Current Political Climate of 2010

It seems that the 2010 elections are going to be a big opportunity for the Republican party to make big gains or possibly take control of the House or Senate. In order to gain a majority, the Republicans would need to pick up 10 Senate seats or about 70 House seats. That's a daunting task; however, there does seem to be a growing grassroots movement to "kick the bums out of office". The strategy for the Republicans needs to be to make sure they are not identified as the bums.

To put the 2010 elections in proper context, it is traditional for the opposing party to gain ground in year two of a newly elected president's first term. The infamous Republican revolution in 1994 led by Newt Gingrich ushered in 54 new Representatives and 8 Senators. That gave Republicans control of the House for the first time in 40 years. Of course, the implications of this revolution greatly affected Clinton's last 6 years in office, because he had to work with Republicans to get anything accomplished since all revenue legislation originates in the House.

There are two things that I remember about 1994. The first is that the public grew tired of the mishandling of Washington's finances. Does that sound familiar? Does anyone remember the House banking scandal in which Congressmen just cashed personal checks that never needed to be repaid? The average American citizen noticed the gross neglect for common sense coming from their leaders in Washington. This same neglect has been going in Washington for some time again now. We're spending money we don't have, borrowing from the Chinese, and have recently raised our self-imposed debt ceiling. Obama has even "doubled-down" on his stimulus package, which was no more than a slush fund for Democrats, with more reckless spending in his proposed 2011 budget. He continues to blame Bush and believe that we can spend our way out of a recession. This is only protecting and growing the public sector while simultaneously shrinking the private sector. Most people know this is a recipe for financial disaster. They want their children and grandchildren to have the same great opportunities American has granted them. An America on shaky financial footing with burdensome tax rates and run-away inflation will only dampen the great American dream.

The second part of the '94 Revolution was the "Contract with America". It's not enough for the Republicans just to rightly block Obama's agenda. They should describe how it is harming our country and why the agenda has extended the recession. More importantly, Republicans need to clearly articulate how conservative principles are good for everyone. This is exactly what the "Contract with America" did by laying out 8 bullet points that were goals that eventually manifest themselves in 10 House bills. A contract or measure in which the American voter can compare the bills that are ultimately passed to what the contract or campaign previously promised is greatly needed. That's something the America people can get behind and support. The goals should be grounded in conservatism and be spelled out specifically.

To accomplish this the Republicans need leadership. America needs someone with some guts to stand up and articulate conservatism and translate those principle into ideas that improve Americans lives. Voters as well as other politicians can either get behind and support this or oppose it at their own peril. Without this clear direction, this political wave of emotion throughout the country will turn into nothing more than an anti-incumbent election in which the Republicans gain ground by merely losing less seats than the Democrats due to more Democrats being up for re-election. Other leaders like Scott Brown from Massachusetts can gain momentum and literally ride the wave of change sweeping the country and steamrolling toward November 2010.

Our forefathers brilliance in establishing the democratic process in America is again illustrated by this extraordinary opportunity to positively change the direction of our great country. I believe this can only be accomplished through strong leadership and the application of conservative principles.

The Man-Made Global Warming Hoax

I’ve had it with all of this global warming stuff. Every day there’s something new about the Copenhagen Climate Conference, leaked emails of scientists manipulating data, Al Gore saying the ice caps are melting (which is a lie), the EPA saying they will unilaterally regulate carbon dioxide emissions if Congress doesn’t do something about the problem, etc.

Let me state this clearly. There is no man-made global warming.

It is a hoax created by the environmental wackos on the left side of the political spectrum. The hoax is designed to promote panic and fear to force people to go along with their liberal agenda. The whole issue is chocked full of lies and deceit. It’s sad that now even science has been politicized. Anyone with half a brain can do some research on the internet and come to the conclusion that the Earth is not about to burn up, and we won’t all die if we don’t do something immediately! The truth is the earth goes through NATURAL warming and cooling cycles all the time. When I say cycles, I’m talking about variations in tenths of a degree. In the 70’s these alarmists wrote articles about the coming of an ice age due to a few cooler years. Now this comes after some high temperatures were recorded in 1998.

I believe that this issue is as big as the earth is round/flat disagreement over 2,000 years ago. This is our generations’ quintessential issue, and I’m getting tired of liberals trying to shut up debate about it by saying, “the science is in on this, and anyone who doesn’t go along with us is a “global-warming denier.” The only sane people besides us “deniers”, appears to be the Chinese who thumb their nose at the whole Kyoto treaty and Copenhagen mess altogether. They say that if you want to willingly punish your country and roll back your economy, go ahead, we won’t stop you. They have to be laughing at this whole hoax.

The ruse goes something like this. Humans naturally breathe out carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. (It’s not even the largest one in our atmosphere). Greenhouse gases contribute to a greenhouse effect, which in turn, warms the earth (this is by design). Man-made inventions like cars, factories, and industrialization don’t help either as they emit carbon gases. The result is man-made global warming.

They just jump straight to man-made global warming seeing an opportunity to implement their agenda. They take a couple of facts, a little bit of science, a lot of liberal agenda, and a bunch of lies and voila! You have a full-fledged world-wide panic called global warming. Of course, they neglect and discount water vapor’s role as the most prevalent greenhouse gas, the sun’s influence and variations on temperatures, animal’s methane (a greenhouse gas) emissions, volcano’s and other natural events’ carbon emissions, and other simple facts like global temperatures have declined since 1998. You notice they have cleverly and conveniently changed the terminology from global warming to “climate change” over the last few years. This way any extreme temperatures, abnormal number of hurricanes, or unusual weather storms like El Nino can be linked to climate change. Then conveniently, the left says they can fix this problem with some treaties and legislation. But if we don’t act now, it may be too late.

The ultimate goal of the “sky is falling” mania is to convince people of the necessity to agree to the liberal agenda. It’s an agenda in which countries belief the hoax and sign on to submit themselves to regulations of carbon emissions. In this country, the mania has manifested itself into something called cap and trade. This regulation has already been passed in the House, but not in the Senate yet. It would restrict freedom, harm businesses, and kill jobs. This is where the government would set a fictitious number for carbon emissions for each business, and if they don’t comply or buy some silly offset credits from an Al Gore company that plants trees or something, they will face a tax. It’s just designed to give more control and revenue to the government. On a global scale, the more-advanced, industrialized countries (the polluters and oddly enough the countries that have the money) would pay into a fund that would be distributed to third world countries who, of course, don’t pollute because they’re so poor. The bottom line ultimate goal is nothing more than an unjust redistribution of wealth and power grab.

My personal belief is that the creator of the universe, heavens, and Earth is God. He placed the Earth at exactly the precise distant from the sun to sustain life. He also insured that our climate, seasons, and atmosphere were made in such a way as to promote life. He set up all the rules and conditions which govern this great planet which we are still learning about each day. He then put man on the Earth to cultivate it, enjoy it, and marvel at His creation. There is nothing that we could do to disturb that perfect balance of nature that God so ingeniously created. Only a pervasive arrogant attitude can cause man to convince ourselves that we’re somehow in control. I don’t even believe that nuclear weapons could destroy this Earth. They could kill most of the people, but not all. We aren’t allowed the power to disrupt this beautifully made, awe-inspiring planet we affectionately call Mother Earth. Take heart my fellow Americans and citizens of the world, God is still in control.

Is there a homosexual gene?

Is there a genetic reason or a chromosome that hardwires someone to be a homosexual? Do people have a choice about their sexuality? I will answer these questions using the most reliable, truthful source I've ever read, the Bible.

I simply combine a few scriptures and use basic logic to prove my answer. Keep in mind these passages aren't my words, they are the apostle Paul's words which were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let's first read one of the most straight-forward passages in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:9 (ASV). "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Along the same lines Galatians 5:19-21 says, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who PRACTICE such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." The keyword here is "practice", which I capitalized. That doesn't mean that if you get drunk one time, have one outburst of anger, or have one sexually immoral encounter that you'll be condemned to hell. Practice means these behaviors are repeated over and over without any desire for repentance.

Now read 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." This verse brings me comfort, but that's another story. The point here is that God clearly wants EVERYONE to come to repentance and ultimately be saved. Unfortunately, we know that everyone will not do that. The question is how could God predetermine or "hardwire" a soul for eternal damnation through a chromosome or gene thereby giving them no chance for repentance and the hope of everlasting life?

The obvious answer to this question is that he doesn't. No, there is not a homosexual gene. If there was, these scriptures could not coexist and both be true. The truth is we all have obstacles to overcome that the devil uses to keep us from God. Looking at the long list of sins in the Galatians passage, some people struggle with their anger, others with drinking, some with sexual immorality, etc. Each person struggles with different sins in their life, but we are all given an opportunity for repentance. There is an avenue to overcome those sins that lead to eternal death and to be forgiven by God. Of course, that all happens only through Jesus Christ. If you believe the Bible and all that it teaches you can only arrive at this conclusion about homosexuality. Any other answer is just man-made gobble-dee-goop. I quote 1 Cor. 1:25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Additionally, 1 Cor. 3:19 says, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God."

Any comments on this or reactions would be greatly appreciated.

Our country is yearning for conservative leadership

America needs a young, passionate, courageous candidate who can articulate conservatism. Please see my previous post titled “Conservatism at its core” for my definition of conservatism. He or she needs to be able to clearly explain how conservatism is best for ALL Americans. They should show them how conservative principles will help improve their lives. They should be bold and challenge the establishment with unyielding ideals and principles. The country would rally around them, and they would be swept into the Presidency in 2012.

Let’s face it, the blueprint for winning landslide elections has been established by none other than Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s. I believe the country in 2012, unfortunately, will be in a similar state like it was after the late 1970’s at the end of the Carter years. Jimmy Carter was one of the worst presidents America has ever had. There was stagflation, long gas lines, high interest rates, price and wage controls, and high unemployment. In general, the country was in an economic malaise.

As more and more people realize who Barack Obama really is and what he’s trying to do they will begin to clamor louder and louder for the country to go in a different direction. Only then, will conservatives (hopefully Republicans and Democrats alike will come along, too) have a chance to make real change and shrink the size of the federal bureaucracy simultaneously diminishing the power of the government. It takes a person who is driven, humble, and courageous to shrink the size the golden goose known as the federal government of which they are in charge.

I don’t know if there is a modern-day Ronald Reagan out there, but let’s hope so.

Conservatism at its core

Here are the basic tenants of conservatism in bold.
I believe that conservatism is generally defined by as little government intervention in our lives as possible.
Our Declaration of Independence prescribes that each citizen has certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Right to Life: Abortion laws obviously restrict a person's life and have been incorrectly inserted into our legislative system. To restate, you can't enjoy any American freedoms or rights if you don't make it out of the womb!
A strong national defense helps ensure life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Private property rights provide incentive for citizens to pursue happiness, work, and live freely
Low taxes and free markets help ensure a thriving, capitalist economy (Additionally, capitalism doesn't discriminate on the basis of skin color, age, gender, or other handicap)
Strong belief in the first and second amendments (Right to free speech, religion, press, bear arms)
Belief in self reliance, personal responsibility, and the potential within every American life. We are all capable of so much more than we usually imagine. If we just push ourselves, we can accomplish greatness.
There are others issues like the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman, immigration, and support of strict constructionism judges which are important.
In closing, I think the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights is often forgotten. "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

This tells me that a federal government that has taken over our income (IRS), our property (eminent domain laws, tax assessors, and closing paperwork), our retirement (Social Security), our health care (Medicare, Medicaid and now nationalized health care), our private industries like automobile manufacturers, banking, mortgage, and insurance, etc. is way, way too big and powerful. This huge bureaucracy called the federal government is still growing and has already violated this 10th amendment to the US Constitution.

In short, get out of the way, big brother, and allow Americans to live our lives in happiness and freedom!

My thoughts from the 20-year reunion ...

My 20-year high school reunion that I attended this past weekend was very enjoyable. The only negative thing that I could say was that it wasn't very well attended. By my count, only about 60-65 classmates from a graduating class of 247 attended. However, everybody there seemed to have a good time. Most people were more interested in where you lived, marital status, and how many kids that you have rather than what line of business you were in or where you work. Then, they were eager to reminisce about funny stories and days of the past. Overall, I thought most people had taken care of themselves and looked good, although, there was a few that "let themselves go". As a good friend of mine just mentioned to me, it was not as "clique-ish" as the 10-year reunion. My guess is as we all get older those barriers and imaginary walls that divide people in high school instinctively break down. The fact that a person smokes, drinks, dresses a certain way, is athletic, smart, funny, or popular seems not to matter at age 38 like it did at age 18. People are naturally more aware of who they are as they age.

What really hit me was the words "we will all go in different directions from here" that are always spoken at a high-school graduation, really rang true. After graduation, people literally scatter throughout the country and world. They have completely different experiences, some get married and maybe divorced, have kids or not, travel the globe, and develop expertise in different areas of their life.

In summary, one thing remained true. The personalities and activities that defined them in high school still manifest themselves in their lives in the late 30's. Despite everyone trying to be on their best behavior at an event like a high school reunion, those innate characteristics and personality traits continue to define us as we age and approach the age of 40. Even over 20 years time, people don't change much.

Interpersonal Communication

Here is another interesting article by Charlie Cleaver about our growing obsession with electronic communication.
In the last few years, there has been an overwhelming emergence of electronically based communication between America’s youth. This, for many reasons, is not a good thing. In today’s world, kids and adults can carry out entire relationships without any type of personal interaction at all. Myspace, Facebook, chatrooms, email, twitter, and texting are all the rage it seems. Phone conversations are becoming a distant memory. This has several damaging ramifications. Without a decent understanding of how to meet someone and personally interact we are robbing individuals of the basic understanding of how to live, love, and build a real relationship with someone. When the youth of America begins to grow up, we can’t expect them to know how to conduct themselves in an interview. We also can’t expect them to be any type of a success in any job unless it is internet based. Kids are afraid to talk on the phone now. They would much rather tweet about their lives in a childish attempt at attention and hope to gain followers. This is now such an overwhelming issue, I am now uncertain how this will all come out. If we as a people restrain from a basic understanding how to build and keep a real relationship, then we may have some serious problems ahead. We need to encourage our youth to go outside once in a while and try and make friends, play sports, and volunteer. Selfishness is at the base of this entire problem. It may be more convenient for a child to talk to someone over the internet, but it is in no way better. This also leaves a child in danger of being a target of a sexual predator, not to mention identity theft. If an individual is not able to look someone in the eye, then there is not even the faintest glimpse of a friendship. Today, we can get online and read about John Mayer’s latest relationship problems, regularly announced on his myspace, which borders on the edge of stalking. We can also download a clip of famous ESPN anchor Erin Andrews’s nude in the privacy of her hotel room. These problems are all linked. There is no such thing as privacy in today's age. Encourage youth to get off the internet and go out and experience life. If this is not done more often, I believe things can only get worse.