Mockazine

I Can't Vote for That

Elections are only two weeks away.  Regardless of which party wins, history will be made.  Racial and gender boundaries have been broken, dare I say shattered by Senators Clinton and Obama and Governor Palin.

The landscape of America is covered in fear, anger and mistrust of the government.  The past 16 years have seen more political corruption at least in terms dollars than all of American history prior.  Republicans in power lost their foundational values and grabbed for power.  Democrats filibustered Republican efforts to accomplish what little they actually set out to do.  Democrats gained power in both houses two years ago running on platforms of lower taxes, family values, and ethics reform yet, Nancy Pelosi's leadership has not met those promises:  Homosexual marriage has now been forced upon three states by their activist judicial system, Democrat scandals equal Republican scandals in type and dollars spent i.e. Florida Representative Tim Mahoney(D) had the same kind of sex scandall as his predecessor Mark Foley (R) except (in a bizarre twist of fate) Foley had the homosexual scandal.  Speaking of homosexual scandall, Senator Barney Frank installed his lover in Fannie Mae a few years ago then lobbies for less regulation on the quasi-government entity while receiving $40,000.00 in campaign donations from Fannie (clearly, Barney was into Fannie).  What about New York Democrat Charlie Rangel's tax evasion?  He wrote the tax code and he didn't know he was supposed to pay taxes?!?  Preposterous!!!  I don't even want to start on Louisiana Representative William Jefferson (D).  Although I lay a lot of blame at President Bush's feet for the enormous budgets he approved through his "compassionate conservatism" platform, Democrats neglect to mention that they have been in charge of both houses by a comfortable margin for the past two years and the houses make the laws.

Now, I know, this is supposed to be the funny blog.  The serious stuff goes on the serious blog; but this blog gets more traffic.  To appease your sense of humor, I suggest visiting this link and allowing Hall & Oates "I Can't Go for That" to play in the background while you read.

I have decided that I simply can not vote for Senator Barack Obama.  My reasons are more practical than his associations with Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, ACORN, and William Ayers.  My reasons are issues based.  Left wing kooks will stop reading here and begin calling me a racist.  Does that mean they are  sexist if they don't vote for Palin?  For those of you who are not kooks, let me lay out my case:

1.  Economics:  Senator Obama's economic plan will give a greater tax refund to most middle income Americans.  I believe the average is 3x that of McCain's plan.  In return for your $1,000 per year tax reduction, you get increased government programs, increased dependence on government, and stifled job growth.  Obama and Biden both have said that Obama's plan, Obama Hood, will rob from the rich and give to the poor; Obama when he told "Joe the Plumber" that he wants to share the wealth, and Biden when he said that it is America's patriotic duty to pay more taxes.  America is in it's worst economic state since Jimmy Carter ran the country in the 70's and these two want us to go the direction of France.  In order to stimulate the economy, we need to create jobs.  Small business, many of which bring in more than $250,000.00 per year, need lower taxes to be able to afford to hire more employees.  With Nancy Pelosi's increased minimum wage (the one thing she has accomplished in congress), small businesses are already suffering and many are unable to give raises to employees of any level this year.  We aren't talking about AIG here, we are talking about mom and pop shops.

Let me digress a moment.  When we talk about patriotism, we should be talking about duty, honor, and country.  A sense of duty is reflected in unflinching selfless service to our country and defense of our constitution.  Honor parallels integrity, truthfulness, character, and choosing to do what is right regardless of cost.  The concept of country embodies our American spirit--the American way: A land of opportunity, a government of the people for the people by the people, and (unlike most of the world) free trade, personal discipline, and independence.  Mr. Biden, paying taxes is an inevitability (like death) but it is not patriotic.  Rather, I would say, fighting an unjust tax with a tea party is more patriotic than paying the unjust tax.

2. A Culture of Life or Death?  I will take a lot of heat for this statement, but it is the truth as I see it:  America has sacrificed the lives of thousands of innocents on the alter of licentiousness.  We have traded our weakest and most vulnerable for the "right to sexual freedom."  Abortion has become a mainstream phenomenon.  Even atrocious practices like partial-birth abortion are defended by the culture of promiscuity.  Do I believe in choice?  Yes I do--and that choice comes before the legs are opened.  What about rape or incest?  As horrible as these acts are, they are rare exceptions and should not be the basis of a nationwide law.  Barack Obama opposes restrictions on abortion, opposed the "Born Alive Infants Protection Act", and even said he would not want his daughters "punished with a baby."  Regardless of the circumstances surrounding conception, these babies did not choose their parents and should not be punished with manslaughter.  Partial birth abortion, for instance, brutally takes the life of an infant who can survive outside the womb.  Partial birth abortion is infanticide.  The procedure allows for most of the child to exit the birth canal before destroying it.  One more push and the baby is born.  Put it up for adoption or leave it at a sanctuary location such as a hospital, fire station, or police station.  By the way, I applaud the efforts of organizations like STOPP International for getting Planned Parenthood out of their communities.

Three decades ago, we were told by liberals that we could not legislate morality and that we should let the individual make his or her own decisions about sexual liberty.  The result is increased abortion, sexually transmitted disease, and the introduction of perversion into our public school curriculum.  Now liberals tell us we must legislate their new morality by restricting companies that might injure "mother earth", allow tax payer funding of abortion on demand, etc.  Make up your mind.

3. A Man of (Dis)Honor:  Horrible attacks and accusations have been made throughout the campaign by supporters of all candidates.  When the Republican party implied that Senator Obama was Muslim, when Bill Cunningham harped on the middle name "Hussein", and when rally attendees yelled racial slurs, Senator McCain rebuked them and defended Senator Obama's honor.    When Hollywood radicals assault Sarah Palin, when Democratic supporters attack everyman-Joe, and Democratic Representative John Lewis made unsubstantiated racist attacks against McCain, Obama said, "  ": that's right, nothing.  Oh, Democratic surrogates, for the record, an attack on "Joe the Plumber" feels like an attack on me, Joe Citizen.  Refusal to defend Joe is equivalent to refusal to look out for me.

4. Checks Without Balances:  Perhaps the most compelling reason I can not vote for Senator Obama is that the radical left has already overtaken both houses of congress.  With a congress so skewed, we must have an executive branch that will bring balance to Washington.  An Obama presidency will issue a blank check to the Democratic controlled House and Senate to fulfill the Democratic platform of stronger labor unions, tax-payer funded abortion, weakened defense, and open boarders.  Washington has already issued two tremendous checks in the form of an economic stimulus package and a Wall Street bailout.  Pelosi already plans another stimulus check.  More government spending will not help our country.  A president from the minority party will give balance to Washington and limit the George Soros agenda.

5.  Second Amendment Rights:  Early this year, I was attacked in my home.  I did not have a gun at that time.  I thought my house would be safer without a gun since I had a small child.  My perspective has radically changed and my son is learning about gun safety.  Senator Obama supports banning handguns and believes citizens should be able to sue gun manufacturers.  His statements on 2nd amendment rights have been confusing, to say it charitably.  I have a gun.  I will defend my self and my household with it.  Washington politicians must not revoke my constitutional right to bear arms.  If our first amendment freedoms are applied individually, why wouldn't our second amendment freedoms apply individually?  We should not fear law abiding citizens with guns, it is the criminals with guns who scare me.

6.  Health Insurance:  I also disagree on his mandatory health insurance and tax payer funded health insurance for illegal aliens.  I can not believe we would add this burden to our already strained economy.

These six major areas, as well as other smaller disagreements leave me certain that I simply can not vote Senator Obama into the office of the president of the United States.

Update:  I found Iowahawk leading the charge in support of "Joe the Plumber".  If you see attacks on Joe as attacks on you, spread the word:

Update: 10/27/08 After additional research, I am surprised to say that I may not have any worries about an Obama presidency. Perhaps I should not be afraid of what he will change. After all, what has he actually accomplished?

An Open Letter to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter

Regarding Colorado Senate Bill 08-200.

Dear Governor Ritter,

I am shocked to see that you have signed into law such a sweeping, extreme proclamation of so-called "tolerance".  You have awarded special status a small group of people and given them special rights above and beyond the majority of citizens based solely on their aberrant behavior.  Instead of helping people who suffer gender confusion, you have created a special class of citizens based, not on measurable standard, but on self identification.  Do you realize that the term "trans-gendered" is neither defined in the law you signed nor in a dictionary?  Could you have signed a more ambiguous and dangerous law?

Section 8 of your law actually restricts free speech, a right guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution!  How could you be so reckless as to sign such a bill into law?  While there are many hateful things said and published that I would like to see restricted (how about foul language during prime time television), the United States of America forbids the restriction of free speech, dialog, and the exchange of ideas.  This law is clearly unconstitutional.

Prior to this SB 08-200, I was astonished by your emphasis on state funded "rehabilitation" for convicted drug dealers/users.  How many unrepentant criminals seek rehab to avoid prison?  Although some addicts find healing through rehabilitation programs, using rehab as an alternative to prison does not bring addicts to rehab who have made the internal commitment to change based on hitting rock bottom.  Instead, these guys just go to rehab because is will be easier than jail.  Each failed rehab shows your repeated disregard for public safety at the cost of $10,000 each to taxpayers.  You are setting quite a standard as the runner up for worst Governor of the new millennium.

SB 200 is yet another example of your flagrant disregard for the safety and security of your constituent citizens.  For example, let's look at the issue of "public accommodations" and discrimination in section 6 of the bill.

Regarding the issue of "Trans-gender", two questions are glaring:

1.  Does Colorado have a large population of citizens suffering from discrimination based on their "sex" or "sexual orientation"?  Do a significant number of trans-gendered citizens suffer for not being able to shower in a public locker room designated for individuals with different genitalia? 

The issue of restrooms is simple and does not need to be complicated by law.  Preserve modesty based on present genitalia.  People with a penis should use the restroom designed with standing urinals.  People without a penis should use the restroom with sitting room only.

2.  The criteria for trans-gendered is "self-identification."  How will you ensure that a supposed "victim" of discrimination (based on his or her self identified sexual orientation) is actually a victim and not a sexual predator using this provision of the law to take advantage of women, children, or men who use the gender appropriate bathroom or locker room to preserve modesty?

Speaking of which, how thoroughly do you define "sexual orientation"?  Most citizens might assume you mean heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bi-sexuality; but does it also include pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, and rapists?  This law literally opens the door of public restrooms and locker rooms in all manner of government buildings and businesses to sexual predators. 

Are people with gender confusion to be classified as molesters and predators?  Not so.  At least I have not seen evidence of such.  Rather, since trans-gender is self-identified, opportunistic sexual predators are sure to use the law as an excuse to fuel their criminal tendencies. 

After acts as "mild" as voyeurism and exhibitionism (and these are not truly mild) or as extreme as molestation or rape, the predator can claim "victim status" and sue a business that might try to assist or otherwise protect the real victim, that of the rape or molestation.  At the same time, you can bet that the true victim (the innocent woman, child, or man who is molested) will sue the business, and the state of Colorado for exposing them to unnecessary risk; and rightly so.  Why create this unnecessary liability?  This does nothing to help the gender confused.  Additionally, it adds fuel to the fire of "hate crimes". 

The only people who benefit from this provision of the law (section 6) are a very small number of self-diagnosed trans-genders, a slightly larger group of sexual predators, and women at sporting events.

As a husband and father, I am concerned for the safety of my wife and child.  The concern is not just for women and girls who might suffer the trauma of being "peeped-at" in a bathroom or flashed by a man, but also for young boys who, of late, are more frequently assaulted by middle-school teachers with twisted values.  Now, female predators (on the rise) have an open door to assault and seduce little boys in the one place they were previously not allowed to go.

Governor Ritter, the blood of these victims will be on your head and the heads of the Senators and Representatives who put this special-interest law in place.  Although you were elected as a moderate, this bill is anything but centrist.  It is extreme and offensive to most Colorado families.  It even has a provision to prevent public opposition by petition. . . this is not a law reflective of a representative democracy!

While I have plenty of moral arguments against this law, in this letter I appeal to you and urge you to repeal the law on the basis that it is poorly written, poorly crafted, unconstitutional, and unbelievably obtuse.

V/R

Steve Williams

For more information, check this very well informed and well written report by Barbara Scott.

Obama-Wright Dilemma--Solved

If Barack Obama has known Jeremiah Wright for 20 years, and if Wright is a mentor to Obama, and if Barack Obama has never heard Wright say the things that are being broadcast on national news, then there can only be one explanation:

Obama sleeps through Church.

What Change, Obama?

Senator Barack (Hussein) Obama continues to climb in the polls and ride the surge of primary successes.  His charismatic likability, superior speaking skills, and inspiring personality have made him something of a pop-star.  By the way, you are not supposed to mention that his middle name is Hussein because then you will be a fear monger and possibly charged with a hate crime (more on that later).

I find it intriguing that debates between Obama and Clinton bland and boring when both characters are so passionate and dynamic.  To me, the candidates look the same in debate, except that Obama is new and fresh, and Clinton comes off stale and used.  Of course, as his popularity grows, so will America's scrutiny.  What does Barack Obama stand for?  What kind of change will he bring?  The title of the speech sounds good, but what about the content?

I have heard a few of Obama's critics and the top criticism is, "what has he accomplished?"  Google "Obama accomplish" and you will be astounded at the lack of factual accomplishments you find.  Everything I found criticized the lack rather than itemized the fact.

I went to the source to look at his plan for issues, because if you listen to his speeches, you will not get this information.  To be fair, I heard him talk about his health plan in the media.  To be honest, his plan scares me.  There is a lot of froth (like whipped cream on my wife's Starbucks latte).  Where does the money come from for this plan? (hint: check YOUR wallet).

I looked at other issues on his site.  I still found froth, but I also found some coffee to go with it (so to speak).  For instance, he has a vested interest in Civil Rights.  I believe there is still work to be done in the realm of civil rights, I think that these two items are pretty low on the priority list:

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes

Obama will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section.

Law & Order is not a reality show. 

End Deceptive Voting Practices

Obama will sign into law his legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who have engaged in voter fraud and provides voters who have been misinformed with accurate and full information so they can vote.

Let's be honest, crime is crime.  It doesn't really matter how the perp feels when he commits the crime.  The perp's "feelings" don't make the violence any more or less violent or the trauma any more or less traumatic.  As a recent crime victim, I can assure you that I could not care less how the thugs were "feeling" when they held me at gunpoint.  I am for harsher sentencing, but not on the wishy-washy basis of feelings.  How do you prove in a court of law what a person was feeling anyway?  Seriously,

Regarding deceptive voting practices, let's first stop pandering to illegal (whether felons or illegal immigrants) to try to establish suffrage for them.  Any Democratic candidate who wants to seriously engage in discussion about deceptive voting must first decry the Democratic efforts to redefine voting rights.

If his items are listed by priority, and surely they are not randomly posted, he should have prioritized these two before the above items:

Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Support

Obama will provide job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling to ex-offenders, so that they are successfully re-integrated into society. Obama will also create a prison-to-work incentive program to improve ex-offender employment and job retention rates.

Eliminate Sentencing Disparities

Obama believes the disparity between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine is wrong and should be completely eliminated.

On issues of the economy, he espouses nice sounding ideas.  The devil, however, is in the details.  When we talk about tax cuts for middle class, how do we define middle class?  I assure you, I am far from rich, but I have no assurance that I would get the tax cut.  Great politicians have a knack for speaking in terms that tickle the ears of a broad demographic.  The problem, as a listener, is that if you hear what you want to hear, you may miss out on what is really being said.  Senator Obama needs to speak in more definitive terms.  They man will not even give a straight answer to a simple (and quite frankly, stupid) question.

Unbelievably, his economic plan includes this item:

Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Obama believes we can get broadband to every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation's wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives.

That is "sweet" and all, but why is that even on a presidential candidate's radar.  Isn't that an issue for free-market?  Why should my tax dollars pay for your broadband acess?  How about if we just outlaw wireless security so everyone can log on through my account?

I could go on, or you can just go to his website.  Ladies, while you are there, try not to faint.  (What's up with that anyway?)

What about the challenger, Hillary Clinton?

Well, she can make people faint too.  It must be something they learn in Democrat school:

Now this is key, you have to watch both videos to catch it . . . they both say the SAME THING about the fainter.  Who is plagiarizing whom?

As far as issues, feel free to read them yourself.  Frankly there are more similarities than differences.  Senator Clinton is running on a platform of experience.  Too her credit, in the 109th Congress she has sponsored 177 pieces of legislation to include:

• 82 bills
• 87 amendments
• 8 resolutions

Senator Clinton has taken initiative with quite a few bills, and I have not looked at previous sessions.

Tying a bow on it, the way I see the Democratic nominations,

Freshman Obama is for change:  I have said it before, it he does not win the presidency, he can become the spokesperson for the "Save the Penny" campaign and re-use all of his signs.  K-Fed is waiting for your call . . .

"Experienced" Clinton is for bills:

By golly there are places I could go with that one.

Image credits: Obama, Federline, Pennies, Assorted Change

Getting to know Barack Obama

Congratulations Senator Obama for winning the Iowa Caucus.

We had a chance to get to know presidential candidate Senator Barack Hussein Obama on a more personal level.  Everyone else who interviews him asks the same boring questions about his campaign and what kind of president he would make.  Mockazine guest correspondent Margaret Lee took more of a human interest angle on the interview and asked more personal questions:

ML:  Senator Obama, what is your favorite musical?

Obama:  I am glad you asked me that.  I love theater and especially musical theater.  My favorite musical has recently been produced for film theater to release simultaneously with my presidential campaign once I win the primaries.  It is the famous American play, Oprahoma. 

Mockazine was able to get you a sneak peak of the star studded cast.  Here we see Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Oprah Winfrey, and special guest Senator Obama in the big finale.

ML:  That's great.  You are quite the dancer.  What other productions do you like?

Obama:  My next favorite play is the infamous "Phantom of the Oprah."  I would love to cameo in that production with the same cast.  They were simply delightful to work with.

ML:  You seem very well rounded.  Are you interested in other artistic genres or other kinds of music?

Obama:  You might be surprised to know that I love country music.  I have even had the privilege of attending the Grand Ole Oprah.

ML:  You have many facets.  You are truly a remarkable man.  Good luck with your campaign.

And a special thanks to Mrs. Lee for her help with this post.