my election reaction

I know it's been almost a week since Obama was elected President of the US, but I haven't had the time to really think about how I feel about it.  I stayed up watching the election when Lucas went to sleep.  Jeff was out of town, and when Ohio was called for Obama, I knew it was over.

I truly like the checks and balances aspect to our government; however, this year looks like we're back to  1993 when Clinton took over office.  We swing back and forth, and it's time that Democrats took back over.  I'd rather that the Supreme Court justices stay put for awhile, but I bet a couple will retire with Obama's win.

If you see the chart below, you'll see how we swing back and forth.  I'm not one of the ones saying that it's the end of democracy as we know it.  I realize that the President has some power, but it's not a dictatorship as much as Bush's enemies would like to say it was with him in office.

Year	Congress	President	Senate (100)	House (435)
2007	110th	R	D - 51**	D - 233
2005	109th	R	R - 55	R - 232
2003	108th	R	R - 51	R - 229
2001	107th	R	D*	R - 221
1999	106th	D	R - 55	R - 223
1997	105th	D	R - 55	R - 228
1995	104th	D	R - 52	R - 230
1993	103rd	D	D - 57	D - 258
1991	102nd	R	D - 56	D - 267
1989	101st	R	D - 55	D - 260
1987	100th	R	D - 55	D - 258
1985	99th	R	R - 53	D - 253
1983	98th	R	R - 54	D - 269
1981	97th	R	R - 53	D - 242
1979	96th	D	D - 58	D - 277
1977	95th	D	D - 61	D - 292
1975	94th	R	D - 60	D -291
1973	93rd	R	D - 56	D - 242
1971	92nd	R	D - 54	D - 255
1969	91st	R	D - 57	D - 243
1967	90th	D	D - 64	D - 247
1965	89th	D	D - 68	D - 295
1963	88th	D	D - 66	D - 259
1961	87th	D	D - 64	D - 263
1959	86th	R	D - 65	D -283
1957	85th	R	D - 49	D - 232
1955	84th	R	D - 48	D - 232
1953	83rd	R	R - 48	D - 221
1951	82nd	D	D - 49	D - 235
1949	81st	D	D - 54	D - 263
1947	80th	D	R - 51	R - 246
1945	79th	D	D - 57	D - 242

Yellow years mark Presidential 

one of the hot topics...

First of all, I have to say that yesterday's sermon at church was wonderful.  The pastor that preached is from England and will not be voting, obviously, since he is not an American citizen.  It was refreshing to hear another point-of-view and understand that although we believe as Republicans, a lot of the time, we vote based on social issues, there are some Christians out there who vote Democrat.What's amazing about it in example is in the book of Esther, there is supposedly no mention of God.  I haven't gone back to check.  God is and will always be King of Kings and Lord of Lords... President of Presidents, etc...  With that in mind, no matter who wins (and the liberal media predicts Obama - and I predict him as well) God has His hand in this election and has His reasons for allowing certain things to happen.  Maybe it's not a bad thing Obama wins?  Who knows.  Either way, I'm a little bit more confident in that there has to be a trust in God.  Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 7:14 says, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

I'm encouraged.

I thought I'd find quotes of how our politicians feel about different topics. Today: Abortion.

In an October interview with Newsweek, Pelosi stated, “To me it isn't even a question. God has given us a free will. We're all responsible for our actions. If you don't want an abortion, you don't believe in it, don't have one.”

This is what Sen. Barack Obama said last year at a conference of politically liberal religious leaders: “I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is...

“No, what I voted (was) against curtailing the right, criminalizing abortion. I voted against telling everyone else in the country that they have to accept my religiously based view that it's a moment of conception,” said Biden. “But then...

“I listened when he defended his unconditional support for unlimited abortions. He said that a woman shouldn't have to be-quote--'punished with a baby.' He said that right here in Johnstown--'punished with a baby'--and it's about time we called him...

“I believe that the potential for life begins at conception,” Hillary Clinton said. “I think abortion should remain legal, but it needs to be safe and rare.”

Republican candidate John McCain  in 1999 told the San Francisco Chronicle, "I'd love to see the point where (Roe v. Wade) is irrelevant, and could be replaced because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would force X number of women in America to (undergo) illegal and dangerous operations." This led the National Right to Life Committee to claim that McCain had "no coherent pro-life philosophy and that he has no intention of implementing pro-life public policies should he become president."

As a friend of mine said, "I really don't have a dog in this hunt."  

Animal Farm II

"In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo," Obama told a roused, capacity audience at the Canton Civic Center.

"In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history."

The animals of the United States of America are unhappy, in fact, downright angry. George W. Bush the farmer is a brute and not even a good farmer. Led by Obama and the pigs, who are the cleverest and most persuasive, they rise up and stage a revolution. They plan a future for the good of all animals, all for one and one for all. They run the farm themselves, they struggle through the hard times and battles to retake the farm, they weather the internal political struggles of the pigs who cannot agree who should be leader, and in general make a better life for themselves. Then disaster strikes. The pigs seem to be changing the rules to suit themselves and have ways of frightening those who speak out. The one pig who really had a good heart is ousted by the bad pigs. The dream turns into a nightmare, will it all end in tears?

The Government Party members are paid a large amount of money, with this money the members of the Government can purchase costly cars and houses (or 30 minute infomercials), if they wish to do so. They make all the important decisions about the country where as the tax payers rarely have a say in it.

Another thing that “Animal Farm” and today's society have in common is that the powerless people are subject to propaganda. In “ Animal Farm” propaganda was used by telling the animals that one was a traitor, and even a criminal. They threatened that if Napolean was not in leadership Jones may come back. This happens in our society during the election period, the opposing parties all warn the public of the consequences of voting the other party, and how bad it would be if they were in power.

Get ready. Tonight Obama is going to use his money and power to unleash his propaganda on the powerless American people in a 30 minute TV spot. Thank God ABC isn't a part of it. Obama is going to tell us how bad it's been with Bush and that McCain IS Bush.

Just don't let the true message of socialism get lost in the midst of all the hoopla. I do think it would have been a better use of the millions to just go ahead and buy that unicorn and fly across the stage with his message of change.

He is for change... Capitalism changed into Socialism.

october surprise

gaffes

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the case for mccain

It's tough to vote for McCain as he isn't nearly as conservative as I like.  Choosing Palin perhaps was to excite voters like me, but we'll see if she was the better choice over Huckabee or Romney.

McCain seems to have a voting record to oppose government intrusion, but he's not the usual conservative on the issue. 

I like that he supports "sin" taxes.  I know I'm normally against tax increases of any kind or new taxes, but in the case of alcohol and tobacco, tax away.  Why?  Well, I can choose not to smoke or drink; however raising the income tax bracket will not be something I can avoid since we have to work to pay the bills. 

McCain normally supports tax cuts.  He didn't support Bush's because there was no spending cuts or limits.  Can't blame him there.

He supports school choice with vouchers, etc.  I like that. 

He's a big supporter of free trade.

He's he big anti-pork maverick.  Sorry, had to use that overused word one more time.  Maverick maverick maverick.  He is as SNL says, mavericky.  *laugh*

McCain is fairly good at entitlement reform, moreso than the current Republican administration.

He supports tort reform.

I know he's not as strong on immigration policy as some conservatives would like, but let's get real here.  Government involvement in immigration doesn't even make sense if you are a true conservative. Shouldn't the border states be the ones to build the fence or whatever it is you want the country to do about a physical barrier?  As for a huge deportation of illegal immigrants back to Mexico?  It ain't gonna happen.  It's a mess, I know, but so far nothing is happening.

If McCain had been in office rather than Bush, I bet we would have already surged in Iraq and the war would have already ended?  Maybe.

Anyway, there's a few reasons outside of the normal pro-life, anti stem cell research, and other social issues where most know I stand very conservatively.

It won't be long and this election will be over.  I'm just hoping Obama doesn't win with his "Change, don't think" mentality.

economy crisis

I have wondered about where this whole Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae thing started.  How did things get so out of control where a few companies could impact our economy so greatly?  Maybe this is the beginning of the answer.  From the debate on 9/26/08:

OBAMA: “We’re also going to have to look at, how is it that we shredded so many regulations? We did not set up a 21st-century regulatory framework to deal with these problems. And that in part has to do with an economic philosophy that says that regulation is always bad.”

THE FACTS: Some of the abuses that occurred stemmed from the 1999 repeal of a Depression-era law that separated banks from brokerages. In legislation supported by former President Clinton and Robert Rubin, now a top Obama adviser and treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, this separation was ended — allowing banks and insurance companies to sell securities.

But while regular banks were strictly regulated by the government, Wall Street banks and other non-bank institutions — many of the same institutions whose abuses led to the current crisis — were allowed to operate with less regulation.

mccain under the microscope

It seems to me that the left wing media is looking for anything they can to sway the typical American voter against John McCain. First, it is his age. Second, his health, and lastly his comparison to George W. Bush. I find them all to be weak attempts to discredit someone who is capable and has the experience to lead our country forward.
..

John McCain is 72 years old. Life expectancy is 77.8 years or so. Immediately one would think he is too old to serve our country as the Commander in Chief. Ronald Reagan was the President from ages 69-77. Was he too old? I believe Reagan is still heralded as one of the best presidents in the last 100 years. Many times we equate the President of the US as someone who is experienced and proven in their service to our country. Obama has had two years in the Senate. McCain is so much deeper as a candidate and his service to our country (both now and in the past). I guess Obama notices that age and experience really do matter. He runs to get some gray hair to make him "look" more experienced.

It wouldn't be the first time a Presidential candidate starts greying to look wiser for the candidate. Luckily for us, McCain is solid gray. What does that say? Politics of hair are back! Obama really ought to be working more on speech delivery sans teleprompter rather than his hair! Thank God for the internet where we can find videos and other information like this. Remember Dan Quayle and his "potatoe" mistake? The media talked about that mistake for weeks. I haven't seen a single report about Obama's "breathalizer" or "inhalator." (Should have been INHALER)

McCain's health has been called into question. He has battled stage 2 melanoma with a 50% or so survival after 5 years. What about Joe Biden's aneurysm repairs in 1988? Should I not vote for him as it almost took his life? Is he still at risk? I think I look more at Biden's plagiarism and lack of character (or plain laziness) cost him a presidential run in the past. None of us are promised tomorrow. We could die of anything at this very moment. Word-for-word copying someone else's work could be a character flaw in my eyes, especially at that level.

Quoted:

Biden’s case demonstrates that student plagiarism is nothing new. Only the methods of cheating have changed. Today, cheating has gone digital with the proliferation of Internet based paper filing and distributions systems, but the principles—or lack thereof—are the same. And as the Biden case illustrates, getting caught for such academic dishonesty may have serious ramifications for one’s political career. Joe Biden’s failed bid for the Democratic ticket is a case in point.

Lastly, comparisons with George W. Bush. I find it amazing that just a few years ago, McCain was considered a moderate by most. I definitely found him less conservative than I would have liked. His immigration policy is definitely more liberal, among other things, than I would like. Watch as the the liberal media tries to paint him more and more conservative thinking this will make him lose votes being compared to Bush. (Can I add here, "hello Easter Bunny?")

Remember former President Bill Clinton:

ABC's Z. Byron Wolf Reports: At a stop in rural Pennsylvania, over winding roads and through rolling hills in small Lewistown, PA, where people lined the streets to watch his motorcade approach, former President Bill Clinton had high praise for the man who has clinched the nomination for the other party.

Mr. Clinton said all three major candidates remaining in the race are talented and special people.

He did not go into detail on Sen. Barack Obama, the Illinois Senator still locked in political combat with Sen. Clinton's wife for the Democratic nomination. Their next battle takes place next month in Pennsylvania.

But McCain, who Mr. Clinton said is a "moderate", "has given about all you can give for this country without dyin' for it."

He said McCain was on the right side of issues like being against torture of enemy combatants and global warming, which "just about crosses the bridge for them (Republicans)."

I guess now that Hillary is out, Bill will have to retract those words somehow. I personally like President Bush, and I will state that with no hesitation, but if you think Bush and McCain are the same? Nope. They are not. Adding Palin to the ticket only helped me to feel better about my McCain vote.

oopsie

Bringing a smile to your face and reminding you that sometimes politicians push the wrong button.  

obama interview

When Charlie Gibson brings up the Israel speech, it's obvious that Obama was caught in what he explains, "the wording was poor." I hope for Obama's sake in the debates that he can iron out the stammering and stuttering. Most for him will agree that he is a smooth talker, but in this particular interview, I didn't see that side of him. Perhaps it's the lack of foreign policy experience - thus the reason for selecting Joe Biden to bridge that gap.

143 days

• You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.
• You couldn't  become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.
• You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.
• You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.
• You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience. 

BUT.... 

• 'From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming aPresidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate.
• That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.  
• After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.
• 143 Days???
• We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.

a woman veep?

What an interesting election it is going to be this year.  CNBC is already reporting that Sarah Palin, the current governor of Alaska, would be the running mate for John McCain.  I can't help but admit that I smiled hugely on this... namely because not only would an Obama/Biden ticket make history, a McCain/Palin would as well.  They could be speculating incorrectly, but I hope not.

obama and biden... experience is THE word...

Breaking news just came not long ago. Democratic Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama just selected Senator Joe Biden of Delaware to be his vice presidential running mate in an apparent move to balance his ticket with someone with actual political experience. Who knew that “real change” included a 30+ year Washington insider for VP. Well, so much for the sweeping change, anti-Washington-insider movement. Hard to find a guy more inside than Biden.

Biden's statements on "Hardball" on March 16, 2004:

"I think that this is time for unity in this country, and maybe it is time to have a guy like John McCain — a Republican — on the ticket with a guy he {Kerry} does like. They do get along. And they don't have fundamental disagreements on major policies."

I bet it's easy for the Republican party to start putting together the first ad against the announcement. "Biden endorsed McCain for VP just 4 years ago."

I DO believe this was a bad choice for Obama. I do believe this is the beginning of the end of Obama. Not only will Biden showcase how inexperienced that Obama really is, the American public will start to realize that Biden would be the better President and Obama the VP.

nobama