Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA), a strong supporter of our military, weighs in on how the US should approach the situation in Syria.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Loss of Innocence
Tonight was a slow night at the county fair - the sky was overcast over
Central Virginia and most families were thinking the late summer skies would
give way to an evening storm. I know I was hoping a cold front would head in regardless
of the rain it would bring.
So, while I am biding my time, I get on my trusty smart phone and check
out the Drudge Report for the days current news. Drudge sometimes has some
wacky headlines and this one caught my eye: "SHOCK: Pre-Teen black kids
bully 3-year-old white girl...VIDEO 'when white people piss black people off'"
Intrigued I go to YouTube and find the video. I am beyond
dismayed. It's a bunch of little kids,
picking on one smaller kid. She cries that hurtful cry we have all let loose at
one time in our lives. It's heart
breaking and not one of these kids is over 10 years old.
The only racial thing about is the title. It’s a video about kids picking on kids smaller than them.
So, as a middle aged woman who raised two daughters my first
instinct is "Where are the parents?" Where are the parents to the kid
being bullied: a 3-year-old on a hot wheel, in the street and no adult around
to watch out for her? Bad enough we have the hateful bullies going after her
but what about traffic?
Where are the parents of the tormentors? Doesn't anyone stick their
head out the door just to check on them?
Now I am usually the one to broach conversation about politics, religion, etc...but I tend to stay away from child rearing. In this instance though, I have to say, this new generation is being raised by a pack of wolves. There is no longer the concept of common courtesy, no compassion and least of all no parental supervision.
My heart broke for that little girl crying but also for the
children doing the bullying and running roughshod with no one there to show
them the hurtful lines they crossed. How can they show any kindness when
apparently they don’t know it first-hand themselves? I do, however, remain hopeful that there are
enough decent people out there to show our younger generation how to act like
caring human beings and not detached, hateful thugs. We need to wake up and take charge of our
families.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
JG
A Man With a Dream
It is the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr's speech I Have a Dream.
This speech still has a powerful impact on our nation because we have yet to see the barrier built by the color of skin eliminated from our society. We have yet to see Dr. King's dream fully fulfilled.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks eloquently to the history of Dr. King faced as he led the March to Washington to speak out against the racial discrimination facing African Americans during the Civil Rights movement. We have taken the liberty to post his press release below, but you can also find this here.
By U.S. Senator Ted Cruz:
There are moments in time that forever alter the course of human history. Fifty years ago, at 3 p.m. on August 28, 1963, was one such moment.
On that sunny August afternoon, a 34-year-old southern preacher ascended the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to address the hundreds of thousands who had bravely gathered to stand for freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke with a strong, steady calm, with a message for the ages.
Our Nation has blessed heritage, but slavery is our original sin, a tragic stain on our history. A stain that took a horrific Civil War and the blood of hundreds of thousands to begin to erase. And, in 1963, Jim Crow was still alive and well, enforcing through law second-class citizenship on millions of African-Americans.
Even after Brown v. Board of Education, schools remained segregated. Voting booths were largely closed to black voters. Lynchings and brutality were far too common. And our system of justice turned a blind eye towards the rights of African-American citizens.
It was against this pervasive discrimination, this wretched oppression of millions of Americans, that Dr. King spoke. And the words he uttered inspired with Divine force.
He did not speak in anger. He did not speak in sorrow. He spoke with hope, with passion, with urgency, for a better world.
In 1963, however, protesting for civil rights carried much greater risk than any demonstration does today. It meant possibly jail time and facing police officers armed with clubs and fire hoses. Or, potentially, even worse.
But, even when America was failing an entire class of her people, Dr. King refused to abandon his country. Citing the principles of freedom embedded in our founding documents, Dr. King reminded America of its sacred obligation to live up to its ideals.
“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir,” he said “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Dr. King, drawing on his Christian faith, advocated taking the harder, higher road to freedom. “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline,” he said. “We must not allow our creative protest to denigrate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”
His insistence on using peaceful recourse to rectify some of the worst wrongs in American history is a shining triumph of not only his moral strength, but the strength of a nation that resolves its internal conflicts with words instead of weapons.
As Dr. King explained in his monumental speech that day, his dream was an unyielding, unshakable, unrelenting belief in the America that our Founders promised—where each and every American is equal, free and able to pursue opportunity.
"I have a dream," Dr. King famously proclaimed. He spoke to our better angels, weaving a tapestry of that prophetic dream:
His dream is our dream, it is America's dream. And today we celebrate and remember. And redouble our commitment to keep working to expand that dream to each and every American.
Please, today, take a few minutes and watch again this epic speech that changed our history:
This speech still has a powerful impact on our nation because we have yet to see the barrier built by the color of skin eliminated from our society. We have yet to see Dr. King's dream fully fulfilled.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks eloquently to the history of Dr. King faced as he led the March to Washington to speak out against the racial discrimination facing African Americans during the Civil Rights movement. We have taken the liberty to post his press release below, but you can also find this here.
Press Release
of
Senator Cruz
Bending the Arc Towards Justice
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
There are moments in time that forever alter the course of human history. Fifty years ago, at 3 p.m. on August 28, 1963, was one such moment.
On that sunny August afternoon, a 34-year-old southern preacher ascended the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to address the hundreds of thousands who had bravely gathered to stand for freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke with a strong, steady calm, with a message for the ages.
Our Nation has blessed heritage, but slavery is our original sin, a tragic stain on our history. A stain that took a horrific Civil War and the blood of hundreds of thousands to begin to erase. And, in 1963, Jim Crow was still alive and well, enforcing through law second-class citizenship on millions of African-Americans.
Even after Brown v. Board of Education, schools remained segregated. Voting booths were largely closed to black voters. Lynchings and brutality were far too common. And our system of justice turned a blind eye towards the rights of African-American citizens.
It was against this pervasive discrimination, this wretched oppression of millions of Americans, that Dr. King spoke. And the words he uttered inspired with Divine force.
He did not speak in anger. He did not speak in sorrow. He spoke with hope, with passion, with urgency, for a better world.
"We
have...come to his hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce
urgency of Now.
...
"Now is the time to make real the
promise of democracy.
"Now
it the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to
the sunlit path of racial justice.
"Now it the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of
racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
"Now is the time to make justice a
reality to all of God's children."
That vision was
powerful, compelling.In 1963, however, protesting for civil rights carried much greater risk than any demonstration does today. It meant possibly jail time and facing police officers armed with clubs and fire hoses. Or, potentially, even worse.
But, even when America was failing an entire class of her people, Dr. King refused to abandon his country. Citing the principles of freedom embedded in our founding documents, Dr. King reminded America of its sacred obligation to live up to its ideals.
“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir,” he said “This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Dr. King, drawing on his Christian faith, advocated taking the harder, higher road to freedom. “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline,” he said. “We must not allow our creative protest to denigrate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”
His insistence on using peaceful recourse to rectify some of the worst wrongs in American history is a shining triumph of not only his moral strength, but the strength of a nation that resolves its internal conflicts with words instead of weapons.
As Dr. King explained in his monumental speech that day, his dream was an unyielding, unshakable, unrelenting belief in the America that our Founders promised—where each and every American is equal, free and able to pursue opportunity.
"I have a dream," Dr. King famously proclaimed. He spoke to our better angels, weaving a tapestry of that prophetic dream:
"I...have
a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
"I have a dream that one day this
nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. We hold
these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.
"I have a dream that one day out
in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of
former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of
brotherhood.
"I have a
dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering
with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of
freedom and justice.
"I
have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their
character.
"I have a
dream today."
Dr. King believed in the American Dream,
and he believed in America. He believed in justice and in the power of
truth. And he courageously stood up to oppression, to injustice, to
evil...with grace, with compassion, with dignityHis dream is our dream, it is America's dream. And today we celebrate and remember. And redouble our commitment to keep working to expand that dream to each and every American.
Please, today, take a few minutes and watch again this epic speech that changed our history:
Monday, August 26, 2013
Fighting for our Rights
BiGWand™ believes passionately in our Constitutional rights. We know if we hold dear to them our nation will stand strong and proud on the global stage for centuries to come.
This past weekend Team BiGWand™ volunteered at the National Rifle Association booth at the Chesterfield County Fair because we believe the NRA is one of the strongest supporters of our Second Amendment rights.
Jean, Karen and Sandy with Faye Williamson and
Attorney General Candidate Mark Obenshain
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be
infringed.
The Second Amendment is clear. It is the right of the people to keep and bear arms for the necessity to the security of a free State, and this right shall not be infringed.
Taking guns from law abiding citizens will not deter criminals and thugs. It will only take the freedom granted in the Second Amendment away from a law abiding citizen. To alter this Amendment would have our Founders rolling in their graves.
With that being said, BiGWand™ believes just as passionately about being a responsible gun
owner. If you own a gun, or plan on purchasing a gun, do your homework. Read the manual and learn about your firearm. Understand and practice safety measures so it is second nature. If you have children, educate them on gun safety and responsibility. Don't be afraid to ask other parents if they own guns, and if they do, how do they store them with children in the home. Let them know you store yours in a gun safe (if you don't, shame on you, go shopping!) so they will not worry if their children are at your home.
Criminals and dictators will not give up their right to bear arms. There is no need for us to give up our Second Amendment right out of fear.
Team BiGWand™
© 2013 BiGWand™. All rights reserved.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday with Scott
BiGWand™ is honored to have Virginia State Delegate Scott Lingamfelter as regular guest with our blog. Delegate Lingamfelter is a true patriot who has served our nation on the battlefield and in the legislature and we are so thankful to him for allowing us to share his thoughts with our readers. Check back every Sunday to hear what Delegate Lingamfelter has to say.
Sitting
in the kitchen this bright Saturday morning with Shelley thinking about
different things.
Foreign Policy: American influence is in decline. We are a nation lead by a President who doesn't understand the application of national po...wer to secure our vital national interests. Moreover, he is burdened with the view that a strong America is a dangerous America. Such a view contributes to his inability to provide leadership that is needed in securing a peaceful world that is consistent with our national interests.
Domestic Policy: Liberals in Congress and in the White House are so galvanized to redistributionist economic policy that they can’t grasp what is needed to grow our economy. As long as liberals call the shots, you can bet on a sluggish economy, unacceptably high unemployment, and kids with college degrees in dire search of a job. Pathetic.
Politics: Facts don’t mean anything anymore. Feelings are all that’s required to “win” a debate. Whether people like it or not, there is objective truth (facts) in this world. God. Virtue. History. Physical Science, a record of accomplishments or failure. When these are absent in the discussion, it becomes little more than simpleminded prattle.
Virginia: A great place to live, raise and family, and grow a small business. Why? Because we are a state with a balanced budget, conservative fiscal policies, “right to work” laws, and people who understand that the best social program ever conceived is the traditional family.
The Constitution: The supreme law of the land that is being disassembled by postmodern socialists who want to make America into something the Founders never intended. I say fight back.
OUR Sonny: Five year old Yellow Labrador Retriever who, no matter how long my day has been, is happy to see me. Harry Truman was right. If you need a friend in Washington (read politics), buy a dog. BTW, both of us can’t wait until hunting season.
Foreign Policy: American influence is in decline. We are a nation lead by a President who doesn't understand the application of national po...wer to secure our vital national interests. Moreover, he is burdened with the view that a strong America is a dangerous America. Such a view contributes to his inability to provide leadership that is needed in securing a peaceful world that is consistent with our national interests.
Domestic Policy: Liberals in Congress and in the White House are so galvanized to redistributionist economic policy that they can’t grasp what is needed to grow our economy. As long as liberals call the shots, you can bet on a sluggish economy, unacceptably high unemployment, and kids with college degrees in dire search of a job. Pathetic.
Politics: Facts don’t mean anything anymore. Feelings are all that’s required to “win” a debate. Whether people like it or not, there is objective truth (facts) in this world. God. Virtue. History. Physical Science, a record of accomplishments or failure. When these are absent in the discussion, it becomes little more than simpleminded prattle.
Virginia: A great place to live, raise and family, and grow a small business. Why? Because we are a state with a balanced budget, conservative fiscal policies, “right to work” laws, and people who understand that the best social program ever conceived is the traditional family.
The Constitution: The supreme law of the land that is being disassembled by postmodern socialists who want to make America into something the Founders never intended. I say fight back.
OUR Sonny: Five year old Yellow Labrador Retriever who, no matter how long my day has been, is happy to see me. Harry Truman was right. If you need a friend in Washington (read politics), buy a dog. BTW, both of us can’t wait until hunting season.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Women For Ken Cuccinelli
|
You are cordially
invited to
Women for Ken’s
Richmond Kick-Off
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Country Club of Virginia – Westhampton Clubhouse 6031 St. Andrews Lane Richmond, VA 23226
Featured speakers
include:
Delegate Roxann Robinson
(R-Chesterfield)
Jamie Radtke (Former Candidate for U.S. Senate) Susan Stimpson (Former Candidate for Lt. Governor of Virginia) Host Committee:
Dress: Business Attire
Contributions
or gifts to Women Speak Out – Virginia are not tax deductible.
|
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Boyd Marcus Turns His Coat on the GOP
Et tu, Marcus?I knew someday my Latin education would come in handy but I am saddened to have to rely on it with a spin on this famous quote. The news broke early this afternoon that the once relied upon Republican public relations guru and operative, Boyd Marcus has not only endorsed Terry McAuliffe, the Democrat nominee for Governor but is now working in an advisory capacity for that campaign.
Maybe this is unfair of me but I have to ask the question: what makes a once staunch Republican with so many ties to the party and the election process all of a sudden endorse a Democrat? Was he always a closet Dem? Does his current allegiance to the Democrat Party have anything to do with the election process and results of last year’s race? Just food for thought.
Oh and Mr. Marcus, remember what happens when you dance with the devil….
Monday, August 19, 2013
The importance of a Budget
This morning Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is addressing the members of the General Assembly with a review of the general fund and Virginia economy. Virginia is a state that has enjoyed a budget surplus and low unemployment levels.
The work of the General Assembly has helped keep Virginia a leader among states who have weathered the rough years of the recession. It is proof conservative principles that encourage businesses to thrive work. In addition, as Governor McDonnell states "prudent fiscal restraint" facilitates reviews of budgets to eliminate unnecessary spending. A focus on making government more efficient, but rewarding the hard work of those who serve the Commonwealth with incentives for finding savings in their agencies has improved the states operations.
As I sit in the General Assembly, I am excited about the future of Virginia. There is still work to be done. There are still Virginians who need help, who need jobs and assistance. But, our state has the opportunity to continue to set an example for the nation on how to serve its people and its fellow states.
The work of the General Assembly has helped keep Virginia a leader among states who have weathered the rough years of the recession. It is proof conservative principles that encourage businesses to thrive work. In addition, as Governor McDonnell states "prudent fiscal restraint" facilitates reviews of budgets to eliminate unnecessary spending. A focus on making government more efficient, but rewarding the hard work of those who serve the Commonwealth with incentives for finding savings in their agencies has improved the states operations.
As I sit in the General Assembly, I am excited about the future of Virginia. There is still work to be done. There are still Virginians who need help, who need jobs and assistance. But, our state has the opportunity to continue to set an example for the nation on how to serve its people and its fellow states.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Guest Post: Senator Dick Black: Why I Oppose Medicaid Expansion
BiGWand™ is honored to have a first time guest blog post written by Virginia State Senator Dick Black. Senator Black was a Marine Colonel, who flew 269 combat helicopter missions in Vietnam. While in office, he was the only member of the Virginia General Assembly to hold the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in battle. Senator Black is a strong conservative who has fought for our nation on the battlefield, in the courtroom, and in the legislature. To read more about Senator Black's distinguished career click here.
Senator's Black's post goes hand in hand with today's video from Ken Cuccinelli's Community Chat Q & A session held on August 10, 2013, posted at www.BiGWand.net. Attorney General Cuccinelli explains how this train wreck of a law will impact our state and what precautions have been put in place to protect Virginia.
SENATOR BLACK:
WHY I OPPOSE MEDICAID EXPANSION
WHY I OPPOSE MEDICAID EXPANSION
One of the largest welfare
expansions in history!
This is the biggest
welfare expansion since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society program.
Obamacare's Medicaid expansion is intended to force Virginia to add
400,000 people to the welfare rolls.
States have power to reject Medicaid expansion. Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the requirement for states to expand Medicaid. We're left to decide whether to establish an Obamacare health insurance exchange and whether to add nearly a half-million Virginians to the welfare rolls.
I won't vote to socialize our healthcare system. Obamacare is a vast socialization of one-sixth of our economy. I'm not a socialist or a communist, and as far as I'm concerned, if they want to socialize healthcare, they'll do it without my help.
Blocking Obamacare requires blocking Medicaid expansion and refusing to establish a state insurance exchange. I consistently voted against Medicaid expansion and against laying groundwork for a Virginia Health Insurance Exchange. The Governor said Virginia wouldn't establish a state-based exchange or expand Medicaid, but his administration has quietly done the opposite.
Obamacare has begun to collapse under its own weight. On July 2, 2013, President Obama was announced his plan to delay the unpopular employer mandates until after the 2014 elections so as to protect those who supported the plan in the Legislature.
Obamacare is a slow-motion train wreck. Democrat Senator Max Baucus, who helped draft the law, now calls it a "train wreck." He decided not to run for reelection rather than defend his handiwork, which he admits is a failure. Insurance companies have begun pulling out of some states with exchanges.
No one can comprehend Obamacare. The bill was almost a quarter million words long. There are now 20,000 pages of regulations that would make a stack seven feet tall. Nancy Pelosi said we'd have to pass the law to comprehend it. She was wrong. Life is too short; no human can ever comprehend the act or its growing stack of regulations.
IRS can't be trusted to enforce Obamacare fairly. IRS has admitted targeting conservatives for "special scrutiny." Anyone who thinks the federal government won't withhold needed surgery from people it dislikes is blissfully ignorant of just how oppressive the federal government has become.
We need to repeal Obamacare. Medicaid expansion or setting up a state-run health care exchange would facilitate socialism in America. If President Obama wants socialized medicine, he'll have to get it without my help.
I won't vote for Medicaid expansion, and I urge everyone to obstruct Obamacare in any lawful way.
Click here to contact your congressman and tell them so, today.
Warm Regards,
States have power to reject Medicaid expansion. Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the requirement for states to expand Medicaid. We're left to decide whether to establish an Obamacare health insurance exchange and whether to add nearly a half-million Virginians to the welfare rolls.
I won't vote to socialize our healthcare system. Obamacare is a vast socialization of one-sixth of our economy. I'm not a socialist or a communist, and as far as I'm concerned, if they want to socialize healthcare, they'll do it without my help.
Blocking Obamacare requires blocking Medicaid expansion and refusing to establish a state insurance exchange. I consistently voted against Medicaid expansion and against laying groundwork for a Virginia Health Insurance Exchange. The Governor said Virginia wouldn't establish a state-based exchange or expand Medicaid, but his administration has quietly done the opposite.
Obamacare has begun to collapse under its own weight. On July 2, 2013, President Obama was announced his plan to delay the unpopular employer mandates until after the 2014 elections so as to protect those who supported the plan in the Legislature.
Obamacare is a slow-motion train wreck. Democrat Senator Max Baucus, who helped draft the law, now calls it a "train wreck." He decided not to run for reelection rather than defend his handiwork, which he admits is a failure. Insurance companies have begun pulling out of some states with exchanges.
No one can comprehend Obamacare. The bill was almost a quarter million words long. There are now 20,000 pages of regulations that would make a stack seven feet tall. Nancy Pelosi said we'd have to pass the law to comprehend it. She was wrong. Life is too short; no human can ever comprehend the act or its growing stack of regulations.
IRS can't be trusted to enforce Obamacare fairly. IRS has admitted targeting conservatives for "special scrutiny." Anyone who thinks the federal government won't withhold needed surgery from people it dislikes is blissfully ignorant of just how oppressive the federal government has become.
We need to repeal Obamacare. Medicaid expansion or setting up a state-run health care exchange would facilitate socialism in America. If President Obama wants socialized medicine, he'll have to get it without my help.
I won't vote for Medicaid expansion, and I urge everyone to obstruct Obamacare in any lawful way.
Click here to contact your congressman and tell them so, today.
Warm Regards,
Richard H. Black
Senator of Virginia, 13th District
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Typical liberal media.......
So, I was at a local town hall Saturday where our Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli was answering questions regarding jobs, education, abortion and race and all the liberal media has to say about it is the fact the gifts he received have not been paid back. Now no politician is perfect, but that wasn't even a question. If you are a reporter or news crew, why be there if you are just going to print or show a tape of what you want. Why not be responsible and show the real answers to real questions asked by the people. If you want to see what was really happened at the town hall, look at our video of it posted to our site, not the link below.
Shame on you WTVR.......
http://wtvr.com/2013/08/10/cuccinelli-holds-town-meeting-recent-scandal-not-mentioned/
By KW
© 2013 BiGWand™. All rights reserved.
Shame on you WTVR.......
http://wtvr.com/2013/08/10/cuccinelli-holds-town-meeting-recent-scandal-not-mentioned/
By KW
© 2013 BiGWand™. All rights reserved.
Guest Blog: Results and Elections matter....
Results and Elections matter...By Delegate Scott Lingamfelter
When I was in the Artillery conducting live fire training (that is shooting real artillery shells), we spent a lot of time on the techniques and procedures to make sure we were accurate. The infantry we supp...orted really liked our devotion to precision. One wrong round in the wrong place could really ruin your day.
One of our evaluative techniques is what we called “did hit” vs. “should hit” analysis, that is where the rounds landed as opposed to where they should have landed. And when we finished this, we were able to find out how to improve our accuracy.
So let's do a little “did hit” vs. “should hit” analysis of the Obama economy.
President Obama said he would create millions of new jobs. But even today, unemployment is stuck at an unacceptably high rate of 7.4%. Ironically, that figure is 12.6% for African-Americans and 9.4% for Hispanics, people Obama says he wants to help. But when you include those who have just given up looking for work, that figure hovers at near 23%. Pathetic. He said he would reduce our debt. But debt under Obama has exploded to over $16.8 Trillion dollars http://www.usdebtclock.org/ , that's $53,000 for every single American. He said he would reduce spending. Same thing. His stimulus packages have ballooned spending (currently $3.5 Trillion) and we have little to show for it but horrible unemployment. And this is the President who says he wants to help the Middle Class?
In reality, Obama has simply missed the target. Why?
First, Obama thinks government must lead the economic recovery effort. In fact, this is dead wrong. The key to success is to unleash the private sector to make investment of private capital in the economy to grow jobs, create wealth, and help people become prosperous. The government will never exceed the private sector when it comes to bringing viable ideas to the free market and actuate them in products, goods and services.
Second, Obama believes that the government should encourage some businesses while discouraging others that don't fit his economic or social-engineering vision for America. Nowhere is this more evident than in the energy sector where his Administration has poured huge sums of our tax dollars into “renewable” energy like failed solar companies while devastating the coal industry, a commodity that employs millions of people, is abundant in America, and is the cheapest energy source in the world. Picking winners and losers in the economy is a horrible way to proceed and will only make the economy worse.
Third, Obama believes that the government is superior to the private sector in running major areas of our economy. You need look no further than healthcare to see what a failure this idea is in concept and practice. Obama's approach on healthcare is the most massive takeover of the private economy in the history of our nation. Even today, the majority of Americans in poll after poll want Obamacare repealed. Yet Obama remains steadfastly supportive of this socialist approach to healthcare even while he is exempting huge portions of the nation, both businesses and big labor, from the effects of his own law that was rammed through by the Democrat party in Congress. This law is bad for America and will destroy the economy with huge taxation to support it while actually increasing the cost of healthcare for everybody.
The Obama Administration misses the target when it comes to restoring our economy and the lesson is clear. If you elect people who like socialism, you will get more government. Here in Virginia, we have an election this year. If you elect Democrats, please do not be distraught when you get more and more government in your lives.
Elections matter folks, results too, and I would ask you to elect conservatives like me and others who understand that freedom, free markets, and American ingenuity will restore our economy, not economic and social engineers who have no idea what to do. Please consider helping my campaign at http://www.scottforva.com/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3 with a donation this month. It will help me get my message to the people.
Have a great day!See More
When I was in the Artillery conducting live fire training (that is shooting real artillery shells), we spent a lot of time on the techniques and procedures to make sure we were accurate. The infantry we supp...orted really liked our devotion to precision. One wrong round in the wrong place could really ruin your day.
One of our evaluative techniques is what we called “did hit” vs. “should hit” analysis, that is where the rounds landed as opposed to where they should have landed. And when we finished this, we were able to find out how to improve our accuracy.
So let's do a little “did hit” vs. “should hit” analysis of the Obama economy.
President Obama said he would create millions of new jobs. But even today, unemployment is stuck at an unacceptably high rate of 7.4%. Ironically, that figure is 12.6% for African-Americans and 9.4% for Hispanics, people Obama says he wants to help. But when you include those who have just given up looking for work, that figure hovers at near 23%. Pathetic. He said he would reduce our debt. But debt under Obama has exploded to over $16.8 Trillion dollars http://www.usdebtclock.org/ , that's $53,000 for every single American. He said he would reduce spending. Same thing. His stimulus packages have ballooned spending (currently $3.5 Trillion) and we have little to show for it but horrible unemployment. And this is the President who says he wants to help the Middle Class?
In reality, Obama has simply missed the target. Why?
First, Obama thinks government must lead the economic recovery effort. In fact, this is dead wrong. The key to success is to unleash the private sector to make investment of private capital in the economy to grow jobs, create wealth, and help people become prosperous. The government will never exceed the private sector when it comes to bringing viable ideas to the free market and actuate them in products, goods and services.
Second, Obama believes that the government should encourage some businesses while discouraging others that don't fit his economic or social-engineering vision for America. Nowhere is this more evident than in the energy sector where his Administration has poured huge sums of our tax dollars into “renewable” energy like failed solar companies while devastating the coal industry, a commodity that employs millions of people, is abundant in America, and is the cheapest energy source in the world. Picking winners and losers in the economy is a horrible way to proceed and will only make the economy worse.
Third, Obama believes that the government is superior to the private sector in running major areas of our economy. You need look no further than healthcare to see what a failure this idea is in concept and practice. Obama's approach on healthcare is the most massive takeover of the private economy in the history of our nation. Even today, the majority of Americans in poll after poll want Obamacare repealed. Yet Obama remains steadfastly supportive of this socialist approach to healthcare even while he is exempting huge portions of the nation, both businesses and big labor, from the effects of his own law that was rammed through by the Democrat party in Congress. This law is bad for America and will destroy the economy with huge taxation to support it while actually increasing the cost of healthcare for everybody.
The Obama Administration misses the target when it comes to restoring our economy and the lesson is clear. If you elect people who like socialism, you will get more government. Here in Virginia, we have an election this year. If you elect Democrats, please do not be distraught when you get more and more government in your lives.
Elections matter folks, results too, and I would ask you to elect conservatives like me and others who understand that freedom, free markets, and American ingenuity will restore our economy, not economic and social engineers who have no idea what to do. Please consider helping my campaign at http://www.scottforva.com/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3 with a donation this month. It will help me get my message to the people.
Have a great day!See More
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Do You Feel The Ground Shaking?
In 1776 our ancestors made a decision to remove themselves
from the ruling power of a king. They crafted a declaration and we celebrate
every year on the 4th of July with fireworks and parties. They
fought a war, shed blood, and sacrificed life to create a nation built on a
foundation of checks and balances. They drafted the Constitution and created a
separation of powers so the government would work FOR the people.
I believe this President has our Founding Fathers rolling in
their graves. At the beginning of his first term, Obama crammed a healthcare
law down our throats. Honestly, I don’t believe he, Harry Reid, or Nancy Pelosi
really cared what was in it, as long as it was so complicated that it led to a
single-payer system.
However, in their haste, they miscalculated and forgot
about the people and how they would be affected by the ridiculousness of the
rules in their law.
But, pay no attention, because Obama will just come in, like
a king he wishes he was, and unilaterally override the parts that would cause
them difficulties until they can achieve their single-payer dream, just as he
did last week with Congress when
they realized the Affordable Care Act was going to cost them their staff!
Nothing to see here, move right along, go back to tending
your sheep…
By SB
© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Guest Blogger Tom Gannon: Rand Paul and Chris Christie
The recent war of words between Rand Paul and Chris Christie might be a
preview of the 2016 primary season.
Some of us are wary of the infighting in our party, concerned that it
shows a lack of unity to the electorate and hands ammunition to the
Democrats. The primaries of 2016
are still a long way off, however.
Maybe the time is now for the prospective candidates to rough each other
up a little. The GOP really
is a big tent, despite the media’s efforts to paint us all as “extremists.” Maybe we should not be so
concerned when we clash with each other. Our Founding Fathers often engaged in public battles. Paul and Christie seem to echo the arguments
between liberty-minded Jefferson and strong-government, law-and-order Adams.
Christie is a conservative on some issues but not on others. A reliable conservative or a
conservative with Paul’s libertarian instincts could never have been elected
governor in blue New Jersey. He
famously opposes Teacher Unions in New Jersey but also supports more gun
control laws. He is apparently a
conservative hawk on National Defense but has a 54% favorable rating among
Democrats.
Paul’s libertarian conservatism insists that the government’s powers
are strictly limited to those granted it by the Constitution. He upholds individual freedom and believes
that NSA spying on all Americans is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. While supporting a strong national
defense, he is skeptical of military interventions in distant parts of the
world--believing, as Washington did, that foreign military entanglements should
be avoided.
So let them fight it out now.
When 2016 has drawn nearer, we will choose.
A special thank you to guest blogger Tom Gannon. BiGWand™ always
appreciates his insight and wisdom on the issues of today in relation to the
history of our nation.
© 2013 BiGWand. All rights reserved.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Guest Post: Delegate Scott Lingamfelter
I’m not sure where to begin this morning.
• The Chris Christie and Rand Paul back and forth in the GOP.
• The lunacy of the continuing Weiner campaign.
• How Obama-care will truly make healthcare worse—really worse—in America.
• The almost incomprehensible failure of the Federal Government—both the Congress and the Administration—to do their jobs.
Any rant would work. I could say a lot about each. If you put all of this dysfunction together and served it for lunch, it would be a political “vomit wrap”.
What would the founders say about all of this?
Well first, I suppose they would counsel that from a policy viewpoint, we are way off track. They wanted limited government, not one that would dictate a person’s prerogatives in almost every regard. Obama-care wouldn't cut it for them.
Second, I would suggest they would be depressed with the Weiner candidacy and would remind us that character counts. They would recoil at the idea “Clintonistas” advanced in the 90’s that “it’s not about character, it’s about competence” as if that was a legitimate choice. The Founders would say it isn't; that both matter in good governance.
Third, they would chuckle about the Christie-Paul dust up. “Have at it” I think they would say. “Insignificant when you recall how Adams and Jefferson went on”. I suspect they would be right, but I do hope a real leader emerges in the GOP like my hero Ronald Reagan. Some hopeful signs, but I don’t see my leader yet.
And finally, I would guess they would be less worried about Federal gridlock than one might think. I would not be surprised if they thought that gridlock around policy that could be very hurtful to America is preferred over ramming through legislation that could make things far worse for us. That said, I think the spectacle in Washington is a national embarrassment.
Think about it this way. The General Assembly of Virginia will be in Session 60 days this coming year. We will consider about 3000 pieces of legislation and get it all done. We will then return to our communities and live under the same laws we write for everybody else. And some of us might find some time to hunt with our favorite dog, Sonny. I think the Founders would smile at that idea. They liked hunting and they liked citizen legislatures too, not oligarchies.
BiGWand ™ thanks Delegate Scott Lingamfelter for once again allowing us to post his words of wisdom to share with our readers. To find out more about what Delegate Lingamfelter is doing for his district, and our great state, go to his official page at the General Assembly, or www.scottforva.com.
• The Chris Christie and Rand Paul back and forth in the GOP.
• The lunacy of the continuing Weiner campaign.
• How Obama-care will truly make healthcare worse—really worse—in America.
• The almost incomprehensible failure of the Federal Government—both the Congress and the Administration—to do their jobs.
Any rant would work. I could say a lot about each. If you put all of this dysfunction together and served it for lunch, it would be a political “vomit wrap”.
What would the founders say about all of this?
Well first, I suppose they would counsel that from a policy viewpoint, we are way off track. They wanted limited government, not one that would dictate a person’s prerogatives in almost every regard. Obama-care wouldn't cut it for them.
Second, I would suggest they would be depressed with the Weiner candidacy and would remind us that character counts. They would recoil at the idea “Clintonistas” advanced in the 90’s that “it’s not about character, it’s about competence” as if that was a legitimate choice. The Founders would say it isn't; that both matter in good governance.
Third, they would chuckle about the Christie-Paul dust up. “Have at it” I think they would say. “Insignificant when you recall how Adams and Jefferson went on”. I suspect they would be right, but I do hope a real leader emerges in the GOP like my hero Ronald Reagan. Some hopeful signs, but I don’t see my leader yet.
And finally, I would guess they would be less worried about Federal gridlock than one might think. I would not be surprised if they thought that gridlock around policy that could be very hurtful to America is preferred over ramming through legislation that could make things far worse for us. That said, I think the spectacle in Washington is a national embarrassment.
Think about it this way. The General Assembly of Virginia will be in Session 60 days this coming year. We will consider about 3000 pieces of legislation and get it all done. We will then return to our communities and live under the same laws we write for everybody else. And some of us might find some time to hunt with our favorite dog, Sonny. I think the Founders would smile at that idea. They liked hunting and they liked citizen legislatures too, not oligarchies.
BiGWand ™ thanks Delegate Scott Lingamfelter for once again allowing us to post his words of wisdom to share with our readers. To find out more about what Delegate Lingamfelter is doing for his district, and our great state, go to his official page at the General Assembly, or www.scottforva.com.
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