Lack of Confidence

"We will rebuild. We will recover, and the United States of America will emerge
stronger than before,"

----Presidential address before Cognress 2/24/09

When you realize that the "stimulus" bill added up to almost $800 billion dollars yet only contained $13 dollars a week for American families the whole "recovery" schtick that our President sputed last night rings a bit hollow to say the least.

Are You a Kennedy?

The gushing media has reported this week that Caroline Kennedy "wants" Hillary Clinton's old Senate seat, which, in keeping with modern demise of the American political system, seems to have become a mere commodity to be handed down from one wealthy family to another.

For what qualification does Caroline Kennedy deserve to be appointed as the newest Federal representative from New York? Apparently, as was shown with Mrs. Clinton, it does not matter if one is qualified to be Senator from the Empire State if there other extenuating circumstances involved.

According to the mayor of New York City, Caroline must be given the Senate seat because she "can do anything," and if one has read a single newspaper narrative over the last two weeks, one would know that since Caroline's uncle Bobby was a Senator, she is eminently qualified to be one herself.

The Constitution outlawed "titles of nobility" precisely to eliminate this type of situation, so that people in this country would be judged on their own achievements, not by their last name and famous relatives.

The fact that the Governor of New York, Daivd Paterson, is even considering Caroline Kennedy for the open Senate seat while passing over scores of more-qualified individuals, serves to show that he is incompetent to hold office and must be thrown out in 2010 by the voters of New York. Like Hillary Clinton before her, Caroline Kennedy has no experience in government whatsoever and we, the beleaguered people of New York do not deserve to have another unqualified Senator thrust upon us who requires on the job training.

If Caroline is indeed appointed to the Senate which, considering the incompetency of our Governor, is more than likely to happen, she will face a tremendous hurdle in two years when she must run for election, most probably against my own Congressman, The Honorable Peter King, who, as usual in New York politics, has been a lone voice of level-headedness, pointing out that Caroline has no "hereditary right to a senate seat from New York State" and will not be warmly received by voters tired of politicians using New York Senate seats solely for their own personal gain.

The Dream is Shattered

Happy Birthday Blago!!!

Like most of the media, ABC News is now pining for those winsome days of old when their responsibility to the public was nil and they could stand "starry-eyed" and "transfixed," admiring the great and majestic Obama alongside the rest of us.

Therefore, the "little anticipated" arrest of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich came as a great shock to the media who, as good as feigning shock as anyone, is mortified at how their modern-day "Camelot" has been tarnished with the unseemly arrest of someone so politically close to Barack Obama, the media's lord and saviour.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has a history of being investigated by the Feds starting in 2005 with the Illinois Tollway Oasis scandal, which was followed by the corrupt hiring practices investigation of 2006. Apparently, Blagojevich should have quit while he was ahead, for when one is under multiple investigations by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, laying off the corruption for a while is a highly advisable move to make.

Beyond the bad publicity taking the shine of the surface of his formerly squeaky clean media image, the impact "is far from certain," according to the Associated Press. If nothing else, it will throw him off message, derailing an agenda that had already been doomed by the re-election of Senator Saxby Chambliss in Georgia.

However, it is still not certain that any of Obama's advisers may not be involved in this scandal, which would not do much to help bring about the "change" that Obama so often proclaims.

More court documents are expected to follow shortly.

The Money Hole

As it stands right now, the great change "change" so often promised by our next president seems to be merely a continuation of the central principle of the Bush administration: if something doesn't work, the only thing to do is to throw billions of taxpayer dollars at it in hope that some of them might stick.

Announced in his weekly radio address on saturday morning, Obama's grand plan to rescue America from joblessness and economic decline is a massive "public works" bill. As could be expected, Obama did not give a price tag for this bill, but adorned it with the usual verbal superlatices such as "investing" and helping our children "compete." Obama did put a number on one aspect of the bill, claiming it will create "2.5 million jobs."

One wonders how lasting these jobs will be. For when the federal funding runs out, the people who are employed by this bill will again be out of work. The economy will not be resurrected simply because the federal employs people to repair highways and screw in brighter lightbulbs in school buildings for a few months.

America's economy was built on agriculture and manufacturing, not pot-hole fillers and lightbulb-changers. America's workers need real jobs with a steady paycheck, not glorified federal allowance money.

However, they are unlikely to get them with Obama's plan to increase taxes on employers and the upper-middle class--in other words, people who own companies and make investments. For in Obama's world, we do not emplyers and entrepeneurs to invest in our economy and start businesses when we can all instead be employed driving a dumptruck on the interstate for $5.00 dollars an hour filling potholes for Uncle Sam.

We will not here any talk from Obama about cutting the size of government and eliminating the public debt. For such actions would lead to people and companies being able to actually keep most of what they earn, allowing that money to be invested in further economic growth. Obama wants a society of dependants rather than a society of independents, a society of people who depend not on the fruits of their own labors, but rather on a little green check mailed to them every two weeks by a government printing machine, buried deep in the bowels of the ever-expanding federal bureaucracy.

Saxby Seals It

I like to think of the GOP as a family, firmly committed to taking care of its members, whether they be politicians, or your average ordinary constituent. For when one member of a family is in trouble--anyone of the other members can be next.

It was most heartening, then, to see Saxby Chambliss properly dispose of Democrat Jim Marton 58 percent to 42 percent in the Georgia Senate runoff on tuesday night, thus insuring a filibuster-worthy Republican minority in the Senate.

Much can be gleaned from this victory.

Besides proclaiming a clear simple message, instead of engaging in the usual trash-talking with his opponent that so many politicians often stoop down to, Saxby received enthusiastic campaign assistance from 2012 presidential frontrunner Mike Huckabee, plus the obligatory stumping form the temporarily re-formed McCain/Palin duo.

Contrast this with Jim Martin's campaign, which received little to no assistance from Democratic heavyweights, (paging Barack Obama!), even though we are told every day by the vainglorious odd couple of Pelosi and Reid that the Democrats really really want that supermajority.

Perhaps the Democrats did not send one of their stars to campaign in Georgia because they realize the backlash that would have occurred. After all, Democrats only get elected when the Republicans fail to do their job, not because voters wake up on election day and decide that they just gotta' have a donkey in the White House and in Congress.

The Republicans know this, of course, and after shedding some deadweight in the last two elections (Lincoln Chafee? Ted Stevens?) they are in the process of becoming the lean mean opposition that will be needed to insure a swift and painful death to the socialism that is soon to come from the White House.

The Next Time: Huckabee's Book Tour

Perhaps the reason for some of the negative headlines about Huckabee's new book, Do The Right Thing, has to do with a simple fact.

The GOP leadership knows Huckabee is the biggest threat to insider politicians like Mitt Romney for 2012 and wants to stop him before the nomination literally starts falling Huckabee's way.

The leaders of the social conservative movement who helped nominate the closet liberal John McCain by refusing to help one of their own in Mike Huckabee, have realized their mistake of presuming to know who was "viable" and who was "not."

This time around, the conservatives in the party will know whom to support and avoid the fracturing which almost destroyed them during the last primaries. We must show out in force for Mike Huckabee's upcoming national book tour and show the GOP leadership and the media whom we the people want as our next nominee.

For those of you living in Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina and South Carolina, I would especially urge you to come out and show your support for Huckabee in these very important primary states.

Alabama
Birmingham, AL
Monday, 12/112:00-1:00 PM
Books A Million / Brockwood Village757 Brockwood VillageBirmingham, AL 35209
(205)870-0213

Alabama
Dothan, AL
Saturday, 11/298:00-9:00 AM
Books A MillionNorthside Mall3489 Ross Clark Circle #54Dothan, AL 36303
(334)712-1341

Arkansas
Bentonville, AR
Friday, 11/217:00-9:00 PM
Sam's Club** Free Pass3500 Southeast Club BlvdBentonville, AR 72712
(479)621-5537

Arkansas
El Dorado, AR
Tuesday, 11/258:00-9:00 PM
Walmart Supercenter2730 Northwest AveEl Dorado, AR 71730
(870)862-2128

Arkansas
Ft. Smith, AR
Wednesday, 11/2612:00-1:00 PM
Books A Million (Pavilions Store)4145 Phoenix AveFt. Smith, AR 72903
(479)484-5833

Arkansas
Little Rock, AR
Wednesday, 11/266:00-8:00 PM
Barnes & Noble11500 Financial Ctr Pkwy Little Rock, AR 72211
(501)954-7646

Florida
Brandon, FL
Sunday, 12/7Church Signing
Bell Shoals Baptist Church2102 Bell Shoals RdBrandon, FL 33511
(813)689-4229

Florida
Orlando, FL
Monday, 12/812:00-1:00 PM
Barnes & NobleColonial Plaza Market Center2418 East Colonial DriveOrlando, FL 32803
(407)894-6024

Florida
Panama City, FL
Friday, 11/285:00-6:00 PM
Borders Super Store15575 Starfish DrPanama City Beach, FL 32413
(850)636-3181

Florida
Pensacola, FL
Friday, 11/288:00-9:00 PM
Barnes & NobleThe Cordova Crossing1200 Airport BlvdPensacola, FL 32504
(850)969-9554

Florida
Sarasota, FL
Friday, 11/287:00-8:00 AM
Books A MillionGulf Gate Mall6591 S. Tamiami TrialSarasota, FL 34231
(941)922-7804

Florida
Southwest Ranches, FL
Sunday, 12/7Church Signing
Abundant Living Ministries14221 SW 72nd StSouthwest Ranches, FL 33330
Phone TK

Florida
Tampa, FL
Friday, 11/289:00-10:00 AM
Inkwood Books216 S Armenia AveTampa, FL 33609
(813)253-2638

Florida
The Villages, FL
Friday, 11/2811:30 AM-12:30 PM
Barnes & NobleLake Sumter Market Square1055 Old Camp RdThe Villages, FL 32162
(352)430-3029

Georgia
Albany, GA
Saturday, 11/2912:00-1:00 PM
Books A MillionAlbany Mall2601 Dawson Rd, Ste 3Albany, GA 31707
(229)889-0507

Georgia
Macon, GA
Saturday, 11/29/083:00-4:00 PM
Barnes & NobleThe Shoppes at River Crossing5080 Riverside Dr.Macon, GA 31210
(478)474-0161

Georgia
Norcross, GA / Atlanta, GA
Sunday, 11/30Church Signing
Victory World Church5905 Brook Hollow ParkwayNorcross, GA 30071
(770)849-9400

Iowa
Cedar Rapids, IA
Thursday, 11/2012:00-1:00 PM
Barnes & NobleNorthland Square SC333 Collins Rd NE, Bldg 1Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319)393-4800

Iowa
Des Moines, IA
Thursday, 11/206:00-8:00 PM
Sam's Club ** Free Pass1101 73rd StDes Moines, IA 50311
(515)255-2252

Kansas
Kansas City, MO
Friday, 11/2112:00-1:00 PM
Rainy Day BooksUnity Temple On The Plaza707 W. 47th StreetKansas City, MO 64112
(913)384-3126

Kentucky
Lexington, KY
Tuesday, 12/22:00-1:00 PM
Joseph Beth161 Lexington Green Circle #BLexington, KY 40503
(859)273-2911

Louisiana
Bossier City, LA / Shreveport, LA
Tuesday, 11/2512:00-1:00 PM
Walmart Supercenter2536 Airline DrBossier City, LA 71111
(318)747-0173

Michigan
Birmingham, MI / Detroit, MI
Wednesday, 12/312:00-1:00 PM
Borders34300 WoodwardBirmingham, MI 48009
(248)203-0005

Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI
Wednesday, 12/37:30-8:30 PM
Schuler Books (Grand Rapids)2660 28th St SEGrand Rapids, MI 49512
(616)942-2561

Michigan
Lansing, MI
Wednesday, 12/35:00-6:00 PM
Schuler Books (Eastwood)Eastwood Towne Center2820 Towne Center BlvdLansing, MI 48912
(517)316-7495

Mississippi
Oxford, MS
Monday, 12/15:00-6:00 PM
Square Books160 Courthouse SquareOxford, MS 38655
(662)236-2262

Missouri
Springfield, MO
Friday, 11/214:00-5:00 PM
Barnes & Noble3055 South GlenstoneSpringfield, MO 65804
(417)885-0026

Ohio
Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, 12/25:00-6:00 PM
Joseph Beth2692 Madison RdCincinnati, OH 45208
(513)396-8960

Ohio
Columbus, OH
Tuesday, 12/28:00-9:00 PM
Barnes & NobleEaston Town Center4005 Townsfair Way,Columbus, OH 43219
(614)476-8480

Oklahoma
Edmond, OK / Oklahoma City, OK
Saturday, 11/2211:00 AM-12:00 PM
Best of BooksKickingbird Sq1313 E Danforth RdEdmond, OK 73034
(405)340-9202

Oklahoma
Tulsa, OK
Saturday, 11/227:00-8:00 AM
Barnes & NobleSouthroads Shopping Center5231 East 41st StTulsa, OK 74135
(918)665-4580

South Carolina
Aiken, SC
Saturday, 12/61:00-2:00 PM
Walmart Supercenter2035 Whiskey RdAiken, SC 29803
(803)648-9197

South Carolina
Columbia, SC
Saturday, 12/63:00-4:00 PM
Books A MillionHarbison Shopping Center275-1 Harbison BlvdColumbia, SC 29212
(803)749-9378

South Carolina
Greenville, SC
Friday, 12/56:00-7:30 PM
Costco1021 Woodruff RdGreenville, SC 29607
(864)297-2560

South Carolina
Rock Hill, SC
Saturday, 12/69:00-10:00 AM
Books A Million Manchester Village 540 John Ross ParkwayRock Hill, SC 29730
(803)985-5362

South Carolina
Spartanburg, SC
Friday, 12/58:00-9:00 PM
Sam's Club** Free Pass200 Peachwood Centre DrSpartanburg, SC 29301
(864)574-3480

Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN
Sunday, 11/303:00-4:00 PM
Books A MillionHamilton Village2020 Gunbarrel Rd, Ste 205-AChattanooga, TN 37421
(423)894-1690

Tennessee
Memphis, TN
Monday, 12/18:00-9:00 PM
Davis Kidd387 Perkins Road Extended Memphis, TN 38117
(901)683-9801

Tennessee
Nashville, TN
Sunday, 11/306:00-7:00 PM
Davis Kidd The Mall at Green Hills 2121 Green Hills Village Dr, Ste 281Nashville, TN 37215
(615)385-2645

Texas
Amarillo, TX
Sunday, 11/23Church Service
Address TK
Phone TK

Texas
Arlington, TX
Saturday, 11/225:00-6:00 PM
Costco600 West Arbrook BlvdArlington, TX, 76014
(817)417-1603

Texas
College Station, TX
Monday, 11/2412:00-1:00 PM
Barnes & NobleLone-Star Pavilion711 Texas AveCollege Station, TX 77840
(979)764-8955

Texas
Dallas, TX
Saturday, 11/227:00-8:00 PM
Borders10720 Preston RdDallas, TX 75230
(214)363-1977

Texas
Houston, TX
Monday, 11/248:00-9:00 PM
Books a Million (Pavilions Store)1201 Main StHouston, TX 77002
(713)353-5496

Texas
Killeen, TX
Sunday, 11/236:00-7:00 PM
Hastings Books2200 E Veterans MemorialKilleen, TX, 76549
(254)680-5313

Texas
Lubbock, TX
Sunday, 11/232:00-3:00 PM
Barnes & Noble6707 Slide RdLubbock, TX 79424
(806)798-8990

Texas
San Antonio, TX
Thursday, 12/112:00-3:00 PM
Barnes & Noble18030 HWY 281N, Ste #140San Antonio, TX 78232
(210)490-0411

Texas
Texarkana, TX
Tuesday, 11/255:00-6:00 PM
Books A MillionCentral Mall3501 Mall DrTexarkana, TX 75503
(903)838-3848

Texas
The Woodlands, TX
Monday, 11/245:00-6:00 PM
Barnes & NobleThe Woodlands Mall1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, #3008The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281)465-8744

Virginia
Arlington, VA / Washington, DC
Wednesday, 11/1912:00-1:00 PM
Costco, Pentagon City1200 South Fern StArlington, VA 22202
(703)413-2324

Virginia
Bristol, VA
Friday, 12/512:00-1:00 PM
Books a Million16700 Highlands Center BlvdBristol, VA 24202
(276)669-2115

Virginia
Lynchburg, VA
Thursday, 12/45:30-6:30 PM
Barnes & NobleWards Crossing4024-C Wards RdLynchburg, VA 24502
(434)239-8688

Virginia
Roanoke, VA
Thursday, 12/48:00-9:00 PM
Books a MillionCross Roads Mall1515 Hershberger RdRoanoke, VA 24012
(540)366-6682

West Virginia
Charleston, WV
Thursday, 12/412:00-1:00 PM
Books a MillionDudley Farms Plaza212 RHL BlvdCharleston, WV 25309
(304)746-2984

"Not The Future"

As could be expected, the Republican Governor's meeting was more disappointing than not,
merely an elaborate forum for presidential wannabees Perry, Palin, Crist, and Pawlenty to fight over media attention.

No one was able to offer any real explanation for John McCain's recent destruction. Governor Rick Perry of Texas blaimed it on earmarks. Governor Crist of Florida blamed it on those "divisive" social issues, and Governor Pawlenty, true to form, said it was all the fault of global warming.

However, some good did come out of the meeting, as the GOP governors refused to gather around Sarah Palin as the party's next leader, even if only to keep their own prospects alive.

As inexperienced and unsubstantial on the issues as she may be, Sarah Palin is still gearing up to make a run for 2012 and gaining the support of the GOP leadership would have been highly beneficial to locking up her wannabe status as the "heir" to John McCain.

Much of what Sarah Palin supporters cite as the reasons for voting for her President has little or nothing to do with sustantive issues. I do not feel compelled to vote for someone whose main qualifications, according to her backers, seem to be that she is woman and that she did not have an abortion.

This may be because her qualifications are so severly lacking.

Being governor of a state of 600,000 residents for less than two years does not qualify one to be President, much less the party nominee. Other than Governor, the only other job in which Sarah Palin served was as mayor of a town of 6,000!

No voter should feel confident in such an inexperienced person being chief-executive of one of the largest countries on earth.

Mike Huckabee was governor of Arkansas for almost 11 years besides being Lieutenant-Governor for two years, also. He is, by far, the most experienced of the 2012 Republican candidates and is just the man to run against the inexperienced and untested Obama. Fighting an unqualified president with an unqualified candidate such as Sarah Palin will not achieve the results that our party needs in 2012.