A Healthy Dose Of Jefferson, An Actual Great President

John Kennedy once said to a assembled group of scholars in the White House I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House -with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

The quotes below could prove his point.

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe."
...Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
...Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.."
...Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
...Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
...Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
...Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. "
...Thomas Jefferson


"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
...Thomas Jefferson

"In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:"

Peaceful Elections Held in Iraq...How Can That Be? I Thought We Lost That War...

The silence from Max on Iraq is deafening.

It Never Stops (Government Control): Legislator Proposes To Reinstate Car Inspections

The last decade has been a real relief for Arkansas drivers who weren't required to have their cars inspected annually.

Despite that, Rep. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, is proposing that vehicle inspections become mandatory, again. She's got a pet project she wants to pay for, so why not raise taxes on us? Where does she get the nerve to demand that taxpayers, who are struggling, cough up more money so she can grow government, while we shrink?

Here's the link.

Sanders Offers An Interesting Look Into Martian Berry's Blue Dog Blues

Here's the link.

Democrat Governor From Tennessee Doesn't Want Unemployment Money From Porkulus Bill

Add him Max's list of stupid people because, somehow, encouraging people not to work is going to stimulate the economy. It looks like Gov. Phil Bredesen, D-TN, has figured out that the unemployment money has strings attached that will create a HUGE unfunded mandate for his state. I thought liberals opposed unfunded mandates, like No Child Left Behind. I guess not when it's to encourage people not to work.

Gov. Bredesen obviously wants to keep his job, which explains why he doesn't want to wreck his state (by encouraging people not to work) and his state's budget.

Here's the link.

Obama Coming For Our Guns

Despite NO evidence that so-called "assault weapons" are used in a significant number of crimes or the gross violation of the 2nd Amendment that it is, Obama is backing the reinstatement of the "assault weapons" ban.

Now's a good time to join the NRA and/or make a contribution.

Here's the link.

Democrats Push "Fairness Doctrine" (Censorship Of Talk Radio) In U.S. Senate

This is how freedom dies.

Here's the link.

House Votes To Kill Electoral College (Constitutionally Established Influence Of Small States In Presidential Elections)

The pieces are being moved all over the board. Killing the Electoral College is designed to allow liberal democrat presidential candidates to win elections by ignoring rural voters in small states (LIKE ARKANSAS).

There is no excuse for any Arkansas legislator who voted for this. You owe it to your constituents to know what this bill will do and oppose it. You are killing the influence of Arkansas voters, and voters in other small states, in presidential elections.

Here's the link.

Greenwood Mayor Convicted For Stealing Campaign Signs

Finally. I brought you the story about Ken Edwards stealing signs back in October. Edwards is a big supporter of democrat legislator Steve Breedlove.

Here's the link.

Obama's Trillion Dollar Tax Hike

That's a democrat "stimulus" bill for you.

Here's the link.

Max's Cowardly Explananation About Removing His Shameful Violation Of Privacy Rights Of Honest Citizens

What a whiny baby. Max is claiming that he's received threats for what he claims is a public service. He seems to think that private citizens who seek to protect themselves and their families are some sort of menace and that everybody else, therefore, deserves to know about the supposed evil they're perpetrating. He claims he's worried about his personal safety, but thinks other private citizens not only shouldn't be able to protect their own safety and that of their friends and family and also thinks they have no right to privacy because of they would seek to do so. Not only do they have no right to privacy, they should be punished.

Hey, Max! I've got a suggestion for you: why don't you prove your claim that concealed carry permit holders are a danger to society??? Oh, that's right, because you can't. The number of permit holders who commit a crime is a very tiny fraction compared to that of the rest of society. It's because permit holders are for more law abiding and safe, on average and BY A MILE, than the average "unarmed" person.

Here's a link to his cowardly explanation of why he pulled this gross violation personal privacy.
Oh, speaking of privacy, Max, if the state or federal government paid for abortions, would we have a right to know the names and addresses of the women who abort their unborn children??? I guess it just depends on whose privacy you're violating. You think women aborting their defenseless children is noble, but private citizens choosing not to be defenseless is dastardly. What a piece of scum.

Milk Tax (Ahem, "Fee") Set To Burden Struggling Arkansas Families

Here's one more example of politicians raising our taxes to pad their budget at the expense of ours. I received this late last night and thought it was important to reprint it. Public servants, indeed.

---

This is a wholesale tax, called a "fee," on milk.

The impact of this tax, in terms of total number of Arkansans who will be impacted, will be greater than most taxes, even income taxes.

This is because virtually every Arkansan buys milk. Many people are exempted from other kinds of taxes. For example, there are plenty of Arkansans who pay no income tax because of low income, high credits, or exemptions. Just about everyone buys milk and their costs just
went up with this bill.

And it's a fundamental rule of economics that the tax assessed at the wholesale level will be passed onto the consumer.

The new money will be deposited into the state treasury. This is a tax.

Furthermore, this bill is just about government picking certain winners and loosers in the marketplace, rather than those successes beingdetermined by the markets based on things like price, quality andefficiency.

Examples of this protectionism are:

1. The fact that new entrants into the milk market are prohibited from receiving these payments for one year. If the bill really is to "stimulate" and "protect" milk production in Arkansas, wouldn't you want to "stimulate" and encourage more milk producers to start up in the state? Of course you would. But when your real motivation is to line the pockets of existing producers, you add provisions like this to actually keep new comers out of the market.

2. Also, the bill builds in a set, artificial 30% profit margin for the producers as compared to neighboring states. Why is the calculation based on 70% of the neighboring states costs? if you are going to do a program like this at all, shouldn't you require the Arkansas producers be at least as efficient as their neighbors? They should do what they can to become more efficient, at least at the same levels of people in near by states. And if they still cant compete, then perhaps you look at support programs. But using the artificial 70% figure just lines the producers' pockets.

The 2nd Amendment In Real Life...Senate Committee Votes Against Right Of Citizens To Protect Themselves

This one's for you, Max.

Legislation to allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and others at church (HB1237) was stopped by a handful of cowards in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The members had a voice vote so as to prevent a record of their insult to our right to self-defense.

Only Senators Jerry Taylor, D-Pine Bluff, and Ruth Whittaker, R-Cedarville, voted for it, which makes the rest of the committee, whether they voted against it, or not, guilty of preventing us from defending ourselves at church.

Sen. Sue Madison, D-Fayetteville, had the following to say, she didn't "know of any church where the carrying of guns is a sacred belief..."

Uhhh, who cares? Why should law-abiding church goers be prevented from defending themselves and others on that basis? Since when does the 2nd Amendment specify such a prerequisite for keeping and bearing arms? I'm pretty sure it says that the right "shall not be infringed". The very fact that we have to go, hat in hand, to elitists, like Madison, to ask for permission to exercise our rights is disgusting.

Senator Hank Wilkins, D-Pine Bluff, claimed that the legislation would send the wrong message. To whom, Senator? Your opposition sends the wrong message to people who obviously don't care about whether it's legal to carry a firearm into a church. Want some examples?

How about this, Senator Wilkins: A man in New Jersey drove cross country to shoot his wife planned on shooting others?

Or this: Remember, the crazy person who killed four people in a church in Colorado before he was stopped?

Or, how 'bout this, Senator: EIGHT people were killed in a Texas church?

I bet that it was already illegal for people to carry firearms into those churches. Somehow(???), these nuts did it anyway. Why shouldn't we allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and fellow church goers?

It's time to have a talk with the other members on the committee and explain to them a little bit about the 2nd Amendment. Ahem, Senators Thompson, Johnson, Wilkinson...

Market Tanks After Obama Speech

I guess it doesn't matter how sweet the poison he pours in our ears sounds. Obama's words stand on their head. He acted optimistic about the gobbledegook and massive PORK in the Porkulus bill after passing it by talking down the economy. The market represents actual money that people are risking. They're a lot more clear-headed than most people because they have a stake in the game and appear to be taking it and the tent and leaving. Obama is crashing the market with his inept socialist response to a market downturn caused by government intervention to begin with.

Here's the link.

Porkulus Unemployment Detriment: First Round's On The Feds, The Rest Are On Arkansas...Beebe Still Wants It

While other governors have figured out that they don't want the strings attached to the unemployment portion of the Porkulus bill, Gov. Beebe doesn't seem to care. This massive unfunded mandate will wreck our state in two ways: 1) it encourages people not to work and be productive, and 2) it has strings which require Arkansas to maintain the onerous burden of extending unemployment benefits without "federal" money after the first round.

It's like going to a bar and accepting the first round of drinks for free, but obligating yourself to pay for all the rest of them. That's not exactly a gift.

VIDEO: Biden: "What's The Website NUMBER?"

Ummm... What is the website number? I think I better call the operator and have her connect me to the website... What-a-mor-on! Maybe Obama was right when he said, "nobody messes with Joe", because they'd be wasting their time.

That was after Biden couldn't answer a small business owner's question about how the Porkulus will help small businesses. He told her to call his office, which is great since all small business owners have the time to call the vice president to ask him something they ought to be able to find out in a 30 second explanation. The reason why he couldn't tell what the Porkulus will do to help small business is because it won't help small business.

He realized that he looked like the moron that he is so he decided to suggest that fixing roads or building a bridge was going to help small businesses. Uhhhh?

Here's the video of this dunce. Now, tell me, honestly, would democrats give President Bush a pass on this stupidity if he said this?

Smacked Down...Legislation Proposed To Protect The Privacy Of Concealed Carry Permit Holders

No sooner had I heard about Max's childish and outrageous violation of the privacy of concealed carry permit holders (ahem, PRIVATE CITIZENS) than I began asking (privately) about whether a legislator could close the loophole that allows such an outrage.

I'm very glad to see that Rep. Randy Stewart, D-Kirby, is on it. He's apparently developing legislation to protect the privacy of Arkansas citizens. David Kinkade has the story at The Arkansas Project.

Max completely misses the point of Freedom of Information laws. They exist to allow citizens to keep a watch on politicians and bureaucrats, not for scummy hacks to violate the privacy of PRIVATE citizens. Max has been giddy about the idea for quite some time, admiring fellow muckrakers at other publications who have done it. His reasoning was to punish citizens who seek exercise their God-given right as Americans to protect themselves and their families. Max is an arrogant, elitist thug. I'd love it if this legislation could be made retroactive so that Max could be held responsible for violating the privacy of Arkansans.

Thank you, Rep. Stewart. Keep up the good work.

WOOPS! GLOBAL WARMING!!!! "Scientists" Accidentally Underestimate Arctic Ice By 500,000 Square Kilometers...Uh, Yeah, Right

They're quick to point out that it's still shrinking, though... Whatever. The world has been cooling for 11 years, now, and we're still expected to take these guys seriously?

Here's the link.

"Federal" "Stimulus" Confusing Arkansas Lawmakers...Ummm...Again, Who Do They Think Is Actually Paying For This?

There are so many problems with this, I don't know where to start.

First of all, the federal government can't give away what it doesn't take from taxpayers, so this is a real big help. They're pickpocketing us and acting like we should be grateful when they give us back less and tell us how to spend it.

And, I think it's important to add the word "government" to the front of the word "stimulus" any time the subject comes up, because that's the only way that it's accurate to describe this as "stimulus". This is a huge welfare check to government from government (actually, from us).

Here's the link.

AP: "Arkansas Health Leaders Urge Ark. House To OK Seat Belt Law"...More Like Arkansas Health Nannies

The justification for this is going to become that the state is "paying" for our health care (actually, we, the taxpayers, are), so they can tell us what to do. Again, arrogant legislators and other elites are smarter than we are. We can't be trusted to choose whether to wear our seat belts, so we need our social betters to tell us to do so. Oh, thank you, wise overlords. Honestly, the extent of the arrogant condescension in this legislative session is terrifying. I'm truly afraid to see what future sessions will be like. There are an endless number of "good ideas" and "safety issues" and laws that are "for the children". We won't recognize America after too much more of this.

Here's the link.

Take My Breath Away: Obama Plans To Tax Air We Breath, Seriously...

This isn't very funny, unfortunately. I'm sure this will help the economy, somehow.

Here's the link.

Helmet Age Law: One More Example Of Arrogant Legislators Telling Us How To Live Our Lives, Because We're Obviously Too Stupid

Yeah, we really made the right decision to let this do-badder legislators meet every year. It's like Student Congress to them. They have to come up with some "worthwhile" legislation to justify their existence. If it's this bad, now, it'll be worse in the off years, since they'll be busy trying to let the folks back home know they're busy during the primary. I guarantee the Founding Fathers didn't fight and die so these idiots could tell 22 year olds they aren't smart enough to make their own decisions about wearing a helmet.

(FYI: That picture is satirical, but accurate.)

Here's the link.

Sanders Column: ARKids 1st Putting ARTaxpayers Last...Who Exactly Does Beebe Want Us To Think Is Going To Pay For This?

The income brackets that are now eligible are outrageous. Heaven help us. We are plunging head long into socialism. Beebe and the democrats are following Obama right down the path to destruction.

Here's the link.

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes..High School Students Question Obama's Plan

There's still hope.

Here's the link.

GUTS! Rick Santelli For U.S. Senate, Illinois

Apparently, this stimulus was supposed to be passed to instill confidence, despite the "details". Yeah, looks like that's worked really well.

Here's the link.

Great American: Vaclav Klaus, Czech President/Survivor Of Soviet Socialist Tyranny, Accurately Compares European Union To Soviet Union

Believe me, he knows a little about Soviet tyranny, which, like that of the EU, was run by self-appointed elites who thought they knew better than people how to run their lives. Kind of reminds me of seat belt and cell phone laws...

Here's the link.

RPA ED Job?

Everybody and their brother is covering this, so, as of now, I don't have much to add.

North Dakota Passes Ban On All Abortions...Get Ready For Supreme Court Battle

This will be epic. It may have huge ramifications (0r "ramifestations" as Jesse Jackson would say) for the 2012 presidential election.

Here's the link.

WOW! Finally, Bill Filed Asserting 10th Amendment Against Unconstitutional Federal Mandates On States

HCR 1011: CLAIMING SOVEREIGNTY UNDER THE TENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OVER CERTAIN POWERS AND SERVING NOTICE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CEASE AND DESIST CERTAIN MANDATES.

This is a an idea whose time has long since come. The federal government's egregious violation of the Constitution has gone on too long. States' Rights is a crucial tenet of the balance of power in America and it has been out of balance for far, far too long. Bravo to the sponsor and cosponsors, Debra Hobbs, Jon Woods, and Roy Ragland.

FYI: Max, it's in the Constitution.

Here's the link.

Partial Birth Abortion Bill Advances In The Senate

Here's the link.

Dow Continues To Tank Since Inauguration

Here's to the Obama Economy.

Here's the link.

Sanders On Blue Dogs Opposing BIG LABOR's Anti-Business Legislation

Here's the link.

Andrew Klavan On The Cultural Dominance Of The Left

Very interesting and very scary.

Here's the link.

Tolbert Scores An Interview With Slick Willie

More on the spot reporting from Jason Tolbert.

Here's John Lyon's coverage of the event.

McDaniel Getting ReMarried

Here's the link.

Steve Breedlove: LIAR, Enemy of The 2nd Amendment, Etc...

Thanks to the talented Rett Hatcher for bringing this to my attention.

Here's the link to his post about Breedlove's dishonesty.

Schwarzenegger Is A Failure

When he first became governor of Cawliefornya I was cautiously optimistic that he would actually be a fiscal conservative, as he promised, but, instead, he kowtowed to the liberals who run the state (into the ground). The only solution for California was to slam the brakes on the government juggernaut and reverse course.

As Margaret Thatcher said, "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."

Schwarzenegger was more worried about being popular and has sold his state old to make Leftists activists and bureaucrats (I know, same thing) happy.


Here's the link.

Brummett's Naivete About Gun Free Zones

Apparently, John thinks that criminals care that you're not supposed to bring guns into churches. Why not? The gun free zone has worked so well to stop bank robbers.

Here's the link.

Senate Advances The "You're Too Stupid To Think For Yourself" Seat Belt Bill

Thank goodness politicians are here to tell us what to do because we're too stupid to be trusted to make our own choices about wearing a seatbelt.

I am just about fed up with these so-called do-gooders telling us how to live our lives. Earth to stupid politicians, we don't need you to tell us what to do. Get off your high horse. Meanwhile, surprise, surprise, they don't want us to be able to make more informed decisions about them. They've voted down more common sense legislation that would allow us to know more about them and their backgrounds...

Here's the link.

Slick Willie Speaking To Ledge Tomorrow

That should be exciting. I'm told that a large crowd is expected. I don't see the big deal, other than it being an opportunity for Clinton to feed his ego and for a democrat party morale booster.

Goodbye, Freedom: Environmentalists Coming For Our Cheeseburgers Next

First, it was Huckabee and his fat-nazi ilk. Now, it's environmentalists [socialists (democrats)] who want to tell us what we can and can't eat. Freedom is shrinking every day, it seems. Eat your burgers while you can because they will be coming for them.

Here's the link.

Kansas Governor A Lot Like Arkansas Governor...Both Think Government Needs Our Money More Than We Do

Another Democrat governor, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas is leading the charge to bailout government at the expense of hardworking taxpayers. It reminds me a lot of Governor Beebe's insatiable thirst for our money so he can grow government while we struggle. He's dividing us up one group at a time. Now, he's going after groups people consider unpopular: EVIL energy providers and EVIL smokers, who are mostly poor people. At least, Schwarzenegger and Sebelius have the guts to stick it to all income tax payers.

Here's the link.

Sanders On Speaker's Decline and Lite Guv's Ascendance

I have to say, I agree with the Lieutenant Governor over the Speaker, again. Another good column for David.

Here's the link.

Pelosi, Reid, Obama Break Promise About Openness, Don't Allow Public Comment Period On Porkulus

What a surprise. It's not surprising considering the massive amount of pork this "stimulus" bill is loaded with. It's enough to turn your stomach.

Here's the link.

STUPID!!!

"And, by the way, Democrats also sold arts, museums, parks down the river in kowtowing to Coburn on the stimulus bill."

Umm, hey, stupid, I mean Max, how exactly are any of those things "stimulus"?

Here's the link.

Governor Continues To Grow Government With Passage Of Tax Increase, While Taxpayers Struggle

Is this ever going to stop? How shameless are these politicians?

Here's the link.

Democrats Preparing To Silence Opposition With The "Fairness" Doctrine

Here's the link.

Max 's Demented World

Referring to partial birth abortion, Max had the following to say: "It accomplishes little or nothing, except producing more potential misery for the tiny handful of people in desperate straits who might need to seek the procedure."

Ummm, how exactly do you protect a woman's life or health by delivering a baby except for his or her head then stabbing it in the back of the head, sucking his or her brains out, and then delivering the his or her head?

You are truly sick.

Here's the link.

Cessna Reacts To Democrat Attempt To Destroy Private Jet Industry (Jobs)

I'm glad to see someone is disputing this nonsense. Way to go, Cessna.

Here's the link.

Abortion Doctor Botches Abortion, Then Murders The Baby AFTER Delivery

I'm sure Max and his followers can explain how this isn't pure evil and vile murder.

Here's the link.

Not One Congressman Read Porkulus Bill Before Vote...What Happened To Openness?

One silver lining in this dark, ominous cloud is that not one Republican voted for this in the House.

Here's the link.

GLOBAL WARMING!!! Forum Held In -6 Degree Buffalo, NY

How do you spell irony, again?

Here's the link.

Brummett On Clinton's Stupidity

It's a hallmark of Bill Clinton to give arrogant, rambling speeches. Brummett's latest column highlights Bill's latest meandering tyrade.

Here's the link.

Make That Two Times, I Agree With Halter...This Is Weird

He's exactly right to be flabbergasted by an attempt to misappropriate the proceeds of the lottery by the legislature. This proposal is nothing short of despicable.

Here's the link.

Sanders On Governor Beebe's Free Healthcare For Households Over $80,000 A Year In Income

I commented on the stupidity of this socialist expansion of government back in October of 2007. Now it's coming to fruition in Arkansas and nationally with the passage of the new SCHIP program.

Once again, poor Gregg Reep is showing his fiscal conservatism as a sponsor of this massive expansion of ARKids First.

Here's the link.

National Review Nails It: Obama's Already A Failure

Obama's administration has, so far, been one bumbling mistake after another.

Add Judd Gregg to the list.

Here's the link.

HR 45: Democrat Congressman Proposes Bill To Require Draconian Identification And Licensing Of Gun Owners

Here's the link.

For Once, I Agree With The Lite Guv, Sort Of

Speaker Robbie Wills has outlined a plan for the Stupid Tax Scholarships, which would amount to $1,500 and $750 per student/per year at 4 year and 2 year colleges, respectively. Now, I tend to like the idea of not promising too much, but it seems to me that the people of Arkansas voted for this monstrosity under the impression that the scholarships from the proceeds would pay for full scholarships.

That being said, Lt. Gov. Halter is fair in his criticism of this relatively paltry amount and suggestion that the scholarships be more like $5,000/$2,500.

I'm skeptical about whether the Stupid Tax will produce as much revenue as predicted, since the local lottery market is becoming saturated. Perhaps, the Speaker is, as well. It's good to err on the side of caution, but it's disingenuous to get voters to vote for something as stupid as this and not even try to fulfill their expectations.

Here's the link.

When Will Government Stop Growing (At Our Expense)?

I'm very thankful to FreedomWorks for being vigilant against the never-ending growth of government.

Porkulus Bill Breakdown...Oh Yeah, It's Up To $938 BILLION, Now

I received this from a friend recently. His breakdown shows how dishonest this Porkulus bill really is. I've included his update, since the Porkulus spending bill has now broken $900 BILLION!!! A note, I didn't write this and there may be mistakes.

---

Update,

You will be glad to hear that the 816 billion “stimulus” bill has blown up to 938 billion in the Senate. A group of Senators are trying to cut the “fat” out of this nearly trillion dollar spending binge. With hard work and effort they may be able to get it under 900 billion. Here is the bottom line, while the private sector is cutting spending and job to survive and families are cutting back spending our government is about to passing the largest 1 time spending bill in the history of the country dumping debt on our kids.

---

We have heard about some of the nutty stuff in this bill like 2 billion for global warming study and 400 million for fighting STD. However, what has gotten lost in this whole debate is the big picture. The following is a list of the huge $ amounts in this bill:

$90 billion to help states meet Medicaid obligations

$79 billion for state education aid

$43 billion for jobless benefits

$41 billion for local school districts

$39 billion for medical insurance for jobless

$20 billion to expand food stamps

$16 billion to expand Pell grants

And so on. Just this lists totals $328 billion. There is so much more. None of this $328 billion will create 1 single job. Not 1. My point is not to debate wither we need to spend this money, but what in the heck is it doing in a “stimulus” bill?

I don’t think that I can put it any better than Rep. Harold Rogers of Ky:

“When the dust finally settles perhaps then we will face the facts regarding this colossal trillion dollar spending bill. And the fact is it isn’t an economic stimulus plan as all, but a rampant spending spree, much of which has nothing to do with bailing out a sagging economy but with a liberal litany of left-leaning, big government programs”

Amen. Every once in a while we hear truth from Capital Hill. I just so you don’t think I am being a partisan. The GOP is guilty as well. Yes, they didn’t vote for this disaster. But the budget grew 50% when the GOP controlled the WH and congress. Also they pushed for the $700 B bailout (though not all)

Reminds me of the saying “All politicians are bad, but Democrats are worse”.

When are we going to be honest in our bills and when are we going to stop heaping debt on our grandchildren?

The Huckster Speaketh: Porkulus Anti-Religious...Well, He's Right

Here's the link.

Bill To Ban Partial Birth Abortion Passes Committee

Here's the link.

BREAKING: Tax Hike Passes Out Of Senate Committee

Here's the link.

Romney: Obama's Porkulus Bill Only Stimulates Government Growth

Here's the link.

Pryor and Lincoln Vote For Ludicrous Obama/Democrat Pork Bill

It's not called the Porkulus Bill for nothing. This disgusting monstrosity is the most blatant case of advancing a fearmongering being used to push a radical, anti-prosperity (SOCIALIST) agenda since the Great Depression, which is exactly what caused the Great Depression.

Thanks, Blanche and Mark. We'll keep this in mind when you're up for reelection, when you abandoned the taxpayers to advance this radical socialist agenda and pay off your special interests (unions, et al...) to turn the rest of America into Michigan. Thanks, a lot.

Here's the link.

Brummett Calls Out Thin-Skinned Dems For Whining About Republicans

A very fair-minded column.

Here's the link.

Repubs Put Up A Fight In The House

Despite what this article from Andrew DeMillo says, Republican legislators, most of them, anyway, made the governor and House speaker sweat more than a little to pass their tax hike.

Here's the link.

Gutless Democrats Approve Obama Congratulatory Resolution On Voice Vote

Translation: they didn't want to have their names tied to it, via a roll call.

Here's the link.

Krauthammer: So Much For "Hope" Over Fear

I thought Obama was supposed to bring "hope" as opposed to fear. Lately, all he can do is push fear.

Here's the link.

Thomas Paine Day Fails

From the tireless Debbie Pelley.

---

Legislators say no to day honoring Paine

BY MICHAEL R. WICKLINE

Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/250756/

An Arkansas Senate committee balked Tuesday at recommending a bill that would designate a day to commemorate Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Paine.

Paine would be commemorated yearly on Jan. 29 by a proclamation issued by the governor under House Bill 1086 by Rep. Lindsley Smith, D-Fayetteville.

A motion by Sen. Steve Bryles, D-Blytheville, for the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee to endorse the bill failed for the lack of a second by the committee's other members.

The action came after Sen. Randy Laverty, D-Jasper, questioned Paine's writings on religion in Paine's book The Age of Reason after reading to committee members some writings that Laverty later said were given to him by an Eagle Forum member, whose name he couldn't recall.

"I laud him for many of the things that he did, but apparently at some point in the writing of that book, if this is true information, he had some very disparaging things to say about the Bible. It's naturally a concern to those of us that believe in the faith of our fathers," Laverty said.

She said she has had her religion questioned by some people, and that she attended a Methodist church for 40 years and now attends a Unitarian church.

End of Article

Thomas Paine Quotes:

Thomas Paine Quotes (See links below where you can find these quotes)

Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is no more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason and more contradictory to itself than this thing called Christianity. Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in human beings. Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man. Thomas Paine

Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities. Thomas Paine

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. Thomas Paine

It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes. Thomas Paine

There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice. Thomas Paine

Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the bible is filled, it would seem more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind. Thomas Paine patriot & political philosopher (1737 - 1809) See link below for this quote:

For the names of legislators who voted for this bill and those who voted against it, see this link: Vote was taken January 22, 09 http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Pages/Votes.aspx?rcsnum=2257&votechamber=House

You can find these quotes by Thomas Paine at these links: (In order hopefully - more than one on some links.)

Sanders On The Secret Plan To Socialize Child Health Care

This has pretty well gone unnoticed.

Here's the link.

Jindal Rouses Republicans Desperate For Leadership

I am pleased to report that Governor Bobby Jindal, R-Louisiana, lived up to the hopes of those gathered at the Washington County Republican Committee Lincoln Day Dinner. He may just be the leader we're looking for.

Here's the link.

Brummett: Dear Mr. Taxman...HILARIOUS

"Dear Tax Police:

"Be advised that my enclosed return for calendar 2008 omits some of my income. If you would like me to report all the money I made last year and pay the appropriate taxes, then you’ll need to speak to President Obama about getting me nominated for his cabinet..."

Read the rest and you'll be weeping with tears at the hilarity and the tyranny of the elite running our country.

Here's the link.

Obama Proposing $1 TRILLION For Socialized Health Care

"Our kids are going to be paying very high taxes because of decisions made in the last 6 months. The administration is saying that we will spend $1 trillion dollars and SAVE money. Can anyone think of a time when a government program saved money?? This entire spending spree over the last 6 months is insane and fiscally irresponsible."

That's a friend's excellent analysis of Obama's "fiscal responsibility".

Here's the link.

Too Nice By Half...Martin Apologizes After Giving "Fiscal Conservative" Greg Reep A Reality Check

For some reason, the article I've linked doesn't explain the context of Rep. Mark Martin's, R-Prairie Grove, very appropriate and hilarious comment that balancing the budget is the law.

The context, for those of you who don't know, was Rep. Greg Reep's, D-Forrest City, claim on the floor of the House that he is a fiscal conservative, a statement which drew laughter, as it should since he was speaking on behalf of an unnecessary tax hike. Reep responded to the laughter by bragging that "we", as if he alone, balanced the budget, to which Martin heckled, appropriately, "it's the law."

Martin, of course, was referring to the fact that the state constitution requires the legislature to pass a balanced budget. This was rather embarrassing for Reep whose statement was proved to be a canard in an instant. Claiming credit as a fiscal conservative on the basis of doing something you're required by law to do is an embarrassing faux pas to say the least, especially when you're called out in front of the entire legislature.

That being said, I'm going to go ahead and congratulate Rep. Martin for his clarity of mind and boldness, despite his decision to apologize for his brilliant and appropriate defense of reason.

Here's the link.

Mayor Bloomberg's Genocidal GLOBAL WARMING!!! Hysteria

Like many good liberals, New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, strongly supports the eradication of the majority of mankind in order to "save the planet". This is chilling Malthusian dogma at its most disturbing.

Here's the link.

Ledge Turning Attention To The Stupid Tax

Here's the link.

Broken Promises: Obama Fills Administration With Crooks And Lobbyists

Here's the link.

Another Great Video From Jason Tolbert On The Tobacco Tax

Here's Rep. Frank Glidewell, R-Fort Smith, talking some sense about the greed and foolishness of the never-ending growth of government at the expense of average Arkansans. The political class views us as revenue generators and nothing more. We're poor and helpless and can't help ourselves, so they have to take from us and tell us how to live our lives. Thanks, Rep. Glidewell and the 21 other Republicans and 1 Democrat who voted against this tax hike.

Thanks to Jason Tolbert for another timely video. He's has become an indispensable feature in Arkansas media. He's the eyes and ears of political blogging at the Capitol.

Happy Birthday, Gipper

Today would be President Reagan's 98th birthday. Remember what it was like when we had a president who believed in us more than he believed in government?

It's remarkable how timeless President Reagan was 45 years ago. Today, again, is a Time For Choosing.

Sanders On Tax And Spend RINOs

Again, dead on.

Here's the link.

RINOs Deliver Tax Hike

With exactly the 75 vote minimum needed to pass this tax hike, a handful of RINOs voted to raise taxes on Arkansans when we are struggling the most. Check out the Roll Call.

I'll be featuring each of these RINOs in the coming days. You know who you are and you'll pay for this. That's not a threat. It's a promise. If you want to wear the name Republican, we have a right to expect you to act like a Republican.

I'll also be making honorable mention of the few democrats who followed their conscience in voting against this never-ending onslaught of government growth.

Here's the link.

Polish President Calls Out Algore On GLOBAL WARMING!!! Hoax's Socialist Agenda

Something else for Max to ignore.

Here's the link.

Bill To Diminish Arkansas's Significance In Presidential Elections Heading To House Floor For Vote...Contact Your Representative, Tell Them To Vote NO

It appears that Rep. Monty Davenport, D-Yellville, hasn't heeded my call for him to pull his bill to destroy the critical check created by our Founders to protect small states from big states in presidential elections. The Electoral College was designed with that specific purpose in mind. We must save it.

It's going to the floor just a few minutes from now.

Time is short, but try to contact your representative. Tell them to vote NO on HB 1339.

AP Headline: "Lawyer: Arkansas Lethal Injection Policies Unsound"...No Word On Whether Murder Methods Unsound, Though...

This is sickening. Somebody can brutally rape and kill several people and liberal lawyers will worry about a little discomfort when these murderers are executed.

Maybe these lawyers should sue the American Red Cross for causing people discomfort when they give blood.

Here's the link.

Pelosi Math: 6 BILLION Americans Will Be Unemployed By Year End, At Current Rate

Now, if President Bush had said this, he'd be pilloried as a dunce. Nancy Pelosi says that 500 million Americans are losing their jobs every month and the Daily Show doesn't do a segment and Max doesn't do a post. It's like it never happened. The most powerful woman in the world is an idiot and, of course, those partisan hacks don't care.

This is your friendly democrat party leadership.

Here's the link.

Democrat Culture Of Corruption Morphs Into Obama Administration...Daschle, Another Tax Cheat STILL Supported By Obama

Here's the link.

House Committee Votes Against Arkansas's Influence In Presidential Elections

Under the legislation, Arkansas would throw its support behind whichever president wins the popular vote, despite the will of the people of Arkansas. Monty Davenport, the chief sponsor of this bill, apparently, doesn't seem to care about how this will diminish the influence of Arkansas and other small states in presidential elections. The Electoral College, like giving each state two senators despite population, was designed to protect smaller states from domination by larger states. It's pretty obvious, but Monty doesn't seem to care. Apparently he wants us to be dominated by big, liberal states.

It's interesting to note that Arkansas would be joining much more populous, densely populated states in support of this bill. Many of those states, which are heavily dominated by liberal democrats, have mechanisms to prevent swinging their electoral votes to the popular vote winner until a majority of other states enact similar legislation. Why would they do that, you might ask? If it's somehow virtuous to swing your votes to the winner of the popular vote, why wouldn't they make it automatic? The answer is that they want to gear this toward helping democrats and until this legislation is enacted in enough states that candidates will be forced to campaign in heavily populated, democrat states, they don't want to risk having their votes go toward a Republican candidate.

Here's the link.

Nanny State Legislators Telling Us How To Live Our Lives With Cell Phone Legislation

How else should I describe this. Of course there are tragedies from traffic accidents, but there have always been and always will be.

The simple fact of the matter is that you can't and shouldn't legislate perfect safety, especially at the expense of freedom. We are smart enough to figure things out for ourselves. We do not need to be told what to do by a bunch of self-righteous, power hungry politicians.

Here's the link.

Monty Davenport Trying To Destroy Electoral College, Arkansas's Significance In Presidential Politics?

Maybe we should go to proportional representation for U.S. Senators, too, while we're at it. Why should we have two? If anything, we should let big states have lots more so "democracy" can rule.

Did it ever cross your mind, Rep. Davenport, that the Founding Fathers put the electoral college in the Constitution for a reason? They new that small states would be insignificant without it in presidential elections. Now, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and talk to you as if maybe you've been sold a bill of goods and don't really understand this. I know it's embarrassing to find out you've been lied to, but this legislation will be devastating to small states like Arkansas. Why in the world would we intentionally put our state and other small states at a disadvantage to big states in presidential elections?

Rep. Davenport, if you would do the right thing, for your constituents, for the people of Arkansas, and for the people of every small state, we would be eternally grateful. Pull this bill and repudiate it. The only thing this bill will do is the same thing that would happen if all states didn't get two senators, take away the only thing that makes presidential candidates care what people in small states think, people like us, people in flyover country, people in Yellville.

I can assure you that the people in Yellville don't want to give up their voice in presidential elections to New York and California. Neither should you and neither should any other representative or senator in Arkansas who claims to represent the people of Arkansas.

Here's the link.

Great Story: Civilian Saves Marine's Life

This is well worth the read.

Here's the link.

Legislature Backpeddling On Pay Raises After Harsh Criticism

I don't want to take too much credit, but it's remarkable that these politicians have somehow been motivated to backpeddle on their pay raises, after they passed them nearly unnoticed.

This is a pretty big deal, because it shows that these politicians know they got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. But this response is almost like a bank robber offering to give back some of the money.

Guess what, guys! You don't deserve any pay increase. Not one penny. Arkansans are losing their jobs and you're trying to look magnanimous by only giving yourselves a 3.3% raise!!!?

How do you sleep at night? Well, I know how you sleep at night, in a government subsidized apartment, with a full stomach, full of steak. Not growling from not having enough ramen noodles like average Arkansans who are struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

And you mooches have the gall to suggest that you need MORE of our money with this tobacco tax!? And you can't quite bring yourselves to pass just a .667% budget cut for your precious state government in the form of this still unfulfilled, 1/3 measure, grocery tax cut promise.

Shame! I say that with all the fullness of meaning in that word. SHAME! Your parents and children ought to be ashamed of you! You dare to take food off the table of struggling Arkansans and give yourselves a PAY RAISE while we're losing our jobs!!!

Our Founding Father's didn't risk their lives so you could nickel and dime tax us into oblivion so you can pad your already cushy lifestyles and fund your pet projects and then have the nerve to tell us how to live our lives. You'll get no congratulations from me for this meager backpeddling on your greedy lust for more at our expense.

Public servants, indeed!

SHAME!

Here's the link.

8 Repubs Considering Voting FOR Tax Increase!!!

Thanks to Jason Tolbert for his tireless coverage and bringing this to my attention.

It appears that there are EIGHT "Republicans" considering voting for the governor's tobacco tax...

WHY?!

What did we elect you for? What good are REPUBLICANS if they don't oppose taxes? Do you guys want us to be a permanent minority? How are we ever going to advance if we don't offer a choice to the people of Arkansas? When are we going to draw the line? When are we going to say, "enough is ENOUGH!!!"?

This is absolutely unacceptable. State government is absolutely bloated and you have no right to take more money away from honest taxpayers just because you can't seem to manage the money you already take from us better. If this is soooo important, cut some fat out of the state budget and pay for it that way.

The people of Arkansas are struggling and don't deserve another cut to our already thin budgets. And the state government does not deserve another penny of our money. I don't care if this is supposed to be okay because you're taking it from "evil" smokers. Whose businesses do you think they're patronizing? You're not just taking it away from them. You're taking it away from all of us, because that's money that smokers won't spend in our businesses, when we need every penny possible in the hands of private enterprise.

Now is the time to say, "NO!" Draw the line. Make state government live below its means and start returning, not taking, our money.

Here's the link.

Here's a nice little piece from the Arkansas Times Blog praising one of our Republican brethren for supporting this tax increase.

Rep. Rick Green, who has previously fought courageously to defend our sovereignty from illegal alien invasion, is departing our fellowship on this basic Republican tenet and receiving high praise from Arkansas's most infamous and despicable liberal, Max Brantley. I'm sure an endorsement from Brantley will go over like flowers and sunshine in a Republican primary.

Conservative Giant Visiting Arkansas To Oppose Tax Hike

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend, but I will have people there to hear former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey speak today. I really appreciate his eagerness to help stop this tyrannical tax increase, being foisted on us by a government that is blood thirsty for our hard earned dollars.

Dick Armey to Visit Little Rock to Address Republican Caucus

Armey guest of State Representative Bryan King

News Advisory:

What: Chairman of FreedomWorks and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey will visit Little Rock, Arkansas at the invitation of House Minority Leader Bryan King (R-91) and address a caucus meeting of legislators.

Who: FreedomWorks Chairman and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, along with members of the Arkansas State House and Senate.

When: Press Conference will be held Tuesday, February 3^rd, at 10:00am

Where: Arkansas Capitol, front steps.

Why: Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey will discuss the importance of a legislature setting priorities in a budget and not raising taxes during a recession. Legislators should find room in the budget for all top priorities, and should not result to gimmicky, regressive taxes for their failure to adhere to a budget.

FreedomWorks is a grassroots organization with over 500,000 members nationwide dedicated to lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.

Fingers Crossed: GOP Leaders Predict Obama Porkulus Bill Won't Pass Senate

Here's the link.

House Fast To Raise Taxes, Slow To Cut

Hey, it's not our money anyway. Who cares that we work for it. It belongs to the politicians, right? How could the state possibly do without .667 % of its budget?

Here's the link.

Brummett Slams Repub Idea To Fund Trauma Center Without Raising Taxes

Of course.

Here's the link.

Not Impressed: Iranian Leader Calls Obama Weak

Here's the link.

Vanity Fair Puts The VANITY In Fair: "Is Obama The Most Famous Living Person Ever?"

Here's the link.

Sanders On Governor's Anti-Smoking Nazi, Dan "Goebbels" Hawkins

David's latest column casts more light on the demented lunacy of the radical whom Governor Beebe should fire from the state tobacco cessation board.

Hawkins who infamously questioned the mental health of smokers in a recent email also, ironically, suggested that legislators might be liable for allowing free people to choose freely whether they want to smoke.

The governor's anemic response to this nut falls far short of an appropriate response. The governor has no reasonable choice but to fire Hawkins and utterly repudiate all of his policy statements, as I suggested earlier this week. Falling short of that, the governor is tacitly endorsing these radical statements. How can the governor possibly allow such a loon to represent him?

Here's the link.