Arguing With Idiots (a book Review)

Glenn Beck writes like I read (and wish I could write). He knows that those of us with A.D.D. are nearly always smarter than our labeling but are prone to drift away from long boring passages. He knows that we tend to think like a computer with multiple programs running in the background. Sometimes there are pop ups and off we go on a tangent. Glenn beck puts the pop ups right onto the page and actually calls them A.D.D. moments. For those of you with normal brains, "Arguing with Idiots" might seem a bit jumpy, but for me it is the smoothest book I have ever read.

It has 12 chapters. 13 if you count the 25 pages of citations. Conservatives need a 25 page citation chapter because we actually have to prove our quotes and liberals do not. 10 of the main 12 chapters were dead on word for word the way I understand things. 1 of the 12 is clearly true but says a few things that go so far against the party line that even a rouge like me might think twice before touching it. 1 of the 12 is mostly true but makes a few points that I do not agree with. I will start with a little comment on each of the 10 that did not make me nervous then dig a little deeper in the other 2 chapters. I will end with the chapters that I hope Glenn puts into his next book.

Chapter 1 is "In Defense of Capitalism" I am a small business owner. I did not just buy an existing business. I did not just buy a franchise. My wife and I actually built our business from scratch using nothing but good ideas, borrowed money and faith. Finally someone wrote a chapter that recognizes that risk takers and entrepreneurs like us are the spine of our economy. I suppose I might rather have read a scholarly work about the finer points of economic systems but plain straight talk is a better tool for breaking into closed minds.

Chapter 2 is about the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I am an endowment member of the NRA. I had to become a life member before taking the next step and become an endowment member. The reason I did that has very little to do with guns. It is more about the constitution itself. Do not get me wrong and think that I do not love guns. If you do not believe me just try to rob me. Even as dedicated as I am to defending myself, my wife and my possessions I am equally devoted to defending our nation and its constitution. There are a few extremely rare cases when gun haters make logical arguments about safety or the need to have military weapons, but when doing so they shred part of the constitution. It is not possible to shred even one little amendment with out damaging the whole thing.

Glenn Beck spent a lot of time explaining the preamble clause of the second amendment and explaining the definition of "militia". I am not sure if it is because I served long enough to retire from the Mississippi National Guard, because I read NRA magazines, because I read our constitution or because it just makes common sense to me, but for some reason I just have to give Glenn an AMEN on that chapter.

Chapter 3 is about Education. One day I may write a whole book of my own about education. I learned a lot about the subject by going from the historically white Brandon elementary School to the nearly all black McLaurin Jr. High during the forced busing movement of the 1970's. I learned a lot by becoming a teachers aid in of all places California. Throw in the fact that my daughter-in-law is teaching at Florence Elementary and my step son soon will be too. Throw in the fact that most of the friends I go to church with are teachers. Throw in the policy research I did to run for Rankin County school board and the stuff I learned by running and I might be considered a minor expert on the crap that goes on.

Glenn Beck told a lot of frightful horror stories about what government does to schools that would have made my skin crawl if not for one fact. I have already seen a lot of that and my skin already crawled.

Chapter 4 is "Americas Energy Future" I grew up around drilling. When the Piney Woods...(sorry, I cannot say that). When the Cox well exploded I could see the flames from my house. When I was a kid I sat on Albert Garret's back porch and watch men working on a derrick in his back yard. When the Thomasville refinery was built, I sat on my on door steps and watched all the parts go by on trucks. When they built Shell Oil Road they took part of my grandmothers land. No, that does not come even close to qualifying me as an energy expert, but it did spur enough interest to take a closer look.

I worked at the Mississippi State University Forest Products Lab back in the 80's. I met a professor who even back then was trying to find an efficient way to make fuel out of wood alcohol. He told me that it is cheaper to just burn the wood.

Last week the little struts that hold up the back glass on my SUV got weak and the glass bopped me in the head. I went to O.E. Berry Salvage Yard and took good struts off a cash for clunker that was far newer and in better shape than the one I drive. That is failed energy policy in action.

OK. That is still not enough to claim to be an energy expert but to borrow a line from Glenn Beck "I am a thinker". What I know about the subject totally jives with what Beck wrote. He just said it in a more interesting way than I would have.

Chapter 5 is about labor unions. When I was 18 I worked for a summer at the factory where my father worked long enough to retire. My father died on the factory floor. When I was there I chose to join the union. I took a job at a truck stop in California and was forced to join the union. The truck stop is closed and the factory is now in Mexico. Now that I own my own business I know that I would close before being unionized. In my opinion Glen softened that chapter too much. I would have gone into Jimmy Hoffa and dug more into mafia connections but still it is a useful chapter. There is enough information in it to arm yourself against idiots.

Chapter 6 is about illegal immigration. The largest and lowest attack the left uses is to say that the right is against immigration but leaving out the word "illegal". My wife is a legal immigrant from South Korea. She played by the rules to earn her citizenship. I know what she went threw to achieve that goal. It really burns me to see cheaters break in line. Glenn Beck wrote about that problem as though he really understands what goes on.

Chapter 8 is about owning a home. I have been taught all my life the great value of ownership. I have also been taught the great value of putting down roots in the community. If you honestly look at the numbers it is clear that buying a house is not always a good investment, especially for people who move often. Glenn also nails Barney Fwanks in the chapter so it is fun to read.

Chapter 9 is called "Economics 101" If you did not get it after the chapter on Capitalism or the chapter about unions or the chapter on home ownership you are probably too much of an idiot to ever get it, but just in case here it is one more time. It is clear that smaller government really does equal a bigger wallet.

Chapter 11 is about universal health care. A lot if this chapter is stuff that is in the news daily. No, not if you are such an idiot that you get your news from the broadcast networks, but if you get news from legitimate sources it is there. Few people even including the ones shoveling that crap know what is in those house and senate bills. Even if someone could read all of it they could not keep up with all the amendments, pork and Louisiana Purchases that keep getting piled into it. Glenn Beck does not even try to make sense of it. He just shows the disaster in other nations that did it. He also looks back at the history of the single payer idea as far back as FDR.

Chapter 12 is the chapter I most wish Glenn beck would rewrite as a whole book. He went threw the U.S. Constitution line by line and explained it in language so simple that any bone head aught to understand. The problem is that the chapter is way too short and he only explained the parts that the left most severely twists. The chapter does make it clear how little regard certain people have for our constitution.

Chapter 10 is about the U.S.presidents. This is the chapter which I agree with but for pure political reasons never touched (until now). Every president from Washington to Obama has either written a book or has a sycophant fan write one about him. Presidents have a unique way of inflating their own importance in history. One of the most inflated presidents in history is considered by people who do not know him to be a great conservative. His image is on Mt Rushmore and John McCain called him his idol. I studied Theodor Roosevelt a long time ago and concluded that he is among the worst of the American presidents. I never said that out loud because most people already think that I am on the edge of lunacy. Glenn is probably closer to the edge than I and he is no where close to being a left wing nut. When He said what I already knew I felt relief. I felt not so alone.

I bet very few conservatives would be shocked over what Glenn said about known liberals like Obama, Clinton, Carter, LBJ, Wilson FDR and a few more. They might also not be shocked over what he said about Washington, Jefferson and Regan. Some might get twisted out of the comfort zone to learn the truth about Teddy and the book is worth the price just for that one segment.

Now for a personal story. My first year at the newly integrated McLaurin Jr. High was the sixth grade. I might actually write a whole book about that year but for now one story. I had several teachers that year who did not actually teach. One math teacher never even handed out the math books, but instead we drew pictures and colored them. One of only three teachers that actually taught was the civics teacher. (English and band were the other two) We used a book called "American National Government" and he made sure that the students understood basic political science. The only problem was that he taught from a far left point of view. Very often he would refer to the Democrats as God's Party. Once he even quoted scriptures where Jesus criticized Publicans then said now they are re-publicans. He ranked presidents according to how much they grew the importance of their own office. My first indicator that Teddy Roosevelt might not be such a great guy was when that teacher included him as one of only three Republicans on his list of great presidents.

Here is my own A.D.D moment. I only spoke up twice in that class. Once was when I read aloud my report on U.S. Grant. The other was when I raised my hand and asked what is wrong with a trust and why bust it? Neither of those two times that I spoke up got a friendly response.

Yes I know that there is one more chapter in Glenn's book that I have not talked about. I also said that I would give a list of chapters that I wish were in there. I changed my mind. I will save that list in case I decided to write them myself. The one chapter that I left off is about the Nanny State. I have a lot to say about that so I will make you wait for another blog post. Call it a Cliff Hanger.

Buy Glenn Beck's book and watch him on on FOX News.

Drive by Post.

Yes, I know that there are some people who still read local blogs like this one. Most read national things and keep up with their circle of friends with Facebook. I have been on Facebook myself a lot lately, but that does not indicate that I have totally forgot this blog. I figure I at least aught to drive by and make a post once in a while.

While I am at it I must admit that even though I have spent some time on Facebook, I have not taken the time necessary to really dig to the bottom of certain issues and comment on them like I want to do. I am into my Sunday School class heavily now and am still busy with business. Football season is on us and I spend a lot of my available time at McLaurin High School.

Even though I have not commented on politics lately I have been reading and studying about it. Back when I was thinking seriously about running for office I felt more of a need to throw my two cents worth into everything. I thought I had to keep my name in public. Now that I am not seriously planning a run for anything I actually dig deeper and find out more.

Now that I have driven by this blog today I invite the few remaining blog readers to drive by Facebook. Click on the badge on the left column and just follow it threw.

Face Book

Once upon a time Geocities was the hot place on the internet. Then came blogger then My Space. After that it was twitter. Now Facebook is where people tend to go. I am trying to keep up. I have two Facebook pages. Check them both out.

Look in the left column and find the two badges. My main personal page is the second one and is where I spend the most Facebook time. The other one is a special fan type site that politicians use. I am not running for anything and may never run for any thing, but just in case I have a start. You can be a friend on one and a fan on the other. Y'all are invited.

I have seen a lot of bloggers go to Facebook and never come back to blogging. I am still here, and do not plan to stop.

The Shack

I just finished reading a book called "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. It is about a tragedy that God used for his good.

I do not agree 100% with the theology inside the book, but it is 99% like I believe. I recommend it for anyone who is hurting,or knows some one who is hurting.

In time I might do a complete book report on it but for now just go to this link. The Shack Book.

Jonah

I teach adult Sunday School at Dry Creek Baptist Church (the one in Rankin County). I am probably the worst teacher in the long history of the church, but somehow feel like I should be doing it. I don't even call myself a teacher, but a discussion leader. I wanted an adult class because adults will discuss. It is the teachers in the children's classes who need the skill.

This week the lesson was all from the book of Jonah. I had some good talkers in the room so the lesson went well, but what happened in the worship service is something I am not proud of.

All week I had been thinking about Jonah and how it applied to different situations. That lead me to develop a little story based on Jonah. Instead of some guy who lived back in olden times I used myself in modern times. Instead of Nineveh (where Mosul, Iraq is now) I used San Fransisco, Ca. I developed a pretty good story and figured maybe I would refine it some more and make a written story out of it. I ended up using it in a different way and it bombed big time.

Our pastor, Gerry Glass, started doing children church several months ago. He would have a short presentation or video or something that hold kids interest. He would bring them to the front and present it to them but where adult could also hear. He made it clear that he would not have something every week but wanted various people to present something.

We eat breakfast at church Sunday mornings before Sunday school. I noticed that there was a much larger than normal bunch of little ones running around. I also saw that Gerry Glass was preaching a special event at another church, and the assistant pastor Donny Nash was ready to preach. I told Donny about my story and he gave the green light.

I gathered the kids up front and started energetically telling the story but could not match the kids energy. They were wound tight that day. (Hats off to the professional teachers in public schools.) When I got into the story I realized the major flaw. I am an adult discussion leader trying to tell a story to kids. Maybe the adults got something out of it, but it was a mile over the kids heads.

I am not sure if I will ever do that again, but if I do I will tell a story geared for the right age group. As for that Jonah story I might still polish it up and post it. Besides this blog I also have a brand new facebook page and my friends are all church people. A lot heard me butcher Jonah. Perhaps when I polish the story I will place it there.

140 key Strokes

I have been playing around with twitter lately and found that it is a great teaching tool for long winded writers. By limiting to 140 key strokes it forces people to find pithy ways to get to the point then shut up. Once in a while I have a very little thought that is not little enough to squeeze into such a small space. That is alright because I still have blogger. Here is a question to ponder.

Why would the Democrats in congress risk their majority in 2010 to ram thew a government health care take over? The answer is simple. The take over might be expandable, but regardless of who wins in 2010 is not reversible.

Daily Twit.

I am still busy, but I cannot make that an excuse. Our state, our nation and our world have serious problems now. The root cause of a lot of the problems is the fact that Christians and conservatives are too busy.

The squeaky wheel really does get the grease. For the last few decades the only people who had time to squeak were unemployed by choice and people who do not spend time in church activities. Even though the silent majority is still the majority, the noisy left is getting the grease. Over those decades the left has been gaining in power and plotting a take over. They see now as their opportunity to fundamentally change all the norms. Our only defense is to squeak.

I am one of those conservatives who has a voice. I got my voice by running for office and stating my opinions. I have had this blog for several years. I actually built my first political website nearly 20 years ago. My voice is not super loud but relatively well established. My voice becomes louder when added to others. The trouble is that I do not use what God has given to me. I often go weeks or months at a time saying nothing then coming back with a lame statement about being busy.

I really am busy, but now is the time that all busy people must step up at least a little. I still do not promise to write a full post every day but I will try to say at lease a little something every day. To make that possible I have added a new feature to this blog. Scroll down the left side and look near the green clock. I have opened a twitter account and linked it to this blog. Now when I twit it automatically shows up on this blog. Now I can quickly say something that is on my mind every day.

The last five twits stay on the blog, but do not assume that you can read all of them by visiting once every five days. There may be more than one in a day. If you missed some just click the "follow" link and read the rest. You can even have them sent as text messages to your cell phone if you like.

My Town Hall Question

I have been watching with glee as patriots confront politicians at town hall meetings. If I get the opportunity to go to one of those events I will go. Going to an event does not guarantee I get in and getting in does not guarantee get a chance to speak, but just in case I am prepared. All patriots need to be ready. This is what I would say.

I am a self employed small business owner. I am in reasonably good health for my age but my wife is diabetic. Times are hard for retail merchants like us and we had to cut cost to stay in business. One thing we had to drop was health insurance. I desperately need for the federal government to fix the health care problem. These are what I see as the 6 most important things the government can do.

1. Get the government's rear end out of the way so I can buy insurance from any man or lizard selling it in any of the 50 states.

2. Get the government's rear end out of the way so small business owners can form groups and buy group policies.

3. Get the government's rear end out of the way of doctors who are not allowed to expand clinics because of the obsolete "certificate of need" laws.

4. Get the lawyers' hands out of my pockets. As a small business owner I constantly live under the threat of frivolous lawsuits. Even if I were to be sued and win I might still go bankrupt because at least two lawyers and a judge gets paid every time. Even businesses who never get sued still lose because health care providers pass legal costs to patients. Give us real TORT reform NOW.

5. Get the illegal border invaders out of our nation, or at least make them pay for their own benefits.

6. Stop lying to me.

That is what I would say if I had a long time to speak, but every patriot needs to have something quick just in case. If they are rushing me I might just ask, "For whom did you vote for Speaker of the house and why should I trust you with my health care?"

Baptist Children's Village

When I was only about 3 feet tall, my father would sometimes give me 10 dimes. He would tell me that 9 of those dimes were mine and 1 belonged to God. I would always put God's dime in the offering plate. Several times a year the church would pass the plate like usual but would also have a separate collection for special things. My father told me those are for extra gifts to God's work and if I put in an extra dime I would get an extra blessing. I always did it and it is true that God always made me feel good about giving. Those special offerings were for Annie Armstrong, Lotty Moon, an occasional Gideon who would make a presentation and for the Baptist Children's Village.

I told that story above as a way to admit my bias on this subject. It is true that I, and probably many others, have a preconceived notion that certain church related activities need support. Now I have the opportunity to throw in more than just a dime to help a great cause. I now can throw in my 2 cents worth. The Baptist Children's Village is building in my neighborhood and I am writing to say AMEN to the project.

I live in the Thomasville Community on Star Road between Star and Brandon. It was known as Dry Creek when I was young and I see now that people who do not know are calling us the McLaurin area. Ground has been broken on new construction about 1/2 mile from my house. I am excited about the project. I am a Sunday School teacher in the church closest to the project and see an opportunity for outreach. The only problem I have with the whole project is the fact that they put the driveway in a dangerous curve on Star Rd. That is something that can be fixed.

There is a tiny group in my community plus a larger group of agitators from outside my community who have blocked the project. That group is bringing up every thing from juvenile delinquency to misuse of county money. Here is your chance to have your voice heard. If you agree with me that it is a good opportunity for outreach say it here. If you think it is a bad idea, state that case here too. Give me your most logical and/or emotional argument for or against.

Sales Tax Holiday

As most of you know I am a retail merchant and tomorrow is the first day of the sales tax holiday. Most of you also know that often called the tax holiday a gimmick to cover for the fact that our legislature does not know enough about retail sales to know that a permanent reduction of the tax rate from 7% to 5% would increase economic activity. It is a bunch of arrogant politicians telling us to shut up and be happy with a temporary break on a few select select items.

Sales in my store has been down for the last few weeks for obvious reasons. One reason is that the customers have very little money. Another reason is that they are saving the little the still have so they can do a months worth of shopping on one weekend. This does not increase sales. It only bunches sales up.

I do not know what problems I will have tomorrow, but one that I predict is people thinking it is a total tax free day. There is still tax on most items and on every item over $100. I can also see problems when merchants file the monthly statement and give money to the state.

I admit that I do not write as much as I once did. I am busy. I will however follow up on this story. When the tax holiday happens, I will report the results from a merchants point of view.

------------------------update August 10-------------------

The only surprise about the sales tax holiday was that it was not as much trouble as I thought. I expected people to demand no tax on every thing. Most of my customers seemed surprised that I gave them a tax break on clothes. It was as though they recognized the whole thing as no big deal and they were correct.

My gross sales for the two days was only slightly better than they normally would have been, but the week before the event was a near record low. The weekly total was worse than normal. Most of the retail merchants I talked with said the same. In Magee, where my store is, the only store that I know had an in increase was Walmart.

Human nature is to shop locally for quick things and go to larger towns for buy a lot. It makes sense that a tax holiday would draw folks away from small town merchants. My mother went to Lakeland Drive on Saturday and told me the crowds were huge but she saw more lookers than buyers. She also noticed that most of the sales in the places she went were because they were bringing out the out of date and damaged merchandise. When she told me that, I had to admit that I did it too.

Now that the tax holiday is over for shoppers it is not over for merchants. We still have to file a report on the 20th day of the following month. I predict a lot of confusion from some and some cheating from a few too. What makes it worse is that the two day event was in two different months. There will be two months of confusion and cheating. It also tells me that the dates were picked by politicians and not merchants.

Some of my customers remember that I ran for state senate before and apparently a few think that I won. Someone asked me why I did not include school supplies when I voted on that bill. I asked if she voted for me and she said no. I said that is why I did not include school supplies. I was tempted to leave her hanging there but finally told her the truth. The truth is that I was not for the gimmick at all, because it is an excuse to not repeal the "temporary" increase in sales tax to 7%.

---------------------------------update August 21----------------------

I, like most retail merchants, file an online sales tax return each month on the 20th day. I thought there might be some special instructions on the form because of the tax holiday. There was not, so I just winged it. I opened the deduction schedule page and wrote in school clothes and told the declared amount of no tax sales for Friday. Next month I will do the same but declare Saturday sales.

Where have I been?

Friends expect me to write something often, but I would rather write when I am inspired. I know that we have a vice President with a foot in his mouth and a President who needs one there. We have local elections going on for mayor and a mayor of Jackson who died on election day. We have a national financial melt down and a war still raging in Afghanistan. Yes there are plenty of things to write about but the bottom line is that I am busy. I still have a business to run. It is not that I no longer care it is that I am in the middle of it.

In all honesty I had hoped to have a new job by now and a business up for sale. I would have had the time to deeply research issues and not only write about them but vote on them. Maybe later, but for now I will keep my 60+ hour a week job and continue teaching Sunday School.

Even though I do not devote the time to my own blog like I and want and have not updated my other website for a year does not mean that I dissolved. I do make occasional short comments on other sites like The912project.com. Check it out and see for your self.

I will be back when I can.

See for your self.

Just click on the title of this post and tell me what you see.

I Went to a Tea Party.

April 15 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm there was a tea party on the steps of the State Capital Building. I was there with my NRA hat, my Fair Tax tee shirt, my pocket sized constitution and a sign that said, "RE-ELECT NOBODY".

I run a business 10 hours a day 6 days a week so I do not go to a lot of protests. I made an effort to attend that one. There were several good things about the event, like meeting people like me at a peaceful protest. There were some less than good things like elected politicians hogging the microphone. All in all it was a great experience and I pray what started there continues.

In the next few days after I get some sleep and reflect a little on the days events I will comment on the goings on. Until then please visit this link. Also check this link.

RE-ELECT NOBODY

It seems that every time people get a little upset with government, the mantra is "throw the bums out". It sounds good on the surface, but when it's time to vote, the mantra changes to "throw the other guys bums out". People get all fired up and mad about all the pork flowing to other districts, but somehow think the pork they get to eat is necessary spending. People get bent out of shape over corruption, but somehow convince themselves that their guy is the only innocent in the game. People get steamed over compromises without thinking about who they are compromising with. Even in those rare cases when voters realize that the people they voted for is not as good as the campaign ads, they don't want to gamble on what might be worse.

Here is a clue. When elected politicians use news paper guest columns, government financed mail outs and a whole list of other free communication tools to brag about all the wonderful things they did, they are trying to convince you of something. Nation wide there is a small handful of politicians who have done bold and unique things that indicate they deserve a second look. I can think of a mayor who stopped house break ins by requiring able bodied law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. I can think of a sheriff who makes thugs wear pink undies. Yes, there might be a few babies in the bath water but honestly ask yourself this. Is there a single elected official in Mississippi who cannot be replaced?

I am affiliated with the Republican Party in Mississippi. I get fund raising mail outs all the time explaining why we need to protect our own party members. They make it look like every one with an R is good and every one with a D is bad, so we must protect our numbers regardless of the stand on issues. OK, for the sake of argument I will agree that we must protect our numbers. It does not matter who is in the seat as long as he has an R. That means the changes must happen in party primaries. Read deeper into what both parties are saying and you will realize it is as much or more about protecting incumbents than counting seats.

The time is now more than ever to use the primary system to purge the parties.

Roger Wicker Responded to my Email

Back during the debate over the omnibus budget (the one Obama blamed on Bush but signed with his own pen) I sent an email to both of our federal senators. I told them that I did not like their stand on ear marks. Finally last night I got a reply from Wicker but have yet to hear from Cochran.

I have not yet figured out how to make this post accept HTML code so I am retyping his reply word for word.

Thank you for contacting me regarding federal spending priorities. I am glad to have the benefit of your views on this issue.

I understand your frustration with the increased government spending and earmarking in recent years. The annual budget resolutions sets limitations on how much spending will be done each year. I have consistently supported budget resolutions which held the line on discretionary spending. Once overall limits are set, congress must prioritize the competing demands for spending within that budget framework. In many instances, congressionally-earmarked funds can address the needs of a community better than other forms of federal aid doled out by Washington bureaucrats. Congressional earmarking must be balanced with national budget priorities including national defense, medicare, and social security, and earmarked funds must still fall within the overall amount dictated in the budget resolution.

I am disappointed that President Obama's first budget request to Congress will increase the deficit by $1 Trillion per year for the next ten years and increase taxes. I believe we must meet the financial challenges our nation is facing without increasing taxes on hard working Americans. Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues have different priorities, including plans to raise taxes in order to increase spending. I have voted against these efforts several times and will continue to do so.

Be assured I will keep your views in mind as I continue to combat wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. Please feel free to contact me if I can ever assist you.

With best wishes, I am

SincerelyYours,

Roger F. Wicker
U.S. Senate


Let me translate: I know more about this than you do. This is the way it is done and I need to bring home local bacon to get reelected.

The 912 Project

I do not watch much television for obvious reasons. I budget my time miserly, but do have a few favorites. Since Glen Beck has been freed from CNN Headline News, he has become one of my favorites. This weekend he confirmed for me the gut hunch I had about him and his show.

More than half the people in the USA are asleep, but little by little a few are starting to stir. Most of those awakened by the economy are becoming angry at the reasons our nation is in trouble. They are angry but until now figured they were angry alone and kept quiet. There are a few outlets with which to vent. I admit that I do not have a national voice but one of the reasons for this blog is to provide a space to vent. Glen Beck has made it clear that we are not alone and has launched a national scale place to vent.

I could write word after boring word trying to explain why I am on board with Glen Beck on this one but my best advice is to check it out your self. Just follow this link to his web site and learn a little about his show. Next go to the 912 project web site and find more about the budding movement that is destined to bloom. If you still feel angry and alone then I suggest you find a support group of like minded people. If all else fails just vent on this post and I will pass it on.

Know the Enemy

I was watching Glen Beck on TV today and his guest was the head of the communist party. What the man said was scary to people with a clue about religion, history and economics. The trouble is that most of America has no clue. What he is promoting is what we have been slowly slipping into for decades.

I know that most conservative websites only link to other conservative sites, but it is more important that we know what we are facing. I have placed a link to the communist party on my link list along with the White House site and that Recovery web site. When I find the time and stomach I will develop a whole new link list devoted just to left wing radicals.

I am not Republican

I am a self employed retail merchant which means that I work 10 hours a day 6 days a week. Monday I had a very rare half day at home. It was still a work day, I just had honey dews. At 10:30 AM when most earners are earning, I got a phone call from the Mississippi Republican Party. The script reader started with the usual "thank you for your past support". When he asked how much I could give this time I threw him off script by saying I will give none because I am no longer a Republican. I actually heard him turning pages then he started back trying to sound local. He told me that our own Senator Cochran will need help soon. I asked him if that is the same Cochran who leads the senate in earmarks. Again more page turning then he started talking about the state legislature. I almost told him I twice ran against one of the rinos he is asking me to help, but I figured it was not worth the argument.I just told him to call back next year if the party becomes conservative.

That conversation started me thinking of a local radio talk show host who equated support for George Bush with conservatism. I did strongly support Bush on several issues but certainly not every issue. If I ever get another half day off I will reread a lot of what I wrote over the last 8 years and point out places where I called him timid on tax cuts. I know that this may make me sound less conservative, but I saw Bush's name on my ballot 4 times and never voted for him. I voted Ambassador Keys in both primaries and for the Constitution Party candidates in both general elections. This time I voted Mike Huckabee in the primary and Sara Palin's running mate in the general.

I have said this many times. If you are conservative and have failed to study the candidates or issues, just stay home on primary election day. That day is where the rubber really hits the road. We cannot afford to have people blindly voting for either incumbents or candidates anointed by party moderates. The primary is where we purge the party. That is why our legislatures are more conservative on paper than in reality. That is why so many republican US senators push pork. That is why McCain won the Republican primary and lost the general election.

The Governor Says No to Bail Out.

The governor of Mississippi along with several potential presidential candidates said no to a portion of the federal money. Where have I heard that idea before. Oh yes, I remember now. I said it in 1999. I wrote a sample list of issues I believe in and a quick explanation of each. I did add a few things to the list but have never taken any thing off since I wrote it. I wrote about taxes in 1999 and it still applies. Please go to Electcliffbrown.com then go to the issues page and select taxes from the list. You will find where I said "we should be very careful when we reach into the cookie jar"

Obviously I cannot disagree with someone who agrees with me, but I do question his motives. I do believe he is our second best conservative governor behind only Fordice. Considering his abilities to compromise and play the media, he is more affective than Fordice, but still far less of on actual conservative at heart. It might be that he truly believes it is dangerous to reach into the jar, but I think he is reading the mood of the voters on this one. He knows that the far left liberal legislators will over rule him so he can be seen making the best of what he will continue to call a bad situation.

That is my opinion. what is yours?

Broadhead Is Out

People who live in or near Simpson County Mississippi probably know a little about this story. This blog may have a few readers from other places so I advise you to do some homework before proceeding with this post. Follow the link to Simpson County News and look for the story titled "Judge Rules Broadhead is Out".

Several years ago I wrote a post about the Mendenhall chief of police who was arrested for statutory rape. I got into some serious hot water when some one put comments about the Broadhead family on that post. I may be taking a risk now but I see it as my moral duty to speak.

The Simpson County News correctly reported that Mendenhall alderman at large Bill Broadhead moved into a new house outside the city limits, thus making himself legally unqualified to hold an elected city office. He refused to resign and his fellow aldermen refused to remove him. Ultimately a judge had to remove him from office. The news paper also briefly mentioned Broadhead's strange defence, where he claimed he is such a great alderman he has to stay in office. In my opinion the paper went about as far as is safe to go, but I will take the risk and kick the hornets nest.

I have never sat down and had a conversation with Bill Broadhead, but have met him several times in passing. I have spent some time with several members of his inner circle and twice ran a political race against his father-in-law Perry Lee. In my opinion the best two word description of most members of that inner circle is "extremely arrogant". I know that often professional politicians act arrogant to intimidate opponents. They tried that on me, but it is far more than that. What I saw did not look like an act. I believe some among them think they are so vital to the future of the county and even the state that any one who does not agree must be evil.

I will finish this post with a rumor which I heard from many unrelated sources, but cannot prove or disprove. Some, all or none if it may be true, but it is something to ponder. There was and may still be a master plan to promote three prominent members of that above mentioned circle to higher political positions. Bill Broadheads father-in-law Perry Lee, who is now a state senator, will move to State Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. Andy Gipson, who is now a State Representative, will take Perry's place in the senate. Bill Broadhead will replace Andy in the house. I heard that before Andy Gipson had been elected to anything. The seat Andy needed was held by the conservative Republican Clint Rotenberry. According to the rumor Clint failed to vote yes on an earmark Governor Barbour wanted so the governor slanted the primary race for Andy.

For obvious reasons I must screen all comment to all my posts, but I am feeling a little bold now. I also hate corruption enough to take more risks than normal. No foul language or obvious malicious attacks will be allowed but I invite all other comments. Tell me what you think.