Nope!

I say, NOPE… not Hope to the changes coming to our country.

It is a shame to witness the leader of the free world holding hands with leaders from other nations who have consistently left the United States holding the bag financially and militarily. Conducting a public relationships tour where he is giving away our freedoms.

And, if that is not enough he is working hard to devalue the dollars in your pocket and in your retirement account.

But wait, there is more - consideration of moving off the world’s dollar standard and then printing money like we are a third-world country fueling inflation is not what our founding fathers had in mind.

Oh well, we shouldn’t worry - because he has already ‘nationalized’ businesses and will do the same with our nations banks.

My fears that we would move away from our ‘republic’ form of government and drift towards socialism have not come true. Instead, we are racing headlong towards become a fascist nation. Change - but NO HOPE, is what I see coming from this style of leadership.

Too bad that our nation of consumers wishing for a nanny state to care for them, is too blind to understand the truth behind Thomas Jefferson’s warning - that a government big enough to provide all your needs is also big enough to take away your individual rights.

Think about it.

An Historic Moment

I say, “God Bless America!”

Although, I did not support the election of President Obama – he is nevertheless my president.

The GOP repeated our dismal performance in the 2008 election, as we did when we nominated Bob Dole (personally, I admire both gentlemen). So, we should celebrate this country’s history in electing the first African-American to the highest office and then move on.

Instead, we want to minimize and criticize. Both really popular and constructive traits you seek for leaders in the private sector and in public service – NOT!

Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of it, spoke of it, and gave his life for it. Slaves and then civil rights activists were jailed, beaten, and died for it: for the day when not only would a person of color be allowed into the White House - but would run the White House. It's been a long time coming, an American minority has officially broken the glass ceiling, and that's a testament to anyone regardless of their political affiliation.

However, I disagree with Obama ideologically. Including but not limited to, Abortion Rights, Bailouts, government intervention in Free Enterprise, and National Security.

Additionally, I believe that more funding of public education will not replace the need for school reform and teacher accountability. And, I still believe in privatizing Social Security accounts since the Federal Government has misappropriated our funds long before Madoff came on the scene.

I believe in a comprehensive energy plan that includes drilling for American resources while developing alternative forms of energy.

Meanwhile, we are driving people and businesses out of California. According to a recent AP article, "the number of people leaving California for another state outstripped the number moving in from another state during the year ending on July 1, 2008." Rising taxes, a bloated bureaucracy and union structure, immigration and assimilation, crime -- all these things have led to trouble for the great state in the past decades. Not to mention our dear Attorney General who has attempted to circumvent the will of the people by twisting the language on Proposition 8. I say, “God help us!”

GOP Chairman Duncan is MIA

“I was saddened to learn that at a time of national trial, when a president-elect is preparing to take office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in over seventy years, that the Republican National Committee is engaged in the sort of negative, attack politics that the voters rejected in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles[1]”. So, let’s discuss and debate public policy, not make crude political attacks. It’s embarrassing to those of us who call ourselves Republicans, and even worse for us conservatives. The GOP leadership, senators and congressmen need to focus on offering solutions – not driving people away from our party.

[1] Newt Gingrich

How the Grinch Stole Christmas in America 2008!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But,
Whatever the reason,
His heart of his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Whos…

If you are unfamiliar with those words, then you are not likely the owner of one of the millions of copies of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ in print around the world. Nor have you likely seen one of the many television, film, or theater productions based on this classic story. For many families, watching or reading this famous Dr. Seuss story has become a Christmas season tradition.

BUT, BEWARE!

Because, the Grinches appear to be multiplying. However, they are mainly people who have the misguided notation that ‘separation of church and state’ should mean separation of common sense or separation from our national heritage. Christmas is a legally recognized federal holiday.

Therefore, you can stop apologizing for it. And, you do not need to allow yourself to be forced into any politically correct version of wishing someone a Merry Christmas.

So, remember it isn’t Santa Day, or North Pole Day, or Winter Break Day, or Holiday Tree Day or even Xmas Day – it is Christmas day.

May joy and peace be yours in abundance as you remember to celebrate this blessed day.

And, 'Merry Christmas to all, even to the Grinches!'

Veteran's Day!

November 11, 2008, what does this day mean to you? Just another day off work or school, or simply a bank holiday?

Today, we remember the men and women who have served bravely in our nation's armed forces. It is a day to honor them for their actions to defend this country and democracy around the globe.

Whether you voted for the new administration or the past administration, you owe thanks to our military personnel who have fought in foreign conflicts (both past and present) to defend our country. Not to mention, your right to live in a secure nation and to cast your ballot one week ago today.

With the political correctness that has evaded America in recent years came the erosion of giving thanks for our freedoms. Often, many of us are guilty of taking our First Amendment Rights for granted, our right to assembly and yes - even our right to protest, for granted.

Today, is a day set aside by our nation's leadership to honor all who served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. This day is to remember those who served in the battles and those who served behind the scenes. Many who served in our nation's military conflicts gave up time away from family, friends and career. And, many who fought watched as friends were either injured or died in battle.

Perhaps, you have a neighbor or family member who served or perhaps you know someone at work who was in the armed forces. Well, then today is the day to appropriately save "thank you for serving others".

To all our nation's veterans, I salute you and extend my sincere appreciation.

I am personally against H.R. 3997, the Financial Stabilization Package.

After hearing from hundreds of constituents on this issue, I could not in good conscience support this legislation.

Specifically, we should all agree that a failure of our credit markets would be a great catastrophe, and I agree that the government does have a role in ensuring that the financial markets function soundly.

However, we cannot allow the American taxpayers to become the insurance policy for financial decisions that did not turn out as planned.

I believe there were viable alternatives to H.R. 3997 that should have been explored.

I am in support of a plan that would use more free market principles. Because I believe so strongly in the principles of the free market and the God-given right of freedom, I am opposed to this bill in its present form.

My concern is that today the government has forever changed the face of the American free market, one of the greatest strengths of our great country.

Observance of Patriot Day

On this observance of Patriot Day, we remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania -- with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. We will always remember our collective obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the principles upon which our Nation was founded endure.

PATRIOT DAY

In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the nearly three thousand who died in the September 11, 2001, attacks. Most Americans refer to the day as "Nine-Eleven (9/11)," "September 11th," "Nine-one-one," or some variation thereof.

U.S. House of Representatives Joint Resolution 71 was approved by a vote of 407-0 on October 25, 2001. It requested that the President designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." President George W. Bush signed the resolution into law on December 18, 2001 (as Public Law 107-89). It is a discretionary day of remembrance.

Initially, the day was called the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.
On September 4, 2002, President Bush used his authority created by the resolution and proclaimed September 11, 2002, as Patriot Day. He has continued to make similar declarations every year since.

On this day, the President directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff and displayed from individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) marking the first plane crash on September 11, 2001.

Innocent people lost their lives when a calm September morning was shattered by terrorists driven by hatred and destruction.

Since that day, we have seen the greatness of America further demonstrated in the courage of our brave men and women in uniform who have served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and around the world to advance freedom and prevent terrorist attacks on America. As we remember September 11, 2001, we reaffirm the vows made in the earliest hours of our grief and anger. As liberty's home and defender, America will not tire, will not falter, and will not fail in fighting for the safety and security of the American people and a world free from terrorism. We will continue to bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to them. This Patriot Day, we hold steady to this task.

Ask Your Senator or Representative to Pass the Tax Extenders

"All the Congress, all the accountants and tax lawyers, all the judges, and a convention of wizards all cannot tell for sure what the income tax law says." - Walter B. Wriston

Ask Your Senator or Representative to Pass the Tax Extenders

Members of Congress are now in their home districts visiting with constituents. Many Americans were disappointed that Congress did not pass the tax extenders bill in July and are hopeful that it will pass the Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act of 2008 (S. 3335) in September. The bill, proposed by Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT), would extend the research and development credit, the teacher's expense deduction, the charitable IRA rollover and approximately 60 other tax relief provisions. At a conference in Washington this week, several tax advisors asked whether or not the research and development credit will indeed be extended. CPA's attending the conference noted that it had been in effect continuously since 1981 but the deadlock in Congress could put it at risk.According to the Information Technology Association of America, the failure of Congress to renew the research credit has had a major impact on the economy. The harm to the economy has been approximately $11 billion in revenue and, more importantly, 84,000 U.S. jobs have been lost during the eight months without the credit.A 1995 survey by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) examined the value of the research and development credit. U.S. corporations claimed that the increased research encouraged by the credit leads to more jobs and a stronger economy. The CRS survey indicated that each dollar of credit granted to business resulted in a dollar of added research and development investment.Editor's Note: With the support from over four million teachers for the popular teacher's expense deduction, support by business for the research and development credit and support by charitable-minded persons for the IRA charitable rollover and other enhanced gift provisions, the tax extenders should be passed - and soon! If readers have opportunity to make contact with members of Congress during their August visits to home states and districts, please emphasize the importance of passing the extenders bill in September. With encouragement from constituents, hopefully the two parties will resolve the deadlock over offsets and pass a compromised tax extenders bill in September.