April 05, 2006
More Government = Less Freedom
Here is a long commentary written by Cheryl Welch of the Star-News of Wilmington, NC. It's a long, detailed complaint about, well, I'll summarize for you so you won't have to read the whole thing: If only we had less freedom and more government, less people would die.
Now I can't tell if this article is supposed to be in the "news" section of the paper or not, but it's clearly an opinion piece with a few facts carelessly tossed about. The premise is that a woman was choked because her husband choked her while working for a private health facility and if the state had screened him properly, he wouldn't have been working there, and therefore wouldn't have choked his wife. The article bemoans the fact that this man was accused of a crime and was not immediately fired from his job. Seriously. Yes, the day he was convicted of a crime, he was fired, but that's not good enough for the author of this piece -- he apparently should have been fired when he was simply accused of wrongdoing. I wonder if Ms. Welch applies that principle to her existence, too. She goes on to complain that nurse's aides, certified by the state, do not have a criminal check done to get certified, but actually DO have a criminal check done before they're hired by the facility. I'm not exactly sure why this is a problem, but Ms. Welch thinks the government should maintain all certification processes and include criminal background checks at the government level, instead of allowing employers access to that information. I'm not sure exactly why anyone thinks that government can do a better job than private industry. Government has as much a vested interest as private industry, only a worse one -- private industry is limited by money, while government only exists today to create more government. Instead of increasing regulation, the state should DECREASE nurse's aide regulation -- allow a private group to certify nurse's aides any way they want to. That would even allow MORE THAN ONE registry! It would allow nationwide registries! It would create levels of competition never seen before in nursing. But that would also increase freedom, which big-government supporters like Ms. Welch apparently do not like.Posted by: Ogre at 11:02 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
April 04, 2006
Fat Car Seats
Great. In case you missed the news, apparently American children are now too fat for car seats. The news article claims that "most" of a quarter of a million overweight 1-6 year olds are overweight -- almost 5% of 3-year olds.
Tell me again about how our economy is so suffering that we have so many kids eating so much food and being so sedentary that they're overweight? In another government report, supposedly 23% of children age 2-5 were "overweight." To combat the fatness and laziness of today's children, car seat manufacturers are creating new car seats "to accommodate" the fatties. I just wonder how these will be marketed:Safeguard Doublewides: for the chunky child
How about
Bretax Child Seats: Now in size F, VF, and Super-F
or maybe
Safety Enormo-Seats: Now Fits children up to 220 lbs!
And the top of the line:
Eddie Bauer Leather XXXL Car Seat: 2 entire cows used to ensure enough leather to line the entire seat!
Feel free to add your own...
Posted by: Ogre at 06:03 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Carnival of Liberty
Speaking of freedom...this week's Carnival of Liberty is up at Below the Beltway. Go read!
Posted by: Ogre at 05:03 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Mass CRUSHES freedom
Now everyone knows that Massachusetts is a very liberal place. They keep electing Ted Kennedy, so that much should be obvious. In order to get elected, you HAVE to be a liberal -- it's just required, no matter if you put a "D" or an "R" after your name. Governor Mitt Romney proves that by agreeing to an incredibly anti-freedom bill.
The socialists in Massachusetts are really celebrating. They're also helping to ensure that I will never, ever, live or do business in that state (which is how states are supposed to work, by the way) -- but I also want to stop my money from flowing into the state via federal dollars. The bill REQUIRES all citizens of Massachusetts to have health insurance, even if you do not want it. That's completely wrong. And yes, it really does DEMAND that you get health insurance -- if you do not, you will actually be FINED by the state! Yes, the state of Massachusetts is going to FINE you if you do not spend your money the way they tell you to. State Senator Richard T. Moore, celebrating the state takeover of individuals, says, "I think every member of the Legislature will be able to be very proud of [the bill]." How utterly insane is that? In case you missed it:The State of Massachusetts is Determining how you spend your money. If you do not spend YOUR money the way they demand, YOU WILL BE FINED.
And yes, of course, if the state determines that you do not make "enough" money, they will be glad to force someone ELSE to pay for your involuntary health insurance. Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution says:
All people are born free and equal and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin.
That clearly doesn't apply here. I'm not holding my breath waiting for the ACLU to jump on in here to defend these people's rights -- but if the ACLU were actually interested in civil rights, this would be a perfect case. If people have the right to "acquire, possess, and protect property," then how does the state have the right to demand that property be spent in certain ways? But hey, if you're a lazy bum, feel free to head on over to Massachusetts -- you get all the free healthcare you want. And if you're a working person, you really should get the heck out while the state will still let you.
Posted by: Ogre at 04:09 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Charlotte Government Thoughts
Those who read this site (thank you!) very quickly notice that I have a very low opinion of government. I honestly believe that the vast majority of those who are in government, especially those who consider it a "career," have serious problems dealing with anything involving reality.
I believe government is a necessary evil that should do as absolutely little as possible, because nearly anything they do, they WILL screw it up. Why? Because they don't know how to think like an actual human being. Don't believe me? Do you know anyone else on the entire planet who is NOT in government that actually thinks that if there is a problem with too much congestion, REDUCING the number of lanes will help? Well, Charlotte City government claims it will. In a way, Jeff Taylor's got it right when he thinks they're smoking something. Actually, it's more like these people are actively working forward with their war on the automobile, it's the people who actually believe them that are really out there.Posted by: Ogre at 03:04 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
NC Conservative Agenda: Point 6
Continuing the discussion regarding the 7-point NC Conservative Agenda. Today is Point 6:
Adopt Defense of Marriage Act
Once again, feel free to weigh in either for or against this idea for North Carolina (even if you're not from North Carolina).
Marriage is a sacred institution under attack in many states. With other states legalizing same-sex marriage, the attack on traditional marriage has just begun. Conservatives should fight for a vote on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
This bill is introduced every year. This year, it was Senator Forrester in the Senate. He continues to introduce it and push it. However, since it was introduced by a Republican, it never moves anywhere -- despite 24 co-sponsors. That means at least 50% of the North Carolina Senate is a co-sponsor and would vote for the bill. If it were voted on, it would only need ONE vote to pass...and that's why the Democrats won't let it see the light of day. The proposed bill is rather simple -- it's not even a page long. It just asks for a Constitutional Amendment that adds, "Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage is the union of one man and one woman at one time, and this is the only marriage that shall be recognized as valid in this State." That's it. Note there's nothing there about taking away ANY rights from ANY people at all. It's very simple and 78% of the people of North Carolina support it. And the Democrats shouldn't really mind -- they disobey the Constitution now when they don't like it, so this won't affect them at all. The so-called "gay community" shouldn't care either -- this doesn't stop them from doing what they want to do in the privacy of their own home. This doesn't take away any of their rights. But they will still scream and yell because they don't want rights, they want special rights and they want complete and total approval of their actions -- which I will not give them. I completely support this agenda item. I'm not sure if it can pass or not, just because all it takes is a couple Democrats who love gay people to get the bill stalled in a committee -- as they've done in the past. However, if Senator Forrester lets the bill get filed by a Democrat, it will likely pass quickly -- and the good Senator has told me that he's more concerned with getting things passed that are good and right than getting his name on them. Previously:
Introduction
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Point 5
Posted by: Ogre at 02:02 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
John Rhodes understands the Lottery
John Rhodes is a Republican representative in the North Carolina General Assembly, in the House. He is vehemently hated by the "leadership" of the House because he sees through the lies and he's not afraid to tell the truth. He'll vote for the right thing (most of the time), and when Black & Company ask him to lie, he ignores them.
In return, he gets punished. He's made to sit in the back row. He won't be called on when he asks for a turn to speak. He gets the worst offices and the least funding for office staff. His phones might not work on some days. Either you get along with Jim Black, and do as he says, or you get punished by him. But John Rhodes doesn't let that bother him. He'll still tell it like it is. His position on the lottery is to simply state the truth:"It's another revenue stream and that's one of the biggest oppositions I've had to it. Government has taken enough of our hard-earned tax dollars and we don't need to be providing another revenue stream.
Anyone who claims it's for the children, education, or anything else is just simply lying. The Democrats in the legislature want more money, and they'll do whatever it takes to get that money -- just so they can spend it. Calling this lottery the "education" lottery is a complete and total lie, designed to get people to say (and I've already heard many saying it), "Well, at least if I lose the money goes for education." That's simply a lie. But the Democrats don't care, because they're getting more money to spend.
Posted by: Ogre at 12:04 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
April 03, 2006
Blogging Degree?
Afternoon, time to lighten things up with a "quiz" result:
|
Blogging Degree
From Go-Quiz.com
Found at The Pirate's Cove.
Posted by: Ogre at 07:01 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Tarheel Tavern #58
This week's Tarheel Tavern has been posted at Moomin Light -- and it's a good showing. If you want to read some ramblings from all sorts of points of view from around the state of North Carolina, head on over!
Posted by: Ogre at 06:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Take an American Flag to Work Day
Thursday, April 6, 2006.
All patriotic Americans who have been concerned (to put it mildly) about the predominance of flags of foreign nations at the recent pro-illegal alien marches and the desecration of the American flag by supporters of illegal aliens are being asked to participate in a demonstration of patriotism and American sovereignty by taking an American flag with them to work, school or anywhere this Thursday, April 6. How it works is simple: Proudly carry an American flag with you wherever you are in public. Small parade style flags on sticks would work best for those who commute by bus or subway and those who walk to work. Carry it around with you when you go out for lunch and when you leave work. Wear red, white and blue patriotic attire. Fly the American flag at your home. Fly an American flag from your car antenna. Tape an American flag in your car window. The goal is to have Old Glory be given the prominence it deserves and to remind everyone--politicians, illegal aliens and their enablers--that the American flag comes first in this country. Folks have been clamoring for a march to respond to the pro-illegal alien marches. This is a way to do that without having to take time off from work and family responsibilities and still take a stand in public. John McCain has been touting the pro-illegal alien marches as being effective in influencing polticians in Washington. Now's your chance to exercise your influence. Please pass this message along to everyone you know and every patriotic blogger you can think of. Contact any patriotic group you belong to. Contact your local media and talk radio shows. We don't have George Soros to bankroll a publicity campaign. We just have us. Stand up for America and Old Glory this Thursday.
Count me in. Found at Free Republic via Michelle Malkin.
Posted by: Ogre at 05:06 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Short-Sighted "Investors"
I caught a portion of some investing show this morning on Fox News. They were debating the effect of illegal immigration on the stock market. One commentator, Jonathan Hoenig, was claiming to give investing advice, but was being incredibly closed-minded, ignorant, or just very, very short-sided.
He was supporting illegal immigration. He wanted, literally, as many illegal immigrants as he could get into the US to clean his yard. He claimed that no one had any right to stop them because HE wanted them to mow his lawn. He then tried to explain how "good" illegals were for companies and investors, by claiming that they were "cheap" labor and that labor costs had been kept down because of the illegals. He claimed that companies were spending less money and keeping profits up by using illegals -- and therefore they were good for the country. Of course, what Mr. Hoenig left out, as many do who support the criminal invasion from Mexico, is the COSTS these people bring with them. When a family with 2 kids and a pregnant wife comes over so the male head of household can supply "cheap labor" so businesses can make money, that costs EVERYONE ELSE, and yes, even the businesses, in higher taxes to pay for them! Illegals cost over $500 BILLION in taxpayer outlays in the form of medical services, medicare payout, section 8 housing, aid to dependent families, educational services, and plenty more. They are NOT helping our economy. They are NOT helping businesses, except in the VERY short term. Please understand all the finances at work here before you support the criminal invasion because of "cheap labor" -- it's NOT cheap, it costs MORE in the long run because of the higher taxes needed to PAY for all the government services that are given away. Remove all the government handouts, and we'll talk about importing cheap labor -- if they're still interested in coming.Posted by: Ogre at 04:05 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Whack-a-Muslim
Michelle Malkin is reporting on Irianian Muslims/Terrorists still going nuts over the Moo-Hammed cartoons. According to the report:
Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards beat themselves with chains during a religious gathering against cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad
So their protest consists of beating themselves with chains? Here, whack yourselves one more time for me:
Just two steps remain: 1. Convince the Muslims to use this chain to beat themselves so they might actually shut up:
Posted by: Ogre at 03:48 PM | Comments (15) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
North Carolina Conservative Agenda: Point 5
Continuing the discussion regarding the 7-point NC Conservative Agenda. Today is Point 5:
Eliminate State Benefits to Illegal Immigrants & Make English Official Language
Once again, feel free to weigh in either for or against this idea for North Carolina (even if you're not from North Carolina).
The glue that has held our great and diverse nation together is the English language. But today, our state has become a silent proponent of a dual language. The state has become an enabler for illegal Hispanic immigrants to keep their native language and refuse to learn English. The state makes available all forms and applications in Spanish, and requires interpreters at state agencies to help non-English speaking individuals. Conservatives should make English the official language of the state. Illegal immigrants have broken the law and should be denied welfare benefits, drivers’ licenses, in-state tuition to community colleges and universities, and other state benefits paid by taxpayers.
Well, isn't this the timely issue? To completely understand this issue, one has to understand how the state of North Carolina works. North Carolina is an absolute haven for illegal immigrants -- literally. Many, many bus trips are taken from other states with NC as a destination -- NC gives a driver's license to anyone who wants one, no matter if you're a citizen or not. AND, thanks to the moronic "motor voter act," all those non-citizens who are getting free NC driver's licenses are also being registered to vote. So anyone who supports changing those rules risks the wrath of criminal aliens who may or may not be illegally voting. So this agenda item is asking something rather simple -- to those who are breaking the law and entering the country illegally as non-citizens, we don't want you to have a driver's license nor be able to vote in North Carolina. Unfortunately, governor Easley and the Democrats are STRONGLY against that idea -- they like the votes from the criminal aliens. Indeed, this is an area where the state does have a great deal of power. A HUGE amount of money is spent on illegals -- not arresting them, but supporting them in the form of welfare benefits, section 8 housing, medicaid giveaways, food stamps, aid for dependent children, english as a second language, and on and on and on. If the state made the simple statement that taxpayer money was to be used on legal citizens, the budget could be nearly cut in half. But, of course, that's anethma to Democrats. Democrats in North Carolina want to increase government and increase spending any possible way they can. By claiming to be "helping" immigrants, they get to spend more money and raise more taxes -- so they can have more control and more money to spend, which is what they exist to do. The last issue in this agenda item is English as a state language. 90% of the legal citizens of North Carolina support this idea. That doesn't mean the Democrat-controlled legislature cares. This idea would NOT require anyone speak any language. It would not stop anyone from speaking any language they wanted to anywhere they want. It would not restrict ANYONE, nor punish anyone from doing ANYTHING. What it would do is save money. It would simply state that all forms printed by the North Carolina government would be printed in English. It would state that government employees, in the process of doing their own job, would speak English and not be required to speak any other language. That's all. Who would be opposed to that? You guessed it -- Democrats. It would SAVE money. Democrats running the state legislature have no clue what that even means. And if this were passed in combination with the above, there'd be no reason to speak Spanish because if you were a spanish-speaking illegal immigrant, you couldn't get free cash from the government anyway! Keep in mind, none of this has anything to do with legal immigration. If you want to LEAVE your country and become a citizen of America, none of this would effect you (other than potentially reducing your taxes). It would not even lower legal immigration -- it would just encourage people who want to be citizens to actually JOIN our society instead of bringing your own to America. If you don't like the American culture, that's fine -- just don't come here and expect to bring your own culture -- if your culture is so much better, stay in your country and enjoy it! If you want our handouts, you've got to accept our culture, too. Will any of this pass? I think it's highly doubtful. These are excellent ideas, and ideas that the state can actually do that WILL reduce illegal, criminal invasion of the state (which is VERY, VERY large, 3rd only to CA and AZ). Despite 90% of the citizens of the state wanting English as the official language, I don't give it much of a chance to pass -- because the Democrats feel they know better than the people how to govern. The only way I see this getting passed is if the Democrats present some sort of useless version: English is the official language, but government still has to print and communicate in Spanish. Previously:
Introduction
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Point 4
Posted by: Ogre at 03:01 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Guard the Borders Blogburst
The Time Is Now
By Kit Jarrell at Euphoric Reality For some Americans, the shock of 9/11 was enough to convince them that nothing is sacred anymore. Nothing is secure, needing no maintenance or defense. For others, 9/11 was an "I told you so" moment more than a wake-up call. But for all of us who thought 9/11 served as the epitome of "They did what?", the last few days have shown us that we can still be shocked; we can still be incensed. We--those of us who are here legally and love our country--can, believe it or not, still be united.Posted by: Ogre at 01:10 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Forsyth County Spending
Taking a peek at just one county in North Carolina, one can see how those inside government view citizens -- as cash cows, whose only purpose is to fund the government so they can spend more money.
The County Commissioners are struggling with how much to raise taxes. The article linked here tries to sell the tax increase by claiming that without some tax increase, the sheriff's department and the health department won't have enough money. That's typical of government. Scream that people will die or be unsafe unless they implement a tax increase. What these people fail to mention is that with ZERO tax increase, the county will have an additional EIGHT AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS! That's right, $8,500,000.00 NEW MONEY -- but they're arguing that they need more, more more. The county claims that without a tax increase, the new "downtown health plaza" will "lose" $800,000. Can someone explain to me what business it is of government's to even fund a "health plaza?" Also included in all possible scenarios, with or without a tax increase is an employee pay raise of 3.4%. Why? Why should government work be so financially rewarding? Because they're competing with private industry -- and that's wrong. Anything private industry can do, government should NOT be competing with them. But alas, this is the system of government we are saddled with today -- nothing at all like the representative republic that was founded on principles of freedom so many years ago. Oh, how I yearn for freedom.Posted by: Ogre at 12:01 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
April 02, 2006
Major League Baseball
It's finally here. Tonight the 2006 Major League Baseball Season begins with the World-Champion Chicago White Sox face the Cleveland Indians. It's on TV at 8pm EST, and I'll be watching.
I'm a BIG baseball fan. I grew up in the 70s and 80s in upstate New York -- and I became a lifetime baseball fan watching the likes of Willie Randolph, the incredible Greg Nettles and Bucky Dent on the left side; Lou Pinella and Mr. October, Reggie Jackson; Luis Tiant, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, and the unbelievable Goose Gossage. I remember Thurman Munson, and when he died. I saw Catfish Hunter pitch in Yankee stadium. I remember Don Mattingly's rookie year and followed him throughout his entire career -- all 14 years with the Yankees. MLB is a different game today. It used to be that when a team won a World Series, all the players would want to join that team and be part of a winning team. Nowadays, when a team wins the series, all the players want to leave that team for higher salaries. It used to be more about playing the game and winning than about taking steriods to break records. It's a different game -- but I can watch it and pretend. I can ignore all the players who have nearly obviously taken steroids. I can pretend I don't see the insane salaries being paid when the players bat. For me, baseball is an escape -- and escape back to another time. A time when kids would step outside and throw the plastic whiffleball pretending to be Goose Gossage or Catfish Hunter, while the opposing kid would be Reggie Jackson. So, MLB, do investigate. No, the steriods investigation will make no difference to me -- when the chief investigator has a primary role in the management of a team. Pay all the money you want to the players. Exploit and bribe the politicians who I refuse to support to give you tax money for your stadiums. Continue raising ticket prices so that I cannot afford to attend. I'm going to ignore you, as I always do. I'm going to enjoy the game for what it is -- a great GAME where a pitcher faces a batter and tries to throw that ball past him; while the batter does everything he can to hit that little round ball with a round bat. Tonight you'll find me watching the game with the sound turned way down. I don't care about all the other issues. I just want to see the game. Play Ball!Posted by: Ogre at 09:04 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
April 01, 2006
Economy BOOMING in NC
No complaints about the economy in North Carolina are allowed. ANY politician that claims there's ANY problems at all with the economy in North Carolina is absolutely and completely lying. People in North Carolina had an extra $10 MILLION to risk on lottery tickets in one day. If people had money problems, they wouldn't be throwing away money like this. Our economy is apparently running at TOP speed.
Posted by: Ogre at 11:31 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Words on the Battle
You may not realize that there is currently a battle for America. If you choose to ignore it, it does not go away. Kit has an excellent post up that says all the words I've been thinking and trying to put in one place. I cannot add to those words, so just go have a read.
Posted by: Ogre at 08:24 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Sad Attempt at Humor
Kender sends along this story by David Bresahan about immigration. It's meant as a humor piece, but it's incredibly sad. It describes a letter to Bush from Mr. Bresahan where he proposes a trip to Mexico and he wants Bush to ask Vicente Fox (president of Mexico) for a few things like
English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
After reading it, you realize that it's quite insane to ask all those things. Then, if you think about it, you realize that's what the Mexican invaders are
Posted by: Ogre at 07:02 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
"Reclaim Our State"
So, do you have any plans for next weekend? If not, why not head on over to Durham, NC, for the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference?
Virginia Senator George Allen, a leading contender for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, will be the keynote speaker at North Carolina’s first-ever Conservative Leadership Conference April 7-8 in Durham. Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth, North Carolina Congresswomen Virginia Foxx and Sue Myrick, and American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene will join Senator Allen as speakers during the conference. “We are very excited to have Senator George Allen and such an outstanding lineup of conservative leaders to speak at our conference,” said Civitas President Jack Hawke. “They all have solid conservative credentials and years of solid experience. I’m confident they will help us jumpstart the conservative movement in North Carolina, which is one of our goals for this conference. We want to being together some of the best and brightest conservatives minds in North Carolina and America to share with other conservatives the knowledge that conservatism works; that it is the best way for people to be governed with personal freedom and opportunities.”
I find it particularly ironic that they're holding this conference in Durham. Durham is about the most socialist, uber-liberal city in the entire state. I break the law every time I enter the city limits there -- and I'm probably breaking more that I don't even know about. But hey, laws are made to be broken, right? Well, I'll tell anyone who asks that I'm a Democrat, and then it will be okay. Seriously, though, the Ogre WILL be at this conference -- in the press area, representing this blog. If you can't make it, be sure and check by here, as there should be lots of live blogging going on -- I'm still trying to decide on the format.
Posted by: Ogre at 03:08 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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