This is for the ABO crowd. You know who you are.

What you gonna do Zook? Will you be making the papers?

Right Mike. Who needs border security, or safe food. Who needs the FBI, who cares about the Nation Forest System? Veterans pensions? Who cares about those. Heck, you'll all be dead eventually. Just cut your benefits and maybe you'll die sooner so you wont be such a drag on the budget.

Want me to go on????

The Defense Budget needs to be cut as well. There is a lot of inefficiency involved in operating bases in the middle of nowhere or overseas. The knife that cuts the size/cost of the federal government should be indiscriminate. Excess is excess no matter the color or shape of it.

The water won't clear up until the pigs are chased out of the creek.

The original AP article (in the link) mentions the National Park System, NOT the National Forest System. Big difference, but a perfect example of how "facts" can be mis-read or become mis-represented. And how the mainstream nedia can spin a story out of very little meaningful information.

My mistake. Who needs national parks?

I am at a loss as to what you mean IdahoFrank.

I'm certainly not confused about what the "New Republican Party" is advocating. If the November 2012 elections don't go exactly as "they" want, "they" will take up arms in a revolution. Now I understand why some people on these blogs say "it doesn't matter who we vote for".

BONDY.....thankyou.... I Have been saying something wrong for a time now.I should have been saying why should I trust the new republican party.I have to agree with you they want violence and the shame is win loose or draw they will set the country back 50 yrs and certainly wont pay any bills.There scapegoating will spill over to other areas and innocent people will die.Based on some attitudes on this blog it is ok with them. They feel they will be on the winning side,there will be no winning side we will all loose, the nation will loose.They want it the way it was,they need to think hard they helped to make it the way it is.This is the 21st century not the end of ww2 . ANYHOW THANKS.......LATTER

I'm with you Lamont. Violence is No Way to solve a problem. Innocent people get hurt or die. What they don't think about, this so called "Revolution" might not go the way they want it, and by the time they realize that, it will be too late.

I have gotten the drift that there are those that could and would take up arms. They use the DOI as justification. The DOI was written while we were ruled by a King across the ocean, not an elected government. One only has to look to Chile to see how far the right will go.

They call it revolt, I call it Civil War.

Civil war, revolt, whatever. I would glady join if my rights are being stripped away. I won't sit by and watch it happen and anyone who would is a coward.

All of you Benedict Arnolds, i'm sure, won't have a problem handing your rights over and kissing the kings feet.

KentuckyTransplant: Can you explain why you call some/all people commenting on this blog post "Benedict Arnolds"? Seems like a misplaced insult.

Apparently you and your "New Republican Party" members see the need for a for a new civil war or revolution. And from what I've read, you guys want it to be bigger and bloodier?

Whoa whoa whoa, easy there fella! First off, I owe you nor ANYONE else an explanation but, here's what I meant. I didn't call some/all anything. My comment was for ANYONE who doesn't fight for their rights and just hands them over.

And what's with this "New Republican Party" and calling us "you guys?" I had no idea that there was a new party, I thought it was just the same GOP. And why is it "my" party? I thought you were a Republican too? Coulda swore I saw that some where. Just like I have no idea what party you belong to, don't act like you know me and know that I'm a member of this "new" party.

As far as the bigger and bloodier comment. No one likes to fight, that should go without saying. But, if it comes to fighting or getting on my knees, I guess it will get as bloody as it needs to be.

And, I'll say it again, if you don't fight for your rights, you're a coward.

KT, I'm not sure which rights your referring to. The healthcare issue has yet to be resolved. That being said, everyone that earns a wage is mandated to pay into Social Security and Medicare. This has been deemed Constitutional. Presidential Executive Orders have been used since the founding of the Republic. Recess Appointments, same thing. The President of The United States has a great deal of discretion when it come to releasing funds for certain things, holding funds for certain things, think GWB and stem cell research. When all the manure is removed, you will find that this President has acted no different than the 43 before him. As far as his comments to the Supreme Court, it is his opinion, and he is entitled to it. If you want to worry about a politician, worry about the likes of Newt Ginrich. I did a blog, here is the link.

http://www.mountainhomenews.com/blogs/1670/entry/45509

Now if what is in the link that is in that blog doesn't scare you, I guess nothing ever will.

We as a society now numbers in excess of 300 million. So very much has changed, so much more will change with time. It's called the evolution of a society. You can try and fight it, or you can help shape the changes yet to come. Your choice.

Roy, I understand and I have had a problem with a lot of Presidents in the past too. Just because he is doing like the previous 43 doesn't make it right. Remember, this wasn't supposed to be the 'business as usual' administration. Wouldn't you want or rather strive to get someone in office who doesn't do it like the last guy? Wouldn't you want someone who holds the same values as you? I'm not saying that Romney is that person but, I DO know it's not Obama. That's my opinion and if Obama is entitled to them, so am I.

The funny thing is, you say that the President is entitled to his opinions but, then you bring up a story about Newt and his opinions. I guess it's OK for Obama but not for Newt, even though one of these people is running a country of 300 million?

Just because you say society is changing, doesn't make it OK. I agree, society is changing. Kids are cussing out their parents, I have to put up a "holiday tree" in December, I can't say "Merry Christmas" cause it might offend someone, few believe in God anymore, and no one seems to care about anything 'cept themselves. Yeah Roy, I think I'll fight it.

Hate to tell ya, Roy, but a lot of people liked America just the way it was when the government was small, didn't intrude on citizen's lives, and followed the constitution. It's people like you that think it needs to change into a socialist society. As has been said before, if you are so fond of socialism, move to a socialist country and leave this country alone.

KT......I am glad you said that. When I am fighting to be heard on social justice,AND OTHERS ARE people should understand that I will not get on my knees for my rights and neither should they.I REALIZE WHY YOU GOT YOUR IRE UP AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I GET MINE UP.

The civil war thing is not a joke for a minority because we will bear the brunt of it and we will fight back.IT is not needed what is needed is a meeting of the minds without idealogical blinders.ALL of these problems are solvable you just have to want to solve them without having to be the boss.YOU and I could solve them,with few exceptions the people on this blog have offered enough solutions to solve them the powers to be dont want to solve them.IT KEEPS THEM IN POWER.civil WARS PREY on those who appear the weakest once people get to that point they attack others no mattere right or wrong.WE dont need to go there.

HAVE A GOOD ON.....LATTER

KT, don't forget the "crony capitalism" that Obama bashed Bush for doing and said he would end that when he got in office. Yeah, handing out taxpayer's money to companies like Solyndra whose leaders contributed heavily to Obama's election campaign. Glad to see he kept that promise, too.

Very well, Lamont, and I agree. I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

You have a good one too.

** Very well said, Lamont, and I agree. I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

You have a good one too.

That's what I'm saying too, SW. But for some reason, it's OK for Obama. You know, I probably wouldn't be half as mad at this guy as I am if it weren't for Democrats. EVERY president as far back as I can remember as done something or lied about something or didn't hold up to some promise. But a lot of todays Democrats won't admit that about Obama. It's always someone elses fault or the "everbody does that" excuse. If they would just call him out like they do Romney and Bush, I think my anger would ease up a little.

That's why us Republicans go off on these rants.

Democrats get us so mad that we can't see straight! If Obama screws up, tells a lie, or does something you know is wrong, don't justify it because you're a Democrat. Call it like you see it and move on.

KT, Newt's plan is no more than a plan to dismantle the entire federal court system, except the Chief Justice, who has to be kept because the Constitution created that position, and rule by decree. A far cry from anything any President has done.

Yes I hoped things would be different under Obama, but sadly he is but one man. He can appoint many around him, and he has sure made some mistakes, but the "Establishment" is so entrenched, it's almost impossible to make headway. Lamont, Mike and I are old men with long memories. I have never witnessed the amount of obstruction, name calling, one up man ship, flat out lies, and general disregard for the well being of the Republic, as I have seen in the last 12 years.

The attitude of if you don't like the way things were way back when, then get out, fails to see that a MAJORITY have voted for the changes that have been made. When the MAJORITY decides that things need to change again, then they will vote that way.

SW, I believe I addressed the issue of poorly choosing people that work for him.

Everybody expects perfection and refuse to settle for anything less.

By the way everyone. I am registered to NO party, and haven't voted for a Presidential candidate since Perot.

1) Newt is not a President so, why he is being compared to one is beyond me. His plan = his opinions on the way things should be ran. Is he not entitled to the same opinions/freedoms as Obama that you mentioned earlier? Obviously not too many Republicans agrees with his plans or he would be our nominee. So, I'm not sure why his name keeps getting mentioned.

2)He is but one man? And obstructions? Didn't the Democrats control the Congress and Senate for atleast the first half of his term?

3)I agree, Roy. The majority did vote for changes. But can you please tell me what those changes were that 'have been made'?

4) I agree again, everyone does expect perfection and that is what should happen. There are going to be hiccups but, we should atleast shoot for it.

KT, I only brought Newt into the conversation to show how wildly insane some peoples thirst for power is. On many occasions Republican votes were needed to achieve the 60 vote requirement to move legislation. In 2010, how many incumbent Republicans lost primaries because they didn't vote against Obama, regardless the issue?

Ask Mike about how politics were 20 years ago, 30 years ago. This is just plain disgusting today. And please, don't get me started on how big money is buying our government. Those that engage in that are a very special breed of traitors.

Just got me thinking about those superpacks. Obama wanted to put a stop on them, but it wouldn't fly with either party...

Just so you know MsM, Romney also said he wanted to do away with them. Guess they are both hypocrites.

It went as far as the Supreme Court and they said it was constitutional..

Obama taught courses in constitutional law. Don't you think he already knew that? What an awesome way to get votes! Say you're against something that you know will stand up and then say,"aww shucks, we tried fellas."

Where is Ross when we need him?

Ain't that the truth, Roy. I loved that guy and it would have been great to have him as President. I don't care how many graphs the guy had, he was a good man! :)

KentuckyTransplant:

As far as considering myself a member of the Republican Party? I'm no longer a part of that nonsense. With Buckshot and OpMissy outright calling me a liar and SecondWind telling me "the party doesn't need nor want me, I figured it was time to look elsewhere. It was an easy decision consider the extreme ideology being advocated by the "New Republican Party". Your type of extremism more resembles a religion than a political party. You know the ideas like:

- If the election doesn't go "your" way the armed revolution will begin.

- Compromise isn't an option.

- Non-believers should be deported.

- Jail people for things they haven't been charged with.

- Calling non-believers mentally ill.

- Using FUD and deception as a platform.

- Excluding college students from voting and requiring IQ Tests to vote.

- Birthers - really?

- War and more war is the only way to solve problems in this world.

- The call for the return of McCarthyism.

So in short, I have no desire to be a part of your "New Republican Party". Eventually the tide will swing back and the GOP will once again become a sane and rationale political party.

My type of extremism? Tell what extremism you are talking about because the things you listed, you have never heard come out of my mouth. If you're talking about commonsense, then yes I'm extreme.

Let me break down all the things you listed so you might be able to understand....

1) If the election doesn't go "your" way the armed revolution will begin.

I never said this. I have said that if my rights are being stripped away or I am told to get on my knees, then things will get as bloody as they need to be.

2) Compromise isn't an option.

Never said this one either. My complaint was neither party wants to work together so, flush them all down the toilet.

3) Non-believers should be deported.

Where are you even getting these?

4) Jail people for things they haven't been charged with.

What in the crap are you even talking about? If memory serves me, it was just recently that people in YOUR party were calling for that... Zimmerman ring a bell?

5) Calling non-believers mentally ill.

I have never said this but, I do believe that if a person wants to be "ruled" over, they are crazy. I'll give 1/2 credit for that one.

6) Using FUD and deception as a platform.

Are you talking about Elmer? Here's the deal with FUD. Do you have a security system on your house? How about your car? Ever lock your doors? Even though 9 times out of 10 nothing will happen, you still let FUD control your everyday life. Another 1/2 for that one.

7) Excluding college students from voting and requiring IQ Tests to vote.

Who has ever excluded a college student with proper ID from voting? And I think your score on this breakdown so far shows why an IQ test might want to be considered.

8) Birthers - really?

When someone goes out of their way to seal their records, it only leads to speculation.

9) War and more war is the only way to solve problems in this world.

No one likes to fight, and I said that before. But I have also said before that if you don't fight for what you believe in, then you are a COWARD!

10) The call for the return of McCarthyism.

If the shoe fits.....

So Bondy, you and MsM are a couple of peas in a pod. Both of you twist words around and practice in delusions.

Let's tally up your "TRUTH" score on this breakdown. 1pt out of 10pts.

Just like when you ran for office, I'd say you came up a way short on this one too.

No disrepect and I apologize for being rude on Roy's blog but, when you come at ME when twisted words and false accusations, you have to expect me to stand up for myself.

KT.....I AGREE ON MOST THINGS YOU HAVE SAID AND HAVE SAID SO .I would say to you look up the filibuster and see how it works,Then you will understand why the republicans have been called obstuctionist.When cloture cannot be achieved no legistaltion can be passed.

The press may not have called the president out and there havnt been major headlines but that cannot be said about various members of his own party. they have.The issue for me became the declaration by MC CONNAL....That is not the way you govern ,that is how you insure devisevness in my opinion.IN my view the object was to marginalize THIS president so he could not govern.........The problem became he fought back and did not knuckle under.SO WE get legislation that is not the best, things late, we have departments of government that cant operate because no dept head,AND ETC ETC ETC,

Ask this question about the stimulous.....WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBABILITY OF A DEEPER RECESSION WITHOUT IT,AND HOW MANY AMERICANS WOULD HAVE DIED,YES I SAID DIED.......I think that those of us that this did not really devastate have a tendency to think it wasnt all that bad.......it was and could have been worst.I for one am not and advocate of stick you finger in the dike,but I dont think we had a lot of choices.

TRUTHFULLY I see us heading there again quickly.Wages have not increased in 30 yrs but the price of goods and services keep rising.Example id pwr asking for 9% raise to cover exspenses they got a combined 40% last yr YOU and I DID NOT RECIEVE THOSE KINDS OF RAISES SO WERE ARE WE SOPPOSED TO GET THAT KIND OF MONEY FROM???? wHY THE PUC WOULD EVEN CONSIDER THERE REQUEST MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.so who is getting had and this is happening all over the country.This is but one example but it is and indicator of the business as usual mentality that is bringing us to our knees.There is no reason for gas prices to be were they are that is part of the rape of AMERICA......THAT IS NOT THIS president.......HOW WE COULD THINK.....that we could just stop the depression and go back to boom times is not realistic nor what we need .....anyhow thoughts ck the filibuster you will get mad......latter

Bondy, if you don't believe in endless wars, you shouldn't be in the democratic camp. With the exception of Bush, most wars started when Democracts were in office. And Obama sure hasn't been in a rush to get us out of the Middle East, has he? The only politician who was talking about getting us out of the Middle East and to stop being the world's watchdog was Ron Paul and he is an independent. But I'm glad to see you're finally admitting that your not a Republican - you were never in that camp and everyone knew that.

Tell me SW, how many Democrat's have launched preemptive wars, one of which was based on bald faced lies?

Republicans are well known for their like of a large standing military and their disdain for any cuts in the defense budget. Republican presidents have never shied away from using it. Reagan may not have led us into an official war but he was plenty judicious in employing them. The two Bush's led us into wars in the Middle East. What does this mean? My take on it is that is that besides Afghanistan (specifically the hunt for Bid Laden and his associates), none of these military operations were in any way necessary or beneficial. I guess that along with being patriotic comes the need to meddle in other nation's business. I would think that the two are somewhat independent of one another but life is full of mysteries.

TWILL...... For some reason lost in the rhetoric of military size and support .....There is a mere fact that there was always a plan to return to PRE SURGE force levels I dont know why that falls on deaf ears.IT's like once we build up, need it or not it should stay.We dont need it,we cant afford it,and it has no mission based on size.WE need to go back to the force we had planned arm them to the teeth, train them to a level that ensures there succes,and maintain it.You can have all the numbers you want if you cant train them,arm them, equip them and support well, your wasting your time and money.Why is that hard to understand.these wars have already cost us F-22's and will cost us f-35'S...THAT IS BASED ON MONEY AND TRAINING.The f-15 is still capable however it is vunerable and it is beyond it's projected service life which means you have to change tactics because the airframe cant do what it use too.The army will have the same problem, someone will develope something to defeat the armor on the abrahams and they will do it sooner than latter,We MUST re arm and that is not people.

YOUR not brainwashed TWILL the selective resentment to education here somtimes goes beyond logic what it amounts to is you have a different opinion.I guess they will publish a list of approved schools here shortly.What you have to say for me has nothing to do with your education I could care less, I really dont care about your political affiliation as long as you dont try to shove it down my throat......PRESS ON !!!!!!! LATTER

Nobody else cares about Twilcox's education either, but he brought it up as if somehow his opinion should carry more weight because he has a degree in Economics. Do us a favor, Lamont, and don't shove down our throats what a tough life you've had an how you've been discriminated against. Nobody cares about that either so save it for somebody who does. LATER

SECOND WIND.....YOU LOOKING FOR A FIGHT YOU WONT GET ONE HERE I DONT FIGHT WITH WOMEN SO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK AS GOOD AS YOU CAN AND IF THAT WAS JUST AND EXAMPLE PLEASE KEEP WORKING ON IT.I know you dont care about discrimination it not happening to you.I have a great life,Ill think of you while I am in the bahamas.......HA !!!!!!!!

ANYONE WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND I USED MY EXSPERIENCESES AS EXAMPLES ONLY JUST DIDNT GET THE POINT....BECAUSE I STATED THAT, SO I REALLY DONT CARE HOW YOU FELT ABOUT IT.MY LIFES EXSPERIENCES ARE REAL NOT SOME FANTASY. IF You dont see the falesey of discrimnination you will at some point in time feel it's sting. mr ZIMMERMAN IS FEELING IT RIGHT NOW.....WIN LOOSE OR DRAW.....HE LOOSES THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE, AND THAT IS A SHAME.

Most wont get what I just said and will twist it but MR zimmerman is a victim right now of discrimination,and not of his making but society's. Some here will get it most wont but that is ok....that's what you want....if it happened to you or yours everyday you would get it.

Lamont, one more comment because these latest comments are going nowhere and they're counter-productive. It is my opinion that no one has even begun to know what real discrimination is like until they've lived in today's world as a woman living in a Muslim country. That is a life I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Zook I have heard that time and time again,he always favored the woman in the divorce settlement.

SW Your right about women being discriminated against. I took a store to court because of discrimination, back in the early 70's, didn't cost me a dime because of equal opportunity. A black man represented me, and I won my case. It was against a large chain store in Omaha.

ZOOK ....my reason for bringing back te draft is not the same as yours and you know it.....everybody should have to shoulder the responsibility of national defense...everybody....tHE FACT WE HAD TO KEEP SENDING PEOPLE BACK IS WE GOT INTO NATION BUILDING INSTeEAD OF WHAT THE MILITARY IS FOR, 10 YRS WE ARE THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MANPOWER...dont TWIST THE ISSUE.We ran the operation,we did what we were sopposed to and then we should have come home .I am not saying anything the generals didnt say.

The size of our armed forces was what we wanted and needed prior to these 2 unneeded wars,we dont need and armed force twice the size.Ill say it again we think once we add it it should stay ,why?????? the marines added 80thou,the army almost 100 thou the air force about 20 thou those folks are not needed anymore,they dont have a mission.We need to rearm and retool and the airforce needs to do that badly,the marines and the army need to replace , repair and retool.That is the prudent thing to do and do it NOW.

YOU WANT to go to war and stay then the moment that decision is made and that is the stratergy then you start the draft not before,otherwise the draft stays in effect all the time.

The solution to manpower is simple WE DONT NEED TO BE THERE GET OUT.LET THEM BE WHAT THERE GOING TO BE IT'S THERE COUNTRY.MANIFEST DESTINY DOESNT WORK.

SW .....I AM NOT LOOSING ANYTHING AND NICE TRY I DONT COP OUT .I GUESS YOU LIVED IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY AND WHO AM I TO QUESTION YOUR EXSPERIENCE,YOU DID LIVE THERE RIGHT??????

Zook, don't disagree with you at all about males being discriminated against in certain situations. You've helped make my point that we have all at one time or another faced discrimination. That's what living in this world is all about. People are discriminated against for just about anything: their age, sex, religion, skin color, appearance and on and on. So, maybe, Lamont you might be able to see why we're not all that impressed with your life experiences. As for not "fighting with me on here because I'm a woman," that's also a form of discrimination. When I post comments, I don't think about whether the blogger I'm responding to is young, old, female, male, black, white etc. I just try and respond to the issues. Also, never said I've lived in a Muslim country. I've read enough and heard enough about the rampant sexism there and how women are treated like possessions to know that is not a place I would ever go near.

Ok folks. Is there a chance in hades this blog can get back on topic??? PLEASE

As to the troop strength issue. If we haven't learned by now that the types of wars we have been fighting since Vietnam is that they are guerrilla wars fueled by either political ideology or religious ideology. All the troops in the world can't win these types of wars. We can go in and prop up a government that may or may not be popular with the people being ruled, we might even win a few battles, but win the war? Never going to happen. If we haven't learned that by now, then we deserve all the military deaths we will incur.

Remember the saying, we have to fight them there or we will fight them here. Well, fighting them there has been proven over and over to be a no win situation. Lamont has it right. Arm our troops with the best and most lethal weapons. Train them how to use them, show the world we have them and that under no circumstances will we tolerate any attempted aggression against our country.

This is not about not having the will to win a ground war, it's about the impossibility of winning a ground war against an enemy that wears no uniform and follows no rules. Shut down our overseas bases, all of them, and bring our troops home! Keep some Marines, armed to the teeth at some of our Embassy's with order to shoot to kill if there is an attempt to invade. Those Embassy's are American soil.

Zook,

Has America not risen to the occasion when needed? WWI, WWII, Spanish-American War, War of 1812, etc. Large standing militaries are expensive. You live in an unrealistic world where you think that the military operates at 100% efficiency. Well, it does not. So, in your world we should overlook that and let it be. It can be as inefficient as it wants to be while others are expected to be as efficient as can be. Wasted money and resources are still wasted no matter who does the wasting.

Fighting just to fight is a waste of time, human lives, money, and resources.

If it was up to me, we would have not one soldier/contractor in Iraq or Afghanistan by the end of the year. Afghanistan has a long history of being invaded/occupied. This goes back to the first millenium. Their issues are not going to be solved by us ever.

THANKS .....TWILL.ROY.......we can pull out like NOW....FRANCE GAVES US 30 DAYS TO GET OUT WE DID IT,SO IT CAN BE DONE.ME I WOULD NOT HESITATE I WOULD JUST LEAVE.Anyone who tried to stop me or inflict casulties would die.This has been a fiasco of our making so lets correct it NOW.I have said that from the beginning and I wont stop saying it.YOU can call that unpatriotic if you want IV paid my dues.

BEING OLD FASHIONED HAS IT'S GOOD POINTS. NEXT.

LAST POINT ZOOK ......I DONT think a real war will last 10 yrs,sombody will pull the trigger that is what proliferation is about.TECHNOLOGY will win the next one believe it.Any mass formation is and invitation for desaster.That is why population centers are held hostage.The stratergy of nucleur conflict is so simplistic it goes back to the beginning of time.Didnt solve anything then and wont in the future.WE got away from our military startergy and it has cost us.GEN POWELL AND GEN SCHWARTZKOFF HAD IT RIGHT/.FAST FURIOUS AND DECISIVE,,AND THEN THE MILITARY LEAVES THE REST IS UP TO THE CIVILIANS.WE ARE THE HAMMER....NOT THE NAILS,GLUE OR ANYTHING ELSE CONSTRUCTIVE.

When the first nuclear weapon flies, it's all over but the crying. GOD HELP THE SURVIVORS!!

Zook,

More assumptions. Just can't quit can you. If we cut the defense budget by 10% (just to give an actual number), what is wrong with simply not having that expenditure while leaving revenues unchanged. I am unrealistic but I would think that any cuts made to any department should be final and therefore have no effect on revenues. When a person or a firm is in financial trouble, they can decrease expense or raise revenue. In this case, we would simply decrease expense and leave revenue alone for the time being.

I have four dedicated military men here at Nevada that I take classes with. They tell me all the time about how they really do just about nothing when they are on base. I am really wanting to hear how that benefits anyone other than them. By your own logic, manpower would not matter only technology and nuclear capability would. So again why is having people sitting around doing nothing, collecting pensions, and getting their tuition/medical paid beneficial?

Finally, student loans have needed to be capped for a long time. The fact that it is happening now is of no meaning. It was bound to happen sometime.

BTW, the drawdown that occurred in 1992 was the brainchild of whom? Oh, that's right Reagan and George H. Bush. They both had parts in getting the ball rolling. Clinton just happened to be the one who put the stamp of approval on it.

I gave it a try.......ZOOK please tell me why we need people when we are not planning on having boots on the ground anywhere???? I get the impression that you feel we should have them just to have them,above and beyond what was and is still the stratergy for any military involvment for the future.THEY would not have been going back and forth if we had stuck to our stratergy.IN short the politicians and the carbetbaggers got in there and here we are.OUR kids died and the carbetbaggers lined there pockets,tHE CARPETBAGGERS could care less if your kid or mine died.So how much is and american soldiers life worth???????aND yes I am mad.I cannot sanction the need for troop levels to remain were they are,they are not needed.....what is needed is that we get out.

Mike, and just who kept screaming, listen to the Generals? It's a no win situation for him! Now we are on track to get out of that crap hole at last!

Rogue nations? They wont put boots on the ground, it will come by air! Ground wars are ancient history!

NORTH KOREA HAS A HUGE ARMY......AND THE PEOPLE NEEDED TO SUPPORT IT ARE STARVING......GO FIGURE.IN A SET PIECE BATTLE THEY WONT LAST A MONTH.IT will be worst than shooting clay pigeons.11 carrier battle groups and we dont have enough????? aND THATS FOR STARTERS.....ILL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT......BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT.

Waste is waste. There is no sacred cow in this affair. The government needs to trim the fat regardless of department.

We cant simply rely on emotion (like our friend Zook) or how could we possibly ever make the cuts. Every department has someone who would give impassioned, convincing speeches like Zook. They stand to lose jobs and pensions. Their livelihood down the drain. Of course, they would stand up for themselves. We need to take the emotion out of it and simply make the necessary adjustments. A 5% decrease in the defense budget would not leave us any more prone to a land invasion. The US would still have one of the largest standing armies in the world. It would still be just as technologically advanced and able to defend the nation quite adequately.

Zook,

Tell me how having 500 additional personnel at Mountain home Air Force base would have made any difference on 911.

I guess I should be more exact. When I say cuts, I am referring to less personnel. Less salaries, less student loans forgiven, less subsidized insurance, less subsidized commissary, less pensions, etc. Now when it comes to equipment, training, and etc. that is a different story.

Taliban???

Zook,

"TWILL......that's GREAT MAN!......."when a person or firm is in financial trouble, they can decrease expense or raise revenue. In this case we would simply decrease spending and leave revenue alone for the time being."

I think you're starting to get a glimpse of the PICTURE here!

Prince Harry doesn't wanna DO that. Your president doesn't wanna DO that. Most of these pigs in Congress DON'T WANNA DO THAT!

GSA DOESN'T WANNA DO THAT!

But all these people who RUN this show want YOUR VOTE don't they????"

I have been going on about this for years. This is why I am usually critical of Obama and 99% of most politicians. They are all spineless and can't make the tough decision. Yes, it would cost them their career but so what? Their job is to do best by us and running us into the ground financially is not that. There is ample evidence of what happens when you borrow too much on a national level. The best example is Argentina in the late 1990's. Expenditures need to go down and the Fed has to let up on the leash.

Zook,

The border is a whole other realm. My main criticism is why we have so many personnel that essentially do nothing and do not contribute. We have Fallon NAS here in Nevada. It is about 35 miles northeast of Reno. The base is quite large and they employ a large number. They could easily cut that in half and things would still hum along at the same pace.

On another topic. This will be my last for night. I am not trying to monopolize the board. I thought you would like to hear this. One of my research topics has been decentralizing government. So, in other words, instead of federal officials we would put the control in the hands of the locals. Two results come from it. Usually less people are needed so less government. Two, the outcomes are usually more efficient. Less time, less paperwork, less legal wrangling. I am hoping to take this a step further but that could take some time. Anyways, have a good one.

Zook,

You would save yourself some time and frustration if you did not take everything so literally. Realm does not have to be defined as being a place or area. In my context, it meant topic.

Our wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia are in no way connected or correlated with the dilemma that is the US-Mexico border.

Zook,

Lets stop running in circles on one topic. We may express it differently but both of our points revolve around the idea that we should take care of our own and not meddle in everyone else's affairs.

the border controversy revolves around Americans losing jobs and the migrants draining precious resources. The border controversy is not one of eminent armed land invasion. Yes, troops may help deter them but in no way is there going to armed warfare out in the desert.

And now the truth starts to come out Mike. Your true colors are showing. Throw out all American citizens that fail to agree with YOUR vision of America. How very Constitutional of you! The only part of the Constitution that matters to you are the parts you agree with. SAD

A little historical context. Who started and embraced the practice of braceros? Who has enjoyed the lower price of food ever since?

Over and over again.....my way or the hiway,in my way.The need some have for armed conflict within our country and the destruction therof seems to mean nothing.....so who is the enemy ???????? AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!

What are Roy's true colors? Now that is a very colorful and loaded question Zook. Not sure you really want his answer.

Roy told you what his true colors were in his little bio.

He said, "I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I am neither extremely Liberal or Conservative."

What, in the world, has he said that would make you doubt him?

Mike's vision is exactly what I said. Now, just what about all those who sell OUR resources to the highest bidder and shafts the citizens of this country? I guess that's OK if their politics matches yours, but then they can't because they should put America first, but they don't, but they put the free market first and country second, but that's OK. Give me a break.

Back to the original topic,

the defense of our soil is not going to be compromised if we have 1000 or so less personnel doing jobs that really do not need to be done. There will still be more than enough to keep the armed forces running smoothly. Get rid of the lowest performers and keep the best. What is so absurd about that? Modern warfare is not so much about strength in numbers on the ground as it used to be. If the need ever arose, Americans would rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done.

However, this would be political suicide for some. For them to be the one serving while those military personnel in their state lost their jobs would mean the end of their career. That is cowardly on the part of the citizens but it is what it is. Would they rather have a non-increasing deficit or not? Sacrifices have to be made. The knife needs to be indiscriminate but fair to all depts. and programs.

Zook,

For instance, if we had 20 depts. and needed to cut 5% off the budget. This is just to make the idea a bit more concrete. So then 5% divided by 20 depts is about .25% per dept. So, just for giggles lets say that this .25% of the budget comes out to be 1 Billion, then they have one year to cut the 1 billion. Making it equal leaves out room for debates about fairness and who is getting screwed more.

A balanced budget amendment is sounding better by the day. Most economists would back it up as well. It will be years in the making but could be the start of something grand.

And if Romney wins we will get screwed more... The 1% wealthy will get tax breaks on the backs of the middle class people.

What is different about the middle class paying the way---we do that now. Nothing has changed. They restructered the taxing system.

First they keep extending the Bush tax breaks and then congress won't agree on anything. So everything stays the same until after the election. And then we are back to the drawing board.

Restructuring which goes back to 1997

http://iret.org/pub/FedTaxPol-Improv.PDF

Zook,

I thought that it would be clear that governmental agencies are competitive and will hold onto any funding they get as long as they can. Seeing another agency not getting its fund cut will spark the fires of jealousy and backbiting. You avoid this but cutting everybody to the same degree. You minimize lawsuits and long drawn out scenarios.

Roy you want to talk about spending, am sure you have seen this, talk about you telling people of Mtn Home what you think you know, where's your comment on this happening right in your back yard in your Town.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/04/29/2096447/tophlcanyon-county-poised-to-se...

Zook,

Voting out Senators and Congressmen does not change the bloated numbers who work for the various depts. such as Defense, Ag, Commerce, Homeland Security. While voting them out would be a breath of fresh air. More likely to get the results we want. We need to make sure that the new crop does not continue the trend of bloated spending and pandering to special interests.

What I would be curious to know is what amount of personnel is absolutely necessary to run these various agencies and then compare that to what is currently employed. Or maybe a better number to use is not the employment but rather how is actually appropriated to that agency. Needless to say, what they receive and what they need to survive are far apart.

Well Joe, your link has zero do with the topic, but, the crowd that runs this county are the inept, corrupt almost anywhere.

TWILL........The manning documents ver what is acutal is far from the same.The manning is based on so called optimum conditions with 110% NEED.It never happens actual ie what you are manned to therfore will not fall below what is sapposed 100%.REALITY IS YOU NEED ABOut80% of what you get.The military for short periods of time could operate at 50% and I have operated at 30% for a week or two,any longer than that and you are asking for trouble big time.The other problem across the board is redundancy,That includes the military as well as the other federal agency's.What happens there is empire building,once they get something, they dont want to give it up,they will create the need.example........homeland security,border patrol,ice,atf,dea,these agency could be combined under one head and administration,but they have built empires and nobody wants to give and inch.The duties are redundant and overlapping, which causes ineffeciency.I could go on but you get the point.THE COST IS VERY OBVIOUS YET NOBODY IS WILLING TO QUESTION.ON EITHER SIDE.BECAUSE SOMBODY WILL LOOSE AND ADMIMINSTRATION BUILDING IN THERE DISTRICT.IT WOULD BE FUNNY IF IT DIDNT COST SO MUCH.......BASED ON HOW THEY DO THE MANNING THEY WILL ALWAYS BE SHORT THAT IS HOW THEY PLAY THE GAME.Been there done that.

Lamont,

thanks for the info. Great post.

one of the issues with inflated Government payrolls is that the workers have no incentive to be more productive. In the private sector, productivity can be measured quite easily. Increased revenues, lowered costs, consistent customer base, etc. The measuring stick is there. The incentives to work hard/smart are also there. The employee's work/ingenuity/etc. can be translated into greater revenues. That does not exist in the public sector. Fixed or semi-fixed levels of funds and so it matters not how efficient someone is. Actually, they hurt their job security by being too efficient. Overall, it is increasingly inefficient to keep hiring public sector employees and to keep upping the compensation. The same amount of work is going to get done whether they are paid 40K or 80K.

TWILL... NOT debating some is no lose......it is funny to watch the projection especially when that is the comeback.TALK ABOUT POMPOSE ARROGANCE....didnt think people would despise another for there education.....,I GUESS MY SON FALLS IN A CERTAIN LINE OF SIGHT......HE'S A WHARTON GRAD...AND HE'S AS DOWN TO EARTH AS YOU AND I.AND DOESNT BEGRUDGE OTHERS.I guess I ought to take my little ol undergrad degree and hide huh!!!!!.

THE most ineffecient part of the fed work force is the gs/ms system....the wg are worker bees.THE MILITARY IS GETTING BETTER BUT OLD HABITS DIE HARD.While the military gets better they are creating a problem, to many contractors,They charge to much and they do less and the red tape is enormous,but that was created by the carbetbaggers in congress that is truly special intrest at work.They have no business in a combat zone period.ANYHOW THAT IS A SUBJECT OF IT'S OWN........HAVE AGOOD ONE

I do not view myself as superior to anyone. Higher education is not about the smartest. All it says is that one is dedicated and that one cares more about the topic than others. The primary benefit of a Master's Degree is not that one will know everything. Not even close. It just broadens one's horizons and let's one view a topic from different angles. Again, it does not say which angle is the best.

I remember one of the first conversations I ever had on here. It was about Marx. A certain someone just could not help himself. He had to make the assertion that my university education was all about teaching us that communism is the best way to go. He could not handle that the topic of communism only took up about two weeks of the total four years. that is some serious indoctrination there. Most of our study was not about whether it was good or bad but rather to truly understand what Marx wrote in Das Kapital. It is a very long and hard read. It is very easy to misunderstand what he wrote.

TWILL......ONE of the schools I attented WAS VERY INTENSE AND IN THE 16 WEEKS....they tried to cramm about 2 yrs in you because that is all we did 8-10hrs a day 6 days a week.ANYHOW IT WAS human relations,the education thereof etc.all we did was try to view it all from all sides wasnt easy sometimes didnt want to hear what they had to say and didnt want to see the other side or any side for that matter.When it was all said and done we didnt have amswers just understanding of how to look at things to get the answeres.

SOMETIMES I get anxious I have heard these comments before and you can read them daily. FOR ME YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL PICTURE IN MY FIELD IT DOES NOT SET A GOOD PICTURE.History is full of the dynamics we are seeing and the endings are not what is best.IF they do not care to understand what is truly being said it becomes easy to make it what you want based on somone elses understanding.Preconception taints most,AND IT IS THE LAZY WAY OUT........DONT WORK TO HARD LATTER

IMNSHO, there are some that are so myopic, they couldn't see a hand in front of their face. Just my experience.

Sounds to me like a bunch of liberals raising a call for revolution and pointing fingers at the GOP seems like whenever the Left wants to create chaos they start telling lies. Repeat the lie often enough and ignorant people will believe the lie and not the truth. The GOP doesn't need armed rebellion the change the current national government just another election. The people of this country are tired of the Left Lies and yes change is about to come. And guys if you're going to quote what You "read" in a newspaper article why don't you include where and when not just try to BULLSHIT us with a vague statement like that.

Well Grumpy, you may have just earned a boot for your language!

My My CJW, get up on the wrong side of the bed?

It warms his heart I suspect.

I DONT THINK ANYONE IS STAYING OFF THE ISSUES.I for one get tired of trying to talk and getting insultes back as conversation so why talk??ALSO WHEN DATA IS PROVIDED TO BACK AND ISSUE IT IS THROWN AWAY AS IF WE ARE LYING AND ONLY WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IS TRUTH SO WHY PROVIDE IT??? The Hillary deal is twisted as you posted it that money had been held for over a year while Hamas complied with some of our demands.that is well documented but you didnt say that did you???NOBODY LIKES TO BE BROWBEATEN.THE RIGHT WANTS THIS BLOG..... GO FOR IT..... ARGUE AMONGEST YOURSELFS. YOU DONT WANT ANOTHER OPINION YOU WANT CONFIRMATION ON YOUR OWN.There is more than one way to look at things.BILL CRYSTAL AND BARNEY FRANK HAD A DEBATE ON TV....EVEN THEY COULD AGREE ON ABOUT 50-60 % OF THE THINGS DISCUSSED.WE are paying people to compromise and legislate if this blog is and example of what is happening in congress then we all know why nothing is getting done.

The latest Rasmussen poll

Barack Obama 47%

Mitt Romney 45%

So True

FUNNY THING....all RECENT voter fraud cases and convictions have been against the GOP....that is like the pot calling the kettle black isnt it?? Or doesnt that count and again that is what I am talking about you want reaffirmation.That is thrown out there without the total facts.The GOP is the ones CLAIMING voter fraud when the numbers say there is known.That is a ploy to attempt nullify and election if it doesnt go your way.

wHY IS HAMAS GETTING MONEY.......BECAUSE WE PROMISED MONEY TO THE DULLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS THAT DIDNT GO OUR WAY.We did not expect Hamas to win those elections and the commitment had been made.DUMB ....you bet we backed the wrong horse and now we pay.

Nobody threatened the supreme court.That is the rights spin on what was said.....they got the same warning on citizens united and they didnt listen then and they wont listen now,If citizens united is what we needed then we are lost before the fight.IF people on the right cant see what that ruling has done to our politics there is something dead wrong, this is not a seperate fight things will be suffered by all and your party wont save you.

YOUR CANDIDATE ONLY CARES ABOUT HIS INNER CIRCLE HE CANT CARE ABOUT ANYONE ELSE HE DOESNT KNOW ANYONE ELSE.He wants his name in the history book,a title for his books,I DO NOT FEEL HE HAS THE PEOPLES INTREST AT HEART OR THE COUNTRY'S IF IT DOESNT MAKE MONEY.

HERE is one for you ....why would you vote for someone who doesnt think enough of his country to bank here.AND HASNT FOR YEARS....SORRY....WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM.SO TELL ME WHY YOU WOULD VOTE FOR A PERSON WHO HAS BROKE THE FAITH WITH US???? OTHER THAN A visceral idealogical among other things hate for the person who is president now.IF you think the Koch brothers have your intrest at heart I have a bridge in brookyln for you.

Now you can go on a rant if you want but I hope you will stop and think for a moment.BARE IN MIND I AM NOT TRYING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND BECAUSE I CANT,I am just tired of my way or the hiway that is why we are not posting, so keep talking to the reaffirmation crew,they do a pretty good job.

Lamont I don't think we have ever had a President that had a Swiss bank account?

ZOOK.....ALL I CAN SAY TO YOU IS THAT ANGER AND UNWILLINGNESS TO SEE ANYTHING ANY WAY BUT YOURS IS OK WITH ME BUT I WILL NOT LET THAT KINDA REHETORIC TAKE ME TO A PATH OF TREASON AND SEDITION....THAT IS YOUR BUSINESS.IT is ok to be simplistic about some things but some things arnt simple.......latter

ONE thing how does a sting gone bad become gun running ??? I have been meaning to ask that question.Please bear in mind I am not alibing mismangment ,supervision what ever you want to call it.I can only wish everything would work out perfect,I know it cant happen.WHY do you refuse to see the numbers on voter fraud,what are you afraid of.Why are we spending money on something that is not happening.??I dont think and illegal should be supported in anyway other than a way home,and if I had a humane solution to 12 mill I would suggest it and I am sure the fed is thinking the same way.You might be for internment camps I dont know,I do know we have been there before I dont think we want to do that again and call ourselves world leaders.

AS far as gsa goes.....you fire the highest person in the chain who had anything to do with the convention, simple not complicated at all.The general fires the wing commander end of story.We SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE CONGRESS THEY KNEW ABOUT THAT GARBAGE ILL BET SOME HAVE WENT TO THE CONVENTION.

ON The VA I agree.tHEY WILL DO THAT UNLESS THE active FOLKS SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT.BUT they wont because it is not happening to them.......YET.

JUST A FEW THOUGHTS.......LATTERS

I've stayed out of this for awhile now, but now I'll speak.

Gun running?? Give me a break! Fast and furious was a continuation by the same rogue office that did the same thing in 2007. Difference? It didn't come to light until fast and furious. Want to hang Holder? Hang Bush's AG at the same time. The clowns that ran this whole operation are/were civil servants, not political appointees, BIG difference.

Now on to revolt, revolution or what ever you care to call it. You claim it is required by the DOI. The fact of the matter is that it was written in reference to the colonies being ruled by a King! It makes no reference to overthrowing a lawfully elected government that was chosen by a MAJORITY of those governed. BIG DIFFERENCE! As a matter of fact, if you were to actually read the Constitution and the Sedition laws of this country, many of your statements could legally be construed to be seditious at the least, and if you do involve yourself in any act to overthrow the lawfully elected government of this country, then sir, you are by definition a traitor to the Constitution you claim to hold dear.

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."

Recognize it?

Illegals will continue to be a problem as long as there is no real enforcement against anyone and everyone who hires them. Illegals are now leaving in greater numbers than they are arriving.

Have you noticed the increase in the cost of American grown fruit and produce? As a result of not having illegals to do the labor at illegal wages and working conditions, the farmers are now having to pay legal wages and maintain legal working conditions, that cuts into profits, so prices go up. Welcome to the real world of immigration enforcement.

Photo ID? Even here in the reddest of red states, the far right managed to block absolute photo ID, so it isn't all on the backs of the Democrats as much as you would love to put it there.

The day they charge Bush with a felony is the day they will do the same for holder. That's the way it goes.

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --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, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Here is the whole thing. Read the parts before alter or abolish. Your cherry picking Mike.

Oh, and finish reading the document!

No it doesn't come out to the same thing Mike and you know it. Where did States Rights come from? Thinking of leaving the Union like the south tried?

Zook I will soon write a blog about Bush... I just need the time to get the story together... Something came out recently about Bush's years in office.

Mike, this country made a choice at the ballot box in 2008 and will do so again this year. If there is no change in the WH, then the MAJORITY has spoken. That's the American way.

Zook Your voice over the blogs since Obama stepped into the WH came out loud and clear. Your only in the middle on members of congress with a slight tilt.

Obama won by roughly 9 Million votes. To believe voter fraud on that scale exist is delusional.

RIG,RIG,.....I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.....that is a right wing talking point directed at attempting to nullify and election before it happens,it also sets the table to deligitamitize the winner.But worst than that it sets in motion the emotione for sedition.

Putting down this country??? I DONT THINK SO I SERVED IN MANY PLACES AND ONE THING WAS VERY APPARENT IN ALL OF THEM AND THAT WAS THE CONCEPT OF THE UGLY AMERICAN,if you dont know what that is you shopuld read up on it.IT did and still has a major impact on our forgien policy and our allies.We are a nation not even 300 yrs old and we think we should be able to misuse, use and abuse the rest of the world.I never could quite get in touch with that.SO he tried to mend fences and we take offense, so what we are saying then is .....the heck with you people we will do as we want.SEEMS TO ME THAT IS WHAT THE JAPENESE WERE SAYING AND WE DIDNT LIKE IT VERY MUCH DID WE?

DO you really see trickle down economy working??? IF it did why were we loosing jobs as early as 2005?? tHE FIRST EMERGENCY EFFORTS TO CHANGE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS 2008 AND YOU EXPECT A COMPLETE TURN AROUND OF 8 YRS OF DECLINE TO HAPPEN IN 3.NO one knew to what extent the banks had lead us down this path of desaster,do you really think letting the auto industry die would have been the way to go???? OR did those people deserve a chance at survival also?As far back as Enron WE SEEM TO TOLERATE PEOPLE OF WEALTH WHO KILL AND YES I SAID KILL AVERAGE AMERICANS and they do it with malice.ENRON execs should have been prosecuted for manslaughter at least,they conciously went about doing what they were doing because they knew the worst they would get is a slap on the wrist and that is what happened.

INCOMPETENT THIEVES........I hope that includes the incompetent use of cloture and the impact it has had on the legislative process,THE SETTING THE TONE TO MARGINALIZE A PRESIDENT BEFORE HE TAKES OFFICE,"my jobe is to make him a one term president" and the continueance there of while in office,lies, inuendos,distortions doctored filmn used as fact,perjured testimony etc.The discounting of facts,twisting of the same,comments and thoughts that have been played as fact,and it goes on.THIS IS ABOUT HATE PURE AND SIMPLE NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.BASED ON THAT ALONE THE RIGHTS CANNOT REASONABLY EXPECT SOME OF US TO SEE THEM AS FAIR,THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING FAIR ABOUT THERE TREATMENT OF THIS PRESIDENT.NOTHING FROM DAY ONE.

THERE JOB WAS TO HELP THIS PRESIDENT SET THE SHIP OF STATE STRAIGHT....NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS......THEY LET HIM DOWN AND US THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.AND I SHOULD TRUST THEM.??...I DONT THINK SO.....

THE reason for the LAW suits is the viability of the constitution..that IS THE REASON...THAT ALSO IS THE PRMISE OF THE LAW SUITES IF YOU CHECK IT OUT........AND WHEN DID LIMBAUGH AND O'RIELY BECOME LIBERAL.???? according to who????

WHY ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE LAWS IN MEXICO OR ANYWHERE ELSE???? Personally I dont except if they apply to me IF I GO THERE.I also realize that if I go there I am subject to there laws.The same as they are subject to ours here.The reporting has said we are deporting and stopping crossing faster than any previous administration.We are deporting more than are entering for the first time in history what more do you want????.yOU CANT ROUND UP 12 MILLION PEOPLE, SO I AM LISTENING FOR A SUGGESTION HERE.

Obama's Administration saved us from another terrorist attack today, of coarse no Republican wants to talk about that

I DIDNT SAY WE HADNT HELPED PEOPLE.........THAT DOES NOT GIVE US THE RIGHT TO TELL THEM HOW TO LIVE.....IT IS THAT SIMPLE....IF WE BELIEVE WHAT WE PREACH......NO WINKING DEAL IT IS CALLED POLITICS..........AFTER THE ELECTION I HAVE MORE FLEIBILITY.......THAT IS THE TRUTH WETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.....if we didnt hate so bad we would have heard it for what it was and honest statment from one politician to another.Do you want to go to war with the russians???? I DONT NEED AND ENEMY TO MAKE MY LIFE FULL.

cant USE FEDERAL TROOPS WITHIN OUR BORDERS,YOU KNOW THAT.YOUR SUGGESTION IS ONE OF THE REASONS I DONT TRUST CONSERVATIVES......HOW MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE DO YOU HAVE TO KILL TO BE SATISFIED.....I KNOW KILL THEM TILL THEY STOP COMMING....AND THAT IS THE CIVILIZED SOLUTION RIGHT???? you have got to be kidding me.AND when your finished with them who is next ?? IT'S KINDA LIKE THE DOMINOE THEORY YOU FEEL ABOUT LOOSING YOUR GUNS.IN our best days we were never politically correct if you read the history books and dont cherry pick them.

YOU know we got aid during katrina we just didmt want the public to know.YES we did, do some research and you will find that out.looking at ONES country objectively with the intent to make it better IS THE WAY YOU SUSTAIN BEING GREAT......MY OPINION.

Explain something to me Mike. 420 MILLION a copy for the F-22. A plane designed and built to engage enemy planes that don't exist yet and has oxygen problems that have caused many pilots refuse to fly it. 80 BILLION dollars!

WHY???????????

THE economy is playing a large part of why the are not comming and so is our efforts on the border.YOU CANT GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE CAN YOU????? Policey"s and action take time to implement and time to work it doesnt happen over night.

You pass and ORI credit to the commander....yes.....he is no different so stop it.

OUR government attempting to implement (TELL US WHAT TO DO) is part of there job,it's called leadeship.you and I FOLLOWED ORDERS DIDNT WE??? A LOT OF THEM WE DIDNT LIKE WE REASONED THEM OUT AND GOT ON WITH IT.

FUNNY your respone on the money thing admites that you feel we give them aid we should be able to tell them what to do....read it.

NObody even suggested dropping anything at the border and deadly force is authorized,you just dont shot because they are running away,or because you can there is a difference and believe it or not they are human.They can find work....did you see yesterdays statesman headline??? yOU ARE NOT GOING IN THE FIELDS AND NEITHER AM I....SOMBODY BETTER OR THERE WILL BE HECK TO PAY.

BASED on your comments if something good goes down it is not this administratiomn.......but if it's bad it's this administration.....you cant have it both ways and the right needs to stop trying to play it that way.You chastise the pres for it all the time.

Illegals are following the trail back to Mexico because there's no jobs to be had here...

Why spend money locking up the borders with a wall or a fence. They can still get over them. There's plenty of ways to get into our country. It's a waste of money.

I seen one yesterday that I'm not happy with at all. It doesn't effect me, however it effects children with cancer. It's been sitting in congress for 14 months and it will get passed, but not until July

Before you all get so upset, why not just goggle HR 4646, then pick one or more site(s) to read about it.

Zook I voted for and liked Bush and the first Bush too. I never vote for someone I don't like...

I Voted for Clinton and liked him to until he embarrassed our Country. I have voted more Republican then I have ever voted Democrat....

I want to vote for Corder so I guess I will register as a Repub and then change back so I can vote for Obama... I think there's still some time left to Register

Good catch Joe!

I wouldn't have to do the flip flop dance, if the Republicans would of left things alone and not limit themselves on votes by closing the door.

Do you know this guy who is running against Corder? I had never heard of him before.

If your talking about Brackett, Butch's lapdog.

Mike, you didn't like or trust Labrador because of big money from back east. Take a better look at this guy. I don't like anyone's lapdog's.

Like you Mike, it's not that I'm for Obama, I'm against Romney.

If McCain would have been elected, he would have bowed to political pressure and went ahead with more spending (aka Stimulus). Maybe the deficit would not be as great as it is now but in no way would it have declined. Today's modern politician is mostly a new breed of gutless, glorified used-car salesmen that tells the public what they want to hear but rarely ever actually stands for anything. What they say in their speeches and what they say behind closed doors are usually two different things. What happened to simply being honest and blunt?

That is why I am critical of 99% of most politicians. They all put on a show. Why take them at their word when you know that what you see and hear is just a show. It is not really a clear indication of what they actually believe. Who is to blame? Americans. They are the ones who are more about perception than reality. That is why they flip-flop. As soon as they discover that a certain stance is not going to garner enough votes, they change it. Its all about winning and looking good. This idea that they are selflessly dedicated to their constituents is nothing but a hot steaming load.

As far as I'm concerned, the last one to tell the whole truth was that funny little man from Texas with his funny looking pie charts. He was our last best hope.

Maybe my expectations are just too high. I set the bar too high and set myself up for disappointment. I expect leaders to be honest and forthright. However, the show they put on is really no better than pro wrestling.

I do not think that we necessarily need to hire a wealthy businessman or economist. That would be helpful. What we need is someone who will stand for something and stick by it through thick and thin. Cowering to an unrealistic and sometimes, uninformed, public and the party hierarchy is weak.

Romney is not all that different. If elected, he will largely follow the same path as Obama, economically. His flip-flopping of lately shows me that he has not the courage to make the changes that need to be made. Cutting spending across the board is going to take someone who is not afraid of being the bad guy. Doing so will end his re-election prospects. That should not matter. What is best for the long-term health of the country should be his only priority. However, he will give us all the usual lip service while maintaining the status quo. Lip service with no rewards at the end. How typical....

You guys have inspired a new blog!

As an economist, I can say without reservation that our field is far from perfect. Therefore, those that study it are from perfect as well. There is more to being president than economics.

Economics at its core is about efficiency and cares little about equity. I know that someone is going to misconstrue this and go on about how that word, "equity" is a liberal slogan. WRONG. It would be economically efficient to stop funding to the Dept. of Veteran Affairs. Now, tell me how well that would fly with dyed in the wool Conservatives? they should be all about lower spending and less government. It should not matter where the knife comes down, should it not? See that is where the other aspects come into play.

And everybody knows you don't want a penny cut from the military. Our citizens are hungry, living on the streets and needing medical care, but for you the military comes first, for a threat that will never come to be. We can already kill every living being on this earth and you want more?

THE PRESIDENTS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY IS TO SUBMIT A BUDGET....THE APPROVAL OF THAT IS THE CONGRESSES PROBLEM.....SO GET OFF THE PRESIDENT ON THAT.

What you may consider garbage programs are life and death for some and that is beyond illegals,our elderly,poor,and ill.

Yes the working guy needs a pay raise ,if you would notice the CEO'S are getting payraises every year and you and I are gettin zip.FRONT PAGE IDAHO STATESMAN......YES.

NAH Lamont, it's all Obama's fault. Everything is.

Let the elderly, poor and ill die so they quit being a drain on society, but increase the military budget! We need lots more 400+ MILLION dollar planes that the pilots wont fly, and at least 1 MILLION more people in uniform. Defense contractors are the new welfare recipients and they deserve to be taken care of.

Mike, get a grip. 70 years ago? That is like the stone age now, and you know it. 9/11 ?? That can not possibly be construed as a military attack.

For the most part, since Reagan, Republicans have spent like drunk sailors on defense and you know it.

I stand out in the bad weather and the good because it is a job that needs to be done, and I'm not too proud to do it. The pay sucks because of the big companies that put out the contracts here.

The owner of the company I work for and the owner of our biggest client live very modestly. Can't say the same for the executives of CenturyLink. But that's OK isn't it Mike?

20% of the workers in this country earn only 5% of the wages paid in this country, but that's OK isn't Mike? That same 20% has only seen a real increase in wages of 18% total in 30 years, but that's OK isn't it Mike?

If we are going to cut spending, the knife needs to be indiscriminate. It needs to be about efficiency and not picking winners and losers. By putting opinion behind why one should get cut but not another, we are playing the same game that has been played for years and not worked. One opinion is not superior to another.

By making it unilateral across the board, no single dept. would have leverage or high ground. They will all have to adapt. America is the land of adapting and making the best of it. How else do you explain so many making the journey out west before trains, planes, and automoblies?

Zook,

I love your cop-outs. Can't come up with some so you have to resort to the old, tired line of kool-aid.

Its all about getting results. If you want to keep fighting the good fight but getting absolutely nowhere, you have all the right in the world to keep banging your head against the wall. All the while knowing that whether you do it for one minute, one hour, or one year it will never make any difference.

Governments or anything tied to the Feds can get very complex fast. If you play favorites, you open the door for legal wrangling and other wasteful, high school-like activities. For example, lets suppose that Housing and Urban Development was cut by 25% and all others were between 5 and 10%. They would fight tooth and nail. That fight costs taxpayer money. It is not right, it just is. Next, the various special interest groups would go berserk and probably win some of it back. Again, a waste. Finally, the dialaogue about, "But we serve a greater need than they do and we deserve it more" would be minimized. It could never be zero due to humanity's incessant need to whine and complain but there would be less waste. Is that not what you want?