Specter's Folly

“Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer.“ Paine, Thomas Common Sense-1776

After the infiltration of a Nikita Khrushchev speech by the Israeli Mossad, and the information obtained was digested by the world, the American Communist Party imploded, sending out shrapnel in heavy direction. The New Left was organized as a direct result, and, my friends, after nearly fifty years of tireless protests, canvassing, filling our universities with Marxist professors, and paying off their constituents in the form of welfare, they may be able to declare victory. The defection of one Arlen Specter from the GOP to the party of Stalin has completed the trifecta in American Politics.

The White House is occupied by one of its own, by virtue of the immense wisdom of the electorate, the House of Representatives is listing farther and farther to the left, almost to the point of capsizing, and the U.S. Senate has obtained the Holy Grail of protocol, The Filibuster-Proof majority. Al Franken’s seat is being kept warm by Ms. Pelosi via a huge bag of ACORNs, and his victory in Minnesota is a given. This political party has been tireless, focused, and united.

The GOP, by contrast, has been anything but. The RNC abandoned Gingrich’s Contract with America, fired Haley Barbour (or asked him to quit), who at that time was the architect primarily responsible for gaining majorities of both houses of congress for the first time on forty years. That proved to be the apex of the GOP, the top of the bell curve, and ever since that day have been flying on fumes.

The Iraq debacle is a microcosm of GOP strategy; limited vision, reactionary and fluid strategy, rules of engagement determined by non-military officials, and no plan for withdrawal of troops. Sound like Vietnam?

The Left jumped on mistake after mistake, and have a clear mandate to govern accordingly. Yes, I said mandate. We, as Americans, ultimately get what we ask for and deserve.

I attended a Tea Party “protest” in Cincinnati, and was witness to the attendance of Comrade Obama’s paid leg breakers. It cold have been a Crips reunion. The sad thing is, these thugs are paid for with taxpayer dollars, yet another example of our esteemed elected officials in Washington seizing control of another segment of society.

We can realistically equate current events with the tobacco conspiracy. Once smoking was eliminated from domestic flights, Katy bar the door, the end result was inevitable. The health factor means nothing if people choose to smoke. You would think that the Feds would have learned from the time of Prohibition that Americans don’t respond well to edicts originating in Washington.

But, Joyce, you are all over the place on this one. Not really. I have pointed out events that are grossly mismanaged, and are part of a much larger agenda that has been in place since the early sixties. It could be argued that this agenda has its origins in the days of the New Deal. We are experiencing increased control by a central government and the steady and rapid decline of state sovereignty. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.....?

The Republicans have thrown principle out the window for the security of elect ability, not unlike Senator Specter of Pennsylvania. We now have one, big, happy family in D.C., with Republicans masquerading as Democrats, and Democrats wearing the cloaks of conservatives.

“The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”- Thomas Jefferson, letter to E. Carrington May 27, 1788

Our president should be indicted for treason and abuse of power by using the U.S. Constitution as toilet paper, seizing banks, automakers, and soon, the privately owned healthcare system. The ball is rolling, and it may be impossible to stop.

“The pump don’t work ‘cause the vandals took the handles.”

Bob Dylan-Subterranean Homesick Blues

Regulatory Extortion

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, 6 April 1816

Thomas Jefferson was most certainly not born with the gift of prophecy. I’m fairly sure he did not consult an ancient seer residing in some cave far up in the Blue Ridge mountains. He did not read tea leaves, depend on Tarot cards, or employ an astrologer to assist him in day to day decisions.

Jefferson was born with the gift of forward thinking based on personal experience and more importantly, the historical significance derived from the decisions and policies of our predecessors. He may have been referring to what had already transpired during the young and brief history of our nation.

Alexander Hamilton feared anarchy, and as a result took a very liberal view of the U.S. Constitution, most notably granting broad powers to the Federal government. Jefferson, on the other hand, felt that the Constitution’s 10^th amendment was very clear, granting powers not specified to the states. This disagreement led to the formation of the two-party system which we know so well today. Hamilton, Adams, John Jay, et el, were “loose constructionists”. There political philosophy dictated more power to the central government for the “Greater Good”; hence the party was called the Federalists.

Jefferson couldn’t have disagreed more with this thinking. The U.S. Constitution was written with the express purpose of granting the central government with a very limited roll in governing, while allowing each sovereign state to decide what would be more advantageous for them. Jefferson’s party was called the Democratic Republicans.

Jefferson could see very clearly what would and could happen if the Feds were granted expansive powers to usurp the rights of each sovereign state. Fast forward to modern America, and we have the Feds doing exactly what Jefferson feared. For example, The Uniform Drinking Age Act (1984) gave each state a five year window to change their laws to the minimum age of 21. If not, interstate highway funding would be cut off. Another example is to pay off states with a highway slush fund that lowered the legal alcohol blood limit to .08.

How about the “Tobacco Settlement”? The Feds blackmailed the tobacco companies through regulatory extortion by “allowing” them to stay in business if they paid a few hundred millions dollars to lawyers, plaintiffs, federal, state and local governments.

The Mother of All Shakedowns may be the Community Reinvestment Act, in which the Feds mandated private banks to loan mortgage money to those who had no intention of repaying it. For those banks who declined to participate, the Feds would regulate them out of business. The CRA has brought us to this point in history where we all face an uncertain future, largely because of our leaders in Washington using political muscle and employing figurative leg breakers to apply pressure to those in private industry who really didn’t want to play the game. Did I mention Microsoft?

There are many more examples of Federal Blackmail, but I think you get the point. Jefferson saw this as a possibility 200 years ago, when Hamilton wanted to start a national bank. Since then, the two party system has morphed into essentially one enormous political machine where right is wrong and wrong is right. We live in a country where 65% of the citizenry believe our current administration is on the right track. We live in a society that would allow for the redistribution of wealth, “because it’s the right thing to do”, where the clever and industrious are punished, where those who go to work everyday to provide for family are penalized. Complacency is the rule, so long as we are “provided for”.

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds. – Samuel Adams

The United Socialist States of America (USSA)

In a higher phase of communist society... only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be fully left behind and society inscribe on its banners: from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.-Karl Marx

During the early part of the 20^th century, the Communist Party USA, specifically post World War I boasted a membership of over 60,000 Americans, eclipsing its rival, The Socialist Party of America’s 40,000. They were credited with laying the foundation of labor unions, whereas, on the surface appeared as a positive step in dealing with the exploitation of the working class. By the 1950’s membership was estimated at 200,000.

With the start of the Cold War, the Red Scare, and McCarthyism, the party began to break apart with members leaving the party, going underground, or creating splinter groups that ranged from Democratic Socialist to card carrying anarchists. In 1962, the Mossad infiltrated a speech given by Nikita Khrushchev, where he spoke of Gulags, purges, and other grim topics that were, up until this point in history, a well kept secret.

Upon this revelation, the Communist Party USA imploded, and for all intent and purpose all but disappeared. This vacuum became the basis for the New Left, an offshoot of the CPUSA. The disillusionment and disintegration of the party was fueled by the fact that there really was no “utopia”, as Marx had prescribed in his writings. The Soviet Union, prior to 1962, was the model by which the CPUSA had hoped to build here in the USA. They didn’t count on the fact that with all power residing with a central government, those that disagree usually disappear. They completely disavowed the notion that freedom is an inherent trait granted by birth; freedom to decide, freedom to move, freedom to succeed or fail, freedom to exercise the unlimited potential of the human spirit.

“Men fight for freedom, then they begin to accumulate laws to take it away from themselves.”

This quote is prophetic as we, as Americans, have begun the process by which we will forfeit our freedoms in search of that very same “utopia” which eluded the American Communists. As D.H. Lawrence so eloquently predicted in 1922:

“Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves.”

Samuel Adams implored his fellow countrymen to make a choice:

“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

He is, in essence, saying that freedom is not free, that with liberty comes great responsibility, and that the only currency that can be used to “purchase” freedom is sweat and blood. As Jefferson conveyed in a letter to William Stephen’s Smith in 1787:

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

We are faced with the very decisions the Founders had to deal with 235 years ago. The Communists are waking up. They see the gulf between our Republic and their Utopia narrowing. Socialism is defined as a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism. The fact that our Federal government is in taking control of private industry under the guise of “recovery” would preclude that the transition is well under way. The TEA party movement is a great start, but like other grass roots movements, my hope is this will grow into a groundswell of activism, so we don’t repeat history, which so often happens when we don’t learn from our mistakes and forget about the blood that has been spilled to create and maintain the greatest system ever implemented in the history of man.

“So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men.”-Voltaire

Let us awake from our slumber.

Tea Party Pooper

"Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit -- appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free." -- Joseph Warren, 1775

Dr. Joseph Warren was not only a physician, but a soldier during our struggle for independence. History has remembered him as an “original patriot”, twice delivering public commemorations of the Boston Massacre while British troops watched on.
He was one of many that had the vision, passion, courage, and intestinal fortitude that would take a theory, an idea, and turn it into the foundation that would become the greatest nation in the history of the world. A British musket ball would take his life at Bunker Hill in 1775.
At this period in history, these ideas had to be conveyed to those that would listen, through the press or oration. You had better believe the conspirators in the back rooms of taverns chose these individuals very carefully. These individuals who would deliver the message, as well as sell its content had to be very savvy in public speaking. They were also charged with articulating a passion that was believable. Dr. Warren was one of these patriots with the right stuff.
I attended the Tea Party protest on April 15th on Fountain Square in Cincinnati, Ohio, anticipating a high energy and quite possibly an historic moment. There were thousands in attendance. Anti-tax signs were everywhere. Several groups of anti-protesters were there as well. There seemed to be a subdued energy that was waiting to erupt. It was a glorious moment.....up until the time the scheduled speakers took the stage and, well, spoke.
I don’t mean to diminish the efforts of the organizer. To put this together in seven weeks is astonishing. But an enormous opportunity was lost in the high pitched, monotone voice that delivered a message that reminded me of a John McCain campaign speech. Flat, zero passion, devoid of any vocal inflections to excite or incite. The content of the speech lacked imagination, and left me feeling empty and very disappointed. In today’s world, a little theater goes a long way.
Look what it did for a mid-western senator with no experience in anything.
We, as “new” patriots have a very, very long road ahead of us.

“Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution.” -- Joseph Warren, 1775

The Meaning of "Patriot"

My 18 year old son, who is a senior in high school, knows everything about everything. As he read my latest post “The Death of a Republic”, he looked at me and said, “Dad, your usage of the word ‘Patriot’ can be construed as offensive.” “Why is that”, I asked with a tad bit of sarcasm. His reply: “A patriot can be defined as one who practices blind loyalty to his country or cause without seeking the truth.” “What truth are you referring to?”
“Dad, here is an example: why do young men and women march off to die in a conflict that they know nothing about and quite possibly could be meaningless with respect to our own national security? In a traditional sense, these people are called ‘Patriots’”. Point scored.
I replied “You know there is an alternate definition, according to Noah Webster. ‘A person who regards himself or herself as a defender of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government’. Counterpoint. Tie ballgame.
“Dad, you used the phrase ‘...drenched with the blood of patriots...’ Clearly you were referring to those individuals that practiced blind servitude to their beloved country.” No points awarded. Invalid argument.
“Son, I was not. In fact, I was using a literary phrase based on the SECOND definition as I so eloquently spelled out for you. The ‘patriots’ in the context of my post referred to the original patriots. These men were driven by the passion to restore individual and collective rights that were being infringed on by the king of England. The monarchy, at that time in history, could be compared to our current federal government. So, if a=b and b=c, a=c. Right?” Righteous points awarded.
“So you are saying that the founders were the true patriots and once the United States of America became a reality, the term ‘patriot’ became obsolete.” Good response, tie score.
“I wouldn’t say obsolete. At that time in history, a large majority of the populace was giddy with the newfound independence from Great Britain, and as a result, the term “patriot” took on a different meaning based on the context of the day. So, yeah, I guess you have a point.” Still a tie.
“So, Dad, logic prevails, and my argument IS valid. The definition of ‘patriot’ has been reduced to an emotional response to a flag or a song or some sort of pledge. Your definition no longer applies. I’m right, you’re wrong. Na-na-na-na-na.”
“Son, we are talking about the evolution or devolution of a word, depending on your perspective. We are talking about the value of a tag, or more importantly, the lack of value in current context. I’m telling you this: the definition of ‘patriot’ as I have described, applies more today than ever. I consider myself a patriot because of my distrust and disdain with our federal government. The comparison between then and today is clear. We are in a battle to regain our country. We are in the midst of a philosophical war, where not all U.S. citizens are patriots, but all patriots are U.S. citizens. We are ‘patriots’, not because of blind loyalty to our country, but the polar opposite: total and complete disgust with what has transpired over the last 40 years or so that has bastardized a concept that was great and good.” Checkmate.
“So, Dad, you know ‘patriot’ also refers to a missile system.............”
"Good night, son".

The Death of a Republic

Obituary (March 2009)-The United States of America: 1776-2009. Beloved home to 300,000,000 Americans, devoted country to veterans of foreign wars, loving nation remembered as a home of the free, land of the brave. The USA will be remembered as a grand experiment using the philosophies of the Romans, John Locke, and patriots who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in order to form a more perfect union. The USA was preceded in death by Common Sense, Patriotism, Self Reliance, Personal Responsibility, Free Markets, Fair and Equal Taxation, and the American Family. Beloved father of the democratic republic, manifest destiny, freedom to worship, freedom of movement, free markets, and free trade.

Dear brother to the allied forces, NATO, and the United Nations. Loving protector and liberator of the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the enslaved, and the victims of natural and unnatural disasters.

Cherished benefactor of the nations’ poor, unfortunate, unemployed, underemployed, and the wretched masses of discontent. The late, great USA is survived by twin sisters Political Correctness and Expediency, False Piety, Situational Tolerance, Big Brother, Misplaced Priorities, Republicrats, Righteous Lobbyists, Government Schools, Government Owned Banks and Corporations, and Influential Corruption. The USA left an indelible mark on history as a free nation that failed to learn from its own mistakes, and as a result, died a horrible death at the hands of its own people, which are drenched in the blood of patriots, living and dead. (Survivors may wash their hands in the Federal restroom, and may their conscience be free and clear.)

Mourners may view the deceased via satellite uplink. Login to www.1984.gov. The place of burial is to be determined. The bill is held up in committee and no decision is expected until after the summer recess. Memorial donations may be made out to the US Treasury. All contributions are appreciated and are due by April 15^th.

Tyrants and Republicrats

Enough already. It’s time for us as American citizens to take off the blinders, look around, and accept the fact that our political system is broken. The two party system quite simply is not. It is one, gigantic albatross, and from this point forward shall be know as the Republicrats. There, I’ve said it. For those who abhor the notion of a multi-party system, you all can get some sleep.
The new system will still be two party; the Republicrats who will govern from the left or right or middle depending on what will get them elected, and the Libertarian Party, who will campaign on the good, common sense platform that is derived not from societal/political evolution/expediency, but from the U.S. Constitution as it was written as well as private and public prose from that period known as the birth of our nation.

The U.S. Constitution was intentionally written full of ambiguity because the authors believed that we, as the general populace, could and would decide
what is best for us. The founders vested the power to interpret the Constitution on the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court was to rule against of the wishes of society, the ruling would be irrelevant because the American people would not follow the law. We, as a society have survived and progressed because of (or in spite of) the ideal of self rule and the ability to be flexible based on the progression of society. Am I being contradictory? Not really.
At the time the Constitution was written, women were non-entities, slavery was alive and well, and the illiterate were not allowed to vote. Last time I checked, black slaves are free, women and the public at large can vote, regardless of education or pedigree. While the Constitution is not a “living” document, the will of the people can and should allow for these types of reformations to take place. I think this is what the founders had in mind.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

What don’t we understand about this simple truth? I just want to be left alone to experience the result of this statement so my children don’t have to experience the next.

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

The World of Green is Weird

The world of green is a world of weirdness. How peculiar are the ideals and philosophies of this fringe group of activists? Is it only me who finds it odd that only a few months ago, we were swimming in the sewer of “Global Warming”, only to discover that it is really “Climate Change”?
I’m guessing one reason is the severity of this winter in terms of temperature and snowfall. It would sound a tad ludicrous to bang the drum of “Global Warming” when one cannot leave his house because of a foot of snow. Maybe the new term is based on the fact that Al Gore couldn’t make it to an “End of the World as we know it” seminar because of 3 inches of ice on the roads.
“Climate Change” works because it is a catchall term that describes, well, any climatic change. In the 1970’s we were warned of a “mini-ice age” that was imminent. In the 1990’s, then Vice President Gore said, no, the world was experiencing a “warming trend” due to greenhouse gases. Drastically reduce emissions from fossil fuels and all will be well.
Not so fast, says Paleontologist Dr. Eduardo Tonni, of the Committee for Scientific Research in Buenos Aires. “The [global warming] scaremongering has its justification in the fact that it is something that generates funds.” Yikes.
Many dissenting scientists will gladly testify that “climate change” is a natural cycle that has NOTHING to do with greenhouse gases, cow flatulence, or gas guzzling SUV’s. We have no more control over climatic changes than we do to prevent volcanic eruptions.
What now? Do we tell Mr. Gore to return his Nobel prize? Should I buy down parkas or a closet full of shorts and tee shirts? Will ELF zealots start sacrificing virgins in the town square?

Tribal Conflicts vs. Nation Building

History is full of examples that should discourage any effort to build a nation in the image of western culture. Tribal warfare, to many perhaps, creates an image that only Hollywood could love. The reality is that tribal cultures have aggressively resisted outside intervention throughout history, and whether we are referring to the year 100 A.D. or 2008 A.D., the results are no different, with the exception of the U.S vs. American Indians.

For example: Delawares vs. Osage, Sioux vs. Chippewas, Shawnee vs. Iriquois, Shawnee vs. Cherokee vs. Catawbas, etc. These inter-tribal conflicts, for whatever reason, did not allow these tribes to upgrade their lifestyle for thousands of years. The ultimate fate of these tribes were decided by overwhelming force shown by the U.S. military, “Manifest Destiny”, and the only true “birth of a nation” in modern times. The United States is an historical aberration due to geographical isolation, mass immigration, historical timing, and limitless resources. Another time, another place could have yielded significantly different results.

Take a look at the Middle East and Africa: Sunnis vs. Shiites, Pashtuns vs. the Pakastanis, Hazara vs. Kuch nomads in Afghanistan, Kurds vs. Turks, you get the idea. In all of these scenarios, these tribal conflicts are ancient and unyielding. Did I mention Hutus vs. Tutsis, North African Arabs vs. East African Christians? These intertribal conflicts existed long before European colonization, which has been cited as a factor in African turmoil. Europeans would occupy, rape the country of natural resources, attempt a colonial type of government, and then get the hell out, again and again.

The point is that anywhere in the world, throughout history, tribal cultures continue to stagnate due to historical disagreements with regard to territory and/or religious differences. Outside intervention has not, and never will work. Woodrow Wilson carved up the Ottoman Empire after WWI as attempt to appease “oppressed” ethnic groups. Last time I checked, the Kurds and the Turks still hate each other.

The West has attempted to quell these conflicts through mediation, occupation, liberation, and outright warfare. You have to look no further than our current conflicts to make my point. The score today is West, “0”, Tribes, undefeated. It’s one thing to exact revenge, another to build a nation in our image that has no interest.

Did I mention The Hatfields vs. The McCoys?

The Late Great U.S.S.A.

“Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth… I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms.”
F. Roosevelt-1932
The New Deal, forged at a time of 25% unemployment, massive deflation, and a sense of hopelessness, begat entities such as the TVA, the WPA, Social Security, strengthened labored unions, and created the first farm subsidies as a means of controlling prices. The Gold Standard was eliminated, and the U.S.A. was on the way to morphing into the U.S.S.A., aka, The United Socialist States of America.
It took a World War to rescue us from the grip of the Great Depression, as many historians still can’t agree if any of Roosevelt’s programs did much of anything to jumpstart a very sick economy. There are those who believe his remedies slowed recovery, and irrevocably damaged a free market system, that prior to the New Deal, were not required to “lobby” the Feds for favors. Prices were set by the bureaucracy, and as a result, competition all but disappeared.
When LBJ and his Congress created the New New Deal, otherwise known as “The Great Society”, the Feds outdid themselves. Now they were giving away tax dollars for nothing in return; no dams, power plants, crops, nothing. This act, in reality, was the “Great Poverty Machine”, generating more poverty and white flight from urban areas than any economic downturn could ever do. The Great Society had the power to manifest generational poverty, again and again.
Currently we have the New New New Deal, or the “Great Wall Street Bailout”. It is too soon to tell whether or not this works or not. I would say not. Not only are we not building infrastructure, or helping the poor “get on their feet” though giveaways, but are guaranteeing millions of dollars for CEO’s and their henchman (and henchwomen, to be PC). President Obama is PROMISING deficits in the trillion dollar range for each fiscal year in the “foreseeable future”, not counting economic stimulus programs. With corporations, state governments, and all of their brothers waiting in line for federal money, the U.S.S.A. is really and truly becoming a reality. As we learned during our own Civil War, secession is not an option. That’s too bad.