Got your attention!  Here’s an interesting memo I obtained over at the Atlantic.

freedom-works-internal-memo

This memo, which hasn’t been validated, but is being reported on by Fox News, purports to provide a “Target List” of candidates for the Tea Party to presumably unseat in 2010.  Listing them under the heading of “Enemy of Liberty” or “Potential Enemy of Liberty,” one quickly, with even the most cursory attempt at fairness, concludes that this is not a Tea Party Target List, but instead a republican target list of democrats under the guise of the Tea Party.  How do I conclude this?  Well, assuming the list is accurate, and I see no reason not to, there are 45 names on the list.  Of those 45 names, 42 are democrats (really it’s 44 because 2 of the names are primary challenges).  So, am I to conclude from this that there are no republicans who might be enemies of freedom?

I believe in fair play.  So, I compiled my own list that the real Tea Party might want to take a look at as well.  And please, don’t accuse me of being a democrat plant just trying to counter the republican Freedom Works…I used to work for two republican Members of Congress (though I’m now registered unaffiliated).

Here’s the House Members that voted FOR Medicare Part D: republican-house-members-who-voted-for-medicare-part-d2;

So, why did I highlight Medicare Part D.  Well, according to most analysts, this legislation will far exceed the costs spouted about when this new giveaway of your tax dollars was voted upon in 2003.  And yes, this along with every other entitlement Congress has foisted upon us in its never-ending thirst for power will be paid for by our children.  In this regard, here’s a great quote from an article Bruce Bartlett wrote just last year over at Forbes:

“Just to be clear, the Medicare drug benefit was a pure giveaway with a gross cost greater than either the House or Senate health reform bills how being considered. Together the new bills would cost roughly $900 billion over the next 10 years, while Medicare Part D will cost $1 trillion.”

Befitting the title, each of these Members of Congress have been labeled “Enemies of our Children’s Future” and thus should be on any Tea Party target list.

So, I would caution any group such as Freedom Works from suggesting they might have a “target list” for the Tea Party.  If they had called it a Freedom Works “Target List” this would never have become an issue.  Suggesting we Tea Partiers support this…well, makes us all either hypocrites or worse, makes us wonder if you might think we’re all novices at this.  Hmmm, I wonder which it is?  Perhaps both?

Misc

We’ll, I hate to take the glow off all those who lifted their hands towards heaven at the election of Scott Brown, but the truth is, his election was typical of what I’d expect in pragmatic two-party politics.  The democrats win and now it’s the republicans turn to win all the while the debt clock keeps ticking…$105 TRILLION…$106 TRILLION…$107 TRILLION.  So, is Scott Brown the savior of the Republic?

Let’s begin with a little clip from the now rising star the day after his election:

Did you hear that; “I…I think…I think that, first off all, just so we’re past campaign mode, I think it’s important for everyone to get some form of healthcare, so to offer a basic plan for everybody is important.” 

How exactly is that different from what the Olympia Snowe’s of the R’s and Harry Reid’s of the D’s are saying?  And more importantly, where exactly does Senator-elect Scott Brown find authority in the U.S. Constitution to even vote on making sure “everyone” has some form of basic health care?

Brown really pulled a fast one on the Tea Party and glomed onto it, yet is he really one of us?  Or, is the TEA party really just a wing of the republican party?  If his election is any indication, the Tea Party had better do some very quick reflection on this or very suddenly find itself co-opted (if not already) by the two-party system.

I will state this; as a Tea Party organizer in Maryland, invited on Fox News 3 times as a representative, interviewed by CNN Anderson Cooper and a very recent radio talk show host, I didn’t sign up for this.  For every Tea Party member reading this who supported Brown, please take a look at why you supported Brown with your money and emotion…was he really the kind of guy that will go to Washington DC and vote to restore the Constitution to its rightful place as the authority in our country?  If his first press conference is any indication, I suspect we’ll see buyers remorse very soon.  In fact, as reported by Dick Morris at Newsmax.com, the democrats are quite possibly going to find a way around him anyway.  I suspect the republicans would do the exact same thing if it was a polic they we’re hellbent on forcing upon us.  Remember this gem, the new entitlement program we’re forcing our children and grandchildren to pay for, Medicare Part D which was passed under a republican administration and supported by many republicans like Jim Gerlach from Pennsylvania?

So, Tea Partier’s, remember the passion you felt as you confronted your local representatives at town hall meetings in August and September.  Remember how empowered you felt as you read your Constitution and Madison and the other Founders felt so alive to you.  Remember when you read the Declaration of Independence and realized that we’re facing tyranny again, this time in the form of our own federal government.  Finally, remember the clarity you felt about the principles of liberty and freedom so eloquently penned in 1776 with these words that still bring great emotion to me even as I type them;

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Fellow Tea Partier’s, don’t settle for a win for the sake of a win…I beg you.  We cannot morally pass to our future generations that which we have created today.  We cannot act on pragmatism, we must act and stand on principle.  And while I worked on Capitol Hill during the Reagan administration, I can no longer accept his; “somebody who agrees with you 80% of the time is an 80% friend not a 20% enemy.”   While this sounds so enlightened in theory, in practice, the very 20% can lead to hundreds of billions of dollars of extra-constitutional activities and spending.  

Thus, if the Tea Party is to evolve into a true political force that will draw from many different political ideologies and effect the change necessary for our children’s future, it must stand on principle and not pragmatism.  For far too long, compromise (mostly the Constitution being compromised) has been the supposed highest value a politician can pretend to embrace.  And this very lauded term has now led us to the brink of utter econimic disaster.  I suggest it’s time for principle to reign; allow me to proffer a few:

• The federal government MUST be forced back into Article 1. Section 8, as originally written, of the U.S. Constitution via the 10th Amendment.
• The States MUST assert their Constitutional prerogativesand nullify legislation that is not in keeping with the 10th Amendment.
• The citizenry, acting through their state representatives MUST take whatever lawful action necessary to compel their representatives to force the federal government to obey the Constitution via the 10th Amendment.
• The citizenry MUST communicate to their state representative’s their willingness to suffer the pain of withdrawing from federal bribes using taxpayer funds from other states to persuade compliance with federal mandates.

Keeping our eye on the ball is critical at this juncture of our movement.  We must not let the goal of the Tea Party become “taking over Washington DC” or putting republicans back in power.  We must stay focused on the FACT that every large centralized government throughout history (which is exactly what we have right now in Washington, DC) has always ended in some form of tyranny where people lose their liberties and in worst case scenarios, their very lives.  We MUST understand that our battle is not to make sure a certain party obtains power, rather, we must properly identify and stay focused on the real enemy…the large, bloated, all-powerful centralized government seated in Washington, DC.  In 1776, we threw off tyranny from England.  In 2010, we must throw off tyranny located in Washington DC using the very tools the Founders left us…the 10th Amendment.

Finally, resist party politics.  Only support candidates that will commit publicly to force the federal government back into the box of Article 1. Section 8 of the Constitution.  Above all, don’t support candidates that one day after their election stammer out of the gate with; “I…I think…I think that, first off all, just so we’re past campaign mode, I think it’s important for everyone to get some form of healthcare, so to offer a basic plan for everybody is important.”  

My conclusion…Scott Brown is not the next political savior who will make all things right…rather, it’s up to us, working within our states to win this battle.

Health Care, Misc, Must Read, Political Parties, TEA Party

First off, we wouldn’t be in the mess of tax-withholding and all the filing complexities if it wasn’t for the Current Tax Payment Act of 1943.  This little gem has successfully hidden the real tax burden from the average American by getting us to look at our paychecks as “gross and net.” income.  Gross being that which we’ve earned and net equals what we get to keep after the federal, state and local governments legally plunder what it wants via payroll deduction.

Ok,  the point of this article.  I’ve begun hearing over and over again how necessary it is to buy TurboTax or some other software to make sure you get the biggest refund you deserve.  WHAT!  Biggest refund you deserve!?  You gotta be kidding me.

Frog In The Kettle to all readers…when you get a “refund” from the federal or state government, that means you paid in more to them than you should have; essentially, you’ve given the legal plunderers an INTEREST FREE LOAN!!  Is this REALLY what you want to do?

Let’s say you get a refund of $1,000 from the federal government.  Instead of earning $50.00 in interest had you invested that same $1,000 at 5%, no, you gave it to the federal government to use as they see fit with no interest paid by them.  Or, even if you decided not to invest it, it was still in your pocket to do with as you want.

Folks, in 2010, please do a better job tax planning…don’t give our legal plunderers FREE money…if they need more, they’ll borrow, legally plunder, or print more.  You’ve worked hard for your property…keep every penny you can.

Misc, Real Change, The Economy

As we observe the ignoble acts of the Senate this weekend and our frustrations grow as we see an ever expanding central government devour more liberty and property, it’s time to state the obvious…we must force Washington DC to decentralize.  The 9^th and 10^th Amendments will be our tool.

Implicit in the Declaration and the Constitution is an underlying principle that the final arbiter of power would be We the People.  Make no mistake about it, we’re talking about raw unadulterated power and right now, the possessor of this power lays not with the people, but with a demagogic, domineering, and malignant centralized government; one that has no justification for its actions in the “Original Meaning” of the Founders.  The Founders, perhaps with the exception of Hamilton, feared exactly what we have today in Washington DC. 

The House and Senate, believing themselves to be the repository of all knowledge, are poised to foist upon the average citizen, by the force of law, a mandate to use their property (money) in a manner other than their choosing.  This arrogant travesty should shake us all to the core and inspire action, not mere complaining.

When so-called healthcare reform is passed, the States, supported by We the People, MUST respond forcefully.  If we fail or go weak-kneed at this moment of liberty’s greatest need, the great American experiment will be lost forever; there will be no way to roll back the clock.

Therefore, the States, populated by We the People must deploy our greatest Constitutional weapons, the 9^th and 10^th Amendments.  Shortly after ratification, these “Rights” were enshrined in the Bill of Rights and they are in no less force than they were on December 15, 1791. A State of States must immediately introduce and pass not just a resolution of disagreement with the federal government, but legislation that defies the federal government.  We the People must then force the Governor or Governors of to sign it into law and transmit it to Washington DC.

The question really boils down to whether or not We the People of the 21^st century are really cut from the same cloth as those in the 18^th century.  Time will tell.

Misc

We’re all struggling to articulate what it is we’re fighting against.  Sure, right now it’s healthcare, tomorrow it will be Cap & Trade and on and on and on we’ll go.  But is that really what we’re fighting against?

I contend what we’re really fighting against isn’t specific policies, rather it’s the soft tyranny of an out-of-control federal government.  Congress refuses to restrain itself.  The Presidency sees no limits to it’s power to execute the law on us, the citizens. The Supreme Court will not force the other two branches to comply with the Constitution; instead, they provide the precedent necessary to expand their reach.

Well, the ultimate check and balance granted to us by the 10th Amendment and the Declaration of Independence is to force the federal government back into the box created by the Founders.  We do this through the ballot box now, but eventually, a Constitutional Convention may be necessary as I fear the government no longer fears nor respects the populace…thus, we must compel them to.

So, as you gather at your local Tea parties or assemble under the 1st Amendment in Washington DC this Saturday, make connections.  Identify others you may be able to keep in touch with.  Join local groups that share your values. Organize, organize, organize.  If we’re going to have any chance at success, it will be because we’re organized.

Misc

We all intuitively know that conservatism, at its core is a winning ideology. It’s the basis for our Constitution and central to the Declaration of Independence; “We hold these TRUTHS to be self-evident…” When articulated properly, conservative principles will usually win the day. So why aren’t we in power? Why isn’t the government small, like the Founders intended? How did this all get away from us so that we find ourselves meeting in secret with our little Meetup groups or teabag protests across the country?  Simply put, we’re busy.

Conservatives are busy. Without us being so busy, America would come to a grinding halt, but there is a cost to this busyness.  And here’s the dirty little secret the politicians hope and pray we never figure out…pssst, they know we’re busy being the responsible party in America. And they know we’re too busy being responsible to spend a lot of time opposing them.

This has been the game they’ve played since the 1930’s whether republican or democrat; the names have almost become interchangeable at this point. One slaps us in the face, and one promises to take us to the dance but never shows up at the door.

Well, as thousands have already said, America is at another one of those defining moments in her short 230+ year history; a new moment where a new cost will need to be paid if we’re to leave anything behind for our children and their children.

Our lives of relative peace and quiet are coming to an end and soon you will find more and more liberties taken from you by the very force the Founders attempted to limit…the federal government. ACORN and its agitators may soon show up at your doorstep if you’re identified as one who opposes broader sweeping government intervention. Look at what happened to the AIG executives who lawfully took bonus payments…protesters actually showed up at their house.

These are transitional times folks.

The big question is; will we answer the call?

Some of you reading this and not currently in elected office are going to need to come out of your comfort zones and actually run. But before you run, you need to know why you’re trying to obtain power, and let’s not kid ourselves, that’s what this whole game is about…the Founders set it up that way; they intended the peaceful transfer of power through elections.

Power is not an ugly word for a conservative, or at least it shouldn’t be. We hate the word because we’ve seen both parties exercise it over the populace in highly oppressive ways and so we chill at the use of it. But principled power (conservative principled power) can be a great thing and thus each of us needs to know what we believe before we seek it. In the end, we need to take power to reduce power, there’s no other way…Constitutionally.

In this regard, I’ve got to hand it to the liberals, in some ways they’re more principled than we are. They fundamentally believe in socialism and have been working diligently at bringing it to our shores for 70 years. Talk about patience! They’ve rallied, marched, ran for office all in an attempt to seek and hold power and they’ve just about reached their goal. Soon, very soon, over 50% of the country will pay no income taxes, nationalized healthcare will be implemented and business regulation will govern business decision making. The government will hold all the cards and there won’t be much we can do about it.

So, my statement stands, the liberals in some ways have been acting on their principles far more effective than we have. Because we’re busy, I’m too busy.

Well, as many a fisherman has said; it’s time to fish or cut bait.

No one is asking you to become a politician, at least as it’s understood through the lens of a modern definition of politician. I don’t trust politicians myself and I’ve been deep in the belly of the whale before…no thanks. But you do need to consider being a conservative citizen leader, driven and beholden to no one but principle. That’s the only way this mess is cleaned up, and it will be a herculean task. We’re pretty far down the road to socialism and if I’m honest, it might be too late.

Misc

Well, it’s that time of the year, get ready to hear a bunch of hack politicians in Congress and the White House utter completely nonsensical phrases like:

• “May God Bless this great country”
• “May God continue to bless this great country”
• “God Bless America”
• “May God bless all of us”
• Fill in the blank that politicians lie about God blessing.

Alright, got your attention?  I know, I know, how dare I speak for the Almighty (and I do mean Almighty with all reverence).  I’m an evangelical Christian but think that what I’m about to write pretty much sums it up for just about all traditional faiths.  Ready?

God stopped blessing us many many years ago.  Perhaps He’s restraining His judgement upon us or we’re benefiting from His mercy, but c’mon, do we really think He’s blessing us?  Why such certainty behind the statement you ask?

1. Since 1973 we’ve just about killed 43 MILLION babies in the womb.  Yep, God sure is for that.
2. We’re now 11 TRILLION DOLLARS in debt with much more coming.  God just loves irresponsibility and presumption of the future. 
3. Personal responsibility, shame and embarrassment have just about been removed from our vocabulary and replaced with a dysfunctional family experience, ADD, ADHD, QUXT (that’s mine, I like acronyms) or any other psychological malady that has been provided as a reason for irresponsible behavior.  In the end, it’s really no ones fault except Christians or conservatives; they can still be blamed for all of America’s ills.  Yep, the teddy bear God in heaven really doesn’t have an opinion about right and wrong and will excuse all our behavior if we can show Him a prescription for medication we’re taking to help us deal with our dysfunctional family experience.
4. Sexual promiscuity before the age of 18 is rampant.  According to a HHS report, more than two thirds of males have had sexual intercourse before 18 (see here).  Slightly more than half of females aged 18 have had intercourse.  Yep, God sure is for that.
5. The list can go on and on and if you’d like to add some, jot me an email and I’ll put them up.

So, when you hear a President (from either party) or congressperson “X” say; “and may God continue to bless this country”, take it for what its worth, just a gimmick used by career politicians to trick you into thinking they’re on your side, they’re like you.  Let me assure, these statements can’t pass the simplest of common sense tests…not the simplest.

Misc

Please remember that tomorrow is not about Madison Avenue marketing, it’s about a baby being born in a manger…who would one day grow to be the Savior of the world.

Blessings!

Misc

I’m starting a new organization today but I need your help.  I need attorneys, PR people, internet and web development staff.  The pay is $0.00 but the payoff is HUGE.

Qualifications:

1. Buy and read Amity Shlaes The Forgotten Man
2. Read William Graham Sumner’s The Forgotten Man essay.
3. Give time each week to help.
4. If you believe after reading these two works that you’re “C” and are about to get reamed by federal and state governments, contact me.

Disqualifications:

1. Lock and load revolutionaries
2. Radical overthrowers (you know who you are)

I received a number of comments from my last post that I was pontificating myself…fair enough.  One caveat to that; I’m not a General in the conservative movement.  I’m just a husband, father, and business owner with a blog, that’s all.  With that said, I’m willing to try to get something started that represents the “C” in Sumners equation (don’t know what “C” is, ah ha, you didn’t read Sumner’s article).

“C”, the forgotten men and women of America are about to get hosed, big time.  The federal and state governments have every tool in their box that they need to do this and quite honestly, there’s not a lot we can do to stop them.  They have codified every tactic they need.

While there is little we can do to stop them, there are some things we can try, but it requires massive coordination and sacrifice.  This honestly is the hardest part to stopping the federal juggernaut.  Sumner and Shlaes hit the nail squarely on the head with their equation (A + B get together to help D but realize they need money from C to do it).  Well, guess what our good federal and state legislators figured out back in the 30’s; good ole’ C is busy raising his family or paying her bills or planning their retirement or tending to their church to pay attention to all the legislation being passed for D’s sake.  Not only is C not paying attention, A + B know not to ask C for their opinion.  This is the truely sinister part of Sumner’s equation. 

FDR himself coopted the term Forgotten Man and twisted the meaning given to it by Sumner, transitioning the Forgotten Man into the downtrodden of the Great Depression.  By conjuring up images of the truely destitute and the emotional feelings FDR knew would follow, he was able to create a David vs. Goliath battle between big business and the people who were wiped out.  FDR and the federal government would then come riding in on their white horses to save the day from evil big business and viola, “C’s” wallet was opened, Roosevelt slipped in his fingers and slipped out a few bucks all the while wispering in your ear; “its for the less fortunate”.

Misc

For those of you following this blog, I’ve been away for most of the month of December.  I have a disabled son whose been in and out of the hospital with multiple surgeries and consistent with my values, I dedicated my time to him, resisting my posting desires.

Misc