Category Archives: America

“Living up to the Creed”…

Posted on 2012/01/16 by

No nation in recorded history has done more in it’s time to address the issue of individual human freedom and the socioeconomic tentacles affixed to it, than the United States of America. In so many ways, MLK remains the true face of this continuing effort, in modern America and around the world. Do not be fooled however, by the “false prophets” of our time. Instead be mindful of the lessons of faith, hope and charity this great and “deeply religious” man provided to us, and embrace his message which trumpeted individual freedom and the pride and happiness that comes from unhindered self-reliance. How many of us have truly taken time to listen to his words, and not just those spoken on the mall in August, 1963?

This was truly a great man of vision and understanding. It is unfortunate much of his passion and sensibilities are missing from the argument today…

 

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Smack down…

Posted on 2012/01/12 by

I’m not quite sure how better to say or write it, but the numbers continue to speak for themselves. Once again, any minuscule economic improvement is almost immediately followed by the inevitable reality smack down when it comes to the Obama economy. As I predicted, jobless claims for benefits are up sharply this week. But much more alarming are the “continuing claims numbers”, which are also up again from 3.61 to 3.63 million, the highest per capita number of any American Presidency.

I think what frosts me more than anything though, is hearing the Democrats trying to cast this economic nightmare in a positive light. Abysmal retail sales at the end of the holiday shopping season only reinforce the sad reality of a failing economic plan which threatens to set our nation back 20 years. My God, how can anyone put politics in front of so menacing a situation as this???

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“Clause” and effect…

Posted on 2012/01/12 by

I still love my home State of Rhode Island...

I have always said that in order for us to better understand the words and meaning of our founding documents, it is necessary to “be in the heads” of the men who wrote them. Such is true for the “Establishment Clause” of the 1st Amendment. Now I will not put all of you to sleep with my interpretation of Jefferson’s “Wall of separation” letter, which was actually drafted by Madison, nor will I dissect the myriad of legal challenges to the so called “separation” which have arisen over generations. What I will say however, is that if one is a true study of history and desires to be intellectually honest, one must admit to the central place of the church and its influence within the fabric of early American history.

Mind you I am no zealot, nor am I qualified to speak to the problems of religion in our world. I am also certain that any theocratic approach to governance “applied by the hand of man” is dangerous to freedom. But it occurs to me there were some very basic foundational beliefs shared by a majority of folks back in the day which most certainly would have shaped their opinions, complete with every nuance and caveat. Having said this, and accounting for all the whims and contradictions which defined Jefferson’s life and work, I think that when one “Atheist” young person, who is most likely unsure and/or at least unclear on the many changes of opinion she will surely express in her long life, is allowed to rip the cultural and foundational rug from under the common sensibilities of the collective majority, then this can only be part of that slow and steady unraveling of our future I write about almost every day. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/11/federal-court-orders-rhode-island-school-to-remove-prayer/

 

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Romney’s America…

Posted on 2012/01/12 by

I think Mitt Romney’s sometimes contradicting and confusing resume in many ways personifies what is troubling America today. I don’t mean this as a negative per-se, but more as a window into what I see as the nation’s posture in 2012. To put it mildly, there are far more Americans willing to turn a blind eye to societal and socioeconomic decline today, than at any time in U.S. history. “Middle of the road” politics or the so called “Independent” vote shaped the election of Barack Obama as President in 08 and will certainly factor into Election 2012. The willingness of many Americans to forego the ideals and principles of their fathers and grandfathers, by way of political correctness or some perceived social acceptance clause, has paved the way for the slow and steady erosion of our American culture, a culture that once defined “We the People” to the world. Moreover, that indifference has trickled into many important areas and aspects of our lives, as well as every corner of American government, from the halls of Congress to the Judiciary.

Now I’m not suggesting that Governor Romney is the cause exclusive of our national woes, however it is clear that the division within the Republican Party regarding the way forward is shaping the debate. In a manner of speaking, the Right/Left pull “within” the GOP mirrors what we will hear on the campaign trail once the nominee is chosen. Unfortunately this plays right into the hands of the Democrats who have no such primary or candidate vetting issues in this election cycle and are loving the head start.

Personally, I’m an old school political junkie who still believes the primaries are a mechanism to examine each candidate and their belief systems before making a decision. I’ve always thought that was the intended purpose. Sadly, the “main stream” media and the 24 hour news cycle have transformed the primary into a focused blood bath highlighting a manufactured negativity in ways it would never been highlighted before. Inevitably, it will be up to whoever emerges from the ashes to reshape the message into one which appeals to the “likely voter”, that voter who is cognizant of reality and truly concerned about their children’s America. I can only hope there are enough of those folks left to make a difference.

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Reality sucks…

Posted on 2012/01/10 by

Whether it’s the almost $6 trillion dollars this President and Congressional Democrats have added to our children’s debt, or the 25 million now “under-employed” folks within America’s work force, or the record number of homes in foreclosure, or the rising oil and gas prices, or the 10% uptick in consumer credit card use in November/December with a matching decline in savings, or the myriad of other frightening indicators there for us to read if we only dare, it is obvious this President’s legacy is playing out long before the book is ever written.

This election is not about the next 4 years but rather the next 10, because those 10 years will certainly be the most consequential and critical in our nation’s history. Sadly, it may not be the wars sure to come as a result of the Obama Administration’s placating of our sworn enemies. No, it will however be the steady decline/erosion of the fundamental principles which have provided the foundation for our successes.

Whether you are a Republican or Democrat I ask only that you look a little closer. I ask that you set aside the partisan bickering on both sides and do your homework. The age of the internet has provided the tools necessary to do just that.

For my part, and while I remain inexorably tethered to my beliefs and ideals, I’m also convinced that we are living in desperate and dangerous times for America, and that if we ignore what is right in front of us, we do so at our nations, no, our children’s peril.

 

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Truth…

Posted on 2012/01/07 by

Very frustrated with the lies of the Left today, indulge me…

Warning! Right Wing rant…

“The economy is in recovery”, Really???

Someone please tell that to the millions of still unemployed or severely “underemployed” out there today struggling with living on half their normal income. Someone please tell that to the worker who has been told the doors to the plant he has worked at the past 15 years are closing and he must find other employment. Someone please tell that to construction worker watching and waiting as truly shovel ready projects are shelved by this Administration because of trumped up, or worse yet the manufactured regulatory concerns of particular political lobbies. Someone please tell that to the small business owner who is hanging by a thread with no plans to do anything but survive for the short-term, as well as the big business owner who has retooled his approach to do more with fewer employees while the economic climate remains fragile. Someone please tell that to the homeowner, last on his street to lose his home, who is watching its value plummet as desperate folks strip his neighbors foreclosed houses of their copper plumbing and aluminum siding for cash. Someone please tell that to the mom of 4 who is paying 1/3 more for her families groceries than she did just a year ago. Someone please tell that to the commuter still waiting for the lower gases prices he was promised in 2008. Wow, this is so easy but far too real and painful for so many.

Now don’t whine and tell us about how you were “handed a mess” and the like. This is the real world and you are the President of the United States Mr. Obama! Stop blaming everyone else! You sailed into the office with lofty rhetoric and hypocritical campaign hype, and we are now mired in the most lethargic and pathetic economic uptick (doesn’t even qualify as a recovery) in American history. Is this the new America you promised? Is this the new “norm”? Is this what you envisioned for our children’s future? Or is this a failed “college try” that has certainly set us back at least a decade?

“Yes we can” what Sir, double the national debt, bankrupt the nation’s healthcare system, regulate any remaining industry out of existence, destroy a free market economy that has shaped the world, decimate the military force which has secured our place on the planet for over 235 years???

Four more years of an inexperienced and bitterly partisan community organizer, I think not… Ultimately however, that depends on “We the People” on Election Day 2012…

Do not be fooled, read between “the numbers”. Our nation is changing, (dying)…

Posted in "Patriot64", America, Campaign 2012, Economy, Fred Comella, Green Energy, Health Care, International, Military, Politics, Right vs. Left | Tagged , | Comments Off on Truth…

Blind side…

Posted on 2012/01/05 by

Same old Liberal song and dance...

Isn’t it ironic, while our diplomats jockey to establish ties with the “terrorist” Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and seem to grovel for a seat at the (Taliban table of peace), all while our Soldiers are fighting and dying in theater, our President is laser focused on slashing our military in order to make it “leaner”, (code for weaker). I say ironic, as I do not wish to suggest panic at this point. But the fact is, as the so called “Arab” Spring clearly appears to be morphing into an “Islamofascist” Summer, our leaders continue to ignore the root causes of our financial woes here at home while simultaneously cutting the very means necessary to safeguard our children’s national security against these threats.

Meanwhile, the “recess” appointments and regulatory nightmares I wrote about just last week are all coming to fruition as predicted, and have actually been fast tracked by an Administration bent on turning as much Socialist university pabulum into reality as is humanly possible before what could very well be a landslide loss of the WH come this November.

Sadly but as I surmised, 2012 will likely add much to the history books. However it doesn’t seem as though it will be anything good…

 

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2012…

Posted on 2011/12/31 by

For the children...

2012 is sure to be remembered by historians and political junkies as a defining year. Many things I thought would surely be part of my son’s lifetime are somehow coming to pass in my own. I would not profess to be able to explain this, but will admit it is disconcerting for me to bear witness to it at times.

With my pessimism as a backdrop to this New Year’s Eve, I ask my readers to consider something other than the present tonight. I ask that you consider and then promote a future solidified by the ideals and principles on which this great nation was founded. Accepting our faults and frailties, and in the interest of our posterity and legacy as a nation, let us celebrate our exceptionalism and all that has allowed us to triumph in the face of adversity while thriving in the acknowledgement of (one culture) come from many.

My faith tells me of a certain inevitability for which I should always be ready. Every day I do my best to aspire to that faith. However, I also look at the gifts we enjoy as a country and wonder how we may control that which we can. I respond in writing daily to the questions of politics in the 21st century. I argue the finer points of my beliefs and ideals until my fingers and neck hurt. But when all is said and done, I keep coming back to the same question that haunts me, and which seems to define all the rest. I ask myself how a child anywhere in this modern world can go to bed hungry. What are we doing wrong?

So as we begin the 12th year of this 100, shame on those who see this analogy as overly majestic or hyperbole. For my part, I think that if I do anything right in 2012, it will be to steadfastly pursue an answer to that question.

May God bless and keep all of you this New Year…

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Campaign 2012, let it begin…

Posted on 2011/12/30 by

As we get ready for the Iowa Caucuses I must admit it has been an interesting campaign thus far for the Republican nomination. Once again however, I get the feeling we will have to accept a certain candidate because the media has either destroyed the others or they have destroyed themselves. There is one thing that has always frustrated me though, and that is Republican’s never seem to be able to make the case for the social issues without stepping in it. Ironically, the Democrats don’t have this problem. It’s always easier to run from the Left because anything goes and the base will always support you no matter any questionable personal short comings or views. They get a pass. Their only primary issues seem to be reconciling “John Kerry like corny theatrics” against the real issues of the day. Republicans however always seem to be running against themselves. I know this sounds like a bit of an oxymoron in a primary situation, but they just keep stumbling over each other grappling for that “Conservative” mantle when all they really need to do is admit imperfect, albeit human status, and make the message about aspiration or the pursuit. Now before my readers hammer me on this one, let me explain.

We are all imperfect. The advent of modern media has made our lives an open book, especially in the public eye. Therefore, it is pointless to try and weasel out of a past admission or regrettable position on any issue, social or otherwise. One is far better off explaining that position (without lying about it) and how one has come to believe what one does now. We all make mistakes. Very often it is because we proceed from bad information and don’t necessarily do our homework all of the time. It is part of that “pursuit” I mentioned and “We the People” will always find out and make up their own minds.  I’m often reminded of my youth and my beach cleaning dolphin loving days by those within “the circle”. We often laugh at how my Dad’s wisdom eventually sunk in, along with the truth so many in Washington don’t want you to know.

Anyway, my message today is for the man who will inevitably be, (and yes, who I have decided to endorse and will explain why later), the Republican nominee for President of these United States: Wipe that deer in the headlights look off your face Mitt and stop acting like every debate is a war. Your debating skills are evident but prepare to make the upcoming campaign about the real problem, that being the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Reconcile who you are now, where you’ve been and where you feel the country needs to go to the camera, and promise the American people that you will do your level best to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help you God”. Political expediency at the expense of our (your) children’s futures is no longer an option.

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Taliban legitimacy???

Posted on 2011/12/30 by

I suppose on its face a peace accord of some sort in Afghanistan would be a good thing and might bring about the speedy return of our brave Soldiers to their families, but let’s step back and look at this for a moment. Would this mean “negotiations” with the Taliban by chance? Would this be the same Taliban which supports the subjugation and brutalization of women within their twisted society, and enforces that support by way of beheading, stoning and hanging? Would this be the same Taliban which abhors any and all Western influence, with “individual freedom” at the top of that list? Would this be the same Taliban that supports education only through the “Koran” and forbids any other with beatings or worse for those non-compliant? Frankly speaking, is this the same Taliban in direct conflict with everything America stands for? Well it seems they are exactly who the Obama Administration intends to cast in the light of international legitimacy. Heck, we are even going to release enemy combatants who have most likely killed American/Coalition Soldiers as well as innocent Afghan men, women and children in the name of “Sharia Law”. At this point, one does have to ask the POTUS what the heck we are fighting for over there.

Now I know there will be those from the Ron Paul circle, who email me till their fingers bleed about 9/11, al-Qaeda, justification for military action, and all that crap. But in the end, if we leave behind the same breeding ground for murdering despots and would be dictators, what will our brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice have died for? It makes absolutely no sense that we “negotiate” with those who are clearly our enemy in every possible way they could be, so that we may facilitate some uneasy and/or false peace. Remove Karzai and his corrupt government and allow our military to do their jobs “unhindered” until the mission is complete.

Posted in America, Military, Politics, The Middle East | Tagged , | 3 Comments