May 23, 2013

Obama: Stealing the “Fair Share” from the “Fortunate”

Barack Obama and the Liberal Democrats are creating a class divide in the United States, and they’re using certain phrases to do it.  It is a very subtle and very specific attack, but it needs to be fought.  Words are powerful, and right now Americans are getting suckered by semantics. Here’s an example:

You’ve done it… you’ve worked 14 hours a day for 6 days a week… you’ve sacrificed time with your family and friends in order to make sure that one more project was completed, or one more contract was signed, so that you could earn just a little more for your son’s college, or your daughters braces, or just to put food on the table… and now you’re crossed the $250,000 per year mark.  You’ve worked hard and earned your success, right?  Not according to Barack Obama – in his view you’re  ”fortunate”.

Webster’s dictionary defines the word fortunate in this way:  “fortunate: 1) bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain 2)receiving some unexpected good.”   Did you get that?  A good thing that was not forseen or was unexpected – YOU GOT LUCKY!  All that hard work, all those long hours, all that sacrifice and effort, but Barack Obama says that it was ALL LUCK! And because you’re ’fortunate’  you get to participate in his NEXT  semantic subtrefuge – “Fair Share”

You have worked hard, EARNED the money you have made, whether by the sweat of your brow, or by the cleverness of your mind – perhaps some melding of the two.  Now that you have earned those profits through hard work, risk, and individual effort, you should be able to keep it – or at least MOST of it, right?  Not according to Barack Obama and his administration.  From their view, you have to pay a larger amount for your success than a person who has made less than you, REGARDLESS of whether that person has worked less, risked less, and put in less effort.  Barack Obama has taken the fundementally unconstitutional view that we have a right to equal results – the Constitution only guarantees equal opportunity.   That is so important that it needs to be repeated – The U.S. Constitution guarantees Equal Opportunity NOT Equal Results

The Obama administration continues it’s attempt to drive a wedge between Americans by using the phrase “fair share”. Obama defines “fair” differently than the dictionary though.  Obama defines “fair” as a percentage that increases the more you earn.  The dictionary defines “fair” in this way:  fair: marked by impartiality and honesty; free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism.  Hmm… ‘free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism‘.   Obama has created predjudice using a word that is essence of equality.  If the Obama administration was truly interested in “fair shares” they would equalize the amount of taxes being paid by American citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, or income level.

It is essential that Republicans combat this new form of divisive language by addressing it truthfully.  When Barack Obama and his administration use the word “fortunate” to minimize or marginalize hard earned success, clarification must be made by Republicans.  When Barack Obama and his adminstration use “fair share” to justify inequality in taxation, that prejudice must be addressed.  Moreover, it must be addressed by conservative thinkers and pundits at every opportunity.  

When the words “fortunate” and ”fair share” are used by those towing the line for the progressive agenda, we need to consistently ask them to define those words in their own words.   The American citizenry is already well aware that words are used to spin an agenda.  By forcing the left to define those words, we bring clarity to their motivation and goals.  Barack Obama has said on numerous occasions “Let me be clear…”  It is high time that we as a nation demanded that he follow through on that statement.

Keep Watch and KEEP DEFINING!

The main thing is to keep the Maine thing the Maine thing…

The Maine Caucus is done, and Mitt Romney won.  That should be the end of the story… but it’s not.  The story twists, dips, curls and backflips with a couple of loop-de-loops.  Before we get into this roller-coaster ride, it should be noted that this is just a caucus – meaning it is not binding.  Even keeping that in mind, the progression of events and the eventual result still are both laughable AND frightening.

First there was the alleged ‘leaking’ of results not hours but DAYS before the actual caucus.  There have been numerous reports of charts/results being accidentally put out on line well in advance of the actual day of caucus.  Granted, the caucus voting period is several days long, so it is plausible that some early numbers could be released in advance.  These allegedly leaked numbers showed Romney well ahead of all other contenders and considering that Maine and New Hampshire border each other, that would not be a surprise.  The surprising thing is that the allegedly leaked numbers showed Ron Paul coming in 3rd place. 

On the actual caucus “final date”, one of the prime caucuses was cancelled due to snow, and was rescheduled for February 18th – this precinct reportedly was very much in favor of Ron Paul and also Gingrich.  The state was called as a victory for Mitt Romney, but at the time of this writing, all the ballots have yet to be counted.  It should also be noted that the caucus delegates do not have a formal ballot, but they can write whatever name they choose on any type of paper they choose – even if it were to be a bar napkin.

So with 84% or so of the vote counted, and the votes written on scraps of paper, and caucuses being given a “snow day” – it is easy to see how someone might think that sorting this caucus out is an excercise in futility.  Then again, it’s 20 delegates and if you’re the candidate down by 19 on Convention day, the main thing will be to keep the Maine thing the main thing.

Keep Watch!

Update February 13, 2012 – For the past few days the Maine GOP has been considering NOT counting the votes from the caucus that they themselves rescheduled.   Now, after several days of curious inquiry, they are considering including the ballots -  It would be a shame if the Maine GOP did not keep to their word, and the date that they scheduled, because if they do not, I humbly suggest that ALL Maine Delegates be removed from the Convention.  It is the responsiblity of a state to get their caucus in order… if they cannot do that for their own state, what confidence can the voting public have in their ability to select the right GOP candidate for the Republican Nomination.

 

Still Watching!

Mitt Romney ramps it up in downtown Naples

The clock is counting down to Florida’s Republican Primary election day. With less than 48 hours remaining Former Governor Mitt Romney looked confident and poised as he addressed a crowd of over 2,000 attendees in the heart of downtown Naples, FL.

Romney took time to introduce his family before beginning his speech. Despite the numerous polls showing a significant Romney lead vs. Newt Gingrich, the former Governor criticized Gingrich’s explanations for the Florida polling saying “ The excuses are over and it’s time to produce.”

Although Romney directed a portion of his speech at Barack Obama, he first talked about Gingrich’s work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac citing it as the real reason for the former Speaker’s polling numbers in Florida “Your problem in Florida is that you worked for Freddie Mac, at a time when Freddie Mac was not doing the right thing for the American People.”

Romney went on to strike out at the President, and gave his word that Obamacare is first on his list – “On my first say I want to appeal ObamaCare and get back to free people making free choices for their own healthcare…”

The audience cheered and applauded throughout the speech, and Romney seemed very much at ease, secure in a victory indicated by many polls. With multiple ads running in every media, Romney has made a significant media spend in Florida with the assumption that it will narrow the field.

Gingrich however has made it clear that he is in it for the long haul, and will go all the way to the convention.

Both Romney and Gingrich have drawn sizable crowds in Florida, and many of those in the crowd today were from other parts of the country, and will be preparing for their own state’s primary dates.

For the Romney campaign, it was a positive day , and the GOP candidate’s mood and attitude clearly demonstrated that he believes the state is already a victory.

We’ll keep watch!

Can the Grassroots and Tea Party carry Gingrich to the GOP Nomination and the White House?

A couple of days ago, the Political Watchman published an article on Newt Gingrich’s appearance at Wings Plus in Coral Springs, FL, and the more than 1200 attendees who came out to hear the Former Speaker of the House speak.  The article is a great reporting of the event itself, but it missed one of the most important aspects of that event – that the Grassroots/Tea Party made that event a reality.

I have had the opportunity to speak with Grassroots leaders and participants across the entire nation, and there is a common pulse in all of them.  They love this country!  They have a profound love and respect for the founding fathers and the founding documents that make this country great!  With every event, every effort, and every vote, they turn our great nation back onto the path of freedom. They believe that every American bears a personal responsiblity for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. That is an amazing and powerful thing! 

The incredible  of the Grassroots/Tea Party participants at Gingrich’s Coral Springs event and other events is baffling to the mainstream media and the liberal left.   They cannot comprehend that to many of those in the Grassroots/Teaparty movments,  Gingrich is the candidate that best embraces Constitutional principles and responsiblities.  Gingrich is a passionate student of history, and the Grassroots/Teaparty participants know at their core that “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”  

The participation of so many Grassroots/Tea Party members from so many organizations is evidence of the support Gingrich has earned from these groups, and that support can bring Gingrich victory.  With that victory, the Grassroots/Tea Party will have done what has been brewing in America for the past 4 years - the return of conservative leadership to the United States . 

Grassroots/Tea Party particiapants and leaders from across Florida and the nation came to Coral Springs to hear the Former Speaker express his dedication to putting the country back on track by getting back to the bedrock of the Constitution.  The Grassroots/Tea Party groups present at the event are strong, passionate, patriotic groups, and while they don’t always agree on every point, they stand together in the belief that the country can be saved.

The Grassroots/Tea Party groups in attendance are the best and brightest in America.  People from Freedom Works, 9-12 Project, and “Tea Party” groups from counties across Florida and America, Americans for Prosperity, Faith and Freedom, American Majority, DC Works for Us, and many others came to listen and cheer.

Gingrich has been facing a significant fight against Romney and the warchest backing him.  Romney also seems to have the support of the GOP establishment.  Both of these fights are well known to Grassroots/ Tea Pary groups, and they are battles that have been won before, but never with so much at stake. 


Video provided by EyesOnPolitics 

To many pundits and politicos, it has already been decided that Mitt Romney is the Republican Nominee, and that may be the final result of the GOP Primary race.  Newt Gingrich believes that decision will not be decided by the Mainstream media, or the GOP establishment.  He believes that the Grassroots and Tea Party groups reaching out and connecting with Americans across the nation will carry him to the Republican Nomination, and the White House.  If Gingrich is right, then every call dialed, every sign made, and every vote cast by the patriots in Grassroots and Tea Party groups made his victory a reality.

Keep Watch!

 

Romney and Gingrich play into media’s hands during Republican Debate.

Jacksonville, FL – January 26th, 2012 –  Tonight, ALL the Republican candidates lost the 2nd of Florida’s Republican Debates. 

The final tally from the mainstream media will most likely show that Mitt Romney was the clear victor in the battle of words in this 2nd Florida Debate held on the University of North Florida campus.  They will most likely state that Rick Santorum was fiery, passionate and eleqount (they will say so with a measure of surprise).  Finally the mainstream media will say that it was an abysmal night for Newt Gingrich, and they will completely fail to even notice that Ron Paul was on the stage except as comic relief.

What will not be seen is the evil snickers and hand rubbing going on in the production rooms of mainstream media nationwide, as the two top Republican contenders allowed themselves to be lead by the moderator into tearing each other to shreds.  Sadly Newt and Mitt fell for it… hook, line, and sinker.

Liberal bias in the majority of the mainstream media is well documented and has been well-covered in a number of books, such as Bernard Goldberg’s “A Slobbering Love Affair” , Ann Coulter’s “Demonic: How the Liberal Mob is Endangering America“, Michelle Malkin’s “Culture of Corruption“, and Dick Morris’ “Catastrophe“.  (All of these are exceptional books and are true eye openers).  What is not being recognized though, is the more subtle efforts to lead Republicans and Conservatives into destroying each other.

Tonight’s debate was a prime example.  Gingrich and Romney, (both of whom I have profound respect for their experience and success) allowed themselves to fall for a rookie mistake.  They let the moderator, Wolf Blitzer, control the course of the debate, and both Romney and Gingrich allowed their egos to get in the way of the goal for ALL Republicans, a Republican President in the next election. 

Instead of  running into the deadfall set up by the media, both Gingrich and Romney had the opportunity to take a higher, nobler road.  Gingrich could have taken that road by apologizing for his immigration attack ad on Romney by saying “You know, that ad was probably not in the best of taste, I apologize, Mitt.” then holding out his hand in friendship.  Romney instead of saying “I doubt that’s my ad” in reference to his ad attacking Gingrich, could have said “You know, I know that things have been getting intense the farther along in this Primary”. Both Romney and Gingrich would have shown themselves to be the bigger man, and it would have been the “Presidential” thing to do.

Sadly, even when Former Senator Rick Santorum pointed out after a Romney vs. Gingrich interchange on  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac…

“The bigger issue here is, these two gentlemen, who are out distracting from the most important issues we have been playing petty personal politics, can we set aside that Newt was a member of Congress and used the skills that he developed as a member of Congress to go out and advise companies — and that’s not the worst thing in the world — and that Mitt Romney is a wealthy guy because worked hard and he’s going out and working hard? And you guys should that alone and focus on the issues.” 

… the friendly fire still continued between Romney and Gingrich – fueled by questions from the moderator, Wolf Blitzer.  Santorum was right on target with his assessment, and it should have set off alarm bells for the other two, but they continued to make thrills go up the collective legs of the Mainstream media.

All the Republican Presidential candidates are experienced leaders, and have had measures of success, but the Mainstream media has a liberal bent.  The Mainstream Media is NOT looking to put up the strongest, best Republican up against Obama.  They want the eventual Republican candidate, whomever that may be, to be a wounded, tired candidate, so that it is less of a fight for Obama.

To all the Republican Presidential candidates: Be “Presidential“!  Let your words and interchanges match the traditional respect of the office you aspire to!  Americans WANT a leader who will be willing to sacrifice his ego to bring the country back on track.  Americans have had enough of the arrogance and eliteism of many politicians and public figures.  Stop falling for the traps and barbs of the Mainstream media!  The four candidates need to get together in a private meeting and be heroic by agreeing to only focus on the issues. 

The mainstream media will continue to attempt to play ‘gotcha’ journalism.  They will continue to cackle gleefuly when a Republican trips up, and plot questions to ensnare the candidates and distract from the issues.  The Republican candidates, especially the frontrunners, Romney and Gingrich have to keep their eyes on the goal, rather than on petty squabbles.

In the war of words, Romney won the debate tonight, but in the battle for the votes and hearts of  Republican and Conservative voters nationwide the Mainstream media scored a significant blow.  That blow from the mainstream media does not have to be fatal if the Republican Candidates can focus on the issues, and put ego aside. 

Kudos to Rick Santorum for seeing the trap, now it’s up to all of the GOP Primary candidates to avoid that trap. 

We’ll all be watching to see what happens!

Gingrich stands for ‘American Exceptionalism’ in Coral Springs VIDEO

Coral Springs, FL – Speaking to a crowd of more than 1200 South Floridians, Newt Gingrich inspired belief in a return to greatness for the United States –“I stand for American Exceptionalism, not because you and I are exceptional -  we’re normal- but because the system we have inherited from the Founding Fathers is the most exceptional system in history.”

Here’s the video:

video courtesy of EyesOnPolitics on YouTube

The event held at the popular political hotspot, Wings Plus in Coral Springs, drew attendees from all over South Florida, to hear the man whom many in attendance believe will be the next President of the United States.  Their expectations were well met.

Despite a delay in arrival, the Former Speaker arrived to a massive crowd of enthusiastic voters and participants cheering and applauding.  After a brief introduction by grassroots leader Karin Hoffman, Newt Gingrich started by challenging Obama’s State of the Union address.  “..When he [Obama] proposed a 30% minimum tax, if he actually means it…the President last night proposed doubling the tax on capital gains which is THE engine which drives job creation in the United States, so he’s talking about killing job creation in America, something he’s been really good at doing for 3 years, and now wants to continue .”

It was at this point that Gingrich was interrupted by the one heckler, yes just one, (identified and a likely plant <appreciation to Red Broward >) in the crowd of well over 1000 people.  Sadly this interruption has become the focus of much of the ‘gotcha’ media.

Gingrich responded to the lone heckler with facts and humor, and continued focusing on the issues facing our nation “We’re not going to let her disrupt us from having a rational conversation”  He continued “I believe that to defeat Obama we need someone who is a conservative and who can stand up to him in a debate, and who can clearly draw the contrast  – between the Declaration of Independence and the writings of Saul Alinsky, between the Constitution and European Socialism, between citizens and subjects, and between job creation and food stamps”

The GOP candidate is backing up his words with an expectation of victory and challenge“… in my acceptance speech [of the Republican Nomination] I will challenge the president to 7 three-hour debates”.  He outlined that the debates should be staffed with a timekeeper but no moderator, and he expects the Obama to accept the challenge.

Gingrich also outlined the three major points he believes are distinctions between his campaign and that of the Obama Administration – Economics, Values, and National Security

See the video here

Economics – Gingrich spoke about working with Reagan, spending cuts, and in 1997 the balanced budget amendment he passed – resulting in 11million jobs and $405 billion in national debt paid off

Values – Gingrich stressed the differences between American Exceptionalism of individual soveriegnty and the European Model where Government is soverign and people are subjects. “Obama is confused about what country he’s in” Gingrich said

National Security – The former Speaker stated that “…the lesson of History is that when dictators  tell you horrible things, they probably mean it… what’s the answer to that?  The answer is an America so consistently strong, that no one would be foolish enough to take us on.” See the video below:

video courtesy of EyesOnPolitics on YouTube

Gingrich outlined these clear distinctions between what he believes, and what the Obama Administration has enacted.   He appealed to the voters in attendance, and made it clear that this Primary and general election is not just about voting.  Gingrich wants to reach all Americans, and stand side by side with them in the business of getting the country back on track. “I’m running to be the republican nominee, but I want you to understand that during the General Election I want to run an American Campaign… I did not come here today to ask you to be for me… I came here to ask you to be WITH me… it’s a big difference-  No one person, even the president, can get America back on the right track… but if you’re willing to be with us…side by side…Together, we are going to start getting America back in the right direction…”

Newt’s speech was inspiring, had strength, and was exactly what the attendees were hoping for – a clear direction for the country, and a candidate capable of leading in that direction.  One male attendee said that the Speaker had made up his mind by saying “I was really impressed with what Newt said today… I think he can unite America around itself, because we are the right country and the right people, we just have needed the right plan and the right leader.  Newt’s it…”

The Republican Primary is on Tuesday January 31st, 2012.

Gingrich makes his mark on the Republican Primary map – with an exclamation point

It’s a whole new ball game, and Newt Gingrich just impersonated Casey Jones by crushing a home run right over the South Carolina center field wall. The South Carolina Primary is now a matter of history, but it was a victory for Newt Gingrich that will go on far beyond the “Palmetto State”.

A year ago, Michelle Bachmann was the candidate to beat, and there was speculation that Sarah Palin may be getting into the Republican Primary. Six months ago, Herman Cain was viewed as the frontrunning Republican Candidate, and the candidate with the best chance of beating Obama. Five months ago, Rick Perry was the strong candidate that the Republican Party needed. And one month ago Romney had the Republican Primary locked up… no one else had a chance. Apparently, someone forgot to give Newt the memo that he wasn’t going to be in the race…

At the South Carolina Debate, Former Speaker Gingrich was pitched a spitball of a question by CNN’s John King, and if you didn’t get a chance to see it before, you should definitely take a look at it now:


Thanks to MoxNews.com for posting this video on YouTube

Regardless of your personal feelings towards Gingrich’s divorces, his criticism of the question was understandable. The fiery response he gave was well received by the audience, and showed a fighting spirit that many voters nationwide say they have been looking for in the Republican candidates. It should also be noted that the wife of moderator and CNN personality John King, is Dana Bash, the reporter who seemingly expressed bias in a statement about the Ron Paul campaign:

I’m hearing from Republicans, John, who are affiliated with other campaigns that they are amazed at how wonderful, frankly, that they say the Ron Paul organization is, we’ll see if that actually bears out tomorrow – but in terms of the long term, there’s no question- I’m sure that you talk to Republicans, who are worried as well, just like I am, that Ron Paul will continue on long into the spring and summer and even further even if he runs as a Republican or as an Independent he could really hurt whomever the Republican nominee is because still, nobody thinks even if he does well here in New Hampshire that he will ultimately be the nominee…

In the days after the debate, Gingrich vigorously stumped through South Carolina, talking with voters, encouraging people to come out, and even meeting them at the drive thru window of a Chic-fil-a restaurant. 
(It should be noted that Chic-fil-a is also one of our staff’s favorite places to eat, and is a tremendous place to take the ones you love!  The Political Watchman staff will not endorse a Republican candidate for President, but we FULLY endorse Chic-fil-a restaurants!)


On Primary Day, South Carolina voters expressed their support for Gingrich at the ballot box, and demonstrated how strong of a candidate they believe he is. Gingrich amassed 40.4% of the vote, racking up a double digit victory over Former Governor Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul.

All the candidates showed class and style by congratulating each other in their closing speeches, but Gingrich went the extra mile by outlining some of his plans, and voicing significant criticism of Obama’s failed policies and negotiations. See for yourself:

The battle for the Republican Nomination is still in it’s early innings, and Romney, Santorum and Paul are still in the game, but the home run that Gingrich hit on January 21st could turn the Republican Primary into a shutout. 

Keep Watch!

Romney gets Huntsman, Gingrich gets Perry – Will either make a difference in South Carolina?

On Monday, Republican Primary Candidate John Huntsman, after stepping out of the Republican Primary race, endorsed Mitt Romney as his choice for the Republican Nominee.  On Thursday, Texas Governor Rick Perry withdrew from the race, and went on to endorse Newt Gingrich for the Republican Nomination, saying, “I have no question that Newt Gingrich has the heart of a conservative reformer, the ability to rally and captivate the conservative movement. The courage to tell those Washington interests to take a hike if that’s what’s in the best interest of our country” .  The question becomes are either of these endorsements going to matter?

Let’s take a look at the numbers – In Iowa, Romney and Huntsman combined total percentage equals 25.1%.  Gingrich and Perry total percentage equals 23.6% .  That is definitely very close, but not a “barn burner” by any stretch of the imagination. Moving on to the New Hampshire Primary, Romney and Huntsman combined percentage is 56.2% while Gingrich and Perry combined equals 11.1% - which is what we in the political circles like to call “a landslide”. 

With the South Carolina  Primary happening tonite, Romney showing poorly after Gingrich’s impressive South Carolina Debate appearance, the news of Rick Santorum’s squeaking victory in Iowa over Romney, and the dark horse, Ron Paul, consistently pulling approximately a third of the vote in each primary – the endorsements may be  important, but are hardly game changers.

Of the candidates still in the race, the only one who has NOT won a state thus far in the Republican Primary is Ron Paul, but it is unlikely that Paul is going to be swayed from his beliefs or his committement to providing an alternative to the other 3 candidates, so don’t expect him to drop out.   The South Carolina Primary is going to an important deciding factor on who the next candidate is to get “voted off the island”.

Like you, we will be following “The Palmetto State” Primary with great interest today, and looking for the cues that will indicate this 4 man race is ready to move to a 3 or even 2 candidate choice!  We took at the vote here at the Political Watchman, and our guess is that the victor will be Santorum or Gingrich – Santorum if South Carolina is more concerned about the Social aspects, and Gingrich if South Carolina is more concerned about the Economic aspects.  Either way it’s not going to be Romney, and if Paul has a good showing then the race continues to be high entertainment!

Keep Watch!

Obama pushes “pause” on SOPA… but WHY?

On Monday, the POTUS pushed the “pause” button on SOPA.  No, he did not kill the bill – it is still sitting there, waiting to continue its march toward a vote, but the question that is being batted about now is “Why?”.  Why did Obama temporarily stop the forward progress of this bill?

There are a few possibilities on this that may or may not be readily apparent.  It is important to note, before exploring these possibilities,  that this opposition from the White House to the SOPA and PIPA legislation in no way takes the legislation off the table, and that we all as Americans need to be especially watchful in the coming days and weeks.  The possibilities on this opposition from Obama towards SOPA are varied, but are worth exploring.

1)      He is trying to boost his approval rating

This is the most likely reason for Obama’s public opposition to this legislation.  With the election season looming ahead and “strong” approval numbers ranging between 21% and 25%,

Robert Ariail is arguably one of the greatest political cartoonists in recent history - click on the picture above to see more of his work

the President may be attempting to garner favor from those who oppose SOPA – basically the majority of internet using Americans, but more specifically, the younger generation… you know, the ones that were his ENTHUSIASTIC supporters in the 2008 election.

2)      This is a publicity stunt

The SOPA legislation has been stopped temporarily, but it is unlikely that it will stay still for long.  It will make its way to a vote, and if passed by the House (unlikely) AND passed by the Senate (probable), it would eventually land on the President’s Desk to be signed in to law.  The President has the power to veto it, but most like would not .  “WHY NOT?” you say… “People would HATE him EVEN MORE!!”.  Wrong.  By opposing the legislation now, before it reaches the BIG Desk, Obama gives himself an “immunity” statement:  “I opposed this legislation, to properly address the concerns voiced by a majority of American Citizens, but now that it has been given an affirmative vote by the duly elected representatives of the American people, I will sign it into law.”  See?  It’s a self-addressed Presidential pardon.  Neat, Huh?

3)  This is a “slight of hand” or also delay tactics

This is the most dangerous possiblity.  By opposing this legislation, the POTUS may be using an illusionist’s trick – sleight of hand.  If he is able to come out publicly opposing this SOPA and PIPA legislation, let it appear to die (while it is on hold in the House and Senate), then as the election grows closer and the majority of Americans increase their focus on the Primaries and Election, the legislation is passed in the midst of a late night Congressional session for some completely unrelated bill.  Ooops!  Now, would you like the REALLY scary part, boys and girls?  What if AFTER that SOPA and PIPA legislation is passed in such a clandestine manner, it becomes harder and harder to access political information across the Internet, because various informational, newsreporting, and political blogging websites are being sued and suppressed for violation of SOPA and PIPA laws?  ”THAT CAN’T HAPPEN!” you say (in an appropriately outraged voice).  Really?  Ask the online gambling community…

Prior to September 29th, 2006, online gambling in the United States was a profitable (and taxable) business.  HOWEVER, early in the morning of September 30th 2006, the serving Congress passed the  Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (or UIGEA). This legislation regulates online gambling. It was added  to the SAFE Port Act as Title VIII.  (The SAFE Port Act regulates port securityand until that point had NOTHING to do with online gambling).  The UIGEA  “prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law.”   The act specifically excludes fantasy sports, that meet certain requirements, and legal intra-state and inter-tribal gaming. It does not expressly mention state lotteries; nor does it clarify whether inter-state wagering on horse racing is legal.  Know what the effects of that were?  As soon as THE NEXT DAY, U.S. Based banks stopped taking deposits from online gambling companies.  Many of these companies went out of business within a few months. PartyGaming, which runs PartyPoker.com, had its publicly-traded stock drop almost 60% in 24 hours as a result of the bill’s passage. The company was moved from the FTSE 100 Index to the FTSE 250 Index on October 11, 2006.  Still think it can’t happen?

 

The bottom line on all these possiblities is that we don’t KNOW what Obama’s real motivation is for opposing SOPA and PIPA, but based on his failure to listen to the majority of Americans on Government Provided Healthcare, The $787 BILLION dollar Stimulus package debacle, and the bailout of the auto industry – it is unlikely that he is doing it because public outcry.  It is important to remain vigilant on the SOPA and PIPA legislation, as well as any redraws and rewrites of this legislation. 

In the meantime, feel free to post a comment below with your own theory, and Keep Watch!

 

 

 

Don’t like SOPA and PIPA? Debbie does!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is on a roll. 

Last week she implied that the actions and efforts of the grassroots Tea Party movement  were responsible for the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tuscon, Arizona last year.

 This week, as we have been following the liberty killing SOPA and PIPA internet regulation legislation, it has come to the attention of the staff here at the Political Watchman that one of the Co-Sponsors of this legislation is none other than Debbie ‘Debbie Downer’ Wasserman Schultz.

With how much negative attention she is receiving on television, radio, blogs, and pretty much everywhere else, it is not surprising that the DNC Chairwoman would want to get government control over online information.

SOPA  gives the ability to the U.S. Attorney General to seek a court order to require “a service provider (to) take technically feasible and reasonable measures designed to prevent access by its subscribers located within the United States to the foreign infringing site.”

PIPA the Protect IP Act, if passed, will enable U.S. corporations and the government to pursue legal action with any website that they perceive to be allowing copyright infringement, regardless of that website’s geographic location in the world. This legislation is the re-written form of the original Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) of 2010.  It also gives them power to pursue legal action by suing search engines, or any website forcing the black listed sites removed from their website, or force U.S. internet providers to shut off access to any website judged to be enablers of copyright infringement.

That all SOUNDS good right?  No copyright infringement?  What it boils down to is government controlled censorship of the Internet, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz is one of thirty Co-Sponsors of this legislation.  She is also the DNC Chairwoman, representing the voice of the Democrat Party.

There are 30 Representatives who have Co-Sponsored this legislation,  16 Democrats and 14 Republicans, but both sides are wrong on this legislation.  This legislation can only be seen as a first step towards Government censorship of the Internet, and massive Government intrusion into online business.  Here is a list of the Co-Sponsors and their party (as well as the states their district is in):

Democrats

  • Brad Sherman                   CA
  • Howard Berman               CA
  • Adam Schiff                        CA
  • Judy Chu                              CA
  • Karen Bass                          CA
  • Joe Baca                               CA
  • John Larson                        CT
  • Ted Deutch                         FL
  • Debbie Wasserman Schultz         FL
  • John Barrow                       GA
  • John Conyers Jr.                               MI
  • Melvin Watt                       NC
  • Ben Ray Lujan                    NM
  • Bill Owens                           NY
  • Tim Holden                         PA
  • Jim Cooper                         TN

 

Republicans

  • Tim Griffin                           AR
  • Elton Gallegly                     CA
  • Mary Bono Mack              CA
  • Dennis Ross                        FL
  • Steve Scalise                      LA
  • Alan Nunnelee                  MS
  • Lee Terry                             NE
  • Mark Amodei                    NV
  • Peter King                           NY
  • Steve Chabot                     OH
  • Tom Marino                       PA
  • Marsha Blackburn            TN
  • John Carter                         TX
  • Bob Goodlatte                  VA

 

Although this legislation has bi-partisan Co-Sponsorship, it is a ‘Big Government’ bill, and because of that it is no surprise that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is on-board with it.  Legislation like this continues to demonstrate that many politicians believe American Citizens are not capable of making decisions for ourselves.  It is extremely distressing, but not especially surprising that the Chairwoman of the DNC, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is in favor of such restrictive legislation that increases the size and intrusion of the Federal Government.

If you have not called your Congressperson or Senator to ensure their opposition to this legislation, then please do so today.  If your legislator is Debbie Wasserman Schultz, call your local Republican officer and ask them to find someone to run against her.

Keep Watch!

UPDATE:

The morning after the South Carolina Debate, Rep. Wasserman Schultz was on Fox and Friends.  It would be a kind statement regarding the interview to say that “she was flustered”… a more accurate statement would probably be that “she failed in any way shape or form to provide a cohesive sentence together regarding her point of view”…
Feel free to post what YOU think!

Increase your website traffic with Attracta.com