Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Neither ElephantClubDC nor its parent company, The Ivory Tusk Group, LLC, support substance abuse
Of any variety. [While shaking head, saying under breath]: GoogleAds.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Marco Rubio for Senate
Marco Rubio has a genuine appreciation for America and the principles of Freedom and Liberty that have made the U.S. that beacon on the hill.
Like so many of ours did, Marco Rubio's parents also looked to America for refuge. A place of protection from world tyrants. As he states in this video, Washington seems more interested in mimicking the rest of the world, instead of leading by example as we have done for 234 years.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Corporate Tax Reduction=Government's Surest Way to Restore Actual Economic Growth
The gubernatorial campaign in Utah is an interesting contest. Not because the candidates are polling neck and neck (because the are not), but because of the rhetoric--and even more--the ideologies behind the rhetoric.
Forbes Magazine just ranked Utah number one on their list: Best States for Business and Careers. Over the last five years, Utah's economy has grown at a steady 3.5% year-over-year. Utah's corporate tax rate has dropped from 7% to 5%. The state's unemployment level has remained solidly below the national average and household incomes have increased by 5%, twice the rate of the state in second place. Additionally, the quality of life measurement inside the state is well above the national average.
By all measures, Utah is doing all the right things to ensure a strong economic environment for businesses and, by extension, for all of Utah's citizens.
Now, back to the Utah governor's race. Governor Gary Herbert, who was installed as governor after President Obama appointed then-governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. ambassador to China, is running for governor on the Republican ticket.
He has been instrumental in attracting new employers into the state. He has actively held meetings with existing Utah business owners. Governor Herbert has not hidden his support for or his support from the business community.
Salt Lake County mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Peter Corroon, has taken every opportunity he could find to accuse Governor Herbert of dishonesty and unethical fundraising. Instead of offering new ideas, Corroon has found corruption where none exists and has blatantly lied about several issues he has made his talking points.
For example, the Federal Bureau of Land Management had granted a contract to one of Governor Herbert's donors. Showing his ignorance of process and his desperation--without any grounds for suspicion, let alone a public accusation--Mayor Corroon wondered aloud whether or not the governor's office had awarded the bid because of a campaign donation. Unfortunately for Corroon's argument, the bureaucracy in the Federal BLM is not headed or influenced by individual governors or their staffers.
Corroon has also spent roughly six months talking about large campaign donations to the governor that have coincided with meetings the governor has taken with executives from several corporations. Apparently, he wants increased corporate taxes and punishment for politicians and companies that are negotiating special arrangements to expand the number of jobs within the state.
Peter Corroon may wonder why these business leaders are not donating to him. Evidently, he does not need corporate donations. The unions in the right-to-work state of Utah have been very generous.
This should be a big indicator of who would be the better governor between the two: the guy whose supporters create jobs for the state, or the one whose supporters limit jobs through inflated benefits and incomes which come as a result of the bullying tactics of their contract negotiators.
Think about this: for every ten union members costing their companies ten percent more than fair market value for their work, there is just over one capable worker whom the employer can no longer afford to hire. At this rate, if unions were universal, there would be an automatically built-in unemployment rate of 10%. Imagine how dire the US employment numbers would look if all other variables were added to this base of 10%.
Union benefits are great for the members--while they last. But as can be seen from utility companies to state agencies, from auto workers to police officers, the pensions, retirement funds and health benefits are unsustainable. They literally bankrupt companies, municipalities and agencies. The results hurt more than just the retirees and corporate executives, they effect all employees and their families. The tax base shrinks, social program expenditures skyrocket and the country's economic well-being takes a hit that could last a generation or more.
With that possibility at the back of your mind, what seems like a larger ethical misstep: incentivizing employers to come setup shop in the state with tax breaks or crippling the state's economy through attacks on corporations and politicians endeavoring to simplify the expansion of the state's workforce?
Another example is education. Mayor Corroon intentionally misled voters on the number of high school credits Utah requires of their students to graduate. Both Corroon and his running mate claimed that Utah's education requirements are so insufficient that Utah's high school grads have to take remedial high school courses at the colleges and universities they attend. Such a system does not actually exist in America's standard institutions of higher learning.
The Corroon campaign's claim was that Utah only requires 18 "core" credits to graduate, compared to a national average of 20.8 hours, or a regional average of 22.7 hours. The problem with his numbers is that Utah requires 18 core credits and six elective hours, totaling 24 required credit hours to graduate. Each of the other cited states' numbers included electives.
When asked about the inconsistency between the campaign's claim and actual facts, would-be Lieutenant Governor Allen retorted that the numbers did not matter...Mayor Corroon's vision for education is bigger than simple numbers--the very numbers they created to frame their attacks on the state's education system.
It ought to be mentioned, also, that Peter Corroon claimed in a live debate that Governor Herbert is the most corrupt governor since Rod Blagojevich. An exceptionally baseless personal attack.
In sum, we see that Corroon's ideology brings a class-based, "get-even" approach to the economy, demonstrably false claims of supporting the working class, and blatant deception for political gain.
Governor Herbert's ideology, in contrast, strengthens the working-class by enabling its members to be self-sufficient. And with a self-sufficient citizenry, most all other community shortcomings are overcome.
Forbes Magazine just ranked Utah number one on their list: Best States for Business and Careers. Over the last five years, Utah's economy has grown at a steady 3.5% year-over-year. Utah's corporate tax rate has dropped from 7% to 5%. The state's unemployment level has remained solidly below the national average and household incomes have increased by 5%, twice the rate of the state in second place. Additionally, the quality of life measurement inside the state is well above the national average.
By all measures, Utah is doing all the right things to ensure a strong economic environment for businesses and, by extension, for all of Utah's citizens.
Now, back to the Utah governor's race. Governor Gary Herbert, who was installed as governor after President Obama appointed then-governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. ambassador to China, is running for governor on the Republican ticket.
He has been instrumental in attracting new employers into the state. He has actively held meetings with existing Utah business owners. Governor Herbert has not hidden his support for or his support from the business community.
Salt Lake County mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Peter Corroon, has taken every opportunity he could find to accuse Governor Herbert of dishonesty and unethical fundraising. Instead of offering new ideas, Corroon has found corruption where none exists and has blatantly lied about several issues he has made his talking points.
For example, the Federal Bureau of Land Management had granted a contract to one of Governor Herbert's donors. Showing his ignorance of process and his desperation--without any grounds for suspicion, let alone a public accusation--Mayor Corroon wondered aloud whether or not the governor's office had awarded the bid because of a campaign donation. Unfortunately for Corroon's argument, the bureaucracy in the Federal BLM is not headed or influenced by individual governors or their staffers.
Corroon has also spent roughly six months talking about large campaign donations to the governor that have coincided with meetings the governor has taken with executives from several corporations. Apparently, he wants increased corporate taxes and punishment for politicians and companies that are negotiating special arrangements to expand the number of jobs within the state.
Peter Corroon may wonder why these business leaders are not donating to him. Evidently, he does not need corporate donations. The unions in the right-to-work state of Utah have been very generous.
This should be a big indicator of who would be the better governor between the two: the guy whose supporters create jobs for the state, or the one whose supporters limit jobs through inflated benefits and incomes which come as a result of the bullying tactics of their contract negotiators.
Think about this: for every ten union members costing their companies ten percent more than fair market value for their work, there is just over one capable worker whom the employer can no longer afford to hire. At this rate, if unions were universal, there would be an automatically built-in unemployment rate of 10%. Imagine how dire the US employment numbers would look if all other variables were added to this base of 10%.
Union benefits are great for the members--while they last. But as can be seen from utility companies to state agencies, from auto workers to police officers, the pensions, retirement funds and health benefits are unsustainable. They literally bankrupt companies, municipalities and agencies. The results hurt more than just the retirees and corporate executives, they effect all employees and their families. The tax base shrinks, social program expenditures skyrocket and the country's economic well-being takes a hit that could last a generation or more.
With that possibility at the back of your mind, what seems like a larger ethical misstep: incentivizing employers to come setup shop in the state with tax breaks or crippling the state's economy through attacks on corporations and politicians endeavoring to simplify the expansion of the state's workforce?
Another example is education. Mayor Corroon intentionally misled voters on the number of high school credits Utah requires of their students to graduate. Both Corroon and his running mate claimed that Utah's education requirements are so insufficient that Utah's high school grads have to take remedial high school courses at the colleges and universities they attend. Such a system does not actually exist in America's standard institutions of higher learning.
The Corroon campaign's claim was that Utah only requires 18 "core" credits to graduate, compared to a national average of 20.8 hours, or a regional average of 22.7 hours. The problem with his numbers is that Utah requires 18 core credits and six elective hours, totaling 24 required credit hours to graduate. Each of the other cited states' numbers included electives.
When asked about the inconsistency between the campaign's claim and actual facts, would-be Lieutenant Governor Allen retorted that the numbers did not matter...Mayor Corroon's vision for education is bigger than simple numbers--the very numbers they created to frame their attacks on the state's education system.
It ought to be mentioned, also, that Peter Corroon claimed in a live debate that Governor Herbert is the most corrupt governor since Rod Blagojevich. An exceptionally baseless personal attack.
In sum, we see that Corroon's ideology brings a class-based, "get-even" approach to the economy, demonstrably false claims of supporting the working class, and blatant deception for political gain.
Governor Herbert's ideology, in contrast, strengthens the working-class by enabling its members to be self-sufficient. And with a self-sufficient citizenry, most all other community shortcomings are overcome.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
This was the clip I had intended to share from Ezra Taft Benson
This one talks about Soviet leaders visiting America and belittling her systems. Listen to the claims both men made of the future and ask if we, as Americans, are doing our part to preserve our freedoms. Which system is prevailing?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
Ezra Taft Benson's Warning on Socialism Here and Abroad
Ezra Taft Benson, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower, shares what have become timeless admonitions on the onward march of Socialism. Enjoy!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Chris Christie defines the sides in his current battle.
We need more leaders like this man.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2
An amoral, non-religious assessment of homosexuality and the political environment surrounding it.
My first statement in this undertaking is as follows: I believe that one is entitled to make all personal decisions one wants in determining the direction and quality of one's own life.
My second statement is that I also believe that a set of consequences is naturally bound to every action one takes.
The final disclaimer I wish to make, prior to proceeding, is that honesty and truth are part of natural law. There are absolutes in the universe; either the earth was created or it just happens to be. Either OJ Simpson was involved in his wife's murder or he was not. Regardless of opinions, beliefs, arguments and perceptions, certain things are absolute and unchangeable. These absolutes are absolutes independent of popular culture or society's trending norms.
Now, I will get right into it. From a normative point of view, one's sexuality ought not be the subject of anything in the public sphere. A homosexual's preferences and practices should be kept private, as should a heterosexual's. The idea of forming a sort of public fraternity based on how one expresses himself or herself sexually is questionable in a civilized society, anyway. Imagine a group of people identifying themselves to the world as "orals", "anals", "consensual pedophiles" or "masturbationists". They would rightfully be viewed by society as deviants, sex-aholics who should enroll in counselling. One could also imagine a society where a group of people, who share in and enjoy certain types of sexual activity, might band together and claim they are being denied their civil rights.
The truth of the matter is that certain members of society, with equal standing under the law as any other member of society, have decided that their participation in a certain type of sexual activity is the main aspect that defines them. These are not only homosexuals. There are also heterosexuals who do a good job of letting people know of their enthusiasm for sexual gratification.
However, it is primarily a vocal, activist movement within the homosexual portion of society (along with the professional offense-takers of the Left) that has politicized their sexuality. I find it uncouth and offensive that anyone would use something as private as sex to make a political point or to get their hands on a microphone and a little attention.
I have known homosexuals that I have not particularly enjoyed, but it had nothing to do with their sexuality, but their personality. Exactly the same way I have enjoyed and not enjoyed certain heterosexuals based on the content of their characters.
Additionally, there has been extra buzz in the media recently about tensions between the LGBT in society and the straight folks. I believe this tension exists, but in my view, it is exaggerated by the two sides. On one hand, the gay community is on heightened alert because of all the attention being grabbed by the vocal members of their side. This leads to over-sensitivity. Anything could be taken as a divisive, hurtful remark.
Then the folks on the straight side feel that the gay community is pushing their stances too hard. This, too, results in over-sensitivity. Even showing up in public sometimes is seen as "taking a stand" or "forcing their lifestyle onto everyone else".
I will now repeat what most everyone's moms have said for years: If everyone would just be themselves, not worrying about what others may think about them, everyone would be getting along. Just have a sense of propriety; keep private things to yourself and close friends, regardless of sexual preferences.
To summarize: A person is a person and we all have the same rights. If you want to be sexually active, regardless of the preference, have a little respect and decency: don't publicize it or politicize it. Or to use the cliche, "Don't kiss and tell". Perhaps Bill Clinton got this one right: Don't ask, don't tell. This should be universal. Gender, preference, ethnicity, race, religion or creed... it does not matter. The thing that makes us similar is that we are all unique. Your quirk is no more special than mine, and vice versa.
Make your own choices in life and stick to them. Be confident and don't go down any paths you will regret or that you won't be able to endure.
My second statement is that I also believe that a set of consequences is naturally bound to every action one takes.
The final disclaimer I wish to make, prior to proceeding, is that honesty and truth are part of natural law. There are absolutes in the universe; either the earth was created or it just happens to be. Either OJ Simpson was involved in his wife's murder or he was not. Regardless of opinions, beliefs, arguments and perceptions, certain things are absolute and unchangeable. These absolutes are absolutes independent of popular culture or society's trending norms.
Now, I will get right into it. From a normative point of view, one's sexuality ought not be the subject of anything in the public sphere. A homosexual's preferences and practices should be kept private, as should a heterosexual's. The idea of forming a sort of public fraternity based on how one expresses himself or herself sexually is questionable in a civilized society, anyway. Imagine a group of people identifying themselves to the world as "orals", "anals", "consensual pedophiles" or "masturbationists". They would rightfully be viewed by society as deviants, sex-aholics who should enroll in counselling. One could also imagine a society where a group of people, who share in and enjoy certain types of sexual activity, might band together and claim they are being denied their civil rights.
The truth of the matter is that certain members of society, with equal standing under the law as any other member of society, have decided that their participation in a certain type of sexual activity is the main aspect that defines them. These are not only homosexuals. There are also heterosexuals who do a good job of letting people know of their enthusiasm for sexual gratification.
However, it is primarily a vocal, activist movement within the homosexual portion of society (along with the professional offense-takers of the Left) that has politicized their sexuality. I find it uncouth and offensive that anyone would use something as private as sex to make a political point or to get their hands on a microphone and a little attention.
I have known homosexuals that I have not particularly enjoyed, but it had nothing to do with their sexuality, but their personality. Exactly the same way I have enjoyed and not enjoyed certain heterosexuals based on the content of their characters.
Additionally, there has been extra buzz in the media recently about tensions between the LGBT in society and the straight folks. I believe this tension exists, but in my view, it is exaggerated by the two sides. On one hand, the gay community is on heightened alert because of all the attention being grabbed by the vocal members of their side. This leads to over-sensitivity. Anything could be taken as a divisive, hurtful remark.
Then the folks on the straight side feel that the gay community is pushing their stances too hard. This, too, results in over-sensitivity. Even showing up in public sometimes is seen as "taking a stand" or "forcing their lifestyle onto everyone else".
I will now repeat what most everyone's moms have said for years: If everyone would just be themselves, not worrying about what others may think about them, everyone would be getting along. Just have a sense of propriety; keep private things to yourself and close friends, regardless of sexual preferences.
To summarize: A person is a person and we all have the same rights. If you want to be sexually active, regardless of the preference, have a little respect and decency: don't publicize it or politicize it. Or to use the cliche, "Don't kiss and tell". Perhaps Bill Clinton got this one right: Don't ask, don't tell. This should be universal. Gender, preference, ethnicity, race, religion or creed... it does not matter. The thing that makes us similar is that we are all unique. Your quirk is no more special than mine, and vice versa.
Make your own choices in life and stick to them. Be confident and don't go down any paths you will regret or that you won't be able to endure.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Phrases and words that have jumped the shark...
* Jumped the Shark
* Double-dip recession
* Thrown under the bus
* Anything from 1990's Jim Carey movies
* ...So... (This word should never be a stand alone sentence. Additionally, it should never be used to end a sentence or thought, but in rare and grammatically correct cases.)
* Synergy in all its forms
* Gravitas
* Paradigm shift
* Outside the box
* Pushing the envelope
* Undocumented workers
* Surreal (Mainly when used by Hollywood actors)
* Serious as a heart attack
* Unexpected (when used to compare actual circumstances to the predictions of expert economists and meteorologists/climatologists)
* Cool beans
* I could care less
* Throw in the towel
* Cliche
* Let me be clear (just be clear, Mr. President)
* Can I ask a question?
* Hope and Change
* Man-made Global Warming (doesn't 'climate change' sound so much better?)
* You know what I mean?
* Ditto
* Apples to apples
* Fair enough
* To be (perfectly) honest
* Happenstance
* E-squeeze me
* Anything from Wayne's World
* Bless his/her heart/soul
* With every fiber of my being
* The popo
* Risky business
* Touch with a 10' pole
* Song and dance
* The whole 9 yards
* Double-dip recession
* Thrown under the bus
* Anything from 1990's Jim Carey movies
* ...So... (This word should never be a stand alone sentence. Additionally, it should never be used to end a sentence or thought, but in rare and grammatically correct cases.)
* Synergy in all its forms
* Gravitas
* Paradigm shift
* Outside the box
* Pushing the envelope
* Undocumented workers
* Surreal (Mainly when used by Hollywood actors)
* Serious as a heart attack
* Unexpected (when used to compare actual circumstances to the predictions of expert economists and meteorologists/climatologists)
* Cool beans
* I could care less
* Throw in the towel
* Cliche
* Let me be clear (just be clear, Mr. President)
* Can I ask a question?
* Hope and Change
* Man-made Global Warming (doesn't 'climate change' sound so much better?)
* You know what I mean?
* Ditto
* Apples to apples
* Fair enough
* To be (perfectly) honest
* Happenstance
* E-squeeze me
* Anything from Wayne's World
* Bless his/her heart/soul
* With every fiber of my being
* The popo
* Risky business
* Touch with a 10' pole
* Song and dance
* The whole 9 yards
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)