What Are We to Do?

Election season is in full swing.  Conservatives, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, and others are faced with the same problem that repeats itself every two years; who do we get behind?  No, we do not "lead from behind."  We seek an answer to the pesky question, "who best represents us?"  Or, at this point, does anyone represent us?

This question has become more disconcerting, as few people of "far right" persuasion seem to exist in politics.  We are, most recently, faced with Democrats, Liberals, and Democrat-light. To me, far right would be simply someone who actually believes in smaller government.  Name one person who represents this right now.  Can you name this person?

What The Hell Do You Stand For?

The problem with Conservatism today is not a failure of ideas, it is a lack of leadership.  The leadership of the Republican party does not seem to respect the foundation of their own party.  The "far-right radical" base stands for Liberty, Freedom, smaller government and Individual Rights and States' Rights; yes, we know....such extreme positions.

Here is the deal within the Conservative and Libertarian movements; we have been abandoned by all possible factions of any powerful party at this time (except the Libertarian Party that currently lacks the pull to make changes desperately needed.)  What is the Republican Party when it lacks its' Conservative and Libertarian roots?  There is no base left in the Republican Party, we are left alone, out here, battling among ourselves while trying to organize in some fashion to make an impact.  And, being the most passionate of the Conservative and Libertarian causes, we argue like brothers and sisters.  Deep down, we know that we share some common causes, yet we lack any semblance of organization.

Liberal Persuasion 101

After writing numerous pieces, one discovers that facts do not sway Liberal minds.  Even a bulletproof case will not change their minds.  It is frustrating to many Conservatives, who are factually based reasoners, in general.  The reason we cannot change Liberal minds through facts?  Liberals rely on emotion more than fact to arrive at decisions.

Let's face it, there is something very different between Liberals and Conservatives.  Many people struggle to comprehend the differences.  Just like anything these days, there are studies.  Of course, most of the politics revolve around psychology.  The excerpt, below, best summarized arguing with the Liberal mentality.

You don’t tell your opponent what to think or what’s best. You help them discover for themselves what feels right and best and most advantageous to them. Their ultimate decision is based on self-interest. That’s emotional. I want this. This is good for me and my side. (Decisions Are Emotional, not Logical: The Neuroscience behind Decision Making)

Taxes: How Some Don't Pay Their "Fair Share"

Taxes are a continual topic of debate.  The progressive tax code of our country is adorned by some and despised by others.  The ambiguous term "fair share" is debated time and time again.  The timely arrival of some recent reports only adds fuel to the fire discussing taxes and "fair share."

The continuing discussion over individuals and families paying their "fair share" of taxes got some good analysis recently.  BRUCE BARTLETT, a brilliant economist, analyzed the most recent reports and found some interesting contents.

In many cases, the numbers speak for themselves.  Today, the top 50% of income earners pay 97.11% of the taxes collected.  This does not account for the redistributive effects of tax credits and payouts to the bottom 50%.  As discussed in Base-less…Boehner Shows His True Stripes, the top earners pay 106% of the tab and the bottom -9.1% when these factors are also included.

Conservatives always point out, correctly, that the share of taxes paid by the wealthy greatly exceeds their share of aggregate income. In 2011, the top 1 percent earned 18.7 of all adjusted gross income and the top 5 percent earned 34 percent.

While the top is paying the bills, the redistributive effect is well documented in the article as well.  Notice, in the Share of Income Table, the Income After Taxes and Transfers compared to Market Income.  The lowest quintile earns 2.3% of the income, but after taxes and transfers, actually ends up with 9.3% of the income.  Meanwhile, the highest and fourth quintiles incomes decrease dramatically when accounting for these same factors.  This shows the great redistributive effect of our tax system.

As discussed in The Welfare State: Increasing Government Dependency, government dependency is on the rise in America.  Bartlett arrives at the same conclusion.

Between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2011, the percentage of Americans participating in transfer programs rose to 49.2 percent from 45.3 percent.

There is one key portion that needs pointing out; previously, the top 1% paid a larger share of the taxes.  According to an unsourced expert:

The I.R.S. data are for shares of federal income taxes and income by percentiles and include new figures for 2011. The wealthy pay the vast bulk of federal income taxes. But as one can see, there has been a sharp reduction in the share paid by those in the top 1 percent of taxpayers ranked by adjusted gross income, since 2007.

The continual argument of fair share, really does not make sense.  It is a blatant fact that the same, hard-working individuals are carrying the vast majority of the tax burden.  It also becomes clear that redistribution of taxes have become excessive.  Obamacare, along with numerous other tax law changes will only further this redistributive affect over the coming year.  Look for reports in 2014 that will show the further growing effect and burden on American tax payers in the top quintiles.

For more information, visit Bartlett's full article here:  Who Pays the Taxes and Gets the Benefits.

Base-less...Boehner Shows His True Stripes

Can you believe it is hump day already?  John Boehner was so excited to get screwed, that he came out firing at Conservatives to celebrate!

The sheer idiocy among RINOs is simply amazing.  There are so many winning fronts that could be taken at this very moment, yet the lack of leadership in John Boehner is apparent.  The guy just came out and blasted his base for asking for some reasonable Conservative stances in policy.  Now, I may not be the political genius of Karl Rove, who can get every election wrong, but, I know some common sense when I see it.

As reported by nearly every media outlet, John Boehner blasted Conservatives as if we are the thorn in his side. Really?  Don't you know it is the other way around, Speaker Boehner?

Boehner stated:

"They're using our members and they're using the American people for their own goals. This is ridiculous," he said. "Listen if you're for more deficit reduction, you're for this agreement." 

So, the evil base, aka Tea Party aka Conservatives who supported Republicans, is using whom?  We are the least of the users in this country.  We are the people fighting for everyone else's freedom while they wander around in a daze, complaining about how the economy and jobs stink.  Yet, they don't even know why.  Well, we do!

We know that the government spending is paralyzing the private sector through fear.  Why?  It is based on simple economic principles that say, if you spend money (the government), then the private sector has to be taxed to pay for it.  When spending becomes as outlandish as right now, the private sector is clamoring, wondering when the next big tax hike will come and hit us.

And since the job producers and  productive members of society are now carrying 106% of the tax burden, it would only be "fair" that they carry more.  Isn't that right Speaker Boehner?  After all, us crazy Conservatives in your base are just using the people of this country and your sheeple in Congress.

Us crazy people want, God forbid, government interference out-of-the-way in our health care decisions.  We don't want to see our fellow-man dying because he is no longer covered to see his doctor.  We don't want to see the previously insured lose their health insurance so that the same people who pay -9.1% of the Federal income tax burden to get YET ANOTHER handout!

As for your ridiculous statement regarding deficit reduction contained in this piece of crap legislation; it is based on false pretenses.  The current Congress can not hold the next to its spending policy. And, guess what this bill does?  Yes, the biggest cuts are in 10 years, long after the sheeple have forgotten.  But, here is the thing....Conservatives will NOT forget; we never do.  Unlike the sheeple, we are critical in our thought.  And, you, Speaker Boehner, just threw a liberal argument at us.  We don't take well to that.

Boehner and his new best friend

It also ends the Sequestration, while you may not think it is popular because of defense cuts, at least it cut something... So, in doing this, it increases the base of this budget to over $1 Trillion in discretionary spending next year.  Under Sequestration, we would spend $80 Billion less next year. I doubt any true Conservative will be Concerned with the FIRST EVER budget cut in our Nation's history.

It would be good policy to simply sign a Continuing Resolution and pass it along to the Senate.  It can be simple, after all, we already have a Conservative win by allowing the Sequestration to continue.  But, here we are again, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

A real leader brings his troops together and formulates a game plan using tactical maneuvers to position the group for a win.  Speaker Boehner is not positioning anyone to win, except Democrats who will undo what they hated in the first place; the Sequestration.  True fiscal Conservatives should have nothing to do with this plan.  Yes, I get it, it brings the power of the purse back to the House.  But, for what?  Why are the Democrats being allowed to control the conversation?  As a political "leader", Speaker Boehner should be determining the national conversation in favor of his party.  It would be perfectly acceptable to make an actual Conservative demand once in a while.  There is no leadership in this, only caving to the Democrats per the Republican playbook.

Here are some winning strategies or conversations that could have been used to leverage the power of the purse: Obamacare - People still hate it and it could be used as a wedge in negotiations with Democrats; Spending - There is strong support for reduced budget to bring the deficit down and bring more stability to the private sector.  In fact, 61% of Americans would support spending cuts right now; Fair Tax - With a 77% support level, why are we not tying tax reform to the budget?

I am just an above average political pundit, but I know that there is wide support for Conservative values out here in the real world.  It is time for Speaker Boehner and all Republicans to stop bending over and start manning up! Stand up for what you believe in, otherwise, you will just have a Base-less argument over who lost the election.  I can tell you, unless you start acting remotely Conservative, there will be no Base left for 2014 or 2016.  The Establishment is ignorant if they think they can win without 22% of their ardent supporters.  Right now, you represent nothing better than a Blue Dog Democrat.

The Broken Moral Compass

Democrats, especially the far left, often brag of their moral superiority and compassion in arguments.  They push the ideal of government compassion through taxation is the only answer to our nation's problems.  If there is a "crisis", create another government program to solve it.  Through all of this, it makes me wonder how did this become so perverted in their minds?

I, like most Conservatives, am a compassionate person.  I truly care about those who cannot help themselves; the disabled, the elderly, and those who have lost their jobs due to Obamanomics. Democrats believe they are compassionate through their staunch support for government programs, right?

Galt.io

Here is an exceptional opportunity to make a difference in 2014 and beyond.  Join Jason Lewis and other Conservatives and Libertarian minded patriots in the fight to end Liberalism in our country.  It's time to take it back folks, so please join me at Galt.io!

Looking Forward to 2016 with Purpose

2016 Candidate Poll

Yes, it is early, but there is a reason to my madness.  I want to get the informed crowd's opinion on whom we should back, together.  I am working on a statistical study that requires your input and I would greatly appreciate your anonymous input on this.  Please select the candidate that best reflects your political viewpoint.  We need to bring together all Conservatives and Libertarians behind one candidate if we are going to fix this country.

Splash...There is Some Lemonade in Your Face!

Sometimes, life throws lemons at us and other times, it throws lemonade at us.... Yes, life can get a bit sticky!  My mom always taught me never to discuss politics, religion, or race.  But, I have found that not discussing these topics with friends and strangers leads to a pretty dull life. Sometimes, it is more fun to live outside the cultural "norms".  Yes, one has to be careful on what they state, to a certain extent.

Today, I was, once again, pleasantly surprised in a conversation with a friend of mine.  I have known him and his wife for about 2 years now, but we have never really gotten into politics before.  Our sons are inseparable, playing together every moment that they can.  Yet, in all that time, we have never really discussed politics.  I am not really sure why?  They know I write, wear my opinions on my sleeves and am not afraid to speak my opinion to anyone.  Since they had never made a comment on Facebook, Twitter, Google, or any other social media, I just assumed they had no interest in politics.