On Reagan's centennial year, Major League Baseball is showing a tribute to Ronald Reagan in a number of stadiums this summer. Reagan was once a broadcaster for the Cubs in addition to being an actor, spokesman, and eventually President. America sure could use another Reagan right now. It's a shame they're stuck with Carter the 2nd.
The Strong Conservative Blog
- Strong Conservative
- Toronto
- "People should not fear the government, government should fear the people." - V
2011-04-30
2011-04-27
Mass Cuts Collective Bargaining, Obama Silent
Today, President Obama released his birth certificate which proved what most people already thought: Obama was born in Hawaii.
So while Obama may have silenced a few critics, like Trump, he has also been silent himself on the decision by the Massachusetts legislature to end the collective bargaining rights of unions.
The SEIU, ACLU, AFSCME, and UAW went nuts on Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin when he and the GOP ruled legislature moved to do the same thing as Massachusetts is now doing. Obama called it an assault on unions. Will he now accuse the legislature of Massachusetts of a similar assault? I doubt it.
The fact is, governments across the nation are drowning in debt and the President of the United States is oblivious to the very real crisis of America facing collapse under its burden of debt.
The MA legislature, run by Democrats, "voted overwhelmingly last night to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns."
The vote wasn't even close, it was 111-42. Even a few state Democrats, who lack the federal power to print money as Obama possesses, are realizing that lavish state wages, benefits, and pensions are breaching the hull of the ship that is America.
The Keynesian redux that Obama and the Democrats have subjected America to is causing a listing ship to be weakened further. Every new regulation, law, tax, bureaucrat, fee, and penalty added by the government sucks life out of the private sector where wealth is created and jobs are born. Until America starts making life easier for business, the economy will not improve and families and individuals stuck in unemployment and government dependence will suffer.
Thanks for nothing Mr. President. Your birth certificate is making life any better for the average American.
So while Obama may have silenced a few critics, like Trump, he has also been silent himself on the decision by the Massachusetts legislature to end the collective bargaining rights of unions.
The SEIU, ACLU, AFSCME, and UAW went nuts on Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin when he and the GOP ruled legislature moved to do the same thing as Massachusetts is now doing. Obama called it an assault on unions. Will he now accuse the legislature of Massachusetts of a similar assault? I doubt it.
The fact is, governments across the nation are drowning in debt and the President of the United States is oblivious to the very real crisis of America facing collapse under its burden of debt.
The MA legislature, run by Democrats, "voted overwhelmingly last night to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns."
The vote wasn't even close, it was 111-42. Even a few state Democrats, who lack the federal power to print money as Obama possesses, are realizing that lavish state wages, benefits, and pensions are breaching the hull of the ship that is America.
The Keynesian redux that Obama and the Democrats have subjected America to is causing a listing ship to be weakened further. Every new regulation, law, tax, bureaucrat, fee, and penalty added by the government sucks life out of the private sector where wealth is created and jobs are born. Until America starts making life easier for business, the economy will not improve and families and individuals stuck in unemployment and government dependence will suffer.
Thanks for nothing Mr. President. Your birth certificate is making life any better for the average American.
2011-04-15
Taxes, Taxes and More Taxes
A little poem about how much we're taxed.
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax..
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL licenseTax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
I'm quite sure we didn't always have all these taxes and yet somehow, people got by. Maybe, just maybe, we don't need as much government as we've become accustomed to (and many, dependent upon).
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax..
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL licenseTax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
I'm quite sure we didn't always have all these taxes and yet somehow, people got by. Maybe, just maybe, we don't need as much government as we've become accustomed to (and many, dependent upon).
2011-04-07
Trump NBC Interview
Donald Trump is now the #2 GOP contender of possible candidates for 2012. He's undeclared, but he's doing well in the polls. I have to say, it is SO refreshing to see someone with actual, real world experience in business who might run for the presidency. I AM SICK AND TIRED of all these career politicians who talk about jobs and the economy and don't have a clue about meeting a payroll, firing and hiring, and making a business successful. We need more people like Trump going into public service and a lot fewer career politicians.
Christie: Teachers Unions are Political Thugs
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey didn't hold back when referring to teachers unions as "political thugs". And, judging by what was witnessed in Wisconsin, he's right on the mark. While making clear that he respected teachers and the job they do, he pointed out that the union leaders do not care about children, education, or the success of pupils, but merely about power.
"I believe the teachers in New Jersey in the main are wonderful public servants that care deeply. But their union, their union are a group of political thugs," Christie said.
Christie also criticized Obama for not leading during a time of economic difficulty. Despite the massive deficit and skyrocketing debt, Democrats are refusing to cut any programs or spending. You can be sure they'll blame any government shut down on the GOP despite that they refused to pass a budget last year which has resulted in the current fiscal crisis.
"I believe the teachers in New Jersey in the main are wonderful public servants that care deeply. But their union, their union are a group of political thugs," Christie said.
Christie also criticized Obama for not leading during a time of economic difficulty. Despite the massive deficit and skyrocketing debt, Democrats are refusing to cut any programs or spending. You can be sure they'll blame any government shut down on the GOP despite that they refused to pass a budget last year which has resulted in the current fiscal crisis.
2011-04-04
Free Speech, Violence, and Koran Burning
The conflict between freedom of speech and religious sensitivity has been again touched off by the burning of a Koran by a virtually unknown pastor, at an unknown church with only a few dozen adherents in central Florida. The result has been two beheadings and a death toll of over 20 as Afghans rioted and murdered in Mazar i-Sharif.
I certainly agree that it is disrespectful and unproductive to burn Korans despite my disagreements with many aspects of the Islamic religion. However, I also strongly believe that if a free citizen like Terry Jones has every right to burn the Koran or any other book or symbol he so desires. Of course, he's required to comply with various fire code regulations as the bureaucrats must be appeased to some degree.
I find it especially troubling that the "moderate" GOP Senator from South Carolina, Lindsay Graham, has indicated he believes that such speech should be regulated. It is controversial speech, inflammatory speech, and passionate speech that is precisely what needs to be protected most and is the reason that the United States has the first amendment, that Canada has Section 2 of the Charter of Rights, and that other free nations have similar protections of both speech and religious practice.
It is even more worrying that Terry Jones, this nobody pastor in Gainesville, FL, has elicited such violent behavior around the world. Are Afghans really that troubled by one man's burning of a book on the other side of the world? I don't think most devoted Christians would give two hoots about a Bible being burned in Kabul, Peshawar, or Rihad. The fact is, the ideas and principles contained in the Bible are not threatened by a single person burning a copy. Terry Jones has exposed some Muslims for being the very thing he predicted: prone to violence in devotion to their religion. Perhaps a rural tribesman in northern Afghanistan may not have realized this, but certainly Hamid Karzai should realize that he's only helping to Jones' one-man crusade by inflating the incident beyond rational proportion.
Mark Steyn comments in the Corner:
Those rioters who beheaded, attacked, and slew UN workers in northern Afghanistan only provided Jones, and his followers, ammunition and evidence to back up their theories about Islam. And while I sympathize with Gen. Patreaus, especially considering a good friend of mind is fighting in Afghanistan with the Canadian forces right now, that such controversial actions endanger our troops overseas, certainly we should not be appeasing our enemies and sacrificing our values and principles in the vain hope that our enemies will lay off and back down since we're playing nice.
Seeing that Christians are subject to execution if the convert from Islam in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere throughout the Islamic world, it seems that the "tolerance" deficit is decidedly in the Middle East and Islamic world, not in the West. Similarly, while thousands of mosques exist in the West, Christianity and missionaries are essentially banned and made illegal throughout the Middle East. A British man who happens to be gay faces possible execution by our so-called ally, Saudi Arabia. Why? Well, a gay Saudi prince murdered his lover in England, he was arrested and the story became public. King Saud and family are upset that the Saudi prince's orientation became public knowledge and, as a result, they're now having a show-trial for a Brit foreigner:
"Religious cops lured Stephen Comiskey, 36, into an ambush by sending him texts posing as a friend of his.
They beat him up, flung him in a cell and told him he faced charges of homosexuality - a capital offence under the Muslim kingdom's Sharia law."
The West needs to stop apologizing for its culture, for its history, and for its liberal-democratic values. If we want to do a cultural comparison with Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and other "allies" in the Middle East, it becomes painfully clear who is tolerant, open, organized, less corrupt, merciful, humanitarian, and generous.
Simply put: Free speech trumps Afghan sensibilities. If you don't like it, grow a thicker skin or enjoy Taliban rule.
I certainly agree that it is disrespectful and unproductive to burn Korans despite my disagreements with many aspects of the Islamic religion. However, I also strongly believe that if a free citizen like Terry Jones has every right to burn the Koran or any other book or symbol he so desires. Of course, he's required to comply with various fire code regulations as the bureaucrats must be appeased to some degree.
I find it especially troubling that the "moderate" GOP Senator from South Carolina, Lindsay Graham, has indicated he believes that such speech should be regulated. It is controversial speech, inflammatory speech, and passionate speech that is precisely what needs to be protected most and is the reason that the United States has the first amendment, that Canada has Section 2 of the Charter of Rights, and that other free nations have similar protections of both speech and religious practice.
It is even more worrying that Terry Jones, this nobody pastor in Gainesville, FL, has elicited such violent behavior around the world. Are Afghans really that troubled by one man's burning of a book on the other side of the world? I don't think most devoted Christians would give two hoots about a Bible being burned in Kabul, Peshawar, or Rihad. The fact is, the ideas and principles contained in the Bible are not threatened by a single person burning a copy. Terry Jones has exposed some Muslims for being the very thing he predicted: prone to violence in devotion to their religion. Perhaps a rural tribesman in northern Afghanistan may not have realized this, but certainly Hamid Karzai should realize that he's only helping to Jones' one-man crusade by inflating the incident beyond rational proportion.
Mark Steyn comments in the Corner:
In the absence of cultural confidence overseas, we are expending blood and treasure building an Afghanistan fit only for pederasts, tribal heroin cartels, and the blood-soaked savages of Mazar e-Sharif. In the absence of cultural confidence at home, we are sending the message that the bedrock principles of free, pluralist societies will bend and crumble in a vain race to keep up with the ever touchier sensitivities of the perpetually aggrieved. Claire Berlinski has it right: The real “racists” here are not this no-name pastor and his minimal flock but Reid, Graham, and the Times — for they assume that a significant proportion of Muslims are not responsible human beings but animals no more capable of rational behavior than the tiger who mauled Siegfried’s Roy. If that is true, certain consequences follow therefrom. The abandonment of the First Amendment is not one of them.
Those rioters who beheaded, attacked, and slew UN workers in northern Afghanistan only provided Jones, and his followers, ammunition and evidence to back up their theories about Islam. And while I sympathize with Gen. Patreaus, especially considering a good friend of mind is fighting in Afghanistan with the Canadian forces right now, that such controversial actions endanger our troops overseas, certainly we should not be appeasing our enemies and sacrificing our values and principles in the vain hope that our enemies will lay off and back down since we're playing nice.
Seeing that Christians are subject to execution if the convert from Islam in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere throughout the Islamic world, it seems that the "tolerance" deficit is decidedly in the Middle East and Islamic world, not in the West. Similarly, while thousands of mosques exist in the West, Christianity and missionaries are essentially banned and made illegal throughout the Middle East. A British man who happens to be gay faces possible execution by our so-called ally, Saudi Arabia. Why? Well, a gay Saudi prince murdered his lover in England, he was arrested and the story became public. King Saud and family are upset that the Saudi prince's orientation became public knowledge and, as a result, they're now having a show-trial for a Brit foreigner:
"Religious cops lured Stephen Comiskey, 36, into an ambush by sending him texts posing as a friend of his.
They beat him up, flung him in a cell and told him he faced charges of homosexuality - a capital offence under the Muslim kingdom's Sharia law."
The West needs to stop apologizing for its culture, for its history, and for its liberal-democratic values. If we want to do a cultural comparison with Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and other "allies" in the Middle East, it becomes painfully clear who is tolerant, open, organized, less corrupt, merciful, humanitarian, and generous.
Simply put: Free speech trumps Afghan sensibilities. If you don't like it, grow a thicker skin or enjoy Taliban rule.
Conservative Lead Grows
The Conservative Party has increased its lead to 14 points over the Liberals. They lead in every province except Quebec, where the Bloc leads. The Conservatives garner 42.3% in the latest Nanos poll while the Liberals hold 28.4%, the NDP 16.5%, and the Greens 3.8%. This poll seems to indicate the Conservatives may be heading towards a majority government.
The key area, as usual, will be Ontario for the Conservatives and the Liberals. If the Conservatives can pull substantially in front of the Grits and capture key ridings in the 416/905 area around Toronto, they will have a much better chance of forming a majority government.
The NDP seems to be recycling many of its past promises which hold little weight considering that Jack Layton has almost no chance of becoming PM. Meanwhile, the Liberals are promising countless new programs ranging from universal daycare to university grants. All the while, Ignatieff continues to criticize Harper for the deficit although his new programs would undoubtedly add to the government's fiscal imbalance.
Prime Minister Harper has rightly returned to critcizing the wasteful gun registry which the NDP and Liberals are hell bent on maintaining despite the enormous waste and ineffectiveness involved. Moreover, Harper is promising key measures to strengthen the Canadian economy by lowering corporate and individual tax rates. This will enable Canada to be ever more competitive in the global market place.
The key area, as usual, will be Ontario for the Conservatives and the Liberals. If the Conservatives can pull substantially in front of the Grits and capture key ridings in the 416/905 area around Toronto, they will have a much better chance of forming a majority government.
The NDP seems to be recycling many of its past promises which hold little weight considering that Jack Layton has almost no chance of becoming PM. Meanwhile, the Liberals are promising countless new programs ranging from universal daycare to university grants. All the while, Ignatieff continues to criticize Harper for the deficit although his new programs would undoubtedly add to the government's fiscal imbalance.
Prime Minister Harper has rightly returned to critcizing the wasteful gun registry which the NDP and Liberals are hell bent on maintaining despite the enormous waste and ineffectiveness involved. Moreover, Harper is promising key measures to strengthen the Canadian economy by lowering corporate and individual tax rates. This will enable Canada to be ever more competitive in the global market place.
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