Where Does it End?

I've been watching and listening to the news over the last few weeks and been doing a lot of thinking. Today was a mix of happiness (see 2 posts down) and incredible frustration and anger towards the politicians who "represent us". Needless to say, it boiled over today.

Where does this "bailout" crap end? The cost seems to be getting crazier and more mind-boggling by the day, sometimes by the hour. To try and wrap your head around how much our government has pledged so far, check out this link. It will make your head spin.

Where does it stop? Only after government has a hand in running (into the ground) every major industry in this country? Forget the hard numbers for a minute. I was listening to Mark Levin, who was chief-of-staff to Ed Meese in the Reagan administration, a couple days ago and heard a point brought up that I can't believe I hadn't heard yet. Not by the media, not by people I've talked with about this, and not by one elected official of either party.

Exactly where in the Constitution does it grant the government this authority?

The authority to assume control of failing private enterprises using an unbelievable amount of taxpayer dollars. The authority to make a decision that a company is "too big to fail". I think it's a very valid question. Feel free to check for yourself.

Businesses, large and small, open and close every day. That's part of the beauty of our dynamic economic system. The inherent risks and virtually unlimited potential rewards that are there for everyone starting a new business and the freedom to pursue this are part of what makes our country great and what has allowed the US to rise to its level despite our relatively young age. That willingness to attempt to blaze new frontiers and try new things with the hope of eventual profits and as little government interference as possible is part of the American Dream.

I'm tired of this "too big to fail" crap. Nothing is too big to fail. Not a business, and incidentally, not a country. Our leaders may want to keep that in mind as they flush trillions town the toilet on companies that were not run competently enough to survive, much less thrive. Businesses like this, of any size, need to be allowed to fail, if for no other reason than to enter Chapter 11 and reorganize. Many airlines have done it and are now talking profitability despite record fuel costs.

On another note, I've also had it with hearing Democrats blame deregulation for our current financial situation. That's a load of the smelly stuff. Take a look at the industries that are floundering. Financial institutions and auto makers. These companies aren't "deregulated". They are, along with energy production, the most regulated industries in the country. Don't believe me? Try to remember buying your house. Remember that huge stack of paper you had to sign? All that stuff isn't there because banks like to torture you and waste paper. In fact, as I've stated before, most of our current problems can be traced back to an origin of a political decision being substituted for a business one.

In pretty much every poll I've seen, the public is dead set against these bailouts and that was back when the price tag was estimated at $700 billion. Now we're in the trillions and the numbers will literally numb your brain. Our government is now determined to use the "Taxpayer AmEx" to keep building onto a house of cards which needed to collapse long ago. Oops, I mean "Taxpayer Visa". AmEx has decided they're now a bank and deserve their share of the bailout money. But I digress. As always, the market will eventually win out and the house will collapse. The question is whether it will happen before or after we've wasted trillions of dollars which, by the way, we don't actually have.

Now might be a great time to click the links to the right and let your congressman and senators know how you feel. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. It's looking like a groundswell from the public is the only way to stop this madness.

Still Campaining...

I'm going to struggle these next four years showing the presidency the respect I believe the office deserves as I've come to the conclusion that our next president is an arrogant, self-absorbed ass. First he creates his own presidential seal while still campaigning, and now this. Hey Obama, there's no such thing as "The Office of the President Elect". If you want to get technical, you aren't even officially the president-elect yet as the Electoral College doesn't meet until after the second Wednesday in December. Patience Obama. You've already won the election. You'll have an actual office with an actual seal on January 20th. Until then, take that dumbass sign off your podium, go sit in a corner somewhere, nibble a box of animal crackers, and start studying up. In less than two months you're going to start your first real job.

Thanksgiving Comes a Little Early

I know I normally rant about politics and idiot politicians on here, but I wanted to post about this quickly. This my Doberman, Cosmo, who has been my best bud for nearly 6 years. A little over a month ago, Cosmo was diagnosed with a condition called Wobbler's Disease which is (unfortunately) fairly common in Dobermans. Basically, it's a genetic problem in which 1 or more of his spinal vertebrae are slightly misaligned and begin to push into his spinal cord. Not only does this cause great pain, but it also starts to affect the signals traveling down the spinal cord to his rear legs, causing him to "lose" his legs and appear to walk as though he's intoxicated, hence the name Wobbler's.

Cosmo has probably had this condition his whole life but, because it is a degenerative disease, only started showing symptoms a couple of months ago. The vet prescribed several medicines to deal with the pain and reduce inflammation, thereby relieving pressure on the spinal cord and giving him a little more sure footing. While the meds would mask the symptoms, he would continue to progress in a downward spiral until his quality of life would begin to seriously suffer, most likely within a year. We were told that in order to fix the problem, surgery would be Cosmo's only option.

I'm very happy and thankful to say that we picked up Cosmo from the doggie neurosurgeon yesterday and he seems well on his way to recovery. Unfortunately for him, we have to keep him penned up for the next 4 weeks (2 days down, 26 to go) with the lone exception being to use the restroom. The doctors say that the pain from the Wobbler's should already be completely eliminated, all he has to deal with now is healing from the actual surgery itself. I'm so thankful that the technology has advanced to the point of performing surgeries like this on dogs, so grateful to the staff at the surgery center who were all absolutely incredible and took wonderful care of him, and so happy for the opportunity to get to spend more quality time in the coming years with my best friend.

Random Thought on the New York Times

I was walking through an airport in Colorado Springs today and happened to pick up today's issue of the New York Times. Does anyone other than me have a problem with the fact that the Times didn't see it as newsworthy to make any mention of Veterans Day on their front page today, yet they had no problem on yesterday's front page with continuing their tradition of publishing information on our covert military and national securtity operations, thereby further endangering the lives of our soldiers?

I don't know this for sure as I wasn't alive back then, but I've got to believe that if an American newspaper found out about plans for the D-Day invasion back on say, 6/4/1944, they would not put that story out on the wires beforehand.

UPDATE: Here's further examples as referenced by National Review Online back in 2006.

UPDATE #2: Here's the list of intel leaks referenced by NRO in my prior update from the Swift Program to the NSA international terrorist surveillence program to the CIA program of having our allies detain high-level terrorists in their countries. (originally a Washington Post leak). This is just a verification that the far-right nutjobs at NRO did not, in fact, make these stories up.

Veterans Day

Today we as a country recognize and thank those among us that have served and are serving to defend the freedoms which we enjoy. These military men and women are simply the most honorable and selfless people this country has to offer and we owe them a debt which we can never repay.


I highly doubt that any members of the military will stumble across my little blog, but if any do, God bless you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Where Do We Go From Here?

I want to start by saying that as an American, I take great joy that this nation has gotten to the point where we can elect a (half) black President and have a peaceful transition of power as we have always done. Even though I vehemently disagree with every governmental idea that Obama stands for, I was happy that there were no riots, no violence to speak of. How far we've come in our short history.

Of course, if we're going to talk race relations, it's worth mentioning that I wish there had been a little more fanfare when Clarence Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court or when Condi Rice was appointed National Security Advisor and then Secretary of State. I guess racial advancements only count if you're liberal, but I digress. Another story for another day.

For all those who may look down on America, we can stand proud at the progress of our republic and it's outrageous idea of government by consent of the governed. Our system is a model for the world and should be celebrated, and I will respect the office that Obama will inhabit and praise him should he come down on the right side of an issue.

That being said, if he tries to fulfill virtually any of his campaign promises, many of which are truly unconstitutional and outside the intended role of the federal government, I will speak loudly. I have a feeling we will be dealing with this scenario more often than not.

We should have seen it coming in 2006. The Democrats whipped the Republicans in 2006 because the GOP started acting and governing like the Dems. The irony is, of course, that the Democrats in 2006 basically ran against their own principles. Since then, the Bush administration has doubled down, allowing Treasury Secretary Paulson to authorize some $1 trillion worth of bailouts that are tacked right on to our debt. The effects thus far have been lukewarm at best. And let's not forget the grossly mismanaged campaign of McCain. He struggled between preaching a long forsaken conservative ideology and plain incoherence.

This election proved, as did the 2004 election, that you cannot win a drawn-out election by running against someone. You have to inspire voters to vote for you, not against someone else. Even against someone as completely inadequate and unproven as the now President Elect Obama. Kerry tried it in 2004 and failed. Now McCain has tried it and failed. The American people have spoken. I hope they have some idea what they have gotten themselves into.

They've put into the highest office in the land a guy who outside of winning elections has accomplished virtually nothing of substance in his life. This will be the first real job he's ever had. They have elected a guy who thinks and has said our Constitution is fundamentally flawed, even though as President he will take an oath to uphold it. They have elected a guy who wants to increase taxation on the employers of this country, thereby minimizing their ability to hire/keep employees. They elected a guy and a party who thinks it's the government's job to redistribute wealth as they see fit (Intentionally used comments by Rush to annoy libs). They have elected a guy who thinks federally run (read: "crappy") healthcare is the way to go.

They have elected a guy who doesn't seem to have a problem with intimidation tactics over private citizens who dare ask a direct question of their leaders. They've elected a guy whose party seems ripe to throw the 1st Amendment right out the window. They have elected a guy who employs class warfare tactics to divide this country and pit segments against each other.

Many in Obama's camp no doubt voted on emotion, not reason, such as this poor woman. I have a feeling her sentiment is shared by many. It's a truly sad state that so many in our country have no understanding of basic economics, the constitutional role of the federal government, or the incredible opportunities that lie before them in this great country if they would just reach out and seize them instead of looking to government to cure all.

Well, tomorrow's a new day. I know that I for one will not sit back and let the liberally controlled White House, Congress, and Senate run roughshod over the Constitution and drive this country into the crapper. Not with a baby girl on the way. No way. I will do everything I can to make sure she grows up in a country where her opportunities are still limited only by her desire, talents, and ambition. This is still a center-right country, regardless of what the pundits, Obama, Reid, and Pelosi may say. Obama had to run towards the center to win this election. McCain's campaign was sinking fast until he brought Palin, a true conservative, on board. She was drawing crowds that constantly outshined McCain's and rivaled Obama's.

It's time to start again, right now, working on a truly conservative agenda that will inspire and allow the people of America to achieve prosperity though ingenuity and hard work without government getting in their way. We have a whole new cast of fresh conservative voices. Sarah Palin has indicated she isn't going anywhere. Bobby Jindal has already scheduled a trip to Iowa. These charismatic young voices are giving a greatly needed facelift to the Republican Party and conservatism in general. They have proven that it can work in their respective states and will continue to spread the message to a country of people who desperately need to be reminded of the greatness of which they are capable when government steps out of the way and lets the engine of American ingenuity roar.

I'll have more to say about President Elect Obama in the coming days, I'm still a little in shock that Americans chose this buffoon to be our next president. I will in good faith say this though.

Obama, I truly hope you prove me wrong.

It isn't looking good...

Fox News just called Ohio for Obama. After also losing Pennsylvania, it looks like we can pretty much call this for Obama. I'll have more to say later after the euthanization of liberty has been officially completed.