Politics

Bye-Bye Christmas Parade.... It's now the "Boat Parade of Lights"!!!

GOP Mike — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:04:59 -0500

To my Conservative friends:

Well Christmas has taken another shovel to the back of the head... In Patchogue, NY the town's Chamber of Commerce, who host the event, changed the name of the traditional Christmas parade to the more "non-offensive", Boat Parade of Lights!!!!

How special that sounds.... Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya!!!!!

Now, nothing galls me more than this POLITICALLY CORRECT HORSESH--!!!!!!

Are you kidding me or what!!!!

The organizers claim that "some" residents felt the name of the parade wasn't "inclusive enough"!!!! Well, if that doesn't get your blood to boil, I don't know what does....

I don't know what makes me more angry.... The handful of dim-bulbs that actually logged the protest or the pathetically weak town officials who caved in to the PC police and have trashed our traditions a little further with every liberal step they take....

The parade had been co-sponsored for years by Grucci fireworks, but not this year... This year, Grucci pulled it's sponsorship and fireworks display in response to the outrageous cowardess and politically correct crap that goes on in this country... I say, bully for Grucci!!! I plan on emailing them congratulating them on their principled stand and response...

If you would like to contact Grucci to commend them on their bravery, please contact the President of Grucci, Philip Butler at pbutler@grucci.com

Our friend and one of my idols, Bill O'Reilly is our National leader on this issue. He has called out many a corporation and Politician on this "secularization" of this great country by the libs.... The cornerstone of this battle is the attempt to minimize and marginalize Christmas.... Our friend Michelle Malkin also has been a crusader in this area an other politically correct madness... She wrote an article today on the new politically correct term for Native Americans (hey, I thought that was the politically correct term, but noooooo. Check out Michelle's article - she is always a joy to read...

How "special" will it be to decorate the "Family Tree" this Christmas!!!!

The issue is the contempt and hatred the left has for anything traditional or Christian.... From big retail chains forbidding its employees from saying Merry Christmas to Christmas trees being advertised as "Family Trees", and on and on and on... Sickening!!!

Well, my friends, this is not the end of the battle, its just the beginning... With Barry and the libs now entrenched in power, we will have to be more vigilant, more out-spoken and more passionate about our traditional values being ravaged than ever before....

We have to be... Or else Christmas will be wiped off the calendar and replace with a "Community Unity Luncheon"!!!!!

How "SPECIAL" and "INCLUSIVE" would that be?????

Just my thoughts...

GOP Mike

Please visit my site www.gopmike.com for witty, conservative writing...

When Republicans Act Like Democrats

Steve McCullough — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:49:35 -0500

Barack Obama has now been elected the forty-fourth President of the United States. He ran a very organized campaign and has made history as the first man of color to be elected to the nation's highest political office. Democrats have increased their margin of representation over Republicans in both houses of congress and hold a majority in the senate which should allow them to pass almost all legislation they desire. This election can be seen as either a repudiation or an opportunity for the Republicans Party. I see it as a little of both. First, let me say right up front, that I do not like political parties. I don't care if they are Democrats, Republicans, Bull Moose, or Whigs. Both George Washington and John Adams, our nation's first two presidents, believed that political parties would lead to the downfall of our political system of representative democracy since it allowed special interest groups to gain too much power over political candidates. Today we can see their fears have been realized in Washington with billions of dollars worth of political influence financing campaigns. Trial lawyers, trade unions, the medical industry, abortion advocates, financial institutions, and a host of other lobbyists roam the halls of congress doling out money to any politician willing to compromise his principles for a chance to get a piece of the pork. As we recently witnessed in the mortgage industry meltdown, even those who are supposed to be overseeing quasi-government agencies like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae can collect hundreds of thousands of dollars from those whom they are supposed to be regulating. This is a classic example of the fox guarding the henhouse. In the election of 2000, Republicans won both houses of congress and the presidency. This was a great opportunity for those elected to enact the conservative core values which defined the Republican party in the 1980's - limited government, fiscal conservatism, strong national defense, and strong social values. These are the ideas which Ronald Reagan communicated to Americans which allowed him to unite his GOP base along with "Reagan Democrats" to win landslide elections in 1980 and 1984. However, for six years the Republicans in power ignored these conservative values and acted like big-spending Democrats. They ran up a huge deficit and instituted a myriad of expensive government-sponsored social programs such as the Medicare drug program. When our military became bogged down in the Iraq war and the deficits and spending kept growing, American voters got fed up. In 2006, Republicans lost control of both houses of congress. Americans wanted change and any change seemed preferable to the status quo. The GOP lost its way and this year put forth a squishy, middle-of-the-road presidential candidate in John McCain who claimed he was well-suited to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats. In truth, McCain had repeatedly demonstrated this with his record for tag-team legislation, working with Russ Feingold, Ted Kennedy, John Edwards, John Kerry, and other liberal lawmakers. "Reaching across the political aisle" always entails selling out conservative values - something McCain seemed willing to do more often than not. At the tail-end of his political campaign McCain tried to convince voters that he was a real agent for change in Washington. The voters didn't buy it. Then there was the other candidate who was, by his mere appearance, an obvious change to the stereotypical politician. Thus, we now have president-elect Barack Obama, the first mixed-race American to take the oath of office. So, what does all this mean for America? The country will now fall under the control of big-government politicians controlling the executive branch and both houses of congress. Taxes will be raised on the top 5 percent of wage-earners (including most small business owners), who now carry 60 percent of the income tax burden, and millions of checks will be sent out to the 40 percent of those who pay no federal income tax. Capital gains taxes, already the second-highest in the world, will be raised from 15 percent to 20 or 25 percent. The Bush tax cuts will be repealed and the estate tax will be reinstituted. An extremely costly government-sponsored health care program will be enacted which will cover both citizens and illegal immigrants. The government will very quickly run up a trillion dollar deficit once all of Obama's programs are implemented. The Supreme Court will probably see two or three more activist liberal judges appointed. There will be an attempt to culturally redefine America. Affirmative action will be strictly enforced across the country and there will be a move to provide "reparations" for those of African-American heritage. The courts will shoot down all restrictions on abortion and America will become the most pro-abortion nation on earth. A liberal Supreme Court will attempt to change the definition of marriage at the national level. There will be many challenges to the Second Amendment right to own firearms. Conservative talk radio will be restricted by the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" and there will be more political correctness and speech codes on college campuses. Twelve to twenty million illegal aliens will be granted amnesty and Democrats will attempt to make them citizens as quickly as possible and register them for their party. Military spending will be cut by 25% and America's armed forces will come under the influence of the United Nations. No global consensus - no military action. And what does this portend for the Republican Party? Actually, this is a great opportunity for the GOP. Americans are not Europeans despite the wishes of Democrats that we were more like them. Most Americans believe that independence, hard work and entrepreneurialism leads one to success. These are the conservative core values which our Founding Fathers incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Most Americans want a limited, fiscally-responsible federal government, low taxes, and a strong military which will defend our country. Most have Judeo-Christian values and do not want to redefine marriage. They believe that Americans have the right to defend themselves with a firearm. Will the Republican Party learn a lesson from this election and return to its conservative roots? Only time will tell. If Republicans continue to act like Democrats they will live a long time in the political wilderness. If they rediscover their true identity and unite behind a conservative standard bearer, America may experience a second "Reagan Revolution".

Fight With Me, Fight!

Steve McCullough — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:38:17 -0400

The Democrats keep repeating the mantra that the financial crisis is the fault of the Bush Administration and Republicans. When is McCain going to hit back and lay this mess at the feet of those who created it and refused to do anything to control it? Bill O'Reilly ripped into Barney Frank, head of the House Financial Services Committee, last night for blaming everyone but himself and accepting no personal responsibility for this mess. In 2003, Frank said, "These two entities – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – are not facing any kind of financial crisis." According to a New York Times article, Frank added, "The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing." How many people are aware that John McCain supported a proposal for oversight of FMAE and FMAC in 2005 while Democrats refused to support it and wanted approval for more suspect mortgages? McCain and Palin should hit the Democrats over the head with this until they knock them silly! See: http://beltwaysnark.com/2008/09/16/john-mccain-supported-a-proposal-for-an-agency-to-oversee-fannie-and-freddiein-2005/ The bill was shot down by DEMOCRATS! Shove this right down their throats, talk about the push by Democrats during the Clinton administration to expand mortgage loans among low- and moderate-income people who were not qualified to receive these loans. Repeat as many times as necessary that the very groundwork for today’s problems are rooted in Jimmy Carter's 1977 Community Reinvestment Act , and that in 2003 President Bush proposed the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis and was blocked by Democrats on party lines. Keep slamming Obama who has gotten more than $125,000 in campaign contributions from employees and political action committees of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, second only to Chris Dodd, the Senate Banking Committee chairman, who received more than $165,000. Barack Obama and his allies took the money and, for years, did nothing to resolve the credit crisis. John McCain needs to push back against the way the media has painted this as the fault of Republicans, including McCain himself. If he continues to roll over and say nothing about this, McCain will go down with the ship. Come on John! Fight with me, stand up, fight with me! Fight!

McCain Announces That Debate is On

Gary Gore — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:47:42 -0400

The McCain campaign has released the following statements regarding the work that's been done in Washington to help try to get the financial crisis resolved and his plans for the debate in Oxford, Mississippi.

Statement By McCain Campaign On Negotiations

John McCain’s decision to suspend his campaign was made in the hopes that politics could be set aside to address our economic crisis.

In response, Americans saw a familiar spectacle in Washington. At a moment of crisis that threatened the economic security of American families, Washington played the blame game rather than work together to find a solution that would avert a collapse of financial markets without squandering hundreds of billions of taxpayers’ money to bailout bankers and brokers who bet their fortunes on unsafe lending practices.

Both parties in both houses of Congress and the administration needed to come together to find a solution that would deserve the trust of the American people. And while there were attempts to do that, much of yesterday was spent fighting over who would get the credit for a deal and who would get the blame for failure. There was no deal or offer yesterday that had a majority of support in Congress. There was no deal yesterday that included adequate protections for the taxpayers. It is not enough to cut deals behind closed doors and then try to force it on the rest of Congress ? especially when it amounts to thousands of dollars for every American family.

The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama’s priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.

Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative Blunt as a designated negotiator for House Republicans. The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.

More: Politico - CNN

John McCain Suspends Presidential Campaign

Gary Gore — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:58:07 -0400

In an incredibly surprising announcement, John McCain has decided to suspend his presidential campaign for the time being, "set politics aside", and head back to Washington, D.C. to work on the financial crisis legislation before Congress. In announcing this major move, he has also challenged his opponent, Barack Obama, to do the same at this time.

In his statement, McCain said that affective tomorrow morning, his campaign will officially be suspended and has requested that Friday night's debate set for Oxford, Mississippi be temporarily postponed.

This puts Barack Obama in a pretty interesting spot, obviously. Does Obama now follow John McCain's lead and also suspend his campaign to go back to Congress to work on getting the financial package passed or does he decide to go on and procede with the politics as usual, continuing the presidential run?

Nobody ever said John McCain wasn't a 'maverick'.

*****

Updates:

Announcement Transcript (Drudge Report)

McCain suspends campaign for 'historic' crisis (CNN)

McCain seeks to delay debate to focus on economy (Yahoo)

McCain seeks debate delay to focus on financial crisis (USA Today)

GOP 'Brand' Improving According to New Poll Released by Pew Research

Gary Gore — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:29:10 -0400

Pew Research Center has a brand new poll out that reflects some very favorable numbers for the Republicans going into the peak of the election season.

The poll shows that 'independent voters' now have an equally favorable opinion of both parties - 50% to 49% - a 1-point edge actually going to the Republicans. As recently as August, the Democrats had held an 18-point advantage over the Republicans in this very demographic; a huge gap that had previously held for over a year.

The Truth - According to the "Mainstream Media"

Steve McCullough — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:34:01 -0400

Here's what I have learned from the American media: 1. Barack Obama should be the first black person elected to the presidency - that's good. It's destiny. 2. Barack Obama has plenty of experience to be president. His "community organizing" and less than 1 term in the Senate has thoroughly prepared him to be president despite his lack of foreign policy experience. 3. John McCain is going to die in the next 4 years. Count on it. 4. If John McCain is elected president, Sarah Palin is going to assume the office in the next 4 years. That's a catastrophe. 5. Sarah Palin is totally unqualified to be president. She has only 13 years in elected office as Town Council Member, Mayor, and Governor of Alaska. 6. Sarah Palin has too many scandals in her life. She has 5!!! (oh my god!) children. She did not get an abortion but had a baby with Downs Syndrome. Her unmarried daughter is pregnant. Her husband had a DUI 22 years ago. How can we possibly elect a person with so many skeletons in her closet? 7. Barack Obama is friends with a terrorist, a Catholic priest who preaches against America and a con artist. His minister for more than 10 years is a racist. So what? That should not be counted against him. After all, he left the church after defending his preacher many, many times. And the terrorist bomber actually did the bombings when Obama was a kid. Ignore those closeted skeletons. 8. Joe Biden is a foreign policy expert. He was for a nuclear freeze during the Cold War, voted against the war to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein, voted for the second Gulf War, voted against the surge, and said that we should split up Iraq into 3 parts. What a genius! 9. Barack Obama's claim to fame is that he was against the Iraq War even though he had no vote. He says that because McCain supported the war he should be disqualified from holding office. Biden voted for the war and is Obama's running mate. No problem. Here is what I have actually learned. The American so-called "mainstream media" is nothing but a corrupt, immoral, agenda-driven, liberal propaganda tool for the Democrat Party. Joseph Goebbels and Adolf Hitler would admire the work of this group of gutter snipes.

Palin Gets Her Chance to Respond to Bias Driven Frenzy Wednesday Night

Gary Gore — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:17:29 -0400

Those who are familiar with Sarah Palin know all too well that the very last thing you should do to her is underestimate her. It has been noted that throughout her career within the realm of Alaska state politics, Palin has left a long trail within her wake, consisting of those who have discounted her toughness and resolve.

Tonight we get our chance to see what Gov. Palin is made of, and I do not think she will disappoint the masses of conservatives that have been energized with her addition to the GOP ticket. Palin is a woman that seems to have the exact same makeup about her that many have seen in President Bush throughout his entire political career; the kind of traits that have led many to underestimate, dismiss, never see her coming... at their own peril.

Not only do I see Sarah Palin being fully capable of not only countering and answering her critics that have come out of some of the most puzzling places over the last couple of days, but I see her fully able to go on the offensive. Because there is, oh, so much to speak out about Wednesday evening!

I've been totally shocked at some of the criticisms that have been waged against her in such a short time that she's been introduced to America. We have seen everything from statements made that she has no business taking on such duties that would come from being vice-president while she has an infant son with special needs to the latest criticisms, now, about having a husband that had a traffic stop some 24 years ago.

Of course, there is the most disgusting of issues on the table, as well, regarding a very personal family matter that has no business being a part of the public debate this election year. Let it just be said, without offering too much attention to such a matter, that it is awfully interesting how much attention the media has now decided is worth merit when it comes to such a private, family issue involving a minor teenage child of a political candidate. We are witnessing a sea change in journalistic ethics this go around. And America is worse for it.

I have no doubts the biggest threat to the American Left is yet another strong, powerful woman being introduced to the nation with an (R) beside her name. This isn't about the 'Hillary Factor'. It is way bigger than that. This is about that "51% Minority" in America proving that the socialistic, nanny-state mentality that has been offered by the Democratic Party is not welcome - even by those who would possibly benefit the most, as calculated by their academia-driven theoretical models.

Sarah Palin is, incarnate, the ideological battle which is being waged for the heart and soul of today's female voter. And the mainstream media knows it. Liberal political figures who have made a career out of pushing far-left, gender-driven policy are now sweating bullets, considering today's political reality wherein only 1 out of 5 likely voters stated that they would not vote for a candidate who did not share their views on abortion; this according to a Time magazine poll that came out early last month. Even more troubling for Democrats is that 26% of Republicans see the abortion issue as critical to their voting choice to only 18% of Democrats. It is due to this sort of reality, along with countless additional dynamics present in this election, that it is evident just how threatened the opposition feels when the Republican Party offers the American voter such a "Talking the talk and walking the walk" embodiment of this new voting option for today's American woman.

So, tonight is her chance to wage an offensive, not to go on the defense, about her important candidacy. Appearing to come from a position where she simply defends herself, her candidacy, and her record of policy and accomplishment, she will seem to justify the onslaught of biased charges that have been waged against her. It is Sarah Palin's very own critics that need to be squarely in her sights and not the other way around!

For every criticism that comes her way that claims that she should be at home taking care of her son, she can retort "Where is the criticism regarding Joe Biden's decision to leave his young son, while in intensive care, after a tragic automobile accident at the beginning of his career as a Senator to serve in Washington?"

For every whisper about personal family matters within her home, Palin can ask of the media, "Why has Senator Obama's background - conceived by an unwed, teenage mother and a father who had a wife in Kenya - not been noted to any degree as an issue, and rightfully so, throughout the past two years of his candidacy?"

If the media wishes to push a 24-year-old traffic stop incident, involving her husband, Gov. Palin has the ability to counter, "Twenty-four years ago is the exact time frame within Sen. Obama's life, in which he states there was a lot of experimentation with drug use; where has the media investigations led regarding that period of Senator Obama's life?"

This is not a time for Palin to be passive or meek. This is a time to rally the great masses in our country that see exactly what is going on with the biased attacks against her. America loves a fighter. And we especially love a fighter when the necessity to strike back arises due to the bullying and pilling on by forces that, at first glance, seem much more powerful than the one attacked.

During his radio program this afternoon, Rush Limbaugh attributed a quote to Sarah Palin that needs to be on full display beginning tonight; Palin was quoted as saying, "Do you know the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick!"

Well, Madame Governor... the time is now for you to put on that lipstick, strap on those heels... and that chinstrap!

***

More: Wizbang - Michelle Malkin - Power Line - Redstate - PoliPundit

Meet the Female VP Candidate

Steve McCullough — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:20:54 -0400

The Basics

Significance: First woman vice-presidential candidate for her party.

Age: mid-40's.

Foreign Policy Experience: none.

Years holding a political office: 10+.

The Challenge:

The opposition party claims that her limited political experience makes her unqualified to be placed only "one heart beat" away from the Oval Office. She is seen as a "token" pick, selected for her gender not her political agenda or ability. It is asserted that she has been selected to bring youth, energy and glamor to her running mate's stodgy image and lackluster campaign.

Her Response:

On Her Qualifications: "There's not only what's on your resume that makes you qualified to run for or to hold office. It's how you approach problems and what your values are. I think if one is taking a look at my career they'll see that I level with people; that I approach problems analytically; that I am able to assess the various facts with reference to a problem, and that I can make the hard decisions."
On Her Experience: "My feeling, quite frankly, is that I have enough experience to see the problems, address them and make the tough decisions and level with people with reference to these problems."

On the Problems Facing America: "…what we are talking about are problems that are facing the entire nation. They're not just problems facing women. The issues in this campaign are the war-peace issues; the problems of deficits; the problems of trade deficits."

Her Identity

Who is this woman who was propelled to the national political stage as the first woman to be selected by her party to be a candidate for vice-president? Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska? Nope. Guess again. The correct answer is Geraldine Ferraro, Congresswoman for the 9th District, New York who was named as Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984.

Isn't it amazing that the Democrat Party, which was so proud of their woman VP candidate in 1984, with comparable if not less experience, is now so appalled that John McCain would select a female governor as his running mate? Equally amazing is the Democrats' lack of concern that their presidential nominee, Barack Obama, has less experience than either of the two women vice-presidential nominees. Here are some typical reactions to the pick of Governor Sarah Palin as Republican VP candidate:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "John McCain and Sarah Palin will not bring the American people the New Direction they need." Right, Nancy. With the 18% approval rating for your congress, you are the "New Direction" we are looking for.

New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer: "...her lack of experience makes the thought of her assuming the presidency troubling." As opposed to Obama's "lack of experience" which does not make the thought of his assuming the presidency troubling for Chuck.

Barack Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton: "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency." Never mind that she is governor of the largest state in the country. It's better to have a former "community organizer" with zero foreign policy experience be the president immediately.

Executive Director of MoveOn.org Eli Pariser: "It’s not only fair, but critical in this case, to ask if she’s up for the job of commander in chief. We just can’t afford a gamble like this with our future." Palin's a "gamble". Obama cannot even admit that the surge in Iraq has succeeded. No gamble there. It's a sure thing that he's not "up for the job of commander in chief."

What are Her Values?

Sarah Palin is the 11th governor of Alaska. During her first legislative session, Governor Palin implemented an overhaul of the state's ethics laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline. She was recently named chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resources Committee. She is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Sarah Palin: "I'm pro-life. I'll do all I can to see every baby is created with a future and potential. The legislature should do all it can to protect human life.

Fiscally and socially, I am a conservative. My respect for the three different branches of government and the balance between them has been my guide.

I would push for a strong military and a sound energy policy. I believe that Alaska can help set an example on energy policy.

We have billions and billions of barrels of oil and trillions of feet of natural gas. We have so much potential from tapping our resources here in Alaska. And we can do this with minimum environmental impact. We have a very pro-development president in President Bush, and yet he failed to push for opening up parts of Alaska to drilling through Congress -- and a Republican-controlled Congress, I might add.

I thought when we hit $100 a barrel for oil it would have been a psychological barrier that would have caused Congress to reconsider, but they didn't. Now we are approaching $200 a barrel. It's nonsense not to tap a safe domestic source of oil. I think Americans need to hold Congress accountable on this one."

Governor Sarah Palin sounds to me like someone who can make a real change - not a promise of change - in Washington, DC.

McCain to Obama: Congratulations!

Gary Gore — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:40:17 -0400

John McCain will be airing an ad tonight during the Democratic Convention congratulating Barack Obama for his historic nomination for the Democratic Party.

Check out the ad here:

Talk about some good strategery! Not only does McCain come off looking very classy and magnanimous, but he also is able to go just that much further with his desire to share the day's spotlight.

Not only will the media outlets be talking about the McCain VP speculation, they now have this tremendous gesture to discuss and mull over.