http://www.jaredblankenship.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SafBFVofo2A&feature=player_embedded
The Obama Doctrine
April 2nd, 2011
What is the Obama doctrine as opposed to the Bush doctrine or even the Clinton or Reagan doctrine? This is the question which has been posed in regards to our recent military involvement in Libya. Personally, I do not care what the Obama doctrine or any other President’s doctrine may be. I am simply concerned about what the American doctrine should be in matters of foreign relations. Shifting doctrines result in a weak and suspect nation. Most American citizens understand that the only Constitutional use of our military is to respond to threats to our nation or our nation’s interests. The American doctrine never changes with leadership. Humanitarian intervention may be noble, but is also unending. What are the real threats to America? Even an average citizen can identify them.
Posted in Foreign Policy | No Comments »
Obama was right.
April 1st, 2011
President Obama was indeed correct when he recently stated that immediately drilling every drop of oil we have would not immediately lower the price of fuel at the pump. That is convenient political cover. What the President and unfortunately numerous others fail to understand is that the American people will hold all of our Federal Government responsible for their negligence in developing a reasonable Energy Policy. How long have we pleaded with our leaders for such a policy. All that we receive are the standard lines about sustainable energy and going green. Let me be perfectly clear: we are prepared to go green, we support clean, renewable energy. Unfortunately it is our government which is the greatest obstacle in that process and we all know it will take time. In the mean-time, American citizens need affordable energy to fuel our nation. So for now Mr. President: Drill, baby, Drill (and not in Brazil).
Posted in energy | No Comments »
It’s the economy, stupid.
April 1st, 2011
In the immortal words of Howard Dean, it is the economy which is at the forefront. It has been and it will be as long as the future of America is in jeopardy, and our future is in jeopardy. While Congress is hammering out a compromise on yet another continuing resolution, we the people are exactly where we have been; looking for work, watching fuel prices climb, worrying about our future. While Washington debates what can or can’t be done, it is time that we the people stand up and say we will secure our future, with or without you.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Liberty: cafeteria style
March 30th, 2011
At the core of the progressive playbook is regulation. It is necessary to regulate every aspect of American life to keep us safe from ourselves. Watch your diet, wear your seat-belt, keep those teens in their car seat, and by all means make sure you always go green. From banking and business regulation to regulation of our personal lives, it is fair to say that America is only a relatively free nation. It is time for our government to be reminded that liberty is a comprehensive package. You cannot pick and choose. Partial freedom is not free. Relative freedom is not America.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Flashback: Activists protest war in Iraq
March 29th, 2011
Do you remember protests on Capital Hill, anti-Bush signs, and blood for oil slogans? How times change when a Democrat is in the White House. Libya is, after all, a moral mission with humanitarian aims. I wonder what made Iraq different? Oh yes, it was politics. Despite our feelings of outrage and disgust, Qadhafi presents no vital threat to the United States. Are we prepared to engage every example of brutal tyranny? How about Syria, Yemen, the Ivory Coast, or the Sudan? The American people are interested in taking care of our vital interests first. They lie right here at home. We cannot afford such foolish endeavors and I seem to remember they are part of the reason we are in this position.
Posted in General | No Comments »
You just thought earmarks were dead.
March 28th, 2011
USA Today reported last week $4.8 billion worth of earmarks within the continuing resolution to keep the government funded in the short term. Just when we thought earmarks had been ended we find business as usual in Washington. At least Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has attempted to put a stop to the spending which includes $18.6 million in unemployment for those with a reported income of $1 million or more and $20 million for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Massachusetts. Thus far, Harry Reid (D-NV) has obstructed any effort to stop these earmarks. What happened to the promise to stop earmarks? Career politicians are still in charge.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Pay by the mile
March 25th, 2011
Leave it up to our Democrat friends to find innovative means to tax Americans. Try this one on for size. Tax the vehicle-miles traveled (VMT). The Congressional Budget Office says that this will make us more efficient with our trips to the store and result in greater awareness of the cost of using the nation’s highways. The reality is simply that they have squandered our dollars on other things and now need more to repair roads. Those of you who drive 40,000 miles a year because you have to, can only image the impact on your budget. Can you say higher taxes, increased cost for automobiles, outrageous compliance costs? I say NO, Senator Kent Conrad, let’s just properly manage what we currently pay.
Posted in Economy, energy | 2 Comments »
Hypocrisy or good politics?
March 22nd, 2011
While in Brazil, President Obama noted the offshore oil recently discovered in that country. His response, “We want to help you with the technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely, and when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers.” The American people should require no further evidence that the vision of this administration has absolutely nothing to do with what is best for America. U.S. offshore oil production will fall by 13% this year due to the President’s moratorium on Gulf drilling. The President’s promises to Brazil offer further job losses to American workers and insure that the U.S. will remain dependant upon the benevolence of other nations when it comes to our energy needs. How’s that for vision?
Posted in energy | 1 Comment »
The hidden impact of Progressive policy
March 19th, 2011
Long touted as the defenders of minority groups, the Democrats are in fact placing undue strain upon these very groups. Put the pieces together with a certain degree of logic and a picture which has been largely ignored soon appears. Rising housing prices are driving minorities out of many areas in which they were well established. The reason: building restrictions and bans have become the norm in the name of environmental concerns. The insistence of an ever increasing minimum wage assures a high rate of unemployment among minority youth. Obamacare is dependant upon forcing the young to buy into the program. When the median age of Hispanics is 27 and that group is expected to comprise 30% of the population in the future, where will the greatest burden of Obamacare fall? It makes for good politics to talk about helping certain groups, but it matters little when the net effect of the Democratic platform is negative toward those same groups of Americans. It is time that we stopped thinking in groups and began to focus on America.
Posted in General | No Comments »
What happened to unemployment?
March 14th, 2011
What happened to a focused and determined effort to address unemployment? I seem to remember this being a central theme of both the previous election and the State of the Union Address. While our leadership is distracted by other things, let us consider a proposal which was suggested by a wise group of seniors who allowed me to share lunch with them today. Their suggestion: provide jobs for American citizens by supplying the majority of our country’s energy needs from our own resources. These experienced Americans understand all too well the folly of being dependant upon foreign nations for our energy needs. Imagine the jobs that could be created if we would just say no. When will we heed the advice of experience?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SafBFVofo2A&feature=player_embedded
The Obama Doctrine
April 2nd, 2011
What is the Obama doctrine as opposed to the Bush doctrine or even the Clinton or Reagan doctrine? This is the question which has been posed in regards to our recent military involvement in Libya. Personally, I do not care what the Obama doctrine or any other President’s doctrine may be. I am simply concerned about what the American doctrine should be in matters of foreign relations. Shifting doctrines result in a weak and suspect nation. Most American citizens understand that the only Constitutional use of our military is to respond to threats to our nation or our nation’s interests. The American doctrine never changes with leadership. Humanitarian intervention may be noble, but is also unending. What are the real threats to America? Even an average citizen can identify them.
Posted in Foreign Policy | No Comments »
Obama was right.
April 1st, 2011
President Obama was indeed correct when he recently stated that immediately drilling every drop of oil we have would not immediately lower the price of fuel at the pump. That is convenient political cover. What the President and unfortunately numerous others fail to understand is that the American people will hold all of our Federal Government responsible for their negligence in developing a reasonable Energy Policy. How long have we pleaded with our leaders for such a policy. All that we receive are the standard lines about sustainable energy and going green. Let me be perfectly clear: we are prepared to go green, we support clean, renewable energy. Unfortunately it is our government which is the greatest obstacle in that process and we all know it will take time. In the mean-time, American citizens need affordable energy to fuel our nation. So for now Mr. President: Drill, baby, Drill (and not in Brazil).
Posted in energy | No Comments »
It’s the economy, stupid.
April 1st, 2011
In the immortal words of Howard Dean, it is the economy which is at the forefront. It has been and it will be as long as the future of America is in jeopardy, and our future is in jeopardy. While Congress is hammering out a compromise on yet another continuing resolution, we the people are exactly where we have been; looking for work, watching fuel prices climb, worrying about our future. While Washington debates what can or can’t be done, it is time that we the people stand up and say we will secure our future, with or without you.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Liberty: cafeteria style
March 30th, 2011
At the core of the progressive playbook is regulation. It is necessary to regulate every aspect of American life to keep us safe from ourselves. Watch your diet, wear your seat-belt, keep those teens in their car seat, and by all means make sure you always go green. From banking and business regulation to regulation of our personal lives, it is fair to say that America is only a relatively free nation. It is time for our government to be reminded that liberty is a comprehensive package. You cannot pick and choose. Partial freedom is not free. Relative freedom is not America.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Flashback: Activists protest war in Iraq
March 29th, 2011
Do you remember protests on Capital Hill, anti-Bush signs, and blood for oil slogans? How times change when a Democrat is in the White House. Libya is, after all, a moral mission with humanitarian aims. I wonder what made Iraq different? Oh yes, it was politics. Despite our feelings of outrage and disgust, Qadhafi presents no vital threat to the United States. Are we prepared to engage every example of brutal tyranny? How about Syria, Yemen, the Ivory Coast, or the Sudan? The American people are interested in taking care of our vital interests first. They lie right here at home. We cannot afford such foolish endeavors and I seem to remember they are part of the reason we are in this position.
Posted in General | No Comments »
You just thought earmarks were dead.
March 28th, 2011
USA Today reported last week $4.8 billion worth of earmarks within the continuing resolution to keep the government funded in the short term. Just when we thought earmarks had been ended we find business as usual in Washington. At least Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has attempted to put a stop to the spending which includes $18.6 million in unemployment for those with a reported income of $1 million or more and $20 million for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Massachusetts. Thus far, Harry Reid (D-NV) has obstructed any effort to stop these earmarks. What happened to the promise to stop earmarks? Career politicians are still in charge.
Posted in General | No Comments »
Pay by the mile
March 25th, 2011
Leave it up to our Democrat friends to find innovative means to tax Americans. Try this one on for size. Tax the vehicle-miles traveled (VMT). The Congressional Budget Office says that this will make us more efficient with our trips to the store and result in greater awareness of the cost of using the nation’s highways. The reality is simply that they have squandered our dollars on other things and now need more to repair roads. Those of you who drive 40,000 miles a year because you have to, can only image the impact on your budget. Can you say higher taxes, increased cost for automobiles, outrageous compliance costs? I say NO, Senator Kent Conrad, let’s just properly manage what we currently pay.
Posted in Economy, energy | 2 Comments »
Hypocrisy or good politics?
March 22nd, 2011
While in Brazil, President Obama noted the offshore oil recently discovered in that country. His response, “We want to help you with the technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely, and when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers.” The American people should require no further evidence that the vision of this administration has absolutely nothing to do with what is best for America. U.S. offshore oil production will fall by 13% this year due to the President’s moratorium on Gulf drilling. The President’s promises to Brazil offer further job losses to American workers and insure that the U.S. will remain dependant upon the benevolence of other nations when it comes to our energy needs. How’s that for vision?
Posted in energy | 1 Comment »
The hidden impact of Progressive policy
March 19th, 2011
Long touted as the defenders of minority groups, the Democrats are in fact placing undue strain upon these very groups. Put the pieces together with a certain degree of logic and a picture which has been largely ignored soon appears. Rising housing prices are driving minorities out of many areas in which they were well established. The reason: building restrictions and bans have become the norm in the name of environmental concerns. The insistence of an ever increasing minimum wage assures a high rate of unemployment among minority youth. Obamacare is dependant upon forcing the young to buy into the program. When the median age of Hispanics is 27 and that group is expected to comprise 30% of the population in the future, where will the greatest burden of Obamacare fall? It makes for good politics to talk about helping certain groups, but it matters little when the net effect of the Democratic platform is negative toward those same groups of Americans. It is time that we stopped thinking in groups and began to focus on America.
Posted in General | No Comments »
What happened to unemployment?
March 14th, 2011
What happened to a focused and determined effort to address unemployment? I seem to remember this being a central theme of both the previous election and the State of the Union Address. While our leadership is distracted by other things, let us consider a proposal which was suggested by a wise group of seniors who allowed me to share lunch with them today. Their suggestion: provide jobs for American citizens by supplying the majority of our country’s energy needs from our own resources. These experienced Americans understand all too well the folly of being dependant upon foreign nations for our energy needs. Imagine the jobs that could be created if we would just say no. When will we heed the advice of experience?