Our topic today is how George Bush destroyed America. Or, more precisely, how the Left says he did. Naturally, their solution is for America to join the ranks of European social democracies. It’s the only way to not to repeat “the mistakes that got us here in the first place.”

The Left and their Old Media amplifiers tell a simple story: 

George Bush inherited from Bill Clinton a strong economy and a balanced budget. He proceeded to commit national arson by deregulating Wall Street, cutting taxes for the rich, and fighting two needless wars.

The long fuse of Bush’s fiscal folly finally struck dynamite in late 2008, blowing Clinton’s Camelot economy to bits. President Obama has struggled boldly—against Republican obstruction-- to fix problems so bad not even a modest genius like Bill Clinton could have fixed them in a single term. Clinton modestly admitted this in his convention keynote. So, steady on the transformational path. It’s the only way Forward to redistribution paradise and state allocated happiness.

It’s a measure of the current mood that this narrative has yet to get much pushback from battered conservatives. They’re suffering post traumatic stress from the election, and pre-traumatic stress,  bracing for the preordained blame if America dives off the cliff a gleeful president seems to be gunning for. 

It’s a shame, because the tidy Bush tale is mostly false and grossly incomplete. It’s little more than a team shout for Democrats, media cheerleaders, and partisan supporters. For that purpose, it’s  quite effective, smearing conservative economic positions and providing perpetual cover for the cascading failure of Obama’s liberal policies: The worse things are, the more it will prove how badly Bush screwed things up.  Forever, says Madeline Albright.

The fog of national amnesia and unreason hides a lot, and denies the complexity that obviously exists. A nation’s—and president’s--economic success depends on many variables, including business climate, currency and credit strength, a reasonable fiscal balance of taxing and spending, and more. The president doesn’t exclusively control any of the variables. He jockeys for influence among other factors, including Congress, the Fed, the business cycle, and unpredictable world events.

Viewing the big picture, Clinton was very lucky; Bush was very unlucky; and Obama is making it worse....     

It's heartbreaking to realize how many men and women come home from serving in the military and can't find a job.  

Looks like Hiring Our Heroes is a good source of help.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could help a veteran find a job?  

Please spread the word!

 

As Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention, a woman asked him, "Sir, what have you given us?"

His immediate response was, "A republic ma'am, if you can keep it.."

Yet many Americans today have come to believe America’s governmental system is a democracy and not a republic. 

The difference between these two is essential in understanding the American system.

Before we discuss political systems however, it is helpful to address the confusion about the political spectrum. Many people believe that the political spectrum places groups such as communists on the far left, fascists or dictators on the far right, and political moderates or centrists in the middle.

However, a more accurate political spectrum will show government having zero power on the far right to having 100% power on the far left.  At the extreme right, there is no government. The extreme left features total government under such labels as communism, socialism, nazism, fascism, princes, potentates, dictators, kings, any form of total government.

Those who claim that nazis and fascist are right wing never define their terms. This amounts to spreading confusion. The type of government limited to its proper role of protecting the rights of the people is toward the middle of the spectrum. That’s where the Constitution of the United States is. Those who advocate such a form of government are constitutional moderates.

So, let’s analyze the basic forms of government. They are, monarchy or dictatorship ruled by one, oligarchy ruled by a few, democracy ruled by the majority, republic ruled by law, and anarchy which is ruled by no one. A discussion of these five will narrow down the types of government.

Looking first at monarchy or dictatorship. This form of government doesn’t really exist. In the practical sense, it’s always a group that puts one of its members up front. A king has his council of nobles or earls and every dictator has his bureaucrats or commissars, the men behind the scenes. This isn’t rule by one even though one person may be the visible leader. It’s rule by a group. So, let’s eliminate monarchy dictatorship because it never truly exists.

Oligarchy, which is rule by a group, is the most common form of government in all history and it is the most common form of government today. A powerful few rule most of the nations of the world and therefore oligarchy remains.

At the other end, we find anarchy, which means without government. Some people have looked over history and found that governments committed many of its worse crimes. Therefore, they decided that having no government might be a good idea but this is a mistake because as the ancient Greeks stated, without law there can be no freedom. 

America’s Founding Fathers agreed and held that some amount of government is a necessary force in any civilized orderly society. In a state of anarchy, however everyone has to guard life, liberty, and property and the lives of family members. Movement is severely restricted and arming everyone is necessary to protect ones property at all times. 

Civilized people have always hired someone to do the guarding, a sheriff, a police force, or some branch of government. Once law enforcement was in place, the people were freer. They could leave their property, work in the fields, and so on. In short, the proper amount of government makes everyone freer.

Little Alana is only two, but she knew just what to do in an emergency.  Her mom had taken some medication and then collapsed on the floor. 

 Alana called 9-1-1 and said, "Momma owie." Then Alana went and got a warm blanket for her mom who was shivering

This is one small example of what kids can do when we take the time to teach them.

As parents, we can think about the situations we want our children to be prepared for, make a list, and create a plan so we can help our children respond effectively.

On September 17, 2012, Jesse Ventura joined Piers Morgan for a discussion on gun control.  

Jesse made the case for gun rights as protected by the second amendment.  He expressed the need for people to be able to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. 

Watch and see how the CNN studio audience responded.

 

Alex Boye had just finished recording "Lord Have Mercy" when the Sandy Hook shooting occurred.  They made this video as a tribute to the victims, and Alex will donate the money it generates.  

The message is as rich and powerful as the voices!  Enjoy!

Some people live at the crossroads of history -- They are born at a time that requires them to make a choice.
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The early patriots lived at such a time.  They could seek comfort, safety, and security in the status quo, or risk everything for the possibility of liberty.

The price was almost more than they could bear. 
 
Abigail Adams, knowing future generations might not realize the magnitude of their sacrifice, said, "Posterity who are to reap the blessings will scarcely be able to conceive the hardships and sufferings of their ancestors.”

Led by the example of George Washington, a leader of exceptional character and courage, ordinary people made extraordinary sacrifices.  And when defeat seemed inevitable, and the troops were strained beyond their limit, General Washington urged them on:  

"The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men." 
 
Many gave their lives.  Others sacrificed their health and homes.  All gave much they held dear.

And they were true.  

They paid the price of freedom, and changed the course of history.  

Today you and I are the recipients of the legacy forged in the furnace of their affliction.  

It is our turn to be true that the legacy may live on!

  

Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this incredible song on Christmas morning in 1863. Life had been very painful for him. 

The Civil War was long and distressing and most people had a hard time just getting by.  But Henry had an extra heavy burden because he had lost his wife in a fire, and he was caring for his son who had been wounded in battle. 

Christmas was a bitter reminder of all Henry had lost.  And yet, as he sat quietly reflecting, he heard the church bells ringing a message of hope.  Although Henry had reason to be sad, even bitter, he penned the words to a beautiful Christmas message of faith, hope, peace, and good will. 

I love this song.  Not one of the better known Christmas carols, this is my Mom's favorite.  All of us, my Mom, Dad, six brothers and I, memorized all five verses.  Each year we had a Christmas caroling party with family, friends, fun treats, and favorite songs.  "I Heard the Bells" was always part of our celebration.  Its message may be more relevant now than ever.  Hope you enjoy!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Love this beautiful portrayal of the life of Jesus.  Hope you do too.

"Where there is faith, there is love;
Where there is love, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is God;
Where there is God; there is no need."

~Leo Tolstoy

Sometimes the holiday season is as hectic as it is happy.  Here's some beautiful music to brighten your day.  

Hope you can take a minute to kick back, savor some hot chocolate or egg nog, and enjoy this lovely song.