqPtT2PU?version=3&feature=player_embedded

Maranatha!

I

I have spent a fair amount of time (socially,) with a pretty diverse group of people who come down on all sides of the political divide. They include retired State Troopers, a sheriff’s Deputy, retired NY Union workers, a Retired Bird Colonel, a Sargent Major, an accountant, several business owners, an optometrist, a country club event planner, a bus driver, and even a baker! (We have openings for a butcher and a candlestick maker!) Suffice to say, it’s a diverse group. The prevailing sentiment among the group, is that things are not good in America. We agree that we are not better off than we were. Where we differ is on answering the questions: Why; Who’s at fault; and (most importantly,) who can fix it and how it will affect each of us. This really underscores the polarization that is ailing America.

The answers range from, “It is all the rich peoples fault” to, “It’s people wanting more from government for doing less – or nothing.” Actually, that is a pretty good representation of what you typically hear every day from the Left and Right in America. It’s the “blame game” and in America, it has reached the level of an Olympic sport! I’m as guilty as any. What we don’t hear, is that “we” as Americans, have avoided tough decisions until “we made them a crisis!” Americans need to admit that. For decades, we blew it by not leading or demanding that our politicians lead on critical issues. Politician’s hinted to us what was going on. Whenever an attempt was made to address the debt crisis, they said things like, “Social Security is the Third Rail of Politics in America.” That meant they wouldn’t even speak of addressing it. We should have asked, “what happens when it goes broke? The thought of that reminds me of the Southwest Airlines campaign “You Want To Get Away?” Imagine having to be the President that tells your mother her check is not coming! But we can’t just blame politicians. They are mostly scoundrels and we knew it. If they are not kissing babies on the campaign trail, they are stealing from their piggy bank. It’s simply who they are! We have known it for years. We let them create their own retirement, give themselves automatic raises, design their own healthcare plan and it is all better than what they created for the rest of us! We have simply been in denial! We didn’t want to hear it.

I often hear, (from people I respect) statements like, “these benefits were promised!” I try to explain that no money, means no money! No one stole it! What are you going to do? Someone over promised. Someone over demanded. Government just failed to manage expectations and assets! They are expert at that. Someone didn’t lead! Saying “no” has always been hard. Saying it to people who vote you into office is even harder. Saying it to Union negotiators that can shut down your company is even worse. Saying no is all about leadership. Courage is a part of leadership, self-aggrandizement is not.

So, here’s the answer:

We are all at fault! That is the simple truth. We let our standard of living grow faster than we could afford. Everyone was living above their means – everyone! People started demanding more for less! “Entitlement” crept into our vernacular. “YOU, deserve more!” “You, owe it to yourself,” “healthcare is your unalienable right” became how we deluded ourselves and created a false reality. Here’s my favorite: “You deserve a bailout!” The Truth is that America has lost its footing, it’s vision and its MOJO! We are adrift and that is very dangerous. We live in a rough neighborhood. We can’t rely on “someone else” to fix this mess. We have to do it, one person at a time. Solutions will be tough and they will touch everyone. We have an “everyone” problem and it will take an “everyone” solution.

We’re in one of those moments when you realize, it’s up to you. No one else is coming. You simply have to assess the problem roll up your sleeves and get after it. First, we have to do a sound assessment of where we are as a country and lock that in to our understanding. Then we need to select the management team that will go to work and fix the mess we are in. And, we need Stallions! This is not like getting a “Swim Team Participation Trophy” when you were a kid. We must have smart accomplished Executives that can solve problems rather than give speeches! We need exceptional, experienced leaders with a track record of accomplishment! We need confidence in their judgment and their ability. Then, and only then, can we trust them to deal with the very difficult issues America faces. By America, that means you and me! That is why we must be able to trust the people we choose to lead us.

Maranatha!

Is this America?

The signs are unmistakable! The radical progressives are at work around the world and down the street. They are behind the movement to overthrow Governments in the middle east. The people are pawns, influenced by the Cap and Trade lunatics who want to radically raise your cost of energy. Their “Green Movement” is an economic disaster for industrialized nations of the West. They have an agenda, but is it your agenda? It is not about making America strong again. It is all about radically changing America while she is weakened and vulnerable! It is about a “New World Order.”

Go to an Occupy Wall Street (OWS) rally and you’ll see their flags – Marxist; Communist, Maoist, and Unions. Secretly, they call the people “useful idiots,” because they are so easily led and exploited for their purposes. Occupy Wall Street seems to have drawn every malcontent and radical crazy in the country. It also has drawn impressionable college students. All with their hands out, all crying foul and looking for someone to blame. The fact that their focus is wrong doesn’t matter to them. They just want to be a part of something and this is the only ship in port! In all their classes no one told them that Truth was the only constant! Without truth there is no moral base line, no right or wrong, everything is “relative!” That is todays “great lie!”

The Democrat left is waging class warfare in America and they are playing with fire. They are dividing our country and seeking to destroy our system of commerce, while increasing the involvement of government in everyday life. We have seen this coming and watched their actions in amazement. We’ve watched a President that blatantly says one thing and immediately does the opposite. A President who openly incites the American people against one another. For over three years, we have heard time and time again how wrong America is, and that every problem is someone else’s fault. This has to stop! Over the last three days here in Sarasota, three people have been murdered! Two of them in robberies and one by a drive by shooting. The killings were senseless. I can imagine the rage in the people who did this and I can also imagine where it might have come from. Class warfare is incitement pure and simple. This is the most irresponsible Administration in American history!

Now the political strategies are getting nasty. The radicals in the Administration have lost control of the purse strings (Congress) and are looking at the possibility of losing more power next November. Plus, the American people are beginning to see through their lies, the misdirection and the lack of real leadership. That is why the Democrats are so actively involved in challenging every attempt to stop voter fraud in 2012. Is it too much to have people show identification before they vote? To know that they are who they say they are? The Democrats say yes. They call it voter intimidation. What do you call it? I call it a check and balance to make sure fewer dead people vote! To make sure fewer illegals and felons vote! Think back to the Union’s push for “Card Check.” They wanted to take away the right to privacy when voting for unionization of a workplace. They want workers to have to face the intimidation of the union organizers or company management when they cast their ballots! That is not the America our Founding Fathers gave us. That is one of the rights that, if ever lost, will be very difficult to reclaim.

This Administration wants to punish success. Liberals believe that success is not and should not be a personal thing. Makes sense if you don’t believe in “personal responsibility.” Almost fifty percent of Americans pay no income tax! Obama wants to give them more federal aid. There is an issue of “dis-incenting” people to work! The top five percent of American taxpayers pay almost seventy percent of all taxes! And Obama has the audacity to call this about “fairness!”

We have problems in America today. There is no question about that. How we got to where we are is an interesting story. It’s all about Social reengineering or “redistribution gone amuck!” It is about forcing the banking system to give loans to people who didn’t deserve them and could not and would not repay them. That is what caused this economic mess we are in today. So people shouldn’t be Occupying Wall Street. They should be Occupying Government! Specifically Washington D.C. The blatant attempts to redistribute wealth using Fanny Mae and Freddy Mack mortgage strategies have had horrible consequences. However, Obama and his radical minions are still at it. They are trying the same old wrong tactics that will make the problem worse rather than fix it. That is why Obama screams “PASS THIS BILL NOW!” That is “Obama-speak” for don’t read it, don’t cost it and whatever you do, don’t try to rationalize it. “Just pass the bill so we can find out what is in it.”

The people are still the final authority in America. Let’s pray they get it right this time!

Maranatha!