It distresses me greatly to witness the high level of ignorance that exists concerning the issue of taxation, even among the supposedly well informed 'Media' pundits.  Just today, I heard Bill Hemmer (Fox News) speak of the FairTax as a 'flat' tax.  He asked a guest to explain the difference between the FairTax and a 'flat tax' as proposed by Presidential candidate, Governor Rick Perry. The guest didn't really do a very good job explaining it either, and I was left frustrated at the resulting lack of accurate information provided viewers.  It seems no one wants to take the time to inform themselves about the FairTax and learn why so many Americans are talking about and promoting it.  And, that's a shame, because there is so much information to be had. 

The Website, www.FairTax.org is loaded with facts and documentation including a history of how the FairTax was developed and refined by highly qualified economists, accountants and tax specialists over several years at a cost of more than $12 million.  The FairTax has been translated into legislation (HR 25, SB3) and introduced into the last three sessions of Congress by no less than sixty co-sponsors.  Even so, there is still a great deal of misinformation and confusion regarding the structure and benefits contained in The FairTax.  It appears to me that most of the 'elite' Media people remain mostly ill informed or totally ignorant of the facts about it, an even worse circumstance.

I am at least gratified that more people are talking about tax reform these days, and that The FairTax is at least getting more attention and exposure to the general public.  Former presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, now a Fox News Channel personality has contributed a lot to public awareness and understanding of The FairTax, as has current front-runner candidate Herman Cane.  Actually, Cane's 999 Plan is based on, or you could say, is a derivative of The FairTax.  In fact, Mr. Cane says his 999 Plan is really 'Phase One' to eventual enactment of The FairTax in its entirety.  His strategy seems to be to get the electorate used to initiation of a consumption tax and repeal of most of the taxes on income, along with the positive results such changes will inevitably produce to the economy.

It's a little hard to explain in simple terms, but I'd like to take a stab at it anyway.  Several factors are involved in the relationship between those who provide products and services and those who consume them.  Chief among these is the part that taxes play in the cost of doing business.  What consumers pay for goods and services depends on what it actually cost to produce or provide.  Since a provider must make a profit to remain in business, he must first build his costs of doing business into the price he charges plus a measure of profit.  Along with labor and materials, fees, permits, rent, utilities, insurance, equipment, and depreciation, he must also calculate his cost associated with taxes he must pay.  The higher his taxes, the more he must charge to make a profit.  The same principle holds true for all his costs involved in doing business. 

Added to the dollar amount of his taxes, there is also the cost of compliance, often involving tax attorneys, accountants and other employees hired to make certain he meets all his tax liabilities and takes advantage of all legitimate deductions.  This is where the beauty of The FairTax becomes evident.  The FairTax eliminates ALL taxes on income, including corporate/business income.  Since there is no tax on the business income, the cost of compliance is also eliminated, saving the business a huge percentage of his cost of doing business.  The result is, he is then able to charge less for his end product or pay his employees more--or both--thus making his product/service easier for consumers to buy.  While a percentage of his reduced costs adds to his bottom line, competition from other providers, along with increased demand as a result of lower prices would assure that consumer costs would be reduced as well, a win win for all.

Now, couple the reduction of costs for goods and services with the increase in personal disposable income resulting from repeal of ALL taxes on income of every kind and what do we have?  Everyone prospers.  Business reaps higher profits, investors and owners enjoy greater return on investment , individuals instantly have more to save, invest and spend for the things they need and want for their families.

Another very important effect of The FairTax is that the tax base is broadened tremendously, because the mechanism for funding government is changed from taxing income to taxing consumption--a National Retail Sales Tax.  As a result, all those who presently escape taxation-the 'underground' economy, so called-are brought into the system and forced to contribute to Federal tax revenues when they purchase something new.  Suddenly, all the hidden taxes consumers have been paying for years are wiped out, and they can control for themselves how much they pay according to the buying choices they make.  Thus, Federal taxation becomes fully transparent.

It is important to note that a very crucial element in HR 25 is the provision for repeal of the 16th Amendment, which authorizes the Income Tax.  Framers of The FairTax have made sure that Congress will first be stripped of the power to tax income BEFORE the FairTax becomes permanent law.  Another important feature of The FairTax is the provision to 'exempt' the cost of basic necessities from the retail sales tax.  This is accomplished through a 'Prebate', a check to each family, based on number of members in the family, and calculated at 23% of current, established poverty level.  Those who say The FairTax will hurt the low income folks more than others do not understand this provision. The Prebate negates any possible regressivity that may be inherent in a retail sales tax.  Incomes of some low and fixed income individuals will even be increased by the Prebate feature of The FairTax. 

While it is true that new products and certain services will include a 23% Federal Sales Tax, it must be remembered base prices will be lower as a result of competition when providers' cost of doing business is reduced by the termination of taxation and costs of compliance.  Additionally, under The FairTax, all taxes on income; wages, return on investments, dividends, interest, any capital gains, inheritance, lottery--any income--will disappear completely.  This means citizens of the United States will be able to keep ALL their income, whatever the source with no tax obligation whatsoever.  This will encourage more saving, investing, charitable giving, and freerer spending for consumer goods.  This in turn, will fuel greater demand, which will call for more production, which will require hiring more people to meet the demand.  These positive effects on the economy will far outweigh the inconvenience of an additional sales tax.  It should be apparent to anyone that the economic 'climate change' resulting from passage of The FairTax could only be described as positive and transformational.

1deciple
Anyone who really wants to understand The FairTax should visit the Americans For Fair Taxation Website: FairTax.org.

Slowly, painfully, even incredulously, more and more Americans are becoming aware of the fact that something has gone terribly wrong with America. Changes are taking place that most of us never envisioned. We are appalled to see how quickly we’ve become more like a ‘third world’ country than the ‘shining light on a hill’ former President Reagan saw. To make it worse, very few have any idea of what has brought us to the status quo.

 Everywhere you turn there is disarray, confusion, and despair. Unemployment, repossession of homes, lawlessness, and gross immorality threaten to shred the very fabric that has held us together as a sovereign nation for two centuries now. The political system and the government it has produced are clearly broken, while our citizens have become cynical, frustrated and in great numbers no longer trust their elected officials. True patriotism seems almost lost in business and government alike. Everyone from Wall Street to Walmart seems interested only in improving their bottom line, regardless of the cost to America. That attitude is destroying us.

 Changing the callous attitudes of a mercenary business community and the ‘progressive’ philosophy now pervasive in the body politic are daunting goals of our culture, to be sure.   I for one believe those of us who have been paying attention and who still hold fast to our faith in the veracity of the Nation once delivered to us by the Founders, can, with God’s help turn the tide of corruption and decay which threaten to destroy our great democratic republic. It isn’t too late. If those who love the America we were brought up to believe in will unite in common resolve and take action to restore her to her former greatness, we can turn things around.

 The first step is to recognize what has happened, face the realities we must deal with and then formulate a plan to address the factors that threaten to destroy us. Sadly, any attempt to change the status quo will meet with fierce resistance from those who have no regard for traditional values or for the Constitution as given us by the ‘Founding Fathers’. Moral relativists and social progressives and historical revisionists have labored tirelessly to destroy the principles and values that once provided cohesion and ‘common cause’ to our American families. Liberal government policies and purely profit-motivated business practices, coupled with out of control union demands have all played a role in virtually killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

 Hopefully, now that most Americans have awakened to the factors that threaten our survival as a nation, we can begin a process of correcting the negative forces responsible for our chaotic spiral toward utter destruction. It won’t be easy, but I still hold on to the hope that good Americans of all stripes will come together in common cause to restore America. It begins with the elections of 2012. By now, it should be obvious that the present Administration doesn’t know what they are doing and desperately needs to be retired. By implementation of radical reforms in the tax code and returning to more business friendly trade policies, we can pull ourselves out of this dreadful decline and rescue ourselves from self destructing. 

1deciple

What would happen if…

1. Corporate Income taxes were suddenly reduced to Zero:

1. Corporations would save 100% of the cost of compliance with the U.S. tax code, including the cost of tax attorneys and lobbyists being paid to lower their tax obligations by creating loopholes. Also saved would be the expense of tax accountants and lawyers being paid to protect corporate income from the I.R.S.
2. They would save 100% of the cost of the income taxes no longer due, leaving them more capital to expand and reinvest, creating new jobs and enabling increased wages, salaries and benefits for employees.

3. Companies who have fled the U.S.A to escape the high income tax related drag on profits and expansion would be incentified to bring at least some of their business operations back to America, restoring thousands of jobs to the economy.

4. Many new upstart companies would find it attractive to invest in enterprises they had previously hesitated to venture because of unfavorable tax liabilities, creating thousands of new jobs for unemployed Americans.

5. Many existing but stagnant companies and small businesses would suddenly find expansion attractive, requiring additional investment and hiring more employees.

2. Personal Income taxes were suddenly reduced to zero for everyone:

1. Wage earners would realize an immediate increase in disposable income, receiving ALL their earnings in their paycheck, without the usual deductions for taxes.
2. Others—salaried employees—would likewise feel the increase immediately, providing them more to save, invest and spend as they see fit.
3. Capital Gains taxes would disappear, allowing investors and those earning incomes from the profits on resale of goods and property to keep those profits with NO tax obligation whatsoever.
4. Inheritance (Death) taxes would end, allowing heirs to keep the family farm rather than being forced to sell it to pay their inheritance taxes. Or, if they chose, to sell inherited property and bank or invest the proceeds with no hassles from the I.R.S.

5. Investment, savings and spending for goods and services would increase across the economic spectrum, as more capital is infused into the economy by the absence of taxes on all income.

Now, can anyone deny that such an arrangement would accelerate the economy and create jobs faster and in greater numbers than anything yet proposed? 

Would you be surprised to know that legislation already exists to accomplish these results? H.R. 25/S.3, popularly known as The Fair Tax, would end all taxes on income and replace the existing tax code with a National Retail Sales Tax on the first time purchase of NEW goods and services.

Lower and fixed income citizens would be protected from any potential regressive effects of the change, by a system of “pre-bates”—designed to reimburse consumers for taxes paid on the basic necessities before the first dollar is spent. Pre-bate amounts would be calculated based on family size and the Federal Poverty level and checks sent out monthly, like Social Security. This would actually increase the disposable income for some low and fixed income households.

The Fair Tax has been researched by respected economists and tax specialists to the tune of twelve to fifteen million dollars and has been proven to be the most sensible and fair way to fund our government. It carries the least cost of compliance for consumers and of enforcement for the government. No other tax reform proposal can be shown to equal the benefits of The Fair Tax to the living standard of America’s citizenry, the success and fiscal health of the small business community and corporate America as well. More than any other measure, H.R. 25 would level the playing field for American enterprise as they compete in foreign markets and for market share in the United States.

Back to what if: what if Congress was motivated by what is good for America instead of how to best perpetuate their term in office? If that were the case, H.R. 25 would become law in the next session of Congress, and prosperity would return to our country.

I’m sick of our National leaders in Washington playing on the emotions of our Seniors by using the Social Security system to scare the daylights out of them. Even more frustrating, is the fact the left-wing, progressive ‘media’ is helping them spread their insipid lies like the complicit lap-dogs they are. The facts surrounding GOP led proposals to reduce the deficit and National debt are being twisted and distorted to make it appear that Republicans want to pull the rug out from under Seniors by reducing Social Security benefits to the point seniors will literally become impoverished, while ‘the rich’ are being further enhanced. This is all demagoguery aimed at preserving as much of the Democrat’s power over the Federal purse as possible. And for what reason? So Democrats can continue to use government ‘entitlements’ to buy votes that will keep them in power. What a sickening spectacle.

The truth is, much of our National Debt has been created by Government borrowing to support and expand the various ‘entitlements’ it has created. To begin making sensible adjustments to these programs, which includes Medicare and Social Security, is not only frugal fiscal policy, it is absolutely essential. More of the Federal Budget ‘pie’ comes from these two programs than from any other combination of expenditures. And, thanks to liberal Democratic ‘adjustments’ to these programs over the years, there is a tremendous level of fraud, waste and abuse contained within them that threatens to bankrupt America, if not brought under control by more prudent management. The balance between levels of revenue accruing to government and expenditures by government is so badly out of kilter that anyone can see we are headed for a fiscal ‘doomsday’ unless something changes.

The Federal Office of Budget and Management has been telling us for years that billions are being poured into Medicare fraud--one estimate of two hundred billion annually—not to mention the waste due to inefficiency in management. But, Democrats have withstood all serious attempts to address these issues. As for Social Security, this program was originally established as a ‘safety net’ to prevent seniors from becoming impoverished by poor planning or even unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. An “insurance” system, as it were, for us to rely on for survival in our old age. Today, the system is being used as a ‘slush fund’ by many who continue to draw it long past the initial investment placed in it by their payroll deductions and employer’s contributions. By limiting benefits to amount invested, with an interest factor, for those with other incomes of, say, $35,000 or more, could shave billions from the Social Security System. There is simply no justification for continuing to provide ‘casino’ money to wealthy Americans, who’ve already drawn out their Social Security contributions, but continue to draw on the system well past that point. Cutting off thousands of sneaky people who’ve successfully defrauded the system with phony disability claims would save billions more.  And we’ve all heard the horror stories of so many others who never report the death of relatives and continue to receive their Social Security checks for years past, along with the families getting ‘survivor’ benefits from the system, and still others who draw multiple checks under different names.  It's happening every day.

If the truth were told, Social Security and Medicare costs could be reduced by hundreds of billions without hurting anyone legitimately entitled to the benefits of these programs simply by getting serious about managing the Systems efficiently and eliminating the fraud and abuse.

The reason Casey Anthony will spend no time in prison for her little girl's tragic death is entirely the fault of the Orange County prosecutor.  I think it is fairly clear to most thinking people what happened to little Caylee.  Casey simply screwed up trying to administer chloroform to her to keep her asleep while Mommie went out.  Without sufficient medical training, it was a dangerous exercise that was destined to go wrong, and it did.  Caylee simply got too much chloroform and died. 

Casey panicked and put her body in the trunk of her car while she tried to figure out a way to explain her disappearance and how to dispose of her body without implicating herself in the child's death.  So, you have a case for criminal negligence, endangerment of the welfare of a child, manslaughter and whatever else.  All the evidence supports that kind of interpretation of what happened and for a case against Casey that would have resulted in a prison term with conviction, which could have been a slam-dunk for the prosecutor's office.  But, alas, political ambition entered the picture and the prosecutor planted his feet in concrete, determined to gain the biggest political advantage by getting a conviction for first degree murder with a sentence of death. 

This was a huge mistake, in terms of getting a conviction that would involve prison time for this terrible Mom.  When that approach is involved, the judge instructs the jury that no matter what they think may have happened, they cannot convict of Murder unless the prosecution proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of murder.  They didn't and they couldn't because it didn't happen that way.  I'm not so sure the prosecutor even believed it himself, but he chose to press the murder charge for political reasons.  At least that's what I think, and it backfired by allowing Casey to walk  The murder charge eliminated the lesser charge of manslaughter, for which she most certainly would have been convicted and would have spent at least some time in prison.  Prosecutor Jeff Ashton is the reason for Casey's acquittal, not the defense.  Don't be mad at the jury, they did what they were instructed to do under the law.

The Latest "Whitewater" Scandal erupts in America's "Family" fun city: Branson, MO

Posted by 1deciple on Friday, June 24th

The last place one would expect to find a big power vs. small land owner scandal would be in America's number one family destination, Branson, MO.  However, even such a wholesome appearing environment as Branson is rife with political intrigue and corruption.  Following is a three part expose I feel America is entitled to know about when considering whether to patronize this city where a man's land can be stolen by the "powers that be", and they can bankrupt him in the process.

The Big Power Electric Company Scandal! Another David and Goliath story of one man’s fight to hold on to his right of ownership to land he clearly owns and a big company’s attempt to steal it from him through endless litigation.

Background: Dateline: Branson, MO (The # one ‘family’ attraction city in America)

A legal dispute between COVERDELL ENTERPRISES, INC., & Doug Coverdell and Empire District Electric Co.–City Of Branson – HCW Development Co. and others began in 2003, when the power company, seeking to establish its legal title to certain land, sued several individuals, businesses and the city of Branson. In question was the ownership of some waterfront properties along Lake Taneycomo and part of White River. Although the first ruling was against the plaintiff, Empire obviously believed it could eventually overcome Coverdell’s claim by re-opening its once dismissed quiet claim to wrest the parcel from him by wearing out his resolve to fight the giant firm’s inexhaustible legal resources.

Convinced that he was in the right, over the last seven years Coverdell has ultimately invested almost a million dollars to continue his litigation against the BIG POWER EMPIRE DISTRIST ELECTRIC COMPANY.  In its petition filed at Taney County Circuit Court, Empire erroneously stated it had obtained two parcels in 1927 from the Ozark Power and Water Co., which obtained the respective deeds (to the disputed lands) in 1913. “Ralph W. and Velma McBride deeded a property in 1957 to W.F. and Vera H. Hoke, excepting the part owned by Ozark Power and Water, which is under water,” the petition claimed.

In 1972, the Hokes split the land, deeding part of it to Henry J. and Marjorie A. Cordes. The City of Branson eventually obtained the parcel owned by the Cordeses. The Hokes conveyed the deed on the remaining land to Tori, Inc., which Tori sold in 1999 to Coverdell Enterprises. Empire wrongfully argued in their petition, regarding the size of the parcels at the time of the 1927 acquisition, insisting that the Coverdell purchase was invalid, because it involved some of the land the power company claimed was part of their original acquisition. Thus began Empire’s initial dispute claiming Coverdell’s purchase from Tori was invalid. (Parts Two & Three follow)

In papers filed by Jim Arneson, Coverdell's attorney, he claims research clearly shows the disputed property remained one large tract of land from 1917 to 1972, when it was carved up. Empire did not obtain any rights prior to the split of the land, Arneson argued. He also cited a 2004 judgment in which the court ruled Branson as the owner of the land it obtained from the Cordeses. The issues between Empire and the city are "necessarily identical" to those between Empire and COVERDELL ENTERPRISES, INC., Arneson insists.  He further maintains that neither Empire Electric nor the City of Branson has ever disputed the fact that Douglas L. Coverdell owns the rest of the land identified in the legal description which he legally acquired in good faith from Tori.

In December, 2009 Empire filed a motion to dismiss the case, because after almost 7 years of wrongfully leasing Coverdell land, Empire knew it couldn’t win. One of Empire’s tactics was to try to re-file in 2010, which could have delayed Coverdell another 7 years.  However, Coverdell’s lawyer had already filed a counterclaim against Empire in 2003.  A jury trial of Coverdell's counterclaim against Empire began on Jan. 11, 2010 concluding on Jan. 14 with the jury finding in favor of Coverdell. There may be justice in the system after all.  

WOW, we have learned in this case how far big business will go to try to steal a man’s land. However, the “big shots” got caught! The Taney County Jury said, “Not in this county.” But, hold on: Still undeterred, Empire filed a petition with the Third District Appellate Court seeking to either set aside the jury’s finding, or grant Empire a new trial, still another stalling tactic, aimed at exhausting Coverdell’s financial resources and his will to continue fighting for property he clearly owns. Empire and Branson both appealed the trial court’s judgment seeking reversal of the jury’s verdict in favor of Coverdell. Utilizing plain error review, the Court determined that “the trial court committed evident, obvious and clear error by entry of its judgment that affected substantial rights of Branson as a party to the litigation which resulted in “manifest injustice or a miscarriage of justice” The Court reversed the entirety of the 2010 Judgment and remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial. As of this posting, Coverdell’s attorney has filed an appeal to have the case transferred to the Missouri Supreme Court for resolution. 

Branson-Big Scandal Part Three

Here is the statement of a lady that sat in the trial: Ann Witt is a proud American. She and her husband came to Branson from the State of Texas. She said:

“My name is Ann Witt. My husband, Ray and I live in Houston, Texas. In the summer of 2007, 2 of our 6 children, 5 grandchildren and I were driving to Missouri to volunteer at CampBarnabus, a camp for handicapped and terminally-ill children located in Purdy, Missouri. On the way, we decided to drive around LakeTaneycomo. We saw a house for sale that was directly across the lake from Kamp Kanakuk, where my children and grandchildren have been going to camp since the early 1980s. My husband had volunteered as campDoctor for a week each summer during the 1980s and 1990s. We decided to buy the house located on Parnell Drive as a family vacation/retirement home. We have looked forward to observing camp activities from across the lake. In the summer of 2008, I participated (as an Indian) in the closing ceremonies at camp. In May, 2009, I began receiving letters from Otto Martin, land manager at Empire Electric, asking me to sign a Lease with Empire Electric. They claimed they owned the land to which my boat dock was attached. When we bought the property, it included a Bill of Sale for the boat dock and there was no mention of Empire Electric. The letters from their attorneys contained much erroneous information. When I refused to pay, Empire threatened to take my boat dock. In December, 2009, they sued me for thousands of dollars. We were not willing to give in to Empire's attempt to take our land or to extort money from us.  In January, we sat through DougCoverdell's trial, which was decided in his favor. Our lawsuit has now been dismissed. Thank you Doug Coverdell!!”

I’m sure this story isn’t over.   Rumor has it, several other residents who live around the lake have been similarly ‘harassed’ and illegally assessed ‘rental’ fees for their boat docks by Empire Electric. Some say ‘kickbacks and payoffs’ have made the moneyed crowd rich at the expense of little property owners for years, sometimes involving ‘big-named politicians’. So, stay tuned.   

I first became aware of the cunning manner in which facts are distorted for political purposes back in the 1994 election cycle.  Then Missouri Democratic Congressman Dick Gephart demonstrated a mastery for twisting the truth by mis-characterizing it altogether.  When Newt Gingrich introduced his "Contract with America" concept for the GOP platform that year, Gephart craftily destroyed what could have been one of the best programs to improve America ever conceived.  I found myself frustrated and enraged at the lies and mis-characterizations Gephart kept pounding to defeat Newt's excellent ideas. 

I was further dismayed at the seeming lack of active 'defense' offfered by other Republicans, who should have stepped forward to defend against Gephart's oft-repeated lies.  I was also amazed at the lack of accountability required by the 'media'.  It seemed that regardless of the outrageous claims made by Gephart, no one in the media challenged him to back them up with fact or example.  Watching all this political gamesmanship play out is what actually caused me to start paying attention to politics and government generally.  The effectiveness of lying, fear mongering, and demogogery proved too much for Newt's Contract With America, especially given that virtually no one was making any effort to defend it or clearify its intentions and benefits.

Today, I am watching history repeat itself, as the Republican plan for an intelligent and necessary re-structuring of Medicare is being assaulted with lies, fear mongering, and demogogery just like the Contract With America was seventeen years ago. Congressman Paul Ryan has stepped forward to boldly address the crisis which looming bankruptcy of Medicare poses.  He has offered a simple and effective solution to assure future generations of retiring Americans that healthcare will be available to them when those who are now 55 reach 65 in 2022.

The plan involves ending the fee for service arrangement of today, which has been proven to be horrendously inefficient and fraught with waste and fraud.  In its place, the government would simply provide the money for seniors to purchase health insurance in the open market.  This plan would utilize the competitive forces at work between the various insurance companies to create a better product at a lower cost.  By moving seniors into the private market for their healthcare, the climate for waste, fraud and abuse would be eliminated, while giving Seniors more choices.  A much better way of handling the healthcare needs of retiring Americans, while saving taxpayers billions.  With the budget deficit and National debt under discussion, Ryan's plan, endorsed by most Republican members of Congress, offers one giant step toward fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget.  A good thing for America, right?  Of course it is, but the wicked
Democrats can't stand it.

No, they must seize the opportunity to politicize Ryan's plan, painting it as 'doomsday' for Seniors and for one purpose:  If they can scare Seniors and others approaching retirement into believing the Ryan plan is not in their best interest they hope to turn them against not only the plan, but against Republicans generally, and secure them as Democratic voters in 2012.  By lies and mis-characterizations Democrats hope to  frighten voters into believing Republicans are scoundrels and Democrats deserve their support.  Even though Democrats have not offered any solutions of their own, other than "Obamacare", they want to destroy the Ryan plan before it gets traction in the Congress or with the public at large.  Regardless of its merits, they would use lies and scare tactics to defeat it, simply to convince more voters to vote Democratic in 2012.  That is not only dirty, it is patently unpatriotic!

Terms like, "kill Medicare", "destroy Medicare as we know it", "hand Seniors over to the evil Insurance industry", "deny Seniors that which they've spent their whole lives building" and other such gross misrepresentations are already having their effect on uninformed and gullible Seniors.  Witness a recent State election in which the Democrat won in a formerly very Republican stronghold.  If Republicans nationwide don't take action to properly define and frame the Ryan plan for Seniors, I fear for its success.  If Democrats succeed with their scare tactics, based on lies and mis-representations, we may once again witness the counter-productive results of the Gephart stategy.  Dems will do their best to make the 2012 election a referendum on Ryan's plan to reduce Federal spending, balance the budget and save Medicare from bankruptcy.  And they will be using the Gephart playbook all the way to election day.

1deciple

For as long as I can remember, “Back to the drawing board” is a term employed when ‘Plan A’ did not work out and you had no ‘Plan B’. I suppose anyone could point a finger and accuse the planner of being foolish for not having a plan B. But, in certain kinds of planning a plan B is sometimes just not an acceptable option. I find myself in this predicament since Gov. Mike Huckabee announced last night that he will not be entering the 2012 Presidential race.

 Ever since his campaign ended in 2008, I’ve been planning, hoping, even praying that he would run again in 2012. I’ve even been saving up a campaign donation to give as soon as he made his candidacy known. Now, I am a little bit numb with shock, and sick at heart that my personal choice has taken himself out of the race. Why I am devastated by his withdrawal is worth an explanation, but the simple answer is, Governor Huckabee is a one-of-a-kind person, who has all the qualifications I could ask for in a President and Commander In Chief.  In addition, he fully understands our economy and is a strong proponent of The FairTax to restore fiscal vitality and prosperity to America. He understands what the business community needs to encourage growth and create new jobs, and would have promoted policies to generate more hiring and new investment in domestic enterprises.

As a born-again Christian and traditional-values based American Patriot, with ten years experience in Governing one of our Sovereign States (Arkansas), Mike Huckabee possesses the kind of leadership skills, practical experience and core human values that any American citizen would be well served by in The Oval Office. He has consistently demonstrated a ‘down to earth’, common sense understanding of the problems we face as a Nation and most importantly, he shows wisdom and compassion in suggesting solutions. I especially appreciated his demeanor when dealing with people. He always showed himself to be ‘on the same page’ with the common folk, and totally unlike a typical ‘politician’. In my view, he was a ‘breath of fresh air’ and might have done more than any other man ever could to restore greatness and prosperity to America. 

In the first campaign (2008), some of his history as Governor of Arkansas was wrongly reported and maliciously mischaracterized by some in the left-wing media. Unfortunately, the smear tactics were successful, and many people today still parrot the same misinformation they were indoctrinated to accept as fact before. I suppose seeing some of that negative energy still churning beneath the surface played a part in Governor Huckabee’s decision not to run, and it makes it difficult for me not to be deeply embittered against those responsible for believing and perpetuating the lies that became ‘black marks’ against Governor Huckabee in the minds of many influential pundits. Unfortunately, all other potential candidates who’ve been identified fall so far short of the qualities and qualifications of Governor Huckabee that I fear we’ve just missed our only shot at defeating the idiot in the White House in 2012. Four more years of his incompetence will finish off America. God help us!

Since the November elections of 2010, the new 'Class' in Congress has been hard at work doing what they were sent to Washington to do: finding ways to cut spending and reduce the deficit, or at least that's what we are being led to believe.  But, I have a couple of questions;  when certain things about our fiscal status are given, would it not be logical to assume that certain actions would more or less become kind of automatic in response? 

For instance, if we know that forty one cents out of every dollar we are spending is borrowed money, then would it not be logical to assume that we would discontinue the policy of giving billions away to other nations as a gesture of charity and good will?  And, under the same circumstances, if we know that at least a trillion dollars of our national defense budget could be eliminated overnight without affecting the security of our nation one iota, would it not be reasonable to move immediately to make that cut?  By the way, why should it take a journalist writing an article in TIME to compile the facts to point this out to us? 

And if someone were to point out that we were overpaying Medicare health providers by at least 100 billion dollars a year because of sloppy accounting practices, wouldn't it seem prudent to institute some changes to improve efficiency in the way Medicare claims are handled?  There has been all kinds of bickering and political wrangling over cuts to this or that, but these most obvious areas of potential conservation of public funds have gone undiscussed completely. 

Our illustrious class of 2010 should take a serious look at eliminating the 'cash cows' for 'cronies' too.  Like the billions being paid to billionaires who went out and bought up thousands of acres of useless land so they could get paid by the Government NOT to grow crops on it.  And the other billions being paid in 'subsidies' to oil companies who continue to post record quarterly profits and pay their executives 600 million dollar bonuses while they keep raising the price of gasoline at the pump. 

Then there are the millions being paid to a few major corn growers who allegedly are converting their corn to ethenol, thus contributing to 'alternative' energy development, when in reality, about 98% of it is sold for hog feed at a good profit. So, taxpayers pay them to grow it, and hog raisers pay them when they harvest it. "Boss Hogg" the corn grower makes out like a bandit, crying wheee, wheee, wheee all the way to the bank. 

Yes, there are plenty of places to save money in the Federal budget, and a good place to start is cutting the pork.

I'm 70 years old, and I can recall no less than six dates being set for Jesus' return by various individuals who claimed to know for 'absolute certain' the exact date of His return and the beginning of the end of time.  Well meaning and some very sincere Christ followers have been caught off guard by these false prophets, because of their ignorance of Scripture.  Jesus himself even declared that he did not know the day nor the hour of his return.  Only The Father (Jehovah God) knows, he said.  He declared his coming would be 'as a thief in the night' (unexpected, taking all by complete surprise), therefore, he warned his followers to 'be ready, for in such a time as you think not, The Son of Man (Himself) will come'. 

Those who follow Harold Camping, like Marie Exely and others are being mis-led in the most insidious kind of hoax: because it makes Christianity look foolish to the watching world.  Many who follow such bogus movements may very well be saved people, but they are shamefully ignorant of the Bible upon which they base their claims.  In every case I'm aware of, such movements have had catastrophic consequences.  Remember David Koresh and Waco?  The group in California who were told the rapture was imminent and all committed suicide.  And, who can forget the Jamestown tragedy, where hundreds drank the arsenic cool-aid following a false prophet?  I just hope these poor  mis-guided souls will get a second opinion from a teacher of sound doctrine before they wind up doing themselves harm.   

Yes, people need to repent and be saved, so that when Christ does return they will be among his Church he promised to bring to himself BEFORE the Great Tribulation.  That's the Gospel.  But to go out and announce the day of 'the beginning of the end' is absolute folly, and regretfully counterproductive to legitimate evangelism.  It makes us look like a bunch of radical religious fanatics, for sure.  Our true Gospel message of repentance toward God and of Salvation through Faith in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection is greatly diminished when folks do this.

The doomsday message is NOT what Jesus commanded his followers to preach.  Our message from Christ to the condemned world was, rather, God's invitation to acknowledge our alienation to him and be sorry enough to reach out to his Savior for Salvation from judgment.  Doing this with credibility  is hard enough without having to overcome the stigma placed on our genuine evangelistic efforts by those who follow false prophets and zealously proclaim their message, whatever it may be.

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A coloring book for Atheists? In America? Yes! We’ve come so far in the evolution of “political correctness” and ‘tolerance’ of the public dissemination of information and ideas, without regard to social value or destructiveness, that the result is literally a revolution in the basic values of our once stable culture. In short, ‘tolerance’ and political correctness have become the final spikes, being driven through the heart of America that now threaten its total breakdown as a culture and utter destruction as a nation. Dare I say, the ‘God haters’ of this country appear to be winning their fight toward the bastardization of America?  By targeting the minds of our innocent children, have they now driven the final destructive spike that will end our beautiful Republic, as we’ve known it?  Judge for yourself: 

http://nation.foxnews.com/religion/2010/12/10/atheist-christmas-coloring-book-seriously

 Oh, there have been many other 'spikes', effectively driven into the ‘Great Lady’s’ heart over the last fifty to seventy five years, to be sure. The biggest tragedy of it all; it hasn’t been done while Americans slept! We’ve stood quietly and watched it happen. Like the proverbial frog, who sits peacefully in the pot of water, as it slowly comes to a boil, effectively scalding him to death, Americans have passively allowed the cultural pot to gradually come to a fatal level of corruptive ‘heat’, so that very soon the exceptional nature of what was once the dream of her Founders will become the dream that couldn’t last...a grand experiment in government that her people failed to protect, allowing the evil among them to prevail thus destroying their potential to fulfill it. The greatest defender we had, our churches, have taken a sabbatical, preferring a ‘politically correct’ tolerance of diversity over‘the Faith, once delivered to the saints’.  A social 'gospel' of self-affirmation is now favored over the message of 'Salvation' from the consequences of depravity and alienation from God.

Think about it. We’ve watched cultural trends develop that have replaced traditional family values with godless materialism. We’ve seen our education system raped by historical revisionists, intellectuals and progressives, who now prefer to teach kindergartners the legitimacy of sodomy as an alternate family structure before they even learn the three “Rs”. Our courts have twisted and wrung out The Constitution to justify removing God from the public square, even denying the Christian faith and principles our country was founded on and have been the binding element of effective government ever since. The very chambers in Washington once used to worship God in, have now become ‘base of operations’ for those who are determined to drive Him from our culture.  We’ve stood by and ‘tolerated’ the proliferation of family destructive TV programs and pornography in print and on the Internet. The result; destruction of families and marriages, subversion of patriotism and traditional family values while polluting the minds of our children  

One of the oldest principles of truth is that good things, not steadfastly protected against evil, inevitably become corrupted by it. The resulting ‘change’ is always destructive. We‘ve only to review the tragic story of Adam and Eve and their beautiful ‘Garden of Eden’ to know that when evil is indulged, or even tolerated, what was once ‘very good’ is tragically lost. It will shortly be the sad story of the United States of America unless major corrective action is taken by those who’ve been shamefully silent, waiting for the ‘pot’ to boil. It’s simmering now. The crucial question is: will the basically good, God fearing people of America wake up and begin to fight for her survival? II Chronicles 7:14 holds the key to our survival as a nation, if only we will arise and exercise our option. 

Merry Christmas Patriots! And, may God Bless America!

She has now stated that she is 'considering it'.  Fellow patriots, I love Sister Sarah.  I think she is just about the most outstanding enthusiasm generator we could ask for.  I respect her integrity.  I admire her stand for traditional family values, and her support of Constitutional government.  I think she is doing a great work in raising awareness, defeating apathy and creating more political activism among what was once known as the 'silent majority'.  I find her witty, gutsy, charming, even lovable.   With all that said, I must confess, regrettably, I fear that her candidacy for POTUS in 2012 would be a mistake.  Here's why.

Americans are apprehensive, beat up, badgered, confused, frightened and desperately seeking a leader to bring some common sense and workable solutions to our nation's problems.  They want someone to emerge who can 'rally' round the Constitution, calm the troubled waters of political chaos with solid planning, sound judgment and convincing wisdom.  They are looking for a new President whom they can both admire for accomplishment, respect for integrity, and trust to do what's best for them--the folks out in 'fly-over' America.  I include myself in that group of apprehensive but hopeful, patriotic Americans.

Like most of my fellow Americans, I am sick to death of professional politicians, who are more interested in perpetuating themselves in office and preserving their positions of power and prestige, than finding ways to make The United States a fulfillment of its founder's dreams.  People who play the games the 'system' has created, and have become so out of touch with everyday America and the plight of life at the grass roots that they do nothing but further plunder and pollute the pristine luster of our once noble and  honorable, America The Beautiful.  I desperately need someone I can believe is 'God Sent' to support for President in 2012.  And, as much as I adore Sister Sarah, I can't see her that way.

The uncertainty about Mrs. Palin's qualifications for the office  that I sense among many-right or wrong though it may be-is going to be a powerful negative in force that will, in my opinion, greatly diminish her chances  of winning in 2012.  Unfortunately, I really don't think enough of the electorate take her seriously as a Presidential candidate to give us much hope that she could do anything other than split the vote for another more electable candidate. 

I agree with her: While she might beat BHO if she were the GOP nominee, I don't think she can win the nomination against a stronger male candidate.  Therefore, in the interest of winning the Presidencey in 2012, I urge her NOT to run.  She is our best asset for fanning the fires of activism and patriotic awareness. She should continue in that role.  I'm sorry, but that's the way I see it.  I hope it doesn't come across as sexist or chauvinistic, because it isn't that at all.

The one person I've been watching who I could see winning, if he chose to seek the Presidency in 2012, is Mike Huckabee.  He's truly a man of great Faith, with over a decade of proven leadership and experience as administrator of his home State of Arkansas.  And, I think he's proven himself to be truly a 'man of the people', with great understanding and wisdom.  I am praying for God to raise him up and inspire him to run in 2012.  If he mounts the 'White Horse' of replacing all the taxes on income with a national retail sales tax (similar to H.R.25, only with major modification) it is my firm conviction that Mike Huckabee could, with the help of The Tea Party movement, ride it all the way to the White House in 2012.  On that platform, with a man like Herman Cain at his side, I can't see how they could lose.

It seems strange to me that the obvious isn’t so obvious to those positioned to make a difference. I’m referring to devising ways and means of affecting solutions to our Nation’s problems. Raise just about any issue, and someone inevitably comes forward with a simple, common sense solution. Unfortunately, those with the authority to implement solutions almost never consider that approach. Instead, they wring their hands and raise a wet finger to the wind before finally coming up with the most complex, bone-headed and usually unworkable proposals one could imagine.  Then, they proceed to debate, argue and wrangle over them for weeks before settling on a ridiculously complex and unpopular compromise that seldom really fixes anything, and more often than not makes the problem worse..

An important case in point: The Budget deficit and what to do about it. Liberals and progressives say the solution is found in increased taxes and reduced Social Security benefits.. Primarily, they mean to impose a higher tax rate on Americans whose income is in the top 2%, while raising the eligibility age for Social Security. They even propose elimination of the modest cost of living increases in Social Security as a debt reducing measure. They say if this isn’t enough to lower the deficit, reduce the national debt and fund health care, then taxes should be raised for the rest of us. Planning for further cuts in other areas of Federal spending is less likely to come from this group of politicians. They like what we’re doing with regard to the so-called ‘entitlements’, and actually would expand them if they could.  Presently, plans are being developed for funding education of the children of illegal immigrants born in America. And, by now we are all familiar with their scheme to Nationalize Health care, which calls for even more taxes to fund it.

The simple alternatives offered by Republicans to lower costs of health care while eliminating much of the waste and fraud were rejected out of hand by those wielding the big stick. That's right, in spite of the oft repeated charge that Republicans are obstructionists--'the Party of No'--GOP Representatives tried repeatedly to contribute to the Health Care debate, only to be rebuffed by Speaker Pelosi.  Now, it appears we will have to wait until January of 2011 before the incoming Congress will be able to straighten out the mess Democrats have made of the Health Care System in America.  Considering the likely wielding of BHO's veto, it may even be January of 2013.

In any case, the only solution the professional politicians offer to the rapidly increasing deficit—the solution that seems most appropriate to those in authority—is to cut benefits to the elderly and raise taxes on everyone else. There is a better way. For over twenty years various alternatives to our present tax code have been suggested by those who understand economics. Time and again, minor ‘tweaks’ to the present system have been made, none of which have really had a positive effect on the National Economy. Our present code derives revenue primarily by taxing income. Those in Congress conveniently ignore the suggestion of many that we switch to a consumption based tax system. Even though millions of dollars have been spent analyzing the impact of such an alternative, with indications of great benefits to the economy, the Congress refuses to even talk about a consumption tax, and none of them wants to say why not.

There is only one reason; they don’t want to give up the incestuous relationship they have with lobbyists who fund their reelection campaigns and keep them happy with all sorts of ‘perks’ between elections. They know that without the taxing of income they would have no ‘tax break’ carrots to offer lobbyists. The ability to 'tweak' the tax code to benefit special interests would disappear with a consumption tax, and they can't stand the idea, regardless of the many improvements and solutions that are inherent in a consumption tax. A consumption tax would make possible the elimination of all taxes on income of whatever sort, allowing Americans to keep and spend, save or invest their incomes--all of it--as they choose.  It would fund Social Security and Medicare, solving the looming insolvency issue.  It would encourage investment in new and existing businesses, increase employment, attract manufacturing back to our shores, and increase Federal revenues to pay down the debt. 

With a Consumption tax base, much of the corruption and graft we've endured from Washington for years would suddenly come to an end.  But there again, selfishness and greed in Washington trumps prosperity for America.  The interest of individual career politicians takes priority over raising the living standard of all Americans.  The vitality of the American economy and the prosperity of families and individuals will continue to languish so that the professional politicians can perpetuate their positions of power, and maintain their high standard of living, both now and in retirement.  One term in office gets them a full salary retirement for the rest of their lives and the Cadillac of Health Care Plans for them and their families at taxpayer expense to boot.  How long will we abide this?  I recommend that everyone write their Congressperson and Senators, demanding that we abandon the current tax code and adopt a consumption based tax system.  A good place to start would be to bring H.R. 25 of 2009 (The Fair Tax bill) to the floor for serious debate.

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