Thursday, January 31, 2008

Debates in California, both Republican and Democrat

The Republican Debate in California was held at the Reagan Library. How fitting.

The Democrat Debate was held in Hollyweird. How fitting.

But before I continue on with this post about the debates, I wanted to offer an apology about my rant on the last post regarding liberal trolls and the libtards that love them. How ironic is it that at the same time I posted this on my Christian blog, Carried by Christ?

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

My post was in fact profane and vain babblings meant to vent about the trolls that love to give me grief. I fed the trolls with it, and I wrote the post out of anger. My motive was not what it should have been, and I apologize for the rant (but, that does not mean that these people should not be exposed for what they are). My motives were wrong. However, what I had to say was not wrong. Hopefully, the trolls won't be so successful in baiting me into such a rant again. We'll see.

Okay, now let's talk about the debates.

In the Republican Debate at the Reagan Library immediately CNN attacked the candidates by trying to compare them to George W. Bush, and specifically tried to nail them down with what the liberals consider Bush's failed record. Is Bush's record spotless? Absolutely not. Many of his positions, such as with immigration, trying to convince Israel to give up even more land in an effort for peace, globalistic efforts like the superhighway down our central corridor, and his big government programs like the pharmacy program and No Child Left Behind Act (which are a large part of his overspending), are far from being something one would expect from a president that claims he's conservative.

Mitt Romney in the debate pointed out that he is not running on Bush's record, but on his own record. He defended mainstream conservatism, called McCain liberal (for good reason), and in my opinion won the debate.

McCain called his conservative record one of reaching across the aisle (yeah, we noticed). Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with trying to work with the Democrats, that is noble, but not in such a way that it compromises your supposed conservatism. . . McCain is no conservative. He voted against both the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, supports (and co-authored a plan for with Kennedy) amnesty, pushed gun control legislation, and originally called the war a waste of American lives before the surge. Mr. Straight Talker is a Flip-Flopper for sure. People like him because he is a war hero, and I respect him for that, but a military background is not necessarily proof that one is capable of running the military well, nor that they have good positions in regards to the military. Kerry and Murtha are vets, and look how idiotic they are regarding the military.

Huckabee said very little in the debate, nor was allowed to say much, it was a battle between Mitt Romney and John McCain, but when he did get a word in edgewise at the end regarding Ronald Reagan, I was blown away. The question was, would Ronald Reagan endorse you, and Huck said he didn't know, but he endorsed Reagan because he loved America. The following remarks by Huckabee were, well, remarkable, but that doesn't make up for the fact that he is soft on immigration, wants Gitmo closed, and has supported a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.

Ron Paul was granted very little time to speak, as well, and was even cut off at one point. Apparently, CNN recognized what Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee have not yet realized - it is a two man race now between McCain and Romney. I wish Huck would step down so that his supporters will vote for Romney on February 5th.

The Democrat Debate was on tonight on CNN, and in the beginning I found the crowd's cheers different from that of the Republican Debate. Granted, this is my own perception of it, but what I picked up on blew me away. The applause for the Republicans before the debate began sounded like an applause of admiration, and respect. The over-the-top cheers and overhanded applause for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton tonight reminded me more of the crowd responses to Stalin and Hitler on Historic video I've seen.

In the debate with Obama and Hillary right off the bat it was about the new buzzword: Change. Well, Barack Obama stated that we are in a situation of outrageous health costs, and people losing their homes, and though he didn't say it, the underlying statement he was making was that it was government's job to save everyone. Hillary stated the new president will inherit a whole stack of problems caused by Bush's "failed administration." According to her the Bush economy only works for the wealthy and well-connected (wouldn't that include her?). Then she emphasized that we "must" have Universal Health Care, solve the mortgage crisis, and make our foreign affairs a diplomatic effort, not a military effort.

In relation to Health Care, Obama stated his plan was similar to Hillary's by 95%, but that his did not "mandate" that people take the care as Hillary's does.

Both want to go after "predatory lenders" when it comes to the housing crisis. (I don't know, maybe people should pay the consequences for their stupid decisions, instead - oh, wait, that's not the Democrat way - here comes the government to the rescue!)

Then Obama said his usual cliche line, "I was against Iraq from the start." He stated that we need to elevate diplomacy, and offer incentives to the enemy (carrots on sticks).

Immigration was brought up as well, and they bickered over the driver's licenses for illegals (and Hillary Clinton's flips and flops regarding that issue), and Obama indicated that unemployment is not connected to illegals. Both candidates agreed that they believe we should know who is coming across the border with a registration program, and the deport policy of Republicans is wrong because it criminalizes people helping illegals, it is mean spirited (and about then Hillary invoked the name of Jesus Christ), and that with their immigration position the GOP was undermining American Values.

Then when asked about the Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton thing, and whether or not another Clinton could truly bring change, she quipped that looking back it looks like it'll take another Clinton to clean up after another Bush.

My first question to the candidates after watching the debate was, "With all of these programs and plans they have, How Will You Pay For It?" Obviously, they plan to repeal the tax cuts, and even though they aren't saying it, you and I both know that they will increase taxes (and sock it to the successful Americans who already pay 90% of the taxes) to try to pay for their programs, and it will still not be enough (and you thought Bush was a big spender). The idea of Universal Health Care is so repugnant it shocks me that anyone even thinks it's a good idea. Who are they to mandate that I pay in my taxes for other's health care? Why should I have to pay for children when mine are all grown up? Government has no business "mandating" health like that. And then, when their system puts the heath insurance industry out of business, what are they going to do about the hundreds of thousands of unemployed? Give them government jobs for a quarter of what they were making?

Don't get me wrong, I abhor the insurance industry (and I once was an agent in the industry of health insurance - along with life insurance and securities), and people forget that health insurance is around because of a government mandate making it so (once again, government speaks, and you-know-what hits the fan). The insurance industry is a problem, and health costs are high because the health care industry knows that the insurance industry has deep pockets. But that doesn't mean we should replace a problem with a system that will be a bigger problem, and to boot, one that will allow government more control over your life.

When it comes to illegal aliens, Obama is full of it - illegals have a direct affect on problems with businesses and employment. One such example is Terry Funderburk, a construction company owner going out of business because he can't compete with companies hiring illegals. And the Democrats seem to think that the illegals will gladly be registered and pay their fines and wait in line and everything will be okay. These people came across illegally for a reason. They don't want to wait in a line, or they have something to hide, and will not come forward because their criminal record or health problems will result in you sending them back - - - they don't want a pathway to citizenship, they want to work under the table, and they want to take the Southwest back for Mexico. And why is it the Democrats wish to be so fair to these illegals? They came here illegally! By being fair to these criminals, you are unfair to American citizens! Sorry, in my opinion citizens of this country outrank illegal aliens. Seal the border, penalize employers for hiring illegals, enforce the laws heavily and effectively, stop handing out freebies to these criminals, and we won't have to worry about all of the illegals in this country, they will deport themselves!

As for their position on the war, they are idiots. Simple fact, the Islamic Jihadists wish to kill us, and destroy The West. Islam is a political ideology in the guise of a religion, and they will not stop until we defeat them. Period. Why is it so hard for the liberal left to understand that? Carrot on a stick? Give them things, then they use them against us? Are you mad, Obama?

Perhaps it'll take another attack under their watch to convince them that, though diplomacy is a grand tool that should be used when it can be, military action is a necessary move, and no amount of diplomacy will work with these untrustworthy, bloodthirsty, barbaric, American-hating and Jew-hating Islamic Jihadists! They understand only strength. We show weakness, and they will move on us again. Guaranteed.

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Did you miss my show with Author Gary W. Moore, author of Playing With The Enemy, last Saturday? Listen to the Archive of Political Pistachio and Gary W. Moore.

Miss my interview of the two authors of "Seventh Psalm" tonight? Check out the archive at Political Pistachio Radio.

And this Saturday I will be interviewing James Houston Turner, the author of The Identity Factor on Political Pistachio Radio.

Thursday of next week J.A. Konrath, author of the Jack Daniels Detective Series of books, will join me - on that day we will suspend all political discussion, and enjoy Konrath's unique brand of humor, as well as learn how he pulls off writing about a female character, in the first person, so effectively. Don't miss that episode of Political Pistachio Radio!

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