Mark Kirk is the Best Choice for the Republican Party
By Jeff Wartman • January 11, 2010
JeffWartman.com

Over the last two days, both the Daily Herald and Chicago Sun-Times have written important endorsements of Congressman Mark Kirk in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

From the Daily Herald:

Not only is Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park by far the most qualified in the GOP field, he would be the most formidable candidate Republicans could offer in the November general election. Put simply: Kirk could win; it is debatable whether any of the other five candidates could.

I don’t think it’s debatable at all – no other candidate in the Republican primary can win the general election. Period. The Herald continues…

He’s an intelligent, hardworking independent who strives to model bipartisan ethics in a system that is choking on its partisanship. In 10 years, he’s become a leader among Republican moderates in the House, chairing their Tuesday Group get-togethers. Morton Kondracke, executive editor of Roll Call, described him well as “one of Congress’ most effective moderates.”

He has been a leader on Capitol Hill in rejecting the outrageous congressional practice of earmark spending and has fought for fiscal sanity in government spending.

As a Naval Reserve intelligence officer, Kirk has keen insights into the stakes in Afghanistan and the war on terror and an ability to articulate them that few other politicians can match.

As for those political assailants who ignore the record and try to smear Kirk as a Democrat in Republican clothing, consider this: If that were true, why have Democratic national officials worked so hard to try time and again to unseat him in the 10th Congressional District?

Kirk is one of the few active duty Military personnel serving in Congress. From his website:

National Security: Mark Kirk, a Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer holding the rank of Commander, served during conflicts with Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. In 1999, the U.S. Navy named Kirk ‘Intelligence Officer of the Year’ for his service over Kosovo.

Kirk is solid on the issues that matter most:

* Fiscal Responsibility: Mark Kirk opposed Speaker Pelosi’s trillion-dollar stimulus plan

* Agriculture is the backbone of the Illinois economy. As a Senator, Mark Kirk will fight for Illinois farmers and expand opportunities for our state’s agriculture industry. By upgrading our river, road and rail systems, promoting ethanol and biodiesel, expanding exports to growing markets and keeping taxes low, we can raise incomes and create new jobs for Illinois.

* Lower the cost of health care for all Americans without compromising the doctor-patient relationship and without raising taxes.

* Ethics and Reform: Illinois deserves an experienced legislator with a proven record of reform to fight for integrity in public office. During the past several years, our state was misrepresented by corrupt politicians who served themselves instead of the people of Illinois. It’s time to set a new course.

While it’s true that many social reactionary Republicans will oppose Congressman Kirk based on a small amount of fringe issues, the fact of the matter remains that Congresman Kirk has been helping to lead the fight to oppose the Democrats national takeover of health care, reduce the deficit, cut taxes, and keep our country safe.

The choice is simple: do we want to elect a legislator with proven results in Washington, or do we want to lose? Most of the other candidates for U.S. Senate here in Illinois are good people, and good Republicans. However, Mark Kirk is the only Republican in Illinois that can win. His Republican values will serve us well in the United States Senate.

Furthermore, there is another reason that the election of Mark Kirk to the U.S. Senate would be positive — it would push back on the Democrats national talking points. For the last decade, Democrats have been trying to portray the Republican Party as moving far to the extreme social conservative right wing. However, electing a responsible moderate Republican like Mark Kirk should prove to the media and the rest of the county that those of us active in the Republican Party believe in a big tent party and reject small minded purity tests.

Editor's Note - Jeff Wartman is a former Libertarian Party of Illinois Executive Committe member, and was active in the Bob Barr/Wayne Root Libertarian campaign for President in 2008. For the last year he's been an active libertarian within the IL GOP in the Chicago area. Wartman's personal endorsement of Kirk does not imply that other libertarian Republicans, including the IL RLC are also backing him.

LR FOLLOW-UP

From Eric Dondero:

Yesterday we reported that North Dakota Governor John Hoeven had declared for US Senate. Various horse race followers and pundits on the Left such as NPR, moved the Democrat-held seat to "Likely GOP pick-up."

Now, a mere day later, and another big Democrat seat has been moved to the Republican side.

Democrat Pollster Stu Rothenberg has officially moved Reid to the "Lean GOP takeover" category. Rothenberg states:

"It will be extremely difficult for him to pull out a win..."

Notably, in addition to ND, and now NV, Rothenberg lists Delaware as a "Lean GOP takeover." Republican Rep. Michael Castle is running for that seat.

No Republican seats are listed as "likely" or even "possible" take-overs.

Moms Unite! Hundreds turn out in Freezing Cold to protest HB 368

Bill pushed by Democrat leadership in the House loses overwhelmingly after Republican legislators vote unanimously against the bill.

In the video, libertarian Mom talks individual rights, 2 minutes in.

Democrat leaders wanted massive new interventions in private schooling

From a press release, Jan. 13, by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA):

Purcellville, VA—Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives resoundingly rejected a draconian homeschool proposal by voting 324–34 to maintain the current law. “Winning by such a significant margin is welcome relief for New Hampshire homeschool families,” said Mike Donnelly, staff attorney for HSLDA.

“It was a real surprise when Democratic leaders collaborated to bring these major changes to the floor for a vote, especially since the very same proposal had already been soundly rejected by their own committee,” said Donnelly.

It was pure old-fashioned grass roots activism that led to the resounding defeat. Continuing:

The victory was made possible by thousands of homeschool families from all over New Hampshire working diligently alongside HSLDA and Christian Home Educators of New Hampshire to educate their representatives about the threat to homeschool freedom.

Homeschool families participated in rallies, called their legislators, wrote letters, as well as walked the corridors of the state house to show their opposition.

Todd Donovan, a home school advocate from Andover, wrote in the Concord Monitor:

In an era when home-schoolers are significantly outperforming their public school counterparts the last thing home-schoolers and taxpayers need is another bureaucracy wasting their time and money.

The Plain Truth blog noted that this was a purely Democrat bill calling it a"Democrat assault on homeschoolers":

The homeschool community is reacting with alarm... The proposal to create the new state requirements is being pushed by Democratic leaders in the legislature

All Republicans in the House voted against the resolution.

Note - New Hampshire has a number of libertarian Republican legislators, including fmr. Republican Liberty Caucus State Chair Carol McGuire (photo left), David Bettencourt, Davie Itse, Al Badarraso and Jenn Coffey (photo right). Rep. Coffey of Andover was recently the guest speaker at a NH RLC state meeting.(List and photos at RLC.org). Also, sometimes Libertarian Party member, Rep. Steve Vallaincourt caucuses with the House GOP.

More info: RLCNH.org

RS McCain and Jumping in Pools broke the story. Daily Kos attacking Scott Brown as a "TeaBagger".

Daily Kos:

His support from teabaggers was critical to becoming competitive -- his moneybomb on Monday was the first real moneybomb conservative activists have ever pulled off... libertarian...

Brown has been caught in a vice. His support from teabaggers was critical to becoming competitive . . .
On the other hand, that conservative support has come at a cost. . . . The teabaggers demand ideological purity, and he’s had to deliver. . . .

And now National Review has uncovered a desperate last-minute fundraising letter from New York Senator Chuck Schumer, in which he calls Scott Brown a "far-right teabagger Republican."

See the full text of the letter at NRO.

From Eric Dondero:

Chuck DeVore has been identified as one of the most libertarian members of the California State Assembly. He's currently running in the GOP primary for US Senate against moderate-to-conservative business tycoon Carly Fiorna.

Yesterday, DeVore wrote an editorial in the Washington Times, outlining his foreign policy views. He took a "3rd way" approach. He shuns Ron Paul-style isolationism and recognizes the unique threats to the US from Islamic radicals overseas. But at the same time, DeVore has a great concern for the American taxpayer. As such he rejects what's commonly referred to as nation-building "NeoConnism."

You might call DeVore's unique approach, for lack of a better term, "Kick the shit out of them, and then get the hell out."

From the Washington Times "Right should fasion own foreign policy":

Maintaining defense spending at current levels will be difficult, as federal entitlement spending and debt service have put pressure on budget writers.

Employing conventional forces in pursuit of terrorists and guerrilla forces is always an expensive proposition. Attempting to build nations on soil not yet fertile to the concepts of democracy and national unity is even more problematic. Neither is needed to produce the result we want: deadly consequences for attacking Americans. This can be done with special forces, drones and better human intelligence.

Our Founders understood that threats to our Constitution come from within and without. That's why our elected officials and military officers swear an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Our national security policies must reflect this oath, being humble enough not to try force the world into our image, but at the same time understanding, as Reagan did, liberty's compelling hold on the human spirit.

Assmb. DeVore is an Officer in the Army Reserves.

From Eric Dondero:

A slew of new poll numbers have come out for Obama in the last couple days; Rasmussen, Quinnipiac, CNN and CBS. All point downward. Of particular note, usually reliable Obama backers, CBS finds him at only 46% approval to 41% disapproval. Rasmuseen has him in negative territory at 46% approval to 53% disapproval.

It all adds up to a culmulative Real Clear Politcs average of 47.6% approvals. That's compared to 45.8% disapprovals.

That is the lowest level of support recorded for Obama in the running RCP averages ever.

See graph, and full break-down of polls at RCP.

by Eric Dondero

Despite the presence of an Independent-Libertarian candidate on the ballot in the Massachusetts Senate race, liberal special interest groups backing Democrat Martha Coakley have now turned their guns on Republican Scott Brown for his libertarian ties. This new commercial just hitting Boston airwaves today, links Brown with the "Tea Party movement." Additionally, libertarian-leaning Republican Sarah Palin is briefly portrayed in the spot.

Brown for his part has not shied away at all from his libertarian ties. He is a longtime friend and close colleague of libertarian Republican, fellow Mass State Senator Bob Hedlund. From Bob Hedlund's website, March 23, 2009:

Massachusetts Sens. Robert L. Hedlund and Scott R. Brown [stood] outside the State House today to voice their opposition to the use of new tolls as a panacea for state budget woes. The gathering took place hours before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation...

See YouTube video of Scott Brown speaking to the Stop the Pike Hike rally back in March.

Dave Nalle, writes over at Blog Critics "Mass Senate race pits principles against pragmatism for Tea Party movement":

Brown has really embraced the Tea Party label and has borrowed their message and many of their ideas in pushing his candidacy.

Elements of the Tea Party movement have chosen to support Republican candidate Scott Brown... The Tea Party Express has officially endorsed Brown. The Tea Party Patriots, who are backed by FreedomWorks... have also shown strong support for Brown, as has Tea Party Nation. Even many members of Ron Paul's nonpartisan Campaign for Liberty are pushing Brown.

Tuesday's election is a clear referendum on the Republican Party and Republican values. But it's now turning out to be a referendum on libertarians and the Tea Party movement, as well. If Brown wins, it's a clear indication that the Liberty Movement has arrived.

Note - Sen. Brown granted Libertarian Republican an interview on the issue of the Military Draft, which briefly became an issue early on in the Democrat primary back in November. Brown stated his unequivocal opposition to the Draft, and support for the All-Volunteer Armed Forces. See Brown's comments to LR included in the article "Mass Democrat candidate for Senate says he'd support the Draft."

Dear Friend of Liberty,

The Advocates for Self-Government recently made this very generous offer:

read more

The Libertarian Party of Indiana will have a large presence at the State's largest gun and knife show, the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Paul Morrell (Rush County Temporary Chair), Jerry Titus (Howard County Chair), and Tim Maguire (Marion County Chair) have collaborated to organize party members to promote the libertarian message of upholding the full Bill of Rights to the thousands in attendance.

Visit the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife Show's website at http://www.indy1500.com/.

When:

January 15th-16th-17th

Friday 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Saturday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where:

The Indiana State Fairgrounds

1202 East 38th Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46205

New Jersey Becomes The 14th State To Legalize Medicinal Marijuana

by Ryan P. Christiano

The New Jersey legislator passed the The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. Outgoing Governor Jon Corzine, vacating office next week, will sign the Act into law.

Governor-Elect Chris Christie is also supportive of the measure. He has pledged to oversee the implementation of the program once he takes the reigns of power next week.

From Phily2Phily.com:

New Jersey Goes Green! Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

For what is a victory for many cancer sufferers and libertarians, the New Jersey legislature has passed a bill which will allow marijuana to be prescribed for medicinal purposes. And, Governor Corzine has announced that he will pass it before leaving office next week.

What is more shocking though is that Governor-elect Chris Christie (who is very conservative) said he supports the measure as long as it's used for the intended purpose; helping sick people. What he opposes are loopholes in the measure, which can lead to abuses of the law.

There are now calls from all quarters of the state to pardon John Ray Wilson, the subject of an article in this publication several weeks ago, who was convicted of the lesser included charges in his indictment over a week ago (link to previous article here?).

Many legislators are now urging either Governor Corzine or incoming Governor Christie to pardon Mr. Wilson. They argue that the charges he was convicted of have now essentially been legalized in the state, as of yesterday, with this new law.

New Jersey, now somewhat surprisingly, becomes the first state in the Northeastern portion of the United States to legalize medicinal marijuana. Chronically ill and terminally ill patients are restricted to no more than two ounces of medicinal marijuana per month. All patients must be under a physician's strict supervision, and may only obtain medicinal marijuana by prescription.

The New Jersey Libertarian Party, along with The Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey (CMMNJ), hailed the long sought legislative achievement as a triumph for individual liberty.

The fight to pardon Mr. Wilson for an offense that is now technically legal in the state goes forth. Any Executive Pardon is not anticipated until after the Christie Administration takes office next week.

Editor's Note: Ryan Christiano has been active in the Marijuana Medicinal movement. He is also a longtime contributor to Libertarian Republican, a member of the Libertarian Defense Caucus, and a former staffer for McCain for President 2008

by Ranald Hay

"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded." - Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Hussein Obama

"That campaign statement sent a chill through libertarian and civil-liberty minded voters. Many of us were asking, soberly: "Why must we, and why a force?" Exactly what comprises a 'civilian national security force' if it not an armed police organization?" "Where will it operate?" "What will be its assignment?" "Who will lead it?" "How will it be funded?" "What will this morph into?"

'Security force', 'powerful', 'strong', 'well funded'... were explained away later as meaning diplomatic offices, agricultural specialists and Peace Corp type organizations, not a para-military organization at all... Given that a Harvard-trained lawyer can be very precise with words, the language of the proposal fit rather the pattern of the Stasi or Brownshirts. History shows that these sorts of organizations don't comport well with Liberty.

Tuesday 12 we came across two curious data. First, Sammy Benoit at Yid With Lid:

SHOCKING REPORT: Rand Corp Tells US Army Its Time For A National Stability Police Force

"This has to be the scariest thing I have read in a very long time. The Rand Corporation was asked by the US Army to prepare a report recommending whether or not the US Needed a National Stability Police force. Basically a call for American "Brown Shirts." Rand's answer was a resounding yes."

The second bit of news was yesterday's White House announcement that confirmed the need for Posse Comitatus vigilance:

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors

When we betray Liberty, we get the governance we deserve...

"The report recommends that these police would not only have a role in foreign lands but also in the United States
...
The report goes on to say that this Stability Police Force should be placed under the US Marshal Service because that will make it easier for it to have domestic US responsiblities.
...
I wonder what kind of Domestic Role the Stability Police can have, controlling Tea Parties? "Fixing" Fox News? A national police under the control of this or any president will do nothing less than signal the end of freedom in the United States. Any movement toward this force must be voted down. The Full document is embedded below:"

These are fair questions and concerns. (Please read Sammy's post and the Google Docs insert.)

From the White House website:

President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors
Monday, 11 January 2010

"Washington, D.C. January 11, 2010. The President today signed an Executive Order establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities.

"The bipartisan Council will be composed of ten State Governors who will be selected by the President to serve two year terms. In selecting the Governors to the Council, the White House will solicit input from Governors and Governors’ associations. Once chosen, the Council will have no more than five members from the same party and represent the Nation as a whole.

""Federal members of the Council include the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs, the U.S. Northern Command Commander, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. The Secretary of Defense will designate an Executive Director for the Council.

The Council of Governors will provide an invaluable Senior Administration forum for exchanging views with State and local officials on strengthening our National resilience and the homeland defense and civil support challenges facing our Nation today and in the future.

"The formation of the Council of Governors was required by the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act which stated, “The President shall establish a bipartisan Council of Governors to advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions. (NDAA FY2008, Sec 1822)”

What of Posse Comitatus?

The Myth of Posse Comitatus
Major Craig T. Trebilcock, U.S. Army Reserve
October 2000

"The Posse Comitatus Act has traditionally been viewed as a major barrier to the use of U.S. military forces in planning for homeland defense.[1] In fact, many in uniform believe that the act precludes the use of U.S. military assets in domestic security operations in any but the most extraordinary situations. As is often the case, reality bears little resemblance to the myth for homeland defense planners. Through a gradual erosion of the act’s prohibitions over the past 20 years, posse comitatus today is more of a procedural formality than an actual impediment to the use of U.S. military forces in homeland defense."

Mere procedural formalities. Civil support missions. Do these dots connect? (I should pray 'not'.)

If so, is this Administration and this Congress preparing war? They're building something. What is it? Of course, it's about defending the borders, yes? (That Waco Texas and Ruby Creek stuff is so behind us.) Exactly how many divisions does Justice Roberts command, anyway?

Editor's Note - Ranald Hay is a regular reader of Libertarian Republican. His blog is Si Vis Placem, which is linked in our Blog Roll.

by LTC(R) Allen B West

The revelation of Senator Harry Reid's comments referencing "negro talk" is just indicative of the true sentiment elitist liberals, and indeed the Democratic party, have toward black Americans. The history of the Democrat party is one of slavery, segregation, and now socialism. It is this new aged socialism born from the Johnson Great Society programs that have castigated blacks as victims needing government dependency. One need only to look upon the city of Detroit to ascertain what liberal social welfare policies have produced for the inner city... the new plantation for black Americans.

The Ku Klux Klan was birthed by the Democrats as a terrorist wing to intimidate blacks, and whites, who sought to promote economic and education independence and social justice for blacks. What was once overt has just morphed and become covert, yet still exists.

One can only imagine the insanity and media outrage if Reid's quote had come from a member of the Republican party. I look forward to hearing from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton on Reid's comments... or has liberal hush money paid for the silence of these proprietors of poverty and victimization theory. Actually, if President Obama had any courage he would demand Reid step down as Senate Majority Leader, and discontinue any support for his Senate reelection... notice I said "if". I am quite sure the Soros money which elevated Obama to the position of President has bought his servitude.

Why am I running for US Congress as a Republican? Simple. I would rather stand proudly and be called "an Uncle Tom and a sellout" than lose my self-esteem and be considered an inferior by liberals. I understand the legacy of the GOP and the black community... not the revisionist history espoused by liberal educators. I am not, shall never be, and will not raise my daughters to be a part of the liberal 21st century plantation. I am not just some articulate, clean, well spoken negro. I am an American warrior, Congressional candidate, and shall never submit to the collective progressive ideal of inferiority.

Senator Harry Reid's comments are disgusting, despicable, and unacceptable. They are representative of how intellectual elite liberals do indeed speak of black Americans in their closed private spaces. Next week I have been invited to NYC to address the Hudson Institute, a conservative organization, conference on "Reclaiming American Liberty". That invite came to me because I took advantage of the opportunities this great Republic offered. I followed the guidance of my parents and set my standards above all others around me. I speak well and have impeccable communicative skills because my Father and Mother prioritized that quality.

I shiver to think what my future could have been if I listened to the insidious rhetoric of charlatans such as Harry Reid, and the ambassadors of affirmative action who reside in the Congressional Black Caucus.

Sure, the "stuck on stupid" blacks are going to address me in derogatory names, but I possess something which they lack; Honor, Integrity, and Character. To them I say, continue to be slaves to the liberals for your vote... and in a year you will be calling me Congressman West.

California is facing a $20 billion deficit. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger just proposed massive spending cuts, and outright elimination of long-standing government agencies.

From the LA Times, Jan. 8:

The Republican governor will renew his call to expand oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast and extend the payroll cuts that have resulted in furloughs and a 14% salary cut for more than 200,000 state workers... and extend the payroll cuts that have resulted in furloughs and a 14% salary cut for more than 200,000 state workers... he will propose the wholesale elimination of CalWorks, the state's main welfare program, as well as a program that provides in-home care to the elderly and disabled.

But the Governor doesn't stop there:

"As bitter as the words are in my mouth, we face additional cuts," Schwarzenegger said in his State of the State speech before lawmakers Wednesday.

The Legislative Analysis Office (LAO) just released a report. Although they acknowledged dramatic actions needed to be taken, the LAO dubbed Schwarzenegger's cuts "draconian."

Meanwhile California's Capitol blog is reporting that the LAO is now saying that the budget includes $2.4 billion reductions for public schools despite the Governor's claim to protect the education budget from any cuts.

Reaction from California Liberals has been severe.

Democrat Assembly candidate Das Williams issued a release calling the cuts "devastating," and claiming: "Californians have been suffering from two years of nonstop budget cuts and one-sided sacrifices. More pain for children, seniors, the disabled, and our low-income citizens."

UC News called it: "bad news for state workers, health and social services and prisons..."

Democrat Assemblywoman Noreen Evans of Santa Rosa, Chair of the Budget Committee is accusing Schwarzenegger of wanting to "privatize the prisons," and has called his budget cuts "radical." (Source: Petaluma Press-Dem)

Though, takes a decidedly middle-of-the-road stance

The New Jersey State Senate just passed a bill allowing for the disbursement of Marijuana for Medicinal use. New Jersey is set to become the 14th State to allow for Medical Marijuana.

Newly-elected Republican Governor Chris Christie says he supports the bill. Though, he added that he'll ensure safeguards. Outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine will sign the bill on his last day in office, next Tuesday.

From All the latest News Blog:

Governor-elect Chris Christie, speaking at a press conference on Monday before the vote, reiterated his support for legalizing the medical use of marijuana as long as the final bill contained safeguards to ensure that it did not end up encouraging the recreational use of the drug.

The legislation would also forbid patients from growing their own marijuana and using it in public, and it would regulate the drug under the strict conditions used to track the distribution of medically prescribed opiates like Oxycontin and morphine.

Christie was heavily supported by libertarian Republicans in his '09 race, including NJ libertarian Republican activist, Medical Marijuana Coalition member, and former McCain for President staffer Ryan Christiano.

by Clifford F. Thies

Somebody has to tell this guy that the unemployment rate not going up when the number of people having jobs goes down is not a good thing.

In the December labor market report, the unemployment rate held steady at 10 percent while the number of Americans having jobs went down by 85,000. There is only one way, mathematically, for this to happen. It is for the labor force participation rate (the number of people working and looking for work, as compared to the number of population over 16) to fall. This rate fell in December, to a 25-year low of 64.6 percent. It fell because more and more people have given up the hope of finding work.

Christina Roma, Chief Shill for the Administration on the Economy, put it this way, “To put this number in perspective, employment declined 139,000 in September and 127,000 in October. So, in a broad sense the trend toward moderating job loss is continuing.”

How does it feel, Christina, to be the spin doctor for an economic disaster?

The end of hope?

As I have been tracking it, consumer and business confidence are at pathetically low levels. According to my monthly meta-survey of something like 100,000 households, consumer confidence fell during 2007 to a very low level, from which – even two years later! - it has hardly recovered. A corresponding meta-survey of business, including small business, supply chain managers, bank loan officers, human resource managers, CFOs and CEOs, gives a very similar picture.

Consumer and business confidence refer to short-run prospects, e.g., one-year or less. In terms of longer-run prospects, a particular question from the monthly survey conducted by the Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan is informative. It asks what kind of business conditions are expected in five years. At the start of the decade, about 60 percent expected good times. Nowadays, about 60 percent expect bad times. In April, 57 percent of respondents to a Rasmussen Poll said they expect the children of today to not be as well off as their parents. My God!

Why should Americans be so despondent?

The problems facing this country are not merely subjective, although fatalistic pessimism is itself a problem. Four major concerns loom like the four horsemen of the apocalypse over the economy.

In terms of higher taxes, we have:

— Expiration of Bush tax cuts

— Higher taxes on “the rich”

— Expiration of various business tax breaks and of the amelioration of the AMT

In terms of the risk of inflation, we have:

— Unsustainable budget deficits, huge debt guarantees and other “off balance sheet” liabilities

— Doubling of the Money Supply

— Early warning signs: Gold, Exchange Rates

In terms of a socialized economy, we have:

— Health care reform and the cutting of Medicare and Medicaid, the “savings” of which will mean some combination of higher private insurance premiums and reduced quality of health care

— Socialization of industry in the name of Climate Change

— TARP and the socialization of credit

In terms of geopolitical uncertainties, we have:

— Afghanistan

— Al Qaida

— Home-grown terrorism

— Radical Islam in Africa and Asia

— Nuclear Iran

These are real problems that require a strong and prosperous economy, as well as inspirational leadership in Washington.

Another stimulus package?

While Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher got the economies of the U.S. and U.K. rejuvenated using tax cuts, deregulation and privatization, this Administration reverts to the old-fashioned Keynesian stimulus of big spending.

But, the patient needs hope, not another shot of adrenalin. Hope that you can profit through hard work and risk-taking. Not a zombified economy of moochers counting on foreigners increasing the credit lines on our charge cards.

The idea that we can spend our way out of the current mess makes as much sense as King Ahab making sacrifices to Ba’al at a time of decline in the history of Israel. We can sacrifice our freedom on the altars of socialism but we will get nothing but ruin in return.

Dr. Thies is a professor of economics at Shenandoah Univ. in Virginia.

LR FOLLOW-UP

From Eric Dondero:

We reported here at LR two weeks ago on poll numbers showing North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, way out ahead of incumbent Democrat Byron Dorgan. Of course, Dorgan has since dropped out. Another possible Democrat replacement, current Congressman Earl Pomeroy has opted against a run.

Yesterday, Gov. Hoeven formally announced his intentions to run for the seat. With the enormously popular Hoeven running, this now makes for an almost certain Republican pick-up. (Some pundits tossed out the name of MSNBC host, stridently progressive Ed Schultz who is a North Dakotan, but nothing materialized.)

From NPR Poltical Blog:

Democrats currently are without a candidate. Their seemingly most logical choice, Rep. Earl Pomeroy -- who is elected statewide -- said he would not run.

EXPECTED DEM LOSSES (1): North Dakota (open seat -- Byron Dorgan retiring).

Hoeven is a "Western-style Conservative," who is said to be following in the footsteps of South Dakota's John Thune. (Source: Crookston Times, Nov. 2009). He is staunchly Pro-Gun Rights, Pro-Energy Independence, and of particular interest to libertarians, believes Drug Policy should be handled by the States, and not the Federal government.

From Eric Dondero:

Not so good news out of Oklahoma for Libertarian Republicans. State Senator Randy Brogdon, comes from the Constitutionalist wing of the GOP. He is a friend of the OK Libertarian Party, a member of Americans for Limited Government and an Advisory Board member for the Republican Liberty Caucus. But his campaign for Governor in the GOP primary, is struggling to get off the ground. A new poll finds Brogdon behind conservative Republican Mary Fallin by a significant margin.

Latest poll from the Tulsa World:

US Rep. Mary Fallin 68%
State Sen. Randy Brogdon 16%

Rep. Fallin is a staunch conservative, with an NTU score of 94. She has voted with her Republican colleagues in the House on 97% of all votes.

Some good news: The poll found Republican Fallin soundly beating expected Democrat nominee Drew Edmondson 51 to 39%.

Note - the Governor's Chair in Oklahoma is currently held by a Democrat.

Additional Note - Attorney General Edmondson, at the behest of the teachers unions and other liberal special interests, brought charges against libertarian activist and former Term Limits President Paul Jacob and two other Pro-Tax Cut initiative workers in 2006, for alleged wrongdoings in signature circulation. The charges were viewed as a highly partisan attack and were later dropped.

by Paul Jacob

“Frankly, I’m an Obama guy . . . You hear these sort-of horror stories about the government is gonna take your property, or they’re gonna confiscate your ground, and I always thought it was some sort of libertarian gobbledy-gook. But in this case this is exactly what’s happening.”

That was Huey Lewis; this is the news: The Mitchell Slough, in the Bitterroots of Montana, is a century-old irrigation ditch. Newcomers to the area, including rocker Huey Lewis, worked on the slough to make it better for fish. Though farmers were at first skeptical, the redigging and unsilting made the slough better for agriculture as well as for fish.

But those fish are valuable. Other folks covet them.

In Montana, natural water bodies must be accessible to the public. So the recreation lobby took the slough’s owners to court.

At first, the historical facts of this man-made water system held sway. But the Montana State Supreme Court overturned all this, caving in to the intense political pressure to open up the slough to public access.

People with fishing rods may rejoice now, but their victory will be Pyrrhic. The fish and wildlife will degrade. Basically, Montana’s highest court unleashed what is called the “tragedy of the commons.” Public access of a common resource often leads to overuse, in this case, over-fishing. It’s sad news for Huey Lewis, farmers, fishermen . . . and fish.

Paul Jacob is President of Citizens in Charge. His blog is Common Sense.

Halle Berry, was among the most diehard of Obama supporters in 2008. She made numerous appearances for Obama on MTV's Rock the Vote, and sported a t-shirt "Barack the Vote." She donated the maximum $2300 to his Presidential campaign. According to Politico, During the height of Obamamania back in February 2008, at a campaign rally in Philadelphia Berry declared:

"I'll do whatever he says to do," actress Halle Berry said to the Philadelphia Daily News. "I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear."

Now Berry is in a bit of hot water, and catching criticism from all sides for an incident that happened at the Montreal airport. Berry, her husband and baby daughter were allowed to bypass the security line at the busy airport, much to the dissapointment of other waiting passengers. A security guard simply lifted the red rope and allowed her and her family to got to the front, instead of waiting.

From Yahoo News Jan. 8:

Quebec journalist Marieve Paradis said on her blog Friday, she spotted Berry, her partner, Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, and their child, being led to the front of the security line at a Montreal airport Monday, while other passengers waited more than an hour.

Alexis Stodgeill of Black Voices news site comments:

Normally, this would not seem like a big deal -- Hollywood A-listers get led to the front of lines all the time. But following on the heels of the recent failed terror attack in the U.S., any breech in airport security seems like too much.

Various media are reporting that the individual who allowed Berry to pass has not been fired, nor even re-assigned duty. Though a supervisor has promised that they won't do it again.

Note - all Canadian security personnnel at airports are members of the Canadian Airport Worker's Union.