Rangel's economic "hemorrhage"

On January 7, 2009, there was a meeting between Robert Reich, Pres. Obama's economic adviser, and the Way's and Means Committee. There are a few things there, but the thing I want to address came from Representative Charles Rangel in a discussion of providing economic relief money in order to save and promote local and State economies.

"Governors are going to be forced to find some formula to find out how we can get the money where the hemorrhages are."

I have two problems with this short statement. First, "governors are going to be forced..." Really? I don't mind the government saying, "Hey, we are sending you money for high risk areas. Put something together so we can make sure it all gets where it is needed." The problem I have is the transfer of responsibility. Instead of the "unity" we keep hearing about, the goal is to pass the buck to the governors. This sets a precedent. If the money doesn't make it, it's the governors fault. There is no unity, there is a sign off, a transfer of responsibility. "Here is that box of money, it's all in your hands now." I don't like constant federal over-watch, but come on. How hard is it for them to work together to put something together?

That is actually a small thing, one that I may change my mind on later, but there is another element that bothers me most and it is an issue of "common sense." He was talking about pushing money to the "hemorrhages." Medterms.com defines a hemorrhage as "Bleeding or the abnormal flow of blood." It comes from two separate Greek words, one meaning blood and the other "to break free." So Rep. Rangel is saying that there is a constant economy "leak" in these areas.

There was a man living in a small European village who was selected to refill the towns water reservoir after it leaked onto the ground. The man ran from the stream to the reservoir, filling it one bucket at a time. Whenever it reached the small crack, though, the water would drain. When he realized that he was making no progress, he gathered more men, each with larger buckets than his first. Back and forth they ran, filling it bucket after bucket. Finally, the water lever kept rising, even as it was leaking. They filled the reservoir to the top and finally, were able to rest. While they were idle, the water drained through that crack. The next morning, the men saw the reservoir empty again so they began filling it, running from the stream to the reservoir. They did this everyday, and the reservoir emptied every night.

Congress' solution of sending money where these economic hemorrhages are is akin to trying to fill a broken bucket: you may get it to the top, but it will still drain out. But they are not seeing this. All they are seeing is the reservoir is filling, ignoring the fact that there is a reason it is empty every morning. What the villager should have done was let the reservoir empty, repair the crack (or replace the reservoir, but that is a different argument) and then fill it. Likewise, Congress needs to not throw money at these problems but instead, find where the "crack" in the economy is and work to repair it. Once the repair is done, we can send money to give it a kickstart.

Farewell President Bush

I am looking back at the Constitution now to determine the duties of president and this is what I found:

*Command standing military
*Negotiate treaties with consent of Senate
*Nominate ambassadors, consuls, and Supreme Court justices, confirmed by Senate
*Select individuals to temporarily fill Senate seats
*Introduce legislation expedient to his duties and Convene special sessions of Congress, either or both houses

That's it.

There is nothing about securing economy, providing jobs or providing medical care. The power to monitor and maintain economy (when it is within their power) belongs to Congress. They do this through taxation, borrowing money, and coining money.

I think President Bush knew this, so only did what he could to do his job. There are things that I may not like, and the ability to tap my phones without warrant is one, I still find that he was, overall, a very good president. I sit here today, having watched part of the inauguration speech and the subsequent luncheon and parade, reminiscing about the last eight years and wondering what will happen over the next four or eight. Things that cross my mind are the tax cuts he introduced into the House of Representatives. Cuts for corporations who used the new profits to provide raises and jobs. Cuts for higher income individuals who used the surplus to invest in those companies. Cuts for upper-middle income who used the money to buy luxury goods. I think about the legislation he introduced and supported that protects the lives of unborn babies. Legislation like Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. More in his field, President Bush also ensured America's protection from missile attack by backing out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and developing a missile defense system. He also ensured our judicial sovereignty by unsigning the International Criminal Court treaty.

He made mistakes, of course. He backed amnesty for illegal aliens and buckled when the public complained about the idea of sending National Guard to the borders. While it's intent is good, I fear that the PATRIOT Act can be used wrongly, and the bill could have been infused with more protection from misuse. He gave in to too many partisan demands, catering to Democratic officials without them returning the gesture. Then there is the well known "Mission Accomplished" sign on the aircraft carrier. The early strategy in Iraq was a failure, but he made up for it with the surge. That is really all I can find.

President Bush made a few mistakes but had far more successes as president. I hope that people will understand this and historians will record only the truth, not popular ideas. I hope truth and objectivity will outweigh popularity and political winds.

I thank you, President Bush, for doing what you could to ensure our countries safety and sovereignty and will miss your leadership and silent insight.

New writing project, book

I'm starting a writing project (one I have the means and drive to complete) but need all your help. I'm doing a recap of some social, economic, and political events over the past 8 years. Here is what I need:

*What are some key events you remember, and how did you and those around you respond?

*What are some misbehaviors by government, legal or ethical? Be as specific as possible regarding names, agencies, and events as it makes it easier to research.

This will account in as much detail as possible what happened behind the scenes in regards to the chosen events. Once I'm done with net and book research, I'll conduct email, phone and personal interviews with individuals named in the accounts to get their response.

Gov. Janet Napolitano

Then U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (R) appears on stage with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano during a rally in Phoenix, Arizona in this January 30, 2008 file photo.

REUTERS/Jason Reed/Files

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20081120/pl_cq_politics/politics2989141

Okay, this one is fascinating. According to CNN, AZ Governor Janet Napolitano has been asked to become the new head of the Department of Homeland Security. Because she is the governor of a border state, and has been so active in regards to immigration, it's believed that DHS will shift focus from international terrorism to border security. This is great, seeing as how when a door is open, people tend to walk through it. Below is a couple things reported about her.

She was the first governor to push for National Guard patrols on the US border and signed the employer sanction bill, which will criminalize businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

Her cons? She opposed a border fence, rejected a bill to define illegal immigration as violation of state trespassing laws, and reluctantly signed the sanction bill into law.

While there are problems, if she acts as she did as governor, things will better, constitutionally and security-wise, than previous recent administrations. At least in terms of immigration. If I see or hear anything else about her, I will post another blog with information.

Barack Obama on defense, Constitutional response

President-elect Barack Obama has listed his intentions regarding the military. While nost if it is to be expected and not necessarily bad, his goal for the National Guard is purely out of touch with history and law:

Restore the Readiness of the National Guard and Reserves

* Barack Obama and Joe Biden will provide the National Guard with the equipment it needs for foreign and domestic emergencies and time to restore and refit before deploying. They will make the head of the National Guard a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure concerns of our citizen soldiers reach the level they mandate. They will ensure that reservists and Guard members are treated fairly when it comes to employment, health, and education benefits.

The National Guard was established to protect the homefront during WWII. This went to the crapper when it was nationalized and is now used as nothing more than part of the standing army. Mr. Obama, why not just pass it back to the States where it belongs? They then can respond to any homeland emergencies with no delay.

Furthermore, since we're on the topic of military, let's go to the disdained Constitution of the United States. The existence of a standing army was one of the greatest avoidances for the drafters of the constitution. The only mention of raising an army is part of Article I, Section 8, which states that part of congressional duty is "To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term and two Years;". Everything else is exclusively militia, from calling up to "organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed i the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;". I'm seeing clearly that a standing army in federal service may be unconstitutional. On top of that, the States only remaining defense is taken away from the to be used in "foreign and domestic emergencies".

The States should be assigning the officers, operating the military bases, and training the militia according to the general government standards and the president should only be involved when the militia is called up. This policy was established to prevent the use of the armed forces against the citizens and, should it occur anyway, to give individual States a way of defending themselves. We need to return to this policy soon, before the military is forced to turn against the people they have risked their lives to protect. The military bases in individual States should be turned over to the host State and the military units assigned to that base are to be passed to the governor with exception to those already deployed. In the case of deployment, the unit will be passed to the governor upon return. The general (federal) government will maintain control over the Marines who will be assigned to coastal and riverine bases only, as they are a branch of the US Navy and the presidents temporary force to be used in defense of the United States until the militia can be called up and a proper army be raised.

Constitution Party of Missouri retains ballot access!

Like Ron Paul, I would like to see the Republican Party return to it's former Conservative values and principles. However, even if they do, freedom is too great to depend on a two-party system. Competitors must exist to keep the others in check, just like in the free-market economy. Thankfully, one of those competitors is the Constitution Party who, in the time I have been watching them, has maintained a proper constitution-driven platform and goals. From presidential-hopeful Chuck Baldwin to Missouri governor candidate Greg Thompson, the men and women representing the party have held to the constitutional principles that established this great union.

This is the post-election email from the Constitution Party of Missouri:

Constitution Party of Missouri

retains ballot access!

Needless to say, this election was a historic event. Our Party was up against HUGE odds, including monumental amounts of money, and having been certified only 4 short months prior to Nov. 4. It was definitely a "GOD Thing" that we were able to hang on by the skin of our teeth. AMEN!

Many may be disappointed, but our victory is EXTRAORDINARY considering the higher than average voter turnout.

The Executive Board would like to thank each and every one of you who ever signed a petition, got others to sign a petition, became a dues-paying member, donated money, wrote a letter to the editor, called talk radio or C-Span, volunteered to place your name on the ballot, and those who invested their time and effort working at the polls and on the campaigns of our courageous candidates.

ALL of us want to thank our wonderful candidates. They displayed much courage by volunteering their names to help the cause.

Dr. Gregory Thompson drove thousands of miles around Missouri speaking to every breathing human being he saw and attended hundreds of events, fairs and festivals. He purchased and distributed thousands of yard signs and even more campaign brochures. He literally sacrificed his every waking moment to "the cause". He was on 50 radio interviews, was a guest speaker at a variety of events, and sometimes preached at 4 different church services in a single Sunday.

Having 5 opponents in his gubernatorial race, including the powerful, Jay Nixon and Kenny Hulshof, Gregory still garnered 28,867 votes. Gregory is a blessing to all of us. I encourage anyone reading this message to thank him for his service to the CPMO and ask about purchasing his new book he just authored, "Giving Aid and Comfort to the Enemy". Better yet, if you haven't already, send him a donation.

Travis Maddox lost his job with the City of Springfield due to his political involvement. His every waking moment was also consumed with campaigning against the powerful Roy Blunt but still garnered 6,148 votes with 4 opponents. He was interviewed on radio many times and attended 50 + events. He personally purchased hundreds of yard signs and campaign brochures and now needs to seriously look for a "real" income-producing job. All this while producing radio ads for the CP, conducting his own talk show on Internet Radio, helping Chuck Baldwin's campaign as their Blogging/Internet Director, and serving as Vice-Chairman of the MO Party. (Whew! good thing he's young and energetic!)

Thad Wheeler, our candidate for State Rep.in South Central MO literally walked his District handing out thousands of brochures. The local grocery stores helped by stuffing customer's bags with them. He personally paid for multiple daily radio ads . Thad lost his job in the middle of his campaign, but, luckily, was able to find another before the campaign ended. His opponents were the incumbant Republican and a Democrat, but he still garnered 3.3% of the District's votes.

Our candidate for State Treasurer, Rodney Farthing, fortunately had only 2 opponents and was able to garner 65,911 of the statewide votes. Rodney's cooperation with completing and submitting a number of questionnaires and surveys and agreeing to every interview in an effort to further our cause, helped the CPMO achieve our goal of retaining ballot access with these votes.

Cindy Redburn's powerful opponent for U.S. Congress was Russ Carnahan (the son of the late Governor Mel & brother to Secretary of State, Robin). She was up against a powerful democratic machine, but still garnered 4,309 votes. Cindy held several classes where she taught the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration while serving and performing her duties as the MO State Secretary.

Cindy's website has also been identified by the United States Library of Congress as a website of interest for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Election 2008. The Library of Congress preserves the Nation's cultural artifacts and provides enduring access to them. The Library's traditional functions are acquiring, cataloging, preserving and serving collection materials of historical importance to the Congress and to the American people to foster education and scholarship, and has extended to digital materials, including Web sites.

Jim Rensing, candidate for Lt. Governor, was the first CPer to voluntarily throw his hat into the ring. Jim notarized 1,200 petitions for us and is a passionate long-time supporter of the CP Mission. He purchased many yard signs and completed and returned all his surveys and questionnaires resulting in receiving 29,070 of the statewide votes.

We wish to thank the following candidates for their courage to place their names on the ballot. These CPers helped lend credibility to the Party and support to all the other candidates:

Denise Neely - Secretary of State - 35,147 votes

Richard Smith - U.S. Rep #8 - 2,256 votes

David Leefe - State Rep. 388 votes

Mark Opheim - State Rep. 1,125 votes

Don Simmons - State Rep. 2,090 votes

Don Griffin - State Rep. 556 votes

Dennis Hustead - State Rep. 284 votes

Jennifer Friedrich - State Rep. 2,853 votes

Robert Mills, State Rep. 764 votes

In the meantime, look for encouraging news of our continuing efforts to keep liberty alive through a renewed and ongoing campaign!

Blessings,

Together, for the cause,

Donna Ivanovich, Chair

Travis Maddox, Vice-Chair

Ray Kish, Treasurer

Cindy Redburn, Secretary

Constitution Party of Missouri

www.constitutionpartymo.org