Keepin' the Faith

Could President Bush Do This?

2008-06-06T13:41:00.002-04:00

Today is the anniversary of D-Day. This is a prayer originally entitled "Let Our Hearts Be Stout" written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as Allied troops were invading German-occupied Europe during World War II. The prayer was read to the nation on the radio on the evening of D-Day, June 6, 1944, while American, British and Canadian troops were fighting to establish beach heads on the coast or Normandy in France.

The Previous night, January 5, the President had also been on the radio to announce that Allied troops had entered Rome. The spectacular news that Rome had been liberated was quickly surpassed by news of the gigantic D-Day invasion which began at 6:30 a.m. on June 6. By midnight about 57,000 American and 75,000 British and Canadian soldiers had gotten ashore. Allied losses on D-Day included 2,500 killed and 8,500 wounded.

My fellow Americans:

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the Untied States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day we have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness to their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sorely tried, by night and by day, without rest-- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters and brothers of brave men overseas, who thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in physical and material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.

I Want To Be The Boss Of Me!

2008-05-13T10:21:00.004-04:00

Maybe I'm a radical. Or I have a wide streak of Libertarian running through my Republican heart. But this I know:

On June 23, 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Kelo vs. New London case. That ruling says a government can steal (oops, I guess they called it "seize") private property for public use, even when it is a for-profit group building a strip mall. I guess one man's castle is another man's Costco.
On July 1, 2006 the Colorado state government banned smoking inside restaurants and bars and all other commercial indoor properties. Colorado was the 13th state to enact such a ban, with more states to follow. Even New Hampshire, which peers out from behind the muzzle of a gun just long enough to scream its "Live Free or Die" motto has jumped on the smoking ban bandwagon.
On August 10, 2007 the Louisiana state government banned the wearing of pants that don't fit tightly enough.
On September 4, 2007 the Ellis County Commission (Kansas) rejected an application to build a wind farm outside of Hays, effectively denying local landowners the right to use their land to make money and creating a previously nonexistent right for residents to control their neighbors' activities.
Louisiana (again it's Louisiana) is now considering a bill that would require restaurant owners to determine who is "obese" and refuse to serve those customers.
And, of course, here in Michigan our State Senate (Republican controlled regrettably) last week passed a sweeping ban on smoking that includes bingo halls, bowling alleys and even casinos.

What has happened to our America? I don't have a "Don't Tread On Me" flag hanging in my house. But most of us were raised to believe in an America that respected Americans' rights to live their own lives. Their rights to do as they wish, to pursue profitable enterprises, to allow - or not allow - patrons in their bar to smoke, watch TV, throw darts and wear baggy pants.

In the last few years we've seen those rights repeatedly eroded by supposedly well-intentioned governments.

Who anointed our elected representatives to play nanny? Where in the constitution does it say that our elected officials have the duty and power to run our lives and businesses?

And why do we quietly take it?

Red Skelton's Pledge

2008-05-09T10:03:00.000-04:00

Patriotism

Pledge of Allegiance
(As originally recited on his TV show)

I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I -- me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge -- dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance -- my love and my devotion.

To the flag -- our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United -- that means that we have all come together.

States -- individual communities that have united into 48 great states.

Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation -- one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

Indivisible -- incapable of being divided.

With liberty -- which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice -- the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country

and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said

that is a prayer

and that would be eliminated from schools too?

God Bless America!

School Daze

2008-05-09T08:32:00.001-04:00

What do these schools have in common:

ACADEMY OF FLINT
ARTS ACADEMY IN THE WOODS
ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL
BATH HIGH SCHOOL
BERKLEY HIGH SCHOOL
BLACK RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
BLOOMFIELD HILLS ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL
CANTON HIGH SCHOOL
CESAR CHAVEZ ACADEMY
CITY MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
CLARE HIGH SCHOOL
COLDWATER HIGH SCHOOL
COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD SCHOOL
CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL
DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL
DEWITT HIGH SCHOOL
DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL
EAST GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL
EAST KENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
EAST LANSING HIGH SCHOOL
EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL
FARMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
FRASER HIGH SCHOOL
FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL
FRUITPORT HIGH SCHOOL
GODWIN HEIGHTS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
GREENHILLS SCHOOL
GREENVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
GULL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL
WYLIE E.GROVES HIGH SCHOOL
HASLETT HIGH SCHOOL
HAZEL PARK HIGH SCHOOL
HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL
HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL
HURON HIGH SCHOOL --Ann Arbor
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL
KALAMAZOO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
KENOWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
KELLOGGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
L'ANSE CREUSE HIGH SCHOOL
LANSING SEXTON HIGH SCHOOL
LAPEER WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
LOY NORRIX HIGH SCHOOL
MATTAWAN HIGH SCHOOL
MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL
MONA SHORES HIGH SCHOOL
NORTH FARMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL
OKEMOS HIGH SCHOOL
PINCKNEY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
PIONEER HIGH SCHOOL
PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOL
PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
PORTAGE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
PORTAGE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL
RIVER ROUGE HIGH SCHOOL
THE ROEPER CITY AND cOUNTRY UPPER SCHOOL
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
ROSCOMMON HIGH SCHOOL
ROYAL OAK HIGH SCHOOL
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
SALINE HIGH SCHOOL
TAWAS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
WEST OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL
WYOMING PARK HIGH SCHOOL

They are participating in a "Day of Silence" promoted by a gay and lesbian activist group.

On, Friday, April 25, several dozen schools in Michigan observed "Day of Silence (DOS)." DOS is a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools.

When AFA alerted parents of this public school classroom disruption by homosexual student activists, many Michigan citizens took action immediately! As a result, 20 schools had their name removed from the participating list. If you haven't gotten involved, it's critical that you do so!

Although this year's Day of Silence has already happened, this is an issue that parents of children in the public school system need to alerted to. More information by the organizers can be found here.

PS - I just want to note that I do not approve of any form of hate speech or actions, but in my opinion the school system is not the appropriate place for this type of action. My children are grown and out of the school system, but I would definitely have kept them home if this kind of wackiness happened when they were students.

Are the penguins confused? Or is it MSNBC?

2008-05-08T12:09:00.003-04:00

So, how can a British student skiing on the North Pole manage to encounter penguins? Penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere.

Is confused about which pole she is visiting? Or have the penguins become confused and made a major migration? Or did MSNBC get caught jazzing up their story.

I really wish we could have a fair and honest discussion about global warming. It's just too important to play games instead of reporting honest facts.

See the penguins here. . . . .

143 Days. . . .

2008-05-07T12:03:00.003-04:00

One hundred and forty three days is the length of gestation for a goat. Or a sheep. The one hundred and forty third day of the year is May 22. In one hundred and forty three days white grape juice will ferment, but the wine is not yet ready. And cheese has not yet begun to age.

One hundred and forty three days is how long Barack Obama served in the United States Senate before he announced his candidacy for United States President. With that amount of experience, a kindergardener is not considered ready for the first grade - it takes at least 180 days. An unborn baby is not yet viable after one hundred and forty three days.

And I have food in my refrigerator older than that.

Is Barack ready?

Do You Remember This?

2008-05-03T16:32:00.003-04:00

I do. I was nine months pregnant with my first child in late April, 1976 and confined in the hospital. Our nation was looking forward to our Bicentennial. And Rick Monday became a national hero. Here's why.

Thank you Mr. Monday. You made us proud that day.

From the Mouths of Babes. . . .

2008-05-02T07:28:00.002-04:00

How refreshing! With all of the negative news coming out of Detroit these days, one little girl gives me hope. Watch the video here and you can decide who's the adult and who's the childish one.

McCain's Right RX

2008-05-01T17:55:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for Universal Health Care? I'm not either. Trust me, if Hillary or Barack are elected Universal Health Care with all it's problems are just around the corner. Yes, there are problems with the current health care situation, but we need common sense solutions - not a government intervention!

John McCain has a good handle on some of the steps we need to take. If we don't follow through and fix what isn't working properly we can kiss healthcare as we know it good-bye.

Common Sense can be found here

I Couldn't Say It Better. . . . .

2008-05-01T13:30:00.001-04:00

Quote:

Like some pagan culture whose members starve in the streets while worshipping the abundant livestock living in their midst, western civilization has amazingly opted to burn its own food supplies in order to produce fuel, though abundant oil supplies lie within its soil and just off its shores.

Meanwhile, the elites who have squandered a disproportionate share of those resources, traveling on their private jets to "environmental conferences," will continue to do so while the common citizen must endure greater and greater hardship in order to merely stay warm and get to work. Yet does the "Earth goddess" rejoice at this? Or is it merely those demigods of liberalism laughing at their extensive ranks of useful idiots? Social "Justice" indeed.

Chalk one up for "environmentalism" that will neither clean the planet nor make life better for its inhabitants. Yet the easily deceived are made to swell with sanctimony while those spearheading the movement gain in power and stature.

Eliminating "The Other White Meat"

2008-05-01T08:45:00.002-04:00

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents."

The father of our Constitution, James Madison, firmly believed that our republic needed checks and balances to limit the influence of special interests. And yes, he clearly intended to include government benevolence in his objection.

Who wants to risk being called cold hearted or stingy? And that is the problem. It is too easy to assuage guilt with government benevolence. However, taxes should not be collected for discretionary purposes. The agreement between citizens and our government is to provide protection, promote commerce, educate the population and provide important protection from sanitary and public health threats.

Before public funds are spent, we should ask what is the purpose, list your goals, how is "success" measured, what is the application process for receiving the funds, and there should be a fair opportunity for all who wish to benefit from the expenditure of public funds? There should also be a way to ensure accountability and efficiency for the fruits of the taxpayer's labor.

Unfortunately, many government leaders are content to do nice things with other people's money, especially if it creates good will (or votes) from the recipients.

A quote attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville sums up the dangers of loose fiscal policy:

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury."

It's time conservatives start protecting our democracy and demand fundamental changes in the way all levels of government spend our money.

Good Cop, Bad Cop

2008-04-30T11:28:00.004-04:00

Good Cop: Barack Obama
Bad Cop: Rev. Jeremiah Wright

I could be wrong. Or maybe I've become a conspiracy theorist. It just seems to me that the interplay between Barack Obama and his pastor (excuse me - make that former pastor) could possibly be one of the smartest and riskiest political ploys ever.

While the commentators I've heard on the radio and television are busy talking about Reverend Wright's treacherous undermining of Obama's campaign, I'm thinking to myself that this may be a devious and clever plot between the two of them. You know, the "wink, wink, nod, nod" type of plot.

Think about it a minute. Reverend Wright gets to continue his outrageous anti-American rhetoric, enjoying every minute of his brush with fame. Meanwhile, Barack Obama gets to simultaneously condemn and excuse his old friend. While Obama is reaping the benefits of taking the conciliatory middle road, Obama's core message (and life's work) is still given more media attention than money can buy.

OK, I could be wrong about this. Or maybe I've watched too many episodes of Law and Order, but this is a scenario that makes a lot of sense to me.

An Idiot's Guide to Overcoming Poverty

2008-04-30T11:16:00.003-04:00

"One doesn't tackle poverty, like a football player. One shows the way of escape and provides sufficient role models along with capital and moral land educational structures that serve as ladders so people who want to climb out of the hole can do so."

Maybe this isn't the most polite title for a blog, but it does get attention. Cal Thomas wrote a great article outlining a plan that John McCain can use. Read about project HOPEFUL here. (Gotta love the acronym).

The Great Ethanol Hoax

2008-04-29T15:46:00.003-04:00

If you're like me you are angry about rising gas prices. And if you're really like me you aren't sure exactly who to be angry with. I listen to people talk about the rising price of fuel, food and a general sticker shock at everything they want to purchase. The price of gas is up at the gas station and the price of milk is up at the grocery store. Mainly they blame politicians for inaction, along with greedy farmers and Big Oil for high prices. And many of them are asking for more corn-based ethanol to help lower prices at the pump.

We have allowed the environmental activists (mainly in the Democratic Party) to essentially block any moves our nation wants to make while looking for a path to energy independence. We know how to get oil from places like Alaska, Wyoming and the Dakotas, but legislation to allow drilling has been blocked. We know oil is available offshore, but we are not allowed to drill due to potential environmental impact even though other nations are drilling for the same oil just a few short miles away. We have even allowed these activists to stop the building of new oil refineries.

Nuclear power could help reduce our energy demands, but again environmentalist activists have blocked the building of new nuclear plants. They've also slowed the building of wind farms through environmental impact studies to see if the wind farms will kill migrating bird. Or maybe even block Ted Kennedy's oceanfront view.

And although we have enough coal to handle our energy needs for decades, the same roadblocks slow the development of coal-based technology.

So that leaves ethanol (also known as "bio-fuel"). Ethanol may well be the biggest con game of them all. Ethanol is 20% less efficient than gasoline. It takes 450 pounds of corn to produce enough ethanol to fill the average gas tank. It also takes 450 pounds of corn to feed one person for a year. Ethanol is too corrosive to be shipped by pipeline so it must be trucked to distribution points. Worse yet, it takes more than one gallon of fossil fuel., coal, oil or natural gas to produce one gallon of ethanol.

To produce enough ethanol to replace the gas we currently consume it would take approximately 482 million acres of cropland. The total cropland in the United States is 434 and that includes cropland used for all food and fiber.

Ethanol would not survive in a free market. Instead we subsidize the production with our hard earned tax dollars.

So, next time you're upset with the skyrocketing price of nearly everything, take a look in a mirror. It's voters. . . . you and I. . . . who need to elect the people who will stop this nonsense and make the decisions that need to be made.

Mitt's Humor

2008-04-29T14:04:00.002-04:00

Three months after suspending his Republican Presidential bid, Mitt Romney, not particularly known for his sense of humor, made a surprise appearance at the recent Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner. Mitt delivered a Top Ten list poking fun at himself and his image. . . and threw a few barbs at Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.

Here, in reverse order, are Mitt's reasons for dropping out of the race:

No. 10 There weren't as many Osmonds as I thought.
No. 9 I got tired of the corkscrew landings of my campaign plane while under fire.
No. 8 As a lifelong hunter, I didn't want to miss the start of varmint season.
No. 7 There wasn't room for two Christian leaders in the Presidential race.
No. 6 I was upset that no one had bothered to check my passport files.
No. 5 I'd rather get fat, grow a beard and try for the Nobel prize.
No. 4 I got tired of wearing a dark suit and tie and I wanted to kick back in a light colored suit and tie.
No. 3 When my wife realized I couldn't win the GOP nomination my fundraising dried up.
No. 2 I took a bad fall at a campaign rally and broke my hair.
No. 1 My campaign relied on a flawed campaign strategy that as Utah goes, so goes the Nation.

Good Luck Sir!

He Should Have Stopped At 20. . . . . .

2008-04-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

Democratic North Carolinians vote in one week and CBS News planned to host a debate last Sunday between the two front runners. It didn't happen. According to a press release from the North Carolina Democratic Party "We regret to inform you that the proposed Democratic Presidential Debate. . . . has been cancelled due to time constraints and logistical issues associated with such a large national event. There were also growing concerns about what another debate would do to party unity."

The "real" story is probably CBS News' take on things:

"Hillary Clinton had accepted the invitation but Barack Obama's campaign had not. In an interview with the Charlotte Observer earlier this month, Obama voiced skepticism about participating in too many debates. "I will tell you, after the 21st debate." Obama told the paper (in advance of the 21st debate). . . . . North Carolinians have had ample 0pportunity to watch these debates. . . . I don't know that they are ending up being more informative than the kind of town hall meetings we've scheduled."

After the last debate, I'm guessing Obama wished he had stopped at 20.

But does it make sense strategically? Obama may be setting himself up for a fall. Remember John Kerry in 2004 - He won the nomination easily with the media buying his "war hero" story. No tough questions, other than ABC's Charlie Gibson who did ask Kerry some tough questions. Once Kerry won the nomination, questions that should have been asked much earlier were finally asked. And the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ultimately did the media's job for them. If Obama succeeds in avoiding the touch questions now, someone will end up asking them in fall.

And then the fun begins in earnest.

An Anxious Nation Exhales!

2008-04-29T13:07:00.002-04:00

Michael Bloomberg (Mayor, New York City):

"I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not - and will not - be a candidate for President".

Phew! After holding our collective breath we can finally relax secure in the knowledge that our fun-filled three man race will carry on without additional candidates. Or should I say baggage?

Dave Barry's April 15th

2008-04-15T09:13:00.002-04:00

A day like today requires a little bit of levity, so here's my contribution (via Dave Barry). . . . . .

Caution: Put your coffee down before reading. Definitely do not read while swallowing any liquids.

Operation Chaos

2008-04-14T10:25:00.002-04:00

While accusing conservatives of convoluted conspiracies usually involving Vice-President Dick Cheney as the mastermind behind all sorts of hare-brained schemes it seems the Democrats are relying on Maxwell Smart as their campaign manager of choice.

Who could have predicted the chaos and weekly drama that has ensnarled the Democratic Presidential campaign process? Hillary under imaginary fire in Bosnia. Barack Obama showing his true elite brand of snobbery in San Francisco. Primary fights in Michigan and Florida. And who could forget the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Operation Chaos seems to be going off without a hitch.

Sorry Michelle - This is MY pie!

2008-04-11T10:20:00.002-04:00

"someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more." - Michelle Obama

Hey Michelle - I have a few questions for you:

Why can't I keep the pie I baked?
Do I get to choose who I share my pie with?
If I paid for the ingredients and put all the effort into it. . . . .
Why can't I donate (voluntarily) a pie if I feel I can afford it?
What if I don't have pie to spare?

And most importantly - how does your husband feel about pie-sharing?

Introducing the new Federal Dept. of Light Bulbs

2008-04-11T09:01:00.003-04:00

How many congressmen does it take to change a light bulb? 400. That's right - 400 congressmen recently voted to outlaw incandescent light bulbs and require Americans to use "energy-efficient" light bulbs. The ban, which goes into effect in 2014 was included in the 2007 energy bill passed by 314 from the House of Representatives and 86 U.S. Senators.

Interesting - America has joined Cuba and Venezuela as the only countries on the planet outlawing traditional light bulbs. Would someone please show me where the Constitution authorizes such a move?

Arizona Congressman John Shadegg (a Republican of course) has introduced a bill every year since 1995 called the "Enumerated Powers Act". This Act would require that "each act of Congress...contain a concise and definite statement of the Constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that act." Unfortunately, the first year he introduced his "limited powers" bill it had 103 co-sponsors. The same bill this year? Only 38.

Does Congress really need to force a struggling family to give up their fifty-cent lightbulb in favor of a $3 version?

Do Something!

2008-04-09T13:11:00.002-04:00

You hear it every night on the news. Somewhere in America there is a flood, hurricane or interest rates are rising or houses are being foreclosed. And someone asks, "what is the federal government going to do?" There is an expectation that our tax dollars should be used to bail out people who spent too much on a house or perhaps to stimulate an economy that naturally has ups and downs.

A new survey by Rasmussen Reports shows 63% of Americans feel that "the federal government is not doing enough to address the troubled U.S. economy." Only 19% hold the opposite opinion.

The media has fed citizens the idea that government should "do something" - and citizens (yes, that means voters!) believe it. Even though most have no clue what "something" should be. And fewer still appear to realize that doing "something" will cost money and that money comes from us, the taxpayers.

The media would do us all a favor by doing their share - educating their viewers. Educate them to understand that smaller government is more efficient and that wasteful spending is exactly what it says - "wasteful". Educate the viewers that individuals are better equipped to determine how their money should be spent than government.

Notes from the Trail

2008-04-09T12:52:00.000-04:00

By Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis

It’s only spring and it seems Democrats are in full campaign mode. Republicans in the Legislature have fought Governor Granholm’s proposed budget increases daily, while House Democrats are again looking to spend more than Michigan can afford. Democrats must think we are made of money, only setting budgets that demand more tax hikes—this year. Granholm and the Democrats who control the Michigan House refuse to enact sensible, Republican sponsored, reforms that will help eliminate state deficits without tax increases.

National Democrats continue to deprive Michigan voters of their place in the presidential nomination selection process by refusing to campaign in Michigan or agree on a plan for a “do-over” Democrat primary. Democrat state lawmakers could not unite on the issue while House and Senate Republicans waited for them to clean up the mess they made.

While the governor has demanded to raise our taxes, she failed to pay her own! The IRS says the Granholm-Cherry Inaugural committee of 2003 owes the government $19,535 in federal taxes and late charges that it failed to pay. How’s that for a double standard?

Michigan had the distinct honor of hosting Vice President Dick Cheney last month. It was a great event on behalf of 7^th District Congressman Tim Walberg.

The MRP is proud to announce that our Political, Candidate & Party Assistance team have been hitting the road with their "Unity Road Show." So far the team has been supported in: Saginaw, Alpena, Macomb, Grand Traverse, Ottawa, Oakland, Genesee, Kent, and Cass Counties. More dates and locations to be announced soon!

Remember to visit www.MIGOP.org for up-to-date-news and events.

Ah. . . . . Let's Salute Lt. Clinton

2008-04-04T13:53:00.003-04:00

As if imagining being fired on by snipers in Bosnia isn't embarrassing enough, it appears Hillary also imagined trying to join the Army. . . . or was it the Marines? Well, of course to the best of anyone's knowledge it wasn't either one, but still. Come on Hillary - are you really that insecure? or is it desperate? deluded maybe?

Oh, that's right. The delusion was that she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. Puzzling - apparently when Hillary was born in 1947 her parents couldn't settle on a name for their new baby. So they waited until May of 1953 (when Hillary's namesake scaled Mt. Everest) before they found the perfect name for their daughter. Wonder what they called her before they named her? And how did they manage to enroll her in kindergarten?

Sr. Edmund Hillary would be so proud.

Suspicious Minds

2008-04-04T10:03:00.003-04:00

I confess. Sometimes I have a suspicious mind. Here's an excellent example: I recently read an article naming the five worst Presidents in American history. The article seemed very non-partisan to me - both Republican and Democrat Presidents were included in the list.

The worst President in American history was Jimmy Carter. . . . . . . . can't say that I find much to disagree with there! Fast forward to the present - in the past few days President Carter, although he declined to endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, certainly with a wink, a nod, and careful parsing of his words clearly indicated that he would like Barack Obama as our next Presidents.

And this is where my suspicious mind gets kicked into gear. Could it be that Jimmy Carter realizes that the only way to get his name off the top of the worst-president-in-American-history list is to be replaced by a future President? Can't say I disagree with him on this one. Barack Obama would have a great chance of knocking Jimmy off the top of the list.

Could be Jimmy's smarter than I thought!