You know, we pride ourselves on our "long" history of freedom an democracy here in the U.S. The only trouble I see is an increasing inability to actually PRACTICE it! Here's a great example from GlenBeck.com:
What a Congressman Shouldn't Be!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thursday, September 3, 2009
When is Enough Enough?!
Well, it's been a little while since my last "rant," but it isn't from a lack of material! However, I read something today that simply finalized my opinion on Congress...
Congressman Rangel (who by the way is under an ethics investigation and has recently been reported to have given substantial campaign contributions to at least three of those on the ethics panel... hmm...) was quoted as saying "...there's just a misunderstanding, a bias, a prejudice, an emotional feeling." He went on to say that in spite of the huge uprising of angry Americans against Government healthcare plans, Congress needs to "move forward notwithstanding that."
If that isn't enough, he further explained that many Americans were angry with Obama and the healthcare reform because they are racist and hate a black man as President. Then he turns around and says this:
I can't think of but a handful of "good" representatives. In fact, a recent poll found that over 60% of Americans would be happy with throwing the whole lot out and starting over! Why? Because they have become a ruling class that is able to stay in power for generations on end! Senator Byrd from West Virginia was in office when my mother was in 1st Grade! Her oldest grandchild is now 15 years old and Senator Byrd is still there!!
WE NEED TERM LIMITS!
Forgive the long quote here, and I know it's a little hard to read, but please review what Thomas Payne wrote regarding representation in his famous paper Common Sense:
When will we wake up and realize that our form of government is not a guarantee or certainty, but requires continual education and respect for the fundamentals of libert?! We must begin reading more what our founders intended and understood to be the purpose and goal of good government. The following is a small list of suggested reading:
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers (not as flashy of a website)
Common Sense
John Adams (10 Volumes, but very interesting!)
Ok, enough for now, but do try reading up on our unique and (to be honest) miraculous history. Some great minds helped form this astounding experiment we call America, and it wasn't without world-wide shock, suspicion and consternation that we succeeded as much as we did. Let's not let the Old World and its "new" ideas finally win out in the "New World!"
Congressman Rangel (who by the way is under an ethics investigation and has recently been reported to have given substantial campaign contributions to at least three of those on the ethics panel... hmm...) was quoted as saying "...there's just a misunderstanding, a bias, a prejudice, an emotional feeling." He went on to say that in spite of the huge uprising of angry Americans against Government healthcare plans, Congress needs to "move forward notwithstanding that."
If that isn't enough, he further explained that many Americans were angry with Obama and the healthcare reform because they are racist and hate a black man as President. Then he turns around and says this:
Why do we have to wait for the right to vote? Why can't we get what God has given us? That is the right to live as human beings and not negotiate with white southerners and not count the votes. Just do the right thing
I can't think of but a handful of "good" representatives. In fact, a recent poll found that over 60% of Americans would be happy with throwing the whole lot out and starting over! Why? Because they have become a ruling class that is able to stay in power for generations on end! Senator Byrd from West Virginia was in office when my mother was in 1st Grade! Her oldest grandchild is now 15 years old and Senator Byrd is still there!!
WE NEED TERM LIMITS!
Forgive the long quote here, and I know it's a little hard to read, but please review what Thomas Payne wrote regarding representation in his famous paper Common Sense:
...that the ELECTED might never form to themselves an interest separate from the ELECTORS, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often: because as the ELECTED might by that means return and mix again with the general body of the ELECTORS in a few months, their fidelity to the public will be secured by the prudent reflection of not making a rod for themselves. And as this frequent interchange will establish a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this, (not on the unmeaning name of king,) depends the STRENGTH OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE HAPPINESS OF THE GOVERNED.
When will we wake up and realize that our form of government is not a guarantee or certainty, but requires continual education and respect for the fundamentals of libert?! We must begin reading more what our founders intended and understood to be the purpose and goal of good government. The following is a small list of suggested reading:
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers (not as flashy of a website)
Common Sense
John Adams (10 Volumes, but very interesting!)
Ok, enough for now, but do try reading up on our unique and (to be honest) miraculous history. Some great minds helped form this astounding experiment we call America, and it wasn't without world-wide shock, suspicion and consternation that we succeeded as much as we did. Let's not let the Old World and its "new" ideas finally win out in the "New World!"
Friday, August 7, 2009
So what about that 10th Amendment?
Ok, I have heard quite a bit from those saying I am just a little off in my understanding of the 10th Amendment. You know... the one that says:
Yes, well... I was growing weary of defending myself as a rational patriot/citizen of this great nation and thought that now that I had a bit of time I would do some research. Apparently few (if any) in Washington, D.C. have ever read the Federalist Papers! Of course, the trick here is I'm not a big fan of the Federalist Papers. Being a Jeffersonian, I would definitely fall more into the "Anti-Federalist" camp, but I figured if I was defending what we have, rather than what I think we should have, I should read their arguments.
I'm always hearing how the federal government needs to be so big and overreaching in our affairs. After all, it's a big country! "After all," they say, "the Tenth Amendment was only put there to remind the federal government that they did not have unlimited powers." No, not an exact quote, but I did have that very idea (in not the exact words) given to me not too long ago.
As you may already know, the Federalist Papers were essentially written as "letters to the editor" of various newspapers in New York state from 1787-1788. The intent was to convince the inhabitants to retify the newly proposed constitution by answering concerns about the powers of a centralized federal government. Most believe they were written by three prominant representatives to the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton (NY), John Jay (NY), and James Madison (VA).
So here is what I found in article #45, written by James Madison:
hmmm... Me thinks we've been sold a bill of goods over the past 50-100 years (or more!)
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Yes, well... I was growing weary of defending myself as a rational patriot/citizen of this great nation and thought that now that I had a bit of time I would do some research. Apparently few (if any) in Washington, D.C. have ever read the Federalist Papers! Of course, the trick here is I'm not a big fan of the Federalist Papers. Being a Jeffersonian, I would definitely fall more into the "Anti-Federalist" camp, but I figured if I was defending what we have, rather than what I think we should have, I should read their arguments.
I'm always hearing how the federal government needs to be so big and overreaching in our affairs. After all, it's a big country! "After all," they say, "the Tenth Amendment was only put there to remind the federal government that they did not have unlimited powers." No, not an exact quote, but I did have that very idea (in not the exact words) given to me not too long ago.
As you may already know, the Federalist Papers were essentially written as "letters to the editor" of various newspapers in New York state from 1787-1788. The intent was to convince the inhabitants to retify the newly proposed constitution by answering concerns about the powers of a centralized federal government. Most believe they were written by three prominant representatives to the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton (NY), John Jay (NY), and James Madison (VA).
So here is what I found in article #45, written by James Madison:
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State. (emphasis added)
hmmm... Me thinks we've been sold a bill of goods over the past 50-100 years (or more!)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Why Should Representatives Bother?
Reported on the CNSNews website and linked on Drudgerepot.com:
See the travesty here: "Did I say that outloud?"
See the travesty here: "Did I say that outloud?"
CNSNews.com
Conyers Sees No Point in Members Reading 1,000-Page Health Care Bill--Unless They Have 2 Lawyers to Interpret It for Them
Monday, July 27, 2009
By Nicholas Ballasy, Video Reporter
(CNSNews.com) - During his speech at a National Press Club luncheon, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Democratic Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), questioned the point of lawmakers reading the health care bill.
“I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill,’” said Conyers.
“What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?”
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The proposed healthcare plan in Congress right now is a beaurocratic nightmare. Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee have developed a chart showing just what kind of governmental disaster it would create. You haven't seen it in your mail, because House Democrats are refusing to allow their Republican counterparts to mail it to their constituants! Here's an excerpt from John Boehner's (R-OH) website:
House Republicans have a plan, as well. Click Here to see it!
Ref: http://johnboehner.house.gov/Blog/
The chart identifies at least 31 new federal programs, agencies, commissions and mandates that accompany the unprecedented government takeover of health care in America.
House Republicans have a plan, as well. Click Here to see it!
Ref: http://johnboehner.house.gov/Blog/
Friday, July 17, 2009
In Their Own Words...
Vice President Joe Biden has revealed exactly how the liberal Democratic party sees the current economic crisis. According to the VP:
If this is the way they view economics, maybe they need a refresher course... or maybe we, the American People, need to reconsider how fiscally responsible our representatives need to be!
To read the whole story:
CNSNews and FoxNews:Politics
‘We Have to Go Spend Money to Keep From Going Bankrupt’
If this is the way they view economics, maybe they need a refresher course... or maybe we, the American People, need to reconsider how fiscally responsible our representatives need to be!
To read the whole story:
CNSNews and FoxNews:Politics
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Freedom of Information Act Info
Ok, as we work to "help" government become more "transparent," some troubles may arise when requesting information. I am posting a link here to the Arkansas FOI act. Pay special attention to section (3)(A)(i) on page 7. Here are a couple of sections from it:
The link is: http://www.arkansasag.gov/pdfs/foia-ocr.pdf
(3)(A)(i) Except as provided in 25-19-109 or by law, any fee for copies shall not exceed the actual costs of reproduction, including the costs of the medium of reproduction, supplies, equipment, and maintenance, but not including existing agency personnel time associated with searching for, retrieving, reviewing, or copying the records.
(e) If a public record is in active use or storage and therefore not available at the time a citizen asks to examine it, the custodian shall certify this fact in writing to the applicant and set a date and hour within three (3) working days at which time the record will be available for the exercise of the right given by this chapter.
The link is: http://www.arkansasag.gov/pdfs/foia-ocr.pdf
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