Bookworm says:

“It turns out that not all of us are news junkies. She [clerk in the grocery story who still has a job] didn’t know what was going on in California or Michigan or any other state that has placed people under lockdown in their own homes.

“How can they do that? That makes no sense. People have bills to pay. We have to work.”

Her words struck me strongly because I’ve been struggling to articulate the different emotional responses I’m seeing from the left and the right when it comes to responding to the Wuhan virus. The leftists are saying that the lockdown should continue for another year or two, and are accusing those who want normal life to return of being living embodiments of the Grim Reaper, determined to kill everyone through their greed, carelessness, and a refusal to recognize facts that can derive only from watching Fox News."

Bookworm (and although anonymous, I think the writer is a she) goes on to opine about liberals and how they feel about death.

"Consistently, lefties are driven by a raw emotional fear of death that the more sophisticated later dress up as sophisticated reasoning about controlling a pandemic. The sophistication is a veneer, though, because the fact that the models have all proven wrong is irrelevant. Their lizard brains are activated and won’t be calmed until the disease risk is reduced to zero."

". . . the leftist fear of death drives everything. It’s what allows their leaders to manipulate them about climate change (never mind that people ultimately do better in a warmer world), about guns (never mind that guns in America save more lives than they take), about organic v. non-organic food (never mind that if all farming were organic people would starve), socialized medicine (never mind that socialized medicine gives people access not care), about serving in the military (never mind that if we are undefended, many more can die in a sustained attack against America), and so on."

http://www.bookwormroom.com/2020/04/19/the-different-mindsets-political-parties-have-towards-the-wuhan-virus/

Wisdom according to Joan

“Sanctuary” cities (in clearer language) are hideouts for lawbreakers. These cities are providing “aid and comfort” to people who have broken our laws to enter this country. Aiding and abetting criminals is not a “humanitarian” goal; it is, in itself, another crime. If I provide a place for a burglar (another kind of lawbreaker) to evade capture, I am also arrested and charged with a crime. Why is this not applicable to those local elected representatives who openly help lawbreakers evade the law?”

Joan Shaw Turrentine is blogger and Facebook friend, former teacher and pastor’s wife.  And also,

"The truth about all the political crazy that's creating havoc in DC? It's not about immigration. It's not about Trump. It's not about taxes. It's not about the wall or even abortion. It IS about hanging on to power and keeping a seat on the gravy train that is public office."

I agree with Joan on this, and I add that no one in my lifetime has threatened that power base as much as President Trump. So by deflection he is hated, and those of us who voted for him are reviled and kicked out of our social circles and families.

Orange is the new Blue

Dan Flynn of the American Spectator observes in an e-mail, November 19, 2018

I went with Oliver North to one of his speeches in Orange County in the mid-1990s shortly after his loss in the Virginia U.S. Senate race. Back then, it struck as every bit the home of John Wayne. A local children’s patriotic group—yes, such a thing existed—surreally sang various up-with-America songs in red-white-and-blue garb. Someone said a prayer. The gymnasium—I think it was Chapman University—overflowed.

Orange County looked like a time machine a quarter century ago. Orange County looks like a time machine now. So, it’s the same, only different. Back then, Orange County travelled in a way-back machine. Today, the locals set the DeLorean to sometime in the near future.
The county once synonymous with Reagan conservatism just elected six Democrats to represent them in Congress. Prior to election day, four Republicans and two Democrats represented the county in Congress.

Not too long ago, such right-wingers as Bill Dannemeyer, Bob Dornan, Col. John Schmitz represented the county in Congress. When Schmitz was asked why he joined the John Birch Society, he answered: “I wished to identify with the moderate wing of the Republican Party in Orange County.” John Briggs, perhaps the most bombastic of the county’s local politicians, won reelected to the state senate throughout the 1970s. Richard Nixon called Orange County home.

Dana Rohrabacher could not even win reelection here in 2018.

Times change. So do demographics.”

Increasingly, only rich Democrats can afford to live in California.  The conservatives are moving to Arizona or Texas or Nevada.  Unfortunately, some liberals are moving out too because of the atrocious taxes—and they pollute formerly red states.

The political bias on college campuses

Perhaps you aren't convinced college campuses are just birthing rooms for young Democrats?

"In total, Florida public college employees donated $587,454.47 from 2017-2018. Of that amount, 94.8 percent were made to Democrat politicians or Democrat organizations" and, "Employees of the University of Texas have given $1.1 million during this election cycle, more than 92% of it to Democrats." and at Yale "96 percent of these donations went to Democratic political campaigns and committees."

Of course, I think these are voluntary contributions--public school teacher unions (membership required in order to teach) give 99% to Democrats.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-s-most-partisan-industry-1541542039?

About the rhetoric and the left urging violence. . .

"When Kathy Griffin posed with a mock severed head of President Trump, she had more than a few defenders, with actor Jim Carrey saying her only sin was being the brave soul to voice what everyone else felt.

When controversy erupted over an iteration of Julius Caesar that depicted Trump as the assassinated leader, playwright Tony Kushner blamed Breitbart and the right wing media for manufacturing outrage.

Enter David Simon, creator of HBO's hit show The Wire, who less than 24-hours before the shooting on Wednesday, openly called for anti-Trumpers to commit violence, advising them to "pick up a goddamn brick" if they don't get their way." http://www.conservativenews.com/article/3132/just-one-day-gop-congressman-attacked?

Riots break out when a conservative is invited to speak on college campuses; 98% negative reporting on Trump in the MSM; the DNC candidate calling half the country "deplorables;" one major candidate a designated socialist, the form of politics at the root of non-war death in the 20th century; disagreeing about climate change is considered a crime; death in the womb is part of the Democrat party's mission statement.  So who are the violent ones?

Distain and ridicule for working class American voters

 

The scorn and contempt for the working class voter by the wealthy politicians, bureaucrats and journalists were obvious in almost all the coverage I saw of the 2016 campaign, whether in the Washington Post or the digital Slate and Daily Beast. But among academics it was apparent even when I was on the faculty at Ohio State University in the 1980s and 1990s.

I was a Democrat then and thought it was just isolated incidents when my student employee would come to work and tell me how the rabid feminist literature instructor was treating him for wearing an ROTC uniform. I didn’t see it as systemic then. But the most open minded faculty from those days when Democrat to Republican was about 2:1 are now emeritus, like me, and now it’s about 27:1. It’s not that lopsided in the ACLU. It would be difficult to even get hired let alone promoted if a young college graduate student weren’t far left of center. So conservatives will just select a different career, further adding to the imbalance. No conservative (of working age) with dreams of a career in academe should ever be on social media, send a letter to the editor, speak out at a town hall, run for school board or library board, or register as anything other than Independent. Being a Catholic or a Baptist could probably kill a promising career because it might cause delicate freshmen in 2017 to need a safe place.

 
 It isn’t enough to charge contemporary conservatives with racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Academics have made those charges retroactive, reaching back ten centuries to include the perpetrators of European colonialism and holding all American history in contempt. The role of Arab Muslims in the Atlantic slave trade or slave raids into Europe will be overlooked in history classes. That the sex slave and labor slave trades are bigger in the 21st century won’t be covered unless it’s some way to tear down capitalism. The rate of slave ownership by freed blacks in the U.S. before the Civil War will also not be mentioned (it was higher than whites). In literature they are toppling Shakespeare and demanding queer studies after years of elevating some really poor women authors. But famous, accomplished women can be disinvited from open forums and speeches if they are conservatives, even if they are Muslim or black. All actual diversity of thought or ideology must be destroyed by the diversophiles and campus thought police.

The Republicans now control both houses in Congress, the White House, and are awaiting a decent Supreme Court appointment.  They control the majority of state legislatures and governorships.  Almost every office of importance above the municipal level has gone to Republicans--and that's Obama's legacy because it's happened in the last 8 years.  There has been a revolution, but it's been through the ballot box not marching in the streets being bussed in by professional agitators. However, it will take years to straighten out academe and they've had a lock on the brightest and best for the last 25-30 years.

http://www.popecenter.org/2016/10/modern-universitys-greatest-failing/

http://www.popecenter.org/2016/11/colleges-promoting-psychological-frailty-concerned/ 

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/11/the-dramatic-shift-among-college-professors-thats-hurting-students-education/

Get out while you can.

Leave the party of ignorance of history, dumb on biology and naive about culture. Forget the party that thinks a 7 month old unborn baby isn't a human, but a man with an amputated penis is a woman. Forget the party that destroyed Detroit and Baltimore. Forget the party that believes marriage and birth rate isn't important for the survival of a nation. Leave the party of fear--fear of global warming, fear of the Constitution, fear of words, fear of food, fear of differences, fear of having no victims they can pity and manipulate. Leave the party that whips up hate and racism, bigotry and ignorance. Get out while you still can. Republicans have a very deep, diverse bench. Democrats have Hillary.

http://www.wildwestcycle.com/f_pensees.htm

For the modern liberal, who is essentially a man of the Left, the immediate has apocalyptic urgency. He is an active member of the Cause-of-the-Month Club, forever prescribing drastic action to prevent the world from being blown up, overpopulated, poisoned, oppressed, or exploited. He thinks a government that maintains law and order--a big job at any time--is "doing nothing"; because to his mind a steady and quiet activity is nothing more than inactivity. Though he speaks the language of environmental preservation well enough, he never pauses to imagine the "environmental impact" of his own policies on a social ecology that is, after all, no less real because he disregards it.

Spin and fear equal hysteria

I hate the way Ebola is being politicized, both by the right and the left. There's a Democrat action group that's made a ridiculous ad about the GOP causing this with the budget when the CDC did zip nada zilch about a disease known since 1976 and had it's budget line increased. And on the opposing team paranoid Christian survivalists are claiming Obama is launching germ warfare because he hates us. They are making the loony left look almost normal. Millions are dying of AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa; we have hysterical people in the U.S. who are refusing vaccines for measles, mumps, polio, diphtheria, HPV and seasonal flu. Add to that the biggest killer in the U.S. is not bacteria or viruses, but lifestyle diseases--alcohol, drugs, tobacco, overeating, sexual promiscuity and couch surfing--things we actually DO control. Plus there are those among us who believe we are mini-gods and can control the climate and viruses and bacteria. Really, it's like living in the dark ages. The news media pile on like ants at a picnic spreading fear and misinformation. I’ve been awake about an hour and have heard about the 2nd hospital employee with Ebola at least 10 times.

The herd of sacred cows will continue to graze if. . .

This herd of sacred cows has doubled in size in two years, from Bush cows to Obama cows.
Alan Simpson said that on Fox News last night. He's one of Obama's chairs of the Deficit Commission. It's short enough that one could actually read it, unlike the massive health care bill of over 2,000 pages. However, it's not terribly believable. If both parties have contibuted to the deficit, having a bipartisan (both parties) commission look at spending makes little sense. I think the American people should look at the spending so they aren't just moving money from the wallet to the pocket and calling it "savings," like shifting inefficient federal health costs to even worse state health costs.

I've only been a Republican for a decade, but since they seem to be the same party I registered with in the 1960s I see some problems. Republicans talk small government and fiscal responsibility, but once inside the beltway they become first RINOs, then progressives, then socialists, feeding at the public trough, schmoozing with the lobbiests, and playing games. Huey Long in the 1930s, an opponent of Roosevelt, wrote a pamphlet called Share Our Wealth, and his stealth theft of wealth is indistinguishable from today's government, regardless of which party is in power.

So I challenge you, liberal or conservative to find an agency, commission, program, department, task force, Congressional office, government GSE or think tank, and find a section of its budget and take it apart, piece by piece. Find the pork or the graft if it's coming to your city or state and you don't want it to die permanently, or decide why the entire thing is a scam if you can handle a really sharp knife. Or, you could do it by topic--like poverty, education, housing, health, or job training and dig out the waste as it resides in multiple departments like Education, Energy, Health.

Or, you could do it by non-profit status or by religion. How much are Lutherans or Methodists or Catholics or fair-housing groups and trade associations getting from government grants instead of their members, and are they then able to meet their original mission statement or do they have to be gradually silenced? Has Jesus' command in Matthew changed from "Therefore go, . . . because I said so" to "Therefore NO, . . . because the government says so."

Does the government need to still be offering zero percent down home mortgages? You can get one through the USDA. Did we learn nothing from the last three years? The USDA is right up there with HHS as the biggest spender of pork in government--it's in everything from day care to home mortgages. So citizens, let's call this pulled pork and see what we find, then pass it along to your Congressional representative.
------------------
Update: Here's one from the Department of Energy someone could look at. The DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency. You would think that after 35 years, most low income homes would be insulated or have window replacements, but apparently not because $5 billion of ARRA money was dumped in their lap after an annual allocation of around $225 million. Imagine the frantic hiring and and equipment buying and ordering supplies hastily that must have put in motion! Although I didn’t find the cost, one of the grants was for a webinar for a nonprofit (NASCSP) to teach its members how to use social media and blogging to sign people up to use this money. And to think I started 12 blogs with no government or any start up costs.

Update 2: Rusty suggests: Well, that'll be easy as the Dept of Energy was the first I was going to eliminate all together. It has done nothing over the last 30? years. Next I would eliminate all agricultural subsidies. How much sense does it make to pay for a farmer NOT to plant something. Or pay them to plant corn for ethanol. Without a subsidy, fuel WITH ethanol would cost more than gas without. Then federal lands, that are leased to cattle operations in the West, need to be rented at rates that reflect prices for comparable non-federal lands. And after that, the Department of Education.

Update 3: Bill says: In the UK they froze senior benefits and the military budget and then went to the other government organizations with a % they must cut. The per cents are not small, like 20 and 25%. If the department head balks or says it can't be done, the department head gets eliminated. Then Carol adds, she thinks Social Security and the military are untouchables.

Update 4:Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe: "Other 10-year Cato spending cut estimates: Scrapping the departments of Commerce and Housing and Urban Development saves $550 billion; ending farm subsidies would produce nearly $290 billion. Cutting NASA spending by 50% would save $90 billion. Repealing Davis-Bacon labor rules produces $60 billion. Ending urban mass transit grants would save $52 billion. Privatizing air traffic control, as other nations have done, saves $38 billion. Privatize Amtrak and end rail subsidies and save $31 billion. Reform federal worker retirement, $18 billion. Retire Americorps, $10 billion. Shutter the Small Business Administration, $14 billion."Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe: What Congress Should Cut - WSJ.com

Morphing Agnew into Obama

Since 1960 when I became voting age (21 then) I've heard and seen a lot of politicians. I've been trying to remember what president has been as condescending, whiny, hostile, insincere, two-faced, arrogant, flippant, contemptuous of other viewpoints, and such a bald faced liar about transparency as our current White House resident during this period in our history. And I think I’ve found him at Old Hickory’s Weblog description and remembrance of good old Spiro Agnew, President Nixon's first vice president who resigned in disgrace.

Thanks, Old Hickory, for the stern finger pointing photo and this phrase: "bullying, faux-populist tone" because I've been trying to come up with a phrase to describe his chastising, eye-flashing, finger wagging mannerisms, and after reading through your Agnew piece, I’ve found just the right essay. And with just a few strike throughs, you have other phrases I can use.

"throws out a standard article of Party doctrine"

"today's bipartisanship means that some Democrats Republicans do what the Republicans Democrats all want"

"he used that race as his segway for talking about race that"

"This is the Vice President talking about the government his Party heads as though it were some alien force that the Republican President was struggling to control"


"Then he takes his audience into the heart of darkness in their worldview, to the evil doings of The Liberals capitalists"

"The first thing that strikes a former Mississippian liberal like me is the astonishing amount of projection of unpleasant and antisocial traits onto The Liberals The Conservatives. These descriptions applied to the everyday behavior and attitudes of the segregationists wealthy of the day today."

That last sentence is enigmatic. He's accusing the Evil Ones of wanting to excuse crimes committed by the disadvantages Wall Street, again without actually naming any of these risible liberals conservatives who supposedly think that.

Agnew's Obama's speeches are significant because they show what came to be the dominant authoritarian sentiment of today's Republican Democratic Party at a time when "the Sixties" were are still happening. Agnew Obama was is the darling of the conservative leftist culture warriors in of 1969. [Bill Ayers, Days of rage, etc.]

Partisan politics--Bayh's announcement

Apparently, a broken and dysfunctional Senate is a repeat theme, according to the Star Ledger editorial. Fifteen years ago Bill Bradley of NJ decided against a 4th term, citing the same reasons as Bayh of Indiana did this past week, although he leaned left (probably thought Clinton was too conservative) and Bayh leaned right (wasn’t an enthusiastic Obama team player). Forty three members of the the Senate or House have announced retirement, from both parties. It's always the other guys' partisanship when you're not the one winning. George Voinovich, a much criticized RINO from Ohio, being a good example from the other side.

A reader of the Star Ledger (NJ) writes in response to that hand wringing, pro-Democrat editorial: “There must have been no "mindless partisanship" when Hamilton and Burr dueled to the death over politics, or when the country near collapsed in civil war over trying to politically end slavery, or when the Republican Congress stifled Wilson’s attempts to start a congress of nations by personal attacks that caused him to have a stroke (or mental breakdown no one knows). Or when FDR attempted to circumnavigate the Republican senate by stacking the courts.”

Someone in la-la lib land needs to catch up on American history, and I suggest 30 days of watching Glenn Beck, or your ignorance back. When he recommends a book on history, politics or economics, it goes to the top of Amazon’s list.

Third Party Power

All the talking heads and political hacks are painting the congressional race in NY-23rd as a rift in the Republican ranks. It is not. It is a third party candidate proving that the Republicans and Democrats can be made irrelevant in the face of tea party power. It is proving this in the full glare of the national spotlight. And the only way that the entrenched politicians can save their own bacon is by spinning the story to distract the public from the obvious truth. All the king-makers’ horses and all the king-makers’men cannot defeat an honest tea party patriot once ordinary Americans wake up.

Read about it at American Daughter.

Democrats preach; Republicans praise

“At the dawn of this New Year, let us rededicate ourselves to that work. Let us reject the impulse to harden ourselves to others' suffering, and instead make a habit of empathy—of recognizing ourselves in each other and extending our compassion to those in need.” President Barack Obama

"The prophets taught the Jewish people never to falter in the world-wide search for the betterment and peace of mankind and never to leave the conflict against the forces of discrimination and poverty.

“These are precepts which were inherited by our forefathers from those who received them at Sinai. They are beliefs which have been given new and forceful expression in the State of Israel, where they were first proclaimed and where Rosh Hashana prayers were first uttered.” President Lyndon Johnson

"We all can learn from the Jewish people’s strong dedication to civil rights and tolerance, and we all must redouble our efforts to combat the forces of intolerance that still linger in our society.

“As we celebrate Rosh Hashana, I urge all Americans to join the Jewish community and to come together as a nation to speak out against hate crimes and to appreciate our common humanity.” President William Clinton

"Our moral code, the ideals that animate us, the faith in God that strengthens us — all these were most clearly and most inspiringly proclaimed many centuries ago by men of Jewish blood.

“Their descendants, in race and in faith, have contributed greatly to the knowledge and the skills and the culture of America.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower

“The liturgy of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur emphasizes both the moral obligations men have to their Maker and the ethical responsibilities we owe to our fellows. Fundamentally, America stands for the same principles. Indeed, these values... have been derived in large part from the Jewish tradition which is thereby inextricably linked to our American spiritual heritage. President Ronald Reagan

“Rosh Hashana celebrates Judaism’s remarkable heritage, and it is a reaffirmation of God’s mercy, glory, and love. As you look ahead to the coming year, I join with other Americans of diverse backgrounds and beliefs in receiving inspiration from your faith, your holy acts of repentance, and your loving kindness. May this year’s celebration bless all who participate as we heal from the wounds inflicted by the recent terrorist attacks.” President George W. Bush, Sept. 17, 2001

HT Atlas Shrugs

She's a good liar

Will Hillary be able to convince her supporters she really thinks Obama is the best candidate for the party? She's got a better chance in 2012 if he loses.

“A day after Mr. Obama unveiled Senator Biden of Delaware as his running mate, the McCain campaign launched a television ad titled "Passed Over" that asks why the presumptive Democratic nominee snubbed his chief party rival, Mrs. Clinton, for the vice presidential slot.

"She won millions of votes, but isn't on his ticket," a narrator intones. "Why? For speaking the truth on his plans."

The ad then features images from the Democratic primary, when Mrs. Clinton questioned Mr. Obama about his lack of specificity on policy, his negative attacks on her, and his connection to a convicted Chicago developer, Antoin Rezko.” New York Sun, Aug. 25

Let's see, if Russia hadn't invaded Georgia and Obama gave that limp-wristed "let's talk" comment, Biden wouldn't be his VP choice, and if the Edwards scandal had been reported in the mainstream press (that was already in the tank for Obama), Hillary would have been the candidate. Lots of ifs ands and maybes in politics.

I think the Democrats who support Hillary will end up staying with the party. Democrats stick together like velcro, Republicans hold no longer than a sweaty handshake. As a Nobaman, I was concerned. I really thought he'd choose Hillary and be unbeatable. She's more liberal than Biden, got tons more votes, and has a huge, unhappy clutch of supporters. Biden has run for president several times and the voters said NO early on each time.

Sure wish McCain could add Bobby Jindal, but he probably needs to cook a bit longer since this is his first term as Louisiana's governor. Those two would be an amazing balance to the Obama Biden buttons. If he's smart (instead of wanting to put on that maverick mantel again), he'll take, Mitt Romney.

Then the DNC can bring out the dirt from the primaries. And they will.

Wouldn't this would make a good McCain ad: At a Democratic presidential primary debate in Las Vegas last November, [Biden, a Catholic] said that if he were elected president he would impose a pro-Roe test on anyone he appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. CNSNews.com

Update: Hillary has tamed her PUMAs. For now.

Democrats get chewed out and up by the Daily Kos crowd

Today's Opinion by Kimberly Strassel:

"If the liberal blogging phenomenon deserves to be known for anything, it is the strategy to intimidate or silence anyone who disagrees with its own out-of-the-mainstream views. That muzzling has been on full display in recent weeks as Mr. Moulitsas [Daily Kos] and fellow online speech police have launched a campaign against the centrist Democratic Leadership Council. DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Jr. was even thwacked last week for daring to speak to this editorial page (my sincere apologies, Mr. Ford)--the clear goal to discourage him from making such a free-speech mistake again."

No, the Soros Kossacks don't allow any centrists. Look out, party faithful.

#70 Why Today I’m not a Democrat

Journalists and public figures like Zell Miller are paid to tell why they switch parties. No one cares why a retired librarian in 2002 registered as a Republican for the first time. It was a long time coming--about 15 years.

In Al-Anon in the 80s, I learned our well-intentioned plans to change others for their own good are damaging. We kill initiative, ambition and make people resentful. The fall of the Soviet Union and most of eastern Europe sinking into a hopeless morass in the early 90s unable to stave off the criminal element also contributed to my changed thinking. Then the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings demonstrated what a mess our race and gender policies had become.

Safe, legal abortions (which I never supported but the Democrats did) were to “give women a choice.” Well, by 1991 we'd aborted 25 million babies and 58% of women with children under 6 were in the labor force. In 1950, only 12% of women with children under 6 were working. Were families really better off with women out of the home, I wondered? By the 90s there was more violence against women, more child abuse, and the surplus of women in all age groups was shrinking, not because men were living longer, but because women were dying at a faster rate than they used to.

In September 1992, I was a Democrat who was considering George H. W. Bush, for three reasons: abortion, Communism’s defeat, and Bush‘s resume for international politics was superior to Clinton‘s. But I lost confidence in Bush--his staff seemed in disarray, nothing had been said about the mess in the Balkans, and there was actually good news about the economy, but he seemed unable to address it. Anyway, I ended up voting for Clinton. In the next election I didn’t make that mistake. I was not a True Believer.

The Democrats continued to break up Americans into special interest groups--blacks, Hispanics, gays, Asians, Native peoples, etc. What we fought for in the 60s and 70s, being blind to race, is now reversed and called affirmative action. Our schools were held hostage by teachers’ unions and procedures and rules that encourage chaos.

Rich Democrats bankrolled liberal policies in environmentalism and animal rights that actually hurt the poor, like land restrictions which deprive the poor and minorities of housing in the cities and drive small farmers off the land. A Jessie Jackson or a Ted Kennedy can send his kids to private schools, but Democrats don’t want a poor or minority child given the same chance through school vouchers.

Working in the academic world where the 70s radicals were in power, also turned me against many of the liberal/socialist policies of my party. The political correctness, the lack of intellectual freedom, the blather and holier-than-thou attitudes, and layers of bureaucracy were stifling. But starting our own business in 1994 and actually experiencing the chunk of taxation we have at the local, state and federal level was the real wake-up call.

I was not particularly enthusiastic in 2000 about George W. Bush during his candidacy, but thought Gore was tainted by Clinton. Neither were effective campaigners. Now I believe Bush is far more in-charge, smart and tough than his detractors could ever have imagined. It has demoralized and angered the Democrats. I believe President Bush is doing the right thing in going after Saddam Hussein because we made promises to the Iraqi people and to the American people when we won the Gulf War. These promises were not kept, and we’re paying now. Hussein is another Stalin or Hitler or Mao, a leader who murders his own people. More Iraqis’ lives would have been lost if he had remained in power than through the 2nd Gulf War.

Zell Miller, a Democratic Senator from Georgia, said, “This is a president who understands the price of freedom. He understands that leaders throughout history often have had to choose between good and evil, tyranny and freedom. . . . This is also a president who understands that tax cuts are not just something that all taxpayers deserve, but also the best way to curb government spending. It is the best kind of tax reform. If the money never reaches the table, Congress can't gobble it up.”

I agree with a Democrat for the first time in years.