I woke this morning hoping that it was all a bad dream, but alas, it is real! The junior senator from Illinois is our President-elect. I don’t think I’ve left any question as to my thoughts on the rabble-rouser-in-chief, so I won’t linger there. I have not suspended disbelief and embraced the notion that the most liberal senator in our country will govern from the center, but I also realize that what is done is done.

Where do we go from here? Contrary to my fears, the sun did come up this morning. The birds still chirped today and here in West Texas, the wind still blew. The important thing to remember is that we are Americans! While I’m not sure I identify with a little over half of my fellow citizens, I do share this one commonality. WE ARE AMERICANS!! As such, we will unite and move forward. That’s not to say that we (speaking of those to whom I do still relate) should give up our values and let liberal radicalism run rampant over us. On the contrary, there is no time like the present for conservative, God-fearing Americans to unite and find our best way forward. 

There is no time like the present for conservatives to hold more firmly to our convictions and cling to our religion . . . and guns. There is no time like the present to find the best among us to represent us. There is no time like the present to find strong voices to rally us and to lead us. There is no time like the present to demonstrate the difference between true, core conservative values and the radical nonsense that will shortly be an abysmal failure and from which we will have much to do in order to recover. There is no time like the present to learn from our mistakes and avoid repeating the course on compromise. There is no time like the present to show the world that we are not a nation of whiners looking for a government to take care of us. There is no time like the present to inspire our fellow citizens to greatness rather than complacency. There is no time like the present to be Americans!

I woke this morning hoping that it was all a bad dream, but alas, it is real! The junior senator from Illinois is our President-elect. I don’t think I’ve left any question as to my thoughts on the rabble-rouser-in-chief, so I won’t linger there. I have not suspended disbelief and embraced the notion that the most liberal senator in our country will govern from the center, but I also realize that what is done is done.

Where do we go from here? Contrary to my fears, the sun did come up this morning. The birds still chirped today and here in West Texas, the wind still blew. The important thing to remember is that we are Americans! While I’m not sure I identify with a little over half of my fellow citizens, I do share this one commonality. WE ARE AMERICANS!! As such, we will unite and move forward. That’s not to say that we (speaking of those to whom I do still relate) should give up our values and let liberal radicalism run rampant over us. On the contrary, there is no time like the present for conservative, God-fearing Americans to unite and find our best way forward. 

There is no time like the present for conservatives to hold more firmly to our convictions and cling to our religion . . and guns. There is no time like the present to find the best among us to represent us. There is no time like the present to find strong voices to rally us and to lead us. There is no time like the present to demonstrate the difference between true, core conservative values and the radical nonsense that will shortly be an abysmal failure and from which we will have much to do in order to recover. There is no time like the present to learn from our mistakes and avoid repeating the course on compromise. There is no time like the present to show the world that we are not a nation of whiners looking for a government to take care of us. There is no time like the present to inspire our fellow citizens to greatness rather than complacency. There is no time like the present to be Americans!

As it turns out, the entire debate comes down to how you view the world. Either you view the world as a cold system in which you’re relegated to a “position” assigned at birth, or you view the world as a place full of endless opportunity to make yourself better. Either you think you’re entitled to happiness or you think you’re entitled to the pursuit thereof. Either you look for a hand-out or you look for a hand up. Either you want that fish for a day or the ability to provide yourself all the fish you could need for a lifetime. 

This election presents many contrasts, but the most stark is that between American exceptionalism and socialism. That’s it! Senator Obama has played to the human tendency towards class envy and continues to tell people that they can count on him to take from the successful and “spread the wealth around.” It occurs to me that in America that should be the end of the story and that the source of such idiocy should be laughed out of this race, but sadly, many Americans today would rather have everything handed to them than invest the sweat and tears sometimes necessary for survival. What happened to American exceptionalism? What happened to the American drive to succeed? What happened to a pride in one’s ability to take a lemon and make from it sweet lemonade? 

When did America become a nation of whiners looking for someone to ride in and solve their problems? That is not the spirit that has made America great? We come from a long line of down-and-outers who wanted more – they wanted better, but they didn’t want more and better at someone else’s expense. They worked their fingers to the bone and paid the price to provide a brighter tomorrow for themselves and a future for their families. They understood the satisfaction that comes from making it happen for themselves.

Obama can promise the moon and punish the prosperous to pay for it, but in so doing he will deeply wound if not kill a vital element of Americanism – that spirit of self reliance. He is telling us to ignore the fact that he and millions of other successful Americans came from humble beginnings but worked hard and have done quite well for themselves despite them. He is telling us that we are not capable of doing the same for ourselves but rather should look to him and to the nanny state he would create for our well being. After all, we’re drawing breath and as such are entitled to happiness and prosperity packaged in a neat box wrapped in festive jackass paper and a big blue bow, deposited on our doorsteps courtesy of the DNC and their socialist comrades.   

Perhaps I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but I think if ever there was a time for optimism, it’s now. Governor Palin’s emergence on the national scene has evoked a sense within me that has been dormant for far too long. For the first time in months or perhaps even years, I feel hope! Yes, I know; hope is the mantra of the Obama campaign . . . or is it change . . . I can’t ever get that straight . . .

In a manner reminiscent of James Stewart in his role in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Governor Palin’s approach to politics is one of representation. She isn’t from Washington. She doesn’t hobnob with the Washington insiders. Frankly, she probably won’t fit in, but this American feels like she gets it! She isn’t from a moneyed, elite, politically connected family. She’s from a family like so many families I know and love. It’s great to feel represented.

Governor Palin – and I intentionally refer to her as Governor because that accomplishment is, in large part, being overlooked by the liberal media – embodies the spirit of grit and determination that make America great. True, she is flawed, but she is governed by her convictions rather than floating aimlessly on the sea of public opinion. She is accomplished and known by both those who love her and those who fear her as a reformer. She has, without hesitation and with bulldog tenacity, rooted out corruption and brought real change where it was desperately needed. That same reformer spirit is the gift she has given Alaska is what she has to offer the rest of us. 

Governor Palin’s actions speak volumes of her belief in the American dream and the opportunity of citizens of every race, creed and gender to succeed and make their communities, cities, states and countries better places to live. She clearly sees greater value in digging in with her own two hands than in talking about change in flowery speech after flowery speech and votes of “present” when confronted with tough issues. 

Governor Palin has, in her short time in the spotlight, restored my confidence in my party’s ability to hear my voice and put individuals in place for whom I can, with good conscience, support wholeheartedly. Governor Palin, welcome to the big time! Make us proud!

What’s so wrong with America? For far too long I and many other Americans have silently listened and watched as the Democrat party and their leaders rant and rave against this country that I love. They claim to be embarrassed by our loss of standing throughout the world, but I ask you, is there another nation on this earth to which millions of people flock annually to find a new start and their very own shot at prosperity? Has anyone else noticed that we have a problem with people crossing our borders illegally to take advantage of the American dream?

What’s so wrong with America? We have the premier healthcare system in the world yet there are those who, out of political expediency, demean and belittle our system claiming it is intrinsically broken.

What’s so wrong with America? We have rushed to the aid of nations in peril for decades now, yet there are those who say we are a “downright mean” country. We have, at great expense of blood and treasure, liberated nations, assisted victims of natural disaster and fed the starving across the world, but one candidate claims that he will bring “change” by re-establishing our standing in the world. Maybe I’m missing something, but among those in the world who love freedom, our standing couldn't be better. 

What’s so wrong with America? Only here can a nobody born to a Kenyan goat herder rise to a seat in the Senate, serve there for a few months before beginning his campaign for the presidency, ultimately gaining his party’s nomination to be leader of the free world. One would think such an unlikely success story would inspire gratitude and loyalty, but in this case it has only fostered bitterness and an apparent loathing for what has made this land of opportunity so great. 

What’s so wrong with America? I contend that there is no greater nation on this earth! I contend that God has seen fit to bless America beyond measure and I can only pray that He will continue to do so. I pray that God will, in His infinite wisdom, spare us from the likes of Barack Hussein Obama and raise up Godly leaders who will seek His face and walk humbly with Him. 

God bless America!

 I know that assumptions are inherently risky, but I’m going to go out on a limb and make a wild assumption. I assume that most Americans are thinking people and have self-formed opinions based on their own accumulation of facts, data, etc. I do realize that we are, as a society, inundated with the churning, steaming refuse that flows from Big Media, but I hold out hope that we have not lost the ability to make up our own minds.

That said, I maintain that people are, in many cases, beginning to see the fallacy of the green movement and a day is coming when all will see that the emperor indeed has no clothes! Words cannot explain my frustration at the fact that our society has, in large part, rolled over and let the greenies and lefties dictate our future! As we hand over liberties in the name of limiting our damage to the earth, we make a steady march towards socialism. Why in the blue blazes are we trying so hard to pattern our country after what has been an abysmal failure in one hundred percent of the cases where it has been tried? 

The greenies are not likely to ever admit that socialism is the end goal, but thinking people don’t have to think very hard to see this movement for what it is. I understand that many companies no more believe this nonsense than I do, but they have been forced to go green in order to stay afloat in a world consumed by green fever. When I have to use the restroom facilities in a gas station, it’s the station owners who benefit from the water free urinal, not the environment. Basically, the green movement has given license to establishments to smell like urine in the name of saving the world, and someone is taking the money saved on water to the bank! Hotels get to save money on laundering linens, etc. because they convince their guests that it’s their environmental duty to use their towels and sheets for the duration of their stay. Who’s taking that money to the bank? Not the guests!

I want to take this opportunity to state what I believe should be obvious. I’m not an evil, couldn’t-care-less-about-the-environment wacko! I do care, and I do think we should be conscientious about it, but I do not, for one second, believe that means I’m obligated to check my liberties at the door and stand by while my country takes socialism for a test drive. It’s in our best interest to learn how to conserve and save for the benefit of our own pocketbooks and our own futures, but to discard our freedoms and liberties in the name of green is incomprehensible to me.

Furthermore, why do conservatives have to concede this issue to the left and the left’s pets, the greenies? Conservatism and being environmental conscience are not mutually exclusive! As stated above, environmentally sound decisions, made for the right reasons rather than a blind allegiance to being green, are still good decisions, and individual who make them should feel the benefits of those decisions. Let’s put the “conserve” in “conservative” for crying out loud!!

Conservatives in Congress and the Senate can set themselves apart if they take this opportunity to present sound, proactive measures that will increase energy efficiency and address the looming energy crisis. Let’s hold our heads high, be conservatives and quit handing this issue to the opposition. The American people are longing for leadership on the energy front. I understand that conservatives have legislation that they’re having trouble moving through Congress, but let the American people know just who it is that is holding up this legislation and delaying progress. Let’s put at least a modicum of the blame where it belongs – on the congressional puppets of the greenies who are stopping drilling in ANWAR and the development of safe, environmentally sound nuclear energy. Conservatives should be shouting from the roof tops that they’re doing their dead level best to stop the bleeding, but all progress is halted until the green hoax has been thoroughly debunked. 

I see that the emperor is naked and, as it turns out, his greenness isn’t all that glorious! Do you see what I see?

1. On his way to TX, stop by the Justice Dept and…
   1. Pardon Libby (A full pardon!)
   2. Fire Fitzgerald, if he is still around. 
   3. Fire Asst. DA that hired Fitzgerald.
   4. Take to the "Bully Pulpit" and state the firings are political and Presidential prerogative!
2. Continue on with the trip to TX and…
   1. Pardon Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, bestow on them Border Agent Hero status.
   2. Fire U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, and state, “Yes, it is political!”
   3. Visit the TX / Mexico border and state the following:  “We will build the fence and secure our border! Just like the 1,500 mile Alaskan Alcan Hwy was built in 8 months, we will build the fence in 8 months! America is like our homes.  We secure our home, one must knock to enter and then you will be invited in.”
3. Via Executive Order, open ANWR, the Pacific Coast, Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast to drilling - this is in the national interest and security of our nation.
4. Via Executive Order, lift government restriction on refineries.
5. Visit 4 strategic locations around the US and break ground on 4 new refineries and 4 mega-electric producing nuclear plants.
6. As Commander in Chief, visit the front lines of the war (watch the movie "Patton" on the trip, take notes, and learn to lead like Patton).  Inspect first hand, the front-line progress of the troops. State the progress! Motivate the troops. State “The gloves are off, we will win the war!” (if necessary, take direct quotes from Patton!)
7. Come back to Washington and address the nation from the Oval Office advising of the new tone in Washington .

What ever happened to our representative democracy? Do you feel represented? I certainly don’t. I, like many other conservatives with whom I interact, feel like my representatives pandered to me and mine just sufficiently enough to get elected and sent on their merry way to Washington D.C. where they promptly checked their shared values – and in many cases their common sense - at the door.

Perhaps I’ve grown cynical, but I only hear any concern for constituents’ views when an elected official is defending his or her use of earmarks. Do they even care what we, the constituents, want? No. The truth of the matter is that they do not represent us or our values. Rather they begin the endless re-election campaign as soon as they gain office at the expense of the tax-paying public who sent them to D.C. to begin with. 

What is the solution? How can we fix the broken system? Simply put, we must have term limits. While it seems unlikely that the House or Senate will ever see great value in voting themselves out of the gigs they hold, we, as a collective whole, still do have a voice - albeit a stifled, fading voice. 

We must issue a call for one hundred percent turnover in Washington D.C.! A new generation of true representatives who would rise up and contract with conservative Americans to go to Washington on our behalf could win back the hearts of a disheartened electorate! Part of that contract must be a concerted effort towards term limits. Perhaps, with a defined window of time during which they could seek the will of their constituents and fight on their behalf, they could remain focused on the true work at hand rather than their own political ambitions. Congress should not be a lifetime appointment! Firmly ensconced institutions on the hill cannot be effective representatives of the people who elected them. By virtue of the fact that they are in Washington D.C., they lose touch with their electorate. They maintain offices in their home districts and they welcome the input of the voters, but if they hear, they certainly do not listen. 

Have you ever called your congressman or senator? If so, have you spoken with him or her? I dare say that precious few of you have. Rather, you talk with a pleasant enough voice that promises to pass on your concerns but informs you that “the Senator is not available by phone.” Are you kidding me? I pay the taxes that pay your way but you can’t take the time to talk to me on the phone? I understand the impracticality of a these folks spending their days with their ears to a telephone, but I want to be heard. I want more than a form letter in response to my e-mail and letters. I want representation!