Opus 2026-358: How Do You Explain the Red Baron?

As I was feeding my grandson we were discussing all the characters on his Charlie Brown glass.  He recognized Snoopy but could not remember the birds name.  He claims he never knew.  I think I knew but I can’t remember.  It will probably come back to me in the middle of the night.  (Such prophetic ability: Woodstock.)

I was naming the characters I recognized but mentioned that I didn’t see the Red Baron.  This, of course, brought up the question of the Red Baron and who he was.  This generated the question of, “Was he a good guy or was he a bad guy?”  How do you explain such complexity to a six year old?

The Red Baron was on the losing side.  That automatically makes him a bad guy.  When he wasn’t shooting at you he was probably quite gracious.  That makes him a good guy.  Explain that to a six year old.  In the real world even adults have trouble with such things.

We tend to want to paint with a broad brush and only use black and white.  The world is really full of tiny brush moments and is either shades of gray or a whole palate of colors.  Many choices we have to make are multiple choice, not true/false.  As much as I want things to be simplified, I accept it isn’t going to happen.

That being said, it is still necessary for us to make choices.  Sunday when talking about voting the pastor pointed out how we often have a choice between two evils and many people don’t want to vote for evil.  His advice, vote for the lesser evil.  Utopia isn’t and won’t be but we can be salt.

homo unius libri

Opus 2022-117: Whom Should Vote?

More and more I am convinced that the right to vote should be limited.

People who wear a mask while driving alone in their car with the windows up should not be allowed to influence the direction of the country.  People who allow their children to sit in a class with fully made up transvestites putting on a show should not be informed we are having an election.  I question whether people who are impressed by a package of lemon drops advertising itself as a “fat free food” or people who buy a rice product because it is “gluten free” should be allowed out of the house without a minder.  My wife has been known to mumble something about how women should not have the right to vote, but I can’t comment on that myself.

Historically there have been limits on voting.  In ancient Athens, slaves could not vote.  Political offices in Rome were asset based.  In many countries that embraced a democratic form of government you were not allowed to vote if you did not have a certain net worth or income.  It was assumed to have a voice you needed to have skin in the game.  Picture a society where over half the people pay no taxes.  Will they vote for a tax increase so they can get some benefit, say a new library?  You betcha.  In a heartbeat.  They do it because they assume someone else will pay for it.  I am not sure you can blame them.

I would say that IQ might be a way to decide but many people with high intelligence have no common sense.  I don’t think that renters should be able to vote on property tax increases.  There are probably other requirements or standards that could be invoked.  It is a conversation that would be useful.  

As a practical matter, in spite of what I am saying,  I would probably be really reluctant to implement such limitations.  My reason would not be that they are unimportant but that I understand the problem of precedent and the question of who makes the rules.  Who will decide if I am mentally deficient or cognitively challenged?  Will it be the same people who are fact checkers on Twitter and Facebook?  Eventually.  That is the only thing that keeps me from pushing the idea harder.

Maybe we can find a way.

homo unius libri

Opus 2022-080: Election 2022: Half a Paper Trail Is Better Than None

I voted on Tuesday.  Although I don’t approve of the extended early voting I still make use of it.  It went smoothly and I was pleased to see something new.

Paper ballots.  

The machines were still there.  I had to get a number to put in the machine but when I finished making my wishes known the machine printed out the results of what I had marked.  So far, so good.  Then I was told to take it to another machine, check to see if it was accurate and put the paper in the second machine.  That was when it was counted.  Cool.  

I did not get a copy.  Not so cool.  My paper stayed in the machine.

But it was still better than just electronics.  There will theoretically be a trail that can be followed.  The problem for me is that I don’t know if my vote was tallied honestly.  I should be able to check that someway and with modern technology it is doable.  If nothing else I should be able to take the number I used to get my ballot, go on line and check to see if what they have matches what I did.

We are making progress.  I hope it does not stop here.

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-181: New Terms: Political Dementia

I hope you are paying attention and don’t develop a case of political dementia.  That is where you can’t seem to remember anything and start believing whatever you are told by your care givers.  If you need to, take notes and take names.

At the head of my list is going to be our governor Greg Abbott.  I had felt good about him until the China Virus panic was drummed up by the media.  At first he got squishy by doing a partial shut-down.  Then he said we didn’t have to wear masks.  Now the Chicken Little’s have convinced him the sky is falling and he declared we all had to wear masks everywhere.  Out of the other side of his mouth he said he was not going to shut the state down again.  What does he think will be the result of masks, social distancing and reduced occupancy in restaurants?

There have also been cities and counties that jumped on the wagon.  It is probably too late to do anything in this election cycle.  Often the Democrat would have been even worse. 

That is in Texas.  If the city councils of Seattle and Portland are reelected then the people who have remained in those cities deserve what they get.  The same goes for New York, city and state, and California. 

The reality is that eventually everyone will be exposed to this virus.  That is the way the world works.  The vast majority will be totally unaware.  The unfortunate few will have a hard time.  The number of businesses that have gone under dwarfs the number of people sick.  I am disappointed in our governor.  I hope I have some options when he comes up for reelection.  I hope my dementia stays at bay.

Elections matter.  Vote the suckers out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-231: The Most Important Election

I have been hearing a lot about how this election is the most important in our lifetime.  I have heard it on the radio, read it on the internet and was reminded again today.  This sounds serious.  This is true.

It is always true.

It doesn’t take long to give up the liberty that we have grown so complacent about.  Think about elections.  Where would we be if the polls had been right about Ronald Reagan being elected?  Where would we be if Jimmy “malaise” Carter had been reelected?  How much worse would things be if Kerry or Gore had prevailed?  Can you picture the Supreme Court today if Hillary had won?

Ronald Reagan took a bit longer view but the sentiment was the same.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Is this election vital?  Yes, just like the last one and the next one.  If getting excited by quotes like this gets you out to vote if it is a rainy day, well and good.  Remember the issues.  Think about what is at stake.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-004: Headlines: Bexar Says “No”

I saw a column based on President Trump doing away with his committee that was looking into voter fraud.  In the context of that I saw one today going the other direction.  The Free Beacon strikes close to home.  It tells about a group, the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which is trying to access voter records to check on non-citizens voting.  It seems like a no brainer to me.  Why would the county refuse to reveal the records.  It might be some kind of turf battle or pride issue but there is no legitimate reason.

The reason it got my attention is that it is in Bexar county.  I live just across the street from Bexar county.  It is pronounced like bear, that animal, by the way.  This is in Texas.  Let me give you some details about Bexar county.  As the article says, it contains San Antonio.  One of the strange details about Texas is that the large towns are blue and purple.  The reason the state tends to be red is because most of the people outside the cities are traditional conservatives.  It surprised me the first time I heard that San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the United States, but it is true.  Big cities breed corruption and Democrats. 

Bexar county has the highest taxes in the area.  When we were buying a home we made it a point to not be in Bexar county.  They also are elitist.  I cannot use their libraries because I don’t live in the county.  Since I don’t pay taxes there, I can halfway understand that but there are many libraries in Texas that will issue cards to anyone in the state and many cities that give courtesy to card holders from other cities.  There is even a state wide card you can get.  They will honor that but they tend to be exclusive.

This group, PILF, wants to check for non-citizens registered to vote.  As in all things civil it will now be 90 days before they can file a lawsuit.  Why?  I don’t know but it is one of the burdens of the rule of law. 

Too bad the other side only uses it to frustrate the law.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-67: March Fools Day

We all know about April Fools’ Day, which is rapidly approaching.  Maybe we need to establish a March Fools’ Day for Super Tuesday.  The foolish are still voting for Trump.  I have to believe these are the same types of people that used to worship at the feet of Obama.  He was going to bring hope and change.  Trump is also using the word change.

Like Obama, the change that will come from Bernie, Hillary or Donald will not be the change people have in mind.  Each one will increase the size of government and suck the life out of the economy.  They, of course, will continue to live in luxury and comfort but the masses will be forced to stand in line for bread and fill out endless forms to be checked by government flunkies who could never survive in a world based on work and talent.

I saw the difference years ago when I took a train from the American style freedom of West Germany across socialist East Germany to Berlin.  I remember how, in the Communist part of Germany, the armed guards on each train platform made sure that no one got on or off the train that did not have government permission.  I remember the dogs and their handlers checking under each car for people trying to get away from socialism.  I remember the island of freedom in West Berlin full of color and life and the drab grey of East Berlin.

I remember but the fools of today don’t.

There is a reason to study history.  There is a reason why modern educators don’t want you to.

I dread a November Fools’ Day

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-24: Repeal the 26th

  think it is time to repeal the 26th Amendment.  In fact we need to amend it or rewrite it. 

In case you were not paying attention, the 26th Amendment sets the voting age at 18.  Okay, so I had to look it up myself.  It is becoming clear that 18 is far too young to entrust with the franchise.  Consider the recent polling data out of Iowa. 

The polls indicated that the under 40 crowd is 2-1 in favor of Sanders over Clinton.  That means that the illiterate generation is twice as much as positive about an avowed socialist than for a closet socialist.  They seem to have not heard of the great socialists of history, Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot to name a few.  Wherever socialists get control death and poverty follow.

But in all fairness it is probable that their history teachers were all socialists too.

Perhaps it is time to raise the voting age to 40.  While we are at it we might want to take the franchise away from teachers and college professors.  I would be willing to give up my right to vote for losing candidates in the People’s Republik of Kalifornia in order to remove educational minions from the voter gene pool.

As George Putnam used to say at the end of each newscast, “Here’s to a greater, stronger America.”

homo unius libri

Opus 2015-210: Cornerstone Considerations: D of I, Good Law, Bad Law

The Founding Fathers, like most Americans today, were dependent on political leaders far away to make and enforce fair laws.  It did not happen.  The first on the list of abuses in the Declaration of Independence was,

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.”

Think of all the laws that need to be passed.  Often they are introduced into congress by a legislator who is truly representing his constituents.  Just as often the bill cannot even get a hearing from the leadership in the House or Senate.  If it can get passed it is vetoed by the President.  If it gets by the president, the Supreme Court puts on their imperial crowns and throws it out. 

I realize that we all differ on what we think is vital and we are on opposite sides of many issues but our political leaders play politics by leaving things in committee so that they are not forced to take a public stand.  Issues are rarely debated.  Other times they use the procedures of the branch to make it possible to vote “yes” at one point and “no” at another so that they can tailor their mailings to say both.

It is amazing how often the same issues raise their ugly heads again and again.  Elections matter.  Maybe it is time to start thinking again about throwing the bums out.  Of course, that is easy for me to say.  I live in California.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-148: Headlines: How Would You Feel?

As I watch the march of Islam back into Iraq my heart goes out, not to the Iraqi people being conquered, but to the American families who lost loved ones in the successful attempt to allow these people to live in security and freedom.  It was successful.  Face it all you Bush haters.  The war was won thanks to the determination of George Bush and the sacrifice of American soldiers.  All the Iraqi’s had to do was man-up and hold on to it.

They have not done so.  It continues to be true that you can’t win someone’s freedom for them. 

I grant you the abandonment of the Obama regime has been a major contributor.  Announcing when you are pulling out and adopting the old, failed Rules of Engagement are sure ingredients for failure.

I believe that American soldiers went to Iraq to assure our security and give the people of that country a chance to establish responsible government and personal liberty.  Both goals were achieved.  We can be proud of that but if I had lost a son in that effort I would be filled with rage now as our current Wimp-in-Chief throws it all away because in his heart he hates what America has been.

Will Iraq survive for two years until we have a change in leadership?  I have my doubts.  It will depend on the citizens of Iraq at this point.  Do they want to submit to murderous thugs or will they fight for their freedom?  Will we survive for two years until the Executive Order president is forced to step down?  Sure, but we don’t know how much more damage he will cause. 

Elections have consequences.  If you voted for Obama the first time you obviously were not paying attention to who he was and what he said.  If you voted for him a second time you are either a fool or are into race-baiting politics.

I think an ingredient for the survival of our republic will be how many of the incumbents are voted out in the next election.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-147: 2014, 1860 or 1866, part 3 of 3

Elections have consequences.

Then we come to 1866.  The moderate Republicans and the Democrats were having it all their way.  They were reimposing a system on the South that hundreds of thousands of Northerners had died to destroy.  The people of good will in the nation watched with horror.  They handled it the way Americans have traditionally handled dissatisfaction with the political situation.  They voted the suckers out. 

1866 was a key year in the history of our republic.  It was a year of mid-term elections.  The moderates were in control and they were doing moderate things.  1866 swept in the radicals.  The radicals passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866.  14th Amendment was passed out of Congress and approved by the states.

A moment on the 14th Amendment.  Most people are aware of the first section.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.  No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

In addition it took away representation from states that kept people from voting (section 2).   It prohibited many leaders of the Confederacy from being elected to Congress (section 3).  It cancelled the debts incurred by the Confederacy to fight the war (section 4).  

How does this relate to today?  The moderate Republicans are still with us.  They are in control of the House of Representatives.  They are often called Rinos.  The Democrats, of course, are still with us trying to keep minorities on the plantation by getting them dependent on the government with welfare and subsidies.  They understand that where Federal money flows, Federal control goes.  In the wings we have the modern equivalent of the Radical Republicans.  We call them the Tea Party.  They are Republicans, Libertarians and Independent voters that are trying to get the country back. 

Are you mad?  Are you willing to do something about it?  We don’t want it to come to war so do the American thing:  Vote the Suckers Out.

Is it 2014 1860, 1866 or samo, samo.  It is up to you.  Elections have consequences.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-145: 2014, 1860 or 1866, part 2 of 3

Elections have consequences.

Now we come to 1865, not an election year, and the issue of “what do you do with the freedmen?”  This involved the evolving concept of civil rights.  The South had lost the war.  The Democrats were definitely a minority party.  The thing that gave the Democrats hope was that the moderate Republicans were in control of congress and the White House.  At the end of the Civil War the moderate Republicans were happy to be winners and wanted to get along.  As a result they allowed the Southern states, still controlled by Democrats, to return to the fold with only lip service to protecting the freed slaves. 

You had two trends developing.  On the positive side, many of the freed slaves were highly skilled craftsmen.  They were the ones who had been the blacksmiths, furniture makers, carpenters and so forth because they had been trained while slaves.  Many set themselves up in business and began to do very well.  Thousands of people came from the North to try and give the new citizens the things they had been denied.  The Freedman’s Bureau was established to provide emergency food, jobs and education.  With no money to back the mandate these volunteers still started 4,300 schools and several colleges.  A lot of hope was visible.

On the negative side you had the emergence of the Black Codes, laws that had only one purpose:  Limit the liberty of the freed slaves and keep them slaves in fact if not in name.  Things got really bad.  This is where black Americans were not allowed to own property or have firearms.  They were forced back into menial servitude.  The white Democrats of the South knew how politics worked and they wrote laws that would keep them in power.  About the same time the Ku Klux Klan, again filled with Democrats, was organized to destroy those who could not be dealt with through the law. 

But an election was coming and elections have consequences.

To be concluded...

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-144: 2014, 1860 or 1866, part 1 of 3

Elections have consequences. 

The general election of 2014 is coming.  Will it be like 1860 or like 1866?  1860 led to war.  1866 led to reform.

I know you didn’t pay attention in your history classes but now you might be old enough to listen.  You may be familiar enough with our past that you realize the two dates mentioned bracket the American Civil War.  On both dates elections made a difference.

In 1860 the hot button was on slavery.  The big issue then, as today, was how much power the federal government had to impose its will on citizens and states.  Citizens as individuals could not do much but the states were strong enough to think they could defy Washington and live to tell about it.  It turned out they were wrong.

In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected president.  It could have been said that he did not have a mandate from the people.  Since he only received 39.8% of the popular vote it is hard to claim that the country was behind him.  His election was the catalyst that caused the South to secede and led to the Civil War. 

The Southern states tried to leave because they felt they had no voice left in the federal government.  It was an act of desperation.  Understand our political system.  In order to pass a new law or change an old law you need a victory in the House of Representative, the Senate and a signature in the White House.  The South had not had any influence in the House for years.  They had lost the Senate in 1850 when California was admitted as a free state.  Their only remaining hope was a president who would use his veto power on slavery bills.  Lincoln was against slavery but had repeatedly promised not to try to take it away from the Southern states.  They did not believe him and seceded. 

The result was a long and bloody war to guarantee that the federal government had the right to tell the states what to do.  More people died in the Civil War than in all our other wars combined.

I don’t care how angry you are we don’t want to see that again.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-129: On the Street: The Demise of Democratic Process

When I returned from voting yesterday for the first time in my life I wondered why I bothered.

In a previous election the stooges of the Democratic party managed to pass a law changing our ballots in California.  We now have what they call an “open primary.”  This means that for state offices all candidates are listed in a lump and anyone can vote for any name regardless of political party affiliation.  If I understand it correctly, the top two names will then be listed in the general election of November. 

What is the problem?

We have fifteen names listed for the office of governor.  Six of those are identified as Republican and two as Democrat.  This is California.  It is entirely possible that the top two names on the ballot will be Democrats and thus there will be no real choice for millions of Californians in November.  This has been a brilliant ploy to keep the party of welfare handouts and crony capitalism in power.

So what is the point of voting?

Add to that the recent joke involving Proposition 8.  Proposition 8 was passed by a strong majority of Californians who wanted to make it clear that marriage should be defined as the union of one man and one woman.  That was all it said.  The people spoke.  Shortly after that one Federal judge, serving for life, declared it unconstitutional.  Did the fact that the judge is a homosexual have anything to do with his decision?  Is water wet?  Is the Pope a Catholic?

So one untouchable Federal judge imposes his personal views on the population of California. 

So what is the point of voting?

We need to impeach more than the president.

homo unius libri

Opus 2013-364: Did You Forget to Vote? Good!

We need fewer voters.  If you forgot to vote last election you probably should not have been voting anyway.

Think about it.  What is required to vote?  You must be 18.  You are supposed to be a citizen.  You have to register.  That is about it.  Are you good with that?  I’m not.

I would like to see a higher bar for voting.  I would like some minimum requirements.  It should be in reach of all concerned citizens and out of reach of the lazy fool.  The problem is that I can’t think of much that would not eventually be abused.

Most people are afraid of this idea because historically it has usually been implemented as a method of oppression.  That is definitely a valid concern.  For instance, after the American Civil War some Southern states were trying to find a way around the Federal law designed to give the freed slaves political clout.  One idea was a literacy requirement.  You needed to be able to read and write.  Sounds reasonable.  But some freed slaves had learned to read and write.  Others were learning.  The “solution” was to give different tests to black citizens than were given to white citizens.  Blacks would be given extremely hard tests; whites, a simple one.  A reasonable requirement became a tool of manipulation and racial oppression. 

Most of the standards I can think of could be misused just as easily.  Most attempts at reform can bring greater problems if misused by people of not good-will.  Think of the times one political party has implemented reform and had it abused by the next president or a new Congress.  I would not hesitate to give George Washington or Calvin Coolidge certain powers that would give me nightmares if Carter or Obama had the reins.  We do need to think about it.

What would I like to see?  How about a simple test before you got your ballot.  A few simple questions.  Who are your current senators?  Name one political party besides the Republicans and Democrats.  How long does the president serve?  How many states are there?  Name one issue the candidates differ on and where they stand.  I am open to honest suggestions.

I would also like to see people who do not own real estate be barred from voting on property tax and bond issues. 

People receiving checks from the government not related to jobs should be barred.  Possibly all government employees should be banned because of conflict of interest.  That would include teachers like me.

Ballots should only be in English and the voter should be able to read them.

Photo ID should be required.

Should we implement any of these?  It would be worth a try or at least a discussion if we could do it without someone yelling “racist” because they don’t have a better objection.  We also need to keep in mind that Carter happened.  Obama is happening.  Tread with care.

Do you have any honest, better ideas?

homo unius libri

Opus 2013-248: Links: Political Parties Do Make a Difference.

Check out this post at Gorges’ Grouse.  It involves the Senate almost voting to give away the Second Amendment to the Constitution.  Make sure you check the party affiliation of the people voting to turn you over to the one world government.  Notice that the only one’s who do not have a “D” by their name have an “I” which probably should be “S” for socialist.

You say it doesn’t make a difference who you vote for?  Guess again.

Vote the suckers out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2013-246: Is it 2016 Already? Part 2 of 2

Why would I pull out of many elections?  Don’t I believe in democracy?  How about the saying that “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is that enough good men do nothing.”  Am I just being a sore looser?

I guess it all comes down to being a man of principle, not pragmatics.  I believe that God has established the principles of life.  I see the constitution as being supportive of those principles, thus I believe in the original intent of both the Bible and the Constitution.  I should always be asking myself what is right, not what is practical.  The “right” is determined by the written word not the wishing heart.  Here is where the believing part comes in.  Because I believe that God is ultimately in control, I believe that if I follow His rules, seek His path and do things His way, He will make it work.

For those who need a Bible verse, I have one.  If you are not a believer, skip this section.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Sound familiar?  Do we really believe it?

Not only do I believe it, I must start putting it in action.  I accept the reality that I can’t wait for someone to have all of my religious beliefs to get my vote.  It ain’t gonna happen.  I know it.  My personal views are too fine tuned for that, or narrow if you prefer.  But there is a larger list that I can expect to find and if I don’t, go third party or skip the head of the ticket.

Don’t I believe in democracy?  No I don’t believe in democracy.  Democracy does not work.  It never has and never will.  The Founding Fathers set up a republic, not a democracy because they had studied history.  History and experience has shown that you can’t have everyone vote on everything.  As early as the days of Moses, Israel set up a multi-level system with leaders who acted as judges over those below them and brought there needs to those above them.  Greece, the seed bed of democracy could never rule itself. 

The Founding Fathers also understood that you needed a faith in what they would call “divine providence.”  Whether they were agnostics, deists, high-churchmen or congregational Christians they could agree on that.  They agreed that moral behavior, rooted in a divine authority was necessary for freedom and prosperity.  It was assumed and accepted.

So I may not vote for president next time.  It will not be because I have given up on the republic.  It will not be because I am desperate and desolate.  It will not be surrender.  It will be a mark of trust in a higher authority.  It will be a mark of refusing to sell my soul.  It will be a statement of faith and expectation. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2013-245: Is it 2016 Already? Part 1 of 2

The talking heads are already speculating about the next presidential election.  We are seeing Hillary’s name touted and a steady streams of Republican wannabes.  There is the speculation that Obama will create a crisis that allows him to make the ultimate Constitutional Side-step and become dictator, for our own good, of course. 

So far I have voted in every election, except one involving only school board members that slipped by me.  I say, “So far.”  It is getting harder to cast a vote when I have no options that are acceptable.  How can I as a believer in Jesus Christ vote when I have no real choices.  The first time this really hit me was when Bob Dole was running against Bill Clinton.  Bob Dole was an honorable, decent human being, unlike his opponent.  But presidential?  I have often said, “The only thing that could make me vote for Bob Dole was Bill Clinton.”  Fast forward to McCain vs Obama.  Same scenario.  Hit the button again and check out Romney vs Obama.  What do they say, deja vu all over again? 

What do I do when the choice is a McCain or an Obama.  The Rhino Squishes need to understand I may never vote for an Obama but I must really force myself to vote for a McCain.  My nose is beginning to get raw from being pinched.  I have a growing sympathy for those who have re-registered as Independents.  I find that my son refused to vote in the last election.  Soon it may be like son, like father.

Maybe it is time for the rest of us to stay home during an election.  There are already enough doing it that we who still believe in the Constitution can see the effect.  The Republican leadership can’t see it.  Maybe we need to make it so obvious that even the moderates begin to realize that they cannot win unless they have us on board and we won’t be on board if we don’t have a real choice. 

The record has been clear.  When the Republicans run someone who people see as a believer in traditional values and supporter of constitutional government, they win.  When they try to run a moderate they lose. 

Is it time to pull back and make the point so clear even a rhino can see it? 

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2012-328, Why This Election Was Epic

I hear a lot about how important this last election was.  I keep hearing about how the re-election of Barak Obama could lead to the end of America as we know it.  There is truth in that but not because of Barak Obama.  Our politics are not that simple.

One man cannot destroy this country, even someone as “brilliant” as our current president.  The men who put the system together were brighter than your leftist professors gave them credit for.  We are still a republic.  We still have elections.  We still have the impeachment process.  Our soldiers still take an oath to the Constitution, not the president.  We still have millions of individuals living lives of integrity and hard work.  Even Barak Obama cannot, by himself, sink the ship of state.  He may try but he can’t do it by himself.

The problem is he has a lot of help.  Some of that help is time tested and expected.  The media has always had strong opinions, a high self image, the public attention and no concern about the truth.  An obvious example because many have heard of it was the Yellow Journalism of the late 1800's.  The newspapers systematically ignored facts they didn’t like and kept pushing us toward the Spanish American war.  We saw the same with Obama.  He was packaged by the media.  His statement about rising energy costs was ignored.  His bloopers were buried.   His associations, whether they be druggies in college, anarchists in politics or racists in church were papered over. 

We have survived that kind of thing before.

We have large segments of the population that seem to be able to turn their thinking powers off and isolate compartments of their lives.  Look at the demographics segments that voted for him in the 90% range:  Blacks, Jews, teachers, Academia, media, single women, welfare recipients.  The polls are not yet in on the percentages of the dead, criminals and pets who voted for him.  But we have had that before, just not in the numbers that we had this time.

The thing that has changed and will destroy us is a population that was willing to re-elect him in spite of his record.  It was bad enough that he was elected.  What had he ever done beside write two autobiographies full of mush and drivel?  Had he ever held a real job?  Has he started a business?  Has he risked his life for his country? 

No.  He gave a speech.

In spite of this he won a majority.  He is our legally elected president.  He has four more years.  Then what happens?  Will he try for a third term?  I doubt it.  We heard the same frantic calls about Reagan and Clinton.  But the sheep will probably be ready for it if he does.  Sometimes it takes a Constitutional crisis to make the obvious clear.

Keep talking and writing.  Maybe people will wake up.

homo unius libri

Opus 2012-114, Plow and Crown: Voter Nominated Offices

This year, in the People’s Republik of Kalifornia, we voted under a new system which was installed under the “Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act.”  It represents a big step backward in the concept of liberty and elections.  It was passed by the large majority of Democrats in California with the purpose of disenfranchising all who were not Democrats.  It does away with most primaries that were originally implemented to pick the candidate of a political party.  I quote,

“Previously known as partisan offices, voter-nominated offices are state legislative offices, U.S. congressional offices, and state constitutional offices.”

What this did in our current election was to reduce the chances of a Republican being elected to the United States Senate.  On the ballot were about 20 names.  Most of them were different Republicans.  There were so many Republicans that the chances of coming in second after the Democrat incumbent were decreased.  I would not doubt that if you could look into the hearts of the people on the ballot a large number of the Republicans were really Democrats in drag, running to water down the chances of opposition.

Manipulation of the voting system is a mark of tyranny.  Part of the goal of the elites is to remove any influence they do not control and make it harder for people to know what their choices are.  In the general election you will not know if the person on the ballot is a Republican or Democrat.

“A candidate for nomination to a nonpartisan office may NOT designate his or her party preference, or lack of party preference, on the ballot.”  (Emphasis in original)

This in effect is what the Communists of the Soviet Union and the Soviet block did when they had single party elections.  You can vote for our man or you can vote for our other man.  Long live the Republik.

I would venture to say that such a device will be coming to a primary near you in the near future.

This is not the end of the world, just a step in the wrong direction.

We hear a lot of talk about how the founding Fathers did not intend for this country to go in the direction of political parties.  Historically we need to understand that our party system was developed after the Constitution.  True, but it was not a new idea.  England, our role model, had parties, the Whigs and Tories, so it would come naturally to the Americans.  But it was not codified so it is possible that the open primary is more in tune with the original intent.  But political parties did develop and we have been stable with this system for 200 years.

The secret ballot that we are so accustomed to is also relatively recent in history.  In the old days everyone knew how you voted.  It made coercion much easier, that is why we have gone to the secret ballot.

The problem is changing the rules in the middle of the game and demanding the power to change them again if you start losing.  We need to wake up to the elite forces that are trying to strip away our ability to live in a Republic of self governing people.

All quotes from California Presidential Primary Election, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, p. 4.

homo unius libri