Your turn at the Soapbox

So the latest and greatest from Obama's Administration specifically from DHS is that illegal immigrants who are awaiting trial for illegally entering the country, will be housed in nursing homes, hotels and assisted living facilities. Essentially they want to turn these facilities into detention centers. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! So not only are we going to reduce nursing home funding by $100 billion dollars, but now I have to take care of illegal immigrants for illegally entering MY COUNTRY?

Can anyone help me with this one? I am floored by this. I don't really even know if I have the energy to state all the reasons why this is fundamentally wrong. But, I guess Obama is "fundamentally changing America." Not sure why it needs fundamental change. I think it was pretty good to begin with. Oh wait, it was the best country in the history of the planet! Shortly, we are going to lose it....

I'm still willing to believe in global warming, but not until we have further proof.

I believe that we have to respect our planet and reduce pollution, but I don't appreciate the false facts I've been given.

--Antartica's ice is actually growing, despite LOCAL reductions in ice (the famous peninsula)
--Iceland's glaciers are growing
--Greenland's reduction in ice are consistent with cyclic events recorded in the layered ice.
--Rural areas across the board are showing consistent average temperatures over the past 150 years.
--There seems to be a LOCAL warming effect of metropolitan areas (explanations have included heat-emitting huge cement buildings, people, exhaust....etc).
--As CO2 and heat increase, plants are happy and grow helping to offset carbon gases.

I now believe that global warming is used for political purposes. Fear is a powerful vehicle for policies to be made (see Patriot Act).

Let's focus on things we know for a fact are hurting our environment:

--Over-fertilization of our crops (algae/protozoan tides--kills fish, not good)
--Burning coal for electricity (acid rain, radioactive waste....yes the black leftover crap is radioactive and we use it to pave our roads).
--You get the idea

I am all for getting us off of oil, but that doesn't have to cripple our economy. I'm anxiously awaiting a government that believes innovation can actually boost our economy.

I love nuclear power, that would solve so much by preserving natural resources and reducing pollution. After visiting Palm Springs, I can never support use of Wind--extremely inefficient as it takes up miles and miles of land and is worthless when there's no wind. I dislike large-scale solar power as well--right now, you'd basically have to cover the state of New Mexico to light up Las Vegas (how is that being considerate to the environment?).

Whether you like Mitt Romney's plan or not, Massachusetts has proven that a state can take care of itself regarding healthcare.

A one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare shoved down our throats is borderline tyranny (especially if the senate uses the "nuclear option"). There isn't a redstate in the Union that wants to swallow the Dems' plan.

I'm tired of Republicans/Libertarians knocking Romney's plan because of government mandates...........they should use Mitt's example of reform with great zeal--I can't find a more perfect example of a state taking initiative....why should we care what Massachusetts' citizens want? We don't need to federalize healthcare--we should avoid doing so at any cost or the eventual price may choke our economy into oblivion (or at least into Europe of the New World).

If states decide their own reform, healthcare will more closely match their citizens' needs and reform will be easier to amend and modify.

Keep the feds out of this one.

Uhh...........what has he done? He was nominated after 2 weeks (that was the deadline for nominations) after the election.

Personally, I'd rather hear about him raising the morale of our soldiers in Afghanistan. Does he even know there's a war going on?

Thanks to Mr. Obama, we are closer to socialism than ever before. Granted, George Bush helped add to the biggest government in the nations history. At least it took him 4 years to do it. Obama has TRIPLED the size of government on only 7 months. At that pace, he will have expanded the government by 24 TIMES at the end of his first (and hopefully only) term. I don't care what Bush did, what Obama has done to this point is unbelievable.

I am proud of the American people that they have spoken their mind in this recent healthcare debate. And today, Congress voted down the "public or government run option" Obama so desperately wanted to pass. Without that he doesn't really have much of a platform to stand on moving forward, according to him and Biden. I work in the healthcare industry. With the proposed changes, my industry stands to loose nearly 50 billion dollars over the next 7 years. Because of that, my nursing home alone will have to operate with over 1 million fewer dollars a year. Essentially that means I would have to cut my staff in half to be able to just stay in business over that time frame. Most HEALTHCARE, not insurance, companies operate on razor thin margins. I am lucky to have a profit margin of 5%-10% monthly. Believe me, my expenses are as bare as they can be. Let's just say, Obama will effectively cripple the Long Term care industry. I wonder where he will live when his Alzheimer's disease requires his residence be in a nursing home...Just ask yourself that Barack.

Cap and Trade will also decimate our economy. So far, NO GREEN JOBS have been created as promised by the B. Hussein Administration. Not only that but the estimated cost for each American family would be almost $2000 extra a year. For a country already strapped for cash, it really doesn't seem that this is the best case scenario. McCain really didn't help this cause either. He would've probably been worse for us than Obama has been. That doesn't mean America has chosen the best of two evils, they just chose the more obvious one in Obama.

Don't let up America. Understand that what we do today will dictate how our children will determine their well being in the future. It is imperative we stand for our principles and morals. Don't let Obama take them away from us, because he sure is trying...

Ok Everybody. It is time to re-start the antics of this blog. I sorely miss our bantering back and forth. I am giving everyone a subtle shove in the blog direction. Josh, I promise not to be too offended with your left wingness :) Staff, let's hear the good stuff. Kent, Sueann, anyone else keeping occasional tabs on this blog, it is time to re-engage and let the good times roll. By mid-week, I will have posted something hopefully thought provoking enough to stimulate some kind-of response. I'm sure their are a few things that warrant a conversation out there. Let's hear it...

Beck uses a live audience a lot......I kinda like it.

Not much time to go into detail, but it is too bad that Maine has gone down the slippery slope of legalizing gay marriage. I am afraid for the trend that is beginning to develop in our country. It is a shame we are re-defining the fundamental unit of our society that has existed for thousands of years. I don't consider it being evolved and learned, I consider it being unmoral and afraid.

The following article is from NRO (click on title to see source):
A Timid Advocate of Freedom
President Obama has failed his early foreign-policy tests.

By Mitt Romney

At last week’s Summit of the Americas, President Obama acquiesced to a 50-minute attack on America as terroristic, expansionist, and interventionist from Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. His response to Ortega’s denunciation of our effort to free Cuba from Castro’s dictatorship was that he shouldn’t be blamed “for things that happened when I was three months old.” Blamed? Hundreds of men, including Americans, bravely fought and died for Cuba’s freedom, heeding the call from newly elected president John F. Kennedy. But last week, even as American soldiers sacrificed blood in Afghanistan and Iraq to defend liberty, President Obama shrank from defending liberty here in the Americas.

In his first press interview as president, he confessed to Arabic television that America had “dictated” to other nations. No, Mr. President, America has fought to free other nations from dictators. And in Strasbourg, the president further claimed that America has “showed arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” London’s Daily Telegraph observed that President Obama “went further than any United States president in history in criticizing his own country’s action while standing on foreign soil.” Of course, it was not just the Daily Telegraph that was listening: People around the world who yearn for freedom, who count on America’s resolve and support, heard him as well. He was heard in China, in Tibet, in Sudan, in Burma, and, yes, in Cuba.
The words spoken by the leader of the free world can expand the frontiers of freedom or shrink them. When Ronald Reagan called on Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” a surge of confidence rose that would ultimately breach the bounds of the evil empire. It was the same confidence that had been ignited decades earlier when John F. Kennedy declared to a people surrounded by Communism that they were not alone. “We are all Berliners,” he said, because “freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s confident commitment, spoken as he led us into the war that would free millions in Europe, inspired not only Americans but freedom fighters around the globe: “The American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Such words of solidarity, of confidence, and of unwavering conviction that America is indeed “the last best hope on earth” are what freedom’s friends would have expected to hear from our president when our nation was slandered. Instead he offered silence, smiles, and a handshake.

Even more troubling than what he has or has not said is what he has not done. Kim Jong Il launched a long-range missile on the very day President Obama addressed the world about the peril of nuclear proliferation. As one of the world’s most oppressive and tyrannical regimes is on the brink of securing the “game changing” capability to reach American shores with a nuclear weapon, the president shrinks from action: no seizure of North Korean funds, no severance of banking access, no blockade.

Not to be outdone by Kim Jong Il, President Ahmadinejad announced that his nation has successfully mastered every step necessary to enrich uranium, violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it has signed. So, like North Korea, Iran will have changed the world’s equation for peace and security: It will be capable of devastating Europe and America, and of annihilating Israel. And as with North Korea, the Obama administration chooses inaction — no new severe sanctions, no hint of military options. Ahmadinejad can act with confidence that the forceful options once on our proverbial table have been shelved.

Vice President Biden was right that the new president would be tested early in his administration. What the world learned was not good news for freedom and democracy. The leader of the free world has been a timid advocate of freedom at best. And bold action to blunt the advances of tyrants has been wholly lacking. We are still very early in the Obama years — the president will have ample opportunity to defend America and freedom, and to deter nuclear brinkmanship. I am hoping for change.

— Mitt Romney, formerly the governor of Massachusetts, was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

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Where else can I turn for news? I'm not a fan of how right-wing Fox is, but I am disgusted with other media options. Is there any fair and balanced news left? Trust me, if I could watch something other than Fox, I would.

Another thing, would we have allowed Anderson Cooper to keep his job if he made an oral sex joke about us protesters 20 years ago?

Wish I brought my camera......darn it........I'm sure there will be some pics of me in cyberspace though.
It was encouraging to know that my feelings of anger and distrust mingled with hope for a better America were shared by many (at least 2500)--yeah, even here in the liberal pits of southern Florida.
I wasn't sure how big the turnout was going to be.........that was the scariest part. You can't find a more liberal city in Florida--maybe Miami........I seriously thought this protest could have been like so many terrifying street displays I participated in on my mission.

The number of enthusiastic people was electrifying. I hate admitting this, but I had to wear my sunglasses to hide a few tears. I regained my manhood after about 20 minutes, but it was very emotional for me. Seeing all of the American flags was cool.........the only chanting was "U.S.A........U.S.A.......U.S.A." I felt that was appropriate.

I enjoyed signing my "John Hancock" on the huge copy of the Declaration of Independence. I was happy signing my vote of no confidence in our congressmen.........I think everyone in Congress needs fired, frankly. I even relished getting all of the Ron Paul, Constitution Party, and Fair Tax pamphlets..............not a big fan of any of them, but it was still cool..........I take that back; I love Ron Paul if you take away his foreign policy.

Anyways, here's a news link for the Ft. Lauderdale Tax Day Tea Party

I decided to actually put more thought into this subject........you know, basically to make sure what I do, how I vote, and how I treat others is in harmony with God.

I read a couple of articles by some Apostles of the Church. I was pleased with the heartfelt empathy and wisdom of Elder Holland and the blunt, yet sensitive, common sense of Elder Oaks.

Click on the following links to read some Mormon articles about same-sex attraction:

Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction
Same-Gender Attraction

The following quote from Holland is my favorite:
"You serve yourself poorly when you identify yourself primarily by your sexual feelings. That isn’t your only characteristic, so don’t give it disproportionate attention. You are first and foremost a son of God, and He loves you."

You know, for whatever reason, I'm heterosexual.......but I have enough weaknesses and vices that I sometimes feel powerless over my actions. This gives me some empathy with people who feel trapped in homosexuality.

The song I've been hearing lately has a couple more lyrics......TRANSNATIONALISM, FASCISM, SOCIALISM.
I heard about this plan the day after North Korea tested their missile......good thing it failed.
Always comforting when our Secretary of Treasury has faith in our currency.
We have the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".........uhhh...until Socialists think they can do a better job.
"We never said that we were better, but as Rahm said, we're just using this as an opportunity to further our agenda, or get things done that we couldn't before people were dissatisfied with the economy..........."

"We're sure glad this opportunity has presented itself"

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If you happened to watch Obama tonight, you might have had to run to the toilet a few times like I did. I mean, can he really be that clueless about economics and that out of touch with reality? I guess he really can be. The audacity of this guy to think that furthering the government into debt will save the economy. How an extra $1 trillion will save us from further bank collapses, incentive to buy and greater job creation, we will never know. Is it too early to talk impeachment? I guess the problem with that is we are left with Biden. Great googly moogly.

I am really at my wits end with this guy. I can't wait until all this blows up in his face and he will be forced to listen to the American people. I think some of the problem is we America have lost some of our voice. We cannot let Obama continue to destroy what is our God given right: freedom. If you look at it, this opportunity of freedom or moral agency, provides people the accountability and motivation needed to be successful. The more government that is injected into our lives, the less agency or freedom we have, the less innovation and competitive we become, and less prosperous we are as a nation. Congress and Obama have to hear what we want and they must be forced to act to our will. I guess I just need some help making them listen.

I don't have time to say much.....takin' the boards next week, but some stories in the news have definately stuck out lately. I'm startin' to feel bad for people who voted for Obama........it's been quite the debacle lately. Anyways, here's a few stories:

National debt hits record $11 trillion
Obama Administration: We Didn't Find Out About AIG Bonuses Until This Month
Obama Received a $101,332 Bonus from AIG
SPARE US YOUR FAKE FURY, DC HYPOCRITES

Is AIG what we should be focused on?


The White House has poor taste:

1. America Is Good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the external rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is know. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

The ultimate grass roots effort came from a little thing called the Declaration of Independence. You may have heard of it. It only defined what this, the greatest country on earth, was going to found her freedom upon. Above are 9 principles that were complied by Glenn Beck. Regardless of your opinion of him as a person, these principles are true and accurate. Our founding fathers knew what it would take to keep this country free. Our current leaders especially those in Congress and the White House want to do everything contrary to that, if the government isn't or hasn't provided it, you don't need. I have never seen a socialist agenda be so quickly imposed as in the last 56 days.

We have to understand what is at stake right now. There is no reason why we have lost our courage in speaking to our government officials about how disgusted we are with their lack of courage and integrity. There are a select few that will still listen and act as we want. If we lose sight of realizing that this is still a country of the people, by the people and for the people it will become a country of government, by the government and for the government. That just doesn't have the same ring to it.

We need to reclaim the Republican Party as the Party for fiscal responsibility. 40% of the new Omnibus spending bill (pure pork) will go to Republicans.

We need to hold our leaders responsible. Republican leaders have no place criticizing the stimulus plan if we can't lay off the earmarks.

Here comes socialism.



http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/24/pub-obama-speech

I'm a fan of Rush.

What caused this? The only time I ever listened to Rush was when he practically endorsed Romney. That would be one talk show.

I kept hearing from everybody....don't listen to Rush. He's poison, full of crap, and bad for the country. I believed them.

But then Obama himself goes on a crusade to silence him or have us turn our radios off. My curiosity was peaked. I listened and was at first ashamed. How can I believe what Rush is spouting? Isn't he stupid? Does that make me stupid?

I found myself agreeing with his hopes that Obama doesn't succeed as far as liberal policies go. That would mean Gitmo closure, instability in Iraq, the porkulus bill passing, and other things that I believe aren't good for our country.

But I also want Obama to succeed. I don't look forward to the Great Depression part II and I don't look forward to another terrorist attack. Obama will have my hopes and prayers over the next four years, but Obama's pleas for us to forget what we believe in order to "get things done" doesn't fly with me.

I'm almost proud to be a Republican again.........it's kinda nice being an insurgent and hellraiser. When I start feeling that way, I know our party is doing something right.

Here's to Freedom of Speech!

I appreciate fairness a lot more.

Blagojevic was denied a fair trial. He was condemned guilty before anything was proven.

He deserved to have all the tapes played, he deserved to have witnesses (subpoenas issued if needed), and he deserved an unbiased trial.

From the tape that I've listened to, it sure makes us think that he was selling the position to the highest bidder, but playing the devil's advocate, here's a different scenario:

He understands how important and valuable the position is ("golden"), that he isn't just going to give it to anybody. He was assessing the different candidates and what they are bringing to the table ("they can't get it for nothing"). Are they going to fight for certain causes? Are they championing any policies that would better serve Illinois?

Okay, I admit, that scenario is far-fetched, but it was Blagojevic's argument. He was denied a fair trial. I think once the media got involved and once Obama's name got involved, he was doomed.

I think Blagojevich is a liar, but I'm concerned with the injustice.

I think we can all agree that this is getting out of hand.........I laughed when I heard Pelosi say that more safe sex will stimulate the economy--thank goodness that is no longer part of the plan.

Given all the other worthless things Obama has spent his time on in week one, this one should have been on the top of his list. How dare they abuse prescription drugs in this way...


It's 11 p.m. at the Bourbon Street Bar, and Roselyn's gyrating her hips to the blues band, Sue's sipping a cocktail and flirting with her new boyfriend, and Alan is scanning the crowd for cute girls.

"See those two?" a buxom blonde asks, pointing to an elegant couple at the bar. "They were caught having sex in their golf cart a few weeks ago. It happens a lot!"

Welcome to ground zero for geriatrics who are seriously getting it on.

It's a Thursday night at one of a half-dozen hot spots at the 20,000-acre Central Florida complex called The Villages, the largest gated retirement community in America — and one of the most popular destinations for New Yorkers in their golden years — where the female-to-male ratio runs 10 to 1.

It's a widower's paradise, and the word on the street is that there's a big black market for Viagra.

Though The Villages — which spans three counties with 40,000 homes and more than 70,000 residents — boasts 34 golf courses, nine country clubs, two downtown squares and a slew of restaurants and bars, getting lucky is one of the residents' primary pastimes.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,482785,00.html

As I watched the Inauguration proceedings on Tuesday one thing kept coming to my mind: have we forgotten how to celebrate democracy?

Let me expound.

As "The Much Awaited One" prepared to take the solemn oath of office, I was overwhelmed with the amount of celebration that took place about Barack Hussein Obama. The only thing left-wing pundits, commentators, and the bias media were focused on was that this guy Obama was the president. And an African American one to boot. Thank you for the progress, but get over it. All the celebrations were of him. Rock bands, actors, organizations and celebrities lined up in throngs to celebrate him. It was near sickening. I didn't hear, see, smell or sense one iota mention of how amazing our Constitution is that allows such a peaceful transition of power.

Our founding fathers, as inspired servants, understood this principle and built it into the thread of our society. Never, was it a matter of person over process. I am afraid that's what our democracy has become. We have lost the spirit of our true democratic process. I believe this is a bi-partisan issue. Both parties are guilty of this problem.

If Obama fixes some of our issues, God bless him. I will support him when I can and stand up against him when I must. He is my president because this is MY country. He happens to be at the head of it. However he should never be at its helm. Its people must.

Unfortunately, the first 2.5 days have not been encouraging in my mind. Why in heaven's name would you bring TERRORISTS to our soil and treat them with all the rights of our Constitution? THEY TRIED TO KILL US! Does nobody understand this. If dripping water on someone's head yields the next terrorist plat that will save thousands of American lives, then do it. If denying terrorists the use of their religious script makes them give up other terrorists, then deny it.

I apologize if I like our country and want to keep it the way it was intended: free.

I realize why I love fantasy books so much (anybody read the Wheel of Time?); I'm so dissatisfied with reality.
As I watch the nation being forced down the road the Pacific Coast and NE coast is leading us, I can't help but feel minute, insignificant, controlled, and powerless. The Republic was made to protect the minority, but the current empire is rolling over Southern America's and Midwest America's values.
I can't change the world. No one gives a crap what I think. I want democracy restored......not national democracy--we're fine as a Republic. I want democracy to be nurtured and restored to the Town hall meetings. I want to feel significant--not for my well-being necessarily, but mostly for my children's.

If I could change the world:

Children would be protected more than adults.
--Public television wouldn't have crude humor or profanity. I couldn't care less what is played on cable, people actually pay for that.
--Abortions wouldn't be used merely to escape consequences from stupid decisions.
--I would decide what is appropriate for teachers to teach my children.......especially regarding sticky subjects like "the family unit", sex-ed, and religion vs science.
--Inappropriate material on the Internet, especially sexually explicit garbage, would be accessible only at pay-sites (perhaps more secure/guarded connections is suitable as well). Again, children are more important than adults.

Illegal immigration would be illegal.
--I'm fine with making immigration easier, but we need to control who comes in and comes out.
--I like to think of immigrants who contribute to our society, instead of the illegals who leech off our society.

Everyone is health insured.
--I'm hoping Massachusetts' plan works out.

We become energy independent.

Common sense regarding terrorists prevail.
--It would be nice if Guantanamo wasn't considered such a bad thing........too bad we prefer terrorist prisoners stateside--hmmm....San Francisco perhaps? You think Pelosi would like that? They're going to end up some place like Kansas.......I say put 'em next to the libs; they seem to care so much.
--I hope we someday realize destroying their militias, cutting off their resources, and stop buying their stinkin' oil is the only way to deal with fanatics hell-bent on destroying us.

I'll probably blow my horn again soon........I guess this stuff was just on my mind today.

Well, they shouldn't be. They destroyed this man.

...........Unless you'd prefer me to celebrate a person instead of his cause; in which case, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Today, many people are celebrating the event of a black person becoming president. While that shows great strides in the right direction--it is evident America has come a long way, I can't help but be dissatisfied.

I wish people wouldn't pay attention to color at all. Was Obama elected just because he was black? If so, is that progress?

Should today be a blacks-only holiday? Because, that's essentially what it is--coupled with black history month. In America, there seems to be plenty of diversity and discrimination to go around.

I look forward to the day when I'm not seen as a white person and I stop noticing others' color of skin. Is MLK day helping or hindering that from happening? I think the latter, so that's why I'm wishin' ya'all a happy Civil Rights Day.

http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/01/07/gainor_obama/


It isn't a shocker to know that it wouldn't take that long for "The Change Agent" to bow to the pressure of the left wing. He also has begun with the tactics of communication as well.

It is going to be a long 4 years...