10 Reasons Why I’m Voting for the Republican Presidential Candidate in 2012

1.  The National Debt is 100% of GDP. Unless  a comprehensive plan is administered to pay down this debt, America’s greatest woes will be realized sooner than later.  The Republican says he will attack the debt on his first day in office.

2. Israel deserves to be treated as a friend instead of a political pawn. The Republican says he will do this.

3.Iran must be dealt  a heavy hand of both diplomacy and show of force. We cannot coddle the maniac in charge, and expect him to be nice to us. The Republican is on record  as to what steps he will take as they relate to Iran.

4. Likewise, North Korea must fully understand that any sabre rattling  in our direction will be considered serious and be dealt with immediately. Ditto Iran.

5. America must become energy independent. The Republican has vowed to move us in that direction.

6. Americans must go back to work. The Republican has a plan to do this.

7. The growth of the federal government has to stop. The Republican says it will.

8. We need a President who understands Americans. The Republican is the only one of the two that has even a clue.

9. The Department of Justice must be held accountable  for a string  of political  and ideological stunts performed over the past three years. The Republican says he will pursue investigations wherever necessary.

10. We need a President who knows how to lead. The Republican nominee is the only one of the two with a proven and successful track record. 

The 10 Reasons I'm Not Voting for Obama

1.  The National Debt is 100% of GDP. Unless  a comprehensive plan is administered to pay down this debt, America’s greatest woes will be realized sooner than later.  Obama has administered  over most of this and has in fact made things worse.

2. Israel deserves to be treated as a friend instead of a political pawn. Obama has insulted Israel one too many times.

3.Iran must be dealt  a heavy hand of both diplomacy and show of force. We cannot coddle the maniac in charge, and expect him to be nice to us. Obama has had three years to deal with this bozo in Iran ...  what do we have to show for it?

4. Likewise, North Korea must fully understand that any sabre rattling  in our direction will be considered serious and be dealt with immediately. Ditto Iran.

5. America must become energy independent. The Obama Administration has done everything to ensure we don't.

6. Americans must go back to work. Obama's plan failed .... he has yet to offer a new one.

7. The growth of the federal government has to stop. Obama's plan is to keep it growing.

8. We need a President who understands Americans.  Obama understands Americans like I understand Steven Hawking.

9. The Department of Justice must be held accountable  for a string  of political  and ideological stunts performed over the past three years. No way Obama is going to man-up and take responsibility for this one ... but he should.

10. We need a President who knows how to lead. Just a cursory evaluation of this President's leadership ability would disqualify him from heading a cub scout troop.

THE VIRTUES OF CONSERVATISM – Part 3 of 10

 After several years of frustration in attempting to convert my liberal friends to a more courageous way of thinking, I have determined three things:

1. My efforts have been largely futile.
2. Liberals are converted over time; due to facing critical life circumstances, and/or the recognition that liberal ideology is simply non-enduring.
3. Derision and name calling does nothing to assist in their conversion.

In light of these revelations, I’ve decided that my efforts might be better invested in discussing the virtues of conservative thought, as opposed to pointing out the blatant fallacies of liberal thinking. Now, this does not mean that I will refrain from comparison and contrast, it simply means that I will attempt to couch my words in non demeaning ways in my observations. Perhaps my words will capture the attention of a young liberal thinker in his or her journey to a more courageous way of thinking. My discussion will be delivered in 10 parts.This being part 2 of the discussion.

 Virtue three in this series deals with the principle of prescription.  In short, conservatives are students of history and typically embrace caution when moving down paths that history has shown to be dangerous or at best fraught with obstacles. Prescription also entails gleaning from history tried and proven customs and mores. "The individual is foolish, but the species is wise," Edmond Burke declared. Conservatives believe the human race has acquired a prescriptive wisdom far greater than any man’s petty private rationality or what might be politically correct or expedient. 
Some salient examples come to mind when we look for ways to applying the principle of prescription. History has shown us that over taxation and over-spending ruin economies. History has shown us that to discourage an activity, the best way to do that is to tax it.  History has shown us that spending more money than is actually in the bank, results in creditors inflicting much pain and suffering until debts are paid.

I don't know if you've been paying attention to the news lately, but some members of congress and the president are in a heated debate over taxation and spending. The conservatives are holding to the principle of prescription, while the president is hell bent on continuing the out-of-control spending.  In fact, had the conservatives not won the House of Representatives in November, they would not even be having the debate. It became apparent to the American public that the policies of the Obama administration were taking us in a direction we did not want to travel. How the Senate escaped the fury of the American voters is beyond me. Be that as it may ... the House republicans were called upon to hold the line in Washington. They are doing exactly what they were elected to do. 

Can we be honest? Why is it that the President and the House of Reps are arguing over the debt ceiling and federal spending? Because Republicans took majority of the House of Representatives in January. Had they not ... we would still be increasing the national debt by 1.5 trillion per year .... the debt ceiling would already be elevated to 105% of GDP, and we would be one step closer to an entitlement state.  I find it interesting that the liberals who call for raising taxes on the rich, as a matter of fairness, neglect to call for  those who pay no taxes start doing so. The principle of prescription; learning from history, shows us that other people's money eventually runs out.

From where I stand, unless we hold to the virtue of prescription, we will be forced to face some perilous and uncomfortable years.

The outline for this treatment is credited to Russell Kirk and the web site at: 
http://www.kirkcenter.org/index.php/detail/ten-conservative-principles/