Simple Man Politics

As you all know by now there was a tragic shooting here in Tucson, Arizona over the weekend, in which congressperson Gabrielle Giffords was shot and several people died including a federal judge. These people were attacked by a young man who seems to be mentally disturbed, and who acted on his own as evidence coming out seems to indicate. The evidence also indicated that Gabrielle Giffords was his intended target, but does not explain why he continued shooting after Giffords was shot. However, nowhere in the evidence does politics appear to play a part, but politics will play a part in all of this.

The politics of tragedy are often times strong and emotional responses to situations where a person or a group of people are hurt or wronged for no good reason, and there is no immediate answer as to why they were. Those people who are touched by these tragedies can be anybody who witnesses the tragedy or who has an emotional investment in those who suffered the tragedy, and sometimes they will react drastically to this kind of situation. These people will often say things that seem drastic, irrational, and even hateful while under duress, but they deserve a pass because they need the emotional release.

Then there are people who will use any opportunity to further their agenda, and they do not really care whether a given situation is even germane to their political beliefs and agendas. These are the people that you will have to watch closely and be sure to protect yourselves against, because they will attempt to take from you your civil liberties, rights, and freedoms in the name national security and your best interest. All of this is unfortunately true with regard to this past Saturday’s tragic assassination of Gabrielle Giffords and the collateral murders associated with it.

Of course, not all political moves with regards to the Tucson shooting are bad things. The House of Representatives and the Republican leadership in particular did a good thing by suspending house business in light of Saturdays shooting rampage by 22yr old Jared Loughner. However, there seems to be some renewed effort to attack both the 1st and 2nd amendments to the constitution and in that order too, and this I believe is not a good thing or good politics. Neither is the attempt to link the lunatic to the Tea Party, the Republican Party, or conservatives in general because that just is not true.

What is true is that this guy is a seriously disturbed and whom evidence says lives in his own little world. However, some now want to pass legislation against using any speech that might inflame people’s emotions and especially the emotions of those with mental problems. The problem with this is that they are crazy and no one can determine how someone like that will react to what someone says. They also are now looking to pass more gun legislation in light of the attack and that means restricting law abiding citizens gun rights even more than they already are, which is also a bad move.

What really should be taken into consideration in light of this past weekends events is how to best secure our elected officials when they are speaking in a public forum. I also agree with some that think it should be a federal offense to attack these elected officials who represent the people that put them in office. I also sincerely believe that our 1st and 2nd amendment rights should not be infringed upon simply because of the actions of one lone individual. Without free speech and free press the truth will be much harder to ferret out in the future, and without gun rights we will be one step closer to subjects rather than free citizens.

That is all I have for you today, but I will be back again although I hope it will be under lighter circumstances than this one. My prayers go out to the Giffords family and to the families of those who lost loved ones on that fateful Saturday morning. I can only hope that cooler heads will ultimately prevail when it comes time for the collective national mind to deal with this tragedy legally and legislatively and that no one has their rights to the American dream restricted even further. I hope you all have a Marvelous Monday and a wonderful week, take care my friends, CIAO4NOW!!!!!

That is right less than 40 days until Washington D.C. is flooded with the corpses of the political careers that once belonged to incumbent Senators and Representatives who forgot who they were working for. I for one cannot wait to see all of that filth and detritus washed away from the facade of our nation’s capital so that it can start once again become the shining light of our republic. Once that happens it may again become a beacon of hope for those who really do treasure the ideas of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Actually, it is only 35 days until the mid-term elections and both of the major political parties are seeing a major shake up occur right before their eyes with the national electorate. That is right I said both parties because I do not believe that either one of them will be immune to the havoc that may be wreaked upon their ranks. For to long they have made up the rules to the game as they went along and believed that politics as usual was not going to become a crime that they would have to answer for. Unfortunately, for them their time has appeared to have run out, and judgment day is coming for them.

I believe that the party that is going to pay the most for past legislative transgressions is going to be the Democratic Party. I think that in this case while they may not be to blame for everything that has happened they do deserve the lion’s share of the blame. They saw the election of Barack Hussein Obama as a green light to push his and their agendas and went for it, even though the bulk of it was against the will of most people in the country. The fact that TARP, corporate bailouts, Obamacare, and the first stimulus did not work proves that they should have listened to the voters, because we are not stupid.

For the record, the Republican Party is also to blame for much of the trouble in Washington D.C. as well, and in particular those lovely legislators known as the RINO’s. Those Republicans In Name Only have also helped to perpetuate these legislative assaults against the American people. They tell us during elections that they are fiscal conservatives who believe in small government, low taxes, and the constitution. Then when they are elected, they throw their constituents under the bus. Their wake up call is that wonderfully robust grass roots movement known as the Tea Party.

After tons of research on my part from many different sources, both within the parties and independently, I have concluded that the Democrats are going to lose and lose big too. I think that the Dem’s will lose as many as 40 seats in the lower house and may even lose 10 seats in the Senate. While this will certainly tip the balance of power in both houses, I do not think that the GOP will be the same after November 2nd either, because of the possibility that some of those Tea Party candidates who have won Republican primaries will be seated also and they will want to push a true conservative agenda.

As a fiscal conservative, I can only hope that all of this will happen, because our continued existence as both a free market economy and a democracy depend upon these epic changes taking place. I am not saying that the federal government does not have a role to play in our lives, but it should be a limited role based strictly upon that historic document known as the US Constitution. I also believe that the daily governance of America’s people should be relegated to the states where it was intended to be in the first place. I for one do not wish to see the American Dream become just a memory.

I only have one other thing to say to all of you my friends and that is no matter what side you are on, or what you believe, please get out there and vote. Vote because that is how we control those we have elected and show them who is boss, because they work for us not the other way around. I hope you all have enjoyed this post and I am sorry it has taken so long for me to write anything, but I have been waiting for the home stretch of the mid-terms and it is here and I will write more. I hope you all have a great day and Simple Man Politics will be back very soon, CIAO4NOW!!!!!

Is the ground Zero Mosque an Arab/Islamic Coupe de Grace or is it the next Christian Crusade? I will honestly tell you that at this point I do not know which it is, but either one is not only scary, but extremely dangerous as well. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is a seriously emotional issue and that both sides of this issue are running on emotional highs too. I for one have mixed emotions about the notion of placing any mosque so close to Ground Zero, but I also do not have as much of a connection to the site compared to those people who live there and have lost loved ones on 9/11.

I for one have very serious views and beliefs with regard to the free practice of religion. I believe in the freedom of religion, because religion, the Judeo Christian ethic in particular, and the freedom to practice our religion without persecution are a large part of why we fought for our independence. The freedom to practice religion without persecution is also one of the main reasons that so many have immigrated to our shores too, and I cannot say freedom for me, but not for them in this matter, because I am not a hypocrite. I am however, a true red, white, and blue born and bred American.

Because of my American heritage, and ultra patriotic beliefs I do have a very real problem with the idea of putting this particular Mosque, sponsored by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who believes that we as a nation should be Sharia Law compliant, rather than secular with regard to the law of our land. I also understand that he has beliefs about certain elements within Islam that run counter to our national security interests as well. Now I want you to know that I weep for the loss of Muslim life on 9/11 the same as I do for all of the lives lost on that dreadful day, and I mean all of those lost souls.

I am sure that whoever reads this post is going to have their own ideas and beliefs about whether or not there should be a Mosque built at Ground Zero. Whatever you do just don’t use the argument that Muslims do not have enough space in New York to pray, because there are many Mosques there as well as one near Ground Zero already. One more thing and that is that we should not grant the Muslim Islamofascists any thing that they can represent to their followers as a victory against the west and Christianity. If I have to choose between a Muslim Coupe de Grace and a Christian crusade I choose the Crusade.

Well that is about all I have to say about this subject for now, but I am sure that I will be back here Simple Man Politics again soon with something else to talk about and my own opinion on whatever it is too. If you feel like commenting about this on my blog site, feel free to do so as long as there is no vulgarity, hate, or ignorance in your comment it will be posted regardless of whether or not we agree. I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, and prosperous week and until next time my friends CIAO4NOW!!!!!

It most certainly is the end of an era particularly on the Senate side of Congress. Earlier this morning in a hospital in Fairfax, VA, Senator Robert Byrd (D) WV passed away. You heard me right the pork king, former KKK member, and ultimate senatorial power player has finally passed away after becoming the longest serving and eldest member of the Senate body. However, I cannot just say negative things about Bob I have to say something good about the man too, because I am sure, he had to have done some good, or why else would he be undefeated in every election he ran in.

One good thing I can say about Mr. Byrd is the fact the he was a stalwart defender of the U.S. Constitution and recognized as the foremost authority on matters of constitution within the U.S. Senate. Another good thing I can say about Senator Byrd is the fact that he fiercely defended the right of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to keep any Presidential administration from usurping any Congressional powers. That is right it did not matter whether the President was a Republican or a Democrat he kept their hand out of the cookie jar.

Make no mistake though Robert Byrd is most certainly a Democrat although at one time he was considered the most conservative of that party. What does the loss of Byrd mean politically though? I do not think it means much since the Governor of West Virginia will appoint a person to replace Byrd until the 2012 election and the Governor is a Democrat. However, it does lose a critical vote for the ruling Democratic Party in the Senate for a bit, and it also puts on hold legislation that both the administration as well as the majority party in both houses of Congress consider necessary to advance their agenda.

My personal opinion is that now that Robert Byrd has passed away that the U.S. Senate will lose some of its prestige. However considering the current political climate after the mid-term elections this year I do not think that either Byrd’s Senate seat and vote would have mattered anyway. What does matter with regard to the passing of the Senates greatest orator is that both houses of Congress have lost their greatest and toughest defender. I think that not only will the administration now attempt to gain control even more, but also I think that the Democrats in the Senate will further slip into mediocrity.

That is all for now form Simple Man Politics, but I will be back again soon. Have a marvelous Monday my friends, CIAO4NOW!!!!!

P.S. Rest in Peace Mr. Byrd.

You all know the 1992 movie Distinguished Gentleman starring Eddie Murphy who plays a con man that swindles his way into congress on name recognition. Well it appears that we may actually have a real life story that echoes the movie playing out right now in South Carolina. The candidate's name is Alvin Greene and absolutely no one knew who this guy was until after the dust of the Democratic Party primary for Republican incumbent Jim DeMint’s senate seat had settled.

Once it had become apparent that this man had won the Democratic primary to challenge DeMint for the seat Democrat Party officials began to urge Mr. Greene to quit the race against DeMint possibly to install their own and probably well known candidate in his place. Some of the Democratic Party’s top lawmakers have even gone as far as to suggest that Mr. Greene is a Republican plant to stop opposition against DeMint who is seeking another term in the Senate.

Alvin Greene is an unemployed military veteran who is a citizen of the state of South Carolina. There have also been reports that Mr. Greene has been charged with a felony involving a college student and pornographic material. Mr. Green who is unemployed has also paid out more than $10,000 to enter the senate race and contends that it was his own money. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D) has accused Mr. Greene of accepting the money from an as yet unknown contributor and should be federally investigated.

In an interview Mr. Greene was asked how he had won and replied that South Carolinians were able to relate to him more so than to his opponent Vic Rawl (D). That may be true for all we know, or maybe I can suggest an alternative reason for Mr. Greene winning the Tuesday Primary. Maybe Mr. Alvin Greene won purely on name recognition. Maybe more South Carolina Democrats like singer Albert Greene’s (Al Green) voice more than Vic Rawls message.

Whatever the reasons were for Alvin Greene winning the Democratic Primary in South Carolina, Mr. Green has flatly stated that he will not withdraw from the race much to the chagrin and consternation of Dem Party officials in the state. I say more power to the guy since he obviously doesn’t reek of Washington politics and business as usual inside the beltway. I will also say that if the Dem’s in South Carolina are dumb enough or smart enough to vote for him, this remains to be seen, well then good for him. I will also say that the Democratic Party may well get what they deserve in that state too.

That’s it for now from Simple Man Politics and until next time we meet CIAO4NOW!!!!!

Last night saw some very interesting results in primaries throughout the country. With only one real important exception in Blanche Lincoln (D) AR, it was a clear message that incumbents were unpopular. Another interesting result is the fact that the big primary winners were female and conservative. I am also intrigued with the effect of Sarah Palin’s effect in the campaigns of those she supported.

Now I will admit that both Whitman and Fiorina are California Republicans, and are not necessarily as conservative as others are in the GOP. However, Fiorina along with candidates like Sharon Angle, Nikki Haley are all Tea Party favorites that Sarah Palin supported and who have won their primaries. In the case of Carly Fiorina she won over another Tea Party favorite supported by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint.

There is no doubt in my mind that this election season is a referendum on the Obama Administration as well as both houses of Congress. Figures such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D) NV and Senator Barbara Boxer (D) CA will certainly have their hands full with Palin backed Angle and Fiorina. In addition to these contending opponents, incumbent Democrats will also have to explain their unpopular support of Obama and his agendas.

While the Tea Party may be a very vocal as well as a very visible political force they are by no means organized. There is no real main arm of the Tea Party, but a loose knit coalition of Tea Party’s around the country. They often see things pretty much the same way, but not always, which will sometimes create divisions within the movement. California primary Fiorina versus DeVore or more accurately Palin versus DeMint is a prime example.

It appears to me that Sarah Palin is certainly a driving force, in both the Republican Party and the Tea Party movement and wields tremendous star power amongst the blue collar conservatives. The fact that she is also willing to go against the GOP base and Tea Party candidates she does not support has not appeared to damage her credibility within either group. There is definitely evidence that you have a better than even chance of winning at least within your own party if Sarah Palin picks you to support.

Another Tea Party and Palin backed candidate Terry Branstad won the GOP Party nomination yesterday for the Governors race in Iowa against incumbent Democrat Chet Culver in November and is a race to watch. It is said that Iowa is one of the states that sets the tone for election politics so we will see if they see eye to eye with Sarah Palin on Terry Branstad.

I will tell you before I go that I am not a Republican but an NPA (No Party Affiliation), I am also a fiscal conservative as well as a social conservative with one or two exceptions. I do like Sarah Palin and agree with her political views 99.998% of the time. I will definitely support her candidates with one exception and that is Senator John McCain (R) AZ.

I hope you all have a great day and I will see you all again soon my friends. From Simple Man Politics CIAO4NOW!!!!!

If you ask the 89 year old legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas it seems she would almost certainly say they are the same. At least it appeared that this might be Helen Thomas’s view during the Jewish Heritage American History Month celebration that took place on May 27th at the White House. The video with Thomas in her own words can be found at both Yahoo and RabbiLive.com, which was aired a full week after the incident.

During the celebration Rabbi David Nesenhoff approached Helen Thomas with the idea of asking for her views on Israel. During the impromptu interview Thomas stated flatly that Israel should get the hell out of Palestine and that the Palestinian people are occupied. She went on to further say that Israeli’s should return to their homes in Poland, Germany, and oh yeah…..America, indicating that the people and the Jewish state have no place in the Middle East.

Apparently Helen Thomas either didn’t know that the Jews and Israel have both been in that very region for as long as there have been other races there. It also seems to me that Thomas has no idea of the history of the Jews in Israel such as the fact that they were also an occupied people. Over the course of history Israel was occupied by Rome who ruled the Jewish people for hundreds of years. I also believe that Helen Thomas forgot the more than 6 Million Jews were murdered in Germany and Poland.

Now I have to tell you that I am a big supporter of both the Constitution and its 1st amendment. I not only fervently defend the right of individuals to freely express their personal views without persecution I also defend the same right for those in the press that is what the 1st amendment is all about. However what I will not defend is someone who is anti-semitic or racist. I am not sure if Helen Thomas is either one of these, but her comments definitely need to be scrutinized closely.

Since her controversial comments, Helen Thomas has resigned from Hearst Newspapers. Thomas has also repeatedly apologized for her comments and admits that they were offensive. The board of the White House Press Corps has not yet announced what actions they will take with regard to Thomas’s front row center seat in the White House briefing room. The board has also issued a statement that they do not police the speech of members or colleagues.

What ever else may happen to Helen Thomas because of her comments, there is this lesson to be learned. Those in the media should realize that while they may have the right to freely express their views and opinions, they would do well to remember that they will also have to deal with the consequences of their actions, for which they are solely responsible. This is often an expensive lesson to learn and all you have to do is look at the now disgraced Helen Thomas to see the cost.

That is all for now from Simple Man Politics. I hope you all have a marvelous day and I will be back again soon, CIAO4NOW!!!!!