RNC 2012: Mitt Romney

Highlights:

• "President Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet....MY promise is to help you and your family."

• "In America, we celebrate success, we don't criticize success."

• "But driving home late from that second job, or standing there watching that gas pump hit 50 dollars and still going, when the realtor told you that to sell your house you'd have to take a big loss, in those moments you knew that this just wasn't right."

• "Under my administration...Mr. Putin will see less 'flexibility' and more backbone."

• "As President, I will protect the sanctity of life.  I will honor the institution of marriage. And I will guarantee America's first liberty: the freedom of religion."

Cahnman Makes the Local News

Two Words: Holy Spirit.

On the RNC Rule Change

"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." Luke 12:30

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Wendell Philips

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."  The Rolling Stones

Over the past few days, several people have asked me to comment on the RNC rule change controversy; after much consideration, I think it was a blessing in disguise.

Consider what happened: the establishment tried to sneak these rule changes through.  Conservatives then mobilized on incredibly short notice.  Then we won.

The most important change was to RNC rule 15, which outlines how delegates to the national convention are determined.  It would have allowed the Presidential campaign to have de facto veto power over delegate selection.  We defeated it.

People are justifiably upset over the change to rule 12, which did pass.  This change allows the RNC to alter the rules between conventions.  We will have to monitor the situation.

So what?!?  This is a small addition to how the grassroots were always going to have to hold the Republicans accountable after they assume power.  Does anyone who's been involved in the fights of the past few years seriously think the grassroots will be less powerful in a year or two?!?

This controversy provided a critical lesson for the conservative grassroots.  We learned a lot about how the process actually works.  The long-term value of this lesson outweighs the temporary setback on rule 12.

This is a long-term fight.  We just got a strategic victory wrapped in a tactical setback.  That's why this incident was a blessing in disguise.

Mitt's Bio Video

This is really, REALLY good:

RNC 2012: Sen. Rand Paul

Rand Paul gave the best speech last night:


Highlights:

• "The whole damn thing [Obamacare] is still unconstitutional."

• "This debate is not over."

• "Madison was unequivocal; the powers of the Federal Government are few and defined.  The power to tax and spend ARE restricted by the enumerated powers."

• He offered an interesting perspective on the defense budget.  Our national security needs, not the desires of defense contractors, should guide our defense spending decisions.  It's worth keeping in mind heading into the budget battles of 2013.

The Coming Collapse of the Race Card

Well, it's official; a Democrat-dominated panel of Federal Judges threw out Texas' voter-ID law; Governor Perry says it best:

Chalk up another victory for fraud. Federal judges subverted the will of the people of Texas and undermined our effort to ensure fair and accurate elections. The Obama Administration's claim that it's a burden to present a photo ID to vote simply defies common sense.

This ruling made my blood pressure spike, but only for ten seconds; it reeks of desperation.

The notion that, having to prove you actually are who you say you are before voting, is racist is silly. The nation's Attorney General had his ballot given away.  In reality, dishonest elections hurt minorities.

This is insulting.  In Texas, it takes 45 minutes and twenty-five dollars to get a photo-ID.  If you believe minorities are incapable of getting a photo-ID then, quite honestly, you're the racist.

This won't last much longer.  Eric Holder already helped elect Ted Cruz.  Barack Obama's pathetic re-election campaign, following the Treyvon Martin hoax, is draining the race card's potency.  Calling voter-ID laws racist won't restore it.  A year or two after Obama leaves office, the race card will be done.

RNC 2012: Governor Scott Walker

The man who revealed the shift that has taken place in the electorate tells how he did it:


More Scott Walker here.

RNC 2012: Rick Santorum

Amen, Amen, Amen:

Highlights:

• Santorum restates the OBVIOUS, but often neglected, point that the so-called 'social issues' ARE economic issues.

• Families are the best mechanism for fighting economic need.  We cannot reduce government dependence until we strengthen families.  That's why we need to stop the assault on marriage.

• Barack Obama's unilateral dismantling of Welfare Reform was illegal.

RNC 2012: Ted Cruz

Cahnman's Musings has been a longstanding supporter of Ted Cruz; last night, he showed the country why:



Ted nails it in when discussing the tidal wave sweeping the country.

The whole thing is awesome!!!

A Republican Party in Transition

I want you to think back to Wednesday, November 5, 2008; the day after Barack Obama's election.

Today, the Republican VP nominee is publicly identified with entitlement reform.  Audit the Fed is part of the party platform.  The Republican Party's central economic message is opportunity via entrepreneurship.

If I had offered you this situation in November 2008, would you have taken it?!?  Heck, if I had offered you a Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket in November 2008, would you have taken that?!?  I certainly would.

This convention, and the entire campaign, is taking place at a weird moment in the history of the Republican Party.  The Tea Party has created a new political reality, but the institutional Republican party has yet to fully adjust.  While the Republican Party isn't maximizing this opportunity, it's light years ahead of where it was in 2008; that's good enough.

The institutional Republican party, even now, doesn't understand Barack Obama.  They don't understand the Fabian Socialists.  They don't understand the Frankfurt School.  They don't understand Saul Alinsky.  They don't understand Frank Marshall Davis.  They don't understand the long term objectives of the Weather Underground.  They don't understand third-world anti-Colonial thinking.  That's unfortunate, because if the institutional Republican party understood the a fore mentioned aspects of twentieth century progressivism, they could illustrate how the economic, geopolitical, and moral devastation Barack Obama has wrought has been deliberate.

That being said, consider how far we've come.  If the Republicans win, we'll get meaningful entitlement reform, tax reform, and constraints on the Federal Reserve.  This will alter the trajectory of federal spending, grow our economy, and prevent our central bank from printing money willy-nilly.  Four years ago, a Republican President "abandoned free-market principles to save the free-market system."  We've already come VERY far; heading into November, it's good enough.

In his speech at FreePAC last month, Sen. Mike Lee pointed out that it took fifteen years to get from the Boston Tea Party to ratification of the Constitution.  This is a long-term fight.  It will continue past this convention, and past this election.  We still have A LOT of work ahead, but compared to November 2008, we've already covered A LOT of ground.

Can We Send Kira Davis to Charlotte?!?

Kira Davis is a fellow RightOnline blogger.  As a recovering leftist, she does fantastic work demolishing leftist premises.  Last night, Kira sent the following appeal to her readers:

I have never asked for help from my readers. My passion is for the future of my country and lending my voice to the fight to bring back constitutional values that have long been eroded in our political system. But today I break that record. The Democrat National Convention is in a couple of short weeks and I think this could be an incredible opportunity for a black conservative such as myself to engage those in attendance, challenge their views and maybe provoke some genuine conversation on the direction of the country. Plus, won’t it be fun to watch a “non-existent” black conservative for Romney blow some minds?  It will also be a great chance to reveal just exactly who is attending the DNC in support of Obama, outside of the coverage of the mainstream media. I believe I can be a provocative and interesting voice in Charlotte next month, but I need your help to get there. I need to raise about $1500 for airfare, accommodations and childcare in order for me to travel to Charlotte on September 3rd.  If you believe in what I do here at kiradavis.net and throughout the internet (including my latest project, therealfeminist.com) I am asking you to consider a donation to help me on my mission to make it to Charlotte. Any amount is appreciated. My friend Wendy Onstead has already set up a fundraising event on Facebook for me and others have pledged to help already. Will you join them? Donating is easy. Simply click the donate button in the sidebar to the right and enter the amount you wish to pledge. Donations are not tax-deductible. The only thing I have to offer you in return for your generosity is honest coverage from the DNC and a conservative voice you can trust in the midst of what promises to be a very interesting convention. If you can’t afford to give please share this with others and know that your readership and support is always appreciated regardless of your financial gifts.

 If we want to build plausible alternatives to the corrupt media, from time to time Conservatives are going to have to step up financially support good work.  The dirty little secret is that if we can get 1500 people to donate $1 each, we can get Kira Davis to Charlotte.  She's a good investment.

You can donate here.

If you want to know why Kira's a good investment, you should check out this video blog she did to Hamid Karzai:

Barack Obama's Anti-Texas Policies

I might be helping launch a new, Texas-specific, endeavor soon. As part of that process, I wanted to document the anti-Texas policies of the Obama administration.  Here they are, in all their horror.

• Under Barack Obama, border violence in Texas is up precipitously.

• In 2011, in El Paso, Barack Obama claimed the U.S. Southern border is "more secure than ever."

• Barack Obama's administration tried to dismantle energy production in West Texas over a freakin' lizard; Obama backed down.

• Barack Obama's administration shut down energy development in the Gulf of Mexico for almost six months; making matters worse, the rigs left.

• Barack Obama's EPA attempted to shut down Texas' air-permitting processes; Texas kicked their ass in court!!!

• Barack Obama's regional EPA administrator claimed a desire to 'crucify' (yeah, that crucify) energy producers.

• Barack Obama's Defense Department classified the Ft. Hood jihadist attack as 'workplace violence.'

• Barack Obama's Defense Department is refusing to de-classify the Ft. Hood shooting report.

• Barack Obama's Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napoletano, gave a Muslim Brotherhood operative a security clearance, which he then used to illegally disseminate classified information he gained from the Texas Department of Public safety.

• Barack Obama tried to shutdown the Texas Women's Health Program after Governor Perry refused to force Texas taxpayers to fund Planned Parenthood.

• Barack Obama's Justice Department, led by Eric Holder, is trying to stop the voter-ID law the Texas Legislature approved in 2011.

• Barack Obama signed into law an unconstitutional Bill of Attainder against Texas.

• Barack Obama failed to deploy sufficient Federal resources to combat Texas Wildfires in 2011 (*)

* Both Rick Perry and I believe the Federal Government shouldn't be a major player fighting wildfires; unfortunately, when you're in the middle of a crisis, you have to work within the current screwed-up system.

Barack Obama is bad for America; he's even worse for Texas.

The Prideful Arrogance of Democrats

Last week, I wrote about the Democrats overreaction to the Todd Akin kerfuffle.  I was going to leave it at that.  Then Tropical Storm Isaac caused the GOP to postpone day one of the convention.

Apparently, Democrats think a tropical storm is some sort of anti-Republican Divine intervention.  Former Michigan Governor (and moron) Jennifer Granholm thinks so.  Illinois congressman Danny Davis apparently agrees.  So does Obama supporter actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Democrats are turning their convention into abortion-palooza.  Democrats are redefining marriage.  Now, Democrats are speaking for God.

Keep in mind, Democrats aren't speculating about God's intent with humility (which would be fine); they're presuming to speak for Him.

Consider yourself warned, Democrats; this won't end well.

Update: Jonathan Gurwitz has more.

35 Undeniable Truths about Barack Obama

35 Undeniable Truths about Barack Obama:

1. On election day 2008, U.S. National Debt was under 70% of GDP.
2. Barack Obama's budget didn't garner a single vote in Congress; two years in a row
3. On election day 2008, unemployment was 6.7%.
4. Solyndra was run by a major Barack Obama fundraiser.
5. Ditto Abound Solar.
6. Ditto Ener1.
7. On the 2008 campaign trail, Barack Obama promised "if you like your current health care, you can keep it."
8. On the 2008 campaign trail, Barack Obama promised "if you make under a quarter million dollars a year, you will not see your taxes increase by one dime; not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains tax.  No tax will go up."
9. Barack Obama's health care law was, according to the Supreme Court, a middle class tax hike.
10. Since Barack Obama signed his health care law, Health Care costs have gone up even faster.
11. Barack Obama expanded George W. Bush's Wall St. bailout.
12. Barack Obama claimed Dodd-Frank would end 'Too big to fail."
13. Barack Obama re-appointed Ben Bernanke.
14. Barack Obama claimed the U.S. southern border is "more secure than ever."
15. Barack Obama subsequently invoked executive privilege on Fast and Furious.
16. Barack Obama hired Eric Holder.
17. Barack Obama launched a major war in Libya without congressional authorization.
18. Barack Obama promised Vladimir Putin (via Medvedev) more 'flexibility' in a second term.
19. Barack Obama has already cut the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
20. Barack Obama's Pentagon called the Ft. Hood jihadist attack "workplace violence."
21. Barack Obama didn't listen to the military in Afghanistan.
22. Barack Obama's administration has leaked national security information, specifically as it relates to sources and methods.
23. Barack Obama wants Israel to return to the Auschwitz Borders.
24. Barack Obama invited Egypt's new Islamist President to the White House.
25. Barack Obama, shortly after banning deep-water drilling in the United States, subsidized it in Brazil.
26. Barack Obama returned the bust of Winston Churchill.
27. Barack Obama was the first U.S. President to EVER back Argentina over the Falklands.
28. Barack Obama chose Joe Biden.
29. Frank Marshall Davis was Barack Obama's mentor.
30. Frank Marshall Davis was a Communist.
31. Barack Obama called the United States' Constitution a "charter of negative liberties."
32. In 1991 Barack Obama claimed to be from Kenya.  He didn't retract that claim until 2007, when he was running for President.  Both claims cannot be true.
33. Before becoming a national figure, Barack Obama worked extensively with Bill Ayers.
34. In 2008, when asked about Ayers, Barack Obama lied.
35. Barack Obama spent 20 years in Jeremiah Wright's Church.

'Stop Brainwashing Me;' An Open Letter to Karl Rove

Dear Mr. Rove,

Last night, I had an interaction with a government major at the University of Texas, which I chronicled on Facebook:

Random UT Student: All the great Presidents were Democrats; FDR, JFK, Lincoln.

Me: Actually, Lincoln was the founder of the GOP.

Random UT Student: You've gotta stop letting Karl Rove brainwash you.

Mr. Rove, please stop brainwashing me.

We have met three times.  The first time, on November 5th, 2004, was on a D.C. Street kitty corner from the White House; I was the Bob Novak intern who congratulated you on President Bush's re-election three days earlier.  On St. Patrick's Day 2010, I attended your book signing in San Antonio.  Two months later, on the day of the flash crash, I was at a dinner you did for KLUP in San Antonio.  I'm not sure if you put something in my drink, or if you used some sort of cosmic mind rays, but I don't appreciate you brainwashing me.

I believe George W. Bush's education policy was an unconstitutional intrusion into state sovereignty.   I believe the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood across the Middle East undercuts the central premise of George W. Bush's 'Freedom Agenda.'  I believe Chief Justice John Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee, MUST be impeached.  I believe Henry Paulson illegally violated his fiduciary responsibility to American Taxpayers.  Obviously, Karl Rove, YOU brainwashed me into thinking this.

Why are you brainwashing me Karl Rove?!?

Why are you making me believe falsehoods like Lincoln being a Republican?!?

With all due respect Karl Rove, please stop brainwashing me.

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
August, 24 2012.

The Coming Democrat Akin Overreaction

Todd Akin is an idiot.  While I agree that he's getting a raw deal, the bottom line is that he flubbed a predictable question for which any pro-life male has to prepare.  Akin's comment, however, is paving the way for a Democrat overreaction that will hurt Democrats far more than Akin's comment will hurt Republicans.

In reaction to Akin, Democrats have already turned their convention into abortionpalooza.  They're going to feature the heads of Planned Parenthood and NARAL; they've even managed to draw Marxist skank "Reproductive Rights Activist" Sandy Fluke back from whatever rock she originally crawled out from under. This won't end well for Democrats.

Abortion isn't popular.

What Democrats fail to understand is that the Sexual Revolution was a massive lie, and that women bore the brunt of its consequences.  When wealthy liberals like Sandy Fluke promote the doctrine of consequence-free, government-subsidized fornication, normal women see through that lie.  Normal women are concerned about the economy, not in having the government protect either gender from the consequences of poor sexual decisions.

The frustrating thing is that there's a major economic issue embedded in this discussion.  Sexual promiscuity often leads to welfare, which leads to government spending and debt, with predictable consequences for economic growth and employment.  Unfortunately, Republicans would never have the cojones to argue that promiscuity begets poverty.

Sandy Fluke is a uniquely unattractive figure, and that's not a dig at her physical appearance.  Sandy Fluke is protected from the consequences of the lifestyle she promotes.  Normal women aren't.  Normal women understand poor sexual choices lead to horrific consequences.  Government subsidies cannot alter the wages of sin.

Todd Akin messed up.  He flubbed an obvious and predictable question, and he deserves to suffer the consequences.  That being said, if Democrats want to turn this into a fight between Todd Akin's inartful attempt to save lives, and everything Sandy Fluke represents; I'm not afraid of that fight.

Barack Obama's Stoner Caricature of a Campaign

I smoked a lot of pot in college; last night, in reading about the Presidential campaign, I remembered one of those late-night, bong-hit inspired, college stoner brainstorming sessions.

I don't remember exactly when this session occurred, but it had to have been 2002 because it was in response to a sleazy Grey Davis re-election ad (I lived in California at the time).  Against a backdrop of bong-hits, we endeavored to create the most negative political campaign ever.  Some of our gems:

• Accuse your opponent of being a felon.

• Accuse your opponent of not paying taxes.

• Attack his wife.

• Call your opponent pro-Slavery.

• Call your opponent pro-Cancer.

Here's the thing: Barack Obama's re-election campaign has actually done all five of those things, and we're not even to the conventions.  Barack Obama's re-election strategy was, quite unintentionally, mapped out by a group of giggling college stoners about a decade ago.  I find this amazing.

Update: Welcome to James Taranto's twitter followers.

What offends me about the Jefferson Lies

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed BY THEIR CREATOR with certain inalienable Rights."  United States Declaration of Independence, 1776, written by Thomas Jefferson.

"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are the gift of God?!?"  Thomas Jefferson, quoted at the Jefferson Memorial.

I wrote last week about the controversy surrounding David Barton's new book, "The Jefferson Lies."  Beyond this controversy, we should all be upset that a book like this needed to be written in the first place.  The controversy is obnoxious, but what's truly offensive are the actual Jefferson Lies.

Thomas Jefferson clearly believed in a Judeo-Christian foundation for society.  His writings are filled with references to a biblical foundation; I list two of my favorite above.  While Thomas Jefferson's personal relationship with Jesus Christ is unclear, that doesn't change the Judeo-Christian influence on his political views.

Yes, in 1802, Jefferson did use the phrase "wall of separation between Church and State;" here's the full context:

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature would "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

 In other words, Jefferson was trying to protect the Church from the government, and NOT the other way around.

Atheists have been lying about Jefferson's views on the role of Biblical Principles in government since at least 1947, and it pisses me off.

Don't get me started on Sally Hemmings.

On Todd Akin

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born, I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet unto the nations."
- Jeremiah 1:5

I have two thoughts on the Todd Akin kerfuffle; one moral, one political.  On a moral level, Claire McCaskill's willingness to murder unborn babies is far more offensive than Todd Akin's in-artful comment.  On a political level, however, Akin fell into an obvious trap, which questions his competence.

No politician who supports murdering unborn babies should get to claim the moral high ground on anything.  Unborn babies deserve to live.  Claire McCaskill wants to murder unborn babies.  Todd Akin, as in-artfully as he may have said it, wants to save lives.  Which is worse?!?

Upon hearing about this incident, my first instinct was to circle the wagons around Akin and indignantly counterattack.  That does not, however, strike me as the prudent course.  This comment illustrates an inability to focus on the basic moral issue.

When you run for office on a pro-life platform, especially as a male, you need to prepare for the 'abortion in the case of rape question.'  During his Presidential campaign, Rick Santorum gave the model response: "the rape isn't the baby's fault."  You then direct follow up questions to James Robison.  Todd Akin, by contrast, gave a meandering answer about 'legitimate rape' (whatever that is) and the likelihood of conception.  By falling into such a predictable trap, I worry about what trap Akin falls into next.

Todd Akin allowed irrelevant contingencies to distract from the question of murdering unborn children.  Claire McCaskill, like all Democrats, needs to be hammered on this issue.  Unfortunately, I no longer trust Todd Akin to competently challenge her on this, or any, issue.  God is just.  If Todd Akin falls on his sword now, he will be rewarded in the future.

Update: It looks like Akin's staying in; he better go on offense against "Claire McCaskill Child-Murderer."

"Admit nothing, Deny Everything, Counterattack." Roger Stone

Update II: Welcome Caffeinated Thoughts readers.

Coming Soon: Concerned Women for America -- Texas, Culture Warriors in Action Conference

This event, sponsored by Concerned Women for America, Texas, is going to be fantastic; I'm planning on Attending:


Saturday, September 15, 2012
Part I: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
303 W. 15
th
Street, Austin, TX 78701
               
- - Greeting, Prayer, Instructions - -
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

- - How To Do It Better and Smarter - -
8:15 a.m.  – 10:00 a.m.
- - Break-Out Sessions - -
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

#1 Upcoming Texas Legislative Issues:
Religious Liberty Amendment - Jonathan Saenz
Defunding Planned Parenthood - Dr. Joe Pojman
Personhood Amendment - Dr. Gary Ledbetter
Parental Rights Amendment - Cecilia Wood

#2 Out-of-state Leadership Training
  State Organization and Chapter Development - Kenda Bartlett

#3 YWA Training
How to Bring Young Women for America to Your Campus - Caroline Biggs

- - Luncheon - -
11:30 – 12:30
Part II: Capitol Auditorium
Capitol Building, Austin, TX

- - Greeting - -
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

- - State of the Legislature - -
1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Rep. David Simpson

- - Unmasking Sharia Law by William Federer - -
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

- - Questions and Answers - -
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

General Jerry Boykin's shocking eyewitness account of the Family Research Council shooting.

Last Friday, General Jerry Boykin, who serves on the Board of the Family Research Council, gave this shocking eyewitness account of the shooting last Wednesday.  

For those of you unaware of who the Southern Poverty Law Center is, Glenn has this background:

How Entitlement Reform will Promote Economic Growth

Last night on CNBC, Larry Kudlow called entitlement reform a distraction from economic growth; I can't find the transcript, but this tweet Kudlow sent out yesterday captures the same message:

Message to #Romney/Ryan: Don't lose the growth message.  Econ is still #1 issue.  #tcot

If Larry Kudlow believes entitlement reform is a distraction from economic growth and productive employment, then he's lost his marbles.  I can explain.

A long time ago, economists identified a phenomenon called crowding out.  Crowding out is a fancy-pants, highfalutin' term that means when Washington D.C. spends us into oblivion, there's less money left for businesses and consumers to consume and invest as they see fit.  Given that Business Investment is the primary driver of economic growth, any action that restrains Washington D.C.'s ability to crowd out business investment promotes economic growth and productive employment.

Medicare is the largest component of the Federal Budget.  It's also the fastest growing.  Left unchecked, Medicare will consume the U.S. economy.  Thus, getting Medicare on a sustainable less suicidal path is essential if we want to restrain Washington D.C.'s ability to spend us into oblivion crowd out business investment.  As Glenn Beck explains in the 2010 best-seller Broke:

As any budget expert will tell you, no honest discussion about getting the country back on a sustainable track can happen without talking about mandatory spending, of which entitlement programs are the most common form....In 2010, autopilot programs...will eat up 56 percent of our federal budget, and that does not include the interest that we pay on the money we pay on the money we have to borrow to meet those commitments (146-7)

Of course, being a blue-blooded, Wall Street, Republican Establishment type, Larry Kudlow would NEEEEEVER listen to Glenn Beck; thus, I will quote another eloquent and erudite economic analyst:

Harking back to the Founders' principles of constitutional limits to government is a very powerful message.  It's a message of freedom, especially economic freedom.  The tea partiers have delivered an extremely accurate diagnosis of what ails America right now: Government is growing too fast, too much, too expensively, and in too many places -- and in the process it is crowding out our cherished economic freedom.

That quote was from Larry Kudlow in April 2010.

Bottom Line: If you believe restoring free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity, then putting Medicare on a less suicidal trajectory is critical to free up business investment.

Back to you Larry Kudlow.

Update: It might have been better to say that increased productivity is the primary driver of economic growth, and that business investment is the primary driver of increased productivity.

How Ted Cruz can Slay Texas Democrats

"When was the last time you saw a Hispanic Panhandler?!?"
- Ted Cruz

I've written before about the dire straits of Texas Democrats.  This November, the opportunity exists to set Texas Democrats back in a way where they won't recover for a generation.  Furthermore, Texas Republicans have the perfect man for the job.

If he's smart, Ted Cruz can leverage his political capital into major coattails.

All Ted Cruz has to do is show up and promote the exact same message he's been promoting for a year and a half.  Setting Ted Cruz's rhetorical prowess aside, his message is basic common sense.  I believe that, if Ted Cruz shows up and talks to folks without a media filter, Ted Cruz can convert lifelong Democrats.

To accomplish this, Ted Cruz needs to show up in the right places.  That mean Austin.  That means El Paso. That means inner-city Houston.  That means the Rio Grande Valley.  That means the Latino Sections of San Antonio.  If Ted Cruz actively courts voters Democrats take for granted, the reaction of Texas Democrats will also be REALLY unattractive.

During the primary, Ted Cruz demonstrated his willingness to travel anywhere he needed to go to meet voters.  If Ted Cruz continues this approach in the General Election, it will produce similar results.  Managed properly, Ted Cruz's general election campaign will be a stake through the heart of Texas Democrats.

EXCLUSIVE: GBTV's Erick Stakelbeck on Global Terror Trends

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to speak with Erick Stakelbeck of CBN and GBTV about events in the Middle East and repercussions they could have in the United States.  Unfortunately, I pressed a wrong button on the phone, so there's no recording.  The following write up is from my notes.

Israel and Iran

Erick has been saying for months that he expects Israel to strike the Iranian nuclear program sometime soon. If you look at the history of modern Israel, they always launch pre-emptive strikes when faced with existential threats.  They did it in 1967, they did it in 1981, and they did it in 2007.  A nuclear Iran would be the greatest existential threat to Israel in modern history.

The biggest question we face is when the Israeli strike will happen.  Erick Stakelbeck thinks there is "a good chance" it will occur BEFORE the U.S. Presidential election, possibly October.  The reason for this is that Israeli leaders fear striking Iran in a potential Obama second term, and want to get the strike behind them while Obama is still accountable to U.S. voters.

Another possibility: What if Iran strikes first?!?  Methinks, I've read about this somewhere....

Iranian Retaliation

Hostility between Barack Obama and Bibi Netanyahu notwithstanding, the Iranian regime believes Israel and the United States are joined at the hip; they're the little Satan and we're the Great Satan.  Thus, when Israel strikes the Iranian nuclear program, we should expect some sort of retaliation against U.S. interests.  That could take several forms, including attacking U.S. embassies abroad or terror attacks on U.S. soil.

An open question is how the Islamist groups that have infiltrated the U.S. government during the late Bush and Obama administrations would impact U.S. policy in response to potential attacks.

Iran as the epicenter of Global Islamist Terror

The longer I study Global Islamist Terrorism, especially the work of Yossef Bodansky, the more I think everything boils down to Iran; Erick Stakelbeck agrees.  Iran and all the other various Islamist bad guys have all worked together in the past.

One point that hasn't drawn nearly enough attention is Iran's role in 9/11.  Last year, a Federal Court in New York found Iran guilty of aiding and abetting the 9/11 attack.  That's DIRECT Iranian complicity in 9/11.  Additionally, the 9/11 commission found that the Iranian government let several hijackers pass through Iran unmolested.  Additionally, Bodansky's work makes clear that Iran played a major role in the growth of Usama bin Laden's network in the 1990's.

The bottom line is that Iran has its tentacles in EVERY Islamist operation around the globe.  They're the keystone of global terror.  Dealing with any other Islamist entity before dealing with Iran is pointless.

Syria

Which brings us to Syria.  Syria is an Iranian client state.  If Assad goes, it weakens Iran.  On the other hand,    we shouldn't maintain any illusions about what would replace Assad.  It's a choice between Islamists allied with Iran or Islamists allied with Al Qaeda.  Its a bad choice either way.

One thing to keep in mind:  Assad could decide to go out in a final orgy of sour grapes blaze of glory, and launch chemical weapons at Israel.  Erick Stakelbeck thinks Israel would retaliate directly against Damascus.  Once again, I think I've read about that somewhere.

Afghanistan

Erick Stakelbeck believes we're never going to win the hearts and minds of the Afghans; they'll always be Islamist and tribal.  Furthermore, the rules of engagement our troops are facing are ridiculous.  Erick Stakelbeck believes we need to dramatically lighten our Afghan footprint and focus much more closely on killing Al Qaeda and Taliban.

Conclusion

There are three major global terror trends to watch over the next 6 to 12 months:

1. Iran, Iran, Iran.
2. How will Assad go out?!?  Will he engage in an orgy of sour grapes?!?  Will he launch chemical weapons?!?
3. The Muslim Brotherhood consolidating power in Egypt and 'tweaking' the Camp David accords.

War is coming; be prepared.

How Leaks and Politics Threaten National Security

OPSEC team, a new organization of spooks and soldiers dedicated to protecting National Security secrets, takes Team Obama to task for leaking sensitive information about National Security:



Highlights:

• Human Intelligence can take YEARS to gather -- This point needs emphasis.  These leaks shatter trust in the United States, not just the Obama administration.  Not only do Team Obama's leaks hurt our efforts now, they'll hurt our efforts for a generation.
• Their motive is to protect Operational Security against any political efforts to undermine it; I assume they'll still be here after Mitt takes over.
• "Mr President, you DID NOT KILL bin Laden; America did."
• The bin Laden raid couldn't be repeated, because too many operational secrets have been revealed.
• Days after the bin Laden raid, Hollywood was invited to the WH for a briefing.

Caffeinated Thoughts has more.

Did God Listen to Governor Rick Perry?!?

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

In April 2011, Governor Rick Perry issued a proclamation, money quote:

I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on those days [April 22 - 24, 2011] for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.

This, of course, was met with predictable derision.

Sixteen months later, how have things worked out?!?

Since October 2011, Texas has had rain.  In some places, there's been A LOT of rain.  In contrast to the rest of the country, which is in a record-setting drought (like Texas last year), Texas is moving in the right direction.

I don't pretend to know God's plan, but I do know that the one state in America moving in the right direction drought-wise is the state whose Governor publicly called for prayer as the answer.

Update: 
A friend suggested I include images of the U.S. Drought monitor from when Perry issued the proclamation

Which shortly turned into this:

Compared to Last Month:

Update II: Yesterday, a friend at church mentioned that Perry's prayer rally at Reliant Stadium was held in early August, and that the rain began a few weeks later.

Medicare 2012: Freedom vs. Death Panels

Let's talk Medicare.  With Paul Ryan on the ticket, it's going to be a major topic.  That's fine with me.

Medicare is Broke.  It's not going broke, IT'S ALREADY THERE!!!  Medicare, as it's been understood for 50 years, isn't an option.  Left unchanged, Medicare will eventually consume our economy.  The relevant question is not whether Medicare will change, but how it will change.

In 2010, Barack Obama signed massive changes to Medicare into law as part of his health care law.  That legislation contained $700 billion in cuts to Medicare THAT ARE NOW WRITTEN INTO LAW.  To oversee these cuts, Obama's Health Care Law creates a new entity, called the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  According to the New England Journal of Medicine:

Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (now being referred to as the Affordable Care Act, or ACA) create an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) to meet the need to oversee health care system costs.1 The legislation establishes specific target growth rates for Medicare and charges the IPAB with ensuring that Medicare expenditures stay within these limits. The IPAB must also make recommendations to Congress as to how to control health care costs more generally.

 Translated into English, this means 15 unelected bureaucrats will ration health care from Washington D.C. without accountability to Congress or the American People.  For the record, IPAB was what Sarah Palin was talking about when she referred to 'death panels.'  That's Obama's vision.

Patient centered Medicare reform, by contrast, puts individual Americans in charge of their own Health Care.  Instead of an unaccountable Medicare Politburo making decisions for the entire country, Washington D.C. would send the money directly to individuals.  This would leave individuals free to purchase Health Care services in whatever manner they see fit.  Over time, as traditional price signals return to the Health Care services market, costs will come down.  Paul Ryan's budget proposal is one example of patient centered Medicare reform.

Medicare, as it was understood for 50 years, went away with Obama's health care law.  It's not coming back, because WE CAN'T AFFORD IT.  The relevant question now is what will replace it.  We can either follow Obama's vision of unaccountable bureaucrats rationing care or we can pursue patient centered reforms along the lines of Paul Ryan's proposal.  On way or the other, however, we must choose, because we can't afford the old status quo.

Will David Barton be the Next Chick-fil-a?!?

David Barton is a national treasure.  He has done more to preserve the truth about America's Juedo-Christian foundation than anyone else currently alive.  That's why what happened to him Friday is such a shame.

In cast you missed it, last Friday the publisher of Barton's latest work The Jefferson Lies dropped the title.  They claimed a review of the book revealed "historical details...that were not adequately supported."  It's worth pointing out that the publisher did not offer a single specific example.  The publisher didn't even consult Barton over the alleged inaccuracies before pulling the book.  In reality, the publisher caved to left-wing pressure.

(Sidenote: If the book is really as inaccurate as the publisher claims, what does it say about the competence of that publisher that they green-lighted it in the first place?!?)

David Barton is a big boy and he can take care of himself.  He's already found a new publisher.  There is, however, opportunity in this setback.

This controversy is another Chick-fil-a.  In both cases, someone made a claim contrary to the conventional wisdom.  In both cases, rather than engaging in open debate, the purveyors of conventional wisdom shut down dissenting views.

Obviously, I don't (yet!) have a megaphone the size of Mike Huckabee's or Glenn Beck's.  I do, however, think holding 'David Barton Appreciation Day' on September 1 would send a powerful message.  Please take a moment to post this blog entry to Mike Huckabee's and Glenn Beck's Facebook pages if you agree.

Update: The Blaze has A LOT more.

Paul Ryan on National Security

Over the past month, I've had a lot of positive things to say about Mitt's approach to national security.  That's good, because Paul Ryan's national security positions are unspecific and vague.  On national security, Paul Ryan is a blank slate.

In looking into Paul Ryan's record on national security issues I was amazed at it's thinness, especially for someone who has been in Congress for a decade and a half.  Paul Ryan supports standard Republican boilerplate on Afghanistan, he voted for some sanctions against Iran, and he opposed cutting and running in Iraq five years ago.  That being said, Paul Ryan has maintained remarkable silence on many national security issues, from border security, to domestic Islamic subversion, to Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Paul Ryan does deserve credit, however, for his position on Obama's War in Libya.  Last year, Paul Ryan said:

"[Obama] didn't go to Congress, didn't ask for authority, the leading from behind strategy at NATO I think was very strange, and I don't think they had a mission well defined.

This is important, because it demonstrates that Paul Ryan understands that the issue of Congressional approval supersedes any discussion of the merits or demerits of the policy.

I had hoped Mitt would pick Alan West or Michele Bachmann, both of whom have demonstrated national security leadership in the past year.  That obviously didn't happen.  Paul Ryan's addition to the ticket tells us nothing about the national security policies of a Romney/Ryan administration.

Bottom Line: Paul Ryan is a blank slate on National Security.  Unlike Barack Obama and Joe Biden, however, neither Mitt Romney nor Paul Ryan is actively committing treason against the United States.  That's good enough.

Update: John Bolton on this topic.

Mitt Romney Channels Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz, speaking last month:

We have not once engaged in personal attacks or character attacks like the type that, unfortunately, have characterized my opponent’s campaign. Instead we have, from day one, kept the focus on the issues, kept the focus on a straightforward analysis of my record and my opponent’s record.

Mitt Romney, speaking yesterday:

[W]e only talk about issues. And we can talk about the differences between our positions and our opponent's position.

This is very, very good.

Emerging Corruption in Obama's Campaign

"The thirteenth rule: pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."

- Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals, p. 130

This past week, three major stories highlighted corruption on the campaign side of team Obama.  Handled properly, these three scandals will devastate Obama's re-election effort.  Consider the following:

• In 2009, Jim Messina, who was Deputy White House Chief of Staff at the time, negotiated a corrupt bargain with the Pharmaceutical Industry to secure their support for Obama's Health Insurance Protection Racket.  That corrupt bargain has lead to drug shortages, but protected PhRMA's profits.  Jim Messina is currently Obama's 2012 Campaign Manager.

• David Plouffe, who managed Obama's 2008 campaign, got paid $100,000 to give a speech in 2010 to a company that does business with the Iranian Military.  This probably isn't illegal, but it stinks to high heck.  David Plouffe is currently the White House liaison to the re-election campaign.

• Stephanie Cutter, currently Jim Messina's deputy, helped the official Obama 2012 campaign coordinate an attack with a pro-Obama SuperPAC.  This is illegal.  Stephanie Cutter should be prosecuted.

The corruption in Obama's campaign is an allegory for the corruption in Obama's White House.  If they're smart, Team Mitt will demand Obama fire these people from his political team, then relentlessly tie them to Obama if he doesn't.  If Obama continues to employ these people, it will speak volumes about his character.

The corruption among policy-makers in the Obama White House is staggering.  Rooting it out will be a difficult, long-term, process.  Thus, we won't achieve much before election day.

Going after corruption on the Obama political team is easier.  Firing a political staffer, even one on the government payroll, is simple. Cabinet members and policy makers are entitled to certain due process that political staffers are not.  Forcing the Obama operation to jettison these staffers (or endure the bad publicity of keeping them on) will also throw the campaign into greater chaos.  If we can collect the scalps of Jim Messina, David Plouffe, and Stephanie Cutter now, then it will make it MUCH easier to collect the scalps of Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, Janet Napoletano, Elena Kagan, and Tim Geithner over time.

Update (8/16/2012):  American Spectator has MUCH more.

Andy McCarthy on the Muslim Brotherhood Controversey

The man who should be Mitt's Attorney General at the National Press Club:

Highlights:

• This isn't about a criminal prosecution, it's about determining if someone should have access to sensitive information.
• U.S. Government is being radically harmonized with the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood.
• Islamists = Muslims beholden to Islamic Supremacism.
• Islamic Supremacism = Totalitarian social system, NOT a religion.
• The goal of ALL Islamists is to impose Sharia.
• Islamic Supremacism isn't fringe; it's a mainstream school of Islamic Thought.
• Muslim Brotherhood = Vanguard of a ground-up, revolutionary, ideological mass movement.
• The threat is much broader than terrorism.
• Islamists intend to insinuate themselves into our major institutions, including the policy-making bodies of our government.
• High public office is a privilege, not a right.
• Being tough on violent jihadists has given Barack Obama room to maneuver with the Muslim Brotherhood.
• The lame lefty straw-man questioners at the end shows how much Andy McCarthy frightens them.

How Barack Obama Ended Julian Castro's Career

Last week, Barack Obama announced San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro would keynote the Democrat Party convention.  In so doing, Barack Obama inspired a closer look at Castro's record as Mayor.  That closer examination reveals Julian Castro to be a far left Obama clone without positive accomplishments.  Texans don't elect far left Obama clones without positive accomplishments  Congratulations Barack Obama.

The best examination of Julian Castro's record is this National Review Online piece by Jim Geraghty, money quote:

Castro is indeed a lot like the Barack Obama of 2004: a subject of glowing media profiles, touted as the voice as an entire ethnic group, charisma by the bucketful....and a short record of quite modest achievements.  The vast majority of the discussion about Castro focuses on his enormous potential and what is to come, not on his accomplishments and what he has done....Castro was elected by a populace facing serious problems, and in his time in office, the city has made very little measurable progress in addressing those problems.

 If anyone believes, after four years of Barack Obama, that someone with Julian Castro's record of high crime, higher taxes, and hanging out with La Raza, will win statewide election in Texas; then I have mineral rights I'd LOVE to sell them.

At this point, I can anticipate people making the cliched and tiresome "Growth in the Latino Population will make Texas a swing state" argument.  Of course, Texas Latinos are actually trending Republican.  That being said, the strongest argument against this thesis takes two words: Ted Cruz.

My fellow Texas Blogger, Red Sonja, sums up Julian Castro and the contrast with Ted Cruz well:

Castro is a minime of Obama.  Listen to his nauseating rhetoric.  In the video [provided in link], Castro claims Obama brought the economy back from the 'brink' and 'rescued' the auto industry....Let's NOT confuse Ted Cruz the conservative with Julian Castro the Socialist.

 Ted Cruz has a bright future in Texas politics; Julian Castro is the next Bill White.

Julian Castro might have been able to skate by a few more years without proper scrutiny; the convention spotlight changes that.  Tea Partiers in Texas know Julian Castro's record of high-crime, higher taxes, and pandering to La Raza that the broader electorate will also know before he runs for statewide office.  Congratulations Barack Obama.