Tag: Energy Independence

Are Democrats Thinking Clearly?

G’Day!

Apparently the answer is, No. Perhaps Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and refusal to accept the Constitutional outcome of his election has fueled their hated of Trump and caused a collective loss of rational thought for nearly four years. Across the country Local, State and National Socialist Democrats appear to have lost their ability to think clearly regarding the welfare of America. Their sole objective seems to be to eliminate President Trump by any means, even if our great country is harmed in the process.

Four years ago Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States. Subsequently, he stood up to China and Iran, implemented tax cuts, fought for the working class, brought investment & manufacturing back to our country, created millions of jobs, generated higher economic growth, raised wages, made America energy independent, significantly reduced oppressive government regulations, handled the Chinese Coronavirus and achieved the historic “Abraham Accords Peace Agreement” between Israel, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These are amazing accomplishments in a single Presidential Term.

During this same period, Democrats have actively opposed virtually every Trump program and spent most of the four years on endless unsuccessful impeachment proceedings and equally unsuccessful investigations of his administration. The Democrats are even blaming Trump for the Chinese Coronavirus and the anarchy in Democrat-controlled cities. This is ridiculous! Even today, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is blocking any progress on a second Stimulus Package needed to counteract the negative economic effects of the Chinese Coronavirus. None of these Democrat activities has improved our country or benefited the American people.

In the Democrat-controlled cities of New York, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and Portland plus other smaller cities, anarchy reigns. The rioting, looting, burning, destruction, attacks on police, harassment of innocent citizens and killings are not being suppressed, are increasing and are even supported by these Local and State governments. Crime, intimidation and chaos is currently the norm in these major metropolitan areas and is spreading. A recent report found that there have been approximately 570 violent riots in nearly 220 locations spread across the U.S. this year. In Rochester, NY, and Saint Petersburg, FL, innocent citizens having dinner at an outdoor restaurant were harassed & attacked by so-called “Peaceful Protesters”. In a single day this week in Louisville, KY, 16 separate acts of looting occurred, over 100 people were arrested and 2 Police Officers were shot. In Los Angeles, CA, 2 police officers were shot while sitting in their car. Most of these same cities and states have rejected or protested against President Trump’s offers of Federal support to quell the violence. Is America better off as a result of these actions by Democrats?

It seems evident that these riots are organized and not spontaneous. Who is funding them? Who arranged the advance delivery of bricks in NYC or the signs and riot equipment from the U-Haul in Louisville? Why are riots happening virtually simultaneously across the country? These acts are not “Peaceful Protests” and the perpetrators violating the law should be arrested and punished to the full extent of our laws. Anarchy and attacks on police, innocent people and local economies must be condemned by ALL political parties, ALL media, ALL American citizens and immediately stopped.

Not surprisingly, Democrats are also blaming President Trump and the police for the riots, while actually ignoring or supporting the attacks by the rioters on law enforcement and innocent citizens. The problem is not Trump or the police, who are trying to maintain law & order. The problem in these communities and States is the Democrat Administrators, who refuse to enforce our laws. Apparently, TDS has resulted in a loss of their ability to put law & order and the welfare of the American citizens ahead of their obsession to eliminate President Trump.

Vote accordingly in November!

The Old Guy PhD 🇺🇸

Has American Decided Its Future?

G’Day!

No, there is still the opportunity to influence our future! While it is not possible for me to adequately describe my disappointment, disbelief, and initial unhappiness with the results in this election, a free people in a free society expressed their current desire for a popular President to continue to transform our country into a centrally controlled socialist welfare state. If this new nation evolves, our country will be very different from the America in which I have long lived, long enjoyed, and hoped to endow to my children. Fortunately, we live in a country where it is possible for an election as divisive is this one to take place peacefully and without violence and there will be another Congressional election in only two years. We now know (or should know) exactly what the next four years are likely to bring unless we strive to change it.

On its current track America faces a looming financial & economic collapse, unsustainable deficits & National Debt, higher taxes and healthcare costs, the ultimate failure of our important social safety nets, continued energy dependence on nations that do not like us, and a Foreign Policy of appeasement, apology, & withdrawal that has encouraged terrorists & enemies of the US and our allies. If Iran does create a nuclear weapon and the “Arab Spring” continues to deteriorate, it is unlikely that our best ally in the Middle East, Israel, will survive without resolute US support. Without a course correction, the America and freedoms I know and love are probably doomed. In my opinion, our only hope is that Obama reverses nearly all of his policies (unlikely) or the Republicans and Democrats in Congress can find a bipartisan way to resolve our country’s multiple crises quickly (possible). It is now time for all of us on both sides of the issues to work together to save our country. It can be done!

John F. Kennedy at his inauguration said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!” This was not only inspirational but an accurate indication of our country’s culture of independence, freedom, and opportunity at the time. Since those words were spoken, our nation has experienced a gradual erosion of our freedoms, a huge increase in the size of our government, and increased welfare and dependency by citizens on government. We must regain our spirit of personal responsibility, mutual cooperation, and independence from a government that increasingly seems to believe (with apologies to JFK), “My fellow dependents, ask not what you can do for yourselves; ask what your government can do for you!” Let’s all endeavor to reestablish a culture of unity not divisiveness, compromise not partisanship, progress not gridlock, and independence not welfare. We are all Americans!

I believe the Republicans can and should take the lead in proposing new solutions to the major crisis of our time: the impending financial collapse of our federal government and our economy. My two principal suggestions for initial Congressional action are: 1) In the lame duck session extend the “Bush Tax Cuts” for 6-12 months to avoid the “Fiscal Cliff” and give Congress a reasonable opportunity to properly deal with the real reforms necessary and 2) As the first priority in 2013 pass the Bowles-Simpson proposal in the House with added entitlement reform as the appropriate framework for a permanent solution and submit this to the Senate for review and actual vote. (see “Bowles & Simpson Have it Right!” “Obama Ignores Bowles-Simpson Debt Reduction Commission-Again!” “Debt Reduction: Bowles & Simpson Have it Right-Redux!” “Debt Crisis-Whatever happened to Bowles-Simpson?”) Simply “Taxing the Rich” cannot work. If the “Rich” were taxed at 100% and paid it (unlikely), there is not enough tax revenue available to pay for and sustain our government for the future. What is required is renewing the growing private-sector economy necessary to create the jobs needed to move individuals from permanent dependency to employment and personal independence. In other words, “Save the American Dream!”

Longer term Republicans need to properly and practically address with positive programs the issue of Latinos in America (+40% voting edge for Obama), Women’s issues (+11% voting edge for Obama), and the lack of under age 30 youth support (+20% voting edge for Obama). Without broadening the party’s appeal to these constituencies, it will become increasingly difficult for Republicans to win future elections.

The challenge facing our future is getting our government to work together to correct its self-inflicted path of fiscal insanity, unsupportable debt, unsustainable entitlements, and individual dependency on government by a combination of economic growth policies, major business and individual tax reform to increase tax revenues, cuts in unnecessary federal discretionary spending, and reforms required to make our social safety nets and entitlement programs sustainable for future generations. We can do this! Let’s get to work!

The Old Guy PhD

Decision Time in America – Which Future do You Want?

G’Day!

On November 6 we will face an election that will decide our nation’s course for many years. This election will be the most important election in our lives and will decide not only our immediate future but also the future for our children and grandchildren. After 3 ½ years of the Obama Administration, the Senate Democrats, and over a year of campaigning, our choices have never been more clear. At stake is the success or failure of our economy, the relationship between our government and ourselves, federal fiscal and debt solvency, taxation levels, America’s role in the world, and the legacy we are endowing to future generations.

The key issue we must face is which Presidential Candidate and political party offers the best opportunity for economic & job growth, wealth creation, supportable social safety nets & entitlements, sustainable National Debt, and a higher standard of living for the American people. It is vital that each of us take the time and make the effort to understand the potential consequences for our culture, our freedoms, and the potential survival of our country from these two widely different visions of government’s role in our society and vote accordingly.

Choice 1

Fundamentally, Romney/Ryan and the Republican Party support smaller government, free market capitalism, a strong national security, and individual liberty. They believe in the Constitution as written by the Founding Fathers, individual & business freedoms, private property rights, sound fiscal and monetary policies, lower taxes for business and individuals, a government limited to the powers granted in the Constitution, and equality of opportunities for all citizens.

Specifically in this election, Romney/Ryan and Republicans support overturning government run Obamacare, which significantly increases healthcare costs, adds central bureaucratic control over healthcare, and erodes our freedom of choice in the doctor/patient relationship. They support overturning the Dodd-Frank financial legislation, which has stagnated our financial industry and economic growth and adds layers of still to be written rules and regulations and additional costs over banking. As protection from mounting problems in the Middle East, Romney/Ryan and Republicans support the construction of the Keystone Pipeline and the opening of public lands and offshore exploration for expanding and achieving North American energy independence.

Republicans further believe in a clear and resolute Foreign Policy supported by a strong economy and military and free trade with other nations. They believe that a reasonable but not unlimited social safety net is desirable for those truly in need and welfare as a temporary situation with the objective of being a transition to independence. Romney/Ryan advocate major tax reform by lowering the rates and broadening the base for individuals and businesses in order to promote economic growth. They further advocate major entitlement reform to bring the Federal Budget into balance, while insuring that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will be sustainable for future generations.

Regarding the economy, Republicans believe that prosperity and job growth is derived from entrepreneurial business activity free from excessive government interference and is advanced by minimizing regulations, having lower taxes, and maximizing freedoms and opportunities. Individual and business success is praised, honored, and rewarded. Free markets determine winners and losers and wealth is distributed based on objective “achievement” through persistence, intelligence, and hard work.

Choice 2

Primarily, Obama/Biden and the Democrat Party support bigger (unlimited?) government, centrally planned European-style neo-socialism, reduced national defense, and bureaucratic control of individual and business freedoms. They believe in a “living” Constitution to be interpreted and modified by the judicial system as desired, control over private property use, and unsustainable fiscal policy and National Debt. They advocate open-ended entitlements, welfare, and government spending, higher taxes on businesses and individuals but especially the successful “rich”, and forced wealth transfer to achieve “fairness”. Opportunities for success (or failure) will be largely determined by central government administrators.

Specifically in this election, Obama/Biden and Democrats approve of and are committed to retaining government run Obamacare and Dodd-Frank financial legislation. They have no practical national energy plan and are against the Keystone Pipeline, offshore exploration, and expansion of fossil fuel development on public land. As is well documented, Obama currently favors “Green Energy” as the alternative to fossil fuels and, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), has used billions of taxpayer money to subsidize and support his belief. Through the EPA and DOE, The Obama Administration is waging a “War on Coal”, which is preventing the country from exploiting a cheap and plentiful fuel source and will result in the loss of thousands of jobs in the Coal Industry. All of this makes America weaker and more dependent on foreign energy from the troubled Middle East Area.

For nearly four years Obama has followed a Foreign Policy of appeasement, apology, and withdrawal emphasized by planned reductions in the military and controlled trade with other nations. Obama and Democrats believe in regulated and even hostile control over businesses and the use of Administrative Executive Power (especially EPA, DOE, Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), and Department of Labor (DOL)) as desired to accomplish this. They believe in and have encouraged entitlement expansion and welfare dependency supported by a $6 Trillion increase in the National Debt in four years.

Obama/Biden and Democrats believe that economic and job growth is derived from central government planning not free markets, high taxes on successful individuals & companies, and taxpayer funding through grants and subsidies to bureaucratically selected companies and industries. Individual and business success is envied, derided, and penalized through regulations and wealth transfer. The government determines winners and losers based on administrative subjectivity and wealth is redistributed based on an arbitrary determination of “fairness”.

For months we have heard impressive speeches from our President promising more of the same “Hope and Change” supported by increasing government restrictions (Obamacare, Dodd-Frank, the EPA, the DOE, etc.), unsustainable entitlements, higher taxes on the “Rich”, and ballooning National Debt. But no volume of skillful oratory by the President can disguise the fact that Obama and the Democrats have no new ideas for the next four years and Romney/Ryan and the Republicans do. Romney has articulated clearly his 5-Point Plan to get America back on track to a prosperous growing economy with job opportunities for those who want to work: 1) Energy Independence, 2) Free Trade, 3) a Balanced Budget, 4) Improved Education, and 5) Tax Reform to support Small Businesses. While no one party or individual is perfect or will solve all problems we must select the alternative that provides our best opportunity to save our country from financial disaster and economic chaos that uncontrolled government deficits represent. The survival of our great nation depends on making the right choice.

OK, it’s decision time! Which future do you want? Please take the time and make the effort to study the alternatives, the potential outcomes from each, consider what is at stake for yourself, your children, and our great country, and vote wisely. The choice will be yours on November 6th.

The Old Guy PhD

Debate Round Two – Romney Wins with Truth & the Economy

G’Day!

First, hooray for Ryan in the Vice Presidential Debate! He withstood a frontal attack by the Democrats’ chosen “Pit Bull”, Joe Biden and Won! Biden inappropriately and disrespectfully interrupted, laughed, and expressed contempt while Ryan was discussing the serious issues facing America. Biden’s rude and comic behavior illustrated his and Obama’s disdain for the problems facing our country. Also, it is important to note that Biden misrepresented (or lied?) on major issues approximately five times in the course of the debate. (Remember, Vice President Biden is only a heartbeat from the Presidency – is he your choice as a backup?)

Congratulations to Romney for beating Obama again (& biased liberal moderator, Candy Crowley) in the second Presidential Debate with honesty, strength, new ideas, and an unbiased picture of the declining American economy. Equally important, Romney has new ideas and reiterated his 5-Part Plan to correct the Obama economic malaise – Energy Independence, Free Trade, a Balanced Budget, Improved Education, and Tax Reform to support Small Businesses. For his part, Obama merely offered a rehash of his failed policies of the last 3 ½ years, a belief that taxing the “rich” will solve the debt crisis and create wealth and prosperity, and repeated his “bumper sticker” slogans blaming everyone but himself. Obama says that the Republicans want to return us to the failed policies of past. Does he mean free market capitalism, personal freedom, and limited government? Or does he mean the failed policies of socialism, communism, and wealth redistribution, which have historically failed and are currently failing in Europe?

Romney also continues to win women voters with his focus on fairness, jobs, the economy, and bringing down the cost and improving choices in healthcare. Obama appears to believe that the important women’s healthcare issues are taxpayer funded abortions and birth control. If misinformation (deliberate lies?) and character assassination plus unsustainable deficits and potential national economic disaster are appealing to American voters, Obama will win in a landslide. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats have degenerated into employing the desperation tactics used by losers with no rational alternatives – they blame others for the problems; attack, ridicule, and misrepresent their opponents positions; attempt to change the subject; and accuse their opponents of lying! How low can they go? Fortunately, I have faith in the intelligence of the majority of Americans to think for themselves and see through the misinformation and character assassination techniques being used by Obama, the Democrats, and supported by the Liberal Media.

This election is a clear choice between individual freedoms, high growth free market capitalism, fiscally responsible limited government, and saving “The American Dream” vs. government-restricted personal and property rights, a slow growth government controlled economy, irresponsible and unsustainable growth in government, entitlements, and our National Debt, and destroying “The American Dream”. I sincerely believe that, if Obama and Biden are reelected, we are at best facing European style socialism and dependency, increasing taxes for ALL who pay them, and continued economic decline. At worse, we could face exploding National Debt and ultimately national financial collapse. Be aware and vote accordingly!

Think and remember that the freedoms, opportunities, and economic growth we have enjoyed for over 200 years were the result of hundreds of thousands of loyal and dedicated Americans who unselfishly fought and died in many wars to create and protect them. These brave men and women unselfishly served to protect our freedoms and to promote freedom and democracy not only at home but also throughout the world. Obama is deliberately or accidentally undermining and eroding these hard-won individual freedoms and our capitalist economy in order to bring centrally controlled wealth redistributed “fairness” through “Neo-socialism”. Under neo-socialism the government does not own businesses, it forces them through regulations and rules to conform to the wishes of appointed (not elected) central administrators. (Think of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DOE), Obamacare “Death Panels”, the Dodd-Frank “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau” and “Financial Stability Oversight Council”, etc.).

As I have said before, the growth of Western Civilization and especially the United States was fuelled by the expansion of individual liberties, property rights, and a free market capitalist society. Our nation was established on the fundamental principle that government is the servant of the people, not that people are servants of government. It’s time to take back our country and return to the individual liberties, free markets, economic growth, and limited government we have long enjoyed. Vote in November!

The Old Guy PhD

The Presidential Debates – Romney Wins Round One!

G’Day!

Finally the American people were able to see both the real Romney and the real Obama on the same stage, at the same time, unfiltered by spokespersons or the biased Liberal Media. The debate was informative and enlightening and a huge victory for Presidential Candidate Romney.

Romney was enthusiastic and passionate, decisive, well prepared, well organized, and armed with better specifics of both his own proposals and those of Obama. Romney was more confident and professional in his delivery, firm but friendly in responding to the questions of the moderator, Jim Lehrer, and those of Obama, and quick to stand up for his principles and to correct the misinformation presented by the President. Romney stood solidly in favor the basic tenets established by our Founding Fathers in The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights. The most significant of which is a government limited to protecting national security, individual freedoms, private property rights, free markets, and providing fair and impartial justice. In his debate remarks Romney laid out a five part path to future growth and prosperity: Energy Independence, Free Trade, a Balanced Budget, Improved Education, and Tax Reform. I’m in – are you?

On the other hand, Obama was not well prepared, poorly organized (even rambling at times), and appeared uncomfortable in the setting and especially with Romney’s challenges and corrections of his misinformation. He was lackluster, hesitant, and vague in his presentation, repeatedly relying on the familiar “bumper sticker” slogans used during his campaign – “fair shot, fair share, same rules”, “failed policies of the past”, “saved us from the biggest recession since the Great Depression”, etc. How many times do we have to listen to this misinformation? During the debate President Obama looked bored, did not seem to want to be there, and became increasingly uneasy. Obama has not been seriously challenged since the primary against Hillary Clinton and even then the Liberal Press “had his back” as they have persisted in doing since his election. When everyone around you, including most of the Press, fawns over your very presence and you win the Nobel Peace Prize for actually doing nothing other than being elected, it is difficult, especially without a “teleprompter” or agents to spin the issues on your behalf, to be publicly challenged by an opponent who is equally or better educated, has far more experience, and has high religious and moral standards. It makes you wonder just how capable Obama is in serious negotiations with other world leaders? Obama did make it clear again that he believes Big Government, higher taxes, more regulations, less personal freedoms, and more spending are the answer to our economic, fiscal, and debt problems. Do you?

As stated in my last article, “The November Election-A National Intelligence Test for America!”, this election IS the clearest choice between two different visions for America: sound fiscal policy vs. unsustainable fiscal policy, less government vs. more government, more individual and business freedom vs. less individual and business freedom, lower taxes vs. higher taxes, free market capitalism vs. centrally controlled neo-socialism, stronger national defense vs. weaker national defense, private doctor-based healthcare vs. central government mandated healthcare, strong foreign policy vs. weak and apologetic foreign policy, and, perhaps most importantly, more support for The Constitution vs. less support for The Constitution. These are the real issues from the debate and which we will be voting for or against in November. Do not make the mistake of letting Obama’s campaign rhetoric and a prejudiced Liberal Media systematically brainwash and deceive you into failing to think for yourself and to vote for what is right for our county.

As I have stated in previous articles, our nation was established on the fundamental principle that government is the servant of the people, not vice versa. It’s time to take back our country. Vote in November!

The Old Guy PhD