So Long Harry and Thanks for All the Fish! The President’s Legacy – Will He or Won’t He Work with the GOP once freed of Reid?

The title is in reference to Douglas Adam’s 5 part trilogy beginning with A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and ending with “So Long and Thanks’ for All the Fish”. Basically if one has any familiarity with this irreverent take on life and its karma – then Harry Reid is about to become of those characters, the villain who is given his comeuppance, as the party faithful flee.

Tomorrow will be a day of historic proportions some pundits suggest, however, it may also be the tipping point in a mid-term where the population, in general, rejects, not only the Administration’s policies, but the progressives as a whole. Time of course, will tell, however, a recent Suffolk poll on the Massachusetts Governor’s race is telling. The Marginals (here) are chock full of surprises: In this poll, Baker leads Coakely for the Governor’s office by 4 points, and the President’s approval in MA remains underwater at 44%, Hillary Clinton’s visit to help out Martha Coakley had a net zero effect, with 61.4% suggesting it made no difference at all and finally, 28% watched Fox News more than any other network. The poll was based on Massachusetts political enrollment, 51% Unenrolled, 11% GOP, and 38% Democrat (approximately) – which does not bode well across the board for Progressives. The Ballot questions are also of interest, most favor keeping the casino and reject including bottled water, etc. in the states bottle return program.(Boston Herald)

North to New Hampshire, is the Scott Brown Race against Jean Shaheen, which is, at present a tie, Iowa was a tie, until a Des Moines Register Final poll showed no contest at all, with Earnst up by 7 points, and the Democrat Candidate suggesting she looks like Taylor Swift (Politico)

It is indeed a world gone somewhat wild. Given that the Republicans are set to take upwards to 10 seats (as some models show Iowa as a toss-up), and additional congressional seats, the President will be in a position to get things accomplished, should he be of that mind. With Reid gone from the equations (possibly a loud and obnoxious voice in the Senate to be sure, but no longer hampering votes and legislation from seeing the light of day, the President will have more opportunity to pass or veto as he sees’ fit.

Should the President reject overtures of bi-partisanship from the new Congress, then they have a loud enough group going into 2014 to continue to “Bushwhack” him, and the White House will also fall to the GOP – which, given history, is more than likely to happen even if the President was granted sainthood.

That said, a legacy is at stake, and rather going down in history as the rival to Jimmy Carter, he does have the opportunity to come out of this looking a lot more like Bill Clinton. The question remains, will he use the next two years to thwart the congress by any means (including overreach of the Constitution), or will he “play ball” and give and get in the dance of legislation?

2014 – Senate Preparing for Party Switch – 2016 – Begins with Rand Paul

Barring any massive upheavals in the universe as it is today, the outcome of the 2014 mid-terms will, in all probability, produce a GOP majority. With that in mind the Senate is said to be preparing on both sides of the old aisle for the “switch” according to the Wall Street Journal, and Harry Reid intends to continue to drag down the Democrat Party – go figure. (WSJ)

Not wasting any time, nor letting grass grow under his feet, the Most Interesting Man in Politics, Rand Paul (Time Magazine) , has scheduled his first 2016 team meeting, this according to the National Jouranl(picked up as well by the Hill Blog.

It is that season, that political season, where the meek crumble and those that are either crazy and or decidedly dedicated or a bit of both, would take on the prospect of a grueling primary, and if one should win, take an even greater task, the general election – all for the booby prize of landing in the nations White House. In this wise, and in this time, the stakes are so high in the “can it be fixed at all area”, that one has to have a bit of crazy to even consider running. Either way, no matter which side, or who the candidate is, it behooves all citizens to thank them for even suggesting they might be interested in the job of dragging us out of this very deep ditch. Of course, this bloggers preference at this moment in time is the Kentucky doctor, Rand Paul. He meets the ridiculous criteria: younger, hipper, and more in tune with the entire population, he makes the covers of the magazines and most beautiful people’s list. Additionally, he is smarter than all that, has run his own business, is a doctor, has a deep understanding of the constitution the way it was written, and prefers individual to states rights. In other word, a Renaissance man that has his pulse on the country, which is a great prescription for this time and space.

Justice Department Blocks Harry Reid Investigation

A corruption probe begun by Utah State Prosecutors against Harry Reid (D) and Mike Lee (R), Senators from the State of Utah, has come under some scrutiny since efforts by the FBI have been thwarted by the Justice Department. In the case of Lee, there is some question into the validity of a sale of a home, in which losses were incurred, the investigation, was brought by a State Democrat.

Concerning both men

Spokesmen for both senators denied their bosses engaged in any wrongdoing and said the lawmakers were unaware of the investigations. Mass recusal The investigative efforts have been further complicated by the fact that Mr. Reid worked to get Mr. Lee’s chief counsel, David Barlow, confirmed in 2011 as the U.S. attorney in Salt Lake City. That action — a Democratic Senate leader letting a Republican be named to a key prosecutor’s position in the Obama administration — raised many eyebrows and angered some Democrats. Subsequently, the entire office of federal prosecutors in Utah was forced to recuse itself from the corruption case after questions surfaced about a conflict of interest involving one prosecutor and a subject of the probe. After the recusal, state prosecutors secured a court order transferring the federal evidence gathered up to that point to their possession. The process has left FBI agents in the unusual position of trying to help two local prosecutors make a case in state court without the ability to use the federal court system to determine whether accusations against two powerful members of Congress are true.

(Washington Times)

Considering Harry Reid, the spokesman for Obama Care, and architect of the Nuclear Option in the Senate, one would think that the administration would do anything to protect their lapdog – including blocking an investigation. It would be justice to give both men the opportunity to prove no wrong-doing in either allegation. What is suspicious is the fact that Justice as intervened in this issue, in particular, as the players are diametrically opposed, and Harry Reid, is seen as the lap dog of the administration. One might have to throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater, in these cases, Lee being unable to disprove the allegations, while saving Reid. Of course, 2014 may make this a moot point.

Harry Reid (D-NV) – Brings Partisanship to New Heights – Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) – works with Coburn (R-OK) on Bill – Sick of it All Yet?

An article in the New York Times speaks to the power plays by the Majority Senate Leader, Harry Reid and his “uncompromising” position on anything Republican. Apparently, there have been bills brought forth by Republicans which Democrats of like mind might have voted for or against (with dialogue), yet Senator Reid stops all from being brought to a vote on the Senate Floor(New York Times). Reid, the Majority Leader, has the job of traffic cop when it comes to legislation and whose legislation is brought forth, voted upon and sent to the President’s desk for signature. When he blocks one party entirely, he’s playing partisan politics, which, one might suggest, will not turn out well for the current party in power (Democrats, which Reid leads by the nose).

Playing nice, at the moment, is the newly elected Progressive from Massachusetts, Senator Elizabeth Warren, with of all people Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK). Apparently they have co-written legislation on transparency with corporations specific to tax breaks, and the people’s money (both personal and tax) when it comes to banking. The referring article by the Huffington Post notes Coburn as an arch-conservative. - Coburn releases the annual government waste book available here, at www.coburn.senate.gov From this point of view, it’s a reasonable match, as Coburn is shouting government waste from the rooftops, and Warren is shouting corruption and waste as well. The bill will be on the Senate Floor, but the question remains, with Reid’s inability to allow anything with a Republican Label go to the floor, what happens to Warren and Coburn’s noble quest?

Reid is now in a position to play this either way – for example: He may shut it down entirely as it would appear that a Republican has something to offer and to be bi-partisans should it go to the Senate floor for a vote or, he can allow the vote – giving the one most likely to run for the Democrat Nomination for President (Elizabeth Warren), a leg up so to speak.

Meanwhile, all the worthwhile and the worthless legislation that both parties are writing (as that is the job they are hired to do), sits and nothing gets done – and Reid rules over a do-nothing Senate – if he were slightly less moral, one might liken him to the mad ruler of Rome, Caligula (referring to the madness of Power).

As the general voting public on both sides including rank and file Democrats and Republicans as well as Tea Party and Progressive, are growing more leery by the day of the partisanship shown on both sides. It is as if two big bullies are running the nation – into the ground. Which brings up a point – if one of each of what is seen as the more radical factions of both parties, actually makes a run at the Presidency and or any office for that matter, and avoids the general label of D or R – it follows that that individual would endear themselves to the public – the voting public.

A perfect example of such is the recent brouhaha over Chris Christie and his Turnpike Scandal. Not a fan of the Governor on some points, the level of partisan rhetoric coming from the Democrats, and stony silence from the Republican’s is ridiculous. The man took responsibility for something he was unaware of, and that shows leadership. Of course, the Republicans have some grievances with Christie as they felt he should not have embraced the President during the crisis of Hurricane Sandy, while Mitt Romney, the second worse candidate in recent memory, was trying to unseat the worst President since Jimmy Carter. Blaming Christie is ridiculous, as Romney was not supported by either the right wing evangelicals as well as the Tea Party! – When 20 million voters stay home, it’s time to change strategy. Not likely as they are having Bush delusions (Jeb Bush) and the Democrats are currently in love with Hillary Clinton. One might suggest that none of those mentioned in the preceding, will actually make it through the nominating process.

Which point, one of the most progressive individuals one might meet, suggested, who cares about Christie, why is this even news? This is referring, of course, to the labels - again.

Keep it up Harry, the DNC and the RNC and soon we will have new parties develop which are long past due. The public is becoming increasingly aware and increasingly Independent (or not affiliated with any political party)

2014 – Balance of Power in the Senate Hangs on Mistake of Democrats End to Minority Filibusters, and the Affordable Health Care Act, formerly known as Obamacare.

One does not even know the players in the 2016 Presidential stakes, however, there are the “maybes” that are being touted, yet it is a long way off. What is of import, perhaps more so than the 2016 elections, are the 2014 midterms, which will determine what power the political parties wield, and the power of the President. There have been a few errors recently that have set in motion the possibility for a serious route for the Democrats in 2014, and it is of their own doing.

The first was the disastrous rollout of Obamacare, the website dysfunction alone was not that big of a deal, it was the cancelled policies (with more to come) and the President insisting, time and again, individuals could keep their plans, he finally offered half an apology, and suggested that those who lost their plans, were paying more, or could no longer afford insurance, were getting better plans in the long run. What this did was assure the American people that trust in Obama was akin to trusting the wind – he’s lost much in the polls.

This, of course, with a less popular and floundering President, an angry and annoyed opposition party (over the Reid use of the Nuclear option to end all debates in the senate), will not necessarily affect the President (other than his legacy) but it will affect those Democrats running for reelection in 2014. The die has been cast, and it is only up to Republican’s or Independents to lose, rather than win those seats that a child could steal at this point.

An article in the Boston Globe suggests that donors to the Democrats, and specifically the fundraiser in Chief Obama, are starting to have grave doubts about investing in campaigns that stand no chance of winning. That, coming from one of the media cheerleaders, is telling. This is regardless of the fact that a “Hail Mary’ of delaying the enrollment until 2015 put into place this weekend and designed to “save” Democrats in Danger of losing the house, in all probability won’t matter a bit.

Those who have had any experience with the program at all are not thrilled and the majority of the public wants the mandate gone. – Delay or not wont’ help. The bigger problem is the Reid end of the 225 year Senate Filibuster in order to place more power in the hands of the controlling party. Of course, that’s a short term move. When the Republican’s suggested that they might opt to do the same in 2005, the Democrats were mightily opposed, as the editorial in the Dallas Morning News suggests that move will come back to haunt them – sooner than later.

An interesting take on the move by Reid can be found at Bloomberg news, written by Megan McArdle , who writes that Reid invoked the Nuclear Option out of desperation, in other words, Reid knew that in 2014 there would be a turn in fortunes for the Republican’s and/or Independents, and that the Democrats would most certainly loose the Senate, and at present it appears the House will remain in the hands of the Republicans. The reasoning is simple, Reid, in making this move, was helping the President get as much as he could in the remaining time – such as judicial appointments.

Either that or Reid is well aware of what has taken place in the special elections, and in the smaller local races across the nation – Democrats are poison, and more lost than won, down to the City Council. When that occurs, and the distrusts in Washington, especially for incumbents are as toxic as it is now, those in power should be as non-toxic as possible. One might also suggest that those Republicans’ who are feeling rather confident should rethink their positions, as they also could become a former Senator or Congressional Representative on the turn of a dime. That is not to suggest someone would choose a Democrat over a Republican, rather “other” than the standard Party.

What should be most interesting in the coming months will be Gallup’s Presidential approval by State, should it drop to more dangerous levels, mimicking his overall drop in approve (under 40), then those Democrats up for reelection might want to distance themselves from the President, in much the same way that the Republicans did with Bush in 2006 – although, one might recall, that did little good whatsoever.

With the Affordable Health Care Act (DBA/Obama Care) Imploding, Harry Reid, D-UT, most Powerful Man in the Country – destroys 225 years of Senate precedence to give Democrats Supreme Power – Reaping what one sows.

Image and article from: The Democracy Chronicles

The Affordable Health Care Act (named so in an attempt to hide the fact that it is Obama Care and or Romney Care on Steroids), apparently is going so poorly that even Time has spoken out on the entire fiasco – let alone the disastrous roll-out, the President’s lying eyes and tongue hast caused his perfect “likability” and “trust” polls to plummet. Read Time Article (see cover) here at time.com to get the full taste of the problems that are facing a very lame duck President.

To combat his inability to get things done and inability to con the American Public, he called on the most powerful man he knows, Harry Reid, Democrat Senator from Nevada, otherwise, the Majority Leader of the Senate. Regardless of the reasoning, whether to further another agenda of the President’s, or take the headlines and the heat off the Affordable Health Care/Obama Care Act, the move to block filibusters under a “Nuclear Option” puts the Democrats firmly in the driver’s seat. The action stops any dissent from the minority party and basically breaking rules that are two hundred years old can oftentimes have consequences.

What makes one shake their heads in wonder are multiple – however, should the Democrats not be reading the tea leaves for 2014, and believe that they will continue to hold both the House and the Senate in 2014 – then that may explain Harry Reid’s actions – either than or it was a Kamikaze move in desperation of support for a Presidency in failure.

To understand completely what has taken place, the party in control of the Senate now has the option to shut out the opposition party and just pass whatever pleases them. The problem lays in the fact that should things change in 2014, and the Republican’s regain control of the Senate, then that move just set the Democrat party back – centuries. Harry Reid and his army of partisan pygmies might as well return to the pro-slavery south from which they came, and just retire - those old shortsighted fools. One might also guess that although the Republican’ are equally as popular as the Democrats (which is not giving them a whole lot of traction) they can at the least say they had little or nothing to do with Obama care – which at this point, with no fix in sight, and trust and liability an issue, then one might suspect 2014 will not go the Democrats way – especially if they are campaigning with the President to gain reelection outside of MA, HI, IL and DC.

Obama now has George Bush Syndrome, yet Bush took the sidelines, while Obama’s ego won’t allow it – that’s going to cost the party the Seats in the House – it’s already costing them the credibility with their constituents who are not progressive far left.

If there should be a group of like-minded Cruzian or Pualian new legislators in the Senate and the House, one can anticipate a whole different nation by2016- one which would give the nation a taste of Liberty on steroids.

That would ensure a third party and a balance capitol at last. Suffice it to say, if one is as student, it is time (or past time) from the formation of a new party to reduce an older party to dust. At first, one might think it would be the Republicans, yet, one believes more and more, that it may be the Republican’s survive (as the newest party – The Democrats being the oldest coming from the Slave states of the Civil war and pre-dating the Republican Party – who gave the U.S. Lincoln. Therefore, faced with moderate conservatives and hard-line constitutionalists, and a marginalized group of Democrats In a tight corner, the die would be cast for a return to prosperity, and accountability.

This is indeed a great time to watch events unfold, and one would probably pick up a good deal of spare change at the moment by playing chess with any Democrat, with an eye towards winning repetitive checkmates.

Did the President Lie About Obama Care – The Affordable Health Care Act? If He Did Lie, Who Else Knew That You Could Not Keep Your Plan or Doctor?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel asks the question this morning: “Did Obama Blatantly Lie About Keeping Your Doctor Under Obama Care?” – and the answer from the paper’s, Gary Stein, is a resounding – yes.. One might also turn to the national NBC News article where it is revealed that the administration knew “millions could not keep their health insurance” – for three years prior to its implementation.” For those who understand the President has said, on numerous occasions, that one would not lose their insurance plan nor their doctor, it does appear as if he did, indeed, lie to the American People, however, the question should be asked: “Who else knew that one might not keep their insurance plan, or that their doctor was not about to accept patients under Obama Care? “: -

That answer is: every Congressional Representative, and every Senator – they had the bill, they had oodles of time to read the bill and should have been screaming from the rooftops in each and every hamlet that this plan was going to tug at the emotions, finances and general trust in government by those millions and millions who now find that they are losing both.

As the President’s team starts to go into “damage control”, the line is that one might not keep their “sub-standard” plan. The term sub-standard applies to any plan that does not meet the minimum requirements of additional mandates added to the program. For example, living in Massachusetts under “Romney Care”, one is obliged to carry infertility benefits in their plan, regardless of gender or age. The reason: the increase in insurance premiums that are collected by the insurance carriers (big business), on plans for individuals who do not need the coverage, pays for those who do! Some of the benefits mandated may seem medically unnecessary – however, in an attempt to please everyone, those who are socially liberal will mandate just about anything imaginable. – It is simply not fair. The nations workers already pay taxes for Medicaid – which is for coverage of those who cannot afford it, this type of mandate becomes a second or hidden tax.

Every single one of those Senators and Congressmen and women who supported this bill, or who allowed it to go through the last budget standoff (otherwise known as the government shut-down) knew about this – Those who were screaming to Defund Obama Care knew about it – Ted Cruz warned, Mike Lee warned, and their “Tea Party” crazy friends and allies – they knew too – they just wanted to let the America People know.

Now we know.

Did we expect a President to lie to the American People? If the answer to that is no, then one has a short memory – or has no reference in history. Nixon famously said “I am not a crook”, Bill Clinton “Did not have sexual intercourse with that woman”, Republican and Democrat alike, they both lied to the public. They both were chastised; Nixon resigned in disgrace and Bill Clinton was impeached, but forgiven in the long run. Assuming that all things are equal, then one would understand that this should be an impeachable offence, however, one would have to impeach: Harry Reid, Democrat Senate Majority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat Congresswoman from San Francisco’s district, John Boehner, Republican Speaker of the House, John McCain, former Republican Presidential Candidate, and so on and so on.

Since that’s not quite possible, one might also take their angst out at the voting booth – One might ask the important question of their Congressman or Senator, or Presidential Candidate, if they voted for either Obama Care outright, or if they voted to fund the government, and then Obama Care – if the answer is yea, then vote for the other candidate, Republican or Democrat, Tea Party or Progressive, Independent or Green Party – replace the incumbent who knew exactly what they were doing to a huge segment of the American People.

One cannot vote President Obama out of office, he’s a “lame duck” or in his final term and cannot run again (regardless of the conspiracy theorists). He may lose the trust of the American People (some of them) – but vote for the individual who might have wanted to fix the plan, start over and keep segments in place, but not fund the darn thing. Those that think that Ted Cruz was wrong to point out that the plan was a problem for millions, like potential 2016 presidential candidate and former 2012 Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum, or Senator Elizabeth Warren of MA who clearly voted to fund the program, or anyone of their ilk, should not be given a glance – it should be the individuals who stood to uphold the Constitution, those crazy people who would rather have millions enjoy the freedom to choose their own plans, while funding a plan for those who could not afford one – a system that is already in place.

The media is already being clearly careful in its reporting on the issues (See the analysis here by Reuters this morning. Therefore, which suggests thousands might be affected, rather than millions, but does it really matter? It was the fact that from the President on down, throughout the hallowed halls of the Senate and the Congress, they knew – and they all lied to the public.

3000 plus Truckers Head to DC for Protest – Drive for the Constitution – Meanwhile – Harry Reid, Blocks Bills and Want $1 Trillion More Added to the Deb – Does Anyone Not Want to Ride Along?

There’s been little to no media coverage, unless somewhat negative in scope, on the Ride for the Constitution, a movement if one will, of the Truckers of this nation who are protesting the economics that are perpetuated by our Federal Government, that are directly impacting their industries and the lives of millions of Americans. The website for more information is located at http://ridefortheconstitution.org, and there was one piece that really brought home the frustration of these road warriors on a local network affiliate out of West Virginia.

The video above really speaks to the heart of the matter – the economy and individual pain at the pump and the grocery store and anywhere in between is literally driven by trucking. It is the number one way to move goods in this nation. The trucking industry as a whole is one of the backbones of the nation, and the families and firms are generally small businesses that are, like all American, striving to stay even.

The Fox News Network, with their Greta Van Susteren show, gave the organization behind the movement about 2 and half minutes yesterday – that video is below. Zeeda Andrews, below, explains the organization and the peaceful protest it plans.

Watch more Washington, Dc videos on Frequency

Those who would be willing to help bring to light the problems facing the nation should be supported in every effort, they are Conservative yes, but that does not delineate a political party – rather the true spirit of the nation’s founders.

Other’s not so much in that spirit are still blocking bills and legislation offered to stave off disaster, and those are bills are in the hands of one maniacal leader of the Senate – the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. Not satisfied with driving the economy into the ground – he is now asking for yet another Trillion dollars to spend – that’s his apparent compromise. See the video below from The Hill Blog.



Suffice it to say, with our Veterans unable to visit the memorials in DC., yet the Federal government allowing other protests to take place unimpeded (illegal immigration), one would think the priorities of all parties are – in a word – distorted to the extent they no longer represent the people.

These truckers, taking time, talent, treasure and guts are merely pointing this out.

Good for them.

What if there was A Government Shutdown and No-one really noticed? – A Lack of Discretionary Funding Does not Shut Down the Entire Government. – The rise of the Jeffersonian Republican (i.e. Libertarian)

From the website: Whitehouse.gov - courtesy of Harry Reid - don't forget to send thank you note!

If one were to ask the rank and file people on the street how they have been affected by the “government shutdown” – one might get the query – “What government shutdown”? – Or the statement - “They should shut it down”. The media and certain members of both major political parties have their proverbial panties in a bunch – and they are screaming from the rooftops that rascally Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas is the root of all evil and the problem that caused this “horrible government shutdown.” Obamacare – now being called the Affordable Health Care Act (its actual name) opened as scheduled, with massive inefficiency – which is the one thing the general public has come to understand is how the Federal Government operates.

The GOP (or better known as the Elephant in the Washington Room), is more concerned with how the media perceives their political strategy than the people that had voted them into office. That goes for the Democrats as well, to a lesser degree, as the media generally doesn’t mention the Democrats with the exception of platitudes so noxious; one wonders if it is a new perfume on the market.

There is this new (or recent more to the point) bandwagon on the schism in the Republican Party – oh my, those Libertarian leaning Republicans are really muddying up the water as they wish to play by the Constitution – rather than to kiss the feet of the Republican leadership, the media and the opposition party. Of course, memories are short, in the present age – if something did not occur last week, its history so deep that it is not worth noting – recall the 2008 Democrat Convention – where the Progressive wing of the Democrat Party – supermajoritied one Barack Obama to the nomination while the individual who received the majority of the popular votes – one Hillary Clinton, was kicked to the proverbial curb – thus the organization –PUMA – Party Unity My Ass – developed. The brouhaha did settle down, some of those PUMA’s did vote for the party choice, while others…not so much – they became unenrolled, or independents, or green party and yes, even Tea Party. But...there was little news, and the history of the hiccup in the perfect lives of Democrats according to the media – simply went away

Yet, now with Peter King, the Republican Congressman from New York is screaming to the Media that the “conservatives” are trying trying to hijack the GOP!!! - Ted Cruz Conservatives, grab your pitchforks!! (Seattle Post Intelligencer) He’s been complaining all along, anytime a conservative criticizes the way the rest of the GOP is operating - of course, King could do the decent thing and switch parties - which he may have to come 2014. That may also be the case with those erstwhile GOP lifers - who, nameless (McCain, etc.) in a Politico article on their ambush of Cruz and the many downright nasty statements made, including the fact that Cruz did not have a strategy –are also a little upset with the fact that they are being targeted by Conservative groups! – 19 of the 45 Republican Senators, the article notes, were on the side of Cruz – that leaves 26 open seats in the upcoming election.

If those Senators and Congressmen on both sides of the aisle believe that Cruz is the problem, they had better grab a mirror and take a long hard look at their districts and states and, especially, who they are going to face in their next primary – that person will most likely be Conservative (or on the flip side – Progressive) and will be heavily armed with cash from those who want to shake up D.C.

Perhaps they should stop listening to local news broadcasts about how angry individual are over the government shutdown, where the local anchor finds one or two people to say it’s just horrible!! – Or perhaps they should understand that in marketing terms Affordable Health Care doesn’t sound as bad as ObamaCare – so ObamaCare has been stricken from the Media Lexicon – yet –people still call it Obama Care.

Speaking of which, as the President’s numbers are tanking – (as is the nature of Presidents in their second term as the nation begins to grow weary should the economy not be going screamingly well) – those congressmen and Senators might be best served by hoping he stays away when they are home on the stump. (See Bush 2008).
One Senator whom the President should hang on to like a life preserver is Harry Reid, the real power in Washington, one might hope that there are challenges to the King of the Senate, from both the Progressive side and the Conservative side – of course, he will along with the rest of those who have, played to Washington rather than the 99% - in 2016. In the meantime, should the Congress (both branches) find themselves faced with a bunch of new senators and congressmen in 2016 that just seem a bit too much like Cruz, Lee and Paul, then the writing will be on the wall – and Reid will be left to sit and yammer with self-importance in the chamber – heck he may even filibuster a time or two.

There is an awakening in the nation – if one cannot feel it, then one is living in a bubble, those are the people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social stature who have had enough – on both sides, and as is the case with history, there is the shift in fortunes that will take place – not overnight- but over time and at those who are fighting for the people, with sincerity rather than the usual platitudes and BS, will prevail, and those that are not - well, they may go back to whence they came.

Therefore, as the powers that be continue to make life inconvenient for the people (see shutting down the memorial so that the WWII vets could not visit - that came from the White House, as that memorial is part of discretionary spending), over the ridiculous Obama-Affordable Health Care Act – then perhaps, with common sense, they should listen to the people, fix the darn thing, and debut it when it is going to go off without more than a few glitches, not legions of glitches (especially on live television). The art of compromise, or the call for Compromise is now seen as extreme – what a sad day for the American Public – when the rulers of D.C are so power hungry-blind that they cannot grasp what is taking place outside of the beltway – so beholding to Party Power and Special Interests that they are no longer recognizable. Then there are those darn libertarian minded few, who are actually (literally) shouting form the rooftops – these few are showing the rest of the nation, what functioning senators and congressional representatives are supposed to do – whether one agrees with them or not, one must be a tad jealous that their Democrat or GOP Congressional Rep or Senator is doing – nothing but crying about somebody who is doing something.

Of course, that’ not about the shutdown that no one seems to care about – it’s about that Affordable Health Care Obama Act – or the Drones that could have been used on the American People, or the fact that the Government wants to spend even more money and go further into debt – again, instead of finding way to relieve the tax burden on those who are employed and the employers who would like to employ a whole lot more people.

This is the math – the more people that are working the more people pay taxes, and the Federal and State Governments have more money to spend. One would think that reducing tax burdens across the board, to allow more hiring, would be the smart way to go – John Kennedy thought so, Ronald Reagan thought so, George Bush thought so, yet, Jimmy Carter didn’t think so and neither did Barack Obama – who is now on track to be a great president in the ilk of James Carter. What the nation needs is a Kenney-Reagan-Bush – or heck a Libertarian - conservative – that’s the ticket.

2016 Polling - Democrats Shopping – Republicans Trend Constitutionalist

Most likely not to be reelected or elected according to current polling Clinton, McCain, Reid - Image from AP photo's

Of course it’s too early to start awarding any single “contestant” for the 2016 Presidential Race, but early speculation always fuels the news, and polling suggests trends in the rank and file of political parties as to which way the winds might be blowing – which, of course, are always subject to change. As of this past week two polls emerged – one Republican and one Democrat and Republican. One the Republican Side Public Policy Polling came out of the gate with the newest, high profile “potential” candidates, and the results were: Ted Cruz at 20%, Rand Paul at 17%, Chris Christie at 13%, “11% for Jeb Bush, 10% each for Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan, 4% for Bobby Jindal, and 3% each for Rick Santorum and Scott Walker.” – The pollster noted that Ted Cruz had gained 8% over a previous poll, additionally, on questions of trust, he was the most trusted of the politicians, including Senator Mitch McConnell, and, of course, John McCain was obviously not trusted at all. This particular poll, offered a 734 pool of likely Republican Voters, the majority, 39%, of whom considered themselves “very conservative’, with the next largest group 37% considering themselves as “somewhat conservative” – suggesting that the polling was in sync with any political parties makeup (the balance of those polled, were moderate, liberal or somewhat liberal).

Looking at the poll the trend is obviously toward “new faces” – not so much those who ran in 2012 – or were considered “potentially to run” in 2012. Specifically of interest was the poor showing of Rick Santorum. The reasoning is generally that the GOP has a history of picking the individual who did not make it in the prior election cycle, and boosting that person over other newer entrants. Examples: John McCain, who’s only rival in the run for President multiple times, was Congressman Ron Paul – however, McCain was given the nod over much better candidates in 2008, while Mitt Romney (perhaps a decent man but a horrible candidate for the GOP) was given the nod in 2012. The conventional wisdom of those in GOP think tanks has been and continues to be that any candidate they propose will eventually bring round the base – as well as those independents and a few democrats. This strategy did not work very well in 2008, nor in 2012. It was also, true, that there was not a strong contender in the bunch in both political seasons.

What this poll initially tells the political junkie and those that hope to keep their jobs in DC is simple – the fiscal conservative, Libertarians, tend to do better with the base now, rather than a political heavyweight that has lived and breath D.C.

Interestingly enough, a new poll from the The Des Moines Register Poll, on Political Ideology suggests the same results as that of Public Policy Polling on the GOP side – that Fiscal Conservatives and Libertarians will be the major players in 2016,

On the other side of the aisle – the Democrat polling found similar results Alhtough Hillary Clinton leads by 41%, the numbers are split on the type of figure they would like to see as a constant – 49 percent suggest someone not of Washington, while 48% would choose “Washington Experience

Therefore, to a lesser degree, but at least to an extent, the GOP rank and file and the DNC rank and file are both trending anti-Washington Experience, the Republican’s to a great degree.

As times marches forward, towards 2014 and 2015, the polls may change slightly, the faces certainly will change, but the underlying trends, pending a reversal of positions on both sides on listening to Constituents, the strong candidates will be – new faces. One might even go so far as to suggest more Libertarian minded positions – or at least those who would compromise – the key.

Although the media is beating their breasts over Ted Cruz, and maligning him to the umpth degree, what is making Cruz so popular with the base is his lack of regard for DC and his desire to help the people, he also is known to praise both Democrats and Republicans (with the exception of those in the McCain mold), similar to his Democrat Counterpart - Tom Udall, of New Mexico, who stood with Rand Paul, on common ground with ideology on the use of Drones on US Citizens.

This is what the nation is seeking – those who might not tow the party line, rather step of from under the shadow of Harry Reid and Company – As Majority Leader in the Senate, Reid, and his counterpart Boehner are truly the most powerful individuals in the nation. Reid more so as the House can pass all the bills it desires, and Reid has the power to move them forwarder in the Senate, or not. He uses that power without a thought to compromise, and has done so consistently throughout his tenure.

One might think that Cruz is perfect for Presidential contests, however, there is another position to which he may be better suited – Majority Leader of the Senate – one is under the impression the august body of the Senate would return to debate rather than the stalemate that has existed since the Daschle regime was ousted and the Reid Regime took control.

Regardless of who sits in the Oval office, all of that person’s power rests in the hands of the two aforementioned positions in the Congresses. Therefore, the real races will be those for reelection of the Senate and the Congress – and those will be the races worth watching. It will determine who fares well in the 2016 presidential race, should the old guard be ousted for new constitutionally, and progressive faces, then one should not be surprised.

Where Are Your Senators? Ted Cruz – Still Standing On Senate Floor- #MakeDCListen – Trending Twitter 13 Hours After Start of Filibuster – Why Cruz is doing His Job

Some may call the epic Filibuster of Ted Cruz against voting for Cloture on the Continuing Resolution without the one amendment to that bill, put forth by the Congress to Defund Obamacare grandstanding on the part of this Senator from Texas, but they, themselves are confused, or arrogant to believe that the only purpose of a member of the Senate or the Congress for that matter, is to tow a “party line”, or to put themselves and their political futures above the people who sent them.

Senator Cruz, still making sense after standing for a ridiculous and painful 13 hours, is battling for the Texans who sent him to the Senate. He is battling for the “lost generation” – those 18-25 year olds who are working part time, at lower wages, without the hope of having a home of their own, or an ability to move forward, get a better job, pay off their student loans, and participates in what once was referred to as the American Dream. He is fighting against the ability of one man, Harry Reid, the Senator from Utah and Majority Leader of the Senate, to run roughshod over the American people, time and time, by refusing to allow discussions on the subject of the monstrous bill made law – The Affordable Health Care Act.

Senator Cruz does not, at this point, appear to give a whit about what the media, or care about his political future, he is speaking from the mind and heart about the rights granted under the Constitution, for all citizens, both Democrats and Republicans. He is speaking of the reality of the economics of the Affordable Health Care Act, which some in the GOP and the DNC are politically avoiding voting against, as it does not apply to them personally – as they are the Political Class. He is speaking as a Patriot of the first order. Having read the Federalist Papers, and the biographies of the founders, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, and their peers, as a history geek who learned to love the nuances of historical and political poetry at the feet of a grandmother who had emigrated to this great nation as a sixteen year old, following her dreams of prosperity and rights not available in an increasingly volatile Europe, it is difficult to imagine in today’s America, the fact that there are not more Ted Cruz’s to defend each and every citizen in this nation.

Those who rail against the establishment of a political class, so wealthy and powerful that the divide between the have’ s and have not’s is palpable, are considered by those who are part of that political class or wish to be, to be either “dangerous” or mentally less understanding than they are, or simply ill-informed and less educated. They are both Democrats and Republicans or Unaffiliated politically, they are educated or not, they may or may not have Ivy League degrees, they may or may not have wealth or jobs or careers that are tied to Washington’s largesse, they are simply put, in disagreement with the policies, and the bureaucracy and the Political Party System (so loathed by our founders), running roughshod over the Constitution of the United States and not giving a whit about the individual and the liberties granted under the Document that grants each and every one that is privileged enough to be a citizen of this nation, the rights contained therein.

Senator Cruz, and his peer, Senator Mike Lee of Utah, standing alone in the well of the Senate, speaking after hours and hours into the dawn of the day that the Senate must take up a vote of Cloture, begging, daring those absent colleagues to vote No on Cloture – they are asking for an up or down vote on the Legislation of the Act known as “Obama Care” – the Affordable Health Care Act. They understand, clearly, they are railing against the “system”, and it is not for political gain, it is for the people who sent them.

There is a reason that the founders felt that the formation of political parties, who might grow and obtain so much power that they would, in deed and in purpose, outstrip the values of a free Republic, and undermining the liberties granted under the Constitution.

These two Senators standing are impressive, historically, they are not stalwart followers of a Political Party nor a political class, they are, in words and in actions, following the paths of those long buried and most often forgotten founders of this nation.

Whether or not one would agree, politically, those who are avoiding this debate, those who the people from their State sent them to the Capitol to do their bidding, should be debating these gentlemen, and doing the job that, according to the Constitution and the laws upon which this nation has been founded, bound to take up.

The American citizens of these United States of America deserve to have those they sent, regardless of whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Socialist, Libertarians, or simply unaffiliated, stand up and fight, not for their political party, or their own political futures, but for the citizens of their given state; with honesty and integrity for their deeply held belief, one way or the other on this issue of the Funding of the Affordable Health Care Act, or any piece of legislation put before them.

It is true, that the odds of the aforementioned behavior happening are slim to nothing, given the sad State of this Union and the elected political class, but what a fine day it would be for all of the United States citizens and those hoping to become citizens, if that very scenario would occur. We all, regardless of political affiliation owe a debt of gratitude for the Senator’s Cruz and Lee, who are doing what their colleges should be doing. A few of them did, notably, Sessions, Rubio, Rand, and Durban, and they deserve the credit, not those who have done nothing, regardless of which “party “to which they subscribe.

These Senators standing make this individual, first generation, American year for a day when this call for debate is a norm, not an anomaly.

Ted Cruz Battle for Self Gain – Doubtful – The Big What if – He Is the Rare Sincere Politico? – The Real Risk-Takers of the GOP are the McCain’s and the Reid’s.

Ted Cruz, the newsworthy Senator from the State of Texas is coming under fire this week from certain arenas – specially the GOP Leadership, the Democrat Leadership and the Media. His crime is his attempt to defund the Obama Care legislation – by any means he can find. Does anyone really want this bill to continue as it was written? Yes, those on the extreme left, the politicians who signed onto the bill to appease the Administration, and the Administration – the rest of the nation, not so much – and that includes union groups such as the AFLCIO, better known as a bunch of Democrats, who termed the legislation as “disruptive” to their health care plans. Kaiser Health Foundation is screaming from the rooftops the fact that the plan, meant to cover the poor and middle class, is going to leave up to 500,000 children without coverage due to a snippet in the legislation that notes the employee must be covered, but not the family – who will also not be eligible for the exchanges – and will also most likely be eligible for the fines, as they will not be covered as mandated. That will mean each family that must be insured and find insurance – if they can – as private insurance companies are no longer offering health care plans that are remotely affordable. USA Today

Even the exchanges are pricey – take the State of Massachusetts for example – if one is earning a mean salary of $40,000 per year, after deductions they are living off more than the average SNAP recipient in the state. If they are seeking coverage though the States Health Portal, for a family or individual plan, they must be inside the open enrollment period(MA Health Connector), and if they do qualify the lowest level plans for families are not cheap. A family of 3 seeking coverage has a choice of 8 plans, the Bronze Plan being the least expensive at $609 per month for a family of 3, or unaffordable to most average working Massachusetts families.(Mass Health Care)

Therefore it should be deemed the “unaffordable health care Act” – yet, Cruz is taking heat for wanting to defund the program, thereby delaying its start – and shockingly the ones that are most against his attempt are the “Greybeards (Cruz term) of the Senate –or those most comfortable with their positions of power – for now.

So what’s a bunch of irate GOP insiders to do? Hammer Senator Cruz as a over-reaching smart guy, who knows he’s lost the battle before it began, and is in the fight for his own gain – i.e. the popularity of the base. (Washington Times)

Although that might just be a side effect, this popularity, it is most doubtful that this is the root cause. It appears that Senator Cruz is one of those rare birds who arrives in Washington, stays a year, and continues to have their integrity intact. If he wishes to debate and use procedural means against Harry Reid, the most likely to be the next Ted Daschle, and holder of the key to the Senate, so be it. It is the job that Cruz was sent there to accomplish. It is going to pay dividends. Although Cruz might not be popular with the media (including those Fox News personalities and their counterparts on MSNBC and CNN), he is with the people who sent him – which is all that count. He is also popular with those that have read the constitution and understand that Mr. Smiths in Washington, are now to be found only in a select group of Conservatives and Libertarians, the rest of those holding office appear to be there for personal gain.

How important is the Tea Party? One might want to ask Lois Lerner the IRS official who “resigned” after targeting Tea Party Groups through 2010 and 2012 - some believe at the behest of the administration. (ABC News). The Tea Party, much maligned as it is, has a value that is more viable than the Republican Party or the Democrat Party – one might just want to ask the members who are former members of both parties, as well as libertarians, Green Party, etc. This targeting began after the strumping taken by both parties in 2010 - and one would hazard to guess, Lois got her directives from the both Political Parties.

What they all have in common is their desire to return to a more constitutionally based government where one’s self-reliance is applauded not derided and the federal government is less wieldy.

Cruz, although associated with the Tea Party, has a pedigree that is suitable to appoint to the Supremes (as in Court), while John McCain and the rest of the Rank and File GOP are suitable for the country clubs, and not a great deal more. There are those political animals, one sees them at the local and state level, that just reek of self-serving platitudes – constantly on stage, and not a wee bit humble about it, then there are the public servants – who are a tad more humble, yet fight battles as if they were in a fight for the very freedom of the nation.

That’s Cruz, whether he enters the 2016 presidential sweepstakes (otherwise known as the primaries) is not at issue, what one might want to watch for, is Cruz building blocks of integrity, and kicking that leadership that is so out of touch with the people and the Constitution to the curb, by grass roots measures - becoming elevated to a loftier position in the Senate.

Remember Ted Daschle – the untouchable?

It is time, historically, for a shift in the political power base, specifically in the political party power base, which has not occurred since the formation of the Republican Party in the 1800’s – Now is the time, and as more people shift away from the regular party politics – they may find three or four, or five Republicans and Democrats whoa aren’t acting like the “rest of them” – those are the leaders that deserve a second look.

This is why, those in the media and the power brokers in Washington are seething – the upstarts with integrity just might upend their lofty positions and just might win. Those who vote against defunding Obama Care or attempt to block Cruz within his own Party – will still be popular with the media and may even become pundits after they are no longer in the position to call themselves peers. – The do, after all, hold elected positions. It might behoove those who are political animals to smell the changing winds and understand that there very political lives for which they worked so hard to protect, are now hanging on a balance – it won’t be Senators Cruz, or Paul or Lee, it will be their constituents and the most Cruz/Lee/Paul like candidate that challenges them in their home states that sends the reeling into retirement.

Meanwhile, Cruz will be in the Cat Seat in the Senate, or wherever he chose to be.

Just a thought - should one be of a mind to truly fight the battle - one might consider defunding their national party, until and unless it brings their senior players in line with principals. Putting the extra $5.00 or $10 into "trust" for those who are most likely to fight for one's rights.

A March Towards the Mainstream – Liberty Minded Candidates Scaring Both Major Political Party Establishments.

A Cartoon worthwhile - from the site The Rightly Guided

Watching the debate in the House and the Senate over debt ceiling and defunding the Behemoth Obamacare that, frankly bothers both Democrats and Republicans of reasonable minds, one begins to find not a legislative battle as one would suppose, but a battle for the minds and hearts of the general public, rather than those who would stay the status quo for the sake of “Good press”.

To wit, speaking of that rascally Senator from the State of Texas who has the Republican Main Guard (otherwise known as pundits from the Bush Administration and multi-term Senators who prefer to retain, a go along to get along, ergo, reelected, positions, in an uproar.

When it was mentioned that Cruz was to appear on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, those stalwart defenders of their own best interest within the GOP sent opposition research on Cruz to Wallace, the host – who then deferred to Karl Rove for an explanation! Apparently Rove has suggested that both Cruz and fellow Senator Mike Lee, did not consult the McCain’s of the world, before going about the business of the people. (Politico). When one thinks rationally about the situation, what it boils down to is simply: Cruz is doing what he promised to do – uphold the constitution, and vote and defend in the Senate what his constituents asked. McCain and his ilk –whom Cruz refers to as greybeards, are doing their upmost to sabotage this type of Libertarian behavior, as it disturbs their balance between the “gentlemen’s club” of the Senate that is in favor of whatever the polls are suggesting one week to the next, rather than take one for the American public. Not so Cruz. McCain, most likely to retire shortly, might not have read the Tucson Citizen who are lauding Cruz for keeping up the good fight.

The gist, Cruz wants to gather the likeminded Senators, in an effort to pass a spending measure that funds everything but – Obamacare – a bill that was written so badly, it needs time to tweak – if it was such a wonderful bill, Congress would be the first in line to sign-up –but they granted themselves waivers, the AFLCIO, also wanted out – along with a variety of states, both Republican and Democrat, who understand that fewer individuals will be covered, and the cost to employer will result in unemployment – one Democrat referred to it as a “train-wreck”. Therefore, on a bi-partisan basis, not many support the bill, but, the power play that Cruz is making is upending the get along to go along playbook.

Therefore, everyone is screaming about (media and congress) the looming government shutdown. The Whitehouse is scaring the elderly regarding a loss of income – as no social security checks will be mailed, the essential services of the federal government will shut down, ad nasueam – The Republicans are looking at decades old polling and worrying out the public point of view – so they cast aspersions on those that would defund the program.

Enter the shock of it all as explained is good measure by the AP via the Detroit News and Free Press - there simply is no truth to a government shutdown- actually shutting down the government. – The article goes on to describe the variety of shutdowns, especially during the Carter Era, followed by the Reagan Era, and so on – before popularity was the main objective of those erstwhile senator like McCain, and co. – Senators and Congressional reps behaved like – Ted Cruz!

The big problem with a shutdown is the “Debt Ceiling” – which they need to raise yet again, or face default.

That’s the gist of it – Should the forces of sanity – Cruz, Lee and company, succeed in forcing their hands, and the president refuses to sign off – or the House (which holds the purse strings), then the only thing that is threatened – is Wall Street – Therefore, Cruz, Lee and those of like mind are interested in helping the people, and the McCain’s, and stalwarts such as Harry Reid, are worried about the return on their investments.

On another Liberty Minded note- “Blow me over with a feather” – The New York Magazine, with Frank Rich, of all left of center trumpeters – has lauded, with a caveat, (the word Republican), none other than Rand Paul, the Senator from Kentucky – the title of the article: ”It’s Hard to Hate Rand Paul” is worth the read –(New York Magazine), not because it approves of Paul’s stance, but because it shows that there is grudging admiration for those of Libertarian bent in both parties and the middle.

Should Cruz hold fast, regardless of what the Senate does in the end, and the disaster he is suggesting strikes (and it will), those holding the blame will be those Republican Senators and those Democrats who let this monstrosity go on as scheduled (which it is not ready to be implemented) – imagine the backlash by the voting public in 2014-and 2016 – It will not be against Cruz, or Paul or Lee or any others who were thoughtful enough to fight on the basis of the Constitution and their constituent – it will fall on the heads of those Greybeards, and that is from both parties –those Clintons, and Biden’s and Pelosi’s, and McCain’s and Grahams. In either scenario the future of American political parties hangs in the balance – there may well be a third, more independent and liberty minded party that ends up besting them both – or at the very least, those who hold those same principles, holding sway neither of the

Democrats Block Vote on Lowering Student Loan Rates - The Upside Down world of Washington.

From the the New York Times – headline: “Rift Among Democrats Stalls Effort to Reverse Rise in College Loan Rates”, speaks to the unimaginable – Democrats are divided regarding reducing student loan interest rates.

The Gist:

The Stafford subsidized student loans are set to increase, the suggestion was to lower the interest rate on these loans prior to fall, when millions of student loan consumers would be faced with the current high interest rate – which, the entire student loan industry takeover, was part of a budget passed by Democrats prior to 2010.

A bi-partisan committee worked out a compromise they felts sure the Democrats and Republicans could get behind – the Republicans basically endorsed Barack Obama’s plan, and the Democrats could not agree – voting no against the bill – the crusty old crazy man from Utah – Harry Reid.

Normally the headlines blare – Republican’s in Disarray or Republican block important – name and entitlement. However, to understand that both parties have their issues, infighting and degrees of stupidity, is the big announcement on this one.

Pony up and pay more, and thank Harry Reid and those stalwarts that refuse to compromise on something that would actually help the economy.

Other bills most likely not to get anywhere:

Immigration – stalled in the House – project pushed until after 2014 elections

The Affordable Health Care Act – now that the employer mandate has been removed, it is only fair, form the Republican House point of view, that the individual mandate also be removed (as that would leave everyone in the nation subject to fines, and having proof of extremely pricey insurance policies. The House can also defund the entire program, starting with the IRS. Although law, it appears to have hit a brick wall. – Repeal and rewrite a reasonable health care bill, including border crossing insurance buys, with possible subsidies, would fit the bill. Take off the penalties, and let a doctor or twenty write the language. Put the consumer back in control of their own health.

What If Party Leadership Seen as the “Old Guard” Can No Longer Maintain Partisanship? - Reid fails to Stop Paul Filibuster, McCain, and Graham blast Paul– Out of Touch and Defensive

John McCain, Graham and Kerry - the Old Guard - image Washington Times

The Jr. Senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul, has opened Pandora’s Box with his 13 hour filibuster based on the Administration’s vagaries on the use of drones against U.S. citizens on U.S. soil. Prior to the beginning of his epic filibuster, the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, did his absolute best to limit the amount of time Senator Paul would be able to speak on the floor, which was quickly shut down. One would think it was a majority of those maligned Republican’s, however, in review of the 15 hour plus video available on C-Span, it appears to have been mutual consent. During the filibuster, Paul was supported by a few Constitutionalist – including Ted Cruz of Texas, Mark Rubio of Florida and Senator from Oregon, Ron Wyden, a Democrat. After the 9th hour, a call went out from the RNC chair to the Republican Senators to get to the senate to show support to Paul. A filibuster of this length has not been undertaken in recent history, and with much emphasis on the basics of civics and the constitution, the public watching the proceedings were treated to a process that has not been seen in decades. In fact, Paul’s 13 hour filibuster, was the 9th longest in history, the next took place in 1954, a 24 plus hour filibuster by Sr. Strom Thurman. In 2010, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders filibustered for 8 plus hours to stall a deal that extended the Bush Tax Cuts (WISTV.com). Therefore, it is a tool used by both sides of the aisle, but rarely and only those who, agree or not ideologically, are committed to their cause. The rigors of the filibuster demand the individual not leave their post in the Senate, they must remain standing throughout. They can stop talking as long as someone asks them a question, of some length to give them a break.

As of yesterday afternoon, the general public was so engaged with the process that the Twitter hashtag, #standwithrand, which began during the filibuster, was still trending at #1 with millions joining, and millions of diverse political backgrounds at that. Aside from the content, it was a first for so many who had never thought to turn to CSpan and watch an event that is normally seen as less than interesting, and found themselves wrapped up in civics!

There were those Senior Members of the Senate, specifically the Republican Old Guard, that did not show up to speak on the floor, rather, heavily criticized Paul pronouncing his sincere filibuster as: “pull(ing) political stunts that fire up impressionable libertarian kids in college dorms.”(Politico). Apparently, McCain was not aware that some of Twitter’s newest members were a tad older, as Senator Cruz read the tweets as part of the process, one from a “grandmother who learned how to tweet in order to “stand with rand”. Also of note, those Senators who stood back are also seen by the base of the party as centered more on their own place in the grand scheme of all things Washington than in the actual function of the job their constituents hired them to do. Names that come quickly to mind, Collins, McCain, Graham. Moreover, it would behoove the Republican base if they did have a bunch of “libertarian college students” to help them win an election once in a while. It would behoove the parties to have leadership that would support the efforts of one of their colleagues who could also cross party lines, and find support across the aisle.

Unfortunately, with a Senator like Paul, or his Oregonian counterpart Wyden, one finds that, on occasion, there is the ability to have bi-partisanship – especially when the call to arms is from newly minted Senators, rather that those who have sat in the hallowed halls of D.C. for what amounts to decades. It is basically not the concept or the content of what Paul accomplished in his pushing the White House to respond to his question in a most grudging letter – affirming that the President did not have the authority to kill U.S. citizens on U.S. soil. This was of import in several ways. One it shone a light on the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens denied due process, two, the fact that drone attacks on U.S. citizens within the boundaries of the country were even considered, and three, that the separation of powers was neatly put back in some order.

Paul did more in his 13 hours on the floor than the lot of the aforementioned have done in their rather lengthy careers. Tough.

This brings to mind a host of other options that are available to the people to elect more Rand Paul’s, libertarians, republicans, democrats or progressives, who are relative newcomers to the Senate and go there with passion and conviction representing not the party leadership but the people that sent them. Term limits should be a topic that is on the table, and that has become increasingly clear over the past two decades.

Notes of interest and commentary:

In an interesting piece from NPR on vacancies in the U.S. Federal Courts, as well as other agencies, the blame for the lack of leadership is placed on the Senate Republicans, but stated in this piece that they are constitutionally required to adhere to due diligence. Additionally, the blame is also laid on the President for his recess appointment sand the fact that he has yet to produce nominees. The article also strikes out at the Congers, specifically the Democrat led congress between 2006-2010 that stymied any progress – period. When one understands that the main reasons that nothing happens in both the Senate and the Congress, one looks to the leadership –they are the “old guard”, those who have held onto their “seat” in the peoples house, as a career rather than to serve.

The Washington Post columnist (from a “conservative” point of view) Jennifer Rubin, wrote on the reactions to Paul’s’ successful filibuster, by McCain and company in a slightly different bent. She too asks if there is a changing of the guard, from the McCain’s and Grahams to the younger members, but sees the process of a way in which to politicize – as if what occurred was a political move against the President. Clearly, it was not political in the sense of Republican’s versus Democrats, but in a sense that was purely constitutional. One understands from Senator Paul’s perspective, it would not have mattered if President Obama were a Democrat or Republican, it was Presidential authority, regardless of which party that President preferred. Paul made that clear on more than one occasion. There is a great deal of missing the point, when it comes to new members of the House and the Senate, especially as there is little that the McCain’s, or the Reid’s of the world can do to “reign them in”. They are bi-partisan.

It also makes one wonder, how well the first term Senator from Illinois, now President Obama, would have fared had he been surrounded by peers that were not as heavily vested in government and power, as some of his advisors. (Specifically the old school, silver spooned crowd.) Perhaps, allowed to go it on his own, he may have had a different result when it came to the economy. Yet, it always appeared, that regardless of intent, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, (then ruling the Senate and the Congress, ran with the old school, the very counterparts to John McCain.

Therefore, watch for those mid-terms and the next general to produce more Rand Paul's, Ted Cruz’s, Ron Wyden’s and those who are eyeing a return to a functional government, albeit one that is diverse. Those who wish to maintain the constant drumbeat of partisanship (and that goes for the 501C’s, and other major dividers) may find themselves out on the street.

It is also interesting to note that the U.S. media, lost in its partisanship, and relationship with the current administration, was given the letter from Attorney General Eric Holder to Senator Rand Paul, prior to Paul’s receiving the latter. This leads many to agree with Founders, who questioned the inclusion of a free press in the Bill of rights. It was exactly this scenario that concerned those men who wrote the Constitution, a press that would do the bidding, rather that act as a watchdog, for any administration or political ideology.

Therefore, as the new members are apparently fearless when it comes to defending the Constriction, one might expect a return to sanity in that August Boyd, if, there is an influx of more like-minded men and women in the next several elections. Look not towards the experienced representative or Senator who has sat on the floor on the Congress or Senate for Decades, rather the novice, regardless of political party, who is intent on serving the public. That should also ring true for the Office of the President. One is already hearing old “political dynasty” names being bandied about as potential 2016 candidates. It goes without saying that this propagates the myth that there are true classes in this nation. The elites, who feel the need to protect the “masses”, while lining the family pockets. Although the individual’s intent might be contrary to this thesis, it goes without saying that a return to the citizen holding office, rather than the elites would better serve the nation.

Senator Rand Paul – Historic Defense of Civil Liberties – Spans Party Lines – Lessons in Civics - #Standwithrand Still Trending on Twitter

The Man one might want to Stand With - Senator Rand Paul - image Reuters via Breitbart

It goes without saying, that far too many American’s have had no education as to basic civics, especially how our government and the separation of powers brilliantly installed in the U.S. Constitution provide the people with a safety net against that government. Today, most people in this country, otherwise known as “low information voters”, have a concept of the body politic that is more “entertainment”, by which, a politician becomes a “rock-star”, rather than a servant of the people. It also goes without saying that those who do serve, from the Congress, to the Senate to the Office of the President, deserve the nations respect; for these Offices, and the intent to serve, are not undertaken lightly. The people and those that serve may have differing opinions; however, the entire body politic in these United States is one that is built on laws and oversight. In 1939, a feature film, ”Mr. Smith Goes To Washington”, became one of the most enduring films of our time. The Oscar winning film is described in brief: “A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn't back down.” (Watch Trailer with links to film at www.imdb.com. It is the story of the filibuster and how that tool is used to bring attention of a situation viewed as untenable to the general population, and to hopefully, change a wrong to a right.

This was a fictional piece, yet, it is doubtful that many who are over the age of 50 have not seen the film at some point in their lives. It was a rare occurrence indeed, when on March 6, 2013, the nation was treated to the “real deal”. Senator Rand Paul, (R-KY), stood on the floor of the Senate and spoke for almost 14 hours. As one watching C-Span, desperately trying to stay awake to watch this event continue, the film from 1939 came to mind. Obviously, Paul is not naive when it comes to the ways of the world, nor the U.S. Constitution which he swore to uphold, and to watch as the hours wore on, his ability to maintain a clear, concise message, and stand firm in his convictions, was truly inspiring.

In brief, the Administration (White House and its various agencies) has considered the use of drones (a weapon) against individuals whom they feel might be a threat to the nation. These individuals would be U.S. citizens on U.S. soil. The law of the land allows all U.S. citizens due process, and obviously, if one were thought to be an enemy of the State (with no clear indication of what the criteria would be for such a finding), the U.S. government would have the ability to blow them to smithereens, whether they were in their swimming pool, a coffee house, the grocery store, etc. These weapons are used in the theatre of war, to protect our armed forces, and there has been the consequence of unavoidable civilian deaths. In the theatre of war, it is an unfortunate expectation. However, it should not be an expectation at all in the confines of the boundaries of the United Sates of America. Rand Paul was asking the Administration (Attorney General, Eric Holder) if they felt the President had the authority to use drones as describe on American Citizens. The answers were vague in the extreme, thus Senator Paul took to the floor and spoke for thirteen hours.

At first, the Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid attempted to limit the ability of Senator Paul to speak – He failed. Rand Paul did not do this alone for 13 hours. In the process of the filibuster, one might not yield the floor (keep the discussion alive) and entertain a question from a college (another Senator). At the early hours, it was Sr. Ted Cruz of Texas, who stood to give Senator Paul a respite from standing and speaking, with authority on the subject at hand. Senator Mike Lee entered and, as a Constitutional Authority, joined in supporting Paul’s filibuster. Democrat Senator, Ron Wuyden of Oregon, joined in support. (Mediate.com) There was a dinner at the White House, with the majority of the Republican Senators’ in attendance, several of those who attended the dinner, apparently felt compelled to join Paul on the Floor, including the senior senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell. Senator Dick Durbin came to the floor to agree on principle with Senator Paul, but compared the use of drones on Ben Ladin, to the potential to use drones on American Citizens, he also suggested that this type of debate take place within Committee, instead of a forum that allowed the public to watch the proceedings.

What took place as a rare event, as this body, the Senate, does little in the way of protecting the interests of the American people. It is not for lack of trying, however, these Senators, regardless of party affiliation are often found blocked by the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, who holds the power to bring a bill (law) to the floor for a vote – or not. He is the main reason that the U.S. has had no budget since 2009, using “continuing resolutions” instead to keep from confining the Federal government to do what ordinary households must do – stick to a budget. This government is run, and operates, of course, with monies supplied by the very same ordinary households.

To watch part or all of these proceedings, C-Span has the entire video – which is embedded below. What the Senator was requesting was simple. A statement from the Administration noting yes, or no, regarding whether they (the Administration) believed the President has the authority to use drones to kill American Citizens within the boundaries of the United States – a simple Yes or No response would have ended the filibuster in hour 1.

It was not forthcoming.

Thus the almost 13 hour (12 hours and 54 minute) debate on the Senate Floor.

This is the type of occurrence that truly makes one feel that this is truly the best nation on earth in which to reside.

The twitter hashtag #standwithrand maintains the top trending topic on Twitter (as of 6:22 am est) (Twitter.com) When “Code Pink” #standswithrand, the issue is crossing ideological lines, and is one in which the entire nation should be vested (as is the world.)

The entire filibuster, video via Cspan.org.

Sequestration – the Day After Deadline - The Sky Has Not Fallen – Yet (Is the warning) – Dem. Controlled Senate failed to pass bill? Government Employees bemoan Loss of Bonuses! The Pain! The Drama!

Sequestration and the drama – more boring that Housework! – Image and Insulting Article from the New York Times: What Housework has to do with Waistlines” - Ladies, grab your aprons! (This article should bother more than half of the population more than the orchestrated chaos of Washington.)

For all the fear and partisan finger pointing taking place the past few months, as the latest in a series of “sky is falling” crises, came to an abrupt end – and the result – the nation yawned. There are those still beating the drum however, the Boston Globe reports: Budget Cuts Long Term Effects Still Unclear, offers the following as to what took place:

Democrats and Republicans did offer alternatives to the cuts in the Senate on Thursday. But neither had the needed 60 votes to break a filibuster. The Democrats’ proposal, replacing the across-the-board cuts with targeted reductions and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy, was defeated 51-49. The GOP’s legislation offered Obama greater flexibility in slashing the budget, but that plan was defeated 38-62, amid concerns among some about giving too much power to the White House over spending.

Understanding that when the words “Republicans in Congress” is used as a rallying cry for all that is wrong in Washington by certain others in Washington, the nation does not connect Congress with the Senate, which is a Democrat controlled body. Apparently, both had offered solutions, and those solutions did not appear to be solid enough to drag over a few Republicans or Democrats to either side, and the timing of the Senate, not the Congress, also appears to be somewhat last minute – considering the “danger” of lost police, teachers, closed daycares, and longer unemployment lines looming.

Meanwhile, BET reports, the President has begun to “back peddle” and soften his tone:

What happened to the shock and devastation that was supposed to ensue right away? Where is the hyperbole and saber-rattling that flooded the airwaves until now? Visions of starving children running the streets and military men and women without ammunition had, until this point, danced in some people's heads as the administration made the case for why Congress needed to act now.

You're likely wondering, "Why the shift in tone? Why is it that the sky is apparently not going to fall after all?"

Conservatives believe that the president's warnings amounted to no more than hyped-up hysterics. But there may be a number of reasons why Obama changed his tune. Perhaps he was concerned that he had overplayed his hand in the hard press to put pressure on Congress. At the risk of appearing to be the boy who cried wolf, the administration cut off criticism at the pass by "clarifying" its message before the pending deadline arrived.

So it appears that the sky will not be falling tomorrow after all, or next week or next month for that matter. And whether we're facing a jump off of a cliff or simply a steady tumble downward, the end result is something that our lawmakers should work to avoid.

The sarcasm in journalism award this week goes to BET.

Next up at the Voice of America, the blame game continues:

.S. President Barack Obama is due to meet at the White House Friday with top Republican and Democratic lawmakers to discuss a last-ditch effort to avoid across-the-board budget cuts scheduled to take effect before the day is over.

The meeting is largely viewed as symbolic, after dueling bills to avoid the cuts were defeated in the Senate Thursday, making $85 billion in automatic spending cuts appear inevitable once the Friday deadline passes.

President Obama has said the effects of the cuts on federal agencies - most notably defense, infrastructure spending, public schools and preschool care - will not be felt immediately, but instead will have what he calls a "tumble downward" effect. That means, the longer the cuts remain in place, the worse the damage they will cause.

Defense employees are expected to be forced to take unpaid time off work, while funding for big infrastructure projects will eventually halt.

States also would feel the effects, with fewer federal dollars coming in.

President Obama is blaming Republicans for the impasse, saying they voted to put the entire burden of deficit reduction on the middle class. Obama and many Democrats want to eliminate certain tax breaks for the wealthy to raise revenue along with spending cuts as a way to reduce the budget deficit.

Darn those Republican’s (and the Democrat Controlled Senate under the watchful eyes of Harry Reid), for not bucking up and saving the nation! – Yet they are meeting today to come up with some “last-ditch-effort” that barely anyone knows or cares about.

Unless one is Bob Woodward, and now that he’s dared to shed some light on the entire subject of an Obama Sequestration Plan gone wrong, his colleagues are beginning to turn on him. (Poltico) of course, if one were Woodward, calling those crying “foul, old man, who’s a liar,” colleges would be a stretch, to say the least – Wish they were Woodward’s’, more like it, but a moot point. (A side note: Lanny Davis, of Clinton White House fame, who is now a pundit on several cable news networks – is backing up the “White House threatened me not to write about..” Woodward claim, noting the Obama administration has done the same to him.)

The entire non-crisis appears to be much ado about nothing, as the deadline passed to “save jobs, babies, and the seas from rising” there appears to be a :”Last ditch effort!!”a day later.

Bets are still on the Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner, to do an about face, and cozy up to tax hikes and no cuts whatsoever (which amounted to a slight increase in already inflated and increased spending levels that, without a budget, are somewhat fluid. Therefore, what’s all the drama about? One knows that the Congress (which holds the nations checkbook) has passed, along with the Senate, band aids from time to time, raising debt ceilings, ad raising spending, adding amendments to bills that have nothing to do with budgets. In other words, it’s all smoke,, mirrors and the never ending campaign trail that is DC, on both sides of the aisle. One might be tempted to blame the President for the phenomena, however, anyone with a pulse should understand – it’s the whole lot of them. Of course, those government employees who won’t be seeing bonuses as a result of this crisis, are clearly upset! (Washington Times). Government employee bonuses? Just let that sink in and attach the word crisis to understand the ridiculous idiots who are running our nation, are doing so on our dime and passing laws that pertain to our health, welfare and of course, any wealth we have left.

“Fiscal Cliff” Impasse – Pelosi, Boehner, Obama, Reid – What Compromise? Tax Hikes Certain, No Cuts Likely; Debt has No Ceiling, Nothing but Political Chicanery

The Impossible Task: Getting anything accomplished - image Al.com

One might come to the conclusion that the whole lot of those who “we the people” elected to make decisions on our behalf are, for lack of a better set of phrases, “out to lunch” and “out of touch”. The last three weeks or so, the big deal on the horizon has been the “Fiscal Cliff” – or where the government must act to prevent a slew of tax increases from occurring, while cutting the budget, and keeping both businesses happy, in order to continue recovery, and sustaining or increasing entitlement spending in order to please “everyone”. It’s all about the body politic and has little to do with reality.

The basic concept of spending money is not unique to this current crop in Washington; it is a lifestyle that has proliferated since the “temporary” income tax (to cover costs to fight WWII) morphed into a permanent stream of income for the Federal Government. The problem occurs when the Federal Government has fewer “taxpayers” and more programs than one can shake a stick at. The fact remains that without taxpayers, the government has no income- does not produce a product, does not offer a commercial service, does not have an unlimited trust fund from an old rich aunt or uncle. When, late in 2008 it appeared as though the world would end due to the burst of the housing bubble, and banks bad business decisions (some due to government regulations), with the prospects of a dire economic collapse on the horizon, President George W. Bush called the troops to Washington and they all agreed to bail out the banks. When President Obama took office in 2009, he decided to stave off more layoffs and underwater mortgages by jump starting the economy with a “Stimulus” in the billion. That tactic did not works as most of the money either went unspent or went to those who worked for a government – teachers, for example, we hired more teachers. We (as a nation) also bailed out and took ownership of “GM”, which was nearing bankruptcy, in order to “save jobs”. Apparently that didn’t work as, one has to have a stream of tax income from the private sector in order to pay for those teachers, and government employees of various skills, as again, the Government makes no money of its own.

How difficult is that to grasp? The government has two choices, increase revenue by raising taxes, and cutting unnecessary items from the budget – the only way that we, as a nation will get our house in order. The problem lays in the fact that the GOP would rather stick a fork in their collective eye than raise taxes, and the DNC (with the President at the head), would rather do the same than to cut one duplicate or totally unnecessary budget item and delete it from the budget. We appear to have an impasse and the press is screaming “Fiscal Cliff!

Apparently, no one in Washington is smarter than a 5th, 4th or 3rd grader (who is in a private school setting); otherwise, this debate would not even be occurring. The alleged debate has turned into name calling and avoidance.

Last week, as the specter of the Cliff loomed, Republican John Boehner, Speaker of the House, came up with a plan that mirrored, former speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s plan as to tax increases and limited to no cuts (and throwing those down the road a bit) Conservatives were (and still are) ready to throw Boehner to the proverbial wolves, so anti-tax, and anti-spend a group has never graced the halls of congress since, the 1990’s.(Human Events). The plan was immediately rejected by the President. One might recall that the President and Nancy Pelosi play on the same team. It was John Boehner reaching across the aisle and giving an opening to the “other team” in an attempt to be bi-partisan. Suddenly, Boehner is under fire, for his “Plan B” (the Pelosi Plan) from and Harry Reid, Democrat, Senate Majority Leader got into a “pithing” match with Mitch McConnell (Republican) - over the whole shenanigans. Reid would not sign any bill that came from the house offering only taxes on those earning 1 million or more (the Pelosi-Boehner plan), and McConnell filibustered over Reid’s insistence that we raise the debt ceiling (increase the already limitless ability of the U.S. to borrow money (or print money that doesn’t exist). (Huffington Post).

The latest gambit is that the President is going to veto Plan B, and will not sign a bill unless the tax hikes go towards those earning $250,000 or $400,000, and he has put Social Security on the table, in return. (Reuters)

This was followed by the President, saying ”Take me out of it” (NBC News) and the GOP calling the President: “Irrational” (NRP)

Something the collective “we” should remember – we pay these people.

That‘s why we pay taxes, to pay for these collective idiots to screw around like 10 year olds at the playground.

Meanwhile, Rome is burning.

Here’s the most likely outcome: we, the collective, will all pay more taxes, either through income tax increases, or elimination of child tax credits, mortgage deductions, and bear the brunt of the new taxes on the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama-care) including the $53 tax on every insurance policy in order to build a “pool” to cover those who have pre-existing conditions, and the tax on medical equipment (which includes everything you may need from a crutch to a pacemaker). The debt ceiling will no longer exist as there will continue to be a need to feed the collective trough, and those left with any taxable income will have a little bit less income and make due. Unlike those we sent to Washington, who will continue to live in la la land, and refusing to craft a reasonable budget and make some hard decisions – such as cutting duplicate programs. We’ve paid higher taxes before (before George W. Bush), and so it’s not the end of the world. Who doesn’t like eating more pasta? Or carpooling if possible? What is incompressible is that this is occurring at all.

It’s time to pay the piper, the American taxpayer saw this coming from a mile away (ok, Tea Party Members), and the idiots on the hill, are putting their heads in the sand. There will be, by the way, no cuts to government programs, only increases in government programs.

Will it be the “end” of the way the U.S. does business? Will we be “Greece”? – Hardly, what we will be are the people paying for the mistakes of those we hired. We have an opportunity coming up every 2 years to change the situation. If one thinks its one party alone, then one is as out of touch with reality as the entire lot in Washington – it’s both parties. Whatever can we do? Vote out incumbents; bring in a bunch of individuals who have no ties to Washington in any previous life, and hope for the best. One can hazard to guess if tomorrow, the Congress and the Senate, was composed of Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Handymen, Construction Workers, and name a career path other than professional politician, things would move forward as all of the aforementioned have to balance budgets, make cuts and care for those less fortunate, and manage to do it, day in and day out. – Therein lays the solution, the problem is finding anyone who is willing to take on the job for starters, and then getting those so used to pulling a lever for an R or a D to do the opposite.

For now and the foreseeable future we will be “paying Caesar”, no matter which party, no matter how ridiculous the debate becomes and no matter who blames who.

Additional Reading: Opportunity to step away from ‘fiscal cliff’ dissolves into one-upsmanship” (Las Vegas Sun