Sarah Palin on the Issues

From her 2008 campaign.

Sarah Palin on Abortion
Click here for 15 full quotes on Abortion OR other candidates on Abortion OR background on Abortion.

* Use my daughter Bristol as a teaching tool for others. (Oct 2008)
* Constitution does offer an inherent right to privacy. (Oct 2008)
* Abortion should be states� issue, not federal mandate. (Oct 2008)
* While mayor, Wasilla charged rape victims for rape kits. (Sep 2008)
* Rejected sympathy for Down�s Syndrome son, as gift from God. (Aug 2008)
* Opposes embryonic stem cell research. (Aug 2008)
* Every baby is created with a future and potential. (Aug 2008)
* Safe Haven bill: allow surrendering newborns without penalty. (Feb 2008)
* Adoption is best plan for permanency for foster care kids. (Oct 2007)
* Pro-life. (Nov 2006)
* Choose life, even if her own daughter were raped. (Nov 2006)
* If Roe v. Wade got overturned, let people decide what�s next. (Oct 2006)
* Opposes use of public funds for abortions. (Oct 2006)
* Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life. (Aug 2006)
* Only exception for abortion is if mother�s life would end. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Budget & Economy
Click here for 17 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR other candidates on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.

* Vetoed $25M stimulus earmark; Alaskans don't desire "help". (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Praised Bush $700B bailout; opposed Obama's $787B. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: No, Alaska doesn't deny federal stimulus help. (Nov 2009)
* Restraint of last two years should continue in tough times. (Jan 2009)
* We suspended campaign to work on economic reform. (Oct 2008)
* Predatory lenders got us into the housing crisis. (Oct 2008)
* We should not reward poor financial decisions. (Sep 2008)
* McCain�s experience makes him best judge in economic crisis. (Sep 2008)
* Program of $1,200 to every Alaskan: spent on consumer goods. (Sep 2008)
* Workforce fundamentals are strong; economy needs oversight. (Sep 2008)
* Taxpayers cannot be looked to as Wall Street bailout. (Sep 2008)
* Control spending by request if possible; by veto if needed. (Sep 2008)
* $7 billion savings plan for education & transportation. (Dec 2007)
* Reduced general fund spending by $124 million. (Mar 2007)
* Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
* Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)
* Coordinate state tourism marketing but no additional funding. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
Click here for 19 full quotes on Civil Rights OR other candidates on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.

* First female mayor of Wasilla; first female governor of AK. (Oct 2008)
* Non-support of anything but traditional marriage. (Oct 2008)
* I�m a feminist; equal rights for women. (Sep 2008)
* Equal pay for equal work; but not Ledbetter Act. (Sep 2008)
* Hillary put 18 million cracks in glass ceiling. (Sep 2008)
* Would like support from women�s groups, but won�t woo them. (Sep 2008)
* Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
* ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities. (Jul 2008)
* Recognize Juneteenth to celebrate the end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
* HIV/AIDS among Alaska Natives is public health crisis. (Mar 2008)
* Recognize Martin Luther King holiday. (Jan 2008)
* Comply with same-sex partner benefits despite disagreement. (Dec 2006)
* Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
* Value our cultural diversity. (Nov 2006)
* Prefers term �anti-rural� to �anti-Native�. (Nov 2006)
* Special legislative session on same-sex health benefits. (Nov 2006)
* Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
* No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
* Top priorities include preserving definition of �marriage�. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Corporations
Click here for 5 full quotes on Corporations OR other candidates on Corporations OR background on Corporations.

* Small businesses have to be brave enough to fail. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: No, Obama�s plan won�t tax millions of businesses. (Oct 2008)
* Wall Street violated public trust & caused mortgage crisis. (Sep 2008)
* Governor must act as effective CEO on behalf of Alaskans. (Nov 2006)
* Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Crime
Click here for 12 full quotes on Crime OR other candidates on Crime OR background on Crime.

* Establish �FBI Day� to support fighting global crime. (Jun 2008)
* Register sex offenders; & investigate internet sex crimes. (Jun 2008)
* Victims� rights are critical to �justice for all�. (Mar 2008)
* We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement. (Jan 2008)
* Collect DNA samples from felons. (Jun 2007)
* Gang members on probation must wear electronic monitors. (Jun 2007)
* Maximum sentence for first-degree murder by police. (Apr 2007)
* If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
* Strong public safety presence, via police, courts & prisons. (Nov 2006)
* Death penalty for adults who murder children. (Oct 2006)
* No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based. (Jul 2006)
* No expansion of gambling in Alaska. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Drugs
Click here for 7 full quotes on Drugs OR other candidates on Drugs OR background on Drugs.

* Rejected making Wasilla bars close earlier than 5 AM. (Sep 2008)
* Highway fatalities down because of strict drunk driving laws. (Aug 2008)
* Maintain alcohol sale database; bar giving alcohol to minors. (Jun 2007)
* Questions cruise ship gambling, under casino gambling ban. (Oct 2006)
* Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat. (Aug 2006)
* Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)
* Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Education
Click here for 26 full quotes on Education OR other candidates on Education OR background on Education.

* 3-year plan: $1B for early learning, vo-tech, accountability. (Jan 2009)
* We need more flexibility in No Child Left Behind. (Oct 2008)
* Never tried to ban books in the Wasilla Library. (Sep 2008)
* Science teacher as dad; believes in teaching evolution. (Sep 2008)
* Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
* Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. (Aug 2008)
* 294 Alaska public schools progressed under NCLB. (Aug 2008)
* School debate should focus on accountability. (Jan 2008)
* Committed to providing strong education, including morals. (Jan 2008)
* Budget funds education, but will to work is also critical. (Jan 2008)
* Court ruling against NEA: state adequately funds education. (Jun 2007)
* Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education. (Jan 2007)
* Supports $20 million needs-based aid for U. Alaska. (Nov 2006)
* Forward-fund K-12 schools to allow better planning. (Nov 2006)
* Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives. (Nov 2006)
* Target early education programs to at-risk groups. (Nov 2006)
* Alignment between parents, teachers, schools, & business. (Nov 2006)
* Faith-based materials ok in homeschooling. (Nov 2006)
* ABC method: back to basics, plus patriotism & ethics. (Nov 2006)
* Supports parental choice for what is best for their children. (Nov 2006)
* Don�t push school boards on creationism but allow discussion. (Oct 2006)
* I believe we have a creator; and many theories of evolution. (Oct 2006)
* Support charters & home schools; not private school vouchers. (Oct 2006)
* Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
* Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)
* Pledge of Allegiance with �Under God� is good enough. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Energy & Oil
Click here for 50 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR other candidates on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.

* 2006: Replace secret gasline deal with open competition. (Nov 2009)
* Open gasline process, but $500M inducement to oil company. (Nov 2009)
* Cap-and-Trade is a Cap-and-Tax program. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Gas pipeline deal was not open & competitive. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Yes, Obama climate law costs consumers $145/year. (Nov 2009)
* Sues federal EPA for misusing Endangered Species Act. (Jan 2009)
* FactCheck: No, Obama has always supported clean coal. (Oct 2008)
* Exxon & Conoco are not my biggest fan. (Oct 2008)
* Nonsensical to leave domestic supply untapped. (Oct 2008)
* First and foremost, we must become energy independent. (Sep 2008)
* Energy is inherently linked to security and prosperity. (Sep 2008)
* Produce more of our own oil & gas, for national security. (Sep 2008)
* More pipelines; more nukes; more coal; more alternatives. (Sep 2008)
* Resource rebate: suspend AK 8-cent fuel tax for one year. (Aug 2008)
* To win, GOP must push energy independence. (Aug 2008)
* Windfall oil profits tax prevents investment. (Aug 2008)
* Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)
* Exxon-Mobil should pay $507 million for Exxon Valdez spill. (Jul 2008)
* Energy relief plan: $100 per person monthly, for oil & gas. (May 2008)
* Fully fund the Petroleum Systems Integrity Office. (Feb 2008)
* $250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro. (Jan 2008)
* National energy policy not an either/or proposition. (Nov 2007)
* Fund cellulosic biofuel research in Farm Bill. (Oct 2007)
ANWR & Alaska Energy
* Goal of 50% of Alaska electric power from renewable sources. (Jan 2009)
* Drill, baby, drill. (Oct 2008)
* Crowning achievement: Alaska Gas Inducement Act. (Sep 2008)
* McCain wants healthy deliberation on disagreements like ANWR. (Sep 2008)
* Gas pipeline:history�s largest private-sector infrastructure. (Sep 2008)
* Claimed major triumph: $500 million subsidy for gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
* Gasline Inducement Act: 1,715-mile natural gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
* Commercialize Alaska�s North Slope natural gas. (Aug 2008)
* Appointed an Alaska oil and gas commissioner. (Aug 2008)
* Agrees with Obama on more Alaska oil & gas production. (Aug 2008)
* Convinced McCain to drill offshore; not yet on drilling ANWR. (Jul 2008)
* Unlock ANWR; we�re ready, willing and able to contribute. (Jun 2008)
* Bush is right: drill ANWR & develop our own supplies. (Apr 2008)
* Gas pipelines are approved if they meet Alaska�s needs. (Jan 2008)
* Submitted legislation to build natural AGIA gas pipeline. (Mar 2007)
* Stranded Gas Development Act no longer applies. (Nov 2006)
* Get ANWR open. (Nov 2006)
* Chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. (Nov 2006)
* Pursue gasline plan that is best for ALL Alaskans. (Nov 2006)
* Met with producers and employee groups for pipeline deal. (Oct 2006)
* Firm start date as part of gasline incentive offer. (Oct 2006)
* Opposes natural gas reserves tax--it�s not earned income yet. (Oct 2006)
Global Warming
* I do support capping carbon emissions. (Oct 2008)
* Cyclical temperature changes affect climate change. (Oct 2008)
* All-of-the-above approach to deal with climate change. (Oct 2008)
* Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made. (Aug 2008)
* Analyze potential costs associated with climate change. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Environment
Click here for 15 full quotes on Environment OR other candidates on Environment OR background on Environment.

* Exxon Valdez spill was environmental & economic disaster. (Nov 2009)
* 20 years to recover Exxon Valdez damages for people of AK. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Praised $500M for Valdez victims; but wanted $2B. (Nov 2009)
* Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
* Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
* We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
* Wolf predator control is important for subsistence hunters. (Sep 2007)
* Feds shouldn�t list beluga whales as endangered. (Aug 2007)
* Provide stability in regulations for developers. (Jan 2007)
* Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR. (Jan 2007)
* Fish platform: �Resource First� philosophy. (Nov 2006)
* Rail provides critical link for business development. (Nov 2006)
* Supports �Roads to Resources�: subsidized access to mines. (Oct 2006)
* Don�t duplicate effort in monitoring cruise ship emissions. (Oct 2006)
* Don�t amend AK constitution for rural subsistence fishing. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Families & Children
Click here for 7 full quotes on Families & Children OR other candidates on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.

* Caring for special needs kids is part of culture of life. (Jan 2009)
* V.P. role would include helping special-needs children. (Sep 2008)
* Special-needs children will have her as a friend & advocate. (Sep 2008)
* 17-year-old unmarried daughter is 5 months pregnant. (Sep 2008)
* Praised by pro-life groups for keeping Down syndrome baby. (Aug 2008)
* Recognize the vital role of family child care homes. (Mar 2008)
* Opposes explicit sex-education programs. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Foreign Policy
Click here for 12 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR other candidates on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.

* Some dictators hate America & what we stand for. (Oct 2008)
* Two-state solution for Israel/Palestine is a top priority. (Oct 2008)
* When Putin rears his head he goes into Alaskan airspace. (Sep 2008)
* We cannot meet rogue leaders without conditions. (Sep 2008)
* Would not second guess Israel if they attack Iran. (Sep 2008)
* Agrees with Reagan that US is �beacon of light� for world. (Sep 2008)
* OpEd: Didn�t comment on foreign policy as mayor or governor. (Sep 2008)
* Cold War with Russia is off the table. (Sep 2008)
* Rising democracies look to America as a leader. (Sep 2008)
* Visiting injured soldiers in Germany was trip of a lifetime. (Sep 2008)
* Get Ukraine into NATO, and maybe Georgia. (Sep 2008)
* Peace Corps strengthens US ties abroad & enriches US at home. (Jan 2007)

Sarah Palin on Free Trade
Click here for 7 full quotes on Free Trade OR other candidates on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.

* Bothered by China's bid to control Alaska gasline. (Nov 2009)
* Establish viable commercial fisheries in international seas. (Jan 2009)
* Trade important to Alaska, but keep Alaska residents first. (Sep 2008)
* Allow wineries to ship by mail within state. (Jun 2008)
* International markets and companies trust Alaska. (Apr 2008)
* Exempt Alaskan cruise ships from customs rule changes. (Dec 2007)
* Record-high exports; growth of 12.6% since last year. (Feb 2007)

Sarah Palin on Government Reform
Click here for 31 full quotes on Government Reform OR other candidates on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.

* Conflict of interest in fellow Councilor's garbage proposal. (Nov 2009)
* 2006: Small donors;returned checks with conflict of interest. (Nov 2009)
* Refused per diem expenses for housing and First Family. (Nov 2009)
* As Gov., avoided "high-end, robe-and-slippers" hotels. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Yes, usually chose frugal travel, but not always. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Over half of her campaign funded by large donors. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Criticized conflict of interest, but did the same. (Nov 2009)
* Overall reduction of 7% spending, plus state hiring freeze. (Jan 2009)
* Agrees with Cheney that VP as executive is flexible. (Oct 2008)
* Many Supreme Court rulings are better addressed by states. (Oct 2008)
* No state-mandated religion, but public faith is ok. (Oct 2008)
* McCain is maverick who wants to reform government. (Sep 2008)
* Alienated legislators by line-item-vetoing their projects. (Sep 2008)
* Regulate for people & against cronyism & lobbyists. (Sep 2008)
* Only independent mavericks can reform Washington. (Sep 2008)
* Small town mayors are on front lines of accountability. (Sep 2008)
* Never been part of an Alaska secessionist party. (Sep 2008)
* Shook up the good-ol� boys network with major ethics reform. (Sep 2008)
* Vetoed nearly half a billion dollars in wasteful spending. (Sep 2008)
* McCain: She�s a soul-mate who implemented ethics reform. (Aug 2008)
* Individuals make better decisions than government. (Aug 2008)
* VECO scandal & Stevens indictment shows need for GOP cleanup. (Jul 2008)
* Comprehensive ethics reform: change politics as usual. (Jul 2007)
* Presented comprehensive ethics bill in early 2007. (Mar 2007)
* Sell previous governor�s jet on eBay--it�s impractical. (Dec 2006)
* Attended numerous debates & did not avoid any unnecessarily. (Oct 2006)
Bridge to Nowhere
* Replaced �Bridge to Nowhere� with improved ferry system. (Sep 2008)
* Killed �bridge to nowhere� project as unneeded. (Aug 2008)
* Supported infamous �Bridge to Nowhere�; now criticizes it. (Aug 2008)
* Fight �bridge to nowhere� and all earmarks. (Jul 2008)
* Supports state funding for Gravina Island bridge. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Gun Control
Click here for 6 full quotes on Gun Control OR other candidates on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.

* Shot her first rabbit at age 10; freezer filled with game. (Sep 2008)
* Hunts and fishes, as did her father. (Aug 2008)
* Hunts as much as she can; freezer-full of wild game. (Aug 2008)
* Supports ending D.C.�s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
* Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
* Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Health Care
Click here for 12 full quotes on Health Care OR other candidates on Health Care OR background on Health Care.

* Greater competition, more choices, and less litigation. (Jan 2009)
* Health Care Commission recommends habits against obesity. (Jan 2009)
* $5,000 tax credit for families to buy their own coverage. (Oct 2008)
* FactCheck: Obama�s plan does not remove private insurance. (Oct 2008)
* FactCheck: McCain�s plan costs $14B/year; not budget-neutral. (Oct 2008)
* Signed up as organ donor; Alaska leads the states. (Apr 2008)
* Health care must be market-and business-driven. (Jan 2008)
* Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. (Jan 2008)
* Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. (Jan 2008)
* Personal responsibility & choices key to good health. (Jan 2008)
* Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006)
* More affordable health care via competition. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Homeland Security
Click here for 17 full quotes on Homeland Security OR other candidates on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.

* Economic sanctions on North Korea for nukes. (Oct 2008)
* Terrorists in Iraq are the biggest threat to Americans today. (Oct 2008)
* Pakistani people & leaders want to get rid of terrorists. (Sep 2008)
* Fight terrorism to spread democratic ideals in world. (Sep 2008)
* Any country that houses Islamic terrorists is a danger to US. (Sep 2008)
* Energy is a foundation of national security. (Sep 2008)
* Only a very small percent of Islamic believers are extreme. (Sep 2008)
* Agrees with Bush Doctrine, if enough legitimate intel. (Sep 2008)
* Focus on fighting Al-Qaeda terrorists, not on reading rights. (Sep 2008)
* Strong military and sound energy. (Aug 2008)
* Armed forces, including my son, give us security and freedom. (Jan 2008)
* Ask all candidates �Are you doing all you can for security?�. (Oct 2007)
* Visits Kuwait; encourages Alaska big game hunting to troops. (Sep 2007)
* Obligation to support our troops, even if criticizing war. (Jun 2007)
* Proclaim �Loyalty Day� to reaffirm loyalty to America. (Apr 2007)
* Promote from within, in Alaska�s National Guard. (Nov 2006)
* Let military personnel know how much we support them. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Immigration
Click here for 8 full quotes on Immigration OR other candidates on Immigration OR background on Immigration.

* Supports a path to citizenship, but no amnesty for illegals. (Oct 2008)
* Never supported Pat Buchanan for president. (Sep 2008)
* Has not often expressed views on illegal immigration. (Aug 2008)
* OpEd: Palin is sick to death of this immigration nonsense. (Mar 2008)
* Address jointly with Canada the border security challenges. (Jan 2007)
* Immigrants want more vocational training & senior assistance. (Oct 2006)
* Took no action on Alaska�s �sanctuary cities�. (Sep 2006)
* Tightened restrictions on illegal alien�s drivers licenses. (Sep 2006)

Sarah Palin on Jobs
Click here for 7 full quotes on Jobs OR other candidates on Jobs OR background on Jobs.

* Closed last factory in Wasilla in 2007. (Sep 2008)
* Alaska Construction Academy: 2,520 students learn skills. (Aug 2008)
* Leverage job-training dollars thru voc-tech curriculum. (Nov 2006)
* Focus Workforce Investment Board on vocational careers. (Nov 2006)
* Praised the Red Dog zinc mine for bringing rural jobs. (Oct 2006)
* Department of Fish and Game is under-funded. (Oct 2006)
* Unions should get member permission for political donations. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Principles & Values
Click here for 56 full quotes on Principles & Values OR other candidates on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.

* 2005 gubernatorial race: Ambition drives; purpose beckons. (Nov 2009)
* Resigned because relentless tabloidizing prevented work. (Nov 2009)
* FactCheck: Autobiography sounds like presidential ambition. (Nov 2009)
* Named first female GOP VP candidate on suffrage anniversary. (Oct 2008)
* By working with all parties, never had to compromise. (Oct 2008)
* Admires Geraldine Ferraro & George Bush Sr. (Oct 2008)
* Favorite movie: �Hoosiers�, for underdog tenacity. (Oct 2008)
* Shares McCain world view of US as shining city on the hill. (Oct 2008)
* Officiated a marriage in the aisle of Wal-Mart. (Sep 2008)
* OpEd: Vetting process for V.P. included no one in Alaska. (Sep 2008)
* Proud of being a Washington outsider. (Sep 2008)
* Good-old-boy networks are created by both parties. (Sep 2008)
* Americans are just getting sick & tired of politics as usual. (Sep 2008)
* When I hear our National Anthem, I get a lump in my throat. (Sep 2008)
* Came of age in the era of Reagan; thinks about him daily. (Sep 2008)
* There is a plan for this world and that plan is for good. (Sep 2008)
* Underestimating Sarah always proved to be a big mistake. (Sep 2008)
* Small towns produced Harry Truman as V.P.; and produced me. (Sep 2008)
* OpEd: shores up McCain as a conservative AND as a maverick. (Sep 2008)
* Before selection, questioned role of vice president. (Sep 2008)
* Gained political prominence as a whistleblower. (Aug 2008)
* Shatter that glass ceiling once and for all. (Aug 2008)
* Leadership is a responsibility to prepare for tomorrow. (Jan 2008)
* Top priorities for AK include ethics & balanced budget. (Mar 2007)
* Decries �politics as usual� of attacking opponents. (Nov 2006)
* Endorsed by Sen. Ted Stevens. (Oct 2006)
* Endorsed by United Fishermen of Alaska (commercial group). (Oct 2006)
Mayorship & Governorship
* Known to Wasilla residents as personable multi-tasker. (Sep 2008)
* Embraced �City of Character� religious program as mayor. (Sep 2008)
* Signed up for PTA; then ran for City Council; then Mayor. (Sep 2008)
* Trounced incumbent governor in 2006 on platform of reform. (Aug 2008)
Personal History
* Sarah Heath born in Idaho; moved to Alaska at age 2 months. (Sep 2008)
* Entered beauty contests to help pay for college. (Sep 2008)
* Family emphasized education; read newspapers as child. (Sep 2008)
* Miss Congeniality in statewide beauty pageant in 1984. (Aug 2008)
* Star high school athlete in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. (Aug 2008)
* Voted �Miss Wasilla� in local beauty contest; eloped at 24. (Aug 2008)
* Husband left oil job to avoid conflict; now works for BP. (Aug 2008)
* Husband is part Eskimo; won Iron Dog snowmobile races. (Aug 2008)
* Raises kids with network of relatives, plus Todd as Mr. Mom. (Aug 2008)
* Had 6 months to adapt & prepare for Down syndrome baby. (Aug 2008)
* Studied journalism; ran for office to make a difference. (Aug 2008)
Religion
* OpEd: Core values defined by political ambition plus church. (Sep 2008)
* I�m one of those bitter people clinging to guns & religion. (Sep 2008)
* Religion: non-denominational Bible-believing Christian. (Aug 2008)
* Declare a National Day of Prayer in Alaska. (Apr 2008)
* The Bible has profoundly influenced America. (Oct 2007)
* Recognize America�s historic and founding Christian heritage. (Sep 2007)
* Fight for freedom of religion and freedom of expression. (Oct 2006)
Troopergate
* OpEd: Popularity hurt by Troopergate and at-home per-diem. (Sep 2008)
* Troopergate: brother-in-law tasered child, but still trooper. (Sep 2008)
* Fired controversial state trooper for threatening family. (Aug 2008)
* Investigated for firing ex-brother-in-law in custody battle. (Aug 2008)
* Independent prosecutor probing Cabinet firing. (Jul 2008)
* Replaced Public Safety commissioner based on lack of results. (Jul 2008)
* Denies all allegations in Department of Public Safety affair. (Jul 2008)

Sarah Palin on Social Security
Click here for 2 full quotes on Social Security OR other candidates on Social Security OR background on Social Security.

* Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program. (Nov 2006)
* Home-based assistance more cost-effective than institutions. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Tax Reform
Click here for 14 full quotes on Tax Reform OR other candidates on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.

* FactCheck: No, Reagan didn't end 1980s recession by tax cuts. (Nov 2009)
* Under Obama plan, small businesses will see tax increases. (Oct 2008)
* FactCheck: Undoing Bush tax cut only hits families over $83K. (Oct 2008)
* No Alaska sales tax; and $3,200 payments annually. (Sep 2008)
* Everybody benefits when government takes less. (Sep 2008)
* Raising taxes hurts small business and hurts jobs. (Sep 2008)
* Elected mayor based on tax cut promise. (Aug 2008)
* As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008)
* $60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008)
* Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008)
* Repeal �nuisance taxes� including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)
* Mitigate impact of new $50M annual cruise ship tourism tax. (Oct 2006)
* No income tax; no taking the people�s dividends. (Oct 2006)
* Would support a seasonal sales tax, but no income tax. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Technology
Click here for 5 full quotes on Technology OR other candidates on Technology OR background on Technology.

* After selection, scant info on her life, even on Internet. (Oct 2008)
* OpEd: Neglected Wasilla infrastructure; left with $22M debt. (Sep 2008)
* Supports $130M in research investment in U. Alaska. (Nov 2006)
* Efficient transportation system is vital to our economy. (Nov 2006)
* Alaska needs a state funded highway program. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on War & Peace
Click here for 21 full quotes on War & Peace OR other candidates on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.

* FactCheck: Disputed that Obama tried to delay Iraq deal. (Oct 2008)
* No white flag of surrender on Iraq. (Oct 2008)
* Divest from Sudan; enforce no-fly zone in Darfur. (Oct 2008)
* FactCheck: No, we�re not back to pre-surge troop levels. (Oct 2008)
* FactCheck: No, Afghan general did not say a surge would work. (Oct 2008)
* Surge needed in Afghanistan; we cannot afford to lose. (Sep 2008)
* Retreat is defeat in Iraq. (Sep 2008)
* Nuclear Iran is dangerous to whole world. (Sep 2008)
* Russia�s invading Georgia, unprovoked, is unacceptable. (Sep 2008)
* No new Cold War with Russia. (Sep 2008)
* Don�t go to war over Georgia, but pressure Russia. (Sep 2008)
* Don�t second-guess Israel if they act against nukes in Iran. (Sep 2008)
* Keep option to go into Pakistan to go after terrorists. (Sep 2008)
* McCain: She has right judgment on Iran and the surge. (Aug 2008)
* Visited Alaska National Guard troops in Kuwait. (Aug 2008)
* We don�t know what the plan is to ever end the war. (Aug 2008)
* Wants exit plan; also assurances to keep our troops safe. (Mar 2007)
* We have not been attacked since 2001; so support our troops. (Oct 2006)
* I support the mission of our troops in Iraq. (Oct 2006)
* Our troops in Iraq keep us safe at home. (Oct 2006)
* I support President Bush�s efforts to stop terrorism. (Oct 2006)

Sarah Palin on Welfare & Poverty
Click here for 3 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.

* EITC moves thousands of welfare recipients into workforce. (Jan 2008)
* Recognize Salvation Army and encourage charity to them. (Nov 2007)
* Funding for faith-based initiatives is adequate today. (Oct 2006)

Interesting Facts about Sarah Palin 31-40

Continued

# A legislative panel launched a $100,000 investigation into “Trooper-gate” to determine if Palin abused her power by trying to fire her former brother-in-law who was a state trooper.h
# In Going Rouge, Palin talks about her two miscarriages, her Creationist beliefs, her wedding dinner at Wendy’s, and the letter she wrote her children about their brother Trig from the point of view of God.m
# Palin’s daughter Bristol (1990) is named after the ocean bay where the Palin family likes to fish. Willow (1994) was named after the willow ptarmigan, Alaska’s state bird. Piper Indy (2001) was named after the Piper cub that Todd flies and the Polaris Indy Snowmobile Todd drove on his first Iron Dog Race.f
# The Anchorage Daily News has called Palin “the Joan of Arc of Alaska Politics.”j
# Palin says her favorite author is C.S. Lewis.g
# Palin opposes same-sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research, and abortion, even in the case of rape or incest—though she opposes sanctions against women who obtain an abortion.m

Todd once told his high school friends that Palin did not know how to kiss
# In Going Rouge, Palin reveals that Todd told his locker room friends that Sarah didn’t know how to kiss.m
# In August 2008, Palin tried to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior in an attempt to remove polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act because it would hinder Alaska’s gas industry and drilling development.a
# Though Palin often said during her campaign speeches that she had said “Thanks, but no thanks” to the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Ketchikan, Alaska, she actually initially supported the bridge. It was only when the idea to build the bridge became unpopular that she reversed her position.d
# Though Palin claimed she sold the former governor of Alaska’s (Frank Murkowski) jet on eBay, and McCain even said she made a profit, it was actually sold offline to a Palin contributor at a $600,000 loss.d

Interesting Facts about Sarah Palin 21-30

Continued

# In an 2008 interview with the conservative newspaper Newsmax, Palin disputes the notion that humans are completely responsible for the global warming crisis.k
# Oprah Winfrey’s TV show with Palin was her most watched show since 2007 when 100 members of the Osmond family appeared.s

MSN.com named Palin as one of the sexiest women over 40 (#8)
# MSN.com named Sarah Palin as one of the “Sexiest Women over 40.”p
# In response to Palin’s critique on Obama’s work as a community organizer, the Community Organizers of America created a Web site titled “Organizers Fight Back” in which donations were accepted for their new tongue-in-cheek “Sarah Palin Action Fund.” Every dollar donated to the fund was devoted to train new community organizers.c
# While she was mayor, the town of Wasilla charged rape victims and/or their insurance companies for rape kits. Former State Rep. Eric Croft reports that the only ongoing resistance to a bill that provided free rape kits was from Wasilla while Palin was mayor from 1996-2002.v
# While she was pregnant with daughter Willow, Palin dressed as a pregnant Jane Fonda for Halloween.h
# Palin is a member of Feminists For Life (FFL) an anti-abortion, pro-contraception organization.f
# During the governor’s race, Palin was the only candidate who said that creationism should be discussed in school alongside evolution.i
# Palin is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).m
# Palin supports capital punishment.r

Sarah Palin on Ronald Reagan

Reagan v. Gorbachev

It's been fashionable on the Left to argue that the end of the Soviet Union came about not because of Reagan, but Gorbachev. This would suit their version of the world that Reagan was either an amiable dunce and therefore incapable of bringing down the most powerful military empire in the world, or that America is so deeply flawed, that the world changed without any help or assistance from us. Delusion is so much fun, isn't it?
The truth is that there wouldn't have been a Gorbachev if there wasn't a Reagan. After the death of Brezhnev, the Soviets followed the usual Republican method of leadership selection by finding the oldest still breathing member who had loyally served. No one really remembers Kuznetsov, Andropov, Chernenko, Gromyko were the leaders in the interregnum of Brezhnev and Gorbachev. While all seemed to have the nasty habit of dropping to sleep at a meeting and never waking again, (God only know where their poor atheistic souls went to) Gorbachev was actually young enough to last more than a few weeks. But his world had already been preordained.
Gorbachev could do nothing but react, no matter how brilliant he may have been, at least according to our friends on the Left. But having to deal with the residue of the Afghanistan invasion, the inability to maintain military supremacy in the face of US qualitative improvements in their military and tactics was more than anyone could handle in the time allotted to him.
But I don't want to disparage Gorbachev for one thing. That is the death of the Soviet Union could have been a violent thrashing resulting in nuclear destruction. Instead, and I do give him credit, Gorbachev presided over the orderly dismantling of a force which had been designed, built and equipped to rampage from the Elbe to the English Channel in only two weeks. And they were never used.
So, while Gorbachev needs to get credit for preventing a disaster, the dismantling of the Soviet Union credit can only go to Ronald Reagan.

Happy 100th birthday Mr. President.

Losing Their Religion

From Newsbuster



And it's true, is there one thing that Gore will say doesn't point to AGW? Global Warming is man's arrogance combined with Calvinism. We are all unworthy, but we are so unworthy, that we can screw up a planet.

Interesting Facts about Sarah Palin 11-20

Continued:

# During the 2008 presidential campaign, Palin was the second female vice presidential candidate (after Geraldine Ferraro in 1984) and the first Alaskan on a national ticket. She was also the first female vice presidential nominee of the Republican Party.h
# Palin attended five colleges in six years before graduating from the University of Idaho-Moscow in 1987 with a Bachelors degree in communications-journalism. She began her college education at Hawaii Pacific University and subsequently transferred to North Idaho College, the University of Idaho, and Matanuska-Susitna College.f

Palin won the Miss Wasilla pageant and finished third in the Miss Alaska pageant in 1984
# Palin won the Miss Wasilla pageant in 1984 and placed second in the Miss Alaska pageant, where she won the “Miss Congeniality” award and a college scholarship.f
# During her first term as mayor, Palin would keep a jar with all the names of the citizens of Wasilla on papers. Each week, she would pick a name and call the person and ask, “How is the city doing?”f
# Palin was Alaska’s first female governor and the youngest (age 42) governor in Alaskan history.h
# In 2007, polls indicated a 93% and 89% approval rating for Palin as governor. In 2009, her approval rating was at 54%.b
# In 2007, Palin supported a policy that would allow wolves to be hunted from the air and that a bounty of $150 per wolf would be paid. The bounty was later declared illegal.f
# Publisher HarperCollins said that Going Rogue sold 300,000 copies its first day, making it one of the best openings ever for a nonfiction book. In 2004, Bill Clinton’s book, My Life, debuted at 400,000 copies. The year before, Hillary Clinton's Living History started at 200,000. Going Rogue is poised to make Palin millions.e
# While mayor in 1996, Palin asked Wasilla librarian Mary Ellen Emmons if she would approve of censoring books if she were asked to do so. A few weeks after Emmons replied with “Definitely not,” she received a termination letter from Palin.h
# One of Palin’s most significant contributions as mayor was an indoor sports complex. However, Palin authorized the complex before she had the title to the land, leading to at least $1.3 million in legal fees.o

Palin Month is Now International

Even Leftie Brits are spiraling downward in paroxysms of absolute sheer hatred. You gotta love it. But the best part from the article that sort of mirrors my own view:

Even, if she entered the White House in 2012 and proved the worst president in US history (quite a challenge, given the standards set by her immediate predecessor), even if she – “whoops” – accidentally pressed the red button that nuked North Korea leading to the global conflagration that destroyed most of the planet, even then I still think I would find it in my heart to love and forgive her. Why?

Because of all the many qualities Sarah Palin has, the best of all is this:

She drives liberals totally crazy. So crazy, in fact, that Washington Post libtard Dana Milbank is boycotting Sarah Palin for the month of February and urging other journalists to do the same. But here on Telegraph Blogs we’ve decided to do the opposite. Every day a blogger will mention her.

Welcome to Sarah Palin Month on Telegraph Blogs, everybody. It’s there to celebrate. It’s there to annoy.

Interesting Facts about Sarah Palin 1-10

Thanks to Random Facts

# Sarah Louis Palin (née Heath) was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on February 11, 1964. She was the third of four children. Her family moved to Alaska when she was two months old.a
# Todd and Sarah Palin met at a high school basketball game. When she first saw him, she whispered to herself, “Thank you, God.”m
# In her book Going Rogue, Palin insists that she was manipulated into doing the famous Katie Couric interviews by Nicole Wallace, a communications aide for the campaign, and that Couric was just interested in catching Palin in a “gotcha” moment.m

female basketball
Palin earned the nickname “Sarah Barracuda” in high school for her competitiveness on the basketball court
# Palin was known as “Sarah Barracuda” on her high school basketball team because of her ferociousness on the court. She was also the co-caption of the 1982 State Championship basketball team and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.h
# Palin’s parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, were a high school science teacher and school secretary, respectively. Her father also worked as a hunting and fishing guide and a bartender as well as for the Alaskan Railroad to make ends meet.f
# While attending the University of Hawaii-Hilo, Sarah tried marijuana and didn’t like it. “I can’t claim a Bill Clinton and say I never inhaled.”h
# When Sarah and Todd eloped on August 20th, 1988, they forgot to bring witnesses, so they went next door to a nursing home and brought back two people, one in a wheelchair and one using a walker. Eight months later on April 20, 1989, their first son, Track, was born.f
# Track was named after Palin’s favorite spring activity, running track. Sarah joked that if he had born during basketball season, she would have named him “Hoops.”f
# Palin and five of her friends formed an exercise group called the “Elite Six.” During the 1990s, they would perform aerobics as a group at the Alaska State Fair in exchange for free parking and food.h
# When Sarah was helping with Todd’s commercial fishing business in 1993, she failed to register as a gillnet permit holder and pleaded “no contest.” The violation was inadvertently registered as a felony.h

Palin Gets the Truth Out

James Taranto who does the Wall Street Journal's Best of the Web has an excellent piece on the lies about Obamacare that have been perpetrated by its supporters. Among the biggest lies, is that Palin supposedly lied about "death panels" or "government takeover of healthcare." You can read the whole thing here. But for the link adverse, if I may, a few clips:

Four months later PolitiFact.com, a project of the left-leaning St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, named the phrase "lie of the year":

Her assertion--that the government would set up boards to determine whether seniors and the disabled were worthy of care--spread through newscasts, talk shows, blogs and town hall meetings. Opponents of health care legislation said it revealed the real goals of the Democratic proposals. Advocates for health reform said it showed the depths to which their opponents would sink. Still others scratched their heads and said, "Death panels? Really?"

In truth, PolitiFact was more vulnerable to the charge of lying than Palin was, for its highly literal, out-of-context interpretation of her words was at best extremely tendentious. What she wrote was this:

The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panel" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their "level of productivity in society," whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.

Palin put the term "death panel" in quotes to indicate that she was using it figuratively. She was not lying but doing just the opposite: conveying a fundamental truth about ObamaCare. Proponents were describing it as a sort of fiscal perpetual-motion machine: We're going to give free insurance to tens of millions of people and reduce the deficit! As a matter of simple arithmetic, the only way to do that is by drastically curtailing medical benefits.

"Health care by definition involves life and death decisions," Palin wrote. ObamaCare necessarily expands the power of federal bureaucrats to make such decisions, and it creates enormous fiscal pressures to err on the side of death. Whether it establishes literal panels for that purpose is a hair-splitting quibble. By naming this "lie of the year," PolitiFact showed itself to be less seeker of truth than servant of power.

There is quite a bit more and well worth the read.

Markos Moulitas to Dems: Commit Suicide

You gotta love the true believers, and Markos Moulitas of the Daily Kos would be one of the champion Kool-Aid salesmen for all things Democrat. But in this article from The Hill he tells all the Democrat candidates that they should vote for things against their constituent wishes, because that is what will get them re-elected.
I wonder when it comes to the health care vote if Tester will be listening to that advice?

Maybe this is the problem

If you had to listen to someone, would you rather they looked like this:

or this:

From a purely aesthetic point of view, I would rather shove knitting needles into my ears than listen to Pelosi or Wasserman Schulz. And don't let anyone tell you that Palin or Bachmann are not up to the task intellectually, especially after the Democrats selected Joe Biden, and Obama has done nothing to live up to his supposed brilliance.

Update: For Mike H.

As opposed to this:

Don't Forget

In honor of Dana Milbank's desire to go cold turkey for the month of February and not make any reference to Sarah Palin, this is the first of what will hopefully be 28 to cover the month for him. That way, he will be able to concentrate on what is really important: Michelle Bachmann.

Wrongfully Indignant

Aaron Flint has the whole sad, sorry saga, but to give you a Reader's Digest version, there was a Native American state representative who said something stupid. Now, I could tell you who it is, or you could look it up yourself, but I don't think that she needs anymore scorn than she has already earned.
But it seems that there was a debate about whether to use mail in ballots for future voting. My experience would be that would result in a significant number of Indians that I normally send correspondence to to be disenfranchised. I don;t know if it's a function of poverty or culture, but I do know that Indians on my reservation would not vote in the same numbers they do now. In any event, the Republicans struck that portion that said that Indians should receive "special treatment" in doing mail in balloting. There is no explanation for what the "special treatment" is, but that portion was rejected in any event. This caused the representative in question to say that she "could feel the hatred coming from your (Republican) caucus for us." "That you just want all Indians to die." Apparently, she has been taking classes from the Alan Grayson school of politics. She did go on further than that, but again, I won't bother to add more scorn than she has already earned.
I first read about this on Saturday in the paper, and I was thinking I wasn't going to even dignify it with a mention, but then I started to think about it, and I had to wonder why mail in ballots would engender such animosity? And the more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that this was a cold, calculated response that was looking for a trigger to be used against. Except it was one of such little value, it actually backfired.
Yes, I am saying that the entire outburst was contrived and not valid. That the representative in question was bent on scoring points by playing the race card, and that it was only through her own incompetence that it was played so poorly.
Remember this the next time someone alleges racism. They could just be looking to score points. And the worst of it is, even when there is actual racism (and there is)she just diminished it.

Juggling Chainsaws

What to do about Egypt? this is the problem that the Administration is facing, and they have almost zero tools with which to work on the problem. First, they have VP Biden declare that Mubarak is not a dictator. This obviously pits the US on the side of keeping Mubarak in power. That is not going to happen folks. The demonstrators are either going to have a democracy, or a rehash of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.
I guess that whole "Bush's fault" when it comes to dealing with other nations has become inadequate. And rightly so. Near as I can figure out, the best we can hope for is cut our losses with Mubarak, tell the Egyptian people that we support them, however they decide to go (ensuring national pride) and get ready to help undermine the Muslim Brotherhood when they come into power.
Hope and Change! Which is this again?

Baucus' Blunder

Our foreign trade policies have been held hostage to politics for far too long, and now we are about to pay for that. You might remember the Columbian Free Trade Agreement that then President Bush wanted Congress to pass, but because it supposedly contained lax enforcement of union privileges, it was held up in the Democratic Congress. Now, our senior senator has suddenly noticed that our Montana beef producers are about to be hit with an excise tax of between 8-120% in tariffs making us non-competitive with Canada that just signed a trade agreement with Columbia.
While I realize it is too far off for Max to be re-elected, I am hoping that people and the Internet will not let him forget what he has done with all of his seniority for Montana. And that is absolutely zilch.
He needs to be retired to his home in McLean, Virginia, where he belongs.

Hot Tub Hotheads

Jim Geraghty's Morning Jolt from National Review Online, had a piece today about the origins of the Tea Party. While I can't link in the original piece, this part was just hilarious:

For decades, conservatives watched large rallies in Washington for gay rights, opposition to Middle Eastern wars, the Million Man March, gun control, and dozens of other trendy lefty causes, and consoled themselves with the idea that the grassroots of the Right just weren't the kind of folks who attended big rallies. (Pro-lifers, with their annual March for Life held in bitter January weather, made a striking exception.) Unions often secure the day off for their members; college students and professors find it all too easy to skip or cancel class. If you didn't see the demographics that make up the GOP base -- small businessmen, parents, members of the military -- marching and waving signs, it's because they were too busy working for a living.

The libertarian magazine Reason has noted that Americans who subscribe to a socially liberal, fiscally conservative philosophy are the ideological demographic most likely to own jacuzzis and hot tubs. Couple this with a preference for individualism over broad-based group action, and one can quickly understand why you don't often see giant libertarian rallies: They're mostly at home having fun in their hot tubs. In fact, it takes a dire threat to their liberties to get them out of their hot tubs.

Enter the Obama administration.

Revolution Now my brothers and sisters! We have nothing to lose but our spas!

Somebody to Respect

While I am not drunkblogging the State of the Union Speech, I have been consuming adult beverages and enjoying myself in spite of the horrible speech. But the Flint Report sent me a link to someone who actually does value the Constitution of both Montana and the United States. Meet Krayton Kerns, DVM and true American Dr. Kerns is resisting the stampede toward the erosion of our Constitutional protections, and he is doing so purely on principle, because there is no organized lobby to push the legislation through like the Mad Mothers Against Drunks. Oops, I mean Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The public has been shoved into a direction that would be nearly impossible to resist for a lesser mortal. But Dr. Kerns, who will be assailed as helping drunk drivers get away with the crime realized that pretending to solve the problem is not the same as actually solving it.

Good on you sir.

News From the Birther Front

I find the whole "Birther" fuss to be an annoying attempt to distract from the issues. Yes, I have argued that it is no different than those who said the Bush 43 was "Selected, not elected." That it is nothing more than an attempt to deligitimise the President, to prevent him from exercising his authority. But now Hillbuzz has an idea that something else is at play. Short analysis is that when the new Democrat Governor came to office promising to "walk down the hall to the vital records and put an end to this once and for all" it may have set up a problem if the President's birth certificate doesn't say Barak Obama, but Barry Sotero instead.
Interesting theory, but just goes to prove, sometimes, your friends really don't help.

I Can Quit Anytime I Want To

So says every addict, usually while slurring their speech. But we have a new form of addiction that someone is going to try and quit: Palinoia! Yes, an obscure know-nothing, formerly of Journolist (the group of Lefty "journalists" who were trying to manipulate press coverage for Obama and against the Republicans) Dana Milbank has decided that he was not going to mention Sarah Palin for the entire month of February. Notice how he decided to use the shortest month of the year.
Whatever you may think of Palin, she is a lot of fun to watch as she turns the Left inside out on themselves.
But I, and I am hoping that other bloggers will pick up the slack of a Milbank boycott by publishing a blog posting every day of February about Sarah Palin. The fun thing with Blogger, is that I can preload the posts and have them appear one at a time, every day for the month. No day will be Sarah Free!

Come join me in the resistance to the credentialed idiots who believe that their opinions matter. Post away about Sarah, every day, for all of February.

Legal Theft

I keep looking for an aggressive lawyer who would take on the student loan mess, but alas, they are all too busy supposedly. But if you read all the way through this, you will know what I mean.

Infographic by College Scholarships.org

Man, I Hope This is Photoshopped

Hillary toasts China's President Hu Jintao.

Gaining Understanding

Introspection can be a very useful tool at times. One should always take a look at yourself, as if in a mirror, and measure your self against your own preconceived notions. Are you reacting a certain way because you have carefully considered the alternatives, or is it more an instinctual or even gut based reaction? For instance, upon seeing a poisonous snake, it is quite understandable to recoil in horror. Likewise, an infant's smile would draw you in, and make you want to hold the child and stimulate or prolong the smile.
I bring this up because of a TV show that I had recorded called "Harry's Law" which is another production of David E. Kelly. Kelly has made other legal series such as Ally McBeal, (which I never watched) The Practice and Boston Legal (which I always watched) and others. As a general rule, his writing is fast paced and interesting, usually relating to topical events. One thing about Kelly, is that he is predictably liberal, although his caricature of conservatives can be charmingly amusing. The Boston Legal where the character played by William Shatner shot a salmon was hilarious. But in the new show, the lead character brought up Rush Limbaugh as a drug besotted marionette who is given a special deal because he is white. This was interesting to me because just the other night, I had a lively political discussion with another young Democrat friend of mine, where we were talking about journalists, and he brought up that he thought that Limbaugh as a journalist was cynically manipulating the weak minded of his audience.
I was somewhat amused because when I asked him if he thought Katie Couric was doing the exact same thing, he couldn't believe that was possible. But here is the real issue, Rush Limbaugh is not a journalist. He is, as even he calls himself, "an entertainer." But even that is not enough. I have listened to him on occasion, and I don't get to listen to him all the time, but he is not a manipulator of weak minds. Instead, he simply says what his audience is already thinking. Limbaugh is the voice of his audience, but he is not the brain. Although he does put into words what the audience is thinking, better than his call ins do.
This is amusing when you remember that the Obama administration at first seemed to think that Limbaugh was the leader of the Republican Party, or at least were trying to make him the face of Republicans, because in the crowds that the Obama Admin hung out with, Limbaugh is not popular.
And now you see why I led off with the idea that introspection is important. The Obama administration and the Democrat Party lack the ability to look dispassionately at themselves and see who they are. To the casual observer, it is clear that the Democrats model their worldview on that of a speaker who holds power over his followers. Think Obama. Limbaugh is the AntiObama. I really do believe that the Democrats would have had to invent Limbaugh if he wasn't already present.
This explains why they have no understanding about the anger of the Tea Party, or why they were rejected last November. Maybe a few moments of introspection would help the Democrats understand their fellow Americans.

Eh, probably not.

Real Violent Rhetoric

From the Agitator:

Comment of the Day
Friday, January 14th, 2011

In response to my post about yet another mistaken drug raid, in which police pointed their guns at a 13-year-old girl, threatened to shoot the family dogs, then, when they asked what had happened, told the victims to “read about it in the paper tomorrow,” Dave Kruger writes:

In this post, there is none of that vitriolic language that’s been in the headlines since the Arizona shooting. There is no name calling. Nothing about distrusting the government. No talk of targeting anyone. No finger pointing by one party about how the other party is wrecking the country. Nothing about a “Second Amendment solution”. No “Don’t Tread on Me” symbolism. Nothing about watering the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants. Just a simple news item reporting an increasingly common event in an ordinary American city involving ordinary American citizens in their own ordinary American homes.

So, would someone please explain to me why jaw is tensely locked, my fists clenched tight, and my heart pounding in my chest?

Because crosshairs on a map are nothing compared to a shotgun jammed against your daughter's head.

Krugman the Idiot

I know that it is a given that Paul Krugman is an idiot, but every once in awhile it is tempting to remind oneself why by reading his column.  This prevents the normal mellowing that you have for any ignorant fool, and to which Krugman is not entitled.  The latest comes in the form of his opinion piece "A Tale of Two Moralities."  In this sophist tripe, the esteemed Nobel Prize winner (motto: We only pick people who will drive Republicans crazy, even if they haven't achieved anything) takes it on himself to examine the difference between him and everyone else.  Tigerhawk has already done an excellent job of deconstructing his nonsense, but if I may, Dear Reader, I would like to add a few more items for your consideration. First

One side of American politics considers the modern welfare state — a private-enterprise economy, but one in which society’s winners are taxed to pay for a social safety net — morally superior to the capitalism red in tooth and claw we had before the New Deal. It’s only right, this side believes, for the affluent to help the less fortunate.

This is so fraught with unexplained leaps of logic, I can only assume that he is going for the Olympics next. Mr. Krugman believe that it's only right for the rich to pay more to pay for those less fortunate. They do. In spades. But the logic still fails in one very vital aspect: What if rich people give their money directly to the poor instead of giving it to the government. In the overall cost of things, isn't that better? It cuts out the middleman and eliminates overhead. But I suspect that Mr. KRugman would not be satisfied. It would seem as if in his world, the only legitimate way to aid the less fortunate is to do it through the government. There is no explanation for this assumption, and I am at a loss to explain one.
Next:

The other side believes that people have a right to keep what they earn, and that taxing them to support others, no matter how needy, amounts to theft. That’s what lies behind the modern right’s fondness for violent rhetoric: many activists on the right really do see taxes and regulation as tyrannical impositions on their liberty.

Taking out the utter nonsense about violent rhetoric which has nothing to do with the rest of the paragraph, I am not that much in opposition to him. But he thinks that I am being selfish. I see no difference between what the government does and a mugger sticking a pistol in my side and telling me to give it over. Mostly because of the gross imbalance of how much is taken. It is similar to a discussion I had with a young friend who is a True Believer of the Left side. He though it only fair that the rich should pay their fair share. When I pointed out that would mean a tax cut, he was completely at a loss. It seems as though so many of the Left are unable to think beyond their preconceived notions.
No, I said, if you have a flat 10% tax, and someone earns $10,000 they would owe $1,000 in taxes. But is someone made $1 Million, they would pay $100,000 in taxes, which is a lot more than the first example. "Well, yes" my young friend said, "but the guy making a million has too much stuff, he can do with less." I asked him, how much less? He had no numerical answer, but just knew that they should be able to do with less, since the guy making $10,000 is able to get by with less. I then reminded him that he makes more than $10k, should he give up his stuff to get down to the $10k limit as well? Again no answer, since he was planning on helping poor people, and they would reward him with more than the $10k guy because he helped. I then asked him why they shouldn't reward the millionaire even more, since that guy helped them even more than he would? Again, I got the look of "What's wrong with you?" Which is given everytime you ask questions outside of their orthodoxy.
Krugman and my young friend suffer from the same disease: The desire to help without actually, you know, doing anything. This is not about helping the poor, since that can be done directly, but this is about power. The power to redistribute wealth as they see fit. Not with logic or any sense of fairness, but to punish those they think undeserving for whatever reason, and to reward those they think disadvantaged in order to reap their adulation of being so generous with other people's money.
The sort of wealth redistribution that they long for was tried before in this country. People don't really remember, but those of us old enough can hark back to the day when a worker's pay was increased if he married, and again for children by the private employer. The rationale was that it was good for society to have stable families, and it may have been, but the net result was that a poor worker with a large family could be paid more than a good worker who was single. The interesting thing is that what ended the policy was the advent of Women's Liberation. By demanding equal pay for equal work, it forced employers to re-look who was getting paid what, and to tailor it to the needs of the company.
I really can't deal with the rest of the post by Krugman, but you are welcome to read it here if you want. But I still think Tigerhawk has the better.

Asymmetrical Warfare

Asymmetrical warfare is a term of art that the military uses to define two uneven opponents.  For instance, if Al Qaida was to line up toe to toe to the US military, the results would be quite clear quite quickly.  But AQ understands they don't stand a chance in a face to face combat, so they look to exploit other areas, that are usually our own weaknesses.  For instance, AQ is quite willing to use civilians as shields in order to deter our attacks or if they don't deter them, to exploit the propaganda value that many in the West are willing to assist with against us.  The result is nearly nine and a half years of success, but no knockout blow.  Of course the war will go on, we have no choice.  For the same reason that there is no centralized control to destroy, there isn't one to negotiate with either.
Which brings me to Sarah Palin.  Not that Sarah is the same as AQ, but that the tactics she employs are those of asymmetrical warfare.  Think about it, here is a former governor living in Alaska, whose main method of communications are the Tweet and MySpace.  And she is the central point of attack for the Left.
The rage she inspires is simply amazing, and quite fun to watch.  the most recent example having been after the Tragedy in Tucson where Markos Moulitas said "Mission Accomplished Sarah."  There wasn't a thread of evidence to connect Palin to the lunatic but it fit the narrative that the Left wants to have of her.  Of course it was so far over the top that they quickly were brought back to reality by the rest of the country who view the Left with disgust for libeling innocent Americans.
But then Sarah makes a YouTube movie and posts it on her MySpace, right before the President speaks, and she gets darned near equal billing as the President of the United States.  Think about it, the President, with all of the resources he has at hand, the White House, the Democratic Party (same thing), mainstream media (same thing), pundits (same thing), Google, (same thing), and he is competing with her.  It's absolutely marvelous.
I may not want Sarah Palin to end up being President, even if she would be a vast improvement over the incumbent, but I do so enjoy watching them take her on.  It's too bad that it is so mismatched.
In her favor.

This Explains a Lot

Thanks to Don Surber.

They've Gone Off the Deep End

The Left, both nationally, and now apparently locally, are mystified by the reaction of those among us who resent being accused of complicity in the Madman's Murders in Tucson.  Perhaps a brief recap of the situation may make this clearer, Dear Reader:  After the election of President Obama, the American people held him in high esteem, proud of the fact that we had elected the first black President ever.  This seemed  to be a repudiation of our racism, and recognition of the American Dream that anyone could grow up to be President, because he did! But then, he started to ram through policies that were not acceptable to the public in general.  As the President's poll numbers began plummeting, the Left, searching for a reason, decided that anyone who didn't support the President's polices must be a racist.
Of course, that didn't sit well with those who had an honest disagreement in policy with the President and his party.  So the opponents began to push back and rejected the false accusation.  This of course, promptly flummoxed the Left.  "How dare those we accuse of racism not sit quietly and take it like they always have!"  We went through a long period of accusation followed by anger and disgust at the accusers and for the most part, that false charge has been relegated to the trash heap for now.
The President's poll numbers continued to plummet even with the passage of ObamaCare, and still the Left was flummoxed.  "How can the peasants reject our munificence?"  After the November election, when the public totally rejected the Democrat platform, the next thing to happen was Mark Halperin in Time magazine hoping that some terrible tragedy would occur like the Oklahoma City Bombing that Obama could use just like Clinton did for political purposes.  And lo and behold, we have a madman in Tucson who has obliged him.
Within less time than it took to even find out how many shooters there are, we have Paul Krugman blaming it on the Tea Party.  No really, the first reports were that there may have been more than one shooter, and Krugman has his villain, damn the facts, the narrative is just too good to pass up.  This was followed by the Daily Kos offering up "Mission Accomplished Sarah!"  A twofer, both the Tea Party and Sarah Palin, they simply couldn't resist.
Curiously for them, like the false allegations of racism, those on the Right did not roll over and begin apologizing as expected.  In fact, they hit back.  The Left through their mainstream allies and aided by a political hack of a Sheriff in Tucson redoubled their efforts, claiming that even if it wasn't directly Sarah's fault, there is a "climate" (my how they love that word) of hate out there.  Violent rhetoric!  Hate speech!  All of the tools were thrown into the fray to shut up their opponents, and still they did not quit their scorn instead of cowering as they should have.  And still the peasants refused to take their rightful places at the foot of and staring adoringly into the eyes of our Leftist betters. 
Now we have the newest tactic, which is to claim that recognizing the excesses of the Left in the past is old hat and irrelevant to the argument, since only the Right seems to have the megaphone.  Pardon me while I regain my chair after having to look around on the floor for where my ass fell off from laughing so hard.  No, the problem is not hate speech, it's not Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Fox News, the Koch family nor any of the other imagined bogeymen that is causing their failure.  Their programs fail all on their own, and the transference of blame to the above list is the mark of desperation.  The Left cannot understand why they are being rejected and they are lashing out at the rest of us.
It is sad in a way, it really is.  They want so much to tell us what to do and to have us thank them for all that they have done for us, and yet, we don't.  Instead, we look at them with clear eyes, seeing them for the shallow pathetic excuses for human beings that they are.  We see that they have exhausted their armory and are now defenseless.  (Notice the violent rhetoric?)

You Can't Have a Civil Discussion With Idiots Like This

Rep. James Clyburn, who holds the highest ranking spot in the Democrat Party that is absolutely meaningless (okay, to be fair, Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi are down there as well) has decided that the Arizona shooter was motivated by the reading of the Constitution.  No, really, that document which is the framework of all of our government (okay, it doesn't say anything about health care or abortion, but that's because it was written by dead white men) is an apparently subversive document. 

“All [of] this stuff taking place in the Chambers the other day, when the Constitution was being read — all that stuff is uncalled for,” Rep. Clyburn (D-SC) told the Ed Schultz radio program.
Clyburn says there may be a “direct link” between Sharron Angle’s “Second Amendment remedies” comment and the reading of the Constitution with the attempted murder of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords over the weekend.

 Really?  And what would be your proof?  Heck, what would even be an indirect link?  In fact, what would it have to do with a madman at all?
Of course, this is the guy who actually said: 

the deadly shooting in Arizona should get the country thinking about what's acceptable to say publicly and when people should keep their mouths shut.

Oh, that's easy, if Clyburn doesn't like it, they need to keep their mouth shut.  But so long as it is class warfare, or just anti Republican, well, that's just clean fun.
No, their anger is not at heated rhetoric, since the Left is quite comfortable with it. The difference this time, is that we aren't just laying down and taking it.

And that is our real sin.

I've About Had It Updated

I regret the casualties of the loner loser who needed to display his madness by killing innocents.  But I have had it with the idea that this is all the fault of the Right Wing, talk radio, Sara Palin, or whatever.  This is truly disgusting.
For the most part, I do believe that the people who occupy the Left side of the spectrum are decent people who want to help others, but are sadly misinformed and ignorant of what they do.  I could just as easily say that the Left is intent on the destruction of my country, ala Cloward-Piven, but I don't.  On the other hand, when I listen to Joe Klein, Kieth Olbermann and others on the TV today, their vitriol is simply dripping as they rub their little hands with glee that they have a hammer with which to silence all of their enemies, I am forced to reconsider how malevolent the Left may actually be.
There seems to be a concerted effort to demonize all things not Democrat using this loser, pothead, stoner, madman as the vehicle.  Paul Krugman, Ezra Klein and Markos Moulitas display their contempt for facts and logic here.  Even a member of Congress as well as Andrew Sullivan are only too quick to take advantage of the situation.  And it's not just individuals acting recklessly, the "news" services are jumping on as well. 
Of course, when it was Major Hassan who opened fire killing twice as many innocents at Fort Hood, the call was for everyone to not overreact.  Or the guy who was the Discovery Channel shooter, he was also given a pass.
Let's face it, this is not an example of the Right making anyone act a certain way.  This is a boon for those on the Left to attack and try to silence those who disagree with them.  It is wrong, and it is un-American to use these sort of false accusations when you can't win the public with your argument.  It is tempting to sink to their level and act like the Islamist bastards and start to make snuff videos of innocent Leftists being beheaded.  Apparently, that is "legitimate" violence that must be appeased as opposed to the idea that belief in limited government and fiscal responsibility should ever even be discussed.
As angry as I am with the slander/libel of the leading lights of the Left, I do realize tthat there are some who would deplore the violence without limitation.  Lanny Davis is the only one that comes to mind at the moment.  It's possible that there may be one or two others.  But for the most part, their deliberate use of the tragedy for political purposes is beyond contempt.  If they don't denounce these sort of baseless accusations, I will no longer hold their opinion worthy of consideration.

The Olbermanns, Krugmans, and Kos kooks can all just go to Hell until then.

UPDATE:  I had forgotten about the Holocaust Memorial shooter and the guy who flew his plane into the IRS office a while ago.  And don't forget the murder of two soldiers in Arkansas.  All of these were committed by leftists.  In order to stop the violence, we need to silence the Left immediately.  Anything that they say can and is being used by these deranged lunatics as an excuse to murder people.  When, oh when, will the Left finally acknowledge that their hatred is so dangerous?

UPDATE 2.  As bad as it has been, now a Democrat group is using the Giffords shooting as a fundraiser.  Have they no shame?

Understanding Their Logic

Logic, as a study, is a method of analyzing problems through a structured reasoning process.  i.e. If A = B, and B = C, then A = C.  But in politics, what is called logic is anything but.
For instance, in the man made Global Warming nonsense, if it is getting warmer, it's because of global warming.  And if it's getting colder, it's because of global warming.  Are you starting to see a pattern here?  Also, make sure that you say that the scientists have formed a "consensus" that the "science is settled."  Of course, no real scientist would say that a consensus is science, nor that it is settled.  They would say that the facts prove the theory, or disprove it, or that the facts support the theory, but haven't been proven conclusively.  In any event, none of the rhetoric or ad hominem attacks that have taken place by those who want to keep the poor people of the world in their penury, without any hope of improvement for them or their children could be considered to be logic.
And then, we have violence.  In case you didn't know it, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona was one of a number of victims who were senselessly attacked.  Perhaps because she is a Democrat, the first allegations were that the shooter was a deranged Tea Partier.  Paul Krugman immediately blasted that without any other evidence, it had to be a Right Winger.  Of course he wasn't the only one.

Did liberals like Congressman Raul Grijalva, Arizona Democrat, Markos, Moulitsas, and Andrew Sullivan speak too soon for the sake of hoping that the Tucson shooter could have had a tea party or a right of center affiliation? From all of their statements today, both said and written, it sure seems like it.

In the parlance, this is known as making lemonade out of lemons. Someone is shot? Well, let's just use it to demonize our "Enemies" because opponents is too civilized. But it's too much fun to be a demagogue as shown in the same article about the founder of the Daily Kos:

The Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas hit Twitter at around 2pm making such statements like:

If Palin's crosshair effort was excusable, why has her PAC scrubbed her site of that page?

Arizona sheriff investigating assassination went on rant about right-wing hate radio rhetoric. He shouldn't have gone there?

How dare people "politicize" a political assassination!

F***ing American Taliban

Sharron Angle's first amendment remedies, in action. That rhetoric MATTERS.

Mission accomplished, Sarah Palin,http://is.gd/knNgl

However, Twitter followers began to point out to Mr. Moulitsas that a Daily Kos blogger by the name of "Blue Boy" posted a blog on Thursday on Mr. Moulitsas's website with the headline: "My CongressWOMAN voted against Nancy Pelosi! And is now DEAD to me!"

The headline was referring to Ms. Giffords's vote against now Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, for Speaker of the House. Rep. Giffords instead voted for Democratic Georgia Congressman John Lewis. After Mr. Moulitsas was bombarded about this blog on Twitter, the blog disappeared and so did a number of Tweets from @Markos for a number of hours, when the alleged shooter was later identified as Jared Lee Loughner, an obviously disturbed individual who enjoyed reading:

Animal Farm, Brave New World, The Wizard Of OZ, Aesop Fables, The Odyssey, Alice Adventures Into Wonderland, Fahrenheit 451, Peter Pan, To Kill A Mockingbird, We The Living, Phantom Toll Booth, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Pulp,Through The Looking Glass, The Communist Manifesto, Siddhartha, The Old Man And The Sea, Gulliver's Travels, Mein Kampf, The Republic, and Meno.

Additionally, Moulitsas's Daily Kos placed a "bulls eye" on Rep. Giffords as well as a primary target in 2008. (h/t Hillbuzz).

Of course, he has since scrubbed the site. Can't have such obvious hypocrisy that can't be covered by the usual suspects, er, I mean the Main Stream Media.
It must be really disappointing to them that instead of being a Tea Partier, he is just a classic Democrat.

Interesting Take on Elections and Race

As we have been told, we are a "nation of cowards" when it comes to all matters of race.  But National Journal does an interesting analysis of attitudes towards Democrats based on race.  Some of it I knew anecdotaly, such as the high percentage of blue collar men and women who are Republicans.  I had explained that in the past because so much of the Democratic Party emphasis is on being a victim, and if you are white you are not allowed to be a victim, so you can't participate.  Also, I think that the blue collar workers who are white are more likely to see a future that is bigger than their present situation and circumstances.
But the article is fascinating for how the breakout of votes by races goes.  Unquestionably, minorities are going to go for Obama in 2012, and whites are probably going to continue to give the majority of their votes to the Republicans.  I think the fight is going to be over the college educated white vote.  If Obama keeps the same percentage as before, he should be able to cruise to re-election.  On the other hand, if enough white collar college educated white voters feel that the government has become too powerful and intrusive, the Republican Party should be the direct beneficiary.
The emphasis that the article puts on Colorado is especially telling.  There, the original Republican senatorial candidate was a Mr. Buck, who was a Tea Partier and a social conservative at the same time.  Interestingly, by the time the election came around, he was almost irrelevant, as Mr. Tancredo who was also of a Tea Party philosophy, but running as an Independent was the second place vote getter.   The difference was that Tancredo was less about social issues such as abortion as he was about illegal immigration.  And if Buck had bowed out, it's quite possible that Colorado would have been added to the Republican pickups.
The whole article is kind of long, but well worth it.  I suggest you read it.

I Wonder How Schweitzer is Going To Deal Wih This?

The Obama administration is going to make a new Internet ID for all Americans.  I wonder if our good Gov will be as interested in stopping this as he was the Real ID program.  Of course, I agree with him on the Real ID objection, I am just afraid that this new Internet ID coming from a Democrat will be something that he will support.
Especially since he isn't going to be re-elected.

Montana is involved in a big time scandal

Edra Blixsewth who recently came into ownership of the defunct Yellowstone Club is now being reported that four years ago, she was licking the breasts of Rep. Mary Bono of California.  Tell me that isn't reason to be reelected!

Litlle by Little, the Truth Comes Out

Even on MSNBC

Throw Me Into That Briar Patch!!

I realize that I am not necessarily the smartest person, but I am obviously head and shoulders smarter than Senate Democrats. After having had a filibuster proof majority until Scott Brown was elected, the Democrats are now saying that it was the filibuster that kept them from getting anything done. Sure they had to waste all that time buying Senators from Louisiana and Nebraska, but they could have done it if they wanted to. But after the election, the Democrats are in a lesser majority and are seeking to improve their opportunities to destroy the country er, I mean pass legislation to support their owners, George Soros and the unions like SEIU.
They want to do it by changing the rules for filibusters.  Just think, the Democrats will be able to pass legislation without the input of any Republicans whatsoever!  Joy and merriment flows throughout Lefty land.  Now they will be able to get things done!!!
Have they any cognizance of a period of time when they are not in control?  How long has it been since Democrats were in the minority?  It'll never happen again can it?  And yet, in two more years, our own Jon Tester will be replaced along with about ten more Democrat Senators, leaving the present majority leader who once said

"Some in this chamber want to throw out 214 years of Senate history in the quest for absolute power," he said then. "They think they're wiser than our Founding Fathers. I doubt that's true."

Good old Harry, always available for a laugh. Even if he doesn't intend it. I am sure that he will regain his reverence for the founders after January of 2013. So, go ahead and muscle through the change in rules. just be aware that what goes around comes around, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may begin his acceptance speech by noting: "I couldn't have done it without Harry."

I Wish I Had Said This

This is just exactly how I feel, and he says it with humor and wit. To simply cite to it would not do it justice, so in the spirit of spreading the word, here in its entirety is this:

Nancy Pelosi Might Just Be Insane
Democrats cope with an openly delusional Minority Leader.
by John Hayward
01/05/2011
Trackback Link


Nancy Pelosi gave her farewell press conference as Speaker yesterday. I’ll pause while the wave of relief and euphoria passes over you, grateful American. In fact, I’ll start over, just so we can enjoy that sentence again.

Nancy Pelosi gave her farewell press conference as Speaker yesterday. It was full of the expected boasting about achievements – it’s not as if she was going to admit she was the most catastrophic failure of a Speaker in recent American history, or that her successor faces the incredibly difficult task of repairing the damage she’s done. There wasn’t even much chance she would apologize for her dereliction of duty in failing to prepare a budget for 2011, leading us into the lame-duck roller derby in December. A thank-you to America for paying vast sums of money to transport her royal family in regal splendor aboard Air Force planes would have been nice.

In the middle of shaking her own hand, however, Pelosi said this: “Deficit reduction has been a high priority for us. It is our mantra, pay-as-you-go.”

That’s just jaw-dropping. Pelosi presided over the greatest expansion of the national debt in history, and when I say “history,” I mean the history of the planet. Our debt soared from $9 trillion to $14 trillion on her watch. It swelled by a trillion dollars in just the past seven months.

As for Pay-Go, that ridiculous lie has been debunked so many times that even the press must have been stifling gasps of astonishment. Does the name “Jim Bunning” ring a bell? He’s the senator from Kentucky who was tarred and feathered for suggesting the Democrats stick to their Pay-Go commitments, when they were bleating that extending unemployment benefits was a super-duper emergency that could not be paid for by cutting a single nickel from our titanic federal budget. They said the same thing anyone had the temerity to remind them about Pay-Go.

This is disturbingly different from the usual spin and rally-the-troops flapdoodle a political leader is expected to shovel out. Not even the skewed perspective of a Representative-For-Life from a far-left district can explain it. As John Boehner gently takes the gavel from her hands and backs away slowly, the Democrat minority in the House must face the possibility that their new Minority Leader is insane.

These People Should Not be Trusted With Sharp Objects

Much less governance.

Steny Hoyer thinks that Tea Party protesters just don't want to go home to their families. From the article:

There are a whole lot of people in the Tea Party that I see in these polls who don’t want any compromise. My presumption is they have unhappy families. All of you have been in families: single-parent, two-parents, whatever. Multiple parent and a stepfather. The fact is life is about trying to reach accommodation with one another so we can move forward. That is certainly what democracy is about. So if we are going to move forward compromise is necessary.

Mr. Hoyer also managed to assign all of the blame for the deficits to Reagan and Bush. There is just one problem with his accusation - Congress is the one who appropriates money, and he was in Congress the whole time. The blame may fall at the feet of those who cut taxes, but it also belongs at the feet of people like Steny who spent anyway. If you don't have it, don't spend it.
Otherwise it is known as theft.

Getting Old

As I approach my 55th Winter Solstice, I find that I am liking winter less and less.  In fact, I find myself dreaming of warm Summer afternoons in a baseball park, talking with friends, and waiting for the crack of a bat to direct our attention to a long fly out.
And I don't even like baseball.
Damn, where is Global Warming when you need it?

A Disturbance In The Force

Watching NBC"s Meet The Press,  I see VP Joe Biden in his own unique way claim that the Democrat's electoral losses last month are because the American people want Republicans to work with Democrats.   WTF?? What is the color of the sky in Biden's world?  That kind of rejection of Republican obstructionism could result in their total control of both houses if they keep refusing  to cooperate. That'll teach them.
But Biden's self delusion is not his alone.  If you read Michael Barone's piece about the impact of the bad choices made by Reid and Pelosi, it explains better than Biden's wrong assertion what happened.Those who persist in their failed delusions will become as relevant as the blow up dinosaurs at my grandson's birthday party.  Amusing for a moment, and quickly forgotten.
This kind of delusion cannot exist in a vacuum.  I think the reason it has lasted as long as it has is that they don't see where the power really lies.  If you think that our Senators and Representatives are our "leaders," you are confused as to what the heck is going on.  Basically, you are confronted with the notion that the peasants are revolting in spite of all the wonderful things that you wanted to do..
Let me posit another view that they are not grasping - Those in Congress have the wherewithal to realize they are in deep shit.  Especially Republicans. who used to represent Utah as Senator or the hand picked choices of the so called elites in Deleware who lost to a witch.  Not to mention the choices in Nevada and Kentucky.  The folks sitting in office can see the picture that the partisans can't.  The true power is no longer on K Street, or J Street, or any of the usual places.  If you are going to be up for election in 2012, you have to consider that if you are a Democrat you are already in deep trouble.  And if you are a Republican, you had better pay attention to the Tea Party issues or you could be primaried successfully.
Lobbyists have less power in the present Congress than angry letter writers from back home.  In the past, a  politician could make enough off of campaign donations from special interests (like Big Pharma, BP, Labor Unions) to offset the disjointed anger of the electorate.They used the money to barrage the uncaring and uninformed with advertisements to overwhelm their opposition to the politician.  Plus the politician could bring home enough in earmarks to tout what a wonderful job they are doing.
No longer.
The rules have changed, and if politicians can't figure it out, they will quickly discover they are expendable.  Just consult with Congressmen Oberstar and Obey for an example.  And all of this is taking place with a disorganized and disjointed group of Tea Partiers who are only going to get stronger at the current rate.

The End of Sen. Tester's Run

Byron York has a piece about how our junior Senator has managed to alienate the very people who got him elected.  Markos Moulitas of the Daily Kos has just declared Tester an a-hole and is not going to support Tester for re-election.  So if you take the Daily Kos crew out of the picture, who does Tester have left as a base?
The problem that Tester has is that he was elected under a false assumption that Montana was becoming more Democratic in politics.  That is the result of entirely too much drinking, and Bush fatigue.  By 2012, we will have all sobered up, and be asking George who? and what does he have to do with this guy who claims to be a Montanan?
Karl Rove used to work under the theory that you get out your base and you win, since most people don't care.  That is way out of date now, as there are Tea Partys and an aroused Independent bloc who reject the Democrat excesses of the last two years.  Tester doesn't even have a base, and the Independents are associating him with Obama and Pelosi no matter what he does. 
He should have stayed with the ones who brought him.  The rest of us don't care.

Solving DUI Problems

Gregg at ECW has a piece about the defense of an accused drunk driver that he was able to rescue from the jaws of pre-trial conviction and return his client to normal citizen status.  DUI is the new crie de couer for the obsessively over controlling of our society.  In one way, it is way too easy.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving doesn't have a version on the other side.  No one is going to advocate for drunk driving but in our search for witches to burn (otherwise known as drivers) in our new crusade, we also catch up people who are innocent and force them to prove that innocence.  Usually we do this by binding them up and throwing them in a pond.  Because water is pure, if they are guilty the water will reject them, and if they are innocent they drown.  Okay, maybe it is slightly more technical, but that is only if you believe the government.
So, here are my solutions to reducing the drunk driving rates in Montana.  First, we lead the country in DUIs per mile traveled.  Let's take the third Saturday of every month and require everyone to drive to a police station where a breath test will be administered and if you are clean, you then have to drive 500 miles that day.  This has the advantage of increasing the numerator so that we won't be leading the country any longer.
Next, I propose that we cut DUIs in half by giving all the cops in the state Saturday off.  No cops means no arrests.  Ordinary citizens would be instructed not to drive on Saturday night because we surrendered the streets to drunks. But, just like in the '70s when we quit picking up hitchhikers because they all seemed to be serial killers, and people quit hitchhiking because the only people who picked them up were serial killers, eventually with only drunk drivers on the road on Saturday night they will only kill each other.  Win-win, and no costs for incarceration or treatment.
Lastly, you need to understand that drinking and driving is not necessarily such a bad thing.  For instance, Montana has found that one out of three highway fatalities has alcohol involved.  Not necessarily under the influence, as for example the driver who is texting, runs a red light and kills a driver of another car who had two drinks.  If you think about it, this means that you are twice as likely to die if you and the other driver are both stone cold sober, than if one of you has a drink.  Therefore, in the same spirit of you should always bring a bomb on board any plane you fly, because what are the chances that there are two bombs, we should all have a drink or two and go for a drive.
This solution to a vexing problem is offered gratis as a public service.

With Apologies to Pogie

Earlier, Pogie had accused me of Limbaugh economics, if I remember right.  Of course, since I work, I don't get to listen to Limbaugh, but the accusation is always thrown around as an attempt to preemptively discredit someone by guilty through association even if there is not association.  And while I am sure that Pogie is smarter than me, I just had to marvel at this fun exchange:

Chickens Coming Home to Roost

I had written a piece about my objections to earmarks earlier, in response to Tester and Baucus' support of them. Now we have the ultimate earmark: $48 Billion to

funnel money into the inner cities to give money to the poor and thereby produce a much larger consumer class to buy the goods and services produced in this country.

Why try any of those anti-poverty programs that have been around for 45 years? They apparently take too long. Sure there aren't any specifics on how to do all this, but it's an earmark people. We do it all the time. Although why it took this long before some enterprising politician figured out the power of earmarks is the question of the day.
While we're at it, let's use the power of earmarks to eliminate Iran's nuclear capability for all time. Jon could get in on this and pump up his foreign relations cred points.

Budgetary Kabuki

Color me confused at the moment. After the House Democrats freaked out about allowing the top tax bracket to remain as it is, rather than jumping the tax on the so called wealthy, Democrats in the Senate decided that millionaires need unemployment insurance. The measure to eliminate millionaire benefits was brought as a small token to pay for the continuation of the tax cuts and the extension of unemployment benefits. And it was small, very small, saving an estimated $100 million over the next ten years. Was it purely theater, absolutely. But it is fun to see Democrats now standing up for millionaires.
Also note that Jon Tester voted with the Republicans against the measure. I am beginning to think that Jon needs to get a name change. After all, for the next two years he is going to be called "endangered Democrat" Tester. But after 2012 he can go back to just plain Jon.
Or "the former Senator."

Lies and Lying Liars

I had posted about the absolute hatred the Left has for the so called "rich,"  and asked the question

Why is it that the extension of the middle class tax cuts is supposed to be stimulative, but they claim research shows that tax cuts for the wealthy is not? Is the money of the rich marked differently than that of the middle class? Does the size of the cut matter if you have enough to go to McDonalds one more night a month than before, versus somebody who buys a car and all the workers that helped manufacture the care?

to which Pogie offered

I think the only reason you haven't seen an answer about why tax cuts have more stimulative value for the middle class is because you haven't looked. Try Google. I hear it provides information with just some typing and a few clicks.

I also wonder how the Right can maintain that the Bush tax cuts stimulated the economy, given the evidence of the past 8 years. What did they do exactly?

My response to Pogie was perhaps unfair, in that I argued that he was relying on Democrat talking points, and that I wouldn't do that. So, lo and behold, we have Reason's Hit and Run by Nick Gillespie showing that the Bush tax cuts (although it was really the Bush tax rate cuts) actually provided more revenue to the treasury.
Well, how can that be, we have been told for the last ten years that only the "rich benefited from the tax cuts. Lie! If you look at the tables provided by Nick, you see that

In 2000, for instance, the top 1 percent of income earners paid 37.42 percent of all income taxes collected. In 2008, they paid 38.02 percent. That's down a bit from the peak of 2007 and reflects the recession hitting. The bottom 50 percent of filers saw their share of the income tax burden fall from 3.91 percent to 2.7 percent. Two groups in the upper half of the income distribution made out, it seems: Folks coming in between between 10 percent and 25 percent of income and those between 25 percent and 50 percent. Each saw their share of total tax collected decline a bit (like the share of taxes paid, this reflects the recession).

Now, the Left at this point will usually say that this is due to the accumulation of wealth by the top earners. Okay, so what? It is not a zero sum game. Everyone can get rich, and some can get richer than others. But that is not the same argument as the rich don't help the economy.

The Recovery is Coming, The Recovery is Coming!!!

The only good thing about the Great Recession is that there has been a significant reduction in all of those junk mail credit card applications.  Apparently, that is about to end. 
It makes sense since companies have been hoarding cash in anticipation of a more favorable business climate once the Democrats were finally restrained.  With a Republican House, which is where all the spending bills originate, the hopes being that Republicans will stick to their promises about deficit reduction.  The Republicans should take note, because if they don't, the blood bath from last election will look like a burbling fountain in comparison.

Hatred is an Ugly Thing

House Democrats are throwing a hissy fit over the extension of the Bush tax cuts that they had excoriated for so long as only benefiting the wealthy.  But their rhetoric is running smack dab into reality with the coming expiration.  When that happens, the middle class is going to be creamed in a way that they will understand what the real effect is of those tax cuts.
But the Looney Left would rather see the rates rise on the Middle Class than to extend them to the so called "wealthy,"  Think about that for a minute.  The Democrats would deny an extension of unemployment benefits to people out of work in order to punish their nemesis "the rich."  Hatred of this sort is honestly refreshing, in that they are no longer even pretending to be on the side of the "little guy,"  Nope, this is all about social engineering..
But I do have one question that I just have not seen answered, and I really wish someone could explain it to me.  Why is it that the extension of the middle class tax cuts is supposed to be stimulative, but they claim research shows that tax cuts for the wealthy is not?  Is the money of the rich marked differently than that of the middle class?  Does the size of the cut matter if you have enough to go to McDonalds one more night a month than before, versus somebody who buys a car and all the workers that helped manufacture the care?
The absolute dishonesty of the Democrats is only matched by the Republicans who think that the agreement with the President is a good deal.  What in the world do wind subsidies or money for ethanol or Nascar have to do with tax cuts?  The fact that they couldn't keep those out show the Republicans are either not serious, or they are easily rolled.

Letter to the Editor

I sent this off to the Missoulian, and figured I might as well post it here as well since blogging has been slow.

The guest columns of Sen. Tester and Sen. Baucus explaining why earmarks are good have clarified what the problem is.  The problem is us.  We are the enablers of a dysfunctional set of elected officials.

Like any addict, they are quick and quite clever in validating their source of addiction while at the same time blaming the enabler for allowing the addict to keep using.   “If only you loved me more, I would quit using alcohol/meth/heroin/earmarks.  It’s all your fault that I haven’t been able to give them up.”  And don’t we love our addicts when they are happily using?  Isn’t it easier to deal with them when they are high, than when they are scrambling around trying to find a fix?

But eventually the money runs out, having been consumed by the addiction.  And boy has the money ran out in regards to earmarks.  The two Senators argue that if they don’t allocate the money via an earmark, some faceless bureaucrat will allocate the money inappropriately (might go to New York City or somewhere in California rather than here).  Well here is a novel thought – Don’t allocate money that is not specifically in the whole bill.  That is, if it isn’t important enough for the whole Senate to consider the allocation, then it isn’t important enough to be spent.  The net result will be less appropriations, and yes, less skate parks, or improved parking lots, but that isn’t such a bad thing when we are basically a hair’s breadth away from bankruptcy.