BTW, “separation of church and state” is NOT found in the Constitution. This is: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” Separation of church and state is a philosophy gleaned from the writings of Thomas Jefferson and others. Modern adjudicators twist the philosophy, and do not use the Constitution, when making decisions.

1) As hard as it may be to believe, it’s true.  Four Christians were arrested in Detroit this week for distributing copies of the Gospel outside of an Arab International Festival.  In addition to being arrested, the camera (with any video of what they were doing, as well as how event security and police reacted) was confiscated. “These Christian missionaries were exercising their Constitutional rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion, but apparently the Constitution carries little weight in Dearborn, where the Muslim population seems to dominate the political apparatus,” said Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center.

2) Four Christians are facing up to 47-years in prison and $90,000 in fines for preaching the Gospel on a public sidewalk, a right fully protected by the First Amendment. When they tried to speak, they were surrounded by a group of radical homosexual activists dubbed the Pink Angels. A videotape of the incident shows the Pink Angels interfering with the Christians’ movement on the street, holding up large pink symbols of angels to cover up the Christians’ messages and blowing high pitched whistles to drown out their preaching.

Rather than arrest the homosexual activists and allow the Christians to exercise their First Amendment rights, the Philadelphia police arrested and jailed the Christians! They were charged with eight crimes, including three felonies: possession of instruments of crime (a bullhorn), ethnic intimidation (saying that homosexuality is a sin), and inciting a riot (reading from the Bible some passages relating to homosexuality) despite the fact that no riot occurred. Case is pending completion.

3) The just-released 46,500 pages from the Clinton Library and from Justice Thurgood Marshall’s papers at the Library of Congress give us a sneak peek at the extent of Kagan’s liberalism. In numerous memos and internal comments, she has expressed support for late-term abortion, strict gun control laws, doctor-assisted patient suicide and same-sex marriage. Right now, the public doesn’t seem to have much of an opinion about Kagan, and that’s the way the White House wants it.

So, you can pray that fellow-man-societal principles (and not any one religion) be adopted by all of We the People.

When praying for our Country, it is difficult to pray for Community America … and not for what would personally benefit me-myself-and I. So, How should we pray. Praying implies religious bent. So pray that your religious tenets/principles might be what America wants to exercise. For example, don’t pray for free health care because you have none … unless it is good for Community America. (I don’t think that it is because it takes it my money and gives it to other people. I can ably make those decisions on my own. But, I digress.)

Personally, I’m a Christ-follower and take the Bible as His God-inspired word. So, I pray that We the People would again, corporately, ascribe to — and subscribe to — principles outlined in the Bible. Such as: practicing homosexuality is wrong, sex outside of marriage is wrong, murdering (as opposed to killing, i.e., war) is wrong (insert fetal executions here), being responsible for our own actions (which includes accepting punishment), etc. Focusing on the welfare of others instead of on our individual welfare is the way to go, according to New Testament writings.

We don’t have to, as some Government-biased persons are inclined to do, pass laws against these things. We just need NOT to pass laws in favor of those things. Simple, but not easy. Oh, and one more thing: We do NOT have the right to not be offended. Read that again. These folks who are offended by the insertion of “under God” into the pledge of allegiance can just be offended, can’t they? Why should institutions, such as  schools, re-vamp their actions to avoid offending one parent? The courts have gone too far. Craziness, I say.

Pray for your country. Regularly. Be unselfish and think of others. Pray that way.Pray for the safety of our Military. Be thankful for them.

On this day in history: 1945 - Delegates from 50 nations sign the UN Charter; 1956 - Congress approves Federal Highway Act, funding 41,000 miles of highways

On a positive note: Feeling ultra-challenged? “Running was something that was always there,” said [Amy] Palmiero-Winters, who is missing her left leg below the knee and who is the first amputee to be named to the USA Track and Field team. At 37 years old. Armed — or rather, legged — with prostheses designed for running and biking, Palmiero-Winters took on the running world. On New Year’s Eve 2009, she ran 130 miles in 24 hours during Race to the Future. Amazing! Good on you, Amy! For more, go  here: http://www.gnn.com/article/amy-palmiero-winters-ultra-runner-with/1132403

Blessings.

But, I wonder how the “father of our country”, ol’ George, would be enjoying the day, eh? Welfare, Social Security and Health “rights” are the rage these days. But, those aren’t the rights which Geo and his henchmen founded our Country, first with the Declaration of Independence and later with the Constitution, in order to provide every person,  bond or free, “with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness …” Hmmm … “That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted …” Our country was founded as a Republic of States, which should govern the daily affairs of We the People, while the Feds protect us. O.k., if that’s all one ever learned about the purpose and action of Government, that would be enough, I think.

The preamble to the Constitution says, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

A few comments:

-”form a more perfect union” — The founders had great faith that their efforts would be the nearest to perfection which they could humanly (and with Divine guidance) muster; all the while recognizing that the union of the States would not be a perfect working arrangement

-”establish Justice” — Bondsman or freeman, rich or poor, male or female, with no regard to religion, should be afforded the comfort of knowing that they were going to get treated with justice in their rights as new Americans

-”insure domestic tranquility” — provide oversight for peaceful existence, whether on- or off-shore

-”provide for the common defense” — The centralized elected Representatives and Senators shall, upon appointment, take up with one another the means for assuring all of the above and enact legislation to support the agreed-upon required action

-”promote the general Welfare” — Generally speaking, this is an operational guideline to make sure that the elected representatives are focused on We the People; and not to enact legislation which satisfies their individual (states’) needs

-”Secure the Blessings of Liberty” — Hmmm … what liberty? This now is a circular argument, taking us right back to “the pursuit of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. So, our elected federal officials, by design, should be focusing on my (me, personally) achieving the blessings of liberty and happiness and a long, uneventful life.

I get it. I like it. I want it.

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrip! Did you hear that? that was the sound of all of the above being ripped out of my hands by our President, his appointees and the Democratic-controlled Congress. Shall I enumerate? Only a few:

-my borders are not being protected

-liberal judges are usurping my justice in favor of left-wing thinking

-my wallet will be smaller with Cap & Trade, national health care and restrictions on oil production

-my descendants’ wallets will be smaller because of out of control spending

Oh, I’m sorry. Was the President mentioned in the Constitution as being the King and Kontroller of Everything? I think not.

And, lastly, did our previous generations accomplish their astounding progress by having one hand out to “Uncle”? I think not. Give me back My Country!

Happy Birthday, George Washington and all the other founders. Are you rolling in your graves?

On this day in history:1788 - with the addition of New Hampshire as the 13th State, our Contsitution is ratified; 1965 - folk-rock revolution begins with Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”, recorded and released on “The Byrds’” debut album

On a positive note: If you live on the East Coast, and want to participate in a worthy program, consider joining the “Fresh Air Fund”. In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes for up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations and host families for the summer of 2010. Consider participating in this worthy outreach. BTW, is it a successful program, you ask? More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year. For more, go here:  http://freshairfundhost.com/

Blessings.

I’ve rambled on recently about what are some of the characteristics of a leader. See “Prez O fails as CEO”. The news is filled with Prez O’s conflicting statements about himself. For example, regarding The Oil Spill, which is now an official reference to the Gulf of Mexico (and Texas, Louisana, Alabama and Florida) BP platform-explosion-caused environmental and ecological disaster magna-spewer, (take a breath here) Prez O has declared, regarding his ownership of the disaster, that “the buck stops here.” Then, he goes on to put the solving of the gusher AND the solving of the cleanup squarely on the shoulders of BP. What’s wrong with this picture? Then, BP gets criticized for attempting to promote what are their efforts to stop the gusher and to get moving on the cleanup process. Why hasn’t Pres O assumed responsibility, along with the accompanying proper actions, to get the clean up process in action? What are we waiting for?

Cato Institute senior fellow Richard W. Rahn writes for The Patriot Post, “If you have noticed a lot of ambiguity in the statements of the government officials, that is because they want to be able to position themselves to take credit for whatever success occurs (no matter who is responsible for the success) yet be able to blame others for failure (if even their own). … One, among several, major reasons government agencies tend not to perform as well as private ones is because often there is little or no accountability.” Wow! Mr. Rahn is right on. Full accreditation with zero accountability. If you look back on Prez O’s statements and actions since taking office, that is his underlying modus operandi.

Using words like, “hope and change” and “new beginnings” and “doing away with the old way of conducting government business” was a calculated effort to induce ambiguity into his statements and to allow each person to read into the words what were their personal hopes for our government and country. This all the while never disclosing that he was going to do his dead-level best to inject his social (I’ll not use socialistic or Marxist or communist as a label) views of how the USofA should ultimately be shaped by his Robin Hood views. He, and his cronies and appointees, have mutated the Constitution’s statement that “all men are created equal” to mean that all men should be equally rewarded and share in the successes of their fellow citizens … just for being alive. His vision is for the USofA to be a Welfare State with all citizens dependent upon the government for their subsistence and health. The modern term “equal opportunity” has no place in their vision, only “equal benefits”. Put any kind of a label on that as you will, but it’s still a social viewpoint.

We’re punishing the capitalists who are good at what they do … invention and production. Alas, the risk associated with gain is no longer to be rewarded under Prez O’s plan. Profits are evil; high salaries are evil; drug costs (which include R&R and development) are too high. Take from the rich and give to the poor. It ain’t gonna work.

Now, Democrats have launched a $125 million effort to build support for President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law, including funding Prez O’s tour to convince people that what is already law is a good thing for them. I received a glossy full-color brochure from Sebelius telling me how wonderful the government controlled health care is/would be. (More than 1600 times in the document which is law it’s indicated that the head of HHS would determine what the law is; don’t believe anyone until that is spelled out.) Don’t believe it. And, shouldn’t Prez O be solving crises instead of selling something already declared law? He is still on the campaign trail.

And those, my friends, are some of the reasons why he is a politician and not a leader. All show and no go. ‘Nuff said. Forget about all the campaign promises which turned out to be just that … promises. All show and no go. Still ’nuff said.

On this day in history:1775 - US Army established; 1777 - Old Glory, the US Flag adopted; 1916 - President Woodrow Wilson declares Flag Day; 2010 - Today, we celebrate our country, our freedom, our military, and our opportunities

On a positive note: This from AOL’s GNN.com: Like each of us, the federal government has problems to solve, too. Next month, the General Services Administration, which oversees more than a quarter of the government’s procurement monies, will launch a program inviting the public to innovate with and for the government, with prizes for best solutions. ChallengePost, launched just a year ago, rose up from a field of eight challengers to win the contest. It will provide the government with a technological platform for its new site, the name of which the GSA will unveil July 6. So, now we each have the access to make a difference in government, no matter how small. This is a good thing!

Blessings.

While nothing much good is coming from all the crises which Prez O has the privilege of facing and the action/in-action he is taking, still there is good in that the majority of We the People are uniting to attempt to get our country back to more-conservative operations. No, not Conservative, but more-conservative. As you well know, neither the Reps nor the Dems are inclined to take a bi-partisan approach when they are in power. Still, our country has thrived the most under the more-conservative views of our leaders.

What will “more-conservative” look like by either party in control?

- Vote out the health care bill. Learn lessons from other countries like Canada and Great Britain. Let’s not follow their example and spend 40% of our gross domestic product on health care subsidies. Let the free market determine pricing. And, if we must, make provisions for those who cannot afford premiums to get federal subsidies so that they can remain healthy. For those who can afford premiums but choose not to purchase health care and avoid the premiums, make them pay for services rendered, as they do now. Don’ t make me pay directly for either of those two groups.

- Rein in spending and future spending. There is no money tree. My parents made that very clear to me. Don’t spend unless you can pay. Simple in concept, but not an easy challenge. There will be pain; there will be whining; but the concept of not spending what you don’t have should be understood by every member of Congress. Oh, I know that their constituents want more and more for less and less. But, government handouts (other than Social Security and Medicare) need to be curtailed. Why except those two entitlement programs? We need to take care of those who have gone before us, who have been creative and hard-working and have invested in our welfare. We need to take care of them. All other entitlement programs can be given back to the states.

- Invest in our capitalism. Only the boldest entrepreneurs have caused our country to forge ahead of the world in nearly every accomplishment; from civil rights to interstate networks. Yes, companies get tax breaks. Yes, they make huge sums of profits; but, not obscene. If $1b represents 2% of the revenues of a company, why call that excessive. As an example, if at the end of the year, presuming one earns $50k/yr, all the bills are paid and there is $1k in the savings account, one would feel pretty darned good about it. Why apply a different standard to corporations? Some (including Prez O) feel that earning $1b on $50b in revenue is excessive profit. Not so. Their stockholders want more, not less. So, when the gov’ment penalizes industries or production for earning excessively, the investors are gonna bail, which lowers stock market values, which dampens the confidence in the economy, which causes the stock market to downturn, which causes lay-offs, which means people can’t buy products, which means more cuts and more layoffs, etc., ad infinitum. Leave the capitalists alone; no, pat them on their backs for preserving our economy!

- Develop and invest in practical energy programs. This entails expanding all forms of energy production; wind, solar, coal, oil, hydro, bio fuels, whatever. Our nation’s energy needs, given the population and technological expansions (read EVs) will cripple our existing network of energy provisions within 20 years. We will be held hostage by the oil producing countries if we refuse to develop our energy resources. And, contrary to Average Joe is led to believe, using less energy will be more expensive in the long run, not less. Be prepared for it.

There are prob’ly more I could list, but adopting just these four ideas will serve We the People well in the future.

No, I haven’t forgotten the good news; that people of all political persuasions are getting fed up with the current administration’s shenanigans. Will Prez O get a clue? I think not. He has demonstrated repeatedly that his ideas are the only ideas. We the People will have to wait until November to make our voices known. I’m thinkin’ that the more-conservative candidates of either party will be the winners. Then, what will the congressional infra-battles look like? We’ll have to wait and see how we’ve voted.

Oh, and one more thing: the bashing of BP for making “excessive” profits and the criminal investigation which Holder is pursuing will not … I repeat … will not encourage investment in off-shore drilling, either in shallow or in deep water wells. Prez O’s knee-jerk declaration of a moratorium on all off shore drilling was a huge mistake. We need to pat them on the back for their impressive reaction to the accident. C’mon, Prez … don’t you know how to stop the pendulum?

On this day in history: 1933 - President Andrew Jackson becomes first President to ride the “iron horse”; 1933 - First drive-in theater opens in Camden, NJ; 1944 - D-Day launched at France’s Utah and Omaha beaches by Gen. Eisenhower

On a positive note: This from AOL’s GNN network - The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, Calif., invites visitors to hug cows. The Gentle Barn, founded by husband-and-wife team Jay Weiner and Ellie Laks, saves animals that have been seriously harmed. First, children who have suffered physical or emotional distress hear stories of particular animals and how they have been rehabilitated. As they begin to understand that the animals are safe and have received a second chance, the children begin to connect with the animals and also to understand that they, too, have second chances. There are many such organizations across the USofA. Another rescue mission for animals and kids is Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon, founded and operated by Kim and Troy Meeder. Good on all you guys!

Remember to pray for wisdom for Prez O!

Blessings.

I can’t help but compare Prez O to a CEO of a mega-major corporation. What are some of the traits one looks for in a CEO?

1- Develops a Mission Statement in keeping with the company’s market

2- Develops realistic and achievable goals/objectives and clearly communicates them well

3- Hires capable persons suitable to the company’s Mission, Goals and Objectives

4- Gets buy-in from the executives to accomplish to accomplish the Mission Statement and Goals/Objectives

5- Is aware of daily operations while focusing on means to accomplish long-term goals/objectives

6- Becomes intimately involved with crises, acting as Point Man

7- Communicates progress regularly

8- Listens to the Board of Directors and shapes his actions accordingly

9- Listens to many ideas and uses those which furthers achievement of the Mission Statement/Goals/Objectives

10- Customarily rewards those who make significant contributions to the achievement of their goals/objectives

Of course, these aren’t all the traits of a good CEO, but they are right up there among the top ten. So, how is Prez O faring with the above list?

1- Fail: The Prez’s openly admitted mission statement is to distribute income and diminish energy expansion

2- Fail: The goals/objectives for our country as stated are far too expensive and far too restricting; and Fail on clearly communicating

3- Fail: Has hired his support team based on their ideologies and not upon their talent for administrating a large business

4- Fail: By defining “bi-partisan” as “agreeing with me”, he has frustrated all attempts to bring the parties together

5- Fail: Is so keenly involved in pushing his personal agenda that he lets the world pass by; Netanyahu gets the brush

6- Fail: Stays away from the Gulf; doesn’t know when a senior administrative resigns; avoids involvement in crises/likes McCartney

7- Fail: Prez O is still on the teleprompter/campaign trail; only a few press conferences since inauguration; SOU address used to dress down        those who disagree with him

8- Fail: His BoD is We the People. He ain’t list’nin’. We live in a Republic operated as a Democracy; the majority should be ruling

9- Fail: Prez O only listens to those whose ideas conform to his pre-determined personal goals

10- Fail: Ask the Banking industry about appropriate rewards; or, the energy industry for proper R&R efforts; or Pols for standing up for their We the People

So, what’s the good news? Only 5 more months, I pray.

On this day in history:1896 - Henry Ford drives new invention - the Quadricycle; 1919 - 19th Amendment passed and women can vote; 1989 - Massecre at Tiananmen square

On a positive note: This from AOL’s Good News Network: “Merlin the trend-setting dolphin has become the first of his species to use an iPad. From a dolphin’s perspective, tablet computers are perfect. Dolphins can activate touch screens with their rostrums (beaks).” So, does Jobs not have a beak program for humans? Would we use it? Are dolphins more schnozz-adept than humans? This good news only provokes more questions.

Blessings.

Prez O sez that the White House is in charge of the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.  “This entire White House and this federal government has been singularly focused on how do we stop the leak and how do we prevent and mitigate the damage to our coastlines,” Obama said. Does that mean to the exclusion of everything else? I think not. “From the moment this disaster began, the federal government has been in charge of the response effort,” Obama said. “BP is operating at our direction.” Oh, really? The Sultan of Spin looks foolish this time.

Oh, and he didn’t know whether the director of the Federal Minerals Management Service, Elizabeth Birnbaum, had resigned or had been fired. He claimed that he had only heard about it the same day, indicating that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was responsible for the situation.

I’m beginning to see the difference between a community organizer and a CEO. The community organizer charismatically rallies the troops to enlist in a cause and then entrusts the accomplishment of the cause to them. A CEO similarly inspires those he/she leads to share the vision and to accomplish the goals/objectives set; but, the CEO inspects what he/she expects. In other words, daily accountability is enforced. Prez O hasn’t defined his vision because it prob’ly wouldn’t be shared by the majority of We the People. He hasn’t defined goals/objectives because they wouldn’t be received well. He operates in the ether, using double entende’ and giving We the People koolaid to drink. Well, enough koolaid, thank you.

Recently (read January 10) Rep Joe Sestak, R-PA, claimed that he was offered a high-ranking job in the White House if he would step out of the PA race against Arlen Specter D-PA. Much flap over the veracity of Sestak. Yesterday, Prez O said the White House would issue a formal explanation that should answer questions about Sestak’s allegation of a job offer and insisted “nothing improper” happened. He then had lunch with former President Bill Clinton. Huh? Today, the story is a bit different. Today, a report, by the White House Counsel’s office, will describe the Clinton conversations as informal and unhinged from any precise job offer since, as a former president, Clinton could not guarantee Sestak anything; and, that the conversations with Sestak were initiated by Clinton at the behest of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.Therefore, “nothing improper” happened. Oh, really? Let me see if I can find an analogy: If I ask my bro-in-law to ask a madam if they “might” visit my house to perform services for me, yet doesn’t detail what services are expected, have I done “nothing improper”? You know the answer.

Yesterday, the House has passed, on party line vote, a bill repealing DADT. This in spite of all sorts of recommendations to at least pend the legislation until further studies can be made. Look for more craziness from the Dems.

And, finally, “Emergency” funding will become the buzzword of the day for the Pols because it excludes whatever spending from the Pay As You Go guidelines, which only apply to “ordinary” spending. The fear (justifiably) of the Dems that they will lose their majority in November will continue to drive them to ridiculous actions.Lord, help us all.

Enuf. I’m getting sick to my stomach.

On this day in history: 1754 -  George Washington faces first combat as British soldier1937 - Government of Germany founds Volkswagen; 1957 - Baseball owners vote to allow Dodgers and Giants to move from NY

On a positive note: Ruth Shivers’ instructor and best friend cheered her on as she  jumped out of a plane at 5,000 feet, completing the last item on her original bucket list. The 80-year-old California woman sez “you’re never too old to take flight” Good on you, Ruth!

Blessings.

Senate Bill 1070, signed into law by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on April 23, makes in unlawful to be in the state without the proper documents and authorizes local law enforcement to investigate a person’s immigration status whenever there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual is in the country illegally.

This law mimics federal law, and spells out for the police what they may do if/when a reason presents itself to ask for ID from any person. And, there is a “no racial profiling” amendment intended to prevent harassment. The AZ Governor  has some big brass ones, she. Her ( and her fellow legislators) are tired of the financial and emotional drain from illegal aliens (there I’ve said it out loud) being placed on their fellow citizens. Much uproar from many fronts can be heard.

Los Angeles Council members voted 13-1 City Council barring LA from doing business with the State of Arizona until such time that the law is repealed. Arizona’s response?  The Arizona Corporation Commission member Gary Pierce responded, “If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation.” LA gets 20%+ of its power from AZ.

John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made a statement yesterday that his agency will not necessarily process illegal immigrants referred to them by Arizona authorities.  Recognizing the basic lawful actions allowed, Fox News analyst, Judge Andrew Napolitano said, “It also has the discretion to deport or not to deport persons delivered to it by any government agents, even its own.” But, the implication that the Feds will categorically deny requests to handle illegal aliens referred to them by AZ law enforcement officials (or any entity, for that matter) is still evident.

Obama, in a rare presidential intervention on a state matter, earlier described the law as “misguided.” He said he ordered top officials to monitor the situation “and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation.” At a naturalization ceremony for immigrant US service members at the White House, Obama said the measure threatens to “undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.” As Vinnie Barbarino would say, “Wha’?”

And finally, Mexico’s president, Phlilipe Calderon, at a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday with President Barack Obama told us that while he remains “respectful of the internal policies of the United States,” he firmly rejects criminalizing “migration” so that “people who work and provide things for this nation (USA) will be treated as criminals.” Wha’?

All this over people who have entered our country illegally. Period.

Oh, and we are treating our terrorists to “due process” afforded to our citizens, and not as war criminals. I’m shaking my head.

And then there’s this breath of fresh air: Costa Mesa, CA’s City Council members voted to pass a resolution declaring Costa Mesa a “Rule of Law City”, clearly opposing those cities who proclaim to be “sanctuary cities.” Mayor Allan Mansoor said, “I have a lot of concerns with cities calling themselves sanctuary cities. It’s important we state that we do not support illegal immigration.” At last, a voice of reason and cojones.

But, today’s a new day. Actually, every day’s a new day. So … today … right now … let’s shed those things from all the yesterdays which drag us down or hold us back or make us feel remorseful or generally keep us subdued and get on with our lives. You are hereby enabled to marvel in the goodness which a new day brings and to bask in the graciousness that you’re experiencing another day of life. No, not of life … OF LIVING!

On this day in history: 1843 - 1000 people begin the “Great Emigration” from MO to OR; 1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis introduces 13 y/o bride; 1990 - North and South Yemen unite as the Republic of Yemen;

On a positive note: Kelly Frey, a TV news anchor in Pittsburgh, and her husband, were shocked when the pre-birth ultrasound of their growing baby revealed no brain tissue inside his skull and the doctors informed them that their unborn child would die. Upon birth, the baby did something it was not supposed to do: it cried … and 7 months later the baby’s growing and so is his brain. Miracles do happen! May God richly bless those parents and the child!

Blessings.

Too, Rep Mike Conaway, R-TX,  believed that not just school students but also Members of Congress and their staff should also study the Constitution on Sep  17, Constitution Day, so he introduced a congressional resolution to that effect. When the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee heard the resolution, he told Mike, “That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard!” - an attitude far too common among many in Congress. Many Dems have recently made statements that they don’t care about what the Constitution says. How sad that the persons the We the People have entrusted to represent us and our freedom, rights and protection under our beloved and unique Constitution have little regard for operating within its guidelines.

After the recent passing of ObamaCare, the Florida urologist, Dr. Jack Cassell,  taped a sign to the door of his practice that read: “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your health care begin right now, not in four years.” ObamaCare, he said, “fatally compromises my ability or any doctor’s ability to uphold the Hippocratic Oath.” In some parts of the USofA, prospective patients have shown up at various doctor’s offices asking how the can get their “free health care”. I say to those folks (along with Dr. Cassell), that little in life is free and that their “free” health care will be paid for by me.

There are some astounding facts arising about who pays the federal taxes in our USofA. For example, the to 5% of earners pay 40% of all federal income taxes. These are the folks for whom the Dems want to increase taxes. But, 40% of Americans pay no federal taxes and yet we want to give them more free stuff. Does this sound like Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor? There is much talk about the intent of the Prez and the Democratic leaders to literally pound the USofA into the image of European Socialistic government. Already, according to Dick Morris, a leading pundit, we are poised to become the 4th highest taxed country in the world.

So, my questions is these: Does more taxing produce more employment? I can’t believe that it does. Does more taxing produce more research and development? I can’t believe that it does. Does more taxing produce more entrepreneurs? I can’t believe that it does. Does more taxing produce more federal revenue? I can’t believe that it does. Does more taxing produce more dependency on the federal government to bail out one’s circumstances? I have to believe that it does.

On this day in history: 1742 - George Friedrich Handel’s Messiah debuts as Easter oratorio; 1941 - Japan and USSR sign non-aggression pact; 1997 - Tiger Woods, at 21 yrs old, dons first of 4 Masters’ green sports coats.

On a positive note: Tyki Nelworth, 18, was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point last week. Not impressed? Nelworth’s mother is in jail, his father is dead and he has had no permanent home. At one point, he was taken from his mother because of suspected child neglect, and his sister told him he was a “crack baby.” The Los Angeles high school student could have ended up in a gang or on the streets. Instead, the football team captain and student body president will graduate with a 4.2 GPA from Washington Preparatory High School and now is headed to one of the nation’s most elite institutions in the fall to become a cadet. Good on you, Tyki! For more, go here: http://www.gnn.com/article/homeless-teen-heading-to-west-point/980766

Blessings.

Remember that the alliance of 13 colonies were making a position statement regarding both their united stand against the tyranny of  the King of Great-Britain, and their right to be recognized as self-governing states (governments) rather than colonies. Here are some quotes from the DofI:

“WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station …”

‘WE hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed …”

“But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it their right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.”

“WE, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States …”

My words: We are a confederation (Republic) of self-governing states, united against tyranny. We declare that all people have equal rights to pursue their own life, freedom to live that life, and the pursuit of whatever makes them happy. We elect officials to help us preserve those rights. We can and should un-elect those Officials who either infringe upon or take away these rights. The states should be the ones who decide, by direction and vote of We the People, how the pursuit of the rights is accomplished. We are appealing to God to bless our actions.

Nowhere does it say that those who have little are entitled to the benefits of the achievements of those who have much.

It’s interesting how Congresspersons misquote the DofI and the opening of the Constitution to their advantage. What do I expect? They are politicians after all. We should start a movement to require each Congressperson to read both the DofI and C; and then regurgitate the meanings in their own words. On their words would we then base our decisions to elect or boot out of office.

Altho’ the DofI was signed in 1776, the Constitution was not drafted until 1787 and not ratified until 1789. Will start on that next.

You can get a nice, neat, pocket-sized version of both at http://store.cato.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&method=&pid=144278-A

On this day in history:1860 - Pony Express debuts with carrying mail between St. Joseph’s, MO and Sacramento, CA — 1800 miles in 10 days for $5/oz.; 1776 - John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, in the absence of a Continental Navy, authorizes privateers to attack British ships

On a positive note: Publicolor, a non-profit, volunteer organization, organizes student paint clubs to paint NYC’s school interiors with cheery colors and has completed 116 schools since its founding in 1994 by Ruth Lande Shuman. The idea is that involving the students  produces higher grades and smaller drop-out rates. Students enrolled in the Paint Clubs have a 100% graduation rate, compared with 42% non-participating students. Maybe participation should be mandatory? Way to go Paint Club!

Blessings.

Mark Alexander, publisher of ThePatriotPost.com writes a concise and disturbing description of the Dems process for passage of the Bill. Here it is:

“Alexander’s Essay - March 18, 2010
Pulling the Plug on our Constitution

If the federal government should overpass the just bounds of its authority and make a tyrannical use of its powers, the people … must appeal to the standard they have formed, and take such measures to redress the injury done to the Constitution as the exigency may suggest and prudence justify.” –Federalist No. 33

Democrat Leadership

Our Constitution is on life support, and House Democrats are about to pull the plug.

Leaders of the Democrat Party (”Progressives” as they call themselves, Leftists as we call them) have been unable to garner popular or even Democrat Party support for their plan to socialize our health care system. Fortunately, Republicans are united in their opposition to this one issue.

Barack Hussein Obama, titular head of the Demos, proclaimed, “I want some courage. I want us to do the right thing.”

But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concludes, “Nobody wants to vote for the Senate bill.”

She is proposing to overtly circumvent our Constitution by way of the “Slaughter Solution.” Rep. Louise Slaughter, chairman of the House Rules Committee, proposes to pass legislation using the “self-executing rule,” which will allow the House to accept the already-passed Senate health care bill by presumption alone, thus negating a formal up-or-down vote by House members.

Pelosi confessed, “I like it because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.”

Unfortunately, there is precedent in invoking the “self-executing rule” — by Republicans, no less — concerning “mundane” legislation agreed to by House leaders of both parties. Unconstitutional as these precedents are, there is nothing “mundane” about ObamaCare.

“Slaughter” and “self-executing” may describe both the process and the electoral future of many Democrats in the House.

Most of the Leftist-controlled political and popular debate about the Democrat proposal to turn over to the central government control of more than 17 percent of the U.S. economy, is focused on one question or another — what will it cost or save, who will pay and who won’t, who will be covered and for what, will there be enough physicians to support this in 10 years, will federal funds be used for abortion, can our economy afford another trillion dollar boondoggle, does it really address the entitlement cost tsunami we’re facing, ad infinitum.

These might be interesting topics for debate, but none are germane.

The only relevant debate must begin with First Principles, our Constitution and Rule of Law.

Does our Constitution allow the Executive and Legislative branches to collaborate to confer authority upon the federal government over, in this case, so-called “health care reform”?

Those who laid the Foundation of our Constitution were crystal clear about its enumeration of both the authority and limits upon the central government.

James Madison, our Constitution’s primary author, wrote, “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined [and] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce.”

Madison continued, “If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.”

To that point, Thomas Jefferson asserted: “[G]iving [Congress] a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely useless. It would reduce the whole [Constitution] to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please. Certainly, no such universal power was meant to be given them. [The Constitution] was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.”

Clearly, our Constitution, does not authorize Congress to nationalize health care, anymore than it authorizes Congress to do most of what it does today.

That notwithstanding, Obama and his Leftist cadres in the House and Senate are moving forward with their endeavor to inflict socialized medicine upon the United States.

They have again, one and all, abandoned their oaths to “support and defend” our Constitution.

Democrat “leaders” have all been questioned about constitutional authority, and have uniformly asserted that the question is irrelevant.

Typical of their non-responses was this indignant question from Speaker Pelosi: “Are you serious? Are you serious?”

Such utter contempt for our Constitution explains why Democrats refuse to support any measure to cite constitutional authority for legislation. For example, the Enumerated Powers Act (HR 1359) would require that “Each Act of Congress shall contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act,” but for years, insurmountable obstacles have prevented passage of HR 1359 — and you know who they are.
Circumventing Rule of Law (see the larger version).

As for the Slaughter Solution, Article 1 Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution stipulates, “Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, and that in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively.”

Typical of Republican protests about this effort to evade the Constitution’s prescription for passage of legislation, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) called the ruse “the acme of arrogance” and the “shredding the U.S. Constitution.”

Unfortunately, more than a few Republicans have dabbled in such unconstitutional chicanery. Thus, I am reminded of the admonition regarding hypocrisy in Matthew 7:4-5. In contemporary terms, Republicans must first demonstrably abide by First Principles before calling on Democrats to do the same.

The only silver lining to this cloud: If Democrats pass ObamaCare, every medical complaint by a Democrat constituent will be hung around their necks.

Fellow Patriots, stand firm for Essential Liberty for we still hold these Truths.

Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis!

Mark Alexander
Publisher, PatriotPost.US”

You can subscribe to Alexander’s newsletter by going here: http://patriotpost.us/subscribe/

On this day in history: 1852 - Wells and Fargo start Shipping and Banking Company; 1911 - Irving Berlin copyrights “Alexander’s Rag-Time Band”; 1942 - War Relocation Authority created to gather Japanese into camps

On a positive note: Prez O is donating all of the $1.4mn he receives from the Nobel Prize award to various charitable organizations, including: Fisher’s House; Bush-Clinton Haiti Fund; College Summit; the Posse Foundation; United Negro College Fund; the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation; and the American Indian College Fund. The remainder goes to other charitable org’s. Good on you, Prez O.

Blessings.