Blog @ MoreWhat.com

In an August 1994 Washington Post-ABC News poll, 49 percent of respondents said they would vote for the Democrat while 42 percent said they would back the Republican. Last month, 47 percent said they would support the Republican while 46 percent chose the Democrat.

Overconfidence may be what turns winners into losers. And while nearly every forecast or prediction currently held indicates a dramatic loss for Democrats this November now is not the time to claim victory. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. And it is more than two months until the midterm elections.

One problem with overconfidence approaching elections is the typical dismal turnout percentage tends to fall. That would likely benefit the majority party as midterms generally favor the minority party when bad times persist.

Democrats have wasted what some have called a rare opportunity to become the permanent majority in Congress. Likewise the GOP failed in that effort on their last attempt. And the Tea Party mood that defines widespread voter outrage at both political parties represents an extremely rare opportunity for citizens to regain control of government.

Perhaps a once in a lifetime chance allowing citizens to match the power of politics as usual at the national, state and local level is upon us. Divide and conquer may be the strategy of career politicians but the usually disorganized American public has reached the tipping point. Voters of all political stripes are adopting the anti-incumbent sentiment. The one voter strategy that can change American politics.

It is a simple strategy. Do the right thing or you are gone in one term. And it’s fair. So let’s do it at every election. If a politician has not performed to expectations in their current term, throw the bums out.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

One of the leaders of the Tea Party movement warned Sunday that Republicans could face as big of an electoral backlash as Democrats if they don’t “get some courage.”

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), now the chairman of Freedomworks, a major backer of the Tea Party movement, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the modern Republican Party’s lack of courage is a “big reason” for widespread frustration with both Democrats and Republicans.

You can argue whether or not the Tea Party is a movement. You can argue whether or not Dick Armey is a leader of it. But it is tough to argue against the suggestion the GOP needs some stones.

Just like the football wisdom that suggests on any given Sunday either side can win the same applies to elections. Granted, there are those pundits who regularly predict the outcomes correctly in either event. But when they don’t the word ‘upset’ enters the discussion.

The story linked above provides another reference to Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan’s Roadmap for America. It also indicates Armey’s support for the economic strategy. And his discontent with the failure of the GOP to support it other than 13 members of Congress currently on record with Ryan.

Give former House Majority Leader Dick Armey his due as one with some political street ‘cred’ and a voice for conservative values that extends beyond his time in the US Congress. Another quote from Mr Armey puts relevant perspective on what the Tea Party mood in our nation really means and why it is so important.

“We’re saying to the Republican Party, get some courage to stand up for the things that are right for this country. Don’t stand there and hide from the issue because you’re afraid of the politics,” Armey said. “The issue of public policy that governs the future of my children is more important than your politics, and if you can’t see that, we’ll replace you.”

That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Democrat or Republican if they’re bums throw them out this November. When the next election comes around, do the same. Eventually the slow learners will get it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

First of all here’s how the employment, or unemployment picture is painted. From the month of June 2010 the report was dismal but expected by anyone with a brain.

The Labor Department’s monthly employment report released Friday shows the U.S. economy shed more jobs than it created last month - a net loss of 125,000 jobs - the first monthly job loss of the year. Despite the net decline, the nation’s unemployment rate inched lower in June, falling 0.2 point to 9.5 percent.

The private sector added more than 80,000 workers to their payrolls last month, better than the previous month, but not enough to offset the loss of more than 200,000 temporary census jobs.

Hey Mr President and VPOTUS how’s that stimulus plan working out for you?

U.S. employment dropped for the second straight month in July as private employers did less hiring than hoped and more than 140,000 people who were hired temporarily for the nationwide census were let go. The figures are giving rise to pessimism about the nation’s economic recovery.

The Labor Department reported Friday that private employers added 71,000 jobs in July, well below the nearly 200,000 needed each month to reduce the unemployment rate. It’s a big indicator that the U.S. labor market and the economy at large are slow to recover from recession.

And you have to know that anticipated tax increases as well as Obamacare worries are keeping employers from going forward with any plans for investment and hiring. How does one plan for the risk/reward analysis of business decisions when the current administration continues to add debt and spending to an already burdened economy.

It will be nearly two years of the Obamanation as the 2010 elections get underway. The Democrats will try but can no longer blame someone else for their failures. After the GOP fall from grace and now the liberal letdown one might expect POLS would learn the hard lessons. But history would indicate that’s a long shot.

Drain the swamp in 2010. In other words, throw the bums out and repeat as necessary. We cannot last much longer without effective leadership. And the numbers continue to support the house cleaning strategy.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For those unaware of Rasmussen Reports here is the link to the site (click here). For everyone here is an excerpt from the American Spectator about Rasmussen’s current view on voting in America. For some it will be an uplifting bit of news.

“If you look at polls of generic congressional preference, Democrats do well in polls of all adults, Republicans do better in polls of registered voters, and better still among likely voters,” Rasmussen said. “Groups most supportive of Democrats, young and minority voters, are less likely to be registered and less likely to go to the polls.”

Rasmussen said the youth turnout wasn’t even that impressive in 2008, with a rock star at the top of the ticket. He said he’d be “shocked” if the youth vote turned out this year. He pointed out that in 2008 McCain won among voters who were 40 or older. Rain or shine, these folks show up to the polls, and they lean Republican.

Being forty or older is a good place to be. We show up at the polls and we lean Republican. Lean being the key. Bob Bennett is a recent example of how important that distinction is. Those who vote party all the time whether left or right will be wrong some of the time. Those who vote principle will be right all the time.

In the last presidential election a vote for Obama was a vote not on principle but some other measure. Hope, change or pick the other party this time. That is not voting on principle. That is wasting a vote.

While voting for McCain required holding one’s nose a principle was nonetheless involved. A president cannot ignore the party in which they hold membership. John McCain would have been required to alter his own agenda in order to maintain support from his own party. Much the same as Obama has had to do much to the detriment of our nation. But the chance of a common sense conservative approach was a possibility with McCain and the GOP as opposed to the left and Barack Obama.

The baby boom generation is old enough to remember the work of what has been referred to as the greatest generation. (by Tom Brokaw) Understanding the greatness of America through their eyes and that of those before them will vanish if our nation does not return to those principles in the near future. Few of the newer generations are willing or able to carry that torch.

We have let them down by not passing on this information or allowing them to understand the necessity for protecting the founding of this nation by the way we live.

For the first time in many years there is reason to believe a reawakening has begun. Call it voter anger (or sour voters as Chuck U Schumer said) or outrage, the Tea Party phenomenon or whatever you like. But polls like those of Scott Rasmussen and others have been suggesting for months on end something big will happen in November 2010.

It is this blogger’s expectation that the GOP, conservatives and like-minded Americans will have a rare opportunity to put our nation back on its proper course and correct the problems for which we are all responsible. That requires supporting candidates who oppose the liberal agenda with your vote this time around.

It also requires a similar approach to each and every election. If a person in elected office has not lived up to their oath or affirmation they need to be replaced. You get the time between elections to prove your self. If you fail you should be voted out. It is that simple.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There are a few posts on this blog discussing Rand Paul. In Mr Paul’s pursuit of a seat in the upper house of the US Congress he has faced some typical challenges. As expressed here earlier he is not shy and has expressed his opinions. It may be refreshing honesty and what politics should embrace but he was, of course, criticized by some for his statements.

With one minor controversy regarding a discussion on civil rights law and perhaps another attempt to create scandal and political fallout Rand Paul marches on. This blogger was concerned about Rand Paul and his father’s libertarian views. He is cast by some as a conservative and has obvious links to the Libertarian party. Whether he is conservative or whether libertarian in today’s politics mirrors libertarian historically certainly raises questions.

The view from this blog finds it surprising that a Rand Paul opinion piece is featured at USA Today if only because the publisher is the Gannett Company. But there it is and here’s an excerpt of Mr Paul stating his case about libertarians and constitutional conservatives. The question that remains for this blogger is still the same. Was he distancing himself from libertarians as a political strategy or has he always been essentially a conservative?

You decide.

Rand Paul, libertarian? Not quite.
By Rand Paul

It’s often repeated in stories about me or my race for U.S. Senate that I am a “libertarian.” In my mind, the word “libertarian” has become an emotionally charged, and often misunderstood, word in our current political climate. But, I would argue very strongly that the vast coalition of Americans — including independents, moderates, Republicans, conservatives and “Tea Party” activists — share many libertarian points of view, as do I.

(Click the excerpt to read the rest.)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Even though White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs expressed what everyone else knows that the Democrats can lose the House and perhaps the Senate this November several stories indicate liberals are in a hole and continue to dig.

Molly Hagerty’s claim against Al Gore will not move forward in criminal or civil court. The liberal mythical god, Al Gore, shares a reputation with another liberal deity known as Slick Willie (aka: former President Bill Clinton) for bizarre sexual exploits. The credibility of the pair may be as suspect as that of two other liberal POLS; 20 term Congressional representative Charlie Rangel and California Rep Maxine Waters. That may be why the White House is hoping First Lady Michelle Obama’s curious popularity will help the liberal cause in the midterms.

Rangel and Waters are facing public ethics trials. One might expect two other high profile libs should also face ethics charges. The pair responsible for Cornhusker Cash and the Louisiana Purchase during the Obamacare vote shopping spree, Senators Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu, illuminate the corruption of Reid and Pelosi. The swamp has never been drained.

For Rangel it seems a settlement agreement failed for his 13 ethics charges. For Waters a single charge over $13 million in TARP funds for a bank with connections to her husband is not mentioned on her website. But her focus on troubles in Haiti is well represented. In addition to her 3 references to Haiti characterizing Gulf residents as victims and Wall Street as villains, pushing public housing, AIDS testing, government flood insurance subsidies and other programs are featured.

It seems those who choose the liberal moniker of Democrat are just as likely to ripoff the taxpayer and the ‘little guy’ they claim to represent while accusing others of doing the same.

President Obama is again blaming the GOP for the failures of Democrats. His latest rant criticizes Republicans for opposing HR 5297 or the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010. Consider it sufficient to say Democrats are willing to exempt paygo requirements for anything they deem an ‘emergency’. Republicans continue to oppose spending given the crushing debt and deficits facing our nation. In other words if you want to spend $20 billion on this legislation you need to cut $20 billion or more elsewhere.

The small business bill is sponsored by Barney Frank and co-sponsored by 20 others including ethically challenged Congress-person Maxine Waters. As if that is not reason enough to oppose the measure.

Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters face public ethics trials in November. Undoubtedly Obama caused the ninth circuit to delay Arizona’s request for expedited appeal on SB 1070 until November also. Should make for an interesting midterm election during the same time since campaigns will obviously increase focus on these items.

So Mr President, keep digging. You and your party are in a hole. Keep digging.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

BTW, the number of laws passed in this session of Congress stands at 210 as of July 27. And without commentary on how unnecessary that is it is safe to say the party of ‘no’ does not say no all the time. The GOP opposition to this small biz legislation as stated has merit. Government needs to reduce spending. Even if the $20 billion of taxpayer money would be spent wisely it requires cutting spending somewhere else. And that is not to suggest this expenditure would be wise.

Say it ain’t so. Harry Reid is abandoning cap and trade? Or was this simply one of those times the House passed a bill knowing all the while the Senate would kill it? Dems like to claim cap and trade, aka the national energy tax, was proposed over concern about global warming. The GOP claims it is a tax on energy and job killer. Truth is that many including Al Gore and many in the federal government stand to profit through carbon credit exchanges.

It is easy to doom a legislative proposal by adding additional language making the bill a multi-purpose scam. Loose references to bipartisan negotiations were reported to break down over offshore drilling disputes and the immigration reform issue. But all that could have been intentional poison pills inserted to guarantee failure.

The strategy being those supporting it really oppose cap and trade but look good to eco voters and other liberals in an election year. The other side gets their pick of items in the bill to mask their true intentions. All in Congress get political cover in an election year with such tactics and then wonder what causes voter outrage.

It is interesting that some state the reason the bill would fail is the need for 60 votes. That did not seem to stop passage of Obama’s financial fiasco commonly and mistakenly referred to as Wall Street reform.

Bribes for votes were offered to three RINOs named Collins, Snowe and Brown. Just like the 60 vote hurdle was overcome in a similar fashion for Obamacare by offering Cornhusker Cash and the Louisiana Purchase for Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu.

The titles of ‘Senator’ were intentionally omitted for these elected officials as their actions do not warrant the respect. If what they did is not a violation of their oath or affirmation, nothing is.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Read the complete article here. (click)

BTW, by the time this post is published all this could change.

Yet another news report includes a reference to anonymous sources. Those ‘familiar with the allegations’ are ‘not authorized to discuss them publicly’. And this story is about ethics. Not the lack of ethics of the sources but that same lack ‘alleged’ for Charlie Rangel.

Whether the sources are acting on their own or it’s all a big charade arranged by those in charge of the ‘leak’ it should cease. Of course what renders this episode of anonymous sources more ridiculous than others is the story topic of ethics. Whether Rangel is sanctioned or not the ’sources’ should be out of a job.

As for Rangel, the worst case scenario is expulsion followed by censure or the dreaded committee report. Rangel is charged with misuse of official stationery, rental programs, disclosure rules and accepting improper gifts. Jail time should be an option. Violating the public trust should have severe consequences.

You can read the rest of the story here. (click)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

It would be comforting if politicians would tell you what they are going to do and then deliver as promised. And party affiliation would not matter. That is because all POLS tell you their intentions are good and they govern for your benefit.

Republicans long on optimism, short on specifics
By: Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
July 19, 2010

Top Republicans are forecasting big wins in November and could even take over the majority in the House, but still struggle to say how they would run the government.

In the brief article from the Washington Examiner some words of top Republicans and the Vice President on the Sunday talk shows demonstrate it’s an election year. Democrats will continue with their agenda if left in the majority after November. Republicans will tip toe forward until after the elections fearful that major blunders right now will keep them in the minority.

If you are the minority party in Washington your options are limited. If you are a weak majority in Washington your options are limited. Both major political parties in America are pursuing the brass ring of politics. Having an overwhelming majority that allows either to do as they please.

Which brings us back to their intentions, governing and delivering as promised. None of that is necessary if you own a powerful majority. Protecting your political career, pandering to lobbyists and legislating favors to some constituents keeps you in office. And that’s the problem.

It’s okay if the GOP is short on specifics this election year. Specifics from previous campaigns and delivering as promised rarely pans out. And if you think the current administration is any different, think again. What they promised is not what they delivered.

If you pay attention long enough that will become clear. But they’re hoping you won’t. Thousands of pages of legislation and timelines that stretch out for decades do not produce good results. But it does hide the truth.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Once again the community organizer-in-chief engages in exactly what he claims his political opposition is doing… playing politics. In the very same week HIS party’s financial legislation was passed with the help of three GOP Senators; Collins, Snowe and Brown the President has the audacity to charge Republicans of blocking his agenda.

Mr President, if you cannot pass legislation with a majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress it is not the fault of the GOP. The rules of Congress have been developed over a long period of time. Like everything else in Washington, DC politics is at play and the game has all POLS, including you, putting that first.

If the sixty vote requirement for passing legislation obstructs YOUR agenda you might consider it’s the agenda’s fault not the GOP or Democrats who are not crazy about it.

The programs you claim will help are exactly that - programs. That means more government spending more taxpayer money and increasing deficits and the national debt. Even your own commission has agreed with the majority of Americans. We cannot continue spending, raising deficits and increasing debt.

How long do you think the unemployed should continue to receive benefits on the backs of other taxpayers? How long do you think the government should be using taxpayer money for bailouts, takeovers and stimulus bills that stimulate nothing except more public sector waste?

If you had simply reinstated legislation that had been repealed, e.g., portions of Glass-Steagall rather than wasting time and money on YOUR financial reforms we would be better off. At the very least that simple step could have been implemented easily, was already tested and worked when it was previously in place for many years.

But I suppose that is one of ‘those misguided policies’ you express in your weekly address. And yes, Mr President, some people live off public sector money like unemployment benefits as long as they are available. That goes for scammers of supplemental social security money, Medicaid and just about any public assistance ‘program’.

Here’s one for you Mr President. How about extending the tax cuts that are about to expire? How about removing the added burden of Obamacare from the small businesses you claim to be worried about? How about reducing the nearly three quarters of each budget dedicated to entitlement ‘programs’?

You might consider all those ways of saving money, improving the economy, reducing spending and waste. Or you can continue to blame the GOP for your own failures.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For President Obama the honeymoon has long since past. The first 100 days analysis of each new American president is more common these days since ‘honeymoon’ characterizations may have faded with frequent two term administrations like Reagan, Clinton and Bush 43. The question in either case was how long will it take for the promises of a campaign to be discarded after election.

Hope and change was as pathetic a slogan as one might hear from a snake oil salesman. But the distinction between the ambitions of a community organizer and a seller of dubious liniments can no longer be defended.

With the midterm elections approaching Democrats prove the pundit forecast predicting the probability of the GOP retaking the congressional majority. Rather than a carnival atmosphere liberals appear as cannibals feeding on their own to redirect blame for their failure to govern properly.

Democrats are having a jolly good time beating up the White House.

You can see why. President Obama has caused the party to squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim permanent majority status.

An example of how bad things are for Dems in the report above has this little tidbit:

Out in Iowa, the Democratic Governors’ Association spent money on mailers trashing Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad for being too much like Obama on health care.

Who’s selling the snake oil now? But it gets better.

WASHINGTON — Republicans are outraising Democrats in nearly a dozen open Senate races, increasing their hopes of significantly narrowing the Democrats’ majority in November.

Money as the root of all evil is not a phrase lost on politics. The idea that he who has the most money wins may be a subject for debate given the strength of the tea party and new conservative candidates. But outdoing your opponents on fundraising suggests more people support you than your opponent.

What else does the money game offer POLS?

WASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker says documents show more senators and staff members than previously known received sweetheart mortgages from the former Countrywide Financial Corp., based on their perceived ability to help the company.

It wasn’t just Chris Dodd or Kent Conrad who took perks from Countrywide. This is no different than money from lobbyists or other special interest powerbrokers. Then there’s vote selling (bribes) like Cornhusker Cash (Sen Ben Nelson), the Louisiana Purchase (Sen Mary Landrieu) and the following:

GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Scott Brown of Massachusetts voted for the bill after Democrats agreed to drop a provision to raise $19 billion by imposing fees on banks.

It’s not quite that innocent. Collins, Snowe and Brown received perks for their states as the price paid for their vote to pass the bill. How is that different from Dodd or others taking perks from Countrywide in exchange for political favors?

That’s right. Throw the bums out. Repeat as necessary.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is no surprise to anyone. Beyond the problem of national security, border control and ignoring the rule of law and founding principles of our nation illegal immigration is a crushing economic burden. It’s time for a reminder to all the liberals supporting shamnesty. Like the rest of the liberal agenda the notion of shamnesty is dangerous. An excerpt from a new report on the economic risks associated with illegal immigration is presented below followed by a link to the full report. Read it and weep, or join the fight against illegal immigration to save our country.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers

Executive Summary

This report estimates the annual costs of illegal immigration at the federal, state and local level to be about $113 billion; nearly $29 billion at the federal level and $84.2 billion at the state and local level.

The full report (click here)

Wow, RINO McCain does it again! The same man who conspired with Bush 43, Ted Kennedy and others in the 2007 push for shamnesty now says in an election year that we should deport illegals.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday he would favor immigration reform that would deport many of the residents of the United States who are here illegally.??

McCain, who at one point had been the top Republican advocate for immigration legislation promising a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants, said he favored establishing a guest worker program. But McCain expressed opposition to any program that would give illegal immigrants a way to become citizens.

“No amnesty. Many of them need to be sent back,” McCain said during an interview on KQTH-FM in Tucson, Ariz.

McCain aka McShamnesty, also favors a guest worker program for the guest worker who never leaves. This is no different than before. Neither is his flip-flop on shamnesty. Sounds like John Kerry. I was for it before I was against it.

RINOs are disgusting. As much as I oppose liberals, RINOs are worse. At least you know where a liberal stands even though they are wrong. With RINOs you may get fooled if you haven’t paid attention to them for a while.

Right or wrong I have more respect for someone who stands up for what they believe in than those like McCain who play politics all the time. A liberal example more principled than John McCain is when vulnerable Democrat Blanche Lincoln said win or lose she’s a Democrat and will pursue re-election as a Democrat. McCain is a RINO and only talks conservative as a political strategy.

Voters in Arizona would do well to vote for JD Hayworth. He may not be perfect but what has Arizona gained by having McCain in the US Senate? How about the need for SB1070 although Jan Brewer supports McCain. Go figure.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

California voters are giving U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer some of the lowest approval ratings of her career, as the three-term Democrat is in a statistical dead heat against first-time GOP office-seeker Carly Fiorina, according to a new Field Poll released today.

Not unlike the no choice situation in the California governor’s race the contest for US Senator between Boxer and Fiorina allows voters to lose either way. For governor the state of California will elect either Moonbeam Jerry Brown or Shamnesty Limousine Liberal Meg Whitman. For one of California’s US Senate seats the no choice is incumbent Boxer with a tanking approval rating or RINO Fiorina who is no different than Specter, Collins, Snowe or McCain for conservatives.

One of Boxer’s more vexing problems, analysts say, is that opposition to her is not just about her. She has become an avatar for broader voter frustrations about the struggling economy, President Obama and the growth of the federal government.

The article also expresses Boxer’s ‘close relationship with the White House’ as a problem and that Fiorina won the nomination running as a conservative and gave up independent votes to Boxer.

Anyone who believes Fiorina is a conservative would hold the same opinion of the other RINOs mentioned. But liberals in California have kept Boxer for three terms and NOW have a problem with her? The land of fruits, nuts and flakes deserves what it gets.

Welcome to the People’s Republic of California: no money, no borders, no brains.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Like DeMint you can pass by the Steele problem as it is merely a distraction. There are many reasons why ousting Democrats this November is important. Not the least of which is the Obama Administration’s decision to sue over Arizona defending its borders since the Obamanation will not. The other items mentioned in the title are equally important.

But the overall consideration is to return this beloved nation back to its founding principles and only conservatives seem interested in that goal. And be clear. Candidates like Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina are not conservatives. Fiorina destroyed HP. Fiorina is an establishment Republican who is in lock step with RINO McCain. Whitman is in the news for two things recently. Her support from other billionaires and shamnesty. Like Bloomberg and Murdoch as well as other limousine liberals they claim conservative values while eroding the rule of law and support liberal fantasies that are dangerous.

Find real conservatives to support and get them in office. Our nation needs them. Let’s move the country in the right direction after years of neglect.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com