The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913). I understand the concept of hate crime; a person commits a crime that was motivated by their hatred for a specific group of people, enacted in the wake of the murder of Matthew Shepard. My main problem with these laws though is it does not provide the equal protection under the law provided in the 14th amendment. It classifies certain groups of people specifically minorities and others as deserving more protection than others. Unfortunately, they never classify it as a hate crime when a hispanic or black kills a white or hispanic or black because they don't like them. There is no equal protection under the law in these cases. This is just the foundation for what I would really like to talk about.
Hate Speech is officially fall under the enforcement of this law. So you cannot speak against a person if they are of a protected minority, like a Black or homosexual or as the they added, a pedophile. If you speak hateful words of these people you can be tried by federal law. But what is hate speech. If I were to go to church and they were to read from any book of the BIble that condemn homosexuality as a sin, does my pastor get arrested? Is my religious belief and political belief hateful if I think illegals should come to the U.S. by lawful means? Will they shut down church because they are sponsoring "hate speech" which is part of their religious belief, therefore violating the free exercise clause of the 1st amendment. This is the first step in the censoring of America. Or so it would seem.
Over the last 10-15 years the PC (politically correct) police have been all over everyone who says something that is not popular or just offensive. If you say something that someone else does not agree with then you are intolerant. But if I can't say it and you won't listen you are being intolerant to me as well. Much like Perez Hilton and Miss California. He asked an honest question; she gave an honest answer. He then proceeds to act as intolerant of her as he claims she is to homosexuals.
I refue to be PC but I will be tolerant of everyone's view point, even if I don't agree with. That is what makes the U.S. great. That is the definition of free speech. Being tolerant of everyone's view point no matter how stupid the view point. Free speech was not meant to protect the popular or polite speech but the offensive. Its to protect the hate mongering homophobic racists, as well as the hate mongering liberal homosexual that open disrupt religious practice in a church. It is the job of the informed and intelligent citizen to call out and/or ignore the ignorant on both sides.
This law, the political atmospher, the recent attacks on conservative talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage are the opening salvo against our most important and hallowed rights of freedom.
On a side note, I am becoming more and more libertarian in my view points, especially in this regard of free speech and expression. I don't think any speech should be regulate by the government. It can be seditions, hateful, vulgar, or offesive, even on TV. The Neilsens do a good job of telling us what is coming up on TV. If I don't want to hear vulgar langauge, I will vote with my remote. Also I don't disagree with regulating seditions hateful speech because again, the first amendment protects the offensive word and expression, not the polite. It is though the job of the government to regulate the actions of people. A man makes a seditions or hateful speech, they should probably investigate him to make sure he has not done anything beyond just speech.
Anyway, that's enough for now.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Liberal Media & MSNBC
What ticks me off most about the main stream media, but specifically the media outlets that have distinctly and unapologetically liberal in their bias is how they cover news. The main culprit is MSNBC. Every time I watch them it just ticks me off even more. From Rachel Maddow, Chris "Thrill up my leg" Matthews or Keith Olberman they all seem to follow the same pattern. If you don't understand it, make fun of it. Don't respond with arguments for your side, just tease and make fun and offer no analysis of the actual issue.
Now I will fully acknowledge that Fox News is a conservative news media outlet. But atleast they don;t just make fun of liberals. They debate with them and make talking points. They don't just tease Obama they say exactly why they are wrong. Totally different attitude, response, and outcome. If you look at the news ratings Fox has the highest ratings of all news outlets and the highest rated commentary shows from Bill O'Reily to my favorite of Glenn Beck. The fact that they have such high ratings says something about their message and the projection of that message.
Adam J. Bulava
Now I will fully acknowledge that Fox News is a conservative news media outlet. But atleast they don;t just make fun of liberals. They debate with them and make talking points. They don't just tease Obama they say exactly why they are wrong. Totally different attitude, response, and outcome. If you look at the news ratings Fox has the highest ratings of all news outlets and the highest rated commentary shows from Bill O'Reily to my favorite of Glenn Beck. The fact that they have such high ratings says something about their message and the projection of that message.
Adam J. Bulava
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Pirates
Here is my solution to the pirate problem in the Indian Ocean right now. Step #1 You move in a task force of the U.S. Navy and Marines; a few frigates, destroyers, aircraft carriers and patrol boats. You know enough to scare the crap out of these Islamic extremists. Step #2 The president gets on every single network and says that the pirates have 48 hours to return the captured ships and crews. If not every ship and port of call will be attacked by the U.S. military. Step #3 Wait 12 hours and then make a preemptive strike against all the pirate bases. I have a feeling when threatened they will start to kill and destroy all the people and ships in their possession, which is why you don't wait until the end of the deadline. Send in the Marines, Navy Seals, and the Army Rangers to take out theses bases capturing those responsible and saving the lives of those captured. Step #4 Any captured pirates are hung by the neck from the end of an air craft carrier. That aircraft carrier is then driven up and down the Somalia coast for a week or two as an example to anyone else who wants to try and be a pirate again. Problem solved!
Why do you think the Iranians gave up the American hostages on THE DAY Regan became president in 1981? Because they knew he would come in and use all force necessary to get them back. You can't negotiate with extremists they only understand and respect force. The U.S. has shown just how weak we are by negotiating with this scum. Who cares if we are not liked around the world. We never have been liked, but we have been respected. That is the more important of the two. Feel free to comment.
Adam J. Bulava
Why do you think the Iranians gave up the American hostages on THE DAY Regan became president in 1981? Because they knew he would come in and use all force necessary to get them back. You can't negotiate with extremists they only understand and respect force. The U.S. has shown just how weak we are by negotiating with this scum. Who cares if we are not liked around the world. We never have been liked, but we have been respected. That is the more important of the two. Feel free to comment.
Adam J. Bulava
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Teacher Merit Pay
Soooo... I found a few things that I actually agree with President Obama on. I know everyone is just shocked at that statement. Not surprisingly they are all education related. One of them is making the school year or day longer. I will address that one in a later post.
Today I want to focus on that President Obama wants to try and institute merit pay for teachers. I can fully get behind a plan that rewards teachers for being good teachers and identifies the bad teachers. This is something I talk about with my students when we discuss the bureaucracy in the federal government. One of the major features of a bureacracy is hiring, firing, and promotions based on a person's merit in their position. This is a set standard of objectives or criteria to determine who is best. We discuss as a class how would be judge teachers on a merit based pay system. Listed below is my system for merit pay for teachers. Enjoy and comment.
Today I want to focus on that President Obama wants to try and institute merit pay for teachers. I can fully get behind a plan that rewards teachers for being good teachers and identifies the bad teachers. This is something I talk about with my students when we discuss the bureaucracy in the federal government. One of the major features of a bureacracy is hiring, firing, and promotions based on a person's merit in their position. This is a set standard of objectives or criteria to determine who is best. We discuss as a class how would be judge teachers on a merit based pay system. Listed below is my system for merit pay for teachers. Enjoy and comment.
Evaluations
5-15% pay increase next year
- Administrators - based on four unannounced observations a year, at least once a quarter.
- Departments - dept. heads have to observe each teacher in the department at least once a quarter.
- Colleagues - each teacher in the building is assigned to observe another teacher in the school four times a year, at least once a quarter. Department heads are exempted from these because of their department observation.
- Students - Students are asked to evaluate their teacher’s anonymously each quarter, semester or when they transfer out of the class. Evaluations use a standardized questionnaire. Results given to administrators, teachers and parents.
- Parents - Parents are asked to evaluate their teacher’s anonymously each quarter, semester or when they transfer out of the class. Evaluations use a standardized questionnaire. Results given to administrators, teachers and parents.
Professional Development
5-10% pay increase the next year
- Based on degree, advancement in that degree and other forms of professional development taken in a set period of time outside of school
- Classes must be within your appropriate field for credit
- Reviewed on an annual basis during end of the year evaluations.
Experience
3-5% pay increase the next year
- Number of years teaching and subject matter
- Provides minimum amount of upgrade in pay (i.e. cost of living)
- Given if no other increase is earned for the next year
School Involvement
Paid during/after the completion of extra curricular activities
- Paid on an hourly rate or by a lump stipend
- Includes any after-school clubs, associations, school or district committees, etc
Teacher Salary Cap
Controls public spending of teacher salaries
- Teacher salary is capped at $???,???/year
- Annual Bonus system for teachers who continue to get good evaluations and continue their education
Teacher promotions to administration
- Minimum amount of time in district before apply to become an administrator
- Teacher’s / Administrators must provide evaluations from that minimum period when applying
Thursday, March 26, 2009
28th Amendment
Here is my wish list of a Constitutional Amendment that should be passed. I know the people in Washington won't pass it so it is up to us in the States to do so with the power given to us in the U.S. Constitution: http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlev.html
To be passed by Constitutional Conventions in the several states... (Article V of the U.S. Constitution)
No member elected to the House of Representatives or the Senate shall serve more than two terms in their office. When a vacancy occurs within the Senate the governor of the state shall issue writs of election for the election of that office. No member of the House of Representative or Senate maybe appointed to ANY other position within the government while currently serving as a member of Congress.
Congress shall not pass any budget that is not balanced. ALL expenditure of the U.S. government must be accounted for in said budgets, including discretionary and nondiscretionary spending. No taxes shall be increased upon the electors unless it passes by a margin of 2/3 in both houses of Congress. No expenditure of the government shall be authorized unless it goes directly to support itself or the governments of the several states; no non-governmental group or agency may receive money from the government.
Congress may not vote themselves pay raises with direct approval of the electors of the several states in the next election. The pay of all representatives, senators, the president, judges and all government officials, shall not exceed more than three times the poverty line in the country as a whole. No benefits or privileges shall be given to Congress or any other elected or appointed officials unless approved by the electors of the several states, which shall include but not limited too health care benefits, retirement or pensions, and franking. All elected and appointed officials must also pay into social security.
No law shall be passed by Congress until it is released for all citizens to read and debate for at ten days prior to being voted upon by any house in Congress or signed by the President. All bills passed by Congress must include citations showing the expressed power to which this law is passed.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereofThe 28TH Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
To be passed by Constitutional Conventions in the several states... (Article V of the U.S. Constitution)
No member elected to the House of Representatives or the Senate shall serve more than two terms in their office. When a vacancy occurs within the Senate the governor of the state shall issue writs of election for the election of that office. No member of the House of Representative or Senate maybe appointed to ANY other position within the government while currently serving as a member of Congress.
Congress shall not pass any budget that is not balanced. ALL expenditure of the U.S. government must be accounted for in said budgets, including discretionary and nondiscretionary spending. No taxes shall be increased upon the electors unless it passes by a margin of 2/3 in both houses of Congress. No expenditure of the government shall be authorized unless it goes directly to support itself or the governments of the several states; no non-governmental group or agency may receive money from the government.
Congress may not vote themselves pay raises with direct approval of the electors of the several states in the next election. The pay of all representatives, senators, the president, judges and all government officials, shall not exceed more than three times the poverty line in the country as a whole. No benefits or privileges shall be given to Congress or any other elected or appointed officials unless approved by the electors of the several states, which shall include but not limited too health care benefits, retirement or pensions, and franking. All elected and appointed officials must also pay into social security.
No law shall be passed by Congress until it is released for all citizens to read and debate for at ten days prior to being voted upon by any house in Congress or signed by the President. All bills passed by Congress must include citations showing the expressed power to which this law is passed.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
So, I finally broke down and got a face book page. I hope that it ultimately leads more people to my blog and this blog will lead more people to my Facebook page. Well see though. Feel free to read and comment as long as no one takes it personal it will be all good.
Adam J. Bulava
Adam J. Bulava
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Political Platform
Ok during the summer I mentioned a political platform that I was writing. After a conversation with my brother I decided I will post it. I thought I could just attach a file but I don't think this site lets me. So here it is in its entirety. Keep in mind this is a work in progress. I modify and change it from time to time. Enjoy!
1. I do not believe animals have the same rights as human beings
2. I do not think animals raised for our consumption need to be treated inhumanely for the sake of profit. I support legislation that punishes companies that treat animals cruelly.
3. I do support animal testing for medical uses, but not for beauty products.
Banking
1. Passing legislation that punishes banks who give golden parachutes to CEO’s while their members lose their life savings
2. Disbanding the Federal Reserve Bank and putting its power and back in the hands of the banks to allow the free market to work.
3. Repealing the FIDC. but mandating that banks to have some form of depositor insurance on the deposits made in their bank.
Business
1. Encourage the return of jobs back to the U.S. by:
a. Lowering taxes on American companies doing business and manufacturing in the U.S.
b. Raising tariffs on goods coming from other nations, even if they are an American company
2. Enforcing policy that makes companies and/or individuals to pay restitution to any and all individuals victims of fraud/damages by that company and/or its products.
3. Lowering corporate income tax to encourage growth and job creation.
Crime & Punishment
1. I support the use of all rehabilitation methods used by prison to encourage and deter convicted criminals from returning to a life of crime.
2. Probation and parole should only be given to those criminals who are sincerely repentant for their actions. The states should provide support to ensure they do not return to their life of crime.
Discrimination
1. I will instruct HUD and the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of housing and lending discrimination.
2. I will instruct the Labor & Justice Departments to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of discrimination in our work force.
3. Racial profiling must stop in the U.S. I will support any reasonable method used by the states to investigate and prosecute this practice of local law enforcement offices.
4. I will instruct the Education and Justice Department to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of discrimination in our schools.
Drugs
1. I support the rehabilitation of drug user before any jail time is given in a drug related crime.
2. Continued abusers will be sentences to prison and forced into a rehabilitation program inside during their incarceration.
Education
1. I will greatly reduce the size of the Department of Education, by only keeping open those areas that are of a vital interest to the federal government.
2. Return control over the education system back to the states and local governments.
3. Work with the states to establish a set of standardize requirements for a voluntary national teacher license that will be valid in all 50 states.
4. Reward school states, townships, districts and/or school who make significant improvements to their schools through standards set up by the individual states, districts and/or schools. Several areas to show improvement
a. Graduation rates
b. Attendance rates
c. Standardized test scores
d. Students going to college
5. Work with both the NEA and AFT to create an objective system of merit pay for teachers for any school district that choose to implement it.
6. It is my goal to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.
Energy
1. Encourage Congress to pass legislation to make the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil, several options include:
a. Allowing for more domestic drilling (ANWAR, off-shore)
b. Increasing standards of fuel efficiency in our vehicles
c. Rewarding companies who create practical clean alternatives fuels and power resources
2. If Congress should decide to not lift the ban on known reserves of domestic oil I will provide amnesty to the companies that will explore, drill and pump that oil.
3. Continue to aggressively fund research for alternative, renewable and/or practical fuel sources.
4. Investing all tax dollar from energy sources to develop and implement an advanced domestic energy grid
a. Money from taxes on the gas will go to car manufacturers in order to research technology for cars to become extremely fuel efficient or not dependent on gasoline or diesel.
b. Money from taxes on power companies will go to them to research the technology behind batteries to store excess energy produced by solar, wind and other forms of renewable but sometimes unreliable sources
c. Taxes also will go to investigate and implement the moving the majority of power lines from above ground towers to below ground lines to prevent massive power outages
Environment
1. Supporting all methods of gathering natural resources that protect the natural beauty of this nation.
2. Work to create cleaner alternative fuels that are practical for our nation. (See energy policy)
3. I do not support the unequal enforcement of the Kyoto Treaty.
4. I support the controlled burning of National Parks to prevent destructive wild forest fires.
Executive Branch Reform
1. Elimination and reforming of many executive departments that have grown to large, cumbersome or repetitive, some changes include:
a. Combination of the Departments of Labor and Commerce into one Executive department
b. Disbanding the Department of Homeland Security while moving many of the agencies to the DOD.
c. Including the Department of Veteran Affairs into the DOD, to create a better system of assistance to our Military Veterans.
d. Combining the Departments of Transportation and Interior
e. Elimination of the Department of Education since it does not have clear a constitutional basis for its implementation
2. Elimination or moving of several offices in the EOP, and independent agencies to department level positions.
a. OBM, CTCF, SEC, FTC, FDIC, moves to the Department of the Treasury
b.
Family
1. Providing benefits to homosexual and heterosexual families that stay faithful to each other and their children.
2. Provide educational resources to new and struggling families in a variety of areas
Foreign Trade
1. I will increase tariffs on ANY and ALL goods imported to the United States.
2. Any goods shipped to the U.S. that are below the standards required by the U.S. will have the following consequences:
a. Increased tarriffs to that country and/or company to cover the expenses of inspecting these products
b. Inspection of all goods from that country and/or company until proven up to U.S. standards.
3. Repeal all free trade agreements with other nations, but provide beneficial tariffs to allies and other nations.
Foreign Policy
1. All monetary and military assistance to countries will cease, unless the country or its problems are an eminent threat to the U.S. and its citizens.
a. The U.S. cannot solve the problems of the world by throwing money or the military at them
b. Encouraging non-profit organizations and American corporation to devote private fund to handle these problems and the making sure money is used wisely.
2. I will restrict my travel outside of the U.S. unless it is for something that is vitally important to our nation’s continued existence and/or prosperity.
3. I will act as a unbiased and impartial party to any countries willing to solve their problems diplomatically.
4. I will actively peaceful solutions to various areas of the world, specifically:
a. Between North and South Korea
b. Between Israel and the Palestinian people
c. Between Israel and the other nations of the Middle East
d. Between China and Taiwan and the people of Tibet
e. Between Indian and Pakistan
5. Any country attempting to explore, drill and pump oil within 250 miles of our coast line needs to seek permission to do so. The building such infrastructure inside out coastal territory will be seek as a hostile act and will be destroyed.
Government Financing
1. Over haul the U.S. tax code and the IRS to move the U.S. to a flat tax system.
2. Lowering and/or repealing forms of taxes to ensure all citizens are taxed equally and fairly.
3. Cut spending the in federal budget by several methods
a. Limiting ear marked appropriations. Any legislation containing ear marked appropriations that does not fit a national interest will be vetoed.
b. Cutting foreign aid (See foreign aid for more details)
c. Freezing all federal budgets during my term as president.
d. Working with Congress and my Cabinet to cut and reduce spending by taking a hard look at the Federal Budget.
e. Altering and/or reducing parts of the federal bureaucracy to make them more efficient and productive
4. All budget surpluses will be funneled to paying off the any and all national debts.
Homosexual Issues
1. I do not support a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this is state issue. The issue of same sex marriage lies solely in the hands of the state. While I do not encourage same sex marriage, it is in the hands of the people and legislatures of the state to decide on this issue.
2. Use my power as President to ensure Full faith and credit is given across state lines in issues regarding same-sex marriages. Along with this I will plan to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, as it is blatantly unconstitutional.
3. I support civil unions and other legally binding agreements that give homosexual couples comparable legal binding status and rights as married couples, such as the right of attorney, comparable tax benefits, etc.
4. I have no official position on adoption of children by homosexual couples. I will support the states on how they decide this issue.
5. I will work to repeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the U.S. military.
Immigration
1. Enforcing immigration legislation already on the books, before any new legislation is written.
2. Securing our borders with additional boarder patrol agents and a possible border fence
3. Loosening the requirements, quotas, and delays for becoming citizens or getting temporary work visas to enter the country.
4. Open more places along the boarder to allow for the quicker dissemination of immigrants into our country legally, hopefully in the larger borders towns and spreading to more if needed.
5. Supporting states that refuse public services to any and all immigrants who cannot prove their legal status here in the U.S.
6. Refusing to give ANY federal aid to any person who cannot prove that they are hear legally.
7. Granting more powers to local law and federal enforcement officers to penalize business and individual who willingly and/or knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
8. Any illegal immigrants within the federal prison system will be held for a set period of time before being released back to the their country of origin for continued incarceration and/or rehabilitation.
a. Those accused of misdemeanors will be automatically deported.
b. Those accused of felonies will be tried, if convicted they will serve jail time here and then be deported. Those not convicted will automatically be deported.
9. The National Guard will be used to supplement border patrol agents in critical areas of our nations border, if needed.
10. Prosecuting local majors, police and other officials who decide to ignore and make their cities, sanctuary cities.
Individual Rights
1. I support the right of citizens of the U.S. to own and use guns responsibly. I object to any extremely restrictive gun control laws that prevent law abiding responsible citizens from owning a gun for their own enjoyment and/or protection. I support harsher punishments for gun crimes, especially when guns are obtained by illegal means.
2. I will support an increased stipend used to provide well qualified lawyers to criminal defendants who cannot afford one in both federal and state courts in an attempt to counteract possible discrimination in all U.S. courts.
3. I support a constitutional amendment reforming the electoral college to the district plan.
4. I support the death penalty but only in cases where the defendant has shown no remorse for his crime. I support limiting the appeals of a defendant on death row. I support the enforcing of the death penalty upon the last unsuccessful appeal of the jailed defendant.
5. I do not support the right to abortion on demand. I will support restricting abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and where the mother’s life is in danger. I will support programs that assist teenage mothers to care a baby to term, if they give it up for adoption, since they are not prepared to care for that child.
6. I do not support the right of a person to commit euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide.
7. I support a constitutional amendment banning the burning of the U.S. flags.
Insurance
1. I do not intend to create a Universal and/or Socialized Insurance system in the U.S.
2. Congress should pass legislation deal with the following issues regarding the Insurance system in the U.S.
a. Give control to the patient and the doctor make all decisions regard treatment in health care, not a board at the HMO.
b. Allow for the free market system of the U.S. to work to citizens advantage when finding health care, by allowing people to purchase policies across state lines in all forms of insurance.
c. Provide the option of a government run insurance system, where costs will be deducted from a citizen’s pay, but not tax those citizens not drawing on system.
Legislation
1. Ask for Congress to create a Select committee to review the U.S. Code of Law. The goal would be to repeal and remove any legislation that is not longer practical and/or necessary for the running of this country and/or that goes beyond the power granted to the government as found in the U.S. Constitution. Also to simplify the language of the U.S. Code of Law.
2. I will sequester Congress in the capital until such time as they complete the work required of them by the citizens. I will use the force of the National Guard if necessary.
3. The Vice-President will act as my liaison to the U.S. Congress informing me of the day to day actions of the Congress. Any silly delays by the Congress in doing their necessary business will lead to their sequestering until such time as they pass legislation “necessary and proper” for the running of this country.
4. Veto Power
a. I will veto any legislation that is not necessary or proper to the country as a whole, not just to an individual person and/or group of people.
b. I will veto any legislation that broadens and/or goes beyond the powers given to the U.S. government as is found in the U.S. Constitution.
c. I will veto any legislation that does not have a plan provided for how they will fund and enforce this new law.
d. I will veto any federal budget that is not balanced.
e. I will veto any bill with ear marked appropriations that are not for the good of the nation as a whole.
f. I will veto any bill that has not been read by Congress or is overly long and complex in its language or enforcement.
Military
1. It is my goal during my term to withdraw all U.S. military troops from nonessential bases and locations around the world.
a. As bases close around the world, troops will be stationed to critical areas where they are needed as describe below and/or they will return to the U.S. and act as the first line of defense for this country from within our own borders.
b. Any bases created with the intent to protect Western Europe from the threat of the former USSR will be the first to go. Our intent there was to deter the spread of communism, that goal has been attained. Our soldier need to come home and the land returned to their native countries.
c. Soldiers and bases in the Eastern Asia will also be closed, barring one exception, South Korea. Japan has a strong enough defense force to stop invaders and can call upon the U.S. if so requested.
d. Soldiers will remain stationed in South Korea while I work diplomatically with those two countries to cement a permanent peace agreement or a plan for the reunification of their people.
e. Bases will continue to operate in both Iraq and Afghanistan to stabilize the region with the wars we have fought in their countries until their own military forces can handle the load by themselves. As each country experiences success and additional responsibilities, more troops will come home permanently and the bases will be given to those people.
2. It is my goal to seek the highest number of benefits for both currently serving and former soldiers of this nation in any way possible. I will not cut ANY benefits to the defenders of our nation; instead I will seek to expand funding to the military benefits, in the areas of medical coverage, education and pay.
3. I will continue to fund weapons research but will only give money to U.S. based weapon companies and will secure in their contracts with the U.S. military branches the sole ownership of all technologies produced from such research. It is my goal that the U.S. be able to build all its military hardware within our own borders, that we should never have to use this technology and that no other nation have access to this technology.
Social Security
1. I intend to cut off social security, upon consultation with the Congress and my Cabinet, to a specific birth year. All those born after that will need to seek other methods of providing for themselves when they decide to retire. There will be no more retirement benefits to people after that.
2. I will provide educational resources for those people not covered by social security to prepare them adequately for their retirement.
3. I will give up to the states the power to create their own social security systems to protect their citizens as they see fit.
Terrorism
1. The U.S. Military in conjunction with the CIA, NSA, and other intelligence gathering department and with the Justice Department will conduct a intensive search for any and all terrorist organization that threaten the U.S. Their first target is Osama bin Laden and other high ranking members of Al Quade to be charged, convicted and punished for their involvement in terrorist attacks on U.S. citizens
2. Any countries willingly and knowingly harboring terrorists, will be considered enemies of the U.S. All diplomatic, economic and governmental ties with those countries will be cut out. All attacks on the U.S. shown to have originating from those countries will be dealt with on the harshest and swiftest means available.
3. Any countries combating terrorism may call on the U.S. for assistance in capturing these terrorists to be prosecuted in their countries of origin. Any assistance must be funded by the countries seeking assistance.
Unions
1. I support the right of private and public of workers to unionize or to negotiate individually with their employers for better pay and/or benefits.
2. Public employees do not have the right to strike unless there is an immediate threat to their safety or continued economic well being by remaining on the job. I do not support any public employees striking just to get an increased salary.
3. I will work with the leaders of large national unions in an effort to help adapt unions to the needs of the 21ST century without harming former and current union members or the businesses they work that employ them.
Welfare
1. I intend to review current welfare policy in the U.S. to see what changes need to be made in legislation and enforcement of this policy.
2. I support limited federal welfare, which has a limited time frame of use, until a person has found employment.
My National Political Platform
Animal Rights1. I do not believe animals have the same rights as human beings
2. I do not think animals raised for our consumption need to be treated inhumanely for the sake of profit. I support legislation that punishes companies that treat animals cruelly.
3. I do support animal testing for medical uses, but not for beauty products.
Banking
1. Passing legislation that punishes banks who give golden parachutes to CEO’s while their members lose their life savings
2. Disbanding the Federal Reserve Bank and putting its power and back in the hands of the banks to allow the free market to work.
3. Repealing the FIDC. but mandating that banks to have some form of depositor insurance on the deposits made in their bank.
Business
1. Encourage the return of jobs back to the U.S. by:
a. Lowering taxes on American companies doing business and manufacturing in the U.S.
b. Raising tariffs on goods coming from other nations, even if they are an American company
2. Enforcing policy that makes companies and/or individuals to pay restitution to any and all individuals victims of fraud/damages by that company and/or its products.
3. Lowering corporate income tax to encourage growth and job creation.
Crime & Punishment
1. I support the use of all rehabilitation methods used by prison to encourage and deter convicted criminals from returning to a life of crime.
2. Probation and parole should only be given to those criminals who are sincerely repentant for their actions. The states should provide support to ensure they do not return to their life of crime.
Discrimination
1. I will instruct HUD and the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of housing and lending discrimination.
2. I will instruct the Labor & Justice Departments to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of discrimination in our work force.
3. Racial profiling must stop in the U.S. I will support any reasonable method used by the states to investigate and prosecute this practice of local law enforcement offices.
4. I will instruct the Education and Justice Department to investigate and prosecute all claims and forms of discrimination in our schools.
Drugs
1. I support the rehabilitation of drug user before any jail time is given in a drug related crime.
2. Continued abusers will be sentences to prison and forced into a rehabilitation program inside during their incarceration.
Education
1. I will greatly reduce the size of the Department of Education, by only keeping open those areas that are of a vital interest to the federal government.
2. Return control over the education system back to the states and local governments.
3. Work with the states to establish a set of standardize requirements for a voluntary national teacher license that will be valid in all 50 states.
4. Reward school states, townships, districts and/or school who make significant improvements to their schools through standards set up by the individual states, districts and/or schools. Several areas to show improvement
a. Graduation rates
b. Attendance rates
c. Standardized test scores
d. Students going to college
5. Work with both the NEA and AFT to create an objective system of merit pay for teachers for any school district that choose to implement it.
6. It is my goal to repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.
Energy
1. Encourage Congress to pass legislation to make the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil, several options include:
a. Allowing for more domestic drilling (ANWAR, off-shore)
b. Increasing standards of fuel efficiency in our vehicles
c. Rewarding companies who create practical clean alternatives fuels and power resources
2. If Congress should decide to not lift the ban on known reserves of domestic oil I will provide amnesty to the companies that will explore, drill and pump that oil.
3. Continue to aggressively fund research for alternative, renewable and/or practical fuel sources.
4. Investing all tax dollar from energy sources to develop and implement an advanced domestic energy grid
a. Money from taxes on the gas will go to car manufacturers in order to research technology for cars to become extremely fuel efficient or not dependent on gasoline or diesel.
b. Money from taxes on power companies will go to them to research the technology behind batteries to store excess energy produced by solar, wind and other forms of renewable but sometimes unreliable sources
c. Taxes also will go to investigate and implement the moving the majority of power lines from above ground towers to below ground lines to prevent massive power outages
Environment
1. Supporting all methods of gathering natural resources that protect the natural beauty of this nation.
2. Work to create cleaner alternative fuels that are practical for our nation. (See energy policy)
3. I do not support the unequal enforcement of the Kyoto Treaty.
4. I support the controlled burning of National Parks to prevent destructive wild forest fires.
Executive Branch Reform
1. Elimination and reforming of many executive departments that have grown to large, cumbersome or repetitive, some changes include:
a. Combination of the Departments of Labor and Commerce into one Executive department
b. Disbanding the Department of Homeland Security while moving many of the agencies to the DOD.
c. Including the Department of Veteran Affairs into the DOD, to create a better system of assistance to our Military Veterans.
d. Combining the Departments of Transportation and Interior
e. Elimination of the Department of Education since it does not have clear a constitutional basis for its implementation
2. Elimination or moving of several offices in the EOP, and independent agencies to department level positions.
a. OBM, CTCF, SEC, FTC, FDIC, moves to the Department of the Treasury
b.
Family
1. Providing benefits to homosexual and heterosexual families that stay faithful to each other and their children.
2. Provide educational resources to new and struggling families in a variety of areas
Foreign Trade
1. I will increase tariffs on ANY and ALL goods imported to the United States.
2. Any goods shipped to the U.S. that are below the standards required by the U.S. will have the following consequences:
a. Increased tarriffs to that country and/or company to cover the expenses of inspecting these products
b. Inspection of all goods from that country and/or company until proven up to U.S. standards.
3. Repeal all free trade agreements with other nations, but provide beneficial tariffs to allies and other nations.
Foreign Policy
1. All monetary and military assistance to countries will cease, unless the country or its problems are an eminent threat to the U.S. and its citizens.
a. The U.S. cannot solve the problems of the world by throwing money or the military at them
b. Encouraging non-profit organizations and American corporation to devote private fund to handle these problems and the making sure money is used wisely.
2. I will restrict my travel outside of the U.S. unless it is for something that is vitally important to our nation’s continued existence and/or prosperity.
3. I will act as a unbiased and impartial party to any countries willing to solve their problems diplomatically.
4. I will actively peaceful solutions to various areas of the world, specifically:
a. Between North and South Korea
b. Between Israel and the Palestinian people
c. Between Israel and the other nations of the Middle East
d. Between China and Taiwan and the people of Tibet
e. Between Indian and Pakistan
5. Any country attempting to explore, drill and pump oil within 250 miles of our coast line needs to seek permission to do so. The building such infrastructure inside out coastal territory will be seek as a hostile act and will be destroyed.
Government Financing
1. Over haul the U.S. tax code and the IRS to move the U.S. to a flat tax system.
2. Lowering and/or repealing forms of taxes to ensure all citizens are taxed equally and fairly.
3. Cut spending the in federal budget by several methods
a. Limiting ear marked appropriations. Any legislation containing ear marked appropriations that does not fit a national interest will be vetoed.
b. Cutting foreign aid (See foreign aid for more details)
c. Freezing all federal budgets during my term as president.
d. Working with Congress and my Cabinet to cut and reduce spending by taking a hard look at the Federal Budget.
e. Altering and/or reducing parts of the federal bureaucracy to make them more efficient and productive
4. All budget surpluses will be funneled to paying off the any and all national debts.
Homosexual Issues
1. I do not support a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this is state issue. The issue of same sex marriage lies solely in the hands of the state. While I do not encourage same sex marriage, it is in the hands of the people and legislatures of the state to decide on this issue.
2. Use my power as President to ensure Full faith and credit is given across state lines in issues regarding same-sex marriages. Along with this I will plan to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, as it is blatantly unconstitutional.
3. I support civil unions and other legally binding agreements that give homosexual couples comparable legal binding status and rights as married couples, such as the right of attorney, comparable tax benefits, etc.
4. I have no official position on adoption of children by homosexual couples. I will support the states on how they decide this issue.
5. I will work to repeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of the U.S. military.
Immigration
1. Enforcing immigration legislation already on the books, before any new legislation is written.
2. Securing our borders with additional boarder patrol agents and a possible border fence
3. Loosening the requirements, quotas, and delays for becoming citizens or getting temporary work visas to enter the country.
4. Open more places along the boarder to allow for the quicker dissemination of immigrants into our country legally, hopefully in the larger borders towns and spreading to more if needed.
5. Supporting states that refuse public services to any and all immigrants who cannot prove their legal status here in the U.S.
6. Refusing to give ANY federal aid to any person who cannot prove that they are hear legally.
7. Granting more powers to local law and federal enforcement officers to penalize business and individual who willingly and/or knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
8. Any illegal immigrants within the federal prison system will be held for a set period of time before being released back to the their country of origin for continued incarceration and/or rehabilitation.
a. Those accused of misdemeanors will be automatically deported.
b. Those accused of felonies will be tried, if convicted they will serve jail time here and then be deported. Those not convicted will automatically be deported.
9. The National Guard will be used to supplement border patrol agents in critical areas of our nations border, if needed.
10. Prosecuting local majors, police and other officials who decide to ignore and make their cities, sanctuary cities.
Individual Rights
1. I support the right of citizens of the U.S. to own and use guns responsibly. I object to any extremely restrictive gun control laws that prevent law abiding responsible citizens from owning a gun for their own enjoyment and/or protection. I support harsher punishments for gun crimes, especially when guns are obtained by illegal means.
2. I will support an increased stipend used to provide well qualified lawyers to criminal defendants who cannot afford one in both federal and state courts in an attempt to counteract possible discrimination in all U.S. courts.
3. I support a constitutional amendment reforming the electoral college to the district plan.
4. I support the death penalty but only in cases where the defendant has shown no remorse for his crime. I support limiting the appeals of a defendant on death row. I support the enforcing of the death penalty upon the last unsuccessful appeal of the jailed defendant.
5. I do not support the right to abortion on demand. I will support restricting abortions only in cases of rape, incest, and where the mother’s life is in danger. I will support programs that assist teenage mothers to care a baby to term, if they give it up for adoption, since they are not prepared to care for that child.
6. I do not support the right of a person to commit euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide.
7. I support a constitutional amendment banning the burning of the U.S. flags.
Insurance
1. I do not intend to create a Universal and/or Socialized Insurance system in the U.S.
2. Congress should pass legislation deal with the following issues regarding the Insurance system in the U.S.
a. Give control to the patient and the doctor make all decisions regard treatment in health care, not a board at the HMO.
b. Allow for the free market system of the U.S. to work to citizens advantage when finding health care, by allowing people to purchase policies across state lines in all forms of insurance.
c. Provide the option of a government run insurance system, where costs will be deducted from a citizen’s pay, but not tax those citizens not drawing on system.
Legislation
1. Ask for Congress to create a Select committee to review the U.S. Code of Law. The goal would be to repeal and remove any legislation that is not longer practical and/or necessary for the running of this country and/or that goes beyond the power granted to the government as found in the U.S. Constitution. Also to simplify the language of the U.S. Code of Law.
2. I will sequester Congress in the capital until such time as they complete the work required of them by the citizens. I will use the force of the National Guard if necessary.
3. The Vice-President will act as my liaison to the U.S. Congress informing me of the day to day actions of the Congress. Any silly delays by the Congress in doing their necessary business will lead to their sequestering until such time as they pass legislation “necessary and proper” for the running of this country.
4. Veto Power
a. I will veto any legislation that is not necessary or proper to the country as a whole, not just to an individual person and/or group of people.
b. I will veto any legislation that broadens and/or goes beyond the powers given to the U.S. government as is found in the U.S. Constitution.
c. I will veto any legislation that does not have a plan provided for how they will fund and enforce this new law.
d. I will veto any federal budget that is not balanced.
e. I will veto any bill with ear marked appropriations that are not for the good of the nation as a whole.
f. I will veto any bill that has not been read by Congress or is overly long and complex in its language or enforcement.
Military
1. It is my goal during my term to withdraw all U.S. military troops from nonessential bases and locations around the world.
a. As bases close around the world, troops will be stationed to critical areas where they are needed as describe below and/or they will return to the U.S. and act as the first line of defense for this country from within our own borders.
b. Any bases created with the intent to protect Western Europe from the threat of the former USSR will be the first to go. Our intent there was to deter the spread of communism, that goal has been attained. Our soldier need to come home and the land returned to their native countries.
c. Soldiers and bases in the Eastern Asia will also be closed, barring one exception, South Korea. Japan has a strong enough defense force to stop invaders and can call upon the U.S. if so requested.
d. Soldiers will remain stationed in South Korea while I work diplomatically with those two countries to cement a permanent peace agreement or a plan for the reunification of their people.
e. Bases will continue to operate in both Iraq and Afghanistan to stabilize the region with the wars we have fought in their countries until their own military forces can handle the load by themselves. As each country experiences success and additional responsibilities, more troops will come home permanently and the bases will be given to those people.
2. It is my goal to seek the highest number of benefits for both currently serving and former soldiers of this nation in any way possible. I will not cut ANY benefits to the defenders of our nation; instead I will seek to expand funding to the military benefits, in the areas of medical coverage, education and pay.
3. I will continue to fund weapons research but will only give money to U.S. based weapon companies and will secure in their contracts with the U.S. military branches the sole ownership of all technologies produced from such research. It is my goal that the U.S. be able to build all its military hardware within our own borders, that we should never have to use this technology and that no other nation have access to this technology.
Social Security
1. I intend to cut off social security, upon consultation with the Congress and my Cabinet, to a specific birth year. All those born after that will need to seek other methods of providing for themselves when they decide to retire. There will be no more retirement benefits to people after that.
2. I will provide educational resources for those people not covered by social security to prepare them adequately for their retirement.
3. I will give up to the states the power to create their own social security systems to protect their citizens as they see fit.
Terrorism
1. The U.S. Military in conjunction with the CIA, NSA, and other intelligence gathering department and with the Justice Department will conduct a intensive search for any and all terrorist organization that threaten the U.S. Their first target is Osama bin Laden and other high ranking members of Al Quade to be charged, convicted and punished for their involvement in terrorist attacks on U.S. citizens
2. Any countries willingly and knowingly harboring terrorists, will be considered enemies of the U.S. All diplomatic, economic and governmental ties with those countries will be cut out. All attacks on the U.S. shown to have originating from those countries will be dealt with on the harshest and swiftest means available.
3. Any countries combating terrorism may call on the U.S. for assistance in capturing these terrorists to be prosecuted in their countries of origin. Any assistance must be funded by the countries seeking assistance.
Unions
1. I support the right of private and public of workers to unionize or to negotiate individually with their employers for better pay and/or benefits.
2. Public employees do not have the right to strike unless there is an immediate threat to their safety or continued economic well being by remaining on the job. I do not support any public employees striking just to get an increased salary.
3. I will work with the leaders of large national unions in an effort to help adapt unions to the needs of the 21ST century without harming former and current union members or the businesses they work that employ them.
Welfare
1. I intend to review current welfare policy in the U.S. to see what changes need to be made in legislation and enforcement of this policy.
2. I support limited federal welfare, which has a limited time frame of use, until a person has found employment.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Four Horsemen
Not a long post today. Many people who study the last book of the Bible, Revalation, and try to predict and interpret the signs and passages of that book must be having a field day right now. I know most of what is in that book was written to address the people living in the Roman Empire during parts of its persecution of Christians. I also know though that the prophecies of Jeremiah, Isisah, Ezekiel and others were interpreted first for the current day and then reflected on the future. The same could be said for the book of Revelation. With that being said, it is scary to see the interpreted signs from Revalation coming about in the modern era.
If anyone has read the "Left Behind" series or any interpretations of Revelation they know it will start with an attack on Israel. This is becoming a larger and larger threat. There was a lot of unrest in the Arab with their invasion of Gaza. Russia has moved war ships to Syria. Iran has enough nuclear material to make a nuclear bomb and has said it wants to wipe Israel off the map. I can literally see in my life time a situation where Gog and Magog (Biblical names of Russia and Persia; i.e. Iran) attacking Israel. This is not speculation but seeing the signs of the times.
There are some many signs that seem to be showing the end of the world, at least in Biblical interpretation is coming. Everyone should remember though, that God is in control. He will watch over His people. Even if we are persecuted and we have a crown of glory awaiting us in heaven. But in this time Christians need to work all the harder to proclaim their faith and not hide in the basement.
God bless.
If anyone has read the "Left Behind" series or any interpretations of Revelation they know it will start with an attack on Israel. This is becoming a larger and larger threat. There was a lot of unrest in the Arab with their invasion of Gaza. Russia has moved war ships to Syria. Iran has enough nuclear material to make a nuclear bomb and has said it wants to wipe Israel off the map. I can literally see in my life time a situation where Gog and Magog (Biblical names of Russia and Persia; i.e. Iran) attacking Israel. This is not speculation but seeing the signs of the times.
There are some many signs that seem to be showing the end of the world, at least in Biblical interpretation is coming. Everyone should remember though, that God is in control. He will watch over His people. Even if we are persecuted and we have a crown of glory awaiting us in heaven. But in this time Christians need to work all the harder to proclaim their faith and not hide in the basement.
God bless.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
My Declaration of Independence
I keep hearing more about this stimulus package and the crap that is shoved into this sandwich of a bill. I keep hearing how our elected leaders refuse to listen to the people. I feel very much like our founding fathers during the thirteen years that led us to the American Revolutionary War. We keep asking them to stop treating like we are their servants instead of brothers and fellow citizens. With that in mind a few weeks ago I started working on this document posted below. It is tailored and stolen from our founding fathers, edit and updated for the 21st century. Discuss and enjoy!
Adam J. Bulava
-----
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of property. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown that men are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these fifty states and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Congress, President and Supreme Court of the United States is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.–
They have refused to pass laws protecting the borders and citizens of the United States from immigrants and terrorist threats from all corners of globe.
They have obstructed the administration of justice to be given too all people equally regardless of political persuasion, class or celebrity status.
They have failed to protect the lives of those yet unborn in the United States and abroad by encouraging and funding a culture of death with tax payer money.
They have erected a multitude of offices and sent their officers to harass our citizens and prevent them from practicing their natural rights.
They have worked with other nations to make us subject their rules and denying our nation and its citizens its own sovereignty powers and natural rights among the nations and powers on the earth.
They consistently have spent money beyond the revenues provided to the state by its citizens and spent them on projects that do not promote the general welfare of all citizens.
They have attempted to subvert the first amendment rights of free speech, press and association through standard of balance and/or fairness.
They have used fear and intimidation in order to pass permanent legislation that does not promote the common good, the general welfare of all citizens or for the common defense of our nation and its citizens.
They have protected or added ill-conceived enumerated rights of criminals, immigrants, immoral deviants and other classes of while failing to protect the natural and civil rights of ordinary citizens of this nation.
They have overstepped their Constitutional bounds by enacting laws that are neither expressly permitted in the Constitution or that are necessary or proper to the execution of those powers, while ignoring and defeating laws are genuinely necessary and proper to the execution of the rights of U.S. citizens.
They have not allowed open and honest debate and conversation on vital and controversial legislative issues. Instead they have added them to bills in the dead of night to be passed for the good of the nation.
They have divided us by the means of divisive and partisan political parties, while vilifying each other through biased media outlets.
They have passed laws are that enforced on the citizens of this nation but not applied to themselves.
They have encourage the illegal immigration of peoples from all corners to be used as virtual slave within the industries of the U.S.
They have taken our from our property to distribute it to those who refuse to work, those failed, to solve the problems of nations all over the globe, and in opposition to the natural rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of property.–
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions, phone calls, emails and letters have been unanswered. A government, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our elected leaders. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by this government to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the God of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these states, solemnly publish and declare, That these States are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the U.S. Congress, its President and Supreme Court, and that all political connection between them and this government, is and ought to be totally altered — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of God’s Divine Providence, I mutually pledge to my fellow citizens my Life, our Fortune, and my sacred Honor.
Adam J. Bulava
-----
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of property. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown that men are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these fifty states and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Congress, President and Supreme Court of the United States is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.–
They have refused to pass laws protecting the borders and citizens of the United States from immigrants and terrorist threats from all corners of globe.
They have obstructed the administration of justice to be given too all people equally regardless of political persuasion, class or celebrity status.
They have failed to protect the lives of those yet unborn in the United States and abroad by encouraging and funding a culture of death with tax payer money.
They have erected a multitude of offices and sent their officers to harass our citizens and prevent them from practicing their natural rights.
They have worked with other nations to make us subject their rules and denying our nation and its citizens its own sovereignty powers and natural rights among the nations and powers on the earth.
They consistently have spent money beyond the revenues provided to the state by its citizens and spent them on projects that do not promote the general welfare of all citizens.
They have attempted to subvert the first amendment rights of free speech, press and association through standard of balance and/or fairness.
They have used fear and intimidation in order to pass permanent legislation that does not promote the common good, the general welfare of all citizens or for the common defense of our nation and its citizens.
They have protected or added ill-conceived enumerated rights of criminals, immigrants, immoral deviants and other classes of while failing to protect the natural and civil rights of ordinary citizens of this nation.
They have overstepped their Constitutional bounds by enacting laws that are neither expressly permitted in the Constitution or that are necessary or proper to the execution of those powers, while ignoring and defeating laws are genuinely necessary and proper to the execution of the rights of U.S. citizens.
They have not allowed open and honest debate and conversation on vital and controversial legislative issues. Instead they have added them to bills in the dead of night to be passed for the good of the nation.
They have divided us by the means of divisive and partisan political parties, while vilifying each other through biased media outlets.
They have passed laws are that enforced on the citizens of this nation but not applied to themselves.
They have encourage the illegal immigration of peoples from all corners to be used as virtual slave within the industries of the U.S.
They have taken our from our property to distribute it to those who refuse to work, those failed, to solve the problems of nations all over the globe, and in opposition to the natural rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of property.–
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions, phone calls, emails and letters have been unanswered. A government, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our elected leaders. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by this government to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the God of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these states, solemnly publish and declare, That these States are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the U.S. Congress, its President and Supreme Court, and that all political connection between them and this government, is and ought to be totally altered — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of God’s Divine Providence, I mutually pledge to my fellow citizens my Life, our Fortune, and my sacred Honor.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Spendulus Package
I am angry, very angry! Why is it that our politicians, specifically very liberal Democrats and some moderate Republicans think that we spend our way out of this recession/depression? Why? Does that work for anyone else? If I am in debt, like the U.S. is, should I just keep spending until I am out of debt or until I find a job? I don't think that works, it only makes my situation worse. That is what the United States is doing right now. We are trying to spend our way out of this recession. What does work to get out of a depression? Well what works on Main Street should work on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Here is what reasonable people do when they are in financial trouble.
They cut back on their expenses and unnecessary costs. They get rid of their cable TV and or Internet. They don't go out to dinner as much. They turn off their heat and AC. Reasonable people do not SPEND MORE!!!
Makes no sense to me. God help the United States. I have only just begun to love her and I am seeing her being sold away from me due to the ignorance and stupidity of our elected leaders. I wish I could say more but I cannot put it into words.
Peace.
They cut back on their expenses and unnecessary costs. They get rid of their cable TV and or Internet. They don't go out to dinner as much. They turn off their heat and AC. Reasonable people do not SPEND MORE!!!
Makes no sense to me. God help the United States. I have only just begun to love her and I am seeing her being sold away from me due to the ignorance and stupidity of our elected leaders. I wish I could say more but I cannot put it into words.
Peace.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dedicated to the Democrats
This post is dedicated to the 188 Congressmen who this week voted against the chosen one's spending (not stimulus) package. While the voting was primarily along party lines, there were 11 people I would like specially recogized. These 11 people are the democrats who chose to vote against their party. I only hope the Republicans and a few Democrats can hold off the vote as long as possible in the Senate with a filibuster. We don't need $825 Billion spent in ways that will not create jobs. But here is to the Democrats:
Allen Boyd (FL-23)
Bobby Bright (AL-2)
Jim Cooper (TN-5)
Brad Ellsworth (IN-8)
Parker Griffith (AL-5)
Paul Kanjorski (PA-11)
Frank Kratovil (MD-1)
Walter Minnick (ID-1)
Collin Peterson (MN-7)
Heath Schuler (NC-11)
Gene Taylor (MS-4)
Also, Dean Heller (R-NV-2) - Thanks Dean since I knew we couldn't count on Berkley and Titus to do that right thing.
Have a good day everyone.
Allen Boyd (FL-23)
Bobby Bright (AL-2)
Jim Cooper (TN-5)
Brad Ellsworth (IN-8)
Parker Griffith (AL-5)
Paul Kanjorski (PA-11)
Frank Kratovil (MD-1)
Walter Minnick (ID-1)
Collin Peterson (MN-7)
Heath Schuler (NC-11)
Gene Taylor (MS-4)
Also, Dean Heller (R-NV-2) - Thanks Dean since I knew we couldn't count on Berkley and Titus to do that right thing.
Have a good day everyone.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Protecting Life
In his last days in office President Bush made this day, the anniversary of the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade as National Right to Life Day. So today I want to address this case my stance on abortion.
In Roe v. Wade it did not give abortion on demand, as many people may think. It basically limited the state's rights to limit abortions based on a trimester schedule. It was later adapted by another case to say that as long as the baby can survive outside the womb then the state has a viable interest in protecting the life of the child.
One issue I have with this is on a constitutional basis. Under the 14th amendment all people who are citizens of the U.S. are entitled to equal protection under the law and may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property with due process. This phrasing leads to my interpretation that abortion goes against the Constitution in several ways:
In Roe v. Wade it did not give abortion on demand, as many people may think. It basically limited the state's rights to limit abortions based on a trimester schedule. It was later adapted by another case to say that as long as the baby can survive outside the womb then the state has a viable interest in protecting the life of the child.
One issue I have with this is on a constitutional basis. Under the 14th amendment all people who are citizens of the U.S. are entitled to equal protection under the law and may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property with due process. This phrasing leads to my interpretation that abortion goes against the Constitution in several ways:
- Fetus and the unborn have not been given equal protection under the law in the U.S. If you kill them there is not punishment. If you kill the mother there is a punishment.
- If we are lead to believe that its a privacy issue with the woman having the freedom of choice with her body, then what about the men. Technically the fetus is not the woman's body. It is genetically different from hers and just supported by her body. The fetus has 1/2 its genetic material from the man and the woman; therefore it is not the property of either of them but of both. When a woman aborts the child she is depriving the father of his genetic "property" in the child without due process.
I also look at this issue through the eyes of the Declaration of Independence and what Thomas Jefferson said in regards to the job of government. I have quoted the pertinent passages below:
...all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men... That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it...
It is the job of the government to protect the God given right of life. When the government allows abortions to continue they are not protecting the life created in the mother's womb. I will even go so far that life does begin at conception, when the man's sperm fertilized the woman's egg. At that point life is created, and created equal, deserving the same protection to be given by the government.
Abortion is the final option ONLY in extreme cirumstances. It is not birth control. People who cannot afford, or support kids have plenty of other options before them besides Abortion. There is adoption. Plenty of people cannot have babies. Give it to someone who can and is ready for a child. There is birth control for those who are married or living together. Also, there is abstinance. If you are a high schooler, that is the best thing for you. Children is the natural consequence to having sex, therefore if your not ready to have a kid, you probably should not be having sex, PERIOD!
I fear for the life of the unborn with our new President in office. God protect the little ones and give us the courage and the power to fight against these policies and encourage others that protect life. Amen
Friday, January 16, 2009
Semester #1... DONE!!!
Hello all,
Well today marked the halfway point of the school year. I finished with final exams today, at least giving them. Some still need to be graded and put into the computer for records but that does not take very long and will be done later this weekend. On reflection of this past few months I have had a number of successes that I will be taking with me into next semester and the remainder of my teaching career.
Well today marked the halfway point of the school year. I finished with final exams today, at least giving them. Some still need to be graded and put into the computer for records but that does not take very long and will be done later this weekend. On reflection of this past few months I have had a number of successes that I will be taking with me into next semester and the remainder of my teaching career.
- Smaller, more frequent, genuine summative assessments. I spent a lot of time this year working on smaller tests/quizzes that I gave my students instead of larger unit tests. This seemed to work out well for most students. Those who did not do so well had more chances to see where they went wrong and correct the errors before the end of the semester. The students also had a lot more genuine assessments. Instead of simple mutiple choice questions and other they had to explain and know the material to do well. It seemed to work well in the long run because my final exams in my honors government course had an average score of well over 80%.
- Reading Assignments. I am trying to remember to pair my reading assignments with other things during class. Such as when I give a test/quiz in government I will be giving them a reading assignment to introduce our new topic. In Street Law I will do a case study and reading assignment in the same day. Honors still has them as homework assignments.
- Essays. Working on doing more of those this semester. I still have not taken a lot of time in class to teach how to write an essay for my classes but I can try and fix that next year. Though with the amount of students who transfer into my classes during a semester that might be counter productive. Still something I want to try for next year.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Random Political Thoughts
Occasionally I go to a website known as 411mania.com. They used to be all wrestling and then transferred over to all parts of pop culture and then finally added politics in the last two years or so. Unfortunately they are extremely biased to the left. I used to like to post comments on their boards but I don't think any of mine made it because its clear I am a independent conservative christian. But a few things got to me today that I saw on their site and I feel the need to respond.
1. The Gay Community Needs More Milk Posted by Jeff Clarke on 12.18.2008
http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/92719/The-Gay-Community-Needs-More-Milk.htm#commenthere
The opening paragraph of this whole diatribe against people for Prop. 8 just as hate filled and bigoted as he claims I am since I do not support homosexual marriage. Here it is:
This list is so biased its not even funny. Nothing about Democratic governor Rod Blagoiavich, nothing about Obama or Biden's gaffe's during the election. Eight of the ten on the list are Republicans. Some of them I would agree with others I wouldn't. I guess that is the point of Top Ten Lists. What gets me is how the liberals seem to think Palin was one the worst mistake of the campaign. They fail to see how she energized a political party not excited about its moderate centrist candidate. She is a true republican in all sense of the word and the only reason I voted for McCain. I thought she was and is the future of the Republican Party. She is able to excite the young and bring together the social, fiscal and religious conservatives. It was because of her that McCain won 48% of the vote. If he hadn't picked her I believe it would have been close to an electoral sweep.
But my real belief of the biggest political mistake in the campaign was Barak Obama not choosing Hilary Clinton as his running mate. Let's be honest that decision almost cost him the election. The media doesn't like to admit it but the election was closer than it should have been with Obama, but if he had picked Clinton he would have won in a landslide. His own pride and his wife seemed to be the big reasons why he did not pick her. Just plain dumb to not pick the person just as popular than you in the primaries. Just dumb.
One more point before I go: Obama's cabinet. People have been calling it a team of rivals. That's exactly what it is. That is his plan. He wants his rivals in the Cabinet and them to have ownership of his Presidency so they cannot challenge him in four years. Most of his major picks (Clinton, Richards, etc) would have a decent shot of challenging him in 2012 if his Presidency goes down the shitter. But he picked them so that they could not challenge him. Plus he talked about "Change" in his campaign but this cabinet shows more of the same than change. He has recycled most of Clinton's Cabinet.
Anyway, that's it for me. I think this is where I will do my political bitching from now it. It feels good.
1. The Gay Community Needs More Milk Posted by Jeff Clarke on 12.18.2008
http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/92719/The-Gay-Community-Needs-More-Milk.htm#commenthere
The opening paragraph of this whole diatribe against people for Prop. 8 just as hate filled and bigoted as he claims I am since I do not support homosexual marriage. Here it is:
"Now, let's get something, pardon the pun, straight: If you voted for Prop 8, or supported it in any way, you are a bigoted homophobe, next case please. You can spout non-truths about protecting the children or defending church beliefs, but all your doing is dusting off the same tired arguments that opponents of interracial marriage and civil rights used before you, and you're the same class of small-minded racist that those people were. I'm sorry you have so little confidence in your heterosexual relationships that just seeing two married dudes will immediately make you join the pink mafia, but keep your personal failings out of my State Constitution, okay?"
I take extreme offense to the comments because it puts me in a class of people that I do not belong. Yes I don't think homosexuals have the right to marry but I am not a bigot or a homophobic. I think it would be really clear. I have lived in the same dorm room with a gay man. I have plenty of friends and colleagues who are gay and I am just fine with them.
Here is the bone of contention with on homosexual marriage. Marriage never has been in the scope of human history a right. It has always been controlled the state and the people. The state determines who is allowed to marry and who is not. They set requirements for what it means to be married in the marriage license. A right is something the government cannot take away but the state can take away the marriage relationship. They do it all the time; its called divorce.
Also the idea of our democracy is the rule of the majority through the philosophy of popular sovereignty. Homosexual marriage was voted down TWICE in California. If we allow a 2% minority to make the laws that affect the majority then we might as well be ruled by a fascist dictator that can kill us for thinking contrary to him. That is what it is that a lot of these extreme homosexual sound like: "If you don't believe we are right then you are a homophone and deserved to die." I support your right to protest and convince people to your side, but be a good winner and loser. You lost the election. It should be over and done. People with these extreme views try and say their side is right and when they lose through legal and proper elections they bitch and moan until they get it their way instead of bowing to the will of the majority.
Homosexuals have the same rights as the rest of the people in the U.S., if they didn't they would have been arrested for protesting or presenting petitions for the furthering of their privileges in our society. Please don't compare yourselves to the civil rights movement of the 1960's. Blacks did not have the right to vote, speak out, public or protest without being beat in the street or dogs attack them or hoses turned on them. It's not the same. Don't begrudge that they didn't support you in the your vote against Prop. 8. Blacks are very conservative when it comes to these things. That is their right to believe so.
I am sure I will speak on this again but issue #2.
2. The 10 Dumbest Political Moves of the Year Posted by Joe Rivett on 12.18.2008
http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/92750/The-10-Dumbest-Political-Moves-of-the-Year.htm
Here is the bone of contention with on homosexual marriage. Marriage never has been in the scope of human history a right. It has always been controlled the state and the people. The state determines who is allowed to marry and who is not. They set requirements for what it means to be married in the marriage license. A right is something the government cannot take away but the state can take away the marriage relationship. They do it all the time; its called divorce.
Also the idea of our democracy is the rule of the majority through the philosophy of popular sovereignty. Homosexual marriage was voted down TWICE in California. If we allow a 2% minority to make the laws that affect the majority then we might as well be ruled by a fascist dictator that can kill us for thinking contrary to him. That is what it is that a lot of these extreme homosexual sound like: "If you don't believe we are right then you are a homophone and deserved to die." I support your right to protest and convince people to your side, but be a good winner and loser. You lost the election. It should be over and done. People with these extreme views try and say their side is right and when they lose through legal and proper elections they bitch and moan until they get it their way instead of bowing to the will of the majority.
Homosexuals have the same rights as the rest of the people in the U.S., if they didn't they would have been arrested for protesting or presenting petitions for the furthering of their privileges in our society. Please don't compare yourselves to the civil rights movement of the 1960's. Blacks did not have the right to vote, speak out, public or protest without being beat in the street or dogs attack them or hoses turned on them. It's not the same. Don't begrudge that they didn't support you in the your vote against Prop. 8. Blacks are very conservative when it comes to these things. That is their right to believe so.
I am sure I will speak on this again but issue #2.
2. The 10 Dumbest Political Moves of the Year Posted by Joe Rivett on 12.18.2008
http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/92750/The-10-Dumbest-Political-Moves-of-the-Year.htm
This list is so biased its not even funny. Nothing about Democratic governor Rod Blagoiavich, nothing about Obama or Biden's gaffe's during the election. Eight of the ten on the list are Republicans. Some of them I would agree with others I wouldn't. I guess that is the point of Top Ten Lists. What gets me is how the liberals seem to think Palin was one the worst mistake of the campaign. They fail to see how she energized a political party not excited about its moderate centrist candidate. She is a true republican in all sense of the word and the only reason I voted for McCain. I thought she was and is the future of the Republican Party. She is able to excite the young and bring together the social, fiscal and religious conservatives. It was because of her that McCain won 48% of the vote. If he hadn't picked her I believe it would have been close to an electoral sweep.
But my real belief of the biggest political mistake in the campaign was Barak Obama not choosing Hilary Clinton as his running mate. Let's be honest that decision almost cost him the election. The media doesn't like to admit it but the election was closer than it should have been with Obama, but if he had picked Clinton he would have won in a landslide. His own pride and his wife seemed to be the big reasons why he did not pick her. Just plain dumb to not pick the person just as popular than you in the primaries. Just dumb.
One more point before I go: Obama's cabinet. People have been calling it a team of rivals. That's exactly what it is. That is his plan. He wants his rivals in the Cabinet and them to have ownership of his Presidency so they cannot challenge him in four years. Most of his major picks (Clinton, Richards, etc) would have a decent shot of challenging him in 2012 if his Presidency goes down the shitter. But he picked them so that they could not challenge him. Plus he talked about "Change" in his campaign but this cabinet shows more of the same than change. He has recycled most of Clinton's Cabinet.
Anyway, that's it for me. I think this is where I will do my political bitching from now it. It feels good.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Election 08
For everyone who is curious here is my stance so far on the election. Although I did caucus for Barak Obama in January, but after further review I found that he is not the candidate that I would vote for. I am proudly voting for the electors of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Here are the reasons why I am voting for McCain/Palin:
- John McCain is the best choice for commander-in-chief of our country. He served years in the military during one of the most controversial military actions of this century. He was a POW and knows the true horrors of war. Because he knows those horrors he is the best man to know if and when to send our boys and girls into combat. While he was a POW he put other people and his nation first. He willing allowed the lower ranked soldiers to leave the POW camp before he would.
- As much as people want to call him more of the same or Bush's third term, they don't know McCain. Yes he has voted 90% of the time with Bush, but if there was a democrat in the Oval Office would we begrudge a democrat who voted with that president. He is a Maverick of sorts because Bush and traditional has been angered at McCain when he took stances against him.
- Sarah Palin is a proven reformer. She took on her own Republican Party in the state of Alaska and cleaned it up. I know she has only has limited executive experience, but she has more executive experience than any other person on the ticket. I also feel that she is the future of the conservative movement that will challenge John McCain if and when he needs to be kicked in the butt.
- He understands the true threat of Islamo-facism.
I do not think that I should vote to vote against someone, like voting for the lesser of two evils, but here are the reasons I am voting against Barak Obama.
- Experience: I agree a person should have some experience before going into the highest office of the country, but if your trying change the nation, why do you want someone with a lot of experience. Beside what experience does Obama have that would help him lead in the roles the president serves under. Commander-in-chief: Never served a day in the military. Chief Diplomat: He would meet with the president of Iran. A man that has said many times "Death to America." He cannot be negotiated with. Chief of State: He represents us to the world. While he is friends with people who seem to hate America (William Ayers, Rev. Wright). Chief Legislator: How can a man who has not made a solid stance on any legislative issue in the U.S. Senate or the Illinois Senate. He has voted present on almost every single vote. Chief Executive: What executive experience does he have? Community organizer does not mean he knows how to run a company or even the largest economy and powerful nation in the earth. Judicial Roles: This is chiefly for appointing judges. There is not much experience you can show with this, but he has been against Bush's appointments mostly for political reasons.
- Judgement: The experience argument really does not mean much of anything. It is better to judge a candidate based on his/her judgement. Look at Barrak Obama's. He stayed 20 years in a church with an Anti-American pastor that follows unbiblical theology and preaches anti-Americanism. He is friends with a man who bombed the Pentagon as part of the Weather Underground, a terrorist organization (He only got off on a technicality). He is self-professed friends with blatant Marxist and socialist.
- Socialism: He is a socialist and a Marxist. He believes in bigger government and I don't. With universal health care and other programs he would expand the size of our government.
- Taxes: He says he is against taxes but would raise taxes in almost every single area of our country, hurting our all ready ailing economy.
- Reaching across the aisle: He claims to be a person who can and will reach across the aisle to come up with common solutions but has no proven record of doing so. In fact he is THE most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate. and he picked the 3rd most liberal senator to be his running mate. He has no intent to reach across the aisle. he can't agree with the right and no one on the right will agree with him.
And that is my arguments. Take it or leave it, biotches! A few months ago I came up with a political platform that I would run on if I was running for national office. I will post that in a few days. God bless and good luck.
Monday, May 19, 2008
"Yes we can!"
Ok, so another political posting. There is a speech by Barak Obama that was made either today or in the last few days that I am looking for. If I can find it in the next few minutes I will quote him word for word. Ok, here it is the quote:
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.
(http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-wpxs1Re-8vx2Zk5xnYygW1W67w)
To that I answer, "YES WE CAN!" That is the key tenant of our capitalist economy and our great democracy that maybe Mr. Obama does not get. We have the choice to drive our SUVs or other cars as much as we want. The choice to keep our house as cool or hot as we want. We can make that choice because we choose to pay the price for those choices. We get to choose the 42' plasma over the 19' tube TV. You cannot make that choice for my Mr. Obama, no government has that right or power. To quote Jefferson, "that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Liberty is that choice. The pursuit of happiness and property (the original idea of Locke and Jefferson) is that choice.
Yes, I run my apartment warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter: Why? The cost of power is expensive and because own warm clothes and can endure the 120+ degrees of the Las Vegas summers (Sorry Katie, I will make sure I turn on the air for you this summer). But that is my choice. I choose to drive my car less because gas is expensive, not because the rest of the world says I have to. It is a matter of choice. That is the big idea that guides conservatives: choice and freedom.
I have the choice to discipline my kids the way I want to without the government getting involved (Unless, of course, there is genuine abuse, but spanking or slapping a child because they swear is not abuse). I have the choice to be successful and expand and get rich (High taxes will take away my choices to be more successful and keep me from striving higher). I have the choice to do bad and fail. It's my choice and I will not infringe on your choices or freedoms by asking you to bail me out when I fail because of MY CHOICES! When I fail and the government bails me out, I have taken your choices and freedoms because I have taken your tax dollars because of my choice. I have the choice to believe what I want about any topic and not get called a racist, homophobe or intolerant because I CHOOSE to believe something contrary to the minority. I give you the choice to believe what you want even if I disagree. I am an American and I don't like when my choices or freedom are taken away from me.
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.
(http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-wpxs1Re-8vx2Zk5xnYygW1W67w)
To that I answer, "YES WE CAN!" That is the key tenant of our capitalist economy and our great democracy that maybe Mr. Obama does not get. We have the choice to drive our SUVs or other cars as much as we want. The choice to keep our house as cool or hot as we want. We can make that choice because we choose to pay the price for those choices. We get to choose the 42' plasma over the 19' tube TV. You cannot make that choice for my Mr. Obama, no government has that right or power. To quote Jefferson, "that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Liberty is that choice. The pursuit of happiness and property (the original idea of Locke and Jefferson) is that choice.
Yes, I run my apartment warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter: Why? The cost of power is expensive and because own warm clothes and can endure the 120+ degrees of the Las Vegas summers (Sorry Katie, I will make sure I turn on the air for you this summer). But that is my choice. I choose to drive my car less because gas is expensive, not because the rest of the world says I have to. It is a matter of choice. That is the big idea that guides conservatives: choice and freedom.
I have the choice to discipline my kids the way I want to without the government getting involved (Unless, of course, there is genuine abuse, but spanking or slapping a child because they swear is not abuse). I have the choice to be successful and expand and get rich (High taxes will take away my choices to be more successful and keep me from striving higher). I have the choice to do bad and fail. It's my choice and I will not infringe on your choices or freedoms by asking you to bail me out when I fail because of MY CHOICES! When I fail and the government bails me out, I have taken your choices and freedoms because I have taken your tax dollars because of my choice. I have the choice to believe what I want about any topic and not get called a racist, homophobe or intolerant because I CHOOSE to believe something contrary to the minority. I give you the choice to believe what you want even if I disagree. I am an American and I don't like when my choices or freedom are taken away from me.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Same Sex Marriage Ruling in California
I know I have not posted in forever and that will probably change soon. I like topical rants, raves or just answering an interesting question. So I will probably start doing that soon, but since this showed up in the news today I can't stay quiet about it. I know this is going to get me grief from a lot of people if they decide to actually read my blog (I don't think there are tha many), but I really don't care. This news just broke today. Go ahead and read if you didn't know.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/la-me-gaymarriage16-2008may16,0,2982265.story
I am against homosexual marriage. Part of this is because of my religious faith, part of it comes from a logical view point. This post will deal with it more from the logical perspective, since my faith is my own. If you want to talk to me about the religious view point feel free to contact me through here. Let me start with a brief addendum though about my personal thoughts on homosexuality.
I know quite a few people who are gay and while I do not support the lifestyle, I am NOT a bigot. I DO NOT discriminate against them or treat them any different than my straight friends. I DO NOT think that they should be dragged out into the street and shoot for making this lifestyle choice. I DO NOT think they are second class citizens or that their rights should be taken away in any way, shape or form. (I do not believe marriage is a right, more on that later). I DO NOT think that they should be discriminated against in their professional or personal life because of their lifestyle choice.
I support civil unions and shared benefits for homosexual couples. I think a partner in a homosexual relationship has the right to make all legal and medical choices over the blood family, even if they don't have the legal power of attorney. They have the right to live their lifestyle as long as it does not interfere with mine. Unfortunately, some of the actions of the GLBT community consistently interfere with the lifestyles of others. I would say more on this but its not the point of my post. On with the arguments! Please keep and open mind.
1. It goes against natural law. Someone show me a homosexual animals in nature. You won't find any because they don't exist. One big reason if animals are gay they can't procreate and therefore die out. Nature has made sure they can't exist through that very through natural selection. It is an unnatural lifestyle.
2. It's a personal choice. Some people will make the argument that they have no choice to be gay; that they are born that way. While science has been able to prove that there is a genetic predisposition to homosexuality, that does not mean genetics is fate. If that were the case, I would be an alcoholic with cancer, since there is genetic predisposition to both of those problems. Plus, when people start talking about homosexuality as a lifestyle, your making a choice to live that way, just like I choose to lifestyle to be Christian.
3. The will of the majority vs. the rights of the minority. In California they passed a law several years ago to stop Gay marriage (prop. 22). The majority of the people in CA decided that they agreed with it. The will of the people has been spoken and must be respected. Gays are not discriminated against. The rights given to them in the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions are valid and enforcible. But there are people who will say marriage is a right... wrong! Next point. (Check out #7. separation of church and state for another aspect of the will of the majority, but from the religious side.)
4. The right to marry. There is no right to marry. It is found no where in the U.S. Constitution or in almost any state Constitution. Marriage is a privilege granted by the state to those people who fulfill the requirements set by that state in its law; just like driving. Those who do not meet the requirements set up by the state cannot marry. No one is above the law, not even homosexuals.
5. Cross Culture agreement. Looking at anthropology and sociology shows that homosexuality is something that is not accepted in almost ALL modern and ancient societies. There may have been allowance for people who lived like that, but they were not allowed to marry. Why? Because they cannot help continue the society and culture, because they can't procreate. Almost all culture have a homosexuality taboo just like the incest taboo. Redefining marriage from between and a man and woman to allowing same sex marriages go against every major culture and society. Even if those societies allowed polygamy, it was still between men and women, not women and women or men and men. There was no sexual access between the people of the same sex in those polygamous relationship. That is even the case in the Mormon church when they practiced polygamy (even though I guess the fundamentalists still do)
6. What's next? If we allow same sex marriages, what would be next? How do we redefine marriage then? This is the first step off a slippery slope that can lead to the entire destruction of marriage in general. What's next? Marriage between a man and two women or four? Marriage between a woman and her dog since she loves him (or her). Marriage between a man and his dead wife. You start here, where does it stop?
7. Separation of Church & State. Some people argue that by forcing a Judeo-Christian attitude on marriage is having the state endorsing or establishing a religion. The problem with that argument is that every single major religion has a ban or restriction on homosexuality, sometimes for the reasons up above. Its not just Jews and Christians, its Muslims, Hindu and the like; they disagree too. So ruling against Gay Marriage is not endorsing or establishing any religion, it is supporting the logical beliefs of them all. (The will of the majority yet again.) Oh and gay marriage is not a religion so don't say it's not allowing them the free exercise of religion. Besides, the government can regulate religious action, it did it with the Mormon polygamist years ago.
So that is my posting for today. I hope you all enjoyed. Have a great weekend.
AJBulava
http://www.chicagotribune.com/la-me-gaymarriage16-2008may16,0,2982265.story
I am against homosexual marriage. Part of this is because of my religious faith, part of it comes from a logical view point. This post will deal with it more from the logical perspective, since my faith is my own. If you want to talk to me about the religious view point feel free to contact me through here. Let me start with a brief addendum though about my personal thoughts on homosexuality.
I know quite a few people who are gay and while I do not support the lifestyle, I am NOT a bigot. I DO NOT discriminate against them or treat them any different than my straight friends. I DO NOT think that they should be dragged out into the street and shoot for making this lifestyle choice. I DO NOT think they are second class citizens or that their rights should be taken away in any way, shape or form. (I do not believe marriage is a right, more on that later). I DO NOT think that they should be discriminated against in their professional or personal life because of their lifestyle choice.
I support civil unions and shared benefits for homosexual couples. I think a partner in a homosexual relationship has the right to make all legal and medical choices over the blood family, even if they don't have the legal power of attorney. They have the right to live their lifestyle as long as it does not interfere with mine. Unfortunately, some of the actions of the GLBT community consistently interfere with the lifestyles of others. I would say more on this but its not the point of my post. On with the arguments! Please keep and open mind.
1. It goes against natural law. Someone show me a homosexual animals in nature. You won't find any because they don't exist. One big reason if animals are gay they can't procreate and therefore die out. Nature has made sure they can't exist through that very through natural selection. It is an unnatural lifestyle.
2. It's a personal choice. Some people will make the argument that they have no choice to be gay; that they are born that way. While science has been able to prove that there is a genetic predisposition to homosexuality, that does not mean genetics is fate. If that were the case, I would be an alcoholic with cancer, since there is genetic predisposition to both of those problems. Plus, when people start talking about homosexuality as a lifestyle, your making a choice to live that way, just like I choose to lifestyle to be Christian.
3. The will of the majority vs. the rights of the minority. In California they passed a law several years ago to stop Gay marriage (prop. 22). The majority of the people in CA decided that they agreed with it. The will of the people has been spoken and must be respected. Gays are not discriminated against. The rights given to them in the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions are valid and enforcible. But there are people who will say marriage is a right... wrong! Next point. (Check out #7. separation of church and state for another aspect of the will of the majority, but from the religious side.)
4. The right to marry. There is no right to marry. It is found no where in the U.S. Constitution or in almost any state Constitution. Marriage is a privilege granted by the state to those people who fulfill the requirements set by that state in its law; just like driving. Those who do not meet the requirements set up by the state cannot marry. No one is above the law, not even homosexuals.
5. Cross Culture agreement. Looking at anthropology and sociology shows that homosexuality is something that is not accepted in almost ALL modern and ancient societies. There may have been allowance for people who lived like that, but they were not allowed to marry. Why? Because they cannot help continue the society and culture, because they can't procreate. Almost all culture have a homosexuality taboo just like the incest taboo. Redefining marriage from between and a man and woman to allowing same sex marriages go against every major culture and society. Even if those societies allowed polygamy, it was still between men and women, not women and women or men and men. There was no sexual access between the people of the same sex in those polygamous relationship. That is even the case in the Mormon church when they practiced polygamy (even though I guess the fundamentalists still do)
6. What's next? If we allow same sex marriages, what would be next? How do we redefine marriage then? This is the first step off a slippery slope that can lead to the entire destruction of marriage in general. What's next? Marriage between a man and two women or four? Marriage between a woman and her dog since she loves him (or her). Marriage between a man and his dead wife. You start here, where does it stop?
7. Separation of Church & State. Some people argue that by forcing a Judeo-Christian attitude on marriage is having the state endorsing or establishing a religion. The problem with that argument is that every single major religion has a ban or restriction on homosexuality, sometimes for the reasons up above. Its not just Jews and Christians, its Muslims, Hindu and the like; they disagree too. So ruling against Gay Marriage is not endorsing or establishing any religion, it is supporting the logical beliefs of them all. (The will of the majority yet again.) Oh and gay marriage is not a religion so don't say it's not allowing them the free exercise of religion. Besides, the government can regulate religious action, it did it with the Mormon polygamist years ago.
So that is my posting for today. I hope you all enjoyed. Have a great weekend.
AJBulava
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
New Job, New School, New Week
So, its been a few weeks; I knew this web-logging would not last entirely long without a break. Oh well, to bad so sad.
I got a new job at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas. I am teaching three government courses, two Street Law courses and an American Politics course. Two of the course are honors classes, which is a new thing for me. I have taught government before but that was during Student teaching. Its been a stressful start of the year with three new preps for the school year but I have been handling it pretty well.
I am not sure what else to write for now. So talk to you all later.
I got a new job at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas. I am teaching three government courses, two Street Law courses and an American Politics course. Two of the course are honors classes, which is a new thing for me. I have taught government before but that was during Student teaching. Its been a stressful start of the year with three new preps for the school year but I have been handling it pretty well.
I am not sure what else to write for now. So talk to you all later.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Star Wars.com
Greetings fellow bloggers and readers,
Ok, this has been going on for a few years now but its starting to get worse. The official Star Wars website (Http://www.starwars.com) has been getting to be more and more exclusive material over the last few years. It seems that most things on the website now are only open to "fan club" members. No more reading blogs for free. No more watching cool little clips, articles or other fun stuff. I remember when the website was entirely free.
Maybe I am just being a baby because I don't want to plop down $30+ to get access to material which in all honesty is not that great. Maybe its because I refuse to additionally fund that money whore George Lucas. I mean the guy releases a new set of DVDs each year to continually rape the wallets of Star Wars fans across the world. First it was the Original Trilogy Box Set that came out a few years ago with the additional raping of our childhood memories by adding additional unnecessary material. Then the next year he releases the original cuts of the Original trilogy. I refused to buy any Star Wars DVDs until he releases his ultimate set and I know he will. I will be all six episodes with tons of extra stuff not on the other DVDs, plus the original and altered versions of the original trilogy. So I am not feeding that whore George Lucas.
Anyway that is my tirade for now. I intended for my post today to be about the title of my blog but I just had to get this off my chest.
Faithful to the Mission of Christ Jesus,
Adam J. Bulava
Ok, this has been going on for a few years now but its starting to get worse. The official Star Wars website (Http://www.starwars.com) has been getting to be more and more exclusive material over the last few years. It seems that most things on the website now are only open to "fan club" members. No more reading blogs for free. No more watching cool little clips, articles or other fun stuff. I remember when the website was entirely free.
Maybe I am just being a baby because I don't want to plop down $30+ to get access to material which in all honesty is not that great. Maybe its because I refuse to additionally fund that money whore George Lucas. I mean the guy releases a new set of DVDs each year to continually rape the wallets of Star Wars fans across the world. First it was the Original Trilogy Box Set that came out a few years ago with the additional raping of our childhood memories by adding additional unnecessary material. Then the next year he releases the original cuts of the Original trilogy. I refused to buy any Star Wars DVDs until he releases his ultimate set and I know he will. I will be all six episodes with tons of extra stuff not on the other DVDs, plus the original and altered versions of the original trilogy. So I am not feeding that whore George Lucas.
Anyway that is my tirade for now. I intended for my post today to be about the title of my blog but I just had to get this off my chest.
Faithful to the Mission of Christ Jesus,
Adam J. Bulava
LFG & LICD
Over the last few years I have come to know the product of one ambitious young many very well. His name is Rayan Sohmer. He is the talented writer behind two web comics that I just love and enjoy on a daily basis.
The first is Least I Could Do (http://www.leasticoulddo.com), which is a story about a Sex fiend 25 year old by the name of Rayne Summers. His main attribute is the god complex he has with himself and the fact that he claims to have been with 1,000+ women. This comic spans back to 2003 and the quality and hilarity of the stories has increased with every year. It is also about his friends and the interesting hijinks they get themselves into. If you have a few spare hours check it out. I would start back at the beginning so you can really see what this guy and his friends are all about. Granted the art work is not the best, but it get really good when Lars Desouza comes on board.
The second is barely a year old already and is called Looking for Group (http://www.lfgcomic.com), which is a comic take on the world of Online Role-Playing games, again in a slightly humorous fashion. This comic seems to be getting big and fast. They are planning on making it available to the general public for consumption at your local comic book stores but only if you let the stores know your interested. Here is how you can do that
1) Call up local comic store. You can find that by clicking this link: http://www.lfgcomic.com/locator/
2) Ask them purchase this comic, with the information listed below:
Also they are starting on making a full length movie on this comic as well. Embedded below is a four minute preview that explains one of the characters pretty darn well. Enjoy.
Anyway that will be the end of my post for today. Just thought I would get that information out for you. Enjoy and have a nice day.
Faithful to Mission of Christ Jesus,
Adam J. Bulava
The first is Least I Could Do (http://www.leasticoulddo.com), which is a story about a Sex fiend 25 year old by the name of Rayne Summers. His main attribute is the god complex he has with himself and the fact that he claims to have been with 1,000+ women. This comic spans back to 2003 and the quality and hilarity of the stories has increased with every year. It is also about his friends and the interesting hijinks they get themselves into. If you have a few spare hours check it out. I would start back at the beginning so you can really see what this guy and his friends are all about. Granted the art work is not the best, but it get really good when Lars Desouza comes on board.
The second is barely a year old already and is called Looking for Group (http://www.lfgcomic.com), which is a comic take on the world of Online Role-Playing games, again in a slightly humorous fashion. This comic seems to be getting big and fast. They are planning on making it available to the general public for consumption at your local comic book stores but only if you let the stores know your interested. Here is how you can do that
1) Call up local comic store. You can find that by clicking this link: http://www.lfgcomic.com/locator/
2) Ask them purchase this comic, with the information listed below:
Looking For Group
By Ryan Sohmer & Lar deSouza
As Seen on Page 245 of the August Issue of Previews
Item # AUG073444
By Ryan Sohmer & Lar deSouza
As Seen on Page 245 of the August Issue of Previews
Item # AUG073444
Also they are starting on making a full length movie on this comic as well. Embedded below is a four minute preview that explains one of the characters pretty darn well. Enjoy.
Anyway that will be the end of my post for today. Just thought I would get that information out for you. Enjoy and have a nice day.
Faithful to Mission of Christ Jesus,
Adam J. Bulava
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