Want a Free House?

I am loathe to pass along most everything I see from an anonymous source on the Internet. However, this morning I make an exception to my longstanding rule. I know a good piece of writing when I see it, and this qualifies. See if you don't agree:

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the coming implementation of the health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued: They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard a young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick."

A young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market wouldn't work for health care."

Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate."

At this, I had more than enough. I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?"

They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?"

They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point.

"I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money whatsoever. Anyone interested?"

In unison, a resounding "Yeah" fills the room.

"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money-free bargain."

I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust.

"I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules."

Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces.

The perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?"

I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you."

They giggled among themselves, the youngest of  which said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man."

I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate offer."

They gaped at me for a moment.

"I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest among them.

"Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked.

The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh yeah! Where do I sign up?"

I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction."

I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature.

"Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice.

All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.

"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere to from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumbfounded.

"Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated.

"You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement."

The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people.

"You can shove that stupid deal up your a** old man. I want no part of it!" exclaimed the now infuriated young man.

'You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends. You cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the  power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master."

At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.

After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent.

"What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn, and you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if  your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away. Therefore, it is not freedom at all."

With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the nature of your new health care legislation."

I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation -- and was surprised by applause.

The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you, Sir. These kids don't understand Liberty ."

He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one. It is an honor to pick up the tab."

I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.

Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box,  and the cartridge box.

* * *

"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the American Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford

Predicting the Future of Politics

I was reminded today about an old Yogi Berraism: "Predictions are always uncertain, especially about the future."

When you look back ten years, is there anyone who could have predicted then where we would be as a nation today? So why would anyone in their right mind believe ANYONE living today could possibly predict the future of politics in this country?

That said, I will venture a guess that things as they are today will not remain for much longer politically. The Republicans are still smarting from the election of 2012. There were many surprises. The old methods of analysis of the demographics have faded away, it would seem. Conversely, there were numerous allegations of voter fraud and stealing the election in key battleground states. Whatever the facts may someday reveal, it was a shock to the conservative base to which I belong.

We face some daunting challenges. The country is broke, at least by the traditional definitions of what that means. When we spend more than we take in that used to mean "broke." We have a federal government that is out of control in its spending habits. We can’t afford what they are doing. We now have a government that is doling out benefits across a broad spectrum to half the citizens. Our private industry, once the envy of the world in productivity is now stalled and mostly stagnant compared to China's output. The Republican Party, once the champion of free enterprise, limited government and individual freedom and responsibility lost its way in the darkness of progressivism a long time ago.

Democrats were historically the party of big government. There was hope in the 90s when Bill Clinton declared the end of big government, constrained as he was by the Newt Gingrich revolution in Congress that produced a balanced budget. Now they too have lost their way. Under Barack Obama it appears they would make everyone dependent upon big government. They believe they have discovered the golden ticket to winning elections in perpetuity among voters who like the dole they receive in whatever form it takes.

Sadly, about all we got Republicans to admit in this last election cycle is that they could manage big government better than Democrats. While I at one time believed there was a clear and obvious contrast between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, when it comes to the argument about Big Government versus small government, the argument became a blended mishmash that was nearly indistinguishable, especially in that last debate.

So I've mostly gone silent on the political front since that first week in November. Stunned and still recovering would be the best way to describe my reaction. This country has been without a true political freedom of expression and limited government party for many years.

That reality must change. The upstart "tea party" has received its death warrant from more than a few pundits, most recently from former Senator Bob Bennett, who was soundly thrashed in the Utah nominating convention in 2010, and whose seat is now held by Mike Lee (R-UT). But I have the sense predictions of the spirit it represents may be premature. I hear a lot of rebellion talk brewing under the surface in the Republican Party, at least here in Utah. You can describe "the base" any way you wish. I choose to think the true conservatives, moderates and independents who make up Utah's "base" were aroused in 2008, spoke up in 2010, and still shout, "Stop it! Reduce this out-of-control federal government! Wake up, Washington, and put a lid on the debt, the spending and the deficits that are enslaving our future generations. Reduce the taxes, abandon the regulatory agencies that are throttling down the economic engine of America. Stop it all!"

This ground swell of emotion and political action state by state made a decision to return to the Republican Party in 2010, hoping they would get it right. The grassroots elements of the tea party now seem to be opposed once again to the "establishment wing" of the Republican Party. We saw it play out in the primary elections held in the states during the last cycle. If all the establishment can give us is an argument they can be better managers of a bloated government, then my prediction is an easy one to make - those grassroots people will abandon the Republican Party, both here in Utah and nationally.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)

As an example, I suspect Mike Lee chose the Republican Party only because it was the most expedient vehicle in which to ride at the time. I might be wrong. I didn't discuss it with him personally during his run when he had my unabashed support, but everything he has done since being elected leads me to believe he cannot long endure the status quo I see promoted by the establishment in the party.

So here's my bold prediction, and I've held this view for some time now: The new political reality we will see playing out in the future is no longer going to be Republican versus Democrat. That's been a carefully managed political contrivance of convenience and expediency for way too long. No, instead, it’s going to be lovers of freedom and limited government versus Big Government dependency. We may be running out of time to make a conscious choice about that. Events may compel us into that path whether we like it or not.

Back in the day, Abraham Lincoln left the Whig Party and formed the Republican Party because he and others would not compromise on slavery.

In the future people like me will leave the Republican Party because we will not and cannot compromise on freedom and limited government. Finding candidates who believe in principle over party will be the next challenge.

Mitt Romney and Capitalism's Last Gasp

This could easily be classed as "the last gasp for capitalism and supply side economics" if Obama is re-elected:

Political Quote of the Day

Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN)

Recently, Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN), once thought to be a potential presidential contender and declined to run, was interviewed by CBS News. They were discussing his new book, Keeping the Republic (Sentinel). This quote from his interview caught my attention this morning, qualifying it for the political quote of the day:

"There is a long, clear history of nations rising to greatness and leadership, and then falling. And interestingly, I quote an historian who says, 'It always starts with the money.' You know, first they spend themselves into a corner, borrow themselves into a corner. And the rest of the fall, including military defeat sometimes, flows from that."

Daniels says we urgently need to balance our nation's books - as he did in Indiana, by taking big government OUT of the equation and letting free enterprise take over.

"The heart of American society is the private sector," he said. "Government should be there not to dominate it, to dictate to it, make all the decisions, but to do those things we have to do together to make private life flourish."

Well said, Governor. My thoughts exactly.

American Economy Needs Resurrection

Before it dies, the American economy needs Resurrection with a capital "R."

Forgive me for sounding a purely political tone on Easter Morning, but the facts are staring us in the face.

Based on the latest estimates after all the dust settled over the deficient and delinquent 2011 budget settlement, we will bump up against the debt ceiling around May 16th. We narrowly avoided a government shutdown for failure to pass a working budget through the end of FY 2011, and now we are staring at it again.

Many in the conservative ranks (myself included) would like to see an up or down vote on some version of a Balanced Budget Amendment in the Senate as the quid pro quo for raising the debt limit. There must be a plan in place this time before the debt ceiling is increased again. Whatever the actual day of hitting the debt ceiling is, time is running out of the hourglass. The only reason you're not hearing much about it is Congress is enjoying its Easter/Passover recess.

I was remembering the other day what happened in September 2008. I hailed the House for voting down the first proposed Bush administration $600 billion bank bailout. The stock market saw it differently and took a nose dive on the news. It wasn't just a "blip" either -- it tanked the next day in a 778-point free falling nosedive. Panic set in and the Senate hastily passed the $700 billion TARP and sent it back to the House, which approved it the second time. The floodgates for spending were flung wide open and the debt mounted exponentially.

Even last week on just a whiff of bad news with the S&P's credit warning about its negative view on America's credit standing, the stock market experienced an immediate and sharp sell-off. We're now poised to do something dramatically different than just throwing more money at the problem.

Both parties are feeling the heat as another game of who blinks first begins to take shape. Neither side won last time. Taking .068% off a $3.7 Trillion budget can hardly be hailed as a victory for either side, despite all the credit for "historic" compromise that was being trumpeted from Capitol Hill on both sides.

I predict there will be yet another accommodation when the debate sparks up again, and there won't be a government shutdown. Neither side can benefit politically from it, so it won't happen.

It is my belief the House Speaker John Boehner and the majority of other mainstream GOP leaders agree on the need to raise the debt limit. Having said that, they are listening to the persistent voices of the freshmen who were swept into office in the tsunami of the 2010 mid-term election, and they don't want to be held liable for a new financial meltdown caused by failure to aggressively go after major spending reductions. It appears to me we need both.

There seems to be little cooperation visible yet from the White House, however, and the Democrats still control the Senate. Hard line liberals think Obama has already caved too far (hard to believe), but to win concessions they seek the Republicans need Obama to offer much more than he has been willing to give so far on spending cuts.

Here's what's at the root of the impasse, as I see it. It's been hard to agree on what's even causing the deficit spending. You cannot discount the reality of the deficit spending for Bush's two unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then there's the much-maligned "Bush-era tax cuts." People argue that Obama has pushed us into a socialist society, but how can hard line conservatives explain away Bush's profligate spending for an expensive prescription-drug program inside Medicare?

On the other hand, Republicans will blame excessive government spending as the reason for deficits, and under Obama we have seen nothing but government spending on steroids.

All of that may seen like political hyperbole, but a deep and protracted recession -- the Great Recession -- is causing the slow and painful death of the American economy. What's really happened is that with so many Americans out of work for so long, drastic reductions in tax revenues have been replaced by hundreds of billions of dollars in well-intentioned stimulus spending under both the Bush and Obama administrations to replace the missing tax revenue.

Rather than stimulate the economy with debt and deficits, the borrowed stimulus money has done very little to ignite and revitalize the economy. Income solves everything in Management 101, so let's figure out how to promote policies to increase the GNP in the private sector.

When the government keeps extending unemployment benefits there is a marked disincentive among job seekers to find new employment. It's evidence I see every day of the entrenched welfare state in America. When potential new hires have to discuss with me how few hours they can work to keep their unemployment benefits, I know too many have been drinking the government entitlement welfare Kool-aid.

The total national debt before the recession was $9 Trillion in late 2007. Today, four short years later, it has burgeoned to $14.3 Trillion, nearly 90% of the GNP. Even the federal government cannot continue writing blank checks forever. Sooner or later the holders of our debt will demand high interest rates as their perceived risk increases, unless we as a people give a clear signal we are serious about reining in our appetites.

More government spending is not going to cure the problem. More taxation is not going to offer a cure either. What is needed now is a voluntary and cooperative effort by America's leadership to resurrect the economy through a combination of aggressive across the board spending cuts and tax policy that favors new entrepreneurial activity. That will put America back to work quicker than "quantitative easing" ever will. We're running out of time and accounting tricks to cover the root cause.

We are way past the time when we need more wrangling over the class warfare arguments of whether or not the rich should be taxed more heavily and the poor should be given more entitlements to save them.

Resurrection is possible. I loved what Joe Scarborough, MSNBC's token conservative, tweeted about it the other day -- "only a fool would bet against America." Give a listen to Carrie Underwood and remember that with God we can do anything:



Where the physical body is concerned resurrection is an absolute certainty. Where the body politic is concerned, it is an immediate necessity. With God's help we will survive and Zion will come.

Happy Easter!

Who's Really Serious About Budget Slashing?

Take a look at this interview -- Judge Napolitano interviews Mike Lee (R-UT). There is at least one guy in the Senate who is serious about it. They are going to bring up the BBA again BEFORE the next vote to raise the debt ceiling. $1.7 Trillion per year being added to the debt. Serious? This guy is totally serious. Can a filibuster stop the vote to raise the debt ceiling? It will take 60 votes in the Senate to get it. Lee rounded up seven Democrat senators to vote for a BBA -- it's moving in the right direction. Lee is going to do everything he can to muster more support among the Democrats to move this question further than either Democrats or Republicans are currently doing.



This is exactly what his constituents elected him to do, and as a freshmen senator he is having an important impact on these discussions. He's the answer to the question, "Who's serious?" and those names will emerge as the debate continues and he compels people to go on the record to declare themselves. Look for new leadership to break out for the first time to address the out of control spending addiction in Washington D. C.

Lee released this statement today: “The fight over cutting $10 billion or $60 billion is not a serious discussion about how to fix what’s broken,” said Lee. “It does not begin to address our massive $1.65 trillion deficit, and completely ignores any long-term structural restraints necessary to impede Congress’s insatiable appetite to spend. If you think of our annual deficit as a football field, the Democrat proposal moves the ball just over half a yard toward the goal line. The Republican proposal moves it just three and a half yards. That is not a winning strategy for the country.

“As long as these spending proposals maintain the status quo on our deficit and debt without instituting some measure of external structural control, I will oppose them.”

Political Quote of the Day

Dr. Thomas Sowell

Professor Thomas Sowell, now 80 years old, appeared last night on the Hannity show.  While flipping through channels, I stumbled over the interview, then I found the link online this morning.  Sowell is openly amazed at the course the Obama administration has taken to intervene in the economy.  It is his contention that over the last 100 years we are suffering the worst and most protracted recession in history because of the government's miscalculations to control the economy.  

"What’s so ironic is that the communists are easing up and freeing up more elements of their economy while we’re clamping down and moving in the direction of more government control of ours.

No one would have predicted this 20 years ago."