Vox » USA

“Race” for the White House

Vox — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:27:12 +0000

If you want proof of the racism inherent in the Leftie media, just watch any of the interviews they have done with Herman Cain.

This man is running for the highest office in the land, he has a long resume of production & success, he is spelling out a specific plan to fix the economy*, he is consistently polling at or near the top of a crowded field…

And the only thing the “news” anchors care to ask him about is the color of his skin, or whether he is a traitor to others who share his skin tone.**

I said before that Obama was the antithesis of Martin Luther King Jr’s dream; he was judged only by the color of his skin, any attempt to suss out the content of his character was soundly rejected. (Which Obama and his supporters encouraged, screaming racism at any question of his experience or competence)

Herman Cain is withstanding a great deal of actual racism in his bid for the presidency, other than taking the bait re: Perry’s lodge, he has done a good job of bringing the subject back to what really makes him tick – and it isn’t his skin tone.

How about we treat skin color as we would hair color or height; a distinguishing feature, sure, but one which has no bearing whatsoever on how a person thinks or feels. Lets judge the individual on his merits, not his melanin.

This is something true Conservatives already know.

* Whether Cain’s 9-9-9 plan is the right plan is not germane to my point.

** Don’t even get me started on the “celebrities” who say he is not really black because of his success & beliefs, or that any Republican who supports him does so because they are racist

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Trim The Fat

Vox — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:53:14 +0000

(UPDATE: Some of you have been directed here looking for an article on legal issues. While I feel there is certainly a case to be made that NEA spending is not Constitutionally legal, I doubt that is what you had in mind. I recommend this article to satisfy your legal curiosity and to beg the question, When did this nation of laws become instead a nation of regulations?)

I asked previously about what government programs you were afraid to lose in the ongoing budget battles I got a bit of feedback elsewhere (the downside of social media, fewer blog comments) but no real discussion.

I’ll start with one of my pet grievances:
Why do we have a National Endowment for the Arts?

I have nothing against art (some of my best friends are artists), but I cannot fathom why it was decided that the government should be in the art business. Not only in the financing of art, but in deciding what, in fact, passes for art – and what is worth “buying”

The human desire for beauty is undeniable and well documented. As is the practice of wealthy patrons supporting the work of artists they believed in. Private citizens making a personal decision about what they felt worthy of production.

Government has no business collecting tax dollars in order to distribute them to artists. No more than they would be right in distributing those dollars to dog groomers or window washers. There is zero Constitutional justification and no ‘public need’.

The annual NEA budget has been hovering around the $150 million mark (their request for 2012 is a mere $146,255,000) I realize that $150 million is a drop in the bucket when we are facing deficits in the trillions, but (to paraphrase) “A hundred million here, a hundred million there, pretty soon you’re talking about real money”

The beauty of a sub $200 million program like this, though, is how easy it would be to transition it to the private sector. You artsy-farsty types think public art is so important, put your money where your mouth is. Let’s put the NEA on a deadline; six months from now, the funding will no longer come from the federal government. In that time, superstars & supermodels should be able to pony up enough cash to ensure it’s continued existence – and find someone trustworthy and good with money to oversee it.

Heck, if they still want it to be a collective effort, why not set aside a percentage of their union dues and box office receipts? That way they could feel good about the work they are doing now paving the way for those still trying to get their break.

Warren Buffett thinks his contribution to the federal budget is too low, this is his chance. He could write a check tomorrow that would keep roadways and parks dripping with art installations for decades.

And we would be a baby step closer to reigning in the unnecessary spending by our government.

Clearly A Victim Of MSNBC

Vox — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:41:40 +0000

Found this in a comment stream on Google+

Complete regurgitation of inaccurate MSM talking points.

The democrats have given in over and over again to the Republicans, arguably placing the country in the situation it is today, and it’s come to a point that one more concession to the Republicans is enough to destroy the middle class, and redefine the lower class.

I find it appalling that the people, GOP especially, that were elected to represent the people of your country, that were elected to do what was best for your country, and were elected to make your country the great place that it is so often claimed to be are willing to viciously screw 99% of the citizens over for a chance to be in a better position come 2012.

Concessions need to be made on both sides, and a middle ground needs to be established that benefits the most possible people, not just the top 1%.

Hope his answer doesn’t count for too much of his grade – cause it is a big FAIL.

Frivolous Expenditures

Vox — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 06:46:22 +0000

The budget battle drags on in D.C.
Obama is calling together congressional leaders to work on a compromise.
Spending cuts seem unlikely, tax increases seem assured.

Basic economics (which few people seem to grasp these days) dictate that you shouldn’t buy what you can’t afford.

So, those of you wringing your hands and gnashing your teeth over potential program cuts:

What is it you are afraid to see the government STOP buying?
What program or programs do you believe need to be off limits?
Why do you think those programs are necessary?
Why do you feel they should be funded by taxpayers?

Convince me that your pet cause doesn’t fall under “discretionary spending”.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident”

Vox — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:36:43 +0000

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Declaration of Independence, text of the declaration of independence

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I’m Not Paying Enough In Taxes

Vox — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:30:02 +0000

While working my way through Turbo Tax (something the current head of the Treasury apparently couldn’t do) I found this screen – perfect for anyone who feels Americans just aren’t contributing their fair share.

OK, all you sanctimonious blowhards…go ahead. Put your money where your mouth is.

Just leave my money alone – I DO pay enough

(and if I get audited this year, I guess we know why….)

“Well—business as usual, Mr. Ward!”

Vox — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:53:23 +0000

“…the man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.”

It has been quite a while since I read Atlas Shrugged so I am sure there will be much that feels new in the upcoming film. However, since the film was announced and I began commenting on it, I have had many people throw in their 2 cents about the story.

I may not remember much of the book, but if your take away from the narrative is “Every man for himself”, as has been suggested, you either didn’t read it or your reading comprehension is terribly lacking.

“He knew no weapons but to pay for what he wanted, to give value, to ask nothing of nature without trading his effort in return, to ask nothing of men without trading the product of his effort.“

I also am glad that the casting worked out as it has. I have no doubt that having Dangy portrayed by Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron or Maggie Gyllenhaal would have resulted in more media interest – but I think that interest would have pulled the focus. I also am not convinced either of those actresses have the right…demeanor…for that role.

Taylor Schilling has a limited resume but a familiar face, and from the trailer seems well suited to the role.

I look forward to seeing this opening weekend, even if I have to venture into Tempe to do so.

UPDATE: I wonder how Angie Harmon would have done with the part? I may be biased, though – you know how I feel about her.

UPDATE: Roger Ebert clearly one of those who never actually read the novel, or has ridiculously poor comprehension skills. His take away message, “I’m on board; pull up the lifeline.” And his review was clearly already decided before he even saw the movie.

Happy Veterans Day

Vox — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:58:58 +0000

UPDATE: Atlas Shrugs’ tribute, Head Bowed.

Found the vid at Sister Toldjah, and it seemed appropriate for the day. My brothers were Marines, so those uniforms have a special place in my heart.

Lucky Me, dedicated to those who serve “He is the brave, I am the free. Lucky me.”

UPDATE: From a Veteran on Veterans Day

reposted from 2008

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Vox — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:36:26 +0000

A comment thread on Facebook got a bit out of hand, and I just had to share it here:

It started out simply with a FB friend saying: “Yippy! For the GOP! We did it!! Doesn’t it feel soooooooooo good to clean out the trash? Let’s take back our country!!” A moment of celebration after some hard months of campaigning.

One of her friends responded with several digs, eventually getting to this one (which I couldn’t resist):

Your state is BOUND to fail under Brewer. Electing someone that is obviously and openly racist is not smart…it isn’t 1950 anymore.

She’s already killed a lot of tourism…except the racists like AZ now. So expect an influx in Klan and Neo-Nazi rallies. They’ll flood into Arizona.

I responded with many points, including read the darn bill. I also, at some point in the exchange, referred her to the NYT article that proves her wrong – Arizona loves immigrants, and is ranked as one of the most welcoming states in the nation.

There was more, with her claiming some yahoo neo-Nazi that patrols the border was somehow “appointed” by Brewer (not even close to true). However, despite the fact that he is under no one’s authority, and has broken no laws, she wants him arrested and ‘removed’, simply because his views are offensive. That sounds rather Facist-leaning coming from someone who accuses Arizona of turning into a police state.

More exchange, more of her completely dismissing the facts. In my last comment (where I said my peace, bowed out, and also apologized to the friend whose comment thread we had hijacked ) one of the points I made referenced the earlier story from the NYT:

“The people you claim are racist for being Arizonans are some of the most welcoming people in the nation when it comes to legal immigrants & refugees.“

And her reply, the reply of an enlightened individual who spent hours calling the state of Arizona, the governor, the law enforcement, and the residents, RACISTS, was this.

Feast your eyes, feast your eye-ers (FYI, she’s in NJ):

On the contrary, I’d say they’re more welcome here…and I say that with bitterness, believe me. My town has turned into little freaking Mexico City and most are illegal and they’re taking over the bloody schools that my kids attend. Well, my kids go to a Charter school presently so the school is far more ethnically diverse and more of a better example of the general populace than the regular public school which has 3 out every 4 students with Hispanic backgrounds and I would bet MOST of them had immigrant, if not illegal immigrant parents. Meanwhile, my kids are not getting their full funding from the state because they attend a Charter School (the school gets a percentage) so little Jose whose parents probably rent under the table is getting full funding from our tax dollars and his mom couldn’t be bothered to send him to kindergarten with a single word of English in his young mind. Ok, now I’m ranting. Obviously I’m annoyed. All this being said, my ranting does NOT extend to my kids who have friends of all backgrounds, including Mexican.

And this

The official language NEEDS to be set as English so people who don’t know it and have no desire to learn it can feck off.

Wow – projection much?

Dedicated To Stifling The Liberty

Vox — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:46:33 +0000

Sharing this from an old buddy who lives in California:

How fearful and afraid of the future the so-called “Progressives” in California must be to elect those who are dedicated to stifling the liberty, creativity and hope of the average citizen. How little they think of the common citizen when the elect those who will tax and regulate him until he is a slave of the state.

Indeed

Come on over to Arizona, Dr Love.
(No, that isn’t a nickname, it’s his real name)

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