Blog @ MoreWhat.com

This is a story that demonstrates why voters distrust politicians, especially career politicians. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s explanation for not campaigning against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is suspect. To characterize it as a polite gesture or an effort to ‘return some of the decorum’ to politics doesn’t pass the smell test.

That is supported by the notion that other POLS were ‘rankled’ by Frist’s 2004 campaigning against then Minority Leader Tom Daschle. In a year when voter anger toward incumbents has reached a fever pitch, tea party influence has elevated party outsiders and both major parties are worried about re-election deals between Dems and the GOP smell of the joke called ‘bipartisanship’.

That term exclusively defines the only time both major parties work together. When they are equally vulnerable and broker deals to retain their collective power in politics. That is to say, they will work together to defend their stranglehold on business as usual in Washington and elsewhere.

McConnell will not campaign against Reid, according to GOP sources, despite the fact that the Majority Leader is among the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents on the ballot this year.

McConnell’s decision, which follows Reid’s move to avoid directly attacking the Minority Leader during his somewhat competitive 2008 re-election bid, is an unspoken deal between the two Senators to return some of the decorum lost in the chamber in 2004. That year, then-

Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) traveled to South Dakota to campaign against then-Minority Leader Tom Daschle, a deviation from tradition that rankled even many Republicans who were otherwise happy to see Daschle ousted.

“McConnell’s view is that we can have the most aggressive opposition possible. But at the end of the day, the Senate has to run,” the Republican source said. “To do that, the two leaders need to have a relationship.”

That ‘relationship’ is part of the problem in pursuing good governance. Let the sentiment be expressed yet again. Take a stand. Stand on principle. If you cannot do that you do not belong in public office. Making deals and compromising principle is responsible for what is wrong in American politics. Expose the corruptocrats and send them packing.

Throw the bums out and repeat as necessary.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

You probably did not notice some changes in this blog’s sidebar. For some months now the sidebar has been used to feature and promote conservative prinicples. For instance, when Sarah Palin’s book ‘Going Rogue’ was read by this blogger it was featured in a few posts and a link to Amazon as well as an image of the book were placed in the sidebar. About the same time other authors released books which made the NYT best seller’s list and began something of a trend. Along with that this blog’s first choice in the 2008 presidential election was featured in the sidebar as well.

But for now, both Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin have been removed. The initial reason for the removal was their unyielding support for RINO and shamnesty politician John McCain. To claim you adhere to conservative principles while backing an establishment GOP incumbent with a track record comparable to most liberals is dishonest.

To vote for McCain in the 2008 presidential election with the only other viable option being Barack Obama is one thing. And yes, this blogger held his nose and voted for McCain then. But to continue to support such a candidate when conservative options are available is simply wrong.

At a time when voices like Palin and Romney could support lesser known and certainly less well-funded candidates with conservative principles guiding their decisions they choose to support questionable GOP establishment candidates that improve nothing.

Here’s a recent story about Sarah Pain to emphasize the point.

Sunday, 13 Jun 2010 04:33 PM

To critics who said Fiorina was a Republican in name only, Palin countered: “Most importantly, Carly is the only conservative in the race who can beat Barbara Boxer. That’s no RINO. That’s a winner.”

For some conservatives, that’s also a problem.

Shelby Blakely, executive director of the Tea Party Patriots’ online publication, New Patriot Journal, said Palin’s endorsement has become “so undependable, it’s marginalized itself.”

While she once thought highly of Palin, Blakely said that over the past two years the “Going Rogue” author has gone more establishment, and Palin’s failure to criticize her own party is bothersome. “There’s room for criticism (all around),” Blakely said. “If you’re not willing to call it where you see it, that’s useless.”

And Romney’s situation does not appear any different. Just like the Reno, NV mayor who refuses to support Sharron Angle against Harry Reid. He said she is too far to the right for his liking. And he said he will campaign for Reid. That’s no conservative. But it is becoming clear that this is not uncommon in the GOP. Take our establishment pick or take a walk.

The GOP spent like liberals last time out. Maybe they are taking more from the liberal playbook for November 2010. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory was previously a liberal phenomenon. But if they continue to support those who are not conservative to protect their power in Washington and elsewhere they are no better than liberals.

Voting for conservative principles may see some losses. But you will see losses in politics anyway. Unless you stand on principle nothing will ever improve. Take a stand. Stand on principle. Over time that strategy will win over and over again.

Supporting RINOs and other nonsense only perpetuates the long sad story of politics as usual. It allows both Democrat and Republican career POLS to continue business as usual in public office. It’s time for them to go.

Throw the bums out until principle wins.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Republican Rand Paul said Tuesday he differs with the Libertarian Party by opposing abortion and supporting judicious overseas troop deployment, distancing himself from the party his father once represented in a presidential election.

The U.S. Senate candidate from Kentucky told syndicated conservative talk show host Sean Hannity that he doesn’t fit the mold of a Libertarian. Paul said his conservative social views and willingness to send troops abroad to protect the U.S. set him apart from the party some have tried to associate him with.

An earlier post on this blog reminded readers that Rand Paul is a Libertarian and not a conservative. It would be nice to think that is responsible for his statements on Sean Hannity’s radio show. But then this is just another insignificant blog and could not possibly influence big time politicians.

Mark Levin supports Rand Paul and from what I heard considers him a conservative. I respect Mark Levin and his opinions but am reminded of Scott Brown’s win in Massachusetts. I don’t believe Scott Brown is a conservative either.

Maybe Rand Paul could explain in detail what he means by ‘judicious overseas troop deployment.’ Is this someone carefully dancing around the facts or is he truly a conservative in libertarian’s clothing. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

If politics was an honest living it might not be necessary to be so skeptical. (or cynical if you prefer that word)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Liberals in public office and elsewhere are willing and eager to punish BP for the oil spill. They are equally excited about bashing President Bush for everything they do not like. They always love to raise taxes especially for the wealthy but that doesn’t stop them from doing it to the rest of us. And certainly nothing would please them more than to cripple the recovery by making Wall Street villain of the year as their version of trickle down economics cripples Main Street as well.

So why do we never hear about liberals wanting to cap teachers salaries as they would do to all CEOs? Why don’t we hear about professors being held to the same standard of villain for getting in bed with special interest in a quid pro quo involving research? If TAs do most of the teaching why do professors command the salaries and perks they do? You can add the salaries of many others connected to education programs when asking that question.

Let’s not overlook school budgets, sports programs and coaching salaries either. Liberals cry foul that education is too expensive while athletic departments are like prostitutes for professional sports. Just like the sleazy relationships between professors and special interest funding for research the ADs as well as coaches, professional sports interests and athletic programs do little for the institutions they represent.

The current story about ‘realignment’ in college sports is a case in point. And go figure, Barry Switzer is central to making the point about college sports being sleazy.

Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, a coaching rival of Osborne’s in the 1970s and ’80s and longtime friend, said hearing Nebraska and the Big Ten in the same sentence doesn’t sound right.

Switzer told The Associated Press he doesn’t envy Osborne having to play a major role in the possible destruction of the Big 12, which evolved from the old Big Eight and Southwest Conference.

“I’m sure it weighs heavily on Tom,” Switzer said. “I hate to think we would lose what we have and what we built for so long. Finances are a factor, and sometimes you have to give up tradition for finances.”

McClurg said the Big 12 has been a good fit for Nebraska but the Big Ten, if it extends an invitation, could be better. It would greatly expand the school’s reach and could mean far more money for the school’s athletic programs.

“We have to seriously evaluate any opportunity that comes our way,” McClurg said, “because everybody else is doing that.”

Isn’t that special. ‘Everybody else is doing that.’ Wisdom coming from a venue of higher learning. Switzer says, ’sometimes you have to give up tradition for finances.’

American taxpayers are constantly presented with soaring expenses for education programs. And American education continues to decline when compared to other nations. There is a theory that liberals, you know, the educated elite from Ivy League diploma mills, favor dumbing down the public to enable their socialist agenda.

So crack open that beer. Remain on the couch until that next collega game is on the TV. While you’re waiting consider this.

Your interest in watching may be driven by tradition. But that’s not what drives college sports any longer. Another piece of Americana is slipping away. Let’s stop that. Refuse to be dumbed down and take a stand. Or simply crack open another beer and ignore this minor rant.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There are dominant themes in political chatter this election cycle. That is not what distinguishes this year’s political season from any other. Public anger against business as usual in Washington DC and elsewhere has POLS operating outside their typical comfort zone. Where tax and spend typically applied to Democrats plenty of Republicans have earned the liberal moniker. And liberals calling the GOP the party of no while they enjoy majority party status indicates their ranks are not aligned.

An example of this bizarre political climate demonstrates a Democrat feeling the heat from organized labor. A relationship that represents a staple alliance in liberal politics may be changing.

In Arkansas, dissatisfied labor unions worked hard against Lincoln

Willie Holmes moved to Arkansas last year to push Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) on the union membership bill known as “card check.” He lost, but he stayed to sway her vote on health care.

That did not go his way, either, but Holmes is still here. On Tuesday, he sat with four colleagues in the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 155 union hall and waited for the votes to roll in. He was hoping that, this time, Lincoln would fall.

There was a time when organized labor supporting Democrats was as reliable as the sun coming up in the east. And there was also a time when the ‘establishment’ GOP chose the winning candidate in a primary.

Sen. Arlen Specter loses Pennsylvania primary; Rand Paul wins in Kentucky

In the Republican Senate primary in Kentucky, Paul, a political novice and a son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.), stormed past Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who had the support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and much of the Bluegrass State’s political establishment. With almost all of the vote counted, Paul had 59 percent, a sign of the power of his and the tea party’s small-government message within the GOP.

You may have noticed the inclusion of Arlen Specter in the title of the excerpt from WaPo. After his defeat in PA that is about all you’ll be hearing from Specter after this year. More signs that the public has a serious opportunity to change the way politics work in the US. Let’s hope it does not go to waste. Better yet, rather than hope, let’s make sure it does not go to waste.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Looks like T Woods can take a short break as there is never a shortage of bad behavior in professional sports. A dominant feature in the news this past week has been the ‘exploits’ of Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Reports indicate Big Ben has two sexual assault allegations against him. One is recent and one is from 2009.

On July 17, 2009, a civil suit was filed in Washoe County, Nevada District Court accusing Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting Andrea McNulty, 31, in June 2008 in his hotel room while he was in Lake Tahoe for a celebrity golf tournament.[89] Roethlisberger is one of nine defendants listed in the docket report. McNulty did not file a criminal complaint and no physical evidence was collected.

Since it is not uncommon for celebs to be targets of, shall we say, shakedowns one may have wondered if the first case was such an event given the absence of a criminal complaint and collected evidence. That suspicion is weakened by the second allegation. And being skeptical is only fair when information is limited.

The second allegation has been taken more seriously by others. Roethlisberger faces a six game suspension and rumors of a trade, etc. One of his former teammates weighed in on a morning network television program.

Bettis told CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor on “The Early Show” Friday the accusations against Roethlisberger “came as a shock” and are out of character. They’re not the Roethlisberger he’s known, Bettis said.

He added that a two-game suspension would serve notice on Roethlisberger and the rest of the National Football League that these types of actions are unacceptable, adding that Roethlisberger “understands” that now - and may not have before.

Roethlisberger’s accuser in the second allegation describes part of the incident below.

In her statement, the accuser said Roethlisberger encouraged her and her friends to have numerous alcoholic drinks before she was escorted by one of Roethlisberger’s bodyguards — identified by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as Coraopolis, Pa., police officer Anthony Barravecchio — into a hallway, where Roethlisberger later exposed himself to her.

Unlike the throngs anticipating the return of T Woods after exposure of his sexual lifestyle Steeler fans exhibit a contrast in reaction to the story. Granted, T Woods’ ‘exploits’ appear to have been bad choices between consenting adults whereas that is not the case with these allegations.

23% of people identifying themselves as Steelers fans said they wanted the quarterback traded.

Also, 61% said he should be fined or traded, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Only 9% favored no disciplinary action, and the rest were undecided or refused to answer.

Nonetheless, bad behavior, sexual or otherwise should not be tolerated in public or in private. Token consequences combined with a muted public response reflect the conditions in society suggesting a decline in moral standards. And if your response is ’so what’ you serve as the case in point. We should be better than this.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

‘…the Hudson Institute scholar argues that the principle cause of continued violence in the Middle East — and the reason so many peace initiatives have failed — is Arab culture itself.’

There’s a quote to attract your attention. It’s a safe bet Lee Smith, author of ‘Strong Horse: Power, Politics and the Clash of Arab Civilizations’ will not be offered a job in the Obama State Department.

The report offered below was a timely find for presentation with the last post featuring another slur of Israel from the United Nations Secretary General. The view from this blog has typically been the reason for elusive Middle East peace is that no one really wants it. It is as if world powers need conflict among less powerful nations to accommodate their perverse competition. A handy excuse to distance themselves from direct confrontation with each other.

Be that as it may the book by Smith provides a tempting addition to anyone’s reading list. It is refreshing to see a story not blaming Israel or the US for Middle East problems. A few more authors from the Middle East couldn’t hurt. But then speaking out in other parts of the world is much more dangerous than it is here. (the US) At least one American tradition (and contitutional concept) seems to remain intact.

So repeat after me, it’s all the Arabs’ fault.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA….

Lee Smith says it has always been hard for Americans to understand exactly why peace in the Middle East is so elusive, and why violence and terrorism are so pervasive and persistent in the Arab world.

He says those questions became even more difficult to answer after the 9/11 attacks by a group of Sunni Arab terrorists that killed 3,000 people on American soil, and after the massive U.S. military deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Smith says American academicians and journalists often cite a list of root causes for Middle East turmoil, in which the U.S., the West and Israel usually play a big part: a history of colonialism and economic exploitation, the creation of Israel and American support for the Jewish state, the politics of oil, Western backing of repressive Arab regimes and the U.S. military presence in the region.

‘Culture of Violence’

Smith concedes these are factors in Arab perceptions of the West. But in his new book, “The Strong Horse: Power, Politics and the Clash of Arab Civilizations,” the Hudson Institute scholar argues that the principle cause of continued violence in the Middle East — and the reason so many peace initiatives have failed — is Arab culture itself.

It is a political culture, Smith argues, in which violence has always played a central role. “Of course, it was not America’s hand that blew up mosques in Iraq. It was not the Bush administration that conducted a campaign of terror in Beirut, assassinating Lebanese politicians, journalists and civil society activists,” says Smith. “And the U.S. State Department sentenced no opposition figures, intellectuals, journalists or bloggers to prisons in Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere around the Middle East, where they were subject to torture, rape and murder. It was Arabs who did this to other Arabs.”

Smith believes that is the main lesson American policymakers should learn: that Arabs today are divided against themselves.

“A clash of Arab civilizations; clashes between Arab regimes and their own people, the regimes and their domestic rivals and insurgencies, clashes between Arab regimes themselves,” says Smith. Perhaps most importantly, there is the clash between world views, where on the one hand, there is the democratic and progressive trend embodied in the venerable and still extant tradition of Arab liberalism, and on the other hand, the bloody and violent current represented by far too many of the region’s seminal figures.”

Strong Horse

Smith is an Arabic speaker who moved to Cairo after 9/11 determined to find out what motivated the al-Qaeda attackers. He has spent the past nine years crisscrossing the Middle East in search of the answer. Smith took the title of his book, “The Strong Horse,” from a quote by Osama bin Laden, who said, “When people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse.”

Smith believes Arabs are trying to stabilize and strengthen their societies after centuries of Ottoman control, Western colonization and decades of conflict while also looking for that strong horse to lead them out of their troubled past. Faltering Arab states like Yemen, which faces new threats from young, radicalized Muslim insurgents, also need help maintaining the rule of law and exploring democratic pathways to political reform. Smith argues that the United States can and should continue to play that role.

“There is no evidence that the U.S. is any less strong than it has always been. So I think it becomes clear that even if we want to reduce our regional profile, an issue like the Yemen issue makes it clear that this is not possible,” says Smith. “I think the U.S. can certainly be of assistance. I think that one of the things that a ’strong horse’ does is not just punish his enemies but he rewards and protects his friends.”

Struggle for supremacy

Smith sees a clear distinction between the two world views vying for regional supremacy in the Middle East. On the one hand, there is Iran and its allies in the so-called “resistance” block, including Syria, the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. And on the other hand, there is the United States and the American-backed Arab regimes, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

Smith says the U.S. and its allies cannot afford to lose to the other camp. “It would be very bad for the U.S. and even worse for our allies in the region, because that would affect the political culture of the region to show that resistance ideology has scored a victory and that moderation and compromise are not as successful as resistance ideology,” says Smith. “So it would be a very bad thing for U.S. interests and U.S. allies in the region.”

Smith believes a victory for what he calls “the culture of resistance” would enshrine violence and vengeance as the manner in which all grievances, real and imagined, are routinely addressed.

U.S. role

The author acknowledges that after nine years of large-scale U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, and with the nation’s economic difficulties bearing down on them, many Americans feel the temptation to pull the U.S. strong horse out of the region.

But Lee Smith’s new book concludes that diminishing the American presence in the Middle East at this moment could create dangerous new instabilities that could worsen, not improve, the prospects for peace in the region.

Smith believes that would be especially true in the Arab Gulf states, where the U.S. for decades has ensured the security of the world’s largest oil reserves.

“The Strong Horse: Power, Politics, and the Clash of Arab Civilizations,” by Lee Smith, is published by Knopf Doubleday.

What a surprise this is. Imagine that. The UN Secretary General is condemning Israel. Can anyone point to a UN condemnation of the Palestinians or Hamas or Hezbollah or al-Qaeda etc., etc.?

It is amazing that such a tiny place, Israel, surrounded by a massive geography of unfriendly neighbors is so often characterized as the sole problem for unrest in the Middle East.

Maybe the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, could try something new. How about pointing to the activities of others involved with unrest in the Middle East rather than simply single out Israel?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA….

As a result of the blockade, residents have been unable to rebuild thousands of homes destroyed by Israel during three-week Israeli war on Gaza in 2008 and 2009.

Luis Ramirez

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made a visit to the Gaza Strip and repeated his condemnation of the blockade. Meanwhile, international efforts to get Israelis and Palestinians back to negotiations are stepping up.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon came the region to press Israelis and Palestinians to return to negotiations. On Sunday, while visiting the Gaza Strip, he condemned Israel for the blockade it and Egypt have on the enclave.

“I have repeatedly made it quite clear to Israel’s leaders that the Israeli policy of closure is not sustainable and that it is wrong,” Mr. Ban said. “It poses unacceptable suffering of human beings. This policy is also counterproductive. It undercuts moderates and empowers extremists.”

Israel has imposed a blockade since the 2007 violent takeover of the Strip by the militant group Hamas. Israeli officials say their restrictions on cement and other construction materials are meant to prevent Hamas from building bunkers to attack Israel.

As a result of the blockade, residents have been unable to rebuild the thousands of homes that were destroyed during Israel’s war on militants in 2008 and 2009.

While in the region, Ban has criticized Israel’s construction of settlements on lands it occupies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

On Sunday, he appealed for Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a prisoner exchange that would result the in the release of Palestinian prisoners and the liberation by Hamas of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government will not restrict building in East Jerusalem. The move puts Mr. Netanyahu further at odds with the United States, just before he is due to leave for a visit to Washington this week.

The prime minister said that from Israel’s point of view, building in Jerusalem is like building in Tel Aviv. He said he has made this clear to the U.S. administration. Mr. Netanyahu said that in upcoming indirect talks with the Palestinians, each side can present its position. He said he will make Israel’s position clear during his visit to the American capital.

Israel has not complied with U.S. calls for it to cancel the approval of 1,600 new housing units in a Jewish settlement of East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim as the capital of their future state.

The Palestinians have said they will not return to talks until Israel stops all settlement activity.

Special U.S. envoy George Mitchell is returning the region to push along efforts for both sides to start indirect negotiations.

Let’s not get all excited about current news reports featuring ACORN. The organization now famous for registering cartoon characters and dead people to vote is bleeding profusely but not entirely dead yet. And with a community organizer-in-chief occupying the White House ACORN’S chances for revival are better than they should be.

Most of the 20 chapters of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which endorsed President Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign, have disbanded on their own and reorganized under new names, a source within the group said.

Funding dried up after a widely disseminated YouTube video last September that showed ACORN workers giving advice on how to flout the law to two conservative activists who posed as a pimp and a prostitute. A separate embezzlement scandal also damaged the group’s credibility.

Someone like George Soros or any number of other liberal sugar daddies could come to ACORN’s rescue, new names or not. It is to the benefit of all who support honest participation in public affairs and respect for the rule of law to be vigilant against the return of these ‘community organizers.’ Which is nothing more than code for a special interest scam willing to use any means to perpetrate their fraud.

Focus should not only be placed on ACORN. All one needs to do to find other sources like ACORN can be accomplished by reviewing non-profits, ‘volunteer’ or ‘charitable’ groups in their own locations. College and university campuses are a typical site for these groups. Even local chamber of commerce chapters have produced programs of a questionable nature.

Obviously not all groups described above are dishonest. But hiding among them as well as some in plain sight are groups with similar objectives to ACORN. And the methods to achieve those objectives are as suspect.

Don’t believe this? Look around.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Emotional appeals designed to pull at the heartstrings were an effective weapon unleashed on the uninformed for those supporting the latest fiasco in the US Congress. Americans have always been a generous group. But too often that generosity is abused by those with special interests having nothing to do with being kind to others.

The report below is a case in point. The first paragraph indicates it was published before roll call vote 165 on Sunday night last on the House ‘vehicle’ for the bill named the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. And there is much in this report pointing to the decision process of many Americans.

In this instant society of fast food, mobile everything and the ‘on demand’ appetite developing unreasonable expectations comes with the skewed perception of reality that results from these behavior patterns. Not so different from the average spoiled child.

A basic concept in marketing defines salesmanship as satisfying needs and wants. Everyone should understand the difference between something you need and something you want. But more and more these days the two become confused. It is now common for people to believe something they need or want is a right and they are entitled to it. And to them it does not matter if someone else must be the responsible party in providing it. In other words, I need it therefore I want it and you must give it to me.

With the story below, where to begin? Why is Michele without health insurance? The author suggests 20 somethings are the largest uninsured group. She further suggests about half work only part-time. And their uninsured numbers are nearly twice that of older adults.

This will sound cruel. Michele claims she has a heart condition and it keeps her from working full-time. We are not told why she is a single mother but obviously having a heart condition did not interfere with getting pregnant. It may sound cruel but being sheptical is part of not being conned.

Much of this is about choices. And it certainly is about rights and responsibilities. How many people CHOOSE not to have health insurance? How many of those described in the VOA report made choices which limited their options for their future? It is reasonable to suggest there are those who are in predicaments not of their own choosing. But it is just as reasonable to suggest the vast majority of people in predicaments are there through no one’s fault but their own.

And a swell of sympathy for those with limited options (through no one’s fault but their own) has once again been used to force legislation on the rest of us. Liberals were more than willing to use these emotional appeals in an attempt to further their flawed agenda and avoid political backlash this fall at the ballot box. To the GOP’s credit a practical and common sense set of objections were used to oppose dangerous legislation. However, to be fair, their motives may not have been entirely altruistic.

The point is, whether for the right reason or not, the GOP was on the correct side of this political battle. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a misnomer in more than title. If you do not understand or believe by now this measure can break the financial back of our nation you are not paying attention.

The instant society, a loss of values from our nation’s past and a failure to be the best we can be have all conspired to bring us to this point. If this trend is allowed to continue the future looks very dim indeed.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Democrats in the US Congress are racing to pass health care reform legislation. Currently, people in their 20s are the largest group in the United States without health insurance. With skyrocketing health care costs, those with low incomes often cannot afford insurance. Under the legislation, some 30 million uninsured will be able to buy insurance, and some will get government subsidies for it. And that could make health care more affordable.Michele Gomez is a 23-year-old single mother with no health insurance. She has a cold and came for medication to the Free Clinic in Arlington, Virginia outside Washington. Gomez also is having a blood test because she has a heart condition.

She says because of it, she can only work part-time and she doesn’t make enough money to pay for health insurance.

“I need medicine, and sometimes I get heart pains and I have to think about it twice before I go to the hospital because I don’t have insurance,” said Michele Gomez. “I normally get a big bill and I don’t have a way to pay for it.”

Nearly half of young adults work part-time and so they are less likely to be offered health insurance at their jobs.

The U.S. government estimates that 30 percent of young adults are without health coverage, compared with 17 percent of older adults.

Gomez says she is in favor of health insurance reform. But she says if she is required to pay for even a small part of her insurance, she can’t do it.

“I think they should have done this a long time ago,” she said. “It’s ridiculous how you can’t get insurance, especially if you are a U.S. citizen. I think that should be one of the major priorities is to get insurance for people, especially if they have a low income.”

Health officials say it’s important to insure young adults even if they have few health problems. Nancy Pallesen, head of the Arlington Free Clinic, says their issues can become chronic.

“It’s very important for these people to have health care, regular health care, and to have preventative kinds of health care because in the future this will save them a lot of anguish,” said Nancy Pallesen.

Currently, most insurance plans allow parents to claim their children as dependents until they are 22-years-old. Under the new legislation, young adults will be able to remain on their families’ policies until the age of 26.

Ronald Perry works in a grocery store and says health insurance is too expensive for him. He thinks it should be optional.

“Everybody can make their own decisions and if you choose to have health care you shouldn’t be forced to do it at 26 or 30,” said Ronald Perry. “If you want it at 45 or 50 you should be able to get it then.”

Young adults are more likely to work in small businesses that don’t offer health care plans.

Isidro Duran is one of them. He came to the U.S. from Honduras 10 years ago and works in a small restaurant in Washington. He says he would like affordable health insurance.

“I am nervous and I am very concerned about it because you never know when you will need it,” said Isidro Duran.

Kimlinn Pham, from Vietnam, is a manicurist in a hair salon in Virginia. She hopes health care reform will allow her to buy reasonably priced health insurance. Pham says even when she’s sick she avoids going to the doctor.

“The doctor and hospital are so expensive,” said Kimlinn Pham. “I know that they treat you very well. But later on when you get the bill, you are the one to suffer from the bill. The doctor won’t suffer from that.”

Even with new legislation, the changes in health insurance won’t begin for several years. By that time, some people in their 20s could already be burdened with medical debt and chronic illness.

Given the roll call vote (number 165) for March 21, 2010 with a time stamp of 10:49PM in the US House of Representatives the fat lady may not have sung yet on the outcome of healthcare legislation but the situation looks rather dismal.

What it looks like from here is Obama will sign his Obamacare and the Senate has an opportunity to make fixes or changes. It also looks like Mr Stupak may have been duped. Accepting less than a million dollars in airport funding for his vote in exchange for an executive order from President Obama to protect Stupak’s claimed pro-life interests may be another healthcare scam.

While preparing to publish this post an unproductive search was conducted to determine who the other Congressman were in Mr Stupak’s little alliance. It is almost as if the others have effectively cloaked their names from the media. About all that was found so far was six more names to go with Mr Stupak at Wikipedia. A check of the roll call indicates they all did not vote one way.

But they are not the only ones who may deserve to be politically impaled for this travesty. You can start with the Republicans. Had they not squandered their last Congressional majority with a major fall from grace on conservative principles we wouldn’t be having these discussions.

Add to that the equally disgusting performance of the liberal agenda gone wild and a recurring theme in American politics emerges once again. Politicians are the largest impediment in politics and governing. They are the root of all evil in public affairs. They are what allows lobbyists to exist. For without the pursuit of power, election and re-election by politicians, lobbyists would have no reason to exist.

It’s the ageless battle between greed and corruption versus principle and virtue. So now the next chapter begins. What to do after the mindless tragedy that took place in Congress this past Sunday?

37 states will pursue opting out of Obamacare. Various entities will pursue legal action against Obamacare. And many politicians may have just signed their resignation papers with a vote for Obamacare. And some argue those who voted against it will experience the same fate.

Let the purging begin.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

While Islam being a religion of peace is an idea largely dismissed by most infidels as well as some Muslims and former Muslims the Catholic Church is not immune to such controversy. But it is fair to say these two issues have contrasts as well as similarities.

Terrorism is certainly violence and so is sexual abuse. So-called honor killings and mistreatment of ‘non-believers’ and women in general are violent or can be. You could develop a long list of contradictions in these and other forms of institutional religion. Yes, let’s not forget abortion and those who claim to be religious that support the practice. Indeed, the list can go on.

Could that explain the dwindling membership in the Catholic Church and their recent marketing push to boost their numbers? Odd that they would continue to mishandle the big scandal and at the same time make an emotional appeal for lost sheep to return to the flock.

These concepts may explain in part this blogger’s decision to pursue spiritual matters absent the benefit of group activities (or is it detriment?)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from Sabina Castelfranco

Germany’s top bishop briefed Pope Benedict XVI on the spiraling cases of clerical sex abuse in the pontiff’s native Germany on Friday and said the pope encouraged him to pursue the truth and assist the victims.

The head of Germany’s bishops, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch apologized to victims of child abuse by priests today following a meeting with Pope Benedict at the Vatican. He said the pope encouraged him and the church in Germany to tackle the problem.

Archbishop Zollitsch said the church in his country is taking steps to counsel victims and investigate abuse allegations. He added that the pope was greatly dismayed as he was being briefed on the sex abuse scandal in his native Germany.

At least 170 former students from Catholic schools in Germany have come forward recently with claims of physical and sexual abuse, including claims from an all-boys choir once led by the pope’s brother.

Archbishop Zollitsch apologized to German victims and pledged to cooperate with prosecutors.

Zollitsch says the Church in Germany wants to unveil the truth and wants an honest clearing up of this and he says even if cases are discovered that date back to tens of years ago, the victims have the right to know.

At least 19 of Germany’s 27 dioceses have been affected by the scandal which follows similar cases in Ireland, The Netherlands and Austria. Vatican expert Marco Politi said the recent cases have brought the sexual abuse scandals much closer to the Vatican and to Pope Benedict himself.

“The atmosphere in the Vatican is of great nervousness, anxiety because these last facts, which happened in Germany and in Europe, are devastating,” he said.

The latest sex abuse scandals have also renewed debate on priestly celibacy but Pope Benedict said Friday it is a “holy value”. He told an international theological conference at a Vatican university that celibacy is an expression of the gift of oneself to God and to others.

Have we lost our sense of humor? Are actions by some defined as racist while similar actions by others are not? And what does the selective use of the race card tell us about America?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA News….

Officials in the eastern U.S. state of New Jersey are investigating an incident at a Wal-Mart in which a man used the store’s public-address system to tell African-Americans to leave.

Customers were shocked Sunday when a male voice announced, “Attention Wal-Mart shoppers, all black people must leave the store now.”

Wal-Mart officials say they are reviewing security tapes to determine who made the announcement.

The local prosecutor’s office said it also is investigating.

How often does an item from a PGA Tour website appear in a Google news listing? Who knows and who really cares? Today’s offering reveals more about American culture than most things related to the sport of chasing things around a highly manicured lawn. And, go figure, the topic is Tiger Woods. Who has chased more than his fair share of golf balls on and off the green.

Here’s the question that started the discussion. Which may or may not feature real people and genuine comments or opinions.

Tiger Woods returning to golf at the Masters, April 5-11. This will be most watched golf game this year, if not EVER. Will you be watching?

The answer from this blog….. a resounding ‘no.’ But the majority of responses from the linked ‘discussion’ suggest for most all is forgiven. It is okay to break the rules. It is okay to abandon principles, ignore the guidance of good judgment and face no consequences for bad behavior. And it is okay to use wealth as a marketing tool redefining bad behavior as some sort of bizarre medical condition. Ya, the devil made me do it. Or, I have an addiction. It’s not my fault. I couldn’t help it.

I’m getting help. I’ll be okay. It wasn’t my fault. Please allow me to keep making boat loads of money. Demonstrate by your continued financial support of my lucrative enterprise that the rules don’t matter. I can do anything I want and you will not express disapproval. This is after all how society should work. No rules, no consequences, offer a mea culpa and move on.

This not so tiny microcosm of American life explains where we are. Expanded to current events in matters of government and public policy it explains why there is a culture of corruption and why it has not been reduced or eliminated. It is due to insufficient public outrage about bad behavior.

But perhaps there is evidence of reaching a tipping point and that things may change. We need to return to principles and values that provided the strength and wisdom to form and maintain this republic. Sports, like other cultural characteristics, reflect the underlying value systems held by the public at large. When we observe troubling trends it is our duty to correct it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For one who agrees that appearance matters it was necessary to defend a column by George F Will last April indicting the demise of proper attire. Though there may have been those who responded similarly a scan of reactions in the media were dominated by objections to Mr Will’s opinion. Perhaps those offended only noticed the central villain of the piece - denim. The discussion is worth repeating if that was in fact the case. And if others do not understand these points a recent article also supports Mr Will’s assertions as well as the opinion held here.

At almost precisely the same time these companies were declaring their allegiance to chinos and loafers, the dot-com bubble burst—and amidst layoffs, Chapter 11 filings, and tumbling stock prices, the alleged virtues of business casual were called into question. “As America’s economy slows, business casual is proving rather too casual,” the Economist declared. Jackson Lewis, a law firm specializing in employment issues, polled human resource executives and found that substantial numbers of them believed that business casual encouraged absenteeism, tardiness, and flirtatious behavior. If you weren’t dressed like a serious, hard-working professional, the reasoning now went, you wouldn’t act like one.

Granted, the reference above deals with different but related aspects of the importance of one’s appearance but the conclusion drawn is the same. There is nothing wrong with codes including dress codes. They are part and parcel to a worthy mindset that guides our behavior and reinforces what is valued and that we respect those notions.

And this post or repost offers an opportunity to highlight another excerpt from George F Will’s column found to be both humorous and true.

Denim is the clerical vestment for the priesthood of all believers in democracy’s catechism of leveling — thou shalt not dress better than society’s most slovenly. To do so would be to commit the sin of lookism — of believing that appearance matters. That heresy leads to denying the universal appropriateness of everything, and then to the elitist assertion that there is good and bad taste.

Once again, in summary, this topic is not to suggest spending a fortune on clothing to outdress everyone around you. But appearance does matter. We are more productive, successful and are more likely to adhere to those values that advance society to higher levels of competence and sanity when we dress the part. And that depends on what you are doing at the time. In other words, dress for the occasion. Have some rules. Have some respect for yourself and others. Have a code. Have a clue. It matters.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com