Governor Palin's Letter to Harry Reid

One of those mentioned as a leading contender for the VP position alongside Senator John McCain in his run for the Presidency is Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin. I like her letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid concerning drilling on the outer continental shelf and in ANWR. The letter can be viewed here. (Click on the Reid link for an entertaining video)

It's the Spending, Dummy!

Have you ever noticed that when something gets "out of whack," the more you tinker with it to get it back right, the further "out of whack" it becomes? That's what happens when the economy gets in the shape that we are seeing now.

The lawmakers and political candidates all have "fixes" for the economy. One says that we need to raise taxes for the rich while the other says that we need to extend tax cuts to stimulate investment. Proponents of increasing taxes for the wealthy think that the average person will support such increases because they see the high-earners as deserving to be taxed more. That is a very elitist attitude in itself and totally discredits the intelligence of most of the American public.

I think most folks just want our tax system to be fair -- to treat us all equally -- without special breaks for particular groups.

Those who believe the tax cuts implemented by the Bush Administration are contributing to the budget deficit are also confused. Revenue is not the issue. Spending is the issue. When you cut taxes and then increase spending substantially you are going to increase the deficit. Tax cuts stimulate market activity which in turn will generate more revenue at a lower tax rate. Those cuts must be followed however, by either holding the line or decreasing spending. Budget deficits are caused when you spend more than you bring in. It's the spending, dummy -- not the revenue side of the equation!

Political Pragmatism as Religion

There has been a lot of speculation on the web about Obama's religious beliefs. I think they can best be described as political pragmatism. If Obama claimed Islam, his chances of being elected would sink dramatically. I know this is just speculation -- but I think with a little thought, anyone in this country would agree. Claiming Christianity is certainly the better choice for a politician. Most of the voters at least claim Christianity as their religious preference.

Let me ask you -- if you had NO religious beliefs, what would be the personal compunction regarding claims to a religion that you did not truly believe? Pragmatism would dictate claiming that which would garner the most votes. Only God can judge a man's heart, but I think that there are many indicators that Mr. Obama claims Christianity merely for the name in the hope that it will appeal to Christian voters. If Muslims outnumbered Christians I suspect that his claims would be something different entirely. Do I know his heart? No. Does he know his own heart? Perhaps -- or, perhaps not. One day he will be judged just like the rest of us.

Cornyn Enjoys Significant Lead in Poll

U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas has demonstrated strong leadership in border security/immigration issues, energy production to ease our dependence on foreign oil, taking care of our military and their families and in promoting high ethical standards for members of Congress. In spite of -- or perhaps because of --his efforts in the service of his constituency which shares those same values, the Democrats have painted a large bullseye on his back. Their recruit for those purposes is a seemingly confused Rick Noriega.

In spite of their efforts, Senator Cornyn continues to enjoy a significant lead according to the latest Rasmussen poll. There will be continued attacks from the left, but the voters of Texas are usually fairly astute at seeing through the smoke screen.

A Fly in the Climate Change Ointment

The gloom-and-doom certainty of the Global Warming advocates is something that I would find to be humorous if it wasn't so disruptive to the economy. It is always nice to see something that appears to be a fly in their ointment of catastrophe around every corner. This study from the National Centre for Atmospheric Science is just such a fly. It seems that this old planet may be in better balance than the Climate-change crowd would have us to be believe.

Energized About Energy

Sometimes you can pick out the "hot spot" in U.S. politics with ease. It doesn't mean that anything will be accomplished, but lots of hot air rising can give clues to the perceived point of pain. In this case, the pain is at the pump and is hopefully being passed on to elected representatives in the form of "do something or I might actually vote for someone who will..." threats of action.

So, will anything come out of the rhetoric? Don't count on it. At best, expect a short-term band-aid to hide the "ouch" -- not a long-term fix that goes to the root of the problem. We are such a short-sighted nation that we often treat with aspirin the headache that pains us rather than pulling out the spike that is causing the headache in the first place. If only we could use that "hot air" to turn a turbine we might at least cut the energy bill for D.C. residents....

Dr. Dobson's Views

James Dobson is pro-family. There is no doubt. His message arises from his strong belief in the message of the Bible. He is also know as being outspoken about his beliefs. I respect that. I agree with Dr. Dobson in his views and recent statements about Obama. I also agree with him in what I have heard him say about Mr. McCain. I don't agree with him on a key issue however. He seems to have indicated that he would prefer to stay home and not vote rather than to vote for either of the candidates for the Presidency. Not voting is surrender. It is saying that you have given up. Would it not be better to provide a qualified endorsement of the candidate who best fits your values? I certainly agree that the idea of "the lesser of two evils is still evil" but I don't believe that is an accurate assessment of the situation. There is the danger for Evangelical Christians to fall into the trap of being Pharisaical about the issues. God can work with anyone and anything -- shouldn't we find a way to do the same?

A Senator Calls for Mortgage Loan Disclosure

As the mortgage scandal rocks on there is at least one call for clarity in disclosure. Let's hope that it passes and let's hope that it goes far enough. The only way to truly know if mortgage lenders are giving preferential treatment is to see the size of the loan relative to market value along with points paid and interest rates (along with average market rate for similar loans at the time of loan initiation). It is a scrutiny that few of us would desire of our personal lives but it is a price of public office.

Help: Guest Worker Program Wanted

Farm labor -- particularly seasonal labor in fruit and vegetable farming -- is a difficult issue. Most of the jobs last for only short periods and are difficult, back-breaking, hot, laborious jobs. They are jobs that few U.S. workers will take. They often are for low wages.

Just across the border to the south of many large agricultural areas where fruits and vegetables are primary crops, live large numbers of unemployed, or underemployed, workers who would jump at the chance to gain additional income by working in the fields. They are hindered from doing so by the border.

Border security is a major issue for our country. It is one that I won't dwell on in this post. It is also a factor in how to deal with the issue of migrant labor from south of the border.

It is time for a guest worker program. It must be part of a larger immigration reform that provides for border security. It is important for agriculture and therefore important to the U.S. consumer who desires -- and even demands -- low-cost, reliable food supplies.

Bias Within Agenda Within Bias or Good Country Living

It seems to me there is often a disconnect between the title of articles and the content of the articles. That disconnect continues to deepen when the article reflects a biased view from the author. I'm sure that I'm guilty of such in my posts, but my real target is the mainstream media -- especially concerning research about health, the environment or the economy.

Titles by their very nature are designed to capture the attention -- to sensationalize. They generally give insight into the biases of the editor or the author (sometimes you don't know which). They usually reflect the perceived key issue in the article -- according to the title writer. The article itself often "fastens onto" something out of a research paper that fits an agenda or particular area of concern of the author. Of course, the author is usually reading the research paper because it is within an area of interest for the author. So, what we have is a "piling on" of biases through the journalistic process that ultimately results in a sensational title designed to elicit an emotional response.

All of this totally ignores the inherent biases of the researcher who wrote the original paper. He starts with biases as well. They come from his funding source and they come from the framing of his original hypothesis which arises from his own personal agenda.

It is difficult for the general public therefore to obtain a reasonably unbiased account of research. First, they likely don't have the technical skills to analyze the data generated by the research and second, they probably cannot easily obtain access to the data if they so desired. So, they are left to attempt extraction of relevant bits of information from their entry point into the process (probably a news account) and then if it is of high interest, their ability to dig deeper.

This is something that I've felt is a root difficulty in sifting through the hype surrounding "Global Warming." However, what put me on the subject today is something totally unrelated. It concerns this article about the connection between Vitamin D and health risks.

I wonder if the researchers fully considered that the true connection might be that humans are made for a period of daily outdoor activity in which they naturally obtain exercise and soak up a reasonable amount of sunshine. It's another one of the chicken or the egg problems. Is it the exercise, the sunshine or the combination of both that provides the health benefit? The issue is further complicated by air quality issues. If the study subject breathed good, clean pure air while exercising/working outdoors in the sunshine, would that make a difference? In my mind, there's no substitute for good clean country living. Sorry for the ramble.

The Gender of VP Selection

It's VP time. Both candidates are deep into the necessary polling, research and vetting of potential sidekicks for their Whitehouse run. I believe it is highly likely that one or both of the candidates will choose a woman. If Obama doesn't choose Hillary he will likely pay a high price with the party loyalists. If he does choose her he will likely hurt himself among the Independents. McCain on the other hand has little to lose and almost everything to gain by adding a respected, articulate woman to the ticket. There are only a handful with the party credentials as well as the necessary resume that fit the bill. I personally like Kay Bailey Hutchison for the slot. There are both positives and negatives from the perspective of voter dynamics. It will be interesting to watch.

Politcal Cornpone

Corn has always been a part of politics. It is something that the voting public has come to expect. It is also about the gentlest description used for what sometimes comes out of the mouths of those running for public office.

This year it has taken on a new meaning. The powerful lobbies behind the ethanol industry are heavily involved in attempts to influence the race for the Presidency. That seems interesting to me considering the fact that many ethanol plants are only marginally profitable and others have sold recently due to lack of profitability. Still others have delayed plans to build more plants or to expand existing capacity due to lack of profitability.

So, who is behind the lobby groups? Could it be the large agricultural interests that are reaping the benefits from $8 corn?

I am happy to see farmers realizing the benefits of high corn prices. I'm much less excited about the impact that those same high corn prices are having on other things such as food prices and livestock feed. I'm irritated that we are supporting those prices with tariffs against importing less expensive sugarcane-based ethanol produced in Brazil. I am angry that we are propping up the domestic ethanol industry which is damaging the livestock industry, raising fuel prices and negatively impacting food prices with a $0.54/gallon subsidy. This is not energy security. This is tax-and-spend politics in a different form.

British Common Sense

In spite of the fact that Britain seems quite frequently to be headed "off-the-deep-end" on many issues, the general population there usually demonstrates decidedly good common sense. In spite of the rush by the British government to embrace the concept that mankind is responsible for the much publicized coming "global crisis of dramatic climate change," the public is somewhat skeptical. A recent poll there indicated that although many accept that the climate is changing, they doubt that man's activities are the cause. Even more doubt the ability of governments to do anything about it.

Escalating Food and Fuel Costs Create Security Concerns

What would happen if escalating fuel and food costs created widespread unrest in China? The first thought is that the government would crack-down in a very harsh manner to stop any political unrest. A second possible scenario is that their eyes would turn elsewhere -- perhaps to the perceived source of their woes. The United States? No. The Middle East. Oil prices are driving the other problems.

With the taste of capitalistic advances in the economy, the Chinese people will not be satisfied with a heavy-handed state policy to force them to "absorb" fuel price increases without some resistance. The size of the Chinese population is such that unrest could quickly grow to a size that would be difficult to handle by the internal police and military. So, the logical approach for the Chinese government is to attempt to redirect that energy. A destabilized China would be a dangerous thing indeed.

Re-thinking Indian Agriculture

Growth of the Indian economy is one of the contributing factors to escalating oil and food prices in the world. Oil is an area that little can be done about by India. Agriculture and food production is another issue altogether. But, it is an area that will require new thinking by the government in order to find a solution.

The Green Revolution saw India transform from a nation that was starving into a nation that fed itself. The evolution into an industrialized economy however, has left agriculture behind and placed pressure on farmers that was unheard of several years ago. State control of agricultural infrastructure such as granaries and also policies regarding pricing of commodities have slowly pushed the farm sector to the brink of collapse in many areas.

Almost 50% of India is arable land suitable for agriculture. Much of that land is being lost to urbanization and industrialization. There is little incentive for farmers to produce crops when they can sell their land to developers at inflated prices. Especially when they are barely surviving from farming income.

India needs to revisit its internal agricultural policies. They need to re-examine pricing mechanisms for all inputs and all produce. They need to address infrastructure needs. Instead, the government policies seem to focus on industrial and technological sectors at the expense of agriculture. Growing import requirements for food may cause them to look again. The next Green Revolution in India will need to include better mechanisms for food transport and a free-market approach to prices.

Airlines Scheme to Offset Fuel Prices

Some airlines are responding to the higher fuel costs in ways that make no sense to me. I suspect they know exactly the cost of every flight they conduct. The key is to maximize occupancy while maintaining a profitable flight. Fill the seats.

The newest strategy by United is likely to create empty seats. Requiring minimum stays will cause business travelers to purchase tickets in pairs (2 round trip tickets) and then using the first half of one ticket heading to their destination and the first half of the second ticket returning. That means unoccupied seats unless filled with standby passengers. With the discounts they are considering for "required minimum stays" it will often make sense to the business traveler to use this method to circumvent that requirement. It may require using two different airlines to accomplish, but it is doable.

Why not just price the seats at a profitable level based on anticipated usage and be done with it? The airlines have huge databases that provide very reliable traffic flow and seat occupancy statistics. Use them. Don't play games. Instead, the result is likely to be a shift to alternative means of transportation. The private aviation industry may gain more charters.

If ET Searched Earth for Intelligence Would He Find Any?

Have you noticed how lack of reasoning doesn't prevent the anti-Bush main-stream media from going on a tirade about what they claim is a lack of intelligence in the current administration? Some "talking heads" might need to consider professional counseling for outbursts such as this one concerning the FDA and salmonella-tainted tomatoes.

Midwest Flooding

I feel compassion for all of the displaced people who suffer from the flooding in the Midwest. But I also feel frustration that my tax dollars will be bailing them out. I've always heard, "If you build a flat roof, it will leak. If you build in a flood plain, you're going to get wet." I wonder why they call it a flood plain? Duh!

Will the Media Call Obama to Task?

Occasionally you see a story or commentary from a national left-leaning publication that points the finger at the hypocrisy in the media. I was pleased to see just such a story today regarding Obama's rejection of Federal campaign funds. Interesting.

The Equivalent of War

Resolving the perceived energy crisis will be one of the primary areas of focus for the next President. How that resolution is approached will have profound impact on many generations to come. Do we focus on reducing energy consumption? Do we penalize certain forms of energy? Do we allow environmental concerns to dictate policy at the expense of economic and security issues? How do we pay for government energy initiatives? How do we alleviate the burden of high energy costs on the American taxpayer?

Currently, a staggeringly large amount of U.S. productivity is spent obtaining oil from other countries. We have financed some of the most anti-U.S. governments on the planet through our energy dollars. Through some of those governments we have financed the very terrorists that have attacked us. The very terrorists who draw us into military operations that further drain our treasury. Even when we choose not to purchase petroleum directly from terrorist sponsors, our purchase of foreign oil frees those countries to sell to others who have less compunction against sponsoring terrorism.

We must become energy independent. How? We sent our first rocket to the moon as the result of a focused effort to do so. Let's focus on becoming energy independent. We can do so by implementing a comprehensive plan of 1) utilizing existing reserves of petroleum and coal products, 2) developing new forms of energy, 3) encouraging the expansion of renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind, 4) building safe and efficient nuclear power plants. 5) Implementing and encouraging conservation strategies.

All of these things can be done with proper attention to environmental concerns. Such attention is NOT preservation at all costs. It IS conservation and protection of critical species and habitat. There is a difference. We MUST be good stewards of the resources at our disposal. It is prudent for our security and our future.

Our next President and Congress have a big job ahead of them. It will require wisdom -- not just the empty promise of change for the sake of change. It will require a comprehensive marshaling of our resources as a nation and the equivalent of war on a task which is critical to our future. It requires vision and experience. It must be conducted in a manner that alleviates the stifling burden to productivity that is borne by the taxpayers of this country. It cannot be at the expense of enslaving them to the extreme beliefs of the privileged few.

Gasoline Prices Affecting Driving Habits

Finding the economic price point at which consumer behavior changes has always been an issue for businesses. Sometimes market conditions force changes. At other times it is a question of "charging what the market will bear" in order to maximize profit. It is dependent on the price elacity of demand for a particular product or service.

It seems that we have finally reached a critical point in the price of gasoline. Americans are driving less and they are flying less. They also are moving from SUV's to smaller vehicles. Who said the marketplace isn't the best way to address so-called global warming?

More on Drilling the Outer Continental Shelf

Drilling the outer continental shelf for oil seems on the surface to be a simple, quick-fix approach to alleviating gasoline prices. According to this article from Forbes, it will not be quick and it is certainly not simple.

Both Senator McCain and President Bush this week have called for opening the outer continental shelf to drilling. It may be somewhat disingenuous at this point in the election cycle. It is unlikely that sufficient votes can be garnered to pass any comprehensive energy legislation prior to the election.

If the area was open for drilling, it would be good for the U.S. consumer. In the short-term, we could see a decline in oil prices due to a relaxing of speculative pressure. However, it is unlikely that any decline would be sustainable due to the longer term supply and demand issues faced. The big benefit to the U.S. consumer would be in the revenue generated from such leases. A large portion of it would find its way into government coffers -- either at the federal or state level. The big issue there is how will it be utilized. If it does become a reality, let's hope that it isn't just a new way for government to grow. Let's use it to offset other taxes or possibly to pay down debt. Reducing debt reduces the annual interest bill that we are paying on that debt. Either way, the taxpayer wins.

Africa Should Be Feeding Itself

The amount of arable land in Africa is sufficient for feeding the people of that continent. According to the FAO, only 14% of Africa's arable land is under cultivation. So, what's the problem?

The first is good governance. Until there is a stable political environment in the various countries on the continent, there can be no long-term effort to alleviate the other issues that are faced.

The second is infrastructure. Much of Africa remains barely accessible by road and rail. Many of the roads are not all-weather surfaces and thus subject to seasonal usage. Grain handling facilities are inadequate. Water resources for irrigation are non-existent. Produce is generally brought to local markets and not easily transported to population centers.

The third is dependence on foreign aid. The problem with the aid is that it has been misdirected. The misdirection takes two forms. One is that corrupt officials sometimes seek to profit from the aid. The second is that it is a band-aid approach -- treating the symptoms and not the causes. The aid needs to be in the form of technical assistance to develop good governance and the necessary infrastructure for the country. It also should be targeted at developing farming technology suitable to local conditions and the necessary systems to move produce to market. Humanitarian aid will be necessary until Africa can feed itself.

The fourth major issue is outside interference. This often takes the form of political pressure from governments seeking access to natural resources such as oil. However, of greater concern to the local people are pressures from environmental and other do-good groups to "preserve" large tracts of land that could be feeding people. There is a need for good conservation measures and the preservation of bio-diversity, however, the needs of the people should be weighed in any measure aimed at soothing the misguided souls who would sacrifice the people of Africa to assuage their feelings of guilt over their Western lifestyle. It is a "we-got-ours" but "you-can't-have-yours" approach.

Africa needs to build on the resources of the continent. Land for agriculture is number one. Instead, many African leaders see a panacea by leap-frogging into a more industrialized economy. They need to capitalize on what they have first and then build from that.

There are many other issues. The above list is merely the beginning.

Texas RR Commissioner Williams Speech

Wow! I wish I had heard this speech in person. It was given by Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams at the Texas Republican Party Convention. It is a little over 20 minutes in length but well worth it. He expresses why I consider myself a Republican. You can see the video here. He gets my vote.

A First Lady Worthy of Emulation

I don't have much good to say about Michelle Obama, yet there may be a glimmer of hope. She has been such an easy target for naysayers. She really needs to work on the "and uh's" and "you knows" but she is making progress. Her response to First Lady Laura Bush's defense of her on ABC is certainly a positive -- which brings me to the point of this post. Our current First Lady has brought a tremendous amount of class to the White House. She is one that the future First Ladies should consider for emulation. I just want to say, Thank You Mrs. Bush for the way you have represented your country.

Senator Cornyn Quotes Obama on Energy

I think it is no secret if you have looked at this blog that I am a fan of our Senator John Cornyn of Texas. The following quote from his speech on the Senate floor yesterday is a great illustration of why.

“I want to begin my remarks this morning by quoting the distinguished junior Senator from Illinois, Senator Obama, who said recently, ‘our dependence on foreign oil strains family budgets, and it saps our economy. Oil money pays for the bombs that go off from Baghdad to Beirut and the bombast of dictators from Caracas to Tehran…our nation will not be secure unless we take that leverage away and our planet will not be safe unless we move decisively toward a clean energy future.’ I’d like to say to those comments from Senator Obama…Amen. And so I would ask him, why do he and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to oppose domestic energy production that would reduce our dependency on oil from the Middle East?"

There's more. You can read it here.

Mortgage Crisis Bailout at Taxpayer Expense

I suppose that I have some old-fashioned ideas about debt. The first is that personal debt should be kept to a minimum. This would include consumer purchases, cars and homes. Business debt is a different issue but should be based on the business's ability to repay. The second idea is that if you incur debt you pay it back. The money that you borrow was someone else's hard-earned money. If they are willing to lend it to you it is your obligation to pay it back -- if it takes the rest of your life. I guess that's why I really have a hard time with debt forgiveness and bailouts.

Lenders have a responsibility also. They are responsible to their shareholders, their depositors (if they are a depository institution) and to the borrower. They shouldn't be loaning money to someone that is overextended. They should also counsel the borrower about debt.

Part of the mortgage lending crisis has to do with the way that mortgage packages are originated and then sold on a secondary market. The originator collects his fees and then passes on the servicing and ultimately the risk of the loan to someone else. Often, the risk of individual loans is hidden because it is blended into a package consisting of multiple loans.

This secondary market for mortgage loans has some advantage for borrowers in that it usually offers the opportunity for lower interest rates than might be the case if borrowing from an entity that intends to hold the loan. After all, a bank understands the risks associated with lending much better than the general public that might invest in mutual funds or other instruments that are comprised of mortgage debt. That is why they often charge higher rates for loans that they hold.

The downside for the consumer is that they often are encouraged to enter into a larger obligation than they can realistically expect to repay. This is sometimes justified with the idea that 1) on the average they won't own the house for more than about 5 years and 2) since the price of real estate is rising, they will be able to sell the house and pay off their debt. This falls apart in a falling real estate market.

Perhaps a solution to the problem would be a requirement that mortgage originators be required to escrow funds according to some percentage formula tied to risk exposure on a loan package that they are selling. The escrowed funds would then be tapped in the event of defaults within a sold loan package. The funds would be required to remain in escrow until a set percentage of the total value of the package was repaid. This would give them financial incentive to do a better job of underwriting the risk.

Ultimately however, it is the borrower's responsibility to repay his loans. Not mine as a taxpayer.

McCain's Address on Energy

Yesterday, Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate for President, spoke on the issue of energy security for this nation's future. It may well be the most important issue to be faced by the next President. It is an issue that calls for ingenuity, entrepreneurship and solid business acumen. It is not an issue that can be addressed with taxes, litigation and wealth redistribution. Energy cost is the single biggest factor distressing our economy today. Until we address the supply problems it will not get better. A transcript of the Senator's speech is here.

Wind and Solar to Power Conventions

In a way, I find it humorous that the power company that will supply electricity to both the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention is touting the fact that the electrical requirements of both conventions will be provided by wind and solar energy. I thought that was historically the case -- even without the involvement of a power company. You would think that there would be sufficient "hot air" in the speeches and enough "sunshine blown-up-the-skirts" of attendees that external power sources would be unnecessary! I would rather see the air let out of some inflated egos and a little sunshine on the backroom shenanigans.

The Next Class of Leaders

The son of good friends of mine recently graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He very quickly was sent to his new station in a country that I cannot disclose. His specialty is military intelligence although that isn't what they call the degree. He is an impressive young man. Very poised and intelligent.

The next class of future officers just now headed off to the various military academies. They are the future leaders -- not only of the military services, but of our country. I wish them the best. They, along with many other fine young men and women who will be seeking careers in other areas, give me the sense that the future of our country is in good hands. They deserve our support as they commence this new phase of their life.

The Attack Dogs are Loose

It's nice to see the occasional light-hearted look at oneself in a political campaign. Especially when it's from a political figure whom you respect. It is frustrating however, to see that light-hearted view attacked (a good summary of the attacks here) by the left-leaning demo-fascists that grasp at any straw to demean the opponent of their chosen banner-bearer. Take a look at the video and tell me what you think.

Financial Incentives Reduce Liklihood of Investigation

I think that the average American believes that most political officeholders gain some financial advantage from their position. It is a logical conclusion. Those who would benefit from legislation have a financial stake in the votes or influence of those in positions of power. The Countrywide Mortgage scandal now overtaking some members of Congress is probably viewed by many as merely the tip of the iceberg on the kinds of benefits afforded to Senators and Representatives.

Further enforcement of this belief by the public is afforded by the reluctance of the officeholders to conduct an in-depth investigation. There is apparent fear that much more will be uncovered.

There is opportunity for preferential treatment in many areas. Things like waiving minimum capital requirements for investment purchases, special rates on insurance policies, reduced interest on loans, reduced collateral requirements for business and investment loans, tips on real estate parcels, tips on litigation, and on and on. It is easy for the public to be suspicious. It is unlikely that there will be real reform. It is refreshing to see a call for investigation at the risk of exposing members of his own party. I wish Representative Hensarling luck in his quest. I hope that it is not merely a low-risk political maneuver. Low-risk because it is unlikely to garner enough support from fellow members to ever occur.

Somalia's Crisis Grows

Somalia is a Sunni Muslim country located in the Horn of Africa. It has experienced almost continual civil and political strife since its independence from Italy in 1960. The 2006 invasion from neighboring Ethiopia was only the most recent instance of conflict with its neighbor. The capitol city is Mogadishu of "Blackhawk Down" fame. Its people are dying of hunger.

In a story released today, the BBC indicated that the number of people in the country in dire need of food assistance will reach approximately 3.5 million in this year. That is about 1/3 of the population of the country.

The political and religious climate as well as the lack of a controlling governmental force makes it extremely difficult to provide aid to these starving people. Humanitarian groups are threatened and often attacked by various militant forces when they attempt to deliver aid. Such delivery is further complicated by the constant movement of people seeking refuge from those same militant forces and from the harsh, drought-prone climate. Many of them will die.

Humanitarian aid isn't the answer for the country. It only treats a symptom. Political stability is what is needed. The collapse of the government has led to widespread capitalism instead of the socialism that was present previously. It is the capitalism of survival through opportunism. It is also dominated by warlords whose protection is necessary for survival.

My question to you is this: Would it be a just war to invade Somalia for the purpose of bringing stability to the nation?

Pragmatically, we would have little to gain. The country contains no known deposits of oil or natural gas. There are no major natural resources for exploitation. The history of warfare between the various tribes is unlikely to ever result in a stable self-government. Stability might reduce the amount of humanitarian aid that is sent there every year. Yet, people there continue to die of starvation.

A Convenient Endorsement

I wonder how much impact Al Gore's endorsement of Obama will have on the campaign? Yes, Gore is popular among Democrats. Yes, he is popular with the young enviro-active liberal set. Yes, he is popular with the media. But where does he bring anything new to the Obama campaign? Perhaps in his fundraising ability.

Now, what about from a different perspective? What will Al Gore's endorsement of Obama do for Al Gore? It endears him even more with the liberal elite. It garners media exposure for Al Gore. It buys political good will in the event that Obama wins the election. It perhaps earns a coveted seat as Ambassador to the U.N. It puts Gore in a position to influence cabinet selections. It -- well, you get the picture. It's all about what is good for Al Gore.

The Left of the Left

One of the things that is interesting to watch in this year's race for the Presidency is the reaction of office holders to the candidate of their party. Increasingly, we are seeing a distancing of Senators and Congressmen from their chosen Presidential candidate. It seems that Obama is too far left for many Democrats and John McCain is too far left for many Republicans. When you consider that for the most part, the Democrats represent the liberal or left wing of the political spectrum and Republicans represent the more conservative or right wing of the political spectrum, that puts Obama at the extreme left and McCain close to the center. I think that bodes well for McCain.

African Infrastructure and Agriculture

The food situation in many parts of the world is critical. Here in the U.S. we complain about rising prices yet our grocery shelves continue to be well-stocked with every imaginable item of food.

Africa is one continent that experiences chronic food shortages. In addition to the shortages, the rising price of food commodities makes it difficult to impossible for many of the poorest to purchase their food needs.

There are many reasons for the problems faced by Africa. The largest is the seemingly unending political unrest in every nation on the continent. The unrest is fueled by greed, corruption, inter-tribal warfare, religious persecution, inadequate infrastructure, difficult terrain and interference by external groups whose agendas often are at odds with the general welfare of the people.

The U.S. has been the largest provider of aid to Africa for many years. That aid is funnelled through various groups including both private and governmental charities. Much of the food aid is channeled through the World Food Program of the U.N. The trouble with such charity is that it does nothing to solve the cause. It merely treats the symptoms.

The U.S. Milleneum Challenge Corporation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa have formed an alliance focused on helping the small-scale farmers of Africa develop their farming enterprises rather than rely on outside capital to come into the various agricultural areas to develop corporate-scale farming. Part of their focus is to build the necessary infrastructure to allow the small-scale farmers to get their produce to market. It is estimated that 40% of the farm products are lost due to the inability to store properly or to transport food crops.

We take for granted the vast network of paved roads in the U.S. We forget how critical they are to keeping our grocery shelves stocked with an astounding assortment of food products. The realities in Africa are vastly different.

Checks and Balances

The election cycle has not helped the American consumer. It rarely does. We jump behind a candidate thinking that things will be better with their promises of change. We are almost always disappointed. Although their promises are often based in the hopes and desires of their targeted constituencies, when they hit the political realities of Washington, those promises usually die. They crumble within the halls of Congress and join the cumulative dust of the thousands of preceding good ideas that met the withering fire of big money and big power.

The checks and balances of our system of government are wonderful. The Executive is checked by the Legislative which is checked by the Judicial. The Democrats are checked by the Republicans. The American public is check-mated by the powerful elite that hold the reins of government. It is all done at our expense. It is done on the backs of the hard-working people of this country.

Sometimes we become disillusioned by the sense of powerlessness that has gripped us. The sense that it doesn't matter what we do, we are at the mercy of Washington. It doesn't matter who we vote into office, they all fall to the corruption of power and the influence of the lobbyists. It is a sense that once we send them to Washington, they forget that they are there to represent our interests, they instead develop the attitude that they know what is best for us and we are too ignorant of the "real" picture to have properly informed opinions.

There are a few good men and women in Washington. They rarely rise to the highest positions of power because they don't "play by the rules." We don't hear much about them for that very reason. After a couple of terms they usually resign out of frustration or they begin to compromise in order to get things done. The first few times they compromise it is likely with the thought that they are achieving a higher good by caving on something minor. The trouble is that compromise leads to compromise leads to compromise. Eventually they succumb to the "ways" of the halls of power.

Generally the people talk of "throwing the bums out" because they see results of measures which pass being detrimental to themselves or antithetical to their personal beliefs. Such talk usually refers to "the other guy's" representative. Not their own. We tend to stick with the known. We tend to vote for the incumbent. But we remain frustrated because "our agenda" never seems to happen. Maybe that's why polls indicate the approval rating of Congress, the President and all of Washington to be so dismally low.

Along comes a candidate of change. He must be good because we see that the way things are going is not what we desire. Surely if he can accomplish changes it will be better than what we have. He is articulate, young and attractive. He represents the melting pot of open opportunity that is the best of America. He claims to represent the down-trodden, the common, the average person. He has little of the "taint" of the Washington establishment. He reminds us of another candidate that took the stage many years ago. He represents a shining light on the hill to many who have felt powerless. They rally about him and worship at his feet.

What does he really believe? What will be the effects of his social and economic agenda? Are the really hard questions being asked? Even more importantly, are they being answered?

We compare him to his opponent that sometimes appears old and grumpy. He has been part of the Washington establishment for years although often he has appeared to be something of a maverick. He doesn't exactly represent our interests. In fact, he's a mix of many interest groups but doesn't fit neatly into any particular one. It's hard to say he's in "the middle" of the political spectrum because on some issues he is to the right and others he is to the left. He's a veteran and a former POW. He isn't known for his flowery speeches or his ability to draw buckets of money from the pockets of the wealthy. He's been accused of being short-tempered and difficult. We don't understand him but we can see his record and know what he's done.

How do we vote? It seems easy on the surface. It isn't. We have to look down the road to the likely consequences of the agendas of each of the candidates. What will be the impact of their victory on me personally?

I want to be left alone to live my life in peace, quietly building for my family and eventually my retirement. I don't want someone else running my life. I do want security. I want to spend my own money the way I see fit -- not hand it over to someone else to spend for me. I want to see innocent people protected and I want there to be opportunity for everyone to succeed without special treatment -- just a "fair shake."

So, how do I vote? I vote for balance. I want to see Congress closely balanced so that the legislation that passes will pass on merit, not because one party or the other can shove their agenda through because they have the power. I vote for the man that most closely fits my values yet also will maintain the balance between the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. Let me ask: What would happen to our country if there was an overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House and Senate, a liberal Democrat as President, and the appointment of two or more liberal judges to the Supreme Court? Consider carefully -- Comrade.

Defeat of the Tax and Sue Democratic Scheme

It was gratifying to see the Dem's plan to tax windfall profits of oil companies go down to defeat today. It was such an amazingly misguided approach to "fix" high gasoline prices that I'm surprised they weren't laughed out of town. Sadly, that seems to always be the approach of the party of the Candidate of Change. We need to work on the supply side as well as to use common sense methods of husbanding existing resources wisely. Developing new energy resources is definitely something that needs done -- just not through ill-conceived tax-and-spend schemes.

We Are Officially Past the Danger of Recession

The Federal Reserve Chairman and others around the nation have decided that the danger of a recession has passed. They have thoroughly examined the leading economic indicators, factored in the price of oil, patted themselves on the back for their response to the mortgage crisis and given each other high-fives for averting a major economic downturn. I think it must illustrate their being out-of-touch with the reality of working class Americans.

When gasoline takes a larger-and-larger share of the family budget and the price of food, cosmetics, plastics, and everything else that is either transported or manufactured with petroleum based products (I think that's about everything) rises dramatically, people are worse off. Either the wrong indicators are being used to measure the economy or the facts are being ignored. People have less disposable income today than they did a year ago. They have much less than they did two years ago. They will spend less for clothes, they will take less expensive vacations (or forego them altogether), they will go to the movies less, eat out less, and on-and-on. The effect is lagged. It will be months before we truly feel the impact of higher gasoline and oil prices.

I think the stock market already recognizes that fact. It is only a matter of time before the lack of capital investment in industry begins to show. It will take years for our economy to recover.

The Dem's want to make it worse with added burdens on consumers through Global Warming legislation. They also think the way to resolve the problem is through taxes. Let me see, if we (consumers) already have less to spend on non-fuel items, what happens when you soak us with additional taxes? Duh, we have less??

Clinton's Campaign Debts

For one who has made her lifelong ambition to live off of public funds, Mrs. Clinton took the art of using other people's money to a new high in her campaign for the Presidency. She owes a record amount to businesses who will likely be short-changed. She also "loaned" the campaign a large amount of money which she has until the General Election in November to repay (or she is limited to $250,000). Any bets as to who gets paid back first?

Chinese Wealth Threatens Global Markets

One would normally think that you could never have too much money in the bank. The Chinese government is finding otherwise. Chinese reserves are projected to reach $2 Trillion (U.S.) this year. This situation makes it difficult for the Chinese government to control inflation. It will be interesting to watch their response. The rest of the world needs to be concerned because a mismanaged response by the party loyal (the funds are managed by bureaucrats, not financially trained managers) could have serious repercussions throughout the global markets. My greatest fear is that this unprecedented level of wealth will be spent on the military. If China is unable to secure their energy needs by peaceful means, the Middle East and Siberia need to be very wary.

Dem's Windfall Profit Idiocy

The proposed windfall profits tax on the oil industry is very worrisome to me. First, it penalizes domestic companies while doing nothing to foreign companies. Second, it places in the hands of government the determination of what is a reasonable profit, Third, it discourages domestic oil exploration, Fourth, it doesn't address the real problems -- increasing supply and removing the Renewable Fuels Standards (ethanol mandates).

How could we as a nation have allowed such foolhardy thinking to represent our interests in the Senate and House? Not only is the Democratic leadership in Congress pushing such ill-considered action -- reminiscent of the failed economic policies of the Carter administration -- but their chosen candidate for President is supportive of those same policies. What in their proposal does anything for gasoline prices at the pump? Nothing. In fact, the likely outcome will be that prices increase further.

Playing Games With Service Funding

Whether for or against the war in Iraq, every one of our elected representatives should be working diligently to provide funding for our military. Playing games with the paychecks of our servicemen and women is unconscionable. Just fund it. No pork. No games.

The Backward Party for America's Demise

How totally backward is the thinking of the Democratic party. Unemployment numbers rise so they want to increase unemployment benefits. Increasing the benefits makes it easier for people to stay unemployed. What they need to do is focus on jobs. Instead, they are talking about increasing taxes on businesses -- that way the businesses can't afford to hire anyone. They especially want to hit the oil companies. What they need to do is make permanent the Bush tax cuts (stimulate business activity), get rid of the Renewable Fuels Standard (oil prices/gasoline prices), open ANWR and the outer Continental Shelf to drilling and cut government spending. They have it completely backward.

What is the Top Issue of the Campaign?

I've said it before, it's the economy. Not everyone agrees though that the economy will be the defining issue of the 2008 Presidential race. Some believe it is the candidate's positions on Iraq that will be the deciding factor. What is going on in Iraq has profound consequences for our economy. They are deeply interconnected.

I don't believe in wars for purely economic reasons unless they are a matter of survival. But, think of what happens if we pull all of our troops home. Does it have an impact on unemployment? Does it have an impact on jobs in the defense related industries? What about oil prices? Will a politically unstable Iraq be good for oil prices? The situation isn't great now but it is improving. What happens if we pull out before they can stand on their own? Will we be handing them over to Iran? It is very difficult to separate the issues.

The people in the U.S. want to see something done about the price of gasoline. They want their heating and cooling costs to come down. This fall, they will ultimately decide based on their perception of which candidate is best for their pocketbook. Every other issue will be secondary.

Biased Treatment? Never!

It is interesting to me how we aren't hearing much about policy differences in the campaigns. We hear of age differences, of style differences, of speaking ability differences -- but we're not debating the merits of policy positions.

Is it a press bias that is seeking to enhance the favorable aspects of their chosen candidate? Or, is it because there is little difference in their positions? Or, is it an avoidance of substance by the candidates themselves because of the fear of alienating a particular interest group? I suspect the latter.

Chinese Gasoline Subsidies

Is it possible that the oil markets are being manipulated in an effort to cripple the economy of China? After all, the Chinese government subsidizes gasoline prices within their country. Those subsidies artificially lower the cost of fuel and therefore increase the quantity demanded by motorists in that country over what should be the demand if their gasoline price was driven by a free market. As the price of oil soars, the cost of that subsidy increases, putting pressure on the Chinese to reduce or remove subsidies which they are reluctant to do because of the fear of slowing or reversing the growth of their economy. It's something to think about.

Is it Just a Coincidence?

The chart shows an interesting coincidence don't you think? When did the Renewable Fuels Standards included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 go into effect? Sept. 1, 2007. When did oil prices head for the roof? I think you can read the chart.

A Campaign of Change

The mega-campaign environment of modern politics is fueled by money. McCain has struggled to gain traction in that environment. So, he must look for strategies that will stretch the funding that he has tapped. He has the opportunity to create a new kind of campaign that operates both from the top (traditional) and from the grassroots (usually the domain of 2nd tier candidates). The increasing presence of blogs may help with that grassroots effort. It also will be necessary to re-think the other side of the equation -- the top-down piece. How well Senator McCain does in that area may be an indication of his abilities as Commander in Chief. Campaigning for President on a slim budget? Now that would truly be a campaign of change!

A Devilish Dance

Hints and misdirection followed by thrust, counter-thrust and parry. All are part of the political power dance that characterizes the potential of an Obama-Clinton ticket. I suppose that I'm much too direct to ever play such political games. But then again, why would I want to? Did someone say "sell your soul?"

Jobless Rate and Fuel Prices

Do you think that gasoline prices have anything to do with the increased jobless rate? If your business is dependent on fuel for deliveries, for sales, etc. -- and they all are -- are you going to expand your workforce? If you are part of a family in which one spouse has been able to stay at home, could increased fuel prices spur the look for a job for that spouse? It's time to do something about fuel prices!

Global Warming Bill's Temporary Defeat

I like a clean environment. I enjoy the outdoors and wildlife. I recycle when I can. I set my thermostat a little warm in the summer and a little cool in the winter. I prefer home-prepared foods instead of highly prepared and packaged foods. I typically don't drive somewhere unless I really need to. In other words, I try to be a good steward of the resources at my disposal. I think most people are that way. The far-left wackos and the duped are leading us down a path toward collapse into a global socialist state. The hyper-hysteria over Global Warming is part of it.

Hold onto your pocketbooks folks because even though it went down to defeat today, U.S. Global Warming legislation hasn't gone away. If nothing else motivates you for the Fall elections, this should. A Democrat controlled Congress combined with a Democrat in the White House and we will see the Welfare rolls soar -- because none of the hard working people of this country will have any money left to spend except for the bare necessities of fuel to get to work, food for the table and energy to heat our homes in winter (note that I left out cool it in the summer). We will be lucky if we have jobs at all. We should give thanks for the Republicans that bought us some time. We'd better use it wisely.

The GHG Fleecing of the American Consumer

Forty-five trillion dollars!!! That's a number so large that it is unimaginable. That's what we are being told is the cost to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2050. It will be us "little guys" that are stuck with the bill. It won't cost the oil companies. It won't cost the government. It won't cost the multi-national corporations. It will cost the consumers. The taxpayers. The hard-working people of this world. All those other guys will just pocket the money. It is another scheme for sucking the results of the productivity of the average person out of our pockets and into the hands of the elite few.

It doesn't matter what form of government we are talking about. The results are the same. When governments work for the "good" of the people I always start asking which people they are talking about. The little guys? or, the ones that contribute to their campaigns? -- the ones that control the strings of wealth on this globe.

Then, they try to pull the wool over our eyes....

"Gielen said most of the $45 trillion forecast investment — about $27 trillion — would be borne by developing countries, which will be responsible for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050."

Yeah, right. How much of those dollars flowing into developing countries started right here in this one?

A $3 Trillion Budget

This should give us all pause to think of the consequences of a Democrat controlled Congress and Executive. Tax-and-spend will become the norm.

"The spending plan squeaked through the House on a vote of 214 to 210, as 14 Democrats voted with a united GOP in opposition. "

These are excerpts from this article.

"Because Bush has vowed to veto appropriations bills that exceed his spending requests, Democrats are considering delaying passage of most of the bills until a new president takes office in January."

I must admit that we have seen excessive growth in the Federal Budget over the last eight years. Republican control did not seem to slow it down. The one redeeming factor was the tax cuts that were implemented. We kept more of our money through that period of growth in federal expenditures. The Democratic candidate for the Presidency has stated that he is in favor of rescinding those tax cuts. Just think how much faster the federal bureaucracy will grow if that happens!

Debating the Merits of Legislation: No Way!

A meaningful debate in Congress? It doesn't happen very often. It could be because there is such an overwhelming amount of legislation that comes before them that it is difficult to seriously weigh the consequences of each and every piece. Often, the legislators rely almost exclusively on their aides to provide them with information that is deemed important to the legislator and his/her stated positions on various issues. Sometimes those aides are heavily influenced by lobbyists.

The legislation on climate change that is being debated at this time is an issue that has far-reaching consequences. It is a political "hot potato" that will have profound impact on the economy -- taxes, fuel prices, jobs, food prices, construction, cosmetics, medicines, electricity, and on and on.

Debate should be a good thing. An open, meaningful discussion of the merits and potential problems of a piece of legislation is something for which our system of government was designed. It rarely happens. Both proponents and opponents of the legislation should be interested in educating/enlightening their counterparts on the why's and where-for's of their position. That isn't what is happening. Instead, the proponents of the legislation want to quash meaningful discussion. They seem to prefer to wait until the election is over. That will give them time to crank-up their propaganda machine and also potentially face a different scenario on the division of powers -- both within Congress and between the Legislative and the Executive. It makes one suspect of the motives behind the legislation. Is it for good? Or, is it just politics as usual?

Senator McCain's Fundraising Efforts

Senator McCain seems to be gaining some momentum in his fundraising efforts but still lags behind his Democratic rival. He has had a difficult time reaching the traditional funding base of the party. Perhaps it is his style. Maybe it is his stance on a couple of key issues. Whatever the case, for the good of the country, it is time to unite behind Mr. McCain and provide the necessary funds to defeat the extreme left views of Mr. Obama.

Many are disgruntled by what is seen as the lack of a conservative candidate in this year's election. Sometimes one must compromise and support the candidate that comes closest to that standard. Mr. McCain is far more conservative on most issues than his opponent. Let's make sure he has what is needed to run a strong race.

Water Wars in the Future?

Back in the early days of the opening of the Great Plains and Western U.S. water was a critical component of where settlements were established. Before the settlements it determined the location of homesteads and ranches. There were many range wars fought over water. He who controlled the water controlled the range.

The people living in areas with abundant fresh water have a hard time understanding how critical water supplies can be. Out here on the southern end of the Great Plains we know about water. With it you can thrive. Without it you die.

Fresh water is distributed unevenly across the globe. The Eastern U.S. has it in abundance; the Middle East and much of Africa is constantly concerned with it. As populations grow, pressure on the supply of fresh water for drinking, bathing and agricultural uses increases. Are we looking at Water Wars in the near future?

Tax and Spend, Tax and Spend

Wouldn't it be nice to see fiscal responsibility return to our government? Come to think of it, there may not have been such a creature since the time of George Washington! Surely there are enough folks in this country that believe in reducing government waste and reigning in the rapacious growth of the bureaucracy to create an environment conducive to change. If that were so, wouldn't their elected representatives reflect those feeling? But no. There are precious few who seek to turn the tide of government growth. I am pleased to see that at least one of them is speaking out on behalf of the people of this country.

A Civil Race for the Presidency?

Civility in a modern political race? What a novel idea. No media spin? Also novel. Senator John McCain is proposing just such a thing to Barack Obama. The response was an immediate entry into a struggle for control over the process.

"What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty soundbites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections," he wrote.

Agendas within agendas and manipulation within manipulations. That is what it has come to. All of us want to paint ourselves in the best light possible to those with whom we come in contact. At the level of politics in a Presidential race, with the power and prestige that is at stake, the temptation to fall to low standards is great. I pray that this race can be elevated to something higher. It would be wonderful to see a true debate of the merits of the various positions on the issues of our day -- not a propaganda-fest crafted by the power of money flowing from specific interest groups. It is John McCain's opportunity to shine if he can rise above the kind of politics that characterized the Democratic primary race.

The GOP Piggy Bank is Rattling

Money makes the political world go 'round. Obama has proven his ability to raise funds in a big way. So has Clinton. What about John McCain? So far, his fund-raising ability has been questionable. Is it due to the disenchantment of the traditional GOP base with their candidate?

It is going to take a monumental effort on the part of the GOP to offset the financial momentum that Obama has over McCain as we enter into the general election. Obama's base is motivated -- maybe electrified is a better word -- by their candidate. They are excited by their candidate. The same cannot be said for the nominee of the GOP. Will it be a loss due to lack of funding? That is a real danger. McCain must find a way to loosen the purse-strings of the party or he will fail dismally in the general election.

The Collective Wannabe Has Spoken

The call for unity among the Democrats is reminiscent of the Borg of Star Trek fame. The collective is irresistible. Resistance is futile. Their rhetoric borders on seditious.

"We look forward to bringing everyone together so that we can finally put an end of the destructive and devastating policies of the Bush years, which would continue under John McCain."

I Was Expecting Paladin!

What Kind of a Western Bad-Ass are You? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as John Wayne You a classic all American cowboy who does the right thing. When you're sober. Which means occasionally. You like horses, the outdoors, whiskey, hot tempered women, whiskey, and bourbon. Clint Eastwood 88% John Wayne 88% Charles Bronson 75% Lee Marvin 75% Lee Van Cleef 63%

Aggressive Principled Diplomacy?

When politicians talk principles I get nervous. Why? Because with most, their track record is one of NO principles except that of power and greed. Do we trust one whose record demonstrates questionable principles with aggressive principled diplomacy? Which particular principles is he talking about? That's like someone saying, "let me be perfectly honest with you...." It makes you wonder if they haven't been honest previously.

A New Refinery Closer to Reality

It has been 32 years since a new oil refinery was built in the U.S. We are struggling with high gasoline prices. Rural communities are dying for lack of jobs. Yet, when a company attempts to build a new refinery that utilizes Canadian tar sands instead of Middle Eastern oil, they face an uphill battle. What is wrong with this picture?

Protecting Our Children

We all want to see our leaders in Congress advocate issues that are truly important to our safety and well-being. Protecting our children is near-and-dear to families.

Protecting Children in the Modern World

I pray that strong safeguards can be put into place that will accomplish this worthy goal.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." __ Matthew 19:14

Power Politics

Wow! Talking about blatant.

“To me, there’s one moral issue, and that’s winning the election.” -- Charles Schumer (D-NY).

No wonder our country is facing such a mess.

The Hillary Question

There are many things that come to mind as I look at Hillary Clinton's refusal to concede the race to Obama.

1. Is it that she is so absorbed with becoming President that she has not faced up to reality? I don't really think that's it.

2. Is she assuming the mantle of "power broker" for her supporters and leveraging her support within the party to influence platforms at the convention? I can't see her having such "high" motives.

3. Is she taking it to the Convention with the intention of a bitter fight to the end? The "super delegates" can still change their mind. If she can bring the nomination fight to a draw it becomes a free-for-all. This scenario fits her personality.

4. Is she going to "force" Obama to make her VP? This one also is a possibility. It puts her next in line if something were to happen to Obama. This one also fits her personality and could be construed to fit some of her remarks. It is an extremely sensitive subject and one that could be the source of a racial war within this country.

5. Is there something that we don't know? The MSM tells the story they want us to hear. Is there something that we aren't being told? Could there be some information that has been suppressed that might totally change everything? A possibility.

I just wish the GOP had a stronger candidate in the race. Senator McCain is carrying as much or more baggage than Hillary.

Green Trees, Carbon Offsets and Rabbits

I don't necessarily buy into the Global Warming hysteria but I've always made it a practice to plant trees everywhere that I've lived. Here in the Texas Panhandle the rainfall rarely is sufficient to support a tree -- unless we're talking something with lots of thorns. So, you have to apply irrigation water fairly liberally. With a temperature yesterday of 104 and a 30 mph wind all day long my little trees are suffering. The answer is to pour water on them -- which I have to pump out of the ground. Pumps require fuel. In my case, electricity.

I wonder how the Greenies feel about the situation? I plant trees which are considered a carbon offset and then I use lots of energy to keep them watered and alive. That energy use probably releases a whole lot more carbon than my little trees tie up.

On top of that, the rabbits really like to hunker down under my little trees because they create shade -- which is rare in our part of the world. That shade must make them feel frisky because they seem to be multiplying rapidly. All those rabbits eat grass and make little round pellets which eventually decompose and release carbon. Plus, the rabbits breathe and release CO2 in their respiration. So, am I better off not planting trees? What a crazy world we live in!

China's Drive for Energy

Energy is the currency of the world economy. The growth of China has been one of the driving forces behind the surge in energy costs throughout the world. They are working to secure their energy future by various means -- including the development of oil resources in Africa. In the U.S. we, sometimes at least, speak of moral responsibility that comes along with treating with foreign governments. China isn't hindered by such thoughts. Should they be?

The Debatable Solution?

The debate over the "Global Warming" legislation that has been introduced in Washington is heating up right now. It looks to me like a $6.7 trillion bill that's being handed to the U.S. taxpayer if it passes. There is a smattering of common sense being spoken from the Senate floor but if the Dems get their way, that common sense will be trampled beneath their hysterical rhetoric. It would be a good time to contact your representative to express your views.

Humor Can Be Uncomfortable

As one who sometimes struggles with humor, I sympathize with the Vice President and his recent faux pas regarding West Virginia. Some folks just think and operate in a different world than most. We see humor where others don't and we fail to see it where everyone else deems it obvious. I applaud the VP for stepping out of his comfort zone and making the attempt. I fear the result of this episode will be his further avoidance of humor for fear of the backlash. Being a pariah can be difficult.

Pelosi Power Consolidation

The level of dissatisfaction among the voting public is providing vision of opportunity for the opportunistic. Nancy Pelosi, although a little rough out of the starting gate, has worked hard to consolidate her power. She now wields it in a manner not seen for many years. It could be that she is just power hungry and revels in it. It could be that she has something else in mind in about 4 years.

Wealth Redistribution Takes a New Form

In my naivete, I once thought insurance premiums were calculated based on asset risk class. That is, if I lived in an area likely to get hit by a tornado, my risk would be higher for homeowner's insurance. If I build in a flood plain I would expect to pay more for insurance. If I build a house on the beach in Florida, I would expect to pay insurance premiums out the nose because of the likely event of facing a hurricane. Some people don't see it that way.

A League of Democracies

The concept of a League of Democracies has merit. If....

If we would pull out, or at least limit our involvement in the U.N.
If it limited its role to specific areas that were not issues of sovereignty of member states.
If the members were unified in their stance against aggressive behavior such as that of Iran or North Korea.
If -- well, you get the picture.

Otherwise it just becomes another "death-by-committee" stroke by the purveyors of a one-world government. Please, Senator McCain, don't go down that road.

Terrorists Held on U.S. Warships?

A lot of folks are bent out of shape because of reports that the U.S. is holding terrorists on war ships. I heard that it was actually a catch-and-release program....

A Peaceful Exit?

When one holds strong convictions, it is difficult to find grounds of unity with those who hold opposing views. It's like a pro-abortion doctor and a pro-life activist sitting in the same room and agreeing to some middle ground. It isn't going to happen.

The idea of Obama and Hillary exiting the Democratic Convention on a combined ticket is a sign of a lack of strong convictions -- principles. But, that's been symptomatic of both candidates throughout the race.