When I look at my nation, my community, my church, and my life I see two options each three-fold.  One is certain defeat and the other filled with obstacles but offers hope for victory.  It would seem that with that said everyone would immediately take the one that offers hope but it seems that is the road less traveled in our nation and much of our world today.  It is not necessarily the easy road and certainly not devoid of potholes, obstacles, and opposition but when you look toward the finish line you see HOPE and not the fictional ‘Hope and Change’ offered by the person currently occupying the Oval Office and carrying the title President of the United States of America.

             As we ‘look back’ many do so LONGINGLY with nostalgia wishing for the ‘good old days’ at least with respect to the political.  Some look back LONGINGLY with a yearning for a return to the days when America was a Constitutional Republic although most of us were not alive when it truly was but those of us who are ‘baby boomers’ can recall when it was much nearer that reality than today’s SUPER CENTRALIZED BIG GOVERNMENT monstrosity where the federal government has its tentacles in every facet of our lives and clamoring for more daily.  It is not a bad thing to ‘remember’ the past but it must always be remembered that it is THE PAST.  We cannot relive it and while we may revive its spirit it is still a bygone era so we dare not become fixated on THE PAST.

            As we ‘look at the present’ many do so LAMENTINGLY and are overcome with grief as to the current state of affairs politically, morally, socially, and even religiously.  Today, in America, we are totally dominated politically by the ‘professional politician’ and powerful ‘special interest groups’ rather than have ‘citizen representation’ and ‘representatives’ in Congress or even the White House.  There is cause to LAMENT and if that spurs us into action to positively change the current conditions then that is a powerful weapon but if it causes us to bury our heads in the sand, throw up our hands and throw in the towel it is incredibly negative and sadly in the 2012 Elections I saw evidence of that in the refusal of many to vote.  If we chain ourselves to the past or become overcome with the apparent hopelessness of the present we will NEVER GAIN THE FUTURE VICTORIOUSLY!

            As we ‘look toward the future’ many do so incredibly LEERY and the skepticism, lack of trust and confidence, and unsurety of where this nation and world is going paralyzes with fear, frustration, and hopelessness.  While it is not a negative thing to be cautious and aware of the dubiousness of the professional political class it is negative if we allow it to PARALYZE us and enfeeble us to the place that we are incapacitated politically, socially, morally, and religiously.  If we allow it to cause us to become ‘wise as serpents’ and ‘harmless as doves’ and prayerfully approach the future with a view of the positive of the past, the failures and mistakes of the present and the Hope of the future it is POSITIVE!

             I, almost daily, have people who truly love this nation and genuinely want limited government, citizen representatives in Washington, a reduction of the debt and deficit nationally, and a return to a Constitutional Republic declare they are so depleted of hope they have given up.  As a minister I have preached for most all my years of Christian service – ‘The devil cannot win unless we quit.’  He will not win the ultimate victory even if we do and the only way he can win in our lives is if we quit!  That is true politically as well in my view.  If we continue to fight the good fight and win the battles where we can there is hope that we can win the war.  However if we throw in the towel, raise the white flag of surrender and become so disillusioned that we lose all hope and draw back from the battle WE HAVE LOST!  I cannot face my children or grandchildren if I do that so I will continue the fight as long as I have breath.

            America we MUST NOT SURRENDER!  Those who want to destroy us from without and from within must be resisted.  Although there is massive voter fraud and elections being stolen with each election cycle WE MUST NOT SURRENDER!  That is why it is important that we volunteer as poll watchers in our precincts, and become involved on the grass roots level.  We still have HOPE so do not look back so longingly, lament so much in the present, and become so leery of the future that you SURRENDER.  Allow the past, the present, and the hope of the future to embolden you and encourage you.  WE CAN if we stand together and refuse to quit!

             God bless you and God bless America!

            Seriously, I have never delved into the possibility of a ‘parallel universe’ but after the past few years watching politics and politicians I am beginning to wonder if it is possible.  It seems in their world ‘fantasy is reality’ and ‘reality is fantasy’.  Some have suggested that aliens dropped some of them off because they were without use for their research and they were purging other worlds.  Understand I say all that ‘tongue in cheek’ but how do we explain their complete lack of touch with ‘reality’.

             I guess it is probably best described as a ‘quest for power’.  It seems that either before elected or shortly after assimilation into the Washington culture they evolve into ‘professional politicians’ and strive to become members of the ‘Political Elite Society’ with position, power, and re-election being the most important items on their agenda.  I truly wonder what our Founding Fathers would say if they could see the way our present day politicians are sorting through what’s left of the Republic seeking to solidify their positions, pocketbooks, and power with little or no regard to the Republic!  I wonder!  However I suspect they would say, “We warned you!”

            It may be too late to save the Republic, I don’t know but I do know that we cannot give up the effort.  If we concede defeat and become docile we will have our liberties stripped from us, our constitution completely shredded, and our Republic destroyed.  The effort or actions that are leading us to that place are coming from many on both sides of the aisles.  It is for that reason that it is incumbent on each of us to carefully vet, research, question, and seek to know as much about each candidate as we can before casting our ballot no matter the office or party.

             In my view, the day of just voting along party lines is past or should be.  You may disagree and as many of those I talk to on both sides tell me, “Well a person of this or that party even if bad is infinitely better than someone from the other party.”  Sometimes that is true and sometimes it is an excursion in that parallel universe of the professional politicians where ‘fantasy is reality’ and ‘reality is fantasy’.  When a politicians consistent record is liberal to moderate and then just before primary season switches to a strict conservative vote you can rest assured that candidate IS NOT CONSERVATIVE.   I find that more offensive than if they followed their core beliefs consistently even if I disagree with them.  Just be honest with me!

            To cite one area that never ceases to amaze me is UNEMPLOYMENT.  We continually have reports from official and reputable organizations about the numbers of jobs created, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits, and the numbers of those who have completely dropped out of the job search market.  If a person has been unemployed long enough to no longer receive benefits they magically are dropped from the numbers used to calculate ‘unemployment rates’.  That is ‘fantasy’ and ‘reality’ says that if we truly calculated the number of people who COULD or WOULD WORK against the number who ARE WORKING the percentage would not be under 8% it would be well above 15% and probably higher.  The government manipulation of numbers, dollars, etc. in order to give the appearance of the economy getting better is not just ‘fantasy’ it is ‘disrespectful’ to America and Americans.  It is a slap in our faces and a clear attempt to dupe the public in order to solidify their position and re-election.  When, ‘reelection’ becomes more important than the ‘republic’ and the ‘public’ it is time for change and that does not matter what party they affiliate with.

             The primaries are upon us and this is the time to vigorously engage in attempts to replace those who are guilty and take the battle to the general election in November.  Sadly, too many just sit back and watch and then complain.  Personally, if I chose not to vote I would feel guilty in complaining about conditions or politicians.  That is my view and costs you nothing!  You have as much right to yours as I do mine.  I just hope that you become involved in the process because it truly does have a direct impact on your life!

             God bless you and God bless America!

WE NEED TO REMEMBER and RESPOND…..

            I will readily acknowledge there are a number of possible ways to achieve the goal, some I do not endorse, at this time.  I want to take the most peaceful and legal means possible to save and restore the Constitutional Republic called the United States of America.  I want to see it function within the bounds, limits, and guidelines of the American Constitution not the United Nations Charter.  I want America back and lay blame at the feet of both parties in a very large measure.

             I believe that the politicians have ‘stolen’ our Republic from us for their own political purposes and agendas.  I believe that their quest and thirst for power, in the name of helping the people has resulted in the complete shredding of the American Constitution to the point that it is no longer working as it was designed.  The courts have aided in this travesty.  The Executive and Legislative Branches have been major culprits in this assault on our American Constitution and thereby the Republic that our Founding Fathers established and handed down to us. 

             How do we SAVE the republic?  That is a most interesting question and one that requires a significant amount of thought and weighing options to come to a definitive answer.  Another question might be CAN WE SAVE the republic?  That depends on where we turn for our solution to the problem.

             CONGRESS IS NOT THE ANSWER so where do we turn?  I believe that Mark Levin and others have hit on what may well be the ‘only’ hope we have of saving the Republic.  He bases his argument on Article V of the American Constitution and proposes that we seek to get two-thirds of the State Legislatures to call for a Convention to Propose Amendments to the United States Constitution.  The proposed amendments then would have to be ratified by three fourths of the States to become valid.  Clearly we cannot depend on the U.S. Congress, President, or Supreme Court to restore the Constitution so the Individual States are possibly our only hope.  Can we get enough State Legislatures to sign on to this idea?  I do not know as we have failed in previous attempts but today hopefully there are enough people who see the ‘lawlessness’ of this President as a perpetual danger and one that can only lead to a Tyrannical State if not stopped that something might be done.  We can hope!

            PEOPLE NOT POLITICIANS will ultimately be the answer.  It is only as the people within the nation rise up in sufficient numbers either electing or sending fear into the hearts of elected officials to cause them to respond.  That is probably easier accomplished on a State level than a National one.  The State Legislators are frequently more attune to the wishes of the people and more likely to respond to pressure than National Legislators.  There is an infectious disregard for our wishes on the Washington scene so those in Congress seem to be inoculated, isolated, and insolated with regard to our voices and wishes.  That has to change and the only way it will change is by taking the drastic steps to amend the present Constitution and restore power to the States and thereby the people.

            WE DESIRE A REPUBLIC NOT A TYRANNICAL DESPOTIC REGIME and the only way that we can have that is take power from them.  I am not just identifying Democrats in that statement but Republicans and Independents in Washington as well.  They have and are virtually all guilty of destroying our Constitutional Republic and should be held accountable and stripped of their power ASAP.

             IT WILL BE GOD NOT MAN that ultimately determines if we will have a Republic and keep it or if we lose the nation.  Therefore it is my conviction that we should ‘work’ as if everything depended on us and ‘pray’ as if everything (and it does) depends on God.  I have for some time been committed to intercession for the nation.  In doing that I pray for the leaders that God will guide their decisions, touch their hearts, and bring them to the light of right and truth!  I do not pray for the success of agendas that are clearly outside the scope of Scripture or not in the best interest of the American Republic and people.  I cannot do that!  I must speak up, speak out, stand up, and stand firm in hopes of seeing the Republic restored to its Constitutional mode of operation.

            I suggest that you research this avenue and if you believe it is a viable way to go, contact your elected State Representative, Senator, and all other State officials as might be needed in this attempt to save the Republic.  I, like you, want to see our Republic saved and our Constitution honored and followed.  We may not agree on how to accomplish that but hopefully agree on that objective.

             May God bless you and may God bless America!

What is ‘this’ you ask?   Is the Republican Establishment strategy to alienate the Tea Party and Constitutional Conservatives in an effort to ‘win’ the mid-term elections but only by a narrow margin and without the Tea Party or what they view as ‘right-wingers’?   If that is their strategy they are dumber than dumb and place the entire nation in jeopardy of not just another two years of liberal socialist left-wing rule but possibly eight to ten more years of it?  We can barely survive two more years and I’m not sure we can do that but eight to ten more years of this political ideological pathway we are on – NO WAY!

             Why would you pursue ‘AMNESTY’ although you are calling it ‘Immigration Reform’ and claiming that it is not a pathway to citizenship when you and the rest of us know that is exactly what this is or will be.  Why would you be so afraid of restraining Mr. Obama from his insatiable appetite for spending because you have vowed ‘no more shutdowns?’  Why would you ignore those that helped you reclaim the House in 2010 and want to alienate them?  WHY?  In my view there is only one logical conclusion – – You are Big Government Bureaucrats like the leftist and the only real difference is you have an R instead of a D behind your name on the ballot.  You want to feather your nest, secure you lofty position politically and financially, and you are more interested in power than people!  It is not ‘Power to the People’ but keeping ‘Power from the People’ that you seem to be interested in.

             I guess you, like Mr. Obama and the Democrats believe that we all have STUPID written across our foreheads and are!  It seems that you have lost sight of what the public really wants!  One of the things that a vast majority of the voting public wants is LIMITED GOVERNMENT or LESS GOVERNMENT.  Most Americans want the government less involved in our daily lives.  Most Americans want less spending and debt nationally.  Most Americans want our borders secured and America and Americans protected.  Most Americans want government out of their health insurance and health care decisions.  Most Americans want the Republic that our Founders established and we had for a very long time.  Of course, the recent elections and inattention to politics by millions suggests that you and the left are right.  We may not be STUPID but we have acted STUPIDLY.

            It would be criminal for parents to allow an irresponsible teenager access to the key of the liquor cabinet, keys to the car, and access to the bank account.  Yet that seems to be the approach we have taken in politics.  We have allowed irresponsible men and women who have demonstrated either a complete ignorance of the Constitution or an abhorrence of it to make policy, pass laws, and enact governmental edicts that are contrary to the Constitution and the Will of the People of this Republic.  Some of, if not much, of the blame for the condition we are now facing must be shouldered by those of us who neglected to stay informed and involved in the political happenings of our nation over the past few decades.  It may well be too late to reclaim this nation but WE MUST attempt to do so. 

            I, like many of you, have become completely disgusted with politicians on both sides of the aisle and want people in Washington that will be Citizen Representatives who will honor and respect the Constitution of these United States of America.  I wish I could offer a formula that was simple and easily executed to achieve this but it is more complicated that just saying “I will vote third party.”  We may be left with no choice if the Republican Establishment continues its self-destructive course which is abetting the statist leftist liberal socialist in the destruction of this nation or as Obama declared the ‘fundamental transformation’ of it.

            My plea is be INFORMED, INVOLVED, and NEVER give up the effort to restore the Republic!   America now and future depends on our efforts!  I am not fighting just for me I am fighting for my children, grandchildren, and their children.  I am fighting for posterity, for God and Right not just the political right!

            May God be with you guarding and guiding you and may God bless America again!

            What do I mean?  Simply they spin what they are spinning and have been spinning about how ‘affordable’ it will make health insurance and health care as well as the fallaciousness of how many that are currently uninsured will now be insured gives the image that it is true but it is a blatant fabrication not supported by facts.

            Obamacare is supposedly going to extend coverage to 25+ million people who are ‘uninsured’ over the next DECADE.  Understand that this is not expected or intended to be an immediate eradication of the ‘uninsured’ problem as Obama wants you to believe.  However the Congressional Budget Office has issued a finding that anticipates at least 31+ million will remain ‘uninsured’ under Obamacare.  Please tell me how this law fixes the problem?  It only exasperates it lowers the standard of care, increases the costs across the board, costs jobs, hours, wages, and hurts the American economy and the American worker.  So how is it a good thing?  It is something that Barack Obama wants to hang his political legacy on and hopes that historians or revisionist will look back on it and give him a glowing grade somewhat like his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for what they anticipated he might do and has not done. 

            The real truth is the ILLEGAL ALIENS, or as they are now called ‘undocumented workers’ , for we dare not call a spade a spade we have to be politically correct and show how sensitive we are, will be the lion’s share of the ‘uninsured.’  This is a group of people that we are now subsidizing through ‘welfare’, ‘free education’, and ‘free medical care’ now.  WHY do we need to punish all American citizens with a disastrous train wreck law to do what we are already doing and will continue doing SUPPORTING ILLEGALS?

            How about those who ‘fall through the cracks’ of the Obamacare system?  Those who earn below 100% of the poverty level, or around $11,500.00 per year make too little to get subsidized insurance because Obamacare assumes that they will get Medicaid.  Yet, there are those who do not qualify for the subsidized insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid.  Those people are not helped and it could be argued that they are harmed by Obamacare and will be part of the growing millions who do not have insurance, cannot get insurance, and do not have Medicaid.  WHAT ABOUT THEM MR. OBAMA?  Oh your law fixes everything for everyone, sorry I forgot.

             Additionally, I am still incensed over the ‘exemptions’ that you have issued to businesses, unions, Congress, and others.  If Obamacare is the best thing since ‘sliced bread’ then it should be good enough for ALL AMERICANS not just some of us who are outside your special favors groups.  You, your family, Congress, their families, their staffs, all unions, and businesses, should have to have it as well or NO ONE SHOULD have to have it!  You cannot have it both ways and even if your ‘low information’ crowd believes what you say, you are DISHONEST and millions of us know it and are resisting.  We will continue to put pressure on our elected representatives to resist as well. 

            This law adds or amends at least 40 new provisions to the federal tax code and the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a poll and found that 77% say they KNOW NOTHING or LITTLE about what Obamacare is really all about or does.  You have shut down open air monuments, prevented WWII veterans and families from paying tribute to their comrades and family and yet you are spending $67 million or more in a campaign to EXPLAIN OBAMACARE to the public. 

             In your plan you claim that employees have the option to opt out of their employer’s plan if it does not cover at least 60% of their healthcare costs or costs more than 9.5% of their taxable income.  One wee little problem in this it is what some have called the ‘family glitch’ because the test of affordability is for INDIVIDUALS not FAMILIES.  Additionally, family members CANNOT GET subsidies in the exchanges if the worker’s plan is deemed AFFORDABLE.   What about that sir?

            In fact, the CBO projects that under Obamacare over the next decade, the number of uninsured will never fall below 30 million. Here are the year-by-year projections from the report:

2013 – 55,000,000
2014 – 44,000,000
2015 – 37,000,000
2016 – 31,000,000
2017 – 30,000,000
2018 – 30,000,000
2019 – 30,000,000
2020 – 30,000,000
2021 – 31,000,000
2022 – 31,000,000
2023 – 31,000,000

            Thus we find that Obamacare is not the cure all that ends all our health insurance and health care problems and makes virtually no dent in the problem only exasperates it and complicates it further.  The truth is that you are not interested in HEALTHCARE or HEALTH INSURANCE you are interested in CONTROL as the fine points and fine print of the ACA reveals when studied.

             Therefore it is incumbent upon us to continue to resist and insist that our elected representatives resist your diabolical and disastrous ideology and policies.  Americans want their America back!

             May God bless you and may God bless America!

            I should not be surprised at anything in politics anymore but I still am surprised in the lack of attention and recognition by the masses regarding the shenanigans of politics and politicians.  I watched a video clip the other day of Hollywood Types being asked about Obama and Robert De Niro was in tears defending Obama, and some others were making statements to the interviewer like, “We both agree that Benghazi is bunk right?”  The interviewer did not agree and when he pressed the actor as to who was to blame and the response was, “The Republicans cutting funding.”  I laughed and cried at the same time because the Benghazi debacle that was either total incompetence or blatant treason or both had nothing to do with any funding cuts but with inappropriate or the lack of action on the part of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  Then to make matters worse they lied about what transpired and are still doing so yet the public or the loyal followers DO NOT HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!   How is that possible?  It has to be willing ignorance out of political bias!

            It seems that no matter how much scientific data is presented debunking Global Warming the liberal followers hold to it as though it were Divine Gospel and refuse to consider the facts.  When it comes to the Affordable Care Act aka Obama-care even though the vast majority do not like it and do not want it millions refuse to reject the liberals who promote it, crammed it down our throats, and loyally cling to it.  How is that possible?  It can only be that they are living in an Alternate Universe of political ideology and facts and truth are unimportant only their ideology and the candidates who support that ideology.  I find that disturbing if not surprising.  I truly thought the American people had more grit, sand, and intelligence than that but am changing my views on that front. 

            When I hear Senator Chuck Schumer declare that the ‘Tea Party’ is the most dangerous entity facing America today and openly encouraging the IRS to put them even more closely under a microscope to target them, I wonder how anyone could possibly believe that right and okay.  Sadly, some in the Republican Establishment do as well.  Senator Schumer’s basis was that the Tea Party is anti-big government and a nanny state and the government needs to be defended because in his liberal view it is not big enough, intrusive enough, or enslaving enough.  The political elite on both sides of the aisle view the government gravy train differently than the average citizen.  They want to make us believe that they truly care about us and are acting in our best interest when what they are really doing is solidifying their position and power while building their financial and political fortunes.  It is about control, money, and power not about the people!  I don’t care which side of the aisle the professional politician stands they want to protect their place and position no matter what it costs America or Americans.  How is it possible that people do not see that?  It has to be that millions are living in the Alternate Universe of Liberal Progressive Socialist Political Views.  It has to be willing ignorance. 

            Sadly, we were warned that when people find out they can vote themselves money the Republic is finished and we have not listened.  We are seeing the demise of what I believe to be the Greatest Nation in the modern world.  I will not say the greatest in history but in the modern world it has been.  Unfortunately, the path we have been on for decades with the hundred year plan of the Fabian Socialist and others, has led us to the place where someone like Barack Obama and the Soros crowd could step in and drive the final nail in the coffin of a Republican Democracy.  I wish I could say something that was more encouraging but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and hear the whistle of the train engine behind it.  I see the end coming UNLESS we IMMEDIATELY stop the madness.  How do we do that?  I’m not sure we can but if we do not band together in 2014 and 2016 the proverbial ‘fat lady’ will be singing and as Dandy Don Meredith used to sing on Monday Night Football – “Turn out the Lights the Party Is Over.”

            The only question is what are we going to do?  Will we just take it and watch our money stolen, our economy completely destroyed, the free market collapsed, and our freedom and liberty stolen from us or will we STAND UP and say NO!

            May God bless you and may God bless America!