Shut The Government Down!

Shut The Government Down!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

I am beginning to believe that we OUGHT to shut the government down for as long as it takes to determine who, exactly, are the government workers essential to running the government. Then, fire all non-essential workers. And don’t re-open until we cut the heck out of the expense of running the government, itself, AND get a handle on congressional and executive branch spending.

Ok. Let’s cut to some of the basics here. First do not buy into the notion that the government actually shuts down when there is a government shutdown. OH, no! That is exactly what the political left wants you to believe. (By the way. For those of you new to my scribblings – understand that when I say “the political left” – I include the mainstream media in that nomenclatura.)

Surely you do not think government bureaucrats and federal employees do not have their backsides covered in the event of the dreaded “government shut-down?” Oh, to be sure, they DO. Yes, assuredly, they DO!

All the scare tactics used by the political left to scare the living daylights out of Americans who, as a rule, have not an inkling as to how their government actually works, are very effective when disseminated by a state controlled press – otherwise known as the Mainstream Media.

NO. Planes will not be grounded, the border will continued to be patrolled, hospitals will continue to treat patients, the military will continue to fight, federal prisoners in federal pens would still be guarded, The tax people (IRS) will keep right on aggravating the dickens out of Americans and, well, just about all the important stuff will continue as if nothing is going on.

What does happen is -- the non-essential government workers will get to stay home and be paid retroactively AFTER the government starts back up again. Most Americans would not notice a government shut down were it not for the press screaming it from every headline, microphone, and TV set in the nation.

Seems to me, shutting down the government would be a good thing. Heck, lets shut it down, and get rid of the non-essential government worker as we recommended above. That, alone, ought to save a whopping amount of money for the treasury.

Certainly, you know that a government shut down does not include sending Congress home. Oh, how I wish it did! The only time I feel safe, anymore, is when Congress is in recess.

See – this whole government shut down thing is a last ditch democrat dirty trick hatched up just in case they DID lose control of the government last November. They continued to push back approving a budget until it fell into the lap of a republican House of Representatives … just as it was planned. Now, the dems believe, they can make hay from the “don’t care” stigma smeared on the Republican Party by themselves and the mainstream media, which, as you know by now, THEY control.

But wait! Something is wrong. Something is not working as it was supposed to work.

Oh, drats! Turns out the American people actually DO want the government’s reckless spending cut back… even if it entails a shutdown of the government itself! Why, that tosses a mean spanner into the cogs, what?

Oh, joy! It turns out those DUMB Tea Partiers are not as dumb as the Mainstream Media and the democrats thought. Those people actually DO know how the government works. They DO know their constitution; and they DO know how to thwart the machinations of the liberal-socialists in the government. As a result, blow back from the electorate has splashed all over the democrats and they are beginning to question the wisdom of forcing a government shutdown.

Now the ball is in Obama’s court. He is the one person in the US government all eyes will be gazing upon if there is a shutdown.

In my opinion, all American voters should be standing in their chairs, yelling at the top of their lungs, demanding a shutdown of the US government until we can get spending under control.

A government shutdown is a GOOD thing, a useful thing, and an essential tool to help us save this country.

So bring it on. Let’s learn whose jobs are essential and whose are not -- and get rid of the non-essential workers as the first order of business.

Now that I have had my fun, allow me to say that I don’t believe either side, dems or repubs have what it takes to get our national budget in order. I am convinced that the US economy WILL crash as a result of the lack of courage of the men and women who are running it into the ground.

When the economy goes so will the government. Only God, Himself, knows what kind of government we will have when the smoke clears. But I WILL venture an educated guess: a communist government. (Notice: I didn’t say “a socialist government!”)

The last two generations of Americans have been prepared in the public schools for this eventuality. They KNOW that socialism/communism is a far better form of government that a representative constitutional republic. They know that because they have been taught that.

It certainly seems that only the American people are interested in saving America. It is obvious America’s government is not.

J. D. Longstreet

GOP Still Short a Viable Presidential Contender for 2012

GOP Still Short a Viable Presidential Contender for 2012
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

The Conservative Political Action Conference is in the midst of their three-day meeting in Washington and would-be Republican presidential contenders have been parading in and out the meeting(s).

From the reports I have read those attending have been sort of dipping their toe into the conservative waters checking the temperature and the current of the water, and then -- nervously counting their toes.

To date there has not been a single republican to officially announce he/she is entering the race for the Oval Office. Not one.

According to various polls there is not even a front-runner among those who are thought to be serious contenders -- even though they are holding back any announcement to that effect.

Out here in the swamps of the southern hinterlands we are overly fond of any of the lot who are “not yet running.”

Donald Trump? Give me a break, already!

Romney has about as good a chance as did McCain.

Allow me to dust off my crystal ball and reach deep inside, with my razor sharp mental powers, of course, and prognosticate the republican presidential ticket for 2012.

Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann. There. Feel better? Can’t say that I do, either.

I have to admit to a certain degree of concern, worry even, that conservatives may have bought into the theory that Obama is so badly liked by voters that he has already secured his place in US history as a one-term president. I don’t buy that. And I think anyone who does … is making a huge mistake.

Look. This is the Democratic Party we are talking about here. Never, ever, sell them short when it comes to elections. They will pull out all the stops and they will do whatever it takes to win. Republicans, especially conservative republicans cannot hold a candle to them when it comes to electioneering. Heck, they have been working on Obama’s second term since the Wednesday morning after the election in November of 2008. They have been working at the state levels, especially the office of the various Secretaries of State through out the nation. They have been laying a foundation for as much control of elections at the state level as they possibly can. That is where elections are won and lost. Think not? Remember Florida???

Conservative enthusiasm was heightened when Obama supporters stayed away from the polls in November of 2010. There was a good reason why they stayed away. Obama was not on the ticket. In 2012, he will be – and they will be back with the smashing energy of a tidal wave.

Understanding the Democratic Party is akin to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics – with a Brooklyn accent. It is darned near impossible. It is an amalgamation of every sort of leftists special interest group in the United States. Heck, there is even a democratic wing of the Democratic Party, small though it is, shoved into a darkened corner by the socialists, the progressives, and a host of “single issue” misfits, as well and those “undocumented democrats” we sometimes refer to as illegal aliens. And we must include the vast majority of the mainstream media in the US who controls so many of the gateways to information the voters need to make informed decisions.

With such an, er, eclectic crowd as that, how is it possible to underestimate their ability to snatch an election even while under the intense gaze of an entire nation?

The plain truth is – conservatives are just not very good at lying, cheating, stealing, being creative in matriculating ballots.

In my years of covering elections at the local levels, I have seen things you would not believe. I have sat in rooms with personnel from the US Justice Department, guns strapped to their hips and recorders in hand overseeing recounts and checking election records. I have witness ballot swapping. I had seen entire ballot boxes disappear only to be “found” days later in someone’s barn -- way out in the boon docks. And that just scratches the surface.

The point is, the Democratic parry is deadly in earnest when it comes to winning an election and whatever it takes is not just a motto, it is a plan of action.

Obama will, in all likelihood, be re-elected as President in 2012.

Why do I say that?

Because it has been my observation that the GOP is not willing to get down in the gutter and wallow in the political mud and mire and sewage where the Democratic Party reigns.

Politics is distasteful to most conservatives. It makes them feel dirty. It makes them want to take a shower to get the stink off. And they don’t like compromising their decency to win an election. The Democratic Party has demonstrated time and again that they have no such problem.

The GOP has a serious problem finding a Presidential candidate, who can stand up to the vicious, take no prisoners attack, sure to come from the leftists.

With that in mind, I predict the dirtiest, most vicious, presidential campaign in history between now and November of 2012.
Strap in. The ride is going to be extremely rough.

J. D. Longstreet

Bipartisanship Must Be Left At The Door

Bipartisanship Must Be Left At The Door
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet


Bipartisanship has no place in the next Congress. Getting along with Democrats should not even be a consideration. We conservatives did not send representatives to the US House of Representatives and the US Senate to “get along” with Democrats OR the Obama Administration. We sent them there to bring the current goings on to a “screeching halt” and to turn the country around and take it back to its conservative roots as a constitutional republic and not the socialist “People’s Republic” the liberal-socialists of the Democratic Party have striven so hard to make it into.

Our country is bearly recognizable today as a constitutional republic. The democratic controlled congress made clear they did not give a rip what the people wanted and they set about to “fundamentally change” America into a socialist dung heap. The many government regulatory agencies under the command of the Obama Regime have taken on so much power they resemble more the Nazi Gestapo than they do agencies of the US government… a government supposedly controlled by the people of the country. They, too, must be stopped, even if that means closing them down -- forever. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, the Education Department, the Energy Department, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, all top the list of government agencies that must be stopped.

Speaking of US government regulatory agencies – have you ever taken the time to discover just how many government agencies there are? Well, now you can. Go (HERE) for a complete list of all US government agencies. It is an “A” to “Z” list – and you will be astounded! These represent only those agencies made public. We have no idea, who, what, or how many others exist without the knowledge of the citizens of the country.

Prepare for the liberal-socialist democrats to begin, very shortly, to complain that the US government is “broken.” See, it is NOT broken as long as they get their way. Only when the American people get THEIR way is the US government broken to the Democrats!


If the politicians we sent to Washington, as a result of the November elections, do as we want and have instructed them to do, there will be a knock-down-drag-out brawl within the US House of Representatives and the US Senate over the next two years.

We don’t want compromise. We don’t want bipartisanship. We did not send them to Washington for either. We sent them to Washington to rescue our country -- before it is lost forever.


For instance: We want ObamaCare repealed. We want it COMPLETELY repealed! That, alone, will be a monstrous job. The so-called “Dream Act,” which is only another rendition of Amnesty for illegal aliens must be stopped as well.

There will be weeping, and wailing and gnashing of teeth among the democrats at any effort to repeal ObamaCare, especially. Its repeal will mean the government losses control of one-sixth of the US economy. You’d better believe they will fight tooth and nail for control of the lives of every American citizen. They will weep on the floor of their respective chambers. They will tell America that ObamaCare is for the children, for the oppressed minorities, for anything and everything they can think of that might tug at America’s heartstrings. They have won so many battles before by playing on the voter’s emotions that they will not care how ridiculous they look with the crocodile tears streaming down their façade covered faces. It will be a ridiculous comedy played out before the eyes of the world.

We conservatives must be prepared for the onslaught of vile propaganda unleashed on their efforts to rescue America. The Mainstream Media, which is totally immersed in the agenda of the liberal-socialist democrats, will ride to the rescue of Obama and his socialist agenda. It has already begun. They currently sing his praises as the “come-back-kid” after his mediocre successes in the lame duck session of Congress.

Over the next two years, conservatives will need to take careful notice of the remaining “RINO’s” in Congress and prepare a plan of attack to remove them from office in the elections of November 2012.

And we must discover a conservative republican candidate for president who actually has a chance to win. Frankly, I see no possible winner among the host of names being floated about for consideration as possible candidates for the republican nomination today. We may need to go outside the usual herd to find a new face, a new name, with hard rock conservative values to carry our banner into the Oval Office.

The next two years will be two of the most difficult years in the conservative movement in the United States. We must be unrelenting as we push forward the conservative agenda.

Someone once said: “A nation of sheep, breeds a government of wolves.” It is time for conservative Americans to re-assert themselves as neither sheep nor wolves – but as lion-hearted Americans.

Ours is a rescue mission. If we do not press home our advantage over the next two years our mission will become a “recovery” mission.

J. D. Longstreet

GOP’s “Pledge To America” Falls Short … VERY Short!

GOP’s “Pledge To America” Falls Short … VERY Short!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

The Republican Party made a spectacular mistake in publishing their “A Pledge to America.” In an attempt to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory they have raised questions about their own party’s commitment to issues their base is most concerned with and about which they would like answers.

For instance, the pledge says nothing about a fence along the US/Mexico border. It is ambiguous about worksite enforcement of immigration laws and, most important of all, it does not mention amnesty for illegal aliens. WHY???

The 2008 Republican Platform committed the Republican Party to completing a border fence, enforcing immigration laws at the worksite, and opposing an amnesty. But “The Pledge” is ominously quiet on these extremely important issues. Again … WHY?

“The Pledge” says this: “Our borders are a vital part of our security, so we will act decisively to ensure that the federal government fulfills its constitutional duty to protect our citizens and our Nation, working closely with our state and local governments …” This is far too broad a statement to satisfy the GOP base -- not to mention the host of Independents and Tea Party members looking to cast a GOP ballot in November.

Nowhere in The Pledge is the word “FENCE” mentioned. The Pledge only says: “We must take action to secure our borders, and that action starts with enforcing our laws. We will ensure that the Border Patrol has the tools and authorities to establish operational control at the border and prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from interfering with Border Patrol enforcement activities on federal lands.”

The Pledge says nothing about putting the quietus on the Federal Lawsuit against the state of Arizona for passing a state law that would, in fact, assist the federal government in enforcing immigration laws -- at least along that part of the border that bisects Mexico and Arizona. Why do you suppose that was left out, huh?

What about those employers who hire vast numbers of illegal aliens? Reports tell us the government already has a list of the worst of these offenders. What will a GOP controlled government do about them? Why doesn’t The Pledge address this?

In 2008, the Republican Party Platform had this to say about worksite enforcement: “Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents.” As broad a statement as THIS is better focused than The Pledge.

And what about amnesty for illegal aliens already in the US? The GOP platform of 2008 said this: “"We oppose amnesty. The rule of law suffers if government policies encourage or reward illegal activity. The American people’s rejection of en masse legalizations is especially appropriate given the federal government’s past failures to enforce the law.” The Pledge to America does not mention the party’s position on amnesty for illegal aliens now living in the US. Again, we have to ask WHY?

This omission is worrisome, very worrisome. I have to wonder what, exactly, is the position of the Republican Party on amnesty for illegal aliens, on constructing a formidable fence along the border between the US and Mexico, plus what, exactly, the GOP plans to do to bring the full force of the law down on those employers who continue to hire illegals they know, or should have known were/are illegally in the US.

All indications are that the US electorate is readying itself to place its trust in the GOP and hand them control of the legislative branch of the government in a little over a month. I don’t think it is asking too much to inquire of the GOP what the party’s position is on amnesty for illegal aliens, on securing the border with a physical fence, and enforcement of immigration laws with employers. We want to know and we want to know NOW before we cast a vote for another government with which we will be constantly at odds over illegal immigration.

Look, the American people feel the Democrats, and especially the Obama Regime, have snookered them. They are looking for a change… a change “BACK” if you will, to a responsive constitutional republic in which they can have, at least, a reasonable amount of trust and confidence. With The Pledge to America, the Republicans have given them reason to be distrustful not for what The Pledge says – but for what it does NOT say.

The GOP did itself no favor by publishing The Pledge to America. It was a dumb move on their part and it will cost them at the polls.

Now is not the time for overconfidence. No election is over until the last vote is counted. Even then, there are times when a recount is required to determine a winner.

Never, ever, present the enemy a target unless there is a well thought-out plan to use that target to entrap said enemy. With The Pledge to America, I see only a target with nothing very well thought out – at all.

J. D. Longstreet

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J. D. Longstreet blogs daily at INSIGHT on Freedom

http://www.csadispatch.blogspot.com/

Americans Seething With Anger

Americans Seething With Anger
Mood Darkens As Mid-Term Election Approaches
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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In an article by Peter Wallsten and Eliza Gray, at the Wall Street Journal’s website, entitled: “Grim Voter Mood Turns Grimmer” The dual scribes write the following: “Americans are growing more pessimistic about the economy and the war in Afghanistan, and are losing faith that Democrats have better solutions than Republicans, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

Underpinning the gloom: Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy has yet to hit bottom, a sharply higher percentage than the 53% who felt that way in January.”

Wallsten and Gray go on to say: “The sour national mood appears all-encompassing and is dragging down ratings for the GOP too, suggesting voters above all are disenchanted with the political establishment in Washington. Just 24% express positive feelings about the Republican Party, a new low in the 21-year history of the Journal's survey. Democrats are only slightly more popular, but also near an all-time low.” (SOURCE)

WOW! Who’ed ‘ov thunk it?!

Well, actually, we THUNK it! That is to say – those of us who actually pay attention to what the politicos are saying -- and doing -- in Washington.

Yes, and we have been yelling and waving our arms about TRYING to get your attention for months on end, now. Heck, we even warned BEFORE the elections in 2006 and 2008 that THIS WOULD HAPPEN IF THE DEMOCRATS AND OBAMA GAINED CONTROL OF THE US GOVERNMENT.

My fellow conservative writers, I assure you, are not celebrating our accuracy in predicting the sorry state America finds herself in today -- far from it. We feel the very same frustration you do. We, too, are angry! We, too, are chomping at the bit, just waiting for a chance to get at the ballot box in November.

History tells us that when the British surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, to Washington’s rag-tag army, the British band played “The World Turned Upside Down.” Maybe we ought to gather a band together and stand outside the White House and Congress and play the same tune 24 hours a day to vent our frustrations.

Talk about a world turned upside down! Back in the 1950’s, as an enlisted man in the US military, I was trained to fight socialism and marxism and communism on the battlefield. Our intelligence services were out there digging, day and night, for Intel to fight those nations who subscribed to the “killer of nations” – socialism. Today, some half a century later, our American government has embraced Socialism/Marxism/Progressivism – and guess what? It is killing America just as it does every country that adopts it.

The writers of the same article, cited above, go on to say: “As in recent polls, Americans are split on President Barack Obama's job performance, with 47% approving and 48% disapproving. But a majority disapproves of his performance on the economy. And six in 10, including 83% of independents and a quarter of Democrats, say they are only somewhat or not at all confident that Mr. Obama has the right policies to improve it.” (SOURCE)

Really? I find that difficult to believe. I mean, the mainstream media continues to tell us what a wonderful President Mr. Obama is, and all. How gauche of conservatives to point out the obvious. “The Emperor has no clothes!”

Only Jimmy Carter can really appreciate Mr. Obama. Now Mr. Carter is no longer the worst President the United States has ever had.

The article goes on to say this about the way in which voters view Congress: “The survey suggests that Democrats should expect little if any appreciation from voters for legislative achievements such as overhauling the health care and financial systems. Six in 10 Americans rated Congress' performance this year as below average or one of the worst. And the economy is dominating voters' worries. Among those who believe the economy will get worse over the next year, 67% want a GOP-led Congress.” (SOURCE)

Well, what about the war, you know—“The Right War” – Mr. Obama’s War in Afghanistan? The article continues: “On the Afghanistan war, which had been an area of strength for the president since he revamped his military strategy, 68% of Americans now feel less confident the war will come to a successful conclusion. Just 44% approve of the president's job on Afghanistan, down from a majority who approved in March, the last time the poll addressed the topic.” (SOURCE)

The war in Afghanistan is what a country gets when it politicizes a war. For evidence, may I present the Vietnam War?

You want to win a war? Forget about winning hearts and minds so the enemy will do what you want! Get them by the “cajones” and you can take them anywhere you want to take them! In other words, FIGHT to WIN!

Angry Americans no longer have faith in either the Democrats or the Republicans to fix what ails our country. Having no viable third party to turn to accounts for some of the frustration.

Americans are tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils. We understand the lesser of two evils is STILL EVIL! BUT, having said that – we are probably going to vote for the Republicans this fall to punish the Democrats. (That is no way to run a railroad, folks, but there it is.) So, the GOP will probably win by default – IF they don’t do something stupid and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

America is one PO’ed country these days.

I was in my barber’s shop earlier this week when someone made the statement that he guessed we were all agreed that America has “one looney President.” Agreement was unanimous. It was also agreed that our longtime congressperson would not get our votes this time around. We, every one of us, expressed our intention of voting for a newcomer republican, an Iraq war veteran, who has demonstrated his intestinal fortitude on the battlefield actually leading men in battle as an officer.

Now, if we can only find a “Fighting General” to run for President against Obama, or Hillary, in 2012. We are going to need him when we go back to Iraq for the third time.

As the Japanese can tell the world, it takes something BIG to wake Americans up. But, by golly, when they awaken, somebody is going to pay -- and pay dearly!

Good Morning, America!

J. D. Longstreet

ObamaCare LIVES!

ObamaCare LIVES!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Like Dracula, ObamaCare seems to crawl away when the light of day threatens only to climb out of its coffin at moonrise.

To paraphrase the famous line from the movie “Jaws”: “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…” We can say: “Just when you thought it was safe to breath free…” ObamaCare twitches.

It looks dead. But is it? Poke it with a stick and see if it moves. Hold a mirror beneath its nostrils and watch for condensation. If this were the TV series “CIS” or “NCIS” we’d punch a spike thermometer through its abdomen, and into the liver, to determine time of death – if any.

Sadly, I have to report, that ObamaCare is NOT dead. Weakened, yes. Nigh unto death? Yes. Dead? NO.

I am still convinced the democrats will get some form of ObamaCare thru both house of the Congress and on the President’s desk before Spring -- probably a lot sooner, actually.

The house has some serious problems with the bill as written. Speaker Pelosi KNOWS she cannot get it through the House in its current configuration, so she is hoping the Senate will configure a bill the House dems can agree so she can get it passed on her side of the building. Then on to the President for his signature and -- Walla! ObamaCare is the “Law of the Land.”

I have no clue as to how, exactly, they will accomplish this feat, but, I am satisfied that they will. Now is not the time to be complacent. We must keep up the fight against ObamaCare.

Even more importantly, the Republicans ought to crying loudly and clearly that should ObamaCare pass into law, the battle cry for the campaigns between now and the Mid-term Election, this November, and beyond, will be “REPEAL OBAMACARE!”

Democrats need to understand this is no threat. It is a promise. They need to understand they vote for ObamaCare at the expense of their political careers.

Few things have inflamed the American anger quite like ObamaCare and the Democrats insistence on ramming it down the throats of Americans. Yet the far left understands that this is their best chance to grab all the power that government control of the nation’s healthcare will gain them. They are willing to go for broke even if it means losing their hold on the Congress -- as they surely will. It doesn’t matter. They are the “true believers” and they are in charge.

No, dear reader, Obamacare is NOT dead -- not by a long shot.

ObamaCare is, after all is said and done, not about healthcare. It is all about power. If ObamaCare passes into law, the socialists will maintain their power over your life, and the life of every American, even when they are out of power in the Congress!

Some Republicans get it. Senator Lamar Alexander, of Tennessee, said over the weekend: “"People are saying, 'We don't want it.' The Democrats are saying, 'We don't care, we're doing it anyway.' The Democrats will try to jam this through, and the rest of the year we're going to be involved in a campaign to repeal it."

At this moment, however, we need to expend our energy on killing ObamaCare. If that fails the republicans should switch immediately to a campaign to repeal it.

Be aware, however, the dems do not believe the republicans have the intestinal fortitude to mount a campaign to repeal ObamaCare. In fact, they are counting on it. It helps them justify the political massacre of their party at the polls this coming November.

J. D. Longstreet