Governor Rauner Comes To Moweaqua

Here is the News story from WICS News Channel 20 in Springfield, IL

Don't like TEA? Start your own grassroots movement then.

Here is yet another montage of the liberal media picking a theme to parrot. The current theme, in case you missed it: The TEA party are terrorists wanting to blow up the country financially. As if the government has not already. If the current bill passes, the "debt ceiling" (it's hard to call it that without laughing) will increase by $2.1 Trillion, bringing the "ceiling" to $16.4 Trillion. Up from 2001's "ceiling" of $5.96 Trillion. That is an increase of $10.44 Trillion in the last 10 years, $5.08 Trillion in just the last 2 years.

Bill O'Reilly and Bernie Goldberg thought it was "laugh out loud" funny that the liberal media will not call actual terrorists - terrorists. However, they will call citizens who are concerned about the direction of the country and the huge expansion of government - terrorists. Well, I do not find it amusing at all. The whiny liberal media has labeled the TEA party every nasty name it can think of, hate-filled, anarchist, tea-baggers, racist old white people, Nazis, Hezbollah, Terrorists and Jimmy Carter. Wait, no that last one is what we are now calling president Obama.

It is true the TEA party did form under the Obama presidency, while the democrats had full control of both houses of congress. However, the undercurrents had begun to flow while George Bush was still president and both parties in Congress were spending like liberals. The TEA party is not anti-government, we simply want a Constitutionally limited government that actually represents the best interests of the people. The government has made it increasingly clear that it is incapable of running anything efficiently. Their anti-Midas touch transforms everything they get their hands on into a huge steaming pile of expensive bureaucratic boondoggle.

I would like to offer a suggestion to liberals and those in the media who are so opposed to the beliefs and actions of what has come to be called the TEA party movement. Create your own movement, make some picket signs and get out into the streets and demand that the government raise your taxes and increase the spending. I will even suggest the name for your movement, the Raise Our Taxes party. The ROT party needs to be made up of normal people angry that they do not pay enough taxes, that the government doesn't spend enough money, that the debt ceiling should be $100 Quadrillion instead of a measly $16.4 Trillion. Here are some picket sign ideas for you: "RAISE MY TAXES!" "TAKE MORE OF MY FREEDOMS!" "GROW THE GOVERNMENT!" "SPEND! SPEND! SPEND!" "MAKE MY BOSS PAY MORE TAXES, SO I GET A PAY CUT!" "GIVE ME MORE REGULATIONS OR GIVE ME DEATH!" "KEEP ME POOR AND DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT!"

I will be watching the 6 o'clock news waiting to see the coverage of all of the ROT party rallies.

Debt Ceiling and Extremists

I would like to take a second to point out a couple of important facts that I do not hear mentioned in the media.

This is not a new emergency. You will notice in the accompanying chart, the debt ceiling was raised 3 times already, just in Obama's first year in office. February 2009 -  February 2010 an increase of $3 Trillion

- Bush took office in Jan 2001 - debt ceiling $5.95 Trillion

- Republicans mostly controlled both houses of congress until 2006 the debt ceiling increased 4 times by a total amount of $3 Trillion. March 2006 - debt ceiling $8.96 Trillion

- Fall of 2006 Democrats win both houses of congress, that means they have the majority in both Senate and House. Until the Republicans won back the House in the fall of 2010. In those 4 years the debt ceiling increased 6 more times for a total amount of $5.34 Trillion. February 2010 - debt ceiling $14.3 Trillion.

What is the point of having a Debt Ceiling if they are just going to raise it every time they have spent so much money that they reach it? What is wrong with expecting the government to actually use the debt ceiling as a ceiling? How much is going to be enough? Why am I and people like me compared to a terrorist organization(Tom Friedman of New York Times compared Tea Party to Hezbollah) or called an extremist(by communist Van Jones) for expecting the government to keep itself in check with tools such as an unmovable debt ceiling. Instead of being run like a bunch of crack addicts who just need one more fix, okay just one more fix, really this time just one more fix, I really mean it this time just one more fix, seriously this time just one more fix...

It took 200 years to get the debt ceiling to $5.95 Trillion. In 2001, why didn't they raise the debt ceiling from $5.95 Trillion to $15 Trillion? Perhaps because that would be way too extreme to pass? Of course, here we are just 10 years later...

Who are the extremists?

NationalJournal.com

MAKE YOUR KIDS PAY - CHANGE?

Suppose you apply to open a credit card account. Magically, the bank issuing said card gives you a credit limit of $250,000 and says you do not need to make any payments, they will put the card in your child's name and when your child is of age, they will be responsible for the debt, the bank will go after them. If you do not have a child, use your imagination, perhaps a niece or nephew. Would you go out and spend a quarter of a million dollars and leave it for your child to pay for, with interest? Why not?

Right, the above situation would be morally and ethically reprehensible. Although, in America it has become common practice among government types. Aside from the Tea Party rallies, there has not really been an outcry.

I believe there are several reasons for this. Many people are just too busy to care. They are busy with the rigors of daily life, and do not have time to be concerned about politics and how those politics will affect their own children and future generations, negatively or otherwise. There are a lot of people who are not well enough informed, therefore when they hear anything that sounds political they tune it out, either because they do not understand or do not believe they can understand. Many people have just grown tired of hearing about politics, they have been worn down and driven to a lack of concern by forces that are very happy that they have tuned out. Finally, there are a number of people that just do not know what to do, they do not know how they can make a difference or affect change, so they also tune out. If you fit into one of these categories, it is very important that you rethink what has brought you to your current state of mind concerning politics. It is time for you to figure out how you can make a change. You do matter, you owe it to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and future generations to pay attention and affect REAL change.

Believe me, I wish I had an answer for what you can do to make a difference. I feel the same way. I am trying to do my part by putting into words what I see going on, and trying to encourage others to open their eyes to the political landscape and the path down which America is now traveling. Here in Illinois, conservatives believe that liberals in Chicago decide who our politicians are, therefore they are correct. However, I believe that there are enough liberty loving people in down state Illinois, that if people would stop saying "We Can't" and would get out there and support politicians that believe as we do, "We Could"!

I know one thing for sure, spending will never lower debt. Whether it is you spending your hard earned money or your mooching Uncle Sam recklessly spending YOUR hard earned money, the end result of overspending is the same.

New Deal for Druggies

The Obama administration with their handling of the economy has inspired an idea for a radical new treatment for drug addicts.

Typically, treatment involves trying to get drug addicts to stop using drugs, which, if you have known a drug addict, is no easy task and seemingly impossible. Granted, some drug addicts do stop using, but there are far more examples of those who do not stop or only stop temporarily.

What if, instead of trying to get the drug addict to stop using, you increase their use? Give them as much drugs as they want as often as they want, and if they are not using enough fast enough, force more on them. What will be the end result? Most likely they are going to overdose and/or their heart is going to stop. Problem solved.

Obama has shown us how to get a drug addict to stop using, with his example of how to fix an economy where government spending is out of control and debt and deficits are past the point of no return. What will be the end result? Problem solved.

Blessed are the poor...

The liberals lately are pulling out every "reverend" they can find to refute Glenn Beck's rendering of the goals of "social justice." They are accusing Glenn of hating Jesus, attacking churches and various "reverends." I do not not need to defend Glenn Beck, he is a big boy and can take care of himself. (No pun intended there Glenn.) I just find it interesting to see liberals that normally mock Christians and show contempt for religion so interested in "defending" Jesus from the likes of Glenn Beck.

Barack Obama has been very open with the fact that he wants to redistribute wealth. He believes in the redistribution of wealth in the name of "social justice." He believes the wealthy in America have built their fortunes on the backs of the poor. He also believes that America has built its wealth on the backs or poorer nations. I believe that the wealthy have taken advantage, not of the poor, but of the freedom afforded to us by this great nation and it's constitution. Everyone in America has the opportunity to be whatever they want to be. If you do not take advantage of the opportunities afforded you, then that is your fault, not the fault of anyone else.
The wealthy in America have not taken advantage of the poor, but have created opportunities for them. If you cannot keep a job because you are high all the time, and therefore cannot feed and house your family, what is the solution? A conservative would say the solution is to buckle down, put down the pot, get and keep a job and take care of your family. A liberal solution would be, keep smoking the pot, we will take money from people who do not smoke pot and do work and will give you food stamps, medicaid and a housing allowance. Is that social justice? For who?
Think that example is far fetched? I could give several specific examples, but I will not.

So back to the Bible, Jesus and social justice. In the 2nd book of Matthew, Jesus said, "Verily, Verily I say unto thee government, take money from the wealthy and distribute it to the poor." If you believe that, shame on you for not knowing there is not a 2nd book of Matthew. Jesus said things like, " ²⁰Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ²¹Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied." That's in Luke 6, you will notice there is nothing about redistribution. What else did He say about the poor? Also in Luke 14: ¹²Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." How many Presidential banquets or balls have you seen poor, crippled, lame and blind at? Is Obama really interested in taking care of the poor as Jesus said? Another verse from Luke 18: ²²When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." There, finally, is some redistribution of wealth, but wait, what did he say? Sell everything you have and give to the poor and come follow him? So if you sell everything you have and give it away, wouldn't that make you poor? Perhaps Mr. Obama would like to lead by example? Of course, Jesus knew the man would not sell everything he had and give it to the poor and follow him, because he knew what was in the man's heart. Jesus wants our charity to be from our hearts, not because of a government mandate. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3: "We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. ¹⁰For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." ¹¹We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹²Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat." That seems kind of contrary to the gospel according to Obama. Liberal charity is based on selfishness and greed, they want everyone else to be charitable for them. Charity comes from the heart, not from the end of a barrel of a gun. Charity can not be forced, that is not charity.

Finally, we find in James 1: ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. If you consider yourself religious, here is the guide to follow, no government mandated "social justice" needed, simply take care of orphans and widows in their distress and keep yourself from being polluted by the world.

...with Liberty and social Justice for all?

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and social justice for all? Wait, that's not right. That would never be acceptable to the leftist radicals who are attempting to "fundamentally transform" our nation, the phrase "one Nation under God" would definitely have to be removed. What? Oh, that is not the problem? Oh....okay, and social justice for all, that is where the mistake is. It seems these days you do not hear the word "justice" used in Washington D.C. unless it has a "social" in front of it. For those of you who probably have an idea what it means but are not completely sure, Wikipedia says of social justice: "The term "social justice" is often employed by the political left to describe a society with a greater degree of economic egalitarianism, which may be achieved through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution, policies aimed toward achieving that which developmental economists refer to as equality of opportunity and equality of outcome." Justice is the quality of being righteous or fair.

Compassion is a quality that most of us possess, generally in differing quantities. It is understandable how some believe that it is "just" for a government to take money from those who have a lot of money and distribute it to those who do not have a lot of money. What kind of greedy, compassion-less and selfish person would dare disagree with that? Well, actually, I do. The problem is, how do they decide the amount to take from the individual with money? At what point is the tax percentage fair? 50%? 60%? 70%? 80%? 90%? Also, how do we decide who is worthy to be the recipient of the redistribution? Do we redistribute based on race, as a form of reparations? Can you achieve Justice by being unjust to one group to satisfy another? Is that not contradictory? How many generations have to pass before we can stop blaming our shortcomings on our history?

As an example, I present to you Bill and Ted. Bill and Ted grew up next to each other in a lower income neighborhood, a ghetto or trailer park, I will let you choose the demographics. Bill stays in school and graduates, proceeds to college, graduates and gets a very good paying job, works hard and makes a nice life for himself after lifting himself up and out of poverty. Ted on the other hand, enjoys hanging with his friends(or gang), smoking pot, drops out of school, is in and out of prison, lives on welfare as his single mother unwittingly taught him, and fathers several illegitimate children to complete the poverty cycle that has been created by our government programs. Bill, through determination and hard work broke that cycle, as many people in our society have actually done. Bill, is a shining example of what can happen in a Free Market or Capitalist system. Ted is a glaring example of the fruits of "Social Justice," which the Obama administration is in the process of expanding with legislation such as the "stimulus" program, cap and trade, and health care reform. Is the government, by taking money from Bill to give to Ted, promoting justice? Really? Perhaps that should be the new curriculum for schools, stay in school, work hard, and get ahead so the government can take your money and give it to lazy people. Perhaps someone could put that on a teleprompter and President Obama could deliver it to school children.

Now, Barack Obama and his "advisers/Czars" believe strongly in "social justice." Therefore, Bill, who has lifted himself from poverty and is now wealthy, has a responsibility to pay more taxes to support Ted, who spends every dime he gets on dime bags and continues to father illegitimate children and expand the welfare rolls. What is "just" about this scenario? Not every wealthy person is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but even if they are, someone in their family worked hard and made that fortune. The Obama administration believes that the wealthy built their fortunes on the backs of the poor, therefore they "owe" the poor. I believe that America is a land of opportunity, where if one has the ambition and puts forth the effort, they can do anything and should not be penalized for it and forced to support those who are unwilling to put forth any effort. We will always have the poor among us, many people are content to put forth little effort and live off of table scraps. If my hard work ever pays off, I will refuse to feel guilty about what I have worked so hard for. I would rather "go Galt" than to have the fruits of my labor stolen by an opressive Socialist Regime, especially in a Country that was once known for freedom and personal responsibility.

She Puts the Pal in Palin

It is interesting, the firestorm that Sarah Palin created this last weekend when she announced that she would be stepping down from her job as Governor. The talking heads have been furiously debating whether or not this move will put the nail in her humble, political wooden coffin. Of course, everyone has an opinion, some of them speculative in nature and some just plain tasteless rubbish. One liberal personality in Alaska, Shannyn Moore, was spreading false rumors about Palin, and when addressed by Palin's attorney, claimed she was just an ordinary citizen being attacked by Sarah Palin for "speaking her mind." For the record Ms. Moore, there is an enormous difference between "speaking your mind" and spreading false rumors in the media.

Obviously, there are only two possible outcomes of this action, it will either help her or hurt her. She knows this and was willing to go ahead and make this decision for herself, her family and Alaska. Only time will tell. Many, especially liberals, quickly jumped on this and said she is a quitter and therefore is not capable of being President. All the while, voicing hopeful predictions that some titillating scandal was yet to come out. Would you expect any other response from a liberal? (other than a string of obscenities that is) Some have come to her defense saying that it is probably a very good decision, considering all of the unfounded ethical complaints being hurled at her by local liberals who feel emboldened by the likes of "huffington post" and "move on."(I don't believe these hateful organizations deserve to be capitalized) These unfounded "ethical complaints," have cost the state millions of dollars, and have cost the Palin family hundreds of thousands of dollars. They also devour a lot of her time, taking her away from her duties as Governor.

Here is what I find interesting about her decision to step down. She has done nothing wrong, appears to be doing what is in Alaska's best interest, and she is being called dumb, stupid, ignorant and even nutty. (I am sure she is being called other things as well, but this is what I have seen.) Quite a contrast from the likes of Rod Blagojevich(D) who only had his own interests in mind and had to be forcibly removed from his position as Governor.

Who knows if this is the best decision? We will find out down the road. In my humble opinion, Sarah is just as capable now as she was before this decision, possibly even more so. It is refreshing to see a politician standing up for the taxpayers for a change. I believe she is truly a "pal" to the average citizen and taxpayer. Can you name any other politician who would gamble their political future by stepping down from their office because they believe it is in the best interest of the people they represent? I can't either.

Please, Mr. Obama, Keep the Change

Obama says in the video above that under his plan of Cap and Trade, that energy prices for consumers, that is you and me, will necessarily skyrocket.

My family owns a couple small businesses. I guarantee that at least one of the businesses would not survive skyrocketing energy prices. If that is the kind of change that Mr. Obama was speaking of during his campaign, then he can keep it, I will take the cash instead.

For those of you that have bought into the myth of man-made global warming, and actually believe that you are mighty enough to destroy this huge planet, it might be time to step back and get over yourself. We have exploded nuclear bombs on the planet, the Earth has survived. The Earth uses the very same carbon emissions that Obama is wanting to charge companies for producing. Global warming is a hoax perpetrated by environmentalists to make you feel bad for using energy. Why? That is a very good question. Some of them, like Al Gore, have made and will make a lot more money, because of your guilt. Some worship the planet like a god. Some, I think are just not happy if you are happy. I know it sounds crazy, but as Michael Savage says, liberalism is a mental disorder, and oddly enough most hard core environmentalists are liberals.

For those of you who do not know what cap and trade is, shame on you, the government is about to gouge your wallet without your knowledge, you should educate yourself. Too many people are tired of hearing and talking about politics, believe me, I can understand why, but they are putting themselves in a position where the government can do whatever they want with little resistance.

Obama's Cap and Trade system would put a cap on the amount of "carbon" or "green house gasses" that a company could "emit." Sounds harmless enough, however, whatever they use above and beyond what the government tells them they can use, they would have to pay for. Are companies just going to eat this extra cost? You are crazy if think so, they are going to pass this "carbon tax" on to you, the consumer, as Obama says in the video. Some sources say it would cost the "average" consumer an additional $700 - $1400 a year. (you're going to need that extra $8 a week Obama is giving you in your paycheck)

To those of you who voted for Obama, I have one simple question. Is this the kind of change you were hoping for when you punched that ballot? I sure hope you are getting your money's worth of change, because at the end of the day I fear that is all we are going to have left, change.

Please write, call and/or email your congressmen and tell them you are very much against Cap & Trade! Get proactive in your future, as much as you hate politics it affects you whether you like it or not!

A Thousand Words

What an amiable handshake, laughing and smiling, Obama with his free hand lovingly embracing the arm of Venezuelan Socialist Dictator Hugo Chavez. What a joyous time, the socialist dictators of the world uniting in peace. It's enough to bring a tear to the eye, of those that love freedom, that is, and are afraid they are losing it.
A real man would be punching Chavez for calling him an ignoramus just a month ago. Although, after seeing what Obama has been up to recently in the United States, perhaps Chavez has a new found respect for the great TelePrompTer reader. More so perhaps after reading the report issued by the, now very liberal, Department of Homeland (In)Security. The report saying that U.S. Troops returning home should be considered a threat. Also, that freedom loving people who do not believe in the mass slaughter of our unborn children should be considered a threat. That people who do not agree with the socialist ideals of the Obama administration should be considered a threat. I can see how a socialist dictator like Hugo Chavez, who now controls the radio, television and news in Venezuela, could learn to love Barack Hussein Obama almost as much as the "liberal" media does.
If Obama could just get rid of Fox News, talk radio and a handful of newspapers and magazines, then he too would have total control of the media in America. I guess they do have a lot in common.

The next couple of elections in America are going to be very important. For those of you who are unaware, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the White House are all controlled by Socialist leaning "progressives" aka "liberal democrats." If we have a prayer of maintaining the freedom that we have held to so dearly in the past, we are going to have to vote for candidates that oppose big government programs, wealth redistribution and that support a constitutionally limited government.
We are not extremists, we are average freedom loving Americans. The extremists are in POWER in America right now, and the only way we can stop them is to vote them out of office.

Copyright 2009 Stephen Rigg

What If Drunken Sailors Were Running The Country?

If you have ever been intoxicated, you know what a bad idea it would be to have drunken sailors running the country. When one is intoxicated, all inhibitions go out the window and money becomes no object for almost anything, um, so I am told.

I for one am tired of the government spending money like drunken sailors. I believe that is what most people are angry about. (Not Republican sore losers as suggested by the "liberal media") I have no problem with drunken sailors blowing their money however they want, as long as it is their money they are blowing. The government, on the other hand, is blowing money that they have not worked for or earned, but rather have stolen from the American people and future generations. I want America to get back to the principles that this country was founded upon, Individual Liberty, Personal Responsibility, and a Constitutionally Limited Government. (yes, this phrase was in my last blog and will be in many more to come, I am going to keep repeating it until people grab a hold of it.)

I am not an anarchist, I realize that to have national security we have to have some government and some form of tax. However, the federal, state and local governments have been going hog wild making up taxes, we have so many taxes it is not even funny. I am sick to death of being taxed every time I turn around while irresponsible politicians do nothing but sit around and think of new ways to spend money. It has to come to an end, and that is what is beginning to happen with these Tea Parties. Hopefully, Americans are starting to wake up to what the government has been up to and is going to put an end to it.

This government, along with the media http://tinyurl.com/2xj2eb, has caused most of the financial problems that we are experiencing at this time. I do not believe that they are capable of fixing the problems, only making them worse. We do not have a free market, we have an over regulated market, which does not allow the market to work correctly. For instance, the government forced lending institutions to loan money to people who did not financially deserve loans, and that were clearly going to default on the loans. Obviously, under those circumstances, the market is being manipulated and is doomed to fail. A free market would not have allowed this to happen in the first place, but if it did, it would correct itself. The government is spending trillions of tax payer dollars in an attempt to repair a problem that they caused and still to no avail.

We the people need to put these politicians back in their rightful place, under our power as our representatives. It is our responsibility to hold them accountable for their actions and to keep them sober! Support the Tea Parties, write to your congressmen, call your congressmen and most of all, vote for candidates that want to actually represent you and are in favor of limited government.

Copyright 2009 Stephen Rigg

Tea Party of Two, Your Table Is Now Ready...

I am very excited about the Tea Parties that are scheduled around the country on April 15. I am encouraged that some people around the country are showing some signs of no longer accepting the status quo from our Government. The first Tea Party was a message to the British Parliament, some of the Bostonians stood together and declared, "We will have no taxation without representation!" They believed they should only be taxed by their own elected representatives. Our current Tax Day Tea Parties are a little different, obviously, the King and the Parliament are not across the ocean, instead they are in Washington DC posing as our elected representatives. The Tea Parties are a good starting point, however, we have some long and arduous battles ahead of us, I believe. April 15Th will be an exciting day for sure, but what will April 16Th look like?

What exactly do we hope to accomplish with the Tea Parties?
The obvious answer is that we hope to send a message to Washington, that there are a lot of angry people in the country. There are a lot of reasons for average hard working Americans to be angry as of late, that is for sure. There is certainly plenty of blame to go around, both ruling Parties are at fault, corporate executives have made bad business decisions, unions have been unwilling to make concessions, and we continue to elect the same politicians and support these same businesses as if there is nothing we can do about it. So come Wednesday, April 15, some of us will hit the streets to demonstrate to Washington that we are angry and we are not going to take it any more, well at least not until Thursday, April 16.

What will be the response from Washington?
Probably the same response that I always get from Washington when I write an email or call, a polite and concise form letter, basically stating, "Thanks for writing, but I am going to do what I want." Unfortunately, I fear that the government is familiar enough with the American people to know that if they put it off long enough, all of the angry people will become distracted with American Idol and the start of baseball season and forget what they were angry about to begin with. What was I saying? Oh yeah, American Idol, the blind guy got kicked off tonight....wait...that's not right, oh yeah, Tea Parties...sorry...

What happens on April 16Th and beyond?
That, my friends, is up to you. We, the American people, are going to have some big decisions to make in the near future. The country is pretty divided at the moment. It appears to be split right down the middle. Some people believe that the government is the answer to all of our problems and that the government is going to "fix" everything. Some people, like myself, believe that the government is the problem, and they need to step back, decrease (or cease) taxes and stop spending money like they earned it. Until there is a greater consensus one way or the other, I fear that not much is going to change. However, I do believe that this is one major reason why these Tax Day Tea Parties are so important. Washington will not be impressed by your efforts, but hopefully, more Americans will be affected in a positive way and will join the effort to return America to the founding principles that this great nation was built upon: individual liberty, personal responsibility and a Constitutionally limited government.

Copyright 2009 Stephen Rigg

It Rhymes With Mocialism

When I speak with liberal friends about the way the Obama administration is moving further and further to the left, the argument remains the same, I say he is moving us closer to Socialism, they say that the Republicans were just saying that during the campaign as a scare tactic. Which begs the question, how much of the private sector is going to have to be taken over by the government before the liberals will admit that it is Socialism? When we are taking our cars to the Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV) for a tune-up after we get our yearly physical at Planned Parenthood and pick up our food rations from the new and improved state run Walmart, then will they admit it? Obviously that's an exaggeration, the Card Check legislation should pretty much "take care" of Walmart.

For those of you unfamiliar with Card Check, it basically provides that once a majority of employees fill out sign-up cards passed around by union organizers, the employer would then have to recognize and bargain with the union. And if both sides are unable to reach agreement in a short term, federal arbitrators would impose one. Wages, fringe benefits and work rules would all be imposed by the federal government. This could happen in any privately owned business. What's the definition of Socialism again?

According to an article by Stuart Varney in the Wall Street Journal, the Obama administration is refusing a major, yet unnamed, bank from returning TARP money, in an obvious attempt to control the bank. They did however apparently accept a measly $340 million in TARP money from 4 small banks in Louisiana. Why accept the smaller amount, but refuse the almost $1 Billion from the large bank? I guess they are not interested in controlling the small banks at this time. Give it time...

So lets see, thus far the Obama administration is controlling mortgage lenders, banks, auto manufacturers, and GE. Oh yes, GE received a $139 Billion bailout. G.E. subsidiaries include GE Energy infrastructure, NBC Studios, NBC Universal, CNBC, Bravo, Sci Fi Channel, Telemundo and Focus Features just to name a few. Of course, GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt was named to Obama's Economic Advisory Board, obviously for his skills at running a major organization into the ground. It is very interesting when you start looking at how things are connected, isn't it?

It is no secret that The New York Times is having financial problems, being over $1 Billion in debt. I wonder if the Obama administration bailed out the Times, if Obama would fire Pinchy Sulzberger?

So, I am left with this question to my liberal friends. Why are you so afraid to call a spade a spade or in this instance, an Obama a Socialist? Obviously, he is proving with every passing day that the warnings by Republicans throughout the campaign were not merely scare tactics. Either you secretly want the United States to become a "socialist utopia," or you are too embarrassed to admit that you too were beguiled by the great teleprompter reader or you just do not care.

In any instance, please be honest, if you like what is happening in America then your job is done, however, if you can now see that perhaps you were mistaken, then please help us to minimize the damage being done. Go to the tea party rallies. Get informed, call and write your legislators when they try to pass legislation that threatens the liberty of individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners. If everyone believes that someone else will stand up for them, then very few people will be standing up. So get involved, do not leave it for someone else, we need to make sure that our government is working for us, not against us. We control the government in our "Land of Liberty," not the other way around.


COPYRIGHT 2009 STEPHEN RIGG

Hi,

Welcome to my new Blog. I have every intention of writing a book, its simply a matter of time. I am hoping that this little venture will help to get me motivated.

This is my very first post, so I will just leave it as a welcome until I have more time to get down to brass tacks and show you what this blog is really going to be all about. Since I have no one following me yet, its going to be a short welcome note...hehe.

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to follow me, until you get tired of hearing from me. Happy blogging!

Stephen