Unrest in the Middle East

Recent unrest in the Middle East marked by the Embassy violence in Egypt and Libya have led to a startling turn of events. Its hard to understand why the Obama Administration would allow objections by the Sudan government prevent the sending of Marines to secure the U.S. Embassy in Sudan. Also according to a September 13th  Washington Times article, "U.S. Marines defending the American embassy in Egypt were not permitted by the State Department to carry live ammunition, limiting their ability to respond to attacks like those this week on the U.S. consulate in Cairo."

Read more: http://times247.com/articles/report-embassy-marines-not-allowed-to-carry-ammo#ixzz26ziP5MoA

If Ronald Reagan had been President you would never see the United States leave Embassy's unprotected. Not even George W. Bush would of allowed for such behavior.

Day 1 of Obama Care hearings.

Today saw day one of oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning ACA, or Obama care as we all know it. The issue before the judges was whether an obscure 1867 tax law prohibits lawsuits. Solicitor General Don Verrilli argued that penalty rather than tax,prevents an AIA inquiry. The Affordable Care Act says the cost for not complying with the requirement to obtain health insurance is a penalty, not a tax. If this is the case than the power to tax and spend under the commerce clause of the Constitution would render the insurance provision on the ACA null and void and unconstitutional. There is no way the U.S. Government can argue that a penalty is constitutional under the tax and spend provision of the commerce clause. Stay tuned tomorrow for more coverage of the trial and what it means for the Republic.

1st debate of the Season- Round 1 Iowa

Tonight marks the official start to the Presidential race towards 2012. With 8 challengers striving to differentiate themselves from one another and state the case as to why they should be given the chance to face Obama for the prestigious honor of being President of the United States. Will it be conservative Firebrand Michele Bachmann, the constant Tea Party favorite or perhaps Mitt Romney the perceived front runner and favorite to face Obama. The debate will be interesting to see if any of the 8 candidates can seize on the recent financial events and perhaps offer a common sense approach to solving Americas woes. I am curious to see what the candidates with business backgrounds offer in terms of answers. There is good reason to believe that 2012 will be a very transitional and defining moment for the American Republic. I would be curious to play the what if game of alternative history and see if we would be in the same predicament if Hillary Clinton or John McCain had been elected President instead of Obama.

Lost that lovin feelin?

I've found it disturbing that Congress and the President have decieded that funding for scientific reserch is expendable while at the same time continuing to fund defense spending at an astronomical rate. According to a Fox News article, with the decomissioning of the U.S. Space shuttle program, the defunding of the Tevetron particle accelerator, the U.S. could be losing its edge in key science areas. Russia now posseses the only viable way of getting astronauts to the international space station. The U.S. also will be decontinuing its funding for a telescope that will be replacing the Hubble space telescope. I would certainly hope that the National Science Foundation and Science Board, as well as congress would reconsider funding key science initiatives rather than continuing to fund defense spending.

Get the Deal Done!

It is troubling that congress has been unable to find a solution to the debt ceiling issue. Perhaps the President should sign an executive order raising the debt ceiling by the august 2nd deadline if congress cant find a solution.

Sleepless in the Capitol

An epidemic is sweeping the nations capitol and its not who you think it is. I'm talking about the one-fifths of the House Freshman currently serving in Congress. Yes a recent trend has developed that more and more Congressmen and woman are sleeping in their offices in order to save money and uphold the concept that they are average people just like you and me who don't want to live in D.C. any more than anyone else. The trend of representatives sleeping in their offices dates back to the 1980s and 90s when House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas was known to sleep in his office. I think it is something to think about and to ponder while standing around the water cooler.

START= RED CHINA WINS

I recently saw an article discussing the fact that the final touches were being put on the START treaty before it goes into effect. I do to the bottom of my soul believe that the only one benefiting from the START treaty signed by RUSSIA and the U.S. is the Red Chinese. I think that in the future any arms reduction treaty that is signed must include the Peoples Republic of China. Congress owes the American people that much.

Budget Cuts= Buttered Bread

According to a recent Fox News article concerning a proposed 20 percent cut across the board to federal agencies, I was startled to learn that NASA may have to abandon the international space station. Abandon the International Space Station, are they crazy. I mean the United States is one of the chief supporters of the International Space Station along with other countries around the world and to quit now would not only send a bad message to the American People it would also send a message to the world that the US is no longer a serious player when it comes to technology and space exploration. I would rather see a decrease in defense spending than a decrease in NASA's budget. The day that congress gives up on the ISS is a day that will make Kennedy turn over in his grave.

Crisis in Cairo?

As we all know from the news stories coming out of Cairo and Egypt, the government of Murarak is on the verge of collapse as protesters have taken to the streets in mass. It is too soon to tell what will happen and not if but when the military decides that enough is enough and steps in to put a stop to the violence. I wonder what the outcome of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Clinton's influence's will be on whether or not the United States can calm down a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Winter Term

Winter Term is only 2 weeks in and there is much to be done. I'm excited with the classes that I have and will keep everyone informed on my progress. I am taking a Policy Analysis class and will be looking for a topic to choose so if anyone has any ideas than pleas let me know. I would like to take a moment of silence in honor of the Congress woman from Arizona.

New day has risen on the Political Horizon

There is change in the air as the new congress convened this week and with a new sense of leadership as House Speaker Boehner takes the helm from Congresswoman Pelosi. I for one am optimistic that Republicans have learned their lesson and will actually practice small government accountability rather than simply read the party platform pamplet. It is a new year so let liberty and optimism ring throughout the land.

Saudi Weapons deal?

Recently Fox News reported that the Obama Administration is set to endorse a 60 billion dollar weapons deal to Saudi Arabia. The deal includes as many as 84 new F-15 fighters, upgrade 70 more, and purchase three types of helicopters—70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little birds, officials said.

From North Korea with Love

Fox News recently reported that an former DPRK cabinet official in charge of talks with South Korea has been executed. Kwon Ho Ung was executed by firing squad due to poor work performance. According to Fox News Kwon was the former chief councilor of the North's Cabinet, but it was not clear what about his policy would have prompted his execution. After hearing a story like this I am relieved to live in a America and not communist DPRK.

Back in the Saddle!!!

Its been some time since I last posted on HousePolitic but I'm back and ready to enlighten the minds on issues of today. It appears that President Obama is going to be appearing on the View so as to discuss the progress and accomplishments his Administration has made. I think its good for the President to go on daytime television as Barbara Walters is pretty tough hitting. Recently it has become known that over 75,000 documents about the Afghan war have become available to the public. The question I have is how did such a large number of classified documents become disclosed to the public? Recently it has been announced that embattled CEO Tony Hayward is being sent to Russia to over see BPs joint Russia-BP project. Good luck in Siberia Mr. Hayward.

NRA supports Harry Reid?

Recently it was reported that the NRA, yes the National Rifle Association, is set to endorse Harry Reid over Sharron Angle in Nevada's U.S. Senate race. I am surprised to say the least that an organization such as the NRA, who claims to be a one issue organization, would support Senator Reid given his 25 percent rating on the issue of gun control and the 2nd amendment. Senator Reid has consistently voted for gun control bills such as the Brady Bill and will continue to do so as long as he is allowed to stay in office. Now I understand that the NRA is not the "National Republican Association" and is beholden to neither party Republican or Democrat but there comes a point where the NRA must ask themselves whats more important, the 2nd amendment or the Politics of Washington.

A joint session for the President of Mexico?

Congress has hit a new low as Mexican President Felipe Calderon addressed a joint session on may 20th to enlighten the American People about how to improve our immigration policies. What a sham, if I were the Republicans I would of gotten up and walked out or not even have attended. I mean seriously, what right other than being a head of state, does he have to go before congress and give his two cents about U.S. policy. I'm disgusted by what our government has become and hope that upcoming elections can give the country some clarity.

The Dems just dont get it.

Recently House Speaker Nancy Pelosi commented that the most successful jobs creation program had been Unemployment benefits and that a failure to extend the program would stall the economy and leave many Americans with out a pay check to make ends meat. It appears that Speaker Pelosi and the Dems do not understand basic economics and would prefer instead to develope the welfare state even more than it already is. The best way to jump start the economy is not to simply extend unemplyment benefits but to force those who have been suckeling off the teet of the system to get out there and find a job and start pulling their weight.

Obama the 15th best president, Seriousely?

A recent survey by Siena College in New York of 238 presidential scholars, has crowned President Obama as the 15th best president of all time out of the 43 U.S. Presidents who have served. President Bush was ranked 39th by the survey. Dont get me wrong I love presidential polls such as these that try to rank the presidents based on different catagories such as the economy, domestic policies, foreign policy, and such. Presidents such as Washington, FDR, and Lincoln are constant mainstays at the top. What I found curiouse was that the Siena survey ranked the top five presidents as FDR, Teddy Rosevelt, Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson. I decided to google presidential rankings and found that CSPAN came out with a ranking that had Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Teddy Rosevelt, and Truman round out the top 5. George W Bush came in at 36th according to CSPAN. The Problem I have with ranking President Obama is that he hasnt even finished his first term yet and currently his aproval rating is at 24 percent according to Rassmusen Daily Presidential tracking poll. I do believe that this is again a good example of liberal bias eminating from the haloed halls of Academia.

Rolling Stone misshap

Note to self, If I'm ever asked to do an interview with a sitting General who is over seeing on of the U.S. two wars please remind me to pass. Recently I had a chance to sit down and read the Rolling Stones article, "The Runaway General" and was taken aback by the lack of foresight shown by both General McChrystal and Rolling Stone magazine. It is clear that the White House was unaware of the Interview as improbable as that may seem. Rolling Stone clearly showed poor judgment in even conducting the interview let alone asking for one. General McChrystal and his staff should never have done such an interview and should have at least taken the time to sit down and review what had been written. Rolling Stone is known for its off its cutting edge pieces and respected journalism. Clearly President Obama was given little choice in replacing McChrystal and should do the same with Ambassador Eikenberry as well. I feel confident that General Petraeus will do an amazing job in stabilizing Afghanistan.

Politics in Oregon

I have arived at WOU in Monmouth and just got back from a meeting with the College Republicans. I look forwar to working with the Polk County Republican party.