RSample.com

Politics and Theology from Reuel K. Sample

Senator Boxer tried playing the race card, and got soundly trumped.

Mr. Harry Alford of the National Black Chamber of Commerce was called to testify before a Senate Committee concerning the impact of the Cap and Trade bill. His organization has been studying the effect of such a bill since the mid 1990′s. Before his testimony began, Senator Barbara “Don’t Call Me Ma’am” Boxer of California introduced into the record a statement from the NAACP in support of the bill. Mr. Alford voiced his indignation, stating that the Senator should deal with him as a businessman, not as a black man.

I know what the Senator was thinking. Here is an uppity black, who leads a black organization, who is clearly not in line with the Democrat party line. Let’s deal with this black man by setting another black man against him. Let’s answer his questions at the racial level, that way avoiding having to deal with the facts. The Senator’s inability to answer Mr. Alford’s charge is testimony enough – she got caught.

Minorities and Republicans have two important lessons to learn here:

1. Minorities need to understand that the Democrat party is only interested in their racial vote. The policies and rhetoric of this party is not designed to free blacks to pursue the American dream. It is, instead, designed to keep blacks on the plantation of government dependency. Every now and then the Democrats will throw a bone to this block of voters, apologizing for slavery being the latest. As long as minorities stay blind to the reality that it is government and the Democrat party that is in fact holding them back, they will continue to support this political group that sees them only as chattel.

Condolezza Rice

Condolezza Rice

2. Republicans need to learn that pandering to any racial group will ultimately backfire. The core value of Republicanism – minimal government interference is the key to personal success – must be promoted to all racial groups. Judge Clarence Thomas, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, Judge Sotomayor, Governor Bobby Jindal, and of course Mr. Harry Alford along with others all arrived at their positions of authority and influence through hard work and personal initiative. They succeeded despite the prevailing racial ideas and laws that put barriers to their success. The Republicans should not pander to the blacks, or any other racial group. Instead, they should push for laws and policies that will free all Americans, despite racial identity, to pursue their dreams and be successful.

Well done, Mr. Alford.

As Iran continues to burn in the aftermath of its national “elections”, President Obama maintains that we must not meddle. He justifies his stance by maintaining that the Iranian people do not like the United States. If we get involved, the hope of freedom will be overwhelmed by anti-American sentiment.

America, though, has been “meddling” in world affairs since our independence 200 years ago. The War of 1812 decided our young nation’s sea rights. Shortly afterward, the United States Navy was instituted to handle the infamous Barbary Pirates of North Africa. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders took on the expansion of Spain in our hemisphere. World War I, triggered by European politics, was only resolved by the intervention of the American Doughboy. If Japan had not attacked Pearl Harbor, America would not have meddled to bring an end to the evilness of the Nazis and Blackshirts in Europe.

We have meddled in other ways outside the military. Technologically, we are responsible for bringing the world together through telegraph, phone, satellite, and internet. We changed how the world manufactures, farms, and provides service. Our medical advances have prolonged and improved life. The 20th century is rightly called the American Century, for our nation changed a world.

0615091541_m_061509_protests2

Iranian Protests. AP Photo

Perhaps our greatest meddling, however, has not come from our military might, our technological knowhow, or our inventiveness. We have meddled because we are the Great Experiment, a shining beacon of liberty. We have demonstrated that government properly restrained by the will of the people will result in a nation that prospers and grows. We have declared that freedom is given to all men by God, and cannot be taken away by any government. From the dark streets of Beijing, to the cold streets of Moscow, and indeed to the sand-covered lanes of Tehran – the concept and power of liberty has interfered in every nation around the world. Some have embraced it, some have ignored it, and some have actively fought against it. Yet the light of freedom shines forth, and America is the brightest flame.

Our very existence has been one of meddling. Liberty is our principle export. We understand that free nations are stable nations, striving for peace within and outside their borders. It is time for President Obama to stop staying on the sidelines. It is time that he stop testing the winds of politics. The youth and freedom-loving people of Iran look to us. Obviously they do not hate us – for they are seeking the same rights and freedoms that we have held for two centuries. The signs in the covert videos of marches in Iran are in English – calling to us in the West. It is time for us to hold aloft the torch of freedom. It is time for us to extol the virtues of freedom. It is time…to meddle.

Last week Senator Barbara Boxer insisted that a Brigadier General call her “Senator” instead of “Ma’am.”

Dear Senator Boxer:

I am appalled at your foolish display at last week’s hearing concerning the restoration process and the Army Corps of Engineers. Proper military protocol dictates that any person with a higher rank, or of a high ranking civilian office, is referred to as “Sir” or “Ma’am”. Yet, you insisted you be called “Senator” because “you worked hard” for that position. As you worked for that position, clearly you did not pay any attention to proper military protocol. Neither did you display the class that one assumes comes with your office by publicly chiding a high ranking Army officer.

Instead of issuing a statement that says you had a “phone conversation” with the general following the hearing, I would urge you to make a apology for disrespecting a man who has worked equally hard to obtain his present rank and position. Our military men and women are placing their lives on the line in all areas of the world. By embarrassing Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh as you did, you also bring dishonor on them.

Sincerely,

Reuel K. Sample

Sent via email on June 21, 2009.

Senator Boxer is no friend to the conservative. In this display, she has demonstrated that she is no friend of the military either. I hope her constituents remember – and take the proper action to replace her.

Are we just at the point where “politician” and “corrupt” go hand in hand?

Look at the following examples:

  • Chris Dodd – In trouble again over a gift of a house in Ireland that came suspiciously after securing a Presidential pardon. (The Associated Press)
  • Senator Burris is not as clean as he made himself out to be. (The Sun Times)
  • Speaker Pelosi continues to lie about what she knew about water boarding (Judicial Watch)
  • Republican Senators and Congressmen who still do not get it about earmarks (RealClear Politics)

Clearly, these are not men and women who are morally competent to be elected. Yet, statistics show that House members have above a 90% re-election rate since 1974. Senators have a 80-90% chance of retaking their office. (Center for Responsive Politics).

The question then becomes – why do we keep reelecting them? The country clamored for a change in November, yet sent the same people back to Washington. No wonder we are still in a mess, still in gridlock, and still hearing about corruption scandals and unsubstantiated claims of falsehood. These people were corrupt before the elections – by sending them back we have in fact affirmed them in their dishonesty.

The mess that we see in Washington is OUR fault – we keep giving power to those whose irresponsibility has led us to this point. Imagine if we the people decided to always vote against the incumbent for the next 6 elections – that the time of the career politician is over? Imagine the fear that would be struck into the hearts and minds of our representatives. I think a little fear would do them good.

Some interesting stuff here on Michelle Malkin’s website.

To quote Strom: “The real story to all this is how these myriad entities allow them to shuffle money around so much that no one really knows what’s getting spent on what…”

Read the entire article here: Michelle Malkin