The Truth With The Unemployment Numbers

The Obama administration and the left in general are talking about how wonderful it is that unemployment has fallen to "6.7%". This number is down exponentially from where it was at 7.9% this time last year. That big drip sounds wonderful except for the fact that it's completely misleading.

The left likes to believe that the reason unemployment numbers fall are because more and more people are going back to work. That's simply not the case.

The truth is that more people are dropping out of the workforce than are gaining employment. According to Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions: "Today’s jobs report underscores a deeper problem facing our economy: a large and growing block of people who are chronically jobless and completely outside the workforce. In December, the economy added only 74,000 jobs – not nearly enough to keep up with population growth –and 347,000 left the workforce. That means for every one job added, nearly 5 people left the workforce entirely. There are now nearly 92 million Americans outside the workforce, resulting in the lowest participation rate in 36 years."

So while the official unemployment numbers continue to go down so do the number of people still looking for a job. The White House won't give you this information because it's an inconvenient truth. More and more people in this country are dependent on the government for a living - which is what Democrats want anyway.

Sessions goes on: "We must help people move off of welfare, off of unemployment, and into good-paying jobs that can support a family. More tax, spend, borrow and regulate will only produce more joblessness, dependency and debt. Instead, we need more American energy, streamlined taxes and regulations, a leaner and less wasteful government, better trade and immigration enforcement, and a reformed welfare system that helps struggling Americans realize the dream of financial independence."

"What's the Republican plan?" the Democrats will cry. How about giving small businesses a better shot at success by getting rid of Obamacare, which will (if Obama ever stops illegally delaying it) force them to provide insurance coverage for full time employees or pay a fine...  excuse me - a tax... to the government? How about not raising the minimum wage to a level where it will cause small businesses to actually fire people because they can't make payroll? How about doing what far-left liberal loon Mario Cuomo is doing in New York and dismissing taxes for new businesses?

There are things that can be done. The Obama administration isn't interested in doing them because it just doesn't fit into their plan of increased government dependence and wealth redistribution. So how about we just get rid of Obama...?

What Chris Christie Should Have Said

On Thursday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie held a two hour press conference to apologize for the actions of his Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly, who apparently was responsible for the large traffic jam caused by lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee. Christie took full responsibility for the actions of his staff member (completely unlike our President).

The lane closures were initiated by Kelly, Christie's former campaign manager, Bill Stepien; and two of his appointees to the Port Authority, Bill Baroni and David Wildstein. To date, Kelly has been fired and Stepien dismissed. The investigation continues.

In less than 24 hours of the release of e-mail evidence of Kelly's involvement in the traffic fiasco, the U.S. Attorney for the district has announced he will be investigating the case to see if federal charges are warranted. That U.S. Attorney is a very active Democrat who made a rather large donation to Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2008.

Some say that particular factor is irrelevant but I'm not so sure it is. The announcement of the investigation of the traffic fiasco was immediate. Compare that to the announcement of a special investigator in the case of the IRS targeting conservatives. That special investigator, also a Democrat who donated $6000 to Obama's campaign in 2012, was appointed to look into it over a year after the targeting was discovered. Does anyone but me see the problem?

There are a couple of things that Governor Christie should have said on Thursday that, if history repeats itelf, should clear him and everyone else of any wrongdoing in the eyes of the main stream media. First - he should have said "Regardless of who is responsible for the nightmare traffic jam in Fort Lee in September, if you like your car you can keep your car. Period."

Then, to close out his press conference, he should have said "Did members of my staff deliberately set out to cause a huge traffic problem in Fort Lee or did a couple of people out walking on the street move some cones to cause a problem? What difference, at this point, does it make?!"

Governor - you should think about those next time. Just sayin'...

Liberal Hypocrisy Is Sometimes Funny - Sometimes Not

I have been watching a TV advertisement recently produced by the state of New York telling businesses, small and large, they should consider moving to or opening a new business in New York. Since New York raised the taxes of its citizens and is one of the states with the highest income taxes in the nation, some people are moving away and the economy isn't doing all that well.

So what does Democrat and far left liberal Governor Mario Cuomo decide to do to turn his state's failing economy around? Why - he turns to good old capitalism! That's right. Cuomo is inviting businesses to start up companies in New York and offering them - get this - no taxes for ten years!

Leave it to Mario Cuomo, the guy who is so anti-gun that he signed into law a bill that made it illegal for law enforcement officers in his state to carry ammunition magazines that hold more than seven rounds, to resort to a conservative, right-leaning idea when he's in trouble.

Another example of liberal hypocrisy is in the news today. It seems there's a big scandal in New Jersey that could "harm Chris Christie's chances for a White House run." According to NBC, the fiasco of the Fort Lee, New Jersey, street closures leading to the George Washington Bridge, attributed to one of Chris Christie's aides (in retaliation for the Democrat Mayor not supporting Christie's re-election), could be a problem for Christie and his possible campaign. After all - Christie is the governor - the one at the top. So he should take the heat for it even though there is no evidence to show he had anything to do with it.

So by NBC's standard (and other main stream media outlets as well, I'm sure) the top dog should be held accountable for the actions of his subordinates, cabinet members and aides. So when are they (the main stream media) going to hold President Obama accountable for the various things that have been done (or not done) by members of his administration? We all know that President Obama had no knowledge of any of the things that occurred in the last couple of years. You remember - Benghazi, the IRS interference with conservative PACs, the Justice Department targeting the Associated Press, James Rosen and his parents, the overzealous NSA, Fast and Furious, the disastrous Obamacare rollout, etc.

Obama is the top dog. So why is the main stream media after Christie for something done by his aide and without Christie's knowledge (that's what he says - just like President Obama) but not going after the President? Could it be that they are just not happy with the fact that Christie is a forerunner for the Republican Presidential nomination and they're trying to take his legs out from under him early? Or could it be they are still so enamored with Obama they just can't help themselves?

It's truly sad that the main stream media in this nation has become a tool for Democrats. Their reporting is about furthering the left-wing, Democrat agenda instead of truth. Sadly, many in this country get their news from these outlets. It's one of the reasons President Obama was re-elected.

Another Obama Failure...

On Friday, the city of Fallujah, Iraq, saw new flags flying over their government buildings. Those flags indicate the condition of that nation today, following Obama's withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country in 2011. Those flags belong to Al Qaeda.

Without a force of U.S. military troops (and those of other UN nations), Al Qaeda - that terrorist organization President Obama said was destroyed - is taking over the country and setting up what they call an "Islamic Emirate." The people of Fallujah don't want to be controlled by Al Qaeda but they have no choice. They have neither the means nor the ability to fight them.

President Obama, with his lack of leadership abilities and lack of confidence in his military leaders (as stated by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates), has completely disrespected and dishonored the 4400 plus men and women who died, and the 32,000 who were wounded while liberating Iraq. The sacrifices they made were in vain because the President failed to do anything to maintain the security of Iraq after we left. And Al Qaeda is once again in control.

One must ask why Obama allowed things to fall apart. He says he couldn't work out a security agreement with the Iraqi government but no one really believes that. The Iraqi government wanted to maintain their freedom from terrorist control. They knew we were the only ones who could guarantee it.

Fallujah was one of the most hard won cities in the country. In the two battles fought to take control of the city 146 Americans were killed and 985 were wounded. Now it's back in the hands of Al Qaeda sponsored rebels. Interestingly - I predicted it would happen as soon as President Obama announced the troop withdrawal.

Afghan citizens must be a bit nervous watching what's happening in Fallujah. Since the President has announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from that country as well, will it only be a matter of time before Al Qaeda retakes it as well? My money says yes.

When George W. Bush left office in 2009 the Iraq war was basically won. In only five years President Obama has managed to undo everything we accomplished. Great job, Mr. President.

The Gimmee Generation...

Young people today seem to grow up feeling like the world owes them whatever they want. Unlike "The Greatest Generation" and a couple of generations after them, today's young people, the so-called "Millenials" seem to have no real interest in hard work and sacrifice but think the government should guarantee them an income, health care and an education.

I blame the liberalism that has taken over our education system as much as anything else. A lack of instilled values and a missing work ethic are also to blame but again - that's probably due to being raised in an ever growing liberal society.

Jesse Myerson of Rolling Stone Magazine published an article on Friday entitled "Five Economic Reforms Millenials Should Be Fighting For." It gives one an idea of just how deeply Millenials are immersed in the "Gimmee" mindset since he calls himself a Millenial.

Myerson's first reform would be for the government to guarantee a job and income for everyone. He believes expanding the government by creating jobs in the public sector would be great for everyone. What he doesn't seem to understand is that the more government grows the less freedoms he and other Americans will have.

Second on his list is a guaranteed income for all Americans - even if they don't want to work. His justification for this is as follows: "...as much as unemployment blows, so do jobs. What if people didn't have to work to survive? Enter the jaw-droppingly simple idea of a universal basic income, in which the government would just add a sum sufficient for subsistence to everyone's bank account every month."

In other words - "Gimmee an income so I don't have to actually work to support myself." And it's surprising how many young people feel this way. I wonder how Mr. Myerson plans to pay for this. People who are sponging off the government don't pay taxes to ensure the government has revenue coming in. I suppose it'll be that ever popular liberal idea of taxing those disgusting rich people.

Myerson sums up his plan for a "univeral income" with this sentence: "A universal basic income, combined with a job guarantee and other social programs, could make participation in the labor force truly voluntary, thereby enabling people to get a life."

He wants people to work only if they so desire and if not they should be guaranteed an income from the government so they can do what they want. Yeah - that'll work.

Third in Myerson's communist style plan is for the government to take back land from "wealthy real estate owners, such as the one who owns the building in which he lives. Myerson doesn't believe that individuals can truly "own" land because it belongs to nature. Therefore, in his world, municipal governments should own all the land and buildings thereon so they can make everything and everyone equal, providing equal housing for all. 

So let's see...  so far he wants a guaranteed job (if he wishes to work), a guaranteed income (even if he doesn't want to work), and guaranteed equal housing also provided by the omnipotent (and apparently uber-wealthy) government. What else do you have in mind, Mr. Myerson?

His next point is to "Make everything owned by everybody." He believes those evil, rich capitalists, the 1 percenters, shouldn't be allowed to own land, real estate, corporations or stock. He believes the government should buy it all up and then distribute it evenly to everyone through his guaranteed income plan. 

The only idea he has that might actually make sense is his last point - to put a public bank in every state. According to Mr. Myerson, North Dakota has such a public banking system. I will have to research this but here is what Myerson says about it:

"When North Dakotans pay state taxes, the money gets deposited in the state's bank, which in turn offers cheap loans to farmers, students and businesses. The Bank of North Dakota doesn't make seedy, destined-to-default loans, slice them up inscrutably and sell them on a secondary market. It doesn't play around with incomprehensible derivatives and allow its executives to extract billions of dollars. It just makes loans and works with debtors to pay them off."

That might actually be a good idea to break up the monopoly of Wall Street. Lord knows we could use some reform there. But I'm still a fan of capitalism and hard work. Mr. Myerson has apparently worked for a living - much to his dismay, I suppose - because you don't get to be a writer for Rolling Stone if you haven't produced something they want. But it seems he'd rather quit work, sit back and enjoy a handout from the government rather than continue to actually earn a living. At least, that's what it sounds like from his article.

Myerson closes his article by saying "If that idea – or any of the others described in this piece – sounds good to you, there's a bitter political struggle to be waged. Let's get to work."

Wait...  I thought you said you wanted to do away with work? Make up your mind, would ya?

Whom Do You Follow?

In church yesterday our pastor read from the book of Malachi, telling us that God's blessings to us come not from simple grace but from our relationship with Him. People who do not have a relationship with God often prosper and do well in this life but they will not be recognized by the kingdom of heaven.

Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. Malachi was a prophet who wrote the infamous text used by George Frederick Handel in his work "The Messiah." - "But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire."

In Malachi 3:15 he says "So now we call the proud blessed, for those who do wickedness are raised up;
They even tempt God and go free."

If it was common in Malachi's day it's even worse today. In this modern day of celebrity worship and "anything goes to achieve money and fame", the proud ("arrogant" in another translation) and those who do wickedness are raised up (evildoers prosper) and often achieve fame and fortune. Some use their fame and fortune to attack Christianity and to mock God.

This verse reminds me of how many people in this country follow celebrities and their antics more than they follow the Bible and how many people listen to them as if they are worthy of our trust. There are also people who elevate our current President to Godlike status. Certain ignorant celebrities have made blatantly blasphemous statements in public forums concerning Obama - even comparing him to God Himself.

Interestingly, the President has encouraged that idolatry himself. In a speech in January, 2008, at Dartmouth College, the President told the students: “A light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you; you will experience an epiphany, and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote” for Obama.

Not necessarily a celebrity, former Newsweek editor Evan Thomas said of Obama in 2009: "We stand for something – I mean in a way Obama’s standing above the country, above – above the world, he’s sort of God,”

Louis Farrakhan once said that when Obama talks "the Messiah is absolutely speaking." Interestingly, he later called Obama an assassin and a murderer for approving intervention in Libya which lead to the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

Comedian Jaime Foxx, during an awards ceremony in 2012, asked the audience to "give thanks to God, and our Lord and Savior, Barack Obama."

British musician Sting was quoted as saying “In many ways, he’s sent from God, because the world’s a mess.”

Just before Christmas in 2013, Barbara Walters was interviewed by Piers Morgan and asked why President Obama was having such a difficult time. Her response was difficult to believe. In part, she said "We thought that he was going to be -- I shouldn't say this at Christmastime -- but the next Messiah."

It's difficult to understand why people do and say the things they do unless you realize that the United States of America is quickly becoming a more Godless nation. Is it any wonder we are having so many problems when God is being systematically removed from our government and our schools and Christianity is being attacked not only by many in the general public but by a President who himself claims to be a Christian?

Malachi is pretty clear. Verses 16 through 18 of chapter 3 spell it out pretty well.

"16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

So what's your relationship with God? Will you follow the arrogant and the evildoers or will the Lord find your name in the book of remembrance?

MSNBC: School Shooters Should Be Confronted Unarmed

Last Monday The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, MSNBC's Richard Wolffe mocked the NRA's Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre who has stated "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

Wolffe was citing the example of Antoinette Tuff who last August was able to successfully talk an armed man into surrendering. Wolffe named Tuff as his choice for "person of the year." And while I have no problem with that - Wolffe's ridiculous notion that Antoinette Tuff's success be used as the resolution to all school shootings is well...  ridiculous.

Wolffe asserted his position with: "No, really, because when the NRA says the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun, this woman single-handedly not only saved lives but changed the course of that ridiculous debate to show that the thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a country with a heart. And she has a heart."

Back in August on the same show, MSNBC contributor Frank Smyth stated "Lawrence, I think that Antoinette Tuff puts the National Rifle Association, Dirty Harry, and Clint Eastwood all to shame. They've peddled this myth that only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. And this proves that that is not the case."

This was followed by a panel discussion about how this one incident discredited the NRA's position about good guys and bad guys with guns, even though throughout the discussion the panel members used words like "luck," "miraculous" and "providence", indicating that the incident was, in fact, an unusual case.

So now MSNBC asserts that all one needs is a heart to stop an armed person determined to shoot up a school or a theater or a political rally? Do they believe Adam Lanza or James Holmes would not have committed their atrocious crimes if someone had simply stepped up and talked to them? Really?

Transcripts from the panel discussion in August show these people simply have no clue about reality:

FRANK SMYTH, MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR: "Lawrence, I think that Antoinette Tuff puts the National Rifle Association, Dirty Harry, and Clint Eastwood all to shame. They've peddled this myth that only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. And this proves that that is not the case. There are times when an active shooter needs to be actively stopped, but those are very few actual cases where that has occurred. And this demonstrates there are other approaches to public safety in our communities and schools that need to be talked about and pursued."

O'DONNELL: "And, Krystal, the police were on the scene fast enough, and they were on the scene fast enough to go in there with guns and intervene, and we have no idea what would have happened if they had."

KRYSTAL BALL: "Right, that's exactly right, and God bless Antoinette Tuff. What an incredible woman. We can't always count on there being an Antoinette Tuff at the school, in that position to be able to talk the person down, to be able to make that call. It's unfortunate, it's unbelievable that we have a system where guns are so prevalent, where they have proliferated so much in our society, that it can get to that point where someone can show up, a mentally disturbed person with an AK-47, and have to rely on someone like an Antoinette Tuff, as that last line of defense for these children. It's just an unbelievable situation."

O'DONNELL: "Ana Marie, the NRA has made sure that our mass murderers and our aspiring mass murderers are the best equipped in the world, and one of them walked in there today with the 500 rounds of ammunition, and the NRA did everything that they could to make him as effective as he could be today."

I have a suggestion for any of these people. The next time the police have an active shooter situation - how about one or all of them volunteer to walk up to the gunman and talk him down. Since they are so convinced it's the right way to handle an active shooter shouldn't they give us an example of how successful it can be? We'll wait for the news report to see if it works out...