Taxes by Ray Stevens. If 10% was good enough for Jesus...

A great toe-tapping novelty song from Ray Stevens: Taxes.

Taxes

Now, I'd just like to say a few words right here about taxes
I pay another man to do my taxes
On account of it's just one more deduction I can take
But the postman brought my W2 this mornin'
And this year they're claimin' a third of all I make
Now I'm just as patriotic as the next man
And you know I love that Red, White, and Blue
So, I'll help to pay this risin' "cost of freedom"
But I'll be danged if I'm gonna change my point of view

(Chorus)
Because "every time the bureaucrats run out of money
Well Congress socks it to the workin' man
And I don't think it's one bit funny
When they take so much of my money
And do things with it I don't understand
I don't know why they feel they gotta squeeze us
But I'll tell you just exactly where I stand
I believe if ten percent is good enough for Jesus
Well, it ought to be enough for Uncle Sam"

Now, some of them folks that we've been sendin' off to Congress
Think that all they've got to do is spend and spend
But, you know, you can't run a family, much less a country,
with more money goin' out than comin' in
And that ole debt just keeps on gettin' bigger
And we're all gonna have to pay, so don't you laugh
'Cause one day soon you might just look down at your paycheck
And figure out that they done started takin' half

Repeat( Chorus) Above
And "every time the bureaucrats run out of money...
............................................................................"

I said if ten percent is good enough for Jesus
Well, it ought to be enough for Uncle Sam

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Politicizing the Class Room: Hide the Children.

On Tuesday of next week, the President will address the children of American by video and will speak to them about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. I see nothing wrong with that. The leader of the Free World taking time to tell kids that doing your homework is important sends a special message.

A few on the right are taking offence at the President’s address to the school children of America and are urging parents to keep their children at home that day. I think they are overreacting. I suspect that most Americans, even if they do not like Barack Obama respect the office of the President and think that the President addressing school children and telling them to do their homework is a good thing. I don’t think most liberals would have objected if the same message would have been sent by George W. Bush during his tenure.

While I am not opposed to the President addressing the nations children on this non-political topic and while I would not urge parents to keep their children out of school that day, I nevertheless think we are wise to be vigilant. It appears to me that this president is attempting to grab power wherever and whenever he can. The banks, the auto industry, and health care are the obvious examples. The more sinister aspect of his power grab includes everything from the appointment of various “czars” not subject to congressional confirmation, maneuvering to impose a new version of the fairness doctrine that will silence his critics, establishing a snitch line and encouraging people to report those spreading “fishy” rumors about the health care reform proposals, attempting to gain authority to declare an emergency and seize the Internet, ending the secrete ballot in workplace referendums on unionizing, and moving the census bureau to the control of the White House.

We have not seen such attempts to concentrate power in the White House since FDR, if ever. With these kinds of power grabs and big brotherism, no wonder there is caution when the President wants to address the children of America.

The aspect of this issue that causes me concern is that U. S. Department of Education put out lesson plans to accompany the Presidents speech and Presidential aides have acknowledged the White House helped the U.S. Education Department craft the lesson plans. Those lesson plans originally contained suggested activities such as having the students "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." (link) This comes awfully close to indoctrination and manipulation. Since coming under criticism, the Department of Education has redrawn the lesson plans to be less objectionable.

While I don’t object to this address by the President we must watch him like a hawk. If he would have gotten by with this initial politicizing of the schools, the next effort at propagandizing would be more overt. I can imagine him telling the little darlings to go tell their parents how awful it is that some people don’t have health insurance and that they need to help President Obama help all of those poor people without it. The next month, he will tell them that he is trying to save the planet and they need to tell their parents to pressure their Congressman to support cap and trade.

We better be vigilant or we will see him turn the Department of Education into the Department of Reeducation and Propaganda.

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Obsevations from 'The Third Rail of Helath Reform: Cost' Conference

On Saturday I was fortunate to get to attend a very important health care conference that occurred here in Nashville. I knew it was going on and just thought I would go downtown and see if by chance there were any demonstrations and counter demonstrations occurring. It so, I would have joined the opponents of ObamaCare in their protest. I am pleased to say that neither side was demonstrating.

I did not think I would be permitted to join the conference but I attempted to enter and was told I needed a ticket and was directed to the registration table. I have never been shy about crashing parties and simply walked up to the table and asked to get a ticket. I simply signed my name on a log and got a pass.

The event was sponsored by the Rand Corporation and was entitled “The Third Rail of Health Reform: Cost.” It took place at the beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. I had ridden my bicycle down town and was the only sweaty guy there in shorts and a tie-dyed tee shirt carrying a bicycle helmet. Most of the attendees, I gathered, were health care industry executives, doctors, and academics. Most were smartly dressed in business suits.

I attended the opening panel discussion and, from a look at the agenda, it was the most important of the sessions. I also got a free box lunch out of the deal and met someone I knew and had lunch with her and some of her co-workers.

The panel discussion had an impressive list of panelist: Phil Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee; Congressman Jim Cooper; David M Walker, CEO of Peter G. Peterson Foundation and former Comptroller General of the United States; Julie Gerberding, MD, Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Patrick Soon-Shaiong, M. D., Chairman and CEO of Abraxis BioScience, Inc.; and narrator Leonard D. Schaeffer, of the University of Southern California and founding Chairman and CEO of Wellspoint.

I was very impressed. Phil Bredesen, our Governor was CEO and founder of HealthAmerica Corp. prior to becoming Governor and as governor he had to oversee the dismantling of Tennessee’s disastrous healthcare experiment called Tenncare. Jim Cooper is not only our Congressman but is a professor at Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management teaching health care policy. My friends in the Republican Party will probably excommunicate me for saying so, but I like Jim Cooper. I don’t always agree with the way he votes but I think he has an impressive grasp of the issues and I think he is a smart person. I especially appreciate his effort to require accurate reporting of the debt of the United States and his efforts to inform people of the consequences of the growing National debt. Unless he has a highly qualified Republican opponent, I will probably support Jim Cooper for reelection. I wish he were a Republican.

I did not know the other panelist but they were all highly credentialed. Patrick Soon-Shiong has a long string of degrees and awards and has published over 100 scientific papers and is co-inventor of over 50 patients.

This panel was not balanced. I wish there would have been some advocates for market-oriented reform on the panel. There was no one advocating obviously needed reforms such as tort reform or interstate insurance competition. However, the panel did not appear very enthusiastic about the proposals that are before us. They were not cheerleaders for the current reform proposals. I got the impression that all of these people are reasonable, sensible, rational, thoughtful, knowledgeable people. The moderator made some comments that indicated he supported single payer, but most of the panelist were not open advocate for single-payer or Obamacare. They addressed the nuances of the problem of health care cost and the complexity of the problem.

While I am an opponent of the current bills working their way through Congress, I nevertheless think that health care reform is necessary. The status quo is simply not sustainable. That was clear from the testimony of those on this panel. I want reform but I think we need different reforms than what is proposed. Those who find nothing worth preserving in the American system of health care and those who pretend everything is just find, both do us a disservice.

I am contributing money, writing letters, blogging, signing petitions, and attending demonstrations to do my part to help defeat ObamaCare, but regret that this issue has become so polarized. Politics is often a game of winner take all. I wish it were not so.

I think that a panel of smart people could be convened that could propose improvements to our health care system without destroying it. If I were appointing members to a healthcare study group to solve our health care problem, from what I observed on Saturday, I would want these people on that panel.

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America's Future Foundation: Perspectives on Gun Rights

I know it is kind of late to be promoting an event for Monday evening but America's Furture Foundation is another great opportunity to get connected to the conservative/libertarian movement in Nashville. If interested in attending, please hit the RSVP link below and see if you can still attend. Here is the announcement:

Come join AFF Nashville as we host a discussion about gun rights in Nashville on Monday, August 31, at 6:30 pm in the Belle Meade Room at the Hampton Inn in Green Hills (2324 Crestmoor Road)

Hear the experiences and perspectives of Brett Corrieri, a local restaurant/bar owner, and Nathan Moore, a defense lawyer, who deal with these issues on a daily basis. Plus, listen to the story of Pete Eyre of the Motorhome Diaries and his experiences with gun control laws nationwide.

Come away equipped with information to defend the Second Amendment and promote freedom. See you there!

Beer/wine & hors d’oeuvres will be served.

PLEASE RSVP: melissa@americasfuture.org

For more information on AFF: AFF.
If you did not make this one go to the AFF link and sign up. Go to "Room 101" and register and you will be notified of future events.

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1st Tuesday Meetup: Party Chairman Chris Devaney

On Tuesday, SEPT 1ST, First Tuesday will have our first extended opportunity to hear from our new State Party Chairman, Chris Devaney.
For those of you who do not know Chris, he is a long time participant in the political arena, including being a leading staff member for Sen Fred Thompson and Sen Bob Corker.

1st Tuesday is a always a great event. Hear interesting speakers in a room with a view, have a nice meal for a reasonable price and network with other Republican. Park for free or cheap in the public garage beneath the library, which is less than a block away. Anyone is welcome to attend. The meeting is exactly one hour long, so you can attend and not be gone from work that long. Lunch is from Alexander's Catering and is $20 for guests, $15 for members. Membership in 1st Tueday is only $20 a year. If you are a Republican or a conservative and in the Nashville area, you really owe it to yourself to start attending 1st Tueday. Click this link to register: First Tuesday.

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Report on the Motorhome Diaries

Adam Mueller, Rod Williams and Pete Eyre

Last night I had a great time at the Liberty on the Rocks event at Mafiaozo’s. I enjoyed good conversation, good food and drank two-for-one beers all evening.

At last nights event we were joined by three guys who are traveling around the country living in a small motorhome, visiting with various groups, speaking on college campuses, being interviewed on local radio and exploring America. They blog of their adventures and are creating a documentary about their experiences. They call this adventure “Motorhome Diaries.”

They had scheduled a visit to Nashville several months ago but had their plans changed and their schedule rearranged when arrested in Mississippi. They were stopped by a local sheriff’s deputy on the interstate because, at the time, the motorhome only had temporary tags. The Sheriff checked the vehicle registration and everything was in order. One of the men however was videotaping the event and the local deputy took offence and told him to stop taping. He didn’t. The deputy then decided to search the vehicle. Inside the refrigerator was one single beer. Jones County Mississippi is a dry county where even beer is illegal. All three were arrested and taken into custody for this violation of the law. You can read about it on their blog. They have to return for a trial soon.

They briefly spoke to the group about their adventures and political views, but mostly they just mingled and joined the conversations. We toured the very small motor home parked outside and had a group picture made. We “signed the guest book” by writing our names on the ceiling.

You would never want to meet three nicer young men. I am not of the same political persuasion as these guys. They are not “libertarian-leaning” or “libertarian Republicans;” they are pure libertarian. They are non-violent, gentle, utopian anarchists who simply think people should be left alone and get to keep the money they earn.

I don’t want to move to New Hampshire and abolish the State. I don’t think society can function on the basis of absolute individual autonomy and purely cooperative voluntary associations and exchanges. I accept that some liberties must be surrendered to the state in order for society to function. I consider myself a pragmatic mainstream Republican but I guess I am a libertarian “fellow traveler.” I am sympathetic to their point of view.

As long as we have people who advocate that the individual will must always be subordinated to the state for the common good, then for the sake of balance, we need people who make the moral argument for the cause of absolute liberty. I wish these guys well and I am glad they are out there advocating their position. Keep on Motoring.

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RIP: Farewell to a legend and a great American

A man who was admired, loved and respected by many has passed from the scene after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. In services at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, friends and admirers of varied backgrounds and all political persuasions shared stories about this remarkable man's 50-plus-year career. He was known as one who never hesitated to report the truth. He was an American Original and will be missed. (read more)

Robert Novak
February 26, 1931 – August 18, 2009

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Town Hall Cartoons

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Liberty on the Rocks to feature Motor Home Diaries

Nashville Liberty on the Rocks

Friday, August 28, 2009,Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Mafiaozas, Street: 2400 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN

The Motorhome Diaries is the story of two friends who took to the road in April 2009 to search for freedom in America. Along the way, MARV (the Mobile Authority Resistance Vehicle), Jason and Pete meet individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints at college campuses, homes, businesses and organizations that are united by one thing: increasing individual freedom and responsibility and decreasing the scope of government.

Liberty on the Rocks is such a fun event! There is no opening prayer, no pledge, no treasurer's report, no reading of the minutes of the last meeting. There is no program and no agenda, no officers and no one in charge. For this upcoming event, we will be joined by the guys from Motor Home Diaries. This should be interesting.

I have attended several of the Liberty on the Rocks events and look forward to them. Attendance is usually about twenty to twenty-five people. It is on the patio at Mafiaoza's in the 12th Avenue South neighborhood. Mafiaoza's provides delicious hor'devers or pizza and you are responsible for your own drinks. The first hour is happy hour with two-for-one drinks. The group is diverse and ranges in age from those in their early 20's to those in their late 60's, and with everyone from students to blue collar workers to attorneys. The larger group usually ends up breaking into four or so smaller groups with people floating between the groups.

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Right of center is still a pretty broad spectrum and interesting discussion and respectful but animated debate is the norm. If you are tired of hanging out with your liberal co-workers or family or people who never talk about anything of substance, come party with some smart like-minded people.

Liberty on the Rocks is an open group. Anyone can join and invite others to join.

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The Birthers Cartoon Show

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Barney Frank’s ‘Nazi’ questioner was Lyndon LaRouche Loony

By now you have probably seen the video clip of the widely reported exchange between Representative Barney Frank and the women who at a town hall meeting on health care asked the Congressman, “Why are you supporting this Nazi policy?" The clip is below:



Anyone who has read this blog, knows I am an opponent of the current proposals for health care reform. I favor reform, but reform that will correct what is wrong with the current system without destroying it.

I also support those citizens who are showing up at town hall meetings to let their elected representatives know of their opposition to the proposed health care “reform.” If my congressman would have had a town hall meeting, I would attended and let my opposition to ObamaCare be known.

Also, Barney Frank is one of my least favorite politicians. Despite all of the above however, I think Barney Frank was correct to respond to this women in the tone and with the contempt he showed her. He asked her "On what planet do you spend most of your time?" He then says, “trying to have a conversation with you is like trying to argue with a dinning room table.”

He is right! Those who refer to ObamaCare as a “Nazi policy” are over the top. They deserve contempt. They undermine the legitimate arguments against the proposed remaking of the American system of health care. Obama’s friends in the press will publicize such rhetoric and attempt to paint all opponents of Obamacare as nuts.

I don’t know how we defend ourselves against being painted with the same brush as this nut, but we should distance ourselves from those who show up at town hall meetings armed advocating “watering the tree of liberty” and those who compare Obama to Hitler.

This women at the Barney Frank town hall meeting was a Lyndon LaRouche cultist. The lapdog press for the most part did not report that fact. These LaRouche people are few in number but make a point to grab the spotlight.

The LaRouche followers are certainly not conservative and are not even Republicans. LaRouche himself ran for President seven times as a Democrat and he has a long history of left wing associations. Despite the long history of left wing association, sometimes the LaRouche movement is hard to classify because their positions are all over the map. They sometimes take position that coincide with conservative positions but normally they are far left. They also subscribe to some nutty conspiracy theories. I think Barney Frank was right; these people are from a different planet.

We in the conservative movement and opponents of ObamaCare must disassociate ourselves from the LaRouche loonies and other nuts who are trying to steal the spotlight and hijack the movement.

To read the full statement of the LaRoucher who spoke at the Barney Frank town hall and learn more about the LaRouche connections lick here and here.

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Despicable: The President as Hitler

Where was the outrage then?

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