Middle Class Unite!!!!

Middle Class of the United States it is time to unite against the tyranny of the political elite. Right now Congress, the GOP led US House of Representatives and the Democratic led US Senate, are using us as a ping pong ball in their debate on  the fiscal cliff. The "rich" are being asked to "pay their fair share" as our debt that rises above $16 trillion while our yearly budget adds another $1 trillion a year. Increasing the tax rate on the "rich" brings in another $80 billion if the Democrats get their way. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that $80 billion in tax revenue from the "rich" each year doesn't make up for the $1 trillion in extra spending taking place today. Without a balanced budget we will continue to add to the deficit. Without a budget that spend's less then it revenues we will never reduce the $16 trillion debt that has been amassed thus far. 

Where do Americans think the difference will be made up? That's right, the difference will be made up on the backs of the Middle Class. The political elite view the Middle Class as mindless drones; well it is time for that to stop. It is time for the Middle Class to rise up and make their voice heard. Today it is the "rich" paying their fair share and tomorrow it will be the Middle Class "sharing" in the struggle or it will be our "patriotic duty". The GOP and the Democrats play us to score political points knowing that we will do little to threaten their status as the political elite. That time has come to an end. 

Middle Class it is time to shed ourselves of our GOP, Democrat, Tea Party, Coffee Party, Liberal, Conservative, Libertarian and Progressive labels for the label of Middle Class. Other Third Parties have attempted to make headway into the Two Party system but they have too far Right or too far Left. Well, Middle Class America it is our time. The biggest fear of the political elite is that the Middle Class will wake up, step away from the bar stool and think with a clear head about their role in America.

Join me in the formation of a new political party; the Middle Class Party. We need to organize now before the "rich" are no longer around to buffer us from the tax code and the spending glutton of the political elite is extended to the point of no return. The political elite talk about the fiscal cliff and Thelma and Louise. Let's make the fiscal cliff debacle and the debt ceiling debate the two party system Waterloo.

Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB

Rick Santelli: If Not For Tea Party, U.S. Would Be Rated BBB


After Standard & Poors downgraded the United States credit rating from AAA to AA+ figuring pointing was the spin of the day on Sunday and then again on Monday as the NYSE plunged over 600 points. Many Democrats, including Vice President Biden, asserted that the Tea Party held the country "hostage" and acted like "terrorists" when drawing the line in the sand and saying they would not increase the debt ceiling unless real deficit reduction was done. At the eleventh hour Congress cobbled together a debt ceiling increase with cuts to base line increases in budgets going forward while establishing a Super Congress to come up with more cuts to the budget.

Before the Tea Party faction of Congress held the debt ceiling debate "hostage" all three rating agency warned that government had spent to much. Notice one thing missing in the warnings by S&P, Moody's and Fitch - not one said that raising revenue was the issue for downgrades and lowering the outlook for the United States. All three rating agencies are unified that they are worried that spending will continue to outpace revenues resulting in more debt accumulation. The trouble is that 60% of our budget comes in the form of entitlement programs, 20% of the budget is military spending, and the final 20% is everything else. Many have pointed to two wars as the crux to our budget woes.

While that is part of it, the bigger aspect of our budget that we need to address is the growing costs of entitlement programs. Now, we cannot change the game for those near the retirement goal. So what do we do? What proposals are out there to cut the base line spending increases from the budget because even though we reduced the budget for next year we didn't actually cut it. All one has to do is go back and read the bill that was passed. It spells out how we may cut future spending increases which have been touted as spending cuts. Do our elected officials think we are that stupid?

Essentially what they are telling us is: Joe the Car Buyer is looking to purchase a new SUV. Joe the Car Buyer has budgeted $50,000 to purchase that new car. Joe the Car Buyer is on XYZ Car Lot and sees that sticker price for that new SUV is $70,000. After talking with the Sales guy and the Sales manager the final offer from XYZ Cars is $60,000. To get Joe the Car Buyer over the finish line the Sales Manager said that Joe the Car Buyer was actually saving $10,000 even though he had only a budget of $50,000. This is essentially how Congress and the Obama Administration is treating us.

Moody's: Neither debt plan protects the nation's AAA rating - The Hill's On The Money

Moody's: Neither debt plan protects the nation's AAA rating - The Hill's On The Money

In scanning the headline of the major outlets online are all pointing toward talks on the debt ceiling getting "closer". It will be interesting to see what comes out of these talks. As the article says, Moody's is not really concerned about the raising of the debt ceiling nor do we really need to raise the debt ceiling to pay our debt. Actually, not raising the debt ceiling actually is a good thing for America and it's credit rating because the focus going forward will be to reduce the debt in order to pay for other programs involved in the budget. Many are blaming the Tea Party faction of the Republican party since they are unwilling to compromise. I wonder if this same conversation took place when President Lincoln drew the line in the sand on slavery! Sometimes standing your ground is in the best interest of the country and right now that is one of them. We cannot sustain the debt we have so how does it makes sense to raise the debt ceiling?

MLK Day offers more than honoring the man

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" are the words penned by the Founding Fathers in their declaration of severing ties to the King of Great Britain. "I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" is just one aspect of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Today we give honor to the slain Civil Rights leader.

A lot has changed since the Declaration of Independence in America to overcome the inequities that existed at her beginning. One thing that still prevails is the lingering racism and the heated rhetoric that comes with discussing the topic. Many laws have been enacted to ensure equality yet we to more harm than good. The last election cycle saw a shift in the political landscape as Tea Party backed candidates and other Conservatives won at all levels of government in a manner never experienced. Then we had the tragic shooting in Arizona by a deranged mad man to which the airwaves blew up with blame, hate, and ignorant thought. We, as a country, are facing a time where government has grown to large and consumes too much while drifting away from one with "unalienable Rights".

Some see the birth of the Tea Party a direct response to Obama being elected President of the United States while mainstream media has spun it as well. Now, as with all groups, the Tea Party does have its fringe element but their views are not aligned with the base. In fact the Tea Party is not much different than the group Ross Perot attempted to form a decade or so ago. I bring the Tea Party into the conversation because the vitriol that has surrounded the movement does not echo the "Dream" of King or the use of "unalienable Rights" within the Declaration of Independence. President Obama's memorial speech did touch on taking pause and reflection hopefully today we can do more.

Take a moment today to read Dr. King's "Dream" speech and look around your community and see if society is living up to it. As well, read the Declaration of Independence and ask yourself, "Is our current path of government allowing ALL people of the United States the ability to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?"

The Blame Game!!!!!

Arizona was the site of a tragic shooting that killed 6 people and wounded another 14 including a member of Congress. Since the moment it was reported that police had a suspect in custody and his identity was divulged the media frenzy to paint him started. I have been involved in several threads on Facebook attempting to get people to give pause as the Left is trying to blame the assassination attempt on the heated rhetoric from the Right and Tea Party members. A common theme has been the Sarah Palin target map of 20 Congress races. Here is the poster in question:

 

 

The Left is bashing Palin and other members of the Right as being the catalyst for the attack. Now back in 2004 the Democrats put out this poster in their attempt to take back Congress:

 

How are these two maps different? It is not uncommon for politicians to "target" certain campaigns by either party. Why is it okay for Democrats to have such a poster but not for Republicans? We need to take pause and a deep breath before we pass any further judgment. Without doing so we will only continue the heated rhetoric and further inject emotion into a rational discussion of why this event took place. By taking pause does not translate into one condoning the attack or lack the empathy for the families of those affected. While we give pause let's include these families into our prayers and allow the investigation to run its course before accessing blame.

House to read US Constitution makes history!

Tomorrow marks the first day of the new Republican lead House of Representatives and history will be made. For the first time in our history the entire United States Constitution will be read on the House floor. In addition to being read, a new rule will be put into place that will require all bills contain a statement by the author of the bill that cites the constitutional authority "to enact the proposed law". Now, the rule does sound a bit redundant since the oath all members of Congress take is to uphold the Constitution thus it would make sense that all bills written would already follow this unwritten rule.

Tea Party members of Congress are the catalyst behind the rule change and the reading of the Constitution tomorrow. I wonder how many of those elected to Congress have themselves read the Constitution. Kevin Gutzman, history professor at Western Connecticut State University, sees the reading as "entirely cosmetic" and believes, "This is the way the establishment handles grassroots movements. They humor people who are not expert or not fully cognizant. And then once they've humored them and those people go away, it's right back to business as usual. It looks like this will be business as usual – except for the half-hour or however long it takes to read the Constitution out loud" (http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/112756494.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUvDEhiaE3miUsZ). Professor Gutzman may be correct because we have already seen the Republicans, during the lame duck session, cave on UE benefit extensions and START Treaty.

Akhil Reed Amar suggested, "Heck, I'll do them one better. Why only once in January? Why not once every week?" Mr. Amar is a constitutional scholar at Yale Law School. I agree with Amar that perhaps the Constitution needs to be read more often and possibly even debated a bit to make all aware. Has Congress and the rest of the Federal Government moved itself away from the Constitution? Or is this merely "cosmetic" with no real grit? I will be doing my civic duty when I am sworn in at Hamburg City Council member tomorrow and will be attending a two-day crash course on municipal governance later in the month.

Tea Party: Racists or Diverse?

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/107001988.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

Since the rise of the Tea Party the accusations flew about their racist and bigoted thoughts. At every turn the Liberal media and pundits attempted to paint all Tea Party goers as angry, white, middle aged men. While there was a fringe group that joined the fray for a chance to vent their anger against a black president, the majority of them were just fed up with over taxation, deficit spending, loss of freedoms and the arrogance of a growing central government.

Democrats did their best efforts to put a face on their liberal agenda with Obama because it offered them the opportunity to paint the GOP as the Party of "Fat Cat" white guys. Unfortunately, the Democrats didn't realize the ground swell of fiscal Conservatism that existed in America. Personally, I wished the Tea Party movement had started during the 2010 Primary season to avoid the racist, angry, white man moniker the Left has attempted to paint them.

As the article points out, the Tea Party backed candidates are more diverse then what the media leads on. Probably the biggest Tea Party backed candidate is Marco Rubio and he is a Latino. It will be interesting if the Congressional Black Caucus will offer an invitation to the newly elected black Congressman that are cloaked in the GOP.

Pledge to America or Hope and Change: Which will get America back on track?

The GOP launched their Pledge To America (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/GOP_pledge_09222010.pdf) in an attempt to win back Congress. Take a moment and read it for yourself to determine if the message that is being sent is what is being portrayed in the media. Based on my understanding of the "Pledge" here is what I took away from it.

A plan to create jobs, end economic uncertainty, and make America more competitive

• Permanently stop job-killing tax hikes
  
• Small business that create jobs will get a 20 percent tax deduction
  
• Require Congressional approval of any new federal regulation
  
• Repeal small business mandates passed via the health care law
  

A plan to stop out-of-control spending and reduce the size of government

• Roll back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels – estimated savings $100 billion in year one
  
• Cut Congress' budgets, establish strict budget caps, net hiring freeze, review government programs for redundancy and duplication
  
• Reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
  
• Safe guard entitlement programs for seniors and future generations
  

A plan to repeal and replace the government takeover of health care

• Allow Inter-state purchasing of health care coverage
  
• Enact real medical liability reform
  
• Give small business greater purchasing power
  
• Create new incentives to save for future health requirements
  
• Codify the Hyde Amendment
  
• Ensure people with pre-existing conditions can get coverage
  
• End taxpayer funding of abortion
  

A plan to reform Congress and restore trust

• Require every bill to contain Constitutional citation
  
• Allow all Americans to read the bill for at least three days prior to vote
  
• Cut out unnecessary spending
  

A plan to keep our nation secure at home and abroad

• Fully fund a missile defense
  
• Enforce sanctions on Iran
  
• Keep terrorist combatants at Guantanamo Bay
  
• Ensure federal government fulfills its constitutional duty to protect citizens through enforce of border security
  

After the Pledge to America was unveiled I received the following retort from the Democrat Party.

Chris -- 

Yesterday morning, Republicans unveiled their plan for governing -- their Pledge to America.

They're pledging to cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires.

They're pledging to roll back regulations on big oil and Wall Street.

They're pledging to strike down rules reining in the credit card lenders and the insurance companies.

They're pledging to increase the deficit by trillions of dollars.

Their agenda is a windfall for the folks spending millions to put them back in power -- the lobbyists, the big corporations, and the special interests.

We're not sitting by watching this scheme become a reality. Our plan to win this fall is as different from that of the GOP as our agenda for the country.

We've got organizers on the ground in every state, working with campaigns and volunteers to coordinate an unprecedented voter-turnout operation.

We're knocking on thousands of doors and making millions of calls to get our voters out to the polls.

We pay for this work with our By the People Fund -- and we're trying to reach 3 million grassroots donations through the course of this campaign.

To stay on pace, we need 5,241 donations by the end of the week.

Can you chip in $5 or more to help us meet our goal?

This Republican Pledge to America is nothing new. Even John Boehner said, "We are not going to be any different than we've been."

They're offering up the very same agenda that put us on a path to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

That means they're not prepared to discuss protecting Social Security and Medicare.

They have no plan for education or teachers.

They offer up no solutions to the outsourcing of American jobs.

They lay out no plans to invest in key industries like clean energy and manufacturing.

They don't talk about rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, and railways.

With your help, we can send the Republicans back to the drawing board.

Together, we'll make sure the country never returns to the failed policies of the past. But that means moving forward with our plan to win the 2010 elections.

Please support the By the People Fund today:

http://my.democrats.org/BTPDeadline

Thanks,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

 

Regardless of the results in November, one thing that will not change is both major parties got us in this mess. How can we trust either party to move the country forward? We know the current regime running record deficits with no end in sight while the other party had an opportunity to be fiscally conservative but failed us during the Bush era. What do we do as Americans? Where do we turn?

A question from the flight home

Dedicated readers of the blog I apologize for my tardiness this week in posting something to discuss. I had planned to compose an entry prior to leaving last Sunday for sunny Tempe, Arizona but time got away from me. The training I was involved in was intense and long which left little time to analyze the events of the day or meet up with those of my friends in Arizona.

On the flight back, which was really bumping when we were on approach to MPS, I had several conversations. An interesting question was posed during the conversation though and I want to see how others may respond prior to getting on my soap box.

Does the lack of a clear National message from the Tea Party regulate them to a blip on the radar? Or because they lack a clear National message they represent the truest form of grassroots campaigning?

Free Speech?

The above billboard appeared in Mason City, Iowa and compares Obama to Hitler and Stalin. Now flash back to when Bush was in office and the following sign was held at a protest rally of Iraq war.

Both signs draw comparisons between sitting presidents and Hitler; yet one is blasted as racism while the other is lauded as free speech. Are both displays of free speech? What makes the comparison of Obama to Hitler racist? Plus, what is the fascination of comparing our President with Hitler? Is the current comparison to invoke Hitler's spirit for economic development? Hitler too did inherit a severe, actually more severe than Obama's claim, and brought Germany sustained economic growth until the Nazi Party crafted the "Final Solution" and sought out more land from neighboring countries. While the White House has held off comment to the recent billboard its owner, Kent Beatty, sees the billboard as "freedom of speech" but back peddled a bit by saying, "It doesn't reflect our views, necessarily" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100713/ap_on_re_us/us_iowa_obama_billboard_3).

Which brings back up the question: Does the comparison of Obama to Hitler represent free speech or racism in action? How does it differ between comparing Bush and Hitler?

Why another $50 billion, Mr. Obama?

The Coast Guard has given BP a 48 hour mandate to show improvement or else. Not sure what that or else will be. At the same time President Obama is pushing congressional leaders to pass additional $50B to assist states and local governments. The additional money will be used to keep layoffs of teachers, police and firefighters. I know when the original stimulus bill was passed many, including myself, warned that it was a temporary fix. When will the Obama administration understand that government spending will not bring us out of the recession?

Government needs to re-prioritize their goals. Hamburg faced a threat of losing Local Government Assistance (LGA) from the state of Minnesota in order to balance the budget. After the dust settled, Hamburg did see a cut in LGA funds but not as deep as originally anticipated. The ripple effect we experience is that local governments have become dependent on LGA, the state government dependant on Federal handouts, and where does that leave the Federal government?

I know that people rail against the TEA Party movement for their demands of smaller government. The extra money that Obama is looking for is the exact reason why TEA Party supporters are demanding smaller government. Now, smaller government does not have to mean less government; rather it means smarter government. We cannot sustain the trajectory of government employment, we cannot sustain the trajectory of spending that we have seen over the past four year, and we cannot sustain the trajectory of lost freedoms in a free society. Congress is correct to ignore the extra money Obama is requesting of them. The United States cannot continue to bailout poor financial decisions of all levels of government. Hard choices need to be made and it is time for Americans to demand that of government at every level.

Political Reform that makes sense

Today is a mini-Super Tuesday as many key primaries and vacancy votes will take place. The other day Kevin, poster on the blog, pointed out "Division is the single greatest problem this nation has but I don't see it changing anytime soon. Especially with movements like the "tea party" in play. They bring only negativity and disdain for the system to a process already flawed." I agree with Kevin that our political system is flawed and has created an oligarchy. I do disagree with movements like "tea" or "coffee" parties only bring negativity and disdain. It is true that the media is hyping the negative and polarizing sides of the message and the leaders, which there are no claim of one, have not been on message to combat the media.

We need more political participation by normal citizens in the United States. We need to allow all "parties" an equal shot at the ballot box. Many third party attempts have been made and failed miserably over the years largely in part to the lack of monetary support. That is where our system is flawed and broken. If people want to form parties and do fundraising more power to them but when it comes to the general election we need to do two things. First, we need to eliminate all private money from being used to campaign for or against a candidate. Secondly, we need to shrink the campaign season down to two months.

Obviously each State can establish their particular rules for the game but when it comes to our national election we need one standard. As I said, allow the Parties to run their primaries how they see fit but when each Party has determined their Presidential candidate then the following process takes over. All Parties will be required to have their Presidential candidate to be named and submitted to the election committee by September 5^th. Once the election committee has all the Presidential candidate names they will be posted online and be given a brief paragraph to introduce their candidate. Between September 5^th and election day in November four debates will take place with all candidates. The debates will be aired on public television so all will have access to viewing. All campaigns will be given $500,000 to run ads and cover expenses.

I understand that getting this type of reform through Congress is virtually impossible because it would upset the apple cart in a big way. There were obscene amounts of money being raised and evidence of that was during the last Presidential race with both major Parties raising record amounts. Imagine how much charity deeds could be done if the millions of dollars raised for campaigns went elsewhere.

Tax Day Rallies; What will be tomorrow’s headline?

Today is April 15^th. Have you filed your taxes? The bigger story today will be the millions attending Tea Party rallies around the United States. In Minnesota there will be 8 or 9 rallies with the largest one likely to be in St. Paul. I understand that many have formed their opinion of the Tea Party movement by what they gleam from MSNBC, CNN, ABC or other media outlets. I challenge everyone to make your own mind up by attending a rally today. Do not let the media through their slant or bias taint your understanding of the Tea Party movement.

The powers that be in the United States are using us as pawns in their game of power and see the Tea Party movement as another means. Groups on the Left will be attending the Tea Party rallies today to disrupt the rallies and attempt to blend themselves into the group in order to get sound bites for the mass media. This is not to say that a fringe element within the Tea Party muffles the message as the mass media has focused on them instead of the core.

Our 1^st Amendment right of freedom of assembly will be tested today as well. I am sure there will be counter rallies to the Tea Party as well. Although last year there was one in St. Paul that had a total of five people. No matter what side of the debate one is on, we can all agree that our current government is heading us to the cliff. The CBO has reported that our current spending is unsustainable and will lead to deficits unseen. So, get out there and have your voice heard. Be part of the action instead of having it reported to you. See with your own eyes and hear with your own ears as to the message being sent forth by the Tea Party. I do not expect anyone to agree with all their points but at least one will be able to hear them unfiltered.

Recent Polling finds more than Neo-Con’s within the Tea Party Movement

For the past year I have heard to mantra of racism, bigotry, and right-wing extremist tied to the Tea Party movement. When I have asked those espousing the mantra about the source of their conclusions very few are from firsthand accounts of the Tea Party events. I witnessed one such Tea Party event last year in St. Paul and even blogged about it. While I agree with many points the Tea Party movement was pushing that day, I did not enlist as my independent spirit still struggles with party affiliation. This morning as the kids were reading themselves for school and while watching Morning Joe I came across and interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about the a recent poll conducted.

The LA Times reported that Tea Party members "are average Americans, 41% are Democrats, independents" (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/04/tea-party-obama.html). The ironic part of the poll results is that it runs contrary to the mantra being drummed up by the mass media and Progressives as to who "belongs" to the Tea Party. It was a series of three national phone surveys done yesterday that resulted in 17% of those polled identified themselves "part of the Tea Party movement."

Could it be true that the Tea Party is actually comprised of average Americans just fed up with the growing size of government, rising debt, the absence of fiscal responsibility in Washington, and the threat of increasing taxes? According to the LA Times article the breakdown was "28% independent, 17% Democrat and only 57% Republican." Gallup's Lydia Sadd wrote, "[Tea Party members] age, educational background, employment status, and race – Tea Partiers are quite representative of the public at large." What I am curious about is how many people polled on Sunday identified themselves as Coffee Party members. The fact that 41% of those identifying themselves part of the Tea Party movement raised concern for both major parties as the mid-term elections draw near. Could a third party emerge in November? Will the Tea Party folks be the swing group? Or will the demonizing of the Tea Party continue? Will they continue to be painted by the mantra even though more and more independent and Democrat minded folks are joining?

What are you drinking?

Gridlock in Washington D.C. due to partisan politics is strangling, polarizing and leading our great country down a slope of fiscal irresponsibility toward bankruptcy. For the past three decades, or so, we have seen the size and scope of the Federal Government grow while placing unfunded burdens on the shoulder of the States. After the historic election of Sen. Obama, as the United States first mulatto president, a movement started to take hold. That movement has become to be known as the Tea Party movement. Criticism has been heaved upon this group as a bunch of redneck bigots that only protest the President because he is black. According to Tea Party Patriot website (www.teapartypatriots.org) the mission is:

    The impetus for the Tea Party movement is excessive government spending and taxation. Our mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow citizens to secure public policy consistent with our three core values of Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets.

There philosophy is:

    Tea Party Patriots, Inc. as an organization believes in the Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets. Tea Party Patriots, Inc. is a non-partisan grassroots organization of individuals united by our core values derived from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill Of Rights as explained in the Federalist Papers. We recognize and support the strength of grassroots organization powered by activism and civic responsibility at a local level. We hold that the United States is a republic conceived by its architects as a nation whose people were granted "unalienable rights" by our Creator. Chiefly among these are the rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Tea Party Patriots stand with our founders, as heirs to the republic, to claim our rights and duties which preserve their legacy and our own. We hold, as did the founders, that there exists an inherent benefit to our country when private property and prosperity are secured by natural law and the rights of the individual.

Recently a new group of people feeling alienated by the Tea Party movement has sprung up. The new movement is called the Coffee Party. The Coffee Party (http://coffeepartyusa.com) mission is:

    The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.

Both Parties claim to be independent, non-partisan and diverse. The grassroots mantra is being heralded by both parties but a quick Google search finds only one website for the Coffee party and over 30 sites for the Tea Party movement. Regardless if you consider yourself a Tea, Coffee, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist, or Libertarian Party member an intriguing change on the political landscape is before us and threatens the Two-Party system. Listening to the pundits, left and right, a common fear grips them all with Americans gravitating towards a third party concept; competition. The right is afraid that too many Conservatives will vote for a non-Republican endorsed candidates while the left is concerned that Progressives (Liberals) will vote for a non-Democrat endorsed candidates.

The Tea and Coffee Party members are bringing to light that a serious third party movement can really take hold and gain traction? The bums in office now, and in the past three decades, have done little but their own re-election needs ahead of America by contending that putting America further into debt and making us all slaves to the notion that Big Government is in our best interest. Much to their chagrin Americans have become dependent, almost co-dependent, on the Federal Government to solve our ills. We want cheaper health care so we turn to the Government, we want assistance from losing our job so we turn to Government, we want to marry whom we choose so we turn to Government, etc…Have we not learned one thing as Americans from turning to the Government?

Turning to the Government for all the answers only creates more problems because those in Government cannot agree on which freedoms to restrict or who should pay. I know I invoke our Founding Fathers a lot but I believe they set the ground work for one of the most envious forms of Government the world has seen. Democracy does come with a price but Big Government is not the price we should be paying. Again I ask, is it time for a new bold approach to Government that the Tea and Coffee Party organizers are trying to tap? Is it time for the Republicans and Democrats to graciously step aside and allow everyday citizens to represent Americans again? A mistake we have made is to make Government a full-time job.

Are you for the status quo – Republican or Democrat Party – or are you drinking something different?

What I missed today on Haiti discussion on Facebook while passing my series 66 today!!!

What a day today. I had a number of personal things to take care of and that is why my entry is tardy. The big news of the day is that I passed my Series 66 and will be heading off to the sunny skies of Arizona shortly for a week of learning with my new employer. While I was running about today, a great discussion was taking place on the blog entry about Haiti on Facebook. I warned the group there that I was going to life the conversation for my blog entry today. I am eager to see what readers of the blog think of the conversation from Facebook. Hopefully we will get some crossover as well. Well here we go: (***small disclaimer: Some responses contain explicatives****)

TP said:

 

I find your article incredibly troubling.

 

I said:

What are you finding troubling? The Tea Party movement, while a few carried questionable placards, the overriding theme, at least what I saw and heard, was one of frustration with out of control spending, taxes, and the growing of government. The speakers at Minneapolis were not all bashing Obama, Progressives or Democrats. In fact many acknowledged that the Republican Party and Bush had lost their way by casting aside conservative values for reckless and progressive spending ideals.

So I ask you what do you find troubling about my blog entry?

TP said:

I don't give a damn what they were upset about. They never protested Bush spending did they? Sorry your supporting racists with a wink and an "oh well". For you to ask what I find troubling amazes me & shows an insensitivity which I don't tolerate. You blog about Reid then support this shit. BTW do you even know constitutional history & what the constitutional convention goals were or the context in which the convention was called? The White supremeists were there just like at that rally of deception.

 

TP continued:

 

What progressive spending ideals Education? Welfare? Health care for all (which I assume you're against). Don't believe in community do U? To call Bush policies progressives I'm afraid makes you lose credibility to me. You're using BS as an undercurrent to link Bush to Progressives & not fascism? You may not do well w/ the Buddhist w/ your take on "... See more conventional wisdom". If my Grandparents woulda seen that Tea Bagger shit Grandpa would've shot em just like he did the KKK. Do you really believe Black folk wouldn't be outraged?

 

To which I asked:

 

Did you read my blog entry from April on what I saw in Minneapolis?

 

And I added:

 

Plus I am not a socialist. I do believe in the importance of community as well as the limitations of it as well.

 

KH said:

 

Chris, I think Tony does have a point about the racist undertones of the "Tea bagger" party movement.

 

I see clear undercurrents of hypocrisy, false indignation and in my honest opinion racism in the tea bagger movement based upon their behavior and "Johnny come lately" movement towards "fiscal discipline" and belief in upholding the constitution.

 

Please where were they for the last 8 years when Patriot act was passed stripping American's of their constitutional rights? Where were they when the prescription drug plan was passed without even an attempt at paying for it within the bill?... See More

 

What has changed since those things happened? Oh that's right; the tea baggers party (republicans) lost the house, senate and presidency to a black man and his ilk. I don't like Obama or the Democrats any more than the Republicans but when something stinks in Denmark, it should be called for the pile of shit that it is. And the tea baggers aren't angry over government spending, that's just an excuse. They angry that they are feeling disenfranchised and inconsequential for the first time in their privileged white skinned, middle class lives.

 

Personally, I find them all hypocrites, fear mongers, racists and demagogues. But if the party they represent isn't careful and find a way to be inclusive of minorities it will find itself more and more marginalized in the future.

 

The days of white America dominating social and political culture in this nation are fast coming to an end. Don't believe me? Just ask the people of Atlanta when they last had a white mayor? The 2010 census will shock whites.....and probably drive quite a few to racist groups out of fear. I'm sure the tea party will be standing there with open arms to greet them.

 

KH added:

 

To your articles point though, I really do like that the president took a stand quickly and tried to show America as a leader and show the true American spirit to the world.

 

What won us so many friends through our existence was the fact that we, the American people, always tried to be there for others in the world when they were in need. The goodwill this generated benefited us for decades after the acts occurred.

 

We are the richest and most powerful nation on earth. If we stood by and did nothing when another nation, especially a neighbor so close to us, suffers - what does that say about us? ... See More

 

And the people trying to score political points off of this tragedy are the worst of us. They bring us all down from the heights we are capable of and diminish our acts of kindness and generosity.

 

To which I responded:

 

I do acknowledge that the conservative voice lost its bite and blindly followed bush. And that is why I think the tea party movement started. Perhaps I am naïve but I attempt to look at the movement as a group of people fed up with out of control government regardless if a democrat or republican is in office.

 

KH responded:

 

Chris, the government was out of control for years. NEVER during that 8 years did these same people speak up and cry foul. So that begs the question what changed? As I said above, it's a black man and his ilk sitting in "THEIR" seat of power. Remember that the tea party movement is nearly 100% white, middle class and Republican.

 

Their sudden discovery of small government, fiscal discipline and defense of the constitution stinks of the shit that is political opportunism, not truly deep seated beliefs in these ideals.

 

I say this rather confidently because the talking heads that appear on TV supporting this movement are clearly visible during the Bush years supporting the very ideals that they now cry foul over.... See More

 

So, I'm sorry to say but, I believe you are being naive. There may be some people like yourself who truly believe these things in the movement - but your leadership does not. They will use you for the pack mules that they see you to be moving their political baggage to the next convenient party message and dump you when you become inconvenient.

 

TP responded:

 

Do you even know what a socialist is? Answer my questions about constitutional history? Do you know it or do u just do one line disclaimers to obfuscate your right-wing manipulative over simplifications? The Mpls Tea Party was put together by the friggin PATRIOT CHANNEL SCUM!! The other TParties were organized by the same people who rented the ... See More busses for the invasion of Florida so that the recount of 2000 would be disrupted long enough for the Supreme Court to steal the election. And in doing so cover up the violations against Blacks in ref to the Voting Rights Act & the Civil Rights Act. Do you know the history behind the reason for the founding of the court? Kevin what the USA is giving for Haiti is a fraction of what we owe them, Cubans, Mexico & all of Latin America for the EXTREME human rights violations,& pilferage committed by us against them over the past 2 centuries plus(read "THy Will Be Done").How about honoring Treaty Rights right here in the good ole boy USA? I do not see the largesse u do. BTW we give less to the needy of the world (who we continue to rape) per GNP than any other country in the world. Chris: When the all White T bggrs close their eyes & sing about taking their country back they are telling me FUCK YOU & u know what all I got to say is FUCK YOU BACK!!!

 

TP added:

 

BTW the only limitations of Community are that capitalized sociopaths cannot act in their own eschatologically fatalistic individual self interest at the expense of human freedom. Like destroying our natural right to free & equal access to clean Land, clean Air & clean Water. These bastards oppress the many for the profit of the few in order to produce more capital, which in the end is artificial POWER and a license to enslave, rape, napalm, torture & kill to protect "their property"

 

KH responded with:

 

Ok, for the record, the election in 2000 was not stolen. That implies that it was Al Gore's win based upon facts not in record and the Supreme Court overturned those facts in favor of a politically expedient resolution. Since we do not know for a fact that Florida was won by Al Gore, thus giving him the Electoral College votes to be president (in part because the Supreme Court stopped the counts mind you) it's impossible to say that the election was stolen. It was however settled through less than constitutional means via the Supreme Court which IMO overstepped their authority in electoral issues.

 

But the past is the past. Dwelling on a result you disliked doesn't change that result.

 

Tony, I have no problem giving Haiti anything, but remember it was France that "raped" that country not the US. Also, to claim reparations one must have a valid claim of harm being done to you personally not via some historical grievance of generations gone by. I'm all for fixing the social injustices of the past, but wealth re-distribution is not the solution because it's analogous to giving a homeless person a winning lottery ticket without the skills to manage those newly won resources. Without those skills the winnings are squandered and they are soon back where they started. Enabling those who were wronged to earn their own wealth through improvements in their economy, society, culture and political systems are the true gifts we can give them and they will generate returns on investment for centuries to come.... See More

 

But to say that we owe them for wrongs of a generation or more ago is where I say "I personally did you no wrong, therefore I owe you nothing". But I am still generous enough in spirit to give of my own free will because I would hope they'd do the same in my shoes. But I don't owe that to them - it's called being altruistic and charitable.

 

TP responded with:

 

Read Greg Pallast and others. They Robbed the election the good ole fashioned plausibly deniable Southern way, they nullified the Black vote in the state that the redneck Texan has a redneck brother. Oh gee do you want to buy some swamp land in the Arctic? The Supreme Court ordered the state of Florida to stop the recount. That was unprecedented ... See More but the real story that the Corporate media never told was the computer voter fraud or the coercive forces unleashed to turn Blacks away from the polls. So sorry thats a GD theft!!& No one said a word. The Cong Black Caucus walked out on Bush being declared winner for that reason.

 

KH responded with:

 

Again theft implies that Al Gore was president legally and that it was taken from him illegally. At no time was he declared victor via the Electoral College and at no time did he hold the votes necessary to make that claim prior to it being declared either. Therefore it was merely a judgment that you disagree with because of your political leanings - not theft which implies something criminal.

 

I've read plenty from all sides regarding this issue and the point I make is completely valid still. The assertions you are making are suppositions, innuendo and inferences, not facts. Facts are things we can prove, not things we believe to be true. The fact is that the Supreme Court likely overstepped its authority in stopping the election recounts in Florida. That is likely a fact. The fact is that when this occurred, it implicitly awarded the election to GWB because he held more Electoral College votes than Gore.

 

All the rest has yet to be proven as fact and is merely assumed, surmised, implied or inferred to have happened. If its fact and you have evidence to that effect, then a class action lawsuit should be brought on behalf of the disenfranchised voters in a court of law. The fact that this hasn't happened tells me that this isn't the case so yell, scream and bluster all you want of "theft" that doesn't make it so.... See More

 

If all you have are the "facts" that cannot be verified, proven or otherwise become evidence based upon reasonable legal standard then they are not fact. They are suppositions and that's all they are.

 

By the way, screaming, using sarcasm and ad hominem statements because you feel people were somehow wronged or because you feel we're not smart enough to see your point only makes your point that much less valid in my opinion. People should be capable of discussing a subject and agreeing to disagree in an agreeable manner. If you can't do that, your point loses any value to those around you that you are trying to influence

 

TP responded with:

 

Does "less than constitutional" mean unconstitutional & if it does (it does) then it was taken illegally. "STOLEN" is an appropriate word. Read Haitian history about 19th century American involvement I don't want to hear what you believe about historical facts tell me what you know. Right now your 0 for 1.I love it when White people jack you take ... See More control then claim you aint got the experience to run anything yourself. Haiti was doing just fine in recovering her national life w/Aristide & then we over threw him not once but twice. & now they are not even allowed to grow rice because the WTO has forced Haiti to accept cheap GM rice grown cheaper than the Haitians can grow it &forced on to that market thru shere gangsterism just like in Ethiopia. Just like what NAFTA did to Mexico. I love it when white folks have someone else's shit & then refuse to even consider sharing it because your Grand Daddy took it. There is no statute of limitations on crimes against humanity. You want to support social justice "your way" we don't count because in the end we gotta take whatever bone you throw. How long do you think we as aspecies can survive with that kind of attitude? We as a species are dying & we need cooperation not the paternalistic bullshit I just heard I just get so sad hearing decent people like you talk with no clue to the real meaning to your words.

 

KH ended with:

 

How quaint that you cling to the constitution with your hands in a vain attempt to justify Gore's presidency and at the same time trample it with your feet by claiming that reparations are due to those who were not wronged and should be paid by people who did not wrong them.

 

To address your points.

 

Show me where in the constitution or in the annals of US law where the Judicial decision in 2000 was an illegal act?... See More

 

Unprecedented? Yes. But so was Roe V. Wade, is that illegal? The Supreme Court sets precedent every day with their decisions effectively enacting law through their constitutional powers. Constitutional scholars still argue over the legitimacy of the 2000 election decision and rightly so as the constitution DOES NOT ADDRESS IT DIRECTLY. Therefore their decision is based upon things they infer from the verbiage within that document.

 

Second, there is a statute of limitations on "crimes against humanity" and that limitation is the death of those responsible. Your stance begs the question; do you hold the African leaders equally responsible for the failures of their tribal ancestors who sold their people into slavery for profit? Where does it end or is this just about getting yours from the "white man" for perceived/actual wrongs of centuries past?

 

I'll leave you with a question because I see this discussion going nowhere because you continue to resort to ad hominem statements rather than reasonable discourse.

 

If you truly hate this nation the way it sounds like you do, I'd ask why you don't leave it? What keeps you here? Is it the privileges you enjoy that were guaranteed by generations of white "grand daddy's" throughout the last 250 years?

 

If that the case, then in my honest opinion, that's the reparations that you and your ilk cry so badly for. 250 years of sacrifice in defense of an ideology that you hold in contempt but still take advantage of. Perhaps you should contemplate that and think about whether a "thank you" is owed to them as much as you feel they owe you something for the mistakes they made?

 

Just some food for thought.

Race for Governor of Minnesota has started!!!

Gov. Pawlenty announced several weeks ago that he will not seek another term as Governor of Minnesota. Although the election is 17 months away, many are starting to line up for their party nomination. With a wide open field and several of candidates to choose from, my neighbor and I decided to hear what one of those candidates had to say first hand.

Last night at the Chanhassen American Legion, Rep. Paul Kohls held a kick off meeting for his campaign to become the next Governor of Minnesota. Mr. Kohls spoke for about a hour on what it will take to win the nomination and the Governorship, gave insight into his position and character, and finally asked for support of those in the room. Back in April at the Tea Party held at Capitol, Chris Baker challenged the crowd to not end their participation in the process with the Tea Party gathering.

I took that personally which was part of the reason why I attended the meeting last night. Rep. Kohls has been out to Hamburg to hear the biggest issue facing the city. In fielding questions from the City Council and the general public, he didn't use vague terms or political talk when answering the concerns. Since that meeting, I have corresponded with Rep. Kohls to gain greater understanding of his stance on issues that concern me the most.

During the meeting last night many questions were asked but I still left the meeting with a few questions unanswered. I did leave my questions for Rep. Kohls and look forward to hearing his responses. As an Independent, I will find a candidate to support that best fits my core ideals. From my conversations with Rep. Kohls and observations from his website, my support is leaning his way.

That is my challenge to all that read my blog. Find a candidate that represents your ideals best. While there will be several candidates vying for your vote for Governor, take a moment to visit each of their websites to learn more about them. One can start by visiting www.kohlsforgovernor.com

Minnesota Tea Party: Right-Wing or American Issue

April 15th is a day that every American dreads as the preparation of tax forms are finalized and sent in to the IRS. In St. Paul additional activities took place on the steps of the Minnesota State Capital building. Exercising the right to assembly, nearly 10,000 people assemble to mark April 15th with a “Tea Party”. The crowd began to gather around 2:30 pm and stayed until well past 8:00 pm. Prior to the kick off by Master of Ceremony Sue Jeffers; several conversations took place from excessive taxation to the mounting debt that will burden future generations of Americans.

Many came armed with signs, slogans, and cloaked in garb from 1773. Below are several signs being carried:




Even an Anti-Bush Sign presented itself.



The crowd was reported at the rally to be near 10,000 while Star Tribune reports only 2000 people showed and the Minnesota Tea Party site reported 7500. The true count is probably somewhere in between. The vast majority of crowd was white and was a strong mix between men and women. In an unofficial straw poll of mine (125 people), 80% of the group voted for McCain and 15% voted for Obama. 10% of the group was liberal. 25% of those asked were at their first rally. The oldest person found was 82 year old while the youngest was a two year old.

Here are some pictures from the crowd:



Several speakers spoke over an hour and half ending with KTLK Radio show host Chris Baker. Jim Schottmuller, 2008 Ramsey County Commissioner candidate, said during his speech the he was called to action after learning of a vote by Ramsey County Commissioners panel of a 25% pay raise to an annual income of $80,000. Mr. Schottmuller challenged the crowd to not stop with the Minnesota Tea Party but to run for office, be an activist, and/or freedom. The continuation of the grassroots campaign of the Tea Party was echoed throughout the speakers. A website has been established to continue the campaign as well. http://www.aftertheteapary.com/.

Other speakers were Scott Nehring (average citizen), John Salsbury (Constitution Party of Minnesota Veterans Coalition Co-Chairman), Stephen Parente (PhD economist), Barb Davis White (conservative African-American), Twila Brase (health care rights advocate), Harold Hamilton (Anoka County watchdog), Dave Thompson (KSTP radio talk show host), and Bill Jungbauer (2010 State Senate candidate). Full transcripts of what all speakers said can be seen at http://www.teapartymn.com/.

The crowd was very interactive with shoots of support and wit. Chants of U.S.A broke out after Jim Schottmuller spoke. No clashed took place. No burning of cars or breaking of glass took place. The crowd was respectful of each other’s point of view and at one point a man’s wedding ring was turned in. The gentleman who lost his ring did say a few words upon retrieving it and thank the crowd. The reason given for the lost ring is the gentleman has been losing weight.

Chris Baker ended the speeches by inviting everyone to the annual May 2nd anti-tax rally.

"Tea Parties" across America

Today across the United States “Tea Parties” will be held to get out the message out against higher taxes and the expansion of Government. I will be partaking in one being held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Many in the drive-by media are touting the “Tea Parties” as a Republican and Right-wing rallies. Simply put, it is not true. Granted lower taxes and smaller Government equates to Conservative and Republican slants much like higher taxes, bigger Government, and expansive spending equates to Liberal and Democrat slants.

My participation in the “Tea Party” rally is to get a firsthand account of the issue at hand. Tax overhaul is required. Regardless of your party affiliation or ideological stance, I encourage everyone to attend and not allow the media put their spin on the rallies. As our Founding Fathers did, participate and create your own spin while holding Government accountable.