Sunday, October 24, 2010

Root and Branch


Could I have been wrong? It seems impossible but I am hoping it may be true. In October of 2006, the opening paragraph in my Record Herald column asserted that: “Each election takes away a bit of our freedom. This paradox of democracy is inherent in the character of politicians and the nature of man. A politician desirous of being elected by the people makes promises to deliver ‘goodies’ exchange for votes. Human nature, being what it is, leads most citizens to cast their votes for the politician promising the most ‘freebies.’ Winston Churchill’s promise of only “blood, toil, tears and sweat” would not work with voters today. We want to hear about bridges, jobs, programs, benefits, protection from annoyance, justice, equality and reprisal against those who offend us; these are the ‘goodies’ the politician promises and the ‘freebies’ we have come to expect. Alas, every ‘goodie’ and each ‘freebie’ comes at the cost of a sliver of our freedom. The cost may be as simple as an increased tax to pay for the ‘freebie’ or it may come as the curtailment of a traditional freedom. The need to surrender freedoms for security is constantly hyped by ambitious politicians.”

Now, in October of 2010, I see hope for the restoration of freedom. The November mid-term elections will be the greatest rejection of government overreach, meddling and sapping of liberties in three generations. Government’s power grab began in the last years of Hoover’s administration, spread like an evil weed during the many years of Roosevelt and continued until this moment. Local governments, with the encouragement and instigation of the federal government, also began sucking up liberties and spitting out regulations to control the populace. At every level, rules, regulation, laws and ‘nudges’ blossomed to protect, control and guide the witless citizenry. In the last years of the Bush administration, creeping regulation turned into a crawl and now in the Obama administration it sprints. Until this moment, only once was their a voice that spoke the truth - Ronald Reagan who warned that government is the problem, rarely the solution.

By now, we have been conditioned to believe that auto companies should be run by the government, banks are best under the government’s wing and Obamacare will help us. We live in a ‘bailout era’ and global warming is a bigger threat than terrorism. States should control trans fats, build high speed railroads to nowhere, and endlessly multiply agencies. Local government rules on salt, potatoes, doughnuts, cell phones, smoking in cars and whatever else gets a crank’s dander up. Government has moved from the founders’ original ideas of defense, safety and order into micro managing of our lives.

Bailout mania struck the government in 2008. As the housing crisis ballooned, President Bush acted more like FDR than Ronald Reagan. Keynesian statist economic ideas, favored by all in Washington, were used to throw tons of taxpayer money at every real or imagined problem. Spontaneously, all over the nation, taxpayer protest rallies popped up. Ordinary people said enough! I know, because I attended the first rally in Columbus Ohio. The rally consisted of regular people, no leaders or bosses, connected through the new electronic media, the Internet, web pages and E-mail. In early 2009, a popular name for all these separate groups was coined TEA Party Movement. TEA means Taxed Enough Already. The common goals of all the local Tea Parties were fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets. These ideas that most Americans agree upon are scorned by most of the ruling elites in Washington and the Statehouse.

When the November mid-term elections are over, the political elites controlling the Democrat and Republican parties will be overwhelmed with ‘shock and awe’. A movement by the common people is delivering a message: “Govern for the people and within the bounds of the Constitution or go home. In fact, we will send you home.” Some say Barrack Obama should be thanked for enlivening the Tea Party Movement and splashing concerned citizens with cold water. For years creeping statism has been policy of every administration; the people acquiesced in the slow theft of liberty. But Barrack Obama, by seizing auto companies, taking over banks and forcing ObamaCare - an unread 2,200 page law - upon an unwilling people, has awakened the American people from their slumber and galvanized them into action. Now alert, the people are not saying, “Just give a little back.” No, they are saying: “We will remove all government overreach ‘ root and branch’ and return our country to the ways of our founding fathers. You will not give us our freedom, we are taking it!” Topping of the tree of government will not do this time. Roots and Branches must go!

Monday, October 18, 2010

We the people,


Eleven score, three years and one month ago, WE THE PEOPLE, on Sept.17, 1787, signed a Constitution to ‘form a more perfect union’ and ‘secure the blessings of liberty.’ Liberty is in jeopardy now. We live in two Americas. 80% of Americans self-identify as moderates or conservatives in polls; only 20% call themselves liberals or progressives. But who do you think constitutes the ruling class? The 20%! The Tea Party stands with the majority, with the Constitution of our founders, with traditional values like limited government, fiscal responsibility and a free market system. WE’RE OUT HERE. WE’RE NOT ALONE. WE’RE NOT GOING AWAY!

Locally, I have been known as the refrigerator lady. In a commercial for my business, I asked customers to buy refrigerators so that I would not have to carry them on my back down the street to my store’s new location. But, it has come to this... to what am I forced to say. “Mr. President, get off my back! I don’t want government on my back. I want to be able to choose to carry my own load. - whether it be a refrigerator or a backpack.”

Benjamin Franklin said, “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. YOU have to catch it yourself.” Government intrusion and spending cannot substitute for happiness or personal responsibility. We in the TEA party say we are ‘taxed enough already.’ Our government ran a 1 trillion dollar DEFICIT just last year. Our present 14 trillion dollar DEBT counts on foreign countries to keep us afloat now and on our children and grandchildren to bail us out in the future. Our captain at the helm is overloading our ship of state with debt; as passengers we are slowly drowning. Government spending should be limited to the few jobs that government does best - national defense, police safety, a stable currency and protection under the laws.

The present situation, however, is hopeful. Some conservative politicians already serve. The ground swell Tea Party movement IS making a big difference. Several of our candidates have won their primaries. Upset winner, Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, raised 2 million dollars of support money over the Internet in ONLY 2 days. Remember the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally? Hundreds of thousands rallied in Washington D.C. at their own expense with no arrests or leftover trash. They represent the majority in America like us Tea Partiers, who see our country right side up. The liberal minority, on the other hand, demonize us. What do you expect when they see THEIR country upside down? What would you expect from a small, funded, liberal crowd at the One Nation rally on Oct. 2nd at the same Lincoln Memorial? They lounged through the Pledge of Allegiance, trashed the mall and dumped their refuse on the World War II memorial.

Government as big brother still cannot censor MY motives or behavior. As a senior citizen, I am free to look back into history for my choice of a heroine. In John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, ‘Frietchie,’ the aged heroine in a town occupied during the Civil War says: “Shoot if you must this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag.” WE, are all Barbara Frietchie’ s now. * We are all called upon to be Barbara Frietchie’s to wave the flag and save our beloved country. We women are called. You men are called. You young patriots out there are called. Our children and grandchildren will be called. WE the people are called to the CAUSE to preserve our country’s honor, our personal freedoms and our Constitution.

We Tea Partiers have been called “spoiled brats’ by the 20% minority, because we do not acquiesce to their version of transforming America! They would have us believe men are beasts, women are victims of stifling motherhood and America throughout her history has NOT tried to put her best foot forward. They want us to believe that our Constitution did NOT root our freedoms in natural rights from God.

We will NOT let liberals re-define our rights by governmental fiat. We will NOT allow them to punish our accumulation of saving or redistribute our wealth. We reject their claim that the free market is rooted in greed, that capitalism is the enemy of progress.

The pursuit of happiness by the creation of wealth IS good. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett made their fortunes providing products and services to millions of people willing to pay for them. Their companies benefit BOTH consumers and investors and provide millions of jobs. Through hard work and free enterprise, Bill, Steve and Warren spread the wealth. Liberals talk down wealth by talking UP community service. BUT they usually follow career paths which increase their wealth as they produce nothing. Hypocritically, they want government to spread around YOUR wealth.

Only the numbers, salaries and benefits of government workers have increased since 2008. In 2009, they grew by 19% as unemployment stands at 10%. Dependence upon government is at an all time high. Can you believe that ½ of American households receive some government help?

Yet, WE THE PEOPLE, do not have enough jobs. In Fayette County, the ‘summer of recovery’ turned into a hard luck fall (pun intended). Jobs equate with dignity. The present administration humiliates each man and woman by its policies that aim to keep Americans dependent and unemployed.

I personally know a good man who believes one’s first duties are to family and country. The Tea Party says, do YOUR duty in November. If a candidate shares our core, conservative values, fine, vote for him or her. Check out other Tea Party websites. Here are additional guidelines to help decide your vote.

Question the truth of each candidate’s ads. Vote each big government incumbent out of office. If an incumbent has had 3,4,5,6,7, 8, 9 or 10 terms in office , vote him or her out. Vote against any declared liberal, because liberals LIE. Vote against candidates who emphasize feelings not facts or can’t give a straight answer to a question. Do the math, then learn from the math. A 300 million dollar solar panel plant in Ohio will create (or save) 600 jobs. The cost? $420,000 per job. Ask yourself: “Why does it cost so much? Will I get hired?” Be aware of Democrats hijacked by liberals or a RINO, a Republican in name only, also a liberal. Be aware of the liberal bias of mainstream media and journalists. When you hear the word ‘investment’ - you know it means spending. The word ‘appropriation’ or ‘levy’ - means tax. The words ‘grant’, ‘subsidy’ and ‘program’ - mean ‘giveaway of your money.’ The word, ‘incentive’ - means obey and be rewarded or resist and you’ll be punished. When a candidate says he’s ‘fighting for you’ - beware. He might be using your money and your neighbors’ money to advance his political career.

Remember the game, “Red rover, red rover, let so and so come over,” we played as carefree, reckless children? Two opposing sides call out one individual to break through the line. Unfortunately, America now consists of two lines. Tea Partiers, conservatives and moderates line up on the right side. In the other line? Power-playing, tax- loving, fiscally compromised, freedom punishing, big government spenders line up on the left. The elites vs. WE the people. Liberals vs. WE the people. The ruling class establishment vs. WE the people. Do WE the people have any choice other than to vote THEM OUT OF THE GAME?

We can’t complain if we do not vote. A sheep-like complacency won’t due. We need leaders who believe that our founders look at nature as an inspiration not as a fragile planet. We need leaders who look up to a higher power for guidance. We need leaders with convictions without compromise. WE THE PEOPLE are practical, common sense, self-reliant Americans who are not going to elect politicians drunk on power and spending.

Let the great restoration of our beloved country begin! WE the people are on the march. WE can march into the history books in November. * Like Barbara Frietchie, let’s wave and wave and WAVE our flag - our symbol of liberty.
We the people,


Eleven score, three years and one month ago, WE THE PEOPLE, on Sept.17, 1787, signed a Constitution to ‘form a more perfect union’ and ‘secure the blessings of liberty.’ Liberty is in jeopardy now. We live in two Americas. 80% of Americans self-identify as moderates or conservatives in polls; only 20% call themselves liberals or progressives. But who do you think constitutes the ruling class? The 20%! The Tea Party stands with the majority, with the Constitution of our founders, with traditional values like limited government, fiscal responsibility and a free market system. WE’RE OUT HERE. WE’RE NOT ALONE. WE’RE NOT GOING AWAY!

Locally, I have been known as the refrigerator lady. In a commercial for my business, I asked customers to buy refrigerators so that I would not have to carry them on my back down the street to my store’s new location. But, it has come to this... to what am I forced to say. “Mr. President, get off my back! I don’t want government on my back. I want to be able to choose to carry my own load. - whether it be a refrigerator or a backpack.”

Benjamin Franklin said, “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. YOU have to catch it yourself.” Government intrusion and spending cannot substitute for happiness or personal responsibility. We in the TEA party say we are ‘taxed enough already.’ Our government ran a 1 trillion dollar DEFICIT just last year. Our present 14 trillion dollar DEBT counts on foreign countries to keep us afloat now and on our children and grandchildren to bail us out in the future. Our captain at the helm is overloading our ship of state with debt; as passengers we are slowly drowning. Government spending should be limited to the few jobs that government does best - national defense, police safety, a stable currency and protection under the laws.

The present situation, however, is hopeful. Some conservative politicians already serve. The ground swell Tea Party movement IS making a big difference. Several of our candidates have won their primaries. Upset winner, Christine O’Donnell in Delaware, raised 2 million dollars of support money over the Internet in ONLY 2 days. Remember the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally? Hundreds of thousands rallied in Washington D.C. at their own expense with no arrests or leftover trash. They represent the majority in America like us Tea Partiers, who see our country right side up. The liberal minority, on the other hand, demonize us. What do you expect when they see THEIR country upside down? What would you expect from a small, funded, liberal crowd at the One Nation rally on Oct. 2nd at the same Lincoln Memorial? They lounged through the Pledge of Allegiance, trashed the mall and dumped their refuse on the World War II memorial.

Government as big brother still cannot censor MY motives or behavior. As a senior citizen, I am free to look back into history for my choice of a heroine. In John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, ‘Frietchie,’ the aged heroine in a town occupied during the Civil War says: “Shoot if you must this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag.” WE, are all Barbara Frietchie’ s now. * We are all called upon to be Barbara Frietchie’s to wave the flag and save our beloved country. We women are called. You men are called. You young patriots out there are called. Our children and grandchildren will be called. WE the people are called to the CAUSE to preserve our country’s honor, our personal freedoms and our Constitution.

We Tea Partiers have been called “spoiled brats’ by the 20% minority, because we do not acquiesce to their version of transforming America! They would have us believe men are beasts, women are victims of stifling motherhood and America throughout her history has NOT tried to put her best foot forward. They want us to believe that our Constitution did NOT root our freedoms in natural rights from God.

We will NOT let liberals re-define our rights by governmental fiat. We will NOT allow them to punish our accumulation of saving or redistribute our wealth. We reject their claim that the free market is rooted in greed, that capitalism is the enemy of progress.

The pursuit of happiness by the creation of wealth IS good. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett made their fortunes providing products and services to millions of people willing to pay for them. Their companies benefit BOTH consumers and investors and provide millions of jobs. Through hard work and free enterprise, Bill, Steve and Warren spread the wealth. Liberals talk down wealth by talking UP community service. BUT they usually follow career paths which increase their wealth as they produce nothing. Hypocritically, they want government to spread around YOUR wealth.

Only the numbers, salaries and benefits of government workers have increased since 2008. In 2009, they grew by 19% as unemployment stands at 10%. Dependence upon government is at an all time high. Can you believe that ½ of American households receive some government help?

Yet, WE THE PEOPLE, do not have enough jobs. In Fayette County, the ‘summer of recovery’ turned into a hard luck fall (pun intended). Jobs equate with dignity. The present administration humiliates each man and woman by its policies that aim to keep Americans dependent and unemployed.

I personally know a good man who believes one’s first duties are to family and country. The Tea Party says, do YOUR duty in November. If a candidate shares our core, conservative values, fine, vote for him or her. Check out other Tea Party websites. Here are additional guidelines to help decide your vote.

Question the truth of each candidate’s ads. Vote each big government incumbent out of office. If an incumbent has had 3,4,5,6,7, 8, 9 or 10 terms in office , vote him or her out. Vote against any declared liberal, because liberals LIE. Vote against candidates who emphasize feelings not facts or can’t give a straight answer to a question. Do the math, then learn from the math. A 300 million dollar solar panel plant in Ohio will create (or save) 600 jobs. The cost? $420,000 per job. Ask yourself: “Why does it cost so much? Will I get hired?” Be aware of Democrats hijacked by liberals or a RINO, a Republican in name only, also a liberal. Be aware of the liberal bias of mainstream media and journalists. When you hear the word ‘investment’ - you know it means spending. The word ‘appropriation’ or ‘levy’ - means tax. The words ‘grant’, ‘subsidy’ and ‘program’ - mean ‘giveaway of your money.’ The word, ‘incentive’ - means obey and be rewarded or resist and you’ll be punished. When a candidate says he’s ‘fighting for you’ - beware. He might be using your money and your neighbors’ money to advance his political career.

Remember the game, “Red rover, red rover, let so and so come over,” we played as carefree, reckless children? Two opposing sides call out one individual to break through the line. Unfortunately, America now consists of two lines. Tea Partiers, conservatives and moderates line up on the right side. In the other line? Power-playing, tax- loving, fiscally compromised, freedom punishing, big government spenders line up on the left. The elites vs. WE the people. Liberals vs. WE the people. The ruling class establishment vs. WE the people. Do WE the people have any choice other than to vote THEM OUT OF THE GAME?

We can’t complain if we do not vote. A sheep-like complacency won’t due. We need leaders who believe that our founders look at nature as an inspiration not as a fragile planet. We need leaders who look up to a higher power for guidance. We need leaders with convictions without compromise. WE THE PEOPLE are practical, common sense, self-reliant Americans who are not going to elect politicians drunk on power and spending.

Let the great restoration of our beloved country begin! WE the people are on the march. WE can march into the history books in November. * Like Barbara Frietchie, let’s wave and wave and WAVE our flag - our symbol of liberty.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

TALE OF TWO RALLIES


The tale’s tail end tells it all! On August 28th, a conservative group held the Restoring Honor Rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial and on October 2nd, 400 progressives organizations and unions held the One Nation Rally at the same place. The proof is in the pictures of the paper trail left behind. The Restoring Honor Rally attended by at least 300,000, left nary a tattered Constitution Pamphlet on the ground at the mall. But, the One Nation crowd of perhaps 50,000, left the mall littered with pre-printed signs and pamphlets from progressives, socialists and communists. Since the elitist progressives must ‘hydrate’ all day, the mall was littered with water bottles and hamburger wrappers too. Heaven forfend Michelle Obama ever find out that progressives eat ‘fast food’; she could accept tofu bar wrappers and yogurt cups but not Big Macs.

Literally, the ‘litter’ residue explains the difference between a conservative and a progressive philosophy. I will adapt my language to the new idiom of Barack Obama and the Saul Alinsky progressives. To alert you to the smoke and mirrors language of the progressives or Obama’s strawman’s words, I am using single quotes around words as in ‘hope,’ ‘change’ or ‘expert consensus’ for Obamaisms. They sound good but signify nothing.

‘As everyone knows,’ conservatives are against the ‘workingman’ and will do anything to deprive ‘working Americans’ of jobs. They do not litter and even clean up after the less fastidious. Definitely anti-labor. ‘The consensus of the experts’ is that progressives are ‘pro-labor.’ They make a mess and leave it for others to clean up. When the conservatives left the mall, there was no need for a clean-up crew. When the progressives left the mall, there was work for days by well- paid, ‘unionized government workers’ from SEIU. They are definitely in favor of ‘make work’ to enable government growth.


The Restoring Honor Rally presented messages from Glenn Beck, Alveda King and Sarah Palin about higher purposes in life than serving the government, about honor, faith and self reliance as the hallmarks of America. At One Nation, Al Sharpton, race hustler, Jesse Jackson, relic from the 60's, Van Jones, self- proclaimed Communist and a former Obama’s Czar, and Harry Belafonte, clueless actor, held forth demanding ‘more’ of everything from the government. Jobs, social services, immigration amnesty, socialism and dismantling of the military were the usual tired themes of the left wing. They had ‘hope’ the government would take care of them and confidence things in progressive ‘change.’

Then there is the contrast between the sponsors and the messages. Restoring Honor Rally was the brainchild of one man Glenn Beck, a talk show host. He organized, financed and hosted the rally. Patriotic Americans paid their own expenses to attend and participate in the rally. Speeches emphasized the ideas that America is the land of opportunity and citizens control the government. Of course, mainstream media ignored the rally and declared it a ‘non-event’.

One Nation Rally was the brainchild of 400 progressive organizations. They claim their plans were made months before Glenn Beck conceived his rally. The fantasy was for up to 2 million to attend because of the ‘loyalty’ and ‘passion’ of progressives. Union dues, grants, ordinary taxpayers’ monies and ‘spooky’ sources financed the rally. Free buses were provided and signs pre-printed. As rally day dawned, rally organizers found that few people were waiting to be loaded onto the buses. The Washington mall was eerily silent until members of the loony left arrived: Communist Party USA, Ohio University Democratic Socialists, Service Employees International (SEIU), Code Pink, La Raza and the Ya Ya Network. Were the lefties embarrassed by their ‘small’, 50,000, turnout? Out of embarrassment, the mainstream media declared this a ‘non-event’ because it would not do to reports the failures of the progressives pining for a return to the golden age of Woodstock and the 60's.

The most disconcerting photo of One Nation is the general public ignoring the recitation of the Pledge Of Allegiance. I know the attitude of the CPUSA, but I surely would have loved to see what Ohio University Democratic Socialists were doing during the pledge.

What is the moral lesson to be gleaned from my tale of two rallies? The proof is in the paper trail left behind, in the detritus of socialism. Is the ‘collective’ brain better than the ‘entrepreneurial’ brain? As I ponder this question, I think I’ll have a cup of tea.

The Fayette County Tea Party will be joined by Tea Parties of nine other counties in a regional Rally for Liberty on October 17th in Washington Court House. It will rekindle the spirit of our founding fathers. Everyone who believes in limited government, fiscal responsibility, free markets and adherence to our Constitution should be there. We can be bigger than One Nation.