The Haircut and the Politician

Here is a great modern day parable, which I have seen before; it remains relevant for today. I give a hat tip to robnra who posted this today on the www.Cleveland.com Politics Forum online.

THE HAIRCUT

Blessed are those that can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill , the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you ' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill , the barber again replied, 'I can not accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

Late Night Takes – Politicians are a joke

Late Night Jokes

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Whitey Bulger’s brother was a politician. So one brother was operating in a world with no morals, dealing with the lowest of the low, and the other one was a mobster.

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner played golf this weekend. Obama’s handicap is Joe Biden.

The team of Obama and Boehner beat the team of Vice President Joe Biden and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. When they tallied up the score, they were 14 trillion over par.

These jokes are courtesy of NewsMax.com which periodically sends out an email compilation of late night jokes, few of which are worth repeating . . . these are the exceptions.

The 545 who ARE accountable

T.D. sent me the article reproduced below. I believe that this article has to be at least 25 years old. It has been circulating in cyberspace for a long time. A former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper, Charley Reese, wrote the article. I took the liberty to update the article for 2008. I capitalized and used red letters where I changed the wording. The bold letters are mine, which I used for emphasis. If you would like to see the original you can find it in numerous places on the Internet.

There is so much truth in Mr. Reese’s words, that they may be even more meaningful today, especially in light of the sorry American political scene, which is a veritable nightmare. In the less than spectacular race for President that will insure less than optimal leadership the next four years, we have two radical leftist-socialists vying for the Democratic nomination against an aged, cantankerous, miserable moderate Republican-in-name-only (RINO). No choice really.

The 545 People Responsible for All of U.S. Woes

by Charley Reese

(and respectfully updated by gregjaye)

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN and high taxes, we have AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don't write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 330 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all but the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it.

No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislation's responsibility to determine how he votes.

A CONFIDENCE CONSPIRACY

Don't you see how the con game that is played on the people by the politicians? Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of NANCY PELOSI, who stood up and criticized GEORGE W. BUSH for creating deficits AND RAILING AGAINST THE WAR ON TERROR AT EVERY TURN.

The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it. The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating appropriations and taxes.

PELOSI is the speaker of the House. SHE is the leader of the majority party. SHE and HER fellow Democrats, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto.

REPLACE SCOUNDRELS

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 330 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem, from an unfair tax code to defense overruns, that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the MILITARY IS in IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, it's because they want them in IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take it.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exist disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation" or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone are responsible. They and they alone have the power. They and they alone should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided they have the gumption to manage their own employees.

Let us consider carefully the words of Mr. Reese as we prepare to go into the election booth in November. There are a lot of people who need to be let go from their jobs. Let us get rid of those who only want to blame others for what they have done. The approval ratings for both the current President and the current Congressional members are at all time lows and really do justify a wholesale purge.

Political Reality, Little Morality

Michael Ramirez is one of my favorite political cartoonists. His cartoons are consistently right on the mark. His cartoon below captures the evolution of moral corruption in U.S. politics.

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A Michael Ramirez Cartoon found on Investor's Business Daily 3/31/08

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Maybe we should call for a moratorium on sleaze, just like the global warming alarmists called for the so-called Earth Hour this past weekend. Of course, I did not participate in the foolish and unnecessary acknowledgment of a non-issue. There is no manmade climate change catastrophe looming. It is only in the wildly vivid imaginations and devolved minds of Algore and his extreme environmentalist buds and some greedy government-grant gravy train riding so-called scientists.

Let's stop political sleaze in the political arena. This applies to Democrats, Republicans and Independent politicians alike. Of the two major political parties, the Republicans seem more responsive and quicker to call for their wayward party colleagues to resign (Rep Mark Foley), than are the Democrats (Rep. William Jefferson, etc.) who continue to embrace even the most deviant among them. This should equally apply to the foisting of guilt and debt on the taxpaying public based on the senseless fantasy (read that, lie) of manmade global warming.

Dann the Profane

Who's behavior or position is more profane, Dann or Obama?

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The following article shows us the decline in decorum, just plain respectful manners, among our highest elected officials. This is very poor example and model for our children and our citizens - seeing our leaders behaving badly, like you might expect to see at a wrestling Smack Down event.

DANN'S PROFANITY

Less than six months in office and we get a possible glimpse of the heart and mind of Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann. Apparently a nosey newspaper reporter got this public official’s dannder up. An editorial in the Mansfield (Ohio) News Journal today commented, “Dann was caught on tape by a Youngstown (Ohio) television station outside a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack (Hussein) Obama, cursing the writer because of an article about a woman Dann raised as his daughter landing a state job.”

The editorial goes on to say that Dann shouted “Hey Steve (Oravecz, he reporter) go (*/!$%#/) yourself,” TV station WYTV caught Dann’s profanity on tape and aired it on the Internet for all of Ohio and America to see the inappropriate and immature behavior of a top Ohio leader embarrassing Ohio.

The editorial concludes urging the not so danndy Marc to apologize to the reporter and to Ohio residents. Uncontrolled anger on the part of the state’s chief law enforcement could be said to be danngerous, indeed.

THE REAL OBAMINATION

Dann's words and attitude toward those daring to speak or expose the truth may be profane, however, much worse is the grossly profane platform and positions espoused by presidential candidate, Senator Obama, at who's fundraising event Dann's unseemly outburst occurred.

Senator Obama favors pro-death issues such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research, he supports and advocates for homosexual and other perversions expansion of their special protection, treatment and "rights", he favors limiting parental choice in educational alternatives - fore example Senator Obama's desire is to enhance and expand the absolute control of government schools to program and indoctrinate America's children in the ways of Secular Humanism and in Socialism and in all liberal causes. So, I ask who is really more profane?

Actually all of the seven announced Democrat candidates and I would include the top tier GOP candidates all profess to some degree various degrees of support for many profane issues. Only when you get to the real conservatives like Representatives Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo, Governor Huckabee and Senator Brownback do you begin see a rise in elevation above the political swamp slime as far as frim stands on the important social and poltical issues facing America.

Statesman, Politician or Polutician? Part 2

Too Many Politicians Like Jimmy Carter

Saturday, in my blog article I asked the question “Is every Politician an unprincipled liar?” I added that, unfortunately, the common perception of most people, I think, is that most lawyers and car salesmen, Politicians are corrupt. Does’t it just come with the territory?

“Are there any true Statesmen on the political scene today in America?” There are some, but to be like a William Wilberforce it takes real guts to stand against the tide. “What is the difference between a true Statesman and a Politician? A Statesman is a respected, principle political leader. Today we will look at the second category of elected officials, the Politician.

THE POLITICIAN

The majority of our elected representatives fall into the Politician classification. These are basically unprincipled or wrong-principled people, who will say and do anything to get and remain elected. They are driven their own selfish interests or agendas or by polls not longstanding American principles or values. You really cannot count on them to be consistent in their positions. Sometimes they operate on their own selfish interest or hidden agenda. President Jimmy Carter, pictured above, is a typical political hack, a typical Politician. One definition of political hack is, "a politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends . . ."

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· President George W. Bush
· Senator John McCain

I voted for President Bush because I thought that he was a strong conservative and a true man of faith. However, especially since his second election and with his stealth foray making secret agreements to undermine American sovereignty with his move toward the North American Union and his deliberate deceit in regard to securing our southern borders, he has earned, in my mind at least, the designation of Politician. He is not a true Statesman. He has remained somewhat consistent on his pro-life, pro-faith and pro-family positions. However, he has not championed these positions to the extent that he did the Medicare Drug giveaway, "No Child Left Behind" or Amnesty for illegal aliens. He was courageous in taking action against Islamic-terrorism at least early on in his presidency. But he has not been consistent in neither social issues, fiscal issues nor in dealing with the immigration problem.

None of the seven Democrat Presidential candidates and none of the top three GOP candidates could be considered Statesman. The top three tier GOP presidential candidates are no better than Politicians. In fact, nearly all the Democrat Party candidates for President and Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney may even qualify to be a Poluticians based on their unclear and past voting records on the meaningful social issues – abortion and traditional marriage protection. We will define and discuss Poluticians, the third classification of elected representatives, more tomorrow, God willing. My feeling is that Romney and Giuliani, like George W. Bush say what they think most of the potential voters want to hear, not what they truly believe. It is awfully suspicious that Romney now is pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. Elections sometime cause “religious” and political conversions.

Senator McCain defines politician. He is a moderate on most issues trying to keep a foot on both sides of the fence. He is not someone I ever trusted. He cannot be trusted. His antics with the gang of fourteen personified what Politicians do best – compromising principles for political gain or expediency or publicity or one-up-man-ship.

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We have discussed the first two categories into which elected officials fall, Statesman and Politician. Next we will discuss, Poluticians, the final classification of our elected officials.

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To be continued

Statesman, Politician or Polutician? Part 1

Where are Statesmen like William Wilberforce?

Is every Politician an unprincipled liar? Unfortunately, the common perception of most people, I think, is that most lawyers, Politicians and car salesmen are corrupt. Doesn’t just come with the territory? This caused me to ask myself a couple of question. “Are there any true Statesmen on the political scene today in America?” “What is the difference between a true Statesman and a Politician, if any? In this brief series of articles, we will explore the three categories into which our elective officials fall. Today we will talk about Statesmen.

THE STATESMAN

The dictionary defines a Statesman as one who is wise and experienced in the business of government. I think that a Statesman is also a respected leader in government and in the political arena; he or she is respected by those likeminded as well as those many in the ranks of the opposition. William Wilberforce pictured above was an outstanding Statesman in England. See the article, which I wrote about him earlier this year.

These men and women, I am afraid, are very rare breed, indeed. They are greatly needed, but hardly ever appreciated. They consistently put principles above convenience or political expediency or political correctness. These people honor truth. These people believe in moral absolutes. These people are visionaries. These people understand America’s republican democratic roots, its principles and its values. A Statesman wants to build up and upon and not to destroy the foundation.

Whereas Politicians and Poluticians (I will define this term in a subsequent article in this series. Here is a clue, “PU”. ) pimp patriotism merely to win points and to win votes. Conversely, Statesmen are the true patriots and their lives, positions, policies and their votes reflect consistently despite the obstacles. They persevere despite the opposition, despite the barriers, despite the odds.

Anymore, America seems not to want Statesmen, people who will honestly tell America or lead her in the ways of traditional, God-honoring values and truth. Statesman may lack the Hollywood-looks and charisma of the Politicians or Poluticians but they have the real character qualities such as honesty, courage and force of will to stand for principles, for what is good, for what is right.

Examples of statesmen today are really hard to come, but here are a few:

· Representative Duncan Hunter, R-CA
· Representative Tom Tancredo, R-CO

These two men, from all I know about them so far, whether they are serving while their party is in the majority or while their party is in the minority in Congress, have stuck to their guns and beliefs and have not wavered. They are not swayed and driven by polls, politics but by core principles. These men have persistently supported and lead on the most important issues of our time: pro-life, preservation of traditional marriage, and opposition to law-breaking illegal aliens and law-breaking greedy businesses.

Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) may also be included in this category, even though I do not agree with him on the issue of war on terrorism in Iraq and some of his other libertarian views. Furthermore, Governor Mike Huckabee and Senator Sam Brownback, (R-KS) both of whom are running for President may be close to being Statesmen. I am still researching and learning about these two men.

I pray that one of the four persons mentioned above, Hunter, Tancredo, Brownback or Huckabee, or maybe even someone like Senator Fred Thompson would be that true conservative of character and principle, who would emerge out of the GOP primaries and challenge what will be a sure radical leftist Democrat candidate. None of the current crop of 7 Democrats and the so-called top three tier GOP candidates have the potential to be true Statesmen. They are Politicians or political hacks at best.

“The Politician” is the topic of the next article in this series.

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To be continued

Two Hundred and Forty-Six Traitors

Not too long ago the House of Representatives voted on a non-binding resolution to not increase the troop strength in Baghdad, Iraq in order to stop the violence against the population there. This was part of President Bush’s new strategy in the war on terror in Iraq. This shows that they do not want a stable government friendly to the United States in that country. Nor are they against the violence to the populace that goes on in Iraq. They also seem satisfied to have the violent terrorists run the country. They are also willing for those who have befriended the United States to be put to death just as our friends in Vietnam were put to death when we pulled out of Vietnam in the seventies.

There was no outcry from these same people about the deaths caused by the Communist North Vietnam military. They say America cannot win. They also have no faith in Almighty God. Nor do they fear God in their personal lives.

I am reminded of when Israel was to go into the land of Canaan and twelve spies were sent into the land for forty days to scout out and assess the situation. Ten of the spies came back with an evil report saying they could not win in a battle or series of battles against the inhabitants of Canaan. Two spies said they could win and should go up at once and take the land. The people believed the ten spies. As a result God was angry with the ten spies and the people. The ten spies died shortly thereafter and Israel wondered for 40 years in the desert until a new generation came along willing to follow God into the land of Canaan.

One day Satan will be stripped of his power and majesty and those who see him will say, “Is this the one who caused the nations to tremble and weakened the nations? He has become as weak as us.” He weakens the nations by turning men’s hearts from God. They have no faith in anyone greater than themselves nor do they believe there is someone greater than themselves able to help them. They do not live lives pleasing to God and therefore insure His wrath instead of His blessing. This in turn weakens the resolve of a nation.

America has many sins, which weakens it. First, is secularism, which is godlessness. Second is the shedding of innocent blood, abortion and embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia. Third is homosexuality. Fourth is cursing Israel with the land for peace and trying to have a Palestinian State. Fifth, is bad sexual behavior, bestiality, adultery, as well as others. Sin is a reproach to any nation even the United States of America.

Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a nation sows, it shall also reap.

Bill, Hillary, Harry, Barney, Gore & Moore

This evening I saw an interesting post on a www.cleveland.com forum where someone posted a list of movie titles that reminded him of President George W. Bush. Of course these generally derided the President. In turn, the more I thought about it. I came up with the following movie titles that reminded me of all the "good" American liberals. I have to admit I have seen only a few of these movies but the titles seemed to fit.

Liar, Liar (1997) . . . former President William Jefferson Clinton

Sex, Lies & Videotapes . . . the new standard in entertainment- Hollywood corruption and lifestyle of the rich and famous

Dirty Harry (1971) . . . . personal aggrandizement

True Lies (1994) . . . global warming

Planet of the Apes (2001) . . . evolution as "science"

Three Men and a Baby (1997) .... alternative lifestyles

The Cry Baby Killer (1958) . . . abortion

Silent Scream (1990) . . . abortion

Night of the Living Dead (1968) . . . creating a culture of death

Misfits (1961) . . . meshing liberalism with traditional American values and and mouthing that Islam is a "religion of peace"

War and Peace (1955) . . . there is no Islamo-terrorist threat, Bush manufactured 9/11

Bruce Almighty . . . Secular humanism attempts to make man into a god

Titanic (1991) . . . liberals 100 year attempt to shipwreck America

Fantasia (1940) . . . recreating America into a socialist utopia

From Hell (2001) . . . source of much of liberal thought and philosophy

Sense and Sensibility (1995) . . . political correctness runs amuck

Network (1971) . . . the main stream media a division of the democrat party

Pulp Fiction (1994) . . . most newspapers today are biased to the left

Agony and the Ecstasy (1940) . . . '06 elections versus of '08 election, God Willing! See past article about this movieSpent (2000) . . . both the Dems and GOP spending beyond our means

The Arrival (1996) . . . again, both the Dems and GOP seem to be holding open the gates to the illegal alien invaders

Dumb & Dumber (1994) . . . again the bipartisan foolishness of the "every child left behind" program and our wasteful and ineffective educational system

Greed (1924) . . . internationalism and global corporate interest and profit at the expense of America