Saturday, June 11, 2011

Qoute of the Day

“Furthermore, the mightiest military alliance in history is only 11 weeks into an operation against a poorly armed regime in a sparsely populated country – yet many allies are beginning to run short of munitions, requiring the U.S., once more, to make up the difference." -  Secretary of Defense Gates in at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, blasting America’s European allies for lacking the military resources to carry out the Libyan intervention they so ardently sought.


 

Gov Perry Likely to Announce Soon

With the implosion of the Gingrich campaign this week Texas Governor Rick Perry is said to be likely to announce soon. Now that his political wing men, Dave Carney and Rob Johnson are freed up and headed back to Austin. Gov. Perry would be the Tea Party favorite. He is the anti-establishment republican candidate verses, the current front runner, Mitt Romney the classic establishment candidate. Gov. Perry would be a good contrast to President Obama. Gov. Perry is known as a straight talker. He does not hold back. He will tell you like it is. While President Obama tries to nuance and pars every word and statement. Obama will say one thing one day then the next day have his spokesman tell you something different. This coming announcement of Gov. Perry is what the republicans needed. This will add the excitement and give the primary voters some clear viable choices. We will now have two and possibly choices, Romney, Pawlenty, and Perry, who could actually have a chance at beating Obama is 2012.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Why are Gas Prices so HIGH? - Part 2 - Obama's Energy Policy to Blame

Why are gas prices so HIGH? Is Obama's energy policies to blame? Yes in large part President Obama's energy policies are a big culprit in the current energy problems we are having as a nation. People say that Republicans are the party of big oil because they want to keep the tax incentives for the oil companies. Well  losing those incentives will not cause the oil companies to lower the price of oil. The Dem's are playing a game of bait and switch. They know their policies are in large part to blame for the high gas prices so they are trying to create another issue to switch the public's attention away from them. Those incentives the oil companies have are the same ones all U.S. manufacturers have. They were put in place to encourage the growth and expansion of U.S. domestic jobs. If we remove those incentives those domestic American jobs may move off shore, but the Dem's wont mention that fact!

No the real culprit and cause of the high gas prices is his eminence Barack Hussein Obama. He would rather buy oil from foreign countries like Brazil and subsidize them for doing it. Then to subsidize American oil companies for drilling here. The President has just handed over $2 billion in American taxpayer money to Brazil's government owned oil company for them to produce oil for U.S. consumption. So let me get this straight, President Obama is for subsidizing Brazil's oil company, but he is against subsidizing America's oil companies. President Obama says we need to get off foreign oil, and then he gives $2 billion to Brazil so we can buy oil from them. Mr President oil from Brazil is still foreign oil! The Dem's see no problem in subsidizing Brazil's oil production but it is the worst thing in the world to subsidize America's oil companies.

Yet another factor in high gas prices is President Obama's draconian moratorium on off shore drilling. This has crippled domestic oil production. One of his first actions as President was to cancel 77 energy leases. President Obama has cut new energy leases in the U.S. by more than 60%! As a result of this baffling policy we have fewer American jobs, less domestically supplied energy and we now rely even more on foreign oil. Great job Mr. President, I say that very sarcastically. Also in addition to the above mentioned acts of this President he has also created a massive and hostile regulatory environment.

If the President would get rid of the hostile regulatory environment, and start issuing leases at a fast pace again. The big oil companies would reinvest those huge profits right here in America. That would create thousands of American jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But instead thanks to Obama' energy policies the big oil companies are looking outside of the U.S. to invest their record profits. These Obama policies make it harder for the 'little guy' to make it. Yet the Dem's cynically profess to be on the side of the 'little guy'. I think Obama's Energy Secretary summed up his energy policy the best when he said "Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe." Well Mr. President we are almost their.

Related Posts:

Why are Gas Prices so HIGH?
Obama the Red Tape and New Regulation President
Obama Encourages Brazil to Drill for Oil

Quote of the Day

"the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"  -  Benjamin Franklin  -  June 28, 1787

Monday, June 6, 2011

Quote of the Day

"Freedom is the natural condition of the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live. Those who fight the purpose of the Almighty will not succeed. They always have been, they always will be beaten."  -  President Abraham Lincoln

Union Violence

The big labor unions are resorting to intimidation and in some cases violence to keep up or hide their corrupt practices. Just last month the New York Daily News reported that a small group of union whistle blowers and members of the Communications Workers of America reported a time sheet padding scheme. One of the whistle blowers was beaten so severely by a union thug he suffered two herniated discs and had to undergo knee surgery. Another whistle blower found a dead rat in his locker along with a note saying he would be "taken care of". Yet another whistle blower stated he was told: "If I continue to complain about their finances, they would have me killed." The sad fact is nearly everyday union workers face death threats, harassment, vandalism and bodily harm if they dare defy the dictates of union officials.

Union bosses and official think they are above the law thanks to the notorious Supreme Court Enmons decision. For decades union bosses and their underlings have committed thousands of reported incidents of violence, extortion, vandalism and even murder. Ever since the Supreme Court's infamous 1973 Enmons decision, union bosses have been granted immunity from prosecution for acts of violence and vandalism they orchestrate in the so-called "pursuit of legitimate union objectives." This Supreme court decision has effectively tied the hands of law enforcement officials and allowed the Union bosses and their hand picked 'enforcers' to use whatever means necessary to achieve union goals. There is a movement out to end this outrageous loophole. It is called the Freedom From Union Violence Act. If you are interested I would suggest you contact your congressmen and Senator and urge them to support this act.

Related Post:

Union Death Threats in Wisconsin

Sunday, June 5, 2011

92% of Americans still believe in God

92% of Americans still believe in God according to a recent survey by Gallup. That is just down slightly from when Gallup started asking the question back in the 1940's. The percentage drops to below 90% for easterners, liberals, and the 18 to 29 age bracket. No surprise that less liberals than conservatives believe in God. A belief in God among conservatives is almost universal. Below is the chart from Gallup with the break down among the different groups:


I am not surprised by these results, in fact I am encouraged so many people still believe in God in America. That means there is still hope for our country.

Unknown Space Station on Mars?!


David Martines says he discoverd a "space station" on mars. What do you think?

Quote of the Day

"Nonviolence in the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence."  -  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Union Death Threats in Wisconsin!

There are reports of union death threats to Wisconsin state legislatures that voted against union interests and with Gov. Scott Walker. "We will hunt you down . . . slit your throats . . . drink your blood. I will have your decapitated head on a pike in the Madison town square." Those are the words of a union militant aimed directly at a Wisconsin state legislator for daring to vote to restrict Big Labor's forced dues control over Wisconsin state workers. That is just going too far. For this person to threaten an other's life over whether a union can force members to give dues or not is going to a dangerous extreme. There were literally dozens of similar recorded death threats along with acts of vandalism leveled against Wisconsin state legislators and Governor Scott Walker for not going along with what the union's wanted.

I can understand some of the disappointment and anger directed at the republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Walker. To me they handled the union situation and legislation the wrong way. They had the right intentions but could have done a better job of explaining, persuading, passing and now implementation of their sweeping state union reform legislation. If they had, they could of avoided some of the back lash. That being said, it still is no excuse for the vile death threats coming from the left directed to the Wisconsin republicans. Even more ominous, the Wisconsin State Journal reported police found "dozens of rounds of live ammunition outside the Capitol" during the height of the Wisconsin protests. This find along with the millions of dollars of damage done to the Wisconsin state capitol building shows how violent the left can get. And they accuse the Tea Party of violence, give me a break!

Related Post:

Is Gov. Walker of Wis. a Republican Obama?

Saturday, June 4, 2011

97 to 0 Senate Votes Down Obama's 2012 Budget!

97 to 0 the U.S. Senate voted down President Obama's 2012 budget! If that is not making a statement of disapproval of this President's fiscal policies I don't know what is! This is unprecedented. The President could not even get one vote of approval for his 2012 budget. This shows the dramatic lack of leadership ability this President possesses. This was a huge slap in the face for Obama. A sitting President can not even get any support from even his own party for his own budget. This was the budget, if you remember, that was supposed to be the end all, the solution, his great idea to fix the countries problems. His alternative to the Tea Parties philosophy on the budget. WOW! is all I can say. What a joke of presidential leadership. President Obama's own party members are deserting him like flies in the Senate. Mr. President wake up and smell reality. The public rejected your philosophy of governance in the fall elections. The democratically controlled U.S. Senate has now rejected your idea's and priorities for the 2012 budget. Mr President it is time for some real change. Mr. President "yes we can" vote you out!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Principles Of Americanism

The principle of the Sovereignty of the People is one of the key principles of what I call Americanism. You have distinctive forms of government around the world. You have Communism, Marxism, Socialism, Dictatorships, you have so called Theocracies in the Middle East. I propose Americas form and attitude of governance is peculiar to her. I suggest no other country in the world has ever had such a form or governance and spirit of independence as has America. In America the principle of the Sovereignty of the People is recognized by customs and proclaimed by our laws. It arrives unimpeded to the remotest parts of our land. This principle can be studied and seen in the affairs of the country. Example, the sovereign will of the people can be seen and expressed in the elections of our representatives. If we feel our sovereign rights are not being protected we will exercises our rights and vote the members of government we perceive to be in error out. In America all power comes from the hands of the people and we submit and trust that power to the hands of the elected government. If they break that trust they are not usually long in office. The people participate in the making of our laws by the choosing of our legislatures. We participate in the execution of our laws by the choosing of our executives. The people are the sovereigns of the political world in America. The power of all elected officials ultimately originates of the people, by the people and for the people. Let us guard earnestly this principle of Americanism and when it is threatened let us defend it!

Land/Home Ownership Creates a More Responsible Citizenry

The right to own property is fundamental to a free society. Freedom is promoted by ownership of private property only when ownership rights are enforced by law. Eminent Domain needs to be looked at again. It is being used to widely and for frivolous reasons. A society that does not treat ownership rights as sacred is a society starting to loose some of its freedoms. History shows us that land ownership requirements for voting tends to lead to more stable societies. I am not saying we should go back to this requirement, I am just pointing out the obvious observation. Land ownership leads to more interest in how the big picture of the country is. Whereas no land ownership (no stake in societies responsibilities of paying property taxes and maintaining the land and desiring to see it increase in value) leads to voters who are easily swayed by the promises or the whims of the moment i.e. "Yes we can". Both political parties should be trying to promote responsible land (home) ownership. Promote responsible uses of ones monetary resources. Promote and emphasize the necessity for all to have tangible assets of some kind, so all can have a stake in society.  With some hard work and a little wisdom the average American can achieve home ownership and in so doing will become a more responsible member of the electorate. A course in personal finance and macroeconomics should be requirements for all students before completion of High School. This would lead to more financially knowledgeable citizens and a more stable republic

Why are Gas Prices so HIGH?

What is causing gas prices to get so high? At first glance the April retail sales seemed to be good news. They are 7.6% higher than last year. So what is driving the increase? Unfortunately it is higher gas station sales, which are due to higher gas prices. Gas station sales are up a staggering 21.8% over last year! Higher prices are painful, but they do encourage greater consumer spending. Especially on something that is a necessity like gasoline. If you think gas will be $4.50 next week you will very quickly fill your tank up with the $4.00 a gallon gas this week.

Filling up at the pump is causing American consumer's increasing pain in the pocket book. Just when you think gas prices are going down they shoot back up again. The rising cost in crude oil, and the increasing cost in refining are helping to cause the increase in gas prices. But at the same time the big oil companies are reporting record profits. They are being accused of price gauging by the Democrats. So what is really going on here. What is really causing gas prices to get so high?

What we pay for in a gallon of gas:  all figures below are approximations

Crude Oil - 55%
Refining - 22%
Taxes - 19%
Distribution & Marketing - 4%

The biggest culprit in the rising cost of gas is the rising cost of crude oil. With crude oil trading over $100 a barrel gas prices will continue to be high. Another big factor in the price of gas is the refining costs. Our country needs more refineries. These factors account for part of the reason  gas is so high. Big oil companies make the bulk of their money by producing crude oil. They invest in oil fields with the expectation of making a profit at lets say $30 a barrel. When oil hits $100 a barrel the rest is just pure profit to them. This is kinda like a farmer who plants a crop with the expectation of making a profit at lets say $1.25 a bushel. If the market starts trading at $3.00 a bushel he is not going to sell if for cheaper. He is just going to keep the profit and be thankful for the good market price of his crop. The farmer is not price gauging, he is just selling his product at market price. This is what the oil companies are doing. They are selling their product at market price.

So who sets the market price on oil? The global market does. The increasing demand for oil, much more than just ten years ago is helping to create higher crude oil prices. China and India are growing their economies and dramatically increasing their demand for oil. With the demand for oil growing quite steadily, and a middle eastern supply system that is very unstable, you have a recipe for high oil prices.

So what if we opened up ANWR to drilling? That would add to the global oil supply, estimated by the Energy Department, about 1 million barrels of oil a day. That is almost, for example, what Iraq produces each day. This would help increase the global supply of oil and in turn bring prices down some. But even if this were to be allowed to start today it would be years before this new supply would hit the markets. Drivers in other countries have it worse. They are still paying more in European countries. Oil rich countries on the other hand are paying less than a dollar a gallon.

Finally Obama's energy policy is in large part to blame for high gas prices. Find out more about this in part two of this post to follow later.

Related Posts:

Inflation - Thanks Obama!
Taxes on Miles we Drive
7 ways to Save Money at the Pump
Rising Gas Prices/Declining Dollar