A Momentary Blip in the Polls?

Congressman Doug Lamborn has suggested the rise of Robert Blaha is due to a “momentary blip in the polls.” If I were Congressman Lamborn I would not be so sure about that. I discuss politics with anyone and everyone that will listen and I am promoting Robert because the career politician in my opinion is the problem and Doug Lamborn is the epitome of a career politician. He should not be so comfortable and may want to consider spending some money to tell us why we need to send him back to congress.

Here is my post from the other day for those of you that may have missed it:

A Fight for Conservatism in Congressional District 5

Why would a conservative Congressman be in jeopardy of losing (Blaha is gaining on Lamborn) his seat in a very conservative district? That is the question many conservative republicans, tea party conservatives, and Doug Lamborn are asking themselves today. Why would voters risk a “dependable” conservative vote at a time we need conservative votes in congress to roll back Obama Care and an out of control federal government?

I have asked myself this question as well as everyone I talk to that is active in politics. The answer is that votes are important but simply voting does not move the conservative message forward for future victories. As in business, people that speak for your “Brand” must be a great spokesperson. And believe me “Conservative” is a brand that needs better spokespeople. The people of this country live as conservatives but have learned to be embarrassed by the unending assault of the main stream media on conservative values. So conservatives tend to simply live their lives quietly and go to the polls to voice their opinions at election time. The mainstream media is continually baffled by the landslide victories conservatives accumulate and wonder out loud, “who are these people that keep voting conservative?”

I can tell you we are the “silent majority” but the Tea Party has given a more vocal component to the conservative movement. Conservatives are frustrated that their voices are muted by a bias media, and are extremely frustrated at the lack of leadership in the current crop of so called conservatives in congress and the senate. The reason Newt Gingrich received so much attention was his ability to voice the conservative message in a proud and positive manner. It is also why Reagan is so revered today by conservatives. The conservative movement wants a fighter to stand up for their values so they can stand proud and express their values without fear of mockery.

That is why we need a conservative voice and vote, not just a vote representing us in congress. A leadership position is more than simply voting. True leadership needs to influence others to support their positions, communicate the arguments with clarity and conviction, and fight back against the constant flow of lies and stereo types thrown at conservative principles. Conservative voters go to work every day and depend on the leaders they elect to voice their concerns in congress. Our congressman must have the ability to articulate the conservative message and argue for the moral high ground in Washington. The congressman should also be willing, able, and committed to being the spokesperson in our district for the conservative message.

We need to add a member in congress that will work with the freshman class from 2010 that were sent there by the Tea Party. We need to add to the voices and numbers of congressman and woman to form a coalition to offset the establishment “conservatives” who tend to value compromise over principle. We have been disappointed too many times by compromise of our principles.

I have heard conservatives say that Lamborn has been able to get on some influential committees in congress and that is true. But the way congress operates through these committees is broken and needs a new look. The status quo must be changed. Just because the Republicans control those committees today doesn’t mean the system works. I believe republicans will maintain congress in 2012 and take the senate so committee seats will continue to be controlled by republicans. Robert Blaha will be appointed and influential on the committees important to Colorado Springs. But we need someone committed to change and not just a go along to get along. We need someone that wants to decrease the influence of Washington not to just take advantage of it.

This is what we call in business a “win win.” We get a conservative in Washington that will work tirelessly to forward the cause of conservatism and Washington conservatives get an ally to reduce the influence and control of the federal government. The freshman class of 2010 need reinforcements to move the true conservative agenda forward; constitutional government and a reduction of power in Washington DC in the next congress.

Doug Lamborn has been a consistent vote I will give him that. But I for one (and according to the polls) I am not alone thinking we need a fighter in Washington to back those votes with passion and commitment to influence others of the positive results of conservatism. The founders intended congress to be an opportunity for citizens to serve and then go back to their communities to live their lives. They believed many different citizens with different backgrounds would step up to serve and represent their communities. Doug has done that and it is time to send another member of our community to Washington.

It is not that Doug has done a bad job but we need a new skill set for these challenging times. A skill set that includes a passionate ability to communicate and influence others around them. I think that guy is Robert Blaha. I think we have much to gain and very little to lose.

Are Americans Still Proud of Success?

I believe every American dreams of being successful. Success may mean different things to different people but there are probably some commonalities amongst the meaning of success. If you ask High School kids today about their plans for the future they still see an optimistic picture of their prospects.

This presidential election is about two visions: the current president sees this country as a place that needs to be “fundamentally transformed” and his contender Mitt Romney sees a country that needs to get back to its roots and “founding principles.” I understand the founding principles vision because it is what has made us so successful as a country. I do not understand the “fundamental transformation” vision because that assumes what has been successful no longer applies.

We are hearing a lot about the “rich need to pay their fair share”, and how we need to “level the playing field” so that “everyone can have a piece of the American Dream”, and how we need to “redistribute” the wealth and opportunity of others to people that are more deserving and “have not received a fair shake.” This is defeatist and class envy politics.

No one deserves to be successful. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be successful. No one deserves a job. Everyone can learn the skills necessary to get a job. The rich don’t become rich because they have taken from some other group. Unless you are a politician or have a friend in the White House becoming rich usually means years of hard work, determination, and risk which results in people freely purchasing your product or service.

There is no free lunch but that is what this president is selling. Someone will have to pay but eventually no one will be willing to work.

Mitt Romney is a successful businessman, family man, and politician and his vision is helping Americans embrace their own potential to make it on their own. He knows the feeling of success and he wants everyone to share in that feeling. Not because they deserve it but because they worked hard and earned it. It is the fundamental founding principle of this country. Individuals unencumbered by government to pursue their dreams.

This vision expects people to take responsibility for their own future which is harder but is so much more satisfying. It also respects those that work hard and celebrates the individuals and organizations that do succeed.

This election is about two visions: Defeatism and Optimism. One candidate believes people can’t succeed without government help and the other believes that government has become the reason people are finding it harder to succeed.

This election will hold the answer to whether or not we as Americans still believe we can all succeed on our own …

The Truth About “Trickle Down” Economics…

This President is distorting "trickle down" economics and mixing apples and oranges. He is targeting success as the problem when it is the insatiable appetite of the Federal Government to continue to grow and confiscate freedom that is the core issue in this economy.

First of all the term “trickle down” has been used to define economic policies that support the notion that wealth creators need to be supported to generate strong economic activity. The actual economic policy is called “Supply Side.” But economics is at the core very simple. Here it is.

The best economic policy is based in laws that are enforced. Contract law is the under pinning of a strong economic policy. The second component is rules. The rules must be consistent and apply to everyone evenly. No loopholes should be allowed for “special” businesses favored by certain groups. Third is that any successful activity that results in an economic windfall are the property of the individual or corporation creating that activity.

It’s that simple and if you apply the above rules you will have a robust economy. Here are the reasons an economy works:

People engage in creating products and services and they believe the return of their investment in time and resources will reap rewards. They believe the rules will be applied fairly and the confiscation of taxes will be reasonable and limited.

The reasons we are in an economic mess:

The rules have been distorted by government intervention and the future prospects for people engaging in the market place are unclear and undefined. Government regulations are overwhelming and the tax burden is making the return on investment less desirable for people to engage in that activity. The current government is targeting successful people and businesses to pay more and is sending a message that success is no longer admired. The creation of envy against successful people is making people less likely to want to engage in activities that may result in success.

What “trickle down” is really about is when individual people prosper - everyone reaps the benefits. Bill gates founded Microsoft and in turn millions of individuals either were employed by Microsoft or gained efficiencies in their business by using Microsoft products which freed up time and resources to invest in other areas of business creating new jobs and opportunities, that put more people to work making more people efficient to invest their resources in new ideas which… You get it? There are millions of these examples of people creating success and everyone benefiting from the hard work of success driven people.

By taking money away from successful people no matter how much they make is a bad idea. That money if not taken away will find its way into other businesses, investments, savings, etc… That keeps the economy flourishing. By increasing the government’s take of wealth through taxes increases the hurdles and impediments to business by increasing regulations, bureaucrats, and payoffs to special interest groups of the political class in government.  

The basics of government should never exceed 18% of Gross National Product. The federal government has a very limited function to be the referee in the three principles of economic activity. The main role of the Federal Government is ensuring the National Security of this nation. Not to micro manage the economy.

When we get back to the intended model of Constitutional government our economy will prosper again…

A Fight for Conservatism in Congressional District 5

Why would a conservative Congressman be in jeopardy of losing (Blaha is gaining on Lamborn) his seat in a very conservative district? That is the question many conservative republicans, tea party conservatives, and Doug Lamborn are asking themselves today. Why would voters risk a “dependable” conservative vote at a time we need conservative votes in congress to roll back Obama Care and an out of control federal government?

I have asked myself this question as well as everyone I talk to that is active in politics. The answer is that votes are important but simply voting does not move the conservative message forward for future victories. As in business, people that speak for your “Brand” must be a great spokesperson. And believe me “Conservative” is a brand that needs better spokespeople. The people of this country live as conservatives but have learned to be embarrassed by the unending assault of the main stream media on conservative values. So conservatives tend to simply live their lives quietly and go to the polls to voice their opinions at election time. The mainstream media is continually baffled by the landslide victories conservatives accumulate and wonder out loud, “who are these people that keep voting conservative?”

I can tell you we are the “silent majority” but the Tea Party has given a more vocal component to the conservative movement. Conservatives are frustrated that their voices are muted by a bias media, and are extremely frustrated at the lack of leadership in the current crop of so called conservatives in congress and the senate. The reason Newt Gingrich received so much attention was his ability to voice the conservative message in a proud and positive manner. It is also why Reagan is so revered today by conservatives. The conservative movement wants a fighter to stand up for their values so they can stand proud and express their values without fear of mockery.

That is why we need a conservative voice and vote, not just a vote representing us in congress. A leadership position is more than simply voting. True leadership needs to influence others to support their positions, communicate the arguments with clarity and conviction, and fight back against the constant flow of lies and stereo types thrown at conservative principles. Conservative voters go to work every day and depend on the leaders they elect to voice their concerns in congress. Our congressman must have the ability to articulate the conservative message and argue for the moral high ground in Washington. The congressman should also be willing, able, and committed to being the spokesperson in our district for the conservative message.

We need to add a member in congress that will work with the freshman class from 2010 that were sent there by the Tea Party. We need to add to the voices and numbers of congressman and woman to form a coalition to offset the establishment “conservatives” who tend to value compromise over principle. We have been disappointed too many times by compromise of our principles.

I have heard conservatives say that Lamborn has been able to get on some influential committees in congress and that is true. But the way congress operates through these committees is broken and needs a new look. The status quo must be changed. Just because the Republicans control those committees today doesn’t mean the system works. I believe republicans will maintain congress in 2012 and take the senate so committee seats will continue to be controlled by republicans. Robert Blaha will be appointed and influential on the committees important to Colorado Springs. But we need someone committed to change and not just a go along to get along. We need someone that wants to decrease the influence of Washington not to just take advantage of it.

This is what we call in business a “win win.” We get a conservative in Washington that will work tirelessly to forward the cause of conservatism and Washington conservatives get an ally to reduce the influence and control of the federal government. The freshman class of 2010 need reinforcements to move the true conservative agenda forward; constitutional government and a reduction of power in Washington DC in the next congress.

Doug Lamborn has been a consistent vote I will give him that. But I for one (and according to the polls) am not alone thinking we need a fighter in Washington to back those votes with passion and commitment to influence others of the positive results of conservatism. The founders intended congress to be an opportunity for citizens to serve and then go back to their communities to live their lives. They believed many different citizens with different backgrounds would step up to serve and represent their communities. Doug has done that and it is time to send another member of our community to Washington.

It is not that Doug has done a bad job but we need a new skill set for these challenging times. A skill set that includes a passionate ability to communicate and influence others around them. I think that guy is Robert Blaha. I think we have much to gain and very little to lose.

Game Plan on Mitt Romney…

Now that Mitt can be assumed the GOP nominee it is time to set the vision for the country.

Mitt must bring every media question back to the Obama record. For example: Media asks: Mitt – how can you support plans that attack women’s rights? I want to help woman who are struggling under this oppressive Obama economy fill up their gas tanks for less by creating common sense energy policies, help woman send their kids to college by improving employment opportunities that have been abysmal for the past three years under this president, and I want to strengthen the family by getting government out of their lives and reducing the burdens this administration has created through its inflationary policies making food, clothing and housing more expensive for every American family. We can’t afford this president’s vision for the country and his last three years is only the beginning. (you get the idea)

Mitt must create the vision of the future Reagan was so good at. Here is what I would have him say if I were his speech writer:

Mitt: I see a country where dreamers can dream big and expect that if they pursue their dreams they will be rewarded by the market and praised by my administration for creating hope for every American.

I see a country where the government is a reflection of the values of the people it serves. A government that respects the constitution, the individuals, and the principles of limited government to provide each American with an equal opportunity to be successful.

I see a country that leads in the world through a strong military that will do what is necessary to keep us safe from the evil in the world. We will support our friends and punish our enemies. We will destroy the training camps of any Muslim terrorists but we will not spend our blood and treasure nation building where we are not wanted. The military will serve the interests of this nation and her people. The people serving will be shown the respect they deserve.

I see a country of united Americans around the founding principles that have made us great. I expect to serve only one term because the transition to un-transform this nation from the current policies will be difficult but worth the effort. The future of this country is too bright and important to calculate a re-election strategy. My reelection will be determined by my success proving that our founders were correct when they said “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.”

We will remember happiness again, we will achieve prosperity again, and we will lead the world again by unleashing the great people of this nation from the bonds of an over-zealous federal government.”

This is how every American wins…

What is “Fairness”?

This President is obsessed with the term “fairness.” He is especially fond of using the term when it comes to “paying the fair share of the tax burden.” If you listen to the rhetoric you would think that someone is not paying their fair share of taxes to support the bloated federal bureaucracy and programs. But numbers don’t lie. The top 1% of wage earners pay 38% of the federal income taxes. Forty percent (40%) of wage earners pay no federal income tax. But that 40% receive the largest transfer of wealth through federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, subsidized student loans, federal mortgage tax breaks, the EIC earned income credit, and the list goes on.

So what is the definition of fair? “Free from bias or injustice; evenhandedness; impartial; consistent with rules, logic, or ethics; just and honest…”

If we look at how the federal government develops every program they administer they are dripping in bias toward a group, whether it’s the poor, the rich, ethnic, or age bias. The tax system is anything but evenhanded or impartial if you look at the thousands of loopholes, and to associate the words, ethics, just or honest with a federal bureaucrat or politician is laughable.

If this president or any politician was interested in fairness they would be discussing how to make all of our taxes flat and a % of income. So if I earn $10,000 I pay $1000 income taxes, 100,000 I pay $10,000 income taxes, and if I make $1,000,000 I pay $100,000 in income taxes. That would be fair. It is consistent, non-bias, impartial, ethical, just, honest, and logical. What is hard to understand about a system like this?

Implied in the President’s rhetoric is that somehow making more money or being more successful than others is unfair. He consistently targets “the richest and most successful” amongst us to do more because he believes they have received more from others. How so? This is a concept that sounds good but when you boil it down it makes no sense whatsoever.

People that make more money and are more successful have usually worked harder, used knowledge in a more effective way, and the market has rewarded their work or ideas by freely purchasing them in volume. To suggest that because they live in America and have the opportunity to become rich because they live here is a stretch to associate that with getting “help from the government” as this President often states. He declares if “it wasn’t for the government the most successful amongst us would not be successful. The rules and regulations, roads and bridges, internet and telephone lines would not be available without government help.” With logic like this the sun would not come up if it were not for the science books stating it as a fact. The logic is stretched, tortured and in reality a lie. Even if you believe this, everyone that is American still has had that same “help” but have not succeeded because of it. So again is it fair?

This is class warfare in a nutshell. Play to people’s envy and jealousy to win favor. That is the strategy of this administration to win another four years. In the interest of “fairness” I think this president has had four years at the helm, we need to spread the wealth of the presidency to someone else in the next four years. After all it’s only fair, right?

The Racial Divide

It saddens me to see how little racial progress we seem to have made since my days in a public High School in the Bronx. I went to John F Kennedy HS in the Bronx (70’s) and learned first-hand that success didn’t depend on the color of your skin but the determination of the individual. That determination comes in the form of first and foremost getting an education. Education is the foundation of a fruitful life.

If you look at the reasons why the Black community is over represented in poverty it can be traced to three basic reasons:

·         The Family

·         Education

·         Self-Reliance

The Black Family has been decimated by the government programs that demand that a mother and father be separated in order to obtain benefits like housing vouchers and food stamps. The welfare system has destroyed the family in general but it has disproportionately destroyed the Black family. The only way to fix the family is to reject government subsidies and embrace the family unit again. Welfare needs to be transformed into a skills building agency with a limited time frame of services. It needs to be phased out for the upcoming generations. The system needs to return to its intended transitional status as a way to help in true times of need. It can no longer be an accepted way of life.

The inner city public school system should be eliminated immediately. The money should be block granted to private groups with a set standard for success. How many generations must be destroyed in the wake of a union jobs program? The only way to break the cycle of poverty is to have an education system that actually educates. We need dedicated people willing to become education entrepreneurs. What do we have to lose by trying? A cushy union gig with out of balance retirement programs is all we have to lose. We have already lost too many children.

People like me who care about the plight of Black America pose a risk when we write about it. In order to fix the problem we must first admit we have a problem. Recently there has been an escalation of hatred toward the “Whities” and capitalist system as the reason for Black poverty. This is dangerous and destined to perpetuate the cycle. If these people were truly concerned about their brethren they would promote capitalism as the way out of poverty. Capitalism has been the only successful economic program in history. Communism and socialism which are being touted by the New Black Panther Party have failed and will fail every time they are tried. The NBP leadership is revving up the masses and playing the class warfare blame game. And the numbers and evidence are not in their favor. I suggest that Black Americans reject this group and join the Tea Party group. At least they will find an ally for success there.

There is too much crime, poverty, single motherhood, and too little hope on the horizon for Black America. We are all Americans in the end and in order to break the cycles of dependency and poverty we have to try something new and it isn’t revolution as is being suggested by NBP leaders. Well it’s a kind of revolution but it is not the violent one they are calling for, it is about placing your hope in people that truly want to help than those that only want to offer handouts for votes…

The Supreme Court Could Deem the Constitution Insignificant

I don’t believe this President is a “Constitutional Lawyer” based on his recent public criticism of the Supreme Court’s potential decision in the healthcare case. He has either forgotten his lessons or he thinks the country is that stupid. There is also the theory from the “conspiracy” types that he has been tipped off by one of his two recent Supreme Court appointees, Sotomayor, and Kagan that the court is leaning toward the unconstitutionality of the law. I do not wish to believe that but anything is possible with this administration.

President Obama has stated that an unconstitutional ruling is equal to “judicial activism.” This is not the truth. Judicial activism is when the court creates legislation from the bench. If the court determines that there is no authority in the constitution for the Congress to mandate the purchase of healthcare and strikes it down, the Congress can simply re-structure and pass a new law without the mandate. That is simply the role the Supreme Court plays in the process.

President Obama has also said this law was passed with “overwhelming” support of the Congress. If I recall correctly, not a single Republican in the House voted for it, and maybe 1 Republican in the Senate. Seventy percent of the country wants the law repealed. The President seems to be setting the stage that no matter which way this goes it will be the deciding issue of the November election.

If the healthcare law is determined to be unconstitutional, the left with help from the President will make the argument those conservatives, Republicans, and the Supreme Court need to be replaced with people that support helping the “least capable” among us. They will invoke class warfare about how republicans want to help Wall Street not Main Street blah blah blah… If the law is deemed constitutional it is the end of the Republic as we know it and it is time to invoke the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence:

“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, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

Healthcare will become the intrusive power to which the federal government will have no bounds into the control of our lives. I have little confidence that even a change of political parties in November, Republicans will have the guts to repeal the law. The Tea Party will have to organize to reset the government to its original intent.

This President has forgotten that the three branches of government are independent and separate for a reason. Just because this President thinks something is a good idea doesn’t make it so or make it constitutional. As a constitutional student he has failed. Or he has a mission to destroy our founding principles. If he is threatening the Supreme Court my reply would be: The Supreme Court should show this president they can’t be intimidated because they are on equal footing according the constitution. A constitution in peril of being deemed insignificant by the justices of that same Supreme Court…