Conservatives are screwed…

After watching the debate at the Reagan Library I am convinced that most of the voting American public is politically ignorant. Sadly, people vote based on stupid reasons like race, sex or religion, NOT on issues. This is the only reason that McCain is leading the Republican race, thanks largely to idiots in Florida.

Based on the debate I am more convinced than ever that McCain is a lying, power hungry politician that will drive a wedge right into the heart of the conservative masses. He refuses to stand behind the many bills that bear his name, and he refuses to acknowledge the radical open borders people on his staff. And his repeated fall back to to the buzzword “time table” was downright annoying. I just wish Mitt had point out this little tidbit during the debate: McCain considers setting benchmarks for Iraqis

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.26.2007
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of the most stalwart supporters of the war in Iraq, said Thursday that he might propose that the Iraqi government meet certain benchmarks for the United States to continue its engagement.

Let’s look at some more details of McCain’s record, one that he repeatedly tells us he is proud of. (source):

• McCain-Feingold — the most brazen frontal assault on political speech since Buckley v. Valeo.
• McCain-Kennedy — the most far-reaching amnesty program in American history.
• McCain-Lieberman — the most onerous and intrusive attack on American industry — through reporting, regulating, and taxing authority of greenhouse gases — in American history.
• McCain-Kennedy-Edwards — the biggest boon to the trial bar since the tobacco settlement, under the rubric of a patients’ bill of rights.
• McCain-Reimportation of Drugs — a significant blow to pharmaceutical research and development, not to mention consumer safety (hey Rudy, pay attention, see link).

And McCain’s stated opposition to the Bush 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was largely based on socialist, class-warfare rhetoric — tax cuts for the rich, not for the middle class. The public record is full of these statements. Today, he recalls only his insistence on accompanying spending cuts.

Some more:

• McCain-ACLU — the unprecedented granting of due-process rights to unlawful enemy combatants (terrorists).
• McCain has repeatedly called for the immediate closing of Guantanamo Bay and the introduction of al-Qaeda terrorists into our own prisons — despite the legal rights they would immediately gain and the burdens of managing such a dangerous population.

To add salt to the wound, McCain has two die-hard Pro-Mexico staffers now. One is the open borders bigot Juan Hernandez. A second is Univision founder, open borders, anti-English education bigot Jerry Perenchio. If McCain is elected these two people will be closely involved in writing public policy; a policy in direct contrast with overwhelming conservative opinions on immigration and border security.

McCain is saying whatever he can to win the Presidency and will let ALL of us down once in office, just like GWB has with regard to the border. He is one or two votes away from being a full-fledged Democrat.

Forget the elections… just listen to the press.

Jinkees…

Listening to Laura Ingraham this morning nearly made my head explode. I love Laura, she’s one of the true champions of Conservatism out there. But during her segment with Major Garrett (who ripped Keith Olbermann for his renowned stupidity) both Laura and Major made the statement that Mitt Romney is done if he doesn’t win Michigan. Their confidence concerned me because it sounded just like the mainstream media boneheads that falsely predicted Hillary’s demise in New Hampshire.

In my humble opinion this race is still too early to call, and therefore it is far too early to eliminate any of the leaders in either party. There are two legitimate candidates on the Dem side and three legitimate candidates on the Rep side. If Romney doesn’t win Michigan, who dose? McCain? Huckabee? If either wins I don’t see this as a guarantee for victory or as a death knell for Romney. McCain and Huckabee are mega soft on the border, and the border is one of the top issues for most conservatives. And, the more light we shine on Huckabee the more flaws we see. McCain’s stance on the border will keep him out of the race in many states. It’s just too close to call.

I’m predicting it will be Romney versus Clinton in a very entertaining presidential campaign.

Iowa and New Hampshire: Who cares?

[update: Jan 4, 2008]

Calm down Oprah. Obama has joined a distinguished group of politicians that includes Gore, Harkin, Gephardt and Mondale. These are the previous four Democratic winners in the Iowa caucuses that were selected when a sitting President was not on the ballot.

• Iowa picked Harkin over eventual winner Clinton (Iowa had Clinton 4th)
• Iowa picked Gephardt over eventual nominee Dukakis (he was 3rd behind Tsongas)
• Even in 1976 37% were uncommitted, they had Carter 2nd.

On the Republican side they didn’t do much better.

• They picked GWB correctly.
• When Reagan’s VP was running, the put Bush 3rd behind Dole and Pat Robertson
• When Reagan ran in 1980 Iowa preferred the elder Bush.

Not too impressive, huh?

[original post from  Dec 29, 2007] 

I am so sick of hearing about and reading about Iowa and New Hampshire. Iowa is a great state, I’ve had some of the best corn I’ve ever tasted there. I’ve had lots of fun at the Valaire Ballroom in Des Moines. And New Hampshire is a wonderful place as well. But why should America care who voters pick in the Iowa primary?

Think about it. Here is a list of the winners for each party over the past 30 years:

Iowa
1976 - Ford (R, incumbent), Uncommitted (D = 36%, Carter was second with 28%)
1980 - Bush (R), Carter (D)
1984 - REAGAN (R, incumbent), Mondale (D)
1988 - Dole (R), Gephardt (D)
1992 - Bush (R, incumbent), Harkin (D)
1996 - Dole (R), Clinton (D, incumbent)
2000 - Bush II (R), Gore (D)
2004 - Bush II (R, incumbent), Kerry (D)

The only time that Iowa voters got it right when they weren’t forced to choose against an incumbent was Bush II, v.1. That’s 1:8. Now let’s see how the fine folks in New Hampsha’ fared:

New Hampshire
1976 - Ford (R), CARTER (D)
1980 - REAGAN (R) Carter (D)
1984 - REAGAN (R) Hart (D)
1988 - BUSH (R) Dukakis (D)
1992 - Bush (R) Tsongas (D)
1996 - Dole (R) CLINTON (D)
2000 - McCain (R) Gore (D)
2004 - BUSH II (R) Kerry (D)

Second verse, close to the first. NH got 3:8 when removing the incumbent.

So I ask anyone willing to listen: Why do we still care about how Iowa and New Hampshire vote in the primaries? The world has changed folks… we’ve got instant news, opinions travel at the speed of light and every candidate’s words, facial expressions and body movements are overanalyzed, critiqued and force fed to the masses. Let’s give the vote back to the people and tell the mainstream media to rethink its coverage priorities.

Drive or get the &^%$ off the road!!!

Almost every day I encounter complete idiots on the road, and almost every day I say to myself, “There’s a nice topic for the blog.” Well, now it’s time to pop this emotional zit before I end up on the sad side of a road rage headline.

To whom it may concern:

Owning a car is a privilege, not a right. A drivers license is like a Conceal/Carry Permit. It gives you legal authority to handle a deadly weapon. That being said, you better damned well know how to use it. In an effort to save your life I’m graciously providing a list of things to consider when you see me approaching in your rear view mirror:

• The left lane on the highway is for passing. It is also for driving fast. If you are doing neither, get the hell over. I don’t care if the speed limit is 65 and you are doing 75. If a car is approaching you at a faster speed do the right thing and get over.
• Yield does not mean stop. Stop is spelled S-T-O-P. The stop sign has eight sides, a yield sign has three. They mean different things. If you are a driver that thinks it means “oh my god I need to slam on my brakes because a car might be coming” I pity you. Turn in your license and learn to use mass transit. You will eventually be killed if you continue to drive a car.
• Left on red is 100% legal if you are stopped at a one-way street. Assuming that traffic is moving to your left, you can turn left after coming to a complete stop. So, check for traffic and then get the hell out of my way. Tell a few friends while you are at it. I’m just doing my part to help remove unnecessary congestion on our roads.
• Grab an opening when you see it. When pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street you don’t have to have all three lanes completely vacant before entering the road. You might as well wait for the next friggin’ lunar eclipse. At 5:05pm you’re not going to get many wide open spaces on the access road. Grow a pair and pull out in the first lane. Then try something really daring. Merge!
• If you find yourself behind a driver with large ears or wearing a goofy looking hat, do your best to get around this driver. They are often found driving a large Crown Victoria or similar non-compact vehicle. The mindset is that if old man Hooty gets rear-ended while stopped at a yield sign the behemoth of a vehicle will allow him to live another day.
• Despite what the South thinks, quickly flashing your brights at the car in front of you is not the same as saying “Fuck you!.” It’s a non-verbal way to say “excuse me, I’d like to pass.” Have you been to Europe before? Every been on the Autobahn? Try it sometime, it’s all the rage. If on the other hand I blink my brights out over and over, then keep them on while trying to kiss your bumper with mine, I’m saying “Fuck you!” Either way, get over.
• If you happen to zone out and find yourself driving in the left lane while next to a tractor trailer on your right, pass the damned thing. Staying in their blind spot annoys the truck driver and annoys the 15 cars behind you that would like to pass the truck. Don’t be scared, try the pedal on the right and get around the truck. It won’t blow you off of the road, but I might if you don’t get the hell out of my way.
• If you find yourself on a highway in the left lane with miles of open road in front of you and a line of cars behind you, suck it up and move over. Let go. Figure out some other way to get control of your life. Slowing traffic down by sticking to the speed limit and not letting “the Man” pass you is a sure way to shorten you time here on Earth.

In a nutshell, I’ m just asking you to think about the other drivers on the road. If you aren’t leading you are in the way. Move over. And if I flip you off as I pass, I’m saying fuck you. Feel free to flash your brights right back at me.