Double-R and CS Merge

For those of you who know me, this site has been an outlet of my work with RFAR Radio on 88.7 WNHU, political ventures, upcoming military career and then some for the past 8 months. The time has come, however, for expansion.

You have not seen any new works in the past several days due to the fact that my former co-host, crew and I have come together and drawn out what will now be a collaborative effort of authors and self-proclaimed pundits from the RFAR pool. The result will be an addition of authors, thoughts and opinions from the Double-R's to Common Sense. These new updates to the site will be minimal at first, but will grow exponentially in the coming weeks.

This project has come about in response to my application to the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. I felt that since my entry will likely restrict my work with this site, the best way to keep the action going would be to include those who have been instrumental in my growth politically and intellectually.

With that, I welcome you to the new outlet of Right for a Reason Radio (www.wnhu.net). Here, you will be able to see gain access to our headlines, sources, thoughts, opinions and words of "wisdom" (Just don't expect too much of that last one...).

Enjoy.

Let's Talk Economy

For some odd reason, many Americans believe that the economy in this country is a mess. They believe that George W. Bush has screwed everything up and we were much better off 10 years ago financially. Amazing what the media can accomplish, huh?

The facts: Unemployment is at an all-time low of 4.5%. More Americans are owning homes than ever before and mortgage rates are at a low 6.5%, compared to 18% of years past. Business profits are the highest they've ever been, contributing to the low unemployment rate and higher earnings. People are own more "perks" such as TV's, video games, sound systems and IPod's than ever before.

Our growth is under control and steadily climbing. There hasn't been a better time to invest in our market. Since the Tax Cuts in 2003, job growth has been on a constant increase, creating 8.2 million new jobs here in the US since August 2003 (132,000 new jobs in June 2007 alone). Americans, on average, are taking home an extra $3,000 every year because of the tax cuts...contributing to the increase in spending on "perks."

I know people are going to point to the deficit, which is what they did during the Reagan era. What people forget is that you need to spend money to make money. For every dollar that Reagan went into debt on the deficit, the American citizen made 12 fold. Bush is seeing similar trends, if not better. By the way, did you know that George W. Bush is the only President who has earned an MBA degree?

Our economy is stronger than ever, and it is making us highly competitive in the global market. Yes, gas is $3 a gallon, but compare that to $8+ per gallon in England/Europe. I think this trend of negativity when it comes to our economy is just a sign of ungratefulness among our population and shows how many people take this country for granted.

Webb vs. Graham

Thought everyone would enjoy this showdown between Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Its funny that Democrats and liberals alike always stick to the same talking points when it comes to the Iraq War. It defies all common sense to believe that there are diplomatic solutions when fighting an enemy such as this. An enemy who is fueled by extreme religious motives and lives among those they plan against. There will be no negotiations, especially when this enemy sees us backing off politically with this 1960's, anti-war, hippie attitude.

"It is far better for anyone to kill a single American soldier than to squander his efforts on other activities." -Osama Bin Laden.

They will not give up, and neither shall we. As long as they target us and our allies, we need to stay strong and stick with our commitments.

Side Note: It must be tough for our soldiers to stay committed when the greatest enemy they are battling at the end of the day isn't extremists...its our own government officials. Says a lot when those who send them won't stick up for them and fight to make sure they are supported in their efforts.

The 16th Amendment

"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."

On February 3, 1913 these words were passed into law as Amendment XVI of the U.S. Constitution. This short document began what would become (now) a 96-year struggle for the American worker, business and economy. Almost every state followed suit shorty after with their own form of imposing taxation on the productivity of the people.

I am sure everyone is tired of the IRS, tired of April 15th and tired of collecting the bottom line of your paycheck rather than the beginning figure. There is a simple solution that exemplifies how Thomas Paine (Common Sense) and other founding fathers saw the United States Government: Small and Simple.

Eliminate income taxes and all other forms of productive based taxes (corporate, payroll, Medicare, Social Security, Dividend, Capital Gains, Estate and Gift taxes, etc.) and institute a flat, national sales tax. Done. This plan should include a measure that ensures no American pays federal taxes on their spending for essential goods and services up to the poverty level.

What are the results of such a plan? No more April 15th, complicated tax forms and prepping and filing your tax returns. You will take home your full paycheck; no more will you have to pay the government based on how much you produce. You are taxed only when you choose to consume, not on your income and productivity. No more special interest exemptions, tax loopholes, deductions, or the lobbyists who peddle them. Every American is treated the same. Furthermore, everyone contributes to this system. Illegal immigrants and the underground economy (criminal incomes, etc) will be forced to pay federal taxes through what they buy, just like everyone else within this country.

What else? This will promote economic growth and substantial wage increases for working Americans. The exporting of American jobs will cease. Low income families will be free from taxes, allowing them to take home full paychecks to use on family needs and create opportunities to rise above the poverty line. FairTax.org contains more information and some other good stuff on taxation. Check it out.

Bottom line: When there are 4,400 words in the US Constitution; 783,137 words in the Bible; and 3.4 million words in our Tax Code, a change needs to be made.

To Note: Today, July 11th, is the day on which the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of spending and regulatory burdens imposed by government on the federal, state and local levels. For the last 192 days we have worked to satisfy the government, paying them 52.6% of our national income.

Live Earth was...

Interesting. I'm not sure if thats what they were going for, but media outlets around the world seem confused. For example:

The Times (UK) reports: "Live Earth fails to pack large-scale punch"
MSNBC (US) reports: "Many wonder if Live Earth made any difference"
CNN (US) reports: "Global warming concerts: A lot of hot air?"
The Telegraph (UK) reports: "Live Earth is a win for global yawning"
Stuff (New Zealand) reports: "Earth underwhelmed by Live gigs"
Fox News (US) reports: "Live Earth just another Rock n' Roll show?"
Reuters (Africa) reports: "Earth underwhelmed by environment pop extravaganza"
The Daily Mail (UK) reports: "Live Earth branded a foul-mouthed flop: Poor ratings on BBC"
AOL News (US) reports: "Live Earth: A cooling trend"
CTV (Canada) reports: "Critics still attack climate change science"
The Globe and Mail (Canada) reports: "Will Live Earth hurt more than help?"
The Guardian Unlimited (UK) reports: "Global Warbling"
The Associated Press (US) reports: "Is Live Earth green enough?"
The United Kingdom Express (UK) reports: "LIVE EARTH HYPOCRITES"

The list goes on. It seems that many people around the world have missed the point that this concert of epic proportions was to get across: Global Warming is a world-wide crisis that everyone needs to recognize, acknowledge and prevent through sacrifice. Even if this statement were accurate, the way to tackle such a large scale problem isn't "rocking out."

Overall, the attempt to recreate the effect of Live Aid (1985) and Live 8 (2005) went flat. When a ticket to Live Earth goes for anywhere between $83 and $348 (even more on Ebay), planning is horrific, organizers blame the low attendance on climate change effects, the event is hypocritical, and the overall message is both weak and controversial, people are not going to take it seriously. Furthermore, the Live 8 (2005) and Live Aid (1985) concerts were free to those willing to come out to support and/or make donations while Live Earth charged enormous amounts for tickets and is still making merchandise available for purchase on their website (belt for $25, shirt for $20, etc). I am sure the event did better at raising profits rather than awareness.

In all honestly, I watched parts of the concert simply because I wanted to see some of the bands.

Here are the final stories of the night, two that show just why Live Earth wasn't given a serious look: BBC and Life Style Extra poll numbers.

Independence Day

Rather than discuss all that is going on in the world right now, I felt I should reflect on the significance of this day.

July 4th to me is the most important date marked on our calender. Independence Day is more than just a title, a blurb in our history, or a holiday. This day identifies the fundamental meaning of our nation; a reflection of what an American truly embodies. It represents a time when extreme action was needed to secure the “radical” ideas of freedom and individual rights. This is a time to recognize what a privilege it is to be an American today, to have the ability to live in the most powerful and bountiful nation in the world.

Two hundred and thirty-one years ago, this nation went to war for words. I say words simply because true freedom, true individualism and true independence were mere myths at the time, not ideas in practice. Inspired by these ideas, our countrymen took up arms in the face of the most powerful empire on Earth and fought for the chance to build a truly great nation.

And here we are, two hundred and thirty-one prosperous years later. Today millions of Americans hopped in the pool, lit BBQ’s and watched fireworks under the night sky. Tomorrow, over 95% of this country will return to work, pay their bills and put food on the table for their families. Hell, many of them will probably hop back in the pool again.

My point today is that many of us take what we have for granted. We glance around at our world and believe that we Americans live in such a mess when in actuality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Be thankful for those willing to head overseas and fight to defend our freedoms, be grateful that there is air-conditioning in your home, a job waiting for you tomorrow morning, food in your fridge and gas in your tank. Finally, be ever gracious to the 56 men who signed a piece of paper one July 4^th years ago, and the efforts of thousands upon thousands of aspirant Americans who were willing to put up their lives to ensure that the words and ideas on that paper held true.

Happy Independence Day everyone. Be ever grateful, aspire to achieve your dreams, never give up in your efforts, remain stubborn throughout your endeavors, and be proud of it every step of the way...the true traits through history that embody we Americans and can be attributed to our success.

ACLU Sues City for Jesus Display

Slidell, Louisiana. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) has sued the city (and others) after they refused to voluntarily remove a portrait of Jesus presenting the New Testament. A plate beneath the frame reads: "To Know Peace, Obey These Laws." The ACLU claims that they are not "anti-religion," but do believe the portrait is in violation of the Constitutional separation of Church and State.

City Judge James Lamz, whose name is also on the list of Defendants, says he will not advocate for the portraits removal until ordered so by a federal judge. He firmly believes that the display is not in violation of the Constitution.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

These famous words begin the First Amendment of our Constitution. As you can see in plain English, our government is forbidden from enacting any law that establishes a national religion, or any that prohibit others from enjoying their own. Furthermore, the words "separation of church and state" do not appear once in our Constitution, Bill of Rights or Declaration of Independence.

This issue (especially here) is always about point of view. The ACLU believes that the anonymous complainant who has been offended by this portrait of Jesus is the key of the case. What about those who would be offended or deprived by its removal? Judge Lamz, Saint Tammany Parish and the entire citizenry of Slidell are being sued here, and they all need to stand strong. The weight of the Constitution will be at their backs.

Regardless of outcome, this case will set a precedent for many cases to come.

Libby will skip out on Prison

President Bush commuted Lewis Libby's sentence today, essentially sparing him from the 30 months in prison he was to receive for not making consistent statements. He will, however, still have to pay the $250,000 fine and serve parole.

Here is the article from the headlines.
Here is the President's Statement.

Tomorrow will be interesting simply because of the massive blow back that liberals will have with this. Barack, Pelosi and others have already begun their assault. Its interesting to see how blown away people are over a ridiculous case such as this...I am convinced it is simply because of Libby's political affiliations and connection to the President.

On that note, here is the full list of pardons that Clinton took upon himself throughout his 8 year run as President.

By the way, since Bush has his pen out, maybe he should look into getting Gilmer Hernandez, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean out of prison.