Politically Direct
In 1962, in the thick of the Cold War, the late Haitian dictator Francois Duvalier effectively blackmailed the United States into supporting his government in a speech in which he said this: “Today there are two poles of attraction in the world; if we are not drawn to one, we will gravitate to the other.”
History has a funny way of repeating itself. Continue reading “The Price of Haitian Lies III”
In 1962, in the thick of the Cold War, the late Haitian dictator Francois Duvalier effectively blackmailed the United States into supporting his government in a speech in which he said this: “Today there are two poles of attraction in the world; if we are not drawn to one, we will gravitate to the other.”
History has a funny way of repeating itself. Continue reading “The Price of Haitian Lies III”
As the poor get poorer in Haiti, the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful. In fact, power has equaled riches in Haiti and no one is richer than Jean Bertrand Aristide, the former priest who took a vow of poverty before he was elected president.
Aristide’s presidential salary was approximate $120,000 U.S. dollars. If he had saved every penny of that money during the five years he was in office he could have accumulated no more that $600,000. There was no official accounting of Aristide’s net worth when he left office, which is required by the Haitian constitution. However, it is now estimated to be between $35 and 55 million. Continue reading “The Price of Haitian Lies II”
Our president lies to protect himself from past mistakes and misdeeds. Some argue that he lies merely about personal matters. Therefore, his lies are of little or no importance. Nothing could be further from the truth. For example, Mr. Clinton likes to brag about how he has restored democracy to Haiti. By clinging to that lie, he not only is presiding over the dawn of a new dictatorship in Haiti, he has opened up a new avenue for drug trafficking into the United States and has given communism an opportunity to gain another foothold just miles from our shore. Continue reading “The Price of Haitian Lies”
The road to Hell may be paved with good intentions, but Mr. Clinton is sending our troops to a hell in Bosnia on a road that is paved by Bob Dole.
Now, I don’t agree with those who say that we have no interest in Bosnia. As members of the human race we have a responsibility to do what we can to stabilize the region and end the wholesale slaughter of the innocent, but sending our troops over there to support a peace that doesn’t exist with no clear cut goal in mind other than “being there” just doesn’t make any sense.
Continue reading “Being there in Bosnia”
(How to Blink with Both Eyes Wide Open)
Republican leaders have reached an agreement with President Clinton so who blinked? They all did — with their eyes wide open. It was an exercise in Washington doublespeak at its best. It did accomplish something — solved a public relations snafu. The rhetoric had reached a point where both sides had painted themselves into their respective corners and there was no room to compromise or back down gracefully. Continue reading “The Budget Compromise”
The polls show that the public is overwhelmingly in favor of a balanced budget, but thinks the Republican plan is too harsh. These sentiments appear to contradict themselves. The public seems confused, and little wonder. Continue reading “Public Perception Verses the Budget”
President Clinton upstaged Republicans as they opened debate on their budget reconciliation bill by holding a press conference to announce that deficit spending for fiscal year 1995 has come in lower than his original projections. Since Mr. Clinton has been in office the deficit has gone from a high of $290 billion to $164 billion, so the President proudly claimed, “My policy is working!” Has Clintonomics been good for the country and good for the economy, at least for the short run? Continue reading “Look Republicans, I Shrunk the Deficit”
Article I, Section 8 of our Constitution gives Congress the responsibility of raising, maintaining, and regulating our armed forces; but, with few exceptions, the members of both houses our legislative body have completely abdicated that responsibility. Haiti is only the most recent and dramatic example.
It is understandable the liberal leaders don’t wish to call attention to the fact that the man in the White House, who is a member of their party, is out of control. But, what has happened to the Republicans? For the most part they are simply rolling over and playing dead; or going along to get along, waiting for the midterm election. Continue reading “Congress Playing Dead on Haiti”
Members of Congress are coming back to Washington next week to finish up their work on the 14 giant appropriations bills that make up the federal budget. President Clinton is coming back to Washington with his veto pen in hand and inside the beltway buffs are getting ready for the big train wreck on October 1st which marks the beginning of the 1996 fiscal year. Continue reading “The Coming Train Wreck over the Federal Budget”
Jane Chastain 