MN Closed: Panic In the Streets

This is not good, people.  I just read tonight that with the state shutdown, we won't be able to verify that our beauticians are licensed by the State of MN.  My God.  Now what?  I mean, I live in paralyzing fear that I might someday accidentally get my hair cut by someone the State of MN didn't first license.  It could end with blood on the floor, should I accidentally have a raving lunatic cut my hair!  I HAVE to have the state keep me safe and now that it is closed, I'm afraid to leave my house.  Can anyone say "mayhem?"

Let's hope this doesn't last long.  I can only handle so much of people running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

puke...

Don't you mean STEAL from the "rich???"

WOW--new Herman Cain ad

Did the Founders Defend Slavery?

"Earlier this year you said that the Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence worked tirelessly to end slavery. Now with respect Congresswoman, that’s just not true." -George Stephanopoulos to Michele Bachmann June 28, 2011


If George Stephanopoulos knew the history of the constitutional convention, he would know there was heated debate regarding slavery and a tug of war regarding its termination.  I know the politically correct version of our constitution's birth is to say the 3/5 "value" assigned to slaves as a person was inherently racist and proof the founders thought less of black people.  This is an utter mischaracterization of what the founders were attempting to do with the 3/5 assignment to slaves (race not specified.)  Since agreement could not be reached during the convention to end slavery, the founders opposed to slavery argued the states who wished to keep slavery intact should not be allowed to count enslaved people in their population tallies, which would then be used to determine the number of representatives those states would have in the House of Representatives.  What the anti-slavery founders were attempting to do at the convention was to pressure the pro-slavery states to give it up.  In terminating slavery and setting all slaves free, the pro-slavery states would then be allowed to fully count those newly free CITIZENS in their census, thereby increasing the number of people representing them in Congress.  It was very much an anti-slavery, pro-freedom and wise move by the abolitionists who participated in the crafting of our Constitution.  Former slave and great patriot, Frederick Douglass, upon gaining proper understanding of this 3/5 delineation, recognized the value and true intent of this agreement and came to defend it.  I suppose in today's environment, he would be yet another black conservative who would be labeled an "Uncle Tom" by the liberal left.


The bottom line is the condescending, know-it-all, self-important personalities in the mainstream media are really wearing thin.  They're like the company that has over-stayed their welcome.  They're like a bad smell that keeps wafting through the air and you just can't determine the source to get rid of it.  I guess, at the very least, the purpose they serve it to keep exposing what it is we need to root out of our nation.

Unions: What's Mine is Mine and What's Yours is Mine

"We're going to give our legislators no peace until they do their job."
"These are risky cuts to public services."
"We can't afford this extremist plan."
"If we just settle for any budget, then thousands upon thousands will go to work just to get layoff notices."
"Their budget would replace your paycheck with a pink slip."

All of the above are quotes I heard from a union official tonight.  Here's what boggles my mind: the majority of voters in the state of Minnesota elected Republicans, who then proceeded to take over both houses of our legislature.  This would, by default, make the union mindset the mindset of the minority.  I'm just guessing here, but it would seem obvious to me the Republicans in the legislature are simply carrying out the duties they were commissioned to carry out on election night.  It would be disgusting, to say the least, if the legislature were to cave now and agree to a tax increase.  Consider this quote:

"During the struggle and after the struggle, the workers must, at every opportunity, put forward their own demands alongside of the demands of the [opposition.]  They must demand guarantees for the workers as soon as the [opposition] set about taking over the government.  If necessary they must obtain these guarantees by force and in general they must see to it that the new rulers pledge themselves to all possible concessions and promises--the surest way to compromise them."

Any guesses regarding the source of that quote?  It is from the Address of the Central Committee to the Communist League, Karl Marx, March 1850.  Anyone who scoffs at the notion the struggle we face in our nation today contains the same elements is a blind fool.  It is wholly un-American to forcibly separate a person from his property--including his money.

Consider now the definition of "dependence":  a being contingent upon or influenced, controlled or determined by something else; subordination (Webster's New World Dictionary.)  What a horrific existence, to always be demanding more and more and more from others, when independence--freedom--cuts loose the chains and provides the means by which each person makes his own way.  Which would you rather have:

1.) Constantly begging, demanding, coercing, forcing to meet your needs?

or...

2.) Happily blazing your way through life, barely noticing what others have or do, but, rather, focusing on your own gifts and skills, the fruits of which provide for your needs?

The first is a miserable existence with anger always a central ingredient.  The second is fueled by joy and optimism.

Independence: freedom from the influence, control, or determination of another or others. (Webster's New World Dictionary)

The deceit of so-called "guarantee" of your needs being met is there's no such thing as a water-tight "guarantee."  We are seeing this "guarantee" falling apart, all across the nation.  The house of cards is tumbling down.  Although the uncertainty of what's happening in our nation right now is frightening to a degree, it is also incredibly healthy, healing and cleansing.  We will emerge from this battle far stronger.  The absolute beauty of freedom and the atmosphere of self-reliance it naturally provides is, if you are dissatisfied with your life and you want to change it, you don't have to waste your time & energy, turning to someone else to demand the change you want.  YOU make the change.  YOU review the source of dissatisfaction, make a plan for alteration and then DO IT.

Does the Constitution Flaw the U.S.A.---Or Does Hollywood??

This is old video (March 2011,) but I just read a quote from the well-educated and well-versed Susan Sarandon regarding our country's constitution, so I located the video.  The insightful and spot-on quote starts at 2:15:

Excuse me, but all this time I've been under the impression what the Constitution provides for "workers" is FREEDOM.  There are jobs today that may demand a 12 hour work day, e.g. nurses, cops, road construction, etc.  Here's the funny thing about residing in a free nation: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK THOSE JOBS.  The Constitution was written by brilliant men who invested an immeasurable amount of effort into designing our government, all along exceedingly mindful of how a federal government would, by nature, always be seeking opportunity to expand its power over citizens.  Hence, the 10th amendment, establishing states' rights.  In accordance with our Constitution, the states control the federal government--NOT the other way around.  The Founders would have categorically rejected allowing the federal government to set terms of employment, period.  Those private agreements should be between the employees and the employers.  The beautiful thing about our nation is each and every person has the power to maximize his or her talents, gifts and resources and then use those talents, gifts and resources to make a living and increase personal wealth.  What this results in is marketability.  The supply & demand of the free market will determine what employers are willing to pay someone to put their talents, gifts and resources to work for that employer.  The union goal to enforce equitability, as opposed to allowing the free market's supply & demand to work, is very damaging and we're seeing the results of that in our economy today.  Obviously, the American people are recognizing this as well, which is why the majority of citizens put so many conservatives into office, all across the nation, to push back on the chokehold.

The Constitution doesn't hurt us.  The Constitution is on our side and protects us.  It's our government that hurts us.  The Constitution ensures our freedom.  The government takes it away.  The government lies when it insinuates it can provide us with all our needs.  That's what WE'RE supposed to do.

Minnesota's Fixin' For a Shoot-Out

Here’s the scoop:  The State of Minnesota is facing around a $6 billion budget deficit.  In November, both our state houses went red, but we elected a democrat governor.  The legislature has stated in no uncertain terms there will be no tax increases, while the governor campaigned on “taxing the rich.”  If a budget agreement cannot be reached, the State of MN, (except for public safety and the judiciary) will shut down.  Until June 14, this included all of Minnesota State Colleges & Universities.  June 13, the chancellor of MNSCU delivered to the governor a written request for MNSCU to remain open, funding themselves with reserves and receipts.  June 14 the governor accepted the request and it was approved by a court.  What this means is 6000 union members will continue working on July 1 in the event of a state shutdown.  The immediate benefit I saw in this agreement is the fewer union members “out of work,” the fewer angry people putting pressure on the legislature to cave in to the governor.  My immediate reaction was affirmed by an AFSCME official who indicated the agreement between the governor and the chancellor of MNSCU may make union members “feel some unrest” because there would otherwise be a “larger…impact” and therefore the budget issue could be “resolved” sooner; i.e. push the Republicans into caving.

Here’s what simply puzzles me: if AFSCME is “for the worker,” shouldn’t they be nothing but elated that the governor and the chancellor came to an agreement which will result in 6000 union members continuing to receive a paycheck?  Now, whatever could they be after if not the satisfaction and happiness of their members?  Based on the remarks made by the official, it would seem to me in a way they WISH their workers would be faced with the dilemma of living with no paycheck.  If union members are being used as a pawn, I find that downright disgusting.  Here’s the bottomline:  WE HAVE NO MONEY.  And by “we,” I mean this nation, as a whole.  Somebody has to be the grown-up, put a foot down and firmly say “NO.”  We have GOT to QUIT SPENDING.  I’m sorry, but in the environment of 9.1% unemployment, unions complaining about having to sacrifice does not come off well.  I don’t know where the sympathy would come from and I don’t blame people for turning their backs.  I don’t think the hard-core left union members truly understand that when they demand more, they’re making the demand of their neighbors---not the wizard behind the curtain.  This is embarrassing.  This is like being one of the few who got on a lifeboat during the sinking of the Titantic, but then asking if someone could hand you a sandwich.  Hello?  How about just being thankful you’re on the boat??

It will be fascinating to watch how this develops and I am so thankful both our houses went from blue to red.  Maybe we can finally make some headway, even though it won’t be as easy as it could have been, had we secured the governorship as well.  We’ll take all the victories we can get and pat our legislators on the back.

The People Are Coming! The People Are Coming!

Where do I even begin?  I attended Americans for Prosperity's 4th annual Right Online conference in Minneapolis Friday & Saturday.  Suffice it to say it was positively fantastic.  The main thing I came away with was, there are sooooooo stinkin' many people working on this constitutional, conservative cause, victory is the only possible outcome.  Conservatives are carpet bombing the entire fruited plain and there's nowhere to hide!  We've got e-mail, Facebook, blogging, Youtube and Twitter covered.  We've got the court fights covered.  We've got the youth covered.  We've got the unions covered.  We've got the state legislatures covered.  We've got the Republican candidates for president covered.  We've beefed up the federal legislature in 2010 and now on to 2012.  What I learned is, even though I don't know how to fight eminent domain issues in the courts, The Institute for Justice does.  Even though I don't feel the call to run for office, tons of good, solid, quality conservatives do.  Even though I'm convinced I couldn't pull off undercover sting videos to expose corruption, James O'Keefe can.  What I was reminded of is the work I do every day as a mother, making dang sure I raise conservative kids, who love and revere our constitution and founding fathers, makes a difference.  I learned that the phone calls I make, the discussions I have with the people around me, the money I donate and the Gadsden flag I fly in my yard make a difference.  I learned that every single person has a small piece on which to work and each person IS.  Every cog is working and this machine is NOT going to break down.  Events like Right Online provide, not just encouragement, but tools to put the passion into action.  The Summer of Screaming Townhalls, coupled with tea parties and marches on the capitol established the fact that, 1.) It really is that bad and 2.) Not only are you not alone, you are part of a MASSIVE majority.  Now everyone has put their heads down and is intently focusing on the work.  I just came across this quote from George Washington and I think it perfectly summarizes the spirit of the conservative movement:

No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.  Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.
-George Washington

I have seen the evidence of the "invisible hand" in the successes of the conservative movement.  It is such an honor to be living in this part of our nation's history.  What a gift.

We Hold the Ace of Spades

The inherent problem with lies is they end up destroying themselves and damaging the teller in the process.  A lie will eventually expose itself by nature.  The very fact that our president, in an unscripted moment, laughed about the wasted trillion dollars in stimulus money and the fact we have nothing to show for it, is the perfect example.  The intention of the stimulus never was to "help" anyone that truly needed it.  The intention always was to prop up unions and their cohorts, but this is not the way to try and sell the American people on junk spending, so framing it with a lie was necessary.  President Obama relies so heavily on his teleprompter, even to the extent of using it in a SIXTH GRADE CLASSROOM, because the perpetrator of lies is required to protect previous statements to prevent unraveling.

Our president is the not the only one who has lied to the American people.  See Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who is right up there with Barney Frank when it comes to embarrassing members of Congress.  I was shocked and very happy the DNC chose her as their new chair.  Goody.  In an unscripted moment today, she stated her party owns the economy.  Oh good!  That just saved the Republicans a lot of time trying to make that point.  Much better if high-ranking officials in the Democrat party are going to just flat out admit it.  Wasserman-Schultz has tried in recent days to make the case the Dems are responsible for the extremely encouraging signs of recovery; such as, $4 gas, 9% unemployment and debt so large it could dwarf the Atlantic Ocean.  Is "insulting" a strong enough word?  It is downright disgusting to be treated like an imbecile.   Anyone with eyes in their head can see this country is hurting in a big way and there are NO good signs.  EVERYONE is affected by the very real economic pain.  It is insulting to keep being told by members of the administration and congress that things are improving.  What's that old saying?  "Don't pee on my shoe and then tell me it's raining?"  Something like that.

The ace of spades we hold as conservatives is the truth.  The reason Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Sarah Palin, Rush & Levin are so undeniably effective is they speak right from the heart and tell the truth.  People are drawn to the truth, but liers hate it.  Liers try to destroy the truth, but almost always end up trapping themselves in the process.  We are seeing this happen with the unraveling of the load of bunk that's been dumped on us over the last few years.

The truth will prevail.  It always does.

Just BACK OFF, ok?

We just spent the weekend at an outdoor music festival, complete with rustic camping.  When we arrived, we were given a schedule of performances, a garbage bag and a notice that states:

"By order of the Minnesota Department of Health: Provide a separation distance of at least ten feet between the sides of adjacent recreational camping vehicles."

You know what I think?  I think the Department of Health should stick to rat control in restaurants.  I heard the other day there are a number of government agencies that have SWAT teams.  Does that include the MN Dept. of Health?  What are they going to do?  Have uniformed officers start patrolling the thousands of campers at these festivals with tape measures and arrest people who are, say, NINE feet apart?  I am so sick and tired of my government telling me what to do at every turn.  Guess what?  I don't have to.  YOU WORK FOR ME.  What kind of insanity is this?  How's this:  I'll take my chances at camping nine feet away from my neighbor and you go ahead and put your head on your pillow at night and don't worry about me, ok?  I quit needing a mommy decades ago.

This nanny state is like a stealth enemy, much like many diseases.  Unfortunately, it has gotten away from us so much that we cannot just take 2 pills and go lie down.  We need to blast this thing with both barrels until it is nearly annihilated.  I am not an anarchist at all--the end result of that is the same as an overbearing government--but it has reached the point I hope this leviathan gets beaten back just a bit too far.  Then We the People can slowly work our way forward until we've re-established the proper role and VERY STRICT limitations of government.

When Threatened, Seek To Destroy

We just had the privilege of being on the receiving end of a private tour of NASA in Houston, TX.  One of the particular items brought to our attention is that NASA was preparing for another moon landing, with basically the fuel as the only remaining expense.  However, BHO's proposed budget cuts off the funding for the remainder of these plans.  Another element of the plans this administration has for NASA is that we will no longer send our citizens into space ourselves; rather, we will pay the Russians to take our people up, at the cost of 10's of millions of dollars.  Now, why??  Why would we gut our country's space program, only to increase our use of Russia's space program, which is antiquated compared to ours?  This amounts to no more than simply giving the budget for our space program to Russia's space program, which is sub-par.  NASA also plays a key role in our nation's security, as they work with the air force in developing aircraft, not to mention the use of satellites in monitoring activities on earth.  Do we really want to be at the mercy of a country that's barely trustworthy, if at all?

There are so very many 'why' questions to be asked in response to actions taken by this administration.  Why would we ruin our spectacular medical system, by allowing the government to take it over?  Why do we discourage private sector business by threatening them with more and more taxes and regulations?  Why do we distrust private citizens when it comes to gun ownership?  Why do we refuse to control our borders and properly operate the delivery of mail, but instead spend so much time on ridiculous "issues," like what kinds of light bulbs and toilets citizens choose to have in their homes?  The NASA problem is only a symptom of the cancer spreading in our nation's government.  It is imperfect human nature that wants to control everything.  It is imperfect human nature that refuses to recognize the Creator.  Tyranny is what grows out of a lack of belief in the Creator and instead places trust in human control.  Freedom is what grows when one places trust in a Master Plan, over which no human has control.  Responsibility for one's self is a commission handed down by the Creator.  Our Founders understood this and also had a crystal clear understanding of the way men always swerve.  Tyranny and freedom are mutually exclusive.  Because tyranny is threatened by freedom, it always seeks to destroy it.  The threat of tyranny will not go away until the end of time.  Rather, it must be continually fought and beaten back.

Tyranny suppresses, discourages and disincentivizes.  Freedom breaks open the natural human spirit, which in turn produces massive, giant leaps in medicine and unfathomable experiences like space exploration and an international space station.  Human beings are created with an immeasurable capacity to invent, discover and explore.  What a gift!  The tyrant hates freedom because the free do NOT turn to anyone to ask permission or seek blessing.  Rather, the free just DO.  The free race forward and don't look back.  You know what else the free do?  The free, simply BECAUSE they're free, fight tooth and nail against the attempt to strip away freedom.  Consider this: our Founders risked life and limb and fortune all for a great unknown.  And look at what happened as a result of their incredible foresight.  America is a dream come true, even with her struggles.  Today, we are far better armed than our Founders because our Founders gave us the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

My advice to our modern day tyrants: Don't buy any green bananas on November 5, 2012.