Don't Be Fooled: It Wasn't a Coincidence

The “chance” meeting of former President Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in the Attorney General’s private plane in a private hanger, this week was hardly a coincidence.  People at this level do not meet by chance; each keenly knew that such a meeting was a conflict of interest for the Attorney General.  This was deliberate and with a political purpose.

Note, that Lynch said the meeting was “primarily” about the grand kids and golf.  If that was the case, they could have exchanged post cards.  But the word “primarily” means it was NOT completely about such.  In political and legal speak “primarily” does not mean “solely”, so that any other dialogue could have been covered.

Also, why would the FBI agents at the plane waive-off any pictures from being taken?  And finally, the meeting was not reported by either party, but was leaked to the press.  These points all lead to the probable conclusion that Bill Clinton was attempting political influence over someone he appointed when he was president.

It is no wonder a large swath of the public is disenchanted with government, as it appears there are two sets of rules: one for those that rule and another for those that are ruled.

For Whom the Brexit Tolls, It Tolls for Thee

On Thursday the British people voted to discard their representatives’ cries of doom and throw out the central planning bureaucrats in Brussels to retake their country and sovereignty.  Britain was nearly equally split, with 52% voting to leave and 48% to stay in the European Union (EU).  Those of the political elite and on the left dub the vote an expression of a xenophobic, racist, and bigoted people.  Voters who fear and hate immigrants.

While immigration was a driving force, it was more about Brussels controlling the U.K. borders, and the laws within its borders, which drove people to vote to get out of the EU while they still had a country.  It was a people who rejected their politicians and media elites.  Who do not trust or believe that either hold their interests or the interests of the nation first.

America is in a similar situation with the upcoming election and gives insight into the seemingly impossible candidacy of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.  How could a billionaire businessman with no political experience secure his candidacy over a dozen seasoned and well financed career politicians?  How did a communist, in America, give the “crowned” candidate, Hillary, a competitive race?

All this originates from an electorate that no longer believes a large central government can or does provide a path to prosperity or, for that matter, can keep the nation safe.  An anemic recovery, real (U-6) unemployment of 9.6%, health insurance rising at double digits, stagnant wages, and terrorism at home give people pause of the effectiveness and capabilities of federal politicians and bureaucrats.

Brexit and the U.S. presidential candidates are a manifestation of unrest with politicians, media, and governments.  Those that feel that they are being ruled instead of served.  In the words of Patrick Henry, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, Give me Liberty, or give me Death!”

#Be Vigilant. Be Free.

Happy (Founding) Father's Day

Today we celebrate all Fathers and give thanks for their care, nurturing, knowledge they have bestowed, values that have guided, and love that has surrounded us.  So as we make our special morning breakfast, go to the baseball game, or just do whatever Dad wants, let us also remember the fathers of our nation and their sacrifices, bravery, knowledge, and wisdom.

These fathers of America and framers of her Constitution gave us the opportunity of liberty, happiness, and prosperity.  Great men who did great deeds saw the promise of the land and her people.

So as we thank our Fathers let us also be reminded of our most notable founding father, George

Washington, and his call that “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

Happy Father’s Day

#Be Vigilant. Be Free.

Don't Be Fooled:We Pay for Their Mistakes

In the real world, colossal failures are met with massive investor losses and law suits for the gross negligence and fraud foisted on the investors.  But a failed government program is met by feeding it more money.  An example: the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Let us first distinguish the difference between an accomplishment vs. a failure.  Obamacare is a political accomplishment, but a failure based on its own promises.  As purported by the President, Speaker of the House, Majority Leader of the Senate, and every Democrat in Congress, Obamacare promised to lower healthcare premiums by $2,500, if you liked your health insurance plan you could keep it, if you liked your doctor you could keep him, not to add a dime to the budget deficit, to increase competition through government funded cooperatives, and to encourage more entrepreneurs to start businesses, among many other claims.  All of these claims proved false.

The ACA started as a calamity with the building of an e-commerce website costing billions and failing after years of preparation.  Yet, Obamacare not only moves forward but gets more money paid for by – you guessed it – the taxpayer.  The bureaucrats and politicians who created the program still get their pay and retirement benefits.  And for all the knowingly fraudulent claims made, and the gross negligence that no politician who voted for the legislation read it – well – no one was prosecuted.  Consequences like that are reserved for the real world.

So before you ask the government for another program or to “fix” the economy remember, no matter what the result, we pay for their mistakes!   

Don't Be Fooled: Government Doesn't Solve Problems

We have to remember that government – even in a better form – all too often does not solve problems, but institutionalizes them.  For example, Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, etc. have not solved poverty.  Quite the opposite. After $15 trillion in cost, poverty is at about the same rate it was in 1965 when the war on poverty was launched.  Thus, we should not be talking about problems government should solve, rather how to solve the problems government has created.

In their quest for votes, politicians pronounce what they will do to create jobs and security.  But the reason for the lowest workforce participation and the highest real unemployment rate (U-6 indicator over 9.5%) are the result of government policies.  It is unreasonable to think that adding to the land-fill of government programs will produce more jobs.

Instead, we should set our sights on discussions of reducing government involvement, enabling individualism, and freeing markets.  Adhering to the founding principles of free men and free markets is what produced the American Dream and prosperity.

Rather than the parade of identity politics giveaways that the media thrives on, let us instead give heed to President John Kennedy’s words to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Be Vigilant. Be Free.  

Don't Be Fooled: The Frustration of the Responsible

Let’s review some numbers: the top 10% of income earners pay about 70% of the taxes.

Now for some critical analysis:  out of that 10%, very few are knowledgeable of our nation’s founding, the historical concept of liberty, and the importance – let alone content – of the Constitution.

The level of corruption and dishonesty in the political media and government is at a fever pitch because too many Americans refuse to take the time to learn the most basic constructs of citizenship.  When people do not know their history and the facts, people vote on the emotion of self-interest.  As a result you get what we have today – a circus.

The parade of presidential candidates consist of a liar, a loudmouth and a loon – this is who we have to choose from.  America cannot hope to survive without a course correction.  We had that with Ronald Reagan when he gave us a breather from massive government, and the nation was allowed to flourish.

This election cycle, like no other, is critical for the survival of the American Dream.  We recall the philosopher J.J. Rousseau who wrote of voting 

“The people of England think they are free.  They are much mistaken.  They are never so but during the election of members of Parliament.  As soon as they are elected, they are slaves, they are nothing.  And by the use they make of their liberty during the short moments they possess it, they well deserve to lose it.”

Be Vigilant. Be Free

Don't Be Fooled: The Enslavement of the Present by the Past

It was recently brought up in a conversation that I, as a white female, could not understand the feeling of being the only black guy in a room – well obviously! I am neither black nor male, so how could I possibly ever understand. Just as a black guy could never understand the feeling of being a white girl.  This is not racism or bigotry, this is simple biology.

We have, to our own disadvantage, aligned ourselves with a respective race, religion, political persuasion, etc and pitted ourselves against each other on the premise of past transgressions and ideology.  Does this not seem contrary to the progressive society so many of the younger generation espouse? Yes, understanding the past, learning from history is crucial for further development and progression, but to hold on to such hatred or partisanship for actions and ideas of past generations who have long since passed does not seem progressive at all – seems more like a spiteful woman…and I say that as a woman.

The present should remember and learn from the past, not be enslaved by it.  Let us learn our lessons and move on.