The Light of Life Burns

It's A Wonderful Life

This is without question of of the greatest films of all time, seen mostly around the Christmas holiday season.

There are a multitude of valuable lessons to be learned within the film, some noted in the following linked piece.

But there is much more to be learned, as outlined in a piece from Imprimis titled Frank Capra’s America and Ours. A quote from the writings of John Marini tackles the relativity from Capra's words and principles to those of America, and a man who shared them.

It is hard to think of a better way to describe Frank Capra’s view of the world, and America’s place in fulfilling its purpose, than to turn to another great American who made his living in the world of motion pictures. Ronald Reagan was a friend and admirer of Frank Capra. They were very much alike. The inscription that Reagan had carved on his tombstone could have been written by Capra: “I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there is purpose and worth to each and every life.” Both Capra and Reagan looked to a benevolent and enduring Providence, and the best in man’s nature, as the ultimate grounds of political right. For them, as for Lincoln, America was more than a geographical location or a place where citizens shared a common blood or religion, or belonged to a common culture or tradition. America was a place where an enlightened understanding of “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” had made it possible to establish those principles of civil and religious liberty that gave “purpose and worth to each and every life.”

One of the strongest statements within the film comes nearing the conclusion. It is very simple, but most meaningful:

"Remember no man is a failure who has friends."

Merry Christmas to you all!

Friends Freed?

As President Obama continues to free hundreds of convicted felons, many of them terrorists, not to mention ad individual who committed treason against the United States, if is worth comparing this action with that of a true American Patriot.

Although in his own mind Obama thinks of his presidency as being among the greatest our nation has had, it is far from it.

Among the many measuring arenas we can engage, perhaps the pardons and commutations at the end or a term is most telling.

It is often said that one mans terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, and I would deem that true.

So, we can compare Abraham Lincoln with Barack Obama under that metric.

One freed American slaves (for which he paid the ultimate price) and one freed terrorists.

That would appear to be all we need to know.

Donald Trump For President

The 2016 campaign has been very heated, reflecting the pulse (pun intended) of our nation.

The GOP is very divided, deservedly so.  Elected GOP representative think they are part of a production of Animal Farm, turning into the legislators we sent them up there to defeat.

A strong field of GOP contenders set out to gain the nomination.  Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Scott Walker could have easily won my vote.  I chose Sen. Ted Cruz, who had a vibrant history of fighting the establishment

However, Donald Trump won the race.

Unlike many, I did not take the #NeverTrump route, which I considered juvenile.

Donald Trump, who no doubt loves America, does not meet many of the principles and positions I as a proud member of the Reagan Revolution champion.

However, as we enter a version of The Fourth Turning, a historical and cyclical period of turmoil which places the continuance of our nation at risk, our nation will require exemplary leadership during this period. As Jim Quinn of The Burning Platform notes in researching The Fourth Turning, "The Grey Champion doesn’t necessarily have to be a good person, but they must lead and display tremendous confidence in their cause and path. Franklin, Lincoln, and FDR have many detractors, but during their Fourth Turnings, they most certainly led, casting aside obstacles (sometimes illegally) and enduring dark days and bleak prospects for success."

In my mind, Donald Trump fits perfectly the characteristics of a Grey Champion.

His opponent?

Hillary Clinton is an arrogant hypocrite, an intellectual progressive operative with disdain for the blue collar working families she professes to support, an individual who dreams of squelching free markets through taxation and regulation championing crony capitalism in support of self promotion and her political advocates all the while welcoming opportunities to abuse power. In no way, shape or form is this an individual we should even remotely consider for our highest office. She is a champion of distortion and failure.

The nation, due in large measure to the progressive policies engaged upon during the Obama administration, is in great peril. Things will worsen, at least in the short term, no matter who wins.

Should Hillary Clinton win, our nation ceases to exist as founded, and freedom and liberty retract measurably as the world enters deeper levels of violence, darkness and despair.  Yes, that bad.

Donald Trump offers hope, championing individualism and patriotism. We may not wish the Grey Champion to come, but come he must, and come he will.

He is here, his name is Donald J. Trump, and America desperately needs him to become the 45th President of The United States of America.

Rightful Masters

An Avenue For Prosperity For All

America is being taken down from within.  Quickly, and by design.

One the tools being utilized by those in power to accomplish this feat is by pitting groups, classes and races of our citizenry against one another.  With the help of the ministry of propaganda, the mainstream media, the efforts have been most successful.

Race has been a particularly useful tool by the Obama administration, from the cops acting stupidly in Boston to failing to prosecute voter intimidation in Philadelphia. 

Individuals who question the policies of Obama are considered racist. Groups who offer opposition are labeled terrorists. Vice President Joe Biden called Tea Party Members terrorists, and many of the low information voters lack the necessary acumen to decipher how incorrect this is. If you think these were actions of the past, just yesterday college republicans were turned away after attempting to attend a speech by President Obama at the University of Central Missouri.  They were prevented from attending "for the presidents protection".

There are many other examples, but a shooting in Sanford, Florida provided the optimal platform for those in power to stoke the fires. Even though this event involved a Hispanic and a black, seemingly at the direction of the administration, the media, with particular help from NBC, the case morphed into a major race dividing case.

With local news boiling over in the immediate aftermath of the, I drew some conclusions based upon the information I had gathered.  As the case has settled, with George Zimmerman having been found not guilty by a jury of his peers, after hearing the evidence, I note that some of my initial thoughts were off the mark.

Evidence to suggest Zimmerman was in any way a racist was completely absent.  In fact, evidence suggests the contrary, most specifically noted by media reports that he mentored a couple of young black children.  Also, evidence says Zimmerman did attempt to go back to his vehicle after being directed by the 911 operator, but was met and subsequently attacked by Trayvon Martin. We have learned Martin was a young man traveling down the wrong path having made several recent mistakes in judgement. The state overcharged he case, and based on the evidence, the only verdict that could be reached was innocent as charged.

It is noted that both parties could have prevented the event from happening, but tragically, that did not happen.

Although the state of Florida did not bring the Stand Your Ground Law into the case, leftist progressives have seized the opportunity to rail against the law and are seeking to have it eliminated. I am sure they are unaware the Obama, while in the Illinois state Senate, co-sponsored a bill to strengthen the law in Illinois. Hypocrite?

With the usual race hustlers Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson leading the way, the case has driven a wedge in between normally sensible folks.  Rather than recognizing an individual is legally entitled to protect themselves from being mortally wounded, since Martin was black, the law seems to be readily discarded.  It seems, as Pastor Ken Hutcherson says, many blacks have put their blackness ahead of everything, including God.  This is not healthy.

President Obama, who self proclaims himself as in company with our great presidents, had a once in a lifetime opportunity to be Lincolnite and use his position to strongly enhance race relations, with malice toward none and charity to all.  No such luck.

Obama has been divisive, attacking religion and tradition and encouraging entitlements, which tramples the incentive and spirit of many a man.  In fact, a new poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal submit that race relations have plummeted since Obama took office.

Obama is crushing the economy through his policies, and the unemployment levels among young black men are at historical highs. Without the economic means to improve their lives, many young men in the inner cites have had their opportunities greatly diminished.  Obama also cut significantly the voucher program, virtually eliminating another important vehicle for youngsters to better their educational opportunities.

In Obama's hometown of Chicago, black on black murders of young men is at a tragic and embarrassing rate. Although the bankruptcy of Detroit had been coming at us for quite some time, many of the problems that led to the demise of the Motor City center around the problems associated in the inner city black community. The demise of the traditional family in these communities is beyond alarming, and a central factor in the problems.

Obama has done nothing to assist the situation.  In fact, in attacking the churches, many of which operate schools, vehicles of escape such as education outside the public school system and spiritual opportunities in the inner cities, have been greatly diminished.

Bill O'Reilly has had enough, and blasted all those in charge in a tremendous "Talking Points".



The problems in the inner cities, particularly in the black community, are seemingly out of control.  Race relations are weakening among many, with Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder encouraging the negative discourse.  Obama has wasted a golden opportunity, and unlike Lincoln, finds malice with many and exhibits charity toward elites only.

I do not have the answers to these problems. I think economic enterprise zones as championed by the late Jack Kemp could be helpful given crime can be controlled.  Those in these communities could learn plenty and set solid foundations by embracing faith, reading the writings of Frederick Douglass and implementing the non-violent leadership by example, with respect of the law exhibiting class and dignity of someone they all claim to admire; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If America could get this corrected and headed in the right directions, imagine the prosperity for all.

Believe in America

Image/NBC News

 

The evidence is in and the case for the defeat of President Barack Obama has thoroughly been made.

 

During the campaign, one candidate has stood out as Presidential, aiming to restore America to our promise in an all inclusive manner, not dividing, bur respectfully bringing together our citizenry, and that is candidate is Mitt Romney.

 

President Obama said in a campaign stop last week that you should vote for revenge.  Revenge?  Thinking along those lines against our fellow citizens is in strong contrast to the very fabric of our nation.

 

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying "With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds."  Obama is no Lincoln.

Under President Obama, government has smothered the entrepreneurial spirit and handicapped the hopes and dreams of the individual, promoting a culture of dependency which robs America of her true identity.

Ronald Reagan said "Government growing beyond our consent had become a lumbering giant, slamming shut the gates of opportunity, threatening to crush the very roots of our freedom." 

As William Jennings Bryan said, "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.” 

On Tuesday, I will be choosing free market capitalism and the power of the individual versus expansive government limiting freedom and opportunity for all. 

Grab your neighbors and join us in supporting Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to restore America to greatness.

It is time for America to stand up and choose freedom tomorrow, not oppression.  Not for revenge, but for love of country!

God Bless America!

Information Misrepresentation: Obama

Information presented to the Public by various outlets is being crafted to misrepresent reality in an effort to skew political thinking, gain economic advantage and nudge social justice further down the American psyche. This is the second in a series of blog posts detailing instances in this regard, as it is imperative the Public recognize the significant level of misrepresentation and how vast the manipulation is.

President Obama, who one would suspect is extremely busy in efforts to solve the myriad of significant issues our country is presented with, most notably the highest sustained level of unemployment since the Great Depression, continues to find time to display mind boggling levels of arrogance on a variety of media outlets. Last week, in an interview with 60 Minutes, Obama not only mangled the truth in description of the performance of his administration, but stretched his high altitude narcissism to incredulous levels. See the piece below:



In response to 60 Minutes Correspondent Steve Kroft asking about Obama's accomplishments, the President offered the following:

Well, we're not done yet. I've got five more years of stuff to do. But not only saving this country from a great depression. Not only saving the auto industry. But putting in place a system in which we're gonna start lowering health care costs and you're never gonna go bankrupt because you get sick or somebody in your family gets sick. Making sure that we have reformed the financial system, so we never again have taxpayer-funded bailouts, and the system is more stable and secure. Making sure that we've got millions of kids out here who are able to go to college because we've expanded student loans and made college more affordable. Ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Decimating al Qaeda, including Bin Laden being taken off the field. Restoring America's respect around the world.

This paragraph presents by itself contains a gold mine of delusional comments. If he has all these things to do, which he apparently was unable to accomplish with both house of Congress in Democratic control, one has to wonder with the country in economic peril why he is not working with a sense of urgency.

Obama did not save the country from a Great Depression. Obama has operated from the playbook of FDR, who sought massive government stimulus and implemented the forceful expansion of federal regulations and confiscatory taxation, his intimidation of "the rich," encouragement of labor strikes, and half-baked policy experiments discouraged employers from hiring workers and provided strong disincentives to new business investment, as Amity Shlaes outlined in her book "The Forgotten Man".

The auto industry is not saved. For Uncle Sam to made whole, GM needs about another $20 per share in stock price, and with the debacle otherwise know as the Chevy Volt, the loss of the iconic and sporty Pontiac brand and lagging new auto sales due to economic fear, prospects for a robust, profitable GM look bleak.

Health Care costs are not declining, and endless other slow creep taxation nuggets found within the Health Care bill increase taxes on the consumer, thus handicapping economic growth. With much of the behemoth legislation to come in 2013, fear of increased costs and taxation are significantly hindering business development and expansion, and of course, we could certainly use those jobs.

The massive financial regulations put forth under Obama, most notably the Dodd-Frank Bill, has been a job killer, and is also a continued failure as evidenced by the goings on of Democrat Jon Corzine, the former Governor and Senator from New Jersey, who as director of now bankrupt MF Global is under federal investigation due to 1.2 million dollars of customer accounts that are missing, or stolen, whichever your prefer.

Higher education is not a right, but a privilege, for those who choose to take that path. It is not for everybody, and is affordable if you find the investment to be a worthy endeavor.

While the Obama administration deserves recognition for continuing the assault on al Qaeda and for killing Osama Bin Laden, our foreign policy is abysmal. To the contrary from Obama's opinion, we are less respected around the world. Pretty please asking Iran for our lost drone back tells the tale, but beyond that we have radical Muslim influence expanding, have alienated our great friend in Israel and have left Iraq open for the Iranians for political expediency.

Obama really enjoys lying by omission to the citizens, and the following comment is a great example:

"And we ended up asking the wealthiest Americans to do a little bit more in terms of taxes. Going back to rates that would still be lower than they were under Ronald Reagan, our deficit problems would be solved. And I could not get Republicans to go ahead and say, "You're right. We're gonna put country ahead of party."

The legislative branch could possibly be welcome to consider tax rates back to where they were under Ronald Reagan if our country were not 15 trillion deeper in debt (5 trillion and counting under Obama's watch) and bordering a depression with our economic engine stagflating at best. In oppostion to Obama's America, Uncle Sam after three years of Reagan was beaming with optimism as we embarked on a 25 year bull market which Reagan let fire on.

Obama is masterful at making straw man arguments, the following is another great example:

"A balanced approach means exactly what it says. It means it's balanced." I would love to see tax reform. And if we can get a commitment from the Republicans that they want to work on a serious tax reform package that makes sure that the wealthiest Americans are paying their fair share, that is simplifying the tax code, that is lowering rates, but by broadening the base, that's something I'm all for. It's part of my plan. But what we haven't seen is any serious movement on the other side."

Not only did the Simpson-Bowles Commission, a bipartisan committed formed by Obama to offer productive recommendations, have their findings ignored by Obama, several Republican offerings, most notably the plan put forth by Rep. Paul Ryan, R:WI, have been put forth for consideration. Obama does not find them "serious", which means he does not favor them, and therefore he acts as if nothing has been offered. Translation: Liar.

"I mean, the interesting thing is the majority of Republicans actually think we should have a balanced approach to deficit reduction, including tax increases for the wealthy."

am sure that may sound good to much of the 60 Minutes viewership, but if is false. Outside of a handful of RHINO's in the Senate, Republicans are strongly against a balanced approach (raising of taxes) to deficit reduction.

Although I could write 10,000 words tearing this interview apart, in closing comes a staggering comment of arrogance and elitism.

"I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president -- with the possible exceptions of Johnson, F.D.R., and Lincoln -- just in terms of what we've gotten done in modern history."

Passing health care legislation was monumental, however on the destructive side in my view rather the constructive side as Obama sees it. Given the accomplishment, Obama sat the legislation out, turning over the construction of the framework to Nancy Pelosi and the Tides Foundation. Backhanded deal making and payoffs helped push it over the edge late, even though polls, now up to almost 65%, oppose it.

George W. Bush, when asked, said he would let history 30 years down the road grade his contribution as President. Obama, presiding over unquestionable decline, finds himself perhaps equal FDR, whose New Deal along with LBJ's Great Society are bankrupting the country, is arrogant to be sure, but he may have a point. We may not recover from Obama's destructive socialistic policies.

But for Obama to think he resides in the same thought as Abraham Lincoln, there is no doubt we have a delusional, narcissistic individual who feels welcome to state incorrect opinion as fact leading our country into deep and lasting decline.

Happy Presidents Day

On this Monday, we celebrate Presidents Day. The day is a federal holiday in honor of George Washington. Abraham Lincoln was also born in mid February, so many link the birthdays of these two men together when thinking of Presidents Day.

Gallup took a pool released over the weekend indicated that Americans think Ronald Reagan was the greatest President in the history of the United States of America. Hey now!

Have you ever been contacted by a pollster? Yeah, neither have I.

Therefore, had I been asked, I would have presented the following three in order as my top US Presidents.

George Washington

Without question, Washington exemplifies everything you could ask for in a President. Few men have ever displayed such a level of leadership as Washington, no doubt our first field general. It is safe to say we may not have country if it were not for Washington, and his legacy is worthy as the founder of our country. As part of FOX News Glenn Beck's Founders Fridays, Glenn spoke with Andrew Allison, author of The Real George Washington and Earl Taylor regarding this great man.



Beck also interviewed Peter Lillback,author of Sacred Fire and David Barton regarding the faith of George Washington:



Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln stands tall, figuratively and literally in our history as a man of great principle and unwavering leadership. Lincoln presided over immense internal turmoil and stood tall. From Lincoln's second inaugural:

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Ronald Reagan

With the country drifting without leadership, Ronald Reagan took the Presidency with a firm plan of sweeping action to bring America back. Not only did he succeed militarily, he put pride back in the middle class and gave them a the keys to a vehicle for optimism, free market capitalism. At the wheel, Reagan's economic policies unleashed a 25 year bull market, raising in large measure the standard of living of all. Reagan is as relevant today as he was then. After all, government is not the answer to our problem, government is the problem.

I got to thinking. Foghorn Leghorn would be better than Obama, but with each of my top three Presidents having February birthdays, I wondered if any of the Republican 2012 hopefuls had birthdays during the month of February.

Sarah Palin.

Wake Up! Alarm Bell Ringing!

Did you see 60 Minutes last night?

I do not know what has gotten into the Obama loving crowd over there, but on the heels of a scathing report on unemployment last month, comes a very troubling piece on the day of reckoning facing the states.

Decades of irresponsibility, wreckless spending, far to excessive expenditures for entitlements and the refusal to slam the door in the face of unions have led many states to a critical time for choosing.

How bad is it? Meridith Whitney, who called the housing blow up, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are among those interviewed on the subject. A must watch:



The decisions facing the states are not only the states problem, but in the era of bailout nation, likely the United States problem well sooner than you may think. Christie, who is taking on the powerful unions and winning, has New Jersey on the right path, but California, who just re-elected many of left wing moonbats who put the Golden State in peril, continues to travel down a road leading them, and likely us as California is the eighth largest economy in the world, off the cliff.

Illinois was singled out as a economic catastrophe. The comptroller of the state minced no words in describing the deadbeat status of the Land of Lincoln. Unfortunately, Abraham Lincoln is no longer around to run things in Illinois, but among those who were, and helped put this state in such a horrendous economic condition, is none other than our champion of change himself, President Barack Obama. It is quite evident Obama is using many of the same policies that put Illinois in peril, most notably the transfer of wealth through entitlements, in his effort to rescue the United States in time of severe recession. I got a news flash for you. It will be unsuccessful.

These are not revenue problems, but are spending problems.

Whitney is someone worth listening to, and she is predicting historic defaults on municipal bonds, long ranked among the most stable investments with typically low levels of risk. Not anymore! Municipal bonds, or munis, are bonds sold by states, counties, cities and other political titles other than the federal government and are most often exempt from federal taxation. Although risk does vary on these instruments, the fear of widespread default has been rarely considered.

This is the other big crisis besides housing, and the scariest part, says Whitney, is the level of complacency. Oh good! Everyone is re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic! Dump bonds if you still have them and buy commodities.

Chris Christies said the credit cards have reached their limit, and there is no money available in New Jersey. Few in Washington recognize this as the federal government continues attempts at spending us into irrevocable debt, but help may be on the way. A newly elected batch of conservative Tea Party Patriot Republicans are coming, and once things get set on track in Jersey, a true conservative leader with economic insight and some chutzpah may come in 2012 in Chris Christie.

Lead, follow or get out of the way!