Bobble Heads vs. Wing Nuts

The bobble heads who rule the two major political parties refer to outsiders as “wing nuts,” which is short for “right-wing nuts.” No bobble head ever views a left-winger as a “nut.” If so, he or she keeps quiet about it. To do otherwise might make one appear “extreme” and the left-wing bobble heads, which dominate the news media, would say or write mean things about them.

Bobble heads are those little plastic dolls that are images of major the political figures. They show up every election year on the dashboards and office desks of the party faithful. Unfortunately, party leaders, behave in much the same way as these miniature characters. With the slightest breeze or movement, the heads of these dolls bob up and down on a spring. They are incapable of nodding right to left as if saying “no.” In fact, the party establishment seems incapable of saying “no” to anything proposed by the party’s top elected official, no matter how unreasonable or harmful an idea may be. Continue reading “Bobble Heads vs. Wing Nuts” →

The Election and the Eighth Commandment

The economy is at the top of every list of voter concerns. As pollsters dig a little deeper, it’s not the economy in general, it’s one’s own personal economy that troubles voters. If one’s personal economy has not taken a hit, the fear that it will be affected is enough to cause every one of us to carefully consider his or her vote. Buzz words like “hope” and “change” simple won’t be enough this year.

I have come to the conclusion that this election may hinge – not on the economy per se – but on the Eighth Commandment: “Thou shall not steal.” Continue reading “The Election and the Eighth Commandment” →

Al Sharpton: Stuck in the ’60s

Al Sharpton is likeable enough. I discovered this when we appeared together on a television program and was taken aback by this polite, affable individual. The man inside those expensive suits seemed strangely at odds with his public wrapper.

I chalked up his bombastic rhetoric and incendiary speeches to show business. Nothing more.

Now his show is losing its appeal and he seems lost. Sharpton has painted himself into a corner and nowhere was that more evident than during last weekend’s dueling rallies on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a Dream” speech. Continue reading “Al Sharpton: Stuck in the ’60s” →

Read Before Voting: Six things every citizen needs to know

We need a seal around every ballot or a warning on every voting machine. It should be like the seal that comes around a medicine bottle or the warning label on an electrical appliance. You must read it before you use.

A ballot is the most important tool a citizen has at his or her disposal, but when it is used incorrectly, the results can be disastrous. There should be some education involved. It is this lack of instruction that has left this country on the brink of economic collapse. Continue reading “Read Before Voting: Six things every citizen needs to know” →

Christians are Slackers

Christians are political slackers. We have failed to defend the values upon which this country was founded. We have failed to defend the Constitution and we have failed to defend our military men and women who have pledged to defend this country with their very lives if necessary.

As we approach the birthday of our nation, most get all teary-eyed when the flag is raised and the “Star-Spangled Banner” is played. Unfortunately this yearly display is rarely followed by the actions necessary to keep this country “the land of the free” and “the home of the brave.” Continue reading “Christians are Slackers” →

Voting in a Perfect World

Primary elections are far more important than general elections, but most citizens don’t really wake up politically until a week before it’s time to go to the polls in November. Then, they look at their choice and complain that there are no good candidates. They choose between what they consider to be the lessor evil, or worse still, simply check the box beside “incumbent,” whoever he or she is, and complain about how things never change.

This year, things are similar, but different: similar in that the primary turnout is low but the difference is in the intensity of those who are going to the polls. That is a result of the tea party movement, a group of independent-minded citizens who are determined to take back their government from career politicians, whom they consider have put this country on a path to economic collapse. Continue reading “Voting in a Perfect World” →

McCain running Scared

He won the Republican nomination for President. He hasn’t had a primary challenger for his Senate seat in two decades. He’s 10 to 12 points ahead in most polls. He’s a fat-cat senator sitting on a pile of dough (his own and that of those who benefit from his votes). So, why is John McCain running scarred?

The defeats of five-term Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania, three-term Senator Robert Bennett in Utah, and fourteen-term Rep. Alan Mollohan in their party’s primaries.
Continue reading “McCain running Scared” →

Political Earthquake in Utah

When an earthquake hits, once the shaking stops, those still standing breathe a sign of relief. The uneducated assume the danger has passed and go on about their business. The wise, head for an outdoor clearing or seek appropriate shelter knowing full well that the first tremor can be a foreshock of a much bigger earthquake to follow.

On Saturday, a political earthquake occurred in Utah. Senator Robert Bennett, an 18-year veteran and a member of the Upper Chamber’s Republican ruling elite, lost his bid for another six-year term, when he was denied his party’s nomination at the state convention in Salt Lake City.

It’s hard enough to defeat an incumbent congressman in a primary and next to impossible to defeat a sitting senator! Was this the “big one” in 2010, or simply a harbinger of things to come? Continue reading “Political Earthquake in Utah” →

How to put the fear of God into the GOP

Ouch!

That check I just put in the mail to the IRS really hurt!

Unfortunately, if something isn’t done, and done soon, to roll back the size of our bloated government, that is the smallest check I’ll be writing to Uncle Sam in my lifetime.

Rolling back the government is easier said than done. It’s a lot easier to take a bone away from a hungry dog. For that matter, it’s a lot easier to take a chunk of meat away from an angry lion. Many well-meaning politicians have tried only to discover that the folks on the receiving end of the government’s largess make those carnivores seem like pussy cats. Continue reading “How to put the fear of God into the GOP” →

We the Ignorant

Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us
against these evils [of monarchial government]. Thomas Jefferson

It’s time someone had the guts to say it and my friend Tom Tancredo did just that at the Tea Party Convention in Nashville. The problems in this country will never be solved by registering more voters. Our problems will be solved by registering more informed voters.

By that I’m not suggesting, nor was he, that voting should be limited to those who hold Ph.D.’s or any degree of higher education. However, voters should be able to demonstrate some understanding and appreciation of our system of government and how it was designed to work before they can register to vote. At the very least, we should require new registrants to pass a basic civics test, the kind given to immigrants seeking to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Continue reading “We the Ignorant” →