"The priorities of America are wrong. The nation and animal-rights groups are beside themselves because a few dogs have been mistreated and destroyed, yet these same people and activist groups support and advocate the slaughter of unborn children."
This declaration can be found in the midst of his firey commentary. The title says it eloquently.
Read the rest of the story."Ever since Connecticut Democrats refused to back him for a fourth term in Congress, Joe Lieberman has been burnishing his independent credentials in the narrowly divided Senate while becoming increasingly critical of the Democratic Party on the war in Iraq.
Lieberman, the Democrats’ 2000 vice presidential nominee, insists he is not actively considering joining the Republican Party. But he is keeping that possibility wide open as his disenchantment grows with Democratic leaders. The main sticking points are their attempts to end the war in Iraq and their hesitation to take a harder line against Iran.
"I think either [Democrats] are, in my opinion, respectfully, naive in thinking we can somehow defeat this enemy with talk, or they’re simply hesitant to use American power, including military power," Lieberman said in a wide-ranging interview with The Hill."
When Republicans win elections, liberals are quick to cry fraud. But when actual fraud is found, they are just as quick to deny it, if Democrats are the ones who benefit....Last week Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee chairman, claimed that the administration fired eight U.S. attorneys last year in order to pressure prosecutors "to bring cases of voter fraud to try to influence elections."
Get the rest of his commentary here.
The Dems always want it both ways no matter what the issue is.
"Everyone recognizes today we are in the midst of a media revolution.
But has anyone considered when that revolution began? What was the opening salvo? What event triggered the amazing communications explosion we are witnessing?
I think I know the precise day "the New Media revolution" was born – and, no, it was not the date Al Gore invented the Internet.
Specifically, it was Aug. 4, 1987 – 20 years ago this Saturday."
Sex for the motherland: Russian youths encouraged to procreate at camp
By EDWARD LUCAS
The rest of the article is about fascist control being exerted again in Russia."Remember the mammoths, say the clean-cut organisers at the youth camp's mass wedding. "They became extinct because they did not have enough sex. That must not happen to Russia".
Obediently, couples move to a special section of dormitory tents arranged in a heart-shape and called the Love Oasis, where they can start procreating for the motherland.
With its relentlessly upbeat tone, bizarre ideas and tight control, it sounds like a weird indoctrination session for a phoney religious cult.
But this organisation - known as "Nashi", meaning "Ours" - is youth movement run by Vladimir Putin's Kremlin that has become a central part of Russian political life."
Old, loser Gorbachev is right
"Former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev suggests America suffers from a "winners' complex."
I agree with the old loser. We do! And I am very proud of it. He lost, we won, and that was the way it was suppose to be. Winning is good – not bad – unless you are a socialist."
Enjoy the rest of this upbeat commentary on America's love of winning by Craig R. Smith.
"Our [Pres. Carter’s and my] relationship depended on trust, mutual respect and an acknowledgement [sic] that there was only one agenda to be served -- the president's. Every Monday the two of us met privately for lunch; we could, and did, talk candidly about virtually anything. By the end of four years we had completed the "executivization" of the vice presidency, ending two centuries of confusion, derision and irrelevance surrounding the office."
Read the whole letter.
Wow! Mondale and Carter did all this for the office of the vice president. Some accomplishment! He brags they "executivized" the office of vice president and then condemns Cheney for using the office in an executive manner even to the point of claiming executive privilege. Why is it that the several Republican administrations' use of that executive office is abhorrent, but the Dem writer’s use was proper? It’s just typical Dem partisanship.
Closing his letter, Mondale fondly recalls,
"Since the Carter administration left office, we have been criticized for many things. Yet I remain enormously proud of what we did in those four years, especially that we told the truth, obeyed the law and kept the peace."
He conveniently ignores the horrendous Misery Index and the hostages who were held for 444 days by Iran. (They were not about to break the peace. They let Iran thumb its nose at the USA for more than a year.) President Carter was so inept, he could not even run for a second term. Ronald Reagan trounced Carter’s Vice-President, Walter Mondale, in the bid for the next presidency. Only Minnesota cast its electoral votes for the letter writer--a miserable, embarrassing fact we cannot erase, but would love to forget.
Click the graphic to enlarge it.
Kalin's 2007 legislative voting record reveals that he is a typical tax and spend Dem. We don't want this liberal in our legislature.
This flyer is produced by Minnesota Majority, a new conservative organization that will aid our Republican cause. They expect their web site to debut in a few weeks. Watch for http://www.mnmajority.org/.
On July 23, 2007,
"Hillary Clinton pounced on rival Barack Obama on Monday for his willingness to meet with some troublesome world leaders during a Democratic US presidential debate..."
Read the rest of the report.
Back on April 22, Clinton declared the diametrical opposite:
"I would begin diplomatic discussions with those countries with whom we have differences, to try to figure out what is the depth of those differences," said Clinton, who spoke to about 1,000 people at Luther College in Decorah in northeastern Iowa.
I think it is a terrible mistake for our president to say he will not talk with bad people. You don't make peace with your friends -- you have to do the hard work of dealing with people you don't agree with," said Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination."
Read the quote in the whole report.
Which position is the one she holds? She has the right to change her mind, but she needs to tell the public. However, it seems the answer she gives depends on whom she is addressing--President Bush in the latter and candidate Barack Obama in the former. And don't forget the two audiences.
O’Mara and Whitney suggest increasing the commercial tax base by two and a half times to create the right mix with the residential tax base.
Of course this alleged optimal commercial/residential ratio will not be reached in this manner because it is patently impossible to hold residential development at a stand-still while increasing the commercial/industrial by 2.5 times.
The social and economic engineering required to meet this goal of reducing taxes would have significant consequences for the county.
The three gentlemen seem to think that commercial and industrial taxes are magically created. Businesses, whether commercial or industrial, do not pay taxes. Business taxes are paid by consumers because business taxes are built into the price of the products. Shifting more of the tax load to business may sound great to the homeowner, but in the end, the consumer still pays all the taxes. Some of what was in the homeowner’s real estate tax column is simply slid into the sales tax column and the excise tax column and other business tax columns, all of which he still pays when he buys products and services. It may feel better, but the homeowner is just fooling himself. A hamburger stand does not pay taxes. The customers do; all of the taxes are built into the price of the hamburgers and the end price is raised. If the business owner does not raise the price to offset tax increases, he makes less profit and/or goes out of business.
The proposed economic summit needs another set of facts. In today’s market, large subsidies are given to many businesses to entice them into town. Gifts of land, tax increment financing, tax abatement and other subsidies are almost expected by companies to set up shop in town. Who ultimately picks up the tab? The local taxpayers do. Yes, even existing businesses contribute taxes to finance these subsidies for new businesses. But who pays the business taxes? The consumers do. Increased business taxes mean increased product costs.
Let’s assume the optimal business/residential ratio actually reduces our real estate taxes by 20%. Is this real estate tax savings worth it? I will choose the status quo any day over the socially and economically engineered proposed solution. The "solution" will bring with it its own set of problems that are bigger than any we have now. The law of unintended negative consequences will kick in. A savings of some hundreds of tax dollars may just destroy our quality of life.
The chief problem with this "solution" is perennial. Any improvement in local, county, regional, or statewide tax structure is viewed as a fountainhead to be tapped by Democrats. They cannot keep their grubby hands off income. Whatever policies will be put in place today to correct a tax problem will be changed to negate the gains that are made. Letting the taxpayers build up their own wealth, reducing government spending, living within the financial means, and promoting a tax environment that keeps business investment capital from exiting to better tax environment states is not in the play book of the Democrats. A savings of some hundreds of dollars will never last long when those who want to redistribute your wealth eye your improved lot.
The Refuted Dem Had to Write Another Letter
The following letter in Chisago County Press, July 12, 2007, is printed here since it is not online. It responds to Bob Barrett’s letter which refuted Wade Vitalis’ original complaint.
___________________________________________
Response to Gov. Pawlenty letter
To the editor:
I recently wrote a letter to the editor which contrasted the successful approach of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in wake of similar fiscal challenges, with the unsuccessful approach of Governor Tim Pawlenty.
A writer responded critically to the comparison and conveniently glossed over the key points, like:
The fact both men were elected from the same political party - Republican.
That Mayor Bloomberg has a job approval rating of 70-75 percent and Governor Pawlenty doesn’t!
That for the first time ever, Minnesota’s unemployment rate exceeded the national average and that our growth has fallen for two consecutive years, leaving us ranked 30th in the country when we’ve been historically in the top 10.
Though these facts are troublesome enough, the key element in my letter was the lack of business savvy by Governor Pawlenty to understand what we already know as residents and businessmen in Minnesota - we have a "brand."
Minnesota’s "brand" has been education, transportation, public service and recreation with an intentional focus on shared prosperity. By focusing like a laser on these brand characteristics we have prospered.
The best and most successful corporations in the country spend millions each year to preserve, promote and build their "brand." Why should Minnesota be any different?
Bloomberg remarked, "The difference between having the courage of your convictions and being pig-headed is in the results."
In the face of these results, higher unemployment and low growth, my question was how can anyone not think Governor Pawlenty is being a bit pig-headed himself?
Wade Vitalis
Shafer
___________________________________________
That Bloomberg was a Republican in 2002 is hardly significant. He had been a lifelong Democrat. Now the former Democrat and erstwhile Republican is an Independent, proving, along with the 18.5% tax increase, he was not a typical Republican.
The letter writer’s doom and gloom of "...higher unemployment and low growth..." is not shared by analysts. Forbes Magazine recently ranked the fifty states for the best business climate. Moving Minnesota from 14th place last year to the present 10th best spot in the nation, Forbes ranks it high as a good place for business, in comparison to other states. New York state moved from 35th place to 33rd in the over all rating. Hmmm, Minnesota is in 10th place and New York state is 33rd. Minnesota is in trouble indeed! And its Pawlenty’s fault!
Forbes ranks Minnesota number one in quality of life. Both states are right in the middle of the pack, tied at 26th place for growth prospects. If this is doom and gloom for Minnesota, then New York is in trouble. The touted wizardry of erstwhile Republican Mayor Bloomberg has produced a 5.2% unemployment rate for NYC in June. Compare Minnesota’s 4.5% unemployment rate.
It must be Pawlenty's fault!
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
______________________________________
NYC had right idea
To the editor:
In January of 2002, the mayor of New York City faced a $6 billion deficit and the same tough choices as Governor Tim Pawlenty.
But facing the same three options; cut services, raise taxes or both and against the advice of his advisors - Mayor Michael Bloomberg raised taxes 18.5 percent. By the following summer his approval ratings had plunged to 31 percent.
The success of his strategy, however, is undeniable. New York City has added 151,000 private sector jobs and has attracted 44 million visitors through a not for profit marketing juggernaut aptly named NYC & Co.
The city, where residents are treated like business customers, touts a $1.3 billion surplus and Mayor Bloomberg’s approval ratings hover between 70-75 percent.
In contrast, Minnesota’s growth has fallen for two consecutive years, now ranked 30th in the country, and for the first time ever, Minnesota’s unemployment rate exceeded the national average.
The difference is Mayor Bloomberg, a billionaire businessman, understood what Governor Pawlenty, an upstart lawyer/politician, didn’t. Mayor Bloomberg saw public transportation, clean streets and safe neighborhoods as critical to maintaining the “brand” that makes New York City successful.
Minnesota, like New York City, has a “brand” that business people and residents understand and protecting that “brand” will be more productive than abandoning it.
“I’ve always joked”, says Bloomberg, “that the difference between having the courage of your convictions and being pig-headed is in the results.”
Did he just call Governor Pawlenty pig-headed?
I believe he did.
Wade Vitalis
Shafer
_____________________________________
Mark your calendar now to prepare for caucus. The Republicans have announced that caucus has been moved up to Tuesday, February 5, 2008.
Read the article at the Brainerd Dispatch.
We often hear Democrats and Leftists complain that Fox News is too conservative, that the network slants the news to the right and that they are part of the "vast right-wing conspiracy" (as if CBS, ABC, NBC and NPR don't have a bias). Say it loud enough and frequent enough, some people will buy into the hype.
Now, the next time your Dem friend makes this claim, you have ammunition. Point them to this hard evidence. John Lott has written a book entitled Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works and Other Half-baked Theories Don't. Ann Coulter, in her column calls attention to some information in this recently released book. She says
Fox News Channel isn't conservative: "Even employees of Fox News, which is widely regarded as a conservative channel, donate 81 percent of their contributions to Democrats."
The Democrats have a lot more compatriots at Fox News than they want you to believe. And, of course, that left-leaning bias affects the way they present the news. Armed with this information, you can approach Fox News with eyes and ears wide open.
Read the whole article here.
