Ten soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Group received Silver Stars for valor during an April 2008 mission in the Skok Valley in Afghanistan.
Following are names of the soldiers, their hometowns and summations of their medal citations:
_ Staff Sgt. Dillon Behr, Rock Island, Ill.Behr held his position even after sustaining a life-threatening wound to his leg. Behr continued to fire at insurgents despite being critically wounded a second time, allowing injured U.S. and Afghan soldiers to be evacuated. Behr fought until he was physically incapable of holding his rifle.
_ Spc. Michael D. Carter, Smithville, Texas.Carter left his covered position and charged 15 feet into heavy fire to get a critically wounded soldier. Carter treated two team members, allowing the medic to render aid to 10 wounded Afghan commandos. Later, Carter assisted in an extremely dangerous rescue of more than six casualties down a near vertical 60 foot cliff.
_ Master Sgt. Scott Ford, Athens, OhioFord organized a counter assault to reinforce his besieged teammates. Ford exposed himself to insurgent fire in order to direct the soldiers in the wadi below to move forward and assist in moving casualties. His upper left arm was almost shot off by a sniper round. With a tourniquet on his arm to stop arterial bleeding, Ford was able to climb down the mountain.
_ Staff Sgt. Seth E. Howard, Keene, N.H.Howard fought up a 60-foot cliff under intense fire after hearing two critically wounded members were in danger of being overrun. Placing himself between his wounded comrades and the enemy fire, he provided counter sniper fire, killing between 10 and 20 insurgents. He refused to withdraw from his position, although he had less than a magazine left of ammunition, until all of his teammates and commandos were off the mountain.
_ Staff Sgt. Luis Morales, Fredericksburg, Va.With total disregard for his own personal safety, Morales ran into the line of fire to aid a wounded teammate and used his body to shield his teammate until he was wounded. Ignoring the severity of his wound, and losing a tremendous amount of blood, he quickly administered self aid and then returned to providing life saving help to his more severely wounded teammate.
_ Staff Sgt. David J. Sanders, Huntsville, Ala.Sanders located an alternate but more arduous route down the mountain. Sanders ascended and descended the mountain three times to move casualties.
_ Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer, Pullman, Wash.Shurer immediately rendered aid to four critically wounded U.S. and 10 injured commandos under intense fire. At least twice, he dashed into the open to treat a wounded soldier.
_ Staff Sgt. John W. Walding, Groesbeck, TexasWalding led an attack five hundred meters up treacherous terrain, braving close air strikes to reinforce the most forward position. Despite receiving a life threatening injury, Walding continued to suppress insurgent positions in order to defend his comrades. One of his legs had to be amputated.
_ Capt. Kyle M. Walton, Carmel, Ind.Walton repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to pull wounded Americans and Afghans to safety. Walton called in effective air strikes and even dropped a 2,000-pound bomb almost directly on his position to prevent insurgent forces from overruning his force.
_ Staff Sgt. Matthew O. Williams, Casper, Wyo.Williams fought for over an hour up a mountain while under intense enemy fire to help rescue wounded members of his team. After his team sergeant was wounded, he ran through a gauntlet of heavy machine gun fire to render aid. He then helped his team sergeant climb down a near 60 foot vertical cliff to the casualty collection point. Williams then braved more fire to climb back up the hill and help his other teammates down the cliff to safety.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Is the Republican Party Dead?
Is the Republican Party dead? Hardly.
According to Hemline University Professor Joseph Olson the Number of states won by Republicans in the Elec tion of 2008 were 30 with the Democrats carrying 20. The Republicans carried 2 million, four hundred and twenty seven square miles compared to the Democrats five hundred and eighty thousand. The population of counties carried by Republicans was one hundred and forty three million, the Democrats one hundred and twenty seven. In Alaska and Oklahoma, all counties were carried by McCain/Palin.
Professor Olson adds "in the aggregate, the map of the territory Republicans won was mostly owned by taxpaying citizens with Democrat terratory mostly encompassing those citizens living in rented or government owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare.
We had better hope the Republican party is not dead.
According to Hemline University Professor Joseph Olson the Number of states won by Republicans in the Elec tion of 2008 were 30 with the Democrats carrying 20. The Republicans carried 2 million, four hundred and twenty seven square miles compared to the Democrats five hundred and eighty thousand. The population of counties carried by Republicans was one hundred and forty three million, the Democrats one hundred and twenty seven. In Alaska and Oklahoma, all counties were carried by McCain/Palin.
Professor Olson adds "in the aggregate, the map of the territory Republicans won was mostly owned by taxpaying citizens with Democrat terratory mostly encompassing those citizens living in rented or government owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare.
We had better hope the Republican party is not dead.
Con - Con
I am concerned about a little known but yet grave threat to the American Constitution and our Republican government and that is the looming possibility of a constitutional convention to be held next year. It appears that Republican legislators are on the forefront of opening the convention which would have as much power as the convention held by the founding fathers in which the present constitution was created and then ratified. The Republicans want the convention, in which anything in the constitution could be changed or thrown out, in order to create a balanced budget clause.
This is a good cause but it is not worth the risk of opening the constitution up to the whims of today's legislators. Our government officials today couldn't hang off the shoe laces of our founding fathers and not one of them should be entrusted with the responsibility of tampering with the constitution. Yet those who want the convention are only 2 states away from ratification. This is indeed a grave threat.
This is a good cause but it is not worth the risk of opening the constitution up to the whims of today's legislators. Our government officials today couldn't hang off the shoe laces of our founding fathers and not one of them should be entrusted with the responsibility of tampering with the constitution. Yet those who want the convention are only 2 states away from ratification. This is indeed a grave threat.
Barney Frank and Worker Welfare
Regarding the bailout of the auto industry, Barney Frank tells 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl: "No. We’re not propping up companies. "We’re propping up individuals. The world doesn't consist of companies. The world is people. The country is people." When Stahl points out that Frank is then talking about welfare, he responds, "Yeah, I’m for welfare. You’re not? Are you for letting people starve?"
The union auto workers are hardly starving as they earn upwards of $80 per hour along with lavish health benefits and pension plans. The concern should be directed at the taxpayer who is asked to subsidize the benefits of other workers who need to tighten their belts like the rest of us. Unfortunatly, layoffs are a part of the free market and subsidizing workers in one area leads to layoffs in another.
Let the companies restructure, cut back on both union and CEO benefits, and make the same painful decisions the rest of us are required to make. Let them run leaner and meaner companies that produce better and more competative cars.
The union auto workers are hardly starving as they earn upwards of $80 per hour along with lavish health benefits and pension plans. The concern should be directed at the taxpayer who is asked to subsidize the benefits of other workers who need to tighten their belts like the rest of us. Unfortunatly, layoffs are a part of the free market and subsidizing workers in one area leads to layoffs in another.
Let the companies restructure, cut back on both union and CEO benefits, and make the same painful decisions the rest of us are required to make. Let them run leaner and meaner companies that produce better and more competative cars.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Managing Global Insecurity
I'm concerned about what I view as a trend toward world government. The Brookings Institute just released the "Managing Global Insecurity Project." John Podesta, who heads Obama's transition team and Susan Rice, nominated by Obama to the post of UN Ambassador, were both involved in this project.
The report calls for the creation of a UN high commissioner for counter-terrorism, which could give the UN increased authority to interfere in the soverign affairs of nations including ours, a UN sponsored climate-change law that might supercede US law, and the creation of a standing 50,000-strong UN army that could be deployed against nations, presumably including our own, who might be in violation of any one of the increasing number of agreements and treaties coming out of the UN.
This is no right-wing conspiracy theory. Those of us who value liberty beware.
The report calls for the creation of a UN high commissioner for counter-terrorism, which could give the UN increased authority to interfere in the soverign affairs of nations including ours, a UN sponsored climate-change law that might supercede US law, and the creation of a standing 50,000-strong UN army that could be deployed against nations, presumably including our own, who might be in violation of any one of the increasing number of agreements and treaties coming out of the UN.
This is no right-wing conspiracy theory. Those of us who value liberty beware.
Obama Citizenship - Dec. 5
The Supreme Court of the United States is considering the case of Donofrio v. Wells which raises the question of President-elect Barack Obama's birth certificate and whether he was not born in the United States. Technically, he would be inelegable to hold the office of President of the United States if he were born on foreign soil.
The intent of the founding fathers who wrote the natural born citizen clause into the Constitution was not to prevent someone who was born of a mother who was an American citizen and who happened to be caught in a foreign country when she gave birth and who returned to the United States weeks after giving birth.
Rather, the intent was to prevent a foreign fat cat such as, to use a theoritical example, George Soros, from coming to the United States, obtaining citizenship, and then buying his way to the presidency.
Obama was probably not born in the US, otherwise he would have produced his birth certificate, something he has failed to do. Perhaps in the future, presidential candidates should be required to produce their birth certificates when they declare their candidacies.
Obama, however, was elected fair and square and the will of the people should be honored. Let's put this issue aside.
The intent of the founding fathers who wrote the natural born citizen clause into the Constitution was not to prevent someone who was born of a mother who was an American citizen and who happened to be caught in a foreign country when she gave birth and who returned to the United States weeks after giving birth.
Rather, the intent was to prevent a foreign fat cat such as, to use a theoritical example, George Soros, from coming to the United States, obtaining citizenship, and then buying his way to the presidency.
Obama was probably not born in the US, otherwise he would have produced his birth certificate, something he has failed to do. Perhaps in the future, presidential candidates should be required to produce their birth certificates when they declare their candidacies.
Obama, however, was elected fair and square and the will of the people should be honored. Let's put this issue aside.
Jiffy Lube and Rasta employee - Dec 3
Jiffy Lube asked their employee, Bobby Brown, to shave his beard and cut his hair to comply with their new groomong code, a code that applied equally to all employees. Brown, a Rastafarian, refused on religious grounds and sued Jiffy Lube for descrimination. Now, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has overturned a lower court decision and is letting the case go forward.
At stake is whether a private company has a right to include as conditions of employment how their employees present themselves to the public. This is not about race as no company has the right, nor should they have a right, to discriminate against a person because of the circumstance of their birth.
Nor is this about religion per se as a person is free to believe as they choose. This is about the right of a company to determine the code of behavior of empolyees they are paying during working hours. Laws are enacted to balance the right to worship with the right of a private company to conduct their business in a manner they choose. The used to side with business in most cases and this is right.
At stake is whether a private company has a right to include as conditions of employment how their employees present themselves to the public. This is not about race as no company has the right, nor should they have a right, to discriminate against a person because of the circumstance of their birth.
Nor is this about religion per se as a person is free to believe as they choose. This is about the right of a company to determine the code of behavior of empolyees they are paying during working hours. Laws are enacted to balance the right to worship with the right of a private company to conduct their business in a manner they choose. The used to side with business in most cases and this is right.
Support Saxby Chambliss - Dec. 2
Help Georgia save the U.S. Senate for Republicans. On December 2, the State of Georgia will have a runoff election between incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss and his Democrat challenger Jim Martin.
If Chambliss loses the Democrats will have the majority they need in the Senate to push liberal legislation through to the Democratic Administration of Barack Obama. The Obama Administration will virtually have both houses of Congress in their back pocket.
Obama talked about change but with liberal Democrats in control of both the executive and legislative branches of governments, we can expect those changes to be in the backward direction. We already know about the tax increases on individuals and businesses grossing 150 thousand and the upcoming expiration of the Bush tax cuts. And these tax increases will no doubt accompany a massive increase in government spending on some highly questionable causes.
We also know about the authoritarian agenda behind the implementation of such programs as the Fairness Doctrine which will effectively censor radio talk and about and the elimination of the secret ballot for unions.
Help Chambliss defeat the phalanx of Obama and acorn operatives flooding the state of Georgia. Contact the Chambliss campaign at Saxby.org.
If Chambliss loses the Democrats will have the majority they need in the Senate to push liberal legislation through to the Democratic Administration of Barack Obama. The Obama Administration will virtually have both houses of Congress in their back pocket.
Obama talked about change but with liberal Democrats in control of both the executive and legislative branches of governments, we can expect those changes to be in the backward direction. We already know about the tax increases on individuals and businesses grossing 150 thousand and the upcoming expiration of the Bush tax cuts. And these tax increases will no doubt accompany a massive increase in government spending on some highly questionable causes.
We also know about the authoritarian agenda behind the implementation of such programs as the Fairness Doctrine which will effectively censor radio talk and about and the elimination of the secret ballot for unions.
Help Chambliss defeat the phalanx of Obama and acorn operatives flooding the state of Georgia. Contact the Chambliss campaign at Saxby.org.
Narcisistic Soverignty - Dec. 1
Harold Cook, a UN Representative and a fellow with the American Psychological Association has called the American failure to ratify the so-called Convention of the Rights of the Child a case of "Narcisistic Soverignty."
This UN treaty would transfer the natural right of the parent to rear their own children to an international bureaucracy. The moral authority of the American parent would be replaced by the state, which in this case would be an unelected and largely foreign body of bureaucrats who aspire to control the world.
Americans have always and intrinsically understood the basic, self evident, and paramount importance of the soverign right of the family to conduct it's own affairs for better or for worse. For Americans, this is a right that is understood to be as basic and as democratic as the right to own property and the right to vote. American legislatures have created appropriate laws to address child abuse, legislatures that represent the people.
There is nothing whatsoever narccistic about the assertion of these rights.
Liberals and conservatives should come together on this and reject ideas that threaten both individual and national soverignty.
This UN treaty would transfer the natural right of the parent to rear their own children to an international bureaucracy. The moral authority of the American parent would be replaced by the state, which in this case would be an unelected and largely foreign body of bureaucrats who aspire to control the world.
Americans have always and intrinsically understood the basic, self evident, and paramount importance of the soverign right of the family to conduct it's own affairs for better or for worse. For Americans, this is a right that is understood to be as basic and as democratic as the right to own property and the right to vote. American legislatures have created appropriate laws to address child abuse, legislatures that represent the people.
There is nothing whatsoever narccistic about the assertion of these rights.
Liberals and conservatives should come together on this and reject ideas that threaten both individual and national soverignty.
Should Obama negotiate with Iran? - Nov 28
Should the incoming Obama Administration negotiate with Iran? Yes. Obama should negotiate. He should establish a negotiating team that should include representatives from European countries and, if possible, from Russia, China, and moderate Arab and Islamic countries.
The team should immediatly draw a line in the sand.
Iran has six months to turn over its enriched uranium and centrifuges or the United States, backed by the other nations represented in the negotiating tems, will commence a program of nuclear bombing which will continue until the Iranian nuclear facilities are neutralized.
This is the only way to negotiate with Iran.
The team should immediatly draw a line in the sand.
Iran has six months to turn over its enriched uranium and centrifuges or the United States, backed by the other nations represented in the negotiating tems, will commence a program of nuclear bombing which will continue until the Iranian nuclear facilities are neutralized.
This is the only way to negotiate with Iran.
Israel to be Destroyed - Nov. 27
On November 26, Iran launched an Explorer II missile, a three stage rocket that spent 40 minutes in space. Two weeks earlier, Iran had launched a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to Israel. The Explorer II launch coencided with an announcement that Iran is in posession of more than five thousand centrifuges. A UN Nuclear watchdog reports that Iran has enough enriched uranium to launch a nuclear bomb.
It grieves me to report that if nothing is done to stop Iran in the next 6 to 24 months, Israel will be destroyed. Iran will fire its a nuclear missile at Tel Aviv and this will destroy Israel. The result will be a Holocaust as horrific as the one perputrated by Hitler.
It grieves me to report that if nothing is done to stop Iran in the next 6 to 24 months, Israel will be destroyed. Iran will fire its a nuclear missile at Tel Aviv and this will destroy Israel. The result will be a Holocaust as horrific as the one perputrated by Hitler.
Israel to attack Iran - Nov. 26
According to the Jerusalem Post, Israel is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities and they plan to go it alone. This will be very costly to Israel but unfortunatly they have no choice. Iranian cleric Rafsanjani is on record recently as stating that if Iran nukes Tel Aviv, two million Jews will be killed, Israel will then retaliate by nuking Iran with 20 million Iranian casualties but, who cares, Iran has more people.
Iran's proxy, Hisbollah, has thousands of missiles hiding in livingrooms in southern Lebanon and these will be fired as Israeli cities if Israel strikes Iran. This is why Israel will have to simultaneously attack southern Lebanon with ground forces.
This will unfortunatly result in large loss of Jewish life as Israel once again is called to defend its soverignty and the lives of it's citizens. The least we can do is to pray for a speedy end to a war that must eliminate the threat to Israel's survival.
Iran's proxy, Hisbollah, has thousands of missiles hiding in livingrooms in southern Lebanon and these will be fired as Israeli cities if Israel strikes Iran. This is why Israel will have to simultaneously attack southern Lebanon with ground forces.
This will unfortunatly result in large loss of Jewish life as Israel once again is called to defend its soverignty and the lives of it's citizens. The least we can do is to pray for a speedy end to a war that must eliminate the threat to Israel's survival.
Election of Obama - Nov. 25
What does a conservative have to say about the election of Barack Obama as President of the USA?
Firstly, all Americans hope for the best results from the new President for the sake of the nation and the future. We are all, after all, in the same boat and we all presumably want the best for our country, ourselves and our children.
Secondly, the fact that Obama is black is significant and profound. His election represents another step toward finishing the work of the first Republican president Abraham Lincoln, and hopefully Obama's election will turn another page in the quest for justice for African-Americans.
Thirdly, Obama's election is further proof that the ability and accomplishment of an individual trumps such socialistic and collectivistic constructs as race. Americans really can achieve according to ability.
Firstly, all Americans hope for the best results from the new President for the sake of the nation and the future. We are all, after all, in the same boat and we all presumably want the best for our country, ourselves and our children.
Secondly, the fact that Obama is black is significant and profound. His election represents another step toward finishing the work of the first Republican president Abraham Lincoln, and hopefully Obama's election will turn another page in the quest for justice for African-Americans.
Thirdly, Obama's election is further proof that the ability and accomplishment of an individual trumps such socialistic and collectivistic constructs as race. Americans really can achieve according to ability.
Tax Increases - Nov. 24
Barack Obama and Joe Biden made no secret over the fact that they intend to raise taxes in order to pay for their government expansion and union bailouts.
How should a small business respond to these anticipated new costs in these stressful economic times?
Should they raise the prices of their products or services at a time when consumers have less disposable income? That won't work.
The bottom line is that small businesses will unfortunatly have to cut the benefits of their employees and in some cases lay people off in order to keep up. This is already happening.
Who should be laid off?
Perhaps the boss responsible for making these painful decisions should take a stroll out into the company parking lot and look for Obama bumper stickers. The Obama supporters should be the first to go.
After all, they voted for a change and the change is coming. It would therefore be only fitting for them, the supporters of new taxes, to be the first to to experience the privalage of participating in the change.
How should a small business respond to these anticipated new costs in these stressful economic times?
Should they raise the prices of their products or services at a time when consumers have less disposable income? That won't work.
The bottom line is that small businesses will unfortunatly have to cut the benefits of their employees and in some cases lay people off in order to keep up. This is already happening.
Who should be laid off?
Perhaps the boss responsible for making these painful decisions should take a stroll out into the company parking lot and look for Obama bumper stickers. The Obama supporters should be the first to go.
After all, they voted for a change and the change is coming. It would therefore be only fitting for them, the supporters of new taxes, to be the first to to experience the privalage of participating in the change.
George Washington & Thanksgiving - Nov. 21
Thanksgiving is a religious holiday.
In 1789, during the first year of his presidency, George Washington declaired Thursday, November 26th as a "Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God"
Washington wanted Thanksgiving to be a national day of prayer, reflection, and blessing. In his Thanksgiving Day proclamation, Washington called for all Americans to "unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions."
In 1789, during the first year of his presidency, George Washington declaired Thursday, November 26th as a "Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God"
Washington wanted Thanksgiving to be a national day of prayer, reflection, and blessing. In his Thanksgiving Day proclamation, Washington called for all Americans to "unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions."
Thanksgiving - Nov. 20
Thanksgiving is a celebration of freedom over socialism.
The Mayflower pilgrims were socialist at first. Property was controlled collectively, which is a euphemism for controlled by the state, and labor was divided by the government. Starvation and the threat of extinction quickly ensued.
Plymouth Colony Governor Bradley wrote in his diary that "For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense...that was thought injustice.'
So Governor Bradley solved the problem by launching a program of private property, Plymouth Colony thus survived and prospered, and true freedom dawned in the New World.
The Mayflower pilgrims were socialist at first. Property was controlled collectively, which is a euphemism for controlled by the state, and labor was divided by the government. Starvation and the threat of extinction quickly ensued.
Plymouth Colony Governor Bradley wrote in his diary that "For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense...that was thought injustice.'
So Governor Bradley solved the problem by launching a program of private property, Plymouth Colony thus survived and prospered, and true freedom dawned in the New World.
Forced Abortions - Nov. 19
The incoming Democratic Congress, expecting no objection from the Obama Administration, is expected to restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund, a group which engages in a program of forced abortions and coerced sterilizations in Communist China.
Funding had been cut off by the Bush Administration in 2002 after the administration determined that a policy of forced abortions and sterilizations were against American policy.
Apparently this is no longer the case.
It is not appropriate for taxpayer money to go toward forced abortions and sterilizations. I would imagine that the vast majority of Americans, whether pro life or pro choice, reject such a policy and would not want to support it with their hard earned taxpayer money.
Funding had been cut off by the Bush Administration in 2002 after the administration determined that a policy of forced abortions and sterilizations were against American policy.
Apparently this is no longer the case.
It is not appropriate for taxpayer money to go toward forced abortions and sterilizations. I would imagine that the vast majority of Americans, whether pro life or pro choice, reject such a policy and would not want to support it with their hard earned taxpayer money.
Fairness Doctrine - Nov. 18
I am concerned over that fact that many so-called liberals in Congress, and even some liberal radio talk show hosts, have expressed support for the so-called Fairness Doctrine. If this doctrine becomes law, it would mean that Federal Government officials would get to decide what opinions are to be expressed on the radio and when. This would essentially mark the end of free speech in America.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed, both liberal Democrats, have expressed support for this doctrine. New York Senator Charles Schumer, in his support of the Fairness Doctrine, has compared conservative radio to pornography in his argument that the government should regulate it.
Whether you are a conservative or a liberal, ask yourself whether you want the Federal Government to decide what opinions go over the airwaves. If you disagree with a conservative talk show host you are free to call in to the program and challenge that opinion it by taking on the host. I know of no major radio host, liberal or conservative, that would bar opposing opinions.
This is a much better approach than having a government agent essentially sitting in the studio and monitoring the conversation. Remember, if they come for the conservative today they will come for you tomorrow.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed, both liberal Democrats, have expressed support for this doctrine. New York Senator Charles Schumer, in his support of the Fairness Doctrine, has compared conservative radio to pornography in his argument that the government should regulate it.
Whether you are a conservative or a liberal, ask yourself whether you want the Federal Government to decide what opinions go over the airwaves. If you disagree with a conservative talk show host you are free to call in to the program and challenge that opinion it by taking on the host. I know of no major radio host, liberal or conservative, that would bar opposing opinions.
This is a much better approach than having a government agent essentially sitting in the studio and monitoring the conversation. Remember, if they come for the conservative today they will come for you tomorrow.
Bush in History - Nov. 16
President George W. Bush would like to be remembered as the President who freed millions of people in the Middle East and in Central Asia and for this he shall be remembered and honored.
Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant ended slavery in America and saved the Union, Franklin Delano Roosevelt defeated Nazism in Europe, Ronald Reagan defeated Soviet Communism and in the process these leaders freed millions of people.
George W. Bush became the first leader in history to introduce freedom and democracy into the Milddle East and Central Asia when he committed our heroic American troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. While total victory may not come tomorrow, or even in a couple of years, he started these regions on the road to freedom.
Let's hope the new administration understands the rightness of the Bush policy and stays the course.
Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant ended slavery in America and saved the Union, Franklin Delano Roosevelt defeated Nazism in Europe, Ronald Reagan defeated Soviet Communism and in the process these leaders freed millions of people.
George W. Bush became the first leader in history to introduce freedom and democracy into the Milddle East and Central Asia when he committed our heroic American troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. While total victory may not come tomorrow, or even in a couple of years, he started these regions on the road to freedom.
Let's hope the new administration understands the rightness of the Bush policy and stays the course.
Bailout of the Big Three - Nov. 15
The funds that would eminate from the proposed taxpayer funded bailout of the big three American automakers would apparently go largely toward maintaining United Auto Workers negotiated salaries and benefit packages. UAW salaries range as high as $80.00 an hour, almost twice the wages offered to workers at Japanese auto manufacturing plants and three times the average of other manufacturing companies.
The UAW also negotiated health care benefits that are among the most comprehensive in the country, costing their workers and retirees an average of $10 to $21 dollars per month.
If a UAW employee is laid off, they have the option of joining a so-called Jobs bank which is actually the exact opposite. That laid off employee will collect almost his full pay and in some cases for the rest of his life.
I would rather see the companies declare bankrupsy and re-negotiate their union contracts than give them a single taxpayer dime. They will continue to make cars and probably create a more competitive product. Let's not succumb to their threats.
The UAW also negotiated health care benefits that are among the most comprehensive in the country, costing their workers and retirees an average of $10 to $21 dollars per month.
If a UAW employee is laid off, they have the option of joining a so-called Jobs bank which is actually the exact opposite. That laid off employee will collect almost his full pay and in some cases for the rest of his life.
I would rather see the companies declare bankrupsy and re-negotiate their union contracts than give them a single taxpayer dime. They will continue to make cars and probably create a more competitive product. Let's not succumb to their threats.
Global Poverty Act - Nov. 13
The U.S. Senate will be debating passage of the Global Poverty Act, a bill that is supported by both President-elect Obama and by Vice President-elect Biden.
This bill will cost the US taxpayers an estimated $845 billion dollars if enacted, that is billion with a B! The taxpayer money will go to third world dictatorships in what would be a re-enactment, on a world scale, of the 1960's failed War on Poverty program which was launched during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. That program expanded the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy, congtributed to social ills such as crime, drugs, and the disintigration of the family, encourages dependency, and turned poverty itself into an institution and a cottage industry for the public sector.
The American people are the most charitable people on earth. We are committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, and disease in the third world. Throwing money at the problem not only failed in America but actually perpetrated many of the social ills that caused the poverty in the first place. Why would such an approach work for dictatorships in which small and corrupt oligarchs control most of the wealth and property?
If we really want to help the third world, we would directly invest in the development of small private business, industry, and institutions fundamental to freedom such as private property and groups that promote constitutionally based governments and free elections. We ought to demand that certain standards are met in the third world before we invest our hard earned money into these countries. That way, we can know that the money is actually going to people who need it and we will get a return on our investment by promoting freedom oriented allies that we could trade with.
Let's not just hand our money over to countries unless we get something in return which is a guarantee that we are fostering freedom and prosperity. As the Bible says, "you can give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, you can teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."
This bill will cost the US taxpayers an estimated $845 billion dollars if enacted, that is billion with a B! The taxpayer money will go to third world dictatorships in what would be a re-enactment, on a world scale, of the 1960's failed War on Poverty program which was launched during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. That program expanded the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy, congtributed to social ills such as crime, drugs, and the disintigration of the family, encourages dependency, and turned poverty itself into an institution and a cottage industry for the public sector.
The American people are the most charitable people on earth. We are committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, and disease in the third world. Throwing money at the problem not only failed in America but actually perpetrated many of the social ills that caused the poverty in the first place. Why would such an approach work for dictatorships in which small and corrupt oligarchs control most of the wealth and property?
If we really want to help the third world, we would directly invest in the development of small private business, industry, and institutions fundamental to freedom such as private property and groups that promote constitutionally based governments and free elections. We ought to demand that certain standards are met in the third world before we invest our hard earned money into these countries. That way, we can know that the money is actually going to people who need it and we will get a return on our investment by promoting freedom oriented allies that we could trade with.
Let's not just hand our money over to countries unless we get something in return which is a guarantee that we are fostering freedom and prosperity. As the Bible says, "you can give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, you can teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."
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