A Distraction?

It’s come out how Gov. Sarah Palin “abused” her power as Governor of Alaska. The Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal, or Troopergate, is an event that occurred when Gov. Palin fired Commissioner Walt Monegan. The Governor fired Monegan because he failed to fire Mike Wooten, an Alaskan State Trooper, and Palin’s ex-brother-in-law. Wooten’s wife accused him of threatening to shoot her father if he hired an attorney to help in her in their divorce. Back in 2003, Wooten also used taser his step-son, because the boy wanted to know what it felt like.

So Gov. Palin is under fire for dismissing the commissioner who failed to fire her ex-brother-in-law. If you had a family member hurting or threatening a loved one would you not want some sort of legal action taken? The commissioner would still have his job had he just dismissed the trooper who was becoming a serious threat to his family. But no it’s Gov. Palin who comes off as the bad guy.

Meg Stapleton, the spokeswoman for the McCain-Palin campaign, said in a statement Friday night: "The report [...] illustrates what we've known all along: this was a partisan-led inquiry run by Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern regarding Trooper Wooten, given his violent and rogue behavior. Lacking evidence to support the original Monegan allegation, the Legislative Council seriously overreached, making a tortured argument to find fault without basis in law or fact."

But while the Gov. Palin receives criticism and her actions are called into question, the Obama campaign is trying to sweep the William Ayers connection under the rug. Oh Gov. Palin, how dare you fire the man who failed to fire the man who threatened your sister’s family. Never mind the fact that Sen. Obama associated himself with a terrorist.

If the Obama campaign can dismiss the Obama-Ayers connection, and say it’s just a ploy to distract voters from the issues, then the Republicans can do the same with Troopergate. Isn’t Troopergate just a distraction?

You Can Have Your Principles and Your Heritage Too

“Here are three men who tell me they are not going to vote for the person who most people think that would normally vote for. Take a listen...”

That’s how Rick Sanchez of CNN began his piece on people in the League of First Time Voters, where he interviewed three black men who are supporting McCain.

SANCHEZ: Isn't there any source of pride within you that says, "I may be against this guy, I may like the other guy but he makes me proud?" No?

MICHAEL McNEELY: Oh absolutely. We're proud of Barack Obama. There are millions of children that look at him as a black man and say "Wow, I can become a nominee to a major party. There's a potential to become president of the United States." Yes, we celebrate that. But see...

SANCHEZ: But you would say to those children, "Don't vote for him."

McNEELY: Yes, I would. Based on principle. Absolutely. Principles matter. Lower taxes, strong national defense, traditional marriage, free market solutions. Those types of things. That's what we believe in the Republican party.

Another one of the three men, Rufus Montgomery, said, “…when it comes to the issues I start with questions that tend to bring silence like "If Democrats are for the poor, why are people still poor?" And you can hear the silence in the room. Who will best serve as leader of this country? Do you want a steady hand in times of crises and need or do you want to go with the unknown. With McCain you may disagree with him but you know where he stands.”

Unfortunately, the YouTube post contains comments like, "absolutely disgusting! some black men are such an embarrassment!" Despite the uncivilized remarks, the important message of this post is clear; you can have your principles and your heritage too.

Give the Middle Class a Loan?

On January 4, 2007 Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House. In her inaugural address the first female speaker spoke of “sustaining our economic leadership.” She went on to add “A new America with a vibrant and strengthened middle class for whom college is affordable, health care is accessible, and retirement reliable. A new America that declares our energy independence, promotes domestic sources of renewable energy, and combats climate change.”

Well let’s see what we’ve accomplished.

1. Declared our energy independence, yes we’ve made it “known” that we like to be energy independent.
2. Yes we’ve promoted renewable energies, but that’s still 10 years away.
3. Fought against climate change? Look I think we all know there’s no way we can win against Mother Nature…well…

But hey, how bout that middle class.

On September 28’s Meet the Press broadcast, Former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer and Democratic Congressman Mark Udall faced off.

REP. UDALL: For you to sit here and suggest that somehow you're immune from any of the criticism or any of the blame for the straits we find ourselves in is laughable. The policies of the Bush...

REP. SCHAFFER: Mark, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac didn't crash six years ago.

REP. UDALL: Bob, let me finish. The...

REP. SCHAFFER: They crashed this year, where you were in charge.

REP. UDALL: Let me finish. The policies you support have led us to the day that we are experiencing today.

REP. SCHAFFER: Absolutely not true.

But let’s get back to Pelosi’s inaugural address.

“In order to achieve our new America for the 21st Century, we must return this House to the American people. So our first order of business is passing the toughest congressional ethics reform in history. This new Congress doesn't have two years or 200 days. Let us join together in the first 100 hours to make this Congress the most honest and open Congress in history -- 100 hours.”

According to Wikipedia, a trusted news source, 87 business hours after the swearing-in, the House of Representatives had passed every one of the plan's measures in the form that they had been submitted to Congress by January 18, 2007. These measures included all of those promised, with the exception of part of one of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission.

I’m guessing that’s when the clock stopped.

Wikipedia also stated how one of the 100-Hour Plan's greatest opponents is former Speaker Dennis Hastert, who has said of Speaker Pelosi's intended changes that, "By repealing President Bush's tax relief, she would devastate economic prosperity for Americans and burden taxpayers at all levels."

No Mr. Speaker, we have to look beyond the truth. President Bush is top dog so it’s his fault, we can’t accept any other intelligence.

Sen. Obama says, “I believe that building a strong middle class is the key to making our economy strong. And that's what we'll do when I'm President of the United States. So yes, we'll create millions of new jobs, and yes, we'll put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families.” What’s he going to do, give the middle class a loan?

Thee Old Political Stratagem

“We can’t afford four more years of failed Republican policies.” “John McCain voted with George Bush ninety-percent of the time.” If you’re paying attention to politics it is these two phrase, and those like it, which come up every week from the Democratic Party., and usually the word/phrase “change” follows.

• Bill Clinton- 1992
  • “Tonight I want to talk with you about my hope for the future, my faith in the American people, and my vision of the kind of country we can build together.”
  • “Now that we have changed the world, it’s time to change America.”
  • “I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo: Your time has come and gone. Its time for a change in America.”
  • “We can seize this moment, make it exciting and energizing and heroic to be American again. We can renew our faith in each other and in ourselves. We can restore our sense of unity and community.”
  • “I want every person in this hall and every person in this land to reach out and join us in a great new adventures, to chart a bold new future.”

• George W. Bush- 2000
  • “Together, we will renew America's purpose.”
  • “…it is the time for new beginnings.”
  • “My fellow citizens, we can begin again.”
  • “An era of tarnished ideals is giving way to a responsibility era, and it won't be long now.”
  • “I know how serious the task is before me. I know the presidency is an office that turns pride into prayer. But I am eager to start on the work ahead, and I believe America is ready for a new beginning.”
  • “Americans live on the sunrise side of the mountain, the night is passing, and we're ready for the day to come.”

In case you’re asking yourself about the quotes above they come from the acceptance speeches of Former President Clinton, and President Bush. The purpose for the quotes is show that with every election brings the candidates of change. Each one, Republican and Democrat, speak to tell America how it’s time for a new start to help America get back on track, that we need change. They’ll point out how voters can’t afford to elect another party member of the current administration, whether it’s the truth or thee old political stratagem.