My Politics

I'm a first generation American from one of the Reddest states in the country and both my parents had union jobs. I'm basically what used to be the target market for the Democratic Party. I later changed my party affiliation to "Independent" and strongly believe in voting for the person not a party.

When I vote - I vote for a person if I know then personally and like them. If I don't know any of the candidates for an office often I just leave that section blank. There's no rule saying you have to vote for every office. And if I have a strong preference for a candidate - I'll vote for them too even if I've never met them.

But often I find myself voting against a candidate because some of the things they say or policies they hold are just crazy and I find myself voting for their opposition - even if I don't know them. Many times that's how I find myself voting Republican because the sign above is often true.

Often remarked that neither JFK or Harry Truman, who were once Democratic Party icons, would even be welcome in the Democratic Party today. It may seem like my politics have changed over the years but really they haven't changed much. It's just that in many ways the Democratic Party has gone insane.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Farnam Street's Mental Models - the best way to make intelligent decisions. Good to review from time to time.

- Peter Attia: Are weighted vests good for weight-loss maintenance? I've heard good things about them and rucking but I'm more into the hike just for the sake of the hike.

- Scottie Scheffler with an incredible shot! Of course he won again.

- Are Republicans ready for political war?

Reminder

The More Things Change

From the book John Marshall: Definer of a Nation by Jean Edward Smith:

On the surface, the Federalists appeared to be in good shape in 1799. They held the presidency and both houses of Congress, and their majority in the House of Representatives had increased from six to twenty... In reality, however, the party was badly split between the High Federalists, mainly from north of the Delaware, and the moderates from the south. The High Federalists despised [John] Adams while the moderates were steadfast in their support of the president.

Today the Republicans have Donald Trump as President and hold both houses of Congress. But the party is split between "classical" Republicans and MAGA Trump supporters. I just hope the Republican Party doesn't go the same way as the Federalsts.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Ukrainian officials found guilty of embezzling $40 million. From the article, " Ukraine is the second most corrupt nation in Europe behind Russia."

- Paul Graham on the Acceleration of Addictiveness. From 2010 but new to me.

- The Republicans are quickly becoming the men's party. "The party of strong men and the women that love them."

- VDH on Nikki Haley's strategies.

Democrats vs Republicans

This honestly surprised me on many levels. Surprised the numbers are so one sided but equally surprised how unions can remain so Democratically controlled when the hourly wage-earner is getting more and more conservative. Think that for every one Republican or Libertarian board member that's added that ROI for that company would increase 1% year over year. (Via)

Republican or Not

Reminder - It Wasn't Just Democrats on the FTX Political Brinks Job

Eight members of Congress (4 Democrats and 4 Republicans) wrote the SEC to derail a potential investigation of FTX in March.

It's not enough for members of Congress to return the nearly $70 million in donations from FTX connected funds but they must also explain their actions. The system is corrupt.

Slavery

On this date in 1865 the Congress voted to end slavery. The vote was 119 "yea" and 56 "nay" with 8 Congressmen not voting. It should be noted that every Republican Congressman voted to end slavery (along with 14 Democrats). Of the 56 "nay" votes 50 and all of the not voting (the voting "present" of the day) came from the Democrats.

Just something to keep in mind when you hear the Republicans are the "racist" party.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Q: How come mankind was never able to leave the bonds of Earth? A: Space Herpes

- The NBA was tougher back in the day

- This article does a good job explaining the popularity of Trump among the Republican base.

- Are we still doing phrasing?

- This doctor should go to prison for life. But first all his assets should be sold and split among the kids he created.

- Roger Daltrey is the man

- Wait - Charlie Hunnam is the man

The Day the Democratic Party Died and New Democratic Party Was Born

Today marks an anniversary that I expect will receive little fanfare. The historical significance of the anniversary should not be underestimated though.

On January 22, 1973, former president Lyndon Johnson died and with him died the old ways of the Democratic Party. The backroom deals and arm twisting. The acknowledgement that the Democratic Party was first and foremost the party of the working man and his family. "God, country and a fair wage" could easily have been the motto of the old Democratic Party.

On that same day, 46-years ago the new Democratic Party was also born. On that day, 46-years ago, the Supreme Court handed down its Roe v Wade decision which in effect decriminalized abortion and magically turned it from a medical procedure into a woman's right in the process. Since Roe v Wade the Democratic Party has never been the same. Where do you stand on abortion is the first and foremost question any candidate for any office is asked. The abortion party has also become the protest party. "Judge - you and you wife have kids - so you obviously are against having abortions - therefore we must protest you and we must do it naked while throwing pies." Make no mistake this new Democratic Party is about abortion first - every other issue is secondary - including the economy and national defense.

Since January 22, 1973 the Democratic Party has not run a candidate for President who has not been pro-abortion. This includes John Kerry who said he's a Catholic but that doesn't make sense since the Catholic Church is staunchly pro-life. I'm not optimistic that I'll see a pro-life Democratic candidate in my life.

The fact that the anniversary of the death of the old and birth of the new Democratic Party does not get any recognition is not surprising. Nobody celebrates or notes May 30th as the birth of the Republican Party.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Things that make you say WTF!?! Seriously how is that a real photo?... Calling Michael Avenatti a "creepy porn lawyer" isn't an insult it's the truth. It reminds me of one of my favorite Ronald Reagan quotes, "How do you insult a pig by calling it a pig?"...  The "Pied Piper of Raccoons" - another thing that begs the question - WTF!?! Seriously WTF? Is this some sort of indication of the End Times or something?... Interesting piece by Victor Davis Hanson. Trump's success is literally driving the Democrats insane... Some people poke fun at the US Coast Guard and others seem to always forget them when trying to name the branches of the US military but I bet if you compared the Coast Guard by itself it would rank as one of the largest navy's in the world... Where do we find such men? Marine veteran, 80, will receive Medal of Honor for Vietnam valor... I'm a registered Independent but I strongly feel that any Republican that votes against confirming Brett Kavanaugh at this point should be kicked out of the Republican Party and stripped of any leadership positions in the Senate...

MY Political Beliefs

"I'm a Reagan Republican." That means I want growth-oriented tax policies, a strong, secure national defense, limited government and maximum individual liberty. - Peter Hannaford from 2003

That quote seems to crystallize my political beliefs. Though I'm no longer convinced that those beliefs make me a Republican these days. And for the record in the last election I voted for Gary Johnson (and would do so again).

Slavery

On this date in 1865 the Congress voted to end slavery. The vote was 119 "yea" and 56 "nay" with 8 Congressmen not voting. It should be noted that every Republican Congressman voted to end slavery (along with 16 Democrats). All of the 56 "nay" votes and all of the not voting (the voting "present" of the day) came from the Democrats.

Just something to keep in mind when you hear the Republicans are the "racist" party.

The Day the Democratic Party Died and a New Democratic Party Was Born

An anniversary passed yesterday with little fanfare. The historical significance of the anniversary should not be underestimated though.

On January 22, 1973, former president Lyndon Johnson died and with him died the old ways of the Democratic Party. The backroom deals and arm twisting. The acknowledgement that the Democratic Party was first and foremost the party of the working man and his family. "God, country and a fair wage" could easily have been the motto of the old Democratic Party.

On that same day, 44-years ago the new Democratic Party was also born. On that day, 44-years ago, the Supreme Court handed down its Roe v Wade decision which in effect decriminalized abortion and magically turned it from a medical procedure into a woman's right in the process. Since Roe v Wade the Democratic Party has never been the same. Where do you stand on abortion is the first and foremost question any candidate for any office is asked. The abortion party has also become the protest party. "Judge - you and you wife have kids - so you obviously are against having abortions - therefore we must protest you and we must do it naked while throwing pies." Make no mistake this new Democratic Party is about abortion first - every other issue is secondary - including the economy and national defense.

Since January 22, 1973 the Democratic Party has not run a candidate for President who has not been pro-abortion. This includes John Kerry who said he's a Catholic but that doesn't make sense since the Catholic Church is staunchly pro-life. I'm not optimistic that I'll see a pro-life Democratic candidate in my life.

The fact that the anniversary of the death of the old and birth of the new Democratic Party does not get any recognition is not surprising. Nobody celebrates or notes May 30th as the birth of the Republican Party.

Slavery

On this date in 1865 the Congress voted to end slavery. The vote was 119 "yea" and 56 "nay" with 8 Congressmen not voting. It should be noted that every Republican Congressman voted to end slavery (along with 16 Democrats). All of the 56 "nay" votes and all of the not voting (the voting "present" of the day) came from the Democrats.

Just something to keep in mind when you hear the Republicans are the "racist" party.

Obamacare - Somebody Not to Love

When the truth is found to be lies
An' all the joy within you dies

Don't you want somebody to love?
Don't you need somebody to love?
Wouldn't you love somebody to love?
You better find somebody to love, love

Did Newt Resign in Disgrace?

I must admit that I found this article - Newt Did Not Resign in Disgrace by former Congressman Mark Souder pretty amusing. I especially found Souder sitting with fellow Congressman Mark Sanford during the vote on whether Newt would remain as Speaker to be unintentionally funny.

Why did I find this amusing? Well I couldn't help but remember that Souter later resigned from office because he was having an affair with a female staffer (basically at the same time Newt was having an affair with one of his female staffers). Then talking about agonizing about the decision with Mark Sanford who later resigned from the Governorship of South Carolina because he too was having an affair was just the extra bit of obtuseness needed to make me shake my head in disbelief.

Gary Johnson and Tonight's GOP Debate

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson now is now polling at 1% and will thus be included in tonight's Fox News - Google Republican debate. I honestly think that the rise in Johnson's visibility is mainly due to the profile of him that was recently in Outdoor Magazine.

Skeptics may say well if what you are saying is true then 100 profiles of Johnson should get him to 100% in the polls. That's silly - of course. I really do think that the Outdoor profile is responsible and I wonder if anyone has asked Johnson if he agrees.

In an article in today's Wall Street Journal - Karl Rove makes an interesting point that four years ago at this point of the campaign Rudy Giuliani was the leading GOP candidate at 28% while Fred Thompson was second at 23%. They of course faded. Will we see similar drop-offs this time around? Is it better to be a lower in the polls dark-horse like Gary Johnson at this point than one of the front-runners? Is this why Sarah Palin is waiting to enter the fray?

Sarah Palin and the Tea Party

Over at Instapundit I saw lots of speculation about Sarah Palin having resigned to possibly found a third party to confront the Democrats and Republicans in the 2010 and 2012 elections. The idea is that Sarah Palin may form a formalized Tea Party.

It should be remembered that the Republican Party was once a third party itself. When it started in 1854 the main issue was slavery but the party was also interested in the well-being of small business and the middle class. The issues that this new Republican Party were attractive to many voters from both of the existing political parties and by 1860 this new third party had elected Abraham Lincoln as President.

The Tea Party would have a single main issue - over-taxation and an out of control government bureaucracy with waste the rule and not the exception. This issue is appealing to members of both parties (not just Republicans). The abuse Palin would receive at the hands of the MSM wouldn't even be worse than the press that Abraham Lincoln received from the Democratic leaning press of his day.

Could the new Tea Party do in half the time what it took the Republicans 6 years to accomplish a century and a half ago? Why not? Back in 1854 I bet not many thought the new Republican Party would have success defeating the mighty Whig Party who had just elected 3 out of the previous 4 Presidents of the United States. But they did. Why not Sarah Palin and a Tea Party?