I am not pleased with the suffering of anyone and I strongly desire that every person be allowed to prosper by fulfilling their potential.  But as Milton Freidman stated so eloquently, societies that value equality over freedom have neither.

Our forefathers espoused the same, only they did not have a Nobel Prize in Economics to validate their beliefs. Free people can treat each other justly, but no one can make life fair.  To do so implies external force, in this case, from the government.

Through this administration, Congress and the Senate has rapidly expanded and centralized government and has eroded our liberties.  They attempt to do this under the guise of equality and fairness.  And in so doing, they have unearthed the tyrannical nature of government.

Although winning in 2008 by a solid majority, they misunderstood the mandate from the electorate.  It was not a mandate for the government to expand into all aspects of our lives, but only to bring forth solutions to problems we faced.

Government needed to do what only it could do and should have stopped after stabilizing the financial system after the first $300 billion of TARP and then returned the remainder to lower the deficit.  And even in this, the government was complicit in the meltdown and probably incorrect in its response.

The continued overreach now leads to an opportunity for those who abide by the constitution and want to restrict the long arm of government.  The new year now seems like a renewed chance for us to halt those who intentionally or unintentionally are destroying those liberties that made this a great country.

To all the tea partiers, 9-12ers, constitutionalists, independents, libertarians, town hall attendees and regular citizens who are anxious and upset by the abuse of power, THANK YOU!  Long forgotten is that those elected are permitted to govern at the consent of the governed.

Long forgotten is that Thomas Jefferson predicted exactly this if we allowed the government to take the fruits of our labors at the pretense of caring for us. Embracing weakness has never inspired confidence, and we need not bow to anyone.

For our country to once again be great, and to leave to our children a legacy that they can improve their position in society by their efforts, hard work, and tenacity and in so doing, improve the lives of others, we will all need to unite and remind those elected that we no longer consent to rule by a tyrannical government.

It doesn’t take a majority, but an irate, tireless minority to set the brushfires of freedom in the minds of men said Samuel Adams.  This summer we heard from an irate minority.  Let’s us turn that into a majority in 2010!  It is time to shove out the old, and usher in the new.

There was an unknown silver lining in the cloud that was unforeseen last November.  Time for the M’s in 2010. Happy New Year and Let’s Make History!

This is my favorite of all holidays and has been so since I made my first turkey thanksgiving dinner when I was a nurse in Army stationed at Walter Reed.  I relish a day that is only for thanks and breaking bread.

We have served food at the Salvation Army and I realize that others have less than we do.  And there were times when we too were in those ranks.  Being laid off, having $10 too much to qualify for food stamps and searching for a job.

It is difficult sometimes to find and see the hope to make it through that next day.  Wondering where to get strength, and for what one has to be grateful.

Having said that, I will tell you that I am thankful for parents that raised us in a church and with a foundation and belief in God. Sounds rather strange I know. But for me, prayer has always been helpful.

It is not necessary to be in a building: “where even one is gathered in my name” as we can pray or meditate anywhere. Nothing is required, not icons, or candles, or statutes or stained glass windows.

The mere act of not asking for what we want (that is what I did as a child), but for God’s grace to get through some circumstance or to do the right thing.  We are taken outside of ourselves, and Providence then shows the way.

This is my favorite holiday to be sure.  Thanks to all of those who serve and who speak for those without a voice.  Thanks to those who raise children and sacrifice for them.

All countries and cultures should have a day of Thanksgiving.  It is in gratefulness for what we have, not what we want or think we need, that we can find happiness.

I have to go make pecan pie, and gravy for the turkey and then I will be thankful for the meal, my family and for a clean kitchen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We also know that there is a stipulation in the health care bill for states to carry more of the burden of Medicaid, with the exception of states that were declared an emergency disaster area.

That would seem to indicate that Cedar Rapids, and almost of all the second district of eastern Iowa, having been declared a presidential disaster area last year, would fall into this category.

But wait, our Senator Harkin was fully on board with health care reform that will cost all of us more, and ultimately give us less and didn’t even hold out his vote to help his state.

Understand that the emergency disaster flooded area had to be declared 7 years ago!  How interesting that Louisiana fits this stipulation.  Senator Landrieu held her vote close to the vest, and then went all in.  $300 million all in that is!

To be clear, this is exactly what we as a country should not be doing!  It is this type of quid-quo-pro that has led to trillion dollar deficits.  We cannot afford this pay off to Louisiana, and most importantly this health care reform.

New Orleans has raked in millions of dollars in gambling receipts and could have paid for its own flood protection and levy modification.  Although we expect our elected officials to advocate for their state, this has gone too far.

Once elected, they swear an allegiance to the constitution and the United States. Therefore, the most important vote, would have been NO!  We cannot afford this plan and it is unconstitutional.

This is true for those spending increases during the Bush administration, but even more so today.  Our urgent priority is fiscal reform, simplified flat taxation and job growth to increase revenue to the treasury.

Pare down some federal agencies and redundancies.  Cut the fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid before altering the current system.  By all means, quit spending.  We cannot afford to pay off friends or special interests.

So it is tongue in cheek that Senator Harkin should have demanded more for his vote.  The floods of last year pale in comparison to the flood of money flowing out of Washington.

Very soon we will have to close the gates on the dam because this flood of easy money will lead to an erosion of our credit status, further declines in the dollar, loss of its’ reserve currency status, rising interest rates and a banana republic.

Flooded?  The tide has only begun to rise.

I am entirely in favor of bringing them to trial swiftly and with the same representation that any war criminal is afforded.  These terrorists declared war on the U.S. and were captured and detained.

They are not accorded the same rights as a civil crime, nor is evidence gathered in war in the same manner as a police investigation.  What of communication and evidence gathered in war without a “proper chain”? 

And what of confessions obtained?  Will they be deemed inadmissable because the war criminals were not read Miranda rights?  Or because enhanced interrogation techniques were used?

And who exactly are their peers?  Is it U.S. citizens, other war criminals, those of Islamic faith, or non U.S. citizens?  How do we locate an impartial jury in New York?

These individuals should be tried before a war tribunal and punishment commenced.  To try them in civilian court is to commit the same error that occured with the Lockerbie bomber.

To avoid the death penalty, Abdel Bassel al-Megrahi was tried in Scotland and sentenced to life imprisonment.  Unbeknowst to most, he was eligible for parole after 20 years.

In exchange for an oil deal, he was released on compassionate grounds due to his immient demise.  In this case, immient has been rather lenghty and Scotland was not amused by his hero welcome in Tripoli.

Will this be another instance when the compassion for the criminal is placed before compassion for the victims?  Who exactly will be on trial?  And will the U.S. be safer because of this?

10.2 is the percentage of unemployment and it will be increasing. Having no crystal ball, how can a mere mortal decry what learned and honored experts deny. Have you not noticed that we are in a recovery?

In the Bush years (yes the Bush that got us into this financial mess according to the administration), creating, not saving, 2 million jobs a year was reported as a jobless recovery.

Remember the unemployment rate dropping to 4.6%, the lowest level in 26 years?  The derision that 2 million jobs per year could be created after the profound physical, emotional and financial impact of 911?

We have yet to spend all of the stimulus already appropriated by Congress and they have gone forward with stealth stimulus.  The recent extension of homebuyers $8000 “credit” is but one mere example.

Were you also aware that the credit is extended to existing homeowners?  No? Well not to worry, it is only a mere $6500. And again the government is pushing for relaxation of lending standards and no down payment.

Meanwhile, back in the private sector where jobs are created, nothing is happening.  The recent bankruptcy of CIT went largely unnoticed by the traditional press.

CIT is the lending organization for small businesses.  Presently the lending climate remains frigid and new or existing small businesses are having difficulty obtaining credit if they wish to stay afloat or expand.

It is so much more important that the executives at Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase get bonuses because of their political ties, then it is to support small businesses.

Because the housing credit has prevented the floor in housing prices to be realized, the bet on an economic turnaround to forego that pain, may create greater hardship.

Add to this the likelihood of commercial real estate debacle in 2010 and the future does not look as rosy.  The stock market is a reflection of cash for clunkers and housing purchases and may not carry forward in 2010.

The unemployment rate of 10.2% doesn’t factor large numbers of individuals whose hours were reduced to 33 per week.  It doesn’t reflect that men and teenagers, especially African-American, have been disproportionately affected.

There is real stimulus that could bring down this fever and it isn’t a trillion dollar take over of health care or cap and trade where 85% of permits are free. It isn’t in bailing out any more TBTF banks or auto (union) companies.

The only growth one sees is deficits for miles and miles and miles!

This is a fine training hospital on the largest Army post and the only one with 2 active divisions-cavalry and armoured.  The surrounding area of Killeen has grown dramatically over the past 20 years.

The gunman was a physician psychiatrist who is an American citizen, but also of Muslin faith.  He was scheduled to deploy into the theatre of operations and had possibly undergone some harassment due to his religious faith.

Reports are that 12 died, and 31 are wounded.  How very tragic.  Many people are surprised that he could have gotten off so many shots without intervention and this in indicative of the misunderstanding of the military.

For those who oppose a standing military, we are accused of being war-mongers and I experienced this distasteful discrimination when I left active duty for medical school in 1982.

However, one is not permitted to carry a weapon on post, and all weapons and ammo are locked and must be signed out and issued even for practice weapons training which is required annually.

Therefore, civilian and military police would have to be called upon to provide support and intervention.  This would likely cause some delay especially given that it was a surprise attack and he may have been in uniform.

My thoughts and prayers to the soldiers and their families, and to my military family.  It is profoundly sad and demoralizing that this has taken place at all.

As veterans we continue to retain bonds to our brethren.  While we may not always agree with a particular conflict, we always support our fellow men and women in uniform.

Even now it is difficult to type this.  Please extend your prayers to these soldiers and their families and even the family of the attacking soldier.  Having lived, he will undergo court martial and imprisonment.

I do not excuse the major’s actions and wonder if the new hate crime legislation passed in the latest defense appropriations bill will stifle people from reporting suspicious comments and conduct that could be interpreted as discriminatory.

The highest constitutional function of the federal government is to provide for the common defense.  If we forego securing our nation in exchange for political correctness, then Americans of all races, religions, cultures, ethnicity or sex put their liberty at risk.

This aligns quite well with the last blog in which I reviewed generic ballot testing favoring Republicans and also that on electoral issues, Republicans were now more favored than democrats on all 10 measures.

Given that 1 of the measures is ethics, this is remarkable considering the scandals that plagued us only 3 years ago.  From Foley to Difossi with sex scandals to Delay and Abramoff for corruption, it seemed unending.

For those of us whose idea of an elected official is Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,”  the disgust and disappointments were profound.  Why would any honest, intelligent, person want to serve others as a politician?

I hope these newly elected officials will abide by their constitutional oaths and decrease the size of their state governments, reduce spending and give tax cuts that will boost small businesses and create good paying jobs.

I hope they will stay humble and know they are there to serve, not themselves, but those who consented to being governed by them.  That they will help people not by creating dependency, but by freeing them to become self sufficient.

These are the republican values that are timeless and traditional. The ones that created a nation that in a short period of time became the last remaining super power without colonizing countries with dictators ,  but with ideas.

These are the gifts that keep on giving!

Widely reported was that the majority of Americans identify themselves as conservatives.  This does not necessarily translate into Republican affiliation, but they are aligned more ideologically than with Democrats.

The gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia highlight these distinctions and present opportunities and challenges.  As does the open congressional seat in New York (HD 23) which has become a lightening rod of controversy.

On generic ballots tests, Republicans continue to best Democrats for the 18th week in a row.  This week the spread was 4 points. However, those who identify themselves as Republican fell nationally by a half point.

On the 10 key electoral issues that Rasmussen routinely polls, likely voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on all 10 issues and by wide margins on Iraq and national security.

For the first time in years they poll more trustworthy on government ethics and education.  This is also the first time in 10 years that Republicans have polled better on all 10 issues.

It will be up to Republicans to earn and keep that trust throughout the next 2 years.  It is easier to tout reduction in the spending and size of the federal government when you are in the minority.

Identifying yourself as conservative is not the same thing as registering oneself as Republican.  It is all about conservation.

Conserve the preeminence of the United States economy, ingenuity and betterment of ourselves and society.  Not with arrogance or force, but with ideas and actionable solutions.

Conservation of values, families, jobs and freedom.  Remember that when people are afraid of their government is is tyranny, but when the government is afraid of the people, it is liberty.

Conservation of Liberty.  Mmm, Mmm, good!

It will take our exceptional, innovative system and dismantle it, while dramatically increasing the federal deficit and national debt.  The majority party is going from exceptional to exceptions!

How so you ask?  In order to score under a trillion dollars over 10 years, more of the cost burden for Medicaid is shifted to already strapped states.  Guess which 4 states are excluded? Would it surprise you to learn that Nevada is one?

Exception No. 2:  the 40% tax on “cadillac”  health care plans will exempt union employees. This comprises 16 million in the workforce.

Exception No. 3:  proposed yesterday, it would exclude government employees from the tax levied on “cadillac” plans.  This is another 2 million workers.

With so many exceptions to paying for reform that does not control costs or cover everyone, who will pay and at what cost now?  Should not the Baucus bill, which is not yet a bill, be remarked by the CBO before debate?

This means taxes on young adults, working families and seniors will all increase.  Seniors will also see cuts in Medicare and less availability of care, and others will not have discretionary income to afford health services.

Despite the profound increase in taxes on the “rich” and businesses, ultimately the average working class American will pay for all this health care.  The majority party and administration knows it will be in the trillions!

They are continuing to give payoffs and bailouts to special groups. There is neither transparency nor fairness!

Prepare yourself for exceptional taxation for unexceptional health care!

With a rise in the price of commodities and a falling dollar, there is the signal of impending inflation.  It also bolsters China and other countries who should be acknowledged for their economic growth.

There are serious implications to the demise of the dollar.  In the short term, it has helped the stock market because multinational companies sell more goods overseas because of lower prices.

In the long term, it weakens the U.S. economic growth and will cost all of us more for goods and services as our dollar will buy less.  Gasoline prices will rise and transportation costs will be greater.

Long term we look at inflation unless the Federal Reserve acts quickly and aggressively.  But the Fed is looking at unemployment and will be hesitant to act.

Our deficits and debt have also created weakness in the dollar and less desire for dollar assets.  This too has repercussions that are unintended.  It emboldens emerging countries with dictatorial governments but market based economies.

They have found that adopting market or capital economies can be attractive while continuing their political regimes.  We continue to lose influence in these regions and these countries preferentially trade with other emerging markets.

We have recently seen this with both Russia and China’s refusal to sanction Iran and to develop trade policies with Iran despite their statements to the contrary at the recent U.N. summit.

With the dollar demise, we see the influence of western democracies decline as well.  Should we care about declining influence?  After all we have never been a colonial imperial geography seeking nation, despite claims to the contrary.

We should care about losing influence, as we will lose liberty. Burgeoning deficits and debts, falling dollar and anti-growth government policies make us prey to the agenda of foreign nations.  Similar to post WWII U.K.

Those who don’t know history, repeat it.  Are we on the same trajectory as Britain?