TXPoet's blog
Posted at 1:42pm on May 13, 2008 Issues of Importance to Voters
By TXPoet
...by Toni Johnson, of the Council on Foreign Relations
Issues of Importance to Voters
Exit polling of Republican and Democratic voters in most states shows the economy far outweighs any other single issue (CQPolitics). After that comes concerns over national security, which lump together terrorism and the Iraq war, followed usually by domestic issues like healthcare. Where people live and what party they belong to affects second- and third-ranked choices in polls published by CNN and McClatchy. In surveys that took place in states voting through the May 6 primaries, the top three issues (CNN) break down for Republicans as follows: the economy followed by national security/Iraq/terrorism or immigration depending on the poll and the state. For Democrats, CNN polling data shows overwhelming concern about the economy followed by Iraq and then healthcare. Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center points to wide partisan divides between Democrats and Republicans over U.S. troop deployments in Iraq and issues such as domestic surveillance of suspected terrorists. But he adds: "The public is far less clear as to what it wants with respect to foreign policy."
Posted in Economy — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 9:02am on May 13, 2008 Free Trade versus Fair Trade
By TXPoet
I recently wrote an article on corporate and individual responsibility to America rather than to larger profits. This bought out some rather strong comments and some indication that readers either failed to read or failed to understand. Most comments seemed to confuse “free trade” with globalization.
Some terms mean different things to different people. So I am providing a guide.
Conservatism in the United States comprises a constellation of political ideologies including fiscal conservatism, supply-side economics and both support and opposition to large subsidies to private industry, social conservatism, libertarianism.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionay defines conservatism as:
a: disposition in politics to preserve what is established
b: a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change; specifically : such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
Posted in Economy — Comments (12) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:35am on May 12, 2008 Why America is Doomed! (Unless We Change) [Part 2]
By TXPoet
First read: Why America is Doomed! (Unless We Change) [Part 1]
Political parties now adjust their platforms according to the "electable" candidate rather than requiring a potential candidate conform to the desires of the party majority. Principals be damned it is the power that matters. For without the power how could politicians get rich?
Posted in Policy — Comments (20) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 5:27pm on May 10, 2008 Why America Is Doomed! (Unless We Change) [Part 1]
By TXPoet
Try this simple experiment at home and follow along. Take a mirror and place the reflective side facing you. What do you see?
Hopefully you see your reflection and what is behind you.
Now step to a window and look out. What do you see?
You see the world outside. If you stand just right you can see a faint reflection behind you but mostly you see outward. You see other people. They are looking in and on a cold blistery day they wish they were where you are.
Posted in Policy — Comments (11) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:20pm on May 8, 2008 A Tale Of Two Countries
By TXPoet
Once upon a time, there was this big country we will call it X-land. In this country there were several ethnic groups and the rulers of X-land lived in a far away land. The country was united through a common language and religion.
The rulers decided to let a few people from another country immigrate. X-land needed immigrants so that the land could be used and few of the indigenous people of X-land had any desire to, but these immigrants brought with them a new language and new religions. The new immigrants then brought their family and friends into X-land. They were able to do this because there was no border security. Because the leaders of X-land were so distant they were slow to react.
Posted in Immigration — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 10:11am on May 7, 2008 Part III: Draft Immigration Reform Points
By TXPoet
I was taught that in a discussion of a problem a person should follow up with suggestions for solving that problem. In the last two parts of this series [Part I: The Silent Majority Wants Immigration Reform and Part II: Let's Formulate A Plan (For Immigration Reform)] we discussed the problem and I requested suggestions for some solutions. I now submit for your review and comments a draft plan of points I believe should be included in immigration reform. They are not all inclusive. I attempted to cover the main problem areas that I am aware of in the current law. To reduce the amount of reading I thought about just publishing them over the span of a couple of articles but they are all connected. Then I contemplated giving my rationale of each point but even my eyes started glazing over when that article got too wieldy. So I decided to offer what I have drafted and then in later articles to perhaps discuss the rationale behind them.
Posted in Immigration — Comments (17) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 1:23pm on May 5, 2008 Let's Formulate A Plan (For Immigration Reform)
By TXPoet
The method for computing the number of illegal aliens in the US is flawed. Please review this paper by Bear-Stearns from January 2005 concerning a more accurate picture of the actual numbers and problems involved.
For those not old enough to remember what the US was like prior to the changes brought about by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, I offer these quotes from a supporter of that Democratic sponsored Bill that got us into this mess, Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy.
Posted in Immigration — Comments (28) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 5:02pm on May 4, 2008 The Silent Majority Wants Immigration Reform
By TXPoet
Immigration is one of the many hot button issues of the ongoing Presidential Campaign. It has been the subject of many polls over the last few years.
What most voters, especially the younger ones don’t realize what the true future impact of immigration is. Today you can’t go into a store without seeing dual language signs because as the Pew Hispanic Center poll in 2006 showed a large percentage of both foreign-born and American-born Latinos do not believe they have to learn English to be a part of American Society. That's one reason you have to "Press One for English."
Posted in Immigration — Comments (70) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:22am on May 3, 2008 POLITICAL PRIMER: How To Play It Safe
By TXPoet
The problem in politics is that what you say is always being compared to what you do. So it is better to show up at work and vote "present" (NV, or No Vote). That way it is hard for anyone to pin you down on a real issue and you don't take any chances upsetting your fat cat contributors. [Obama's Voting Record]
You need to have a good strong resume that can be manipulated. For instance going to work for a Law Firm that specializes in Civil Rights and has political contacts. Then you can claim to be a Civil Rights Lawyer who litigated cases. Oops, slight problem here the Courts system tracks all appearances…er, perhaps you should just say Civil Rights lawyer and not tell people that you were just a glorified law clerk who only made it into court occasionally. Some people might call your position in that law firm "token". They have another name for it on the street, but let's stay PC here. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Posted in 2008 — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 2:00pm on May 1, 2008 Let the Protests Begin
By TXPoet
With this being an election year, I would expect a lot of protests. The DNC has already been promised protests at their own convention.
A group sponsored by the Salt Lake City attorney Bob Breeze is protesting the SLC Jazz and Houston Rockets. He wants them to cancel the playoff center until the State of Texas releases all the FLDS children that it removed from the compound in El Dorado.
Posted in Culture — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 1:14pm on May 1, 2008 Naivety In Obama Camp or A Socialist Plan for America?
By TXPoet
Israel should give up its nuclear weapons to ensure Iran halts its illicit nuclear program, argues an adviser on nuclear issues to Sen. Barack Obama. World Net Daily
Obama's military adviser and national campaign co-chairman, Merrill A. McPeak, recently said U.S. politicians are afraid of Jewish voters and that American Jews are impeding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Posted in 2008 — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 4:52pm on Apr. 29, 2008 Wright is Wrong – Obama Still Obfuscates
By TXPoet
The shucking jiving anti-American Jeremiah Wright Jr. demonstrated his ability to deflect questions at the National Press Club while protected by bodyguards provided by the Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam (a fact omitted by most of the MSM). Breitbart TV has an analysis of the Q&A at their website.
Posted in 2008 — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:46pm on Apr. 28, 2008 NONE OF THE ABOVE
By TXPoet
This article will probably be a great waste of my time, because the ones who read it and understand will not be the ones who need to read it.
Wikipedia says that the reason for voting
In a democracy, voting commonly implies election, i.e. a way for an electorate to select among candidates for office. In politics voting is the method by which the electorate of a democracy appoints representatives in its government.
I have read a lot of comments lately about what people will do when their candidate doesn’t appear on the ballot for the General Election in the US. Some have said they will not vote. Some have said they will vote for someone else “to send a message”. Some have said their (political) party has been hijacked. Some will vote a straight party ticket without knowing what the platform is or what the candidates stand for. Some will vote based on race, age, gender or appearance (these are the HOPEfull voters).
To these malcontents I say this, “Get over it!” If you don’t vote at all then you cede all rights to complain. Unless you vote you really haven’t earned the right to protest. As for those that talk about jumping parties, I say go ahead, but know what you are really doing. Being an active political party member does not mean that you support the candidate, it means you support the party platform.
The party platform and its planks are not determined by the candidate but by the active party members in committees, in caucuses and at the grass roots level. If you don’t agree with a candidates planks then voice your opinion at party meetings, in party newsletters, blogs and via your donations of time and money. Work to get the platform and/or planks changed!
Wikipedia defines,
A party platform, also known as a manifesto, as a list of the principles, which a political party supports in order to appeal to the general public for the purpose of having said party's candidates voted into office. This often takes the form of a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. Individual topics are often called planks of the platform.
Under the provisions of the Constitution the act of voting is a right, but it is also the privilege of all citizens of voting age [The Twenty-sixth Amendment prohibits the federal government and the states from forbidding any citizen of age 18 or greater to vote simply because of their age. Some states do not allow convicted felons to vote (either for life, or just while they are in prison).]
Vote, but make it an informed vote. Know what and whom you are voting for.
For those interesting in a more scholarly study about informed voting I suggest Lupia and McCubbins: The Democratic Dilemma, a summary of which is here.
Posted in Elections — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 9:10am on Apr. 28, 2008 Wounded Soldier Ride
By TXPoet
Have you even heard of the “Wounded Warrior Project”? The history of the Soldier’s Ride starts in 2004 and is on their website. One event this year was a three-day bicycle race from the “White House to the Lighthouse” at Annapolis Maryland via Walter Reed Army Hospital and Baltimore MD.
Posted in Military Roundtable — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 11:15am on Apr. 25, 2008 Reality Check
By TXPoet
WorldNetDaily is reporting today,
U.S. military deaths below 26-year average Annual toll in Bush years down despite 4,000 fatalities in Iraq.
This should be no surprise if you have been reading my articles. While the WND is not a full-blown member of the mainstream media they are a little late jumping on the bandwagon. Where is the rest of the MSM?
Posted in War — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
