The People Have Spoken And The Revolution Has Begun

The state of Massachusetts fired a shot heard around the world today by electing republican Scott Brown to a U.S. Senate seat that’s been held by democrats for nearly sixty years. In a stunning set of events that has democratic senators across the nation perking up to the fact that they’d better start listing to their constituents instead of following their own agendas the American people have made it crystal clear that they do not approve the direction this current administration is taking our country. We may not currently have a government that’s for the people but Massachusetts showed today that it is still a government by the people and the rest of the voting public will show in November that no one is irreplaceable if the other democratic senators don’t start backing down from the Obama agenda. Way to go Massachusetts! America is proud of you!

There’s Broken Promises And Then There’s The “Hope And Change Guy”

Just about every president in the history of our great nation has struggled to fulfill all the promises made my campaigning for the votes of the people. However, seldom do we find a person who fails as miserably as President Barack Obama has in his first year of office. When you consider that he has a democratic congress at his side the lack of accomplishments made by the president should be alarming. It literally appears that he went through great lengths to mislead the American people of his intentions in an effort to gain their votes. After all, had he said from his campaign platform that he was going to triple the nation’s deficit to a record $1.4 trillion, cram healthcare reform down the throats of an American public that isn’t wanting it and drive our country towards socialism, ALL IN JUST HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, would you have voted for him? He knew you wouldn’t so he sold you a line of hope and change. Now with a plummeting approval rating it appears that Americans are hoping he’s not successful in the type of change he’s trying to bring. Here’s a look at what Obama said while campaigning as opposed to what he actually did during his first year in office.

* To President Obama’s credit he did inherit an economy that was already in a downward spiral. To help sway votes Obama states in a Dover, N.H. campaign stop that, "no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase - not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." What he failed to add was, “unless you’re a smoker!”

Obama signed into law a 159% increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes. Other tobacco products were dealt a similar or much steeper increase to help pay for a children's health initiative, enabling him to keep another promise to make sure all kids have health insurance. So now we’re breaking one promise to fulfill another, a sign of things to come. While I’m not a smoker myself statistics show that that the majority of smokers are in tax brackets well below $250,000 and Obama knew that.

* Obama promised to cut the federal budget deficit by more than half in his first term. He’s really behind the 8-ball on this because, as we’ve already discussed, the record deficit hit in his first year. So far the first two months of the 2010 fiscal year was almost 6% higher than the first two months of 2009.

* While campaigning, Obama pledged to pull all U.S. combat troops out within 16 months. Now, as president, he’s pushed that deadline back two months, to August 2010. After that, he will leave 35,000 to 50,000 military personnel in Iraq through 2011 to train, equip and advise Iraqi security forces, and to help in counterterrorism missions.

* While campaigning, Obama said that he would close Guantanamo Bay, which he called "a recruiting tool for our enemies." Obama did order the purchase of an Illinois prison to house up to 100 Guantanamo detainees. Still, Guantanamo cannot be closed until the disposition of more than 200 remaining detainees is resolved. Congress won’t fund bringing them to the U.S. and other countries don’t want them on their soil either.

* While campaigning, Obama vowed to use "tough, direct diplomacy" to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Now that he’s in office Iran is laughing at him as they are ignoring his diplomacy and building towards nuclear capability.

* On his 2008 campaign Web site, Obama declared that "we must redouble our efforts to determine if the measures implemented since 9/11 are adequately addressing the threats our nation continues to face from airplane-based terrorism," including screening all passengers against "a comprehensive terrorist watch list."

In December a man on the terrorist watch list boarded an airplane bound for Detroit, MI with a bomb in his pants.

* As far as healthcare goes I can’t remember a bigger scandal in Washington than what we’ve seen from this congress. Billions of dollars have been spent buying votes to push this through and the voice of the American people has been greatly ignored. While campaigning Obama said, "We'll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies." The problem is that the constituents don’t want this healthcare reform and Obama’s administration isn’t arguing on their behalf. Instead secret deals are being made behind closed doors and the constitution is being ripped to shreds in the process. As for C-SPAN, they haven’t been a part of the process.

* While campaigning Obama promised to be a good steward of our money. "When I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely," Obama.

As president, Obama hasn't been willing to veto bills approved by his fellow Democratics on Capitol Hill. He signed a $410 billion spending bill that included 7,991 so-called "earmarks" totaling $5.5 billion. He had also promised to require lawmakers seeking money for earmarks to justify their requests in writing 72 hours before they're voted on in Congress. Nope, that hasn’t happened yet either.

Other things that haven’t happened yet are a pledge to post legislation online for five days before acting on it (this promise was broken with his very first bill) and a pan on lobbyists serving in his administration hasn’t been fulfilled either as he currently has some included.

What we’ve seen over that past twelve months is either blatant lying to the American people, in order to win votes, with no intention on coming through on those promises or complete incompetence by President Obama in having no idea how to get done what he said he would. I really don’t know which one is worse. Who wants to step up and chose the lesser of these two evils?

Obama Going After Wrong People For Bailout Money Refund

Let’s see here. If you are a financial institution that refused to take any TARP money you could now be faced with a tax to help replace the money given out in TARP. If you’re a financial institution that took the TARP money and paid it back then you are now being faced with a tax to help recover the money from the institutions that didn’t repay their bailout money. However, if you’re a failed organization like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or the auto industry you don’t have to pay a dime despite the Obama administration funneling millions upon millions into these failed companies. Thus is life under the hope and change of the Obama era.

Borrow money and pay it back and you’re fined. Actually be a responsible business and not need a government bailout because you’re doing things the right way. Yep, you’re going to be fined as well. Why, you ask? Because someone has to cover for the idiots in Washington who made bad loans to people who took the money without paying it back and still ran their businesses into the ground. Do you actually think that someone in Washington is going to be held accountable for this? Nooooooooo! You and I are the ones who’ll pay for their mistakes through higher banking fees and interest rates.

Perhaps if Obama would pursue the terrorists with the same fervor and passion he has for killing capitalism then we wouldn’t have planes nearly blowing up over Detroit on Christmas Day. But then again that would require him doing something that actually looks out for the best interest of the American people which is something that we can all see isn’t going to happen with this administration.

Obama determined to recover 'every dime' the public is owed from bailout

"Oops!" - Pat Robertson....

You know, sometimes you have to take your lumps with those that are lumped in with you....

Unfortunately, Pat Robertson's comments get critiqued as "Christian Views." While there is a wealth of wisdom in Scripture that could "back up" prinicples behind the comments made by Pat Robertson, it is very insensitive and really quite detrimental to Christians ... and even Americans ... for the world community to hear a comment like this, from a man a surveyed as Pat Robertson, amidst such a tragedy as in Haiti. It is statements and posturing such as this that just do not help the situation...

I will not waste many words on it as there are many out there. But I do want to say that on behalf of most Christian, God-fearing and loving individuals - God Loves Haitians. Further, it is easy for "arm-chair quarterback-style" comments when one is not in the thick of such disaster. So, I end with the following:

My prayers go out to those in Haiti - and this morning, I spent time specifically praying for those that will directly and indirectly help; for their protection, strength, care and service. I also echo the blog comments of Donald Miller (recently introduced to me by a friend):

"The appropriate response to Haiti: "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in..."

Baptist Disaster Relief

Red Cross

How Can, “The System Worked” Be Taken Out Of Context?

A guy gets on an airplane, lights his underwear on fire in an attempt to detonate a device and subsequently blow up the plane, is then subdued by passengers and arrested in Detroit once the plane lands safely to which Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that the system worked. Umm…excuse me? What system worked how?

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab purchased a one-way ticket from Lagos, Nigeria to Detroit, Michigan via Amsterdam and he paid in cash. Was he flagged? Did anyone investigate? Nope! I’m not sure about you but I call that a system fail.

Abdulmutallab’s own father had reported concerns to the U.S. Embassy over his son’s extreme religious views and asked for assistance in finding him and bringing him home. By the time he was located he was trying to blow up an airplane in the skies over Michigan. System fail!

He was able to board an aircraft bound towards America with explosive chemicals tucked away in his pants. System fail!

Abdulmutallab was placed in a database for people who had known ties to terrorists and terrorism. He had been denied entry into Britain but was able to be granted a United States visa and was on a flight bound to the U.S. without anyone so much as giving him a second look Again, system fail!

So you can see why many Americans raised an eyebrow and said, Huh?” when she announced to the world Sunday morning that, “The important thing to note is that the system worked.” Exactly what worked? If that system is allowing terrorists aboard airplanes, hoping the explosive device malfunctions and then counting on the passengers to take the terrorists down then, yes, the system worked splendidly. I just hope that isn’t the plan we are inversing billions of tax payer dollars in.

Of course on Monday Napolitano changed her tone and said that the system had failed. She also stated that he comment on Monday had been taken out of context. How exactly does that happen? How do you say one thing and then twenty-four hours later to a 180 and say that your previous comment was taken out of context? Were we to interpret the previous statement as a statement of failure because I’m pretty sure that when you say something is working then you are trying to express to your intended audience that its…working. The idea that taking a government official’s word for what it is would actually be taking the statement out of context is beyond me. Has the Obama Administration actually reached the point where they put the blame the American people for believing something they say? It looks like it!

The spin doctors we have in Washington are out of control. Janet Napolitano said that the part of the system that worked was the implementation of new policies and procedures immediately following the incident. Now for the final hour of your flight you’re not allowed to go to the restroom nor have anything (blanket, book, laptop anything) in your lap. The pilot is no longer allowed to point out landmarks while flying over and while not being able to go to the restroom for that final hour you must sit still with your hands on your knees. Our government declares this a success and a victory. HOW ABOUT ACTUALLY STOPPING THE TERRORISTS FROM GETTING ON THE PLANES!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO STOP THE BAD GUYS FROM GETTING ON A PLANE?

Screening grandmas, small children, yuppies and the businessman on his way home while letting the Middle Eastern man pass right on by because you’re afraid of political incorrectness just isn’t working. How many grandmas, small children, yuppies and businessmen have tried to hijack or blow up a plane? None! Hmmm, if we just had something to go by, something that all the terrorists had in common. What could it be? Oh yeah, they were all Middle Eastern males with radical ties to Islam but they can’t screen for that because it would be “profiling” which is just unacceptable. Do you realize how incompetent this makes us look? Meanwhile, get your grandma to the airport four hours early so they can take her walker apart and enjoy riding with your hands on your knees.

Obama Makes Vacation Sacrifice For You

President Obama hasn’t had the chance to get around to stopping those moguls who are making billions by preying on innocent vacationers and actually charging them money to stay at hotels and resorts across the 50 United States. Instead he’s contributing to the madness by taking his family on a Christmas vacation to Hawaii that has the family staying at a $4,000 per night condo which makes me wonder when he’s going to pony up and start redistributing his wealth instead of going after other people’s money. Of course he’s the president so much like the health care reform his policies aimed at taking money from working individuals and giving it to the less fortunate (you know those who are burdened by not wanting a job and choosing instead to live on government cheese) don’t apply to him. America, you’d better not flaunt wealth and spend money that others don’t have as long as there are bums standing on the street looking for handouts. That is unless you’re the president.

Anyway, I digress; President Obama is sacrificing his luxurious stay in Hawaii for you, the American people. He won’t rest, won’t be distracted and certainly won’t take a lavish vacation until his unconstitutional health bill is jammed down the throats of the American people. With only 26% of voters approving of President Obama’s role as America’s Commander and Chief he’s determined to give us his agenda whether we want it or not. So much for a government for the people by the people it’s more like a government against the people for fat cat politicians. How else do you explain the billions of dollars in payoffs to buy votes? Oh yeah, its there. Obama promised us change that we can believe in. The only thing that’s changed is that bribes and payoffs are pretty much at full disclosure to the American people and the only thing that we can believe in is that this government will continue to turn its back to the American people by taking the attitude that we don’t really know what’s good for us but they do.

That’s why you and I will be paying higher taxes in the coming years so that the couple shacking up down the street from you can have medical insurance on that eighth child born out of wedlock while they use their government checks to buy cigarettes and beer. They are desperate for insurance, they need insurance, if they could ask Santa for just one thing this Christmas it would be for medical insurance and if they don’t purchase said insurance then they’ll be fined by the government that’s really just looking out for their best interest and giving them what they want. That’s also why you and I will be paying higher taxes in the coming years so that the millions of illegal aliens in our country can become legalized and be covered under this health bill.

That’s why with only 9% of adults feeling that the economy is good right now congress is passing a bill that will not only raise your taxes but will also cost you to pay more for medical services and coverage.

That’s why you could be losing your insurance benefits from your employer and face either paying for a higher premium out of your own pocket or face the government fines. As it is now it cost an employer around $10,000 per year to provide medical benefits for a single employee. However, under the new bill an employer can cancel your coverage and only pay a fine of less than $800. Meanwhile you’re stuck with a much lighter wallet due to paying your own premiums or the government fine for not having insurance. That’s what I wanted, isn’t that what you wanted? Obama says that it is!

President Obama said that this bill would be hashed out in full view of the American people (CNN I think he said) instead it was decided behind closed doors by a small minority of people with even smaller minds. It’s a bill that most democratic senators haven’t read, won’t read and don’t want to read. It’s a bill that no one fully understands and yet will pass by a landslide. Does that sound like a congress that is looking out for the best interest of the American people?

President Obama said that the days of paying off politicians and loading bills with kickbacks and payoffs to friends and supporters in fulfillment of campaign promises. Well, he said that those days we over after his stimulus bill that included all the above. Apparently he was misled, surely he wouldn’t lie to us, because this health bill is only passing because of payoffs. Look for Nebraska to become the new retirement destination for Americans. Under a provision in the bill, the federal government will permanently pick up Nebraska's entire cost for an expansion of Medicaid, while paying the full tab for the other 49 states for only three years. Why? That was the cost of purchasing the 60th vote needed from Nebraska senator Ben Nelson to pass the bill. Unless you’re a Husker it looks like your senators sold your state short.

President Obama won’t vacation until he gets what he wants and apparently nothing stands in the way of him getting what he wants. Not the economy, not the American people, not public opinion and not even a trip to Hawaii. Makes you feel better though, knowing that he’s doing it all for you, right?

Remind Me...Who's using Nazi Tactics?

Just when you think you have seen it all, it gets worse. In an unprecedented move...well, cowardly at least - the Democrats and ONE LOUSY REPUBLICAN (R-Joe Cao, Louisiana) pass the HC bill in the House! I am not racist, in fact, had a wonderful day with one awesome black kiddo - along with 7 other kids from our church. He and another boy were the only boys, so we had a blast wrestling and splashing at the indoor pool. I have worked with minorities, I have compassion on the less fortunate and support them via our church and personally.

It is not about racism Calvin. But this HC plan is a train wreck on our society - it is simply a caution-less agenda to bring America to its knees. The fact is, a minority person is financing the liberal machine making it happen - Soros. And soldiers die every day so he and other like him have the freedom to do so.

"Today with help from their liberal House allies, President Obama and Nancy Pelosi finally got what they have been creating behind closed doors these past months -- a government-run health care experiment that will increase families' health care costs, increase the deficit, increase taxes on small businesses and the middle class, and cut Medicare," the statement said.

So Nazi tactics - or at the very least, stealth/iron fist tactics were used to strong arm the decision and take the American opinion out of the system. It will be Nazi tactics that force me and every other hard working American to give up the greatest health care on the planet for a government run mess! Seriously: WIC, Post-office (I know- don't go there), DHS, S.S.N, Medicare, and the like - none of them are successful! What makes anyone believe HC will succeed through the government is beyond me! We truly have let the Television suck our mental capabilities down the tubes...no pun intended!

Aside from my faith and its immovability, this revelation ruined my day. And yes, a Christian can use the word "lousy." Jesus used a whip and was spittin' mad for what the traders did to the Temple. Godly anger and frustration is warranted. Control and channelling that anger is what differentiates Christians from Wackos of any name.

The word Democrat has essentially morphed into a "four-letter" word these days. I hate it too, as I know that there are many Democrats that are not followers of Pelosi, Reed and Obama. In fact, the 39 dems that voted against it ... need a ticker-tape parade! Obama and cronies, these are the extreme wacko left! My father-n-law and many at my church are democrats - but they cannot believe how quickly their party is destroying this once great nation.

Tomorrow is a new day. God says His mercies are new every morning. I believe this and I believe it can be true for America. People, I realize many of you agree with me, but we must get this out past our little circles. Save the numbers of Congressmen in your phone and bug them 24/7. Lobby for people like http://jameslankford.com. Start your own Opinion Blog at http://www.blogger.com. Go to Tea Parties. Organize Tea Parties. Call the news channels in your area and tell them you want real news (I do this all the time - the more we do maybe they will get the hint).

2010 is the end of the Bush Tax cuts - rest assured, short a miracle, they will not be reinstated. You think you make little now, just wait: it's going to be even LESS and it will astronomically decrease IF this 1.2TRILLION DOLLAR Health care plan goes into effect! We MUST get as many Senators behind the blockage of this bill! OBAMA has sent out an email asking for $5 donations to press the insurance companies and Senators to pass this bill. They are hell-bent (!) on getting this done. Sad thing - this is not the worst of it....The Climate Treaty is going to be worse!

I for one will call and barrage "Mr. Joe Cao" until he is hearing the phone ring in his sleep! May Jindal and the remaining republicans of LA help user him out of his seat! His Washington Office number: 202-225-6636.

I am sending this out in the hopes that many of you will forward it to all you know as well!

Read CNN story (with PDF link to Bill)

Link to Cao's web contact