Excuse me but! Finding Pet Friendly Campgrounds is a Most difficult task!

image and article form Ottawadogblog.ca

After searching high and low for multiple weeks, I finally found a camping area that would accept me and my three pups for short-term campout. Normally most campsites, even in Pet friendly areas, suggest that one has their pet at their side, on a short leash at all times, with no access to any of the campgrounds amenities, specifically, the trails, the ponds (if any) the beaches (if any) and so on. This is especially true of Connecticut & Massachusetts. To be fair, some do offer dog parks and such for the dog, but...it’s not the same as sharing the experience with ones four legged friends.

Those that rely heavily on the companionship of their canine companions, be it for service needs and/or just the presence of unconditional love, should have some outlets that will allow them to experience nature without penalties (of course, picking up after one’s pups and insuring they have all vaccinations are common sense under any circumstances).

As we spend a fortune on medical, food (which is taxed) and shelter for our animals (I’m thinking tax deductions here), it is right and proper that those with pets, especially in states and municipalities that charge fees (i.e. taxes) in the form of dog tags, should have outlets where they can comfortably take their pets for a day or for that matter a week (if camping).

I did find one campground in Maine, which will share experience once returned. The experience will be based on how much enjoyment we have in this experience. It will be a somewhat longer drive, but the hope is that it will be the perfect experience for both human and pet.

There are “dog camps” in Massachusetts; however, those are weekly retreats, offering activities that would suit most anyone. The downside is that they are only offer 2 to 3 times a year and are priced for cabins, rather than tents.

If anyone who cares to drop a note in comments as to options for campers it would be appreciated. Criteria: off leash camping – sensible rules are fine (must have vaccinations, and pick up the wastes), but should offer beach access (even if times are restricted to early morning), and trails that are also off-leash. - Canada options obviously welcome.)

Ted Cruz – 2013 – First Year Most Influential Senator – No apologies – No remorse – As it Should be.

Ted Cruz, the junior Senator from the State of Texas, made some promises on the campaign trail and once elected, put himself to work – on the promise he made. These included stopping the Affordable Health Care Act – otherwise known as Obama Care – and he did his utmost to do so. He talked to his constituents in town hall style meetings, and went about the other states doing the same – the conclusion was that he needed to do something – so he did.

In a 21 hour non-filibuster (due to Senate rules) – he attempted to educate the general public on what might happen should the government fund Obama Care – things such as millions might lose their policies, and doctors might not be available. He was maligned not only on the left, which would be expected – but on the right as the old guards in the Republican Party are more interested in getting along and keeping their jobs based on polling from DC rather than doing what their constituents want. Which makes Ted Cruz, one of the only guys in DC that is actually doing with he was sent to do – constitutionally, work for the people who sent him there.

Accordingly to Real Clear Politics, Senator Cruz, also has his head on straight – he places the blame squarely where it belongs for the “alleged” government shutdown: at the feet of Harry Reid and the President.

Both men wanted to insure that the legislation went though – on time – which, in retrospect, had they listened to Ted Cruz, and came to some compromise, the President’s approval ratings would be through the roof – but that would take two – and Harry Reid, who is the fact totem leader of the country, was having none of it.

Therefore, yes, it was their fault, and they went the extra mile by shutting down national monuments spending more on the shutdown than would have been necessary. The entire “debate” over Obama Care has cost the county a boatload of cash, and it is a disaster – putting it off a year or two and working across the aisle might have made the transition perfect –yet – with a lack of bi-partisanship and party about the people, that is displayed on both sides of the aisle, that was not going to happen.

Ted Cruz, who many suggest may run for the office of the Presidency with experience equal to the current office holder, may or may not be in for a surprise as he has yet to even remotely hint at a run. The perfect place for Ted Cruz in this bloggers book would be to replace on Harry Reid at the helm, of course, there has to be a real change in power in the senate in 2014 for that to take place. That chance in power is evidence by the growing distaste for all incumbents who are more party less people. In that scenario - the prediction from here –Obama’s last terms in office may be the best he has had – should the Senate and the House both become more Libertarian-Tea Party and less standard “Republican” party or “Democrat Party”. It is looking as if this could possibly occur.

Of course, there would be the usual attention hounds, McCain, King, the like – but they are no longer relevant in this date and age, and as they are cheerleaders for the Democrats, they might as well change parties (it happens frequently)

Therefore, Cruz remains one of my favorite political figures, along with Mike Lee, and, without a doubt, Rand Paul, there are others, but for brevity sake, saving that for another day.

These leaders give us hope, something that has been lost amongst the partisan “hacks” that have been ruling for the past 30 odd years.

As we Close 2014 -CNN Outlines Why It Might Have been a bad Year for Obama –They missed a few!

In an effort to figure out why the President’s poll numbers have been less than stellar these past few months, CNN has suggestedsix reasons why: Obama Care tops the list, the polling is number 2, the Snowdon Leaks at 3, number 4 – the IRS targeting, Number 5 is the Presidents “stalled agenda”, and rounding out the list: the “selfie” snap shot at Mandela’s funeral.(CNN)

They may have two of them correct, specifically the Obama Care rollout – which, due to the hyper-partisanship in the Senate (between Democrats and McCanian Republicans and the Constitutionalist), has come to fruition and is now laying waste to the lives of millions, while bits and pieces of the legislation are picked away – all without Congressional approval. The second woe that stands out in CNN’s list is the IRS Targeting of Conservative Groups, specifically Tea Party, during election cycles.

The balance are on the order of personal, or out of context: The Snowdon Leaks – although the buck stops at the top of the heap (i.e. with the President) – Snowdon’s filching of state secrets as a contractor hired by an agency that works for the Federal government is so far removed from the President it might as well be the moon. In this instance it is a case of general incompetence and little oversight of the hiring process associated with the contractors, coupled with the same as far as the government agencies are concerned. Agree or disagree with Snowdon, the point is – like other spies, one is either caught or not and this was not personally a pervue of the President.

(The contents however…)

The Stalled agenda, considering Obama Care, may be a plus rather than a minus for this particular President. The polling was bound to happen, historically, second term Presidents rarely have high poll numbers, given the degree with which the public interest is waning and looking for the next best President. A second term gives one’s detractors an ability to trash the daylights out of the guy sitting in the throne room, in a political move to swipe Congress and the Senate for their Party. Suffice it to say: Clinton, Bush, Gorge W (although Clinton’s numbers were unusually high for second term Presidents).

If, however, the polling goes to Carter levels, the one might want to find a good fictional – historian to set the record straight.

Lastly, the “selfie” – one must give the guy a break. In many instances, especially state affairs, the President has been criticized, however, since the public should be used to gaffes at this point, and since it as a funeral of a former head of state and icon, perhaps the length of the ceremony was too much to bear, and there was a need for a bit of levity, and sharing the moment, no better way to capture that amongst heads of states, than – the selfie.

What CNN did not mention: the level of incompetence in the administration is mind-boggling, unfortunately the President, or is aid in charge of hiring staff including appointments, needs to take a long vacation.

Benghazi, although part and parcel of the State Departments’ purview, the President’s Cabinet members hound have played this one straight instead of blaming some grossly ridiculous cartoonish video – while not demanding that whoever gave the orders to stand down while a U.S. ambassador was murdered should have been hung out to dry.

Lastly, it is the high partisanship displayed by the President that has caused the problem he’s faced with now. Either that or he was working with the wrong Republicans’ (i.e. the McCain’s, etc.), as had he actually listened to those who were newly elected (similarly to himself, less to no experience in legislation) tea party, and tried to work with them rather than investigate and harass them – maybe, just maybe in a utopian world – Obama Care would have become the signature legislation known as – you can now afford insurance, we’ve opened up the state lines and all carriers can go anywhere, no mandates on every single policy (which had he looked at Massachusetts, he would have avoided all the mistakes that are breaking the budget in this Commonwealth) and finally those who have no insurance and cannot afford it, will be given the option of Medicaid – simple.

He would have made new friends and a ton of enemies on the left, but would have had skyrocketing poll numbers.

Of course, first he would have had to muzzle Harry Reid.

What can possibly go wrong in 2014? -

Obama Care – Now You Can Keep A Plan that is More Substandard than the Plan you Lost Under Obama Care Mandates! – The Fleecing of America – Answer: Civil Class Action Law Suit

It’s all in a day’s work in D.C. as the nation’s indecisive and glaringly incompetent administration changes yet another facet of the disaster known as Obama Care. Due to mandates of this particular plan governing insurance coverage for certain instances, which were previously not covered under some private insurance plans (i.e. fertility services), those types of plans were cancelled. Some of those plans offered sterling benefits, at a reasonable price; yet, those individuals were told they could not keep their plans. Top that off with the fact that the administration knew this was the scoop years ago when the bill was being “developed”. They weren’t alone, as one would think most of the Congresses understood what was about to happen to those families and individuals, but for political and or ideological reasons, let this behemoth become law, and then fund the darn thing.

To cover their increasingly large behinds, the Feds with their media buddies are beginning to downplay the projected millions of plan losses by noting that the White House is suggesting that “fewer than 500,000” have lost healthcare coverage”(News10.net)

Then the administration announced they would yet again, unconstitutionally ignore this law by offering those without coverage the ability to avoid fees from the IRS and those who have lost coverage will be able to get “catastrophic insurance”, which is insurance that may or may not prevent bankruptcy in the event someone needs care.(NPR)

If one is one of the estimated millions who lost their coverage under the bungling of the implementation of this plan with no rules imposed upon the American public by the Democrat controlled Congress and Democrat controlled Senate in 2010, then the fact that they are being offered coverage that is sub-standard, after losing great plans that were deemed substandard by the same bureaucracy then there should be a massive suit brought, not against the government per say, but a civil suit against those who knowingly and willingly defrauded those millions – class action toward any Congressional Representative, Senator, or Health and Human Services Secretary who was willing to allow these “few” people to suffer the consequences of their incompetence.

In 2014 and 2016 those same individuals who even suggested they might support this ridiculous burden on the American working family should face the consequences of the voting public.

You can keep your plan- or you can keep you’re: Senator, Congressional Representative, Presidential candidate who supported this mess. (Taking that line from the very effective advertisement currently running in New Hampshire targeting Democrat Senator Sheehan for her dedicated support of Obama Care – with 20,000 New Hampshire residents now able to buy catastrophic plans after losing decent plans, and only one Obama Care insurer in the state.)

Obama Care Glitches In Land of Romney Care – New Depths of Disaster - Let’s Blame it on the Website! The Repercussions.

According to the Boston Herald Governor Deval Patrick has insisted that everyone in Massachusetts will have health insurance by the deadline and insured by January 1, 2014. That may be a tall order since even under Romney Care, not everyone in Massachusetts was insured. In fact, many preferred to pay the fine rather than the higher and unaffordable premiums under Commonwealth Care – it was that simple. Those that are not subsidized do not have a choice.

Apparently these individuals will not get any exceptions under the hybrid Obama-Romney Care either: Red Mass Group reports that. as of the 17th of December those who are unsubsidized (working and making too much money) will not be eligible for extensions under the new Obama Care. The numbers are dismal - as of yesterday, the 18th of December, not one individual, subsidized or not, was able to sign up through the website.(Red Mass Group).

Apparently, Red Mass Group (Read Here) has been chronicling the disastrous roll-out of Obama Care in the Commonwealth upon which it was modeled. From individuals denied coverage due to their non substantiated criminal past (a mistake), to those who are now on phones with state workers who will “describe” a plan to them. Frankly, if one has been to the DMV does one really trust a state (read government) employee to give them the straight scoop – especially since nothing appears work – it’s a question of trust as well as proof of disaster.

From Massachusetts doctors sending out notices telling their patients they are either ending their practices or going to a fee for service sans government intervention method (preferred!!) – one wonders how long it will be before the Feds throw in the towel and turn to some in the Senate or Congress that have suggested solutions which fell on deaf ears – (make that the hyper-partisan ears of Harry Reid, Democrat sheep leader). Pull the mandates for individuals and employees, open each state to competition and watch the premiums fall – those who cannot afford the now lower plans would be on Medicaid, which is the vehicle used in the past. A few tweaks were all it would have taken to prevent this mess. The worst of it was that it was modeled on a system that “pretended to cover” everyone in the first place – but, at least the website worked.

2014 for the Independent, the Libertarian and those few incumbents who never voted for the Bill, or voted to Fund the bill (recall Ted Cruz); will be in fairly decent shape. Those who are still supporting or furthering Obama Care on either side of the aisle, will be facing a rough road – they may even loose with the dead voting.

Read it and Weep – Sen. Coburn (R-OK) Wastebook for 2013 shows 30 Billion in Government Waste – Yet Military Pensions are Cut? – Time to Reboot Washingto

From CBS News the Waste book is here, and it is, as usual, chock full of idiocy when it comes to delving out taxpayer dollars in D.C. The full report is embedded below. Suffice it to say, the Federal government who cannot handle a simple taxpayer disbursement to various departments without going over the top in spending, surely is not capable of handling a nationwide health care exchange, or for that matter, anything other than what they were originally designed by the Constitution to do – manage coining of money, secure the borders and meet on occasion to write a law or two. Time for change indeed, of a fiscal and sane nature, with the best options at hand - to get those most comfortable in D.C. a ticket home via the voting booth.

Understanding that the Federal Government is clueless as to spending and allocations, they recently cut the budget (to show fiscal restraint), but not their favorite pet projects, but the pensions to retired and disabled military personnel This was much to the objections of one party over another – the party who cut the pensions – those Democrats.

It is not without a bit of irony that the lot of them, both with a D or an R – have done little in the way of helping the general working family, rather spend most of their time, vested in their own re-election. What’s a billion dollars here and there amongst friends? Ridiculous and expensive spending could be used as a means to cut the budget down, rather than to bring it to new heights, and mandatory pencil counting should be installed in every department with the warning: If you fail to bring that department in under budget and show savings, you’ll be see a budget cut next year. That is not the current system. Under the current system, if one is in the position to work with a department budget, it is a requirement to spend the lot of it, or they will be in peril of reduced funding for the following year. Reversing that budgeting process would keep DC in buckets of cash, and the taxpayer seeing a reduction of or no taxes. The Federal government could revert back to their original money making option of tariff’s.

The Book

Wastebook 2013FINAL

The rise of Conservatism against All Perceived Odds? – Is it possible?

Newt Gingrich at Amherst College - See Article and more photos at The Daily Hampshire Gazette

In the deepest liberal enclave in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an odd event occurred this past week – New Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and 2012 Presidential Candidate spoke before a packed house at Amherst College – and received standing ovations. (MassLive) – The article does note that Gingrich is not as “Polarizing” as say “Karl Rove” – however, he is to the right of Karl Rove, which makes this all the more stunning. Although sponsored by the College Republican’s one might think that meant 100 people tops in an auditorium –however, there as overflow and the estimates are over 1000, if one counts the room holding 800 to 1000 and the overflow noted as 200.

Then Rasmussen conducts a poll of the most influential people – in the world. and of all the individuals that might be conservative, Ted Cruz came in a stunning 3rd, behind the President and the Pope, who took first (Washington Examiner).

With the hoopla surrounding various legislation and acts as of late, with Republican Leadership bending over backwards to “to get along” by being less Conservative rather than negotiating deals and working with the more liberal elements of the Democrat caucus, it just boggles the mind as to why they refuse to recognize a trend – perhaps one that is away from Washington’s blind eye, business as usual perspective and more toward the prospect of listening to the people rather than the media, the lobbyist, and the like.

Although only two examples, one can find more than a few as of late, and as the mid-terms are coming up this year it will be interesting to see how well those candidates that don’t associate with either party, or modestly do – will be elected over those incumbents who really annoyed the daylights out of people (by either association with or support for Obama Care, Immigration (the way it’s currently being managed and a host of other complaints).

It is quite possible that the younger generation and those who are sick and tired of being taxed to smithereens, while “Rome burns and the Washington elite fiddle” – might just vote en masse to shake things up a bit. Should that occur, it will be, despite the pundits, more conservative candidates, albeit liberty candidates, who end up with the majority.

Baby its Cold Outside – Suddenly “Global Cooling” surfaces

The 1950's saw a bit of snow in the northeast - image from Examiner.com

In the good old days, back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, one did not yet know there was global cooling or global warming – it was either cold with snow one could wade through up to one’s neck, or blistering hot, so much that the greenish/purple river looked like a good place to take a dip. Fast forward to the 1970’s where it was certain the word was entering a second ice age, that school of thought lasted until it determined the earth had begun to warm – and the global warming trend began.

What we can understand, from a non-scientific point of view, is that there are elements that man has introduced to the earth which would cause havoc with the climate. Take China for example, when it is dry, they create “rain” so much that it apparently causes quite a rift internally at times BBC. That said, when one hears of artificial rain (cloud seeding) in China, one can almost bet there will be some sort of weather occurrence elsewhere – it is either coincidence or nature’s way of getting even. Man has introduced chemicals into the environment that have poisoned by the air, water, flora and fauna, even though there are regulations in place in developed nations, some turn a blind eye in order to continue manufacturing rather cheaply.

As one sits in New England wondering where the nice warm weather is – while it is an unusually cold week, feeling more like February than December, it is not without some interest that one finds an old article on global cooling ”Global Cooling the New Norm (courtesy of Steven Goddard at wordpress.

Blaming weather disasters of warming or cooling of global proportions may help some deal with weather occurrences that have been taking place since time began – hwoever, there are these cyclical weather patterns that develop and last – years!

However, if one caulks’ up the entire warming and cooling of the earth and the subsequent disasters that occur that are weather related to “historical trends”, then one cannot study, or promote products that would save one from either too much heat or too much cold.

That’s where science and the Al Gore’s of the world appear to fit in- profitably one might add.

Jaded, absolutely, however, one thing is fairly clear, weather patterns have existed over era’s, both cooling and warming, but man has stuck their finger in the perfect pie of client by introducing chemical components, and that is undisputable, yet cause and effect can be both local and global. It it’s not just corporations but corporate Governments responsible for this phenomenon – and until one can figure out a way to keep both of the aforementioned in check, then the atmosphere will remain tenable.

In the meantime, let it snow, or warm, as the trend may dictate.

Ted Cruz – the Castro Walk-Out – Sometimes It’s not Politics, sometimes It’s just personal

While attending the funeral services in South Africa for one of the greatest leaders of that nation and the symbol to end segregation worldwide, Nelson Mandela, the junior Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, walked out during a Castro speech according to McClatchy. One who has read anything or heard anything about Ted Cruz, and his personal life story understand that his family came to the U.S. from Cuba. If one understands Cuba, it is small communist island nation to the south of Florida, whose ruling elites have made a point of torturing and murdering those with whom they disagree. It is one nation with which, due to multiple factors, relations between the U.S. and said nation have been strained these past 60 years. Cuban’s regularly attempt to set foot on American soil, risking life and limb in boats and makeshift rafts to get to the U.S. shore. If everything was rosy in Cuba, one would think boatloads of American’s would be attempting to do the same.

Suffice it to say, Ted Cruz has personal family history with the nation, and as a result, distaste for its ruling elites. Therefore, when he walked out on a speech, and his walk-out was not televised, and was as discreet as possible for someone of his stature, it was obviously from the point of view of the opposing U.S. political party -a purely political move – grandstanding was the word used by Democrats – as if the man who risked his reputation with his base by lauding Nelson Mandela (his base believes that Mandela as not a saint, per se), would pull a stunt to disrupt the funeral proceedings of someone he believes was a worthy man. (Christian Science Monitor)

It is becoming apparent that Cruz is a threat to the Progressives, he is a strict Constitutionalist, who is popular in his home state and may or may not have Presidential aspirations for 2016, but will remain, regardless of his future political aspirations, a champion on the people and the Constitution. As he is perceived as a threat, then one might understand the vigor with which the media, bloggers from the left, and twitters from the DC Democrat machine, daily and consistently attack the Senator.

Form a research on news mentions point of view, using Google News Alerts, set to all news, as it happens, from all sources, on potential 2016 candidates, there is no comparison as to who has the most daily mentions from both the potential (or named as potential) GOP candidates as well as the potential Democrat candidates – on a scale of 15 to 1 email news alerts, Cruz leads the field, with over 90 percent of the mentions extremely negative, most having little relevance to anything of import, just the constant, palpable distaste and hate – from the left (and also from the establishment right). That speaks volumes about the worth or the potential threat that Cruz brings to the table no matter what his intent is – be is a route in 2014 which brings him a Leadership Position within the Senate, or a 2016 run at the Presidency. In that article from the CSMonitor, in the ending paragraphs of the piece is this little gem worth considering:

Look, Cruz’s push this fall to shut down the government in an effort to defund Obamacare was a disaster for the national GOP’s image. Lots of establishment Republicans dislike him personally and don’t trust him, which is not good for his presidential aspirations.

But it would be a mistake for Democrats to treat Cruz as a caricature tea party conservative. His rhetorical skills are far superior to, say, those of Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. His academic achievements early in life were considerable. He was just announced as one of the finalists for Time's "Person of the Year."

Democratic lawyer and crisis consultant Lanny Davis makes that point in The Huffington Post. Democrats, he says, should remember that many in the party dismissed Ronald Reagan as an actor whose extreme views rendered him unelectable. “So fellow Democrats: Let’s debate the issues with Ted Cruz and win the election on the issues. If we think it’s better to engage in personal attacks and ridicule, and not take Cruz seriously, think again,” writes Mr. Davis.

Enough said.

Rand Paul on Economic Freedom and Blind Justice – In Detroit – Is it Acceptable for a “Republican” to Want to Help All Americans? Only If One is the Opposition Political Party.

Rand Paul is an interesting character in the grander scheme of politics – being a Libertarian in Republican’s clothing. Although there is a claim to kinship between the two political parties, it is the slimmest of such, given the ideology of the Libertarian is based on the individual freedoms of the people, rather than big government, while Republican’s, as they stand today, appear to be more interested in being “liked” or “moderate”. Rand Paul, like a very few others in the Senate and the House are polar opposites of the usual politician, as they tend to make remarks, or hold personal beliefs that may or may not resonate with their “base”, or their “peers” – more outcast, cowboy – or more Libertarian. That said, he and a few others, are doing their darndest to bring the Republican Party back to the roots of the 1860’s, when the Democrats where slaveholders and the Republicans’ were freedom fighters. It is not that a great deal has changed ideologically, it is the messaging that has changed, and the general dummying down of the public by a barrage of anti-Republican, pro-Democrat education and entertainment aimed 24/7 at the “masses” is a tough firewall to breach. They are taking on the task anyhow.

Therefore, when the Senator from Kentucky goes to Detroit to try to do something to haul that desolate and blighted city out of the muck and mire the Press and the opposition party (Democrats) tend to suggest he has motive, a lot of nerve, or is just “too Republican”(MLive). The problem with that reaction is that it appears to be saying to the people of Detroit and the Nation that anyone who has the “label” Republican, is now allowed to help or try to suggest options, as that particular piece of land and all the people living therein – belong to the Democrat Party. It doesn’t matter if one agrees or disagrees with the ideas of aforementioned Senator Paul; they are simply unacceptable out of the gate.

When the Senator suggested The justice system may not treat minorities in Detroit the same as the say the “rest of us”, - of course, it is with the Republican brand that he is cloaked in – regardless of the fact that he is looking at outreach on Democrat Holy turf, being a Republican, his ideas, and the Party in general should be given the opportunity and the respect due for even attempting to do something to life a city so desolate, out of the ashes. (Los Angeles Times)

Here is the question the people in Detroit should be asking – How can that Senator from Kentucky help us, when the Democrats have done nothing to improve our economic situation?

They could take it a step further and ask why the Democrats think they “own” them.

But that would bring up the whole messy, economic slavery, as opposed to physical slavery that the Party of the KKK has so deftly managed to continue through entitlement programs and a very large blind eye – as long as they get a return of votes, there is nothing to see.

What if that Senator from Kentucky really means what he says, both personally and politically – would not that be a shocker?

What if a life-long Democrat Voter, living in poverty, wanting something better, a helping hand upward, actually voted for that Kentucky Republican Senator, Rand Paul, in 2016? That’s the question that must concern those Democrats and their sycophants in the media, but only slightly. They need only look to the sheep in Massachusetts or Illinois, or any other state in decline, to understand the herd mentality of the Political Party slave. It’s a hard step to take to become an Independent voter – one who pulls the lever for the person they feel will actually do the right job, rather than the D or R because they feel….enslaved to the brand. One can only hope that the Senator, should he decide to run for President in 2016, succeed in his endeavors.

Ted Cruz – Publisher picks Texas Senator for New Comic Book – Cruz also on short List for Time Person of the Year.

Ted Cruz, Junior Senator from the State of Texas - image from the Texas Tribune

From CNN Ted Cruz, the Jr. Senator from Texas, is now the subject of an educational coloring book for children. The book is in a series of politically oriented books published by Really Big Coloring Books.

The company website: www.coloringbook.com offers a variety of coloring books from political (including Republicans and Democrats, Tea Party & Tea Party II, Occupy, and Barack Obama) to butterflies and holidays. Cruz is also on the short list of the TIME magazine person of the year along with 9 other news influencers, including the President Time’s short list includes

Bashar Assad, President of Syria, Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder, Ted Cruz, Texas Senator, Miley Cyrus, Singer Pope Francis, Leader of the Catholic Church, Barack Obama, President of the United States, Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Edward Snowden, N.S.A. Leaker, Edith Windsor, Gay rights activist

TIME Managing Editor Nancy Gibbs announced the group on the TODAY show Monday morning. TIME’s Person of the Year will be announced Wednesday morning.

Ted Cruz generates a great deal of “press”, given the left –leaning media and blogs to whom he causes much angst (otherwise, they’d be writing about someone else). As noted in the Hill article, the magazine’s short list is not necessarily an honor, as it has included figures such as Adolph Hitler – go figure. How relevant is all of this? It really depends upon one’s political point of view.

Ted Cruz, although much vilified on both sides of the aisle, appears to be an individual who speaks his mind, regardless of the personal and political consequences, for what he feels is right (and is the non-political use of the word). For that reason, these two occurrences, no matter how little of consequence either one is, are an honor.

Ted Cruz speaks to personal beliefs, takes heat – Texas Editorial bemoans competition from the “right”.

Senator, Ted Cruz, on the passing of Nelson Mandela was respectful, and spoke to the true measure of the man and his struggle to end Apartheid in South Africa -for which he apparently took some heat from Tea Party activists who are fans on Facebook. Cruz, along with a contingent of 20 Democrats, will be going to South Africa to say farewell to Mandela. (CNN). Understanding that there are those who we may be in political disagreement with on some points, the fact that he man himself, was fighting diligently for his people, at great personal risk, and succeeded in ending a system that was so far from equitable, speaks to his measure- rather than any Communist trends that he may have adhered to. The problem with the right, as with the left, is those members of both sides that allow for no compromise, regardless of any situation. Good for Cruz for showing understanding.

In Texas, as elsewhere in the nation, there are multiple challengers to incumbents, and that has two of the Dallas Morning News crew with their panties in a bunch Although placed under “Political News”, it is truly editorial in format, suggesting that challengers to Congressional offices, from the Tea Party or far right, should not be taking place, as these individual s have “no experience”, at all. Funny how both sides of the aisle, Republican and Democrat value “experience” in Washington which was not the general intent of the founders. The general intent for the House specifically, was to have a multiple of individuals serve, be they merchants, farmers or doctors of the day, when the term was up – they returned home, and someone else took their place. Additionally Congress was only in session for a few months (another plus in the past). Forgetting a moment that the challenger offers no experience, what they do offer, is a choice for the voter. The problem with having choices is that one might choose someone not to the liking of the two over at the Dallas Morning News. They, along with others in the industry and in politics may be in for a bigger shock than expected when the dust settles in 2014.

The anti-incumbent sentiment has grown, and for both sides of the aisle, so one might anticipate should this hold (and since Congress nor the Senate, show any signs whatsoever of changing their ways), the 2014 elections may turn into a free-for-all. By that, one might anticipate changes to the right, center and yes, far left, in all forms, in all districts. It is the distastes for all things Washington that has produced an opportunity for those who have never served, to go to D.C and put in their two cents.

If one thought the 2010 elections were specifically historical – then one might want to hold that thought for something that in theory and perhaps in practice, may trounce the records.

With the news holding slightly better approval ratings that said Congress, one might wonder if media news, as well as celebrity, etc., would hold any sway for a very angry and disgusted group of Americans – the Voters. It will be interesting to say the least.

Can there possibly be a power shift in the Senate in the 2014 midterms – Absolutely.

Politico has suggested that the GOPis targeting several states, both “blue “and “purple” in an effort to regain control of the Senate – they rank these specific races all but “mission impossible”. The efforts of some to tie the fate of the Democrats to that of the President and the especially unpopular Obama Care program is one that is one somewhat firm ground, however, there just maybe another reason why the balance of power will shift, having a small percentile hinging on the President himself, and the balance – a general distaste by the voting public for the current crop of politicians residing in Washington.

A recent Pew poll suggests that the younger generation, those 18 to 29 year olds, have soured on the President, and although it is written as if it is a personal issue with President Obama, it is more than likely that the rank and file “masses” (to use Progressive Speak) have learned to see the forest through the trees as regards to policies that work, politician’s that make promises they don’t keep, and generally a need to change – everything. It is the Progressive (or far left) policies, just as it is the Far Right policies that turn the general populace away – and in this case, there may be heck to pay on both sides of the aisle. What is being suggested is that no one Senator or Congressional Representative is truly “safe”, especially in those blue and purple states. It is the fact that an entire generation has lost the opportunity they were promised, and they are not alone. Those that are in or nearing retirement are not enamored of either “brand” of politician; there isn’t an age demographic in any recent polling that suggests anything other than contempt for the government.

The question is; what happens in 2014? One might suggest that it is going to be a free-for-all, regardless of billions spent, or where the challenger is on the political spectrum, the incumbent should not get too cozy or comfortable should this trend continue.

Should this occur, anticipate new voice in both halls of Congress, along with those standard “Party Bearers, be they Socialist, Communist, Tea Party, Independent, Left, Right or Center, the net effect would be a Congress and Senate that would most closely resemble the founders vision of government, or a complete break of the political party system. Which sounds a bit far-fetched, as it should, sound logic dictates that those with the most cash and the most personality will surely sway the electorate – but what if?

On the November day in 2014, those going to the polls decided to do the unthinkable, vote for anyone that was not an incumbent. It might be the high cost of living, specifically in blue states where taxes are a driving factor, or something as banal as a general distrust of the government which has Congress seeing approval ratings that are almost in minus territory. When the dust settles, one might find the status quo intact, or the Congresses radically changed. A radical change would be a combination of the two major parties, holding some majority, with new elected officials that hold both right, left and center viewpoints – which, contrary to the current shift where party liens dictate movement of legislation, there would be a set of “brokers” in their midst that would, regardless of “sides” shake it up a bit and get things done.

Fighting Factions within the Democrat Party – Recognized – The Progressive versus the Democrat – Warren Coy About 2016 Run

From Politico: