Sunday, January 27, 2008

A Must-See Slide Show

There is a must-see slide show at Huckisms.com! It confirms why Mike Huckabee deserves your consideration and your vote in your state's primary!

Here are just a few of my favorite Huckisms - Mike Huckabee quotes:
  • "Don't ever let expediency or electability replace our principles."
  • "I can't part the Red Sea , but I do believe I can part the red tape."
  • "If it was all about the money, then we might as well put the presidency up on eBay."
  • "Every single one of us as Americans need to remember that freedom did not come free. As we get on our knees tonight thank God we live in a country where people are trying to break into, and not a country people are trying to break out of."

Take a few moments and watch the slide show - and then support Mike Huckabee!

Florida Primary Next And Then Super Tuesday

Tuesday January 29th is the Sunshine State Showdown and will be followed by Super Tuesday on February 5th. Florida is an important primary for both parties.

Rudy Giuliani has just about put all his eggs in his Florida basket and really needs to win. Hillary Clinton needs to win to make up for the South Carolina spanking she took this weekend in her huge loss to Obama.

On the GOP side, Real Clear Politics is showing McCain and Romney in a virtual tie for first place, Giuliani in third with Mike Huckabee in fourth. Giuliani and Huckabee are very close as well. Both McCain and Romney have surged in the polls in the last few days.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Personal Convictions Vs. Political Convictions

Something we need to watch for in candidates are personal convictions as opposed to political convictions; there is a difference.

If a candidate takes a position on a subject based on political convictions, that position will change with whatever the polls are saying. If people are for something, the candidate will be for it. If the Gallup polls say folks are against something, the candidate will surely be against it. Political convictions are not what we need in candidates. Political convictions create flip flops on the issues and positions of convenience on subjects that matter to voters.

A candidate who lets you know their personal conviction on an issue is a candidate who I can support. When they let you know their personal conviction, they are letting you know where they stand and why they take the position they take. The conviction comes from their study of the issue or their strongly held values have shaped their conviction on that issue. They will not change their position based on what the morning news suggests they should believe.

The candidate that stands out to me on this is Mike Huckabee. He lets you know where he stands even if you don't agree with him! At least you know where he stands and you won't have to guess what his opinion is today, tomorrow or next week.

Personal conviction or political conviction - we need leaders with convictions of the personal kind!!

Burma updates

If you have looked through some of the postings in my blog you will see that I have written several things about what is happening in Burma. Here are some more updates.

  • The UN/UNICEF reports that 400 children die a day in Burma from preventable diseases. This is the second worst mortality rate in Asia.
  • A 17-year-old Burmese girl was sold by her mother to human traffickers. The girl escaped and stated her mother sold her because of the financial difficulties in Burma.
  • The Burmese military has intensified its crackdown on citizens. Over 1,500 political prisoners are in jail. 700 people were arrested in September when they demonstrated against the government, and 80 of those are unaccounted for.

In January of last year the Burma government issued a memo that said in part "There shall be no home where the Christian religion is practised." This memo was leaked and it was never refuted by their government. It is abundantly clear that Burmese Christians live in danger every day.

We need to pray for the Burmese Christians and for all citizens of Burma. I also recommend you find a worthy organization that is trying to help these folks and support that organization. One ministry that I know of is Voice of the Martyrs. They assist persecuted Christians not only in Burma but throughout the world. Do what you can - today!

Rambo!

Yesterday was the premiere of the new Rambo movie. I had an opportunity to see it and I'm still blown away (pardon the pun) by the movie. I have been a Sylvester Stallone fan ever since watching the original Rocky. In this new Rambo movie, Stallone hits the viewers at many different angles. No, I'm not going to opine on the movie as a movie critic as there are plenty of those out there that will.

The opening scenes of the movie show what has been happening in Burma. There has been such a crackdown on the Burmese people that is horrifying. The entire movie plays of these atrocities. While we in America call them atrocities, the people living in Burma would have to call them realities of life. Stallone wanted to bring this out in the movie - make people aware of what's going on in that part of the world. It's not a political action movie, but it is a cause that Stallone is interested in and wants to raise the awareness level.

Something else that I soon realized was this is not the Rambo of the '80s. The Rambo of the '80s comes across as mild-mannered compared to the John Rambo of this movie.

Just as I appreciated the way Stallone closed out the Rocky series with last year's Rocky Balboa movie, I appreciate the way he brings the saga of John Rambo to a close. Part of me would like to see more Rambo and Rocky movies, but I am content knowing they are stepping out of the spotlight on a good note.

I highly recommend you go see Rambo!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Economic Stimulus - Crack Down On Predatory Lending!

Last week President Bush held a news conference to discuss his plans for an economic stimulus. Part of that plan includes tax refunds back to us!

My idea for a more long-term economic stimulus is this: outlaw predatory lending in all its forms. We can't just crack down on the "payday lenders" while credit card companies are free to charge exorbitant rates in excess of 25%. Good people get caught in that credit trap and can only afford to make the minimum payment and end up paying off a $2,000 credit card bill in 20 years! That's not right and it really hurts many hard-working families.

There are huge savings when you outlaw predatory lending and North Carolina is a good example. In 1999 North Carolina became the first state to crack down on predatory mortgage lending. It is estimated $100 million was saved in the first year the law was enacted! Also, it is estimated that predatory mortgage loans cost consumers $9.1 billion annually. Imagine the impact to our economy if people were able to spend that money on things they need - that is the economic stimulus we need! But this is only mortgage loans - I can only imagine the savings if we turned the spotlight on credit card companies.

What do you think? Personally, I think it's time we outlaw predatory lending in all its forms.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Real Change!

Tonight I watched former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich on Sean Hannity's program. The topic was "real change." Mr. Gingrich made some very good points - Democrats can't bring about change and Republicans won't. On his website, Mr. Gingrich has posted a letter to President Bush and Congress. He writes that we shouldn't have to wait for the '08 elections to effect change for our country. I agree. Just like we can't wait for New Years to roll around to make resolutions to improve when the time to improve is now!

We need a change and not for change alone. We need a government that spends within its means. We need a system that is short on taxation, litigation and regulation. We don't need new programs or a new agency to deal with the problems our country faces. We need to work for what's best for our country without worrying about who gets the credit. We need to face the truth about the issues that keep getting put off (Social Security solvency for example) and get them fixed once and for all - that's real change!

God has blessed our country and our founding fathers gave us the best form of human government in the world today. By citizens getting involved and making their voices known on the issues we can bring about the change we need.

Demand Results!

I was looking through Ross Perot's book, Not For Sale At Any Price, and found an interesting reform principle he espoused. His idea was the government needs to give us a detailed financial plan on tax increases, spending increases, and financial cutbacks. The plan would require 90 day benchmarks to report on progress of this plan and also report on how it is eliminating our national debt.

I think that is a great idea! Too often we are given plans on raising taxes and we never hear the benefit received from the tax hike! We should demand complete and full disclosure on what happened to our tax dollars when our taxes were raised. If you agree, write your Congressman or Senator today!

NC Congresswoman Earns Award

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has earned the Family Research Council's "True Blue" Award for her strong support of the family. I am proud to say she represents me in congress! Please click here for complete details.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Robin Hood Taxation

Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor. Unfortunately, some of his merry men (and women) running for office are advocating the same concept!


For example, John Edwards says on his website that he would do the following:
*Raise the tax rate on capital gains to 28 percent for the most fortunate taxpayers – taxing the investment income of the wealthiest Americans similarly to the wages of the middle class.
*Repeal the Bush tax cuts for the highest-income households and keep the tax on very large estates (above $4 million for couples).

Research and facts prove that higher taxes on the rich and on businesses are counterproductive to our economy. Basically, punitive taxation takes away the incentive for hard work. Businesses shrink because they can’t keep people on the payroll and our economy comes to a halt. This is proven by the tax rate increases in 1990 and ‘93 and the implementation of the luxury tax in 1990 which produced revenues far short of predictions. But the tax cuts of the 1960’s and 1981, as well as reducing the capital gains tax in 1978 and ‘97 had a positive impact on tax revenues.
The facts - and history - prove that John Edwards’ Robin Hood tax strategy just won’t work.

Hillary Clinton has also made some wild tax assertions. On her website she opines:
*Income inequality has risen to the highest levels since 1929...
*Reckless tax cuts for the rich…have contributed to the national debt rising to over $9 trillion.
“Income inequality?” What is she trying to say? Tax cuts for the rich are to blame for our national debt? That’s ridiculous.

We need a simplified and fair tax. Not a tax system that punishes the rich and businesses in an effort to redistribute wealth.

"Conservatives emphasize the equality of rights, and they are quite willing to endure inequalities that are the product of differential capacity or merit. Liberals emphasize the equality of outcomes, and they tend to attribute inequality to the unequal opportunities that have been provided by society." Dinesh D'Souza (Letters To A Young Conservative, page 8)


"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it." Thomas Jefferson

Make A Pledge!!!

Take action today to keep Mike Huckabee's momentum going. Go to www.huckabeemomentum.com and make a pledge.

Please, go to this site today and make a simple pledge. Thanks!!!

Friday, January 4, 2008

A Closer Look At Huckabee's Results

There is a very interesting poll on Foxnews.com's website. The poll was conducted on 1600 Republican's as they went to their caucuses. What the results show is Huckabee has broad appeal among all voters.

Here are just a few examples:
**Huckabee appealed to more male and female voters than any other candidate

**Huckabee appealed to more voters in all age groups (from 17-24 to 65 and over)

**Huckabee appealed to more voters on the big issues (immigration, terrorism, etc.)


Across the board on almost every question, Huckabee's support was strong. He has broad appeal because he's an honest, decent man. He's genuine - not packaged. He has a positive message and hope for our country. Bottom line, he's the best choice for President.

Huck-a-boom!

Going into last night's Iowa Caucus, reports were stating that the race was too close to call. It was a much different story after the votes were counted. Mike Huckabee won big - 34% compared to Mitt Romney's 25%. On the Democrat side, Barack Obama took the top spot over John Edwards and Hillary Clinton.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

Today is the Iowa Caucus! Polls show it will be a very tight race and may just come down to who gets the vote out. I'll be watching the news closely to see who wins!