Politivity

The Sioux City Journal has a piece on Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson and why he doesn’t seem totally committed to his campaign. I really liked his answers. Here’s an excerpt:

“I approached it from a standpoint … of kind of a marriage. You know if one side of the marriage has to be really talked into the marriage, you know it probably ain’t going to be a good deal for either one of them. But if you mutually think that this is a good thing — in this case you think it’s a good thing for the country — then you have an opportunity to do some wonderful things together,” he said.

and a few paragraphs later:

“I like to say that I’m only consumed by very, very few things and politics is not one of them. The welfare of my country and my kids and grandkids are one of them,” he said. “But if people really want in their president a super type-A personality, someone who has gotten up every morning and gone to bed every night thinking about for years how they could achieve presidency of the United States, someone who could look you straight in the eye and say they enjoy every minute of campaigning — I ain’t that guy.”

Thompson’s candor is refreshing. He seems to honor the office of the Presidency with reverence instead of ambition. And I guess compared to many of the candidates, it does appear that he’s not committed to his campaign. But then, why would he do this:

“I and my family have made sacrifices for me to be sitting here today. I haven’t had any income for a long time because I’m doing this,” he said. “I guess a man would have to be a total fool to do all those things and to be leaving his family, which is not a joyful thing at all, if he didn’t want to do it.”

It’s no secret that the Democrats think you can negotiate with dictators and terrorists.

But did you know that John Edwards said you can’t negotiate with Insurance Companies? That’s what he said to an ABC reporter. It was aired on Nightline just a few hours ago. He also added in corporations in general.

So, let me get this straight…

We can negotiate with terrorists whose sole goal is to destroy Western Countries.

But we can’t negotiate with American companies that provide millions of jobs and a wealth of services and products to the American people. Not to mention help fund 401ks and pay taxes to the government.

Edwards is not the guy for our Presidency!

The upcoming Charlie Wilson’s War is about a semi-secret war that led to the eventual downfall of communism in Russia.

But that same war didn’t provide CIA funds to Osama bin Laden or Al Quaeda that led to the eventual terrorist attacks in New York on 9/11, a myth commonly purported by Bush-bashing liberals.

The film originally wanted to include that angle, but it was former Texas Democrat Charlie Wilson himself that opposed the anti-American slant.

The movie also shows Wilson as supportive of CIA providing Stingers to Afghan rebels in their struggle against then-communist Russia. Actually, Wilson was irresolute on the matter while the CIA was against it. They all came around once the rebels had success against the Russians with the anti-aircraft missiles.

As I’ve been shopping for Christmas, I’ve been keeping a rule in mind: Don’t give a gift that is actually a chore. So I stay away from things like cute snowmen filled with brownie mixes - because it requires people to bake.

In Hillary Clinton’s latest campaign ad, she’s decided to give a bunch of gifts to the American people. Alternative energy, bringing the troops home, and universal Pre-K are all gifts she’s decided to give.

The problem is that these are really burdens wrapped up as pretty presents. Here’s why:

1. The Gift Hillary Wants to Give: Alternative energy is based on two things: Global warming and our dependence on foreign oil. But Democrats like Hillary are not even considering the voices of hundreds of scientists who are debunking the global warming myth. Furthermore, Democrats also prevent drilling oil in several locations in the United States. Instead, their plan would require hefty financial burdens either through taxes or requiring people to adapt expensive technology.

The Gift We Want to Receive: Letting oil companies drill in America. The economy would flourish and that would benefit instead of hurt many Americans. Also, let competition and innovation take care of adapting new technologies such as solar power and hybrid cars. Conservatives aren’t against these sources of energy. We just don’t want to be forced or taxed into using them.

2. The Gift Hillary Wants To Give: Bringing the Troops Home. This will not end the war in Iraq. It will open up areas of Iraq that have been able to push out Al-Quaeda and that allows terrorism to spread and take hold. This puts America at risk for more 9-11’s.

The Gift We Want: Respect how far the Troops have come. And remember history. Even though World War II ended in 1945, the Berlin Wall didn’t fall until 1989. Bringing democracy where it’s badly needed takes time - a lot of time.  Our men and women can and will do it, if we have the leaders who believe in the cause.

3. The Gift Hillary Wants to Give: Universal Pre-K. Government schools are struggling to properly educate children. We’re always hearing about how America’s kids are behind in education. Now Hillary wants to expand this broken program.

The Gift We Want: School choice! And we want tax incentives to companies that help bring technology to schools. Schools are SO far behind the times. Let’s help teachers create interactive learning environments instead of having kids and teachers be bored by the traditional method of lectures and sitting in a desk all day.

4. The Gift Hillary Wants to Give: Middle Class Tax Cuts. The problem is she can’t pay for all of these programs and give middle class tax cuts. The other problem is that she’s often criticized the Bush tax cuts that put $ back in the pockets of not just the “rich” but also the middle class. Yet another problem is that when the rich are heavily taxed, they’re more likely to pass that burden onto the middle class by either raising prices on products and services and/or cutting jobs. Placing the tax burden on the rich is always passed along to the middle class.

The Gift We Really Want: Cut Government Spending and Killing the Estate Tax. Allow the American people to build wealth and pass it along to their families.

Anything less than perfection in Iraq is failure

Anything less than perfection in health care is failure.

Anything less than perfection in the federal budget is failure.

Anything less than perfection in corporate America is failure.

Anything less than perfection is failure if you listen to liberals.

And it leads them to create federal programs that run people’s lives, instead of letting people run their own lives.

Nothing will ever be good enough for liberals because we live in an imperfect world. Striving for perfection often keeps people from striving for excellence. Without mistakes, without failure, we don’t learn and we don’t grow. Bigger government creates dependence not independence.

Yesterday, in the Iowa Debates, John Edwards claimed that the middle class is struggling and that the cause of the struggle is corporate greed.

But do his claims hold any weight?

The basic meaning behind the phrase middle class is that you’re not poor and you’re not rich.  So why is the middle class struggling so much if it’s not poor?

The answer is that some people in the middle class suffer and some don’t. When you break it down, those who manage their money don’t suffer and those who mismanage their money do.

We don’t need cable.

We don’t need expensive cell phone plans.

We don’t need to own homes we can’t afford.

We don’t need to own cars outside our budget.

And yet, many of push the limits of our income. But millions wouldn’t have an income without corporations, who provide jobs. Corporations not only provide jobs but also offer benefits such as health care and investment options.

We are tempted to think of corporate greed because of a few bad apples like Enron. And yes, they were horrible situations. But that doesn’t mean we need to take out the wrongdoings of the few out on the majority of companies that are decent.

Most corporations are built on the dreams of an individual. Those dreams are to start their own business, create a good product, fill an unfulfilled need in the marketplace, and to develop a better life for their family. When those individuals are successful, it benefits not only themselves, and not only consumers, but also the many other individuals who get jobs and therefore are able to make a better life for their families.

We need leaders who can recognize corporate greed when they truly see it and not generalize the mistakes of a few to stereotype the majority of companies that are decent, good corporations.

And giving everyone public healthcare won’t make everyone  healthy either.

People need choice. Companies need to compete for our $$ and our attention. When companies outperform each other, the American people win.

When the government controls our lives, we are forced to accept what they give us. Because we’re so taxed, we can’t send our kids to a better performing school.  What are we supposed to do? Call for universal public schools? Oh wait, we already have that.

The same would happen with public health care.

I’m not an environmentalist. I don’t believe the hype about human-caused global warming. But that doesn’t mean I don’t support innovation and progress when it comes to energy and technology.  And I certainly support efforts to rebuild New Orleans.

So that’s why I’m writing about Brad Pitt’s Make It Right project. This is an effort to rebuild homes for New Orleans residents. Yes, the houses are “green,” but that doesn’t bother me. The houses cost $150,000 to build, and they have solar panels.

And that’s why I can support it. This is how liberals and conservatives can come together. Liberals love the green efforts and conservatives like myself love solar panels for the technology. Moreover, the cost is extremely reasonable. Last but not least, safety of the house is a big issue as it will need to endure future storms in the area.

Plus, this is a non-profit effort that uses the generosity of the American people as opposed to a government agency which would have an abundant of red tape and regulations.

If you don’t have $150,000, that’s alright. Every little bit helps. This Christmas, give the gift of a Home Sweet Home to the people of New Orleans.

Yes, some subprimes are defaulting, but most mortgages are being paid. Don’t worry about a crisis - it’s mostly media hype.