November 2010

Ants and Grasshoppers

Ants and Grasshoppers

I dictated this column ten days ago when the TSA backlash was first starting. Since 9/11 I have been questioning the policies of George Bush and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. In October 2002 I had a letter published in the News-Journal predicting new airport security measures were similar to Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Removing shoes came next, I tried to resist but after being placed on the “TSA Watch List” and threatened by TSA I ultimately acquiesced and felt alone trying to stop this intrusion. TSA demonstrated its stupidity with its policy on liquids, watching me drink a bottle of Dasani water, clear and pure; requiring its disposal because it will explode.

Several weeks ago I saw a Tampa television station dutifully reporting about a multi-jurisdictional task force at the Greyhound bus station where FHP, TSA, and Border police were checking papers and searching passengers. The week before an Atlanta television station likewise reported about a comparable task force stopping trucks inbound on I-20 to pass through full size X-ray machines, check papers, and be searched. Sadly, Americans willfully reported they were glad to experience the inconvenience and felt safer, and no one seemed to question the right of the government or the warrantless search performed in direct contradiction to the Constitution, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

This issue has moved beyond the requirement for airline security. Bush’s moves after 9/11, in the name of fighting terrorism, stole freedoms from Americans, undoing over 225 years of liberty: the Patriot Act created unprecedented warrantless spying, Homeland Security employees over 200,000 with a budget of $52 billion, and the relatively unknown support of the Courts to establish “Constitution Free Zones”. While you watch your elderly mother, wife, or teenage daughter undergo an intrusive, pat-down search, ask yourself by what authority has the government asserted this right.

The current fight is about the Ant and the Grasshopper, and the general failure of Americans to understand their Constitutional rights. We, the ants, are trying to resist the government grasshopper. If we succeed, we undo years of authoritarian success by the grasshopper.

November 24, 2010 by Big Government Freedom Terrorists

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

My buddy Noel and I were talking this week about the rising cost of fuel, unemployment, President Obama’s actions in Asia, rising gold prices, crashing housing prices, and “Dancing with the Stars”. I said it felt like we were in the “The Twilight Zone”. You see, Noel and I are the same age as each other, born in 1967. I commented that we grew up with Gene Cernan hitting golf balls on the moon and promises of us living there someday. We were influenced by TV re-runs like “The Brady Bunch”, “Leave it to Beaver”, and “Andy Griffith”. The 1970’s had the gas crunch, Nixon going to China, the Bicentennial, Jimmy Carter, and the Iranian Hostage crisis. As we entered high school Reagan protected us from the Soviets, and the Big 3 auto companies saved themselves from the Japanese. In college Bush 1 continued the legacy of Reagan and we graduated to a healthy job market. Clinton first scared us with Hillarycare and reinvented himself to ultimately steer a healthy economy where everyone talked dotcoms, and knew Peter Lynch’s name; investment returns less than 15% were despised. Even as we partied like it was 1999, life remained good, our careers flourished, and although terrorism was new to our shores, we all jumped on the real estate rocket ship.

Today I feel like a character in the Twilight Zone: I lost my job, like Donald Trump sold real estate at a loss, shed assets like “The Biggest Loser”, have watched two elections with dismay wondering how some get reelected and others lost, and been puzzled by the bank mess and healthcare. On television gay characters perpetuate, obesity delights, and sitcom dialogue offends. I used to love air travel, but George Bush created a Gestapo security force requiring me to show papers, remove my shoes, and in the latest round choose radiation or molestation to board a plane. My president claims Islam was the light of the world, but yet the followers of this political radicalism have killed over 3,100 Americans in the last decade, many on our own soil. America manufactures nothing, we regurgitate services, and our economy is fueled by debt and consumption; there are no jobs and it will take 20 years to recover the 8 million lost over the last three years. Last week the central bank announced it will print money until our economy is fixed, another crazy scheme parallel to the Fed’s efforts of the Great Depression. My only explanation is we are waiting for Rod Serling to step from behind a tree saying, “That’s the signpost up ahead – your next stop, The Twilight Zone!”

November 20, 2010 by Big Government General Rant Obama

What Happened Last Week

Last week there was a lot more happening in America than reported. Of course everyone is aware of the change of power in the House of Representatives, and most people know Reid, Frank, Boxer, and Pelosi were re-elected. The political sage purported their own theories as to what happened, but last week was easy to explain: while the masses slept the informed went to the polls and voted. Throughout the constant barrage of political analyses there was one shift in the majority reported rarely; 19 state legislatures changed from Democrat to Republican majorities. The impact at the state level is the passage of conservative agendas, aligned with the will of the people: state influenced immigration controls, no gay marriage, gun rights will stop eroding, and we can expect more fiscal control of budgets.

In addition to the electorate changes, the twelve members of the Fed Open Market Committee, private banking individuals not elected by the people, forever changed our future. Although called “Federal Reserve” the “Fed” is as federal as “Federal Express”. The group of private bankers promised to purchase $600 billion of government bonds because our debt, traditionally the stalwart of confidence to the world, has no other buyers. America will look like the 1970s, interest rates will drop further, past the already historically low rates making home and car purchases cheaper, if you can qualify for a loan or have a job, but increased prices are inevitable. By monetizing our debt, our currency was devalued and therefore it will take more dollars to buy exports. Although it sounds complicated, in the coming months the cost of everything made in China will rise, our foreign food supply will rise in cost, and OPEC will want more dollars for a barrel of crude. Gasoline should easily reach $3.40/gallon by April as OPEC is demanding a minimum $100/barrel.

What happened last week was historical, America moved politically in a direction not seen since Reconstruction (1865), recognizing the failed policies of an out of control majority. Similarly, Europe has done the same, moving Right to fight Unions, pensions for life, and nanny-state mentality. What happened last week when the Fed announced quantitative easing will also change our lives. We the People will pay today and well into the future for printing money. As we were taught in school, the Fed needs inflation to grow the economy, but inflation is really a hidden tax on us, the people.

November 13, 2010 by Uncategorized

Due to Deadlines

Due to deadlines, I write this column on Saturday mornings prior to publication date and therefore it is difficult to deliver a timely column, tied directly to headlines. For instance, I wrote this five days ago, but with confidence I predicted there was a significant shift in Congress yesterday. I did not predict numbers, but predicted the headlines and commentary from the media; today you are hearing the American people “did not understand” President Obama’s vision, or they were “angry” over the economy. I argue yesterday was much simpler and there is no need to overanalyze what happened.

Yesterday’s outcome was about values and politicians selling out their integrity. The methods used during the health care debate showed a majority party willing to use thuggery to win an agenda. Intimidation by the Speaker, failing to hold town hall meetings and closed-door debates demonstrated Chicago-style politics used nationwide, contradictory to promises of transparency. Sadly, an examination of our local Representative Kosmas’ record shows a pass given on the first vote and then a “yes” vote in round two, against the will of her constituents; a good woman sent to Washington and if she had maintained her integrity against the machine she would be returning.

With two years of legislation, failed economic policies, teleprompter speeches, extravagant travel, and excessive golf yesterday became a mandate for real “change and hope”. What voters moved on was spending, an out of control congress, and failed fiscal policies. Since the last election unemployment increased, the Federal deficit increased, social security spent deficit funds, total debt increased trillions, the social agenda moved decidedly left while most Americans remain center-right, and personal freedoms were reduced.

Nearly two years ago Hillary Clinton presented Russian President Putin with a button, “Reset”. Yesterday voters yesterday sent the same message to Washington and the new Republican Congress has an opportunity to echo the successes of 1994; saving America and possibly saving a President. Without the Democrat puppeteer as Speaker, Congress will find themselves free of the shackles of desperate politics and instead controlling their destiny. Congress can move quickly to save America: maintain the 2001 Bush Tax cuts, repeal healthcare, legislate spending limits as a percent of GDP, require a balanced budget, and stop the tomfoolery of passing new legislation so prevalent during the last two years. If nothing else, regardless of your political alignment, at lease the negative ads have stopped!

November 13, 2010 by Uncategorized