Stop with the #NeverTrump Nonsense

Let’s clear the air.  The Donald was never my first choice as the Republican nominee for POTUS.  As a self-proclaimed “constitutional conservative” there are many grounds for objection that easily come to mind when considering his positions on a wide range of issues.  I also understand the commitment and passion to principles that many feel are not shared by Mr. Trump.  That having been said, I firmly believe that the time has come to unify around the presumptive nominee.

First of all, the #NeverTrump movement is just nonsense.  The minority of Republicans who say they will never, ever vote for Trump argue that he is not a conservative and their adherence to principle is more important than anything else.  These are the same Republicans however who have earned the moniker of “RINO” because they have supported other candidates who repeatedly broke their promises to us over the last several election cycles.  These are the same Republicans who told us that no candidate is perfect, and even though we had been politically defrauded multiple times, they said the most important thing is that “we elect Republicans”.  “Just give us the House and Senate so we can implement our conservative policies!”  I guess that means vote for the candidates that we want you to vote for.  The rejection of Trump because he doesn’t measure up to these purists, is just another demonstration of their glaring hypocrisy. 

Perhaps the most moronic claim made by the anti-Trump crowd that I hear is “I’m not voting for Trump or Clinton because there’s no difference between the two.”  Are you kidding me?  I have to wonder if these people have been living under a rock for the last eight years.  This is the same woman who really did wage a “war on women” to protect her husband from all the bimbo eruptions during his administration.  Every foreign policy failure can be laid at the feet of Hillary Clinton including the rise of ISIS, and the collapse of Libya.  This is the same woman who lied to us all in blaming Benghazi on an internet video.  And then, when our Ambassador and three other Americans died, she looked their relatives in the eye and lied to them as well.  This is the Secretary of State who implemented policies that brought down a stable and friendly regime in Egypt with the express intent of putting the Muslim Brotherhood in power.  Hillary has fully supported every questionable action and policy of Obama including the implementation of ObamaCare, the politicization of the Department of Justice, the attack on the Second Amendment, the overreaching by the EPA and BLM through regulatory fiat, targeting of conservatives by the IRS, the surge of unaccompanied minors across our southern border, the emigration of unvetted Syrian “refugees”, and pushing the global-weather change-warming-cooling agenda including its consequences of wealth redistribution and the destruction of American manufacturing.  Oh, and did I mention the pay-for-play corruption of the Clinton Foundation, and the compromise of national security by keeping secret and classified emails on a private unsecure server? 

No my friends, Donald Trump is no Hillary Clinton.  Not even close.  Unlike Hillary Clinton, The @realDonaldTrump does not have an ingrained, visceral hatred for our country.  He doesn’t hate the military and law enforcement.  He doesn’t hate Jews.  I believe that in his heart he does want to “Make America Great” again.  At least with Trump you can talk to the guy and you might have a chance to get him to actually change or moderate some of his positions.  With Hillary Clinton you don’t have a chance.  She is a Left wing zealot and would be the 3rd term of Barack Obama.  Most importantly if you really want to destroy our Republic, just vote for Hillary, or withhold your vote from Trump, because the next POTUS will determine the makeup of the SCOTUS.  Your right to keep and bear arms, and to have any chance of controlling the scope of control the central government has over your lives will be set back for generations. 

There is a difference between Trump and Clinton.  It is huge.  There is no comparison.  Now is the time to unite against Hillary.  The only way to be effective, to save our country, and to have your vote count, is to actually vote, and vote for Trump.

My views on the CNN - GOP debate in Texas

My thoughts on the CNN GOP debate:

Well, I haven't really discussed my views on this election cycle, but there's not much time left before the Republican nominee is chosen, so I thought I'd throw out my thoughts on last night's debate:

Overall, I don't think the debate performance of any of the candidates changed or will change their standings. The biggest dumb-ass reward goes to the Telemundo gal who spent her whole time giving a speech, citing questionable polling, and then asking each person on stage "Do you get it?"

Trump - probably the worst performance I've ever seen in a debate. Doubled down on praising Planned Parenthood, and equating the Palestinians with Israel. Nothing of substance. But Trumpians are rabid, and they can't stop frothing at the mouth. Notwithstanding this, the Drudge poll still had Trump winning by over 60%. Go figure.

Rubio - the Cuban motormouth. This guy talks so fast and throws together so many subjects at 100 mph that I can't help but thinking he's got a stash of cocaine somewhere he regularly dips into. I do believe on a majority of issues, Rubio has been a conservative voter, but I have no faith in him on the issue of immigration. On that subject he has been bought hook, line, and sinker by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the donor-class. He's flipped depending on who he's talking to, as noted by his speeches given in Spanish vs English. He has attacked the border patrol and immigration enforcement officials who have pointed out how he betrayed them during the fight over the Gang of Eight bill. For me, immigration is such an important issue to the security of our country, that I cannot bring myself to support Rubio. I just don't trust him.

Cruz - again, probably the smartest guy up there. Full of substance. Consistent in his message. Not afraid to take politically incorrect positions. He's my first pick.

Kasich - I wish this guy would just drop out already. Want to know what he did in Ohio? Too bad, because even if you didn't, he'll tell you. The problem is that he's a Statist who loves Common Core, and actually believes ObamaCare is divinely inspired. He crowed about a new bill in Ohio that rewards doctors for charging below the mean while providing care to "keep you healthy". Of course he doesn't say that his plan still has government calling the winners and losers. And where does that reward money come from? He's a squishy guy without a plan or solution except to call a meeting with a bunch of people.

Carson - I love the man but if I watch him too long, I'll fall asleep. This is the only guy I know who can talk while in a coma. I think he could be a good President, but he just doesn't exude leadership.

All the above having been said, I would vote for the Republican nominee whoever it is. I will never support the Bitch of Benghazi or the Sycophant of Stalin.

It's Time to Deal with Car Violence

There were over 10,000 deaths caused by cars operated by drunk drivers in 2014. It's time for us to confront the rising tide of car violence plaguing our country. Many of these deaths were caused by cars with automatic transmissions which allows rapid acceleration just by pushing the pedal to the metal without having to manually change gears. We need to ban interstate sales of cars, ban the manufacture of cars with automatic transmissions, and require background checks of all persons engaged in private sales. We need to close the car show loophole now! We don't need to ban cars, but we do need some "common sense" laws. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this senseless car violence. Thank you.

WHY AMERICA IS HEADED DOWN THE WRONG TRACK

WHY AMERICA IS HEADED DOWN THE WRONG TRACK

A few years back my wife sent me an email thread that she'd been having with my accountant at the time.  He was an excellent CPA, but until I read their exchange, I had no idea what an uber-Liberal and Obama sycophant he was.  Like most knee jerk Progressives, my opposition to Obama's policies was seen as racist.  I felt compelled to respond.  Below is my response to my former CPA. 

**********

Dear Mikey:

Carole sent me the “thread” you two have written to each other.  I just want to interject my thoughts at this point.  First of all, if we’re going to have any discussion of a political nature, it has to be an honest one.  I frankly thought it was a cheap shot to ask Carole if Obama were “evil”.  It’s a non relevant question that doesn’t advance the conversation.  It’s a diversion.  Just like questions of Obama’s citizenship are a diversion.  In the meantime, the private sector is being crushed, jobs are being destroyed, and the country is going bankrupt.  How dare you suggest that her legitimate concerns, and mine as well, are driven by “anger”.  Again, another distraction from the truth. 

Just because I and Carole may not favor a government controlled, centralized, top-down health care system, doesn’t translate into throwing the sick, sore, lame, and disabled into the street to starve or freeze to death.  Your tacit argument that says “anything” is better than what we had, is intellectually lazy. Sure things needed reform, but not replacement.  The same private employer-based system of insurance you abhor somehow managed to produce the highest level of health care treatment for its citizens, and a life span that increased year to year. Now what have we got?  A bureaucracy  larger than anything we’ve ever seen that  seizes property from its citizens without their consent; dictates the level of care that can be provided and what treatment you may or may not be allowed to have; and adds ten trillion dollars to the debt while destroying MediCare.  Your well intended compassion produced a bill that was produced by the most corrupt political process in modern times, in the middle of the night, with no transparency.  One thing I have to say positive about Nancy Pelosi is that at least she doesn’t try to hide how dopey she is.  She puts it right out there...”we have to pass the bill before we find out what’s in it.”  If ObamaCare is so damn good, why is this administration granting hundreds if not thousands of waivers?  Who is benefiting from those waivers and who’s going to pay for them?

As for your comments about those terrible bankers and arbitragers, I’d suggest you do some reading about “crony capitalism”.  Then you’ll know why the same people from Goldman Sachs that Bush the Devil relied on permeate this administration at all levels.  Hey, how about the deal that Jeff Imelt and GE got?  $15B and no taxes.  While we’re at it, let’s let the government take over the country’s largest car maker and screw the bond holders in the process, reversing over 100 years of bankruptcy law.  Fantastic. And now the government wants to sell its GM stock at a loss of billions of dollars to the taxpayers.  Can you say U.A.W. health and welfare trust?  Our Punk in Chief in our present miserable economic climate doesn’t have any problem rewarding his union buddies by having the NLRB sue Boeing to prevent their expansion, and creation of over a thousand new jobs in South Carolina.  And where was Obama when the Communists, Socialists, and Unionists took over the capitol building in Wisconsin?  Did he condemn the vile language and death threats?  Did he blink an eye when the “protesters” wreaked over a million dollars in damages, and defaced a memorial to veterans?  Nope, no way Jose`.  But he can step out in front of a microphone during an official press conference and refer to American citizens as “tea-baggers”.  Ask one of your friends in the gay community what a tea-bagger means.

Since we’re on the subject, don’t ya think that was just wonderful shutting down the whole gulf oil drilling and exploration?  While you’re at it, do some more research into how many jobs were actually destroyed now, and permanently because of that?  But don’t let that stop the insanity.  Let’s loan $2B to Brazil to drill in the gulf where American companies are forbidden to drill from.  How’s that $4+/gal gasoline working out for you?  And don’t tell me it’s “speculators” driving up the cost of oil.  It’s the Federal Reserve monetizing our currency that is the “peg” for oil prices worldwide that is resulting in the hike. Yep, it’s the economy stupid.  Bush may have signed onto TARP (a total failure) but your boy Obama supported it too.  Then of course he had his own stimulus which as we all now see was another smashing failure. He promised that if we gave him a couple of trillion dollars he’d solve  all our problems (even those caused by Bush).  He also promised several times that he’d “cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term”.  He’ll say anything he needs to say even if it’s the exact opposite of what he is actually doing. 

 

Oh yeah, and how’s that Libya thing going?  “Splain me Lucy” why we give $25M to rebels who may have significant links with Al Queda.  If we went into Libya to prevent the massacre of innocents, why aren’t we rushing to the aid of the really courageous people rebelling in Syria or Iran? 

And for God’s sake, stop blaming Bush.  All you touchy-feely liberals never take responsibility for your actions.  Lot’s of world leaders including Bush honestly believed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.  Did you forget that Hussein had used them on his own people?  And what happened to the thousand of liters of weaponized  anthrax your beloved UN said he had?  At least Bush went to Congress before he went to war.  I don’t recall Obama following the Constitution when he went into Libya.

You want to know why I am angry?  It’s not because Obama is half white. I look around after almost two years, and from what I see, I know the country is NOT going in the right direction.  And I look at this administration and I see card carrying Communists, Unionists and socialists who attack this country every day, including our military, and our citizens.  May I suggest you do some research on some of the past and present presidential aides, advisers, and “czars”.  Van Jones, Cass Sunstein, Valerie Jarret, Richard Trumpka, Andy Stern, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers.  All I see is Obama running around telling the whole world that America is a bad place and that we really need to change things.  I will tell you what I believe and why I am deeply opposed to Obama.  I believe Obama is a punk.  He’s an angry community organizer that was mentored by Communists in his youth (read his auto biography) and continued to purposefully surround  himself with “revolutionaries”.  He is a ruthless thug.  He is a vicious political operative.  He plays the race card, gender card, religion card, and class card anytime he finds it advantageous.  He seeks to coercively re-distribute income based on his own conceptions of fairness.  Just listen to what he told “Joe the Plumber”. He insults the Supreme Court which is supposed to be a co-equal branch of government in his State of the Union address.  He has no respect for the Constitution and has publicly expressed his resentment that the Constitution is a limitation on the powers of government to act. This is an administration that can’t call a Muslim army officer who yells “Allah akbar” and kills and wounds dozens of soldiers and people a terrorist.  And he equates immigrants who came to this country through Ellis Island, with those who sneak across the border.

I wouldn’t calI Obama “evil” just as I wouldn’t call Karl Marx or Friedrich Engels evil. But I do believe he’s destroying the country I love.  He told us he’s going to “fundamentally transform America”.  I will do anything within law to stop him from accomplishing that goal. 

So my friend, you can continue to fiddle while Rome burns.  Continue drinking the Kool-Aid and buy the propaganda that anything the present administration and Obama does is just fine.  Not me.  Just don’t confuse my or Carole’s resistance and opposition to the policies of Barry Soetoro as something shallow, misguided, or racist.

Love,

Ricky

Why we need cops and guns

I find it quite disturbing that there seems to be two very ugly trends taking place right now.  The first is a coordinated attack on local police departments.  This is accomplished by community organizing activities often with the guidance of professional agitators, that casts all police departments as being racist or engaging in racial profiling. To make things worse, the DOJ then is either called in to investigate and take control or they just decide to do it themselves.  The second ugly trend is an all out attack on the Second Amendment.  This administration has signed international trade agreements and treaties that call for outright disarmament of civilian populations. The President has indicated he will act in accordance with these agreements with or without Senate approval.  Within the last week, using his pen, and the obsequious and powerful federal agencies at his disposal, regulations have been issued which severely impact an individual's’ exercise of their constitutional rights.  So you may ask “Why is this happening?”  The answer is rather straightforward.  The administration has less than two years left to accomplish the “fundamental transformation” of America.  In order to achieve its goal of complete, central, and authoritarian power in that time, the people must be rendered defenseless.  And there you have it.  Destroy local police departments and take away everyone’s firearms. 

RINO Treachery Post-Mortem

By Rick Fineberg

June 1, 2015

It's bad enough that the Nevada Legislature just approved the largest tax hike in history, now I just heard on the radio that they're thinking of raising the minimum wage after previously refusing to do so.

Honestly folks, I can't tell the difference anymore between the Progressive Socialists aka Democrats and the establishment donor class Republicans. I do have more respect for the Democrats because they don't try to hide who they are. On the other hand we have a number of RINO hypocrites running around and campaigning to get elected that they're the "most conservative" politicians who will uphold the principles of free markets, limited government, and individual liberty. They profess to be ardent supporters of the Second Amendment. They champion their support for less regulation on business and that they will "sunset" temporary taxes. They bloviate about the dangers of enacting margin taxes that will be job killers.

To put it mildly, they were all less than truthful.

If the Governor had asked for your vote so that he could raise your taxes by $1.5 billion, would you have voted for him? Did he tell you when he first ran for office that he'd be all in for ObamaCare, that he'd be all in for the expansion of Medicaid, and that he'd push Common Core down your throats?

When Pat Hickey ran for the Assembly, did he tell you he would author a bill that would give drivers' licenses to illegal aliens? Did he tell you that he'd vote to extend taxes which were promised to sunset three times, and then vote to make those tax increases permanent?

Did Greg Brower tell you that he would run his committee just like Harry Reid and prevent bills like campus carry from even getting a hearing?

Did John Hambrick warn you that he'd do a complete about face and break almost every promise he'd made?

There's a great deal of anger at what has just happened in our legislature, and I share that anger. It's justifiable anger too. These turncoat politicians are clearly tone deaf to the will of the people who rejected higher taxes just last November by an 80% margin. What's even worse is that just like POTUS, they demonstrate an almost psychopathic narcissism and arrogance about their actions. In a kind of disconnect from reality, they cloak their treachery with claims that are patently false. With a straight face they proclaimed that the increase payroll and modified business taxes "wouldn't be harmful". But perhaps the most dangerous and yet subtle canard is that these tax hikes are "needed", and that we have to provide more funding for "the children".

Our State Controller, Ron Knecht and Assemblyman Jim Wheeler took up the Governors' challenge and proposed an alternative budget that would not have increased taxes at all. And if you go back and look at newspapers from the last 30 years, you'll find the education establishment during each and every election cycle whining that they need more tax dollars.

All I can say is no more excuses. Hold on to your anger. Don't forget this betrayal. Make sure every politician who broke their promise to you on these very important issues is challenged when they run for election again. Never believe anything they say again. Never contribute to them. Write letters to your newspapers expressing your disgust with these politicians for what they have done, and also when homes are lost, businesses close, and people lose their jobs.

Most importantly, talk to your neighbors and strangers every chance you get and educate them. Inform them of the issues and how they will be affected. Remind them how important it is to vet candidates for office and look at their records and actions and not just listen to their empty rhetoric.

Thanks for allowing me to vent my frustration. I feel a little better now. God bless us all.

SECOND AMENDMENT: THE LAST STAND AGAINST TOTAL "TRANSFORMATION"

First, they came for your healthcare (ACA).  Then they came for your children (Common Core).  Now they control all communications (Net Neutrality) and the only thing standing in the way of a complete "transformation" of America is the Second Amendment. The Rule of Law was thrown out the window today when the path for confirmation of Loretta Lynch was cleared to become the new AG.   The onslaught against your right to keep and bear arms is already well underway with executive orders limiting importation of certain firearms, banning commonly used ammunition for over 40 years, and pressuring financial institutions to deny credit and other services to firearms dealers.  This is happening because there is no effective political opposition to anything that is done by the President with his cellphone and his pen.  He actually doesn't even have to sign an executive order.  He can simply signal to his sycophants in every major administrative agency that they should enact or modify their regulations in order to accomplish his proclamations.  Shame on every politician who campaigned on the promise that they would do everything within their power to change course and get us back on track to being a Constitutional Republic.  You lied, plain and simple and all of your "double speak" will not alter that fact.  We are at this terrible place in our country's history because you enabled fascism to take root.  You have remained silent in the face of evil.

We Need True Leadership

There's been a lot of talk lately about "leadership" and whether or not our elected representatives are demonstrating it.  What exactly does leadership mean?   

Let me start by giving you my definition of leadership. For me, leadership is an act. It is a decision to take a stand in order to encourage, inspire or motivate others to move with you. What's more, the most effective leaders do not rely on their title, or power, to lead. Rather it is the assertion of their personal character combined with their use of strategic influence that makes them effective leaders. This implies of course that there is a platform from which to lead.  The support for that platform comes from our values and beliefs. For the true leader there is a defined goal, and the ability to lead others in achieving it.  For our political leaders the goal is established by communicating with the electors.  A leader listens to the People.  A leader finds out what works and what doesn't work and fashions  policies that will advance the general well being of the citizenry.  Most importantly a real leader acts to the best of his ability to fulfill the promises made to the people who elected him.

So do you think that we are getting any leadership from our elected representatives?  

I don't think we are, and increasingly large numbers of people don't think so either. The reason for this disappointment in our elected politicians is that they campaign on promises that they don't keep. Through several election cycles candidates for office have been making very specific promises in order to deal with very specific issues. This isn't simply promising that you will work to create jobs, or improve the economy, or reform our immigration policy.

By way of illustration, let me mention just 25 broken promises made to the country by our President:

1. If you like your health insurance plan, you can keep it.

2. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.

3. This administration is the most transparent, ever.

4. Our borders are more secure now than ever.

5. My executive orders are just what Reagan and Bush did.

6. Benghazi was a reaction to an anti-Muslim internet video.

7. Your health insurance premiums are going to be reduced by $2500 per year.

8. There's not a smidgeon of corruption at the IRS.

9. Bill Ayers is just some guy I met in the neighborhood.

10. Jonathan Gruber? Never heard of him.

11. We've defeated core Al Qaeda, and ISIS is a JV basketball team.

12. America is not a Christian country.

13. America is not exceptional.

14. I won't have any lobbyists in my administration.

15. There's nobody more outraged about the VA abuse than me.

16. All healthcare negotiations will be broadcast on C-SPAN.

17. I'll reduce the deficit by 50% before the end of my first year in office.

18. The border fence is "basically" complete.

19. I did not set a "red line". The world set it.

20. We've got shovel-ready jobs all across America to be funded.

21. The NSA is completely transparent and doesn't collect data on citizens.

22. Before I sign a bill I will post it online for 5 days.

23. I will not support the Patriot Act.

24. I will close Guantanamo Bay.

25. I promise to defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.

There is a disconnect between the professional political class and the voters. We have been lied to plain and simple. The people have lost trust with their elected representatives. All of this is very dangerous because it represents a failure of the political system. And once the people feel the political system has failed, apathy sets in and history teaches us that chaos and revolution is not far behind.

In the last several election cycles, the voters have sent a very clear messages to Congress. We have said we don't want our taxes raised. We have said that we want Obama-care to be stopped by any means possible including de-funding and outright repeal. We have demanded that before citizenship rights are extended to those criminally entering the country, we should strengthen our borders.  We demanded new leadership in Congress.  We want those bad actors who commit crimes to be held accountable. 

In last November's election we told our representatives loud and clear, we want you to oppose Obama's policies.  We did not tell our representatives we want you to compromise where compromise means giving something up and getting nothing in return. We did not tell them to increase the size of government and raise the deficit to $18 trillion. We did not tell them to abdicate their legislative role and grant law-like regulatory powers to gargantuan bureaucracies. We didn't tell them we want to have our business taxes raised, have service fees imposed, and endure crushing regulations imposed upon us that diminish our freedom and opportunity.  We didn't tell them we need to nationalize our healthcare system and do the same with our educational system via Common Core.  And we certainly didn't tell them that it was ok to pretend the Constitution doesn't really apply to them, because they're smarter, they know better, and are morally superior to you and me. 

But, that's exactly what happened. When House Speaker John Boehner had the opportunity to do so, he didn't put an end to Obama care, he fully funded it.  After saying he would fight to block executive amnesty, he funded that too.  Right after the election, Mitch McConnel, the Senate Majority Leader, trotted out to a microphone to announce that he was "ready to work" with Obama. Whenever an opportunity arose to show any kind of leadership on the budget, the borders, even national security, the leaders in both the House and Senate took every tool in their arsenal out of play by promising that impeachment was off the table; there would be no government shutdown;  it's impossible to undo ObamaCare;  and that we are really not going to be able to do much about executive amnesty after all. 

Unfortunately, we face the same disconnect between our politicians and We the People right here in Nevada.  In his recent State of the State address, Gov. Sandoval broke virtually every campaign promise he made when he first ran for office in 2010.  In his campaign literature

the governor promised to:

1.      Balance the budget and solve the budget deficit in 2010 without raising taxes.

2.     Cut runaway spending by fighting to pass state spending caps that would rein in government  spending.

3.     Stop job killing tax increases that will kill Nevada jobs and weaken our ability to compete for new business.

4.     Reduce government bureaucracy because I'm a true conservative who believes in limited government and that limited government is the best government and I will fight for states' rights.

5.      End illegal immigration.  I oppose any plan that encourages or excuses illegal immigration and I support  the Arizona immigration law. From amnesty to driver's licenses for illegal immigrants Brian Sandoval says not now, not ever.  (Even I had to reread this one!)

6.      Protect Nevada values.  Gov. Sandoval opposes gay marriage and will work to preserve the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

It is apparent that in Carson City we now have a well-connected corporate sponsored statist, bureaucratic, top-down, donor class gang of politicians more concerned about getting reelected than they are about the effects of their failed policies upon the citizens of Nevada.  Like John McCain in Arizona, the RINOs in our own Assembly have purged important leadership positions of conservatives. 

We don't have to accept this kind of government. The early founders of our great country who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution had a different vision. They too were facing an intrusive, oppressive bureaucracy and a tax burden that crushed liberty and opportunity. And now it is time for us to return to that same vision of individual freedom, economic opportunity, and a government that protects property rights.

It is time "We the People" make it clear that we will no longer tolerate business as usual. We need to remind the politicians that have been elected, that they are our servants. Remind them of their campaign promises.  Let them know that there are no more excuses. Tell them where the lines have been drawn and that if they step over the line they're finished.  Let them know they will be challenged in every primary. Tell them that where possible, you will seek their removal from office. Write and call their office.  Write letters to the editor in support of your views and call out these politicians for their blatant hypocrisy. 

In the future it is vitally important that we elect true conservatives who believe in limited government, constitutional governance, no new taxes, and free markets unfettered by burdensome regulation. We need people to run for office who can be trusted to do what they say and not just give lip service to conservative principles. We need to elect people who have shown that they take their guidance from our Constitution. 

If we do this, we are fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens and voters and we might even have a shot at electing "true leaders".

We don't need no education !

I turned on my radio for some background noise today and found myself listening to one of those public interest radio shows about Nevada.  This show happened to feature a panel of northern Nevada's   "finest high school students" from varying disciplines.  Asked what issues were important to them and what they wanted to talk about, the topics of immigration, foreign policy, and school dress codes and gender equality were mentioned.

Now I do want to say up front that from what I heard, these are bright kids.  But in a very short time it also became quite clear to me that they'd never taken a course in logic, and there was no indication in any of their answers that they were capable of critical thought.

As different students voiced their opinions on these and other topics, all I heard was the parroting of several radical-Left, progressive memes.

The influence of the "Blame America" crowd was on full display as these high school students portrayed the United States as blatantly racist, with a poor record towards women, minorities, and immigrants.  Our greatness was achieved only through exploitation and conquest. We're now reaping what we have sown.

All of our modern problems with terrorism today are only because we have inserted our military into the affairs of other countries the world over.  A young lady remarked "we need to understand (empathize) and cooperate with our enemies" because there is no military solution to anything,

On immigration, everyone thought it terribly unfair that there were legal and economic impediments to the ability of a poor, uneducated person just stepping across the border and becoming a citizen.  A male student said: "I heard some people say they want to have a 50 caliber machine gun on the border and just shoot anything that moves." Some one please tell this guy what a "straw man argument" is.  Oh, and in case you didn't know, "Immigrants do the jobs that Americans won't."

It was after hearing a student panelist wonder if dress codes were discriminatory and may have a disparate impact on females that I had to turn the radio off.

Really?   I feel sorry for these students.  I don't think they're getting any bang for their bucks, energy, time or effort.  They are being robbed of their future because our schools are not instilling skills or values that will be the tools for their future success.

If this is what an education today means, "we don't need none of it."

    

Does the GOP have a future?

Immediately after the first leadership team was ELECTED in the Nevada Republican Assembly Caucus, Gov. Sandoval tweeted that "our team is in place" and expressed his desire to work with them and "get going".

This ugly chaos could have been nipped in the bud if the Governor would have stood by his comments and expressed confidence in his "team".  Instead in the most disdainful and cowardly manner, he stepped back while the donor-class Republicans made their move to purge any conservative from a leadership role in the Assembly. When confronted with the situation, Gov. Sandoval meekly distanced himself from the whole sordid affair by stating this was a "legislative concern", and not something he would be commenting upon.

Hmm, never stopped him before.

Here in Nevada as in Washington, DC, Republicans have joined with Democrats to destroy any political influence that people who believe in lower taxes, smaller government, less regulation, and more personal freedom might have.

This is an enormous mistake for the Republican Party.

I've previously posted comments by pollster Pat Cadell who states he's never seen a political party so alienated from its base. He wonders if today's Republican party may go the way of the Whigs.

The "base" of the Republican party is large, expressed its will last November. They are very angry at what they see going on, and the infantile retaliation already being meted out by the donor-class Republicans against those who would challenge their orthodoxy. I predict the "base" is not going to be fooled again. They will not forget.

If you want to see the lowest voter turnout in history, just run Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush in 2016.

Prelude to Anarchy

Prelude to Anarchy                                                                                December 22, 2014

I have to wonder if the assassination of the two policemen in NYC could have been avoided.  It's hard to say of course, and any comment would be speculation.  However, I think I can certainly say that something is wrong when our leaders actually encourage what former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani referred to as "an atmosphere of police hatred".

http://www.breitbart.com/video/2014/12/22/giuliani-de-blasio-created-an-atmosphere-of-police-hatred/ . 

Given such a volatile environment, why are not laws related to "Incitement to Riot" being enforced?  This is not protected speech.  What we are seeing is a call to violence against police officers.  When the crowd begins to chant "Kill the cops NOW!" , the gathering should be declared an illegal assembly, the crowd should be dispersed, resistors should be arrested and charged, and the Marxist, Islamist, Race-Baiter with the bullhorn agitating the flock should be arrested and charged with felonies. 

Instead what we see going on is government actually encouraging this call to anarchy and chaos.  Not only are the crowds not being dispersed, but the police are being told to stand down.  The very people we rely upon, and who are sworn to protect us, are being crippled by our elected politicians from performing their mission.   They are being commanded to undergo retraining and adopt protocols that place their lives at risk.  Police are actually now being told that they should not employ their firearms in self defense unless they are first shot at. Our border patrol agents, and soldiers in the field are being told the same thing.  Yes.  Really.

I shouldn't  have to use labels such as Alinskyites, Marxists, Radical Leftists, Revolutionaries, Community Organizers, Islamists, or Civil Rights Activists to convince you that action to stop this madness needs to be taken.  When the government no longer fulfills its primary mission, the leadership must be changed.  This is not just incompetence we are experiencing, this is treason.

There Is No Such Thing as a Moderate Republican

It has become quite clear that the Establishment Republican Party is simply no longer "Republican".  The evidence for this is Obama and Harry Reid lobbying aggressively to pass the #CRomnibus, a bill that funds all of the reviled progressive programs of ObamaCare and Executive Amnesty.  Acting just like the Democrats did when ramming the ACA through Congress, Speaker John Boehner has broken promises made and has lied to fraudulently obtain passage of this budget.  Conservatives within the Party are being viciously attacked with personal smears and comparisons with terrorists.  The same kind of war is being waged right here in the Nevada State Legislature where RINO's are engaged in the politics of personal destruction in order to protect their control over the purse strings of the State.  Let me be perfectly clear.  I believe that there are no longer any so-called "moderate" Republicans.  It is a misnomer.  They are Big Government Statists with a mindset that government (and higher taxes) are the only solution to problems.  For me, and for other Conservatives this means war.  I will no longer "go along to get along" because every time I do, bad things happen and promises are not kept.  I will not be afraid of being labelled a terrorist, uncaring, racist, homophobic, sexist or whatever epithet you can think of being called.  Because no matter what I do, I will be slandered anyway.  So this is my message to my RINO friends both nationally and here in Nevada.....  I will no longer be passive and let you get away with raising my taxes or extending taxes you promised would sunset.  I will no longer tolerate your enabling large social programs that limit my freedom and destroy this country.  If you do, I will actively seek your recall.  If that is unsuccessful I will make sure you have a primary opponent in 2016.  I will not contribute to the official party or any of its affiliates but only to the direct campaigns of candidates or members of Congress that have been vetted and have a track record of following the Constitution.  I will write letters to the editor of newspapers weekly objectively establishing your legal and moral disqualification for office.  I will speak the Truth to your face and to anyone else who will listen, and I will not be silenced. I will not let you publish baseless accusations and utter falsehoods against me.  I will actively work to raise funds to engage in a variety of tactics that will marginalize you, render you impotent, and ultimately defeat you so that you will never be able to exercise control over my life again.  I urge my friends and colleagues as well as anyone else who feels the same way to please share this posting and contact me about setting up working groups to take a stand here and now. God Bless Us All.

25 LIES MY PRESIDENT TOLD ME

1. If you like your health insurance plan, you can keep it.

2. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.

3. This administration is the most transparent, ever.

4. Our borders are more secure now than ever.

5. Obama's executive order is just what Reagan and G.H.W. Bush did.

6. Benghazi was a reaction to an anti-Muslim internet video.

7. Your health insurance premiums are going to be reduced by $2500 per year.

8. There's not a smidgen of corruption at the IRS.

9. Bill Ayers is just some guy I met at a fundraiser at his house.

10. Jonathan Gruber? Never heard of him.

11. We've defeated core Al Queida, and ISIS is a JV basketball team.

12. America is not a Christian country.

13. America is not exceptional.

14. I won't have any lobbyists in my administration.

15. There's nobody more outraged about the VA abuse than me.

16. All healthcare negotiations will be broadcast on C-SPAN.

17. I'll reduce the deficit by 50% before the end of my first year in office.

18. The border fence is "basically" complete.

19. I did not set a "red line". The world set it.

20. We've got shovel-ready jobs all across America to be funded.

21. The NSA is completely transparent and doesn't collect data on citizens.

22. Before I sign a bill I will post it online for 5 days.

23. I will not support the Patriot Act.

24. I will close Guantanamo Bay.

25. I promise to defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.

"But if it saves just one child..."

I apologize for the misleading title to today's blog.  This rant has nothing to do with child safety but with the subject of "Gun Control", and specifically the latest Progressive push for "universal background checks."  This issue is close to home since Michael Bloombergs' "Moms Demand" group is funneling millions of dollars into Nevada right now trying to gather enough signatures to qualify a universal background check proposition that will go to our legislature.  If they are able to collect enough qualifying signatures the legislature must vote.  If they defeat the measure, that's not the end of things for the proposition then will appear on a ballot to be voted upon in the next general election.  I suspect the Nevada Assembly will reject the bill, giving political cover to themselves by leaving the issue to be decided by the "will of the people" who will ultimately have to decide the final outcome.  If there is anyone out there who does not know what "universal background checks" means, it is that every transfer of a firearm of any kind will have to be run through the national instant criminal background check system or NICS.  At a minimum this means that before grandpa can give his Ruger 10/22 to his grandson or granddaughter, he'll have to go to a federal firearms licensee and pay $25 to make sure that among other things, little Johnny doesn't have a criminal record, is mentally competent, hasn't renounced his US citizenship, or is addicted to drugs.  The Progs will tell you that this will prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands, will eliminate gun violence, and will enable police to trace firearms that have been used in the commission of crime.  The only problem with this argument is that it is false and based on assumptions that are created out of whole cloth.

My inspiration for writing about this today was because I had an interesting encounter with one of Bloomberg's petition gatherers in the parking lot of my local Costco.  I had just left the store and was walking back to my motorcycle when a pleasant looking middle aged woman wearing blue jeans and a western shirt approached and asked "Sir, would you like to see the government regulate and tax sales of marijuana."  I responded by saying that it sounded like she was advocating for the legalization of recreational use of weed.  I then told her that I would prefer that adults be left to do what they wished and that government not get involved at all just so they could suck up even more tax dollars to create a slush fund to support their crony enterprises.  (Here in Nevada, medical marijuana has now been authorized and the schools are slated to get 75% of the tax revenues.  It's always "for the children" isn't it?).  This response caught the woman a bit off guard and her comment was to say that "Well, the 1st Amendment guarantees the people's right to petition government, just like with gun control". At that moment I took notice of the fact that this woman actually had several clipboards with her and so I bluntly asked if she was also circulating one of Bloomberg's universal background check petitions.  BINGO.  This was the opportunity that I was waiting for where I could try to "educate" a low information voter being paid $10 per hour about the the folly of her endeavour. As a small crowd began to gather in the parking lot of Costco, I explained that no crimes had ever been solved based on the performance of a gun check; that no recent shooting sprees including Ft. Hood, Columbine, Aurora, or Sandy Hook elementary would have been prevented by universal background checks; nor would any criminal be deterred for that matter by the enactment of such laws.  What this all amounted to was just another infringement on the Second Amendment, and another burden placed upon law abiding citizens who have a legitimate right to defend themselves, and their family.  My words apparently had little effect on the Bloomberg acolyte who made a huge mistake when she said to me, "You need to read what the Founding Fathers had to say on that."  Having practiced law for 35 years and being a blogger and advocate for shooting sports and in support of the Second Amendment, this was all I needed to hear from her.  For the next 10 minutes I gave her a lecture on Constitutional law, the Federalist Papers, the Constitutional Convention, and liberally quoted the Founding Fathers including Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.  I posed the ultimate question of course asking her "Just what about 'Shall Not Infringe' is it that you don't understand"? At the conclusion of my soliloquy, the small crowd now standing around applauded, leaving the humiliated low information voter with nothing left to say but "Have a good day."

We have to understand that the Progressives are pushing their agenda hard, and they never let up.  Look how a question about regulating sales of marijuana quickly morphed into universal background checks.  Look at how the liberalization of drugs is being promoted by the same groups that would infringe your Constitutional rights.  Let me implore anyone who is asked to sign one of these "astro turf" gun control petitions to similarly educate these ill-informed persons and all those around within hearing, of the dangers of what is being proposed.  Get in their faces.  Challenge them. The future of the Republic really does depend on all of us law abiding citizens standing up and getting our voices heard.  Molon Labe.

Where's the outrage?

Riddle me this! Every day some lie, fabrication, or falsehood published by the government is revealed.  And it's not just about the small stuff.  It's about the really serious stuff that matters. We know we're hearing a lie when we're told that our southern border is "more secure than ever"; there's not a "smidgen of evidence" of corruption at the IRS; or that a "disgusting internet video"  was responsible for the death of  four American patriots in Benghazi. And let's not forget "if you like your plan, you can keep your plan".  Nobody I know is feeling more secure today than they were six years ago. So the question is this.... Why aren't people marching on Washington? Why haven't the villagers grabbed to their pitchforks and torches and filled the streets as they close in on Frankenstein mansion?

A CONSERVATIVE’S RESPONSE TO MINORITY “OUTREACH”

A CONSERVATIVE’S RESPONSE TO MINORITY “OUTREACH”

Recently, I was asked to be part of a Republican Party "Outreach Committee", described to me as "...the committee works to expand positive relations with a variety of communities - Women, Jewish,Latinos, etc." Now for full disclosure, I am Jewish. I understood that the individual extending the invitation to me was well-intentioned, and most likely wanted me to strategize on ways to increase minority participation in the Republican Party. I had to decline because the whole approach of the establishment Republican Party on this matter is based on the false premise that you gain votes by catering to interest groups. I am fundamentally opposed to viewing the country as multiple ethnic-gender-racial-age-sexual preference groups and then making very narrow promises tailored to the audience being addressed. I'm setting out my reply to the invitation here because I do believe we need to start thinking in more common, values oriented and conservative ways.

****************

I appreciate the invite but I have to decline. I'm not interested in "identity" politics. This is the trap that the GOP has fallen into where they engage in the same kind of balkanization of the body politic, and then go around trying to appease each as if they were a distinct voting block. Rather than pandering to differences in various groups, we should be promoting common American cultural and political values. I'm sick of the chattering class of political consultants and RINO's who think that the only way we'll get Hispanics to vote Republican is to pass "comprehensive" immigration reform. I'm tired of Republicans that are afraid to support traditional notions of marriage because they want to appease the LGBT community. I'm disgusted with a GOP that refuses to confront a lawless administration because they're afraid of being seen as racist. I refuse to support a party that has become indistinguishable from the Democrat party because they cater to the demands of the "takers" and that has abdicated its role as the champion of limited government and free markets. At this point in time, I believe the Washoe GOP has fallen ill with the same sickness that has taken over the RNC nationally. There are no more leaders in the GOP. They are a reactive bunch of cowards and hypocrites intent on hanging on to whatever power they can, making promises they don't believe in and can't keep just to get elected. I want to throw up every time I hear conservatives and the Tea Party maligned by the same people who say we shouldn't attack our fellow Republicans; who argue we shouldn't make endorsements before primaries, and then go out and declare their favorites in advance of the election; and who swear they'll fight to repeal or defund ObamaCare to their "last dying breath" and then turn around and try to "fix" it. No... I'm afraid I can't be part of a process that will destroy the Republican party.

Trayvon’s Tragedy Revisited - A tale of political opportunity

Trayvon’s Tragedy Revisited - A tale of political opportunity

I ordinarily don’t “go public” and outside my circle of political junkies to speak out on controversial subjects.  But because of my abiding convictions in support of the concept of individual responsibility, and of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, several months ago I broke with that routine to write my thoughts about the tragic death of a Florida teen involving the discharge of a firearm. This commentary has been revised to reflect new information obtained since the trial of George Zimmerman for the alleged murder of Trayvon Martin.

I didn’t view what happened as a “racial” issue.  Nor did I see it in terms of “gun control”.  Both are political concepts that are emotionally charged, misunderstood by the general public, and for that reason frequently exploited to advance a political agenda or ideology.

At the very outset of this story, all the so called “facts” that we heard from every media outlet of every political leaning reported as follows:

1. An unarmed black teen, with emphasis on the black part, was shot.

2. The shooter was a white man.

3. The 911 call by the shooter contained a racial epithet or slur.

4. The only statement disclosed made by the teen was that he was “being followed.”

5. The grief stricken parents of the teen described their dead child as a kind and loving saint.

6. The white guy continued to pursue the teen even after being told to break his pursuit off.

7. The police failed to charge the shooter, or even to relieve him of his weapon.

8. The shooter claimed self defense under Florida’s “stand your ground” law.

When I first heard the reporting of this incident I had the same visceral reaction of disgust and sorrow as many of you probably had as well.  Then my rational brain started working.  The first thing I thought was that it was rather strange to me that the police had neither charged the shooter, nor had they taken his gun away from him. If these facts were true, and that the shooter had pursued his victim, the “stand your ground” law wouldn’t even apply.   Having practiced law for over 30 years, and leading a gun education group for seniors, I have more than a passing knowledge of the “stand your ground laws” and police protocols.  Nothing seemed to fit.  If I were to believe the reported description of what had happened, I couldn’t understand why the  shooter hadn’t been arrested or at the very least why he hadn’t been relieved of his gun.  I turned to my wife and I said “Something isn’t right here.  There has got to be a lot more to this story.”

And now, with most of the facts of this tragedy having become known, we have learned things were quite different.  

Playing the “race” card

Mr. Zimmerman is neither entirely “white”, nor is he Jewish.  He is of hispanic and white heritage, just like Trayvon who is of black and white heritage. However, because race means everything to the Left, and the lame stream media, we learned of a new racial description never heard before.  Say hello to the “white-hispanic”.

Then there is the matter of the 9-1-1 call. I heard the 9-1-1 call.  I didn’t hear anything even approaching a racial slur. I heard a clear conversation between Zimmerman and the 911 operator.  The “N” word was never used. Zimmerman responded directly to questions the operator asked.  But the audio file that MSNBC played was purposefully doctored to make it appear George Zimmerman was racially profiling Trayvon Martin.   

“He was just a child”

There is no grief greater than that experience by a mother who has lost her child. Propagandists are most successful when they can attach that powerful emotional element to their message. And so, the media portrayed Trayvon as a defenseless and innocent child who was murdered while holding some Skittles and ice tea. The picture the media displayed of Trayvon was taken several years earlier and showed a sweet, baby-faced boy. You didn’t see the picture of the strapping 6’2” tall  football player. You didn’t see the pictures on Trayvon’s cellphone of him throwin’ out some gang signs while smoking a joint.  You weren’t told that a drug cocktail popular with teens was tea, skittles, cough medicine and whatever sundry prescription drugs could be thrown into the mix.  All of this brings us to my final observation on the matter.

All the news (we deem) unfit to print.

Perhaps most revealing however was the media blackout until the trial, of the existence of a  witness who had come forward describing a far different picture and one that supports the conduct of the police. The unnamed witness described Trayvon on top of Zimmerman and beating him.  Zimmermans’ shirt had grass stains on the back, and his face was bloodied.  Even more startling was the testimony of the witness that Zimmerman had broken off his pursuit, and was returning to his SUV when he was attacked by Trayvon.  This was a very different version of events that if revealed would have cast doubt on the claim that a “hate crime” had been committed.

Lessons to be learned

First of all, it is obvious that we should not to jump to conclusions until all the facts are known.  That’s why we have a judicial system and due process guaranteed by the Constitution.

The second point to note is that persons with an ideological agenda will seize upon certain situations, politically exploit them, distort them, and agitate for their view of the world. Someone please remind President Obama of this so that next time he won’t go out and say something stupid and inflammatory like “If I had a son he’d look like Trayvon.”

The bottom line is that we need to start acting as rational, civil citizens of our country and carefully evaluate all that we hear and see, especially when our information is coming from someone or some organization with an axe to grind.