Category: National Politics

Bill of Rights, Gun Control, National Politics

The Four Liberty Boxes

There are four major liberties inscribed in the United States Constitution: our rights as citizens to vote for those persons we want to represent us in government, the guarantee of free speech along with the right to petition, the rule of law with the guarantee of our ability to challenge injustices in the courts and failing all these the right to protect ourselves and families from an oppressive government. These rights are essential for the preservation of a free society.

In a Republic such as ours every citizen not only has a right but a duty to vote for their representatives. Unfortunately, on average close to 40% of eligible voters stay away from the ballot box in every presidential election, much more in off year elections. This is a sad fact that a small majority of the electorate decide who will represent the American people. Just over one hundred years ago roughly 80% of eligible voters voted in presidential elections. For some reason even though over the years we have made voting easier then it has ever been with absentee ballots, early voting and dozens of organizations that will shuttle people to the voting booth, voter participation has declined.

I believe that part of the problem for voter apathy is that many people feel that our elected officials are not representing the people but are beholding to special interests. There are numerous polls that indicate that most people believe their representatives vote against the will of the people and answer to those that fund their campaigns.

Fortunately, because of the 1st Amendment’s guarantee of free speech we can bring attention to areas of the government that we feel are ignoring the will of the people. In this country we can use many different forms of social media as well as radio, television and editorials to bring attention to what we feel are unjust laws and regulations that our representatives have passed. We live in one of only a handful of countries where this can happen.

Another great aspect of our country is that we as individuals or groups can challenge what we feel are unjust or unconstitutional laws in the courts. If a person or entity feels that their freedoms are being violated, they have the right according to the Constitution to challenge their oppressor in court. To see just how important this ability to challenge oppressive laws and rulings just look at the Colorado Baker whose case went all the way to the Supreme Court.

The last box of liberty which may be the most important one is the box that represents our 2nd Amendment and that is “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed”. If you were to read some of the founder’s thoughts on this amendment you will realize that this was put into the Constitution because they wanted the citizens to have the ability to defend themselves against an oppressive government. Remember this quote from our Declaration of Independence:

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

One of the early skirmishes of the Revolutionary War was the Battle of Lexington and Concord when the British were sent to confiscate guns from the colonists. I am sure that when the 2nd Amendment was added to the Constitution that this was still in the minds of the founders. Besides we only have to look at recent history to see what happens to a people that are not allowed to defend themselves against oppressive governments.

Without our 2nd Amendment it would be easy for our other freedoms to be chipped away at, if not completely taken. We remain free not by the good graces of our government but because for now the people still have the power to defend their freedoms. If we give up the right to defend those freedoms they will disappear very quickly.

Economy, Gun Control, National News, National Politics, Socialism

Eliminate The Electoral College; Prepare For Civil War

I recently read an interesting opinion piece from the American Thinker written by William L. Gensert titled “America’s Second Civil War Has Already Begun”. This article was written several months ago but it is becoming more pertinent every day. I find this piece very depressing because there is little that l can disagree with in his assessment. I don’t believe that this civil war will happen tomorrow or next month or even next year, but I do believe that it is inevitable considering how divided our country has become. It may be in a decade or two, but it will happen.

There are many factors that are contributing to the great political divide in this country. There is abortion, gun control, racial tensions, sexual diversity, all of which the left is using to further divide this country. Of course, first and foremost is the 2016 presidential election that was “stolen” when the popular vote went to Hillary but President Trump won the electoral vote.

Ever since the election the progressives have been trying to do whatever they can to nullify it, first by claiming Russian collusion and with that failing trying to find some way to impeach the President. However next to the Russians the electoral college has become the other target of their obsession. With virtually every Democrat primary candidate obsessed with eliminating the electoral college we could be facing the straw that breaks the camels back when it comes to civil war.

In this article from Hillsdale College, “The Danger Of The Attacks On The Electoral College” the importance of this system is made clear. If for any reason this system of representation is changed it will mean that only the most populated areas of the country will have a say in who is our chief executive. Of course, the more populated areas tend to be the most progressive and with the Executive Branch continuously gaining more power with each election this will have a dire effect on the rural areas who tend to be more conservative.

I do foresee the electoral college eventually going the way of the dinosaur because most Americans are illiterate when it comes to civics and our Constitution. Our education system no longer places importance on the ideals that made this country great but places the emphasis on how horrible our founders were. Has this country made mistakes, of course it has, but show me one country that has done more for the benefit of the people on this planet? You can’t because there is not one. Unfortunately, within a short period of time the United States as we know it will come to a brutal and chaotic end.

If the progressives with their love of socialism become even more powerful, we can look forward to being the North American equivalent of Venezuela with the exception that most gun owing Americans will not give up their weapons. That is when things will get very messy.

4th Amendment, Bill of Rights, Gun Control, National Politics, Virginia Politics

Northam Calls Special Session To Promote Gun Control
Governor Northam what is it about “shall not be infringed” that you don’t understand?

Governor Ralph “Infanticide” Northam has called a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to address gun control legislation. This comes less than a week after the tragic mass shooting in Virginia Beach. A couple of bill’s that he is hoping to have brought up are restrictions on high capacity magazines,  a ban on silencers ( which already take a special license to purchase), mandating universal background checks, limiting handgun purchases to one gun a month and what I feel is the worse violation of not only our 2nd Amendment rights but also those rights covered by the 4th  and 5th Amendments and that is the introduction of Red Flag Laws.

None of these proposed laws would have altered the outcome of this tragedy in Virginia Beach. DeWayne Craddock had purchased the two handguns he used on separate occasions months apart. So, a one handgun a month law would not have made a difference. He also had to pass an FBI and Virginia State Police background check both times so a universal background check would not have made a difference. The silencer he used on the handgun as far as I know was purchased legally and requires an even more extensive background check that can take up to 6 months to process and is expensive, and as far as I can tell this is the first time a silencer has been used in a mass shooting in recent history. To ban high capacity magazines which seems to mean anything over ten rounds would also make little difference to anyone who has any experience with semi-auto handguns. It just takes one or two seconds to change out an empty magazine. However a ban on these magazines would negatively affect anyone relying on a gun for self-defense. Most people I know who carry concealed cannot always carry extra magazines and therefore rely on a weapon that has a higher capacity.

Finally, the biggest problem I have with Northam’s proposals is the one for Red Flag Laws, instituting these laws would be the equivalent of legalized swatting. It is supposed to allow people to report someone who they believe may do harm to others or themselves and without any reliable proof the authorities can seize the persons weapons without so much as a court order or allowing the accused to confront his accuser. In most cases the accused does not even know there is a problem until the police or in some cases the swat team is banging on their door. (Here is a previous post were I discuss the similarities of Red Flag Laws and swatting).

To summarize none of these new laws could have prevented the Virginia Beach shooting. The guns were legally purchased, and background checks were done. Magazines with 10 rounds or less would not have made this man decide against going on a shooting spree. The use of a silencer did not make the gun more deadly. The weapons were purchased months apart so the one gun a month law would not have been effective, and the Red Flag Law would not have made any difference since this man gave no sign of being a danger to others or himself. So, what we are looking at from our Governor is just another excuse to push his gun control agenda that he failed to get through during the last legislative session.

Economy, Local Issues, Virginia Politics

White Elephant In Greene County Part 3

To all the citizens in Greene County Virginia it is time to get off your couches and come out and let your so-called county representatives know that you are tired of having your tax dollars being wasted.  This coming Tuesday, June 4th at 7 PM the EDA will be having a public presentation on their purposed investment of almost ONE MILLION DOLLARS for a new Greene County Visitor Center. This meeting will be held in Stanardsville at the county administration building.  However, if you are okay with the SIX MILLION DOLLAR short fall in the current county budget and have no problem adding another million dollars to that deficit then by all means stay home. But if you don’t want your taxes going up again next year then come out and let the EDA know that this purchase will not fly.

One must ask themselves how is spending this amount of money beneficial to the citizens of Greene. The county is struggling to put on a July 4th event and can’t afford to have a county fair, two things that are definite tourist attractions, yet they are considering a purchase of this size that will not only cost big dollars up front but will be a drain on our resources for years to come. Another question we must ask ourselves is who does benefit from this purchase if not the local citizens? For more background on this see my previous posts here and here.

Does the county need to do something to encourage tourists and businesses to come to Greene, of course it does? There are so many ways that our tax dollars can be spent more wisely then by taking a prime piece of real estate off the market to put a county building on it. This prime lot on Rt. 29 in front of Lowe’s would be a perfect spot for a restaurant, with its great visibility and road frontage it would even be a great spot for a Chic-Fil-A, a much better prospect than a visitor center. So if you don’t want your taxes to increase more then they already have and like the idea of a new place to eat in the county like a Chick-Fil-A, then show up Tuesday night and let your voice be heard. After all who wouldn’t want a Chic-Fil-A in Greene?

Bill of Rights, Gun Control, National Politics

Has A No Handgun Sign Ever Stopped a Crime?
Progressive Crime Prevention

I visit the local ABC store here in Virginia on almost a weekly basis for wholesale purchases for my employer. I am intrigued by the no handgun sign posted on the door and have been tempted to ask the employee who waits on me if that sign means they never have to be worried about an armed robbery. If that’s the case, then all convenience stores and banks need to put these signs on their doors. As a matter of fact, the Bank of America that is located about a mile from me should put one on their door since they have been robbed twice in the last two years. Of course they know that this wouldn’t work and therefore on occasion have an armed security guard standing outside the bank, a much better deterrent to would be robbers.

However if one was to think rationally, it is obvious that criminals really don’t care about gun free zones, in fact they feel safer. To be truthful it boggles my mind that people think that signs and laws banning firearms in areas such as stores, places of worship, movie theaters and schools will prevent someone with bad intentions from committing crimes or atrocities in these locations.

To many times we see mass shootings in gun free zones and yet the typical response is for more laws even though multiple laws were already broken. But according to the gun grabbing crowd new laws are the answer. The whole logic behind restricting law-abiding citizens from purchasing the firearms and accessories that they feel they need for proper protection of themselves and their loved ones is completely absurd. This kind of irrational thought just puts more people in danger.

As someone who lawfully carries concealed I do obey these signs and laws but I do feel it puts me in greater danger. I am a responsible citizen and gun owner who practices with my firearms on an almost weekly basis. I would hope that if ever needed I would be able to stop a bad guy, but if I happen to be in a gun free zone I will be doing what everyone else is doing and hope the police arrive in time.

I believe that carrying a concealed weapon is like wearing a seat belt, it’s there if I need it but I hope to never have to use it.

National Politics, Socialism, Virginia Politics

Game Of Thrones

A Great Example of What Becomes of a Benevolent Dictator

What people want.
What people get.

In the second to last episode of Game of Thrones we saw what a benevolent dictator can become. People are raising hell about how the writers turned the beloved Daenerys Targaryen into a monster willing to kill thousands of innocents to gain her throne. These people were obviously not paying attention to the previous episodes in which she was slowly turning away from the benevolent Queen who wanted to free the people from tyranny and into someone so focused on gaining power that she would do anything to achieve her goal.

Unfortunately, this is a pretty accurate reflection of what happens in real life. How many times throughout the past have we seen this happen? We can look back through history at revolutions that were brought about to end oppression but ended up in a different form of tyranny. We have Lenin’s Russian Revolution, Mao’s Cultural Revolution, Castro’s Cuban Revolution and so many more. These leaders were going to make the world a better place for their citizens but just the opposite happened. Millions of innocents have died over the last century and a half as a result of people following a charismatic leader that promised them a better world.

In a previous post Our Republic Is Dying of Cancer, I address the issue of politicians that enjoy the benefits of office as well as the power. We may not have one tyrannical despot ruling our country, but we are facing the issue of a soft tyranny that at every turn is taking away our God given rights. We have not one dictator, but we do have hundreds, these are the elected officials and non-elected bureaucrats that want to dictate every aspect of our life. Unless something is done the future of our Republic is in serious jeopardy.

The only way to a better world is for individuals to work together to make change and not to rely on one person or group to make that happen. Because of human nature the more power a person acquires the more susceptible to corruption they become. There is much truth in the adage “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Note: I cannot stress enough how important it is for we the people to wrest power from our corrupt representatives and the only no-violent way is to institute a Convention of States.

National Politics, Socialism, Virginia Politics

Our Republic Is Dying Of Cancer

Our Constitutional Republic is in greater danger than it has ever been before. We have a Congress and Senate that is addicted to power and will never be willing to give it up. Therefore we must take this power from them and the only non-violent way to do so is a Convention of States. A Convention will allow us to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution that our country needs. We can set term limits for both houses as well as the courts, add a balanced budget Amendment and return more power to the states where it belongs.

When the Constitution was first written the founders never foresaw a group of representatives that would refuse to go home once elected. They believed that a patriot would sacrifice some of their time to become a representative for their friends and neighbors. After a short period, they would return home to their farms and businesses and let someone else make that sacrifice. Unfortunately, that sacrifice has turned into a very lucrative job for our present-day politicians, a career that few want to give up. To see how profitable these positions have become just look at a politician’s net worth prior to entering Congress and after a decade, is it any wonder why these positions have become so difficult to give up?

 I admit for some it is not just about the money but also about power. With many of our current crop of representatives, it is about being able to control every aspect of our lives. That is why we have so many presidential candidates as well as newly elected representatives pushing the socialist agenda. Power and money are what politics at the Federal level has become. Over the decades the Federal Government has become ever more controlling, infecting every area of our daily lives. This too will continue to worsen unless the citizens decide to put a stop to this continuous lust for power. Our politicians have become a cancer that is slowly eating away at the heart of our Republic.

Since these so called representatives will never give up power or the lucrative pay checks it is up to the people to push at the state level for a convention. The left fears the idea of a Convention of States for the simple fact that it may be the one way to get our federal government under control and wrest the authority from their hands and give it back to the people. Time is short, we are quickly losing our younger generation to the left, they have co-opted our local schools and have gained a major foothold in the colleges and universities. We have no time to lose, visit Convention of States to see how you can affect changes within your home state and eventually our country. A properly run Convention of States will allow us to cut out the cancer that is corrupting this country.

Economy, Local Issues, Taxes, Virginia Politics

White Elephant In Greene County Part 2

Does Greene County really need a million-dollar tourism center?

In late March I blogged about a real estate transaction that would be taking place in my home county of Greene. At that time, it had become known that a building and property on Route 29 in Ruckersville was being looked at as a possible home for the Greene Economic Development Authority. This land and building owned by a member of the Board of Tourism has been empty for quite some time. The initial projected use for this purchase was to be a new location for the Chamber of Commerce, an enterprise center for developing businesses and a new office for the EDA director Alan Yost. However according to a recent article in the Greene County Record it will now be the new home of the Greene Visitor Center.

This transaction stinks of cronyism. I have a few questions about this whole deal. The first question I have is how long has this property been on the market? I live not to far from this parcel and have passed it dozens of times over the last year in my many visits to Lowe’s. I have never seen a for sale sign in front the building which makes me wonder was it ever listed with a realtor? If not, was the owner just waiting for the right time to sell it to the county? There are at least four commercial land parcels on Rt. 29 in Ruckersville that are up for sale and have been for quite a while without any movement. I guess the owners of these properties just don’t have the right connections.

The next big question is why would the county want to waste tax dollars generated by the transient occupancy tax on one building? This million-dollar debacle will not do anything to increase tourism in Greene. Yes, we need to do something to generate more tourist driven revenue in our county, a million dollars would go far in attracting events and then advertising those events which in turn would attract visitors. No one is going to come to Greene just to visit a visitor center. I don’t believe that many people have visitor centers on their list as destinations, they come for other reasons and may drop in as an after thought. Interesting happenings like wine festivals, craft fairs, car shows and almost anything else besides a boring building would bring people to our county. Tying up a million dollars in taxes over the years will not benefit anyone besides the people directly involved in this scam. The Board of Supervisors need to put a stop to this and need to pull their support for this transaction. If they don’t, they should all be voted out of office for this obvious malfeasance of tax payer dollars.

National Politics, Socialism

Political Violence Now Promoted By MSM

Could it be because of this ….

we have this?

The video above is an excerpt from the CBS show The Good Fight titled “The One Were A Nazi Gets Punched”. This episode appears to rationalizes that some speech and ideas are so intolerable that it is okay to get physically violent with those promoting them. Wrong as this concept is it is getting taken to extremes, to the point that if people find what you are wearing offense it is okay to assault you. In the case above a priest in Washington State is assaulted for wearing his religious garments. After being asked “how’s Trump” he is then punched. More about that here.

Anyone who has spent any time on social media sites have invariably seen videos of people being attacked verbally and physically for just wearing pro-Trump paraphernalia. The Progressives do not seem to have a problem with incidents like these but when one of theirs is criticized they equate it to acts of violence. For instance when Rep. Ilhan Omar (D. Minn.) was called out on her statement concerning 9/11 she whined about the criticism she received. Unfortunately this criticism incited some people to make threats, threats that amounted to nothing but people blowing off steam. Of course the MSM acts like she was the only representative to ever receive threats while in office.

In most cases acts of political violence are coming from those on the left, the worst of which in recent times was the shooting of Republican Congressman Steve Scalise. Unfortunately we have Representatives such as Democrat Maxine Waters encouraging people to “push back” on Trump officials seen in public. When we have officials making statements like this should we be surprised when violence erupts at political events or even in family restaurants?

No mater where the violence is coming from the left or the right we as a society need to bring our discourse back to a civilized level. People will always disagree but this should be limited to conversations and not altercations. Until the people that are supposed to be representing us change their rhetoric this will not happen.

Here are a few examples of people over reacting to others wearing conservative attire: