April 01, 2008

Certainly appears that someone is planning for a long war

The last few trips between San Marcos and Houston, I noticed a new(?) facility on the side of I-10. Parked by the freeway was a military transport vehicle perched impressively on a mound of earth. As I scanned the facility set off the road, I was shocked to see hundreds of military vehicles in desert camo and olive green. The sign read: BAE Systems.

A little research later and I discovered that BAE Systems is the world's third largest defense contractor and as it is based in Europe, it is the largest in that region. The sight of all those military vehicles stationed in Central Texas was a little daunting. The idea of a British defense contractor having such a presence on our soil is downright scary.

Am I saying that this is a sign of the coming martial law espoused by conspiracy theorists? No. Am I saying that our national sovereignty has been sold out to the global elitists? No.

What I am saying is that just as the abolition of Posse Comitatus scared the heck out of me, the stockpiling of military vehicles in Central Texas scares me as well. Whether the goal is to ship them all overseas to extend our involvement there, or to quell a public rebelling against their elected officials, they make me uneasy. At the very least, a British defense contractor taking American jobs and profits has to be a little upsetting.

What are your thoughts? Does this feel right to you?

Posted by CDogg at 09:17 PM | Comments (8)

March 04, 2008

Good day for an election

Texans - have you done your civic duty today? (If voting in a primary can be considered civic duty.) The folks at Texas State University in San Marcos certainly are in the mood. Newstreamz.com is reporting that in Hays County the "early voting" numbers are more than TWICE the total votes cast in 2004 & 2006 combined. Yowza - thats some serious increase. Visits by Senator Ted Kennedy, Chelsea Clinton, and Barack Obama certainly play into increased voter activity. EDIT: Former President, Bill Clinton just came through town too.

Meanwhile, the Ron Paulers continue their fight...

Of the candidates running, I still tend to identify most with the Ron Paul camp as he is the only one with a good balance of experience in government while not being part of "the system."

Posted by CDogg at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)

March 02, 2008

Disgusting, evil, fear-mongerer

I have just seen the most disgusting political ad since the Lyndon Johnson "Daisy Girl" ad.

I have never liked Hillary Clinton, but as she as "approved this message," I find her to be an evil little troll. Shame on you Hillary.

Transcript of the ad

“It’s 3am and your children are safe and asleep.
But there’ s a phone in the White House and it is ringing.
something is happening in the world
your vote will decide who answers that call.
whether it is someone who already knows the world’s leaders,
knows the military
someone tested and ready to lead in a dangerous world.
its 3am and your children are safe and asleep.
Who do you want answering that phone?”

I fear the "something happening in the world" much less than I fear having the same old career politicians "answering the phone in the White House."

Posted by CDogg at 09:29 PM | Comments (4)

February 05, 2008

Still believe we have two parties?

What do Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and FOX News all have in common? They're all hard-line right-wingers? Yeah... but more importantly, they have all come out in support of Hillary Clinton.

That's right - the target of a multitude of their barbs a few years back is now "their gal."

Wake up people! There is no Democrat vs. Republican. Both "sides" are bought and paid for by big business. The bottom line is that Hillary is next in line to be the figurehead and it is the media's job to sell her to us.

Chances are, if information is getting to you via mainstream media is is a lie. I know it takes a little effort, but come on - try to think for yourself. This thing is getting out of control.

Posted by CDogg at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)

January 13, 2008

Or you could keep your head in the sand

From the time voting machines first entered the election process, there have been numerous controversies. The New Hampshire primary is the latest debacle surrounding these easily rigged elections. Several candidate on both sides of the (same) aisle have called for recounts.

1 - one company provided 81% of all the voting machines in New Hampshire. That company is operated by a convicted drug trafficker AND has been convicted of election fraud.

2 - in the townships using hand counted ballots, Barrack Obama won handily, in the townships using these Diebold voting machines, Hillary won handily.

Clinton (voting machine) 91,717 52.95%
Obama (voting machine) 81,495 47.05%

Clinton (Hand-counted) 20,889 47.05%
Obama (Hand-counted) 23,509 52.95%

3 - Ron Paul received 0 votes in dozens of townships with these machines. So far, with two townships checked, voters have been found that voted for him but were never counted. In townships with hand counted ballots, Paul averaged over 15% of the vote.

4 - dozens of townships had large numbers of votes recorded simply as OTHER.

It is clear that these voting machines are easily hacked and in fact, just like the 2000 and 2004 presidential election, HAVE been hacked.

I say OUTLAW VOTING MACHINES and return to hand counting ballots. Sure, there are still ways to game the system, but it is much harder.

The other step that should change is that it should be illegal for media to declare winners of any election until such time as ballots have been counted and certified.

image from no-respect.blogspot.com

Posted by CDogg at 11:31 AM | Comments (3)

January 02, 2008

FOX News censors Ron Paul

Despite the fact that Dr. Ron Paul has raised more money than ANY CANDIDATE IN HISTORY, and that Paul has won both previous debates according to polls, FOX News has decided that he is 'not a serious candidate.' If ever there was a call-to-arms, this is it!

I don't care whether you like Dr. Paul or not... a person's politics should have nothing to do with this issue. This is about FOX News using the power of the media to shut out free speech and thumb their nose at democracy. We get the government we deserve, and if we do nothing about this injustice... we deserve to continue to elect the most corrupt among us.

Write to your FOX affiliate and complain, boycott FOX, blog about how despicable an act this is, picket your local FOX affiliate. Do something - even if it is just to complain to a coworker. This is a disgusting perversion of our already sickening election system.

Posted by CDogg at 11:39 PM | Comments (0)

November 29, 2007

Rep'in the right - The YouTube debate

Alright its time for my second Republican debate report card. As you know, the righties took questions from YouTubers and one or two slid in by Anderson Cooper. As per my last report card on this group, the criteria for grading is purely based on my opinion.

Everytime a candidate says the right thing (i.e. something I agree with) he gets a check in the "Right" column. Everytime something wrong is said, a check in the "Wrong" column. Also, everytime there is an attempt to spin or dodge the question, there was a check in the "Dodge" column.

Combined, the candidates answered the majority of the questions right by a pretty good margin - a dramatic improvement over the first debate I reviewed when they scored only 40.2% right. The thing to remember here is that majority is 50.1% - that is still a failing grade.
45.0% Right
33.7% Wrong
21.3% Spin

So does this mean that the Republicans are coming around to my way of thinking? It seems that on a few issues, they may indeed be listening to the public. Spin, on the other hand, is up from 19.1% earlier in the year to 21.3% now.

You know I love to point out the Spin Masters - these are the guys that most often changed the subject or avoided the question.
30.6% Mitt Romney
28.6% John McCain
26.9% Rudy Giuliani

It seems that pretty-boy Mitt Romney has upped his spin percentage
slightly over his previous score but McCain and Giuliani are close on his heels. One third of the time, when these three men are talking - they are avoiding the issue. Not sure I saw that trait in any of the how-to-be-a-leader books.

Who was the furthest off target? Who was the candidate with the most wrong answers?
45.0% Fred Thompson
44.4% Mitt Romney
42.3% Rudy Giuliani

Newcomer Fred Thompson must have had the wrong script as he was the most often dead wrong across all issues. Mitt Romney came in at #2 while the previous leader in wrongness, Giuliani, slid to three. Not only did he fall to #3, but he percentage wrong dropped significantly from his 52.6% on his first report card. Mike Huckabee's 29.4% is the biggest turnaround as last time around he was 51.9% wrong. Way to not suck so much, Mike.

Once again the winner in the most right answers category was Dr. Ron Paul. The first go-round this was a big surprise to me, now it seems painfully obvious that his is the only candidacy that isn't bought and paid for by special interests.
94.7% Ron Paul
66.7% Tom Tancredo
50.0% Duncan Hunter

Ron Paul has amazingly added a double-digit increase over his surprising first report card. Also in a repeat performance, Tom Tancredo came in 2nd and increased over his grade in the first debate. Knocking John McCain out of 3rd is Duncan Hunter. McCain dropped dearly 10 points under his previous score.

The big news here is that unlike last time when of the three most-correct candidates, only John McCain had a snowball's chance in Hell of winning, Ron Paul not only increased his lead as the best candidate, but has shattered fundraising efforts and now is seen as a viable candidate for the job. In fact, recent polls have shown that when each of these Republicans is pitted against Hillary Clinton - ONLY RON PAUL WINS that matchup.

Again, a reminder that all of the grades are based on the candidate giving the answer that I most agree with - but also, just like last time, CNN readers seems to agree that it was another clear win for Ron Paul.

Posted by CDogg at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)

November 21, 2007

Same old spin - new target

What do you do when an upstart politician makes major headway in the debates and online? Well, if you're the established oligarchy you crush him of course. Just ask Ross Perot or Howard Dean.

The spin machine is working overtime to stop the Dr. Ron Paul movement and today's action is the most offensive yet. After a Zogby blind poll asking people who they would vote for based on his/her answers to a series of questions, most Americans voted overwhelmingly for Republican candidate Dr. Ron Paul. Almost across the board, no matter what the issue, Paul's answers most fit with respondent's answers. It was only among ultra right-wing conservatives given the names of the candidates did another candidate win - Rudolph Giuliani .

So how does Zogby report the poll results? "Giuliani Leads Among Republicans in Latest Blind Bio Survey." When you compare the actual results to the headline reported, it is insane. Ron Pauls blows everyone away across 90% of the survey and they report the one tiny area that Giuliani wins. They know that Americans only read headlines and believe whatever they read.

From the very first Republican debate when he shocked everyone by winning, Dr. Ron Paul has intrigued me - I am going to have to do some more research - there are a couple things I don't like about his platform, but as he is the ONLY one who wants to protect our individual freedoms and the Constitition, he may be the only intelligent choice.

Posted by CDogg at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)

October 09, 2007

Vote for your country - vote for the least funded!

Here's my theory. Whichever candidate raises the MOST money will do the most to repay the fundraisers (i.e. will be a crooked bastard.) The candidates that raise the LEAST money will be the least beholden to special interests. This chart represents campaign funds raised to date.

It looks like Mike Gravel and Ron Paul are the best candidates of the two parties. Find flaw in the logic - I dare you!

Posted by CDogg at 10:49 AM | Comments (3)

July 24, 2007

CNN/YouTube Debate

First off, let me say that I was at a dinner meeting and unable to watch the debates live last night, so preface this post with the fact that it is just a first impression. I will break down each question and answer later tonight or tomorrow (when I have time) and once again produce my debate report card ala the last Republican and Democratic debates.

Wow! I just love the format of the debate. Real people asking real questions and if the opening comment by Chris in Portland, Oregon is any indication about the tone of the debate, it should be good. Can you imagine a debate in which the candidates answer the actual questions and don't try to spin? I know, its probably too much to ask.

The other cool thing about this debate is that it is ALL available online! Geez, a so-called Democratic society actually giving full access to the people... what's next? Actual separation of church and state? (I know... baby steps, right?)

Oh, and there's still time to get your video questions in for the Republican debate!

Posted by CDogg at 08:48 AM | Comments (0)

June 25, 2007

Bong Hits 4 Free Speech?

The Supreme Court ruled against the Alaskan high school kid that held up a sign "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" as the Olympic torch passed near Juneau in 2002. The school district suspended him and thus began the court battle.

While your first impulse might be to lambast the court for yet another infringement on our rights, namely freedom of speech, not so fast. Many reporters fail to leave out a very important fact in this case... the student was taking part in an officially school-sanctioned event. In addition, the kid's sign was advocating an illegal activity.

This is not a case of a school district being able to limit what students do in their free time. This does not mean that schools can sack a student for having a controversial MySpace or Facebook page. It just means that while taking part in a school activity, you have to obey the guidelines of conduct set forth by the school.

I'd be the first one to defend the prankster if the facts were different. This never was a free speech case... it was simply a case of not wanting to take your punishment when you break the rules.

Posted by CDogg at 01:59 PM | Comments (2)

Geez... you guys corner the market on suck

Okay, the right wing is full of evildoers that want nothing more than to sell you on every product possible, steal your liberties, and treat you like mindless masses to be controlled and coerced through fear-mongering. So I guess the answer is the left wing? Uh... not so fast. Even when lefties have valid points like "Hey, I'd like to breath cleaner air" or "it sure would be nice if the insurance companies didn't rape us," they do it in such a whiny way that the message is lost.

I recently filled my podcast listening list with a whole bunch of left wing political shows and I cannot get through even one episode of each before unsubscribing. These guys (and gals) are such namby-pamby complainers that it is unlistenable. Why can't they stick to the facts... the facts certainly bear out a lot of bad things being done by the right wing. Instead they spend their time either screaming that George Bush is evil, or laughing at his intelligence after each flubbed sound bite. Both may be true but how is that a useful podcast? Everyone knows he is not the most eloquent speaker to ever hold the office. Does making fun of him advance any liberal cause? No.

Listen up liberals... if you want to bring our soldiers home, tell us why. If you want to clean up polluting industries, tell us why. If you want to bring our health care system from the worst among industrialized nations to the best, tell us how. If you want to fix the campaign finance system, tell us how. Give us the facts... not hyperbole and scare mongering. We get enough of that from the right wing.

To me, it is all just more proof that both "sides" are in cahoots. Neither offers substance, both offer emotion. What's the answer? Think for yourself. Don't believe the spew - left or right.

Posted by CDogg at 09:51 AM | Comments (4)

June 06, 2007

Rep'in the right

Ooh boy - more fun political stuff. I watched last nights debate with rapt attention - tally sheet in hand. As with the Democratic debate of a few days ago, everytime a candidate says the right thing (i.e. something I agree with) he gets a check in the "Right" column. Everytime something wrong is said, a check in the "Wrong" column. Also, everytime there is an attempt to spin or dodge the question, there was a check in the "Dodge" column. In addition to totals for the entire debate, the answers were broken down by subject matter as well.

The subject headings used were: War, Immigration, Environment, Healthcare, Domestic Issues, Foreign Affairs, and Economy. The percentages are a bit misleading because some candidates may not have mentioned a topic at all while others may have harped on the same subject over and over. (I.e. you could get five check marks on Economy good, bad, or dodge, but never mention Environment at all.) All of the stats are available here, but here are some interesting results.

Combined, the candidates answered the majority of the questions wrong by a narrow margin and spin versus the dems was slightly higher.
40.2% Right
40.6% Wrong
19.1% Spin

The top three spin-masters: Although overall spin was higher with the Republicans, nobody did more spinning than Hillary Clinton's 38.5%.
33.3% Sam Brownbeck
27.8% Mitt Romney
23.7% Rudy Guliani

Unlike the Democrats where the spinners also gave the most wrong answers, only Rudy Guliani was in both the spin and wrong lists.
52.6% Rudy Guliani
51.9% Mike Huckabee
50.0% Duncan Hunter

The big surprise again was who most often chose the right answers:
83.3% Ron Paul
57.9% Tom Tancredo
51.4% John McCain

Out of a whopping 256 total comments by all candidates only 5 times was the economy mentioned. Just as the dems seemed to ignore the environment, this is an area avoided by Republicans.

Further proof that immigration is the big non-issue distraction, Republicans got it right only 48.1% of the time. (It should be noted that this is far better than the Democratic consensus.)

Again, this report card is NOT who I think would be the best candidate from the bunch... it is a grade based on how they handled the issues brought up. I was shocked to see Ron Paul so clearly win this debate and apparently CNN readers agreed.

Posted by CDogg at 08:00 AM | Comments (4)

June 04, 2007

Dems the breaks

Okay, its time to do a review of the Democratic Debate on CNN Sunday. Here is how the scores are determined. Everytime a candidate says the right thing (i.e. something I agree with) he gets a check in the "Right" column. Everytime something wrong is said, a check in the "Wrong" column. Also, everytime there is an attempt to spin or dodge the question, there was a check in the "Dodge" column. In addition to totals for the entire debate, the answers were broken down by subject matter as well.

The subject headings used were: War, Immigration, Environment, Healthcare,Domestic Issues, Foreign Affairs, and Economy. The percentages are a bit misleading because some candidates may not have mentioned a topic at all while others may have harped on the same subject over and over. (I.e. you could get five check marks on Economy good, bad, or dodge, but never mention Environment at all.) All of the stats are available here, but here are some interesting results.

All candidates combined answered the majority of the questions right.
65.4% Right
21.2% Wrong
13.4% Spin

The top three spin-masters:
38.5% Hillary Clinton
20.0% Barrack Obama
13.3% Chris Dodd

It follows that the spinners were also most often wrong:
30.8% Hillary Clinton
30.0% Barrack Obama
26.7% Chris Dodd

The big surprise was who most often chose the right answers:
95.5% Dennis Kucinich
87.5% Mike Gravel
76.0% John Edwards

The biggest shock for me was how out of 179 total comments by all candidates only 4 times was the environment mentioned. Maybe everyone assumed it is a foregone conclusion that environmental issues are important and felt there was not much to differentiate themselves from the others.

Immigration was another disappointing area as nobody said the right thing more than Bill Richardson and he was only right 50% of the time. As a whole, the candidates got immigration right only 21.4% of the time. Lots of talk about silly fences and no real meat about the issue.

This report card is NOT who I think would be the best candidate from the bunch... it is a grade based on how they handled the issues brought up.

EDIT: Of the candidates witha chance to win, John Edwards was the clear winner.

Posted by CDogg at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)

May 12, 2007

Hate Crime Law - another attack on the Constitution

A lot has been said recently about the bill HR 1592 that passed the House of Representatives last week. Some are calling it a beacon of light in the darkness of hate speech... others are calling it another nail in the coffin of the Constitution. Unfortunately, even more have no idea was it is. Let's clear that part up at least... it is a law intended to make penalties for "hate crimes" stiffer than those for the same crime without "hatred." Are you kidding me?

The first problem is defining a "hate crime." It is defined as the commission of a crime because of the victim’s race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Seriously, if you murder someone without thinking bad thoughts about them, the penalty would be less that if you "hated" them first. Think about that... we are talking about "thinking." The proponents of the bill have admitted that "hate speech" could be criminalized after this bill passes.

The bill threatens not only the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech, but also the Tenth Amendment. Don't remember that one? It's the most abused and ignored of the original Bill of Rights. It's the one that states the ONLY three crimes under the pervue of the federal government are piracy, treason, and counterfeiting. That's it! The remainder of lawmaking duties and decisions are reserved for individual states.

This is dumb legislation that does nothing other than spend $300 million and chip away at the Bill of Rights.

I was thinking how much I hated weeds yesterday when I was killing some growing by my tomatoes - uh oh!

Posted by CDogg at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)

May 09, 2007

This could get him fired it he HAD a job

Al Sharpton's recent comments about Presidential candidate Mitt Romney are further proof that he is the king of hypocrisy.

"..as for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway."

He lambasts Don Imus for casting aspersions on his show (the format of which is all about such comments) and then goes off on Romney and basically dismisses the entire LDS religion. This from the "Reverend" Al Sharpton.. a supposed "man of god." Way to turn the other cheek, Sharpy.

This from the same guy who, in 1994 said, "White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it."

Posted by CDogg at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)

May 01, 2007

Still no debate online?

I looked everywhere to find a full video of the recent Democratic Presidential Debate. What is the deal? Can someone tell me why this isn't available online? Of all the crap on the Internet, shouldn't something as basic as the discourse over our next President be easier to find? Is there some grand conspiracy... does MSNBC hold the pay-per-view rights or plan on releasing it as a DVD later? I have news for you - you won't make any money off the thing.

The other possible answer is that I just haven't found it. If you TiVo'ed it or know where I can find it online, shoot me an email. I really wanna hear what kind of nonsense they are tossing around.

Posted by CDogg at 09:17 PM | Comments (0)

April 15, 2007

Junk science, operant conditioning, or do we just hate each other?

With the whole Imus brewhaha still making mountains out of molehills, Dateline NBC revisited a study they reported on a couple years back. In the study, subjects were shown a series of words (positive and negative) and told to click on one of two keys corresponding with GOOD or BAD. Next, they were show a series of faces (black and white) and told to click on one of two keys corresponding with African American or European American. The test continued by placing BAD on the same side and African Americans and GOOD alongside the European American. Now, the words and pictures flashed and the subjects were to click right or left as they came up. The final step was to combine BAD with the European American and GOOD with the African Americans. The test creators claimed that the number of mistakes you make at this point suggests varying degrees of preference for one race over another.

Hmmm... the first three rounds train you to do one thing and then when they change the rules suddenly your mistakes are supposed to be a window to your REAL feelings about other races. It is my contention, that although I took the test and scored right in the middle (ie. NO automatic preference for Black or White people,) I would have made the same number of mistakes when the tables were turned had the BAD and GOOD been replaced with RED and GREEN. It was the conditioning that was crosswired, not some deep-seated feelings that African Americans are more RED or European Americans are more GREEN.

The researchers (from Harvard) claim that the test passes scientific scrutiny, but one of my major courses of study in college was psychology, and I have to think that it is not so clear.

Want to discover your inner racist? Take the test online.

Posted by CDogg at 10:42 PM | Comments (1)

March 01, 2007

Please don't support this madness

What is up with St. Patrick's Day COSTUMES? Since when did it become the norm to wear a green wig, a leprechaun suit, and various other garb? Since Wal-Mart told you it was cool.

I was walking through Wal-Mart today and saw the wigs, the costumes, and even a St. Patrick's Day spa gift basket... HUH? What the heck is that about? This was originally a day set aside to honor Saint Patrick. What does that have to do with green bubble bath... or drinking yourself stupid for that matter? It is all rather odd.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that a religious holiday is celebrated by drinking and (now) leprechaun costumes. After all, the birth of Christ is celebrated by purchasing Tickle Me Elmo and trying to outdo your neighbor's lighting display... heck, the Ascension is celebrated not by some sort of reverent honoring of the event, but by a giant rabbit that drops colored chicken eggs and chocolates... it makes perfect sense to me. haha

I truly believe that if Wal-Mart put up a St. Paddy's display showing that we should wear rubber poo on our shoulder, people would do it.

Posted by CDogg at 03:19 PM | Comments (1)

January 23, 2007

My response to the State of the Union Address

Okay, as I have done in the past, I am going to print the President's entire State of the Union speech with my comments (in red) throughout. The last time I did this was in his 2003 State of the Union speech. You are warned... this is a loooooong post.

---------------
Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

This rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour — when decisions are hard and courage is tested. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors under way, and others that are ours to begin.

In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies — and the wisdom to face them together.

Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate — and I congratulate the Democratic majority. Congress has changed, but our responsibilities have not. Each of us is guided by our own convictions — and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes:

To extend this Nation's prosperity … to spend the people's money wisely (it was good to hear a politician refer to it as our money) … to solve problems, not leave them to future generations … to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us.

We are not the first to come here with government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on — as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, and help them to build a future of hope and opportunity — and this is the business before us tonight. okay, the rah-rah politicking ends here

A future of hope and opportunity begins with a growing economy — and that is what we have. We are now in the 41st month of uninterrupted job growth — in a recovery that has created 7.2 million new jobs (standard number massaging... new jobs does NOT count jobs lost... only those added lose 10 jobs and 7 find work is creating 7 NEW jobs) … so far. Unemployment is low, inflation is low, and wages are rising. (have your wages rose? compensation for CEOs is growing like mad... but not the average person's salary... it has shrunk) This economy is on the move — and our job is to keep it that way, not with more government (first sleight-of-hand... remember he says NOT with more government - remember that) but with more enterprise.

Next week, I will deliver a full report on the state of our economy. Tonight, I want to discuss three economic reforms that deserve to be priorities for this Congress.

First, we must balance the federal budget. We can do so without raising taxes. What we need to do is impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C. We set a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009 — and met that goal three years ahead of schedule. Okay, LEARN the difference between debt and deficit... the deficit was cut... all that means is that the DEBT is not growing as fast as it was... it is still growing at a rate higher than at any time since the Reagan era) Now let us take the next step. In the coming weeks, I will submit a budget that eliminates the federal deficit within the next five years. I ask you to make the same commitment. Together, we can restrain the spending appetite of the federal government, and balance the federal budget.

Next, there is the matter of earmarks. These special interest items are often slipped into bills at the last hour — when not even C-SPAN is watching. In 2005 alone, the number of earmarks grew to over 13,000 and totaled nearly $18 billion. Even worse, over 90 percent of earmarks never make it to the floor of the House and Senate — they are dropped into Committee reports that are not even part of the bill that arrives on my desk. You did not vote them into law. I did not sign them into law. good move, but he is just jumping on the bandwagon of legislation already in progress via the Democratic congress)

Yet they are treated as if they have the force of law. The time has come to end this practice. So let us work together to reform the budget process … expose every earmark to the light of day and to a vote in Congress … and cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session. Wanna be bold - do the RIGHT thing... eliminate them! Don't play semantics by reducing them in half

Finally, to keep this economy strong we must take on the challenge of entitlements. Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are commitments of conscience — and so it is our duty to keep them permanently sound. Yet we are failing in that duty — and this failure will one day leave our children with three bad options: huge tax increases, huge deficits, or huge and immediate cuts in benefits. Everyone in this Chamber knows this to be true — yet somehow we have not found it in ourselves to act. So let us work together and do it now. With enough good sense and good will, you and I can fix Medicare and Medicaid — and save Social Security. There is NO evidence that those programs are failing... this a political Chewbacca aimed at privatizing the ONLY working social program in the US... bad news

Spreading opportunity and hope in America also requires public schools that give children the knowledge and character they need in life. Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act — preserving local control, raising standards in public schools, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap. Because the Department of Education is a bloated bureaucracy, I do believe that privitization through a voucher system or similar program is the right move. For it to be successful for all Americans and not just another way for the rich to get ahead... these private schools must NOT be able to refuse entry to ANYONE.

Now the task is to build on this success, without watering down standards … without taking control from local communities … and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools … and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose something better.

We must increase funds for students who struggle — and make sure these children get the special help they need. And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future, and our country is more competitive, by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children — and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law. Increasing funding for bloated and worthless programs is NOT the answer... see previous post

A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available health care. When it comes to health care, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. We will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs. But many Americans cannot afford a health insurance policy.

Tonight, I propose two new initiatives to help more Americans afford their own insurance. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. Families with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $15,000 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income. With this reform, more than 100 million men, women, and children who are now covered by employer-provided insurance will benefit from lower tax bills. Its a start, but a comprehensive healthcare program like those in the UK and Canada seem to work fine and should be strongly considered.

At the same time, this reform will level the playing field for those who do not get health insurance through their job. For Americans who now purchase health insurance on their own, my proposal would mean a substantial tax savings — $4,500 for a family of four making $60,000 a year. And for the millions of other Americans who have no health insurance at all, this deduction would help put a basic private health insurance plan within their reach. Changing the tax code is a vital and necessary step to making health care affordable for more Americans. Solving social issues through the tax code is really moronic - instead ditch the tax system in favor of a national sales tax. Don't tax healthcare, food, or housing. Housing tax exemptions should be for primary residences ONLY and should have a limit tied to the amount of the average house to ensure that multi-million dollar mansions are not exempt

My second proposal is to help the states that are coming up with innovative ways to cover the uninsured. States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick. I have asked the secretary of Health and Human Services to work with Congress to take existing federal funds and use them to create "affordable choices" grants. These grants would give our Nation's governors more money and more flexibility to get private health insurance to those most in need. I am in favor of anything that returns power from the national government to the states... but I have to look into this.

There are many other ways that Congress can help. We need to expand Health Savings Accounts … help small businesses through Association Health Plans … reduce costs and medical errors with better information technology … encourage price transparency … and protect good doctors from junk lawsuits by passing medical liability reform. And in all we do, we must remember that the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors. Typical right-wing approach to healthcare... reform medical liability. This is WAAAY wrong. When one of these huge corporations screws over the little guy, their liability is the ONLY recourse. This is standard big business legislation painted as help for the little guy

Extending hope and opportunity in our country requires an immigration system worthy of America — with laws that are fair and borders that are secure. When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country. To secure our border, we are doubling the size of the Border Patrol Remember that comment earlier about smaller government? Doesn't sound like it to me — and funding new infrastructure and technology. Anytime immigration is brought up... think RED HERRING... it is put in to distract you from the real issues

Yet even with all these steps, we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border, and that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis. As a result, they won't have to try to sneak in — and that will leave border agents free to chase down drug smugglers, and criminals, and terrorists. We will enforce our immigration laws at the work site, and give employers the tools to verify the legal status of their workers — so there is no excuse left for violating the law. We need to uphold the great tradition of the melting pot that welcomes and assimilates new arrivals. And we need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country, without animosity and without amnesty.

Convictions run deep in this Capitol when it comes to immigration. Let us have a serious, civil and conclusive debate — so that you can pass, and I can sign, comprehensive immigration reform into law.

Extending hope and opportunity depends on a stable supply of energy that keeps America's economy running and America's environment clean. For too long our nation has been dependent on foreign oil. And this dependence leaves us more vulnerable to hostile regimes, and to terrorists — who could cause huge disruptions of oil shipments … raise the price of oil … and do great harm to our economy.

It is in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply — and the way forward is through technology. Standard operating procedure for Bush when it comes to energy and the environment is to sell us on NEW technology... as long as it is based on future developments, they don't have to live up to it. We can do things NOW! We must continue changing the way America generates electric power — by even greater use of clean coal technology (this is one of the worst environment moves EVER... clean coal is not clean because you call it clean. Just as a friendly kick in the groin is not friendly... it is a scam and backward thinking …solar and wind energy … and clean, safe nuclear power (nice to hear him mention the words solar and wind... but the focus is still on BAD, old technologies like "safe" nuclear - another "friendly" kick) . We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, (the batteries exist... stop selling it as a future technology) and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol … using everything from wood chips, to grasses, to agricultural wastes.

We have made a lot of progress, thanks to good policies in Washington and the strong response of the market. Now even more dramatic advances are within reach. Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we have done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next ten years — thereby cutting our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East. (that is far from a lofty goal... it took us less time to go to the moon... 2017 is another one of these FUTURE things designed to keep the natives from getting restless. DEMAND that we do it NOW!!! Do not be deceived ALL of this technology is NOW available)

To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 — this is nearly five times the current target. (2017... more future talk... the standards can be improved twice as much, twice as fast without new technologies or losses to car manufacturers) At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks — and conserve up to eight and a half billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017. (easy for him to say... he won't be driving in 2017...)

Achieving these ambitious goals will dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will not eliminate it. So as we continue to diversify our fuel supply, we must also step up domestic oil production in environmentally sensitive ways. (Here comes the attack on the environment. We don't need to further rape our natural resources, we need to use solar, wind, and other CLEAN technologies that are currently available) And to further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply, I ask Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. (more smoke and mirrors... we are NOT on the verge... we have the technologies, but there is actual legislation in place that is slowing introduction or blocking it altogether. Stop lying to the public and do the right thing!) These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment — and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change. (I am pleased to hear him say the words... although he has said nothing that indicates he will pay more than lip service to the issue )

A future of hope and opportunity requires a fair, impartial system of justice. The lives of citizens across our nation are affected by the outcome of cases pending in our federal courts. And we have a shared obligation to ensure that the federal courts have enough judges to hear those cases and deliver timely rulings. As president, I have a duty to nominate qualified men and women to vacancies on the federal bench. And the United States Senate has a duty as well — to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.

begin patriotic theme music for the don't dare disagree with this section part of the speech

For all of us in this room, there is no higher responsibility than to protect the people of this country from danger. Five years have come and gone since we saw the scenes and felt the sorrow that terrorists can cause. We have had time to take stock of our situation. We have added many critical protections to guard the homeland. We know with certainty that the horrors of that September morning were just a glimpse of what the terrorists intend for us — unless we stop them.

With the distance of time, we find ourselves debating the causes of conflict and the course we have followed. Such debates are essential when a great democracy faces great questions. Yet one question has surely been settled that to win the war on terror we must take the fight to the enemy.

From the start, America and our allies have protected our people by staying on the offense. The enemy knows that the days of comfortable sanctuary, easy movement, steady financing, and free flowing communications are long over. For the terrorists, life since Nine-Eleven has never been the same.

Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have prevented — but here is some of what we do know: We stopped an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the tallest building on the West Coast. We broke up a Southeast Asian terrorist cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States. We uncovered an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America. And just last August, British authorities uncovered a plot to blow up passenger planes bound for America over the Atlantic Ocean. For each life saved, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave public servants who devote their lives to finding the terrorists and stopping them.

Every success against the terrorists is a reminder of the shoreless ambitions of this enemy. The evil that inspired and rejoiced in Nine-Eleven is still at work in the world. And so long as that is the case, America is still a nation at war.

In the minds of the terrorists, this war began well before September 11, and will not end until their radical vision is fulfilled. And these past five years have given us a much clearer view of the nature of this enemy. Al Qaeda and its followers are Sunni extremists, possessed by hatred and commanded by a harsh and narrow ideology. Take almost any principle of civilization, and their goal is the opposite. They preach with threats … instruct with bullets and bombs … and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent.

Our enemies are quite explicit about their intentions. They want to overthrow moderate governments, and establish safe havens from which to plan and carry out new attacks on our country. By killing and terrorizing Americans, they want to force our country to retreat from the world and abandon the cause of liberty. They would then be free to impose their will and spread their totalitarian ideology. Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: "We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse." And Osama bin Laden declared: "Death is better than living on this Earth with the unbelievers among us."

These men are not given to idle words, and they are just one camp in the Islamist radical movement. In recent times, it has also become clear that we face an escalating danger from Shia extremists who are just as hostile to America, and are also determined to dominate the Middle East. Many are known to take direction from the regime in Iran, which is funding and arming terrorists like Hezbollah — a group second only to al Qaeda in the American lives it has taken.

The Shia and Sunni extremists are different faces of the same totalitarian threat. But whatever slogans they chant, when they slaughter the innocent, they have the same wicked purposes. They want to kill Americans … kill democracy in the Middle East … and gain the weapons to kill on an even more horrific scale.

In the sixth year since our nation was attacked, I wish I could report to you that the dangers have ended. They have not. And so it remains the policy of this government to use every lawful and proper tool of intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and military action to do our duty, to find these enemies, and to protect the American people.

This war is more than a clash of arms — it is a decisive ideological struggle, and the security of our nation is in the balance. To prevail, we must remove the conditions that inspire blind hatred, and drove 19 men to get onto airplanes and come to kill us. What every terrorist fears most is human freedom — societies where men and women make their own choices, answer to their own conscience, and live by their hopes instead of their resentments. Free people are not drawn to violent and malignant ideologies — and most will choose a better way when they are given a chance. So we advance our own security interests by helping moderates, reformers, and brave voices for democracy. The great question of our day is whether America will help men and women in the Middle East to build free societies and share in the rights of all humanity. And I say, for the sake of our own security … we must.

In the last two years, we have seen the desire for liberty in the broader Middle East — and we have been sobered by the enemy's fierce reaction. In 2005, the world watched as the citizens of Lebanon raised the banner of the Cedar Revolution … drove out the Syrian occupiers … and chose new leaders in free elections. In 2005, the people of Afghanistan defied the terrorists and elected a democratic legislature. And in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections — choosing a transitional government …adopting the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world & and then electing a government under that constitution. Despite endless threats from the killers in their midst, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote in a show of hope and solidarity we should never forget.

A thinking enemy watched all of these scenes, adjusted their tactics, and in 2006 they struck back. In Lebanon, assassins took the life of Pierre Gemayel, a prominent participant in the Cedar Revolution. And Hezbollah terrorists, with support from Syria and Iran, sowed conflict in the region and are seeking to undermine Lebanon's legitimately elected government. In Afghanistan, Taliban and al Qaeda fighters tried to regain power by regrouping and engaging Afghan and NATO forces. In Iraq, al Qaeda and other Sunni extremists blew up one of the most sacred places in Shia Islam — the Golden Mosque of Samarra. This atrocity, directed at a Muslim house of prayer, was designed to provoke retaliation from Iraqi Shia  and it succeeded. Radical Shia elements, some of whom receive support from Iran, formed death squads. The result was a tragic escalation of sectarian rage and reprisal that continues to this day.

This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we are in. Every one of us wishes that this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned, and our own security at risk. Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.

We are carrying out a new strategy in Iraq — a plan that demands more from Iraq's elected government, and gives our forces in Iraq the reinforcements they need to complete their mission. Our goal is a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.

In order to make progress toward this goal, the Iraqi government must stop the sectarian violence in its capital. But the Iraqis are not yet ready to do this on their own. So we are deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq. The vast majority will go to Baghdad, where they will help Iraqi forces to clear and secure neighborhoods, and serve as advisers embedded in Iraqi Army units. With Iraqis in the lead, our forces will help secure the city by chasing down terrorists, insurgents, and roaming death squads. And in Anbar province — where al Qaeda terrorists have gathered and local forces have begun showing a willingness to fight them — we are sending an additional 4,000 United States Marines, with orders to find the terrorists and clear them out. We did not drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq.

The people of Iraq want to live in peace, and now is the time for their government to act. Iraq's leaders know that our commitment is not open ended. They have promised to deploy more of their own troops to secure Baghdad — and they must do so. They have pledged that they will confront violent radicals of any faction or political party. They need to follow through, and lift needless restrictions on Iraqi and Coalition forces, so these troops can achieve their mission of bringing security to all of the people of Baghdad. Iraq's leaders have committed themselves to a series of benchmarks to achieve reconciliation — to share oil revenues among all of Iraq's citizens … to put the wealth of Iraq into the rebuilding of Iraq … to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's civic life … to hold local elections … and to take responsibility for security in every Iraqi province. But for all of this to happen, Baghdad must be secured. And our plan will help the Iraqi government take back its capital and make good on its commitments.

My fellow citizens, our military commanders and I have carefully weighed the options. We discussed every possible approach. In the end, I chose this course of action because it provides the best chance of success. Many in this chamber understand that America must not fail in Iraq because you understand that the consequences of failure would be grievous and far reaching.

If American forces step back before Baghdad is secure, the Iraqi government would be overrun by extremists on all sides. We could expect an epic battle between Shia extremists backed by Iran, and Sunni extremists aided by al Qaeda and supporters of the old regime. A contagion of violence could spill out across the country — and in time the entire region could be drawn into the conflict.

For America, this is a nightmare scenario. For the enemy, this is the objective. Chaos is their greatest ally in this struggle. And out of chaos in Iraq, would emerge an emboldened enemy with new safe havens … new recruits … new resources … and an even greater determination to harm America. To allow this to happen would be to ignore the lessons of September 11 and invite tragedy. And ladies and gentlemen, nothing is more important at this moment in our history than for America to succeed in the Middle East … to succeed in Iraq … and to spare the American people from this danger.

This is where matters stand tonight, in the here and now. I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you have made. We went into this largely united — in our assumptions, and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure. Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq — and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field — and those on their way.

The war on terror we fight today is a generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others. That is why it is important to work together so our nation can see this great effort through. Both parties and both branches should work in close consultation. And this is why I propose to establish a special advisory council on the war on terror, made up of leaders in Congress from both political parties. We will share ideas for how to position America to meet every challenge that confronts us. And we will show our enemies abroad that we are united in the goal of victory.

One of the first steps we can take together is to add to the ranks of our military — so that the American Armed Forces are ready for all the challenges ahead. Tonight I ask the Congress to authorize an increase in the size of our active Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 in the next five years. (another increase in our goverment... ooops, I forgot I can't speak during this section) A second task we can take on together is to design and establish a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps. Such a corps would function much like our military reserve. It would ease the burden on the Armed Forces by allowing us to hire civilians with critical skills to serve on missions abroad when America needs them. And it would give people across America who do not wear the uniform a chance to serve in the defining struggle of our time.

Americans can have confidence in the outcome of this struggle — because we are not in this struggle alone. We have a diplomatic strategy that is rallying the world to join in the fight against extremism. In Iraq, multinational forces are operating under a mandate from the United Nations  and we are working with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Gulf States to increase support for Iraq's government. The United Nations has imposed sanctions on Iran, and made it clear that the world will not allow the regime in Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons. With the other members of the Quartet — the UN, the European Union, and Russia — we are pursuing diplomacy to help bring peace to the Holy Land, and pursuing the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.

In Afghanistan, NATO has taken the lead in turning back the Taliban and al Qaeda offensive  the first time the Alliance has deployed forces outside the North Atlantic area. Together with our partners in China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, we are pursuing intensive diplomacy to achieve a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. And we will continue to speak out for the cause of freedom in places like Cuba, Belarus, and Burma — and continue to awaken the conscience of the world to save the people of Darfur.

(huh... what... its over... okay... where were we?)

American foreign policy is more than a matter of war and diplomacy. Our work in the world is also based on a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We hear the call to take on the challenges of hunger, poverty, and disease — and that is precisely what America is doing. We must continue to fight HIV/AIDS, especially on the continent of Africa — and because you funded our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the number of people receiving life-saving drugs has grown from 50,000 to more than 800,000 in three short years. I ask you to continue funding our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.

I ask you to provide $1.2 billion over five years so we can combat malaria in 15 African countries. I ask that you fund the Millennium Challenge Account, so that American aid reaches the people who need it, in nations where democracy is on the rise and corruption is in retreat. And let us continue to support the expanded trade and debt relief that are the best hope for lifting lives and eliminating poverty. (hey, I have nothing against helping these people... but remember your citizens... remember those who are paying ALL of these bills... remember that 40% of us do not have healthcare? Just reminding you)

When America serves others in this way, we show the strength and generosity of our country. These deeds reflect the character of our people. The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage, and self sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look — and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.

(better end on a positive note... why not point out some heartwarming stories about things you had nothing to do with)

Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine  but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: "Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things." And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.

After her daughter was born, Julie Aigner-Clark searched for ways to share her love of music and art with her child. So she borrowed some equipment, and began filming children's videos in her basement. The Baby Einstein Company was born and in just five years her business grew to more than $20 million in sales. In November 2001, Julie sold Baby Einstein to the Walt Disney Company, and with her help Baby Einstein has grown into a $200 million business. Julie represents the great enterprising spirit of America. And she is using her success to help others producing child safety videos with John Walsh of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Julie says of her new project: "I believe it's the most important thing that I've ever done. I believe that children have the right to live in a world that is safe." We are pleased to welcome this talented business entrepreneur and generous social entrepreneur Julie Aigner-Clark.

Three weeks ago, Wesley Autrey was waiting at a Harlem subway station with his two little girls, when he saw a man fall into the path of a train. With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks … pulled the man into a space between the rails … and held him as the train passed right above their heads. He insists he's not a hero. Wesley says: "We got guys and girls overseas dying for us to have our freedoms. We got to show each other some love." There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey.

Tommy Rieman was a teenager pumping gas in Independence, Kentucky, when he enlisted in the United States Army. In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire  and used his body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs — yet he refused medical attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack, firing grenades at the enemy's position. For his exceptional courage, Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and gratitude of our whole country.

In such courage and compassion, ladies and gentlemen, we see the spirit and character of America — and these qualities are not in short supply. This is a decent and honorable country — and resilient, too. We have been through a lot together. We have met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence — because the State of our Union is strong … our cause in the world is right … and tonight that cause goes on.

(If you read this far... congratulate yourself for being an informed American and for caring enough about your country to listen to all points of view)

Posted by CDogg at 09:22 PM | Comments (0)

January 22, 2007

Presidential Candidates - so far

Here are the candidates that have officially stated they will be running for President in 2008. There are several others that will for sure be in the running, but just haven't filed their papers yet.

Democrats
* Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
* Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina
* Former Senator Mike Gravel of Alaska
* Representative Dennis Kucinich of Ohio
* Former Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa
* Senator Barack Obama of Illinois
* Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York

Republicans
* Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas
* John H. Cox of Illinois
* Michael Charles Smith of Oregon

Libertarian
* Steve Kubby of California
* George Phillies of Massachusetts
* Christine Smith of Colorado

So what do I think of the lineup? Hmmm... I only see one I would vote for right now... and for the first time in my life, it is a Democrat. Nope not Ms. Coattails, Hillary... John Edwards. Not only does he "get it" when it comes to podcasts (he has been podcasting for over a year now) but he seems to understand that old world politics as usual will no longer work. Am I deluded enough to think that any of these candidates will be GREAT for America? Nope.

Although John McCain hasn't officially filed, chances are he will be in the running for the Republicans. In the past, he would have been the clear choice, but he lost a lot of credibility over the past eight years by going with the flow and leaving his ideals on the campaign trail. To my eyes, he became a lapdog for the Bush administration.

I will most likely continue my streak of the past 16 years and vote for an Independent (assuming someone decent steps up and runs.)

Posted by CDogg at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)

January 10, 2007

Not convinced

So the new plan is to have 21,000 new troops, a BOATLOAD of new money, and a grid system of dividing up Baghdad... THAT's the solution to the Iraq War? I'm just not seeing it.

I am assuming that the bad guys are smart enough to move their operations a couple miles down the road. Then do we add another 20,000 troops for the next town? Seriously, nobody can think this is going to work.

If you want to win a war militarily, you need to wipe out the enemy. Kill the opposition and put your guys in power. War itself is one of the stupidest things ever created by man. The whole idea of fighting a civilized war is retarded. Not only is it the mother of all oxymorons, but it is an affront to decency.

Kill your enemy and get it over with or get the heck out of dodge. Anything in between is a waste of money, a waste of human lives, and like I said... retarded.

Posted by CDogg at 08:37 PM | Comments (2)

December 06, 2006

Iraq Study Group? Huh?

Does anyone else find this whole thing just a bit weird? Maybe it is the conspiracy theorist in me, but I don't remember voting ANY of the Iraq Study Group into office, so why should they be directing public and international policy? In a time when our freedoms and the constitution are increasingly being challenged, it seems a scary precedent to me.

I am not naive enough to think that there is no precedent for "think tanks." I know all about the Brookings Institute, the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, the Cato Institute, and the dozens of others. What is odd is the degree to which this group has been given a public platform. Have you ever seen a report from the Cato Institute preempt television and given live coverage?

I am not sure yet what the implications of this who's who of former policy and lawmakers really are... I just know that it doesn't jibe with history nor my understanding of a representative republic.

Posted by CDogg at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2006

Another one bites the dust - Rumsfeld Resigns

What do you do when the country sends a clear message through the polls that they are tired of the direction you are taking the country? What do you do when they take away your majority in Congress and even take back a half dozen governerships?

You toss your warbird on the altar and give him up as a sign that you are going to move more toward the will of the people.

I was a bit disappointed in Bush's speech about Rumsfeld's departure. He said the voting was a result of his opponents running "a disciplined campaign and getting out the vote." Hey George, what about the people wanting our government to PAY ATTENTION to what WE think is important and to stop feeding at the public trough at the expense of our pocketbooks and our children's lives overseas? What about congratulating the people for doing the right thing... not your political opponents for a "good match."

Even if your elected officials won't recognize what the American citizens have accomplished, I will...

THANK YOU FOR VOTING AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

Posted by CDogg at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2006

We get the government we deserve

TODAY


IS THE DAY!!!

Posted by CDogg at 06:59 AM | Comments (1)

October 30, 2006

Dirt Dobbers

That is the name we used for a family of wasps common throughout Texas - the Mud Dauber. They are so named because they construct their nests from mud. I am not referring to these non-aggressive wasps, but instead to the battle for Tom Delay's vacated 22nd congressional district in Texas. The Dobbers in question are Shelley Sekula-Gibbs and Nick Lampson.

Nick is the lesser of the mud slingers as he has only pointed out things such as Sekula-Gibbs accepting a pay raise while on Houston's City Council. That isn't a big deal until you put it in light of the fact that she voted against a police pay raise and the majority of her council counterparts refused their raises.

The real dirt is being tossed about by Sekula-Gibbs who asserts that Nick Lampson's values include "violence and sexually explicit games to children" and "is for abortion."

Neither seems to stand for anything themselves, as both are focused on why the other sucks so bad. It makes you proud to be an American.

Posted by CDogg at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)

October 23, 2006

CIVIC DUTY TIME AGAIN!

Early voting begins today. It is the only true way to exercise your rights, so please go vote.

Here it is - you already have all the grades, but here is the final tally with the scores weighted*.

* according to what I think is most important

One final thought - a surefire way to improve the body of our elected officials:

It doesn't matter if you agree with anything I have written. All that matters is you exercise your right and vote!

Posted by CDogg at 08:37 AM | Comments (1)

October 19, 2006

Down and dirty Senate race

Tonight was the debate between U.S. Senate candidates, Republican Kay Baily-Hutchison, Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky and Libertarian Scott Jameson. Geez, talk about a kiss the pig contest... nobody wins, not even the pig.

I will however, stand by my motto:

In this case, it means vote for anyone except Kay Bailey-Hutchison. Why? Try this one for size... how about the fact that not only do Senators and Congressmen get retirement for life after only one term, but they have the best health care in the world - ALL PAID FOR BY YOU!!!

If you don't think its right for them to have free healthcare for life when you have to scrimp to pay the premiums on insurance that never seems to cover your symptoms... then you must VOTE 'EM OUT!!!

Posted by CDogg at 09:53 PM | Comments (0)

Moyers in Net Neutrality

Finally, someone has laid it out in plain English. The issue of Net Neutrality was spelled out beautifully by Bill Moyers on PBS last night. If you get a chance to bit torrent, rip, cajole, or steal this show* - WATCH IT! Not only does it explain what the folks at Save the Internet have been on about, it also gives an overview of the problems with media consolidation.

In my opinion, this issue is second only to cleaning up our environment in importance. The Internet is the ONLY place where free speech is flourishing. If the cable and phone companies are allowed to create their multi-tiered system, it is not a stretch to assume that they will squelch opinions that disagree with their own, and more importantly, the people whose campaigns they supported to get the legislation passed. Do not be mistaken - this is a NOT a Republican versus Democrat thing... it was Clinton that signed into law two of the most aggregious pieces of legislation weakening the fair playing field created way back in the 30s.

In fact, both the Christian Coalition AND MoveOn.org agree that we need to reinstate Net Neutrality laws!! EVERY thinking American should agree and let their elected officials know their thoughts.

* - you can click on the Bill Moyers link to watch it online if you are not into all that chacanery

Posted by CDogg at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)

October 17, 2006

Governor Candidates - Your Voting Report Card

It is time for the fourth installment of your candidate report cards.

Immigration - see previous post (value 1)
Education - see previous post (value 3)
Taxes - see previous post (value 4)
Healthcare - see previous post (value 2)
Environment - the mother of all issues. A healthier environment will help education and healthcare and without it, nothing else matters. (value 5)

Its time for Environment...

Read on for an explanation of the grades

Perry on the Environment - Perry is by far the weakest on the environment. His ties to coal and oil are obvious in initiatives created to assist those industries. His focus on renewable energy sources is also the least aggressive.

Bell on the Environment - he is fairly aggresive on renewable energy legislation. Bell proposes legislation requiring 15% renewable by 2015.

Friedman on the Environment - he is a big fan of alternative fuels and he is the only candidate that will publicly say that global warming exists. Friedman proposes legislation requiring 20% renewable by 2020.

Strayhorn on the Environment - no real plan at all.

Werner on the Environment - overall, he is actually worse than Perry in that he wants the health of our environment handed over to private companies. Not only does he trust them to "do the right thing" despite a long history of corporate rape of the environment, Werner would like our state parks handed over to private companies as well.

Posted by CDogg at 06:36 PM | Comments (0)

October 15, 2006

Governor Candidates - Your Voting Report Card

It is time for the fourth installment of your candidate report cards.

Immigration - see previous post (value 1)
Education - see previous post (value 3)
Taxes - see previous post (value 4)
Healthcare - we have more non-insured people than almost every other state. The fact that without insurance our choices are often poverty or death is a major problem. (value 2)
Environment - the mother of all issues. A healthier environment will help education and healthcare and without it, nothing else matters. (value 5)

Its time for Healthcare...

Read on for an explanation of the grades

Perry on Healthcare - like everyone else, he wants to expand the programs that are not in contention CHIP and Medicaid. The bulk of his other healthcare initiatives when you strip out all the "we need to be leaders" rhetoric comes down to getting our kids to exercise more by spending money in the school.

Bell on Healthcare - he is very long on pointing out problems, but his solutions do not address the root causes. Bell wants to expand all the feel-good programs such as CHIP and Medicaid, but has no solutions for the average Texan who is not a child or senior.

Friedman on Healthcare - the fact that the best grade in healthcare belongs to the candidate with no plan at all is scary. Once again Friedman is full of criticism, but proposes no alternative.

Strayhorn on Healthcare - she is also a supporter of expanding CHIP and Medicaid but not much else. She suggests that small business "should" pool together to get insurance. Geez, Grandma, thanks for the help.

Werner on Healthcare - no real plans for dealing with healthcare. His only statements seem to favor putting healthcare only in the hands of private enterprise.

Posted by CDogg at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)

October 13, 2006

Governor Candidates - Your Voting Report Card

It is time for the third installment of your candidate report cards.

Immigration - see previous post (value 1)
Education - see previous post (value 3)
Taxes - all the corruption is our government has been paid for on the backs of homeowners and small businesses. (value 4)
Healthcare - we have more non-insured people than almost every other state. The fact that without insurance our choices are often poverty or death is a major problem. (value 2)
Environment - the mother of all issues. A healthier environment will help education and healthcare and without it, nothing else matters. (value 5)

Its time for Taxes...

Read on for an explanation of the grades

Perry on Taxes - one of his worst grades. He touts the $2,000 real estate tax cut that nobody ever got, calling it the largest tax cut in state history. The problem is that it was a TAX SWAP. Not only was the cut almost non-existant to everyone except for the very wealthy, he created the largest tax INCREASE in state history on the backs of small business and smokers.

Bell on Taxes - he gets a C because like many other issues, he simply does not address it. For Bell to ignore such a big issue makes me think he doesn't intend to offer any tax relief.

Friedman on Taxes - he is our winner on the tax issue. Not only does he propose a repeal of the new Perry business taxes, but a cap on state spending and a cap on property tax increases at 3%, which is far below the current 10%.

Strayhorn on Taxes - she does want to repeal the business tax which is a positive, but other than that Strayhorn does not go into much detail about changes.

Werner on Taxes - the bravest of all positions on the issue, Werner proposes no property taxes and instead replace them with a state sales tax. While I really like the idea of this tax system, his notions of privatizing many of the state departments is a bit scary.

Posted by CDogg at 06:17 PM | Comments (1)

October 11, 2006

Governor Candidates - Your Voting Report Card

It is time for the second installment of your candidate report cards.

Immigration - see previous post (value 1)
Education - this is a much more important issue as Texas lags behind most states. The current system is definitely broken. (value 3)
Taxes - all the corruption is our government has been paid for on the backs of homeowners and small businesses. (value 4)
Healthcare - we have more non-insured people than almost every other state. The fact that without insurance our choices are often poverty or death is a major problem. (value 2)
Environment - the mother of all issues. A healthier environment will help education and healthcare and without it, nothing else matters. (value 5)

Let's move on to Education...

Read on for an explanation of the grades

Perry on Education - more spending is his solution. Welcome to the new face of Republican politics, intent on outspending the Democrats.

Bell on Education - he is high on complaints about the current system, but low on solutions. Where's the beef?

Friedman on Education - although he criticizes the TAKS system, he doesn't really have an agenda when it comes to education. No plans, just criticisms.

Strayhorn on Eduction - she wants to solve everything with increased spending. Oh, and she would like the TAKS testing to be done at the beginning of the year instead of the end.

Werner on Education - chalk one up for the Libertarian. Werner's voicher system will give Texans freedom to send their children to the school of their choice. He does not address things like the TAKS testing.

Posted by CDogg at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2006

144 - YouTube, MySpace and Abortions

#144 - YouTube: how it ends. The ending of the Abortion Con. The end of politics for a bit.

(Time: 17:59)

Linkies
The Jeep Song - Lee Coulter
Mr. Lovely - Beth Thornley
MySpace
YouTube
Google

Call in and leave a voicemail for the show! 206-202-3644

Posted by CDogg at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)

October 09, 2006

Governor Candidates - Your Voting Report Card

Well, its that time. Its time to start rating the candidates according to their past deeds and future plans for the great state of Texas. As I mentioned earlier, I will be grading them on the following issues.

Immigration - this is the least important issue. It is really a smoke screen to keep us busy arguing and overlooking the important issues. (value 1)
Education - this is a much more important issue as Texas lags behind most states. The current system is definitely broken. (value 3)
Taxes - all the corruption is our government has been paid for on the backs of homeowners and small businesses. (value 4)
Healthcare - we have more non-insured people than almost every other state. The fact that without insurance our choices are often poverty or death is a major problem. (value 2)
Environment - the mother of all issues. A healthier environment will help education and healthcare and without it, nothing else matters. (value 5)

Let's start with Immigration...

Read on for an explanation of the grades

Perry on Immigration - He actually has a pretty decent plan... afterall, since it is so much of a non-issue, it is hard to get a bad grade in this. Perry wants to spend more money to lock down the border, install cameras etc... he just doesn't go after the root cause.

Bell on Immigration - He attacks the root cause and proposes stiff penalties to companies for hiring illegals. Duh! Why is it that nobody else seems to understand this one? He also is not in favor an across-the-board immunity which is the case with many Democrats.

Friedman on Immigration - He seems to take the best of both Perry and Bell, increase border security and fine the corporations heavily. In addition, he proposes a licensing of guest workers that pass criminal background checks.

Strayhorn on Immigration - She seems only to insist that it needs to be fixed, but doesn't propose any ideas or plans.

Werner on Immigration - He proposes what to me is probably the worst solution. Throw open the borders allowing for the free movement of people back and forth. His plan rests on the assumption that as millions of illegals stream across the border, they will create a need for more jobs thus increasing the economy. Scary

Posted by CDogg at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)

October 02, 2006

When in the course of human events...

Our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to this country and the freedoms it represented.

Do you know ANY of your currently elected officials that would pledge their lives, their fortunes or their (yeah right) sacred honor to this country?

"...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government"

---Declaration of Independence

Posted by CDogg at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)

September 30, 2006

Who should be Texas' next Governor?

Longtime readers of this blog will know that prior to a major election, I break down the candidates, their positions on key issues and give them a report card. I do it not only to spread information about the candidates free of political and media bias, but to help make my own decision on how to vote. Unlike 90% of the voters, I go into every election without a preconceived favored party or candidate.

To refresh, during the presidential campaign in '04, I would take each subject as a blog entry (environment, war on terror, economy, etc.) and rate the candidates. Then when all was done, I gave a final report card.

The candidates that I will be grading are:

Republican Party
Rick Perry - incumbant

Democratic Party
Chris Bell - Former Congressman, Former Houston City Councilman & Attorney.

Independant
Richard "Kinky" Friedman - Country Music Singer, Mystery Author, and Jewish Cowboy.
Carole Keeton Strayhorn - Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, former Railroad Commissioner, former City of Austin Mayor, and former Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees President.

Libertarian
James Werner - Sales Consultant

The issues:

Education
Immigration
Taxes
Environment
Healthcare
Transportation

Posted by CDogg at 04:36 PM | Comments (2)

September 26, 2006

Boy, I wish I had time to podcast right now

Wow! I think I just heard the stupidest thing ever from a radio station. Okay, well maybe not the stupidest, but man it was sure up there. The Troubleshooter, Tom Martino is on KTRH right now. He does a great show where he goes after crooked businesses that rip people off... fun stuff - but boy did he stray.

As I was shaving to head out of town and see my mother, I heard him blaming the violence in our society on movies like Jackass. Because we watch people getting hurt and laugh, we are more prone to acts of violence. Because we laugh when a midget (his words) comes on screen, we are more prone to acts of violence. Tom, Tom, Tom... please stick to consumer advocacy.

What about the tens of thousands of people dying overseas? What about a news report every other day about a dozen here and two dozen there killed? Are you kidding me? Jackass is the reason for a our violence? What about the despair felt by our citizens who are told one day "be afraid, terrorists could kill you at any second," and the next day told "okay, you can carry liquids on planes again, but still be very afraid?" How about every newscast covering only the bad things going on locally, nationally, and internationally? How about having to work your ass off to pay your bills and then in the richest country in the HISTORY OF THE WORLD... not being able to afford health care. What about the fear that your next illness will be the one that bankrupts you?

Johnny Knoxville is the root of all evil? Come on, Martino... quit being a moron and go fight Joe's Tires on their return policy. Stick to something you understand.

UPDATE: Minutes after sending a link to this post to the Tom Martino show, I received this response:

Thanks for the feedback. I read your blog! Of course, I disagree ... but that's America.

Tom

Thank you, Tom for responding and in retrospect, moron was too strong... you are a very intelligent person. I was just shocked when I heard you giving a stupid movie so much credit for screwing up our society.

Posted by CDogg at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)

September 25, 2006

The first time I have liked him

I have never been a big fan of President Bill Clinton... well, that was until Sunday. Clinton appeared with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday and was asked. "Why didn't you do more to put bin Laden and Al Qaeda out of business when you were president?"

He was miffed at the accusation and returned the inquiry with passion and yes, indeed, some actual facts about why more was not done to stop Bin Laden. Namely, that there was not enough solid information to warrant attacking Bin Laden.

This wasn't the slimy, conniving Clinton. This wasn't the womanizing, sleazeball Clinton. This wasn't even the hair-dying politician, fibbing Clinton. It was a real. It was Clinton as a real person. Maybe because he isn't running for office anymore, he feels he can speak freely... who knows. Regardless of the reason, it is the first time I have liked him.

Got 10 minutes? Watch it

Posted by CDogg at 08:08 AM | Comments (0)

August 15, 2006

Want politicians to start listening to the people?

Posted by CDogg at 10:49 PM | Comments (1)

August 10, 2006

Alright - scurry to your holes

"MASS MURDER ON AN UNIMAGINEABLE SCALE!!" That is what was splashed all over the television screens around the world today. Give me a break! This is more scaremongering to "keep us in our place." Apparently, we have been complaining too much about things like the price of gas and various other annoyances. It was about to time to remind us all of the dreaded "Terror Alert Scale."

Just like the HUGE plot foiled involving Canadian terrorists... this is much ado about nothing. These guys in London did NOT have the bomb ingredients. They have been under surveillance for months and months. They only recently began looking into flight schedules. Sure, it was time to bust the ring... but they were NEVER a threat.

Oh yeah and now we can't carry a Dr. Pepper or toothpaste with us on flights. This from the same morons that limited us to two books of matches. Am I the only one that finds this all somewhere between laughable and enough to bring you to tears?

There is ONLY ONE SOLUTION to all of this garbage. VOTE in the midterms, but more importantly, vote out every single incumbant. We need to start cleaning house, and returning the power to the citizens. I for one, am tired of being the victim of their gross incompetence, gross dishonesty, gross abuse of power, and gross distortion of the truth.

PS. This is not an anti-Republican rant... BOTH sides of the political spectrum are guilty of not giving a damn about the citizens. They ALL must go!

Posted by CDogg at 11:08 PM | Comments (0)

June 28, 2006

Finally a little common sense

Well the Senate failed to pass a constitutional admentment that would ban desecration of the flag. Good! Come on... if we cannot protest by burning a flag, then we have truly lost our freedom of speech. I would much rather have some flag-hating whacko burn up the stars and stripes than get on a rooftop and start shooting. Sometimes, to maintain freedome for all, we have to give a little freedom to a nut job.

Its a small price to pay, as watching someone burn Old Glory doesn't hurt America, heck, it doesn't even hurt my feelings. I can't see why anyone would spend money on a flag just to make a statement burning it anyway. I mean come on... isn't that what blogs are for? If stopping Flag-burnin' Frannie from doing her thing means that eventually I might have to watch what I say in my blog... that would be too big a price.

Plus, a constitutional amendment to ban flag desecration would also render some other bits of Americana illegal.


Technically, these are all desecrations of the flag and it would certainly make for a boring 4th of July celebration without the festive paper plates and cups.

Posted by CDogg at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)

June 24, 2006

More Chuck Norris

On an IMDB message board about the Turkish film Kurtlar vadisi - Irak, someone tried to lighten the mood with this...

PS....Drop Chuck Norris in the middle east and he will find and eliminate Bin laden in less than 2 weeks.

Are you kidding me... drop Chuck Norris' sweat in the middle east and IT will vaporize Bin-laden INSTANTLY!!!

Posted by CDogg at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)

June 21, 2006

See the silly monkey?

WAKE UP!!!!

Do you guys really think the biggest problem facing our country is illegal immigrant laborers that have been a part of our society for over a hundred years?

Please wake up and see who is selling this hyperbole and ask yourself what they are trying to make you forget.

Come on.. there are dozens of problems more pressing than securing our borders from hard workers. It is a classic case of "sleight of hand." Remember the fact that our health care and prescription drug systems are both the most expensive in the world and are NOT the envy of ANY industrialized nation? Remember the fact that we are now happy with gas selling for over $3.00 a gallon? Remember the fact that we are forced to carry insurance for everything under the sun, but NOT allowed to make any claims? Remember the fact that our water is polluted, our air is unbreathable, and cancers are at an all time high? Oh yeah, and then there is this little thing of a war that has been going on for four years now... Come on people... you really think sending Juan the landscaper home is what everyone should be talking about? Shame on them for selling it to us and shame on us for even giving it a second thought.

Posted by CDogg at 06:11 PM | Comments (4)

June 03, 2006

Save the Internet

Posted by CDogg at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)

May 31, 2006

Screw Dallas!

Less than a year after the city of Houston opened their hearts and homes to Katrina refugees from New Orleans, East Texas, and Mississippi, Dallas has stated that they will be unable to fulfill the housing needs suggested by the recent state evacuation plan.

The plan would call for the Dallas area to house as many as 40,000 "special needs" evacuees from Harris County (Houston) in the event of disaster here. Dallas' City Manager said that they would not be able to fulfill the request.

Citizens of Houston are up in arms about the perceived snubbing by Dallas and the citizens of Dallas are up in arms about the perceived unreasonable request in the state emergency evacuation plan.

I say screw Dallas. If they cannot agree to assist the elderly and infirmed, then they are scum to me. We housed waaaay more than that number of able-bodied evacuees without even batting an eye.

I spent a great deal of time in Dallas a few years back when I had an office there. My impression then was that they were just a hick city that wanted to pretend they were cosmopolitan. They were plastic people, with plastic faces and fake bodies. They were 100% appearance over substance... they were shallow. I know that there are good people there, but this has done nothing to help that image.

Despite my disgust with the city of Dallas, we will still assist them if a disaster strikes their city... because we are good, hard-working, honest people that care about our fellow man. Shame on you, Dallas.

Posted by CDogg at 10:44 AM | Comments (2)

May 13, 2006

Cisneros misses the boat...

First off, the illegal immigrants are here. The reason they are here is because there is opportunity here. The opportunity, although small in our eyes, is huge to the people of Mexico. The promise of America is great even when you are just picking from the table scraps.

Henry Cisneros was on a panel for the PBS show NOW. He was trying his hardest to make this a racial issue. He went so far as to say that the reason the American public does not want these illegal aliens is because they "look different." His solution was to "get over it." Mr. Cisneros, who was indicted on 18 counts of conspiracy, giving false statements and obstruction of Justice... is hardly a good representative for what those immigrants which I have come to see as a hard-working, and honest people... nor is he a good representative for any honest people. His attempt to create a race issue that doesn't exist is just wrong.

I don't pretend to have the answer to this issue... what I do know is that Mr. Cisneros' approach is entirely wrong.

Posted by CDogg at 09:42 AM | Comments (1)

May 01, 2006

While we are not paying attention...

The Texas legislature is about to pass the single largest tax increase in Texas history! The worst part is that nobody is talking about it, nobody even knows about it. TODAY, your elected representatives will vote on HB3, the Perry/Dewhurst Business Tax. This tax will CRIPPLE small business in the state.

The few people that are talking about it are selling it as a way to reduce real estate property taxes... that is a total whitewash. The average homeowner will save only $15 a year in property tax... but the average small business will be crushed. Texas will become the ONLY state in the nation with such a tax on businesses and because it unfairly targets small business, (which employs more people than any other sector) it will have a devastating effect on ALL Texans.

The vote is TODAY! Write your elected representatives and call their switchboards now... tell them to vote NO to the Perry/Dewhurst Business Tax.

Don't know your Senator? Click HERE and put your zip code in the form at the bottom of the page.

Posted by CDogg at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)

April 10, 2006

Immigrant Protest

So what is my take on the immigrant protests? I am 100% for those that are marching. The hispanic community is in many ways the backbone of our society. Because of the dirty little secret that is illegal immigrant labor, our society runs. They do the jobs that most Americans won't. They work in the restaurants, they work on the highways, they work in construction, they work in landscaping... they work in every single walk of life. They work hard to improve their station in life and work toward legalization. All they want is to take part in the American Dream.

You see second generation hispanic Americans that are becoming the doctors, lawyers, etc. in our society. They are productive and respectable citizens. They are hard workers and good neighbors. They are doing what our ancestors did without the benefit of citizenship.

The proposed immigration law is not a good law. It criminalizes the wrong things and encourages the wrong things. It is one part feel-good "look, we're doing something about the border" legislation and one part big business putting the squeeze on small business. It is a BAD BILL!!!

Here is how to fix the law...

1 - deport all the senators and congressmen
2 - legalize all the hispanic illegals

Problem solved.

Oh yeah - and while you're at it... no tax deductions or exemptions for companies with over 100 employees. There, now all the problems are solved.

Posted by CDogg at 03:58 PM | Comments (4)

January 22, 2006

60 Minutes Gets Kinky - Why the Hell Not?

Most Texans have now heard that Kinky Friedman is running for Governor. Those who didn't know, certainly will after this week's episode of 60 Minutes.

Due to some very quirky voting laws (designed to keep out independant candidates) there are some specific steps you need to take in order to vote for Kinky. His website lists three steps:

Easy as 1-2-3
Getting on the ballot as an independent in Texas isn't easy for candidates, and the rules can be confusing for voters as well. That's why we've boiled it down into three easy steps. If you want to see Kinky in the governor's mansion, the three steps are what you have to do.

What are you waiting for?
1. Register (click to head to his registration form.)

Please note: you must be registered to vote in order to sign Kinky's petition. The form on this page ONLY registers you with the Kinky campaign as a person interested in signing Kinky's petition. You must also register to vote in Texas.

Register with the State of Texas:
Make sure you're registered to vote. You can get a printable form from the Secretary of State's office by clicking here. This is the easiest way to make sure you're registered.

2. Don't vote in the primaries
We know it's an odd request, but Texas law says that you can't sign Kinky's petition if you vote in the primaries of either party, so stay away from the polls on March 7th.

3. Sign Kinky's petition
You can only sign one petition, so make sure it's the Kinkster's! We can't start gathering signatures until AFTER the primary (another quirk of state law). But on March 8th, we'll start in earnest. Keep coming back to the web site to find out more about how you can sign the petition. Meanwhile, why not get involved working for