An Honest Review of the SOTU

Last night,  I sat and watched the State of the Union address, like so many other Americans. I was fully prepared to really listen to what was said, without bias or partisanship, and take things on face value.

What I heard, was an accomplished and (rightfully) proud President detailing what he has achieved, what he hopes to get done, and reaching out to the other side to work together. He didn't name-call, he didn't accuse anyone of fake news or lying, and he didn't  (as the Democrats accused) bully anyone.

It was a very positive, uplifting and pro-American speech.  One that most of us have wanted to hear from Washington, but haven't in nearly a decade.

I heard a lot that I truly liked, but it was what wasn't said that really grabbed my attention and stood out last night...

Each time our President spoke of anything that was positive or helpful to the American people, the cameras cut to Democrats sitting during a standing ovation and refusing to applaud. Most looked as though they had been told to eat their broccoli before doing their algebra homework.

Even when Trump announced that the unemployment rate was the lowest in history for Blacks and Hispanics, the Congressional Black Caucus sat stone faced and still. Really? They can't even be happy that the people they claim to represent are doing better than ever before?

Or, how about when Trump announced that Apple (an openly anti-Trump company) is investing $250 billion in America, and hiring thousands due to his tax cuts? Nancy Pelosi just sat there looking lime she just sucked a lemon, while sniffing an old sweat sock.

They couldn't even stand when he pointed out that the Capital building was a symbol (and belonged to) the American people.

I'm not a Republican. I'm one of those Independents they love to say is slipping away from the GOP side.

But, after last night, if there was any doubt in my mind that the Democrats are anti-American, and trying to destroy our nation... it's all gone now.

State of Disunion

Tonight (unless you're a student at NYU), the nation will hear Donald Trump's first State of the Union address, followed by the Democrats' rebuttal.

I don't really anticipate anything particularly new in the format, or the divisiveness . It happens every year, no matter who's in the White House.

What's different this time around, is the sheer level the pettiness and division has reached. I mean even the Hollywood Liberal elite are now issuing their own "rebuttal" of Trump's speech. (As if anyone with three functioning brain cells gives a damn about anything they have to say.)

It isn't bad enough that the Regressives have taken over our schools and media, and have poisoned the minds of generations. Now, they're spreading their ignorance and fear mongering like a disease through pop culture.

Yes, I know Hollywood has always been mostly Liberal, but they're taking it to new and disturbing levels. It's getting to the point where I feel we need to hold elections for who can star in a certain movie, or sing a certain song.

I have often been accused (by my wife and others who know me personally) of being too political, and getting too caught up in "The Game". But now, everyone's life is becoming far too political, and there doesn't seem to be any way to avoid it.

Just the Facts

Unless you're living under a rock somewhere in Antarctica, it should come as no great surprise to anyone that America is extremely divided along social and political lines right now. Some have even gone as far as to claim that we're more divided today, than ever before (including the 1860's, during the Civil War).

I don't know how true that actually is, but I do know that we're more divided now, than at any point in my lifetime. I also know that the causes for it are open to debate and opinion right now.

However, this morning on the Fox and Friends news program, they played a segment that exposed just how troubling our partisanship has become.

Last week, Campus Reforms Cabot Phillips went to New York's NYU campus, and asked students their opinion on President Trump's State of the Union address (The one that he hasn't even given until tomorrow). Out of 100 students asked, not a single one pointed out that the speech hadn't even been delivered yet, and only one refused to go on record (citing that they didn't watch, so didn't know enough to comment). The overwhelming majority made very specific criticisms over things the President "said" or "did" during a speech that hasn't even happened yet. One lady even stated that her least favorite part was when he "started the chanting", because he's "big on doing stuff like that".

The entire segment would have been funny, if it wasn't exposing a much larger problem...

Our President frequently rails against "fake news", and the damaging effects it can have on our country. Today's brief report only hammers that message home and proves the point. The condition many Conservatives jokingly refer to as "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is very real. People are so consumed with their hatred of all things Trump, that they are letting it override their common sense, and patriotism.

It's reached such a heightened frenzy, that even when the President compromises and attempts to reach across the aisle, his detractors reject even their own core principles (and the issues they were elected on), just to deny him a "win". This is not only stupid, but extremely dangerous.

Partisan hacks like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are gleefully selling out not only their own party, but all of the American people for no other reason than to grand stand, and obstruct. People like them are the reason Robert Mueller is digging for any little thing he can find on Trump, while the FBI and DOJ ignore any evidence of a crime by Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Granted, there is also a fair amount of partisanship on the Right as well. There are some who would support Trump even if he was guilty of everything the Left accused him of and more.

It needs to stop on both sides, for the good of our country and people. Even I myself need to tone down the rhetoric, and just stick to the facts, no matter which side they're on.

Finally a Few Real Solutions

Not surprisingly, Congress failed in their duties  (yet again), and the government is currently shutdown  (yet again). This is really getting old and pathetic.

It really doesn't matter who gets the blame, or why. Both parties are at fault, and need to be held accountable. If we start voting out losers on both sides, like Lindsey Graham and Chuck Schumer, maybe the rest will finally get the message (though I doubt it).

The solutions to this problem are extremely simple...

1. DO THE DAMNED JOB YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO!

2. We need to pass a constitutional amendment that, if these losers can't pass a budget on time, the previous budget remains in effect. No more shutdowns.

3. We also need an amendment that prevents multiple, unrelated issues from being put in the same bill (A "no pork" amendment). This would stop people from holding the system hostage by demanding things like DACA on a budget resolution.

4. I would like to see reasonable term limits on all members of Congress. There are no good reasons for, and nothing good ever comes from, having a Senator or a Representitive in office for twenty or thirty years.

I hate to admit it, but the system that has served us so well for over 200 years, is now breaking down. It's not natural, and not by accident. We are being deliberately sabotaged  by people whom have learned how to use it against us.

We don't need to abandon the principles that made us great. We just need to reinfuse our values back into the system, and clear out all the dead weight. Time to fire the majority in Congress (Republican or Democrat) and get some fresh blood in, after a Constitutional reset.

Exposing the Hypocrites

Nothing exposes a hypocrite quite like political views and agendas. The truly funny (in a sad/pathetic sort of way), is the hypocrite is always the last to realize they've been exposed.

Case in point... The looming government shutdown, and the Democrats' reaction to it.

They own this shutdown, and everyone (including them) knows it. There is no way they can honestly pin this one on Trump or the GOP, but that's not going to stop them from trying.

If you look at the details of the Continuing Resolution, there's not one item in there the Democrats have ever objected to before. In fact, a few of the items were actually written and sponsored by Dems in the past.

Five years ago, when we were facing a shutdown over defunding Obamacare, Chuck Schumer called the Republicans "terrorists" who were holding Americans hostage to get their way. Nancy Pelosi called them "arsonists".

Now, the shoe is on the other foot, and both Chucky-boy and Madame Sleletor are the ones coyly calling for a shutdown over DACA. How is this any different at all?

For once, I'm glad to see the Senate Republicans actually sticking to their guns on something though. (Well, except for a few predictable RINOs like Jeff Flake and Lindsey Graham, who have never had a spine to begin with.) They're actually taking a page from the Regressives' own playbook, and attached a catchy nickname to the shutdown, to help people remember who's at fault. The "Schumer Shutdown" has a nice ring to it, and unlike the Left's nicknames, this one has a fair dose of truth and honesty behind it.

The Democrats Exposed

Now, I'm all for healthy political debate and disagreement. It's what makes our countey great. But, let me get this straight...

The Democrats are attempting to hold our country's budget hostage, in exchange for amnesty for DACA recipients and other illegal aliens. They are actually holding up funding our military (the people out there defending our rights and freedoms with their lives), for the benefit of people who violate our laws, and show very little respect for our sovereignty.

And, no one is looking into impeachment and possible treason charges?

The DNC rallied and railed against the President's tax cuts, calling them "apocalyptic", and predicting nothing but doom and dispair for the American people. They gleefully supported higher taxes, and told the public (falsely) that only the rich would bemefit, and companies would just pocket the money. They did everything in their power to hurt the poor and American businesses, without even bothering to try and hide it.

And yet, there are still people proudly calling themselves "Democrat"?

The Dems unanimously voted against extending a children's health bill (CHIP) they actually authored and created, because the Republicans (meaning Trump) came out in support of it. They tried to deny thousands of underprivileged kids access to healthcare, over their petty and bruised ego.

And still, some people claim the Democrats will retake Congress this year (and even the Presidency in 2020)?

For all the everyday, working class Democrats out there... Is this really who you want to be? Are these really the values you believe in, and stand behind?

I would like to believe that we are smarter and better than this. But, if we aren't, and this is truly what the modern America stands for, then perhaps we truly are finished as a nation. Because, we're nothing like the country I grew up in, and nothing like any nation I would ever want to be apart of.

Is Trump Good or Evil?

Last week, the news exploded with a report that President Trump referred to certain third world nations by a very vulgar term. According to an account by Senator Dick Durbin, during a meeting on immigration, the President asked, "Why are all these s**thole countries trying to come here?"

Supposedly, they were discussing the temporary asylum policy for refugees from Hati and El Salvador at the time.

It took about 15 hours for the White House to respond and deny this report, with a number of Republican Senators claiming they didn't hear anything like that at the meeting. Later, the story changed slightly, with witness claiming that nearly everyone was using similar language at the meeting.

Now, to be fair and honest, I don't know if the President actually said it, or not. The evidence is shakey and could go either way, frankly.

Everyone knows that our President isn't exactly above using colorful language, and has been very passionate about the entire immigration issue.

On the other hand, neither the media, nor the Democrats in office, has been exactly honest and trustworthy as of late. They are so anti-Trump, and emotional about his election, they would literally say or do anything  (short of actual assassination) to discredit him, and possibly drop him out of office.

The problem is,  even if Trump is as awful as they claim, they've done so much shady and crooked dealing, no one will ever be able to prove it. You'll never be able to wade through all the fake stuff to get to anything real.

And that's why all that's left is to judge the man on his actions (not the allegations against him). All we can do, is look at the results of his policies, and make our decisions based upon what he's done.

So far, he's lowered taxes and illegal border crossings. He's increased the stock returns and 401ks of a majority of middle class Americans, and brought unemployment numbers down (to record numbers among the African-American and Hispanic communities). He's deregulated several industries that were being strangled and stifled by previous administrations, and is making American businesses viable on the global market again. He's stood up to our enemies (rather than apologize, bribe and capitulate to them). Then, there's the appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch...

Given this list, I can only assume that President Trump, although admittedly arrogant and crass, is also a patriot and decidedly not as racist as his opponents would love for us to believe (seriously, check out the current unemployment numbers for minorities).

After all, I was always raised to believe that actions speak louder than words.

The Truth About the Budget Debate

Well, if there was ever any doubt in my mind, it's now officially gone...

Regressive Democrats are officially traitors to their own country, and need to be removed from any office they may hold.

Sound a bit harsh? Let's look at the facts...

For two years now, they have been accusing and "investigating" the President, his family and campaign workers of colluding with the Russians to rig our election. Not only has there been no legitimate evidence to convict Donald Trump, or anyone connected to him; we're now learning Hillary Clinton, the DNC, and the Obama run FBI/DOJ themselves colluded. New evidence is surfacing weekly that points to Clinton and the Dems not only working (through a British spy) with the Russians to create a false dossier, but actually paying millions for it! Yet, still they are pushing Mueller's Witch Hunt, knowing it's not only fake, but damaging to our country.

Then, there's the looming government shutdown... Yes, the Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate. But, nowhere near the numbers they need to pass a budget (When you factor in two Senators abstaining for health reasons, and the Never-Trump RINOs). This is an issue where both parties should be able to work together for the good of the nation. Instead, the Regressive Democrats are holding the resolution hostage over immigration and DACA. This means, they are actually putting the needs of illegal aliens over actual, LEGAL U.S. citizens. That, in my humble opinion, is not only stupid, but the very definition of treason.

You don't put your own political and personal views ahead of the well-being of the nation (especially if you're an elected official). And you don't hurt the law-abiding citizens who vote for you, to benefit criminals that sneak into this country without proper documentation.

The simple truth of the matter is, the Liberals and Democrats have no moral high ground to stand on here. The only reason they support illegal aliens and DACA is for more votes and political power. Any other reason given, is a blatant lie.

My grandmother used to say, "you don't give your neighbor's kids a steak dinner, when you're feeding your own peanut butter and jelly."

It's time to help Trump fulfill another campaign promise. It's time to drain the swamp, and get rid of the lot of them.

A Simple Parable

When I was younger, I heard a parable that was both funny, and extremely enlightening. Given the times we live in now, I feel it's very appropriate to share it with you here...

Once, there was a little bird that hatched from his egg in the late summer. He barely had time to learn to fly, before the autumn winds came, and the other birds started preparing to migrate South for the winter.

Finally, the big day arrived, and all the birds took off for the flight southward. But, the little bird wasn't strong enough, or skilled enough to keep up with them. No matter how hard he tried, he kept falling behind the flock, until one day he dropped from the sky in pure exhaustion. He landed in a cow pasture, and sadly watched the other birds leave him far behind.

Cold, and alone, the little bird thought this was the end. He would surely freeze or starve to death out there in the field. And, just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, a cow suddenly came along, and crapped all over him.

It took a moment for the bird to realize that he was now warm, instead of freezing. But, once he did, he popped his head out of the cow pile, and began to sing. He was so happy.

Then, an old tomcat heard his happy little song, and quickly pounced, pulling the bird from the steaming pile and eating him whole.

The lessons of this story are...

1. Not everyone who craps on you is an enemy.

2. Not everyone who gets you out of crap is a friend.

3. If you're neck-deep in crap, it's best to keep your mouth shut.

Funny how you can relate this silly little joke to what's going on in our country now days. The American people are obviously the little bird, just struggling to survive. The Trump era Republicans would be the cow, helping the bird, but in an unappealing and seemingly distasteful way. And the Regressives (Democrats, RINOs, and the media) are definitely the cat, claiming to offer help, but ultimately doing more harm than good.

Later, I'll write more on why catering to everyone doesn't benefit anyone.

The Real Story Behind "Fake News"

Everyone knows about President Trump's ongoing love affair with the mainstream media (and vice-versa). By now (unless you've been living under a rock in Antarctica somewhere), we've all heard the phrase "fake news" being hurled about repeatedly. And, we have all heard such bastions of truth (smell that? Pure sarcasm!) as CNN and MSNBC complain that the President is picking on them.

The truth is, the whole damned mess has gone too far, on both sides.

Just this morning, I caught an interview in which a reporter was commenting on Trump's "apparent mental issues". She was claiming that the President is secretly suffering from a form of dementia, and hinting that this could be grounds to remove him from office. (And, this is what passes for "real news" now days?)

The last I checked, only the President's doctor (the one who actually examines him) can make such a diagnosis, and he isn't talking.

The reporter then went on to claim that the press wouldn't be so hard on him, if the President didn't attack them so often. This is a false argument, since it's a two-way street. The mainstream media is far from an innocent victim in all of this.

First of all, in the past year, there have been more retraction, corrections and all-out debunked news stories surrounding Trump than I have ever seen in my entire life. It is the duty of the news media to present the verified facts of a story without partisanship, bias, opinion or spin. They're not supposed to allow their own personal views, feelings or agendas to enter the story in any way. And, they certainly not allowed to invent or exaggerate details, or insert themselves into the story.

Recent studies show that, in the first year of his Presidency, Trump has only received 5% positive press over all the stories reported by the media. Compare this to Obama's  first year, where he only received 20% negative coverage. Can you honestly call that "fair and unbiased"?

Trump has accomplished quite a bit of positive things during his first year (a Supreme Court nominee appointed, the cutting of several restrictive regulations for businesses, record breaking tax cuts... to name a few, and I could go on). He hasn't exactly been perfect, but he's far from the incompetent monster the media tries to make him out to be.

The press also loves to point out that the President's poll numbers have remained in the mid-to-high thirties. Granted, this is bad, but let's look at the whole picture here...

First of all, the President's poll numbers are low, true enough, but nowhere near as low as those for Congress (currently 22%), or even the media's (16%). This means, as mistrustful as the American people may be of Donald Trump, they are even more so of their congressmen and news media. So, they really have no room to talk.

Secondly, of course Trump's numbers are going to be low! If I am the only one you listen to, and all I tell you everyday is that Bob is a thief and liar who beats his wife and kids... are you going to have a very high opinion of Bob? Most (but not all) of the coverage on the President has been very negative personal attacks. I rarely hear any negative, factual attacks on his policies themselves.

People watch, read and listen to the mainstream media because they have no choice, if they want any clue as to what's going on in the world. But, that doesn't mean that they're stupid, and unaware they're being lied to regularly.

The ones I truly feel sorry for, are the older generations like my mother. She's old enough that she feels she has no use for the internet, or even cable T.V. This means, she's completely at the mercy of Liberal run network television and newspapers, with almost no hope of getting the other side of the story, or even the whole picture. It's people like these, that the media is deliberately doing a gross disservice to, and constantly misleading. It's pathetic and disturbing at best.

Another Clinton "Investigation"

Earlier this week, the Little Rock, Arkansas branch of the FBI announced that it's conducting an investigation into both Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation, over "pay-to-play" accusations.

The allegations stem from numerous instances of large donations being funneled through the Foundation while Hillary was Secretary of State. Each time this happened, favors were suddenly granted to the donor (for instance, the infamous "Uranium One deal" with the Russians, after Putin donated $450 million to the Foundation).

As with several other Clinton scandals in the past, there is a clear, poorly hidden paper trail, and evidence to support a Grand Jury. And, as it's always been before, Conservatives and Republicans are eagerly waiting with baited breath for the indictment.

Stop. Just stop.

There's nothing new here. We've known for a few years that the Clinton's were doing this and more. We've known that it's all shady and illegal for quite some time. There's never really been any shortage of proof.

Yet, Bill and Hillary remain free, and even have certain members of the government openly covering for them. They are untouchable and above the law.

I'm not saying I don't want them prosecuted (believe me, they need to be). I'm saying there's no point.

The FBI and the DOJ have had enough dirt on them to put them away a hundred times over. They've been collecting it since Willy was governor of Arkansas, and it's been steadily growing each year. Yet, they do nothing (or make a very weak show of investigating when they are forced to do something).

We need to just drop all pretense, and get real for once. You are never going to seriously indict the Clinton's on anything, no matter what crime they commit, or what evidence you gather.

So, it's time to publicly declare them as beyond all laws, and stop wasting the tax payers time and money with bogus investigations you know will go nowhere.

While your at it, just go ahead and impeach/arrest Trump for not being a Clinton. Because, apparently, that's how America works now.

On Immigration

A hypothetical question: A man successfully robs a bank for a couple million dollars. He then takes most of that money and puts it in a trust for his children to go to college, start a business or just live comfortably for the rest of their lives. However, he's soon caught by the police and the trust funds are discovered. Should his kids be allowed to keep the money?

Legally and morally, the answer is a resounding "no". 

According to American federal laws, no one is supposed to profit from the commission of a crime. Not the suspect, nor anyone connected to them.

Makes sense, right?

Then, tell me how it's "fair" that someone violates our immigration laws, sneaks their kids across our borders, and we're supposed to reward the kids with an illegally obtained visa/citizenship?

I can understand, and sympathize, that the underage kids had no choice in coming here. But, neither did the American people. They didn't sneak the children in, so why should they be responsible for them staying?

The law is the law, as cold and cruel as it may seem sometimes. It's in place for a reason, and can't be ignored just because we don't like when it goes against our views. 

The so-called "Dreamer Act" (DACA), is unconstitutional, dangerous and disastrous for the American economy. It's also a sneaky, backsided way for politicians to earn more voters for their party.

The Regressives love painting a picture of some poor, young illegal child going to college, or serving in the military to better themselves and the country. But, this is seldom true, statistically. In fact, a majority of "Dreamers" work low-skill jobs (with stolen Id's and social security numbers), have higher reported incidents of drug addiction and violent crime convictions, and are more likely to join gangs. (Don't believe me? Check the Federal Department of Sentencing.)

I'm sick of hearing how deporting illegal aliens (including "Dreamers") is cruel and tears apart families. Arresting the bank robber in my earlier example, would tear apart his family, but he broke the law. So, the cruelty is on the violater, not the people enforcing the law. The children wouldn't be submitted to the evils of deportation, if mommy and daddy had done things legally.

Of course, the Regressives and Democrats fully support DACA (and even open borders). But, don't be fooled... it has nothing to do with the "plight of the poor immigrants", and everything to do with political power. By "championing" illegal aliens, you earn votes from their family members who are here legally, by at least looking like you care. And who knows? Maybe, if you can succeed in getting them to stay, one day you can give them voting rights as well.  (I wonder who they would vote for then? The person who fought to keep them here, or the one who tried to kick them out?)

One last thing to think about... illegal aliens take jobs, and do so at unfair (and illegal) wages. Why pay an American minimum wage (or better) to pick oranges, when you can hire an alien to do it for ten dollars a day? As long as we're allowing them to hire aliens, they don't have to pay fair salaries, whick keeps prices low, but also hurts the economy. 

The argument that Americans won't do the jobs aliens typically do, is false. They won't do those jobs for the wages aliens make (which is fair).

In short, wanting to ban DACA, build a wall and strengthen our immigration system isn't racist. It's patriotic and American. It's the same right every other nation on Earth has, and uses without excuse or apology.

Drawing the Lines

A little over three years ago, Radio Host and Media Mogul, Glenn Beck made yet another of his insightful (yet often ridiculed or ignored) predictions.

For those of you who may not know, Glenn has a long and documented history of using historical insight and observation to predict where we may be headed next. ("He who forgets the past..." sort of thing.) He also has an equally long history of being mocked, ridiculed or just ignored for his warnings, only to usually be proven right later on. Not that anyone who mocked him ever remembers that he called it, they're typically too busy mocking him on something else to recall how wrong they were the first time.

Anyway, on this particular occasion, Glenn was saying that America was becoming so divided and polarized (this was during Obama's administration, and we'll before Trump even announced he was running) that the lines are being drawn. He warned that the time was quickly approaching when everyone will have to decide, once and for all, which side they were on, and make a stand. He also stated repeatedly, that no matter which side you're on, you'd better have all your affairs in order, and get yourself right. If not, he predicted, "they" will own you, and use your failures against you.

Now, I don't care which side of the political spectrum you fall on, no one can deny (given our current events) that this is happening now.

Half of our nation is so opposed to President Trump's agenda, they're determined to destroy him and his supporters at any and all cost (even at the expense of the nation). The other half is so in lock-step with him, they're absolutely convinced he can do no wrong. Any sort of middle-ground there may have been, is rapidly shrinking, and it's getting harder and harder to remain neutral.

The truth is, this divide didn't begin with Trump, and Glenn Beck isn't some sort of psychic or prophet. It's been coming for quite some time. The current incarnation actually began under George W. Bush's watch with his handling of both wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) and his response to hurricane Katrina. It then festered and grew infinitely worse under President Obama, with his racial divide/police targeting, and his failed foreign/domestic policies. Unfortunately, Trump hasn't exactly bridged very many gaps, and both sides have used the growing divided to further their own agendas and keep the split going.

Misinformation is everywhere, and it's getting harder and harder to know what's true, and what's "fake news" anymore. The most noble of causes now have insidious and corrupt reasons behind them. While truly virtuous and helpful agendas are demonized and suspect. (Up is down, white is black and short is long.) The world has truly gone crazy, and seems to be getting worse.

I'm not sure what the solution is, other than to heed the words of Glenn Beck, and know exactly what it is you believe in and where you stand. Get yourself right, hold onto the things you value and believe, and don't allow anything to make you waver. If he's right (and he has been about so many things before), this isn't about Liberal or Conservative, it's not about Democrat or Republican, or even "pro-Trump" vs. "never-Trump", it's about something so much more... The fate of more than just our nation, or even the world, may be hanging in the balance here. It could very well be the fate of each and everyone of our souls.