Tell Them to STOP on the Replace and Repeal Nonesense

On the issue of Republicans wanting to start the Repeal and Replace thing all over again. ("Repeal of Affordable Care Act Is Back On The Agenda", as reported by the New York Times)

Why?? Because their guy is facing an embarrassment and their leadership is facing calls for them to step down.

But again, why?? Its all a political charade. Its all about THEM and its supposed to be all about US! So here is a quick editorial opinion on it.

OPINION - DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT - Contact your representation in DC! Dem or GOP, doesn't matter, call them, email them, twitter them, Facebook them . . . hell, go stand at the door to their offices! Let them know that the repeal crap they are trying is NO GOOD! The legislation they keep trying to write to "replace and repeal" is NOT THE WAY TO GO! Tell them to work on individual legislation to FIX the problems with Obamacare! The House started doing this with H.R. 372 and 1101! Tell them that THAT is the way to go! Make them understand this is not a thing that is a prize to be won between the political parties, this is something that affects the lives of Americans and it is OUR wishes, not theirs, that need to be listened to!

If you want them to keep doing this instead of their job, if you think that one party MUST prevail over the other no matter what it does to the American people, then go ahead and encourage this bad, immoral activity in Washington DC.

But if you, like me, want it to STOP, then do something about it. Don't wait for someone else to do it for you. Thai is the government of the people, for the people, by the people.

But hey, thats just me Thinking Out Loud!

The Electoral Vote Myth The Establishment Wants You To Believe

Just this afternoon, an intelligent woman who was in the Trump corner but was willing to entertain the idea of Gov. Gary Johnson in the debates, if not in voting for him. She was willing to listen. Now, after last night's first Presidential debate (in which Johnson was excluded), she is adamantly for Trump. She declared that no one should vote for Johnson because it would sway the electoral to Clinton.

When I told her that Johnson still had a chance to win the election, she insisted he did not. “Don't you remember the Bush Gore election, where Gore won the popular vote and Bush won the Electoral College vote?”

This did not sit right with me, so I went back to my Government 101 recollections. And figured out that the major party campaigns want to perpetuate the falsehood that Governor Gary Johnson, as a third party candidate, cannot win the electoral vote. If they get everyone out here in reality land to believe their lies, they don't have to face the truth.

That they could lose.

Okay, here's where the lie of the Electoral College option falls apart.

There are 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state has a set of electors in the Electoral College. They vote for the candidate who won the popular vote, or the candidate of the party who wins the popular vote.

And in 29 states plus the District of Columbia, this is true. They have laws governing this process. In 21 states, they do not. These states can vote for whoever they want, no matter the popular vote.

Now to be fair, they usually do. But there are no laws that would restrict them.

But lets get back to those 26 states plus DC that do have these laws. These states are: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

So let us presume that the outcome of these states only are a popular vote win for Gary Johnson. Those states are obligated, under law, to vote for the winner of the popular vote. I then added up all the Electoral votes of these states. And do you know what I came up with?

293!

That's right, if Gary Johnson were to win the popular vote of these states, he would have more than the 270 Electoral votes to win. And that's just winning these 26 states and DC. ANY combination of different states would win him the election.

Now I know you might keep saying, he doesn't have a chance of winning these states. A third party candidate can't win. And this is exactly the thing that Trump, Clinton, the GOP and the Democrats what you to believe.

But here is an interesting statistic that comes from The Federalist website (http://thefederalist.com/2016/05/16/these-numbers-say-a-third-party-can-win-the-presidency/):

“Is it possible for a third-party candidate to actually win states? In 20 percent of twentieth-century elections, third-party candidates did just that (Roosevelt in 1912, La Follette in 1924, Thurmond in 1948, Byrd in 1960, Wallace in 1968). Now, none of them won the right combination of states to deny other candidates a majority, but that also happened twice, in 1824 electing John Quincy Adams and in 1876 electing Rutherford B. Hayes.”

So the myth, the fallacy, the outright LIE by Clinton and Trump and the establishment absolutely falls apart.

Now that I have busted that myth, I want you to all consider letting the pollsters and the Commission on Presidential Debates know that you want Gary Johnson in the next two debates. Because a third voice is so very much needed.

Especially now that you see the truth of their lies to you, the voter. They steal your choice. They steal your voice. They will steal the election from the will of the people.

Voting for the lesser of two evils is STILL voting for an evil

Don't for AGAINST someone. Vote FOR someone.

The American people deserve ALL the information to make their decision. Not just the information they want you to know.

Worth Repeating (A post from 2010)

Sometimes I write something and come back to it years later and say "Wow, that was pretty good."

With the current elections being not only important but wildly out of focus, I think this article I wrote back in 2010 is very relevant. "Who do you listen to??"

One additional reference I might suggest. Its called On The Issues and can be found at www.ontheissues.org. I again provide the link as well as have the site linked because some people have a block on their links.

You can either go to the page and type in the candidate you want to kn ow about, or Google the person and add "on the issues". (For instance, "Gary Johnson on the issues".) Or you can go to the page and right there on the front page is a row of pictures with all the presidential and vice presidential candidates. (Except for Ajamu Baraka, Jill Stein's running mate on the Green Party ticket. Him you have to plug into the search engine. I don't know why.)

Please check it out, let me know if it was helpful or what you think.

Have a great day, keep thinking for yourself and stop being sheep.

This is just me, Thinking Out Loud!

Charles

74 lashes? Really? Morons.

This is why I am totally against ANY kind of despotic type ruling body - governmental or not, religious or not.

I am in no way, shape or form a fan of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's over-the-top, oft times megalomaniacal President. He constantly seeks to thwart any attempts by the rest of the world to play nice. And his threats to other countries (yes, we are talking mostly Israel and the US here) are beyond sane.

But him going to the registry office with his protege to file for the upcoming election being a violation of election law? Seriously? He can't run. So who cares if he goes with the guy?

The asinine, despotic Islamic leaders do, thats who.

Anyone who thinks that this "crime" deserves 6 months in an Iran jail or 74 lashes is delusional. I know that many Americans might think that our own politicians who violate various election laws would deserve this, but thats just mean spirited thinking. They really don't actually want that to happen.

(And for those who say "oh yes we do" aren't thinking about how different jail is in Iran than the cushy life most American jails offer their inmates. But thats a topic for a different conversation.)

It is a despot ruled country that would actually do this. I don't care if that rule is religiously based - as this one is - or secularly based. I hate all despots.

So to all those "Islam is not so bad" blatherers out there, hear this: Its not Islam that is the problem. Its the people in charge of various factions of the religion that are. There are plenty of Muslims out there who practice their religion and go on with their life happy and content. But there is a perverted form out there that is the cause of nearly all the world's current woes. Cut out this disease and the world goes to some sort of sanity and we can all move forward in science, culture, art, peace - you name it - happily.

But until this blight on the face of the earth is eradicated - and this thing with Ahmadinejad is a prime public example of the ridiculousness of these fatheads who don't really believe in the same religion that Mohammed did - than we are in for some tough roads ahead.

Anyway, I'll get off the old soapbox and remind you that you can agree or disagree. No problem. I just want people out there to think for themselves, come tho their own conclusions and not be swayed by anyone else's opinion - including mine. Just use that grey matter stuffed between your ears and THINK for god's sake - and your own. But hell, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Why liberalism without conservative oversight fails

I know its been a while but things have been kind of crazy here. And by crazy, I mostly mean just trying to survive. Since I started my self employment gig a year and a half ago, its been a month to month just trying to survive. Even though I JUST pay my rent and phone, and can contribute a little to my household bills (no TV or superfluous items in this house), I get NO assistance from the government. Sure, I could probably be eligible for some kind of assistance - food stamps and the like - I refuse to do so.

Stubborn, you say? Not really . . . okay, maybe a little. But honestly, I know there are plenty of people much worse off than me that really NEED our government to help them out. So I will not be a burden and possibly take food from hungry young mouths that have no other means.

But then I see things like this and it makes my blood boil.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that the government spent $2.2 BILLION dollars subsidizing phones for people, Cell phones. Fancy cell phones with lots of bells and whistles. Which really wouldn't bother me so much because even I have found the necessity of modern times where we all must stay connected. What really burns my butt is this:

"Until last year, FCC rules didn't require carriers to certify to the FCC that subscribers were eligible. Consumers could self-certify, and in many states documentation wasn't required."

And what is the government response to this failure?

Julius Genachowski pretty much summed it up. According to the WSJ article, the FCC Chairman said "The program rules we inherited were designed for the age of the rotary phone and failed to protect the program from abuse."

Come on. Really? But what can we expect from a government official simply following his great leader's example? Put the blame on the last guy to be in charge.

But I am not going there. Not right now. Where I am going is to express that THIS is a prime example of why liberalism without proper conservative oversight is a huge fail. (Note the lack of capitalization here. "liberal" and not "Liberal".)

To want to help your fellow man and fellow American is ingrained in our very existence. It is not just a religious idea (i.e. - Christian, Jewish, Wiccan, etc), it is an American ideal framed into our founding by men and women who KNEW what persecution and elitism and ignoring the poor and weak was really like. Dig into your history books and look at the glorious wrong doings of European leaders as they ignore the pleas of the hungry, hunted down and persecuted those whose religious beliefs were not in line with the powers that be, stole from those who had little to enrich their own lives. The founding fathers had left this world to create a new one. America.

So, yes, we all feel for those who need help. But without the common sense conservatism brings to the table, such programs of aide can be abused and can run amuck.

The poor in this country need help. And seeing how the government is wholly responsible for this condition, they have an obligation, a duty, to see to the needs of these people. But the lazy and the greedy (which includes ALL levels of American society and NOT just the top money makers, Mr President) and the unscrupulous not only need not apply, but should be prosecuted and forced to work off their debt.

The latter statement, of course, does not mean prison. Oh no, I am NOT paying for these people to get three squares a day (which many Americans do not), free healthcare (of which many Americans do not have), free internet and free education (again, which many AMericans cannot afford). No. They need to work off their debt by helping the very same people whom they have hidden among and stolen from.

There always needs to be a balance or things will swiftly tilt to the extreme. Dark must have light, good must have evil, wrong must have right. And liberalism must have conservatism. The ideals presented by various groups in this country have skewed the perception of Americans that one or the other is evil. The truth, however, is that without the balance of liberalism, extreme conservatism would leave far too many in dire needs. And without the balance of conservatism, extreme liberalism would bankrupt the nation and leave everyone in dire straits.

Liberalism is the heart of America. Conservatism is the common sense of America. And those who recognize this fact are the soul of America.

Agree or disagree, it doesn't really matter to me. But take a side, for God's sake, that doesn't rely on someone else telling you what to think. Not even me. Look at everything and make an INFORMED decision. Stop being sheep, stop listening to the spin of those who only have their own interest at heart. Either way, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Until next time, take care and have a great day.

Charles

Women rightfully complain but are also hypocrites

Okay, here is a video I think is very important in term of message about women needing to rail against the media's massively disgusting imagery of women.

But at the same time, they sit and whine about something halfway through that just pisses me off.

They rightfully state that 51% of the US populations women and yet only 17% of Congress is women. There are more women in politics in China, Iraq, and Cuba than in the United States. In fact, the US stands at number 90 in terms of women in legislative positions.

But these are the same women who jumped right on the band wagon of misogyny in 2008 when all the media attacks against Sarah Palin derailed an important election. I don't care who you wanted or who you voted for in that election, you cannot deny the downturn in American politics that took place amidst all the bitch, ditz and sexist comments about a former Governor. All efforts were made to minimize the fact that she had immense qualifications for office, a proven track record of non-partisan efforts for the citizens of her state - just so they could remind everyone she was a beauty pageant contestant, meaning she couldn't possibly have a brain. (Remember the bikini clad, gun totting Palin photoshopped picture circulating around the internet and in print magazines? Remember the Tina Fey SNL parody that was often erroneously quoted as having been said by Palin herself . . . and the liberal folks at SNL who perpetuated the lie?)

All these women were right there with the major media dismissing Palin, jumping on the Misogyny Bandwagon. Why? Why would these people who complain about being 90th in the world for women in legislature demean a woman? I couldn't tell you why these women are such hypocrites.

They also did it to Hilary Clinton, but to a lesser degree. That was just as wrong.

So how can you take what they say now seriously when they are such hypocritical sods?

Well, no matter where you fall on their hypocrisy, their message against an industry that thinks this is how we view / should view women is still valid.

So, watch. React. Fight against this and all stereotypes. Call the television stations, write the advertisers. Threaten boycott. Or better yet, ACTUALLY boycott. Threats do nothing, but when they see their sales TANKING . . . well, you know the old saying. Money talks.

Agree, disagree, it doesn't matter. Because this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

We need responsible people EVERYWHERE

(This is from Townhall's Conservative Cartoons of the Day.

THIS is what I have been talking about.

But its not just bozo politicians. It is the insipid nature of people who are frustrated, confused or apathetic who also need ot take some responsibility.

We wouldn't need government involvement in so many parts of our lives if people would just take responsibility for their lives and their situation.

Ah, forget it. Talking to you people about this is like talking to a wall. Except the wall might actually absorb some of what I say.

Have a . . . whatever day.

Charles

Politics are NOT small

President Obama, in a recent cry for more donations (still think this is tantamount to asking Walmart to pay for an ad campaign telling them why they should hire you), he made a statement that I think is not only wrong but very telling.

He said, "Sometimes politics can seem very small. But the choice voters face in this election couldn't be bigger."

I think he also has a video that says this same thing. I saw it on Hulu.

The thing I think that is wrong about this is that politics is never small. It is the politicians who are small and petty and whiney and insincere and lots of other adjectives. Politics is very big. And very important. It is the governing dynamic of our country and thus something to be paid very close attention to.

But it is also very telling about the people who feel this way. They would never admit that it is them who are small . . . and petty and all the other things I mentioned above. They always blame everything on the "other guy." They never, ever take blame for what is going on. Whatever happened to "the buck stops here" mentality?

I know its a basic leadership lesson, but these people in the political game (and I really hate calling it that because its our lives and freedoms at stake, but they treat it like a game) don't seem to know it.

Take responsibility for things that are your responsibility. He is the President. He signed on for this. Everything in DC and the country is his responsibility. If the economy is going bad, take the blame. Then work on fixing it. If your hand-picked head of a government agency (DoJ) goes off the reservation, take the blame - you hired him - and fix the problem. Stop laying blame for what others do simply because it is politically expedient to do so.

Hell, if the President screws up, we the American people take the blame. We hired him. And we fix it by firing him.

Here is a simple list (from the Burlington County, NJ court system) about what defines someone who has transformative leadership:
• Have followers – Not subordinates
• Charismatic, transformative, quiet style
• Good with people (people-focused)
• Give credit to others
• Take blame for problems
• Understand problems and hurdles are natural
• Risk-taking – Open to new ideas
• Break the rules to get the job done
• Followers work for intrinsic rewards
• Be inspired in heart and mind – Show It
• Commitment to life-long learning

Sound like any leader you know?

Nope. Well, maybe some aspects. Lets look at how the President rates.

• Have followers – Not subordinates - The President has MANY "followers" . . . but kind of cultish, if you ask me.
• Charismatic, transformative, quiet style . . . Oh yeah, he is a silver tongued so-and-so
• Good with people (people-focused) . . . god - oops, good - with SOME people, I'll give him that (author's note - that really was a typo but it did fit.)
• Give credit to others . . . Nope, just blames others and credits himself
• Take blame for problems . . . Not even once
• Understand problems and hurdles are natural . . . Nope, makes huge deals out of it so he can seem either superhuman for offering solutions or just human for not being able to fix them
• Risk-taking – Open to new ideas . . . Only if those ideas are his
• Break the rules to get the job done . . . Only to get his agenda done, not his job
• Followers work for intrinsic rewards . . . . Follows work for quid pro quo - whats in it for them
• Be inspired in heart and mind – Show It . . . Only shows things he feels will forward his agenda, or get re-elected
• Commitment to life-long learning . . . Commitment to life long teaching, explaining, whinning - hasn't learned a thing since in office

Now realize, I am only picking on Obama because he is the one who said it. Pick any politician and hold them up to this list. Bet you won't find a single one who can prove their leadership by it.

Agree or disagree, makes no difference. All I ask is that you stop listening to the SPIN, stop being SHEEP, and think for yourself. Use that grey matter between your ears for something other than Xbox or Olympic statistics. Wrap your minds around the issues of this country and listen to the politicians with logical reasoning. Don't let them "play" on your emotions. Either way, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Duh-bama news

Here's an interesting tidbit from the White House visitor news. Obama is pro-abortion. (And when he was in the IL legislature, he would not support legislation that protected fetuses that "survived" abortion attempts.) Yet a woman MUST register an unborn child (which I must remind you is termed a "baby" not a fetus - kind of suggesting a right) and include the gender, if known. Weird. And kind of hypocritical.

I wrote about Dinner with Obama and brought up how it seemed inappropriate to have this "campaign" function at the White House - as well as kind of illegal maybe to essentially sell lottery tickets for this. No one else was talking about this. Then SUDDENLY its Dinner with George Clooney at his house. Well, not to be outdone, Mitt Romney is having a "Lunch with Mitt" thing. But at the bottom of HIS email, it says "No purchase necessary." I think this is not only interesting (since no one but me was talking about this) but makes a point. Obama was asking people to "purchase" this chance to eat dinner with a sitting President at the White House. Selling the office. Pretty sad.

And for you twit-wits, who would say "uh, da President does those fund raiser dinner things" and I shouldn't even be making a deal about it. But you see here is the difference. Obam does not sell those tickets. And it is a ticket, like going to the movies or something, and not a lottery / raffle / etc. Someone else is doing a fund raiser and the President uses his position as the head of the Party to be there and endorse this person the dinner is for. Even it its for himself. But to sell these raffle tickets, gambling, and use the White House (which does not BELONG to him, it BELONGS to us) is pretty much an abuse of office.

This item is more about the duh-bama supporters than anyone. The President's recent "gay marriage" announcement - which followed the weird and creepy Biden "finger movements" speech - is all about politics. His numbers were slipping even after he denied all blame on everything from the economy to the wet spot on the carpet (just kidding - but he would deny it if it would help him get re-elected). So he did something his handlers told him - openly and loudly support gay marriage. And it did.

From CBS News: "Obama's campaign has declined to say how much it has collected since the announcement but some staffers have asked supporters to give money as a way of expressing their approval."

Anyone who can't see that this is politics plain and simple and they are being used, in my humble opinion, is an absolute idiot.

Don't get me wrong, they all do it. Pander. But since this is "duh-bama news" and not "duh-lected official news" I am just concentrating on this senseless dolts.

But you know, you can agree or disagree with me and it makes no real difference to me. So long as it is you - and not some spin doctor speaking THROUGH you - doing the agreeing or disagreeing. I want you to THINK FOR YOURSELVES, STOP BEING SHEEP and AVOID THE SPIN! Anyway, this is just me, Thinking out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

postscript - I hope all of you mothers out there (and I mean that in the awed, respectful way - not the cynical way some of you might take me to say it) have an absolutely wonderful Mother's Day. - Love you and miss you, mom.

Why do union members put up with this stuff from their supposed leaders?

If this is true, then Gov. Walker, Congressional leaders and President Obama need to investigate it.

But you know they won't.

In an email from the TeaPartyExpress:

"Details emerge as to why Sen. Pam Galloway resigned!

Yesterday we reported that we have our first casualty of the union-led Recalls in Wisconsin. Republican Senator Pam Galloway announced that she would resign instead of face the unions' Recall and strong-arm tactics of intimidation and harassment.

Now, it has been reported by The Blaze that union and self-proclaimed Recall leader John Spiegelhoff was obsessed with strong-arming and intimidating Sen. Galloway to the point of harassment. In his emails to her he called her a "pig," suggested to the female Senator that she should "stay at home, Pam" and cautioned that they were "coming for her."

We thought these kind of union strong-arm tactics died with Jimmy Hoffa, but apparently they are alive and well in Wisconsin. It is deplorable that these are the kind of schoolyard bully tactics that the pro-Recall crowd is using. Like we have been saying, when the unions and liberal left do not have the truth on their side, they will resort to lies and name-calling.

While Sen. Galloway has publicly said that the unions' harassment of her is not her main reason for her resignation, I am sure that the idea of enduring such personal and rude attacks during a nasty Recall election was not very appealing. It is definitely no way to treat a sitting Wisconsin Senator, respected doctor and esteemed surgeon.

We can not let them get away with this kinds of behavior and must stand up to them and defeat their frivolous Recall efforts."

Why does ANYONE put up with this kind of thing from such abusive and power hungry dipsticks?

Why do union members allow this sort of thing from their supposed leaders? (As if this is the actions of ANY kind of leader. Its the actions of thugs and misogynists.) What if Rep. Galloway was their mother, or daughter or granddaughter or sister or wife? Would they allow these despicable people to do this? Why aren't they in an uproar?

I don't think most unions are necessary anymore and they are often breeding grounds for the power hungry or greedy. But some people like the idea of unions. And if they don't abuse their positions, force themselves onto workers who don't want to be a member, or actually work on behalf of their actual members, I guess thats up to those people. But for me, they have just become sleazy.

But why would ANTONE think this type of activity from ANYONE is okay?

President Obama, are you listening? Rep. Pelosi, this is one of your own (a fellow female politician), are YOU listening?

Probably not. Bunch of deniers.

You may agree with me. You may disagree with me. I don't really care. So long as you are not APATHETIC about the whole thing. So long as you THINK about this type of activity. Look into it yourself to see if it is a valid claim. If YOU find out it is, if you see for yourself (not be told by some SPIN-miester) then tell your politician, your leaders, your President, that this type of thing will not be tolerated. But don't just listen to me or take my word for it. And definitely don't take the word of others. AVOID THE SPIN. DON"T BE SHEEP. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Politicians are SO FULL OF IT!!!!

Alright, "San Fran Nan"? Do you want to extend the tax cuts "which contributed to the deficit," like you said not much more than a year ago? Or are you telling Americans they cannot let Congress go home without passing these tax cuts for "for millions of hardworking Americans at a time when they are trying hard to get back on their feet," like you said in your email today and to the press?

I am so fed up with POLITICIANS!!!!!!!! All of them.

We have a current crop of GOP candidates who want to be President next year that I wouldn't let dog sit for me. And the Democrats in office are so full of caca that if you get too close you need toilet paper to wipe off the spittle coming from their frothing mouths.

Obama is delusional. Pelosi is a lunatic who really can't keep straight which lie she is spreading this week or which group she is supposed to be pandering to. Boehner keeps missing the opportunity to let the public know WHY the GOP is opposing the President, and maybe doesn't even really know himself. Reid is too busy trying to shut down houses of ill-repute in Nevada, probably due to his guilt over sex or something.

And 90% of the rest of the elected officials, that is the politicians in government, are too busy either trying to build up re-election coffers for themselves or their compatriots to really pay attention to what the hell is really going on in America.

I think maybe we should just go out there in our Facebook, Twitter and blog would and get the Glenda Sturkies elected to all levels of government. I don't know if it will be better but it will certainly send a message out to all these "Professional" public servants, like Barney Frank, who screw up the country for their own personal gain or that of their friends and then live off our dime after they have made millions and retire. (Where they still live off our dime.)

Let us get a bunch of people who will agree to keep certain key personnel (like the Secretary of Defense - you know, to keep the country safe while we transition from a career politician run government to the government "of the people, for the people, by the people") in place when they assume office, and get them elected.

Crazy idea, I know. Agree or disagree, I don't care. So long as I get you thinking for yourselves and not being zombies of the current crop of losers and their cronies like the unions, I have done my job. Anyway, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Its finally done!!

I am so excited. I finally completed the book. Not just the book, but THE BOOK!!!! Yesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the ultimate anti-SPIN book for the 2012 elections. It is the resource book you can go to and see what REALLY was going on. At least from my point of view. And I think I am typical of the average American, don't you?

Anyway. It is here. It is an e-book, so anyone, anywhere can find it and buy it and have it with them to dispute the SPIN the politicians are going to whip out to confuse you during the 2012 election cycle and Obama's first year in office.

Yes. It is HERE.

Yes, that is the link. Or you can look to the right or left of this blog and see the link. Click on it. Buy it. Read it. You can't get most of what is there on the web because the website had my blog on at the time is no longer in existence.

Anyway. After that bit of self promotion, I will be back tomorrow to my usual Thinking Out Loud column.

You all have a great day! I know I will.

Charles

Dinner with Barack

In an email from Rufus Gifford, it reads "We just launched our next Dinner with Barack contest, and this time there's a big new twist: Each winner can invite a guest."

Gee, doesn't that sound comfy cozy? Dinner with Barack. Oooooo, gets one all tingly. AND you can bring a guest if you win. Don't that really sound nifty? Ain't it just so nice of the President to get down and close with average Americans?

And all you have to do is donate some money to his re-election campaign.

Wait a minute. Is that really allowed? I mean, give money to his election campaign and you get to dine with the President. At the White House.

Isn't there some misuse of American funds and property here or something. I mean, if someone uses their Congressional staff or the mailroom or the copy and such on their re-election campaign, I know they get into trouble. But if the President uses the White House and the staff and such to cater to people who donate money to his re-election campaign, its okay??

What is up with that?????? Isn't there anyone out there in the media that is questioning this?

Oh, wait. I am.

Silly me. I guess if I am questioning it, then that means the media is all over it and the likes of CNN or ABC News or Fox News don't have to bother.

I know I can have a swelled head about my impact on the web and in such things as politics. But really? Me making this issue a household topic of conversation? Maybe if you all pass along this article to two friends and they tell two friends and so on and so on . . .

All I can say is, even if this passes the test of whatever passes for ethics in DC these days, it is still wrong in my book. If the President wants to hobnob with the average American, then he can do it with whoever wants to put their name in the hat. Not with only those who give him money. I remember when they were complaining about a President who "sold" the privilege of sleeping kin the Lincoln bedroom to people who donated money (Clinton years revisited anyone?). But this is just totally disconnected for Obama to do this. It was a bad idea by whoever in his campaign who suggested it. It was a bad idea for the President to go along with it. It was a bad idea of a White House Chief of Staff who is going along with it. And it is a bad idea for the media to totally ignore it.

Agree with me, disagree with me, think it is a non-issue as many Americans did during the Clinton years. No matter. But I just think YOU ought to have a problem with it, since so many are opposed to special privileges for some and not everyone these days. Either way, as long as I get you to think for yourself and come up with an opinion, then I have doen my job. Because this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

And Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Charles

And you think American politicians are off

Okay, so I thought I would give a break to the politicians I usually shine my glaring floodlight on. Here is politician in Romania who embodies a combination of Imelda Marcos,

Elena Udrea, the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, is one very odd duck. She speaks of empowering woman and ridding her country of corruption. Yet she does such wacky things. Like taking high heels to flood victims. Although it was part of about 20 tons of aid she brought with her, she defended the heels because she said women wanted to have the " chance to be elegant and to not have to wear Wellington boots any more." And her recent decision to pose for the country's fashion magazine tabu in various fashions donned by "powerful women" seems to have not only angered her fellow Romanians but others throughout Europe as well.

Udrea also advocates killing all the stray dogs in Romania. Even though she calls it a "last resort," she obviously thinks that killing these strays is best for the people of Romania for health and safety reasons. “Politicians are always or most of the time hypocritical because part of society understands that no matter what solution we find, in the end we must not have any more stray dogs in the street, endangering people’s lives, and another part of society defends animals all the way without necessarily generating alternative solutions. Politicians oscillate between these two categories of voters and often act hypocritically. I have asked for public debates and finding solutions before this last variant, of euthanasia,” Udrea explained.

But not to leave out my US targets, Harry Reid thinks that closing brothels in Nevada (LEGAL business entities that pay taxes and employee people) will fix the tarnsihed image of his honme state. But doesn't make any suggestions to fixing the real problems with the sex trade, as in the illegal prostitutes, the mob and the drugs related to the unsafe and dangerous trade peddled on Nevada's major city streets. Wonder if Udrea would find Reid's call to close the brothels hypocritical? Or if she would think his efforts are meant to lessen or improve the empowerment of women? Maybe Sen. Harry can pose on Maxim or some other magazine in rubber suits to get his message across.

Maybe not.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this side step of "all things American" to peek into our neighbors' homes overseas. Hey, maybe Mr. President will enjoy my "investment" of time and observances of our foreign friends.

Oh well, as usual, agree or disagree, no skin off my back. Just as long as I got you to think about things for yourself and not just follow blindly the views of others, then I have done my job. Either way, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day. (Vă doresc o zi plăcută!)

Charles

DADT - Stop bickering already!

I have said this before and will say it again. Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be a strictly military decision. It should be a policy decision based on the impact of having it or doing away with it will have on the military. In days past, it was an issue of security. If someone was ashamed of being gay, a foreign country or interest could use it as leverage. but in today's environment, this is not such an issue. Being gay is more accepted in the public. It does not have the stigma of say the 50's or 60's. Therefore it should be the military that decides if it makes sens to keep or not. And how to implement changes as necessary.

It should not, however, be a political issue. It should not be a political "football." It should not be political in any way. It should never be a political promise one way or the other. It should not be a campaign trail talking point. It should not be something debated by Congress, debated by a President in the press.

What I am talking about is the recent ballyhoo over the booing of an American soldier, who happened to be gay. I mean Rick Perry saying he would re-instate it if elected. I mean all the squabble back and forth by Presidential wannabes and political hacks, from the New York Times editorial room to the halls of the Congressional offices.

And I mean President Obama's recent derision of Republicans, too.

It should not be used by anybody to gain either political favor nor political office. Although I agree with the President's sentiments, I disagree with him making a public display. This is partisan politics at its usual. (I can't say at its worst because it all sucks.) Political bimbos from Pelosi to McConnell are constantly making public statements that are not only none of their business but none of their business of state. It is political posturing. Plain and simple.

For the record, I find it reprehensible that anyone who willing served their country during peace or war should not be accorded more respect than any politician or statesmen or public figure of any kind. The next time you drive from one state to another without having to "produce your papers," think of those who have served and are serving. The next time you fill up your gas tank or shop at WalMart or drink a beer (or soda or whatever) on your back porch, or the next time you publicly disagree with your elected officials and don't fear being arrested in the middle of the night, remember the military. These men and women who selflessly serve to protect the freedoms this country enjoys, either by direct confrontation or by simple presence (otherwise known as detente or a Mexican standoff), deserve our respect and admiration.

It shouldn't matter if they are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Filipino, nor if they are Catholic, Protestant, Wicca, Jewish or Buddhist. And it should not matter if they are gay or not. They - without forced necessity nor peer pressure - served and protected your freedoms, your liberties, your choice to not serve. And they ask nothing in return. But they deserve so much more than nothing.

That said, it is not my intention to blast any particular party. It is my intention to remind EVERY public official to act like the "representatives of the people" that they are. If they don't stand up for anyone in our military, it is a telling indictment of their character. I will write them a letter or NOT vote for them. But for the President, or any public figure, to single out anyone for this lack of reaction, is wrong. He should have said that ANYONE in public office should be upset by this booing. But he didn't. He made it political. He made it partisan. And for this, I simply sigh, shake my head and chalk up another "poor leadership" moment for President Obama. And in the next election, I will weigh all of these moments (and there are a lot), against the other candidates. And make my choice.

I hope that anyone who agrees or disagrees with me will comment. Because this is something that should concern every American. This is the reason for such partisan bullc**p in Washington. This is the reason we can't get anything done. We need to move forward. We need jobs. We need a stable economy. We need people in public office to act in the best interest of America and Americans, not themselves or lobbyist or special interest. If doing what is right does not win them an election, so be it. President Obama said he didn't care if he was a one term President, so long as he was able to do something to improve America. But he lied. He w3ants to be elected a second term. And he will use partisan politics to do so. Just like all those4 other liars and hacks in Washington DC.

Agree with me or disagree with me, tell me I am full of it or cheer me on for telling it like it is. It doesn't matter to me, so long as I get you to thinking for yourself and not just being a robot of the establishment. Because, hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Exciting News

I have exciting news.

And it has nothing to do with Barack Obama's jobs plan (which I've already spoken out about before the latest news from GOP). It has nothing to do with Huntsman sucking up to the sports minded fans of South Carolina (like going to Clemson and Univeristy of South Carolina games is NOT going to offset each other). Or Hillary announcing there is "less than zero" chance of here going up against Obama in 2012 Primary (don't you love politicians who say such things . . . makes you wanna shout LIAR!).

No, my news is actually about me. I have been walking around with an elated feeling that even politics can't sway from me.

After all the articles, blogs, reviews, short stories I have published over the years, I have finally published BOOK ONE. (I call it that because I have every intention of following this up quickly with non-fiction, fiction and many more books. Let the flood waters spill!)

It is a poetry anthology of poems and pictures about my time as a truck driver. Aptly titled, Behind the Wheel: A Trucker's Poetry Book, I hope to dispel some preconceptions about truckers, life on the road and what these dedicated professionals have to deal with in regards to family, friends, job and life on the road in general. You can check it out (it is an e-book you can download on many platforms) if you'd like. I know I would LOVE it if you checked it out.

Now that I have broken that barrier in my life, I will be publishing more. Including the soon to be completed non-fiction "memoir" of the 2008 political campaign up to Barack's first year in office. Thinking Out Loud: The Book should be done editing next week and I will be getting that one out there.

Anyway, thank you all for your support of this blog. It is to you and the people over at WM Freelancers on LinkedIn that I gained my courage to do this. (I did the dedication to my family for Behind the Wheel, but it will be to you all that I will be dedicating the next one. After all, it was my readers, both casual and dedicated, that have inspired me to keep writing my thoughts on all things in America from a conservative viewpoint.

I will be back to wax politic and philosophical. For now, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud, and beaming from ear to ear.

Have a great day. I am.

Charles

Some much needed changes

A very smart group of people were discussing writing, from a professional perspective. I found myself lucky enough to have been nearby to listen in. (Thanks, Angela.) They had some very practical and real world ideas on bringing in clients to their freelance work, what the best way to do some promoting of your work to garner more clients and ways to present yourself in a professional manner.

I found these insights very helpful and took the advice of a very smart man. (Thanks, Vincent.)

So, as you may have noticed, I have made some much needed changes to the site. I hope you like. Let me know.

As for making much needed changes, I suggest that the voting public also needs to make some changes.

With the advent of more corporate money flowing into political campaigns, a one sided media (that may be coming around because us alternate media types are making them look pretty foolish), and a campaign season that is determined to be sleazier, hazier and even more of a popularity contest than ever before.

Stop listening to the commercials.

Stop listening to the rhetoric from the media and from the candidates themselves.

Stop listening to all the radio, television and internet talking heads. (Yea, that means me, too. Even though I won't stop talking.)

And when I say "stop listening," I don't mean stop taking in the information they put out. I mean "STOP LISTENING" and taking it all to heart as gospel. I mean STOP LETTING THEM DO YOUR THINKING FOR YOU!

There is this incredible gray matter stuffed into your skulls between your ears that has all sorts of uses. And one such use is for logical thinking. It has amazing capacity for sniffing out the BS and sifting through the information to get at the facts.

There are so many unbiased places you can find out about the people who want to represent us. Find out what they believe in by finding out what they have done. If it is an elected official, check out his / her votes. Check out the bills they have personally sponsored as opposed to ones they jump on board with after the bill is written. (Some of these just may be repaying favors.) Check out the speeches they make in public, in office and during interviews.

If they have not held office, scrutinize where they come from and what they have done in their lives. If they espouse giving to the poor and homeless and the uneducated, see what they have done in their own loves to this end. have they donated to charities (money or time)? If they have a business, how well was it run? Did the employees like working for them? Have they had any SEC or ethics violations against them?

The American voter needs to know what they believe in as well, and how committed they are to those beliefs. If a the public doesn't know what they believe in with a passion unmatched, then how can they judge the people they elect on their beliefs?

We've got 18 months before the next general election. Between now and then there will be a lot of rhetoric flying around out there. It is about time we cut through all the crap and get to the heart of the truth. It is about time we have leaders who are more interested in leading then filling their own pockets or expanding their own influence. We need leaders who are willing to lead through the hard times and the good, and not just interested in exploiting a "good crisis" to further their own agenda. It is time we stand up and let Washington know that we are tired of the in-fighting, the ideologue mentality and the "we're better than you" mentality. We are tired of back and forth bickering when we need a fix to our problems in the PRESNT not in the FUTURE. Because without leadership and solutions now, we will have no future.

As always, agree or disagree with me, it makes no matter. So long as I make you stop listening and start thinking for yourself, I have done my job. But hey, this is just me, Thinking out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Solar Flares and The Web

I don't know (mainly because no one is making any comments and I can't find a reputable source to confirm), but I think that the solar flares that are sweeping earth and knocked out China's short wave radios two days ago are slowing down the internet. I did a speed check after I couldn't get much work done today (like I was really doing much reporting anyway) and found that my web was working 212 times slower than it should be.

If anyone has seen their GPS going bonkers or cell phones or other wireless type and satellite dependent devices let me know. (Comments are always welcome.)

But what has me pondering this particular event (and, you ask, what does this have to do with your usual political rant??) is this was a fairly large event, but nothing like what we could be experiencing in the next few years.

The past eleven years the sun has been at solar minimum. And last year there were barely any sunspot activity to speak of. Also, the last major flare activity of any consequence occurred during a period in our development that did not depend so heavily on electronic devices. GPS, cell phones, OnStar (tm), wireless webs and even wireless power stations dominate our daily lives. And don't even get me started on what chaos would ensue were our TV remotes and Wii controllers stop working!!! Akkkkkkkkk!

But back to the thought at hand.

What is our government doing about planning for such an event? Nada, people. Zip. Zilch. Zero effort being extended. But oh they are getting themselves ready for the 2012 elections, you can be sure. Healthcare. Illegal immigrants. Jobs. The economy. Expansion of government. Denial of states' sovereignty. Don't ask, don't tell. You know, all the important hot button issues that make for great sound bites.

On the other hand, we may not want these boneheads in politics to start dealing with this. Remember what stupidity and junk science (on both sides) that came out of the partisan political rhetoric about global warming?

No, maybe it should be up to us, the citizens of America to do something about the possible dark ages impact a BIG flare might leave us in for a few days or weeks. Maybe private industry can put some resources on this problem. maybe the average Joe inventor could tackle this. Maybe we can show the politicians what to do rather than wait for them to tell us what to do. (Remember the stupid debacle of the outlaying of light bulbs in favor of ones that you need a HAZMAT cleanup if you drop it on the kitchen floor?)

AT this point I'm not even sure what it is I'm talking about today for you to agree or disagree with. Maybe the solar flares are messing with my cerebral electrical signals. Either way, as usual, it doesn't matter much. Because it is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.