Tag Archives: America

Global Eight

Posted on 27/10/2011 | Leave a comment

Global Eight
by k. e. leger

they call themselves g-8
most populous states
world’s economy
controlling the way
beyond
what america did create
the united nations
new york base
—worldly matters advocate
health, aid, money
it’s not a debate
inclusion rates
country’s who hate
america to deflate

power does vindicate
selected per-say
separated
—more controlled take
created by france
a coward’s slate
in 1975
what’s there to hide
this now
chosen eight

canada
france
germany
italy
japan
united kingdom
united states
russia

summits to talk
world finance walk

what about america’s law
where the people hold
the powering claw

all this foreign influence
world decisions
their take
arguing
agreeing
all’s fate

world order
do you still
want to debate

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Gentle Soul

Posted on 27/10/2011 | Leave a comment

Gentle Soul
(dedicated to Herman Cain)
by k. e. leger

not african
american
not politician
vocation

of heritage
proud
of family
honored

not of wealth
po’

from nothing
to something

ethics
handed
values
instilled

God†
his guide
faith
his will

laughter
returning
laughter

gentle smile
straight up
truth

not following
leading
confidant
self-assured

a fighter
cancer survivor

southern educated
pure american
validated

about the people
not greed’s steeple

herman cain
will not reign
guide—lead
awaken americans
from their sedated sleep

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Interesting

Posted on 27/10/2011 | Leave a comment

Interesting, 2011
by k. e. leger

around the corner
a presidential campaign
all seems insane
ignoring obvious
merry-go-round’s
circling game
a magician’s
hand in hat

now you see
now you don’t

who’s the bigger
challenging cat

travel the circuit
wave to a crowd
promises said aloud
norm’s ancient way
for truth—lie debate

all’s the same
—this american campaign
amongst the republican’s honest name

forgotten, simple frame
tricking the human brain

—manipulation
easy psychological claim

pictures
tv

clear—plain

obama’s found a way
saudi arabia’s inventing play

insert moslems
high in american government clay

cripple finances
don’t let them see
what’s real—what’s fake

push a government hand
as hitler did say
medical needs
do take

weaken strength
values—morals

scramble their minds
debates
do create
topics at heart
they’ll concentrate

on with the game
time
to entertain

osama bin laden
george w
chased in vain

elections—
obama’s campaign
sudden capture
furthering
illusion’s train

elite navy seal’s
short-time celebrated fame
without open-view proof
wrapped in cellophane
into the ocean
laden was drained

then a heated flame
seal’s to maim
covered tracks
down from the sky
they did rain

desperation—
iran’s 2012′s flame
islam’s praised ialm
waiting to reign

weak magical trick
time to top it

gaddafi to hang
let’s mix america’s brain
over and over
different game
opened wide
time to entertain

hidden in a pipe
a way to escape

here’s illusion’s cape

now you see
now you don’t

after failed gains
excited moslems
across the sands
democracy we won’t
amercia please help

those once hailing
an early past
americans easily slain

egypt’s public game
for the brotherhood’s reign

obama praised
terrorists controlled terrain
we must be diplomatic
we must see them sane
instead of wanting to hang

this gaddafi game
seems too—
a bit lame

powerful mass killer
disappearing—
protecting his reign
a game
he easily sang

then in a drain
not running
but curled like a soup terrain
from death to burial
american eyes
coveted with lies

obama’s continued campaign
no promises to make
in the american brain
a better way to take

that’s there
his merry-go-round fair
not on his own
could he be so strong
too much
could go wrong
who could help
this clone
he couldn’t do it alone

only a middle eastern power
could hold this tower
only big money
could help this phony

then over here
illusive american game
coveting his beginning frame

home gardens illegal
heavily tax the farmer’s market

the mrs could tame
public attention
on american gardens
a book to mask
what hubby tried to slay
changing the slate
american farmers
—votes to sway

all to entertain
twist the american brain
high burning
psychological flame

no need to strain
it’s all clear—plain

sudden voice’s claim

job-creating plan
remortgage—lower rate
help this struggling land
illusions all the same
government to own
more american homes
taken
through illusion’s game
more private assets
right behind american backs

around
does go
this merry-go-round

two different campaigns

history remains
history maimed

wish-washy brain

as 2012 quickly gains
its days
one by one
will fad
as americans
watch football
play video games
as the romans
all’s the same
play with the brain
—entertain
covet who’s to blame
’til we’re thrown
into a fire’s flame

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Nullication–Interposition: The Difference

Posted on 25/04/2011 | Leave a comment

post by Steve Palmer, The Tenth Amendment Center

[The following article clears up the Nullification process. I'm glad I found it. The discussion is very professional and eye opening. Please take the time to read this and visit The Tenth Amendment Center. Education is the key. George Washington said educating our youth about our way of life and our Constitution was the key to our survival. Down here in South Louisiana, Civics is a half-year course, and people wonder why America is like it is.]

One thing I have noticed during my fifteen months working with the Tenth Amendment Center is that when people use the words, nullification and interposition, they don’t always seem to mean the same things.  Even articles by people who agree about these concepts give subtle, contextual clues that we aren’t necessarily thinking of the same ideas when we use these words. On the surface, it’s simple. Nullification is when a State declares a law null, void and invalid. Interposition is when a State inserts itself between the federal government and the State’s citizens on behalf of the citizens. Surprisingly, though, when you think a little more carefully about it, things start getting muddled pretty quickly. For example, are nullification and interposition two words for the same thing? If not, do they overlap? Which branch of government does them?

Matt Spalding, with The Heritage Foundation gives us a great example of this confusion. In his article, rejecting the concept of nullification, he writes, “The important distinction between Madison’s idea of interposition and Calhoun’s theory of nullification should be kept clear and bright, and has practical application in today’s debates…A different approach can be seen in the Firearm Freedom Acts passed in 8 States (proposed in 22 more) cleverly designed to challenge expansive federal claims of regulatory authority under the Commerce Clause. South Carolina is doing the same with the Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom Act. These acts are aggressive State actions that challenge federal laws—but they are not nullification. Nor is it nullification when States refuse to participate in federal programs and mandates, such as the REAL ID Act.“ (emphasis added)

From these excerpts, it becomes clear that not only do Mr. Spalding and I disagree about the proper role for nullification in the States, but worse, we don’t even agree about what nullification means. To me, when a State refuses to participate in a federal mandate, such as the REAL ID Act, that is just about as close as possible to the textbook meaning of nullification as you can get.

We’re never going to be able to agree about the proper role for nullification if we can’t even agree on what it means. Apparently, Mr. Spalding is on board with all these legislative examples he lists, but rejects some nebulous concept known as “Calhoun’s theory of nullification.” While it would also be useful to address some of the other points in Mr. Spalding’s article, that will have to wait for another day. The point of this article is simply to propose a way of organizing the concepts of nullification and interposition so that when we discuss them, we are at least thinking of the same ideas.

Proposing a Framework—To this end, I decided to try to draw a diagram to organize my own thoughts on these concepts.  It turned out to be more difficult than I thought, but here is what I came up with (so far).

Describing the Diagram—In this diagram, nullification is a subset of interposition. That is, nullification is interposition, but interposition is not necessarily nullification. Nullification and interposition themselves are not seen as specific actions, but rather as categories into which actions fit. The various ovals in the diagram are color-coded to represent the strength of the measure and positioned within the lines to reflect the branch of State government which can execute them. The royal blue ovals represent forms of interposition which are not nullification. The turquoise ovals are passive forms of nullification where the State declares a federal action invalid, but doesn’t actively resist federal efforts at enforcement or implementation. The red ovals are the confrontational forms of nullification where the State says that a federal action is invalid and the State will prevent the federal government from enforcing or implementing its program.

It should be noted that all of these actions can, theoretically, be applied before or after a Supreme Court ruling. The position of the Tenth Amendment Center is that the State has the final authority to interpret the Constitution for itself. Unfortunately, that opinion is not yet held by everyone. Before a Supreme Court ruling, however, none of the actions in this diagram should be controversial.

Interposition—In this model, I included three forms of interposition—1.) Resolutions by the State legislature, 2.) litigation by the State’s executive branch and 3.) nullification by one or more branches of the State government.

Examples of legislative resolutions include the Tenth Amendment Resolutionswhich have passed or are presently under consideration in many States. Another example is Pennsylvania’s 1811 Resolution Against the Bank. An example of interposition in the form of litigation by the executive branch comes to us in the form of the lawsuits by 28 States, including Pennsylvania, against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I do not consider these State actions to be nullification because neither one effects the functioning of the federal law which it targets. Instead, both depend upon further action by another branch or level of government in order to restore the Constitution. The stay and injunction by the judicial branch also come to mind as possible forms of interposition, but I couldn’t think of any specific examples off the top of my head, so I did not include them.

Nullification—And that brings us to nullification. In this framework, nullification can be performed individually by any of the branches of State government or by multiple branches in conjunction.

Executive Branch—One form of nullification comes when the executive branch refuses, without prompting by the State legislature, to implement or enforce a federal program. Examples can be seen in the States of Florida and Alaska, both of whom have announced their refusal to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care act. Even the Supreme Court agrees that the executive branch of the State may refuse to enforce or implement a federal program, writing in the case of Mack/Printz v. USA—”We held in New York that Congress cannot compel the States to enact or enforce a federal regulatory program. Today we hold that Congress cannot circumvent that prohibition by conscripting the State’s officers directly. The Federal Government may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the States’ officers, or those of their political subdivision, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program. It matters not whether policymaking is involved, and no case by case weighing of the burdens or benefits is necessary; such commands are fundamentally incompatible with our constitutional system of dual sovereignty.”

In other words, the federal government cannot require any State official to enforce or implement a federal program. End of discussion. Sheriff DeMeo took nullification into the red zone by actively preventing the Federal Bureau of Land Management from enforcing their program. It is interesting to note that Nye County, NV joined Sheriff DeMeo, interposing by passing a resolution. While this article focuses on nullification and interposition by the State, it happens at other levels, too.

Judicial Branch—A State’s judicial branch can nullify a federal law by simply declaring it unconstitutional. This was done, for example, in the instance of Joshua Glover, when the Wisconsin Supreme Court declared the Federal Fugitive Slave Act to be unconstitutional.

Legislative Branch and Collaboration—When the legislative branch passes a law which is in conflict with a federal law, that branch of government is acting to nullify the federal law. There are numerous examples of this form of nullification, including State medical marijuana laws,Real ID non-compliance measures and firearm freedom acts. Legislative measures of this sort are more effective when they are also supported by the actions of the executive  branch and the decisions of the courts. As we see in California, where LAPD and LA County Sheriff department members joined federal officials on a recent raid of a medical marijuana dispensary, the other branches of State government do not always collaborate.

Pennsylvania’s Personal Freedom Law, which made it kidnapping when a bounty hunter attempted to return an escaped slave to his State of origin, was an example of a legislative measure which had escalated into the red zone of our diagram. Proposed TSA limiting laws in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Texas which consider unconstitutional strip searches and aggressive pat downs to be assault are modern examples.

Conclusion—While it may not be important that everyone adopts this particular framework when talking about nullification and interposition, it is tremendously important that we know what framework is being used when we talk to each other about these concepts. When confronted with someone who opposes the concepts of nullification and interposition, before arguing about the validity and proper uses for nullification, perhaps the starting point should be to seek common ground on the definitions of the words. It may turn out that by agreeing on what the words mean, we may find that we have more in common than we knew. Also, organizing the instances of nullification and interposition using a framework like this may illuminate some tactical understandings that aren’t as easily discerned through verbal descriptions.

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Erase the Hypocrisy, Please!

Posted on 25/04/2011 | 2 Comments

post by k. e. leger

You know I’m so sick and tired of the phrases conservative movement and grass roots. The United States of America was founded on Christian values that once upon a time took morals, values, and loyalty to their country very serious. Radical liberals were not accepted. In my opinion, whoever came up with these phrases are not true Americans in any since of the word. With that said, on with the 2012 campaign.

Ridiculous. The only word for it.

Conference in Louisiana after Oil Spill. Notice there's no flags. No U.S. President has ever forgotten the flags!

Candidate (so-sure-of-himself) #1—As anyone who reads my opinions here knows, the puppet shouldn’t even be in the Oval Office. He should have never been elected, but since he has (or placed), he should have been impeached that first year. My argument is strong here. Just read this site and you will understand the footing on which I stand.

Like many others I was floored after the November 2010 election. We called for impeachment but nothing happened. But then things cleared up, for me anyway. If you paid attention to who got elected, you would have noticed that many seats were incumbents (meaning, of course, that they were reelected—furthering their careers as politicians which should be a no, no since we taxpayers fit the bill.)

These incumbents were the ones (including the puppet) who signed the stimulus package of 2008. Remember that? It doesn’t seem like many people paid much attention to who was getting the money. AIG was one. Did you know that? Well, did you also know that AIG supports the Islamic world-destructive views? No, well, just do a little research and you will find that this company refuses to do business with Christians or any company or person associated with Christianity. That’s right! Okay, put a little sense in that one and you get the United States Congress giving money to support terrorism. That’s a big assumption but yet if they don’t do business with Christians, then who are they doing business with and who owns them? Check out what Insurance Journey and The Voice Magazine has to say about this issue.

So, I would assume that none of these Congress members who signed this package would want to face treason charges; and, since we have a president who is highly questionable in every aspect of his life, it would be right to assume there was some blackmail going on behind closed doors. “Impeach me and I’ll make sure everyone knows what you did!” I would not put it pass this puppet master because he lacks any kind of character.

Another question I keep asking myself is—should a president of the United States be campaigning 1 1/2 years before an election? Shouldn’t he be running the country instead? Shouldn’t he be protecting the country? Just wondering because I think it lacks a considerable amount of character to be doing what the puppet is doing.

For the other contenders. Here’s where my comment above about conservative movement comes into play. Humm.

How many times has he been married? A liar, a cheater, a traitor.

Candidate Prospect #2—Shouldn’t Trump be running on the Democratic ticket since he so proudly announced how he made more money on one transaction, that of renting American soil to a dictator who supports terrorism, than he did all year? Then he tried to cover his a…

As reported by Ryan Witt on examiner.com—”Donald Trump tried to justify his relative recent business dealings with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.  Yesterday, Donald Trump boasted about how he screwed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in some business dealings.  Critics questioned whether Trump should be profiting at all off of a known supporter of terrorism who has since become infamous for his brutal rule over his own people. …[A] CNN interviewer then asks if he gave Gaddafi’s money to charity. Trump goes on to claim that he did, in fact, donate the money he made off of Gaddafi to charity.”

Then he changed his story stating to Timothy Christopher of Mediate that he  “made it impossible for Gaddafi to rent the property, but instead it was local government officials.” Then he states that he didn’t know who he was renting the property to—”Trump claimed that he did not know it was Gaddafi who was renting the property. At the time, Trump claimed he thought the property was being leased to the United Arab Emirates, with no connection to Gaddafi.”

The joke’s on us. Of course, American politics has become a joke all around the world. We can easily be manipulated and deceived. Oh, and taken advantage of . Is Trump just playing around with us, too? South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a Republican, says to NewsMax—“Anybody that thinks he’s doing this for name recognition—that’s just not true. He’s very serious about it and he’s convinced he can win.” Now remember that he rented American property to a terrorist and dictator. Was there a deal made under the table? Think about it. Trump proudly announced that he made more money in that one transaction then in a whole year! Trump’s a very rich man. Does anyone know how much he made last year? It is reported that he is worth $2.9 billion.

So, better yet, should he be running for the President of the United States at all? He’s rich. Okay. And? That’s all that I see. Sure he built himself an empire in business. Oh, boo-hoo. That doesn’t make him worthy of being an American President. Did he hold any public service office? I mean maybe the public would vote for him since the puppet got in office with hardly any public service experience along with having friendships with Islamic terrorist criminals. Maybe Americans just don’t care to be free anymore.

Another point about Trump is—Just because he stirred up mess about the puppet’s birth certificate doesn’t makes him credible. The people should have taken care of that from the start. No, take that back, the United States Judicial system should have done this. And, once they failed to do their job, then the people should have stepped up to the plate and called for recalls across the board. That’s how it is suppose to be done. Now they are looking up to a traitor because he’s got enough money to do so? How absurd!

If she runs and if she does what she did for Alaska, America would say farewell to all those who want to destroy her because she would regain her power.

Presumed Candidate #3—Tell me Sarah Palin doesn’t have experience and you’d be a liar. She has a lot of experience. What she did for Alaska is amazing. Why wouldn’t she make a good candidate? Because she is a strong Christian? Oh, yeah, the moslums in Washington wouldn’t like that one because she would interrupt their take-over plans! That’s the only reason I see that would be anyone’s reason to not support her. After all, there’s no one else willing to step up to the plate that’s worthy enough. Isn’t that true?

But still there’s still mess. NewsMax reports “a battery of recent polls that suggest her once sky-high popularity is plummeting on many key fronts—among Republicans and independents, for example, as well as Alaskans.” Very interesting. I guess these poll takers didn’t read her books. I did. Maybe Palin should create her own ticket. After what she witnessed during the 2008 campaign, I doubt that either party—Republicans and Democrats—value the Constitution much anymore. George Washington was right on the mark when he said that parties bring only corruption and separation. I mean no one seems to be questioning why Americans aren’t voting for people who really care about our ways and our laws; instead, they are voting (or something else) people in office that really hate this wonderful country!

Career Politician!

Candidate #4—And who’s Rep. Michele Bachmann? Here’s what NewsMax had to say, “Somewhat surprisingly, Bachmann may be the trio’s most serious candidate—at least, her recent fundraising suggests she is. The three-term congresswoman raised $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2011, according to her newly released Federal Election Commission filings. Of that total, $1.7 million came from her congressional committee, and $500,000 from her political action committee. She even outpaced former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who’s noted for his fundraising strengths and is viewed by many as the party’s 2012 frontrunner. Romney raised $1.9 million in the first quarter of this year…Indeed, political insiders say Bachmann has distinguished herself from Palin and other GOP candidates by walking the walk with tea party activists. “She’s got so much money, and she’s a true believer. And she’s beaten the odds, repeatedly,” Sabato said. “She’s egged on by the media in a different way than Palin. Palin gets irritated, while Bachmann gets even. And she gets even by running.””

Let’s not keep making mistakes. First, a 3-term congresswoman? Power. That’s all I see. While the American people are continuously financing her life style, she’s gaining power and living high on the hog. Aren’t we tired of this? Weren’t Republicans trying to limit congressional terms to 2, and yet, they are supporting a 3-term candidate? Do you see the hypocrisy?

That’s the candidates. So far I haven’t seen any democrats stepping up to take on the hate-Americans agenda puppet.

The plot thickens. Now, there’s all this BS about the tea parties. As NewsMax stated “all three would-be candidates are forcing tea party activists to make some important decisions as they try to grow into a more enduring force in American politics.”

I don’t think you can force anyone to do anything. The tea party Americans are for what this country is suppose to be about—loyalty to God†, loyalty to the country, less taxes, and freedom. So, why is there so much hype about them? After all, we are all suppose to be Americans. After all, everyone living here claiming their citizenship by birth or other are enjoying all that America stands for. Shouldn’t everyone be fighting for the same thing?

My point is that when ideas like those the tea party goers had when they first began change radically, I begin to wonder who’s telling the truth. Newsmax reports that “early polls suggest that Trump is dominating the GOP field—among Tea Party activists and more mainstream Republican voters. A new PPP poll showed Trump leading his nearest GOP competitor by 9 points. (That’s likely a result of Trump’s towering name recognition; according to a Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday, 39 percent of Republicans named him as the potential candidate they’ve heard the most about lately. That was more than all other candidates—combined).”

Who’s giving and taking these polls? You mean to tell me that the very people who rallied for the Constitution are going to support a man who rented American land to a terrorist? I don’t believe that one for a second. I see the press pushing their agenda on innocent people. Again!

After all, the press pushed the puppet. They made him look like a saint while bashing a true, Christian (honest) candidate. They even went as far as turning the State of Alaska against her. Is this jealousy? Then the press made the puppet look like he was the next best thing to the invention of bread while bashing a war hero who honored America enough to suffer torture instead of giving up secrets! The press is known for supporting the release of secret information as they did during the Bush years after 9/11 putting the United States citizens at risk, not even thinking or caring about their actions. So, why do Americans even trust them anymore? They are not sticking to the ethics of true journalism. I bet over half of them don’t know what the word objectivity means. It’s all about fame and money!

I’m disappointed to say the least. We, as Americans, should have already recalled over half of the judicial branch and most of congress, and we should have forced the impeachment of the puppet. But no one is doing anything! My own family hates the fact that I write about politics and refuses to hear me when I talk about it. That says a lot to me.

We have lost the meaning of being an American. We have forgotten those who sacrificed for the freedoms we have. We are willing to give up the Constitution and our freedom so we don’t have to struggle with making decisions. “Oh, let someone else do it!” is the mind-set of today’s American. Oh, what a sad, sad world this is.

It’s time to step up to the plate. Put fear behind us and just do it! It’s now or never. Have American anyone?

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Posted in A Fight for Freedom

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Change?

Posted on 25/04/2011 | 3 Comments

post by unknown author (from email)

The puppet kept his promise of change. Here are some of the changes. Are you ready for 4 more years of changes? After two years of the puppet, here’s your change!

January 2009 TODAY

% chg

Source
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S. $1.83 $3.104

69.6%

 1
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel) $43.48 $99.02

127.7%

 2
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel) $38.74 $91.38

135.9%

 2
Gold: London (per troy oz.) $853.25 $1,369.50

60.5%

 2
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL $3.56 $6.33

78.1%

 2
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL $9.66 $13.75

42.3%

 2
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb. Fob $13.37 $35.39

164.7%

 2
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall 7.6% 9.4%

23.7%

 3
Unemployment rate, blacks 12.6% 15.8%

25.4%

 3
Number of unemployed 11,616,000 14,485,000

24.7%

 3
Number of fed. Employees, ex. Military (curr = 12/10 prelim) 2,779,000 2,840,000

2.2%

 3
Real median household income (2008 v 2009) $50,112 $49,777

-0.7%

 4
Number of food stamp recipients (curr = 10/10) 31,983,716 43,200,878

35.1%

 5
Number of unemployment benefit recipients (curr = 12/10) 7,526,598 9,193,838

22.2%

 6
Number of long-term unemployed 2,600,000 6,400,000

146.2%

 3
Poverty rate, individuals (2008 v 2009) 13.2% 14.3%

8.3%

 4
People in poverty in U.S. (2008 v 2009) 39,800,000 43,600,000

9.5%

 4
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings 5 9

n/a

 10
Present Situation Index (curr = 12/10) 29.9 23.5

-21.4%

 11
Failed banks (curr = 2010 + 2011 to date) 140 164

17.1%

 12
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate 89.76 82.03

-8.6%

 2
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim) 1,575.1 1,865.7

18.4%

 13
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim) 8,310.9 8,852.3

6.5%

 13
National debt, in trillions $10..627 $14..052

32.2%

 14

Just take this last item—In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation’s history. Over 27 times as fast. Metaphorically speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane 27 times faster, it would be doing 7,555 MPH! (Over 10 times the speed of sound) No wonder we did not see it!

Sources—(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. of Labor; (7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC; (13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury

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Posted in U.S. Economics

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Economic Recover: 100% Fake

Posted on 25/04/2011 | Leave a comment

post by Robert Wiedemer, MoneyNews.com

That’s right. The recovery is a fake. It is completely a result of massive increases in government borrowing. The cheerleaders like to tell you that the economy has rebounded. We had government stimulus earlier, but now animal spirits have taken over and it is running on its own. Hah! The recovery is only stimulus.

Let’s look at the numbers—In 2007, the GDP was $14.0 trillion. In 2010, the GDP was $14.6 trillion. That’s a net increase of $600 billion—$600 billion in 3 years is not good, but it is a rebound that is at least slightly above inflation.

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However, let’s compare that to the increase in government borrowing.
  • In 2007, the U.S. government borrowed and spent $163 billion.
  • In 2010, the U.S. government borrowed and spent almost $1.4 trillion.

That’s a net increase of over $1.2 trillion. The entire increase in our GDP can be attributed to the increase in government spending. In fact, the increase in government spending is almost two times the increase in our GDP. That means the economy is doing very poorly indeed. Without massive increases in government borrowing and spending, there would be no recovery at all.

As a final note of how much the U.S. government has increased its borrowing and spending, in February 2011 alone we borrowed and spent $222 billion. That’s almost 40 percent more than in all of 2007.

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Posted in U.S. Economics

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The Value of Leadership

Posted on 06/04/2011 | Leave a comment

Karen, you have inspired me to write this challenge and essay on leadership this morning. Once I started I couldn’t stop. Keep those posts coming; once read they do make a difference. Thanks and keep the faith. Dan Morris

[I have inspired you? Wow! I think that may be the other way around. It's clear to see that inspiration has a domino affect. This essay is very inspiring. Thanks so much for writing it down and sending it. k]

The value of leadership—

Like a blinding flash of lightning on a dark night we sometimes experience an epiphany that compels us to sit and write about something we think is important. That’s what happened to me as I skimmed through some of Karen’s writing. There are many issues that can motivate and drive us to act and leadership is one that sometimes passes us by unnoticed. We always talk and write about leadership in terms of result instead of method.

Without strong and moral leadership our world stumbles and falters; often leading us to disappointment, failure and disaster. So, what is this force that we need so badly when times are rough? Well, the idea of positive leadership is that it brings about or affirms the capacity of people like you and me to move, inspire, and mobilize us to act cohesively in pursuit of an end. In other words, leadership is the art of getting people to do something they would not do on their own. In reality, leadership can serve good or evil purposes.

Mankind acts with a free will so ultimately, as individual human beings, we can choose to make a difference for others. Leadership, properly used, inspires teamwork and a sense of accomplishment. Under strong leadership, corporations stay solvent, governments govern wisely, and armies keep us safe. Where would Christianity be if Christ† had been unable to lead? God† chose well when He† selected Christ†.

If you don’t think that individual leaders can make a difference, then let me cite a few examples and plant some seeds of thought for your consideration. What if the following leaders had never surfaced? In December 1931, Mario Constasino was driving his car on Park Ave., New York City between 76th and 77th Streets. It was dark, around 10:30 P.M. His car struck a pedestrian who was looking in the wrong direction. By some miraculous fate the man was not killed. He was a British politician by the name of Winston Churchill. How would WWII have turned out without him? Fourteen months later, an American politician was riding in an open car in Miami, Florida. A man by the name of Giuseppe Zangara shot at the politician missing him and killing the man sitting next to him. The politician was Franklin Roosevelt. These were two strong leaders who led two great nations during WWII.

There is a flip side to the above examples that addresses the question about good and bad leaders. Would we have even needed the above great leaders if Adolf Hitler had been killed in 1923 while participating in the street fighting during the Munich Putsch? For that matter would we have needed the strength of Churchill and Roosevelt if Lenin had died of typhus during WWI? The art of leadership plays no favorites when it comes to good and evil.

When it comes to our country we need to look no closer than our beginning during our Revolutionary War. At first, George Washington only reluctantly gave up farming in Virginia to lead the Continental Army. His leadership skills were tested under the harshest conditions at Valley Forge. The question is—when does the formerly unnoticeable person make the decision to lead? It could be as simple as taking the lead to avoid an unacceptable end result. We have to care first before getting involved.

My examples have been lofty with national and international ramifications. Allow me to add some clarity here. Leadership is not a calling for only leaders of nations. Leadership is needed at all levels if it is to achieve a desired result. Generals do not lead squads up a hill to take out enemy machine guns. Team, squad, and platoon leaders get this done through exercising great leadership. I think you get it; leadership is important at all levels for all interests to be successful. Results are always a matter of risk plus effort. I learned a lot about leadership as I worked my way up to Sergeant First Class in the infantry. My leadership challenges did not end there as I then climbed the warrant officer ranks, and then the ranks of government service. The same principles always applied.

One of a leader’s jobs is to make it easy for people to do the right thing and to make it hard to do the wrong thing. So, a leader has to know what he or she is talking about. This is the area where we have to know the difference between management and leadership. Simply; we manage things and lead people. This is a lesson that our President and Commander-in-Chief has never learned. We should always lead by example with a clearly defined purpose. This isn’t rocket science, but, it is a skill. This all sounds nice, but, where do we begin? Why do we even bother to begin?

First, let’s look at stamina and ability. Next, we will need clarity of purpose. As a conservative and Constitutionalist, I know where I stand on most political issues. I’m an old, tattered, and worn leader. Sadly and unfortunately, there are days when I can see my physical stamina waning. The things that make me a valuable asset are that I have a mind and quite a bit of experience. I have been told that I can give sage-quality advice. There are people who would probably question that assessment. Notwithstanding, I will do my best to make a difference; especially when it comes to serving my country. I have served my country in some capacity since I was 17 years old.

My challenge to anyone that reads this message is simply this—get involved in the political process. There are way too many out there who are aggressively involved for, what I see, as the wrong reasons. Yes, there are people at all levels of government that are intent on altering everything our founding fathers created, fought for, and died for. If a person’s moral and political compass is off, then they will never get to the right destination. We desperately need conservative leaders that share our morals and core values at all levels of government. Check out your local political apparatus for opportunities to serve. Run for office if you can. Every time I go to vote, I see liberals running unopposed on the ballot because no one wants to get involved. Don’t be naïve and trust that things will just work out; you will ultimately pay the consequences for not acting. Compete for offices at the local city/town, parish/county, and State levels. It doesn’t matter if you win; just have your voice heard. Remember, the political process is where you transform your passion on the issues into action.

I want to end on an unusual note. When it comes to my cause, any cause, you need more than good leaders for gaining ground and resolving critical issues. You also need good followers. When you go out into your communities, you may find that there are already good leaders stepping up to the plate. Become one of their soldiers, a staunch follower and supporter. We need to take the fight to the liberal base and either alter their course or stop them in their tracks. Every campaign needs workers. All causes, liberal or conservative, use strategies to achieve goals. All strategies have strengths and weaknesses. To make a difference, all you have to do is disrupt their strengths and exploit their weaknesses.

Liberals are always targeting our youth; bombarding them with false claims of social, cultural and economic injustices. Liberals twist facts that we have a duty to expose and straighten out. This is why we have to bring our youth into the fold because they will ultimately inherit whatever we have left of our country, perhaps even our entire world. We need to capitalize on the strength and stamina of our youth. Civically, they need to learn those things that our liberal educators are omitting from our history. If all of us are not involved in some aspect of the political process then we are handing our county over to those who want to destroy it. Either become a leader or support someone that represents your values. If you have true grit and the intestinal fortitude to save America—then get involved.

Winston Churchill said—“I have never accepted what many people have kindly said, namely that I have inspired the nation. It was the nation and the race dwelling all around the globe that had the lion heart. I had the luck to be called upon to give the roar.”

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Posted in Southerners: Never Boring

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Another Impeachable Offense Ignored

Posted on 05/04/2011 | Leave a comment

post from Liberty Counsel Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman Apr. 1, 2011

Tens of thousands of American patriots have joined you in signing the Defend the Constitution Declaration. We want to hand deliver thousands more of these Demand Letters from the American People as soon as possible, but I need your help. Please read my following update, then copy the message and forward it on to 10-20 like-minded patriots. We must stop the subversion of our Constitution.

I know that we are like-minded in the direction the puppet administration is taking our country. Yesterday, Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY) told CNS News that the puppet did not have constitutional authority to use military force in Libya without congressional approval. When asked if the President’s action is an impeachable offense, Rangel said that Congress would have to make that decision. However, he added that he would “like to believe” members of Congress will closely examine the issue. Unfortunately, Congress is unlikely to seriously look into the issue. It is not politically “expedient” to hold the puppet accountable while his party holds a majority in the United States Senate.

[Is this representing the best interest of the country as a whole or merely the best interest of those in POWER? Don't we elect these individuals to represent our best interest and those of the United States of America? Are we going to continue to let this man abuse our country as HE sees fit? Are we going to continue to let him make US a mockery for the benefit of HIS people?]

Nonetheless, we have the puppet’s and Vice President Biden’s own words in statements calling this type of action unconstitutional when THEY were attacking former President George W. Bush!

There is an unchecked arrogance, even a condescending, elitist mindset evident in the puppet White House. The puppet behaves as though he is somehow above the law! This administration seems to believe that the Constitution is pliable and subject to political expedience. They act as though their insights are greater than our Founding Fathers and the statesmen who gave shape and content to the Constitution!

[Or could it be that he is getting away with advancing his cause as a Moslem? I mean...he DID write about how he REALLY felt in a book before he even ran for office; and like Hitler, it went unnoticed! After all, isn't what he's doing indeed advancing the cause of Islam? Has the Arab world spread its money so much around America that they have literally bought AMERICA? I mean look at Donald Trump who sold American soil to an American Hater (and then bragged about how much money he's made in that ONE transaction instead of thinking about how much DAMAGE he's done to our American foundation—how selfish can one be?), and now says he's going to run for president! What hogwash! How much more of this BS do we have to put up with?]

The puppet administration presumes it is bigger than the presidency. No man is bigger than the office he is elected to hold. Through carefully crafted checks and balances, our Founders made sure that no office holder would be more empowered than the Constitution allowed.

[But those of us trying to defend and protect our country are called grassroot radicals, conservative radicals! It's amazing. I've been defending my position on facebook all morning long. Why am I having to do this? Why has America come down to this? Is it maybe because these Moslem people, who have moved into America in droves, have used their psychology on us so well that Americans don't even realize what they are doing? I mean look around: they are in stores, schools, governments. Take a poll and just see how many Moslems are teaching your children in American universities and claiming to be peaceful to the point of arguing about it. They are in your heads and you can't even tell the difference, but, as they wish, you are bashing your own fellow country men and taking their side without even a thought. They have found a way to completely turn Americans against each other and none of you are seeing it for what it is.

I mean think about it. America has a history of racial issues, and we've come a long way to fix our wrong. This is a personal issue for all Americans, but it has ALWAYS been our problem, our personal black mark. Do you not think those who want to destroy us haven't been paying attention? What better way to cause chaos and get one of their own into our government and leader of the United States of America which would be their golden spike to bring her down, then finding a "black" man to be their puppet! Take a close look at his past history, who he has associated with, what type of experience he's had, what is his voting record, take a good hard look at his speeches, watch his movements as he gives those speeches, watch the "glamor" shows he's put on, go back and write down all his promises to the people, then jot down everything he's done since he's been in office.

Hell, he almost had me convinced. I watched him on Oprah and he stated that he would stop importing foreign cars and he would whole-heartedly rally for American workers. He said he would drill and make America self sufficient again. What has he done: he didn't help the American farmers, he stopped new drilling all together in America but is giving tones of American dollars for Brazil to drill, he's given money to Hamas (terrorist group who hates America), had a Mexican president address congress speaking against one of HIS own States, he's refuse to defend one of HIS own States (remember he took the oath, swearing to defend his country and States), he's gone around the globe criticizing the very country he'd swore an oath to DEFEND, he bailed out banks with tax-payer money, he constantly criticized a former President, he told the world the secrets we used to get information from terrorist and all together halted any information-getting technique we used, top secret information has been leaked out (they blame an internet site!) but this happened after a number of Moslems were hired given top-secret clearance only to be later discovered that they LIED on their applications, he's gone around the world calling a nation founded on Christian values NOT Christian, he rushed a health bill through congress pretty much threatening them (a bill that dictates when you shall die and how, legitimizing abortion, etc), he formed a Council of Governors to keep an eye on "Americans", he called conservatives "gun carrying radicals", he tried to start a race war, he overtook private companies telling them what they can and cannot do, do I have to go own.

He should immediately be impeached by the whole of CONGRESS. The hell with party...he's destroying our country. Then we won't have a need for party! Is that what everyone wants? How about Islam taking over the country (remember their country has been riddled with warfare for so long that they can't drink their own water and there's hardly any grass to grow food...they WANT this country)? How would you feel if some Islamic person along with a truck load of gun-carrying friends decide he likes your land and tells you to leave, or hell, knowing Islam, they would just kill you and any sons you have and take your daughters as their slaves and use them as they see fit and when they get tired of them, they'd just kill them? That's what you are up against! Tell me I'm wrong. I dare you.]

The puppet’s subversion of our Constitution must be stopped! Those colluding with him in Congress, the administration, the federal bureaucracy, State offices, and any other position of public trust must also be held accountable. Liberty Counsel is continuing to demand that elected officials (all of them!) live up to their Oaths of Office—or be FIRED, RECALLED, or IMPEACHED. If you also believe that we, the American People, should demand the proper use of constitutional authority, accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law—in short, to defend the Constitution of the United States—then you should immediately sign our Defend the Constitution Declaration!

Click here to read and sign the Defend the Constitution Declaration. When you sign our Defend the Constitution Declaration, we will hand deliver your mandate—along with those of many tens of thousands of your fellow concerned Americans—to your Representative, Senators, and other key congressional leaders. We will also publish your views to government bureaucrats, the media, and anywhere else it is strategically advantageous. I believe we can (and in these circumstances, MUST) immediately deliver 100,000 signed copies of this important Declaration to those who need to be reminded that there are limits on their power!

Get your FREE copy of the Second Edition of our Patriot’s Handbook for signing our Defend the Constitution Declaration. Liberty Counsel’s Patriot’s Handbook of American Liberty is a valuable reference guide that every American should have among his or her personal belongings, and the newly revised edition is even more useful than the original. EVERY citizen should have quick access to the fundamental laws and framework of our nation. The Handbook contains the two great bulwarks of American liberty, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, with an invaluable, easy to use index. It also includes a special essay I have written for modern-day patriots like you. I entrust this Handbook to you in the hope that you will Defend the Constitution in accordance with the timeless principles it contains. We are hearing from men and women across the nation that want their children and grandchildren to also have a copy of this valuable reference tool.  When your copy arrives, you will have an opportunity to order as many additional copies as you wish!

 

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Posted in Breaking the Rule of Law

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Israel’s Deteriorating International Situation

Posted on 05/04/2011 | 2 Comments

post from email from Chuck April 3.

[Remember the Islamic belief about their "12th." They have to destroy Israel and the United States first! Well...what is happening? From where I sit, it appears that the puppet is also going to help destroy Israel. That should tell you all that you need to know. That should answer all your questions about who this man REALLY is. If congress was so opposed to the puppet siding against Israel and siding with the enemy instead, then it seems like congress would have begun an impeachment trail already, after all, the Constitution says that if a president of the United States sides with its enemies then he is "unfit" to be an American president and should be impeached immediately. What's wrong with this picture? Are the families of congress being threatened? Why aren't they taking the action required to protect our country? Revolution anyone?]

The Lord† speaking to Abraham, the father of Israel— …And I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse… (Genesis 12:3). The U.S. will be in serious trouble if it continues down this track.

There is an Israeli joke that when someone sneezes in the Golan someone in Jerusalem says “Gesundheit.” As a small sovereign state Israel is (more so than larger states) especially susceptible  to trends in the international community. Even large states like South Africa cannot ignore the will of the international community, when the community is largely united against its actions. Israel’s international position has entered the danger zone because operationally it has lost the steady and predictable support of the United States and Europe. A recent example of this new, disturbing state of affairs came when Europe voted to condemn Israeli actions at the Security Council and the United States publicly agreed with the anti-Israel sentiment while casting a veto.

Since that ominous vote, Israel’s former allies have joined the United States in launching a new international order that threatens Israel’s sovereignty to determine its security and national needs. In the last few weeks the President of the United States has made it abundantly clear that a peace deal with the Palestinians continues to be a top priority and that Israel is the sole impediment to a deal. Meanwhile, the office of the United Nation’s Secretary General has publicly referred to Jerusalem as occupied territory.

To understand what is likely to happen, given this mindset and other international developments one must appreciate the monumental political shifts that are occurring in the political community. The intervention in Libya, led by Israel’s former allies, is being justified as necessary because of largely unsubstantiated human rights violations that may have happened without a No Fly Zone and the support of the anti-Israel Arab League. The other day the Arab League participated in London as a full-fledged partner of the United states, Britain, etc. in one the largest international meetings in decades. The President of the United States and the Secretary of State continuously base the justification for their military action on the support of the thugs in the Arab League. This is an ominous development.

The legitimization of this new international order that is prepared to use military force to force its will can and probably will be directed against Israel. Every member of the coalition believes that Israel is a serial and daily abuser of the human rights of the Palestinians. And unlike their cautious reactions to the murder of innocents in Arab/Moslem states—Syria, Bahrain, Iran, etc.—this new coalition of Israel’s former allies is not reticent about voicing their differences with Israel and with issuing threats to change, what they consider to be an  unacceptable situation.

Between now and the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in September look for stepped up pressure on Israel to accede to all the demands of Palestinians. Israel will be alone as the UK, France, Germany, and the United States do the dirty work for Abbas and Hamas. It is illuminating that this coalition is not deterred that the rebels in Libya have Al-Qaeda connections. What Israel wants and needs will be irrelevant (even small wishes such as acknowledging Israel as a Jewish State will continue to be off the table.)  Israel’s security will supposedly be guaranteed by some NATO force.

This gang up against Israel is attractive to the leaders of the West because they believe it is justified and they believe it will help counter opposition to their fighting Moslems in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. None of the Palestinian demands against Israel will be seen as illegitimate. Which will include forcing Israel to recognize and deal with Hamas and to come to terms with some form of division of Jerusalem, which will likely lead to a large United Nations presence in the Old City. If Israel opposes this initiative look for  the West to lead in the recognition of a Palestinian State at the UN in September.

What Should Israel Do? Trying to compromise with the Palestinians has failed and will continue to fail given the understandable belief among the Palestinians that they are far stronger than Israel in the international community. Trying to mollify the puppet and Clinton has failed and will continue to fail. Israel’s friends in Congress cannot change the puppet’s course without grassroots political support. Leading Democrats who interceded on Israel’s behalf in the campaign to get a veto in the Security Council resolution condemning Israel said they were shocked by the hostility of the administration toward Israel (they did not know if a veto would be cast until it actually happened) and one said that if the puppet is reelected Israel will be in serious trouble.

Israel needs to implement a strategy of standing up to the puppet administration, it needs to engage the American public that is strongly pro-Israel and is not enthusiastic about the new interventionist puppet doctrine. With less than 50% of Americans supporting action in Libya against Qaddafi you can be certain that a large majority can be counted on to oppose the puppet’s manhandling of  Israel, but Israel needs to lead the charge by standing up for itself. While the puppet feels he can bring peace by placating radical Islam, the American people believe that we are at war with radical Islam. For decades they were certain that Israel was a valuable ally in this war.  Turning the defense of Israel (in the context of being important to American security) into a potent  political force in the United States is possible and must be undertaken immediately. If successful, this campaign can become a political force that will modify the puppet’s behavior  toward Israel and turn into a potent political force in the 2012 election. At this time, the puppet feels that he will pay no political price for siding with America’s Islamic enemies.

Continuing along the current course will be a disaster  for the State of Israel. A change of course needs to happen very soon.

[The following was a reply to Chucks email.]

Chuck, I am in total agreement with the author. Unfortunately, as a nation, we have become so disengaged the vast majority of us do not even see it for what it is. The “Helen Thomas” episode where our (supposed) “Free Media” was largely invisible and/or impotent serves as a very good example of our own ignorance of history and potential for even greater negative geo-political scenarios exploding across the globe. What troubles me is that I am normally a half-full kind of guy, and this article makes me feel (bad choice of word) half-empty. I seriously wonder where our “exceptionalism” has gone today. What do you think…just a tidbit of strategic leadership? Thanks, Jim

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Posted in Invading America

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