Orlando Republican Debate

So what was different this time than from the last? Let’s see Perry got flustered when he was attacked by almost every other Candidate. Romney did look very Presidential and stayed on point which put him up by a few points but otherwise not much much was different but some things did stand out. First Herman Cain seemed to get a bit more time and he was on the spot on his answers. Next Ron Paul did say he’d eliminate the Department of Education (DOE) and that was echoed by several others.

Huntsman stepped up and proved he could play with the big boys. If there was a clear winner, and there wasn’t, in my never to be bias opinion he came close. He spoke of his foreign service, his desire to kill O’Bama care and on every question he was on point, actually quite impressive.  I especially liked his line: “The world is a better place when the United Sates is Strong.” Then there was his line that got a big applause from the crowd when he said; “…all I want at this point in history is for America to save America.”

Ron Paul’s supporters were all over the two conservative chat sites I was contributing to and they were pushing his numbers up on the informal pole and I did have to laugh when he said of himself that he was a “Top Tier Candidate”. He did say he would veto every bill that went against the 10th Amendment, which I don’t recall anyone else saying. And I did like his comment concerning Government Education when he said; “If you care about your kids you’ll get the Government out of Education.” There’s an old Communist proverb that says if you want to spread communism let the government educate your children.

Bachmann both during the debate and especially after the debate when interviewed by Sean Hannity reminded me of a concerned Soccer Mom rather than a candidate for President. She did have a few gotcha points like “closing the doors and turning off the lights on the DOE.”

Newt had one good memorable line when he said; “It is fundamentally wrong to give people money for 99 weeks for doing nothing..”

Herman Cain who won the Orlando Straw Vote did well when he took a shot at Romney when he said Romney was hooked on the current Tax Code and “That dog won’t hunt.” He did give a personal moment discussing his cancer and O’Bama Care.
Santorum reminded me of a man trying to grasp at a float ring while drowning in the ocean. He scrapped and attacked but made no real impression on anyone but himself. He does look like a good choice for VP especially when he spoke of education; “It is Parent’s responsibility to educate their children.” That only works for those of us who are in the minority who do. Most parents could care less and they treat educators like glorified babysitters.

In conclusion Perry seemed on the defensive, Romeny seemed polished and very Presidential compared to the field. Gov. Johnson in his first appearance spoke of his neighbor’s dogs making “shovel ready” jobs but otherwise I wasn’t impressed and other than Huntsman, Perry and Romney nobody really stood out for more than a single line or two. Politico and Newsmax are saying that Christie is being pushed hard to get into the race. As I’ve said before, the Conservative voters want someone to bring Nationalism or a sense of Patriotism back to our country and only Christie or Trump could do it. The Candidates on the stage did little to inspire anyone including the voters.

Doc

President O'Bama's Job Speech

Okay, he’s finally on TV for a legit reason…supposedly. In the past when the President wanted to speak to Congress on TV all he had to do was ask and everyone jumped to accommodate him. But now we have a President with such little credibility that he tried twice and then was deemed less important than a football game. Let me explain why…

1.  He wants regulation reform: Yet the EPA has filed suit against a farmer for polluting the air because his hay bales are NOT covered.
2.  He wants Tax Reform that has “everyone paying their fare share.” Well Mr. President, haven’t you ever heard of the FLAT TAX? But he put his statement in the form of Class warfare.
3.  “Every proposal” he says have been voted on by “both parties” but what are the proposals? All fluff but no substance.He’s giving us a “Jobs Bill” but not telling us what’s in it. Didn’t Nancy Pelosi do that when she said Congress needed to pass a Bill so we can see what’s in it? He’s giving us ice cream but not telling us the flavor.
4. He made a point of saying he wants other countries to buy “Fords and Chevys” however Honda, Toyota and Hyundai all build cars that are stamped “Made in the USA” however they don’t kiss the ass of the UAW (United Auto Workers), funny how he left out that little part.

According to Politico the price tag is $447 Billion that he says will be paid for but how? Where is he going to make the cuts or are we going to borrow more from China, wait, I know, we’ll raise taxes on the “RICH”. Remember they don’t pay their fair share, CRAP. I’m tired of paying not only MY “Fair Share” but apparently all of those who get their Income Tax BACK and an EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) which is money they DID NOT EARN from those of us who DID. Mr. President STOP trying to sell the same old snake oil, nobody wants it anymore. CBS said that “he didn’t say Stimulus” and they are right he DIDN’T however, now call me cynical but THAT’S what it SOUNDED like to ME! 

But hey, he’s a good Speaker and in 14 months he can go out and join other Past Presidents on the Speaking circuit.

Doc

The Politics of Debt and the Whitehouse

Okay, I've kept my mouth shut long enough, this is CRAZY! If you or that kook you're friends with thinks that we (as a country) would've been in the flush cycle of the toilet more than we are now if the August debt deadline hit you're in for a rude awakening.  I like the line Bill O'Reilly mentioned "He (the President) voted present." Yes he did and if it surprised you I'd be willing to bet you DON'T PAY INCOME TAX.  Most likely you get an EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) or money from people like my family because you're either not smart enough, ambitious enough or voted for President O'Bama and that sucks for the rest of us.  I  know it's Bush's fault, and I'm really a closet liberal...NOT! After 2.5 years in the job this economy belongs to the current administration.

Listen what ever happened to actual Capitalism? Whatever happened to the idea of letting the economy heal its self by deregulation and smaller government? Oh wait the terrorists who supported candidates who actually won are now in Washington.  You know those same terrorists who want a smaller government with lower taxes and Washington to pass a balanced budget amendment; the Tea Party.  If you read my earlier post you know that the FEA is taking a clue from us Party members by trying to understand how a grassroots organization can carry so much power? It's simple, the average American is neither right nor left but votes with their wallets or what is important to them not overall ideology. 

Now, and  don't faint, in defense of the President, Hannity and others have been asking why he didn't put forth his own plan,  well,  that's really not his job it's up to the Congress and then for him to say yeah or nay.  Now tell me the truth, with Harry Reid ready to table anything remotely objectionable, why would he put his neck into the lion's mouth? Harry is his white knight and this way he's NOT on the record with the election on the horizon.  

What we really need is the Tea Party and every other American to really put the hammer down and DEMAND the elected officials CUT the budget, ELIMINATE Regulations and CREATE a smaller government or they will be UNEMPLOYED. We each have a budget to live on so should Washington, it's just that SIMPLE. Oh and if you're wondering, there are some Tea Party members of Congress that will be voting for Tax INCREASES and watch how fast they'll be UNEMPLOYED after the next election.

Here's a thought, if Trump wants in the Presidential race; RUN AS A DEMOCRAT!  I'm not the first to mention it but there are other choices...Al Gore (Global Warming is Dead), Jessie Jackson (you know this one), Nancy Pelosi (she wouldn't like the pay cut), and everyone's favorite, wait for it,  Hillary Clinton (though she won't, if for no other reason because she doesn't want Bill to be chasing Whitehouse staff again).  I'm by far not the first to say this but it's worth speculating and maybe someone out there has enough Testosterone to take the nomination away from O'Bama, what  do they have to lose? Socialism  DOESN'T WORK just ask  Spain, France, Italy and especially Greece. 

Doc

Florida Education-Support Staff-Tallahassee

I had recently had the opportunity  to join with other Union  Reps at a conference of Education Support Staff in Tampa.  It was about information to take back to the members and non-members at our work sites and act as a forum to discuss our concerns, share our stories (both successes and failures) and realize that we are NOT ALONE in our desire for better conditions and pay.  Now let me say up front that I  have been to a few others and at NO TIME have they ever made me, a Conservative,  Republican, Tea Party member feel welcome.  This time was DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT and I'm proud that they finally opened their arms to be more inclusive because, though we may be in the minority we can't afford to alienate ANYONE.

Now here's where I get to tick  off some  of you who may read this,  oh well get over it, this is how I see it and if you don't like it put your head back into the sand.  The overall appearance and feel of this and events like it that I've participated in are not much different than the Sales Seminars that I once went to when I was in the business world.  It was a lot of how to recruit, keep and convince others  to join our cause.  It had motivational speakers, a rah rah party called "Fun Night" (which I'll  discuss in a moment) and the opportunity to network with ideas, stories and concerns.

For those  of you who don't know, didn't think about it or just didn't care the term "Support Staff" refers to anyone  who is NOT either an actual Teacher or Administrator (in some capacity) or other Supervisor like the Superintendent etc.  These people are often Paraprofessionals (a teacher without a degree or the pay that goes with it); Bus Drivers; Secretaries; Cafeteria Workers; Maintenance / Custodial Workers or anyone that supports the day to day school your child attends.  If you don't think they're needed think about what would  happen if they,  not the Administrators or the Teachers didn't show up just  ONE DAY.

1.  If your child makes a mess  who would clean it up?
2.  Who will hand out supplies  to the younger  children?
3.  Who will answer the phone or make sure your concern is directed accordingly.
4.  If the toilet overflows,  who will  clean it up?
5.  When the teacher has to exit the room who will watch and care for them?
Wait, NONE of the above would  ever happen because there would  be NO BUS DRIVERS to pick them up so all of this FALLS ON YOU!!!

These people,  some  with advanced degrees,  do this EVERYDAY your child is in school and yet YOU, YOUR School Board and Legislators want to treat them like second class citizens.  Often times they must work  2 jobs because the County pays them almost minimum wage.  So you ask "why" would they do this? Even my wife says  "They made that choice." Yes they did and be VERY THANKFUL that they did make that choice.  I DARE YOU to just try and do their job and no you wouldn't do it for the pay and lack of benefits they get...at least NOT here in Florida.  The FEA, their Union, does their best to make life just a little bit better for  them by fighting Tallahassee on a daily basis but most of these people  make  so little they can't afford the dues to become members.  So when it comes  to contracts and RESPECT for their contribution to YOUR  child's  education they are often forgotten or overlooked.   They have families and lives also, just like YOU and THEY ALSO  PAY TAXES AND VOTE! It is time they are recognized accordingly by YOU!

Okay I got your attention, now there I  was sitting back in the seminars and I listened and interjected when and where I could with my take on things from a Conservative point of view.  Unlike some of the participants who were also Conservative, I wore it on my chest and dared anyone to confront me.  Whether they could or couldn't, many found me  to be exactly what they assumed a Tea Party member would be; arrogant and egotistical.  Sorry to disappoint them but there were more than just me there and these quiet members are probably their best friends.  I just hate being a lemming and I'm not afraid to engage, if I was I wouldn't be doing this blog.  Now since I'm on the "engaging" rant let's go back to "Fun Night".  Oh boy, skits and songs, not unlike a Pep Rally complete with roasting the enemy team, in this case Gov. Rick Scott, who many in the room voted for but they'd never admit it.  I listened for a few moments then walked out,  it was INAPPROPRIATE and in POOR TASTE.  As I said we can't afford to alienate ANYONE and this did it and so I left, leaving my Song Book behind, darn.  The funny part is that I was joined within a few moments by one of my liberal friends who agreed with me.  For as much as I dislike President O'Bama, if I was trying to rally "Activists" against him, I certainly wouldn't do it in such a way to belittle those who may have voted for him, but hey, that's just me.
Oh and there's something I liked that came out of this adventure.  Someone in either the FEA or the NEA or somewhere came up with the thought to replace "Volunteer" with "Activist" and I  find it PERFECT! Someone who knows who came up with this, let everyone else know whose idea this was so they may be thanked.  Anyone who is fighting for a cause is an Activist and though they may Volunteer their time they aren't volunteerists  (is that even a word)?  Another thing that I really liked  was the "Inclusion Theme" wanting to make the  Conservatives  feel welcomed, except for "Fun Night".  When I as at earlier events they were hard on or even condesending toward Conservatives but not this trip.  I know I  said it before but this was really exceptional.  They, the Speakers and Organizers,  went out of their way to even mention that there were Republicans who voted in our favor and Democrats who didn't; BRAVO!

So, now that I'll  come  off my soap box, do I think these junkets are important, YES! Times are tough all over but these people do something very special, they take care of YOUR  KIDS, stop allowing them to go  UNNOTICED, UNAPPRECIATED and especially UNDERPAID...odds  are your paperboy makes more  money and yet can he write a lesson plan, comfort an autistic child, control 20  or 30 children on a  bus or  maybe answer the phone,  schedule  students and call down a teacher all at the same time...CAN YOU!  Would you  make sure a child  has lunch money when you know you may never get it  back and yet that same  money may have been for an afternoon coffee from 7-11,  (they often  can't afford Starbucks).  Would YOU clean up the  vomit or  the blood from a child, not your own, as if it were just another day at the office? Would YOU buy classroom materials with money that was supposed to pay a bill just because you're classroom kids needed them?  These people do this EVERY DAY, WOULD YOU! Next time you see someone from your school, thank them but more than that write, call and lobby your local and state legislators to stop making budget cuts from those who can least afford it and who do a most important job, they CARE FOR YOUR CHILD!

One last thing, print this and give it to a friend, neighbor, or better yet your School Board and Legislator.

Doc

NASA - SHUTTLE REMEMBERED

So it's over, the Space Shuttle now goes down in the history books.  We all have our memories of the shuttle and what it meant to us as a Nation and I am no exception.  So lets take a walk down memory lane.

I was very young when I heard about the "Race to Space" and JFK talking about a Man going to the Moon.  We all thought it was science fiction because that's what was in the comic books and in the movies at the time; though the Russians has just launched Sputnik.  We had Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers to fuel our imagination but now here was our President saying we were going to explore the stars.

Then I watched John Glen outside of his capsule which wasn't more than a ballistic missile with a place for humans in the nose.  But with television we also got to see when the 3 parachutes opened and it landed in the Pacific Ocean, WOW!

I was watching Star Trek on our RCA XL100 the only neighborhood color TV and I wondered what was next.  I didn't have long to wait as we landed Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface and a Princeton Professor by the name of O'Neil calling for a space station and the L5 Society saying "L5 in 99"; (L5 or Lunar 5 is the spot between the Earth and the Moon best suited for a space station...I think the current one is about there right now.

There were movies like "2001 A Space Odyssey" and something on the drawing board called the Space Shuttle.  I was fascinated and so I joined the Navy as an Aerospace Medical Technition and was trained in the same facility where research went on to explore the effects of outerspace on the human body.  Soon NASA rolled out the very first Shuttle and used it as a test vehicle; it's name, "Enterprise", how appropriate.

Soon shuttle flights were common and they got little press coverage.  We as a nation were thrilled with something called "ISS" the International Space Station and the Shuttle was the workhorse to supply it.

I was fortunate enough while doing my Reserve time at Cecil Field Physiology Unit to tag along on a behind the scenes tour of NASA Operations to include an up close view of 2 of the Shuttles, the Assembly Facility, the research area for the up-coming Mars Mission and talk with the people involved.  The tour was right after the Challenger disaster and the Flight Surgeon, who was our guide, explained the changes in safety protocols that had come out of it since the days of Gemini, Apollo and now the Shuttle.  Yes, we had many set backs and I got to see the pad where the Gemini Astronauts perished in a ball of fire and pieces of the wreckage from Challenger that they were still looking over.  I held in my hand the ceramic tiles that cost so very much and had caused so many headaches both on the ground and in space for the shuttle crews. 

Still, it surprises me when Senator Nelson a former Astronaut, that NASA is now on hold and the only place we can dream is either from other countries like France and Russia or in the movies.  Our current President and obviously Senator Nelson feel NASA and the dreams of little boys and girls wanting to be Astronauts means nothing for our future.  Someone needs to explain that to me, didn't they watch the movie "October Sky"? I guess not.  For those of us who have memories of all of the short-lived NASA experience, we will continue to dream.

Doc

Debt Ceiling & Government Spending

Okay, if I'm an alcoholic and I keep escalating how much I drink until I run out of money suppose I cut back on my eating so I can spend more on alcohol.  That makes sense right? Wait, I'll stop my son's allowance therefore I can spend that on more alcohol.  Oh I just got a raise at work but I've already just boosted my money allotment but hey now I can get more.

That's where we are with the Debt Ceiling.  Though we make cuts we will still spend more on whatever, just like an alcoholic or drug addict would do.  Though we cut in other areas the spending continues if we raise the limit.  Suppose we I didn't get the pay raise? The cuts I've made would limit me and make me prioritize where I spend the money I'm now saving.  President O'Bama says we "may not have it in the budget" to pay the military and elderly.  Wait a moment, wasn't the Social Security money supposed to be in a "lock box"? Oh, no, as of LBJ's administration it's now part of the General Fund and we now have Illegal Aliens that collect from Social Security; explain to me why?  Next instead of cutting back on things like entitlements, though they also need to be modified, how about the screwy things that get funded.  Here's a few I've heard about over the course of the last few months...look them up and please verify the dollar figure.


$1,000,000.00       A study on the penis size of homosexual men.

$4,000,000.00      2 women wanted to teach men in Africa how to use condoms.

$750,000.00         A study by a University of Oklahoma student who is looking at
                            Grandparents and their relationship with their Grandchildren.

And the list goes on and on go ahead and Google them.  I have several websites that I look at each day and they're loaded with these things.  Hey how about a High Speed train that would go from Orlando to Tampa in the same amount of time as you can drive it...yeah it seems it never ends and yet we want to allow the President to spend more? Are you out of your mind.  Didn't we vote new members in because we've HAD ENOUGH of this crap? Maybe I missed the point when we become Greece with a total breakdown of all services and our country goes bankrupt because they forget that we only have a finite amount of money in the world and our pockets.  Somebody explain this to me, PLEASE! As I said in an earlier post, Sarkozy is taking France kicking and screaming into a Market Economy and away from Socialism.  When those who drain the economy rather than contributing to it outnumber the producers we're doomed...oh wait they already do! STOP THIS MADNESS! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Marco Rubio is right, "we don't need more taxes we need more Tax Payers." Spread out the tax burden and cut this "garbage" spending.  Have a "means test" for those collecting government checks and NO Illegal Aliens.  They're ILLEGAL and therefor have NO rights and contribute NOTHING.  Maybe they should return to their former country since they send so much back and I see flags flying from those countries not our flag.  And I'm NOT talking about the Germans or the Norwegians when I'm talking about illegals.  That's a whole new set of issues and I'll address it in another post.

So call, write or somehow get in touch with those knuckleheads in Washington DC (not the Washington State) and tell them ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Doc




                             

Who Cares?

This could be entitled Rants and Raves but that title has be long overdone so I ask again; "Who Cares?"

First off Libya and I ask "Who Cares?" and why exactly are we there? Several years ago we showed Madman Khadafi that we could get at him when we took out his son and other members of his family so he's kept a low profile.  There was no love for the Taliband in Libya but now there's potential for them to gain a foothold in Libya and get this, with our help; oh the irony of it all.  Somebody needs to explain to me  exactly why we are dealing with the Madman and his Civil War.

Next, Mitt Romney's thorn under his saddle Michele Bachmann.  The Tea Party's golden child and seemingly and possibly actually more right than Romney, which isn't exactly hard to do; didn't Romney say he believed in Global Warming? Okay, she's getting the hype in the polls and she is Conservative but I said it before and I'll say it again; so this is what a beauty contestant does after she looses or gets too old.  As a member of the Tea Party and self-proclaimed political junky, I just don't find ANYTHING Presidential about her.  Of course I'm the one who said O'Bama didn't have a chance against Hillary.

Then there's Pawlenty, I know who? You remember the guy who wouldn't take Romney to task during the New Hampshire Republican Debate.  Yes he's incredibly qualified to be President and he does has the look of a President...confident, regal and yet there's something about him that just doesn't sit well.  He  trails in the polls and no amount of morning news shows can seem to help him with that; I caught him on the Today Show and I'm still unimpressed. 

Lastly I have a few brief thoughts to throw out to all of you and see what actually sticks in your minds.  Why doesn't Herman Cain get more media time...he's not a politician and that's suppose to be a good thing.  He actually ran a successful business and now he's trying to run the country; why not?
What is Trump doing right now? Is he just sitting back and yawning like the rest of us waiting like a viper ready to attack at just the right moment?
When will we find out if the former Hottie from Alaska is going to get into the race? Oh for those of you who aren't as shallow as myself, I'm talking about Sarah Palin.
And what exactly did the release of the oil from the Strategic Reserves do for us...as expected, NOTHING.

Doc

Guns and the ATF

Andrew Traver who is being touted by Newsmax as President O'Bama's choice to head up the ATF is being blocked, thankfully, by the NRA.  He is the current head of the Chicago office of the ATF is by all accounts ANTI-GUN.  According to the Newsmax report he was involved with the "pro-gun control International Chiefs of Police" and is a "favorite of the gun-control lobby".  Just what we need another Czar, only this one who is in a real position of power, who has Socialism as his mandate.

For those of you who think guns need to be ripped from honest, law-abiding citizens think about this one.  If I'm a criminal, yes I know some of you think I am anyway, and I want your money or your life there are other ways than a gun to get it from you.  I have to wonder how many people are currently acosted by claw hammers or knives or whatever is handy.  Some time ago there was a report that a man killed his entire family by taking a hammer to each of their heads while they slept.  Yet we don't ask people to register their hammers or lock them up.  Get this and yes I know you've heard it before; Guns Don't Kill People, People Do! If EVERY gun manufacturer goes out of business criminals will find something else to use but maybe more brutal.  Owning a gun comes with responsibility, just like a car...oh yeah cars kill people also, and using it to kill is a choice.  But that means we have to hold the individual responsible for their action which we don't do anymore.

Am I member of the NRA? NO! But I do support many of the ideas they put forward, their right and when they are wrong I let them know.  They are the only group out there trying to keep your Right to Bare Arms a reality going against our current President and his minions.  Where's Charlton Heston when we need him.

Doc

Coal

I recently commented on Politico about the useage of coal in this country as an alternative to other energy sources.  In Politico they talked about Jay Rockefeller (D) WV wanting more money invested in coal production and looking at "Clean Coal" and that is great, we should invest, in my never to be bias opinion.  The US has roughly 27% of the World Coal Reserves according the CIA-Factbook and the USGS.  Now that's not to say many other countries don't have coal, many do, in fact coal makes up 29% of Australian exports and Russia has reserves of it and many other resources but getting at it in eastern Siberia is another story.  We have a similar problem with getting at one of the 2 basic types of coal, Anthracite.  Anthracite (hard coal) is harder than it's cousin Bitumious (soft coal) and is usually mined by tunneling whereas Bituminous which is often strip-mined.  Anthracite is close to being considered "Clean Coal" (though there isn't really any such thing as clean coal) since it burns hotter and little is wasted compared to Bituminous.  The trouble with Anthracite is that it is so very hard so when miners are creating the "Gangway" or main tunnel, they often encounter gas or worse, water.  The mountains of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York are loaded with gas and underground rivers.  When I was a teenager there was a major mine accident when a mine was flooded and only one miner survived by crawling up an air shaft. 

As a child whose father spent 36 years of his life underground mining Anthracite in Central Pennsylvania I know a little bit about the topic.  I know what it is to live with family members with "Black Lung" (coal dust that enters the lung tissue) and grow up playing in the coal dirt.  I lived in the county where the Molly Miguires took on the mine bosses and were subsequently hung for their desire to create a better life through a Union.  My father swore he'd never follow his father into the mines but when his brothers were off fighting in WWII and my Grandfather took ill he had no other choice.  He did however make it so that none of us, his sons, would ever have to do the same. 

President O'Bama has seen to it to make "Coal" a "Dirty Word", pun intended.  Yet coal is one of our nation's biggest assets.  Wyoming is the largest producer of coal in the US and some of the World's largest coal mining facilities are in the western states of the U.S., according to the ETA (Energy Information Administration).  Japan is the World's largest improter of Coal and 2nd only to the US in oil imports as they have no natural resources to power their economy.  How many jobs, that we so urgently need right now, is the President going to eliminate? And what will that do to our Trade Deficit? Oh, it's dirty and it's not a "Green" energy source.  I'm sorry wasn't the idea behind the creation of the DOE (Department of Energy) to make us Energy Independent? I guess somebody should inform President O'Bama.

Senator Rockefeller, thank you for standing up for your constituents and helping to make us Energy Independant with the help of COAL!

Doc

Boeing vs Labor Unions

Now listen I'm a Union Rep but I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS!!! Actually yes I do and this is so wrong on so many levels for the Unions.  You don't make points with non-union politicians or potential members by denying people jobs in South Carolina.  Doesn't anyone realize this will only make things worse for unions across the nation? Jobs are jobs and if the unions want to make a statement change the laws in South Carolina making it better for unions to exist. Taking a company to court over establishing a facility in a "Right to Work State" is only going to HURT EVERY OTHER UNION!!!

In the current economy we have a business that is tired of fighting the unions that are currently at their location and so they're going to open a facility in a state that DOES have unions but with limited power.  How short sighted are these knuckleheads in Washington State? And they don't think this won't feed into what is happening in Wisconsin? Are they that that power-hungry? Hey, this isn't the 1950's and it's certainly NOT Detroit back in the 60's and 70's; we live in a different time and that's why we have Auto companies like Hyundai building plants in Alabama.  Jobs are scarce and yet the Machinist Union, amongst others, says Boeing can't put people to work in South Carolina; brilliant, good move.  Who's idea was this someone sitting in a limo on his way to the Ritz-Carlton for a Union Brunch on the dues of the members?

I may be a Union Rep but I'm not stupid, you have to promote a positive picture for people to follow.  Let Boeing build the plant and then quietly give the sales pitch to the employees on the benefits of joining the union you're pushing.  At first there's little to no power, fine, but after some political wrangling suddenly South Carolina has gone from NO POWER for UNIONS to LIMITED to whatever the public will allow.

In the end BAD public opinion will do more damage than the Courts and unless the Union changes it's sales technique their demise is on the horizon.

Doc

New Hampshire Republican Debate

CNN hosted the New Hampshire Republican Debate with only one flaw, the 30 second format.  The moderator John King was excellent in his role; I can't believe I'm saying something good about CNN.  This was more along the line of something Fox News should've done, whereas I could see a Democratic Debate on CNN.  Anyway I not only watched it and "Anderson Cooper 360" right after but I also DVR'd it for review.  What I present is a run-down of each of the Candidates and what I took from their appearance.  Just in case you don't want to read on, I must agree with the masses that Romney WON and actually looked Presidential with Bachmann a distant second but I'll expound on each below.  Though King gave Pawlenty every opportunity to throw Romney under the bus he didn't bite and the group went after O'Bama and his policies rather than each other which I liked.

Santorum:  He was informed (as they all were) but very charismatic and young. I found him looking like a teenager trying to talk about adult topics.

Paul: Though he wanted to talk about his topics he showed his knowledge of the Constitution. The biggest problem with Mr. Paul was his age; he looked like he was a walking corpse.

Gingrich:  Wow, he needed to step up and stand out and he did.  If I was going to pick a 3rd place winner it was him.  He stuck his neck out on Immigration and Muslims and that takes...ah. I didn't see a down side to him except he could've been more passionate.

Pawlenty:  I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch him or wash my hair; I'm folically challenged. He wasn't excited or exciting to watch or the least bit Presidential. Boring is an understatement, how did he get elected Gov...were the voters that desperate?

Cain:  Everyone else could've taken a page from him on issues except for hiring a Muslim.  I would've like to hear more from him as he did push the fact that he's NOT a politician.  NewsMax called him "the GOP's version of Harry Truman." and I must agree.

Bachmann: So this is what a former Beauty Pagent contestant does years later, sarcasm.  How many times did she say she has 23 Foster Kids? Why do we care?  So she announced she was running for President during the debate, well it's about time.  She did educate us about her and her resume' wonderful.  She showed she was informed and passionate but she's NOT Presidential; VP, YES!  Watching her the next morning on one of the morning shows didn't help her and though she's now out of Palin's shadow she doesn't have the self confidence like Palin does.

Romney:   I'm not a big Romney supporter though I liked him better than McCain and last night he   looked Presidential last night.  Informed, Charismatic, Broad-shouldered and seasoned.  He was the ONLY one who and I haven't heard ANY media hack commenting on it..."I can't wait to debate him." referring to a debate with President O'Bama.

So there you have it, each did well but some did better.  I'm still not wild about the group as a whole but some were better than others.  There are 2 potential Presidents standing on the stage...Romney and Cain with Pawlenty the long shot.  One has NO SHOT...Paul.  Cain, Santorum, Backmann and Gingrich would all make good VP's on a ticket but that depends on demographics.  A nominee normally picks someone from a different region of the country to help unify or bring in a state that they may need so don't discount Rubio being on the short list.

After last night here's some combinations that may work, notice Backmann and Santorum are NOT listed as the Nominee...I just don't see it happening and I don't see women's group coming out to support Backmann which is a shame.

        Romney / Backmann             Cain / Santorum                
        Romney / Cain                       Cain / Bachmann
        Romney / Rubio                     Cain / Gingrich

Just my opinion...go ahead and quote me on it.

Doc

Herman Cain: Can He Deliver?

Okay it was a pun...the lowest form of humor but if there is someone out there who doesn't know, Mr. Cain was once the CEO of Godfather's Pizza.  He made an appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show last night and he did look polished and informed with the one exception when Bill asked him  about Iran's nuclear program and the "bomb".  Mr. Cain decided to talk about putting pressure on us buying oil from them as the way to crush them having the finances to pay for it.  Ah, Mr. Cain, when you don't know something say so and don't try to blow smoke up our ass, there are enough politicians who already do that and we get bloated.  We account for less than 1% of our oil from Iran but England,  Germany  and other European countries get a whole lot more.  If you don't want to talk about the topic say so but that was just ignorant and beneath you.

Here we have a REAL Businessman who understands budgets, payroll and I think he would have a realistic grip on our declining economy.  The Media couldn't use the Race Card since Mr. Cain is  Black and he's well liked in Conservative circles so he has a real shot.  He has recognition not only as a CEO but also with his radio show and more so as a fill-in for Neil  Bortz on his show.  Neil is a definite asset as are  all his corporate friends but more than that, he appeals to a broad group of  voters who are tired of the standard "I want to be President" politicians.  He told O'Reilly that he would "lower taxes" not unlike what JFK and RR did when they took  office and he's right in the respect that the government will have more money than they do now with all the taxes they levy.  Had O'Bama done this, learning from the past, we'd be much better off and he'd be looking at another 4 years.  Something else he would do is cut the Capital Gains Tax to zero, though O'Reilly argued this with him Mr. Cain is correct that there would be billions of dollars, if I remember correctly, that is invested overseas coming back  to us and reinvested here, thus government would be raking  in more tax money from  more people  being employed by business that are making money.  He understands Reagan's idea of "Trickle-Down Economics"; remember poor people DON'T MAKE JOBS!

One more note, who would he pick as a running mate? Rubio? Probably not since Cain is a southern guy and it would be preferable to pull in a name from either the Northeast or the West.  Giuliani, wouldn't run in the second seat and though Michele Bachmann would be a good choice I  think the best fit would be Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania.  This brings in the business faction from the NE, he's white (if that matters) but more than that he's young  and attractive...women voters can be as shallow  as men and he's  loaded with charisma that Mr. Cain is in desperate need of for the ticket.  Oh and that mob, the Tea Party would get behind him since he's a big Fair Tax Plan kind of guy, wonderful.  I know I'll now probably be audited by the IRS for  saying that, oh well.

Just a last note: Mr. Cain find someone  who can bring you up to  speed on Iran  and International Affairs.

Doc

Weiner Blows It

So I took a shot but who hasn't at this guy by now? I know a former Gov who can thank Congressman Weiner for taking him off the front page of EVERY news report.  I have a thought; Congressman, DO NOT RESIGN!!! The comedians, talk show hots and anyone looking for a joke NEEDS YOU!

Was this stupid? YES!!! Did it help  deflect attention from the President trying to put a positive spin on negative employment numbers? YES!!! Though I have to wonder would  a certain woman be alive if Ted Kennedy sent her a text rather than giving her a ride? Come on, he's sexting to an attractive woman when he's well, homely looking; Congressman, she's not that desperate! Call me shallow, oh wait, I'm a guy, so I guess I am but this guy must have had his parents tie an expensive steak around his neck to have the dog play with him.  It must be his power, he's not that popular; wait he's friends with the Clintons, maybe that counts for something.

We have to pity his wife some say.  No we don't, she's as unattractive as he is, they belong together and  please don't swap DNA, ugh, too late but maybe it's not his.  I must admit I finally liked something Harry Reed said...when asked what advice he'd give the Congressman if he called; "I'd tell him to call someone else." You go Harry.

So what should the Congressman do in my never to humble opinion? Take one for your President and stay in the spotlight.  So long as you're getting the attention his dismal policies aren't making news.  You gotta love the Social Media.

Doc

Palin for President?

Why is Sarah Palin traveling the country in a bus? Is she just looking at the sights that make our nation great? Sure, she's showing the kids this incredible nation but wouldn't an RV be more appropriate? Her bus isn't standard fare but more  like something from a reality TV show, for God's sake it's advertizing her travels, not like the Media isn't doing that as well.  As I said in an earlier post, she's polarizing most voters either lover or hate her with very little  in between.  So here she is stopping at patriotic sights like Gettysburg with an army of press behind her.  For a woman who says she's not running for the Presidency she making all the right moves to do just the opposite.

Can she raise a ton of money? Yes.  Can she excite the base of the Conservative/Republican Party? Oh without a doubt.  Can she make the news EVERY NIGHT!!! Do you really want me to answer that one? The Media is glued to every moment of her life but not in a positive way...not since Dan Quayle has the Media looked to see a politician screw up.  Why she even gets more press than Congressman Weiner's ah, texting pictures.  The other candidates that are currently in the race fear the fact that she may decide to enter the run for the Presidency while one who isn't in the race, Trump, sits back and I'm sure is chuckling to himself.

Recently a caller to Sean Hannity's show said the reason so many women, specifically, don't like her is that she's a 10.  The caller went on to explain that here you have a hot looking woman who is a political power broker with kids a wonderful, attractive husband and no real skeletons in her closet.  Guess what the caller may very well have been right.  The only remote thing that tarnishes her is her daughter's ex-husband and that's not Palin's problem, remember there have been other family problem children...Reagan  and Carter both come to mind.

So the bottom line, should she run or maybe could a better question is could she beat O'Bama? I would answer it this way, a marginal YES.  But only if she can get the larger Republican and Woman's vote which she currently just doesn't have yet.  I think with just those two factions behind her it would be a landslide.  Now do I believe she'd make a worthy President? Now that's easy...YES! She's intelligent, savvy and has guts...hell she has bigger balls than most everyone of the guys currently on the hill.  With her it would be a black and white issues and once she took a stand she's going to own it, not pass it  off.  I guess we'll have to see what happens.

Single Issue Voters

I recently spoke to a young lady who, though we talked about many topics that we agreed on she said that if a candidate, especially for President, didn't meet her criteria for a "Social Conservative" she said wouldn't feel right about voting for them. 

That made me wonder something and look at my own situation for I'm more about houw much a candidate is willing to allow me to keep in my wallet than how many marriages they have had or what they believe on issues like abortion and immigration.  What if we, the Conservatives, had a Republican candidate that inspired us on so many levels but sucked at business affairs? Could I vote for him though his may have had issues with private companies going bankrupt under his command? Could I support a canidate that thought finance should be left up to a few advisors rather than his own lack of experience? The short answer is maybe.  I know that's not what I'm supposed to say but it goes deeper than that. 

This young lady doesn't like Trump because he's filed bankruptcy, more than once, but she didn't trust someone with that kind of record in business.  Okay I'll agree that's a bad thing, unless you understand he's come back and made billions in spite of the bankruptcy and there's different levels from regoranizing to selling off personal assets.  Oh but he's been married more than once, (on a Social Conservative level) so what? He's over 21 and has grown children, why is there a problem? And for the record I'm not happy that Newt found his current wife while he was still married to his now exwife but I do like his books.  Ronald Reagan was married once before but he has been held up almost as a Saint to Conservatives everywhere. 

It's like this, give me and the rest of Americans a Candidate who stands up and says; "I'm tired of being put down because I'm an American.  If you don't like me TOUGH! We are the best at EVERYTHING...just TRY and compete." I want someone to make me feel proud when they walk off Air Force 1 and don't bow to some other world leader...they should be bowing to us and thanking us for keeping them from some oppressor or conquerer.  I want someone to make hard choices and stand by them, NOT appologize for making them and we Americans will step up and deal with it.

Whether Social or Fiscal Conservative if that one or more issues keep you from throwing out the current occupant of the White House you're no better than those people who voted him into this temp job. Take a candidate who inspires you on some level and go with it.  We Conservatives have deep-rooted principles that guide us but in the grand scheme of things we MUST advance and keep this Country and Capitalism from disappearing and we do that with our vote. When we do that Krushchev will have been right..."We need not invade, they will do it to themselves."

What we need is not a Candidate but a Patriot.  Someone who is willing to take on the hot issues and those we know will hurt not only him but all of us.  We need someone with a "take charge" attitude and yet mostly we need to stand behing this person an support them, not only with our votes but with our actions and our deeds.  I still believe that Nationalism without Capitalism is a doomed America as I know it and I would ask our Candidates to consider the following quote...can you back it up?

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." John F. Kennedy

Doc

Palin & Trump 3rd Party

Somebody needs to explain to me why the Republican Party can't put up a candidate that stimulates the electorate? Then here comes a pizza shared by Trump and Palin, WOW! Mr. Arrogance and Ms Demure talking about...what? Trump said on today's Sean Hannity's show it wasn't about either of them running, okay but with the Media frenzy that covered it, you couldn't have planned it better.  Someone on the Today Show made the comment that other candidates couldn't have spent enough money for that kind of press coverage. 

Why did the Media cover this? Simply put both are power brokers and they both polarize voters, good and bad.  Many see him as a winner, risk taker and NOT a politician while those same look as her as the most fomidable woman since Margaret Thatcher.  On the other hand he's looked as an egomaniac and she as a wanna-be power broker while only being a mother and wife.  I know "she should know her place" some are saying.  Where are the women's groups that should be pushing her to run and how about the pro-business groups pushing him? Do they want another 4 years of what we currently are dealing with in Washington? I know everyone is afraid that the Media will crucify them...so? It's going to happen anyway so tell them to "take their best shot" and step up.  The late-night comedians would have a blast with them and again...so what? Publicity, good or bad is still Publicity .

Could they create a 3rd Party? The simple answer is YES! Now that being said it leads only to hurt the GOP.  Hannity pointed out that Reagan said that we should "revitalize" the current party rather than creating a 3rd party and again he was right.  Hard-liners will stay with the nominated candidate while the reformers will jump to the new pairing which will lead to an O'Bama win...which is what the Media and the left would love to see. 

Here's a thought; if the Republicans don't put up a strong candidate as they did the last time with McCain we'll get O'Bama for another 4 years anyway.  Romney is as close as there is right now in electability but even he doesn't have the charisma O'Bama has and he knows how to use it.  Trump obviously isn't thrilled about the current group as was apperent from his comments on this morning's Fox & Friends and Hannity's show; guess what HE'S RIGHT!!!

Who is out there who could energize the GOP? It can only get worse from here.

Doc

Florida T.U. Explains Mayoral Defeat

So let's see, he didn't attend Civic Group functions; he didn't hand-hold the Lt. Gov Jennifer Carroll and he didn't do enough televised debates; so did I hit the big ones that the Florida Times Union put out on the front page of the Sunday paper. 

How about the fact that like Bill McCullum he thought he was chosen one? How about the fact that he didn't have a vison on where the city was headed? Maybe he just took Republicans and Conservatives for granted that we wouldn't vote for a young black man? Here we have a guy who didn't want to debate the issues, didn't seemingly want to do anything but take our money and say it was his turn and he expected to get our vote? Note to Mike Hogan...whatever it's like to live in your world isn't reality.  I know you've been pulling a paycheck from us the voters for 20 years and so it seems you thought we'd allow it to contine when you didn't even ask us for our vote.  Here's another note, your Grandchildren are cute but ineffective or did you get the idea from that miserable excuse for a Toyota Dealer? If you're wondering who I'm talking about that's for another day though I'm sure he's making big bucks as was Mike Hogan since he pulled in over a third more than Mayor Elect Brown too bad he didn't bother to turn that into votes.

You know, that sounds pretty nice; Mayor Elect Alvin Brown, don't you think Mike?

The Time Union compared Mr. Brown to a former candidate Mr. Glover who, though he had name recognition just couldn't get the white, conservatives and Regan Dems to swing his way...here's the reason...his message! Glover wasn't interested, or seemingly so, in the old white parts of town. Mr. Brown not only was interested but went after our sense that things aren't right witht he city every part of it and told us how he wanted to fix or at least try to start the process.

I give the Times Union credit, not only did you back the winner but then you rubbed salt into the wound by explaining why Mike Hogan lost.  I guess you guys won't be on his Christmas card list this year.

One more item...Mayor Elect Brown, just because you've been given our vote doesn't mean we're blind and won't remember your platform, word for word, so follow through or if Donal Duck runs on a Disney (Mickey Mouse) platform he'll be the NEXT Mayor.

Doc

Netanyahu KO's O'Bama

It was counter blows and most of all, it was his stately, "I'm a real leader" presence that had even the hardest left-wing O'Bama supporters standing and applauding his speech to the US Congress today.  Though President O'Bama has called for Israel to pull back to 1967 borders Prime Minister Netanyahu has said, with the conviction of a man pushed too far, a resounding "NO." that echoed throughout the House chamber.  He spoke of his nation being a free land but he wouldn't allow borders to be drawn that would make it so narrow that the Washington beltway was wider. 

He spoke of giving up land to create a home for the Palestinian people but not one that was armed or ruled by the hand of Hezbolla  or as he called it "the Palestinian Alqueda." Furthermore he said they must be disarmed for a missle launched by the Palestinians would only allow for a sixty-second response time to find shelter.  He asked if the members our Congress would  want to live like that? Obviously not.

On Sean Hannity's radio show many of his callers  were  saying that here we have a leader and would it be possible to have Netanyahu run for President on the GOP ticket? I too have to wonder whatever happened to the patriotism  that we once had? Whatever happened to the Candidates who spoke of  National Unity and Strength? Have we grown into a country that only has sheep for leaders? When did we forget that Pride in one's own Country is a Good thing? And I can hear it now, "Oh but we must be understanding." CRAP!!! How did that pacifism work out for Neville Chamberlain. Leo Trotsky and Jimmy Carter? I seem  to remember Hitler just moved on into Poland,  Stalin exiled and then killed Trotsky and it was the threat of Ronald Reagan becoming President that freed the hostages.  Maybe "Cowboy Diplomacy" does work after all.

Here is a nation that is surrounded by people who's sole goal is the eradication of them from the face of the Earth.  To finish what Hitler and others had started but they face it with attitude and defiance  as if to say..."bring it on" and that takes something that seems to be lost here in our nation; Courage, Faith and Conviction of Principles.  Our next President or those who want to be the next leader of the free world,  should watch PM Netanyahu and emulate his, Courage, Faith and  Conviction and then maybe we could be a true Super Power again.
               
                                                 Netanyahu 1       O'Bama 0

Doc

The O'Bama Israel

Apparently President O'Bama has his own idea of what Israel should be...maybe in the back of his mind the word is "Extinct"!  He wants the only TRUE ally we have in the Middle East to disappear, oh but slowly, one mile at a time.  Where else in the center of a city, the corner of a nation or the entire world is a small group fighting for their existance while all those around them are looking to cease that existance?  Somebody please enlighten me on this one.

Ed Koch was quoted on Newsmax recently as saying..."“This is the most dangerous and critical period that Israel has ever faced and regrettably it does not have the support of the President of the United States.” Here's a Leftwing Liberal who probably has NEVER voted for a Republican or even a Conservative in his life considering switching parties over President O'Bama's policy toward Israel and albeit me to agree with someone so far left but I do, he's right.  If a Republican would take a stance like this I'd vote for the Democrat, Independant or someone other than the Conservative.

I've been to Israel and for all the guns floating around every corner these people love life and liberty, sometimes more than Americans do I think and they guard it with a passion.  These people treated me, a military member, like I was back in the states; I even had one family inivite me to dinner to show their appreciation for just being American.  Now I don't know ANY other country where that would happen even here, though I'd like to believe it would.

Israel has stood behind us, supported us, as we have them but they've also taken heat when we had our hands dirty, they were the ones who took the blame.  Who goes against loyalty like that? Oh our own President O'Bama, that's who.

He's appologized for us being the last Big Kid on the block to ALL of the Middle East and so throwing our actual friend Israel into the volcano of Middle Eastern Hate doesn't surprize me.  And the people in Deleware tell me Biden would be worse, HOW?!!!!

So in the next election he may have gained the Illegal, I mean Mexican Border Crosser, vote but he lost every Jewish-American Democrat, Republican or Independant vote.  Oh yeah and those who support our relationship with Israel, though we weren't going to vote for him anyway.

After the most recent events in the whole of the Middle East and OUR President's continuous poor policies regarding the region I have to wonder, will Israel exist if President O'Bama is reelected?

Just asking the question.
Doc

A Highschool Education & Reality

The reality is, not every child is going to learn in school.  I personally know of a first year teacher who is not interested in teaching because the Guidence Department, his Supervisor and the Parents want him NOT to fail a student who is doing just that, FAILING! The teacher says the student does “Nothing” in his class but he’s being pushed to give him passing grades as to move this kid through the system.  Wonderful, that’s terriffic no wonder our kids graduate and can’t read or do basic Math.  The kid is LAZY, borderline a thug and his Parents think it’ll effect his self worth if he doesn’t pass his Math class.
To all parties involved…MOVE TO MEXICO! If the kid wants to be lazy fine do it somewhere else…okay maybe FRANCE; though Sarkozy won’t necessarily like that one and the parents probably won’t pay for the airfare.  It just gripes my butt when this happens and the Teachers get the blame for this LAZY, UNMOTIVATED and UNINVOLVED student with parents on the same level.

Here’s another one that I heard from the mother herself…”Black children just don’t learn or take tests like normal children.” Get this, mother and son are BLACK and she’s in the Education system in Florida.  Hey lady your kid either steps up or he can go sweep out the restrooms or do the dishes at Micky D's, though he may be underqualified since he can’t learn like other kids…WHAT OTHER KIDS! Are you saying black people are inferior to other kids? Let’s see I seem to remember some quite intelligent black people or haven’t YOU ever heard of President O’Bama, Colin Powell, or Herman Cain? I guess you didn’t learn about them either.

When do we stop dumbing down the qualifications to graduate High School? When do we stop working with the lowest common denomination and set the bar higher; MAKE THEM STEP UP or FAIL!  You might be surprized how few will actually fail.  Kids and adults achieve as our expectations of them are set.  If you want someone to achieve you must understand they either take what you say as the truth or they cast it off as a challenge to their ability either way it works.  Hey I hear they need people to pick oranges in Florida.

Doc

Jacksonville's New Mayor

So we waited and Jacksonville has a new Mayor Elect Alvin Brown.  I can't pick them all but this was I did, okay it was a 50/50 shot and I chose the better of the 2 for the sake of Jacksonville.  There are those celebrating the first black man and a Democrat; doesn't that mean he's an O'Bama wanna be?  No, it  doesn't mean anything other than he rode the Democratic ticket.  My wife, a registered Democrat, often makes  me  look like I voted for Hillary Clinton so the moniker here  in the south means nothing.

Congrats Mr. Brown now go out and do what you campaigned on to  make us Conservatives vote for you...Lower Taxes, Less Government and you taking not only a pay cut but NO Pension. 

Doc

French Politics

Now before you think I sound like Oliver Stone, just consider the following scenario.
Here we have a the head of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) who is both the potential front-runner to challenge Nikolas Sarkozy for the position of President of France and a known womanizer.  Just to be clear France is going back to a Market Economy with Sarkozy either pulling the plug or slowly eliminating many government programs that are sinking the French economy.  And who appears on the horizon but a challenger that is a hard-line Socialist and would cancel many, if not all, the reforms Sarkozy has implemented. 

On a given night recently this Socialist is doing what he's known for, aggressive sexual encounter with a member of the hotel staff who actually presses charges and suddenly others have come out and are filing suit against him.

How convenient that the one man who could defeat Sarkozy is suddenly at Ryker's Island rooming with the best scum New York City can incarcerate.  Maybe, just maybe he picked on the wrong woman, a New York girl or maybe there's a bank account in a place of her choosing compliments of Sarkozy's long arm; though I'm sure he has enough layers between him and the incident to deny anything like I've just presented. 
You  don't get to be President, even of France without knowing how to dodge a few landmines, especially when you're trying to save your nation  from economic failure.
Doc

Jacksonville Waits

So the citizens of Jacksonville, Florida await word of their new Mayor.  Early on Mike Hogan was ahead by such a margin that many of his supporters left his campaign early...to bad they didn't stay.  Sometime before ten the numbers suddenly got a whole lot closer...three votes separated the candidates but Hogan was still  in the lead but the lead was cut to just 3 votes with 98% reporting.  It looked like everything hinged on the absentee ballots and  those who had voted at a different precinct other than the one they were registered.  Then just after 11 that night the final 2% reported in and suddenly Alvin Brown was now in the lead with 614 votes.

Here we have Hogan supported by the Tea Party, raising almost twice what Brown has and yet these candidates are a handful of votes apart.  Could it be that the Tea Party picked the wrong career politician? Nah, they wouldn't pick a 20 plus politician to back, or  would they? They did and he's on the edge of losing or sliding by with a win.  Maybe the voters know something the Tea Party doesn't, Jacksonville deserves better and they just might get it.

Doc

Trump! Gingrich! & Huckabee!

Wow, Trump is out and Gingrich is in? Who decided this one?
Though I like Newt I loved Trump.  I know some of you think he's a big glory hound and ego maniac but that would apply to most of our past Presidents; oh and our current one.  I seem to remember President O'Bama as a Hollywood celebrity with his face plastered everywhere...didn't Lenin and Mao do the same thing? Okay, cheap shot but honest.  Hey, I stir the pot whenever possible.  Now I'll be accused of camparing the President to the other Communists but realize it's only on a celebrity level; President O'Bama's policies are more Socialist than Communist but with FLAIR.

Gingrich I don't understand...I've heard about going center for the general election but for the Primary? Did I miss something or is he pulling a McCain? O'Bama care is workable on a State by State level according to what I heard him say on Hanity's show today.  Didn't somebody get into trouble with his own plan by the name of Romney? Maybe I missed the part where Capitalism florishes under mandated healthcare.

And then there's Reverend Huckabee or whatever his title is these days.  A nice, straitght forward good old boy who's about as exciting as watching cement dry...though I must admit President Carter would make Huckabee look like a member of Run DMC.  Carter's early photos looked like ads for the ADA (American Dental Association) and he did have a brother who made life interesting for the Govenor and later President.

Come on Trump what's a little $60 mil when you're running for President? (Thanks to Newsmax for the info). Your son Don could do the job and NBC would only have to spend, say $48 mil to get him; okay that's a guess.  You finially stood up and allowed some of us to believe in Nationalism and Patriotism rather than wondering who is going to make us appologize for being the last Big Kid ont he block.  Oh well, I'll have to keep watching Apprentice and wondering "what if" as I get underwhelmed by what is currently on the Republican ticket. 

Oh and a note to contender Ron Paul, get some tanning gel you look more like a zombie than a Presidential Candidate.  Lest we forget that during the television debates with Nixon and Kennedy; Nixon looked washed out while Kennedy looked Presidential even though his message was weak and Americans are shallow.

Doc

Deer Conservation?

I was recently talking to a hunter and former sporting goods dealer from Pennsylvania and I discovered something quite interesting...the hunters and PETA have a mutual enemy, Automotive Insurance Companies.  It seems the deer herds from Maryland to New York are dwindling except in the extremely remote ares of the states due to one common item, salt. 

Now what does this have to do with the AIC's bringing hunters and animal rights activists together? Well deer like salt and during the winter when the state has ice on the roads guess what they like to use to on the roads? That's right SALT!  So here we have a volatile mix of deer on slick roads and drivers not being able to stop.  Guess who ends up forking the bill for this one? EVERYONE!!! Oh the insurance companies would like nothing better than to see every deer eradicated while hunters and every animal rights groups want to see them flourishing so who gets in the middle the Sate governments.  This former small businessman and many like him wanted to stop selling doe licenses thus allowing the herds to grow so what does, specifically the Pennsylvania Game Commission decide to do? They threatened the store owners with pulling their ability to sell ANY license including fishing, trapping and others as well as flooding the market with doe licenses the following year through Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shops etc.  This man and many like him packed it in and hung up his rifle knowing he couldn't fight the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

I don't begrudge any company from making a profit but I'm also a hunter and a conservationist, as most hunters are but this is a travesty of political proportions.  I recommended that this hunter and those who he knows should start a campaign to combine their efforts with those of groups like the NRA and PETA (never thought I'd put those two in the same sentence let alone as allies) and toss out those in the state capital of Harrisburg who supported the insurance companies.  But alas the hunter is old and had neither the time or the resources to pursue this avenue though he did like the idea.

This is the problem with the voters today in general, they are but sheep waiting to be slaughtered.  How does that old quote go; "For evil to flourish all that is needed is for good men to do nothing." Apathy is the road to an end of things as we know them.  The northeast is loaded with good men and women, all interested in saving the whitetailed deer population even if the dollars of the insurance companies are being stuffed into the pockets of the respective game commissions.  If only there was a group that they could fashion themselves after that has made a difference in elections as a grass-roots orgainiztion; oh there is the Tea Party. 

The bottom line is this, yes insurance companies are allowed to make a profit but not at the expense of a species being brought to near extinction in areas where they once were as many as the stars in the sky.  When men hunted with their sons and daughters in the bitter cold of a snowy morning.  When a couple who have not hunted for venison in many years watch as the deer eat apples beneath the tree in their yard at dusk.  Or the children afraid in their summer night beds as they hear the snorting  of a deer beneath their open window.  This is one area where profit must be second to that of the future good for all people.

Doc

Jax City Council District 6 (Mandarin)

Here we have two men that, on the surface, appear both equally qualified and questions exist about each candidate.  Jack Web who voted for higher fees and thus raised the amount of money we pay in taxes though they called it a "Fee" not a tax is the incumbant while Matt Schellenberg is the challenger.

Jack came on the scene carried by Mandarin residents in a close race but in the end Jack won the spot and has done well for Mandarin.  Is he perfect no, oh well, look in your mirror and see imperfection but he's got carrisma and is always willing to seize an opportunity.

And then there's Matt Schellenberg a Businessman / Minister and that right there makes me a bit nervous but the fact that he's an unknown entity in political circles bothers me.  Okay I know what he wants to do but his web page reads more like he should be running for Mayor than for City Council

So who do I like here? Jack Web without question.  Now the why is simple, Jack has a history, both positive and negative but when you talk to him he's willing to say what he got right and what he got wrong.  I have been playing the political game for a very long time and I can't recall the last time I talked with any politician who admitted he made mistakes and would change something if he ever had the opportunity to do so.   This is not to say Matt isn't a good man, I believe he truly is secure with himself but in my never to be bias opinion, maybe he should help out with a campaign or two, stepping out to help others before he decides to step up.

Jack has always been available whenever I've called his office and I never feel like he's using his office as a stepping stone to a higher office.  Though I must admit that if he should seek higher office and take what he learned here, well, Jacksonville and all of Florida would benefit.

This is going to be a close one but my money and efforts are going with the integrity and experience of Jack over maybe and we hope he's this or that of Matt.  Anyway I would ask you cast your vote for Jack Webb.

Doc

Bin Laden Photos

Here we go again, he's not really dead, it' someone else, the pictures are fake.  I know and these are the same people who believe JFK and Marilyn Monroe are living together in a small town in Iowa.  Or maybe the same ones who don't believe we went to the moon or that Hitler trying to exterminate the Jews was made up to make him look bad to the rest of the world. 

Whether the pictures are released or not makes no difference, he's DEAD! Thank you God and the Navy Seal who fired the shot.  Now, Sean Hannity does make a good point; if we post the picture with a comment like; this is what we do best...take out Terrorist!, then maybe it's a good idea. Oh and I have news for those who say it will incite violence...WAKE UP!!! These lunitics don't need a reason other than we are AMERICANS! They don't care what color we are or our religion, we're Americans and that makes us EVIL in their eyes.  Let's see, a photo that they really don't believe is their supreme leader, will encite violence...oh wait TOO LATE!!! Didn't Presidnet O'Bama say he was sorry to eveyone in the Middle East and oh yeah the Far East and I'm sure there had to be others so why can't we just all get along? It's simple, they HATE US!!! Accept it, this is the world in which we live.  Either they are eliminated or we are and I most certainly vote that they are elimiated by whatever means are available. 

Oh and if you want to know about waterboarding or other forms of torture just ask anyone who spent time at the Hanoi Hilton or a military fighter pilot; they'll tell you it's quite effective.

So do we publish the photo's? Who cares, do it or not Bin Laden is DEAD and some other lunitic is going to take his place and plan something horrible and that's the facts.
As I said in an earlier post, enjoy the moment, it isn't going to last.

Doc

Canada Goes Conservative

Just when you'd think we're setting the standards for the world the world is changing and leaving us far behind.  The United States of America, the world leader in Greedy Bastards; that includes anyone who wants to win the Lotto or actually work for it, is trailing in Capitalism.  Yes now even that bastion of Liberalism who took our Contientious Objectors to the Viet Nam War. is a majority Conservative nation after recent elections. 

I was shocked when the Donald Trump of France, President Nicolas Sarkozy, proposed sweeping changes that would turn his country from Socialist to Capitalist but now Canada? Why next thing you know the First Lady will allow her husband to eat at Burger King, nah. 

So what does this mean for us? Simple businesses here in the States will be moving to a more "business friendly" atmosphere north of the border and I don't blame them.
Ford already makes cars and trucks up there and they produce more oil for us than any other nation; over 50% of our imports.  I'd be willing to bet you didn't know that one, did you? It's in the DOE (Department of Energy) annual report but I forget the exact figure.  Oh and if you're going to curse or boycott or threaten companies that leave don't bother, you have nobody to blame but yourself for electing the spineless leaders we have in Washington.  Oh and business can do it without fear of retalliation from our government because of something called NAFTA, a Bill Clinton item that I actully like.
Hey, I wonder how property values are in Canada?

Doc

Bin Laden

He's DEAD! Yep, he's Tango Uniform (toes up) or in his case he's being recycled in accordance with Earth Day.  Like that did you?

I listened to the President and for the first time in 2 plus years he not only sounded like a class act but he actually presented a  Presidential air about himself.  For a few brief moments I was actually proud of him being my President.  He had the testosterone flowing and made the call to take OBL out which the Navy Seal did as requested.  BRAVO to you and your fellow warriors, impressive.  He ran but he couldn't hide forever and finally he's now doing something useful, feeding the fish.

The true question is what's next? Will someone take his place? Yes! Who? Now there's the rub, nobody knows because everything I know and everything I hear from my sources says there will be a power struggle between several factions.  My guess is the seat of power has now moved to Yemen since Gaddafi isn't an option for a home base.  Now to  throw something else into the mix what does this mean for Iran? They've been using OBL as the big terrorist everyone was looking for but now they may be under closer scrutiny and they're well aware of it, so look for them to keep a low profile for a few months while the crazies that belonged to OBL fight it out and plan on their retribution toward the U.S.  My guess is that things will happen quickly as I'm sure one of his Captains will pull something to show his power and his rightful position as the terrorist head.  I still think if we would've kept him at Gitmo and then pick off his followers as they tried to land in Cuba in an attempt to rescue their leader, but this works as well.

So for a few days or weeks, enjoy the moments, trust me when I say it won't last.
Oh and will all of the jokes floating about I have to wonder, did God specify what creature the 21 virgins would be, use your imagination but they may not be human females.  I guess he's found out by now.

Doc

Rising Gas Prices & Florida

I sent this idea to one of the Legislators in Tallahassee though it may have fallen on deph ears so I'm putting it out here for all to see.  How do we combat high gas prices and still remain the vacation capital of the world?

1.  Repeal the State gasoline taxes and promote that nation / world wide thus bringing more tourism back  to thestate which keeps us from having a State Income Tax.   Oh and lets make it for say only 8 weeks; the last 2 weeks of June until mid August and promote it heavily.

2.  Demand drilling permits from the DOE for close shore drilling which will do 3 things.
     a.  Futures markets drop at the prospect of new drilling and the price drops.
     b.  Closer shore drilling is less of an enviormental hazard because shallow water is easier for repairs.
     c.  OPEC gets scared and produces more thus also lowering prices. 

Just to make you think.

Doc

Kate n William

Okay I must admit to watching at least some of the ceremony and a bit of the before and after actually not by choice that was the major news story of the day.  Did I care, sort of and since this is a political site I'll explain why it did hit a cord with me.

First I was anxious to see if Kate was going to look as if there was a gun to her head like Diana did on her wedding day.  Kate looked excited, in a very British way, seemingly having a dashing good time.  William was scared and excited, all at the same time, as a guy I recognized it on his face. 

Now here's my take on this whole thing...we're one step closer to William becoming the next King of England.  Oh I know someone reading this is saying but what about his father Prince Charles? Yeah, right, the Billy Carter of Buckingham Palace.  Chuck has never been the golden child of his Mum's and was much more a problem especially when he started dating Camilla while both she and Chuck were still married.  Now, according to British Law or should I say custom the Monarch can choose who is crowned unless sudden death of a Monarch happens and then the heir apparent would be, in this case Charles.  However, in this specific situation Queen Elizabeth is in pretty good health for 85 and so she, at any moment, could abdicate to anyone she desires. 

So lets see, Charles is a headache for his mother and she loves her grandchildren much like she loved their mother Diana.  Somewhere deep in her heart I know she loves her son but she also loved her daughter-in-law and hated what he did to her so why not, and her it comes, bypass Chuck and turn the crown over to her grandson and his wife?  I don't believe William would turn it down though out of respect for his father he probably would argue just a bit with Grandma.  So there it is, the handwriting is on the wall, Prince William is now married to a wonderfully proper British young lady and my guess would be within the next 3-5 years, sooner if her health declines, William will be crowned King.

Here's a piece of trivia for you...Windsor is NOT the original family name, what is it?  Saxe-Coburg but was changed to inspire Nationalism and separate George V's family from that of the German Kizer during WWI.  Oh and why didn't Queen Elizabeth's children take their father's family name? For that matter why didn't the Queen take her husband's name? It's simple, this was the easy way to keep the family dynasty intact.

Doc

Positive Feedback

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the kind words, oh and the disbelief, in me actually creating a Blog.  Google's step by step walk through makes it easy, however, the content is mine, obviously. 

Though some of you have disagreed on the topics I've written so far and I'm sure there are more to come with what I'll be posting next; I do appreciate the encouragement.   As I said in "Up and Running" this isn't for everyone but hopefully I can make you question and think before you vote.  I guess you could say I'm an Educator; imagine that?

If you're here for the first time "Welcome" now sit back, read, learn and discuss politics with me, it's all up to you.

Doc

Jax Mayoral Race

Okay here we go, so hang on to something.
First off, to cut to the meat and bypass the fat (reasons) why...I support Alvin Brown.
Yes I know he's a Democrat so what? If you don't want to read any more fine but now for the fat.

I've watched the Debates and I've read everything I can find on both of them and I can't seem to get passed the fact that Mike Hogan looks like some old guy who just wants to keep his job while Alvin actually has a vision for the future but willing to wait and fix things until we can afford to get there.  Mike just doesn't seem to put forth any vision past today.

Next, yes I know Alvin wants to make cuts including to his salary (which Hogan won't say he'll do) and yet speaks about creating government panels; will they be paid positions?

Alvin is young, polished and though he spouts Moran's name (didn't she come in 3rd?) and that of former Sherrif Nat Glover he still seems to be fiscally conservative whereas Mike lacks enthusiasm for anything other than reaching for his Ensure.  Listen, I'm old but even my 87 year old father has more energy than "old Mike Hogan".

Somebody give me a legit reason to "like Mike" as I can't seem to find one.
Alvin may be a Dem but, and maybe I'm absolutley wrong, I don't think the moniker of "Liberal" goes with it.  He "seems" to be a Reagan Democrat, God I hope so.

Doc

Trump

Okay, Donald Trump IS most likely going to run for President, get use to the idea.  Didn't the press laugh when an Actor decided to run? It seems he was a joke until he won and took Tip O'Neil to the mat on many issues.
Listen here's the bottom line...he's bringing back Nationalism, Patriotism and a sense of Right and Wrong to the minds of us Producers.  Those who don't pay taxes or keep putting their hand out won't vote for him, that's fine they normally don't vote anyway.

He is a success story and NOT as a Politician and that's refreshing.  He's NOT Ross Periot; Trump has a personality and a pulse.  Does he change his mind? Yes, but even Reagan was a Democrat at one point in his life.  NOBODY one either side is taking the President to task, are they afraid? He's able to see what's wrong and NOT CARE who he's irritating, I also like that in a Candidate.  He's arrogant, egotistical and has a colorful past...and who doesn't? Could JFK get elected today? Why do you think Ted never ran, was he afraid of the potential assassin or of the press from a certain woman who ended up in a river coming back to haunt him?

So does he run? God I hope so! Now who does he run with?
Several choices come to mind.
1.  Romney:  A political insider and overall a good choice.
2.  Huckabee:  A bit too religious for the Independents to bite on.
3.  Palin:  I really don't think she will, though she'd be a good fit for several reasons.
4.  Someone Else? Any thoughts out there?

Up and Running

This was the request of many who I discuss politics with on a regular or semi-regular basis and those who may not know me at all.  I am an old guy who's looking to get the word out about both Candidates and Issues in everything from Local to National arenas. 

I am a Conservative, Tea Party, Reagan Republican who believes in Nationalism and tired of apologizing for being the Lone Capitalistic Super Power.  At the same time,I am a long-time Union Member and a local Rep for my school; there's a quandry for you.  I vote for the Best Candidate not the Party they belong to.  I'm not a single issue guy but rather I look at the big picture before I support someone.  I have definite likes and dislikes about our Country and the people we elect to represent us.  I listen to Hannity, Bortz and Limbaugh though I  most often agree with Bortz; scary isn't it?

Don't come here looking for someone to hold your hand and sing with you as we drink fruit juice.  I pose hard questions that the media won't or can't for fear of retaliation by an Elected Official...did they forget we put them there?  Argue with me, please, I'll  listen and maybe, just maybe I'll agree with you. 

This site is for Patriots not sheep.  For activists who actually VOTE and not for those who just complain when their check isn't in the mail.  It's up to you to make me think and it's my job to make you want to think, otherwise you could go to one of a thousand other Blogs.

Next step...what's coming up? TRUMP?