REPUBLICAN Resources

Tennis Anyone?

2011-05-12T00:00:00-05:00

Omaha's restaurant tax produced more revenue than expected. Does that mean the tax rate can be reduced?

The fact that this question had to be asked at all is a call to action. This article is about Omaha, NE but it is an article that would be applicable to any number of cities in the US. Some of the particulars in this article were adjusted slightly in the interest of privacy.

A little background on the above question is in order. Not long ago our Democratic mayor just fresh from his recall escape enacted a 2 ½ percent tax on restaurants and all prepared food. The reason given was to balance the budget and begin to address the city’s debt problem. To no one's real surprise (as this administration is not noted for their proficiency) the tax netted far more than they had expected. The above question was posted on Facebook by a local television station in response to that unexpected windfall.

Below is the second response to the above posting.

“Can some of the money go to pay for the court usage that our tennis players now have to pay… ?”

There were several responses that followed and the gist of them was to apply the money to the current debt. Not to be deterred 9 posts later…

“You don't understand the tennis situation. We tennis players have been using the courts for years, using our own money to upkeep and update the courts. Now this year the city came along and decided to charge us for using the ...”

With that second post there came a moment of clarity. In these dozen or so posts the crux of our entire debt crisis was defined in the most basic of terms. With no more than a dozen or so keystrokes the following items were found as listings in the Omaha Parks and Recreation Budget: Golf, Golf Concessions, Marinas, and yes, even Tennis. There was also a listing for Citywide Sports, which I imagine it is a catchall to cover such sports as baseball, softball and the like.

This is where the real budget problems originate, this is at the core of the budget issues at hand and it is why the general public is all but fed up with city and state governments. They are told that they are to sacrifice and valuable services need to be cut, yet our city budget reads like an island resort’s activity listing.

The city government has no place in these types of activities. In the instance above the person could not understand why they should bear the cost of their own child’s recreation. In the last couple of years all but a lonely few of our private golf courses have had to close as they could not compete with the below market value charges that the public golf courses offered.

In each of these activities if they are profitable they belong in the private sector and if they are not profitable it is immoral to ask the public as a whole to provide recreational services for a select few. It is the users of these activities that should pay for their cost of operation as with any other services in the private sector.

With a little creative planning 100’s of thousands of dollars could be saved by the city and more than a few jobs created by the private sector. Every park in Omaha should have a private sector sponsor picking up 50% of the tab for the park's upkeep, updating, and insurance. There are many companies that would love to have their name on a public park with special private access to park facilities. If a tennis or basketball court is desired it should be totally funded by a private sector entity. All other recreation items listed should be privatized as soon as possible. This is a solution that will not only save the city money but also allocate the costs fairly to only those who use the services.

The people of Omaha, and the country have to look at everything in a new light, gone are the days when the government can be all for all. The government needs to focus its efforts on those services that benefit the greatest number of its citizens. All other activities need to be regulated to the private sector. It is these types of solutions that need to be forwarded by the GOP. Old dogma will not address today’s issues. It is important to understand that while the debt crisis is the catalyst to this action, even without the debt crises these actions would be proper and in keeping with our Party’s platform.

It is not enough to say “no new taxes!” We are the party of business and growth, we need to believe it, we need to use it, and we need to only propose solutions that will empower the private sector. If we truly believe in what the GOP stands for, if we truly believe that the private sector is the only real answer, our solutions must reflect that belief. The time for change is now, the time to lead is now!

Save America - Burn the Union Label

2011-02-19T00:00:00-05:00

In a Free Market System the Unions do not fit. That is why only 7% of the private sector is unionized. The public sector has 37% of its work force unionized because of the mob tactics they use to bludgeon state and local governments into submission. Simply, they still scare the daylights out of state and local politicians. Thankfully, as Wisconsin is currently illustrating, that is about to change.

The public sector is the last bastion of power for the unions. The unions are getting desperate as they can no longer threaten the private sector as they would be laughed out of the room or the companies would simply move their businesses to another country.

The Free Market System lets supply and demand determine the value of a task performed. That value is determined by output. How much does the task completed add to the output of the organization?

Unions determine the salary by how much they can get with no correlation to the value of the task performed. In the private sector a business is free to assign workers to the tasks needed, in the union tasks are portioned off to different individuals raising the cost to the business and to the consumer.

The above is the primary issue with unions. Another issue is fairness. In the private sector the rest of us have to pay for our insurance and pensions benefits. Public servants are just that, they are not due the special privileges that the private sector is not able to offer. For some reason union people seem to think they can tell the employer what they are going to do and how much they are going to be paid for it. Try that in the private sector.

Public employees need to learn that We the public will determine what they are to be paid and We the public will determine what their jobs require just like any other business in the country. Public employees need to be on the same level as the rest of us as we are the ones that are paying their salaries.

Lastly, if it is unionized it is broke and not performing adequately. Is this a coincidence? I think not! The evidence of the unions harm can be illustrated by the examination of the 3 major sectors that they are still relevant in.

These areas are education, manufacturing, and public service. It is no coincidence that all three of these areas are in catastrophic condition.

Our children cannot read yet we have the highest cost per student in the world. That is a direct result of the unions. Our city and state governments are bankrupt and the primary debtor is UNIONS. Our manufacturing is all going overseas, why? Because manufactures cannot afford to pay union wages and still remain price competitive. That is what has happened to our auto industry. Unions force companies out of the country as study after study shows.

That is why the Union cancer must be removed from our public sector. The private sector has already done this to a large extent and will continue to do so on their own. If left to the Free Market System, the union will be purged automatically over time. History has shown this to be true as illustrated by the fact that in the 50's almost 38% of the private sector was unionized and now less than 7% of the private sector is currently unionized. It is further proof that unions are not viable in a Free Market System.

Vague concepts and catch phrases like the "rich get richer" or “corporate greed” while sounding nice do not stand up to the harsh realities of fact. They cannot and should not be considered the basis of any valid justification for the unions continued existence.

The GOP has begun the "good" fight and standing up for the majority of Americans and American workers, that is why I am proud to be APoorRepublican.com

"By the Seat of Your Pants..."

2011-01-23T00:00:00-05:00

With regards to the Democratic lead "Open Seating" for the State of the Union Speech, www.APoorRepublican.com cannot endorse such a plan. It is a backhanded way for the Dems to in front of a national audience, lessen the public visual of the large majority of Republicans. In the end they are trying to make it appear that both parties are equal. Sometimes things are not what they first appear to be. Some of the issues that will be discussed in the coming year may come down to one vote, and the public perception of us both as individuals and as a party will be in play.

What Democratic Left is attempting is to do is take a totally unrelated tragedy and absent a single thread of evidence and trying to infer a call for "political harmony". Regardless of what our President may have tried to imply, facts are facts and he as nary a one to make the connection.

The Tucson Tragedy conveyed no such message of "Politically Harmony" either explicit or implicit. Period, stop, end of story!!!

This is another scheme by the Dems and there is no reason for this theater. We are the GOP, we are a party that stands for something, as a brand, as an ideal, we are winning the day, and we should this Tuesday stand (and sit) as one!!!

The Dems are trying to take away the power we have to make our cause known. It will be good for America to see the GOP “sit on their hands” in mass when the president forwards a cause that is against our goals. This “Open Seating” needs to be dismissed immediately as all the Dems are trying to do is dilute the message of the GOP on Tuesday!

"Today Norma Rae Wouldn't Play"

2011-01-21T00:00:00-05:00

Like the horse and carriage or the use of leeches to treat the ill, the unions are a part of our past and have NO place in the modern American economy. Like the relics aforementioned they only tend to slow down progress and suck the life out of the economy as a whole.

While a valid argument could be made that they were never an appropriate tool, for the sake of expediency I will allow that they have had some positive effect on laws regarding workplace standards. What that being said that influence has long since been accounted for and currently the only laws they are affecting, are the limits to which they can shovel the hard earned money of their membership to as many Left-wing causes as possible. Even more disturbing is the fact that this is, often done with neither the knowledge or approval of their membership.

Their very existence is a violation of the simple laws of supply and demand. They seek to limit the number of members and seek to base salaries on arbitrary standards while they ignore the only fact that should determine salary: PRODUCTION!!!

As Europe is learning and the old Soviet bloc found out much to their dismay, any country that utilizes this type of Marxist economic theory is doomed to failure. As these countries have found, salary must be tied to production and that artificially supporting labor is unsupportable in the long-term. Even a casual glance at today’s international headlines readily attest to this fact.

America cannot "Save" its way out of this economic quagmire that it is in. America must "Grow" its way out of this crisis, unions are a stumbling block to the attainment of that goal and they will be removed. Their members following in a ‘sheep like adherence to a leadership that are oft greedy opportunists can no longer be left to influence our labor market or our politics. Unions and the ‘union’ concept have fallen into public disfavor as they are no longer seen as needed or supported by a majority of the Americans.

So in closing let me say with some joyful right-wing glee... Goodbye Norma Rae!

"GOP in Wonderland?"

2011-01-13T00:00:00-05:00

Warning to the GOP!

The Left is using this tragedy to forward two of their favorite lost causes: Gun Control and the "Fairness Doctrine. Their cry that this tagic incident in Arizona is a call for the lessening of political rhetoric is pure hog-wash and has no factual basis. Let's not chase the little white rabbit, the moment is over, it is time for the GOP to get back to work and there is much to be done, starting with ObamaCare!

"Blood Libel"?

2011-01-13T00:00:00-05:00

It surprises me that there some of us even on the Right that do not recognize the pure genius of Sarah's remarks yesterday. Come on folks how deep did she have to dig to come up with "Blood libel" ? Let’s face it most of America had no idea what those words meant yet she was able to take those two simple words and light the media on fire. In 2 weeks no one will remember a word that Obama spoke last night, but they will remember "blood Libel". What a demonstration of her masterful control of the media. This is not a canidate, though is fraught with issues, one can or should totally eliminate from consideration to play in the big game!

Goodbye to Norma Rae

2011-01-13T00:00:00-05:00

Will the bankruptcy court be the final "stake” in the heart" for Civil Servant Unions? There is a new hope as several bills in Congress now seek to make this possible. It appears that there is finally a way to "bust" these abominations and remove their tines from the throats of state and local government. Unions are a Marxist vestige of a time past, and it is PAST time to regulate them to the pages of history.

A Question for the Left...

2011-01-12T00:00:00-05:00

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,”

That’s exactly what Barack Obama said he would do to counter Republican attacks. June 14, 2008

Is there one statement that a prominent Republican member of either the House or the Senate has made in which they have used the word Democrat and the word gun as a way of dealing the opposing side?

Justice Denied!

2011-01-12T00:00:00-05:00

A MSNBC newsperson ended her AZ report; "It could take years before this is all settled." Years? What are they talking about? There are several witnesses, he was caught red-handed at the scene of the crime, his guilt is not in doubt, he should be tried and executed immediately. "Justice delayed is Justice Denied!" This applies to the victims as well as the accused. He is a filthy killer of children, and in a truly just world he would have never made it to the police station!

A Question Worth Asking?

2011-01-12T00:00:00-05:00

Approximately 2.5 million Glock handguns have been made since 1982. Only one of them killed 6 people and wounded a US congresswoman last Saturday. What made that handgun different from all of the other Glocks made?

Return to Sender, Address Unknown...

2010-11-16T00:00:00-05:00

No such number, no such zone… The lyrics of this 1962 popular song were to foretell the major problem with the US Postal Service that remains to this day. Back then the little purple postage stamp cost a mere 3 cents, not nearly enough to pay to deliver said letter to its intended destination, let alone to return said letter to the sender should it not be deliverable. At its inception the US Postal Service was not meant to be a profit making entity and it never has been.

In the country’s shared best interest; the same argument that gave Ma Bell exclusivity for decades could have and I am sure was made for the federalization much earlier in US history with reference to the delivery of our mail. At that time for many in our rural heartland the “mail” was a primary means of communication. For businesses big and small alike, it was to give birth to the marketing avenues necessary to connect sellers to buyers. Many decades have since passed and the once mighty US Postal Service, the backbone of this nation’s communication and commerce network, is now fighting for relevance.

The US Postal Service is down 8.5 billion dollars this year. Due to our governments use of artificial price controls the US Postal Service is no longer a viable economic entity. This is our money that they are losing and there is no end in sight. In these tough economic times should the federal government be subsidizing a losing cause?

Has the time come for the privatization of the US Postal Service? Just the suggestion of such a concept is meant with everything from timid approval to cries of dismay and impending doom. Many are quick to offer money saving steps such as reducing delivery to business days only, health insurance reform, closing low volume postal stations, private mail centers for large housing developments, renegotiating labor contracts, etc…

Some postulate all sorts of service reductions such as universal 1^st class to all areas, loss of “vacation” services, or forwarding services. The concern is that “Free” service will be either severely limited or eliminated all together. These are traditional “Free” services that cost, and a private business will either charge enough to make a profit on it, or it will not offer the service. What we as American must understand are there are no such complimentary FREE gifts. There is a cost to everything and that cost must be paid directly or indirectly.

While many of these observations / ideas have merit, they do not address the question posed; in fact they may stand well to make the case for privatization. If these steps could or would make mail delivery profitable, then by that very criterion it belongs in the private sector. If such steps are insufficient to make the US Postal Service either a profitable or at the very least a break even proposition, then like the Pony Express, it must be disbanded.

As with the words that begin the last verse of our song “This time I'm gonna take it myself and put it right in her hand.” , the person had to put forth a little more effort but they found another way to get the letter delivered. We as citizens may have to travel the same path, but have no doubt with the current technology any inconvenience will be short lived. This is just another way that A Poor Republican would begin the process of reducing government spending.

We Said No and We Mean It!

2010-11-05T00:00:00-05:00

No!

When America went into the booths on Tuesday, they did not walk out saying to themselves, "Golly I hope my guy/gal is ready to work with the current administration". There was nary a vote for the candidate, nor was there a candidate, that had compromise as their platform.

Voters went in to the booth on Tuesday with a single and simple message; STOP! The people of this country spoke loud and clear, they want to change the direction the country is heading. They were saying:

No to Obama Care

No to Cap & Trade

No tax increase for anybody

No increase in spending

No to Fairness Doctrine

No to Financial Reform Act

No to the Left Wing Progressive agenda.

Here is simple guideline as to what the number of seats won or lost mean in political terms.

Lose 10-20 Seats = All is well in Wellsville.

Lose 21-39 Seats = some changes are needed and maybe it's time to compromise on some of the ancillary issues. Current course is to be maintained.

Lose 40 to 55 Seats = Significant changes need to be made and current course modified.

Lose 60+ Seats = America is screaming at the top of her voice; "Stop Everything, we are going the WRONG Way."

With 21 state legislators and an increase of 5+ Governors in the GOP hands, during this census year, it could virtually eliminate a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives for a decade or more. Mr. Obama, his administration, and a progressive left-wing agenda, have been in large part responsible for erasing all of the Democratic gains made in the last 10 years. Losing states like Florida and Ohio will also put the next Democratic presidential candidate at a significant disadvantage as well.

It is often said that America is so diverse that it is impossible to get them to agree on any topic. If that is correct, then Mr. Obama has performed the impossible as Americans came together last Tuesday and spoke with a single voice and the words on her lips were not that of compromise.

Big Bird Must Die!

2010-10-26T00:00:00-05:00

The transistor radio, the telephone booth, and the analog TV, all have served us well and are now obsolete. It is time to say goodbye to another old friend, as PBS and NPR should now go the way of the 8-track. The good ole days of Benny Hill, Monty Python, Masterpiece Theater, Upstairs Downstairs, or The French Chef are gone. For many of us it will not be without a small measure of regret that we say goodbye to a part of our personal and national history. In these times, when we as a nation are trillions of dollars in debt, they are a luxury that this country can no longer afford to support.

We the people do not understand why we are funding them at all, why are our hard earned dollars (Over 500 million not counting the taxes they should be paying) are going to a radio broadcast and a TV channel that have such a small following. An average prime time PBS show currently scores about a 1.4 Nielsen rating with many shows having a much lower viewership. Not only are these 2 so-called public service corporations taking from the public dole, to add insult to injury, they are tax exempt. Speaking from the streets, we the everyday folks do not understand why our politicians are trying to cut these programs when it is obvious that they should be eliminated completely.

For PBS to survive, if Sesame Street is to stay on the air they should be forced to compete for their share of the market. If they can not, Big Bird must die! If Masterpiece is to survive it needs to compete with the programming of several current cable selections. NPR should be able to survive as it has had a better showing in the past few years, and receives only about 1.5% of its funding from direct government subsidies. For us this is not political, most of us have no issue with either PBS or NPR continuing to operate, we just want them to compete and pay their fair share of taxes. The American people are tired of picking up the tab for outdated programs and services for a limited few that are already offered in the public sector.

When these 2 entities were introduced 40 or so years ago, there was a real need for the alternative programming that these outlets provided. This is no longer the case; the media options are so vast and readily accessible that the once alternative programming is now commonplace on any of several channels. The TV and radio industry should as with any other service provider should be governed by the laws of supply and demand.

Amidst the current Juan Williams fiasco, many in Republicans in Washington are renewing their efforts to reduce funding for both NPR and PBS. Last year (2009) the Republicans fought and lost an attempt to reduce funding by over 220 million. Unfortunately 87 republicans defected and the battle was lost as another Democratic sacred cow was spared. Our Democratic critics continue to lament that the funding of these 2 media traditions, is such a small percentage of the national budget, that it will have no effect on reducing the budget.

It is this type of thinking that has placed our economy in the condition it is in. This argument is a politician’s sleight of hand, and has no validity. If our government stops one payment it reduces the budget, maybe not by much, but it begins the process. This type of useless feel good spending has to stop, the GOP agrees, and that’s why I am proud to be a Poor Republican.

Your Son Dies and Omaha Cheers

2010-10-15T00:00:00-05:00

This letter was written in response to a local radio host and his statements following a shooting at a Walgreens pharmacy. A bystander had shot and killed a young man who was attempting to hold up the store.

"Another dead child is dead, what can I say...?"

Such was your lament after the last young man died on the streets of Omaha. I have considered your quandary for a bit as I have heard you many times in so many ways try address this sadness. Maybe the ugliness I am about to impart will be a starting point.

Open Letter to the parents, friends and community of the Walgreens would be robber.

Today’s Headline "Your Son Dies and Omaha Cheers!"

News Flash!!! The majority of the people in Omaha are glad your son is dead! Not only that, but most consider the man responsible a hero! With all considered, your son’s life had no value, no meaning, and for this we hold you responsible.

Now before you jump up indignant with rage, with all the self-righteousness your persecuted soul can muster, know this... It was not society or the innocent customer in Walgreens that took your son's life. It was you, his parents, his friends, his circle of life. You made sure he knew what his rights were, but you failed when it came to the rights of those who would share his world.

Yes, you had the chance, and you blew it. It was not in a day or a month. It was no great lesson that you missed, rather it was an evolution that began the first time he cheered the bad guy on a cartoon and you remained silent. It was missed the first time your young man came to you all excited to share with you some exploit of his friend, how they got over on some less fortunate soul or the system. Your lack of rejection to such concepts interpreted as encouragement by your young child.

It was in the decision that you made to dress your young prince in attire adorned with skulls, drugs, and all manner of disrespect to those around him. It was just a little Bling, a harmless bit of clothing, and all the kids are listening to that type of music, your simple justifications. Each and every little thing you overlooked or decided wasn’t that important caused your son to hold his life forfeited.

These ugly truths are meant to hurt and shame. These are not the platitudes of the masses echoing "Oh what a shame" while in truth silently cheering your son’s death. The truth is that most of the people in this city and many others cheer each and every time one of these young thugs gets what is coming to them.

Your time has come; the time to act is NOW. Please know there is absolutely nothing you can do to make the pain of this loss subside, it will be part of you till the day you die. In his memory make a difference; focus your sorrow and rage to make that difference. Reach out to your community, to your church, to your schools, and find a way to stop the bleeding.

Buddy Can You Spare A Dime?

2010-09-22T00:00:00-05:00

As the president visited the United Nations today, I thought a couple of thoughts might be shared. While the US provides +/- 20% of the United Nations funding, whether this is money well spent is the topic of another day. This article seeks to address the incongruity between what the US gives verses what it receives with regards to a specific group of countries. Below is a short list of Arabic/Islamic states, their voting record with the US, followed by an approximate dollar amount of the foreign aid that the US provides annually.

*U S Foreign Aid

Egypt votes 79% against the United States

Egypt receives $2 billion annually in US Foreign Aid.

Jordan votes 71% against the United States

Jordan receives $192,814,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.

Pakistan votes 75% against the United States

Pakistan Receives $6,721,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.

India votes 81% against the United States

India Receives $143,699,000 annually.

*These amounts do not include the millions of dollars (Public & Private) worth of Disaster aid that we have sent to countries like Iran and Pakistan. In addition the US extends several trading discounts and privileges to these countries allowing them to profitably market their products in the US.

It is easy to see the conflict, in these tough economic times the US needs to spend OUR dollars more wisely. It is unreasonable to expect other countries to vote in tandem with the US 100% of the time but, it is also unreasonable for other countries to expect our hard earned dollars while voting against us a majority of the time.

The US needs to set a Foreign Aid Standard of at the very least a 51% United Nations voting record with the US. The United States has every right to expect a country’s support a majority of the time if we are donating millions of dollars to their well being. If other countries are strongly adverse to our concerns, policies or wishes, the American people should not be forced to extend their pocketbooks in support.

While I am APoorRepublican, I (like most Americans) understand that we as a nation have a certain responsibility to the rest of the world. The American people just want their money to go to countries that will at the very least extend their gratitude and support the United States on the international stage. This issue is not Democratic Blue or Republican Red, this issue is cold hard cash GREEN.

Rich Peoples Money

2010-09-21T00:00:00-05:00

In the near hysterical ranting of those on the blue side of the aisle “America cannot afford to go $750 billion in debt to give the well heeled a tax break. The middle class in these tough times are the only rightful heirs to such a gift.” I am far from a wealthy man but try as I might I cannot understand or align myself with this line of reasoning.

The current administration has either forgotten or is ignoring a simple fact. It is OUR money!!! This administration is not giving the middle class a single red cent. It is our money to start with and the fact that for “now” the government is not going to take more is hardly reason to celebrate. Why should the government take more from the rich in the first place? Ethically and in terms of equity, an argument could be made that such “Robin Hood” practices are socially immoral.

In my budget if I count on income from a source (for example my websites) and for whatever the reason I do not earn that income, I have to make adjustments in my budget. I cannot continue to spend based on my original budget, and lament that my websites are putting me in debt.

With the Bush tax cuts being extended, the government will not be getting a portion of the income that it was expecting. Instead of adjusting the budget, our government is continuing to spend on a budget based on receiving non-existent income, then respond by trying to blame the “rich” for putting us into debt. Debt is caused by spending more than you have. Like most of us in the private sector have had to learn, you adjust, when you have less, you spend less.

Putting aside the above aspects, let’s look at the math. At $28,000 annually a 1% decrease in my tax rate would give me just over $5 a week. At $280,000 annually a 1% decrease in their tax rate would yield almost $54 dollars a week. The $5.00 a week will be spent on survival by the person living on 28K, while the $54 a week will be disposable income to the person making 280K. It is this increase in disposable income that drives the growth in the manufacturing and retail sectors. As these sectors grow the service sector now becomes engaged and unemployment is addressed in a meaningful way.

Historically when taxes are increased revenue decreases, when taxes are decreased revenue to the government increases. Why? The private sector will always generate more income than the federal government. As each sector of the economy grows, there is a corresponding increase in taxes collected.

When casting your vote this November, ask yourself; which political party really considers your pocketbook? Remember, it was the Republican Party that cut taxes in the first place, and it is the Democratic Party that wants your taxes to remain high. The GOP platform is based on lower taxes, less government, in short it is the REAL party of the common man, and that's why I am APoorRepublican.com

America and the New York Mosque

2010-09-03T00:00:00-05:00

This whole Mosque issue is a travesty of justice and an insult to all Americans. This issue has nothing to do with reaching out, freedom of religion or speech. It is a simple issue of common human decency and mutual respect. It does not matter the biography of who is building it or where the money is coming from to build it. These are interesting points to be sure but a diversion from the real issue at hand.

Simply it is disrespectful, it is wrong to place that building there. It hurts the families of 9/11 and their fellow New Yorkers; it hurts many across this land. By the nature of this issue it renders any function of "reaching out" impossible. It leaves the argument for the freedoms of speech and religion wanting.

These so-called issues of religious or speech freedoms are illusions of the left created by the left. The above rights by law are established and are not the issue here. The law allows for cruelty and for the hard of heart. It does not regulate nor should it regulate all human interaction. It allows a teenage child to tell their parents that they are hated and reviled. It allows for the US flag to be spit upon and burned. It allows a spouse to leave their children to grow up without a father or mother. It allows for the celebration of a soldiers death by a fellow countryman based on the sexuality of others.

While none of the examples above are illegal they are unjust and immoral or at best hurtful. Just because one can do something it does not follow that one should do those things. There is no advantage to building at that location that could not be duplicated elsewhere. This project hurts too many people, it has hurt a country, and it has hurt a religion. This is the wrong place and time for this adventure in idealism and political correctness.

This is how most of average America sees this issue. It is well documented on how Obama and most of the Democratic Party feel about this issue. As usual the GOP has come out on the side of most Americans and it is why I am a Republican. Which political party best represents your point of view? If you are like most then visit me at http://www.apoorrepublican.com

Chèque Please! Your 2011 City Budget.

2010-08-27T00:00:00-05:00

The following is currently taking place in my small corner of the world, but the story is probably the same where you live. Your corner may be a bigger city or a smaller township, but in these days tough times are to be had by all. Many are of the opinion that even though the times are challenging, at least with the Democrats in control, a real effort is being made to make the so-called rich pay their fair share of the tab. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

To illustrate the inequity of this budget, one needs look no further than the increased wheel tax. It was increased by $15.00, which was actually less than the $23.00 dollars requested by the mayor. This is a regressive fee that affects those of us that can afford it the least. Whether it is a BMW or a Ford, new or old, the fee is the same. The $50.00 now required does not mean much to someone making $1000.00 a week (and that person is by no means rich), to someone making $200.00 a week (because they can’t find a decent job) that $50.00 means a lot more. If it hadn’t been for the Republicans on the City Council, it would have been $8.00 more.

An increased in property taxes said to be 2.1%, a reduction again from that requested by the Democratic mayor. One not so well known fact, that by law the city must balance its annual budget and will use the property tax to address any shortfalls. In fact the budget submitted was a million short so in reality the property taxes will have to be raised a bit more than the stated 2.1 percent.

This tax increase will adversely affect the homeowner that is hanging on by sheer will or the disabled/elderly property owners living on a fixed income. People making from 12,000 to 28,000 a year will be hurt the worst, as will the families where the home was purchased with 2 incomes now supported by one. This tax will take more than just money; it will take opportunity and hope.

This budget I speak of, as mentioned before, is the budget of many of the towns and cities of America. The Democratic answer of more taxes is not reserved for the rich. These increased fees and taxes do little to affect the status of the well heeled; but it is these increases, dollar by dollar, that are crushing the will out of the average American.

Given the above, it is hard to see how the Democratic Party can be considered the party of the average American. From the Democratic policies on both the local and national level, it appears that for most of America the GOP may be the better choice. How about you, who is representing you? Remember, America will not and cannot tax its way to prosperity. I know and understand this, and it is why I am proud to be www.apoorrepublican.com

The Real Victims of Illegal Immigration

2010-08-21T00:00:00-05:00

The poor and the lower middle class are the real victims of America's failed immigration policies. It is this group that bears the real cost of the governments failure in this arena. Speaking as an unemployed American from the lower middle class, it is time that this problem be acknowledged and addressed. Most Americans now understand that the borders must be controlled. It is a simple statement and nothing else need be added. The methodology can be argued, but the primary statement stands. The borders must be controlled. Until this happens, all the rest is talk. The United States has the resources, but has not the will.

We don’t understand this lack of will. We do not understand why there are special programs for people that are not citizens. We do not understand why the law that we are expected to abide by, is all but ignored when it comes to those whose very presence is a violation of that law. We don’t understand why when it takes every penny to us survive, why the government is taking our money and giving it to people who do not belong in the country.

Why do they get free healthcare in our emergency rooms but when we go to the same emergency room, we are billed, and if we do not pay they come after us, garnish wages, and make our life tough. If we pay, we sacrifice something else whether it is food, clothes, or the other necessities of life. If they do not pay, they simply go to a different emergency room. Since they are not in the system they come and go at will, impervious to the requirements of life that most of us are forced to live by.

This is what we common folk understand. We understand that if one of us makes $10.00 an hour and our illegal counterpart makes $10.00 a hour, at the end of the week, one of us takes home around $315 and the other one of us takes home $400. We understand that while our adult visitors take the jobs that some wrongly say are unacceptable to US citizens, it is their children and young adults that are taking away the jobs from our young. These are not the jobs that nobody wants, these are the highly desired jobs that help young men and women pay for college or help out at home.

It is us, yes, it is you and I, the poor and the middle class that get to foot the bill, and not just in dollars and cents. They are using our schools, each and all the public facilities that up to this point have been available only to US citizens. They take up classrooms and facilities, making it harder for our children to get the time and attention they need to better their lot in life. We do not understand why a college student from Iowa has to pay more to go to college in Nebraska, than a person here (illegally) from another country that for some reason is eligible for in-state tuition.

It is nice for all the Democratic politicians to have these high and lofty ideals (open borders etc...) but it is we that are paying the tab. It is us that have to compete for the goods and services that the government offers. It is we that have to compete for jobs (driving wages for all lower) and opportunities that belong by birthright to US citizens. It is our social-economic class who bears the real burden of illegal immigration.

It is the Republican Party that seeks to address the immigration issues in the way that most of us understand and agree with. We want the borders sealed and so does the GOP. We feel illegal’s should be given no special privileges or rights, a stand taken by most members of the Republican Party. We do not want amnesty, and are very concerned with any so-call path to citizenship, again a position taken by most republicans. We believe that no matter what your ethnic background, that being American comes first. That speaking the language and taking part in the national traditions are part of your responsibility and are not optional. Our desires on these issues are most decidedly better echoed through the Republican Party.

So if you are living week to week, making ends meet the best you can, if you are working 50 and being paid for 40, ask yourself a couple of simple questions. Who really shares your thoughts and opinions, what political party is right for you and which works in your best interests? Listen to both sides of this issue and make your choice.

My choice was made many years ago when after a heated but friendly discussion on some social issue of importance at the time. Unable to sway my opinion this friend and mentor of mine remarked, “you are the poorest republican I know.” At the time I laughed at the remark and the moment passed, but it was then I understood that there was a difference in political thought. It was at that moment in time and why today, this poor republican and I might add, of Hispanic origin, is proud to be a member of the GOP.