Merry Christmas

Wishing you all the best and a very safe and happy new year.

Changes the Republican Party Must Make Part 2: Taxes and Tax Cuts for the Rich

One of the biggest mistakes the Republican Party has made has been the entirety of the issue of tax cuts. The party allowed the dems to totally distort the tax cuts and then compounded the problem by not returning to our conservative roots and leading the way in calling for them to be ended.

The simple fact is that I don't know a single wealthy person (and I know quite a few) that is against repealing the tax cuts for the richest as long as the government starts spending our money in a much more sensible manner. This is why I suggest Speaker Boehner  not only agree to the President's request to end those cuts but to lead the way. He should offer (through the press) that we whole heartily support the plan to end the cuts for the wealthiest coupled with across the board 5% spending cuts. By across the board I mean everything including defense.

It is far past time our elected nitwits start actually doing the right things for this country rather than what is politically expedient. This should be played out in complete transparency in the court of public opinion via the media. The party position should be we are trying to work with the President and Dems in Congress. If they resist the spending cuts blow it all open in the press and turn it around on them.

Frankly, I think we should clean house of all the wonks and consultants and shitty public relations types that just have not done their job.

Changes the Republican Party Must Make Part 1: Abortion

   Not long ago I was helping a friend campaign for a county row office and I had the chance to observe first hand the strangest of things; the single-mindedness of the one issue voter. I cannot tell you how many people asked this exact question "what is your stance on abortion?" but suffice to say it was a rather embarrassing number.

   I found it embarrassing because I consider myself to be a conservative republican. Strangely, these people asking that question of somebody running for a county row office, probably consider themselves the same. Therein lies the embarrassment. People like me will get lumped in with people like them.

   You see, I know that a county row officer has absolutely zero say in the abortion debate, The simple fact is, nobody other than the Supreme Court does. So why was it such an issue for them? I couldn't say even though many of those that asked are in fact pals of mine. The sad reality is that they happen to be single issue voters and frankly I wish all single issue voters would just stay home on election day regardless of what their issue is. They are a menace and an relentless boat anchor dragging down whichever party they attach themselves to. 

   I am not denigrating the beliefs of the pro life movement as I happen to agree with them with a scant few exceptions. The simple fact is that no sane person can honestly say they are pro abortion period. But alas, this isn't the black and white issue both sides would like to present it as. Like life, it is filled with grey areas. The exceptions I have to my anti-abortion stance are in the instance of rape or incest. I cannot fathom that anybody has the right to tell the victim of such horrendous crimes that their suffering must be prolonged and that they must actually give birth to a permanent reminder of their darkest moments. Is it the baby's fault? No, it sure isn't but to every rule there must be at least one exception and in this instance there must be at least two.

I now offer an example of pandering to one side of the movement that was definitely a contributing factor to Romney losing. A major douche by the name of Akin actually said that women have a natural defense against getting pregnant in the instance of legitimate rape. I've heard every explanation as to "what he actually meant" and none of them are true. It was a declarative statement designed to elicit a  positive response from the pro life voters. Some of whom may actually believe such utter nonsense. What that horse's ass didn't count on was people being able to see the other side of the statement which was essentially that any woman that got pregnant from being raped must have secretly wanted/enjoyed it and thus became pregnant. It was a terminally stupid thing to say and in fact undermines the very people he was trying to court.

If Conservative Republicans want to change Roe v. Wade and actually have some impact in saving babies, they need to pick the battles to fight and concede those that cannot be won. It isn't rocket science. It will appeal to the vast majority which would demand a new look at the supreme court case. Simply, fight to ban all late term abortions. Fight to make adopting an American baby simpler and cheaper than going out of the country. Fight to make abortion for teens the same as any other medical procedure meaning they must have parental consent for the procedure. Bring into the fight  that women's birth control is now covered by Obamacare and there really isn't any legitimate reason for getting an abortion. I think if you screwed up (pun intended) and got knocked up, you should take responsibility. Besides, who knows, maybe the child you may have can grow up to be the one that cures cancer or invents a tachyon drive.  Before anybody points it out, yes I know that birth control isn't 100% effective. To you I say that abstinence is in fact the only 100% effective form of birth control but we don't want to teach that do we?

Once we can get the douchenozzle politicians to quit pandering to special interest groups I think our elections will start to straighten themselves out. The next part of this series is coming soon. Stay tuned.

Why Did Romney Lose?

It's been a week since the election and I have heard  many theories as to why Romney lost. I don't think any of the pundits have touched on reality.

The fact is that whether you want to accept it or not, Romney just wasn't a great candidate. He is a real life Gordon Gecko and let's face it, while everybody wants to be GG, nobody actually likes GG.

When we add in what I consider his campaigns biggest gaffes, he really didn't have much of a chance. The 47% comment was probably the biggest gaffe and it certainly put most of the nails in the campaign coffin. laying down in the last debate was a huge mistake but nowhere near as big as not putting massive distance between himself and the "legitimate rape" faction of the party.

Could Romney have been a lot less flippy floppy? Sure. Could he have told the ultra-far right wing religious zealots to pound sand? Sure (let's be honest, how many of them are there? not even close to the number of social moderates). Could his campaign of done a better job playing hardball and blasting the President for his outlandish lies and distortions? You bet.

I truly believe if the Republican Party wants to start winning that the formula to do so is incredibly simple. Become a whole lot more socially moderate and a whole lot more fiscally conservative. I am hoping the powers that be within the party start listening to reason and stop listening to entertainers like Rush Limbaugh.

The Election of 2012

What seemed like the longest election cycle in history is finally over.

I offer a hearty congratulations to all of the winners including Pres. Obama. I am praying that his 4 years of OJT will greatly improve his performance for this term.

Election 2012

Tomorrow is the big day. Please get out and vote. There is nothing more important for you to do tomorrow.

Matt Cartwright

I've met the man and he is likable. Do I think he's going to win? Yes I do and that means we all lose.

He's going to win because he has a war chest that would choke a small African country and the district he is running in is overwhelmingly democrat.

Why do I say we lose when he wins? Simple, every ad, every interview, pretty much every sound bite from Cartwright has essentially been spend, spend, spend, and then spend a little more. The only peep he has made about how to pay for his multi-trillion dollar spending spree has been the now thoroughly debunked (and very tired) line about asking the "rich" to pay a little more.

You don't have to be a mathematical genius to understand the numbers don't work. Frankly, you'd have to be completely ignorant of basic math to believe we can raise enough revenue just from the rich to even come close to paying for our current level of spending.
Remember when I said I met him? I did and he did not seem to be mentally challenged so I am assuming he genuinely wants to spend the country even farther into oblivion.

The day is coming when the interest payments on the national debt will exceed the entire defense budget. If you think that day is far into the future, you are wrong. It will happen within a decade unless our country gets spending under control. We simply cannot afford Matt Cartwright's brand of thinking.

Do I think this little post will change the outcome of that race? Nope, but I can dream of a better America, can't I?

Aaron Kaufer vs Phyllis Mundy

What a fight this one in shaping up to be!! In the challenger's corner we have Aaron " The Whippersnapper" Kaufer weighing in at "too young and inexperienced for the job" but with a likability that just can't be beat. In the champion's corner, we have Phyllis "the Princess of Pensions, the Pig of Pay Raises" Mundy weighing in at a super-heavyweight of 2 decades in office and the questionable ethos of a career politician.

This fight is a lot closer than the incumbent wanted. I've met both candidates running and both happen to be nice people. Why am I favoring Kaufer? Simple, he hasn't been there creating the problems our state faces for the last 2 decades. The same cannot be said of Phyllis Mundy. If for no other reason than that, Kaufer deserves your vote!

The New Star Wars Kid

With all of the country's problems solved, Pres. Obama takes a little play time. What a joke. Unfortunately the joke is on us.

Amazing Archaeological Discovery-Earliest Remains of a Liberal

Sen. Bob Casey Doesn't Deserve Your Vote

Sen. Casey has voted lock step with Pres. Obama's policies. Without exception he has voted completely along party lines contributing to the massive gridlock that is what passes for governance in Washington D.C. these past 4 years.

If those policies had led to America being in better shape than when the current Pres. took office, you may be able to make a case for re-electing him. Unfortunately for all of us, that just isn't remotely reality.

Unemployment continues to hover at 8%. A staggering increase in welfare recipients. The Senate blocking every jobs bill that comes to them from the House. Gas still close to $4. per gallon. Middle East turmoil has increased including the rape and murder of our Libyan ambassador. I could go on and on but will finish by pointing out that Sen. Casey was also there during during the end of Pres. Bush's second term when things really start snowballing downhill.

Honestly, other than being born into political royalty, what can you say about Sen. Casey? Nothing other than he, like the President he has blindly followed, has been an abject failure. He doesn't deserve your vote and frankly I'd vote for anybody short of Satan to replace him.

1000 Words- Pres. Obama's World Apology Tour

Who Won the Presidential Debate?

I've always liked an aggressive style when debating and clearly Pres. Obama was by far the more aggressive last night.

I think the President clearly won on nearly every foreign policy issue (all 3 that were brought up) mostly because Rmoney decided to agree with him on all of them.

Whoever in Mitt's camp came up with the plan to appear as the super amiable moderate should be kicked in the nuts repeatedly. I understand that with 2 major sporting events on television that they assumed most viewers would be women but really, what woman wants a man that appears soft?

The only points I think Mitt clearly scored were on domestic issues  which he handily won all of them. The Pres. cannot overcome his dismal record which is why he spent the last 2 debates on the attack. If you can't run on your record, conventional wisdom is to attack and try to destroy your opponent. I think Pres. Obama has tried that but came off looking rather non-presidential and more than a wee bit scared.

We are in the last two weeks and I cannot wait to see the ads that are bound to come out!!

What can we expect from tonight's Presidential debate?

I doubt we will see anything new. In other words, Pres. Obama will spend much of his remarks addressing that nothing is his fault and that he killed Osama bin Laden. He may spend a brief blink or 2 blaming Hillary for the Libyan Fiasco.

What I want to hear is if Rmoney actually has some foreign policy positions other than peace through superior firepower (of which I am a limited fan). 

The real questions are how much both candidates will abuse the moderator and just how much bias the moderator will show. 

What Will Be The Effect of Repealing the Bush Tax Cuts?

So much political hay has been made of the Bush Tax Cuts that I feel that since the media won't take a look at the issue in earnest, yours truly must.

First, the moment Pres. Obama extended the cuts, they became his. So continuing to call them the Bush Tax Cuts is pure political gamesmanship.

Second, calling them tax cuts for the rich is equally just political bullcrap. Everybody that actually pays income taxes got a cut. How the left thought that people that don't pay federal income tax could get a cut is beyond any rational comprehension. Basic math tells us that even if we reduced the rate for those that didn't get a cut by 100%, the effect is zero cut. 100% of 0 is in fact 0. Don't blame me, blame math.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's look at the numbers, shall we? If the cuts are taken away from everybody making $250,000 per year or more, the government will raise an additional $82 billion in revenue. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? To any normal person that is huge. To our government it is almost nothing.

How can I say that? For FY 2012, our illustrious government is planning on spending $3.8 Trillion (3,800,000,000,000). So just how far would that additional $82 Billion   (82,000,000,000) carry us? Eight lousy days. Yep, just 8 DAYS!!!

Think those numbers are mind boggling? Let me go one further. That $82 Billion would cover just 30 days of our current deficit spending. You know, the money we are borrowing to continue the country's insane spending binge. 

Do you still think that repealing the tax cuts will even put a dent in this country's problems??? It won't even put a nick in them.

Best Picture From Last Night's Presidential Debate

President Obama Showed Up For The Debate

And still lost. I was glad for the President to prove he wasn't the mope that showed at the first debate. I think he did far better this time around but still failed on many of the big points especially Libya and the economy.

He came out directly stating he wants another assault weapons ban which I think will hurt him with the voters.

My wife watched the debate with me and believe me she is a very moderate person politically, her comment was Pres. Obama came off poorly and was very unbelievable. She was almost as incredulous as I was when Rmoney more or less directly told the President he has been a complete failure and Pres Obama's response was crickets. Of course I have said before that Pres. Obama is a lot of things and stupid isn't one of them. Even he knows he cannot run on his record. His record as Pres. is deplorable and in fact not defensible.

I will say they both beat the snot out of the moderator!!

Presidential Debate 2- Electric Blame Bush-a-roo

Tonight's the night and I genuinely cannot wait. I think this debate will be even better than the first as I believe Pres. Obama is going to come out swinging and make the same mistake Joe Biden did, only better...lol

Pres. Obama didn't show up for the first debate and instead had Clint Eastwood's empty chair on the stage with Rmoney. The problem is the empty chair made Obama look very foolish although not quite as goofy as Biden looked in the VP debate.

I believe Pres Obama is going to come out and try to tie Romney to all the Bush policies. Aside from just about every rational person in the country being tired of the buh, buh, BUH, BUT BUSH bullshit (let's face it Obama has yet to accept any culpability in his failures), the problem is that Obama has continued and or extended most of Bush's policies. The Bush Tax Cuts? Those belong to Obama now. The further eroding of freedoms? All on you Barry. Killing people around the world with robot drone strikes? yep, old B-Rock is all over that. The list is really rather endless.

If I were Mitt, every time he tries that shit I would just remind him that he has continued that path. Worse still, when he tries any new Obamanism, it fails miserably. If Pres Obama does the whole shaking his head and laughing at inappropriate times like Biden, I'd just turn to him and say " Mr President, are you feeling okay? Because I sure as heck don't see what is funny about Iran having nuclear weapons".

I'd also ask the President of these United States if he felt poor Hillary has taken enough of a beating covering up for the men in her life. And if so, why make her throw herself under the bus on the Libya cover up?

Now that I've got my snark out of the way, if you still think the debates aren't complete set-ups feel free to read the pre-debate agreement betwixt the candidates and moderators here. Don't you think it is a damn shame we can't have an honest, real debate between the candidates for the highest office in the country???

RIP Arlen

We may have differed in opinion on occasion but you were indeed a good man at heart, I wish you well on the next leg of your journey. 

You had a unique ability that is sorely lacking in DC these days. You always knew that compromise was key to ever getting anything done down there in the "suck". Perhaps the congresscritters on both sides can catch a clue. If not I hope you haunt them.

Romney's Tax Returns and Obama's College Transcripts

During a recent Romney campaign stop, a heckler from the audience hollered, "Hey Mitt Witt, where are you hiding your tax returns?

Governor Romney politely responded, "I've found a very secure place that I'm certain they won't be found."

The insistent heckler, then shouted, "And just where is that, dummy"?



Governor Romney smiled and said, "They are underneath Obama's college records, his passport application, his immigration status as a student, his funding sources to pay for college, and his Selective Service registration.

"What's your next question?"

Thanks to Rick H.

Who won the Vice Presidential debate?

I would give the edge to Biden for just one reason; I like my political debaters to be aggressive. Joe Biden was by far the more aggressive of the 2. He definitely did what Pres. Obama failed to do.

However, I cannot for the life of me make any sense out Biden making faces and his constant laughter. He was laughing more than anything and at the least it made him seem delusional. At the worst it made him look like he was hopped up on meth or disco biscuits.

I will give Ryan credit for remaining professional and being articulate. Biden often rambled so far off the subject I lost track of what the question he was attempting to answer was. I think the next time Ryan goes into a debate he will have learned from his mistakes in this one.

A free tip for Ryan; When you were talking about the danger of Iran becoming a nuclear power and Joe Biden was laughing as you spoke, the correct response would've been; " Joe, are you insane? I cannot see any humor in Iran having nuclear weapons!" and then continue your answer. 

Like any rational person, I see nothing remotely funny about Iran going nuclear. I'd like Joe Biden to explain to his fellow American's exactly what he finds so humorous about it.

Ryan Vs Biden Vice Presidential Debate

This may even top the time my daddy rented a stubborn mule as the worst ass whipping in history.

Ryan is going to positively destroy Joe Biden and I can't help but feel bad for crazy old Joe. He does a dandy job of making himself look like the village idiot but that will be nothing compared to what Paul Ryan does to him tonight.

You can join the Luzerne County Republicans at their debate watch party at Rodano's in Wilkes-Barre. Details here Debate Watch Party.

I'll be watching this from home again with a nice follow up on my take tomorrow.

Press Release from Congressman Barletta

Rep. Barletta Clear Winner of First Debate

Hazleton, PA - Tonight, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta was the clear winner in the first debate between the incumbent congressman and Democratic challenger, Gene Stilp. 

Rep. Barletta clearly explained the challenges facing the 11th District and the nation, and proposed solutions in a wide range of subject areas, from job creation to foreign policy to energy.

"Lou Barletta showed he is not afraid to tackle the the tough issues, solve America's problems, and put Americans back to work," said Lance Stange, Campaign Manager.

"Stilp, on the other hand, offered vague, evasive answers and untruths to hide his lack of understanding of the issues and his shocking lack of plans or even ideas on how to save essential government programs that help seniors, the sick, and the poor."

Nude Photos of Michelle Obama

I bet that title got some attention and now that I have it;

This is a quote from my friend Gort42's blog; The Luzerne  County GOP picnic had about 50 attend but they have gone back to the old ways of fighting each other. Urbanski won the Chair so the Casey supporters will boycott everything. More on that later in the week.

While I can certainly imagine what he will write, I thought I would chime in with my not so humble opinion. 

First, I never really was a Casey "supporter" and we disagreed, sometimes vehemently, on many things. That being said, I have heard nothing of an organized boycotting of any county events. Terry Casey and I most often disagreed on his "big tent" theory of including all no matter what their transgressions may be. My point was always; If they actively work against the party or in fact campaign for Democrats when we have a Republican candidate, who needs them. Terry never saw it that way.

It is a well known and established fact that even when Casey was chairman of the county party that there were members of the executive committee as well as elected committee people that actively campaigned for Democratic Party candidates. This didn't start under Casey's chair but long before. Frankly, I won't name names or "out" all of those in the County Republican Party that do this as they are all well known and can be seen at any large Democratic fundraiser. Think any Yudichak, Mundy, or Pashinski fundraiser and you'll probably recall seeing them there. (btw, I do in fact keep a ledger)

Do I understand supporting a friend running for office? Sure I do but when you sit on the executive committee of your county's party, you cannot do it. Period, end of story.

Well those that were best at this duality are now back running the county party. Does this mean I won't go to a county event? Absolutely not!! I haven't heard one other person tell me that they are boycotting anything either. Fact is I will probably see some of you at the Luzerne County Republican's Fall dinner!!

More Presidential Debate

By now we've all seen or heard some funny quotes about the debates last night. My personal favorites were; Dennis Miller "Obama better hope a kicked ass is covered by Obamacare" and ironically, from the uberdouche himself, Bill Maher "Obama made a lot of great points tonight. Unfortunately most of them were for Romney".

As a conservative, I think it is very important for our side to stay classy about Pres. Obama's stunning defeat last night. The far left has a penchant for being nasty, insulting, mouthbreathers and I think we should take a higher road than the Chimpy McFlightsuit crew.

Pres. Obama is a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them. he will come into the next debate far more prepared and won't look nearly as clueless as he did last night. 

What we have to look forward to now is the VP debates. I actually feel bad for Joe Biden. He had his hands full with Palin and let's be honest, she isn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. Ryan will blow him away like a tumbleweed in a tornado. It will be both hilarious and sad to watch.

The First Presidential Debate

I am surprised that both candidates actually answered questions. This may be a first!!

Who won was obvious but it certainly wasn't a blowout. Congratulations Mr. Romney, you did well. You better get ready for the next one as I think President Obama is going to come in a little more prepared.

Romney was nowhere near as robotic as I thought he would be and Pres. Obama kept his uhs and ums to a manageable level.

Presidential Debate Drinking Game

I humbly offer 2 choices for your debate drinking game.

First, if you have to drive home after the debate, this one is for you. The rules are quite simple.
Every time either candidate actually answers a question you have to take a drink. I can almost guarantee you will be stone cold sober.

Second, if you have a designated driver or are watching from home, this one is for you.

Every time Pres. Obama says inherited, previous administration, Bush, uh, or um- you have to take a drink.

Every time Romney comes off looking and or talking like a robot- you have to take a drink.

If you follow those simple rules, you will be annihilated, blotto, wrecked, plowed, murdered, 3 sheets to the wind, bombed etc.

Enjoy the debate though I seriously doubt we will see anything new tonight.

Pres. Obama's Past

I find it hilarious that the democrats want to spend so much time focusing Romney's past while at the same time doing everything to distract from the President's.

By just about every possible metric, things are much worse today than when Obama took office in 2009. Fact is, the only street things are better on is not Main St, it is Wall St. We have a running record of months with unemployment above 8%, deficits over 1 trillion dollars each and every year Obama has been in the big chair. More people on food stamps and welfare than at any other time in history. The list of bad tidings this president has brought is seemingly endless.

Can anybody point to something that is better now than when he took office? I guess you could say we are out of Iraq but that would've happened no matter who was in. Maybe you would point out his signature health care bill. I would say it is so deeply flawed that even the left doesn't like it. Maybe extending the tax cuts?? BTW, please stop calling them the Bush Tax Cuts, the moment Obama extended them, they became his. He repealed DADT, granted a good thing, but with so many problems facing the country I can't help but think that could have waited. Truly, I cannot think of anything really positive to say about Obama's presidency. Maybe you can help me out and tell me.

The simple fact is that Pres. Obama has been an abject failure unless you count making things worse as an accomplishment. I really don't think Clint Eastwood's empty chair could have done a worse job. 

Clinton was a pretty good president. He was a democrat that worked with a republican congress to get things done. Reagan was a good president for much the same reason except he worked with the democrats. Obama simply doesn't have the leadership ability of Clinton's cigar or Reagan's jelly beans!

An Open Letter to Every Congressperson, Senator, and Pres. Obama

Instead of playing politics and scare tactics with Social Security, why don't you just fix it?

Here I am just a simple blogger from East Nowhere, Pa and I have the solution that should easily win bi-partisan approval. It is so simple it is scary. 

To save the program, remove the income limitation (currently $110,100) and make every dollar earned subject to withholding and declare that anybody with a net worth exceeding $5 million cannot collect the benefit. Can anybody really and truly argue against this?

Without Spending Cuts Raising Taxes is Futile

As you can clearly see from the above graph, even if we taxed those making $1 million per year or more at a 100% rate it would only cover about 60% of Pres. Obama's projected deficit.

I'm not talking about paying down the national debt, rather just trying to cover our illustrious President's deficit. Amazing isn't it? Even if we took every penny the "rich" made in income tax, we cannot break even. Still think we don't need to cut spending in a big way??

NEPA Blogfest 2012

Gosh, it has been so long I hope I remember how to do this.

I had a wonderful time at Rooney's Pub in downtown Pittston. It was great to see so many familiar faces. I even had a chance to get a few words in with a mean old man!!

The event was a real success with a wonderful turnout. Everybody from Matt "I promise everything to everybody for free" Cartwright to Lynnette Villano was there.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with people I really like and respect. To name a few, Renita Fennick (one of my favorite people in the universe), Gort, Bob Boyer (granted, the head of the enemy party in Luzerne County but an honest, stand up man), Walter Griffith (the best county controller in recent memory), and Bill Goldsworthy. I am sure I left out a few people but I'm getting old and my memory isn't what it used to be..lol

I'm going to start writing again and I hope you'll come along for the ride. I've changed a bit, mellowed in some ways and become even more rigid in others. To all the douchenozzles that have felt like you've had a pass, beware, I am back and I will be writing about you!!

Stay Tuned

There is a rumor that I may start writing again. I may give it another shot just because of the wealth of material out there to write about.