Soldier's View of Obama in Afghanistan

The following post is from a Battle Captain serving in Afghanistan:

Hello everyone,

As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass
along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour
on his visit to "The War Zone". I wanted to share with you what
happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got
to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the
commander here at Bagram.

As the Soldiers were lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and
didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the
General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty
much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work
out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing
basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to
thank them for their service.

So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back
home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are
going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank
those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.

I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to
be the President of the United States . I just don't understand how
anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that
he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and
our great country.

If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to
know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the
news is all fake.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--Government Corruption Personified

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are perfect examples of how "Government Run Business's" work, I mean fail.

These companies were setup as "private business's" by government with good intentions. They were designed to advance home ownership by providing loans to lower income buyers.

With government perceived backing they were able to offer lower rates than commercial competitors to people that were not technically qualified. With incompetent management made up of cronies of the controlling government organizations and creative political donations to the members who have oversight, they were allowed to continue with unchecked corrupt and expanded policies. In 2004, the government recognized both organizations were in trouble and the government held hearings on corrective measures. Oversight was increased, but due to partisanship and corruption it was limited and ineffective, allowing them to dig the hole deeper.

Now, since they have grown too big, but still corrupt and entwined with the policy makers, they are "too big to fail." Hence the solution is to back their incompetence by expanding their role, rewarding their mismanagement, and spreading the cost to the taxpayers. Similar to previous government corrective action.

Government Run Businesses are controlled by Politics, not good business practices. "Government Run Business" can never fail. Consequently, The Government solution is to make it bigger and badder.

This is how you Socialize a Nation.

Fannie and Freddie's Enablers from the Wall Street Journal provides more insight as to some of those on the Government side that are responsible.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac: Boondoggle..
by Dan Gainor provide more detail. Added August 6, 2008.

It's the Media, Stupid

The saying from past election, "It's the Economy, Stupid," certainly applies today, but the more relevant sequel for today's election may be, "It's the Media, Stupid."

Big Media Puts It's Money Where Its Mouth Is by William Tate in the American Thinker, illustrates the problem the informed voter has in obtaining accurate information from "The Media."

The Informed Voter must be especially diligent this election. It was true in past elections, but "The Media" appears more brazen, and active, this election.

No information is better than Bad Information.

The Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton

You might appreciate this video from 1969 of Red Skelton and
The Pledge of Allegiance:

Thanks to Dale G. for forwarding this link.

Is Wind Energy the Solution?

I'll state up front, I'm not a believer in Wind Energy as the major solution to our energy problems.

Having said that, I am in favor of testing generators at the source of the energy problem where the most hot air is generated--that would be Washington D.C. and San Francisco, CA.

Additional information to consider regarding Wind Energy Projects is covered in the following article by Ed Wallace from the Fort Worth Star Telegram:
T-Bone for Him, Slim Pickin's for US

Wind energy has it's place. Pumping water into a storage tank at a remote location is one I've seen work. Two key principles made this wind energy a practical solution. 1. Water was needed at a location remote to other energy sources. 2. Energy storage at that location was sufficient for the demand.

I question whether either of these fundamental principals are met with any Energy Plan that counts on Wind as the Main Solution.

Maybe the Politicians mandated another new Law of Physics that I missed as they attempted in the Alternative Energy Bill--Automobiles must be powered by food that people can eat. Boy, that should make the world a better place.

Is a law degree really the best training to develop laws of physics?

Media to Watch--or Not

Voter, be aware this post has been challenged.

I am asking both party's to furnish additional information as to validity of the posting and the validity of the challenge. At this point I can not substantiate either. The voter awaits a response from either side, or both.

Additional Information:

Interview of the Vice President by Martha Raddatz, ABC News

An AF Colonel Friend of mine forwarded the following email: Thought I'd pass it along to help voters be aware of how the voter is manipulated by the media.

Subject: ABC News - Suspicions confirmed
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:33:00 +0000

Just in case you happened to see the ABC
News piece with interviews of 5 military folks
in Iraq -
3 planned to vote for Obama and 2 for Hillary;
no mention of any McCain supporters.


Well, here's the ' Rest of the Story.'
This from Major General (ret) Buckman:

My niece, Katelyn, stationed at Baluud , Iraq
was assigned, with others of her detachment,
to be escort/guard/ watcher for Martha Raddatz
of ABC News as she covered John McCain's
recent trip to Iraq . Katelyn and her Captain
stood directly behind Raddatz as she queried
GI's walking past. They kept count of the GI's
and you should remember these numbers.

She asked 60 GI's who they planned to vote
for in November. 54 said John McCain, 4 for
Obama and 2 for Hillary.

Katelyn called home and told her Mom and Dad
to watch ABC news the next night because
she was standing directly behind Raddatz and
maybe they'd see her on TV. Mom and Dad of
course, called and emailed all the kinfolk to
watch the newscast and maybe see Katelyn.

Well, of course, we all watched and what we
saw wasn't a glimpse of Katelyn, but got a
heck'uva view of skewed news. After a
dissertation on McCain's trip and speech,
ABC showed 5 GI's being asked by Raddatz
how they were going to vote in November;
3 for Obama and 2 for Clinton . No mention
of the 54 for McCain.

If you don't want to forward this
for fear of offending someone...
YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!
It is Time for America to Speak up!

Joe American Immigration Challange to barack and John

Tommy, a concerned voter, submitted this YouTube Video for me to share. Click on the Title to activate.

Hope you will watch.

Feel free to comment.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

If you are interested in the connection of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the Government, and the impact the Government's decision has in handling this problem, then you may want to read a very good article that explains what's at stake.

Larry Kudlow's, The Saga of Fannie and Freddie, covers it very clearly.

What is your opinion?

Glenn Beck Interviews David Walker

Some bloggers are interested in what David Walker, the former head of the GAO, has to say about the financial affairs of the US.

Glenn Beck Interviewed him Thursday July 17, 2008 on his TV Program. The link to a transcript is below:
Glenn Beck Interview of David Walker:

Glenn has a really good TV show and some great interviews. If you join his club on the web site, I think you can watch the interview.

There are other interviews available at Glenn's site.

How Much Lower Can Congress Go?

For those that don't have time to observe Congress in Action, which is most working voters, you might be interested in what is going on today:

The Senate is discussing a no energy energy bill. Repubs want to drill, Dems block.

The House is discussing a no energy energy bill. Repubs want to drill, Dems block.

House Judiciary Cmte. still holding Detainee Interrogation Rules Hearing with hope of getting headline, or Scapegoat, against the current Administration, even if it helps the enemy and makes it more difficult for those defending our country. Some questions border on exposing on TV Confidential information by Congressional members.

Coming up: Dems Push a New (Wealth Distribution) Stimulus bill.
Homeland Sec. Hearing about border security efforts, or non efforts.

C-Span.org is a tremendous resource. While C-Span covers the House and Senate live any time they are in session on DirectTV, or Dish Network, they also cover on radio, web, or on C-Span3 live hearings. All are important, because it exposes Congress and how they actually spend our money or waste their time at our expense.

Observing the partisanship and slant of some of these hearings often separates the real Blame America First Crowd from those that are working to protect America. Politics or Patriotism? Foresight or Hindsight. Responsible or Irresponsible?

Only 16 Conservative Senate Republicans Left?

Only 16 Republicans opposed global AIDS bill backed by Obama, Soros By Cliff Kincaid, Accuracy in Media as published in WorldTribune.com July 17, 2008.

Diligent voters should contact their Senators to support these 16 Senators who voted against the massive $50 Billion Global AIDS Spending Bill (S. 2731). Hold accountable those voting for the Bill.

IRAQ$'s vs ILLEGAL$'s

The following post by a Concerned Voter was received over the internet for you to consider:
(Please note that some of the links are not current at the time of this posting.)

You think the war in Iraq is costing us too much? Boy, am I confused. I have been hammered with the propaganda that it is the Iraq war and the war on terror that is bankrupting us. I now find that to be RIDICULOUS. I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them. I have included the URL's for verification of all the following facts.

1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens
each year by state governments.
Verify at: http://tinyurl.com/zob77

2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs
such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html

4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school
education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of
English!
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html

5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html 

6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html 

7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare & social services by the American taxpayers.
Verify at: cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.htmlhref

9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html

10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US .
Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html

11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border.
Verify at: Homeland Security Report: http://tinyurl.com/t9sht

12. The National Policy Institute estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.
Verify at: http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf

13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. Verify at: http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm

14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigrati on: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States .
Verify at: http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml

The total cost is a whopping $ 338.3 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

Are we THAT stupid?

Tax Statistics

Summary presentation of July 6 posting submitted by concerned voter:

Taxes.. Whether Democrat or a Republican you will find these statistics enlightening and amazing. www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html

Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008

Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500

Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500

Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000

Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750

Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250

Obama will return to the higher tax rates It is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever. If Obama is elected, he said he will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen. This is like the movie The Sting with Paul Newman; you scam somebody out of some money and they don't even know what happened.

16 Months Later Under the Democrats

Received the following information over the internet: Part 1

In just 16 months. Remember the election in 2006? Thought you might like to read the following:

A little over 16 MONTHS ago:

1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;

2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon;

3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%.

Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:

1) Consumer confidence plummet to the lowest point in over 75 years;

2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $4.50 a gallon;

3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);

4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);

5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;

6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.

America voted for change in 2006, and we got it!

Remember it is Congress that makes laws; not the President. He has to work with what's handed to him.

Quote of the Day........ 'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.'-- Barack Obama

Interesting Sign In Mandeville, LA

Signs sent to me from my friend Bill:

Soros - Pelosi Connection

Letter: Obama-Pelosi push 'fascist economic model'

The connections continue per TCPalm: In 2007, Pelosi hired Onek as her chief counsel. Onek is also the chief adviser for the Open Society Institute, funded by the octopus Soros, whose tentacles extend all over Eastern Europe.

Rohatyn is one of Soros’ tentacles and serves as a major financial backer of Pelosi and is also another of her top economic advisers. He is also head of the Rohatyn-Rudman National Investment Corporation, a Soros holding.

Joseph Onek connection is further supported by Discoverthenetworks.org link and article By John Perazzo.

Who do you believe controls our government?

Tony Snow--A Great American

If you want an example of Who is a Great American, then look no farther, it's Tony Snow.

The only time I met Tony was when a friend of mine and I attended an informal panel of Dallas radio talk show hosts one evening. Tony was both a radio and TV celebrity at the time, and the most well known of all there. During the breaks, the panel would visit with those of us in the crowd.

Tony was different. He made each one he met feel like they were the most important. It wasn't a show with Tony, it was just Tony.

After Tony became Press Secretary, I was thrilled because now I personally had met someone important. But more important I had met someone really Great. I just didn't realize how great.

When Tony left for his cancer treatment I sent him an email of encouragement and told him how much he had impressed me when we met. I was even more convinced when I received the following response on August 10, 2007 which reflects in his own words What is a Great American:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington

Thank you for the wonderful email, and for including me in your
thoughts.

I have gotten hundreds of cards and emails from all over the country,
and I'm amazed and delighted by each and every one. The entire path of
my life over the last few years has taught me a very valuable lesson:
that blessings come in unexpected packages. Although I normally wouldn't
consider cancer a blessing, it has brought forth acts of kindness from
friends and strangers-and helped me understand the real power of
kindness and concern. It is as if I had been hoisted on the shoulders of
others, who have taken up my burden, and raised me up, so I can look at
life from a new and wonderful perspective.

That's one of the great things about being an American: people in this
country just want to do the right thing for others. And having been the
recipient of your kindness, I can assure you that I'm doing everything
in my power to learn from and emulate your example. Little gestures-a
call, an email, even a smile-can have enormous healing power, not just
on the person in need, but the person offering the encouragement. Isn't
it great how we always feel better when we do the right things?

So thank you for strengthening my faith in the things that matter-and
from the bottom of my heart, thanks for taking the time to write to me.

What a great gift!

God bless,

TONY SNOW

BARACK'S WORLD

Anyone interested in the background on Barack Obama can start with the Title Link by DiscoverTheNetworks and find numerous connections of individuals and organizations to give you a look at his associations and activities.

Check the accuracy for yourself.

Feel free to comment with your assessment and views.

Federal Rate Tax Income History

The Tax Foundation shows at a glance The Federal Individual Income Tax Rate History from 1913 to 2008.

Check InfoPlease President to determine who was President at the time.

Check InfoPlease Speaker of the House to determine who was Speaker of the House at the time.

Check InfoPlease Senate Floor Leaders to determine who was majority and minority leader at the time.

The Tax Foundation compares the Tax under Pres. Clinton and Pres. Bush.

TaxFoundation--Who Pays & Who Receives

The following data from the Tax Foundation shows the progressive income distribution for different income levels:

Who Pays Taxes and Who Receives Government Spending?
An Analysis of Federal, State and Local Tax and Spending Distributions, 1991-2004
by Andrew Chamberlain and Gerald Prante

Working Paper No. 1

Abstract
While the U.S. tax system is progressive, the distribution of government spending makes the overall fiscal system more progressive than is apparent from tax distributions alone. Using a microdata model we estimate the distribution of federal, state and local taxes and spending between 1991 and 2004. We find households in the lowest quintile of income received roughly $8.21 in federal, state and local government spending for every dollar of taxes paid in 2004, while households in the middle quintile received $1.30, and households in the top quintile received $0.41. Overall, tax payments exceeded government spending received for the top two quintiles of income, resulting in a net fiscal transfer of between $1.031 trillion and $1.527 trillion between quintiles. Both taxes and spending appear to have large distributional effects on households, and these effects have grown since 1991. The results suggest tax distributions alone are an inadequate measure of progressivity, and policymakers should examine both tax and spending distributions when judging the overall fairness of policy toward income groups.

Read the PDF: Working Paper No. 1

An easy chart to understand is on page 30 of the Working Paper No. 1 above.

Senator Warner--Contact Form

Anyone interested in contacting Sen. Warner regarding the 55 mph speed limit can click on the Title link above.

Perot Charts--Charting Government

Another link submitted by a concerned voter gives additional information for the Voter to focus on the real financial problems facing our country. Keep in mind financial problems in government aren't treated as financial, but political. Keep you eye on the real problem and not be deceived by the misleading Sound Bite.

I found the chart on The Composition of Federal Spending for 2007 interesting. It seems to show that the real Federal expense problem is not Defense, but the rest of Government.

What was the cost to our economy of 911? What cost would there be if we had another 911, or worse? What is the cost of loosing Iraq to Iran, or some other terrorist, or anti US group? How would that compare to the Defense Budget, or some percent of it? How much ethanol do we need to offset the oil loss in Iraq if we surrender? What would that do to our GDP and food prices? Not to mention our reputation and international standing? What would be the value of the $?

Since this chart also shows revenue, I'll try to provide a link to show who pays the revenue in another listing. Do the "wealthy" have enough? Is more Government your solution?

US Government Spending

After the question came up about the cost of Defense Expenditures, I found this fantastic site. While I haven't verified the data, the presentation and access to various presentations is extremely powerful and enlightening.

For example: USGOVERNMENTSPENDING.COM by Christopher Chantrill for 2008 shows that the percent of GDP for Defense is 5.092%, for Pensions is 5.117%, and Health Care is 4.757%.

Now, I'm not the most knowledgeable about the Constitution, but I do remember that the Federal Government has the responsibility for Defense. I don't remember any mention of Pensions and Health Care.

The growing cost of Defense depends on the Enemy, but the growth of Pensions and Health Care depend on Socialistic Governmental attitudes, while the reduction depends on Capitalistic attitudes.

Ask yourself, which expenditure do we have a handle on, and which is paying it's own way? Which is performing and which is a promise to be performed on in the future? Which affects the GDP Growth more?

Blame Defense and you ignore the Real Problem.

4th of July Special Patriotic Favorites

Where else but the United States Marine Band

SEIU,Soros by Democracy 21

Someone mentioned the power of the SEIU. Democracy21 provides more detail in the Title Link about the SEIU and Soros Connection.

Team that with George Soros and what do you have? The Fund for America in 2008, ACT, and The Media Fund until they are converted from 527's to 501's which are harder track.

The same article discusses the Republican Party and their leaders. You can track these if you choose.

CQ Election Map

Click on CQ Election Map above to see the breakdown of the Election Map for the House, Senate, and Governor Races by State/District. You can also view critical states and races.

You can see what's at stake and where something can be done to help.

Do you have any input regarding specific races in your area?