Topping the blog lists!

You made Thinking Out Loud one of the top ten conservative blogs on "Top Political Blog" site (on April 28, 2012) with an international audience. On February 18, 2013, we hit in the top 50 of ALL political blogs. (This changes all the time, so keep reading.) Thank you.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Who loves ya, Baby?!

It sure as hell is not our elected officials. The Democrats, in a move that is sure to send the message to Americans that they are not loved, or cared about, or even listened to, have 20 bills that will see attempts for passage in a six week period between November and December. The Lame Duck session of Congress believes the Republicans will take a number of seats back in both the house and Senate. Therefore, they are pushing for passage of as many bills as possible.

This is some of the most distrespectful actions from a Congress who has shown nothing but contempt for the American public ever since Obama was elected President. In mad grabs for powwer, both Pelosi and Reid have ignored the calls from the American people to stop their exploding growth and bulging defecit. All falling on deaf ears of a power mad group who felt they had some 40 years of being ignored to make up for.

Some have called for Reid and (especially) Pelosi to be called up on abuse of power charges, something we will never see. But this latest effort by these misguided individuals is best described as dastardly.

Reid will push his Defense Appropriations bill (with the gay ban, abortion issues and immigrant DREAM Act intact). Pelosi wants to take up her child nutrition bill. Many of these causes by Democrats may sound wonderful and might be do-able in good economic times, are absurdly bloated in these hard fiscal times. Most don't have any way of paying for them and will increase the Federal deficet immensely.

Whether its Rep. George Miller's (D-CA)Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization or Sen. Jeff Bingamon's (D-NM) renewable electricity standard, the fact that the outgoing power hogs are pushing for these peices of legislation before losing their majority tells me that they have soemthing to hide in them.

These people should truly be ashamed of their actions, both before now and their intent after the Nov. 2nd elections. But something tells me they will not be. After all, these are the very same people who voted on legislation they had not read, nor cared when things were revealed after the fact.

Washington DC has become a cesspoll. Both Republicans and Democrats are all to blame. The few voices of reason (DeMint, Bachman, and a few others) are drowned out by the smarmy sound of heavy-handed, back door slipping, weaselly, underhanded, special interest glamming politicians of this debased seat of power.

We must skim the grease from our nation's capital and allow the clean waters to once more shine in the light of day. Maybe with such a boisterous clamour from the citizens of this country, the President and those left standing will realize that the "change you can believe in" is the change Americans want not the change they had planned. A clean sweep and true transparency is the only thing the people will stand for.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Reid pushes social agenda disguised as Defense Bill

The Defense Bill that failed Cloture vote today is just another attempt by Reid and the Democrats to not only push social agendas but to curry favor with Hispanic and illegal immigrants in his bid for re-election.

Not only is there a number of ill-concieved wasteful spending measures in the bill itslef, three social agenda provisions / amendments are also included. And reid wanted to limit both debate and Republican amendments to the bill. This is not only shameful on the part of the Senate majority Leader, it is close to criminal. It is a misuse of office. Reid and the Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for using a military spending bill for their personal benefits.

On the issue of the "don't ask, don't tell" repel language in the bill, I personally have no opinion. While I was in the navy, the world was a different place as far as gays in the military were concerned. Hell, women were just being assigned non-combat duties on Navy vessels at the time. And that was controversial enough. The idea of serving next to and depending on a gay man in the Navy was scary. Today, our young men and women in the military are more accepting of this lifestyle and as long as they are not susceptible to blackmail by terrorists, I hold no concerns.

But on the issue of the language regarding abortions at military facilites, I hold a person distaste for what would essentially turn our military bases into abortion clinics. This may seem a harsh condemnation of this but to me a life is precious and should be protected from the moent of conception. Allowing for women to have abortions funded by the people and performed by dedicated men and women who are normally in the business of saving precious lives, this is an aberration. They would be "ordered" to perform these abortions. And this is unconscionable. For this reason alone it should not be part of any bill on defense spending and should be taken up separately.

The last part of the social agenda of the Democrats and Reid is the inclusion of their DREAM ACT, which is an fancy way of giving a green light to illegal immigration and has no business being tacked onto a Defense Spending bill. This issue is both a hotly contested one in the America today and should not be treated lightly or as a way for Reid to cull the favor of ANY potential voter.

Immigration is a separate issue with many facets to it. It deserves debate by serious people looking for real solutions, not as some political trickery. Reid (and Pelosi on the House side of the bill) are both charlatans masquerading as leaders. They have no business being in charge of such important legislation. By denying debate and attempting to shove yet another social agenda bill in the gusie of real legislation, Reid has shown himself a smarmy politician only concerned with keeping his cushy job in DC.

I am proud of our Republican leaders and the 2 Democrats who stepped up in the Senate to say NO to this travesty. With unemployment so high, I think it would be a refreshing change to fire people like Pelosi and Reid come this November and give the job to people who are serious about the business of America. And fixing the real problems we have.

Now, as always, you can agree with my view of thsi disgustingly political bill or you can disagree with my assessment that Reid and company do a great diservice to this country with their abominable actions on this vote. It really amkes no difference to me. Just so long as I get you top think for yourself and not listen to all the namby pamby left wing media who are just cowering to the White House for some sound bite time. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Friday, September 17, 2010

"No more games" decries Obama

Its is ironic that the President wants the games to end when it is he and his Democrat led majority playing most of the games. They have tied up the media with White House access being the bait dangled before them. He and his ill-advised crew have no clue how to run a business or an economy. All the while crying that his GOP adversaries are the party of "No."

On healthcare, they say Repubicans were a party of "no" because they offered no alternatives. But they did. Obama just didn't like what they had to say. On the extension of unemployment, he claims they were the party of "no" because they had no pain for the working man. But they only wanted to know how they Administration proposed to pay for it. In a time of economic downturn it is only fiscally responsible to want to know these things.

In a New York Daily News article, Obama is quoted as saying
"These are the same families who will suffer the most when their taxes go up next year," Obama said of middle-income Americans on Wednesday. "We don't have time for any more games." But this is just one more misdirection. He doesn't want you to know that it is his policies and the Pelosi / Reid wish list from the Democrats of the last twenty some years that are the real problem. It is their "games" of get everything you can as quick as you can before the dream spigot is turned off.

Americans are coming to realize this and trying to turn off the unchecked flow of money and social programming Obama and the others are pushing. The elections of candidates that are newcomers or are speaking to the reality of the situation we find ourselves in has been sweeping the country. Democrats and Republicans alike are finding themselves in tough races they were not expecting.

But we need to do more. We need to send a message to ALL of the DC jokers that we are not amused by their "games" anymore. We are struggling under the burden of their ridiculous spending monstrosities. We need to wake up our frineds and fmaily and neighbors to the the delusion the poltiicians and manistream media have held them under to see the reality of the destructive nature of a government grown too large and powerful. A government not only bulging at the seams from its size but festering at the core from its self absorbed quest for power.

You can agree with me that we need to stop the power grab by those who both salivate at it and those who are self-deluded into thinking they are doing some good by controlling everything. Or you can still be asleep at the wheel and disagree with me. It makes no difference to me. Just as long as I get you to wake up enough to question everything and everybody and think for yourself. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Who do you listen to??

So election season is now in full swing for the midterm 2010 elections. Less than two months to go before the ballots are cast in November. Nationally, there are a bunch of Senate races (about half) and ALL of the House of Representative seats are up for grabs.

Most people don't really care much about the midterm elections. Hell, lets be honest, most people don't even vote in the major Presidential elections every four years. But this time, the 2010 midterms are more important than we might care to admit. With all the contention over the stimulus, the jobless rate, the wasteful spending, the social programming and the rhetoric, from both sides (all sides, if you care to listen to the little parties around the country), there is more polarized commentary than ever before.

But who do you listen to? Who is going to influence you on who to vote for? There is the Democrat and Republican parties, all the candidates, the major endorsers (like Palin and Romney and Jolie -- yeah even the actors who should just stick to their craft and stay out of politics are whinning) and of course, there are all the media outlets, traditional and non-traditional, as well as the plethora of bloggers (myself included). So who do you turn to in order to make up your mind?

For my money I would go with none of the above.

You heard me. All of these groups are putting out billions of dollars (all together) to get the information out to you. But it is ALL suspect. Even my paltry contribution is going to be laced with my own conservative slant. (Although I do TRY to show both sides when my blood doesnt' boil from it.) And hardly any of it will tell the whole story. Hardly any of it will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Hardly any of it will be worth the paper its printed on, the newsreel it is captured by or the ethernet wavelengths its sent across. None of it.

So what are you to do to decide? What to do come November?

Well, you really do need to be informed. And long before the day before elections. November 1st is not the time to wonder who you should cast your ballots for. So where to go?

There are a number of sources. Go on the web (if talk to someone about this blog that doesn't have internet access or a computer, the library is free) and find places like ProjectVoteSmart (http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm) and input the candidate's name or just your zip or state. It will give you information on how they voted, a bit of biographical info and some other information abotu each candidate. Then you can see if they really fit your idea of what YOUR representative should be. Or the Washington Post Congressional voting recorde link. (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/) Or even directly to the government website for the Senate (http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_teasers/congrecord.htm) and the House (http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/legvotes.html) to see what your elected officials are REALLY up to.

No matter how you decide to vote, I just want you to think for yourselves. Don't let ACORN or the TEA party groups dictate who YOU chose for office. I don't care if you are liberal or conservative or somewhere in between. I will be letting my conservative platform come back in later blogs. Right now all I want is for you, the reader, to get out there and make a REALLY INFORMED DECISION, instead of letting MSNBC or FOXNews or whatever other group out there decide for you. Honestly, if you are NOT going to make an informed decision, I would rather you stay home. Our country is in need of serious leaders who are ready to do some serious work and stop all the partisan and special interest backed nonsense we have seen for far too long. And I would rather you just stay home and sit on your hands while people who are serious about getting America back on top of things vote for the people who will do just that.

My blog, my opinion and you can agree or disagree. It really doesn't matter to me either way. Just as long as I get you to think for yourselves. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

(Auhtor's note - I am including the links themselves as well as a hyperlink to them for two reasons. First some may have hyperlinks blocked and two, I think this is so important I don't want anyone to miss out on these resources.)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

It is un-American to burn it!

The Dove World Outreach Center is not a Christian church. Pastor Terry Jones is not a Christian pastor. And he and his "congregation" are not Americans.

Here is why I say all this. It is NOT Christian to burn ANY book, let alone a book of religious signifigance. It is NOT Christian to host an "International Burn a Quran Day." It is NOT Christian to condemn a whole group of people for the actions of fanatics. Any Christian will tell you that God has commanded us to 1) love one another, 2) forgive one another, 3) leave the job of justice to Him. Pastor Jones is a lunatic no better than al-Queada.

They are not Americans because this country was founded on principles based on the Judeo-Christian influence. (I know many don't like the Judeo-Christian hyphenation, but they - as well as the Islamic faith - have THE SAME GOD). And it was founded by people fleeing religious persecution who wanted to be able to practice their faith in peace. America was founded on principles of religious tolerance. I also say they are not Americans because Americans would not do anything so stupid that would directly, as a result of their actions, cause the deaths of American service men and women.

And this latter is exactly what these actio0ns would do. If it was just some stupid stunt that would make people mad, I'd say "whatever" and tell people to ignore them. But this will (has already) igniote violence that will cost young American men and women to lose their lives for no better reason than some brain dead HATER who is NOT CHRISTIAN in any way shape or form wants their few minutes of fame (or more accurately, infamy).

For those who would say to me that this is his right under the First Amendment, I say yuo are WRONG! It is not allowed, even with the First Amendment, to yell 'fire' in a crowded theater. And it is just as not allowed for this lunatic to be allowed to do something that will, and I cannot repeat this enough for all of you to understand, result in the DEATHS OF AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN!

So here is my right under the First Amendment. I am calling for everyone who loves this country, who are religious in any way, who supports our men and women in the military, who doesn't want to see someone's son/husband/brother/dad/uncle or someone's daughter/mother/wife/sister/aunt be jeopardized by this ridiculous move, call or write or visit or email or in any way possible (BEFORE 9/11 - this Saturday), express PEACEFULLY that you are adamantly opposed to this event occurring. Here is the "church's" contact information:

Dove World Outreach Center
5805 Northwest 37th Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
(352) 371-2487

Agree, disagree, it doesn't matter. SO long as I get you to think for yourself and understand all the issues involved in this lame brained move, I will have done my job. Because hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a blessed day.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Its about middle America, stupid!

I would have said "its about the economy, stupid!" but that wouldn't get across the real problems these knuckleheads in DC just don't seem to get. Billions of dollars to create jobs and stimulate the economy and they just don't get it. And it is not about the poor and the illegal immigrant and the wealthy CEOs. Its about the middle class of America!

The poor, the indigent, the illegal immigrant and their bleeding heart liberal supporters, the wealthy CEOs and Wall Street cronies, and the Beltway insiders are the only ones whining. The stuck in the rut, been there too long, hands in the pockets of every special interest from unions to community organizers members of the US government are whining and complaining and strutting about what they've done and what they plan on doing.

And none of them get it.

Its the middle class of America who are silently suffering. They were doiong fine with their house payments until Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac blew up under Barney Frank and the rest of Congress' eyes. Then they started struggling. They were making their car payments just fine, until two of the Big Three needed bailout money and the big bankers were brought into secret meetings at gun point and told they had to both take the money and get super regulated by Big Brother. Then they continued to struggle. health care changes made companies like AT&T report their bottom line was going to tumble, layoffs continued unabated (despite the Summer of Recovery being touted) and credit was impossible to get.

And the middle class of America struggle daily. They are upside down in their cars (which they could afford before but cannot now), they are upside down in the homes (which they could afford but cannot now), they are watching their health care premiums being raised and set to slam them for getting the best plan to care for their family but now is a crime (which they are having trouble being able to afford both premiums and taxes). The middle class makes up a large portion of America but they are struggling silently. They are making $200, $300, $500 less a month than they were before (due to slow downs at work or outright layoffs) and are having to decide between food on the table a roof over the head or the means to get from point A to point B.

And they have no voice, save that of the TEA party groups, talk radio or independent bloggers. Which, of course, no one in government is listening to. In fact, government is doing its best to paint these groups as being not important, not relevant and nto worth their time.

But come November, the middle class WILL have its say. They will be ready to explain to the ever expanding, rapidly disconnecting government that ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

Until then, Obama, Pelosi, Reid and all the politicians that are refusing to listen will keep trying to re-manufacture America to their nanny-state preferences. However, they will then find out just how powerful the silently struggling middle class can be. Many of them, Democrat and Republican alike, will be looking for new eployment.

SC's John Spratt doesn't want to be held up to his own words

In an effort to bamboozle the public without having to worry about his own words coming back to haunt him, so he can deny and claim foul, saying "they misquoted me" or some other nonesense, Rep. John Spratt, representing South Carolina's District 5, has demanded that there be no video or recording equipment at a debate with his November opponent, SC State Sen. Mick Mulvaney.

Okay, that sentence was a long explosion of words. But I want you to understand the whole of the situation in one short (relatively) and sweet sentence.

Now for the longer explanation. The Mick Mulvaney campaign wants voters to know the differences between their candidate and John Spratt, who has been in Congress since 1982. They want you to know why this Washington insider, who doesn't give a hoot about what is best for his constituents, should be ousted in November. And they have one side by side comparison shot to do it. (Because Spratt would only agree to this one venue for debate.) But Spratt wants the voters kept in the dark. He wants them to just keep on voting for him. Because he likes his cushy job in Washington where he can ride the Obama train to a nanny state America.

"Thats a whole lot of accusation," you might say. B ut answer me this: why doesn't he want to let his record of what he says tomorrow night to be public? Why won't he allow reporters to have any kind of recording devices? Why won't he let the debate be televised on the local cable channel (as the Lion's Club had already been working on getting done)?

The only thing that comes to mind is that he doesn't want whatever he says to come back and haunt him when he changes direction again and again in a campaign of promise what you can to the people you are talking to at the moment and then not following through after the election.

He doesn't want you to know he voted strongly in favor of abortions. He doesn't want you to know he thinks terrorists should be treated with kid gloves. He doesn't want you to know he voted yes on every bailout issue that came down the pike. He doesn't want you to know he is a yes man, lap dog, true believer of the Pelosi agenda. He doesn't want you to know that he voted for the cash for clunkers deal, or the cap and spend (whoops, I mean trade) deal, the health care fiasco.

But why would he not want you to know about his stance on immigration, or "don't ask, don't tell" or his position on timelines in the war? Why would he not want to crow about his votes against gun bills or cloning or preventing price gouging?

No matter what his reasons for not wanting the debate at the Lion's Club to be televised or recorded in any way, it goes to the real issue of wanting to be selective about what information gets "leaked" to the public before election day. And it goes to showing that he has been in Washington, DC for far too long. As have way too many of our elected officials.

Government should be about being responsive to the people and protecting them. But too often those in Congress, the Supreme Court and the White House have lost their connection to the people who put them there, the ideals of our founders that formed this great nation, and the whole reason our leaders have taken the offices in the past; to serve.

Its time to throw out those who have forgotten and re-establish a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Take what I have to say with a grain of salt, because everyone is due their opinions. I just put mine out there so that you can start to think for yourselves again. This is just me . . . Thinking out Loud.

Have a blessed day.