DISTRACTION

The Presidential Campaign Circus is back. The caravan of vehicles, from Bentleys to Wagon wheels, is back in the neighborhoods soliciting votes. The presidential campaign process with its apparent need to raise astronomical funds to participate, has eliminated qualified and capable individuals from participation in our Republic.

Qualified citizens must pay to participate in the civic growth and progress of the Republic. If we are to move forward as a successful nation, we must reconstruct the political participation landscape. What does raising money have to do with the ability to Govern? Unfortunately, the media has succeeded in giving the impression that there is a correlation. The truth is the media benefit by invoicing the candidates for coverage and at the end of the process; the voters pay for undeliverable.

Money or access has become a significant criterion. Survival of character assassination is now the first frontier. Ability and love of the Republic is irrelevant. The current political climate froth with character assassination would have eliminated many of our Founding fathers from participation in our Republic.

The political system has become Selective rather than Elective. Political incumbents have succeeded in persuading the masses to believe in the nebulous concept of Electability and Name recognition. Electability does not equate to performance. Having my father’s name does not mean I am like he, or as capable, or that you can predict my performance. Voters are being fed ineptitude wrapped in Electability and seasoned with “Name Recognition”.

It is flawed thinking to conclude, that one candidate has more experience than the other. If you have never been President, how can you have experience? No one has experience dealing with the evolving issues of the world. A candidate’s ability to deal with the issues in the Middle East and not disenfranchising Israel can be determined during the campaign. Any peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians that include reference to 1967 are a non-starter. To be honest, anyone who echoes concern about the aftermath of each uprising in the Middle East and appear to be oblivious to the gravity of the actions on the street is not qualified to deal with the issues.

The Presidential Campaign, especially the Democrat Debates is a distraction. The Debates are a distraction from real world issues and National concerns. A DISTRACTION, from Domestic and International issues.

No election, Political party, or singular economic philosophy will resolve the financial crisis of 2008, the unemployment condition created by NAFTA, or the failed Health Care policy. Time, focus, concentration, new ideas, and new people in Washington D.C. will move The Republic in the right direction and fix problems. This is precisely why we need Term Limits for members of congress. We do not need candidates running for the Presidential office everyday. We need politicians who do not solicit votes to be elected, and then legislate on issues to satisfy the interest of lobbyists or campaign contributors.

You cannot teach old dogs new tricks. If you put Lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig. People, Philosophies, and Ideologies do not change. While it is not how you start but rather how you finish, History has proven that start does matter with respect to political and International relations. If you begin by saying, Africa is a Country; the Postman will not be able to deliver the Telegram.

Most Countries in the West are experiencing Fiscal deficits because Expenses are greater than Revenue. The knee jerk reaction of some politicians is that expenses must be reduced, with no consideration to increasing revenue. The unfortunate truth is that in times of world economic plight and blight any attempt to focus solely on reducing expenses will create additional hardships on the already suffering population.

It is wrong to support Fiscal mismanagement, and it is wrong to attempt correction and irresponsibility on the backs of the poor. Two wrongs have never made a right. Fixing National deficits on the backs of the poor will create unrest similar to that in the Middle East.

Simply put, if Revenue is 100 Billion and Expenses are 150 Billion then we have a deficit of 50 Billion. Fixing the deficit by reducing expenses by 50 Billion seems like a logical action but that could create an issue. Eliminating expenses means eliminating programs. Eliminating programs will mean eliminating jobs at some level. Governments cannot afford to contribute to the level of unemployment when citizens are expecting them to be part of the solution. Government and Private Business is either part of the problem or part of the solution. Fortunately, POTUS is on the right Tracks Domestically and Internationally.

The fiscal responsible response to correcting national Deficits is a combination of reducing expenses, increasing revenue, and further searching the details of expenses to find and eliminate useless items. Frankly, studying the domestication of Squirrels is useless.

Increasing the deficit ceiling will only create an atmosphere that presumes continued deficits are not a serious matter. Continued deficits must be curtailed, if there is a genuine interest in addressing National debt. A national deficit is the equivalent of a battle but National Debt is a war.

Increasing the debt ceiling is analogous to raising your credit limit at the company store to spend more knowing very well, that you are having issues making the payment on the previous limit. The only accomplishment from such action is the debt getting older and deeper.

Which of the participants in the Debates can handle the following?

Unemployment, Manufacturing Jobs, Deficit and Debt, Illegal Immigration, Abortion, Declining morality by our elected officials, Campaign Financing, Pakistan, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Uprising in the Middle East, Turmoil in Africa, inevitable conflict with Iran and North Korea, and growing friction with China.

I say none. What do you think?

USFLAGWAVING

LFT

Telegram Today

ASSAULT ON CIVILITY CONTINUES

 

Shooting incidents like Luby’s Cafeteria, McDonald’s, University of Texas, Virginia Tech, Aurora Theater, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Pulse Night Club, Columbine High School, Texas Church, Las Vegas, Borderline Bar and Grill, Tree of Life Synagogue, Santa Fe High School, Parkland, and Virginia Beach municipal building, exposes a major flaw in Civilization.

Deaths by location: Luby’s Cafeteria (23), McDonald’s (21), University of Texas (15), Virginia Tech (32), Aurora Theater (12), Sandy Hook Elementary School (26), Pulse Night Club (49), Columbine High School (13), Texas Church (25), Las Vegas (58), Borderline Bar and Grill (12), Tree of Life Synagogue (11), Santa Fe High School (10), Parkland (17), and Virginia Beach municipal building (12).

Guns do not kill, People do. Therefore, it is not about Guns but the process by which people obtain Guns. The self defense aspect of Guns is good and necessary. Offensive activities are the problem. This position does not include or consider Hand Guns or the various types of Pistols as assault weapons. However, armed with multiple pistols demonstrates intent to conduct an assault. Assault weapons are the various types of rifles.

Purchasing an Assault Weapon is the equivalent of buying an Automobile when you need a Wagon. There is no point in purchasing an Assault Weapon if you are not planning to use it. You can go to the range but idiots buying Assault weapons are not interested in silhouettes. Persons buying Assault weapons are interested in shooting a pop up target, an animal, another human, and in some cases a spouse.

What happened in Luby’s Cafeteria (23), McDonald’s (21), University of Texas (15), Virginia Tech (32), Aurora Theater (12), Sandy Hook Elementary School (26), Pulse Night Club (49), Columbine High School (13), Texas Church (25), Las Vegas (58), Borderline Bar and Grill (12), Tree of Life Synagogue (11), Santa Fe High School (10), Parkland (17) and Virginia Beach municipal building (12) was Barbaric. Sales of Assault weapons cost Lives.

Assault weapons are not good for Civil Health. Gun shops are about greed and making money. Greed similar to those who took money to train people to fly airplanes and unconcern that said individuals had no interest in learning how to Land. Greed got us into a financial crisis in 2008. Our Society and way of Life is in danger of falling off cliff and Authority elements are acting like “Dimwits”. Greed from the sale of Assault Weapons will create mayhem in our society.

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, Reactions included buffoons suggesting arming teachers. Arming teachers is a bad, ridiculous, and ludicrous idea. Arming teachers is an idea that has permanent residency in the preposterous. More Students and Teachers will get hurt from the implementation of that idea. Someone please, send a Telegram.

A constructive approach is to take money from the budget for Superintendents of High schools and install cameras at all corners. In addition, put a security detail together with qualified Guards and Closed Circuit Television. Use common sense and security measures to ensure that unauthorized persons do not gain access to schools. Have staffed camera surveillance at all perimeter entrances and exits. Maintenance of such a system will require two shifts of Guards with the second shift on duty until all school personnel leave each day.

Assault weapons are not good for Civil Health. Imagine the 60’s riots with assault rifles. The second Amendment is alive and well but it is time to restrict sales of assault weapons. Neighborhood facilities are not war zones. What occurred in the Las Vegas massacre, should give non-military people a glimpse of what a war zone looks and feel like. That kind of event does not belong in our community. Our streets are for the expression of civility, peace, love, and accord.

The Las Vegas massacre was a planned slaughter of innocent people. Stephen Paddock picked the time of day, and location to maximize the carnage. He cleverly selected a vantage point that gave him maximum view and concealment. Unless you have a military past, in that crowded space with poor lighting, you are at significant disadvantage against someone firing a rifle in automatic mode. The same is true in the urban environment of the Virginia Beach municipal building.

We may never know why Stephen Paddock decided to end his Life. The same is true for the Virginia Beach shooter. The Las Vegas massacre was the echo of Stephen Paddock saying; stop the world please, let me off. It is possible that he had a vision of meeting with seven virgins in the after Life. Unfortunately, he left several wives on earth to carry on as virgins. I wish them well as they deal with grief and try to move forward. The same is true for the victims of the Virginia Beach municipal building shooting.

 

LFT