The main event GOP presidential candidates debate took place in Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH, and it did not disappoint; highlighting the fine field of top candidates there are to choose from.
The under-card GOP debate winner was Carly Fiorina, who continues to impress, exhibiting broad knowledge of the issues. Particularly astute of her was to note the movement of money within the global financial system. Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry round out our final four first round performance, although it would seem Perry was in need of a stronger performance to leave his misfortunes in 2012 behind him.
The main event featured a very impressive field. For the GOP debate on this evening, Dr. Ben Carson was the winner. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee round out the final four in first round performance.
Jeb Bush seemed to get caught in a lie on the issue of Common Core, but otherwise did no harm. John Kasich looked good to the viewers and Scott Walker was steady as she goes successfully navigating away from any potentially rough seas.
Nobody blew up, but it appears Rand Paul and Donald Trump failed to gain any ground while others did.
Chris Christie and Rand Paul got in quite a dust up over surveillance. Each candidate has a long list of support for their position, and while I am on the opposite side of many folks I generally am in agreement with, including of note Kimberly Guilfoyle, I stand with Rand Paul on this topic.
FOX News was horrible and clearly aimed to diminish Trump. Megan Kelly, whom I generally think highly of, was way off base in some questioning of Donald Trump and she seems to be paying quite a price for her odd and suspicious line of questioning of Trump. Among those who are hammering her is The Great One, Mark Levin.
It should be clearly noted that these GOP debates were inclusive of some very fine candidates, each having a long list of impressive credentials, and any candidate on the either stage on this opening evening of debates would be far superior to anyone the Democrats have to offer.
Donald Trump's recent comments on immigration have lit a political fire that may well burn down many before being extinguished. The comments area as follows:
"The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else's problems. Thank you. It's true, and these are the best and the finest. When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.
But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we're getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They're sending us not the right people.
It's coming from more than Mexico. It's coming from all over South and Latin America, and it's coming probably -- probably -- from the Middle East. But we don't know. Because we have no protection and we have no competence, we don't know what's happening. And it's got to stop and it's got to stop fast."
In response to the heavy criticism, Trump responded with the following comments:
I was really criticized for the border, but the truth is
it’s true. They think it’s like Mother Teresa is coming across the border.
Well, I said drug dealers, I said killers, and I said rapists. They made the word
rapists, they really picked that up. I tell you, I love the folks from South
America. They’re friends of mine. Many work for me. Many are friends. Many buy
apartments from me. I have great love for the Mexican people, and I always
have, and they like me. No apology because everything I said is 100% correct.
All you have to do is read the newspapers."
Donald J. Trump
While those who deem America oppressive and advocate for progressive ideals inclusive of open borders are continuing to blast Trump as incorrect, racist and bigoted through seemingly orchestrated waves of progressive politicians and media propagandists, the fact of the matter is Trump is quite accurate.
However, even with an introduction of the facts, those pesky leftists will pretend they don't exist and march right on with their agenda, which in this arena seems to be based on using hate speech laws to destroy America.
But Trump has indeed struck a serious nerve with these recent comments about illegal immigration, with two significant byproducts producing what appears to be a violent upcoming collision.
First, Trump has surged in the polls of those seeking the GOP nomination, as many in the electorate found very refreshing his challenge of open borders and the ridiculous effort, or lack thereof, of the government to halt illegal immigration. Although his comments could have been said with greater maturity, he was essentially accurate and I am among the many who are in agreement with Trump on this subject.
"I’ve never seen them this outraged, this vicious, this motivated, this coordinated – NEVER in all my years in politics, have I seen anything like the way the mad dogs of hell have been unleashed on Donald Trump ---Wayne Allyn Root
Second, the political correctness police has unleashed the gates of hell on Trump based on his "accurate" comments, including Univision and Macy's, both ending long relationships with Trump. Univision says it will not broadcast the Miss USA pageant as contractually obligated due to Trump's comments, but Trump has counted with a lawsuit heavy on zeros.
Rush Limbaugh noted that the GOP establishment has seemingly aligned against Trump's stance on illegal, may I repeat, illegal, immigrants. The list includes, of course, Jeb Bush, along with Marco Rubio and Chris Christie, each a 2016 candidate, along with GOP pundit Michael Steele and conservative columnist George Will. Republican National Committee Chairman
Reince Priebus even called Trump to tell him to back off.
Rick Perry condemned Trump for using such a wide brush in describing the illegal immigrants, which is odd because Rick Perry has a pretty darn good record in fighting the in-flight of the illegals on his Texas border.
When asked if he thought Donald Trump's comments on Mexicans have hurt the Republican Party, Mitt Romney relied "Yes, I think he made a severe error in saying what he did about Mexican Americans and I feel it was unfortunate." News flash to ole Mitt; illegal immigrants are not Mexican Americans, as astutely pointed out by a caller into Rush.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is the only GOP 2016 candidate I have heard defend Trump in any form or fashion on this topic.
Some in the GOP consider Trump a mole, taking votes away from a potential winner in the GOP much as Ross Perot effectively did back in 1992.
As Dustin Ulsterman of DC Whispers reports, "The path is being paved in real-time at this very moment and is apparently set to be unleashed “very soon.” An all out assault upon the Trump organization by Obama/Jarrett-approved operatives within the Mainstream Media to both humiliate and weaken the Republican candidate for his recent demand that something be done to secure the southern border."
Ulsterman added on his Facebook page the following accurate assessment of the trouble facing Trump: "Trump is in big-big trouble. They want to destroy him. It seems to have become very personal with them. He has threatened decades of effort in changing the face of the voting public. Another five years, ten at most, and conservatism will be an insignificant minority throughout most the country. Republicans will be an arm of the Democratic Party meant only to keep up the appearance of a choice. There will be no choice. There already is hardly one now. Donald Trump is disrupting that dynamic and they won’t stand for it. The countdown to his demise begins now."
In the real estate business myself, I have been a longtime fan of Donald Trump, admiring his work as a real estate developer. As a candidate, while I am in full agreement with many of his positions, he is not among my favorites.
Although he considers himself one, I do not find him a conservative. Trumps' positions on eminent domain, the Iraq war, taxation and health care are not in line with my principles and beliefs in those areas. In addition, Trump, who was a registered Democrat until 2009, has given money to many Democrats in the past, including Hillary Clinton, and speculated about Oprah Winfrey, among Obama's top supporters, being his vice presidential pick. No Thanks!
America does not want a contest of Jeb Bush versus Hillary Clinton. The reason Trump is rising so quickly is that Americans are tired of weakness and lies, and want somebody who is not afraid to upset the status quo, accurately stated by Ronald Reagan as "the mess we're in".
Trump is making some serious waves, tapping into an angry electorate, saying things most of the other candidates are too politically correct to say. Until such time a GOP candidate joins him in bucking those in the establishment, like this dope, and calling out those who are complicit in the destruction of America, I suspect he will remain high in the polls.
"People are angry that a commonsense thing like securing the border or ending sanctuary cities is somehow considered extreme. It's not extreme, it's common sense. We need to secure the border.” said 2016 GOP candidate Carly Fiorina.
Border security is just common sense, for those of us who still have some.
The copy of the painting below is outstanding, and may be foretelling as we approach the 2016 election.
There are several candidates seeking the GOP nomination, and I would support each and every one of them in a battle against Hillary Clinton.
Many candidates have officially jumped in, while others are waiting around, raising money and sizing the electorate.
Commentary about the candidates will be held back at this time as the field settles in but will come at a later date.
For now, I will rank them in four tiers as I see the field right now. Tier 4 are candidates that I am not crazy about. Tier 3 will include some I am intrigued by and want to hear more from. Tier 2 includes those who are positioned to perhaps gain some traction, and among the group a VP candidate may come from. Tier 1 will include those that I am strongly considering and among the group my choice will likely come from.
The list only includes individuals that appear likely to jump in the race.
Tier 1: Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio
Tier 2: Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Allen West
Tier 3: Carly Fioirina, Dr. Ben Carson, Bobby Jindal, John Bolton, and Donald Trump.
Tier 4: John Kasich, George Pataki, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Peter King and Lindsey Graham
I am looking to eject from the status quo, which as Ronald Reagan said, is Latin for "the mess we're in".
Last week, The King of All Media, Howard Stern, sent a staff member out on the street to check in with some Obama supporters. Stern discovered many already know; that we have a sizable uneducated portion of the electorate that extends far from a level of embarrassment, but is actually a serious matter of national security.
Take listen, but do grab a seat first:
Untold gazillions have been spent in effort to bolster our educational system, but as you can see from the results, the unions are getting rich while many of our citizens are nothing short of idiots. Rick Perry had troubling thinking of governmental departments to be eliminated, but I got one; the Department of Education.
After all, for the teacher unions, their objective has nothing to do with a great public school system, and it is not about the kids. This is impossible to imagine, but don't take my written thoughts to truth; take the words of NEA Chief Counsel Bob Chanin:
With taxpayer dollars pouring in, the public school system, run by the government, has failed miserably to significantly raise the standard level of education, not because we have poor teachers, but primarily because of the significant infiltration of the teacher union.
While this may seem like an isolated problem, if applied in macro terms, an extremely troubling objective comes into light. President Obama has spent much of first term implementing a significant extension of governmental control of the citizenry, a citizenry deemed lacking in intellectual aptitude to engage in proper decision making.
The arrogance of those involved in the orchestration of a socialistic system heavy on central planning with progressive increases in governmental power based on the needs of the collective is astonishing, but it is in full implementation right under our eyes.
The government has installed and expanded policies which offer minimal benefits, trapping those uneducated individuals to a lifetime of governmental dependency, robbing them of their identity and democracy and their ability to engage in the pursuit of happiness.
On the heels of Stern's effort, we were offered another glimpse of this in Cleveland with SEIU protesters outside a Romney campaign event:
Idiots are suckered in, as they have not been adequately educated to understand freedom and basic economics. These folks welcome the benefits, not recognizing the freedoms they are giving away. In addition, as Mitt Romney pointed out in the hidden video he is being incorrectly being hammered on, those handing out the gifts will secure almost all of the votes cast by those receiving the benefits.
Securing a small portion of a particular voting base can swing an election, and if President Obama and his cohorts succeed in transforming America away from free enterprise, untold numbers will suffer with violence and despair taking root.
Mitt Romney was asked last week what the election was about, and he responded "freedom".
Romney was without question correct. This election is about free stuff versus freedom, and I hope enough of those making their way to the voting booth understand a basic economic principle: there is no free lunch.
Obtaining absorption of the weekly news cycle is nothing short of head scratching these days, with all the absolute non sense taking place across the fruited plain. However, it is particularly distressing when it includes folks have been thought to be operating from a common sense perspective. This week, we had three big eye brow raisers, and in response, we quote America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani; What The Hell Are You Doing?
Hey Newt Gingrich, what the hell are you doing?
Mitt Romney seems to be increasing his foothold on securing the GOP nomination after victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, so in seeming desperate acts, Newt Gingrich unleashed a barrage of attacks on Romney and the action of the firm he helped found, Bain & Company, a venture capitalist firm. While there are several legitimate avenues of attack on Mitt, Gingrich choose to hit Bain and the business practices of venture capitalist firms as evil, job killers and something Americans despise.
Rudy Giuliani, joining Steve Doocy, Alisyn Camerota and Eric Boling on Fox & Friends, is far from amused. Take a listen:
As sad as that is, particularly from "the smartest guy in the room", Texas Governor Rick Perry felt compelled to join in, calling Bain a "vulture" capitalist firm. Come again?
Hey Rick Perry, what the hell are you doing?
Venture capitalist firms like Bain are integral to our capitalist system and free market enterprise. For mid sized firms that are losing their way, venture capitalist firms, typically invited in by shareholders, provide guidance, operational expertise, asset management and capital, generally for a piece of the company in an effort to help the company survive and thrive.
It is a risky venture, with marginal success rates. However, when successful, payoffs can be huge. Not just for the venture capital firm, but for the company, the employees, shareholders and in most cases, the communities which house the business operations. For Bain, companies like Staples, Clear Channel and The Sports Authority are three Bain Capital success stories.
Within 20 miles of my office, these three companies alone employ an estimated 500 people, who need places to live, work and play, which is most beneficial to the economy here in Orlando.
Bain Capital and similar firms should be appreciated for playing a vital role in helping assist in the expansion of commerce, which is vital for a capitalist system to bear fruit. Gingrich and Perry should be well aware of this, and should be called out for taking the approach of the socialist Democrats in railing against capitalism and free markets. I just did.
Hey Mitt Romney, what the hell are you doing?
In the aftermath a big victory in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney gave an outstanding victory speech, hitting all the chords conservatives are longing to hear. If we could trust this is what we would get with a Romney presidency, I think everyone would be on board. We cannot, as the very next day, Romney offered the following:
In the general election I’ll be pointing out that the president took the reins at General Motors and Chrysler – closed factories, closed dealerships laid off thousands and thousands of workers – he did it to try to save the business.
Obama violated countless free market principles in "saving" General Motors and Chrysler, most notably in the shafting the bondholders and closing down of dealerships with ties to the Republican party. The interference in the marketplace by Obama, exhibiting crony capitalism by picking winners and using tax payer funds to benefit friends and campaign supporters, are actions to be strongly condemned, not celebrated. Rush Limbaugh appropriately hammered Romney on his remarks.
Hey Haley Barbour, what the hell are you doing?
I do not know where the "tradition" of pardoning folks after a term in office came from, but I do not find a compelling reason to continue it. Certainly, there would be cases where such an action is warranted, and that is fine. One of the most celebrated cases came with Bill Clinton pardoning Marc Rich, which I find an error.
Unfortunately, this practice is not confined to Democrats. Enter Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. Barbour has done a very good job as Governor of Mississippi, and was considered a potential GOP presidential candidate. As he concluded his term, he pardons several individuals that need to remain behind bars.
Media outlets have outlined the cases of a handful of these folks, and a Judge has blocked the release of those still incarcerated.
Although Barbour is "very comfortable" in his decision, I am very comfortable in finding him in gross error and condemning his action. Based upon actions such as this, the practice of knee jerk pardoning bus loads of criminals should cease. If these folks cannot do the time, they should not have committed the crime.
Perhaps common sense will re-assert itself this week, but I doubt it.
Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann roared out of the gate in the GOP presidential sweepstakes by winning the Iowa straw poll, which proved a knockout punch for fellow Minnesota candidate Tim Pawlenty.
Out came the long knives.
Don't blame it all on those intellectually challenged Democrats. Sharpened knives from the Progressives is what is at foot here, and regrettably this includes the Republican establishment, often referred to as RHINO's or Rockefeller Republicans. They have no interest in a Conservative woman who is a favorite of the Tea Party. After all, these folks are Progressives.
Bachmann got firebombed, complete with a hit piece cover story by Newsweek magazine. Add in a few gaffes on the campaign trail, and being labeled "crazy" by the lame stream media and down went the numbers.
Texas Governor Rick Perry jumped in the race, a Conservative with a great track record on job creation. In actual fact, Perry did not need the media to derail his campaign, thanks to some very poor debate efforts. Even so, he got hit on several fronts.
After all this carnage, former Godfathers Pizza Chairman Herman Cain got tremendous traction. Cain is very charismatic, and he unleashed a bold plan to reconstruct our inefficient tax system to rave reviews. Although Cain has been employed in several high profile capacities, his time at the National Restaurant Association supsiciously brought out of the woodwork four women accusing him of sexual harassment. Cain has suffered in the polls, as doubt has been created. Doubt can be most destructive, as brilliantly described in the 2005 award winning Broadway play by John Patrick Shanley.
Enter Newt Gingrich, the smartest man in the room. Newt readily admits he carries pounds of baggage, some deserved and some not. At any rate, with Gingrich out front, where will the knife come from?
Freddie Mac.
Gingrich consulted Freddie Mac, for a fee if you can imagine that, and this has the media in a tailspin. Given the problems to our economy caused by the back holes known as Fannie and Freddie, the media has concluded that folks who consulted these GSE's are eliminated from consideration of our highest office. Only if you are a Republican that is.
Never mind, nothing to see here, that several key figures in the Obama administration have very suspect backgrounds running, not consulting, Fannie and Freddie. See the following:
The New York Times David Brooks, who is a Republican impostor, describes James Johnson's relationship with Fannie Mae. Bloomberg Busninessweek outlines Franklin Raines story. Former Obama COS Rahm Emanuel was Director of Freddie Mac during scandal, reports ABC News. Peter Schwiezer's new book "Throw Them All Out" alleges insider trading. Jamie Gorelick, rumored to under consideration by Obama for Attorney General, is appropriately labeled the Mistress of Disaster, in part due to her role as Vice Chairman of Fannie Mae.
Michele Bachmann has said that the media is choosing the Republican candidate for 2012. Thus far, Congresswoman Bachmann is nothing short of correct.
The progressives, both Republican and Democrat, are carving up the playing field so each side fields a candidate that allows the game to continue to be played. Playing games is exactly what the electorate in this country is tired of, but it is important to note the establishment of both of these parties is not interested in what the electorate thinks, just expanding control over them.
Seeking a candidate who is an ejection from the system is the most attractive in my view, and that type of candidate is who they will stop at just about nothing to prohibit from winning. Think outside the box, and do not let the media poison your mind while these candidates, each far superior to Obama, stand in the line of fire.
Charles Ponzi must be spinning in his grave while Bernie Madoff is presumably bewildered in his jail cell.
During the CNN GOP debate last night in Tampa, GOP front runners Mitt Romney and Rick Perry battled it out once again over whether Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. Take a listen:
This debate is very healthy, and quite telling about how we arrived in the mess we are in and where we stand as a nation.
For decades, folks from both sides of the political aisle have accurately labeled Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. For example, Jonathan Hoenig often battles Democratic strategerists on FOX Business Network making the case in pinpoint fashion.
In fact, Social Security is worse than a Ponzi scheme, as those involved with a Ponzi scheme engage the activity on their own, rather than being forced to partake.
Rick Perry is quite correct that this program is in need of extensive reform, as it is currently bankrupt and unsustainable. Although, as Perry correctly points out, Mitt Romney and a large contingent of pundits are attempting to scare seniors by implying they will not receive their benefits, they will not be impacted by any proposed changes. President Obama even proclaimed he could not guarantee checks for our seniors, in yet another inaccuracy out his arrogant mouth. Scare tactics aimed at our seniors in this perilous economic environment is pathetic, and it implies our seasoned citizens are ill informed.
Our senior community, as well as many of those who have freshly entered the workforce, understand that changes to the program are vital for it to survive, for the status quo is doomed for failure sooner than later. They appreciate the truth, something that is far too often missing in politics. Like health care, a private sector component to Social Security would be beneficial, and gives participants choices in investment vehicles which offer opportunities for greater return on investment.
It is time for the truth, and the Ponzi scheme known as Social Security is a great place to start the debate on reforming, or with any luck eliminating, dozens of entitlement programs that are in fact bankrupting our country.
Ultimately, the federal government should be out of this business, allowing individuals to plan for retirement in ways that best serve their particular interests. If a base of support is necessary, each state can produce programs that best suit the needs of its citizens. It will take decades for this to occur, but steps taken now through a broad initiative can begin the lengthy process.
For folks my age, mid forties, and below, retirement plan forecasts should not include anticipation of any return from Social Security. Folks saving for retirement should indeed focus on a collection of market base instruments for a solid return on investment.
The GOP field of candidates has been put under green to begin the process of finding the candidate to defeat the the anti-American tyrant who is presiding under the unparalleled decline of our nation.
I have been asked for some thoughts on the field, so much like the folks over at Political Derby, I'll handicap the field in order of my preference, not who I think will be the nominee or who would be able to win.
Contrary to the mainstream media, this is a strong field and each of the candidates would be far superior to Obama. So would Foghorn Leghorn, Heath Barkley or Jim Rockford.
1. Michele Bachmann--- Unlike Obama, she would lead from the front, not the rear. Bachmann is former federal tax attorney, real estate investor and Congressional leader of the Tea Party. Bachmann is a friend to free markets and well recognizes the motives of Obama's oppression.
2. Rick Santorum---Santorum got trounced in his home state by speaking the truth nobody wanted to hear. Santorum is clear about the threat of Islamic terrorism and is sound across the board.
3. Herman Cain---A strong business background without having held public office is a major plus given the antics we commonly see in DC. The former Godfathers Pizza CEO's line of attack in solving our nations lengthy issues resonates, and his experience at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank under Thomas Hoening cover the ever so important financial angle.
4. Mitt Romney---The establishment choice, Romney should really have won in 2008. Few can match his business experience, and the former governor knows how to govern. There is lot to like with Romney, and he can no doubt win if he gets there. He does have big issues, however, with respect to Romenycare and global warming.
5. Tim Pawlenty---Pawlenty is nothing if not solid. He well could be the last guy standing and has demonstrated his ability to govern and make measureable progress in a blue state. Pawlenty also has global warming issues, and a flirtation with some Sharia law tolerance.
6. Newt Gingrich---Newt is well described as an idea factory and knows government better than most. For all his intelligence, he departs often from the Reagan principles he claims to hold dear. Attacking the Ryan Roadmap and supporting a progressive lefty in NY 23 come to mind, not to mention a global warming commercial with Nancy Pelosi.
7. Ron Paul---While everyone was snickering at him in 2008, he turned out to be correct on a slew of items. Paul has the FED figured out, and is a leading mouthpiece on the damage monetizing the debt is doing to our country. Paul is outside the box on many other issues, relegating him to remaining a horse fly on the back of overspending progressives on both side of the isle.
Sarah Palin seems content to sit 2012 out, comfortable in hammering Obama at very turn. Rick Perry looks like he is about to jump in, and although he tends to govern left of his campaign rhetoric, he has the border issue in his back pocket to hammer Obama on. If in, both would immediately contend with Bachmann for the top spot.
Jon Huntsman jumped in Tuesday, announcing from New Jersey with the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty in similar fashion to when Reagan announced in 1980. Hunstman once called Obama a remarkable leader. Thank you for coming.
The media loves Huntsman, thus informing the GOP of who to pick to lose in 2012. Huntsman also declared he will pick up where John McCain left off in defeat in conducting a civil campaign.
In his brilliance, Rush Limbaugh spent much of the day Tuesday hammering Huntsman, and much of the other GOP candidates, for listening to consultants who think it would be damaging to attack Obama personally, only his policies. For all those who think this is Reaganesque, Limbaugh took us back to 1980 to hear Reagan blast Jimmy Carter.
America hangs in the balance. Grab the Reagan playbook and run with it and make Obama a one term President. Hit Barack Obama square in the jaw from every unguarded agnle, from his associations to his treatment of our allies to his utter failure in economic principles to his arrogance in operating outside the Congress. In fact, just quote Reagan and replace Carter with Obama and go with throttle up! The time is now. Right now!
BAHL is a REALTOR, Real Estate Investor and Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Orlando. He holds a BS degree in Economics from Florida State University.
